From Magazine archives

Airlines
USA
Alaska
Aloha
American
America West
Continental
Delta
Frontier
Northwest
United
Canada
Air Canada
Air Transat
Harmony
WestJet

Plane Talk
SKY VIEWS
SKY LINES:
Ed Anderson
IATA Report

Europe
Air France
Alitalia
Austrian
British
KLM
Lufthansa
SN Brussels
Virgin Atlantic

Africa
Air Namibia
Air Mauritius
Air Tanzania
Air Zimbabwe
Cameroon Air
Ethiopian
Kenya
Royal Air Maroc
South African
Zambian
Mid East
Emirates Air
Qatar Air
Royal Jordanian

 


BOMBARDIER CONCLUDES COMMERCIAL AVIATION DEVESTMENT

Bombardier will complete its move away from commercial aircraft production with the sale of its regional jet business to Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI).Under the sale agreement Mitsubishi will buy Bombardier’s CRJ business for USD$550 million in cash and the assumption of USD$200 million of liabilities. MHI will acquire the maintenance, support, refurbishment, marketing, and sales activities for the CRJ Series located in Montréal and Toronto, and service facilities in West Virginia and Arizona. Also included are type certificates. MHI chief executive Seiji Izumisawa said the transaction “represents one of the most important steps in our strategic journey to build a strong, global aviation capability. “MHI has a decades-long history in Canada, and I hope this transaction will result in the expansion of our presence in the country, and will represent a significant step in our growth strategy.”

Bombardier’s CEO Alain Bellemare said the agreement “represents the completion of Bombardier’s aerospace transformation.” He said the company’s focus will now be on its rail and business jet franchises. Bombardier will retain its Québec production facility, with CRJ jet production finishing in the second half of 2020 after the delivery of the current order backlog. It will also continue to supply components and spare parts from Mirabel. The transaction is expected to close during the first half of 2020 and is subject to regulatory approvals and closing conditions.

Airbus regained its Paris Air Show momentum on Wednesday, with the newly launched A321XLR extra long ranger attracting more interest.Private equity firm Indigo Partners announced a memorandum of understanding to acquire 32 A321XLRs and convert an existing order of 18 from A320neo family aircraft to A321XLRs.

Indigo Partners said the order will be allocated to three of its low cost carriers, 20 to Hungary-based Wizz Air, 18 to Frontier Airlines in the US, and 12 to Chile's JetSMART. Another large A321XLR order came from American Airlines, with an agreement to purchase 20 of the type and convert 30 of its existing A321neo slots to A321XLRs.

Already the largest Airbus operator in the world, American's latest agreement takes its outstanding order total to 115 A321neos and A321XLRs. The Dallas-based airline currently operates a fleet of 422 Airbus aircraft. Qantas also added new orders and conversions for the A321XLR. The Australian flag carrier placed a firm order for 10 A321XLRs and converted 26 of an existing order for A320neo family jets to the A321XLR. Most of the new aircraft are expected to go to low-cost unit Jetstar, but some may be used on thinner routes operated by the mainline carrier, and possibly to replace some of the airline's older Boeing 737s. China Airlines signed a memorandum of agreement for 11 A321neo aircraft, and with another 14 to be leased, it will take the Taiwan airline's total to 25. Dublin-based leasing company Accipiter Holdings revealed at the air show that it is the undisclosed purchaser of 20 A320neo aircraft listed in the Airbus order book. Dublin-based Accipiter agreed the deal in March this year.

How Customer Demands And Digitalization Will Transform Aerospace Over The Decade

When it comes to technological and business disruption, the aerospace industry has had it comparatively easy over the past couple of decades. Aircraft got bigger and then smaller and always more efficient, but the way planes flew and the way they were manufactured remained essentially the same.

The economic climate confronting aerospace manufacturers was nothing like the tumult that had rocked airlines since the beginning of the millennium, after a swarm of online travel agencies and price-comparison websites brought pricing transparency to the sector. That upheaval, against the backdrop of the global financial meltdown, chipped away at carrier margins and customer relationships and unleashed a competitive onslaught that forced consolidation. It even took down some well-known players.

For aerospace, that period of relative calm is about to end as new technology and customer demands begin to reshape the industry’s business model over the next decade. As this wave of mega-disruption sweeps the sector, aerospace manufacturers should heed a key lesson from the airlines: Incumbents must quickly embrace the big, bold ideas disruption brings — or else prepare to face off against faster-moving players.

A perfect storm 

Perhaps mega-disruption may seem a bit dramatic, but the forces bringing change to aerospace over the next decade are all hitting simultaneously, compelling aircraft and component makers to overhaul their manufacturing and repair practices as well as their product lines. The three major categories of disruptors are digitalizationcustomer demand, and the need to achieve sustainable growth.

By itself, digitalization would be disruptive enough, involving the incorporation of technologies from predictive maintenance to autonomy. But sweeping the industry at the same time as other innovations such as 3-D printing and modular design means aerospace will not just be disrupted. It will be transformed.

Obviously, customer demand and achieving sustainable growth are perennials for aerospace — as for most industries. But over the next decade, customer demand will focus on reducing emissions and “green” operation, flexibility and innovation in cabin design, and development of technology that reduces travel time. Sustainable growth, on the other hand, will be concentrated in production line efficiency and agility, expansion into maintenance and other services, and innovative financing. Ultimately, all three disruptor categories will lead to a new era of safer, more customized, fuel-efficient, and digitally optimized aircraft.

The impact of digitalization

As it has in most industries, digitalization is reshaping aerospace — from the plethora of sensors constantly collecting data on board aircraft to eventually autonomous flight. Already, there is an uninterrupted flow of real-time information coming from aircraft updating ground operations and the pilots on the status of systems, equipment, and current and impending weather conditions. For instance, in the near future, these smart and connected planes will be able to adjust flight routes using real-time data to maximize fuel efficiency, minimize turbulence, and even eliminate the wait for the gate after landing.

One of the biggest challenges has been to gather and analyze the terabytes of data produced. Yet, the pressure is on for aircraft and engine makers to add more sensors to further enhance the real-time picture of what’s happening with planes in flight — and on the ground, where artificial intelligence is also starting to effect change.

In the maintenance end of the aerospace value chain, predictive maintenance — the process of using analytics to determine as precisely as possible when an aircraft’s part should be replaced – is increasingly demonstrating its ability to improve efficiency. While this approach to servicing planes has been available for several years, airlines and maintenance, repair and overhaul operations are only just now embracing it to help ensure the full lifespan of parts is utilized, minimize the number of equipment checks, and maximize the safety of aircraft.
 

ICAO to airlines: Report plane's position every 15 mins

Members of the United Nations' aviation arm, the International Civil Aviation Organization, meeting in Montreal this week, have endorsed a new standard that will require commercial aircraft to report their position every 15 minutes, a response to the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370.

The guideline, which ICAO is aiming to bring into force in November 2016, is the first stage of a proposal to ensure planes can be tracked and that accident sites can be located quickly, called the Global Aeronautical Distress and Safety System.

1. ROUTINE FLIGHT TRACKING

This is the 15-minute standard, which ICAO has said could be met without retrofitting any planes. In emergencies or potential emergencies, aircraft would be required to check in more frequently, at least once every minute.

Any plane flying within radar coverage would easily meet this standard. On some trans-oceanic flights, airlines would need to activate satellite tracking systems that in many cases are already installed on their planes, or report in by radio at regular intervals.

The agency is not a regulator, but its standards typically become regulatory requirements in its 191 member states. ICAO sees this standard going into effect in November 2016. Member states would have to put the tracking rules into effect or notify the agency that they are not meeting the standard.

2. DISTRESS TRACKING

If this second proposal from ICAO's Secretariat is adopted, new aircraft built 2021 or later would have systems that make it possible to locate an accident site within six nautical miles, which is roughly equivalent to one minute of flying time.

The system would kick in after a signal from the ground, direction from the flight crew, or automatically based on the plane's behavior.

Views are split on whether current satellite tracking systems could meet this standard, because they can be shut off by the pilot, making activation from the ground impossible.

3. FLIGHT RECORDER DATA RETRIEVAL

The third proposal is for the installation in new aircraft of "automatic deployable flight recorders", 'black box' flight recorders that eject from a plane during a crash. ICAO sees it going into effect by 2021.

Planemakers could use alternative technology, skipping the ejectable recorders, as long as it is possible to retrieve the same data in another way. For example, a recorder that transmits its data using satellites during a crash instead of physically ejecting might meet the standard. — Reuters

Dr Harold Demuren receives African Aviation Award - 2014

DR HAROLD Olusegun Demuren, the former Director General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and currently Chief Executive Officer of Harold Demuren Consulting has received an African Aviation Lifetime Achievement Award for his Outstanding Services to African Aviation Development.  The Award was presented during the African Aviation Summit 2014 & 23rd Annual ‘Air Finance for Africa’ Conference & Exhibition held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in June this year.
 
As Director General of the NCAA, Dr Demuren transformed the Nigerian aviation industry by strictly enforcing safety and security regulations and ensuring compliance with international best practices in the Nigerian airline industry.
 
In addition, he sucessfully led Nigeria through the ICAO Universal Safety Audit in 2006, the ICAO Security Audit in 2008 and the successful attainment of the United States FAA/IASA Category One Certification by Nigeria in 2010.
 
He also successfully secured the adoption of the Cape Town Convention by the Nigerian government which paved the way for the unprecedented modernisation of airline fleets in Nigeria during his tenure.
 
Announcing the Award, the CEO of AFRICAN AVIATION, Mr Nick Fadugba, congratulated Dr Demuren for his outstanding achievements in particular as Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and for his role in championing the Nigerian airline industry at the global level.  
Dr Demuren thanked African Aviation for recognising his contribution to the African aviation industry after he had retired as Director General of the NCAA and noted that former officials in Africa are often not recognized for their earlier contributions. He reiterated his continued commitment to promoting aviation safety and security both in Nigeria and in Africa as a whole.
The African Aviation Awards were introduced in 1999 by AFRICAN AVIATION in order to give international recognition to individuals, companies and organisations that have made an outstanding contribution to aviation development in Africa.
 
AFRICAN AVIATION was established 24 years ago, in 1990, as a vehicle for helping to promote aviation development on the African continent. ‘We firmly believe that aviation can be a vital catalyst for Africa’s economic and social development,’ said AFRICAN AVIATION CEO, Nick Fadugba.
 
The African Aviation Award Ceremony took place during the African Aviation Summit 2014 & 23rd Annual ‘Air Finance for Africa’ Conference & Exhibition held at The Sheraton Hotel, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from Monday, 9th to Wednesday, 11th June, 2014.  
 
His Excellency, Dr Mulatu Teshome, President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia officially opened the African Aviation Summit 2014 & 23rd Annual ‘Air Finance for Africa’ Conference & Exhibition, Dr Elham Mahmoud Ahmed Ibrahim, Commissioner for Infrastructure & Energy, African Union Commission was the Conference Patron and Mr Workneh Gebeyehu, Minister of Transport, Ethiopia delivered the Keynote Address to the nearly 200 high-level delegates from Africa and around the world. The Conference was hosted by Ethiopian Airlines which provided key support and assistance to the successful event.
 
The Theme of the Conference was:  ‘The Next 50 Years:  The Role of the African Union (AU) in Supporting African Aviation. 
 
The aim of the Conference was to further sensitise African Governments on the key role aviation plays in Africa and provide a high-level forum to focus on some of the critical challenges facing the African aviation industry today which need to be addressed. The 50th Anniversary of the OAU-AU presented a unique opportunity to highlight to African Governments the critical role played by aviation in the continent’s economic and social development. In particular, the Summit focused on the growing role of Aviation in Africa’s Economic Development over the next 50 years.– 25 June, 2014.
Dr Titus Naikuni receives African Aviation Award - 2014
DR TITUS Naikuni, Group Managing Director & CEO of Kenya Airways has received the African Aviation Lifetime Achievement Award for his Outstanding Services to African Aviation Development.  The Award was presented during the African Aviation Summit 2014 & 23rd Annual ‘Air Finance for Africa’ Conference & Exhibition held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in June this year.
 
Since his appointment as Group Managing Director of Kenya Airways in February, 2003, Dr Naikuni has been widely acknowledged throughout Africa and the international aviation industry as one of the most knowledgeable, professional and committed aviation Chief Executives on the African continent. He has established a reputation for airline business acumen, management expertise and an exemplary record of service to African aviation.
 
Dr Naikuni’s far-sighted vision and strong leadership have transformed Kenya Airways into one of Africa’s foremost national carriers.  Eleven years later the airline has one of the most modern aircraft fleets and widest route networks on the continent and has also established a world-class training facility based in Nairobi.
 
Announcing the Award, the CEO of AFRICAN AVIATION, Mr Nick Fadugba, congratulated Dr Naikuni for his outstanding achievements as Group Managing Director & CEO of Kenya Airways and for his role in championing the African airline industry at the global level.  
 
The African Aviation Award Ceremony took place during the African Aviation Summit 2014 & 23rd Annual ‘Air Finance for Africa’ Conference & Exhibition held at The Sheraton Hotel, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from Monday, 9th to Wednesday, 11th June, 2014.  Dr Titus Naikuni (left) receives the African Aviation Lifetime Achievement Award 
 
His Excellency, Dr Mulatu Teshome, President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia officially opened the African Aviation Summit 2014 & 23rd Annual ‘Air Finance for Africa’ Conference & Exhibition
 
The Theme of the Conference was: ‘The Next 50 Years:  The Role of the African Union (AU) in Supporting African Aviation.
 
The aim of the Conference was to further sensitise African Governments on the key role aviation plays in Africa and provide a high-level forum to focus on some of the critical challenges facing the African aviation industry today which need to be addressed.  The 50th Anniversary of the OAU-AU presented a unique opportunity to highlight to African Governments the critical role played by aviation in the continent’s economic and social development.  In particular, the Summit focused on the growing role of Aviation in Africa’s Economic Development over the next 50 years.
The African Aviation Awards were introduced in 1999 by AFRICAN AVIATION in order to give international recognition to individuals, companies and organisations that have made an outstanding contribution to aviation development in Africa.
 
African Aviation was established 24 years ago, in 1990, as a vehicle for helping to promote aviation development on the African continent. ‘We firmly believe that aviation can be a vital catalyst for Africa’s economic and social development,’ said AFRICAN AVIATION  CEO, Nick Fadugba.
Kenya Airways
 
Kenya Airways introduced its 10-Year Strategy called ‘Project Mawingu’ in 2012, the aim of which is to serve 115 Destinations in 77 Countries with a fleet of 107 passenger aircraft and 12 freighter aircraft.  It recently introduced its first Boeing 777-300ER and two Boeing 787-800 Dreamliner aircraft.  Another four Dreamliners will be delivered in 2014, as well as two more B777-300ERs and three B737-800NGs.

The World Airline Directory provides a comprehensive listing of more than 2,000 international, regional and domestic airlines throughout the world. Airlines are grouped by country, and then alphabetically by airport name. This section lists Airlines in Africa.

Turkish Airlines starts new Cameroon flights

 

Turkish Airlines, the country’s flagship airline, has added started services to Yaounde and Douala, two cities in the west Central African country of Cameroon.

This brings the total number of cities served to 216, further expanding Turkish Airlines’ extensive global network. With the addition of Yaounde and Douala, it now flies to 33 destinations in Africa alone, a statement from the company said.

Introductory round trip fares are available from Istanbul to Yaounde and Douala alone, a statement from the company said.

Introductory round trip fares are available from Istanbul to Yaounde and Douala starting from 499 Euros (663,6)

News Releases Send to: airhwy@dowco.com fax 604 681 0718

New Africa Travel Magazine Edition Covers Several Bases.
Launch at Major Travel Shows and Road Shows in USA

Making Air Waves
Flying Machines Soar n' Roar at Reno
Flint, Michigan's Bishop Airport Expands
Bellingham, Wa Airport Update
Air Highways to Asia Apec Anniversary .
Transport Report from IATA .News Release
NATA New Air Charter Safety Initiative
SkyControl Website & Newsletter
Royal Jordanian Airlines Visa card promo
Want a Powerful, Award Winning Website? Write now
Qatar Airways- New Routes, Alexandria, Egypt and Athens
Aerolite Xenon Gyroplane
Airlines, Aircraft, Airports and Airshows
Aviation Summer Camps

Open Skies to USA, Asia Pacific and beyond
Turn right for Texas, turn left for Timbuktu

map pageThis tiny map icon is your portal to the original 40 Gateway Airports whose managers helped us launch Air Highways Magazine in 1995, just as the US- Canada Open Skies Agreement was about to be signed. The airport authorities handled the distribution of our magazines and Supermaps to thousands of passengers at airport lounges, airline ticket counters and in-flight.

Thanks Boeing for a delightful introduction
Future of Flight Aviation Center

Hot Trends and Thriving Spas
When health is a priority

 

Fly the Air Highways to Africa and the World on Ethiopian Airlines and Boeing

In order to modernize its fleet and cater for its growth requirements, Ethiopian Airlines has decided to acquire a total of twelve Boeing airplanes over the coming four years, with purchase rights for additional five B737 New Generation aircraft & three B777 aircraft. The Airline plans to introduce six New Generation B737-700s and six B767-300ERs into its fleet, to replace its older B737-200s and B767-200s. Phase-in of the airplanes will start within six to nine months from now.

Both Airbus and Boeing have been campaigning hard over the last few years for this deal, with Airbus proposing its A319-100 and A330-200 airplanes.

Although the Airline's decision to acquire the Boeing airplanes was made based on integrated and rigorous assessment of technical, performance, economic and financial parameters, the main factors that influenced the final decision are operational, commercial and financing considerations.

Six airplanes will be acquired through export credit guaranteed finance lease arrangement and the remaining six will be on operating lease. All the airplanes will be configured into two classes and will be equipped with state of the art interior and passenger friendly in-flight entertainment systems.

The new B767 offers the ultra modern B777 interior, which includes a passenger cabin with contoured walls and ceilings, creating spaciousness and increased stowage capacity. There are more than 800 B767 airplanes in service with 80 operators around the world. The B767 has accumulated more than nine million flights and has carried millions of passengers.

All new models of the B737 family feature exceptional flexibility in size and mission, as well as high reliability and maintability. The Next-Generation models provide passengers with all-new, more spacious interiors and more accessible overhead luggage bins. The airplanes are one of the most technologically advanced family in the single-aisle market. They are designed to fly higher, faster, farther, quieter and with greater fuel efficiency than previous B737 models. In addition, flight deck displays and the spacious new interiors are also patterned after the Boeing 777.

While it is obvious that the B737-700s will be powered with CFM56 engines, the Airline plans to announce its engine selection on the B767-300ERs shortly.
This investment for the future is in line with the Airline's Strategic plan and will further enhance the Airline's competitiveness in the areas of customer service, market development & profitability.

In related developments the airline has finalized preparations to commence construction of a state of the art cargo terminal and maintenance hangar, at its hub in Addis Ababa, within this fiscal year.

Implementation of the fleet renewal program and the above facility development projects, coupled with the opening of the new passenger terminal at the Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, will greatly enhance Ethiopian Airlines' services to/from Ethiopia, Africa and key regions of the rest of the world.

For further information, please contact Peter Tse at (212) 867-0120,
mailto:petert@ethiopianairlines.com


Flight Centers Canada Expands
In spite of travel market downturns and global challenges such as 9/11, Flight Center Canada has managed to continue turnover growth across Canada to report a pretax profit of more than 400% in the last half of its fiscal 2002 year, announced Flight Center Canada Western Division Marketing Manager, Carol McLelan today. (continued)

Air Highways to Africa:
Our editorial team returned recently from two months in Kenya preparing "AIR HIGHWAYS TO AFRICA" - to be launched in March, 2006, Next events on our Africa agenda are the ATA Annual Ecotourism Symposium in Angola, Oct. 30- Nov. 4, 2005 and the ATA World Congress in Ghana, May, 2006.
Air Highways to London:
World Travel Market Nov. 14-17
Air Highways to the USA: Fly-Drive, Fly-Cruise, Fly-Rail
BC Municipal Marketplace: Vancouver, Sept. 26-30
B.C. Aviation Council's 67th Annual Conference
NW Corridor Development Conference Jasper, Alberta

If you are interested in similar advertising, contact us at airhwy@dowco.com