Global lands at Pearson Airport

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Bombardier, Business, Business Aircraft, Downsview, Global 7500, GTAA, Mississauga, Montreal, News, Pearson International Airport, Quebec

An artists’s impression of the new Global Manufacturing Centre. Bombardier is building a new final assembly facility at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport for its Global business jets. The company has signed a long-term lease agreement with the Greater Toronto Airports Authority, the operator of Pearson, to build its new state-of-the art Global Manufacturing Centre at the airport, Bombardier announced Wednesday. The current Global completion center is in Downsview, about 20 kilometres east of the new site in Mississauga, Ont., where first production activities are expected to begin in 2023. The site will optimize final assembly operations for all Global business jets, including the flagship Global 7500, Bombardier said. “This is a strategic move for Bombardier and a strong commitment to Ontario’s aerospace industry,” said Alain Bellemare, president and chief executive officer of Bombardier Inc. “It will allow us to offer world-class career opportunities and continue fueling the economic development of the region for years to come.” The 1-million sq-ft facility will combine thousands of highly-skilled employees with 21st century production and tooling innovation, the company said. The Global 7500 forms a major portion of Bombardier’s aircraft order backlog of $15.3 billion. Images are courtesy of Bombardier.

Air Canada flying high with new honors

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Air Canada, Boeing, Boeing 777, Boeing Dreamliner, Canada, Global Traveler, Maple Leaf Lounge, Montreal, Toronto

Air Canada president and CEO Calin Rovinescu

Just last week, Air Canada president and CEO Calin Rovinescu was named the CEO of the Year by the Globe and Mail’s Report on Business magazine.

This week, the airline is celebrating another achievement – it has been recognized as the 2019 Airline of the Year by industry publication Global Traveler.

“The success we have had transforming our airline into a leading global carrier is being recognized worldwide and we continue to invest in new aircraft, onboard services, airport amenities and a new loyalty program to build on our leading position,” Rovinescu said.

“Mostly, however, this award recognizes the hard work of our employees and their commitment to deliver customer service excellence every day, for which I thank them,” he added.

The airline said Global Traveler’s advisory board weighed the nominees’ financial data, safety records, product offerings, onboard menus and overall image as a brand before selecting Air Canada as Airline of the Year.

Maple Leaf Lounge offers dishes prepared by celebrity chefs.

Since 2010, Rovinescu has presided over a rapid expansion of the airline, investing $12 billion on new aircraft and routes.

Rovinescu’s fleet renewal program has seen the deployment of new Boeing 777s and Boeing 787 Dreamliners.

The airline’s popular Maple Leaf Lounge, featuring dishes prepared by celebrity chefs, is also part of his program to elevate the travel experience.

Rovinescu has been at the helm of Air Canada since early 2009.

Images are courtesy of Air Canada.

Boeing debuts 737 MAX 10

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737 MAX, Aircraft, Aviation, Boeing, Boeing 737 MAX 10, Business, News, Renton, Seattle, Wash.

The 737 MAX 10 being unveiled at the Boeing plant in Renton, Wash., on Friday. 

Even as concerns about the safety of Boeing 737 MAX 8 persist, the U.S. aircraft manufacturer has debuted the latest version of the aircraft.

Thousands of employees gathered at the Boeing plant in Renton, Wash., on Friday for the debut of the 737 MAX 10.

“Today is not just about a new airplane. It’s about the people who design, build and support it,” said Mark Jenks, vice-president and general manager of the 737 program.

“This team’s relentless focus on safety and quality shows the commitment we have to our airline customers and every person who flies on a Boeing airplane.”

The 737 MAX 10 is the largest variant of the MAX family, and can seat up to 230 passengers.

“I’m honored to take this airplane on its first flight and show the world what you’ve put your heart and soul into,” said 737 chief pilot Jennifer Henderson.

Boeing has received more than 550 orders for the 737 MAX 10 from over 20 customers, the company said.

Image courtesy: Boeing 

Dubai Airshow order book tops $54 billion

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Air Arabia, Airbus, Airbus A350XWB, Airservices Australia, Boeing, Business Aviation, Dash 8-400, De Havilland Canada, Dubai, Dubai Airshow, Emirates, Searidge Technologies, Sharjah, UAE

DUBAI – Deals worth $54.5 billion were reached at the latest edition of the Dubai Airshow, which closed on Thursday, the event’s organizers said.

Airbus was the biggest winner — it secured two blockbuster deals worth $30 billion. Dubai’s Emirates Airline ordered 50 A350-XWB jets, valued at $16 billion. 

Airbus also signed an agreement to sell 120 A320neo aircraft to the budget carrier Air Arabia, based in the neighboring emirate of Sharjah. That deal was worth $14 billion.

Emirates, meanwhile, finalized a purchase agreement for 30 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, valued at $8.8 billion.

De Havilland Canada, which returned to the show after many years, won a number of orders for its Dash 8-400 aircraft from companies in the UAE, Russia and Nigeria.

Searidge Technologies, a Canadian company providing remote tower and digital airport solutions, was a first-time exhibitor.

Airservices Australia selected Searidge’s  digital tower solution for an initial prototype at Sydney Airport.

The program’s define stage is currently underway and scheduled to be completed by March 2020, Searidge said.

The 2019 show recorded a 10% rise in exhibitor attendance, and the organizers are now predicting an even bigger event in 2021.

“We always want to outperform our last show, and 2019 has gone above and beyond expectation, with so much great business being done alongside an engaging and innovative program of conferences, exhibits and flying displays,” said Michele van Akelijen, managing director of show organizers Tarsus F&E LLC Middle East.

“We have already seen exhibitors rebooking for the next edition.”

 

Emirates adds A350-XWB to its fleet

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Airbus, Airbus A350 XWB, Dubai, Dubai Airshow, Emirates Airline, Rolls-Royce, UAE

DUBAI – The world’s largest international airline is adding the Airbus A350-900 extra widebody aircraft to it fleet.

Emirates Airline announced a firm order for 50 A350-900 XWB aircraft worth $16 billion at the Dubai Airshow on Monday.

The airplanes will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines. Delivery is expected to begin in May 2023 and will continue through 2028, the airline said.

The deal was signed by Emirates chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum and Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury.

“Complementing our A380s and 777s, the A350s will give us added operational flexibility in terms of capacity, range and deployment,” said Sheikh Ahmed.

“In effect, we are strengthening our business model to provide efficient and comfortable air transport services to, and through, our Dubai hub.”

Faury said the A350 will bring unbeatable economics and environmental benefits to Emirates. The airline operates an all-widebody fleet comprising the Airbus A380 and the Boeing 777.

 

Airbus biz jets are now just a click away

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Acropolis Aviation, Airbus, Airbus Corporate Jets, AirX Charter, Aviation, Business Aircraft, Business Aviation, Business Travel, Constellation Aviation, EBAA, Emirates, Eva Air, Global Jet, iflyACJ.com, K5 Aviation, MasterJet, MJet, NBAA-BACE, News, Nomad Aviation, Toulouse, Tyrolean Jet Services

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Airbus has teamed up with 12 Airbus Corporate Jet operators worldwide to make VIP travel smooth.

Under a plan unveiled this week, Airbus jets can be chartered from any of the operators through the dedicated iflyACJ.com website.

The site was launched at the National Business Aviation Association’s Conference and Exhibition in Las Vegas.

“The new website will appeal to VIP travelers because it groups together in a single place information about the Airbus corporate jet offerings of 12 operators such as details of their spacious cabins, characteristics and tailored on-board services,” Airbus said.

“Its simplicity enables users to find details about each ACJ VIP charter offering in a single click.”

ACJ operator fleets include the ACJ318, ACJ319, ACJ320 and ACJ340.

“For the first time, we connect business jet travelers to ACJ operators – just click to book a unique flying experience,” said ACJ president Benoit Defforge.

The participating airlines are:

• Acropolis Aviation
• AirX Charter
• Comlux
• Constellation Aviation
• Emirates
• Eva Air
• Global Jet
• K5 Aviation
• MasterJet
• MJet
• Nomad Aviation
• Tyrolean Jet ServiceAll images are courtesy of Airbus Corporate Jets.

 

Pilatus unwraps the PC-12 NGX

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Business, Business Aircraft, Business Aviation, EBAA, Las Vegas, NBAA-BACE, News, Pilatus, Pratt & Whitney Canada, Switzerland

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Swiss aircraft maker Pilatus has unveiled its new single-engine turboprop – the PC-12 NGX – at the National Business Aviation Association’s Convention and Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) in Las Vegas.

The PC-12 NGX incorporates an improved engine, smarter avionics and a completely redesigned cabin with larger windows, making this third generation of the PC-12 airframe the most advanced single-engine turboprop ever, the company said.

“Building on the experience gathered from the worldwide PC-12 fleet of over 1,700 aircraft with more than 7 million flight hours, the new PC-12 NGX brings the latest technology to the turboprop market.”

The aircraft is powered by the PT6E-67XP turboprop engine from Pratt & Whitney Canada.

 

‘Jetman’ to inspire delegates at NBAA event

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Airbus, Aircraft, Airports, Airshow, Aviation, Boeing, Bombardier, Business, Business Aircraft, Daher, Dassault Falcon, De Havilland Canada, EBACE 18, Embraer, Gulfstream, NBAA, News, Technology

“Jetman” Yves Rossy speaks at EBACE 2018 in Geneva.

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – The first man to fly with a jet-propelled wing will be among the key speakers at this year’s National Business Aviation Association convention and exhibition, which opens in Las Vegas on Oct. 21, the group announced.

“Jetman” Yves Rossy is the inventor of the so-called jet packs. The Swiss fighter pilot has been a sought-after speaker at aviation events since he first flew them in 2006.

Rossy enthralled the audience at the opening of the European Business Aviation convention and exhibition in Geneva in 2018.

“We are delighted to have ‘Jetman’ Yves Rossy speak at NBAA-BACE,” said NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen.

“His talk is sure to thrill and inspire attendees about possibilities for the future of flight. The ability to fly is one of the most fundamental human aspirations, and we’re looking forward to hearing Rossy’s motivational stories.”

Other major speakers include NBA legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Maj.-Gen. Jeannie Leavitt, America’s first female fighter pilot.

Photo by Abdul Latheef

 

Airbus celebrates a major milestone

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Airbus, Airlines, Airports, Aviation, Bombardier, Business, Canada, CS10, CSeries, Delta Air Lines, Quebec, Transport, Travel

The first Airbus aircraft, an A300B2, was delivered to Air France in 1974. Forty-five years on, Airbus is celebrating the delivery of its 12,000th aircraft.

The Airbus A220-100, previously known as the Bombardier CS100, was assembled in Mirabel, Canada, and handed over to Delta Air Lines on Monday.

Delta received its first A220 last October. The aircraft delivered on Monday was its 12th. The airline has placed a firm order for 90 A220s.

Images are courtesy of Airbus.

Bombardier steals the show with new jets

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Business Aviation, News, Travel

Bombardier has added two more aircraft to its Global family of business jets that the company says will deliver “unmatched total performance”.

The Global 5500 and the Global 6500 were launched ahead of this week’s opening of the European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition, EBACE 2018, in Geneva.

David Coleal

“Bombardier’s two newest Global aircraft are the result of our unrelenting commitment to innovation, excellence and most of all, our desire to deliver unmatched capabilities to our customers,” said David Coleal, president of Bombardier Business Aircraft, as he unveiled the Global 6500 at a TAG Aviation hangar on Sunday.

The Rolls-Royce Pearl

The Global 5500 can connect Sao Paulo and Paris, and Moscow and Los Angeles while the Global 6500 can connect Hong Kong or Singapore and London, and Toluca and Madrid, the company said.

An all-new Rolls-Royce engine will power the aircraft. The jets are expected to enter service at the end of 2019.

All photos are by Abdul Latheef