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.

 

NBAA show focuses on sustainability

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Airbus, Aviation, Boeing, Bombardier, Business, Business Aviation, Henderson Executive Airport, Las Vegas, NBAA-BACE, News, Sustainable Aviation Fuel, Transport, Travel

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Sustainability is the main focus of this week’s Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) in Las Vegas.

As part of the show, Henderson Executive Airport will for the first time in its history make available Sustainable Aviation Fuel, the National Business Aviation Association said.

“Some 100 airplanes will take on the renewable fuel at the Clark County-owned and operated airport this week, including those on display at the show.”

SAF is a non-fossil power source that can reduce aviation’s carbon lifecycle emissions by up to 80 percent.

“After planes refuel and depart at the show’s close Oct. 24, an estimated 150,000 gallons of SAF are expected to have been pumped at the airport in conjunction with NBAA’s convention,” the NBAA said.

The NBAA is also holding various events throughout the week to promote sustainability.

‘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

 

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

‘JetBook is the jewel in our crown’

Antonia Lukacinova: Experiencing HondaJet

The Czech high-flier behind the Sapphire Pegasus business aviation awards is now making headlines as the author of JetBook.

The latest edition of the luxury aircraft and helicopter guide will be unveiled at the European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition, EBACE 2018, in Geneva next week ahead of its official release in summer.

“Aviation has always been a huge passion of mine, and JetBook is a book that helps the industry by making it easier to fulfill people’s dreams of owning a private jet or helicopter,” Antonia Lukacinova said.

“There is no other guide on the market that offers such a comprehensive overview of the industry today.”

The 232-page book features 55 business jets and 20 helicopters as well as exclusive photos and interviews.

“JetBook is the jewel in our crown. We intend to support it with a wealth of up-to-date articles and information about the latest aircraft, along with lifestyle articles in our upcoming JetBook Life series,” said Lukacinova, who has been working in business aviation in the Czech Republic since 2004.

She also founded the Sapphire Pegasus Awards, which honors outstanding performances by companies and individuals in business aviation.

This year’s awards will be announced at EBACE on Tuesday. The winners were chosen from 74 nominees via an online ballot by more than 60,000 voters.

Photos are courtesy of Media Tribune and Sapphire Pegasus.

EBACE static display to feature 55 aircraft

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Business, News, Travel

Geneva hosts the European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition, or EBACE, later this month.

One of the world’s biggest business aviation shows, it opens at Palexpo on May 29.

More than 400 exhibitors will showcase their latest products and services at the three-day event.

The static display will feature 55 aircraft. The organizers say 13,000 aviation professionals will attend the show.

Photo courtesy: EBACE, Palexpo

Bombardier CSeries finally takes off

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Airbus, Aircraft, Airlines, Airports, Aviation, Boeing, Bombardier, Buisness, Business, Canada, CS100, CS300, CSeries, Embraer, News, Transport, Travel

The world’s newest commercial aircraft is being delivered on Thursday.

After years of delay and billions of dollars in budget overruns, Canadian manufacturer Bombardier will hand over the first CSeries aircraft to launch customer Swiss International Air Lines at a ceremony in Montreal.

The airline, widely known as SWISS, has ordered 30 CSeries aircraft. The airplane being delivered on Thursday is a 125-seat CS100, the smaller of the CSeries family.

The bigger aircraft, the CS300 with a seating capacity of up to 150, is expected to be certified soon. Air Baltic is the launch customer of that airplane.

“SWISS is proud to be the first airline to take title of the CSeries. The aircraft performed exceptionally well during its acceptance flight, as expected,” said Thomas Kluhr, chief executive officer of SWISS.

“Along with the CS300 aircraft that we’ve also ordered, the CSeries fleet will allow us to perfectly tailor our capacity to demand on various European routes, while providing an excellent travel experience for our passengers.”

Fred Cromer (right), president of Bombardier Commercial Aircraft, called it the first “right-sized aircraft in the 100- to 150-seat market segment in nearly 30 years.”

“Today is a significant moment for Bombardier, SWISS and their employees – many of whom have dedicated years to designing, building, marketing and defining the flight network for the C Series aircraft,” Cromer added.

The maiden commercial flight of the CS100 will take passengers from Zurich to Paris on July 15. SWISS will gradually replace its Avro RJ100 fleet with the CSeries aircraft. The airline is a subsidiary of Deutsche Lufthansa AG.

In all, Bombardier has won 370 firm orders and 252 options and purchase rights for the CSeries aircraft. Delta Air Lines Inc. is the biggest customer, with an order for up to 125 aircraft.

“A new aircraft program like the CSeries comes around once in a lifetime and it’s a proud achievement that belongs to many,” said Rob Dewar, vice-president of the program.

All photos are by Abdul Latheef

 

 

Shaesta Waiz sets sights on global solo flight

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Afghanistan, Aircraft, Airports, Aviation, Beechcraft Bonanza A36, Business, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Environment, NBAA, News, Shaesta Waiz, Technology, Transport, Travel

Shaesta Waiz is already famous as Afghanistan’s first certified civilian female pilot.

The 28-year-old Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University student is now setting her sights on a bigger feat – to become the youngest female to fly solo around the world.

Her 90-day, 33-city, 19-country, five-continent flight is scheduled to take off form Daytona Beach, Fla., on June 2, 2016.

The 43,964-kilometre flight was announced Wednesday at the National Business Aviation Association annual convention in Las Vegas.

Waiz will fly a Beechcraft Bonanza A36, being provided by High Performance Aircraft.

“As a pilot, I have this passion for aviation that I want to share. But it’s more than that. I want to show women that they can succeed in anything, including flying around the world,” Waiz said.

She is currently completing a master’s degree in business administration at Embry-Riddle, the world’s largest and oldest university specializing in aviation and aerospace studies.

“To have my university and the aviation industry support me and make this come true speaks volumes not only to their belief in me and this ground-breaking journey, but every young person with a dream,” Waiz said.

Also participating in the project are the Dick and Betsy DeVos Family Foundation, Bose Corp., American Bonanza Society, Avfuel, Florida Aviation Business Association, MSK Concepts, Beeline, ICAO, UNDP and various individuals.

In 2014, 19-year-old Matt Guthmiller of South Dakota became the youngest person to fly solo around the globe when he completed his 46,570-kilometre journey, also in a Beechcraft Bonanza A36.

The images are courtesy of Embry-Riddle.