Boom plans ‘supersonic hub’ in North Carolina

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Boom Supersonic, United Airlines

The Overture Superfactory will be built in Greensboro, North Carolina. Photo: Boom Supersonic.

DENVER – Nearly 20 years after the Concorde made its last commercial flight, efforts to revive supersonic travel are gathering pace.

American startup Boom Supersonic said this week that it has chosen Greensboro, North Carolina, to build its Overture airliners.

The aircraft, with a capacity for up to 88 passengers, will fly on 100% sustainable aviation fuel at twice the speed of today’s fastest passenger jets, the company said.

“Selecting the site for Overture manufacturing is a significant step forward in bringing sustainable supersonic air travel to passengers and airlines,” said Blake Scholl, founder and CEO of Boom.

“With some of the country’s best and brightest aviation talent, key suppliers and the state of North Carolina’s continued support, Boom is confident that Greensboro will emerge as the world’s supersonic manufacturing hub.”

The Overture Superfactory will be about 400,000 square feet and constructed on a 65-acre campus at the Piedmont Triad International Airport. Economists estimate that the factory will grow the state’s economy by at least $32.3 billion over 20 years, Boom said.

The company will break ground in Greensboro this year, with production slated to begin in 2024.

A conceptual rendering of the United Airlines Overture aircraft. Photo: Boom Supersonic

United Airlines will be the launch customer of the aircraft. In June, it agreed to buy 15 airliners, with an option for an additional 35 aircraft.

Boom will test a “demonstrator” airplane, the XB-1, this year. Both the Overture and the XB-1 will feature advanced, thermally stable carbon composite airframes, which are easier to fabricate and maximize fuel efficiency, the company said.

The first Overture commercial flight is scheduled for 2029.

The previous supersonic aircraft, the Concorde, was operated by Air France and British Airways during 1976-2003. A British Airways Concorde made the final commercial flight from New York to London on Oct. 24, 2003.

Boeing-Embraer bid to challenge Airbus fizzles

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Airbus, Boeing, Brazil, Embraer, Seattle

CHICAGO — Boeing announced Saturday that it has terminated its Master Transaction Agreement (MTA) with Embraer.

Under the deal announced in late 2018, the two companies had planned to create a joint venture comprising Embraer’s commercial aviation business.

The $4.2-billion tie-up was mainly aimed at challenging Airbus in the market for midsize planes.

The two companies also planned a second joint venture to develop new markets for the C-390 Millennium military aircraft.

“Under the MTA, April 24, 2020, was the initial termination date, subject to extension by either party if certain conditions were met. Boeing exercised its rights to terminate after Embraer did not satisfy the necessary conditions,” Boeing said in a statement.

“Boeing has worked diligently over more than two years to finalize its transaction with Embraer. Over the past several months, we had productive but ultimately unsuccessful negotiations about unsatisfied MTA conditions.”

The planned partnership had received approval from all regulatory authorities, with the exception of the European Commission, Boeing said.

There was no immediate comment from Embraer.

The image is courtesy of Embraer.

Air New Zealand unveils ‘a game changer’

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Air New Zealand, Economy Skynest, New Zealand, Sleeping Pods

AUCKLAND, New Zealand — Air New Zealand has unveiled sleeping pods for longhaul economy passengers, calling it “a game changer”.

The Economy Skynest, which would provide six full length lie-flat sleeping spaces, is the result of three years of research and development, the airline said Wednesday.

The company has filed patent and trademark applications for the Skynest.

Air New Zealand plans to make Skynest available on longhaul flights, but the airline said a decision will only be made after it assesses the success of the upcoming Auckland-New York service. That flight would take 17 hours and 40 minutes.

“We have a tremendous amount of development work underway looking at product innovations we can bring across all cabins of the aircraft,” said chief marketing and customer officer Mike Tod.

“A clear pain point for economy travelers on longhaul flights is the inability to stretch out. The development of the Economy Skynest is a direct response to that challenge.”

Customer and cabin crew feedback on the Skynest during its final phase of development has been outstanding, said Nikki Goodman, general manager of customer experience.

“We see a future flying experience where an economy-class customer on longhaul flights would be able to book the Economy Skynest in addition to their economy seat, get some quality rest and arrive at their destination ready to go. This is a game changer on so many levels,” said Goodman.

All images are courtesy of Air New Zealand.

Boeing 777X takes to the skies

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ANA, Aviation, Boeing, Boeing 777X, British Airways, Cathay Pacific Airways, Dubai, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Frankfurt, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, Seattle, Singapore, Singapore Airlines

The Boeing 777X takes off from Everett, Wash., on Saturday.

SEATTLE, Wash. — “The 777X flew beautifully,” said Capt. Van Chaney after successfully flying Boeing’s newest aircraft Saturday.

“Thank you to all the teams who made today possible. I can’t wait to go fly your airplane again,” added the chief pilot for 777X test and evaluation

With that first flight, the world’s longest and largest twin-engine airliner entered the next phase of its test program.

The 777-9X is based on the popular 777.

The aircraft took off in front of thousands at Paine Field in Everett, Wash., at 10:09 a.m. local time for a three-hour, 51-minute flight over Washington state before landing at Seattle’s Boeing Field, the company said.

Chaney called the flight very productive.

The first of four dedicated 777-9 flight test airplanes, WH001 will now undergo checks before resuming testing in the coming days, Boeing said.

“Our Boeing team has taken the most successful twin-aisle jet of all time and made it even more efficient, more capable and more comfortable for all,” said Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

“Today’s safe first flight of the 777X is a tribute to the years of hard work and dedication from our teammates, our suppliers and our community partners in Washington state and across the globe.”

Boeing has won 340 orders and commitments for the 777X from leading carriers, including Emirates, Lufthansa and Singapore Airlines.

The first delivery is expected in 2021.

Images are courtesy of Boeing.

 

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.

Airbus completes 100th A220

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airBaltic, Airbus, Airbus A220, Aviation, Bombardier C Series, Business, Canada, Latvia, Mirabel, Quebec, Riga, SWISS

Employees celebrate the completion of the 100th Airbus A220 in Mirabel, Que.

The 100th aircraft in the Airbus A220 family, formerly known as the Bombardier C Series, will soon be delivered to the Latvian airline airBaltic. It will be the carrier’s 21st A220-300.

A ceremony was held this week at the aircraft program’s headquarters in Mirabel, Que., to mark its production.

The 149-seat A220-300 features a new livery and cabin layout, Airbus said.

The A220s are assembled in Mirabel as well as in Mobile, Ala.

The first aircraft in the family, an A220-100, was delivered in 2016 to launch operator SWISS.

AirBaltic, which received its first A220-300 three years ago, was the launch customer for that version of the aircraft.

It has 20 aircraft in its all-A220 fleet, and has ordered 30 more.

“We are truly proud to be the launch operator of the Airbus A220-300 aircraft which, being an integral part of airBaltic’s fleet over the last three years has demonstrated an outstanding performance,” said Martin Gauss, chief executive officer of airBaltic.

“To introduce this aircraft was a forward-thinking decision that has most certainly paid off as A220 family aircraft are not only considerably more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly, but also more convenient for both passengers and staff.”

The A220 is powered by Pratt & Whitney engines.

As of October, Airbus had received 530 firm orders for the aircraft.

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.