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

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‘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

 

 

ANA celebrates a Dreamliner milestone

Japan’s biggest airline has been celebrating a milestone – its 100,000th revenue flight with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

The launch customer of the Dreamliner, All Nippon Airways is also the first airline in the world to reach 100,000 787 flights. 

“The 787 Dreamliner has played an important role especially in forming the backbone of our international fleet,” said Osamu Shinobe, president and CEO of ANA, as the airline and Boeing held a ceremony at Seattle’s Sea-Tac International Airport to mark the occasion.

“As the largest customer of the 787, we look forward to introducing the entire family of Dreamliners into our fleet as we aim to celebrate another 100,000 flights and beyond.” 

ANA started operating the Dreamliner In 2011. With 44 aircraft, it has the world’s largest Dreamliner fleet. Another 39 are on order. 

“We are honoured to celebrate this important milestone with ANA, especially here in Seattle,” said Ray Conner, president and CEO, Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

“This milestone demonstrates the strength of our long-standing relationship and we look forward to celebrating many more milestones with ANA going forward.”

The image is courtesy of Boeing.

 

Emirates keeps its fleet young

Twenty Airbus A380s and 16 Boeing 777-300ERs will join the Emirates fleet next year as part of a fleet renewal program, the airline announced Monday.

Some of these airplanes will replace 26 retiring aircraft, including 12 A330-300s, 4 A340-300s, one A340-500, six Boeing 777-200ERs, two Boeing 777-300s and one Boeing 777-300ER, the company said.

“At the end of 2016, the aircraft retirements and new deliveries will put Emirates’ average fleet age at 5.6 years, dramatically younger than the global average,” the airline said.

It noted that the average fleet age for the top five airlines in North America is 13.6 years, while the average fleet age for the top five airlines in Europe is 10.7 years.

The airline will retire 13 more aircraft in 2017 and another 13 in 2018.

“We are fully committed to flying a modern fleet that is better for the environment, and provides our customers with a superior level of comfort and safety,” said company president Sir Tim Clark (left).

“With the retirement of older aircraft and the introduction of new, more fuel efficient aircraft in 2016, Emirates will continue to lead the industry in reducing the age of our fleet, while at the same time defining new levels of service that our customers have come to expect.”

The world’s largest international airline, Emirates currently has 243 airplanes, including 26 it received this year. It has an additional 263 aircraft on order.

The images are courtesy of Emirates.

 

Plan unveiled to make jet fuel from Canadian forestry waste

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Air Canada, Aircraft, Airlines, Airports, Aviation, Biofuel, Boeing, Bombardier, Business, Canada, Embraer, Environment, IRENA, Masdar City, Masdar Institute, News, Technology, Transport, Travel, UAE, WestJet

The world’s largest aircraft manufacturer is collaborating with Canada’s aviation industry, the University of British Columbia and Amsterdam-based SkyNRG to turn forestry waste into sustainable aviation biofuel.

The project was announced Wednesday at the 2015 Canadian Bioeconomy Conference in Vancouver.

Boeing has in the past partnered with the Abu Dhabi-based Masdar Institute and the Brazilian aircraft maker Embraer to advance sustainable aviation biofuel development.

Under the latest initiative, a consortium that includes Boeing, Bombardier, Air Canada, WestJet, research institutions and industry partners will assess whether forestry waste could also be harnessed to produce sustainable aviation biofuel, Boeing said.

Thermochemical processing will be used for this, the company added.

“Sustainable aviation biofuel will play a critical role in reducing aviation’s carbon emissions over the long term,” said Julie Felgar, managing director of environmental strategy and integration at Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

“Canada is in a terrific position to leverage its sustainable forests to make environmental progress for its aviation industry and other transport sectors.”

Boeing said a 2015 company-sponsored study by UBC had found that aviation biofuel made from forest waste could meet 10 per cent, or about 175 million liters, of British Columbia’s annual jet fuel demand.

The Green Aviation Research and Development Network of Canada is funding the project as part of a portfolio of investments in technologies to reduce aviation’s carbon emissions.

The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that using sustainably produced biofuel will reduce lifecycle carbon dioxide emissions by 50 to 80 per cent compared to conventional petroleum fuel.

The images are courtesy of Boeing, UBC and GARDN.

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.

 

A thousand reasons to celebrate

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Airbus, Airbus Corporate Jets, Aircraft, Aviation, Boeing, Boeing Business Jets, Bombardier, Business, Business Aircraft, Business Aviation, Challenger 650, Embraer, Gulfstream, Luxury Travel, NBAA, NetJets, News, Transport, Travel

Bombardier’s 1,000th Challenger 600 series aircraft is set to enter into service this year …and that airplane will be the first Challenger 650, built for private aviation leader NetJets Inc.

Bombardier made the announcement as business aircraft manufacturers descended on Las Vegas for the 2015 National Business Aviation Association conference and exhibition.

The airplane will be on static display at the three-day show opening Tuesday.

Pat Gallagher (left) of NetJets with David Coleal of Bombardier in Las Vegas on Monday.

“Our collaboration with NetJets to create their Signature Series concept on our Challenger and Global platforms is evidence of what can be accomplished when two visionary industry leaders join forces,” said David Coleal, president of Bombardier Business Aircraft.

The aircraft is part of an original NetJets order announced in June 2012 for 100 Challenger aircraft with options for an additional 175, Bombardier said.

NetJets has also placed a firm order for 50 Global jets with options for an additional 70 aircraft in March 2011.

“The Challenger 650 aircraft will be a wonderful addition to our fleet,” said Pat Gallagher, NetJets’ executive vice-president of sales and marketing.

The airplane received certification from the Federal Aviation Administration and Transport Canada this month.

With a range of more than 7,400 kilometres, the aircraft can fly from London to New York, Dubai to London or Sao Paulo to Miami non-stop.

In other show news:

Embraer Executive Jets is forecasting a global demand for 9,100 new business jets, worth $259 billion, over the next 10 years.

“This is the total market opportunity to be serviced by all manufacturers and represents a Compound Annual Growth Rate of 3 per cent per year over the next 10 years, Embraer said.

“The analysis foresees that demand is likely to exceed the last decade’s deliveries and market value, when approximately 8,190 business jets were delivered, worth $198 billion.”

Earlier in the day, Boeing Business Jets announced orders for four new BBJ MAX 8 airplanes.

Three airplanes were ordered by an undisclosed customer based in the Middle East while one order came from an undisclosed customer in Asia, Boeing said.

Nearly 100 business aircraft will be on display at NBAA15, which has attracted more than 1,000 exhibitors from around the world.

Meanwhile, Cessna Aircraft Co. debuted its new Citation Longitude business jet.

It also announced plans to enter the large business jet category with the Citation Hemisphere.

“The Longitude and Hemisphere will join the Citation Latitude to complete a new, large-cabin, three-aircraft Citation family,” the company said.

Images are courtesy of Bombardier, NBAA, Embraer, Boeing and Cessna.

 

The largest habitable work of art

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“The water feels like silk on your skin.”

That is how Rogner-Bad Blumau describes the thermal water at the Austrian hotel’s spa.

The supply is from the nearby Vulkania springs and is said to be the most mineral-rich curative water in the spa town of Bad Blumau.

And the healing water is just one of many features that make this hotel out of the ordinary.

Billed as the world’s largest habitable work of art, Rogner-Bad Blumau was designed by eccentric Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser, whose last name literally means “100 waters.”

“Your name is Hundertwasser, I have water of hundred degrees,” businessman Robert Rogner told the artist as they began the work on the hotel in early 1990s.

Rogner-Bad Blumau is unique in so many ways – the most compelling being the architecture itself.

There are six “houses” connected by a maze of hallways and green roofs with golden onion domes.

In addition to supplies from the Vulkania springs, the hotel’s numerous pools and bathing areas get water from the Melchior and Balthasar springs.

Original roof tiles from old farmhouses have been used for the facade of one of the rainbow-coloured buildings.

The late Friedensreich Hundertwasser

They all fit well with the philosophy of Hundertwasser: A life in harmony with nature.

“The great thing about Blumau is the uniqueness,” said Jasmin Rogner, co-owner of the 312-room, four-star hotel.

“It’s a great artwork, which rather increases in value with time,” she wrote in an email.

“The biggest challenge is to interpret this great place consistently.”

Hundertwasser died in February 2000 in his adopted home country of New Zealand.

The hotel sits on the beautiful rolling hills of Bad Blumau, less than an hour from the city of Graz – a UNESCO City of Design and the hometown of Arnold Schwarzenegger.

I stayed at the hotel back in March 1998, barely a year after Rogner-Bad Blumau opened its doors to first guests.

The 1998 launch of Opel Astra at Rogner-Bad Blumau. Photo by Abdul Latheef

I was among a group of journalists flown in from around the world for the launch of a new General Motors car, Opel Astra.

The hotel has since become a major site for product launches and corporate events.

The property is owned by Rogner International Hotels and Resorts.

Bad Blumau is easily accessible from Graz, Vienna and Salzburg. Austrian Airlines has direct flights from Toronto to Vienna while Lufthansa offers flights to Graz from several German cities.

 Images are courtesy of Rogner-Bad Blumau