Etihad raises funds for eco residence

Tags

Abu Dhabi, Aviation, Business, Etihad Airways, News, Sustainability, UAE, UN Sustainable Development Goals

Andy Cairns of First Abu Dhabi Bank, Khaled Khalfan Al Suwaidi of Abu Dhabi Global Market and Adam Boukadida of Etihad Aviation Group at the signing ceremony.

Etihad Airways has raised 100 million euros to support the expansion of its eco residence in Abu Dhabi, a sustainable residential complex for the airline’s cabin crew.

In doing so, the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates has become the first airline to secure funding for a project based on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, the company said Sunday.

First Abu Dhabi Bank and Abu Dhabi Global Market will finance the project.

“We are proud to be the first airline globally, and one of the first companies in the UAE, to obtain commercial funding based on our commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations,” said Adam Boukadida, senior vice-president, treasury, tax and finance at Etihad Aviation Group.

He said the process to secure the loan hinged on a detailed international verification of the airline’s sustainability credentials.

“This assessment will enable us to fund long-term leases of the new eco residence complex, located in Abu Dhabi’s Masdar City innovation precinct, and will serve as the foundation for Etihad to fund future sustainable initiatives.”

Financing for these type projects must be linked to one or more of the goals, and the Etihad project met two, the company said.

To support the financing, Etihad established a framework.

The airline then engaged Sustainalytics to review the framework, and confirm alignment with the Sustainability Bond Principles of the International Capital Markets Association.

The company issued a Second Party Opinion verifying Etihad’s sustainability credentials, a key condition to raising capital, Etihad said.

Images are courtesy of Etihad.

 

Global lands at Pearson Airport

Tags

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.

Boeing debuts 737 MAX 10

Tags

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 

Airbus biz jets are now just a click away

Tags

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

Tags

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.

 

Embraer strikes $1.4b deal at NBAA show

Tags

Brazil, Business, Business Aviation, Embraer, Flexjet, Las Vegas, NBAA-BACE, News, Phantom, Praetor

The Praetor 600

Michael Amalfitano (left), CEO of Embraer Executive Jets and Michael Silvestro, CEO of Flexjet, celebrate the US$1.4 billion deal.

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Embraer has won the first major deal of the National Business Aviation Association’s Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) in Las Vegas.

The Brazilian aircraft maker announced Monday that it had signed a US$1.4-billion agreement with private jet travel services provider Flexjet.

The deal comprises a fleet of Embraer business jets, including the recently certified Praetor jets and the Phenom 300, with deliveries starting in the fourth quarter of 2019.

With this purchase agreement, Flexjet has become the Praetor fleet launch customer, Embraer said.

“We are very grateful for Flexjet’s renewed commitment to Embraer through this new agreement, which reflects the growth and the strength of our partnership over the past 16 years and symbolizes our ongoing support for their journey ahead,” said Michael Amalfitano, president & CEO of Embraer Executive Jets.

“Flexjet owners will appreciate and enjoy a truly elevated customer experience in industry-leading aircraft, including the recently certified Praetor jets, which are different by design and disruptive by choice.”

All images are courtesy of Embraer.

NBAA show focuses on sustainability

Tags

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

Tags

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

Tags

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

EBACE static display to feature 55 aircraft

Tags

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