+++ USAF orders 60 more Raptors +++ IATA reports mixed results for first half +++ Export subsidies limited, says OECD +++ British Airways hit by price fixing fines +++ Northrop Grumman X-47B selected for UCAS-D +++ News in brief +++
USAF orders 60 more Raptors
Weitere 60 F-22 bei Lockheed Martin bestellt
Lockheed Martin received an additional $5 billion from the U.S. Air Force for three lots of F-22 Raptor air dominance fighters. This brings the total multi-year contract value to $7.3 billion and extends the production of the aircraft through the year 2011. The U.S. government previously awarded $2.3 billion of the contract to buy long lead- time parts and maintain continuous manufacturing flow. The aircraft will be built at a rate of 20 per year, with deliveries starting in late 2008.
This contract award is for 60 aircraft and brings the number of Raptors on order to 183. According to the U.S. Air Force and verified by a recent RAND Corporation study, the multi-year contract is estimated to save approximately $400 million over Lots 7, 8 and 9 (60 aircraft), compared to a corresponding annual procurement program. This equates to a savings of $6.85 million per aircraft. To date, 105 Raptors have completed final assembly at the Lockheed Martin facility in Marietta, Ga. So far, 99 Raptors have been delivered to the Air Force. Raptors are built at a rate of approximately two per month.
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IATA reports mixed results for first half
Passagierzahlen steigen weiter
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released traffic results for the first six months of the year showing 6.3% growth in year-on-year international passenger demand, slightly higher than the 5.9% full-year rise recorded for the year 2006. However, passenger demand growth weakened to 5.3% for the month of June, the lowest growth rate in nine months.
Freight demand for the first six months of 2007 grew 2.7%, well below the 4.6% growth recorded for the full-year in 2006. While year-to-date demand growth is weaker than forecast, June year-on-year demand for freight grew 4.9%. This is the second consecutive month of strengthening demand for freight, following the 5.0% growth recorded in May, and could be indicating a return to historical growth levels in the 5-6% range.
Average passenger load factors were 75.7% during the first half of the year, up 0.6% over the same period in 2006. “A focus on efficiency, with careful capacity management, is keeping load factors at record levels. But the challenge will get tougher. Over the next 18 months almost 1,800 new aircraft will be delivered—equal to 10% of the existing fleet,” said Giovanni Bisignani, Director General and CEO of IATA.
Asia-Pacific's carriers will receive the biggest share (35%) of the new aircraft, to meet demand in the fast-growing Chinese and Indian markets. With a stronger emphasis on fleet replacement, but also to meet demand growth, European airlines will take delivery of 26% and North American airlines will take on 25%. “The new aircraft, operated efficiently with high load factors, will keep us on target to improve fuel efficiency 25% by 2020,” said Bisignani.
The Middle East led all regions with passenger demand growth of 17.8% that outpaced capacity growth and boosted load factors during the first half of the year. Africa followed with 9.9% thanks to improving links with Asia and the Middle East. Asia demand rose 6.0% due to favourable economic conditions followed by North America (5.2%), Europe (4.9%) and Latin America (0.7%).
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Export subsidies limited, says OECD
Vertrag über Exportfinanzierung unterzeichnet
The world's major civil aircraft exporting countries, including OECD countries and Brazil, announced a landmark agreement limiting government support for export deals in an effort to end acrimonious trade disputes and encourage manufacturers and airlines to focus on price and quality rather than on financial packages of government support.
The agreement, covering all types of civil aircraft, from jumbo jets to small planes and helicopters, concerns the interest rates, loan guarantees and other conditions applied to export credits for aircraft sales. Signatories include both OECD countries and Brazil, which is not an OECD member and is joining a pact of this kind for the first time.
OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría hailed the accord as a breakthrough in international trade diplomacy. “We are delighted that this agreement, in a highly competitive sector, has been concluded under the auspices of the OECD,” he said. “We are particularly pleased to see Brazil joining other leading world producers and exporters of civil aircraft in making this agreement possible.”
The civil aircraft sector is one of the most competitive in world trade. While the rivalry between big passenger jet producers regularly makes headlines, competition is equally fierce for sales of smaller short-haul aircraft.
The agreement replaces a pact dating from 1986 whose provisions had become outdated and which did not include Brazil. “By creating a level playing field in official support for export deals, the agreement will focus competition for sales of civil aircraft on price and quality instead of on levels of government support,” Mr. Gurría predicted.
In addition to Brazil, signatories to the agreement are Australia, Canada, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, the United States and the European Community, representing the 27 European Union states. The agreement sets maximum repayment periods and minimum risk premium rates and interest rates in financing by official export credit agencies of sales of commercial aircraft. In recent years, official export credit support for civil aircraft sales has covered deals valued at between USD 7 billion and USD 10 billion annually.
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British Airways hit by price fixing fines
Strafzahlung für Preisabsprachen
U.K.-based British Airways and South Korean-based Korean Air Lines have each agreed to plead guilty and pay separate $300 million criminal fines for their roles in conspiracies to fix the prices of passenger and cargo flights, announced the US Department of Justice. Today's plea agreements are the first to arise from the Antitrust Division's ongoing investigation into the air transportation industry. The charges against the two airline companies were filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Under the plea agreements, which are subject to court approval, British Airways and Korean Air have agreed to cooperate with the Department's ongoing investigation.
The Department said that passengers who flew on British Airways flights between the United Kingdom and the United States during the charged period paid more for their tickets as a result of the illegal cartel. In 2004, British Airways' fuel surcharge for round-trip passenger tickets was around $10 per ticket. By the time the passenger conspiracy was cracked in 2006, the surcharge was nearly $110 per ticket-a 10-fold increase, said the Department. The Department noted that during the air cargo conspiracy, British Airways' fuel surcharge on shipments to and from the United States changed more than 20 times and increased from four cents per kilogram of cargo shipped to as high as 72 cents per kilogram.
The Department charged Korean Air with agreeing with air cargo competitors on rates charged to customers in the United States and elsewhere for international air cargo shipments. The Department noted that the conspirators agreed to increase the fuel surcharge over time from 10 cents per kilogram to as high as 60 cents for each kilogram of cargo shipped from the United States. The Department also charged that Korean Air reached an agreement with its rival to fix certain passenger fares for flights from the United States to Korea.
British Airways has also admitted collusion over the price of 'long-haul passenger fuel surcharges' (surcharges) and will pay a penalty of £121.5m to be imposed by the OFT, thus enabling the OFT to close its civil investigation and resolve this case. The penalty will be the highest ever imposed by the OFT for infringements of competition law, and demonstrates the determination of the OFT to deal vigorously with anti-competitive behaviour. British Airways has admitted that between August 2004 and January 2006, it colluded with Virgin Atlantic over the surcharges which were added to ticket prices in response to rising oil prices. Over that period, the surcharges rose from £5 to £60 per ticket for a typical BA or Virgin Atlantic long-haul return flight. Virgin Atlantic is not expected to pay any penalty as it qualifies in principle for full immunity under the OFT's leniency policy. Under this policy, a company which has been involved in cartel conduct and which is the first to give full details about it to the OFT will qualify for immunity from penalties in relation to that conduct. In addition, any company staff involved in the price fixing disclosed will qualify for immunity from criminal prosecution in relation to that conduct. The OFT's investigation was prompted after Virgin Atlantic came forward with information about price fixing with BA over the surcharges. British Airways has also provided full co-operation with the OFT's investigation under the leniency programme and this is reflected in the penalty announced
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Northrop Grumman X-47B selected for UCAS-D
Neues unbemanntes Fluggerät für Flugzeugträger-Tests
The Department of Navy announced that Northrop Grumman, Integrated Systems – Western Region, San Diego, Calif., has been selected to provide the Navy Unmanned Combat Air Systems Technical Demonstration. This $635.8 Million Cost Plus Incentive Fee contract will launch a technical effort to demonstrate the aircraft carrier suitability of an autonomous low-observable unmanned air vehicle, as well as demonstrate critical aircraft carrier suitability technologies in a relevant environment.
Specifically, the effort, which is scheduled to conclude in 2013, will involve shipboard operation, including catapult takeoffs, arrested landings and flight in the immediate vicinity of an aircraft carrier. The air vehicle will not carry weapons. Specific products of the effort, referred to as “UCAS-D,” are expected to include flight test data, test reports, trade studies, simulation, and detailed engineering analyses to enable future developmental efforts, according to Brasel. The contractor-provided system will be comprised of two unmanned, low-observable air vehicles, two mission control segments, and a support segment. The system will be capable of autonomous launch, recovery and operations in the Carrier Control Area. Flight testing is scheduled to begin in late 2009 and culminate with carrier flight operations in 2013.
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NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN
The US Department of Defense, Department of Commerce, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration announced today that they have restructured the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS). This $ 4.2 billion modification of the Northrop Grumman Space Technology contract culminates a rigorous year long effort to re-plan virtually every aspect of the NPOESS program following its certification through the Nunn McCurdy process in 2006. The plan details the development and delivery of the system through initial production in the next decade. This extensive re-planning was a joint effort between the three agencies, which comprise the NPOESS Integrated Program Office and Northrop Grumman Space Technology. The schedule delivers sensors to the NPOESS Preparatory Project to support a 2009 launch, and calls for the launch of the first NPOESS satellite in 2013. The restructured contract puts in place a "back to basics" approach with management controls and reporting requirements which will ensure strict oversight of the contractor. The fee structure is now more objective through the inclusion of incentives for cost, schedule and technical performance. "This is the most extensive and rigorous planning process I have ever witnessed," said Gary Davis, the Program Executive Officer for Environmental Satellites. "This restructured program will provide the meteorological community with the exceptional performance that they require to maintain the quality forecasting capability that the American public has come to expect."
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A shareholder in the international airport in Peru's capital of Lima since 2001, Fraport AG has increased its stake in the airport operating company from 42.75 to 100 percent. However, a portion of the airport shares will subsequently be sold to other partners, whereby Fraport - as announced - will retain at least 60 percent. Serving as Peru's gateway to the world, Lima Airport welcomed about six million passengers in 2006. It recorded double-digit growth in the first half of 2007 (approximately 25 percent). When Fraport entered the Peruvian market in 2001 the airport only had about four million passengers. The Lima Airport Partners (LAP) company has already invested about EUR150 million in modernizing and expanding the passenger terminal as well as improving airside infrastructure. The airport concession runs for 30 years with an option to extend. From the beginning, Fraport assumed the contractual role of airport manager and is responsbile particularly for operations, security, planning and maintenance. Fraport and its two partners won the Lima international airport bid in the autumn of 2000. Along with Fraport's 42.75 percent share, U.S. construction company Bechtel initially held 42.75 percent and Peru's Cosapi the remaining 14.5 percent. The consortium took over the operation of Lima Airport on February 14, 2001.
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The U.S. government has awarded an initial $187 million for long-lead tasks as part of a $1.1 billion contract to Lockheed Martin for the production of 30 new Advanced Block 50 F-16 aircraft for Turkey. Earlier this year, the governments of Turkey and the United States signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) agreeing to the purchase of 30 Block 50 F-16s. The new aircraft will supplement the Turkish Air Force's (TUAF) existing fleet of F-16s and contribute to the upgrade and modernization of the TUAF. The new aircraft include the same advanced systems being installed on Turkey's existing F-16 fleet as part of an on-going upgrade program. At the conclusion of these two programs all Turkish F-16s will be in a common, state-of-the-art configuration. The final Turkish F-16 under this contract will be delivered in 2013.
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On Wednesday, 1 August, a Dornier 328 Jet made its first commercial flight into London City Airport, flying from Reykjavik, Iceland on a private charter with executive jet operator, IceJet. Dornier 328 Serial No 3220, which has been modified for Steep Approach, Flight Level 35 and Extended Range capability by 328 Support Services in Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany, touched down mid afternoon after a two hour 50 minute flight from Iceland. IceJet's Dornier 328 TF-NPA features a luxurious 'Envoy' interior – in a 14-seat layout (eight club seats and six regular seats). Further customisation by 328 Support includes the addition of walnut veneered cabinets, wardrobe, stowages and galley.
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The Lockheed Martin/Northrop Grumman team submitted its proposal to design and build the Transformational Satellite Communications System (TSAT) Space Segment, the future global communications network for the U.S. Air Force that will provide seamless, protected communications for a wide range of defense and intelligence users. The proposal builds upon the team's combined experience developing advanced military and commercial communications systems, including the Milstar satellite communications network currently in operation, the Advanced Extremely High Frequency (EHF) system now in production, and the successful TSAT risk reduction and system definition activities conducted under contract to the Air Force.
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Air Methods announced that American Eurocopter has selected Air Methods' Products Division (AMPD) to provide their single-engine emergency medical services (EMS) customers with medical interiors, avionics and airframe modifications, and equipment under an exclusive, long term agreement. The American Eurocopter AS 350 and EC130 helicopters have become the popular choice with single-engine EMS customers. The A-Star helicopter has a long history of reliable service to the air ambulance industry and continues to exceed operator's expectations on performance and value. A number of the largest air ambulance operators in the U.S. have multi-year orders for these aircraft, including Air Methods Corporation. AMPD has developed a full line of medical interior systems, avionics, and airframe accessory installations and certification for the AS-350 and EC-130 helicopters. "With nearly 40 aircraft modified with these products in only the past four years, Air Methods has become a leading supplier of rugged, light weight, mission-effective equipment for the A-Star line of helicopters and we are pleased to have been selected by American Eurocopter to be an exclusive partner for their EMS customers," said Arthur Torwirt, Vice President, for Air Methods Products Division.
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Sikorsky reported the successful ground testing of new fly-by-wire technology designed to improve significantly the maneuverability, safety and effectiveness of aircraft. It will debut on 28 H-92 helicopters that the Canadian military forces will begin receiving in early 2009. The fly-by-wire system electronically links the controls inside the cockpit with the exterior actuators, the movement of which enable the aircraft to maneuver where and how the pilot intends. Eliminating the traditional mechanical linkage saves weight, reduces maintenance costs, adds capability and improves performance. The new system was developed in association with BAE Systems. "During two days of ground testing, the fly-by-wire system performed exactly as designed and met every expectation," said Dan Hunter, Sikorsky manager for the Canadian H-92 program. "We're on track toward system certification and then providing the Canadian Forces with these state-of-the-art helicopters."
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Blue Sky Network and Iridium announced that the British Ministry of Defense is deploying Blue Sky Network's Iridium satellite-based flight tracking equipment for the Search and Rescue division of the Royal Air Force. Utilizing Blue Sky Network's D1000C and ACH1000, the Royal Air Force is capable of tracking aircraft and using satellite voice communications for search and rescue efforts all over the world. The Royal Air Force's purchase of 44 aircraft tracking and communication kits from Blue Sky Network indicates the first major purchase of such technology by a large airborne search and rescue fleet. The Royal Air Force will use the equipment as a cost-effective solution for tracking its aircraft and to augment existing communication with radio operators. Tracking data from Blue Sky Network's unique SkyRouter portal will be integrated with existing command and control systems at the RAF.
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The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) announced airplane shipments and billings for the first half of 2007. In the first half of 2007, shipments of general aviation airplanes totaled 1,883 units, a 1.7 percent increase over the same period last year, with industry billings rising 11.7 percent to $9.8 billion. Shipments of piston-engine powered airplanes through the second quarter of 2007 were down slightly from the same period last year to 1,226 units, a 4.2 percent decrease. Turboprop shipments rose 15.2 percent from 158 units in 2006 to 182 units in 2007. The business jet market segment grew by 14.7 percent with an increase in shipments from 414 units in the first half of 2006 to 475 units in the first half of 2007.
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Bombardier announced that its midsize Learjet 60 XR business jet entered service this week with Cloud Nine Aviation, of Los Angeles, CA. The program milestone was highlighted with an employee delivery ceremony at the Learjet manufacturing facility in Wichita, Kansas. “We are delighted to celebrate this first entry into service and look forward to giving our customers the opportunity to fully experience this fantastic new jet,” said Mike Fahey, vice-president, Learjet sales, Bombardier Business Aircraft. “The Learjet 60 XR jet combines unparallelled performance and low operating costs with new technology and enhanced comfort. Our customers are sure to love this new aircraft as much as it popular predecessor.”All the new features available aboard the Learjet 60 XR jet are present in this first aircraft, including a state-of-the-art Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics suite and a redesigned interior focused on maximizing comfort and functionality in the aircraft's stand-up cabin.
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The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has issued a type certificate for Gulfstream's newest business jet, the G150. With this certification, the wide-cabin, high-speed aircraft is now eligible for registration in the European Union member nations. “This EASA certification is an extremely important accomplishment,” said Joseph T. Lombardo, president of Gulfstream. “We've always believed the G150 is the ideal corporate jet for European businesses. By the end of the second quarter of this year, Gulfstream delivered 21 outfitted G150s since August 2006.
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The A400M Systems Simulator, designated "Aircraft Zero", was presented to the customers by means of a fully functional demonstration at the end of July this year. "Aircraft Zero" is a complex facility enabling real-time integration and testing of the hydraulic, electrical generation and distribution systems as well as validation of the flight control systems. Comprising the "Iron Bird", a full-sized test bench totally representative of the complete aircraft coupled to an Integration Simulator with a real cockpit, "Aircraft Zero" plays a vital r ôle in validating installation processes, undertaking certification endurance tests, verifying systems integration and proving aircraft functions. Ultimately, evaluation of the results from the Systems Simulator will determine authorisation of first flight. The systems simulation facility will remain operational throughout the life of the aircraft and is an important element in the qualification process. It will also be used to establish pilot training procedures. Completed well ahead of schedule, the "Iron Bird" and Integration Simulator have been operational since April 2007 and "Aircraft Zero" went into service in mid June.
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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has authorized the Sikorsky S-92 helicopter to take off and land in high crosswind conditions and to carry additional payload based on available engine power. The FAA approvals allow the S-92 to take off and land in strong blowing crosswinds of up to 35 knots, versus the previous limitation of 20 knots, and to carry additional payload based on the aircraft's surplus power on a given day. The GE CT7-8A engine used on the S-92 routinely provides power reserves in excess of minimum requirements. These two approvals enhance the S-92's ability to handle demanding missions around the world.
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Lockheed Martin announced that it has successfully completed a critical end-to-end test between the space and ground elements of the Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS), a key milestone in preparation for launch and on-orbit operations of the program's first geosynchronous orbit (GEO) spacecraft. SBIRS will provide early warning of missile launches and support other missions simultaneously, including missile defense, technical intelligence and battlespace characterization.
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The 1723rd flight of a Soyuz launch vehicle was performed Thursday, August 2, 2007 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 11:34 p.m. Baikonur time (7:34 p.m., in Paris). Starsem, Arianespace and their Russian partners report that the Progress cargo spacecraft was accurately placed on the target orbit for another mission to the International Space Station. This was the 6th Soyuz family mission in 2007. This year, after the successful launch of the Globalstar telecommunications satellites for Globalstar LLC on May 30, 2007, Starsem is planning to carry out several missions, including another Globalstar launch, the launch of the Radarsat-2 Earth observation satellite and the launch of Giove-B for the European Space Agency.
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The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of the German company Bayern-Chemie Gesellschaft für flugchemische Antriebe mbH by the MBDA group. After examining the transaction, the Commission concluded that it would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or any substantial part of it. Bayern-Chemie and its subsidiary, Protac S.A., are active in the supply of solid rocket motors and solid ramjets. These are propulsion systems used in tactical military devices. MBDA is active in the supply of guided weapons and guided weapons systems. It is a joint venture controlled by three leading European defence companies: BAE Systems plc, European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company EADS N.V (EADS) and Finmeccanica S.p.A.
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Boeing and Jet Airways, India's largest private airline, announced that the airline has exercised options for three 777-300ER (Extended Range) airplanes. The order, valued at more than $790 million at list prices, follows a previous order for 10 777-300ERs in September 2005, for a combined total of 13 777-300ERs. The order was recently included on the Boeing Commercial Airplanes Orders and Deliveries Web site, attributed to an unidentified customer.
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CAE has signed contracts to design and manufacture three CAE 7000 Series full-flight simulators (FFSs) and a suite of Boeing 787 maintenance training devices valued at C$51 million at list prices. This brings the total FFS sales that CAE has announced in fiscal 2008 to 16, including two Phenom FFS committed to by the CAE-Embraer planned joint-venture and previously announced on May 28, 2007.
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Bombardier announced a significant milestone in its Challenger 300 program – the delivery into service of the 150th manufactured super midsize Challenger 300 business jet. The aircraft was delivered on July 31 to Flexjet, Bombardier's fractional business jet ownership program. Since its entry into service in 2004, the Challenger 300 jet has earned high praise from customers for its ability to deliver outstanding mission completion. The aircraft has consistently demonstrated its performance capabilities – highlighted by five world record flights sanctioned by the National Aeronautic Association – and dispatch reliability over 99 percent.
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Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE), a global aerospace manufacturing and services corporation, today announced the formal completion of its acquisition of aviation service providers Standard Aero and Landmark Aviation from The Carlyle Group. DAE will merge the companies as a business enterprise within its DAE Engineering subsidiary. The transaction, valued at US$1.9 billion, brings together two of the world's leading maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) providers. "The closing of this acquisition is an important step forward in the business and investment relationships between Dubai, the United Arab Emirates and the United States," said HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of DAE. "DAE is making significant strides in the aerospace sector and we appreciate all that went into making this transaction a success." "This is a significant step forward in our strategy which reinforces the progress that DAE has achieved so far, and for sure it will not be the last one," said HE Dr. Omar Bin Sulaiman, Managing Director of DAE.
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The first Eurofighter Typhoon with on board the radar PIRATE IRST designed and produced by Galileo Avionica, a Finmeccanica company, was delivered to the Italian Aeronautica Militare. The aircraft is part of the Tranche 1 batch 5 of the international Eurofighter programme and is operational at the Grosseto base, in Tuscany. The PIRATE performs the same tasks of a radar, working in a passive mode, without electromagnetic radiations, detecting instead the heat of the different targets. A very important feature that increases the overall performances of a combat aircraft, offering the tactical superiority of a complete operability in Stealth (technologies allowing the aircraft to be undetectable). Galileo Avionica is prime contractor of the EuroFirst Consortium which features Thales in the UK and Tecnobit in Spain. In 2006, the consortium was awarded with a contract to supply 200 PIRATE systems for the Tranche 2 of the Eurofighter in the various nations involved.
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Airbus' A380 has received approval from both the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to be operated on runways with a width of 45 metres (150 feet) or more. Most of the world airports have 45m runways as standard width. "This aircraft has been shown to be safely controllable and to be compliant with applicable airworthiness requirements when operating on runways with a width of 45 meters (150 feet) or more", stated James J. Ballough, FAA Director Flight Standards Service in an official correspondence to Airbus, dated July 19, 2007.
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Boeing confirmed that Canadian low-fare carrier WestJet ordered 20 Next-Generation 737s to add to the airline's all-737 fleet. The order is for 737-700s with conversion rights to 737-800s if desired. WestJet, based in Calgary, Alberta, was one of the most profitable airlines in North America in 2006. It has consistently recorded over 15 percent annual growth as it expanded its routes across North America and the Caribbean. Founded in 1996, the airline currently operates 67 Next-Generation 737s.
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AeroSvit-Ukrainian Airlines is ordering up to 14 Boeing 737-800 airplanes. The Kiev-based carrier signed an order for seven 737s valued at $523 million at list prices, and secured purchase rights for another seven. The order was recently included on the Boeing Commercial Airplanes Orders and Deliveries Web site, attributed to an unidentified customer.
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Air New Zealand announced that it will purchase four Boeing 777-300 Extended Range (ER) aircraft, as it continues to implement its wide-body fleet renewal programme. Chief Executive Officer Rob Fyfe says the aircraft will be delivered in parallel with the airline's Boeing 787-9 between late 2010 and 2011. The airline has also secured purchase options for a further three B777-300ER aircraft. The purchase of the four Boeing 777-300ERs, which was achieved based on prices agreed in 2004, represents a substantial discount to today's list price of USD$1.1 billion.
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EADS specifies the status of its discussions with Libya following media reports concerning defence contracts signed between the two parties: The contract for anti-tank missiles Milan, which was negotiated by MBDA, a joint venture of EADS (37.5%), BAE Systems (37.5%) and Finmeccanica (25%), was finalized today following a discussion and negotiation phase of 18 months. This contract is awaiting the signature of the Libyan customer and EADS is pleased about this outcome of the negotiations. The contract for a Tetra system for secured communications has been in discussions since several months and is close to finalisation, but no signature has been made so far.”
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Jetcraft Aviation, a specialist air charter company based in Brisbane, Australia, yesterday night started operations with the first of two ATR 42-300s aircraft. This ATR 42-300 becomes the first ATR aircraft dedicated to freight operations in the South Pacific region. The two aircraft will be operated as part of the new airfreight network on services linking Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. The Jetcraft ATRs can carry up to 54 cubic meters or over 5.5 tones of freight, which is securely stowed with a series of special cargo nets inside the plane. This first ATR 42-300 of Jetcraft takes to 30 the total number of ATR aircraft in operation in the Australia and Pacific Islands region.
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Embraer and Air France/KLM group signed a contract for 20 E-Jets, consisting of four EMBRAER 190 and six EMBRAER 170 jets for Regional, an Air France subsidiary, and ten EMBRAER 190s for KLM cityhopper. The deal also includes options for another three EMBRAER 190 and six EMBRAER 170 jets for Regional/Air France and nine more EMBRAER 190s for KLM cityhopper. The contract value of the E-Jets firm orders is US$ 657 million, at list price, based on January 2007 economic conditions, and could reach US$ 1.245 billion if all options are exercised. The first aircraft will be delivered in November 2008 to KLM cityhopper. Both Regional/Air France and KLM cityhopper EMBRAER 190 jets will be configured in a single class layout, seating up to 100 passengers comfortably. Regional/Air France's EMBRAER 170s will be seating up to 76 passengers in a single class layout.
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On August 2, 2007 AERO Vodochody a.s. (AERO) obtained the Supplementary Type Certificate (DTO-0003) for the L-159T1 Advanced Training Aircraft, ordered by the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic (Ministry) in a number of four units. The Certificate was handed to Milos Trnobransky, AERO Military Program Chief Designer, by an authorized department of the Ministry symbolically on the day of the 10th anniversary of the first flight of the first two-seat L-159T prototype s/n 5831 (August 2, 1997). At the same time, the Ministry extended the validity of the Certificate for training of Czech Air Force pilots-instructors for the L-159, T1 version. The Supplementary Type Certificate means that the L-159T1 is certified for the specified task (esp. training of military pilots) and after training of the ground and flight personnel and after the customer's checks, the aircraft can be delivered to the customer, the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic. “The customer's checks, which will test maintenance procedures, documentation and utility characteristics of the L-159T1 aircraft, should take place from August 27 – September 7, 2007,” specified M. Trnobransky.
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On July 28 Alenia Aermacchi signed in Tripoli with the Libyan Ministry of Defence, a contract valued at three million Euros providing for the return into service 12 SF-260 primary trainers already in use with the Libyan Air Force. The contract covers the overhaul of the airframe and systems of the SF-260 aircraft, including their propellers and engines. Work will be carried out locally, with assistance provided by staff from the Libyan Italian Advanced Technology Company (LIATEC). Activities will commence by the end of the current year and will last for approximately one year thereafter. The agreement represents a first step towards a broader collaboration between Alenia Aermacchi and the Libyan government, particularly with respect to future procurement in the military trainers field.
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More than 14 million passengers from over 90 countries evaluated some 160 airlines worldwide for the British consulting company “Skytrax” between August 2006 and June 2007. The outcome is particularly pleasing: Austrian Airlines has taken first place in the worldwide comparison of business class catering. Chief Executive Officer, Alfred Ötsch, talks about this top placing: “Being able to take top place in a worldwide catering comparison is an outstanding performance which makes me particularly happy and shows that we are on the right path. The critical, international travelling public values the consistent quality and service offensive which we have implemented. Menus from leading chefs, the Vienna coffee house service or our on-board chefs, who refine the inflight gourmet menus on long-haul flights, make us unmistakable and unique compared to other international airlines.”
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A Delta II rocket lit up the early morning sky over Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on August 4 as it carried the Phoenix spacecraft on the first leg of its journey to Mars. The powerful three-stage rocket with nine solid rocket motors lifted off at 5:26 a.m. Later, the Phoenix spacecract separated from the Delta II rocket and ground controllers at NASA's Deep Space Network acquired its signal and begun assessing its health. The solar panels that will power the mission's cruise phase will be deployed and Phoenix will be pointed to best receive solar power and communicate with Earth. The spacecraft has oriented itself to the sun as it was programmed to do. It will use solar panels to generate electricity during the nine-month coast to Mars. A separate set of solar arrays is attached to the lander itself.
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