Category: Aerospace news (Page 9 of 89)

Boeing X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle embarks on seventh mission

December 29, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Kennedy Space Center, Florida, December 29, 2023, PRNewswire – The Boeing (NYSE: BA) X-37B autonomous spaceplane launched yesterday aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket, marking the beginning of its seventh mission.

As it has with every mission, the Orbital Test Vehicle will validate new technologies, fostering innovation and pushing the boundaries of space exploration and utility. On this seventh flight, the X-37B will test future space domain awareness technology experiments that are integral in ensuring safe, stable and secure operations in space for all users of the domain.

Since its inaugural launch in April 2010, the X-37B has consistently set new endurance records, surpassing the initial design mission duration of 270 days. Its sixth mission set a new record with an impressive 908-day journey before returning to Earth in November 2022.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including expected delivery dates. Such statements are based on current expectations and projections about our future results, prospects and opportunities and are not guarantees of future performance. Such statements will not be updated unless required by law. Actual results and performance may differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including those discussed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

SWISS to serve new European destinations in Summer 2024

December 29, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

SWISS will be making further additions to its short-haul route network in its 2024 summer schedules. Service between Zurich and Bremen will be newly offered in summer, too. Oslo will be added to the Geneva-based network; and the existing Geneva destinations of Copenhagen and Stockholm will also be newly served in the summer timetable period.

Bremen, which already enjoys winter SWISS service from Zurich, will now see this continued in the summer timetable period. The North German city boasts an Old Town and historic sights such as the Roland Statue and its fabled Town Musicians, along with a lively arts and culture scene. Attractively located on the River Weser and further featuring extensive shopping and dining options, Bremen is a truly appealing travel destination.

As previously announced, Cluj-Napoca and Košice will also newly join the SWISS short-haul network in summer 2024. Elsewhere, further frequencies will be added between Zurich and various existing European destinations including Alicante, Madrid, Naples, Venice and Vilnius.

New Oslo service from Geneva

Oslo will be added next summer to SWISS’s Geneva network. The Norwegian capital offers visitors a winning blend of contemporary architecture, green parks and cultural highlights such as its famed Opera House. The city is also attractively close to nature – fjords, forests and more – and features a lively culinary scene.

SWISS will also be providing new summer services on its existing Geneva-Copenhagen and Geneva-Stockholm routes. Copenhagen delights with its impressive mix of modern Scandinavian design, historic architecture and relaxed waterside ambience, while Stockholm boasts a picturesque site spread over 14 islands, well-preserved royal palaces and historic Old Town lanes. SWISS travellers will further be offered more frequencies between Geneva and the existing destinations of Athens, Brindisi, Brussels, Catania, Malaga, Palma and Valencia in the 2024 summer schedules.

Bonza connects more than 650,000 Aussies to new destinations in 2023

December 29, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

It’s been a bumper purple year for Australia’s only independent low-cost carrier Bonza, with the airline revealing it has delivered more than 650,000 customers to 21 destinations across Australia. in 2023, a year when cost of living prices soared, Bonza was ensuring travellers could make considerable savings on their air travel plans.

Bonza’s unique onboard experience and ability to order on-demand menu items from the Fly Bonza app and have them delivered directly to your seats has been a rip roaring success introducing customers to undiscovered homegrown food and drinks suppliers.

To start 2024 in true Bonza style, the low-cost carrier is holding a 20 percent off sale*, which ends on 2nd January, 2024. Travellers are encouraged to download the Fly Bonza app which is the only place to book direct.

Visit www.flybonza.com to book your next adventure!

Air Canada and Professional Women’s Hockey League seal historic partnership

December 28, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Montreal, Quebec, Canada, December 28, 2023 – Air Canada (Toronto: AC) today announced a historic partnership with the new Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) ahead of its inaugural season opener on January 1, 2024. The deal sees Air Canada become an Inaugural Premier Partner of the PWHL and Official Airline for the league’s first six teams, reflecting its deep passion for hockey and sharing the best of Canada with the world.

The airline is also celebrating this historic partnership with a new inspirational ad campaign, entitled “We All Fly,” featuring a cadre of young PWHL hopefuls alongside Canadian hockey legend Mélodie Daoust, which will premiere ahead of each PWHL home opener.

As part of the PWHL partnership, Air Canada is granted intellectual property (IP) rights for all six PWHL teams in Boston, Minnesota, Montreal, New York, Ottawa, and Toronto, the PWHL itself, broadcast, in-venue, and in-market assets, as well as official jersey branding rights for Montreal’s PWHL team. Air Canada will also provide travel support for the league and its players, and will celebrate and promote the PWHL and its future stars across its marketing and communications channels.

The PWHL deal also builds on Air Canada’s prior partnerships in professional women’s hockey, and in women’s sports including with the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), as well as the planned Project 8 professional women’s soccer league in Canada. In addition, and furthering its commitment to supporting the next generation of women’s hockey, Air Canada will host a local girls’ junior hockey team at each historical PWHL home opener in Canada, including Jan. 1 in Toronto, Jan. 2 in Ottawa, and Jan. 13 in Montreal.

Visit aircanada.com and thepwhl.com for more information!

Forward-Looking Statements

Saudia Airlines ranks first in most trusted organizations in ipsos 2023 survey

December 28, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, December 28, 2023 – Saudia, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, has achieved first place in the Ipsos Saudi Arabia Reputation Monitor 2023 Survey, ranking Most Trusted Organization among 80 brands in the Kingdom.

The index employed for this survey calculates the degree of trust among organizations in Saudi Arabia. An index of 100 represents an average organization’s trust level, with the highest-scoring organization reaching a score of 177 and the lowest at 64.

Ipsos, a global leader in market research, published its 2023 survey results after analyzing key factors that contribute to a stronger corporate reputation. The assessment was based on key pillars of advocacy, trust, favourability, familiarity and awareness.

Virgin Galactic launches into 2024with January commercial flight window

December 28, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Orange County, California – Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: SPCE)* today announced the ‘Galactic 06’ flight window will open January 26, 2024. This will be the Company’s 11th spaceflight to date and will follow a year of unprecedented human spaceflight achievements that included six suborbital spaceflights in six months. Four private astronauts from three different countries will journey to space on Virgin Galactic’s sixth commercial spaceflight.

The private astronauts onboard the ‘Galactic 06’ mission will include:

Astronaut 023 – Private Astronaut from Ukraine and Las Vegas, United States
Astronaut 024 – Private Astronaut from Texas, United States
Astronaut 025 – Private Astronaut from Austria
Astronaut 026 – Private Astronaut from California, United States

The Virgin Galactic crew will include:

VSS Unity Commander CJ Sturckow and pilot Nicola Pecile
VMS Eve Commander Michael Masucci and pilot Dan Alix

Watch the 2023 Virgin Galactic Year In Review video below!*

*Forward-Looking Statements

Azul announces $200M credit facility to finance engine maintenance

December 28, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Sao Paulo, Brazil, December 26, 2023 – Azul S.A. (NYSE: AZUL), the largest airline in Brazil by number of flights and cities served, announces that its subsidiaries Azul Linhas Aereas Brasileiras S.A. (“ALAB”) and Azul Investments LLP have received approval to access a new US$ 200 million secured credit facility. The facility will be used to finance engine maintenance of ALAB’s Embraer and Airbus fleet, performed by GE Celma Ltda. (a subsidiary of GE Aerospace). The Brazilian Guarantees Agency – ABGF (Agencia Brasileira Gestora de Fundos Garantidores e Garantias) was the rapporteur. The Export Financing and Guarantee Committee – COFIG (Comite de Financiamento e Garantia das Exportacoes) approved the transaction under the conditions presented by ABGF.

About Azul

Azul S.A. offers 1,000 daily flights to over 160 destinations. With an operating fleet of over 180 aircraft and more than 16,000 Crewmembers, the Company has a network of 300 non-stop routes as of September 2023. Azul was named by Cirium (leading aviation data analysis company) as the most on-time airline in the world in 2022, being the first
Brazilian airline to obtain this honor. In 2020, Azul was awarded best airline in the world by TripAdvisor, first time a Brazilian Flag Carrier earns number one ranking in the Traveler’s Choice Awards. For more information, please visit www.voeazul.com.br/ir

Forward-Looking Statements

Maersk signs MoU with City of Yokohama and Mitsubishi Gas Chemical

December 28, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Yokohama, Japan, December 27 – AP Moeller – Maersk A/S B (London: 0O77) announced today that the company has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the City of Yokohama and Mitsubishi Gas Chemical (MGC). This collaborative agreement will focus on the development of green methanol bunkering infrastructure in Yokohama as Maersk’s 16,000 TEU green methanol-powered container vessels will be delivered since 2024. It also highlights the parties’ shared commitment to sustainable initiatives and the transition towards a greener future.

Maersk has an ambitious target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2040 throughout its entire business. For shipping, it will equip its 25 container vessels with dual-fuel engines capable of sailing on green methanol. The successful implementation of this initiative heavily relies on the establishment of port bunkering infrastructure for methanol worldwide.

The City of Yokohama oversees the Port of Yokohama, which includes the Minami-Honmoku container terminal operated by APM Terminals Japan. The port stands as Japan’s deepest water berth, boasting a total length of 1,600 meters and a draft of 18 meters. It features advanced STS cranes, capable of reaching out up to 24 rows. Since the opening of Yokohama Port in 1859, it has served as a pivotal gateway to Japan and Asia. As part of its commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, Yokohama is at the forefront of developing Japan’s green shipping corridors.

The collaboration will focus on examining operational feasibility and developing port facilities required for green methanol bunkering at the Port of Yokohama. Through joint efforts, the partners seek to drive innovation, foster safety, and accelerate the adoption of sustainable methanol solutions in the maritime industry in Japan.

Forward-Looking Statements

Airbus delivers first aircraft from new final assembly line in Toulouse, France

December 28, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Toulouse, France, December 27, 2023 – Airbus Group SE (Paris: AIR) has successfully delivered its first Airbus A321neo assembled at its newest A320 Family Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Toulouse.

The A321neo, which will be operated by Pegasus Airlines, the leading low-cost carrier (LCC) in Turkey, is the first delivery from Airbus’ latest state-of-the-art production facility. Located in the former A380 “Jean-Luc Lagardere” building, the assembly line reflects Airbus’ commitment to modernise and meet the growing global demand for the A321neo, which now accounts for nearly 65% of Airbus’ A320 Family order backlog.

Pegasus Airlines’ current Airbus fleet stands at 93 aircraft, including 6 A320ceo, 46 A320neo and 41 A321neo. The airline also has 68 A321neo’s on order.

The delivery of the aircraft to Pegasus Airlines marks the start of the ramp-up of the new Toulouse FAL, which together with the other A320 Family FALs in Hamburg, Germany, Mobile, Alabama, USA, and Tianjin, China will contribute to Airbus’ objective of producing 75 A320 Family aircraft per month in 2026.

Forward-Looking Statements

South African Airways expands partnership with SunExpress

December 26, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Johannesburg, South Africa – South African Airways (SAA) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with SunExpress (a joint venture of Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines), to support the national carrier’s operations with four aircrafts in the 2024/2025 financial year.

The MoU is an add-on to the current six-month damp lease agreement, which was started in October this year and include the lease of two Boeing 737-800’s as well as maintenance and cockpit crew. The MoU was signed by SunExpress CEO Max Kownatzki and SAA CEO Prof. John Lamola at a joint press event in Johannesburg, on Thursday, 14^th December 2023.

In addition to plans to increase the number of damp lease aircraft, SAA and SunExpress are currently exploring options for a multi-year reciprocal capacity support and further cooperation with regards to maintenance, training and commercial support.

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