Category: Environmental News (Page 24 of 49)

Delta Contributes $100,000 to American Red Cross Haiti Earthquake Relief Effort

August 17, 2021 / WIL BALDWIN

Delta Air Lines will contribute $100,000 to the American Red Cross to support relief efforts in Haiti following a devastating 7.2 magnitude earthquake that struck the country on August 14.

The affected region is home to more than 800,000 people. This donation enables the global Red Cross network in its efforts helping families impacted by the earthquake. The Haitian Red Cross with the support of the global Red Cross Red Crescent network are leading efforts to aid families, including providing first aid and helping with search and rescue efforts.

This contribution is in addition to the $1 million grant to the American Red Cross as an Annual Disaster Giving Program (ADGP) partner.

The American Red Cross is Delta’s longest-standing non-profit partner, and the partnership has allowed the airline, its customers and employees to help people in need around the world since 1941. For more information on the services of the Red Cross, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org.

Changes Adopted Following KiwiRail Track Damage Report

August 16, 2021 / WIL BALDWIN

KiwiRail and Auckland Transport are already making changes to address issues raised by a report into track damage through Rolling Contact Fatigue that led to widespread speed restrictions across the Auckland rail network.

The Auckland RCF Working Group Root Cause Assessment Report, prepared for KiwiRail and Auckland Transport, identified multiple causes, with historic underinvestment in Auckland’s rail track infrastructure identified as one of the key factors. The report also pointed to insufficient rail grinding, poor underlying track condition, the design of the EMU trains and the wheel rail interface. Auckland’s climate is also another likely contributor.

KiwiRail Chief Operating Officer Todd Moyle acknowledged the report’s findings, and said work was already well advanced to implement recommendations made in the report.

Todd Moyle says that 130km of rail was replaced in just seven months and KiwiRail is now working through the second phase to repair the more complex sections of track.

The track remediation work is part of a $1.5 billion programme of work to modernise and improve the Auckland metro rail network. Other projects include the ‘third main’ project to ease congestion and allow for extra services on the busiest part of the network between Westfield and Wiri, the extension of electrification to Pukekohe, and three new stations at Drury and Paerata. When complete, Auckland commuters and freight customers will enjoy a more resilient and reliable network.

Embraer’s Eve and Kenya Airways Partner on the Future of Urban Air Mobility

August 12, 2021 / WIL BALDWIN

Eve Urban Air Mobility Solutions (“Eve”) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kenya Airways PLC, the flag carrier of Kenya, through its fully owned subsidiary Fahari Aviation. This collaboration aims to develop operational models for the wide-accessibility of Urban Air Mobility (UAM) to support Fahari Aviation’s key markets. In addition, this partnership will establish the co-creation of a foundation of concepts and procedures to safely scale electrical vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, also known in the market as EVA (Electrical Vertical Aircraft).

Eve will support Fahari Aviation, the Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) division of Kenya Airways that promotes safe and secure UAS usage in the region, in establishing its UAM network and collaborate on the required Urban Air Traffic Management (UATM) procedures and UAM operating environment. This partnership will also allow Fahari Aviation to support Eve’s aircraft and product development process which will help guide the integration of UAM with Kenya Airways’ overall operations. Eve’s fully electric aircraft is designed to be accessible to all while being a community-friendly aircraft with a low noise signature and no emissions. It aims to drastically cut road travel time. It is ideally suited as a UAM aircraft bringing all traditional aviation travelers closer to their final destination efficiently and comfortably.

The partnership will deliver a robust strategy to provide Fahari Aviation’s passengers with a sustainable, accessible, and affordable transportation option. It is estimated that using UAM from the airport to downtown, EVA can reduce conventional road trips by up to 90% turning an hour and a half ride into a 6-minute flight.

Collins Enhanced Vision Sensor Selected for Airbus Family of Aircraft

August 11, 2021 / WIL BALDWIN

Collins Aerospace’s next-generation Enhanced Vision Sensor has been selected to be integrated into Airbus’ Enhanced Flight Vision System (EFVS). EFVS will become a selectable option on Airbus commercial aircraft, expanding approach capability and increasing flight situational awareness during reduced visibility conditions. The EFVS option, with the Collins EVS sensor, will be offered first on the A320 aircraft, with the intention to offer this solution on other platforms in the future.

The EFVS will use input from the Collins Aerospace sensor, mounted on the nose of the aircraft, to create an augmented reality view of the outside world. The sensor uses multiple infrared and visible light cameras to “see through” poor visibility conditions better than the human eye. When the pilots view this camera video on head-up displays, it allows them to better identify the runway environment in all weather conditions — helping pilots overcome many flight disruptions often created by fog or precipitation. In addition, because the technology enables pilots to reduce delays on the runway and in the air, it actively reduces the amount of carbon emissions created by the aircraft.

In addition, EFVS will also ease instrument to visual transition and provide enhanced situational awareness, in particular for “night Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC)” conditions, and/or terrain, as well as lateral alignment on the runway, traffic and runway surface identification.

The next-generation EVS sensor will also be available for retrofit on existing in-service Airbus aircraft.

Honeywell Fuel Tank Safety Technology Selected By Copa Airlines

August 10, 2021 / WIL BALDWIN

Honeywell (NASDAQ: HON) has been selected by Copa Airlines to provide its Air Separation Module (ASM) kit for Copa’s fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft. This new technology offering is a drop-in replacement for Copa’s existing ASMs, which are installed on larger aircraft to help reduce the risk of fuel tank fires. Copa is the first airline to operate Honeywell’s version of the safety system, which has one of the longest lifespans and warranties in the industry.

As an aircraft uses fuel and its fuel tanks empty, it is critical to decrease the risk of fire by reducing the amount of oxygen that fills that open space. The ASM separates oxygen from nitrogen in the surrounding air, which allows the Nitrogen Generation System to pump nitrogen into the emptying fuel tanks. Honeywell’s ASM can be installed roughly six to eight hours faster than the current product from the original equipment manufacturer. This shortened installation time contributes to lower maintenance costs. Additionally, Honeywell’s ASM has increased durability over other options currently installed in 737 aircraft and is designed to integrate with Honeywell’s Nitrogen Generation System, which has been line-fit on every 737 built after 2008.

The Honeywell ASM was designed with a high-durability membrane construction to meet the needs of the demanding 737 operating environment. It is supplied as a kit and contains a new Honeywell ASM, complete with all needed blankets and brackets, and ozone destruct filter and instructions for installation.

The ASM will provide lower installation costs for carriers, and with its increased durability, Honeywell is able to guarantee ASM life of seven years without replacement. Because Honeywell is the Nitrogen Generation System integrator, these kits can be combined into existing maintenance plans to further reduce overall customer operating costs.

For more information on Honeywell’s Air Separation Module Kit, visit aerospace.honeywell.com.

Alstom Signs Framework Agreement to Supply Coradia Regional Trains to Trenitalia

August 6, 2021 / WIL BALDWIN

€910 million framework agreement: 150 regional trains + maintenance
Coradia Stream: State-of-the-art electric multiple unit
ERTMS onboard: the highest European safety standard

Alstom has been awarded a framework contract to supply Trenitalia with 150 Coradia Stream regional trains for a total value of around €910 million.

The trains will have a maximum speed of 160 km/h and will be equipped with state-of-the-art onboard equipment that ensures the highest levels of safety and first-rate passenger experience.

Condor Picks Airbus A330neo for Fleet Modernization

August 5, 2021 / WIL BALDWIN

German airline Condor has chosen the A330neo to renew its long-haul fleet with plans to introduce 16 aircraft of this new and more efficient type. The airline has signed an agreement with Airbus for the purchase of seven Airbus A330neo, and intends to lease a further nine.

Condor is the latest airline to order Airbus’ state-of-the-art A330neo widebody aircraft, bringing a step-change in performance and economics. The airline will operate the A330neo on its international long-haul network to the Americas, Africa, the Caribbean and Asia.

The Airbus A330neo is a true next-generation aircraft, incorporating the latest A350 technologies, with A330 profitability and Airbus commonality. Equipped with the stunning Airspace cabin, the A330neo offers a unique passenger experience, brimming with the latest in-flight entertainment systems and connectivity.

The A330neo is powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines and features a new wing with increased span and A350-inspired winglets. The aircraft also provides an unprecedented level of efficiency, with 25% lower fuel-burn and CO2 emissions per seat than previous-generation competitors. Thanks to its tailored, mid-sized capacity and excellent range versatility, the A330neo is considered the ideal aircraft to support operators in their post-COVID-19 recovery.

Airbus Delivers First A350 From China Widebody Completion and Delivery Center

July 23, 2021 / WIL BALDWIN

Airbus has delivered the first A350 from its widebody completion & delivery centre in Tianjin (C&DC), China, taking additional steps in the expansion of its global footprint and long-term strategic partnership with China.

The A350-900 aircraft was delivered to China Eastern Airlines, the largest Airbus operator in Asia and second largest in the world. At the end of June 2021, China Eastern Airlines operated an Airbus fleet of 413 aircraft, including 349 A320 Family aircraft, 55 A330 Family aircraft and nine A350 aircraft.

Located at the same site as the Airbus Tianjin A320 Family Final Assembly Line and the Airbus Tianjin Delivery Centre, the widebody C&DC covers the aircraft completion activities, including cabin installation, aircraft painting and production flight test, as well as customer flight acceptance and aircraft delivery.

The centre was inaugurated in September 2017 with its capability on A330s. Then, during the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to China in 2019, a Memorandum of Understanding on the Further Development of Industrial Cooperation was signed in Beijing by He Lifeng, Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) of China, and Guillaume Faury, Airbus Chief Executive Officer, announcing the C&DC would extend its capability to A350 aircraft.

The A350 features the latest aerodynamic design, a carbon-fibre fuselage and wings, plus new fuel-efficient Rolls-Royce engines. Together, these features translate into unrivalled levels of operational efficiency with a 25 per cent reduction in fuel burn and CO₂ emissions. The A350’s ‘Airspace by Airbus’ cabin is the quietest of any widebody aircraft and offers passengers and crews the most modern in-flight products for the most comfortable flying experience.

At the end of June 2021, the A350 Family had received 915 firm orders from 49 customers worldwide, making it one of the most successful widebody aircraft ever.

Flyadeal Receives First New Airbus A320neo

July 16, 2021 / WIL BALDWIN

Toulouse, France 16 July 2021 – flyadeal, the low-cost Jeddah-based airline owned by Saudi Arabian Airlines, has taken delivery of a brand new A320neo, the first out of 30 to be delivered in the next 3 years.

The aircraft is the first out of 65 A320neo family aircraft ordered by Saudi Arabian Airlines at the Paris Airshow in 2019, and will join flyadeal’s all Airbus fleet.

Powered by CFM LEAP-1A engines, the A320neo will offer flyadeal outstanding operational, economic and environmental performance.

flyadeal’s A320neo is configured with 186 seats in a comfortable all economy class layout. Passengers onboard the aircraft will benefit from the widest cabin of any single-aisle aircraft in the sky, as well as the latest cabin feature offering optimum passenger comfort.

The A320neo is the ideal aircraft for flyadeal to grow and expand its domestic and regional network. Demonstrating the operational flexibility of the A320neo, the aircraft will allow the airline to efficiently enhance its operations to additional networks and foster closer links with countries across the region and beyond.

The A320neo Family incorporates the very latest technologies including new generation engines, Sharklets and aerodynamics, which together deliver 20% in fuel savings and CO2 reduction compared to previous generation Airbus aircraft. The A320neo Family has received more than 7,400 orders from over 120 customers.

Federal Government Green Hydrogen Innovation Officer Visits Rolls-Royce

July 13, 2021 / WIL BALDWIN

Rolls-Royce sees hydrogen as one of the key elements in a climate-neutral future. Its Power Systems division is already working hard on fuel cell technology, on a hydrogen engine, and on using renewably produced fuels that will soon be able to power existing internal combustion engines more cleanly. Building the hydrogen ecosystem quickly is a challenge – making interdisciplinary, cross-industry dialog a vital component. Rolls-Royce’s Power Systems Division hosted a visit by Dr. Stefan Kaufmann, Green Hydrogen Innovation Officer at Germany’s Federal Ministry of Education & Research, and explained its leading-edge research and development projects.

From Hydrogen to synthetic fuels

Together with industrial companies and universities, Rolls-Royce Power Systems is researching tomorrow’s propulsion and drive solutions in the MethQuest research project. Here, Rolls-Royce engineers are working on gas engine designs aimed at reducing methane emissions harmful to the climate, and on methanol and hydrogen combustion. The knowledge gained can be used in the development of new engines.

Fuel cell demonstrator soon to go into operation

One of these new drive-power technologies is the fuel cell in which hydrogen and oxygen react chemically to produce electricity which powers an electric motor with zero emissions. As early as this autumn/fall, Rolls-Royce will commission an emergency power supply system at its Friedrichshafen facility powered by fuel cells – thereby demonstrating how fuel cells can be used as part of stationary power supply infrastructure.

Rolls-Royce will then take the fuel cell to market in 2025 – initially for power generation applications, and later also as a marine propulsion system.

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