Tag: 2023 (Page 13 of 19)

Artist's notional depiction of NGI in flight. Credit: Lockheed Martin.

Lockheed Martin Next Generation Interceptor Completes All Design Reviews At Accelerated Pace

August 7, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Huntsville, Alabama, August 7, 2023 (PRNewswire) – Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) successfully validated designs for all elements of the nation’s Next Generation Interceptor (NGI) with the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA).

Through a series of successful and on-schedule Preliminary Design Reviews (PDRs) of all NGI major subsystems, the company demonstrated it has achieved design maturity and reduced risk for critical technologies. NGI is the future of the MDA’s Ground-Based Missile Defense (GMD) system to protect the U.S. homeland against intercontinental ballistic missile threats from rogue nations.

Lockheed Martin is demonstrating engineering work that has been performed in the integrated digital tool chain to drive faster decision making, enhance security, and enable rapid delivery and agility. This approach emphasizes affordability across the program lifecycle. Lockheed Martin’s NGI solution will increase warfighter capability, providing an improved defensive solution to address the complex battlespace now and in the future.

Lockheed Martin’s NGI program is on track for its next major review, the All Up Round PDR. During this next major review, MDA will assess if the program is ready to move forward in the acquisition process through Knowledge Point number one and ultimately on to the Critical Design Review. The first Lockheed Martin NGI is forecast for delivery to the warfighter as early as FY2027.

For additional information, visit our website: www.lockheedmartin.com.

Mesa Air Group Announces Third Quarter 2023 Earnings Release and Conference Call Date

August 7, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Phoenix, Arizona, August 07, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) – Mesa Air Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: MESA) will release its third quarter earnings results for fiscal year 2023 after the market closes on Wednesday, August 9th. The company will also host a conference call to discuss the results on August 9th at 4:30 pm Eastern Time.

The call can be accessed by dialing 800-857-9792 and entering the passcode: PHOENIX (7463649).

There will also be a listen-only webcast on Mesa’s website (found here). A recorded version will be available on Mesa’s website approximately two hours after the call (http://investor.mesa-air.com).

About Mesa Air Group, Inc.

Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, Mesa Air Group, Inc. is the holding company of Mesa Airlines, a regional air carrier providing scheduled passenger service to 89 cities in 40 states, the District of Columbia, the Bahamas, Canada, Cuba, and Mexico as well as cargo services out of Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. As of June 30, 2023, Mesa operated a fleet of 80 aircraft with approximately 277 daily departures and four 737 cargo aircraft. The Company had approximately 2,300 employees. Mesa operates all its flights as either United Express or DHL Express flights pursuant to the terms of a capacity purchase agreement entered into with United Airlines, Inc. and a flight service agreement with DHL.

South African Airways Deepens footprint in the USA and Canada

August 6, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Johannesburg, August 6, 2023 – South African Airways (SAA) is expanding its reach into North America through the appointment of a General Sales Agent (GSA) for the region. The appointed agent, Discover the World (DTW) will sell passenger space on behalf of South Africa’s national flag carrier.

This partnership is expected to see the airline grow revenue across North America by raising awareness with more trade and corporate partners.

SAA’s Chief Executive Officer, Prof. John Lamola said the move is part of the airline’s long-term growth strategy that is yielding fruit. Prof. Lamola says activating the partnership with DTW in North America is another strong sign that the airline is regaining its international stature.

Embraer deliveries increase 47% in second quarter 2023

August 6, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil, August 3, 2023 – Embraer (NYSE: ERJ) delivered a total of 47 jets in the second quarter of 2023, of which 17 were commercial aircraft and 30 were executive jets (19 light jets and 11 midsize jets). During the year, the company delivered a total of 62 aircraft (24 commercial and 38 executive). The second quarter deliveries were 47% higher than in the same period from 2022. In the first half of 2023, the volume has increased 35% compared to 2022, when 46 jets have been delivered. Compared to the second quarter of 2022, deliveries volume increased by 55% in Commercial Aviation and 43% in Executive Jets. The firm order backlog ended the period at US$ 17.3 billion.

In Commercial Aviation, American Airlines signed a firm order with Embraer for seven new E175’s. The aircraft will be operated by the subsidiary Envoy Air. With deliveries to begin 4Q23, Envoy’s fleet of E-Jets will grow to over 141 aircraft by the end of 2024. Embraer also received a firm order from Binter for six E195-E2’s, which will bring Binter’s E2 fleet to 16 jets when deliveries are completed. Four E175’s also began operations with Star Air, an Indian airline that already operates E-Jets. Star Air has also extended its Pool Program contract to include the E175’s in its fleet

Malaysia’s SKS Airways closed an agreement to add ten E195-E2 jets to its fleet. In addition, SKS joined the Pool Program to support aircraft to be operated in Southeast Asia. Scoot, a low-cost subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, is also adding nine E190-E2’s to its portfolio. And Royal Jordanian Airlines reached an agreement to introduce eight E190-E2 and E195-E2 jets into its operations, with deliveries starting in the 4Q23. All three agreements involved contracts with the leasing company Azorra.

Aerial view of the Singapore landmark financial business district at twilight sunset scene with skyscraper and beautiful sky. Singapore downtown

In Executive Aviation, NetJets signed a contract with Embraer for the acquisition of up to 250 Praetor 500 jet options. The deal is valued at more than US$ 5 billion, and deliveries are expected to begin in 2025.

Surf Air Mobility Announces the Successful Completion of Southern Airways Acquisition

August 6, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Los Angeles, California – August, 2023 – Surf Air Mobility Inc. (SAM), a regional platform aiming to sustainably connect the world’s communities, announced that the it has completed the acquisition of Southern Airways (“Southern”) immediately prior to its listing on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol SRFM on July 27, 2023. The combination of Surf Air Mobility and Southern will provide the basis for SAM’s anticipated expanded, nationwide regional air mobility platform. Following the close of the transaction on July 27, 2023, Surf Air Mobility has 69,742,981 basic shares and 71,603,186 fully diluted shares outstanding.

Surf Air Mobility intends to accelerate the adoption of green flying by developing, together with its commercial partners, hybrid-electric and fully-electric powertrain technology to upgrade existing fleets. By creating a financing and services infrastructure to enable this transition at an industry-wide level, Surf Air Mobility believes it can bring electrified aircraft to market at scale and substantially reduce the cost and environmental impact of regional flying. Surf Air Mobility believes such cost and environmental impact reductions are achievable by the end of the decade, and that operating as a publicly-traded company and having efficient access to growth capital will enable and accelerate the implementation of its strategic plan.

Surf Air Mobility also announced that it will release its financial results for the second quarter of 2023 and provide outlook for the full year 2023 the week of August 14, 2023.

Voyager Space and Airbus Announce Joint Venture to Build and Operate Starlab

August 2, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

DENVER – 02 August, 2023 – Voyager Space, a global leader in space exploration, and Airbus (OTC: EADSY) Defence and Space, the largest aeronautics and space company in Europe, today announced an agreement paving the way for a transatlantic joint venture to develop, build, and operate Starlab, a commercial space station planned to succeed the International Space Station. The US-led joint venture will bring together world-class leaders in the space domain, while further uniting American and European interests in space exploration.

Voyager was awarded a $160 million Space Act Agreement (SAA) from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in December 2021 via Nanoracks, part of Voyager’s exploration segment. Part of NASA’s Commercial Low Earth Orbit Development Program, this SAA sets the foundation to create Starlab, a continuously crewed, free-flying space station to serve NASA and a global customer base of space agencies and researchers.

The program’s mission is to maintain continued human presence and American leadership in low-Earth orbit (LEO). Today’s announcement builds on an agreement made public in January 2023, where Voyager selected Airbus to provide technical design support and expertise for Starlab.

In addition to the US entity, Starlab will have a European joint venture subsidiary to directly serve the European Space Agency (ESA) and its member state space agencies.

Wizz Air orders a further 75 A321neo Family aircraft

August 2, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Toulouse, France, August 2, 2023 -Wizz Air (OTC: WZZZY), the fastest growing European ultra-low-cost airline, has signed a firm contract for an additional 75 Airbus (OTC: EADSY) A321neo Family aircraft, taking its total order for the largest member of the Airbus single aisle to 434, and for Wizz’s A320 Family overall to 565 aircraft.

Wizz Air is an all Airbus operator with a fleet of over 180 A320 Family aircraft currently in operation.

The A321neo is the largest member of Airbus’ A320neo Family, offering unparalleled range and performance. By incorporating new generation engines and Sharklets, the A321neo brings a 50 percent noise reduction and more than 20 percent fuel savings and CO2 reduction compared to previous generation single-aisle aircraft, while maximizing passenger comfort in the widest single-aisle cabin in the sky. To date nearly 5,200 A321neos have been ordered by customers across the globe.

Apple TV+ Takes Flight with Air Canada

August 1, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Montreal, Quebec, Canada, August 1, 2023, CNW – Air Canada (Toronto: AC) today announced the expansion of its award-winning in-flight entertainment with the addition of exclusive Apple TV+ original programming beginning Aug. 1, 2023. The partnership marks Air Canada’s latest investment in the customer experience, adding critically acclaimed original programs including Ted Lasso, Bad Sisters, Severance, Foundation and many more for its global customers.

Earlier this year, Air Canada was recognized by Global Traveler as Best Airline for Onboard Entertainment for the fifth consecutive year, and by the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) with the Passenger Choice Award for Best Entertainment in North America. With 420+ movies, 1,000+ TV episodes, 130+ music albums, podcasts and more, customers can enjoy the best programming from boarding to landing. All content onboard Air Canada’s inflight entertainment equipped aircraft is complimentary for all customers.

Air Canada’s partnership with Apple follows the airline’s recent collaboration with Mattel which brings more family fun with some of the most popular kids’ shorts.

In May, Air Canada and Bell began offering free messaging for all Aeroplan members worldwide on all Wi-Fi equipped aircraft across Air Canada’s fleet, including Air Canada Rouge and Air Canada Express flights. Customers can send and receive text-based messages via onboard Wi-Fi using popular messaging apps including Apple’s iMessage, Meta’s WhatsApp and Messenger, Rakuten’s Viber, and Messages by Google.

Last November, Air Canada became the only Canadian carrier to offer live Canadian TV featuring English and French channels, giving customers the ability to cheer on their favourite sports teams by watching global sporting events in real time, as well as live news onboard equipped flights.

First Time Ever! Southwest Airlines Launches Buy One, Get One 50% Off Base Fares Promotion for Upcoming Travel

August 1, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Dallas, Texas, August 1, 2023 – Today, Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) launched a buy one, get one 50% off base fares promotional offer. This exciting offer is valid for only a short time—now through Aug. 3, 2023, and Customers can book their upcoming August and September travel and even save on a future trip to kick off 2024.¹

“We’re so grateful for the loyalty our Customers share with Southwest every day and we know they’re ready to make some travel plans in 2024,” said Jonathan Clarkson, Vice President of Marketing at Southwest Airlines. “This extra discount on our already low fares enhances the value of our frequent flights, flexible policies, and the unmatched friendliness of our People. We hope it underscores our gratitude for the relationship between Southwest and those who choose to fly with us.”

To qualify, Rapid Rewards® Members must:¹

Register for the promotion and purchase a Southwest® revenue flight (one round trip or two one-ways), starting today through Aug. 3, 2023; and
Travel by Sept. 30, 2023.

To use the promotion code Members must:²

Book new travel using the 50% off promotion code beginning Oct. 17, 2023, through Nov. 23, 2023; and
Travel Jan. 8 2024, through March 6, 2024. (Travel blacked out Feb. 15, 2024, through Feb. 19, 2024; Feb. 23, 2024, through Feb. 25, 2024; and March 3, 2024.)³

Visit Southwest.com® for the full list of terms and conditions.¹

CSX and SMART-TD Partner to Deliver Enhanced Conductor Training

July 31, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Jacksonville, Florida, July 31, 2023 – CSX (NASDAQ: CSX) and the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers — Transportation Division (SMART-TD) announced they are partnering to extend CSX’s conductor training program to five weeks from the previous four-week regimen to provide new hires with additional hands-on experience prior to beginning on-the-job training (OJT).

The extra week of training at the CSX Training Center in Atlanta will focus on performing tasks in a field setting to increase trainees’ exposure to railcar switching scenarios, radio communication, securement of equipment, brake tests and other fundamentals of the conductor’s role. Hands-on application of these skills begins in the third week of training, and the additional week will reinforce trainees’ comfort level by providing multiple opportunities to perform the tasks while operating on first and second shifts.

CSX developed the extended training program in consultation with the SMART-TD, which represents its train crew employees. After completing their five weeks at the Atlanta Training Center, new conductors begin up to five months of OJT at their hiring location, where they learn the physical characteristics and job assignments of their designated territory.

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