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Allegiant Airlines Announces Aircraft Base in the Lehigh Valley

August 21, 2019 / WIL BALDWIN

LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa., Aug. 20, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — State and local officials joined executives from Allegiant Travel Company (NASDAQ: ALGT) today as the company announced plans to establish a two-aircraft base at Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE) in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. Allegiant’s growth plans in the state include creating at least 66 new, high-wage jobs.

The Las Vegas-based company is investing $50 million to establish its new base of operations, which will house two Airbus aircraft. The company, which focuses on linking travelers in small-to-medium cities to world-class leisure destinations, plans to begin its base operations at Lehigh Valley International Airport on February 12, 2020. Lehigh Valley will become the airline’s 18^thaircraft base.

The Lehigh Valley is a two-county region in eastern Pennsylvania consisting of 62 municipalities and three cities; Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton. Located one hour north of Philadelphia and 90 minutes west of New York City, the Lehigh Valley is the 69th largest metropolitan region in the United States, with a $40.1 billion GDP that is larger than that of two entire states, Wyoming and Vermont. With more than 15,000 businesses contributing to an incredibly diverse industry base, Lehigh Valley is the fastest growing and third most populous region in the state of Pennsylvania, with a population of more than 670,000 residents. Site Selection named the Lehigh Valley one of the top five fastest-growing regions with under a million people in the United States in 2018, and the fastest-growing region of its size in the Northeast U.S. for a third consecutive year.

Speaking at today’s announcement were Hilarie Grey, managing director of corporate communications for Allegiant Travel Company, Tom Stoudt, executive director at LVIA, Don Cunningham, president & CEO of the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation and Pennsylvania Senate Majority Appropriations Chairman Pat Browne (R-Lehigh). Senator Browne secured a state grant to help offset capital costs of the expansion at LVIA and make the Lehigh Valley airport a more attractive option for Allegiant’s growth.

“Lehigh Valley International Airport continues to be a vital asset for the Lehigh Valley and a significant driving force for our growing economy. Today’s announcement ushers in a new era of leisure and commercial travel possibilities for the airport and our region,” Senator Browne said. “I applaud Allegiant for recognizing the importance LVIA plays in air travel and for choosing to expand their presence at the airport. I commend their commitment to creating additional high-paying jobs, capital investment and potential expansion of routes along with their continued dedication to being involved partners with the community. I was pleased to work with Allegiant on this endeavor to enhance our airport and provide state financial support to ensure the Lehigh Valley was able to secure this important opportunity.”

“Lehigh Valley is a perfect location for a permanent base, which will further establish Allegiant as a hometown airline in eastern Pennsylvania,” said Keith Hansen, vice president of government affairs for Allegiant. “It has been a great area for Allegiant, where passenger demand has grown steadily over the years. As a base airport, having locally-based aircraft and crews will give us a host of options for both new service and expanded operational hours. This will mean more opportunities for affordable, convenient travel for local residents and visitors to the area.”

“Excitement is sky high throughout the Lehigh Valley with the news of an Allegiant Crew Base landing at ABE,” said Thomas R. Stoudt, Executive Director, Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority. “Since day one, Allegiant has demonstrated a strong commitment by providing air travelers affordable options and also have supported impactful regional initiatives. Now, they’ve created employment opportunities for this region which makes your neighborhood airport a more critical economic asset.”

Allegiant began operating at ABE in 2005 and currently offers seven non-stop routes – to Fort Lauderdale, Orlando/Sanford, St. Pete-Clearwater and Punta Gorda, Florida; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; Nashville, Tennessee and Savannah, Georgia. Allegiant currently carries more than 280,000 annual passengers through Lehigh Valley.

Allegiant, which employs more than 4,300 team members across the U.S., plans to immediately begin hiring pilots, flight attendants, mechanics and ground personnel to support the operations. The majority of the new positions are expected to offer salaries that are more than double the state’s average wage. Interested applicants may apply online.

“The convenience and success of the Lehigh Valley Airport is a critical factor in both the economic and population growth of the Lehigh Valley,” said Don Cunningham, president and CEO of the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp. “Allegiant Air selecting the Lehigh Valley to expand its operation and to add a large group of maintenance and flight crew employees is another indicator of the Lehigh Valley’s economic growth and the increased activity at the Lehigh Valley Airport.”

Vietnam Airlines Flies Its First Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner

August 18, 2019 / WIL BALDWIN

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C., Aug. 15, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Boeing [NYSE: BA] delivered the first of eight 787-10 Dreamliner airplanes to Vietnam Airlines today via lease from Air Lease Corporation [NYSE: AL]. The Vietnamese flag carrier plans to put the 787-10 – the most fuel-efficient twin-aisle airplane in the industry – on the busiest routes in its expanding network.

“Welcoming the largest member of the 787 family to our growing fleet ensures we continue to boast one of the youngest and most modern fleets in Asia and also adds a competitive edge to Vietnam Airlines’ operations. We appreciate the unbeatable efficiency performance with reduced fuel burn and outstanding passenger comfort and amenities,” said Pham Ngoc Minh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Vietnam Airlines. “On our journey to become a 5-star airline, we are confident that the Boeing 787-10 fleet will further elevate the customer experience on the Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh route as well as many international routes.”

The new 787-10 will complement Vietnam Airlines’ existing fleet of 787-9 jets. Both feature the Dreamliner’s ultra-efficient technology and passenger-pleasing comforts. The 787-10 is longer than the 787-9, providing the space to carry 40 more passengers and more cargo and helping it offer the lowest operating costs per seat of any twin-aisle jet in service today. Vietnam Airlines is outfitting its 787-10 models with 367 seats (24 in business class and 343 in economy class). In addition to its size and fuel efficiency, the 787-10 can cover long distances. With a published range of 6,430 nautical miles (11,910 km), the 787-10 can fly more than 95 percent of the world’s twin-aisle routes.

“ALC is extremely pleased to announce this important first 787-10 delivery to Vietnam Airlines with Boeing and be the first lessor to introduce the airline to the -10,” said Steven F. Udvar-Házy, Executive Chairman of Air Lease Corporation. “This first of eight 787-10s from ALC will significantly contribute to Vietnam Airlines’ ongoing major widebody fleet upgrade with the latest technology. ALC values our long-time role as an advisor when planning the growth and replacement of Vietnam Airlines’ fleet to maintain the airline’s leading position in Southeast Asia and worldwide.”

With the delivery to Vietnam Airlines, the 787-10 continues to expand its global presence. More than 30 of this Dreamliner model have been delivered to six operators since the airplane entered commercial service last year. Airlines are deploying the 787-10 around the world, especially in Asia as it is home to more than half of all 787-10 destinations.

“Vietnam Airlines has achieved impressive growth in recent years and helped power the rapid rise of commercial aviation in Southeast Asia. We see even greater potential ahead and the 787-10 brings the perfect combination of size and efficiency for Vietnam Airlines to serve high-demand routes, while the longer-range 787-9 delivers the flexibility to connect the world’s major cities with popular destinations in Vietnam and surrounding countries,” said Ihssane Mounir, senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing of The Boeing Company. “We are excited to partner once again with ALC to bring a state-of-the-art airplane to a valued customer. We are confident the 787-10 will help Vietnam Airlines continue to grow its regional and international network and improve its award-winning service.”

To optimize the performance of its 787 fleet, Vietnam Airlines uses Boeing Global Services solutions such as Airplane Health Management (AHM) to capture real-time flight data and enable predictive maintenance. AHM is powered by Boeing AnalytX, a collection of software and consulting services that transform raw data into greater efficiency during every phase of flight.

Kopter Group Enters the Brazilian Market

August 14, 2019 / WIL BALDWIN

– Gualter Helicopteros appointed as Kopter Group distributor for Brazil. – Kopter’s SH09 is exhibited at LABACE in Sao Paolo from August 13th to 15th.

Kopter Group (Kopter) is starting the active promotion in Brazil of its SH09, the next generation single engine helicopter, with the appointment of Gualter Helicopteros as its representative & distributor.

The partnership between the two companies was signed on the first day of the LABACE 2019 exhibition, which is taking place in Sao Paolo from August 13th to 15th. Christian Gras, Kopter Executive Vice President Customers declared on this occasion: “With more than 30-year experience in the helicopter business and having introduced several helicopter models in the Brazilian market, Gualter Helicopteros is the right partner to ensure the success of the SH09 in Brazil. The team has an impressive track record, having sold over 600 new and used helicopters on the Brazilian and South American markets”.

Brazil, which has a solid aeronautical tradition and is the world third largest aircraft industry, counts today more than 1,800 helicopters in operations, including a large part of single engine models.
It represents a unique opportunity for Kopter’s SH09 as the helicopter perfectly meets the market expectations for a modern, performing and cost-effective platform to replace an aging fleet.

For the first time, Kopter is showcasing the full-scale mock-up of its SH09 in Brazil at the exhibition. The SH09 is fitted with a seven-seat transport configuration (five passengers and two pilots) developed and installed by Metro Aviation. The mock-up also features the Garmin G3000H, a state of the art avionics suite for which Kopter is the launching customer. The G3000H will be integrated in the SH09 since the very first delivery. It will significantly reduce pilot workload, increase situational awareness and boost the aircraft’s operational safety margins.

The multi-role SH09 helicopter is a highly adaptive and versatile platform to transport passengers with the highest levels of safety, comfort and visibility. Its large cabin offers the volume and flexibility typically seen on light-twin helicopters only. It allows multiple interior layouts that provide ample legroom as well as flexibility for added luggage loaded through the rear clamshell doors. The helicopter’s low vibration levels with its five-blade main rotor, as well as the silent noise signature of the shrouded tail rotor, create the ultimate flying experience.

The SH09 is generating a strong response on the worldwide market, having today a total number of orders amounting to 70 units, to which another 100 LOIs are to be added. Kopter looks forward to welcoming Brazilian operators to its list of customers.

AirAsia Received its First Airbus A330neo

August 12, 2019 / WIL BALDWIN

AirAsia has taken delivery of its first A330neo aircraft, to be operated by its long-haul affiliate AirAsia X Thailand. The aircraft was delivered via lessor Avolon and is the first of two A330neos set to join the airline’s fleet by the end of the year.

With its enhanced economics, the A330neo will bring a step-change in fuel efficiency for AirAsia’s long-haul operations. The new-generation A330neo will be based at Bangkok’s Don Mueang International Airport in Thailand, supporting the airline’s growth and network expansion plans to key markets such as Australia, Japan and South Korea.

The AirAsia X Thailand A330-900 features 377 seats in a two-class configuration, comprising 12 Premium Flatbeds and 365 economy class seats.

AirAsia’s long-haul affiliate, AirAsia X currently operates 36 A330-300 aircraft and is the largest customer for the A330neo with 66 on firm order.

The A330neo is the true new-generation aircraft building on the most popular wide-body A330’s features and leveraging on A350 XWB technology. Powered by the latest Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, the A330neo provides an unprecedented level of efficiency – with 25% lower fuel burn per seat than previous generation competitors. Equipped with the Airbus Airspace cabin, the A330neo offers a unique passenger experience with more personal space and the latest generation in-flight entertainment system and connectivity.

Boeing Eyes Atlanta for Huge Distribution Center

July 20, 2019 / WIL BALDWIN

The Boeing Co. is looking at south metro Atlanta for a warehouse and distribution center that could approach 1 million square feet — the latest mega project for the region’s booming logistics sector. The aerospace giant (NYSE: BA) is working with third-party logistics provider XPO Logistics Inc. (NYSE: XPO), which has been touring south metro industrial properties this year and may be focused on Clayton and Henry counties. Industrial real estate developers with projects along the Interstate 75 corridor south of Atlanta have competed for the Boeing facility, which could range from 800,000 square feet initially to eventually more than 1 million square feet. Developers have seen a request for proposals for the project, according to real estate sources familiar with the process.

Click the link for the full story! https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2019/07/19/boeing-eyes-atlanta-for-huge-distribution-center.html?ana=yahoo&yptr=yahoo

Dassault Aviation Appoints Carlos Brana Executive Vice President of Civil Aircraft

July 16, 2019 / WIL BALDWIN

Dassault Aviation has appointed Carlos Brana Executive Vice President, Civil Aircraft.

After graduating from the Ecole Centrale de Paris and from France’s HEC, Carlos Brana began his career at Dassault in 1984 as a design engineer on the Rafale, Mirage F1 and Mirage 2000 combat aircraft programs. He was later assistant manager for the Mirage 2000 program, then contract manager for the Qatar and Taiwan Mirage 2000-5 contracts.

After joining the foreign military sales force in 1998, he led the negotiating team for the Rafale proposal in South Korea before being named Director of Military Sales for the Middle East.

Carlos Brana moved to Dassault Aviation’s business jet operation in 2005. He began as Director of Sales for Asia at Dassault Falcon Jet (DFJ). He was later named Vice President for Contracts & Specifications, and subsequently Senior Vice President for DFJ Operations, with responsibility for customer service, finance and contract management. He also oversaw activities at the Dassault Aircraft Services (DAS) affiliate, which manages company-owned service centers in the Americas.

Since 2016 Carlos Brana served as Olivier Villa’s deputy as Senior Vice President, Civil Aircraft with a special focus on worldwide Falcon business jet sales and marketing.

Bombardier Wins Order to Supply 12 Commuter Trains for Adelaide, Australia

June 28, 2019 / WIL BALDWIN

Adelaide’s electric multiple unit trains, manufactured locally by Bombardier, were the first electric trains to operate in South Australia

Mobility solution provider Bombardier Transportation has received a contract variation from the Government of South Australia for 12 three-car A-City electric multiple unit (EMU) trains. This latest order will increase Bombardier’s fleet of A-City EMUs to a total of 34 trains and provide a much-needed capacity increase on Adelaide’s suburban rail network.

Wendy McMillan, President, South East Asia and Australia Region, Bombardier Transportation, said, “Since 2005, Bombardier has been supporting Adelaide’s mobility needs with its diesel and electric commuter trains and this contract variation is another huge endorsement of our workforce and the quality of the products designed, built and maintained here in Australia.” She added, “We are proud to deepen our long-term partnership in this important market, built on a strong track record of delivery performance, best-in-class rail technology and value-adding long-term solutions; which has laid the foundation to further support South Australian Government’s great efforts to meet a higher demand for public transport that will ensure the comfort and ease of every passenger’s journey.”

Bombardier is the only rail manufacturer in Australia with the ability and capacity to singlehandedly manufacture trains and trams in Australia. We have industrial design, engineering, manufacturing, maintenance and rail signalling teams based in Australia which allows us to maintain the highest level of local content across the majority of our projects.

Bombardier has been delivering Adelaide DMU’s from 2005 and since 2011, our Dandenong facility in Victoria, Australia is involved in delivering the Adelaide A-City EMU fleet. Our local engineers have developed an in-depth knowledge of Adelaide’s rail network over these years, information which enabled Bombardier to propose the most efficient and network-friendly EMU solution which has resulted in high reliability and availability of trains, reduced operational cost and increased performance.

These three-car trains, operating on Seaford and Gawler Line, can accommodate 240 seated passengers as well as up to 300 standees, can provide premium passenger comfort and are equipped to handle Adelaide’s hot summers. These environmentally-friendly trains have generated more than 200 local jobs, achieved high local content from almost zero when we started in Dry Creek to more than 60% today, which has created a robust supply-chain in Australia, enhanced local talent pools with skills development and training programs and developed critical asset management capabilities for Australia’s rail industry.

The Adelaide A-City EMU trains won Bombardier a Good Design Award at the 2015 Australian International Design Awards. Bombardier has been investing in Australia for more than 70 years. As a trusted rail industry partner with over 1,000 employees, Bombardier designs, engineers, manufactures and maintains rolling stock across Australia, along with providing signalling, rail equipment, asset management and through-life support to customers and operators.

This latest order will increase Bombardier’s fleet of A-City EMUs to a total of 34 trains.

Delta Rolls Out Latest Cabins to Europe and South America

June 25, 2019 / WIL BALDWIN

By Aimee Greaves

Upgraded Boeing 767-400s will have new Delta One business class seat.
Delta Premium Select also expands to more markets.

Delta Air Lines will offer improved cabin experiences for customers starting this fall through the launch of its new business class seat offering more comfort and privacy, plus the expansion of its international premium economy cabin, Delta Premium Select to new markets in Europe and South America.

The new cabins will be fitted on the 767-400 fleet and bring all four branded seat products – Delta One, Delta Premium Select, Delta Comfort+ and Main Cabin – to this aircraft for the first time. The aircraft have initially been scheduled on select flights between Atlanta and London Heathrow starting November 12, 2019, followed by a number of additional European and South American markets. Select flights to London, Zurich and Brussels on this aircraft will be available for purchase starting this weekend with additional markets for sale in the coming weeks.

Here is a full overview of the markets the new 767-400 aircraft will fly:

Route (airport code)	Effective Dates
Atlanta (ATL) – London Heathrow (LHR)	Nov. 12
New York-JFK (JFK) – London Heathrow (LHR)	Nov. 16
Boston (BOS) – London Heathrow (LHR)	Nov. 20
New York-JFK (JFK) – Zurich (ZRH)	Dec. 8
New York-JFK (JFK) – Brussels (BRU)	Jan. 30
Atlanta (ATL) – Brussels (BRU)	Feb. 22
New York-JFK (JFK) – São Paulo (GRU)	2Q 2020
Detroit (DTW) – London Heathrow (LHR)	2Q 2020
Minneapolis (MSP) – London Heathrow (LHR)	2Q 2020
Portland (PDX) – London Heathrow (LHR)	2Q 2020
Atlanta (ATL) – Munich (MUC)	2Q 2020
New York-JFK (JFK) – Nice	2Q 2020
Atlanta (ATL) – Zurich (ZRH)	2Q 2020
Atlanta (ATL) – Buenos Aires (EZE)	2Q 2020

”Our investments in our Boeing 767-400 fleet reflect our continuous effort to elevate each aspect of the international customer experience,” said Steve Sear, Delta’s President — International and E.V.P. — Global Sales. “We understand that our customers want to curate their own travel experience and offering four cabins allows for more choice while continuing to align our products across the Delta fleet.”

Delta is investing millions of dollars in its widebody long-haul fleet to give customers greater choice when they travel. The 767-400 refit follows the introduction of the Delta One suite and Delta Premium Select on its Airbus A330-900neo, Airbus A350-900 and Boeing 777-200 aircraft.

Here are some more details on Delta’s new cabins:

Delta One

The cabin will feature a new seat customized for this aircraft, which offers extra privacy through high sides and a divider between the two middle seats in the 1-2-1 configuration. There will be 34 seats in total.
The memory foam-cushion seats will also feature personal stowage areas, customizable ambient lighting and 18″ wide, high-resolution in-flight entertainment screens.
New self-service area for customers to enjoy snacks and beverages at their leisure throughout the flight.

Delta Premium Select

Delta’s premium economy cabin, Delta Premium Select, will have 20 seats in a 2x2x2 configuration.
It is a separate cabin between Delta One and Main Cabin, offering customers dedicated service, plated meals on Alessi serviceware, TUMI branded amenity kits, and LSTN noise-canceling headsets.
Seats, with memory foam cushions, will be 19″ wide with up to 38″ pitch and 7″ recline. The seats will also feature an adjustable leg rest and footrest, along with a larger IFE 13.3″ screen than found in Comfort+ and Main Cabin.

Delta Comfort+ and Main Cabin

New, wider seats with memory foam cushions and adjustable headrests for improved comfort on long-haul flights.
10.1” seatback screens to enjoy the 1,000+ hours of entertainment available on-demand via Delta Studio.

Furthermore, the aircraft will also be fitted with Delta’s own in-flight entertainment system created by Delta Flight Products. The first-of-its-kind system combines wireless technology with state-of-the-art tablet displays mounted into the back of the seat. The system debuted on Delta’s A220 fleet and is also rolling out on the new A330-900neo fleet before coming to the 767-400 aircraft as part of the interior refit.

In addition to the expected customer experience and cost benefits, wireless IFE also helps reduce the airline’s environmental impact. The wireless streaming technology enables the reduction of about one pound of wiring per seat when installed on an aircraft. This means Delta’s modified 767-400 fleet will save about 1,330 metric tons of carbon emissions annually.

Visit the Delta link below for a video presentation of the new cabin layouts!

https://news.delta.com/delta-rolls-out-latest-cabins-europe-and-south-america

Bombardier Delivers Final B-series Trains to Perth, Australia

June 24, 2019 / WIL BALDWIN

Bombardier has supplied and maintained 78 B-series Electric Multiple Units over the last 15 years for Western Australia’s Public Transport Authority (PTA) in a joint venture with Downer EDI

Mobility solution provider Bombardier Transportation announced today that its Australian joint venture with Downer EDI, known as EDI Rail Bombardier Transportation Pty Ltd, is celebrating the final delivery of the B-Series Electric Multiple Unit trains for Western Australia’s Public Transport Authority (PTA). This occasion, which relates to the contract signed in 2016 for 30 additional railcars, was commemorated with an acceptance ceremony for the final train at the Nowergup Rail Depot which was attended by Rita Saffioti, Minister of Transport, Planning and Lands, Western Australia and Elwyn Gearon, General Manager, Transperth Train Operations.

Wendy McMillan, President, South East Asia and Australia region said, “We are very proud to complete the delivery of the B-Series EMU train fleet to the full satisfaction of PTA and providing a comfortable and reliable transport solution for over 60 million commuters every year.” She added, “Bombardier and PTA have worked together for over 30 years and we will continue as long-term partners on local initiatives including development of skilled and sustainable jobs, building a strategic supplier base, enhancing engineering capabilities and offering new technologies and expertise to the important Western Australia mobility ecosystem.”

The 15-year journey for Perth’s B-series train sets included the design, assembly and maintenance by the Bombardier Joint Venture (JV) in Australia. The trains have been manufactured at Downer’s facility in Maryborough, Queensland, with electrical pre-assembly work undertaken by Bombardier at its Australian manufacturing facility in Dandenong, Victoria. With an initial order of 31 three car trainsets, the first train entered service in 2004 and the final delivery will now see a total of 78 EMU trains in service. The Bombardier JV will also continue to provide Fleet Maintenance services to PTA for Transperth’s A- and B- series train fleets until 2026 and employ over 130 people across three sites including Nowergup, which manages the maintenance of the entire B-Series fleet.

The B- series EMU platform has been locally designed by Bombardier in Australia. This latest delivery adds to the more than 1,200-strong EMU vehicle fleet of various designs already operating at high reliability and availability delivered across Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia by Bombardier over the past 40 years.

Bombardier has been investing in Australia for more than 70 years. As a trusted rail industry partner with over 1,000 employees, Bombardier designs, engineers, manufactures and maintains rolling stock across Australia, along with providing signalling, rail equipment, asset management and through-life support to customers and operators.

About Bombardier Transportation

Bombardier Transportation is a global mobility solution provider leading the way with the rail industry’s broadest portfolio. It covers the full spectrum of solutions, ranging from trains to sub-systems and signalling to complete turnkey transport systems, e-mobility technology and data-driven maintenance services. Combining technology and performance with empathy, Bombardier Transportation continuously breaks new ground in sustainable mobility by providing integrated solutions that create substantial benefits for operators, passengers and the environment. Headquartered in Berlin, Germany, Bombardier Transportation employs around 40,650 people and its products and services operate in over 60 countries.

Korean Air to Buy 30 Boeing 787 Planes for $9.67 Billion

June 18, 2019 / WIL BALDWIN

SEOUL (Reuters) – South Korea’s biggest carrier Korean Air Lines said on Wednesday it has signed a memorandum of understanding to buy 30 Boeing planes for $9.67 billion.

The company said in a statement that it will buy 20 Boeing 787-10s and 10 more 787-9s to add to its existing fleet.

It is the first purchase for a South Korean carrier of a 787-10 model, the largest member of the Dreamliner family, the company said.

(Reporting by Hayoung Choi, Joori Roh; Editing by Shri Navaratnam)

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