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Embraer and United Airlines Sign Contract for up to 39 E175’s

Paris, France, June 17, 2019 – Embraer announced today, at the 53rd International Paris Air Show, that it has signed a contract with United Airlines for up to 39 E175’s. The order comprises 20 firm aircraft and 19 options in a 70-seat configuration. The order has a value of USD 1.9 billion, based on Embraer’s current list prices, with all options being exercised. The firm order will be included on Embraer’s 2019 second-quarter backlog. Deliveries are expected to begin in the second quarter of 2020. These aircraft will replace older 70-seat aircraft currently operated by United’s regional partners.

“With this contract, we have the opportunity to continue serving United’s fleet with our class-leading E175 platform,” said Charlie Hillis, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, North America, Embraer Commercial Aviation. “Embraer’s dedication to finding solutions that meet our customer’s needs is the primary reason we continue to outperform in this market segment.”

“The E175, operated by our regional partners, has proven to be an important part of our fleet as we continue to grow our mainline airline and provide an enhanced customer experience,” said Gerry Laderman, Chief Financial Officer of United Airlines. “As we focus on providing our customers the utmost comfort and convenience, we will rely on aircraft like the E175 to help us achieve our goal of delivering the best experience in the sky.”

Including this new contract, Embraer has sold more than 585 E175s to airlines in North America since January 2013, earning more than 80% of all orders in this 70-76-seat jet segment.

Embraer is the world’s leading manufacturer of commercial aircraft up to 150 seats with more than 100 customers from all over the world. For the E-Jets program alone, Embraer has logged more than 1,800 orders and 1,500 aircraft have been delivered. Today, E-Jets are flying in the fleet of 75 customers in 50 countries. The versatile 70 to 150-seat family is flying with low-cost airlines as well as with regional and mainline carriers.

Follow us on Twitter: @Embraer

About Embraer

A global aerospace company headquartered in Brazil, Embraer celebrates its 50th anniversary with businesses in Commercial and Executive aviation, Defense & Security and Agricultural Aviation. The company designs, develops, manufactures and markets aircraft and systems, providing Services & Support to customers after-sales.

Embraer KC-390 Going To The Paris Air Show

São Paulo, Brazil, June 11, 2019 – Embraer will take to the 53rd edition of Paris Air Show International, in France, the first KC-390 multi-mission airlift configured to operate with the Brazilian Air Force (FAB). The aircraft, number 004, will be in the static area from June 17 to 23 at the Le Bourget airport. Also the KC-390 will perform flight demonstrations on the first two days of the show. In agreement with the FAB, the airplane will return to Brazil right after the air show when it begins the acceptance and delivery process.

“The assembly of the first aircraft to be delivered to the FAB marks a major change in Embraer’s dynamics in this market,” said Jackson Schneider, President and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security. “The KC-390 is a multi-mission aircraft that has attracted great interest internationally and the Paris Air Show is the perfect occasion to showcase the aircraft in the configuration that will be operated by the FAB, proving its superior flexibility, performance and productivity.”

“The expectation for its entry into service is huge, considering the aircraft is a milestone in military aviation, where its innovativeness will bring improvements in the execution of multiple missions, contributing greatly to the fulfillment of FAB’s mission to control, defend and integrate our nation”, concluded Lieutenant-Brigadier Antonio Carlos Moretti Bermudez, Brazilian Air Force Commander.

The KC-390 program has already reached important milestones, such as Brazil’s Civil Aviation Agency’s (ANAC) Type Certificate and the production of the first series aircraft that performed its first flight in October 2018. To date, the flight test campaign has surpassed 2,200 flight hours.

Embraer’s KC-390 is a tactical transport aircraft, designed to set new standards in its class while delivering the lowest life-cycle cost on the market. It can carry out various missions, such as transport and launching of loads and troops, in-flight refueling, search and rescue and firefighting.

Follow us on Twitter: @Embraer

About Embraer

A global aerospace company headquartered in Brazil, Embraer celebrates its 50th anniversary with businesses in Commercial and Executive aviation, Defense & Security and Agricultural Aviation. The company designs, develops, manufactures and markets aircraft and systems, providing Services & Support to customers after-sales.

United Technologies & Raytheon to Create Defense Giant

United Technologies, Raytheon to create $120 billion aerospace and defence giant

(Reuters) – United Technologies Corp agreed on Sunday to combine its aerospace business with U.S. contractor Raytheon Co and create a new company worth about $121 billion, in what would be the sector’s biggest ever merger.

The deal would reshape the competitive landscape by forming a conglomerate which spans commercial aviation and defense procurement. United Technologies provides primarily commercial plane makers with electronics, communications and other equipment, whereas Raytheon mainly supplies the U.S. government with military aircraft and missile equipment.

While United Technologies and Raytheon have some common customers, their business overlap is limited, an argument the companies plan to make once U.S. antitrust regulators start scrutinizing the merger.

However, the two major commercial aircraft makers, Boeing Co and Airbus SE, as well as the Pentagon, have been known to use their significant purchasing power to seek concessions from their suppliers and may not welcome a potential lessening in competition among them.

When United Technologies rebuffed an acquisition offer from Honeywell International Inc in 2016, United Technologies chief executive Greg Hayes justified the decision partly by predicting that Boeing and Airbus would never accept having a supplier that would “build the plane from tip to tail.”

United Technologies has said it is on track to separate its Carrier air conditioning and Otis elevator businesses, leaving the company focused on its aerospace business through its $23 billion acquisition of Rockwell Collins, which was completed in 2018, and the Pratt & Whitney engines business.

Chinese authorities scrutinized the acquisition of airplane parts maker Rockwell Collins closely, given the companies’ footprint in that country’s market. This resulted in the deal closing in November 2018, as opposed to the targeted third quarter.

Trade tensions between the United States and China were blamed at least partly by analysts for that delay, but a source close to the deal said the companies did not expect this to be repeated because Raytheon does not do business in China.

Under the deal announced on Sunday, Raytheon shareholders will receive 2.3348 shares in the combined company for each Raytheon share. The merger is expected to result in more than $1 billion in cost synergies by the end of the fourth year, the companies said.

United Technologies shareholders will own about 57% of the combined business, called Raytheon Technologies Corporation, which will be led by Hayes. Raytheon shareholders will own the remaining stake, and Raytheon CEO Tom Kennedy will be named executive chairman. The companies negotiated the terms over several months, according to the source, who requested anonymity discussing the confidential deliberations.

The deal has been structured so that no shareholder of either company will receive a premium. United Technologies and Raytheon have market capitalizations of $114 billion and $52 billion, respectively.

The deal is expected to close in the first half of 2020.

The newly created company is expected to return between $18 billion and $20 billion of capital to shareholders in the first three years after the deal’s completion, the companies said. The new company will also assume about $26 billion in net debt, they added.

DEFENSE SPENDING RISE

Raytheon, maker of the Tomahawk and the Patriot missile systems, and other U.S. military contractors are expected to benefit from strong global demand for fighter jets and munitions as well as higher U.S. defense spending in fiscal 2020, much of it driven by U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration.

However, Pentagon spending is projected to slow down after an initial boost under Trump. A deal with United Technologies would allow Raytheon to expand into commercial aviation.

Conversely, United Technologies could benefit from reducing its exposure to commercial aerospace clients amid concerns that the rise of international trade protectionism will suppress economic growth and weigh on the flow of goods through air traffic.

The International Air Transport Association, which represents about 290 carriers accounting for more than 80% of global air traffic, cited these concerns earlier this month, when it said the industry is expected to post a $28 billion profit in 2019, down from a December forecast of $35.5 billion.

The deal with Raytheon could put pressure on General Electric Co, which competes with United Technologies for commercial aerospace clients, to seek scale. It could also push other defense contractors, such as Lockheed Martin Corp, to explore expanding their commercial businesses.

Last year, military communication equipment providers Harris Corp and L3 Technologies Inc announced an all-stock merger that, once completed, will create the sixth-largest U.S. defence contractor.

Morgan Stanley, Evercore Inc and Goldman Sachs Group Inc were financial advisers to United Technologies, while Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz was its legal adviser. Citigroup Inc was financial adviser to Raytheon, and RBC Capital Markets LLC provided a fairness opinion. Shearman & Sterling LLP was legal adviser to Raytheon.

(Reporting by Harry Brumpton and Kate Duguid in New York; Additional reporting by Mike Stone in Washington and Rama Venkat in Bengaluru; Editing by Richard Chang and Rosalba O’Brien)

United Airlines Makes Historic Eco-Friendly Commercial Flight

Historic “Flight for the Planet” combines the use of biofuel, zero-waste measures and carbon offsets to significantly minimize impact on the environment.

CHICAGO, June 5, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — United Airlines, a longstanding leader among all global carriers in environmental sustainability, made history today – World Environment Day – with the departure of the Flight for the Planet, the most eco-friendly commercial flight of its kind in the history of aviation. On the Flight for the Planet, United became the first known airline to demonstrate all of the following key actions on a single commercial flight: utilization of sustainable aviation biofuel; zero cabin waste efforts; carbon offsetting; and operational efficiencies.

United is using the Flight for the Planet to evaluate key measures of flying as sustainably as possible using the airline’s current technology, resources and fuel-saving procedures. The flight departed from gate B12 at United’s hometown hub of Chicago O’Hare for its “eco-hub” in Los Angeles, where sustainable aviation biofuel has helped power all the airline’s flights from the Southern California hub since 2016.

“The historic Flight for the Planet showcases United’s philosophy of working together to find new and innovative ways to lead us into a more sustainable future,” said Scott Kirby, United’s president. “As an airline, we see our environment from a unique perspective every day and we know we must do our part to protect our planet and our skies.”

The Flight for the Planet further illustrates United’s commitment to its bold pledge to reduce its carbon footprint by 50% by 2050.

Boeing Invests in Services Provider Robotic Skies

Startup manages maintenance, inspection and alteration services for global manufacturers and operators of commercial unmanned aircraft systems

Access to safe, reliable maintenance will support commercial operations and urban mobility efforts

CHICAGO, June 4, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced its investment in Robotic Skies, a services provider that connects manufacturers and operators of commercial unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) with a global network of more than 170 civil aviation authority-certified repair stations.

“With safety as a cornerstone, we are shaping a robust operational ecosystem for on-demand mobility that supports the future of aircraft, air vehicles and autonomous systems,” said Brian Schettler, managing director for Boeing HorizonX Ventures.

The investment is part of Boeing’s disciplined, long-term strategy of entering into value-added partnerships that enhance and accelerate growth and deliver key differentiators for customers.

“Unmanned and autonomous commercial aircraft operations are increasingly mirroring those in manned aviation, including the need for quality maintenance provided by certified technicians,” said Brad Hayden, founder and CEO of Robotic Skies. “This latest investment will allow us to continue to grow our global footprint and expand operational capabilities to support customers.”

Boeing HorizonX Ventures led this funding round with participation from Thayer Ventures, Sun Mountain Capital and KickStart Seed Fund. The investment builds on a previously-announced collaboration with Robotic Skies, Boeing Global Services and its subsidiaries Aviall and Jeppesen to provide enhanced commercial UAS services.

Boeing is the world’s largest aerospace company and leading provider of commercial airplanes, defense, space and security systems, and global services. As the top U.S. exporter, the company supports commercial and government customers in more than 150 countries. Boeing employs more than 150,000 people worldwide and leverages the talents of a global supplier base. Building on a legacy of aerospace leadership, Boeing continues to lead in technology and innovation, deliver for its customers and invest in its people and future growth.

Robotic Skies is the only global network of certified UAS maintenance centers. It offers comprehensive turnkey field service programs designed to keep UAS flying safely, efficiently and affordably around the world. Founded in 2014, Robotic Skies has more than 170 certified repair stations across more than 40 countries, providing MRO and support services for commercial UAS. Each service center in the network possesses the aviation expertise and factory training to ensure the mission readiness of these aircraft. For more information about Robotic Skies, visit: http://www.roboticskies.com

Via Airlines Ceases All Commercial Service

Growing independent regional airline Via Airlines has abruptly ended all scheduled commercial flights with plans to revert back to its original business model of conducting charter operations. Known by its shortened name, ViaAir, the airline began flying in 1997, specializing in both public and private charter flights catered for corporations, casinos and sports teams.

Click the link below for the full story! https://airlinegeeks.com/2019/05/31/via-airlines-officially-stops-commercial-routes-in-favor-of-charter-flights/

Embraer Announces Earnings Results For 1st Quarter 2019

HIGHLIGHTS

Embraer delivered 11 commercial jets and 11 executive jets (8 light / 3 large) in 1Q19.

The Company’s firm order backlog at the end of 1Q19 was US$ 16 billion considering all deliveries as well as firm orders obtained during the period.

EBIT and EBITDA in 1Q19 were US$ (15.2) million and US$ 30.9 million, respectively, yielding EBIT margin of -1.8% and EBITDA margin of 3.8%. This compares to EBIT of US$ (5.3) million (-0.6% EBIT margin) and EBITDA of US$ 57.8 million (6.0% EBITDA margin) in 1Q18.

1Q19 Net loss attributable to Embraer shareholders and Loss per ADS were US$ (42.5) million and US$ (0.23), respectively. Adjusted net loss (excluding deferred income tax and social contribution) for 1Q19 was US$ (61.8) million, with Adjusted loss per ADS of US$ (0.34). Embraer reported adjusted net loss in 1Q18 of US$ (60.5) million, for an adjusted loss per ADS of US$ (0.33) in the quarter.

Embraer reported Free cash flow of US$ (665.3) million in 1Q19, compared to free cash flow of US$ (435.2) million reported in 1Q18. The Company finished the quarter with total cash of US$ 2,483.4 million and total debt of US$ 3,587.1 million, yielding a net debt position of US$ 1,103.7 million versus net debt of US$ 439.9 million at the end of 2018.

The Company’s shareholders approved the proposed strategic partnership between Boeing and Embraer during an Extraordinary General Shareholders’ Meeting on February 26, 2019. At the meeting, 96.8% of all valid votes were in favor of the transaction, with participation of roughly 67% of all outstanding shares.

The closing of the transaction between Boeing and Embraer remains subject to obtaining regulatory approvals and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions, expected by the end of 2019.

The Company reaffirms all aspects of its 2019 financial and deliveries guidance.

Click the link below for the full report!

https://daflwcl3bnxyt.cloudfront.net/m/4fe5d3ce64e6b820/original/Embraer-Release-US-1Q19_FINAL.pdf

EL AL & Alaska Airlines Expand Global Partnership

With the inaugural EL AL flight between Tel Aviv and San Francisco, EL AL and Alaska Airlines signed an expanded global partnership allowing their members to more easily connect and earn miles.

TEL AVIV, Israel and SEATTLE, May 13, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — EL AL Israel Airlines and Alaska Airlines today expanded their commercial relationship to include a reciprocal frequent flyer agreement. The agreement was signed by the CEOs of each airline at a ceremony soon after the arrival of the first EL AL flight from Tel Aviv to San Francisco and was attended by San Francisco Bay Area dignitaries and civic leaders. This agreement is in addition to the codeshare agreement that recently came into effect between the airlines allowing EL AL to place its “LY” code on various Alaska Airlines “AS” flights in the U.S.

The codeshare agreement which has been available for sale as of April 28th for flights as of May 5th includes flights from Newark, Los Angeles and now San Francisco onto a host of Alaska Airlines flights. From San Francisco, EL AL will place its code on flights to Seattle; San Diego; Portland, Oregon; Honolulu; Los Angeles; Palm Springs, California; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Austin, Texas; Dallas (DAL); Santa Ana, California, Everett, Washington, Kansas City, Missouri; Salt Lake City; Kona, Hawaii and Las Vegas. Upon regulatory approval, will also include flights to various points in Mexico.

With the EL AL and Alaska Airlines partnership, customers will be able to continue their journey to and from North America and Israel with connections on both airlines, in either direction. Both airlines will offer the opportunity for their members to earn miles while flying with the partner airline. Base miles flown on EL AL will also count toward elite status in Alaska’s Mileage Plan program. Additionally, EL AL travelers will be able to redeem their EL AL Matmid miles to book on Alaska flights in the future.

“This is truly a historic day for EL AL,” said EL AL CEO Gonen Usishkin. “Aside from the fact that EL AL is linking the two high-tech centers with the new three times weekly flights, we are providing the full options for our customers with the codeshare and frequent flyer agreements with Alaska Airlines,” he emphasized. “Alaska Airlines was instrumental in helping bring Jews to Israel in the early years of the state, helping to build our country and now as we celebrate 70 years of those historic flights, continue to be a key player along with EL AL in building the bridges between America and Israel.”

“Alaska Airlines and EL AL will now offer more opportunities than ever before for travelers to fly nonstop between the West Coast and Tel Aviv. Through our partnership, both EL AL and Alaska Airlines offer frequent flyer benefits to our guests while sharing the genuine, caring service that is at the heart of both of our airlines,” said Brad Tilden, CEO of Alaska Airlines. Alaska Airlines offers an option to go global differently with hand-picked partners, and Mileage Plan miles can be used at home with Alaska or with Alaska Global Partners. With the EL AL partnership, Alaska Airlines’ international connectivity out of SFO is stronger than ever; by June 2019, Alaska’s Global Partners will offer more than 80 flights per week out of San Francisco.

The EL AL flights will operate three times weekly flying a state-of-the-art 787 Dreamliner, offering Business, Premium and Economy service. The flights from Tel Aviv will depart on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 0105 and arrive in San Francisco on the same day at 0600 for a flight time just under 15 hours. The flights from San Francisco to Tel Aviv will operate on Monday and Wednesday departing at 2000 for arrival the next day at 1940 and on Saturday night with a 2245 departure arriving in Tel Aviv at 2225 the next day for a flying time of just over 13 and a half hours.

About EL AL Israel Airlines

EL AL Israel Airlines, Israel’s national airline, established in 1948, offers more nonstop flights than any other airline to/from Israel. EL AL currently flies to 36 destinations from Israel, serves hundreds of other destinations throughout the world via codeshare, and interline partnerships. EL AL offers a full Boeing fleet and began renewing its fleet as of September 2017 with the arrival of the first of its sixteen 787 Dreamliner aircraft. Soon to be new routes will include Las Vegas, Chicago and Orlando (summer seasonal flights only) in the USA. In 2017 EL AL flew over 5.6 million passengers. EL AL embodies Israel’s values of innovation and caring and is known for its genuine Israeli hospitality. Learn more about EL AL at: www.elal.com.

About Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines and its regional partners fly 44 million guests a year to more than 115 destinations with an average of 1,200 daily flights across the United States and to Mexico, Canada and Costa Rica. With Alaska and Alaska Global Partners, guests can earn and redeem miles on flights to more than 900 destinations worldwide. Alaska Airlines ranked “Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Traditional Carriers in North America” in the J.D. Power North America Airline Satisfaction Study for 11 consecutive years from 2008 to 2018. Learn about Alaska’s award-winning service at newsroom.alaskaair.com and blog.alaskaair.com. Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air are subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group (ALK).

Embraer Delivers 11 Commercial and 11 Executive Jets in 1Q19

São José dos Campos, SP, Brazil, May 3rd, 2019 – Embraer (NYSE: ERJ; B3: EMBR3;) delivered a total of 22 jets in the first quarter of 2019 (1Q19), of which 11 were commercial aircraft and 11 were executive jets (8 light and 3 large). As of March 31st, the firm order backlog totaled USD 16.0 billion.

In the first quarter, Embraer delivered the first E175 jet to Mauritania Airlines, the first of this model to the African continent. The airline signed a firm order for two E175 jets in 2018. The contract has a value of USD 93.8 million at current list prices.

Embraer also signed, in April, a firm order for 10 E195-E2 jets with Nigeria’s largest airline, Air Peace, which will become the first E-Jets E2 operator in Africa. The contract includes purchase rights for a further 20 E195-E2. With all purchase rights being exercised, the contract has a value of USD 2.12 billion based on current list prices. This order will be included in Embraer’s 2Q19 backlog.

The world’s best-selling light jet for the seventh consecutive year, the Phenom 300 reached the mark of the 500th aircraft delivered, becoming the only business jet model to reach this milestone in the last 10 years. The aircraft is in operation in more than 30 countries and has accumulated more than 780,000 flight hours. This milestone followed the announcement of the first Phenom 300E and Praetor 600 business jet sales to Brazilian customers.

Embraer Defense & Security and its partner Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) announced in February a contract for 12 A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft to the Nigerian Air Force. This sale was already included in Embraer’s 4Q18 backlog.

In the period, the Brazilian Navy also announced that the Águas Azuis Consortium, formed by thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, Embraer Defense & Security and Atech, was selected for the construction of four defense ships in the Tamandaré Corvettes Class Program (CCT) as preferred bidder.

In the Services & Support segment, Embraer and WDL Aviation GmbH, a German charter business which is part of the Zeitfracht logistics group, signed an agreement for a Flight Hour Pool Program to support the airline’s recently leased fleet of four used E190s. Air Astana, a flag carrier of Kazakhstan, also signed a multiyear agreement for a Flight Hour Pool Program to support the component needs for the airline’s new E2 fleet, Embraer’s second generation of the E-Jets family of commercial aircraft.

Follow us on Twitter: @Embraer

About Embraer

A global aerospace company headquartered in Brazil, Embraer celebrates its 50th anniversary with businesses in Commercial and Executive aviation, Defense & Security and Agricultural Aviation. The company designs, develops, manufactures and markets aircraft and systems, providing Services & Support to customer after-sales.

Since it was founded in 1969, Embraer has delivered more than 8,000 aircraft. On average, about every 10 seconds an aircraft manufactured by Embraer takes off somewhere in the world, transporting over 145 million passengers a year.

Embraer is the leading manufacturer of commercial jets up to 150 seats and the main exporter of high value-added goods in Brazil. The company maintains industrial units, offices, service and parts distribution centers, among other activities, across the Americas, Africa, Asia and Europe.

Bombardier Celebrates 1st CRJ900 Delivery To Uganda Airlines

Bombardier Commercial Aircraft today celebrated the delivery of the first two of four CRJ900 aircraft ordered by Uganda National Airlines Company in July 2018. The new airline has selected Bombardier and the CRJ900 regional jets fitted with the ATMOSPHÈRE cabin for its upcoming debut, making it the first operator in Africa with this enhanced cabin experience.

The CRJ900 delivery ceremony held today at Bombardier’s Mirabel, Québec facility, was attended by executives of both Uganda Airlines and Bombardier Commercial Aircraft as well as several shop floor employees who build the CRJ900 aircraft.

“We are thrilled to commence our operations with the world’s leading regional jet, and we look forward to providing the most modern passenger experience in regional aviation to the people of Uganda and across Africa,” said Ephraim Bagenda, CEO, Uganda National Airlines.”

“We congratulate Uganda Airlines for taking delivery of their very first CRJ900 jetliner fitted with the ATMOSPHÈRE cabin in a dual-class configuration with 76 seats, including 12 first class seats. The CRJ Series is recognized for its superior economics and efficiency and I am confident that it will be the stepping stone for the development of Uganda’s regional air travel”, said Fred Cromer, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft.

About Bombardier

With over 68,000 employees across four business segments, Bombardier is a global leader in the transportation industry, creating innovative and game-changing planes and trains. Our products and services provide world-class transportation experiences that set new standards in passenger comfort, energy efficiency, reliability and safety.

Headquartered in Montréal, Canada, Bombardier has production and engineering sites in 28 countries across the segments of Transportation, Business Aircraft, Commercial Aircraft and Aerostructures and Engineering Services. Bombardier shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD). In the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, Bombardier posted revenues of $16.2 billion. News and information are available at bombardier.com or follow us on Twitter @Bombardier.

Story and images from http://www.bombardier.com

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