The first A220-300 for EgyptAir has successfully completed its inaugural test flight from the Mirabel assembly line. The first of 12 aircraft EgyptAir has on order is due to be delivered to the Cairo-based airline in the coming weeks.
The A220 for EgyptAir will provide passengers with superior comfort, its innovative cabin design featuring the widest economy seats of any single-aisle aircraft, and panoramic windows for more natural light. The aircraft, which is outfitted with a brand new cabin layout of 134 seats, will now enter its final phase of completion before delivery.
The A220 delivers unbeatable fuel efficiency and true wide-body comfort in a single-aisle aircraft. The A220 brings together state-of-the-art aerodynamics, advanced materials and Pratt & Whitney’s latest-generation PW1500G geared turbofan engines to offer at least 20% lower fuel burn per seat compared to previous generation aircraft. With a range of up to 3,400 nm (6,300 km), the A220 offers the performance of larger single-aisle aircraft.
More than 80 A220 aircraft are flying with five operators on regional and transcontinental routes in Asia, America, Europe and Africa, proving the great versatility of Airbus’ latest addition.
Airbus has today officially begun manufacturing the A220 in the U.S. The first team of A220 production workers began work at Airbus’ Mobile, Alabama-based production facility following their recent return from on-the-job training in Mirabel, Quebec, Canada, where the A220 programme and primary final assembly line are located.
“The expansion of our commercial aircraft production in Mobile to a second product line – with 400 additional jobs to support it – further solidifies Airbus’ standing as a truly global aircraft manufacturer, and confirms without a doubt that Airbus is an important part of America’s manufacturing landscape,” said Airbus Americas Chairman & CEO C. Jeffrey Knittel. “With Mobile, and our production network in Asia, Canada and Europe, we have strategically created a worldwide industrial base to better serve our customers.”
Airbus announced plans for the addition of A220 manufacturing in Mobile in October 2017. Construction on the main A220 flowline hangar and other support buildings for the new A220 began at the Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley at the beginning of this year. Airbus is producing the first few aircraft within some current A320 Family buildings and newly-built support hangars. The first U.S.-made A220 – an A220-300 destined for Delta Air Lines – is scheduled for delivery in the third quarter of 2020. By the middle of the next decade, the facility will produce between 40 and 50 A220 aircraft per year.
The A220 is the only aircraft purpose-built for the 100-150 seat market; it delivers unbeatable fuel efficiency and wide-body passenger comfort in a single-aisle aircraft. The A220 brings together state-of-the-art aerodynamics, advanced materials and Pratt & Whitney’s latest-generation PW1500G geared turbofan engines to offer at least 20% lower fuel burn per seat compared to previous generation aircraft. The A220 offers the performance of larger single-aisle aircraft. With an order book of 551 aircraft as of end of June 2019, the A220 has all the credentials to win the lion’s share of the 100-to-150-seat aircraft market, estimated to represent 7,000 aircraft over the next 20 years.
Airbus has strong and longstanding ties to the United States, with Airbus aircraft being operated by the largest airlines in America. Additionally, Airbus is a major partner of U.S. aerospace companies and workers. The company has purchased $48 billion of components and materials from American suppliers in the last three years alone, and supports more than 275,000 American jobs. Among its facilities in the U.S. Airbus has: engineering centers in Kansas and Alabama; training facilities in Florida and Colorado; materials support and headquarters in Virginia; an innovative think tank (A3) in California; a drone data analysis business (Airbus Aerial) in Atlanta, Georgia; helicopter manufacturing and assembly facilities in Texas and Mississippi; and a satellite manufacturing facility (OneWeb) in Florida.
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.
President Donald J. Trump visited Derco, which maintains one of the largest and most diversified aircraft spares inventories of over 75,000 unique parts, ensuring customers have the parts available to keep their aircraft flying. Photo by: Todd McQueen, Lockheed Martin
MILWAUKEE, July 12, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — During a visit to Derco, a Lockheed Martin company (NYSE: LMT), President Donald J. Trump announced more work is coming to Milwaukee. Derco will provide parts warehousing and distribution sustainment for the F-35 Lightning II, supporting the U.S. Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy and allies around the world.
“From here in Milwaukee, you are supporting magnificent aircraft, and soon you’ll support the unstoppable, stealth F-35 Lightning II,” said President Trump. “I am thrilled to be back in the great state of Wisconsin with the extraordinary men and women of Derco. We are here today to celebrate the triumphant return of American manufacturing, and everything we are doing to keep the assembly lines rolling.”
Derco is growing its workforce by 15 percent by the end of the year. Because of its culture and skilled workforce, Derco has been named one of the Top Workplaces in Milwaukee for the past four years. Approximately 20 percent of Derco employees are veterans.
Derco initially will support the management and delivery of 1,500 different F-35 parts to locations around the globe. This increased work will create more skilled jobs for repair technicians, operations personnel and supply chain management experts.
The F-35 is the most advanced, survivable and connected fighter jet. The United States’ program of record is for 2,456 aircraft, and Lockheed Martin is set to deliver 1,000 more to allied nations.
To support the growing business, Derco is investing in its facility and is breaking ground to expand the campus. Derco is also looking to add to its 1,200 suppliers to develop repair capabilities for the F-35 in Milwaukee. Currently, the F-35 provides $1.2 million in economic impact across the supply chain in Wisconsin.
U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters from the 58th Fighter Squadron, 33rd Fighter Wing, Eglin AFB, Fla. perform an aerial refueling mission with a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 336th Air Refueling Squadron from March ARB, Calif., May 14, 2013 off the coast of Northwest Florida. The 33rd Fighter Wing is a joint graduate flying and maintenance training wing that trains Air Force, Marine, Navy and international partner operators and maintainers of the F-35 Lightning II. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Donald R. Allen/Released)
São José dos Campos, Brazil, June 28, 2019 – Embraer announced today the first delivery of its new Praetor 600 super-midsize business jet to an undisclosed European customer. The delivery ceremony was held at the company’s production facility in São José dos Campos, Brazil, where the first Praetor 600 rolled off the hybrid assembly line that also produces the Legacy 450 and Legacy 500. Assembly of the Praetor 600 will soon also occur at Embraer’s production facility in Melbourne, Florida, where the company has produced more than 360 Phenom and Legacy aircraft since 2011.
“We are thrilled to deliver the first Praetor 600 and we are confident that our customer will be fascinated with the most disruptive and technologically advanced super-midsize business jet to enter the market,” said Michael Amalfitano, President & CEO, Embraer Executive Jets. “The Praetor 600 is certain to create a new value experience for our customers and help them outperform in their business and personal endeavors.”
Announced at NBAA-BACE in October 2018, where it also made its debut, the Praetor 600 was certified in April 2019, just six months after its announcement, becoming the only super-midsize business jet to be certified since 2014.
“The Praetor 600 unleashes the full potential of its platform through industry-leading design, engineering and technology that was yet unseen in the medium cabin class,” said Daniel Moczydlower, Executive Vice President, Embraer Engineering and Technology. “With Embraer’s fourth-generation fly-by-wire technology and more than 25 patented innovations in the interior design and architecture, the Praetor 600 will ensure an industry-exclusive customer experience and raise their expectations of business jets.”
Leading the way, the Praetor 600 is an aircraft of many firsts, including the first super-midsize jet with full fly-by-wire technology, which powers turbulence reduction that not only makes every flight the smoothest but also the most efficient possible.
The Praetor 600 is now the farthest-flying super-midsize jet, able to make nonstop flights between Dubai and London, Paris and New York, São Paulo and Miami. With four passengers and NBAA IFR Reserves, the Praetor 600 has an intercontinental range of 4,018 nautical miles (7,441 km), with the highest payload capacity in its class, and at Mach 0.80, its range is 3,719 nm (6,887 km).
Follow us on Twitter: @Embraer
About the Praetor 600
The Praetor 600 is the most disruptive and technologically advanced aircraft to enter the super-midsize category, delivering the ultimate customer experience with an unparalleled combination of performance, comfort and technology. The Praetor 600 will be the farthest-flying super-midsize business jet, which allows nonstop flights between London and New York. With four passengers and NBAA IFR Reserves, the Praetor 600 will have an intercontinental range of 4,018 nautical miles (7,441 km), with the highest payload capacity in its class, and at Mach 0.80, its range is 3,719 nm (6,887 km).
28 June 2019 – Alstom, in consortium with Bombardier Transportation, will supply 32 further DT5 metro trains to Hamburger Hochbahn AG (Hochbahn) for a total amount of 186 million euros. Alstom’s share of the contract amounts to over 100 million euros. As part of this contract, Alstom will supply the mechanical part, the bogies and the mechanical braking system, while Bombardier will supply the electrical equipment, the driving system, the passenger information system and the vehicle control system. The trains will be assembled at Alstom’s site in Salzgitter, Lower Saxony. The new trains are to be put into service from January 2021 onwards.
“For many years now, our vehicles have been shaping mobility in Hamburg. This order confirms that customers and passengers are satisfied with our vehicles and will continue to rely on the DT5 trains in the future. With this order we will have delivered a total of 163 vehicles to Hamburg. This is a proof of our long-standing, trusting and sustainable cooperation with Hochbahn”, says Dr. Jörg Nikutta, Managing Director for Alstom in Germany and Austria.
The DT5 metro fleet has been in operation in Hamburg since autumn 2012. The Hochbahn has now ordered a total of 163 metro trains of this generation in order to cope with the increasing number of passengers in the city. In the past, Alstom had already delivered the DT2, DT3 and DT4 fleets – a total of 462 trains – to the Hamburg subway system.
Hamburg is the second largest city in Germany and the eighth largest city in the European Union. In order to meet the needs of such a large urban population, the DT5 was designed as a modern, spacious subway with wide corridors, a continuous interior and multi-purpose areas adapted to new passenger needs. Each of the 40 meter long three-car trains has 96 seats, 240 standing spaces and two additional wheelchair spaces. The DT5 also offers high passenger comfort, such as air conditioning, passenger information and monitoring systems as well as automatic door closing.
The DT5 subways are environmentally friendly. Their lightweight stainless steel car bodies and regenerative braking system contribute to improving energy efficiency. The vehicles are very quiet, which makes the Hamburg subway one of the quietest in the world.
As part of the Hamburg Senate’s bidding offensive, Hochbahn is expanding its range of services by an average of around five percent per year over the next three years. The new services include significantly tighter metro intervals and a massive expansion of the bus service with new express and area buses. The latest subway generation (DT5) is now to be increased by 32 vehicles and up to 163 vehicles at a later stage.
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.
PARIS, June 18, 2019––Longview Aviation Capital (“Longview”) and its subsidiary Viking Air Limited, a global leader of utility aircraft, support and services and manufacturer of the world-renowned Twin Otter, today announced a seven aircraft sales contract for six new-production CL-515 aircraft and one CL-415EAF.
The CL-515 is a newly developed, technically advanced multi-mission aerial firefighting aircraft – the next generation of the CANADAIR CL-415, the aviation industry’s benchmark amphibious aircraft and the backbone of firefighting missions around the globe. With enhanced firefighting capabilities, and the flexibility to support a wide range of critical mission operations, the CL-515 will be a vitally important strategic asset to fleets around the world.
The Republic of Indonesia’s Ministry of Defense has agreed to purchase six all-new CL-515 aircraft, four of which will be delivered in “First Responder” multi-mission configuration, and two delivered in optimized aerial firefighter configuration. The purchase agreement also includes one CANADAIR CL-415EAF “Enhanced Aerial Firefighter” aircraft converted from a CANADAIR CL-215 to EAF standard by Longview Aviation Capital’s subsidiary, Longview Aviation Services.
The Republic of Indonesia’s purchase agreement is a firm commitment that is conditional only on Longview Aviation Capital’s Board of Directors approving the production launch program.
“We are thrilled to welcome the Republic of Indonesia as the first customer for this extraordinary aircraft,” said David Curtis, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Longview Aviation Capital. ”This contract is a major milestone in bringing the next generation CANADAIR to market. The confidence of a sovereign government in our program is matched by our own confidence in our ability to deliver this new aircraft platform to the world. We are very well advanced in all aspects of program planning, including our supply chain, and we are nearing a final decision on manufacturing and final assembly sites. We expect to complete the remaining program milestones in the near future, and deliver the first new CL-515 on schedule in 2024.”
Program Development Process
Since acquiring the type certificates for the CANADAIR amphibious aircraft program from Bombardier in 2016, Longview has had positive discussions with numerous potential customers from around the world, including both governments and private operators, who have enthusiastically encouraged a production restart.
On the basis of the global interest in the unique and unrivalled capabilities of the CL-515, Longview and Viking have invested in a rigorous process ahead of full production launch decision:
Consulted extensively with current global operators to understand their future aerial firefighting resource requirements
Conducted
extensive market research and feasibility studies and developed a new
all-season multi-mission platform, leveraging advanced technology not
previously included in the CL program
Consulted with key supplier partners
Undertaken
advanced supply chain and manufacturing planning, including options
associated with Longview’s current facilities and potential new
facilities in Western Canada
CL-515 Highlights
Up to 15% better aerial firefighting productivity, including increased tank capacity and ability to refill in 14 seconds
State-of-the-art Collins Pro Line Fusion® digital avionics suite for unrivaled situational awareness
Flexible architecture to support multi-mission capabilities including aerial firefighting, maritime patrol, surveillance, medevac, environmental monitoring, insect control, oil spill detection and dispersant
Reduced maintenance and operating costs through improved, scalable avionics and superior design
Unmatched mission efficiency and flexibility, requiring no runway or reloading capacity during waterbombing firefighting
“Indonesia is on the front lines of increasing challenges like forest fires, and as an island nation has extensive needs for a range of amphibious capabilities,” said Air Chief Marshal Yuyu Sutisna, chief of staff for Indonesia’s Air Force. “We have chosen to invest in this aircraft based on the CANADAIR’s solid track record demonstrated around the world over the last 50 years, and Viking’s established capabilities as an aircraft developer and producer. The next generation CL-515 will have unmatched operational performance, particularly as a firefighter. This aircraft has the best productivity of any aerial firefighting aircraft, capable of delivering the highest quantity of foam retardant per day, while at the same time providing the flexibility to save lives and protect our coastal areas through its multi-role SAR and Maritime Surveillance functionalities. We are proud to sign the first contract for this extraordinary aircraft that will enhance our mission capability at excellent value.”
Delta and Airbus announced Tuesday that Delta has agreed to expand its Airbus A220 order book by five aircraft to a total of 95.
Delta now expects to take delivery of 45 A220-100s and 50 A220-300s during the next four years, with the first -300 variant expected in 2020 coming from Airbus’s Mobile, Alabama final assembly line.
This week, Delta began flying the amenity-rich A220 from its Seattle hub, and will offer as many as 74 daily departures from 10 airports this summer.
In a separate arrangement, Airbus and Delta have signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding for Delta TechOps to provide A220 component repair and material services for Airbus’ A220 Flight Hour Services maintenance-by-the-hour program. This strategic partnership will allow Airbus to further enhance its successful Flight Hour Services program for the A220 by building on Delta Tech Ops’ proven component repair and management capabilities and on Airbus’ expertise in maintenance engineering, inventory management and innovative services solutions.
As the largest aviation maintenance group in North America, Delta TechOps highly skilled workforce of over 10,000 technicians, engineers and other support employees provide full-service maintenance to more than 850 Delta aircraft and their engines as well as maintenance services to more than 150 other operators, cargo operators and the Military & Government, through the airline’s MRO business.
FLINT, Mich. (Reuters) – General Motors Co president Mark Reuss said on Wednesday that the automaker is investing about $150 million at its Flint Assembly plant in Michigan, to boost production of heavy duty trucks by another 40,000 vehicles a year.
Reuss announced the investment at the Flint truck assembly plant wearing a United Auto Workers pin.
The Detroit automaker announced in February it was adding 1,000 jobs in Flint to build a new generation of heavy-duty pickup trucks.
GM did not say that the latest investment would add more jobs at the plant, but Reuss said there could be opportunities to add workers as the launch of the automaker’s new trucks progresses.
FILE PHOTO: A Chevrolet 2020 heavy-duty pickup truck is seen at the General Motors Flint Assembly Plant in Flint
GM has been under pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump and lawmakers of both parties to add jobs in the United States after it said last November it would idle a small car assembly plant in Lordstown, Ohio, and had no new products for three other U.S. manufacturing plants.
The Flint investment will include upgrades to the plant’s conveyors and other new tooling, and will be completed in the first half of 2020. GM has invested more than $1.6 billion in the plant since 2013.
Last month, GM said it would invest $24 million to increase truck production at its assembly plant in Fort Wayne, Indiana, which makes Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra models.
FILE PHOTO: The frames of Chevrolet 2019 heavy-duty pickup trucks sit on the assembly line in the paint department at General Motors Flint Assembly Plant
Sales of heavy-duty pickups in the United States have grown to more than 600,000 vehicles a year, up more than 20 percent since 2013, according to industry data. Prices for luxury models can easily top $70,000.
GM’s Chevrolet and GMC brands have long trailed Ford Motor Co’s F-series heavy duty trucks in the lucrative segment. The new Chevrolet and GMC heavy duty trucks have been re-engineered to tow heavier trailers, and keep pace in what has become an arms race among the Detroit Three automakers to claim superior torque and towing capability.
(Reporting by Joe White in Detroit and Sanjana Shivdas in Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila and Nick Zieminski)
FILE PHOTO: A General Motors Co. assembly worker does quality control checks on the paint of Chevrolet 2019 heavy-duty pickup trucks in Flint
