While we are impatiently waiting for Tesla, Rivian, and others to bring their electric pickup trucks to market here in North America, China is already getting some.
Nissan is launching a new electric pickup truck through a Dongfeng joint venture in China: the Dongfeng Rich 6 EV.
With its aggressive zero-emission mandate, China has forced automakers to accelerate their deployment of all-electric vehicles in the country.
Several of them are now making EVs just for the Chinese market.
WestJet and Delta Air Lines today announced that their proposed U.S. – Canada transborder joint venture has received clearance under Canada’s Competition Act from the Canadian Competition Bureau. The CCB issued a no-action letter confirming that it does not intend to challenge the proposed joint venture agreement between WestJet and Delta Air Lines.
“Today’s clearance by the CCB is an important step towards satisfying the conditions necessary to implement the proposed WestJet-Delta transborder joint venture,” said Ed Sims, WestJet President and CEO. “We thank the CCB for its timely and thorough review. The joint venture will lead to more consumer choice, connectivity, and economic benefits on both sides of the border by growing U.S.-Canada business and tourism travel.”
Ed Bastian, Delta’s CEO, said, “This significant achievement brings us closer to implementing a joint venture that provides a world-class experience for customers travelling between the U.S. and Canada. The joint venture between Delta and WestJet will create an expanded network with more frequencies and destinations, improved airport connections and significantly enhanced frequent flyer benefits.”
The proposed joint venture between the two airlines is still subject to regulatory approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Upon receipt of all regulatory clearances or approvals in the U.S., the new joint venture will enable Delta and WestJet to deepen their existing partnership with expanded codesharing, reciprocal elite frequent flyer benefits, optimized growth across the U.S.-Canada transborder networks, and co-location at key hubs with initiatives designed to deliver a more seamless guest experience. The partners will also begin implementing joint sales and marketing activities and increase belly cargo cooperation.
Further information about WestJet and Delta Air Lines is available at westjet.com and delta.com.
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 joint venture provides a strong platform for Delta growth, world-class customer benefits and revenue generation across one of the most comprehensive route networks in the trans-Pacific.
Delta has acquired a 4.3 percent equity stake in Hanjin-KAL.
Delta has acquired a 4.3 percent equity stake in Hanjin-KAL, the largest shareholder of Korean Air. The investment demonstrates Delta’s commitment to the success of its joint venture with Korean Air and the customer benefits, market positioning and growth opportunities the partnership enables. Delta intends to increase its equity stake to 10 percent over time, after receiving regulatory approval.
“Together with the team at Korean Air, we have a vision to deliver the world’s leading trans-Pacific joint venture for our shared customers, offering the strongest network, the best service and the finest experience connecting the U.S. with Asia,” said Delta CEO Ed Bastian. “This is already one of our fastest-integrating and most successful partnerships, and experience tells us this investment will further strengthen our relationship as we continue to build on the value of the joint venture.”
Delta and Korean Air operate the industry’s most robust trans-Pacific joint venture, providing customers with seamless access to more than 290 destinations in the U.S. and over 80 destinations in Asia, including the partnership’s award-winning hub at Seoul-Incheon (ICN).
Since launching in May 2018, Delta and Korean Air have strengthened cooperation by expanding joint operations in the trans-Pacific to include more than 1,400 codeshare flights, including connections throughout Asia and the U.S. Teams at both airlines have also worked closely together to provide the best travel experience for customers between the U.S. and Asia, integrate sales and marketing activities, and enhance loyalty program benefits, such as the ability to earn more miles on both loyalty programs and redeem them on a wider range of flights. Additionally, Korean Air and Delta have launched cargo cooperation across one of the most comprehensive route networks in the trans-Pacific market.
The partnership is contributing to Delta’s first year-over-year growth in the Asia Pacific region since 2012, with new service launched earlier this year between Minneapolis/St. Paul and Seoul, as well as Seattle and Osaka, operated in partnership with Korean Air. Additionally, Korean Air has launched new service linking Boston with Seoul.
The joint venture builds on nearly two decades of close partnership between Korean Air and Delta, both founding members of the SkyTeam airline alliance.
Delta is growing its international footprint and leveraging partnerships with key airlines in regions around the world, including through joint ventures and equity investments. These investments improve alignment between Delta and its partners, creating a more stable environment for growth amid an increasingly dynamic global landscape.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – American Airlines Group Inc and Qantas Airways Ltd have been given the U.S. government’s tentative approval to operate a joint venture after a prior effort was rejected in 2016.
The U.S. Department of Transportation on Monday issued an order tentatively approving the joint business agreement and tentatively granting antitrust immunity to the airlines covering international service. An application for a joint venture covering the United States, Australia and New Zealand was rejected by former President Barack Obama’s administration.
The deal would allow the airlines to coordinate their planning, pricing, sales and frequent flyer programs, with new options and customer service improvements. The airlines planned up to three new routes within the first two years and increased capacity on existing routes, the department said.
American Airlines said a final decision is expected in the coming weeks.
“The joint business will also create additional jobs at our respective companies and in the industries we serve,” said American Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Doug Parker.
The department will require the airlines perform a self-assessment of the joint venture’s impact on competition seven years after it takes effect and report their findings to the government, which could subsequently take action.
Regulators in Australia and New Zealand approved the first application for the joint venture before it was initially rejected by the U.S. Transportation Department.
American and Qantas in February 2018 made a second attempt to gain U.S. regulatory permission under President Donald Trump’s administration for a venture that would let them coordinate prices and schedules. They threatened to cancel services if it was rejected and argued it could “unlock” up to $310 million annually in consumer benefits.
The revised application made significant changes, including removing a provision that would have barred either carrier from code-sharing with other carriers. Code-sharing is an arrangement between airlines in which two or more carriers publish and advertise a single flight under their own flight number.
The airlines argued in their 2018 application that the venture would lead to a reduction in fares and higher capacity as a “more viable third competitor” and require other carriers to respond with improvements in quality, schedules and prices.
Qantas said last year the joint venture would allow the two airlines to “significantly improve service” and “stimulate demand.” The airlines said the agreement could generate up to 180,000 new trips between the United States and Australia and New Zealand annually.
U.S. regulators in 2001 approved similar joint venture agreements for United and Air New Zealand Ltd and in 2011 for Delta Air Lines Inc and Virgin Australia.
(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Dan Grebler and Grant McCool)
An American Airlines Boeing 737-800 airplane takes off at Simon Bolivar International Airport in Caracas, Venezuela January 25, 2019. REUTERS/Andres Martinez Casares
The two airlines have jointly transported more than 14.4 million passengers since the Joint Cooperation Agreement launched.
Highlights include introducing eight new routes and two new joint destinations in Mexico, strengthening the network’s power in the transborder market.
Airlines have eliminated 80% percent of the differences in service and standardized processes to create a seamless travel experience.
Since Delta Air Lines and Aeromexico departed together on a journey to pioneer the first transborder airline alliance between the U.S. and Mexico, more than 14.4 million passengers have benefitted from the carriers’ integration during the last two years.
Today, Delta and Aeromexico jointly offer more than 1,100 weekly flights on 64 routes between 11 cities in Mexico and 33 in the U.S. The Joint Cooperation Agreement has launched eight new routes and two new joint destinations in Mexico, and allowed terminal co-location in 12 airports in the U.S., 10 of which are Delta hubs, and three Aeromexico hubs in Mexico.
As seamless as checking in at a Delta terminal and boarding an Aeromexico plane, “our goal is creating a familiar travel experience with standards that are common across Delta and Aeromexico. This partnership and the integration of both airlines allow us to offer a more powerful network, more benefits and standard policies, which result in a seamless service,” said Nicolas Ferri, Delta’s Vice President— Latin America and Alliances Americas.
True to its word, the JCA has so far eliminated 80% of the differences in services and has standardized many processes, such as purchasing tickets online or benefitting from loyalty programs. On board, customers will find uniformity on Delta and Aeromexico cabins, seat selection and checked and carry-on baggage policies; parallel access to Gogo’s WiFi portal and free text messaging; as well as having Spanish-speaking crew members on all transborder flights.
“Although the integration of commercial processes, products, airports and sales teams has been a great challenge, communicating with a cohesive voice has facilitated that assimilation. While Delta and Aeromexico have distinct and unique looks, we respect each other and share the same vision: to provide the best of each to our customers,” said Paul Verhagen, Aeromexico’s Senior Vice President – International Sales.
Providing the best isn’t limited to the airport experience. From sponsoring the Mexican National Soccer Team to the Latin GRAMMY Acoustic Sessions in Miami, L.A. and Mexico City, Delta and Aeromexico are committed to supporting the communities they serve. The airlines aim to foster unity, diversity and to uphold corporate values through their sponsorships of a variety of sporting and cultural events in both Mexico and the United States.
“Such a historic alliance between two iconic airlines is about making travel between the two carriers easier for customers. By working together, we have shared and applied best practices and business solutions, bringing our individual strengths into the partnership,” added Ferri.
Delta and Aeromexico sales professionals have formed a fully integrated sales team dedicated to promoting both operators in the U.S. and Mexican markets. Routes have been increasingly added throughout the two years under the JCA, strengthening the power of the network in the transborder market.
Customers from Atlanta can enjoy nonstop access to nine cities in Mexico including Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey. The JCA also operates direct flights from New York, Detroit, Minneapolis, Salt Lake City, Seattle, and Los Angeles to multiple business and leisure points in Mexico.
Connectivity is crucial to driving business and boosting the economy of both countries, while offering customers the possibility of discovering new experiences through Delta and Aeromexico’s distinctive service in the coming years.
Marignane – The French Minister of the Armed Forces, Florence Parly, has announced that the launch of the Joint Light Helicopter (Hélicoptère Interarmées Léger; HIL) programme has been brought forward to 2021. The HIL programme, for which the Airbus Helicopters’ H160 was selected in 2017, was initially scheduled for launch in 2022 by the current military budget law. Launching the programme earlier will enable delivery of the first H160Ms to the French Armed Forces to be advanced to 2026.
During a visit to the Airbus Helicopters headquarters, the Minister also revealed the full-scale mock-up of the H160M that will be presented on the Ministry of the Armed Forces stand at the next Paris Air Show. The helicopter was also given its official name and will be designated as “Guépard” (“Cheetah”) by the French Armed Forces.
The H160 was designed to be a modular helicopter, enabling its military version, with a single platform, to perform missions ranging from commando infiltration to air intercept, fire support, and anti-ship warfare in order to meet the needs of the army, the navy and the air force through the HIL programme.
“We are proud that the HIL is considered a strategic programme. I would like to thank the Ministry, the French Defence Procurement Agency DGA and the armed forces for their trust and for the close collaboration which helped create the conditions for the programme to be brought forward within the framework of the current military budget law. This will make it possible to speed up the replacement of the older generation of aircraft, while optimising the support and availability of the French State’s helicopter fleet,” said Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters. “Our teams are committed to delivering an aircraft in 2026 that meets the needs of the French armed forces in terms of availability, performance and capability, thus enabling it to rapidly become the new benchmark on the world’s medium-lift military helicopter market.”
Built around a platform that will enter service next year, the HIL programme will benefit from many of the advantages inherent in the civil H160, particularly in terms of support, with simplified maintenance and lower operating costs than the previous generation of helicopters in this category.
CHICAGO and PARIS, Feb. 13, 2019 /PRNewswire/
— Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Safran [EPA: SAF] today announce the name of
their 50-50 joint venture to design, build and service Auxiliary Power
Units (APUs): Initium Aerospace.
From its Latin roots, initium means ‘the beginning’ or ‘to start.’
This is what an APU is and does when it provides the power to start the
main aircraft engines and systems on the ground and, if necessary, in
flight. Initium Aerospace starts with Boeing’s customer and airplane
knowledge and Safran’s experience designing and producing complex
propulsion systems.
“This is an exciting milestone as we bring together the best of both
companies to design and build an advanced APU that will create more
lifecycle value for our customers,” said Stan Deal,
president and CEO, Boeing Global Services. “This is further proof that
Boeing is making strategic investments that strengthen our vertical
capabilities and continue to expand our services portfolio.”
The creation of Initium Aerospace follows the regulatory and
antitrust approvals the joint venture received last November, after an
agreement was reached in June.
“I would like to congratulate everybody at Boeing and Safran who
contributed to the creation of this new joint venture,” said Philippe
Petitcolin, CEO of Safran. “Initium Aerospace is swiftly capitalizing on
the vast expertise of both partners to provide state-of-the-art APUs
and innovative solutions to customers. Safran is proud and totally
invested in supporting Boeing’s growth and operators expectations. We
look forward to presenting the first demonstrator engine to the market.”
The initial team consists of employees from the two parent companies and is led by Etienne Boisseau, CEO of Initium Aerospace. Initial work is being done in San Diego, California,
where they are focused on the next-generation APU design as well as
collaborating with teams across Boeing and Safran on engineering and
production.
Safran is an international high-technology group, operating
in the aircraft propulsion and equipment, space and defense markets.
Safran has a global presence, with more than 58,000 employees and sales
of 16.5 billion euros in 2017. Working
alone or in partnership, Safran holds world or European leadership
positions in its core markets. Safran undertakes Research &
Development programs to meet fast-changing market requirements, with
total R&D expenditures of around 1.4 billion euros in 2017. Safran is listed on the Euronext Paris stock exchange, and is part of the CAC 40 and Euro Stoxx 50 indices.
In February 2018, Safran took
control of Zodiac Aerospace, significantly expanding its aircraft
equipment activities. Zodiac Aerospace has 32,500 employees and
generated sales of 5.1 billion euros for its fiscal year ended August 31, 2017.
Boeing is
the world’s largest aerospace company and leading manufacturer of
commercial airplanes and defense, space and security systems. Boeing is
also the world leader in combined commercial airlines and government
services with customers in more than 150 countries. The company’s
products and tailored services include commercial and military aircraft,
satellites, weapons, electronic and defense systems, launch systems,
advanced information and communication systems, and performance-based
logistics and training. Boeing employs approximately 150,000 people
across the United States and in more than 65 countries.
Forward-Looking Information Is Subject to Risk and Uncertainty
Certain statements in this release may be “forward-looking” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding the expected timetable for completing the transaction, future business prospects, and benefits and synergies of the transaction, as well as any other statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. Forward-looking statements are based on current assumptions about future events that may not prove to be accurate. These statements are not guarantees and are subject to risks, uncertainties and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Many factors could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements. As a result, these statements speak only as of the date they are made and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, except as required by law. Specific factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include the effect of global economic conditions, the ability of the parties to consummate the transaction and receive antitrust clearance, and other important factors disclosed previously and from time to time in reports filed by Boeing and Safran with their respective agencies.
Paris / Munich, 6 February 2019 – France and Germany have
awarded the first-ever contract – a Joint Concept Study (JCS) – to
Dassault Aviation (stock exchange symbol: AM) and Airbus (stock exchange
symbol: AIR) for the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) programme. The
launch of the JCS was announced by the French Minister of the Armed
Forces, Florence Parly, and her German counterpart, Ursula von der
Leyen, at a meeting today in Paris.
The decision by both countries represents a milestone to secure
European sovereignty and technological leadership in the military
aviation sector for the coming decades. Starting date for the two-year
study is 20 February 2019.
Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation, said: “This new
step is the cornerstone to ensure tomorrow’s European strategic
autonomy. We, as Dassault Aviation, will mobilize our competencies as
System Architect and Integrator, to meet the requirements of the Nations
and to keep our continent as a world-class leader in the crucial field
of
Air Combat Systems.”
Dirk Hoke, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space, said: “FCAS is one of the
most ambitious European defence programmes of the century. With today’s
contract signature, we are finally setting this high-technology
programme fully in motion. Both companies are committed to providing the
best solutions to our Nations with regard to the New Generation Fighter
as well as the systems of systems accompanying it. We are truly excited
about having been given this opportunity and appreciate the trust
placed in both our companies.”
This planned Next Generation Weapons System will consist of a highly
capable manned “New Generation Fighter” (NGF) teaming with a set of new
and upgraded weapons as well as a set of unmanned systems (Remote
Carriers) linked by a Combat Cloud and its Ecosystem embedded in a
System-of-Systems FCAS architecture.
The JCS is based on the bi-nationally agreed High Level Common
Operational Requirements Document (HLCORD) signed at Berlin Air Show ILA
in April 2018 between the Defence Ministers of France and Germany as
well as respective national concept studies.
Its aim is to conceptualise the different FCAS capabilities and to pave the way for future design, industrialisation, as well as an estimated full operational capability by 2040. The study will prepare and initiate demonstrator programmes for launch at the Paris Air Show in June 2019.
Rafale B de l’Armée de l’Air Française en opérations extérieures (Opération Serval) – Vue en vol au dessus du Mali. Equipé de la nacelle Damoclès et de GBU-12.
Contract adds support for U.S. Navy CMV-22B variant to existing U.S. Air Force and U.S. Marine Corps customers
Contract expands and advances work that Bell Boeing has performed since 2008
PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 18, 2019 – The Bell Boeing Joint Program Office has been awarded an estimated $143,863,184 firm-fixed-price requirements contract for performance-based logistics and engineering support for the V-22 platform. This is an 11-month base contract with four one-year option periods. Locations of performance are Texas and Pennsylvania for V-22 aircraft belonging to the U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force and U.S. Marine Corps. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
“As one of the most in-demand assets for the U.S. military, the V-22 needs a support team that understands the technical aspects of the aircraft as well as customers’ operational needs,” said Pat Walsh, retired Admiral and Boeing vice president for U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Services. “Bell Boeing is excited to bring our OEM expertise to the V-22 fleet and deliver solutions that help ensure the aircraft are ready for any mission.”
In July, Bell Boeing received a $4 billion contract that included the manufacture and delivery of 39 CMV-22B aircraft for the Navy; 14 MV-22B aircraft for the Marine Corps; and one CV-22B for the Air Force.
Under this performance-based logistics (PBL) contract, which expands on work done since 2008 and now adds support for the Navy’s CMV-22B variant, Bell Boeing will focus on improving aircraft maintainability and mission readiness for the Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps V-22 fleets. The team’s responsibilities include site activation, maintenance planning, training and trainer support, support equipment, and dedicated field personnel for all V-22 squadrons around the globe. Bell Boeing incorporates data analytics into maintenance efforts, yielding innovative approaches such as predictive and condition-based maintenance to improve aircraft availability and readiness.
”The Bell Boeing team is dedicated to providing the safest and most reliable aircraft to the warfighter,” said Chris Gehler, Bell Vice President for the V-22 Program. “We will continue to produce innovative solutions and deliver technical expertise, training, and maintenance to enhance readiness.”
Operating as one of Boeing’s three business units, Global Services is headquartered in the Dallas area. For more information, visit www.boeing.com/services.
