Toulouse, France, September 19, 2023 – Maldivian Airlines, the national airline of the Maldives and the world number one regional aircraft manufacturer ATR, have signed a firm order for two ATR 42-600 aircraft. These highly-efficient new aircraft will join the airline existing regional fleet, including two ATR 72-600 and one ATR 42-600, to replace older generation turboprops.
With these modern aircraft, powered by extra efficient PW127XT engines and featuring a spacious and appealing cabin, Maldivian will offer further reliable and affordable connectivity to the archipelago’s communities and businesses, contributing to the Maldives’ economic dynamism while lowering emissions.
About Maldivian
Maldivian, the national airline of the country embodies the spirit of the Maldives by providing exceptional air travel services that showcase the natural beauty and warm hospitality of the island nation. The airline is the leading domestic carrier with a scheduled network comprising of 16 domestic sectors. Maldivian operates the largest wheel-based fleet in the country which includes DeHavilland Dash 8 and ATR aircraft. Maldivian Seaplane, which consists of DeHavilland DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft, further enhances the airline’s domestic operation by providing specialized tourist air transportation service connecting customers directly to the doorstep of their chosen resort. Operating from its hub in Male’, the airline provides international scheduled flights to cities in India and Bangladesh.
National Jet Express (NJE), a member of the Rex Group, will shortly take delivery of another De Havilland Dash 8-400NG ‘Next Generation’, fitted with 82 seats.
This will be the ninth Dash 8-400NG to join the NJE fleet and the second to be deployed to support and grow NJE’s long term contract with BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) after starting operations for the mining giant on 1 July, 2023.
It will enter service in October and operate additional flights to the mining community of Moranbah in the Bowen Basin, 1000 kilometres north of Brisbane.
NJE is also in the advanced stages of negotiation for two further contracts in the mining and construction industries, which are expected to see Dash 8-400NG services expand across other areas of Queensland.
(Reuters) – Air New Zealand Ltd said on Tuesday it had outlined requirements to suppliers as part of plans to replace its fleet of De Havilland Canada Dash 8 Q300 turboprops with lower-emissions technology by around 2030.
“The ideal candidate aircraft will be a drop in replacement for the Q300 for seamless integration into the existing Air New Zealand turboprop network, which may include retrofit of the existing aircraft,” the airline said.
Amtrak fans across the country may soon spot a few freshly painted locomotives featuring new anniversary logos rolling down the tracks as America’s Railroad® celebrates 50 years of service this year. The first of six different commemorative 50th anniversary locomotives has already entered service on the national network.
“We chose locomotives already budgeted for new paint as part of our life cycle preventative maintenance program and used the opportunity to celebrate this significant milestone on the most iconic component of our business,” said Amtrak President Stephen Gardner. “The locomotive designs uniquely honor our heritage and our vision of connecting communities, economies and families nationwide.”
The commemorative locomotive list includes:
P42 #46 in “Phase V 50th” – The standard Amtrak livery for the past two decades with our “Connecting America for 50 Years” slogan including a large golden yellow 50.
P42 in “Midnight Blue”: An all new one-of-a-kind paint scheme celebrating the dedication and commitment of our employees moving people around the clock and across the nation.
P42 in “Phase VI” – The first adaptation of the latest Amtrak livery phase on a P42.
P42 in “Phase I” – A rendition of Amtrak’s first livery phase dating back to 1972.
P42 in “Dash 8 Phase III” – The award-winning livery designed for the Dash 8 locomotive fleet in the early 90s, adapted for the first time to a P42 locomotive.
ALC-42 #301 in “Day 1” scheme – A historic throwback to the unique design created for the first day of operations on May 1, 1971, applied to Amtrak’s newest locomotive.
Each P42 locomotive is being painted and overhauled at the Amtrak Beech Grove shops in Beech Grove, Ind., rolling out over the coming months and entering service across the national network. Employees will also ensure that these locomotives are maintained to high performance and safety standards. ALC-42 #301 is currently being manufactured by Siemens in Sacramento, Calif. and is expected to be delivered in April to undergo testing in the Northeast Corridor before entering service on the national network.
In addition to the commemorative locomotives, 50th Anniversary collectible items are also now available for purchase at the Amtrak store, including t-shirts, glasses, a challenge coin, pins and other celebratory Amtrak gear.
SINGAPORE (Reuters) – Competition is cranking up in the world of turboprops.
For years turboprops were an ignored corner of the aircraft industry, accounting for about 120 aircraft a year compared with the more than 1,000 jets made by giants Airbus and Boeing.
But growing rivalries in the turboprop business cut through a Singapore Airshow depleted by coronavirus this week.
While intercontinental jet travel is vulnerable to trade wars and disruptions such as epidemics, regional development in archipelago nations like Indonesia is favouring the turboprop.
The market has been dominated for years by Europe’s ATR, jointly owned by Airbus and Italy’s Leonardo, which enjoys a relatively undisturbed lion’s share of the market with a small slice also held by the Canadian-owned De Havilland Dash 8.
But the commercial arm of Brazil’s Embraer is sharpening a pitch to return to the market and Chief Executive John Slattery told Reuters he expected a decision by the end of the year.
“We should be positioned in the mid-to-late fourth quarter to bring a business case with a recommendation to our board,” he said in an interview.
In a sign that the development is accelerating, Slattery said he had held talks with three potential engine suppliers – Rolls-Royce, General Electric and Pratt & Whitney Canada, part of the engine unit of United Technologies.
“We are fully engaged with engine manufacturers now and meeting here at the air show…We are excited by where we are.”
Until now, planemakers have found it difficult to justify the estimated $2-4 billion investment needed to develop a new turboprop, despite its efficiency on relatively short flights.
The market has been stagnant at about 120 deliveries a year and demand for the planes is dependent on volatile oil prices, with turboprops displacing small jets when prices are high.
The thrumming noise of the propellor-driven turboprop also puts some passengers off, travel experts say, even though many in the industry say that reputation is already out of date.
Slattery said quiet new engine technology and advances in passenger comfort would stimulate demand.
“We believe the market opportunity going forward is significantly different to what past decades have shown.”
COMPETITION BOOST
China has already entered the fray with its planned MA700.
At ATR’s bright-red stand inside Singapore’s exhibition hall, Chief Executive Stefano Bortoli shrugged off the threat of a comeback by Embraer which already makes smaller turboprops.
“I think once Embraer will let us know their decision you will have our comments. At this point in time it is simply commenting on opinions. Not that we will stand still,” he said.
The fundamental shape of the two-aircraft ATR family seating 40-78 people has not changed in about 30 years, but the aircraft was modernised with the -600 variant around a decade ago.
ATR recently launched a freighter and a version designed for use on short runways, which has opened opportunities in markets such as Japan and Papua New Guinea, where PNG Air emerged as a launch customer this week.
“The approach we’ve taken…is let’s consolidate the platform that we have…and when the right time comes and there are solid options available, let’s go for that,” Bortoli said.
ATR shareholders have clashed in the past about whether to launch a bigger new 90-seater, with Toulouse-based Airbus blocking the investment. But industry analysts say ATR would have to consider responding to a new plane from Embraer.
The prospect of greater competition in turboprop adds zest to efforts by Embraer to complete a tie up with Boeing, which has agreed to acquire control of its commercial division.
The European Commission has extended its scrutiny of the $4 billion deal, fearing that it would narrow options for airlines.
Slattery reiterated Embraer would only have the appetite to invest in a new turboprop in the context of the Boeing venture.
He declined to elaborate but industry experts say it is a signal to Europe that the Boeing deal would improve choice for airlines by prompting ATR to come up with its own new product.
One European source said it remained doubtful whether Boeing would support a new turboprop once it gained control of Embraer, but analysts note the U.S. planemaker has not yet ruled it out.
(Reporting by Tim Hepher, Jamie Freed; editing by David Evans)
FILE PHOTO: Groundcrew prepare a Liat airlines ATR 42 plane on the tarmac at Barbados’ Grantley Adams International Airport
De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Ltd said it had obtained 34 more orders and purchase agreements for its Dash 8-400 plane at last months Dubai Airshow, as it revives the recently acquired turboprop business from Bombardier Inc.
Aurora, a subsidiary of Aeroflot-Rossiyskiye Avialinii PAO , signed a letter of intent to purchase up to five Dash 8-400 aircraft, while the Republic of Ghana agreed to buy six aircraft during the Dubai Airshow, which ran between Nov. 17-21.
ACIA Aero Capital Ltd also signed a conditional purchase agreement to buy three Dash 8-400 aircraft, the company said in a separate statement.
Longview Aviation Capital closed its deal for the Q400 turboprop aircraft program from Canada’s Bombardier this year and revived its previous model name – Dash 8 – under a restored corporate brand of De Havilland Aircraft of Canada.
On Monday, De Havilland landed an order for 20 Dash 8-400 turboprops from lessor Palma Holding at the ongoing Dubai Airshow.
(Reporting by Dominic Roshan K.L. in Bengaluru; Editing by Rashmi Aich)
