March 19, 2024 – Alstom, a global leader in smart and sustainable mobility, will maintain the X-trafik fleet consisting of nine two and three carriage trains. The maintenance is to be carried out through VR SverigeAB’s new contract as operator for the X-trains in Gavleborg County.

The eleven year contract includes both operations and maintenance. While VR Sverige AB takes over the role of operator, Alstom’s workshop in Gavle will handle the maintenance of X-trafik’s trains.

In 2023, Alstom renewed its maintenance agreement with VR Sverige AB, which was initially valued at approximately one billion SEK and covered 30 regional trains over a ten-year period. Now, Alstom will also be responsible for the maintenance of X-trafik’s fleet consisting of nine two and three carriage trains in the Regina model, serving routes from Gavle to Ljusdal and Sundsvall.

VR Sverige AB is part of the Finnish VR Group. VR Sverige is responsible for the Pagatagen in southern Sweden on behalf of Skanetrafiken, Skane’s public transport, and the Ostgotapendeln, Smaland’s railway network. In Stockholm, VR Sverige operates buses, trams, and local trains on behalf of SL, Stockholm’s public transport. The Finnish VR Group is Finland’s railway network that has been operating trains, buses, and trams in Finland for 160 years.

Tuesday, March 19, 2024 – The first codeshare flights between Virgin Australia and Link Airways go on general sale today, giving regional Australians the chance to fly between 41 destinations across the country on a single booking.

The partnership expands Virgin Australia’s regional footprint by approximately 45 percent, offering services to destinations like Inverell, Wollongong, and Bileola which are not currently serviced by any other major airline.

From today, guests can book codeshare flights directly via Virgin Australia’s website, on any of the 17 new routes, equating to around 90 more flight opportunities across regional Australia per week.

Guests with Velocity membership will be able to earn both Points and Status Credits on Virgin Australia codeshare services operated by Link Airways, and Velocity Platinum, Gold and Silver members will also earn bonus Points and receive an additional baggage allowance, when flying on eligible fares. Eligible Velocity members can also access Virgin Australia Lounges when travelling on these Virgin Australia codeshare services.

Gurugram, Haryana, India, March 19, 2024 – SpiceJet has finalized a significant lease agreement to introduce two wide-body A340 aircraft into its fleet for the upcoming Haj operations. This strategic move underscores the airline’s commitment to delivering exceptional travel experiences while maximizing revenue streams.

The airline will deploy the wide-body aircraft from both Srinagar and Guwahati.

Last year, SpiceJet’s Haj operations generated substantial revenue of INR 337 Crore. The airline aims to replicate this success in the current year’s operations.

PIQUA, Ohio, March 15, 2024 – Hartzell Propeller (“Hartzell”), a portfolio company of Arcline Investment Management, today announced the acquisition of substantially all the assets of WhirlWind Propellers Corporation (“WhirlWind Propellers” or the “Company”), expanding Hartzell’s product portfolio into light-sport aircraft.

Founded in 1995, WhirlWind Propellers manufactures composite constant-speed and ground-adjustable propellers for the light-sport, experimental and unmanned aircraft markets. The Company also designs proof of concept propellers for emerging applications. Hartzell Propeller plans to retain the WhirlWind brand and product offerings.

Hartzell will retain the services of Jim Rust, former President of WhirlWind Propellers. Rust’s technological expertise with rapid prototyping composite propeller systems further enhances Hartzell’s existing capabilities.

Rolls-Royce (LSE: RR) today announces it is investing in its assembly, test and shop visit capacity in the UK and Germany to address growing long-term demand for new civil large engines and improve customer aftermarket support services for its global Trent fleet.

As outlined at last year’s Capital Markets Day, Rolls-Royce expects an annual increase of 7 – 9% of Rolls-Royce powered aircraft in service for the remainder of the decade and forecasts engine flying hours to reach 120 – 130% mid-term compared to 2019 levels.

To prepare for this growth, Rolls-Royce is investing £55m and recruiting more than 300 front-line operations roles, split between its operations in Derby, UK, and Dahlewitz, Germany. About half of the investment and about two thirds of the jobs will be created in Derby.

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Wrexham, Wales, United Kingdom, March 14, 2024 – Alstom, global leader in smart and sustainable mobility, plans to operate a new passenger rail service across England and Wales. Working in partnership with consultancy SLC Rail, the open access operation will be known as Wrexham, Shropshire and Midlands Railway (WSMR).

As the country’s foremost supplier of new trains and train services, and a leading signalling and infrastructure provider, Alstom will operate its own rail service in the UK for the first time.

WSMR is seeking to introduce direct connectivity to and from North Wales, Shropshire, the Midlands and London that doesn’t exist today, linking growing communities and businesses, and making rail travel more convenient, enjoyable and affordable.

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Wrexham, Shropshire and Midlands Railway