First SSJ100 Long Range delivered to Gazpromavia

Photo: Sergey Kustov - Moscow - Zhukovsky, Russian Federation 

Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company delivered the first Sukhoi Superjet 100 in the Long Range version to Gazpromavia Airlines.

The aircraft (MSN 95033) was presented during a Delivery Ceremony held at the International Aviation & Space Salon MAKS Airshow. The Gazpromavia SSJ100 LR features a full-economy configuration with 90 seats.



Gazpromavia is the first carrier to start commercial operation with the SSJ100 LR. At the beginning the aircraft will be used for scheduled flights from Vnukovo airport to Sovetsky and Beloyarsky cities in Russia. In total, Gazpromavia ordered ten SSJ100 LR.

The SSJ100 LR version differs from the Basic in several aspects: it operates over a 4578 km (2470 nm) range and has an increased take-off weight up to 49.45 tons compensated by the strengthened wing. The SSJ100 LR is also equipped by a SaM146 engine with a 5% increased thrust performance compared to the SSJ100 Basic version.



The Ceremony was attended by Mr. Nazario Cauceglia, Chief Executive Officer of SuperJet International. SJI will be responsible for the after-sales support of the Gazpromavia SSJ100 LR fleet as well as training. Up to date SuperJet International has trained 12 pilots, 25 cabin attendants and 12 maintenance technicians.

ASIA ATLANTIC AIRLINES LAUNCHES WITH AN ANOINTING CEREMONY FOR ITS FIRST BOEING 767-300ER AIRCRAFT

Photo: NINEJETS - Tokyo, Narita

BANGKOK, August 7, 2013—Phra Promwachirayan Prasit Suddhibandhu (centre), presided over the aircraft anointing ceremony for Asia Atlantic Airlines’ Boeing 767-300ER aircraft. Asia Atlantic Airlines President Bobby Haque (second from left) and Baiyoke Group Chairman Panlert Baiyoke (second from right) were also present at the ceremony held at the auspicious time of 2:00 p.m. on August 7th at Suvarnabhumi Airport. Asia Atlantic Airlines will begin operations with two Boeing 767-300ER aircraft to Tokyo and Osaka, later expanding to offer routes throughout the region as further aircraft are delivered.
A Dynamic New Force

Asia Atlantic Airlines is a dynamic new force in the region’s leisure airline industry offering a legacy carrier service that adheres to the very highest standards of Asian hospitality. A joint venture between Japan‘s H.I.S. Group and Thailand’s Baiyoke Group. The airline will commence operations with flights from Suvarnabhumi International Airport to Tokyo (Narita) and Osaka (Kansai) utilising two Boeing 767-300ER aircraft. Asia Atlantic Airlines plans to expand its network to include China, South Korea, Guam and Hawaii as further aircraft are delivered.

Committed to offering a comfortable and convenient experience, passengers travelling on Asia Atlantic Airlines will have access to both a departure lounge and dedicated immigration counters at Suvarnabhumi International Airport. On-board, the experienced Thai and Japanese cabin crew will offer the highest level of safety and service.



“With our years of experience of leisure tours in Asia, we offer convenience not only for tour operators but also guests, who will enjoy the highest standards of safety and service comparable with legacy carriers,” said Bobby Haque, President of Asia Atlantic Airlines

Praphol Milindhachinda, Bobby Haque, Phra Pomwachirayan (Prasit Khemongkaro Sutdhibandhu), Panlert Baiyoke and Piyalert Baiyoke (in order of appearance) 

Boeing Launches 787 Training in Miami

MIAMI, Aug. 29, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] today marked the launch of 787 customer training in Miami, site of the company's largest commercial aviation training campus. Aeromexico and LAN Airlines are the first two customers to train on the 787 suites at the Boeing Flight Services Miami campus.

At an event attended by Florida Governor Rick Scott as well as a number of other federal, state and local officials, community leaders and airline customers, Boeing also established Miami as its pro forma flight training campus for the Americas -- the location where airline crews will receive the initial training provided to Boeing customers for new model airplane introductions.

"Miami has always been an important Boeing training campus and the largest campus in our global network. Now it will also play an expanded role in training the pilots and technicians who will fly and maintain the groundbreaking 787 Dreamliner," said Sherry Carbary, vice president, Boeing Flight Services. "Miami's location at the crossroads of the Americas offers tremendous advantages as a preferred location for airlines based in Latin America, Canada and the United States. Customers also travel from Europe, Africa, the Middle East and China to conduct training in Miami."

Boeing has greatly enhanced its overall training capability in Florida following an announcement in March 2013 that the company would relocate training devices from Seattle to Miami. To better serve airlines and meet growing personnel training requirements, two 787 full-flight simulators are now located at the Miami campus as well as an additional Next-Generation 737 full-flight simulator and 717, 747 and 767 simulators. An additional 777 simulator will locate in Miami later this year. These seven devices will bring total capability in Miami to 17 full-flight simulators across airplane types, making the campus one of the largest commercial flight training facilities in the world.

"Aeromexico sees the expanded capabilities at the Miami campus as a very positive move," said Max Alvarez, vice president, Fleet Negotiations, Aeromexico. "This is a very beneficial development that will allow a savings in transportation times and associated costs for our airline."

The consolidation of Boeing flight training campuses in the Americas is designed to bring training closer to where customers operate, reducing travel times for airline crews and the costs of sending students for training. Miami is an international hub for commercial aviation training and provides geographic diversity within the framework of Boeing's global commercial training network - and convenience that airlines prefer.

"Boeing is adding nearly $100 million in training assets to the Miami campus, representing a significant positive impact for the local Miami-Dade economy," Carbary said. "The result will be a premier state-of-the-art training campus staffed by world-class qualified and experienced pilots and instructors all providing the highest quality training in a well-established, flexible and productive work environment."



Boeing Flight Services, a business unit of Commercial Aviation Services, operates a geographically diverse network of 20 flight and maintenance training campuses on six continents. In addition to Miami, Boeing offers 787 training in strategically located campuses in Singapore, Shanghai and London.

Boeing Statement on WestJet's Intent to Purchase 65 737 MAX Airplanes

Boeing Statement on WestJet’s Intent to Purchase 65 737 MAX Airplanes

Thursday, August 29, 2013 (10:30am) SEATTLE, Aug. 29, 2013 - Boeing (NYSE: BA) is delighted that WestJet has entered into a letter of intent to purchase 65 737 MAX airplanes, consisting of 40 737 MAX 8s and 25 737 MAX 7s. This pending order, with a current list-price value of $6.3 billion, is a key component of the Calgary-based carrier’s strategy to optimize and modernize its fleet.
Once finalized, WestJet will be the second customer to order the 737 MAX

United Airlines Applies to U.S. DOT for Authority to Operate 787 Service to Chengdu, China

Proposed route from San Francisco hub would be first service by a U.S. carrier to mainland China beyond Beijing, Shanghai
CHICAGO, Aug. 29, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- United Airlines today applied to the U.S. Department of Transportation for authority to begin nonstop service linking the airline's San Francisco hub with Chengdu, China, the fourth-largest Chinese city, effective June 9, 2014.

United intends to use the world's most advanced passenger airplane, the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, to operate three-times-weekly service to Chengdu. If approved, Chengdu will be the ninth destination United serves in the Asia/Pacific region nonstop from San Francisco, from which United offers more nonstop trans-Pacific flights from the United States than any other carrier – nearly twice as many as any airline from any West Coast city.

Flight Schedule
The proposed flights, subject to government approval, will depart San Francisco International Airport at 1:35 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays and arrive at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport at 6:50 p.m. the following day (all times local). Service from Chengdu will depart at 10 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and arrive at San Francisco International Airport at 8:50 a.m. the same day. Flying times will be approximately 14 hours, 15 minutes westbound and 13 hours, 50 minutes eastbound. This new nonstop flight will shave nearly four hours off the typical travel time between the two cities.

About Chengdu
Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province in southwest China, is the country's fourth largest city, with a population of approximately 14 million in the urban area. In recent years, Chengdu has been one of the country's fastest-developing cities economically, and more than 200 Fortune 500 companies have a presence in the city. Sichuan is famous as the natural habitat of the giant panda and home to one of China's most popular cuisines.

United's San Francisco Hub
From San Francisco, United provides access to more than 300 destinations worldwide, with nonstop service to 80 destinations on five continents – more than any other carrier. The airline operates more nonstop China-U.S. flights, and to more cities in China, than any other airline.

United's Service to China
United started nonstop service to mainland China in 1986 and today serves Beijing with nonstop flights from Chicago, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington/Dulles; Shanghai with nonstop flights from Chicago, Los Angeles, New York/Newark and San Francisco; and Hong Kong with nonstop flights from Chicago, New York/Newark, San Francisco, Guam, Singapore and Ho Chi Minh City.



United is a founding member of Star Alliance, the world's largest and most comprehensive airline alliance, whose other members include Air China. United and Air China have a bilateral partnership that includes codesharing on selected routes and provides customers of both carriers additional travel benefits such as airport lounge access and frequent flyer program reciprocity. Air China offers flights to 59 cities from Chengdu, many of which will offer same-day connections to United's new Chengdu service.

Air Serbia receives first of ten new aircraft

Air Serbia, in which Etihad Airways recently acquired a 49% stake, will receive its first of ten new aircraft on October 27, Arabian Business has reported, citing daily newspaper Novosti.

The rest of the deliveries are expected in the next year. Air Serbia will also introduce new destinations including Abu Dhabi, Melbourne, Sydney and Chicago on its network.

Etihad bought into the airline, formerly known as JAT, this month as part of a $200 million plan to revitalise the ailing, government-backed airline. As part of that deal, Air Serbia plans to retire much of its current fleet and replace it with a combination of leased and new aircraft.

Air Serbia is Etihad’s sixth equity partner, it also owns 29.21% of Germany’s airberlin, 40% of Air Seychelles, 10.5% of Virgin Australia, 2.99% of Irish carrier Aer Lingus and 24% of India’s Jet Airways.



The investment by Etihad is part of wider investment in the European country by the UAE. Earlier this year, the Gulf state made the largest investment in Serbia in more than 30 years, potentially helping to lift the Balkans state out of a deep recession.

Airline News Breaking Travel News

SHANDONG AIRLINES - B737-800 - B-5786

FollowCAPT - Chengdu - Shuangliu - China

LUXAIR - B737-800 - LX-LGU

FPP - Faro

TUIFLY - B737-800 - D-AHFZ

FPP - Faro

TAAG ANGOLA AIRLINES - B777-300ER - D2-TEH

FPP - Lisboa

Myanmar's Asian Wings to offload a 49% stake to ANA All Nippon

Asian Wings Airways is set to sell a 49% stake to Japan's ANA - All Nippon Airways for "almost JPY3billion (USD31million)" as part of the Japanese carrier's plans to boost its presence throughout Southeast Asia. Following a successful USD1.8billion share-sell off last year, the Japanese carrier has been on a shopping spree acquiring various airlines and aviation-related businesses to add to its growing portfolio, the latest of which, Pan Am International Flight Academy, an airline training provider based in Miami, was announced on August 22.

Kenya Airways to Start Boeing 777-300ER Service to Guangzhou from mid-November 2013

Skyteam member Kenya Airways once again loaded planned operation for its new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, as per 28AUG13 GDS timetable/inventory display. The 2-class 397-seater Boeing 777-300ER is currently scheduled to enter Nairobi – Guangzhou route from 19NOV13, 3 times a week.

KQ882 NBO0255 – 1915CAN 77W 246
KQ883 CAN2140 – 0410+1NBO 77W 246



Existing Nairobi – Bangkok – Guangzhou operation will be reduced from daily to 4 weekly, although Nairobi – Bangkok sector remains unchanged with daily flight (From 16FEB14, service reduce to 5 weekly). In April 2013, the airline briefly loaded 777-300ER operation for about a week, but it was planned to operate flights to Amsterdam and London.~
Routes

Qatar Airways Charts New Territory as Global Main Partner of FC Barcelona

Award-Winning Carrier And World's Best Football Club Partnership Brings To Light Shared Values Of Excellence, Passion, Pride And Culture

"A Team That Unites The World" Will Guide The Spirit Of The Partnership


The airline's partnership with FCB took effect from July 1 st this year.

In attendance were leading representatives of both organisations, the CEO of Qatar Airways, Akbar Al-Baker, the President of FC Barcelona , Sandro Rosell and Vice President of FC Barcelona Economic and Strategy Area, Javier Faus .

Akbar Al-Baker made the following remarks at the start of his address to the media during a press conference: "The joining of FCB and Qatar Airways is truly history in the making. It is the first time we enter into such a landmark, significant sports partnership.

"We understand the importance of FCB to Catalonia, to Spain , and in fact - to every country around the world. It is a great honour to be standing side by side as you create and spread the excitement that this great game of football brings to fans."

FC Barcelona President Sandro Rosell said:

"We have a long journey ahead lasting three years in which we will share experiences, with a common starting point and goals. Barça and Qatar Airways are united by many ideals, such as a passion to be better each day, the conviction that the human factor makes a difference and the integration of different cultures, but I would emphasize the desire we have to connect with people. And this desire leads us to want to be every day closer to our fans."

Since its beginnings, FC Barcelona has been characterised by being not just a football organisation, but also a powerful force for globalisation, solidarity, integration and social cohesion. Qatar Airways fully identifies with these values, which is why this partnership between both organisations is much more than just a simple economic alliance. Furthermore, Qatar Airways' partnership with FC Barcelona will help to position the airline in the world.

Qatar Airways will work with FC Barcelona to create joint initiatives and will especially focus on connecting with the club's fans and also with underprivileged children to spread the love of the game to all corners of the globe. SOURCE: Qatar Airways

Ilyushin Finance Co. Executes Letter of Intent for 50 Bombardier Q400 NextGen Airliners

Bombardier Aerospace announced today that Moscow-based leasing company, Ilyushin Finance Co. (IFC) has signed a letter of intent (LOI) to acquire 50 Q400 NextGen airliners that would be assembled in Russia under a joint venture that may be created by Bombardier and Rostekhnologii (“Rostec”). This announcement follows one made earlier today relating to potential industrial cooperation between Bombardier and Rostec, a state corporation controlled by the Russian Federation. IFC’s LOI was finalized during the 2013 International Aviation and Space Salon, known as the MAKS 2013 Air Show, held at Moscow’s Zhukovsky Airport.

The series of preliminary agreements between Bombardier and Rostec included an LOI for the sale of 50 Q400 NextGen aircraft; a Market Development Agreement reached with Rostec and its aircraft leasing subsidiary, Avia Capital Services that will provide an opportunity to place at least 50 additional Q400 NextGen aircraft in the region; and a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for industrial cooperation to validate the opportunity to set up a Q400 NextGen final assembly line in Russia. Should the MOU lead to the establishment of a final assembly line in Russia, the aircraft that IFC intends to purchase would be locally assembled and, together with aircraft to be acquired by Rostec, make up a total of 100 Q400 NextGen aircraft that would be built in Russia for Russian customers.

Should a definitive purchase agreement be reached, and based on the list price of the Q400 NextGen airliners, a firm contract for 50 Q400 NextGen aircraft would be valued at approximately $1.695 billion US.

“Our intent to purchase 50 Q400 NextGen aircraft and our recent firm order for 32 Bombardier CS300 aircraft will provide local operators with the potential to expand regional travel with aircraft that are complementary to the latest Russian-built aircraft which illustrates our strategy to find the best portfolio of products for our customers,” said Alexander Rubtsov, Director General, IFC.

“The Q400 NextGen aircraft’s excellent fuel efficiency and operational costs; interchangeability with jet service; comfort and outstanding environmental qualities, make it an ideal choice for diverse operations across Russia’s vast landscape. We look forward to working with Bombardier and Rostec to reach a firm agreement for the aircraft in the near future,” added Mr. Rubtsov.

“The LOI signed with IFC today is a testimony to the Q400 NextGen aircraft’s suitability as well as its increasing diversity of customers and capacity to open new markets,” said Mike Arcamone, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “Building on the outstanding capability and heritage of the

Dash 8 aircraft – which has a strong installed base in Russia - we have developed a technologically advanced airliner in Toronto that has reinvigorated the turboprop world and is catalyzing new business opportunities. We look forward to working with IFC and Rostec to help develop a modern aerospace cluster in Russia

Airbus’ new U.S. A320 Family final assembly facility is ready to take shape

Like the jetliners it will one day produce, Airbus’ new U.S. A320 Family final assembly line in Mobile, Alabama is preparing for “takeoff,” with foundation and ground-level work now setting the stage for this facility to rise from the ground.



Approximately 85 per cent of the more than 2,100 pilings of the final assembly line hangar and service building at the new Brookley Aeroplex site have been driven into the earth, providing a foundation that ensures the buildings and hangars will be strong and resistant – capable of withstanding conditions that include hurricane-strength winds. Following the completion of this activity, steelwork is planned to begin next month – during which the buildings’ frame, skin and roof will be constructed.

“That’s when we will see this impressive new facility start to reach to the sky,” said Paul Gaskell, Airbus’ Deputy Project Leader and Head of the Project Management Office.

In another construction milestone at Brookley Aeroplex, an 84-inch-diameter rainwater outflow drain – which is to carry away excess water gathered at the site, including from its new taxiways and ramp areas – was completed this month.

Almost half of the construction and design contracts have been placed to date, involving many local companies selected by the Alabama-based Hoar Program Management – which is overseeing the construction for Airbus. The remaining contracts for internal outfitting of buildings, power systems, infrastructure, associated structures, landscaping and other tasks will be awarded by early next year.

For its latest A320 Family final assembly line, Airbus is voluntarily adhering to LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) standards that lower the facility’s environmental impact throughout its lifecycle. As an example of the steps to meet LEED compliance, material from a previously-existing taxiway currently under dismantlement at the Brookley Aeroplex airport site is being broken up for reuse at the new Airbus facility.

The Mobile final assembly line will become Airbus’ fourth location worldwide where the popular A320 single-aisle family jetliners are built. It is to join operations at Toulouse, France and Hamburg, Germany in Europe, as well as Tianjin, China.

At full production rate, the U.S. site will employ as many as 1,000 high-skilled workers at the assembly line and associated facilities

SOUTH AFRICAN to get new low-cost airline

Cape Town - Aircraft leasing and management company Safair has been granted approval by the South African Air Service Licensing Council to launch their own domestic scheduled operation, FlySafair.

Offering up to ten daily flights between Johannesburg and Cape Town, FlySafair will be utilising two Boeing 737-400 aircraft to service the route. The low cost carrier is set to officially launch tickets sales in September and be fully operational by the last quarter of 2013

News24

NORWEGIAN - B737-800 - LN-NOL

João Luis Pessoa - Lisboa

AIR MEDITERRANÉE - B737-500 - SX-BHR

João Luis Pessoa - Lisboa

Karinou Airlines' first B737-300 - TL-TSM

ETIHAD Maintains Boeing 777 Service to Dublin in W13

ETIHAD in Winter 2013/14 season will continue to operate Boeing 777-300ER service on Abu Dhabi – Dublin route, as per 27AUG13 GDS timetable/inventory display. From 27OCT13, 6 weekly EY045/042 continues to see Boeing 777-300ER operation, instead of A330-200 aircraft. Overall capacity will be slightly reduced as the airline deploys new 2-class Boeing 777-300ER aircraft (C40Y340 instead of C28Y384) on this route starting 03NOV13.
EY045 AUH0215 – 0650DUB 77W x2
EY041 AUH0915 – 1350DUB 332 x347

EY042 DUB0820 – 1940AUH 77W x2
EY048 DUB1955 – 0720+1AUH 332 x347



Certain dates may see EY045/042 operated by C28Y384 version of the 2-class 777-300ER.

R

Photo:Rui Silva - LHR

GE Capital Aviation Services Completes Delivery of Eight New ATR72-600s to Azul

SAO PAULO, August 26, 2013 – GE Capital Aviation Services Limited (GECAS), the commercial aircraft leasing and financing arm of GE, announced it delivered an eighth new ATR72-600 to Brazil’s Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras S/A. This leased aircraft came from GECAS’ existing order book with ATR.

Three of the new ATRs leased to Azul came from GECAS’ order book. Five of the ATRs came from Azul’s order book with the manufacturer and were part of a purchase-and-leaseback transaction with GECAS.

Azul operates a fleet of some 118 aircraft to more than 103 destinations.

Photo:Photo:Alain Charpentier - TLS

Delivery Contract for Six Sukhoi Superjet 100 Signed with UTair Aviation

On August 27, 2013 a three-party delivery contract for six Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft was signed by Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company (SCAC), UTair Aviation and VEB-Leasing at the International Aviation Space Salon MAKS. The delivery of the aircraft is scheduled for 2014.

Pursuant to the contract VEB-Leasing purchases from SCAC six Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft totaling $ 217.2 mln of the catalogue price for further delivery to UTair Aviation based on terms of financial leasing.

The document was signed by the Director General of VEB-Leasing – Mr Vyacheslav Soloviev, by the First Deputy Director General of UTair Aviation – Mr Andrey Ilmensky and by the President of SCAC – Mr Andrey Kalinovsky.

The contract represents the first implementation stage of the leasing contract signed earlier.

UTair Aviation makes the top-tree Russian airlines keeping intensive development of its air fleet and extension of its route network.

UTair is planning to operate Sukhoi Superjet 100 both in domestic routes: Western Siberia and European part of Russia, and to Europe.

Pilots, cabin crew and technical staff to be trained in the Training Centre located in Zhukovsky (Moscow Region).



Aircraft maintenance to be provided by SCAC with support of SuperJet International and PowerJet.

ARJ21-700 completes all high-temperature and high-humidity flight tests and high-temperature flight tests

ARJ21-700 AC102 completed one nacelle cooling certification flight test and successfully landed at Yanliang airport on August 16th, 2013, marking that all the high-temperature and high-humidity flight tests and high-temperature flight tests for ARJ21-700 aircraft are satisfactorily completed. It is reported that AC102 has successively completed the flight tests of the ventilation and cooling for Auxiliary Power Unit (APU), the function of fire detection system and nacelle cooling certification in three consecutive days since August 14th. During this period, AC102 conducted three flights, with a total flight time of 386 minutes.

Centurion Air Cargo is to add shortly to its fleet a former Cargolux Boeing 747-400 freighter in full livery.LX-KCV

Zaahid Naseer - Singapore

PULLMANTUR - B747-400:EC-KSM and EC-KQC had titles removed in preparation to the Hajj

José Ramon Valero  - Madrid

Mongolian Airlines to become Hunnu Air; to seek Skyteam membership

Mongolian Airlines is set to change its name to Hunnu Air and will apply for Skyteam membership following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with China Eastern Airlines which will see the Chinese carrier aide Hunnu Air in bringing its service delivery and corporate culture up to international standards. Under the MoU's provisions, China Eastern will provide catering, ground support and maintenance service for Hunnu Air at Shanghai Pudong as well as providing comprehensive crew training. In return, Hunnu Air stands to gain a codeshare deal on a possible Shanghai Pudong to Ulaanbaatarroute but this, however, is dependent on it passing its IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA). Additionally, Hunnu Air will provide ticket sales for China Eastern in Mongolia, while China Eastern will help Hunnu Air gain market presence in China. Mongolian Airlines Group mentioned the similarity of its current brand name as the key reason for adjusting its name to Hunnu Air.

ARJ21-700 aircraft completes the first hot weather fuel parallel flight test in China

ARJ21-700 aircraft hot weather fuel parallel flight test was successfully completed on August 10th, 2013. This was the first domestic hot weather fuel flight test carried out strictly in accordance with the civil aviation regulation, which marked the breakthrough of another technical barrier in civil aircraft fuel system flight test method and verified the serviceability of ARJ21-700 aircraft fuel system in extremely hot weather condition.

ATR approved for unpaved runway operations in Russia’s Siberia and Far East

ATR is eager to further contribute to country’s local and regional development

ATR obtained the company’s receipt of fleet-wide approval for new generation ATR aircraft to operate from 3 more unpaved runways in the remote parts of Russia. Russian Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC) delivered the approval in late June this year. This certification brings to 4 a total number of runways already approved for use and operations: Mys Kamenny, Lensk, Bodaibo and Igrim, the latest being certified last year.

The certification allows ATR aircraft to operate from gravel, dirt and grass strips. This significant upgrade to ATR's outstanding performance package was accomplished runway per runway, each of which had undergone extensive and thorough operational expertise and testing performed by ATR engineering team. More unpaved air strips are being assessed to gain approval for ATR operations.

Today, with this additional performance advantage, ATR aircraft are the only in-production foreign turboprops above 50 seats having received the certification for unpaved runway operations from IAC. “The ability to land and depart from unpaved runways adds increased operating flexibility to an already outstanding and robust ATR aircraft requiring minimal airframe modifications,” said Carmine Orsi, ATR Senior Vice President Technical.



With its expanded performance and the ability to operate from unpaved surfaces, ATR proves its commitment and enthusiasm to further invest in Russia’s high potential market. ATR turboprops aim to improve communications with Russia’s most remote regions where harsh environmental conditions and country’s vast territory make road transportation impracticable.

Xiamen Airlines Finalizes Order for Six 787 Dreamliners

Xiamen Airlines Finalizes Order for Six 787 Dreamliners

Monday, August 26, 2013 (11:48am)

SEATTLE, August 26, 2013 – Boeing (NYSE: BA) and Xiamen Airlines have finalized an order for six 787-8s. Originally announced by Xiamen Airlines in May 2011, the order is valued at $1.3 billion at list prices.
This image shows a 787 in Xiamen livery. 

·Download Hi-Res (95 KB)

SEATTLE, Aug. 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) and Xiamen Airlines have finalized an order for six 787-8s. Originally announced by Xiamen Airlines in May 2011, the order is valued at $1.3 billion at list prices.

"Adding 787s to our all-Boeing fleet is a strategic decision to facilitate our international expansion plans," said Che Shanglun, president and CEO of Xiamen Airlines. "The range and efficiency of the 787 makes it an ideal fit in our new, non-stop international routes."

As China's only all-Boeing fleet carrier, Xiamen Airlines has earned a profit for 27 consecutive years, one of the most consistently successful financial performances in the industry.

"Xiamen Airlines has been a dedicated operator of Boeing airplanes since it was established. We are honored to have earned the trust and confidence that such a longstanding partnership requires," said Ihssane Mounir, vice president of Sales for Northeast Asia, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "I believe the 787s will further strengthen Xiamen Airlines' network, providing their customers more travel options."

The airline's expanding international network currently focuses on southeast and northeast Asia. With the introduction of the 787 Dreamliners beginning in 2014, the airline plans to launch new long-haul routes from Fujian to Europe, North America and Australia.

Xiamen Airlines currently operates a fleet of 97 airplanes, including 17 737-700s, 74 737-800s and six 757-200s. The flight network is comprised of 218 domestic routes and 26 international and regional routes. The airline will take delivery of its 100th Boeing airplane in November 2013.



Founded in 1984, Xiamen Airlines is headquartered in the coastal city of Xiamen in the province of Fujian. The area boasts a thriving and diverse industrial economy as well as a growing tourism market.

Airbus shows its latest products at MAKS airshow in Russia

The A380 to perform flying demos, the C295 to be present at static display

Airbus is showcasing its technology leadership with the largest passenger aircraft in service, the A380 at MAKS International Aviation and Space Salon in Zhukovsky, Moscow region from August 27th to September 1st.

At the show’s exhibition Airbus will be located on EADS stand N°A1 in Hall F3, where visitors will be able to see a model of the A320neo, the A350 XWB as well as the C295. In parallel, the A380 (MSN4) will perform daily flying displays and will be present all day in the static park alongside the multi-purpose transport aircraft C295 of the Spanish Air Force.

Airbus will also have the Grand Final of its one-year “Airbus Academy” project being run in cooperation with two schools in Zhukovsky. The winners of the competition will be announced at the show and awarded with the main prize; a trip to Airbus’ Headquarters in Toulouse.

Media are invited to Airbus’ press conference on Thursday August 29th at 10:00 at the Congress hall (Zhukovsky conference-room). Alerts for upcoming events and announcements will be posted at the EADS stand and in the air show’s press centre.

Airbus is a leading aircraft manufacturer with the most modern and fuel-efficient family of airliners, ranging in capacity from 100 to more than 500 seats. Airbus has sold over 13,200 aircraft to more than 500 customers worldwide and has achieved more than 8,000 deliveries since the first Airbus aircraft entered service. Headquartered in Toulouse, France, Airbus is an EADS company.



Additional information as well as photos and videos are available at the Russian web-site www.a380atmaks.ru.

Boeing Rolls Out First 787-9 Dreamliner

Second member of the super-efficient 787 family on track

EVERETT, Wash., Aug. 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] has completed the first 787-9 Dreamliner. The second member of the super-efficient 787 family rolled out of the Everett, Wash., factory today to the flight line, where teams are preparing it to fly later this summer.

At 20 feet (6 m) longer than the 787-8, the 787-9 will extend the 787 family in both capacity and range, carrying 40 more passengers an additional 300 nautical miles (555 km). The 787-9 leverages the visionary design of the 787-8 such as its exceptional environmental performance — 20 percent less fuel use and 20 percent fewer emissions than similarly sized airplanes — and passenger-pleasing features.

With the second and third airplanes in final assembly, Boeing and the 787-9 are on track. First delivery to launch customer Air New Zealand is set for mid-2014.

Ukraine's YanAir gets its first jet, an A320, on lease from the ILFC

YanAir has taken delivery of its first jet aircraft, an Airbus A320-200, UR-YAD (c/n 726), formerly with Portugal's White. The A320 is a lease from the International Lease Finance Corporation and joins YanAir's two Saab 340A

Photo:Radim Koblížka - Ostrava Leos Janacek Airport - Czech Republic

AIR CHINA - A330-200 - F-WWKO -

Photo:Alain Charpentier - TLS

SINGAPORE AIRLINES - A330-300 - F-WWKS

Photo:Alain Charpentier - TLS

Kazakh carrier, 7thSky, eyes Chechnya flights

7th Sky (Almaty) is planning to launch regional flights to Chechnya using two CRJ-100ERs, UP-CJ009 (c/n 7354) & UP-CJ010 (c/n 7359), formerly with Sapsan Air (IH, Almaty). According to the airline, initial services will operate 4 days a week encompassing Almaty, Aktau and Astana to Grozny. The Chechen capital is currently served by another Kazakh airline, InvestAvia (IV, Almaty), as well as by Rusline (7R, Moscow Sheremetyevo), UTair (UT, Khanty-Mansiysk) and Groznyavia (ZG, Grozny).

ch-aviation

AirAsia Japan to become Vanilla Air

AirAsia Japan, the failed joint venture between AirAsia and ANA, will be rebranded as Vanilla Air by its now full parent, ANA, which acquired AirAsia’s shares in the joint venture. Vanilla Air will become the new name in December. In the meantime, AirAsia Japan is cancelling hundreds of flights between September 1 and October 26

First SSJ100 delivered to Mexican Airline Interjet

On the occasion of the 50th International Paris airshow SuperJet International (SJI) – joint venture between Alenia Aermacchi (a Finmeccanica Company) and Sukhoi Holding (a UAC Company) – has delivered to the Mexican airline Interjet its first Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SSJ100) aircraft.

With an order for 20 aircraft plus 10 options, Interjet is the first western customer to take delivery of the SSJ100.



The aircraft has been presented for the first time at Le Bourget with its exclusive interiors designed by Pininfarina in a 93-seats (34’ pitch) configuration, in accordance with Interjet high standards for passengers’ comfort. The SSJ100 is a 100-seat state-of-the-art regional jet, which incorporates the most modern Western technology and is powered by two PowerJet’s SaM146 engines.

The SSJ100 aircraft, developed and built by the Russian Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company (SCAC) in partnership with Alenia Aermacchi, was painted, completed and customized at the SuperJet International facilities in Venice, Italy.

“We are very proud to announce this important achievement at the Paris airshow – states Mr. Nazario Cauceglia, Chief Executive Officer of SuperJet International - In these last months we have been working closely with our Customer, which is the second largest airline in Mexico. We are excited to show at Le Bourget the first SSJ100 with interiors marked by Pininfarina Italian style. The SSJ100 is achieving a new important role in the regional segment and it is now ready to enter the western market”.



“We are delighted to receive our first SSJ100 and participate in the main international airshow in Europe – states Mr. Luis Garza, Chief Executive Officer of Interjet - The aircraft is expected to enter into service in the Mexican market very soon. We are fully confident in our choice because the SSJ100 perfectly matches Interjet domestic mid-density routes. It also fits with our top-quality services, offering a mainline comfort along with reduced operating costs and the flexibility for regional markets”.

The Interjet SSJ100 fleet will be also supported by SuperJet International with a SuperCare “per-flight-hour” program, a tailored after-sales solution which allows to keep aircraft flying with a minimum investment. The Fort Lauderdale warehouse will become the support warehouse to meet spare parts requirements in the Americas.



The programme has been financed with the support of Export Agencies of Italy, France and Russia. Namely SACE, COFACE and VEB/EXIAR granted a proactive approach towards this important transaction which paved the way of the SSJ100 to the western market.



The Sukhoi Superjet 100 currently represents the most important industrial programme between the Russian Federation and Europe in the commercial aircraft sector.

First SSJ-100 for Moskovia Airlines! Named Yuri Sheffer.(Ex. ArmAvia EK-95016) - RA-89021

Alex Snow - Moscow Domodedovo -Russia

NATIONAL AIRLINES - B757-200 - N567CA

Michael Van Bosch - Ostend / Bruges -  Belgium

China's Xiamen to buy six Boeing 787s to launch long-haul flights

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Chinese carrier Xiamen Airlines has finalized a long-awaited deal for six Boeing 787 aircraft worth $1.27 billion at list prices, allowing it to begin long-haul services to the United States and Europe in 2014.

The airline's parent, China Southern Airlines Co Ltd , said in May 2011 that it had signed a letter of agreement for the six aircraft, but the deal was held up pending approval from the Chinese government. That came this week, according to sources familiar with the deal.

"We've confirmed the order. The first jet will be delivered on July 25 next year," said Xiamen Airlines spokeswoman Shen Zikun. Boeing Co (BA) declined to comment.

Xiamen, which is a member of the SkyTeam alliance, is one of only a handful of all-Boeing aircraft operators. It flies its Boeing 737s and 757s on domestic routes and regional services to Northeast and Southeast Asia.

It plans to use the 787s to launch long-haul services from its home in Xiamen in the southeastern Fujian province which is one of China's fastest growing economic zones. It has not yet confirmed the U.S. and European destinations it will serve.

Most flights from China to Europe and the United States go through one of the three main hubs of Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, and passengers normally get connecting flights from there to their final destinations.

The country's big four carriers - Air China Ltd , China Eastern Airlines Corp Ltd , China Southern and Hainan Airlines Co Ltd - dominate these long-haul routes.

But airport congestion and increasing demand for point-to-point connections mean that these airlines and their subsidiaries are looking at other cities to serve as ports of entry into China.

This makes China a highly lucrative market for larger twin-aisle passenger aircraft like the Boeing 777 and 787 and the Airbus (EAD.PA) A330 and A350, that can cover the long distances, according to officials from both aircraft makers.



(Reporting by Siva Govindasamy in Singapore and Fang Yan in Beijing; Editing by Jeremy Laurence)

Second Sukhoi Superjet 100 Delivered to Sky Aviation

On August 20 2013 the second Sukhoi Superjet 100 with serial number 95027 was delivered to Indonesian air carrier Sky Aviation on completion of technical acceptance procedure. The aircraft took off from Zhukovsky Delivery Centre (Russia) heading to Indonesia to its base airport.



The first SSJ100 aircraft was delivered late 2012 and it has already operated more than 500 hours at domestic routes.



The airline is planning to extend route network for Sukhoi Superjet 100: the aircraft will be operated on routes connecting numerous Indonesian archipelago islands: Pontianak (Kalimatan Island), Palembang (Sumatra Island) and Natuna Ranai (Batam Island).



Sky Aviation was established in 2010. It is based in Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport (Jakarta, Indonesia). The airline operates scheduled and charter flights in Indonesia.

The Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SSJ100) is the regional 100-seater aircraft of the new generation developed and manufactured by JSC Sukhoi Civil Aircraft with the participation of Alenia Aermacchi. On May 19, 2008, the SSJ100 made its first flight. The maximum cruising speed of the Sukhoi Superjet 100 is 0.81 Mach, and the cruising altitude is 12,200 m (40,000 feet). The length of the take-off strip for the base version of the aircraft is 1,731 m, for the version with the increased flight range - 2,052 m. The flight range for the base version is 3,048 km, for the version with the increased flight range - 4,578 km.



Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company. The shareholders of Sukhoi Civil Aircraft are JSC "Sukhoi" (75% – 1 share) (a UAC Company) and, as of April 7, 2009, its strategic partner – the Italian company of Alenia Aermacchi (25% + 1 share). The Sukhoi Civil Aircraft (SCA) company was founded in 2000 in order to create new models of aircraft designed for civil purposes. The head office of the company is located in Moscow. SCA also has branches on the main production sites in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, Novosibirsk and Voronezh. At the present time, the company's main project is the implementation of the programme for creating the family of the Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft.