01 Apr 2019

North America Newsletter 1 April

American Airlines joins ALTA The Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA) is pleased to announce that American Airlines joins 25 March as an Associate Member. Luis Felipe de Oliveira, ALTA's Executive Director, comments: "The arrival of American Airlines as our most recent Associate Member represents an important milestone for ALTA due to the confidence given by the largest airline and the most important connector of Latin America and the Caribbean with the United States and the world through its flights to the most important cities in the region. American Airlines is one of the large companies that directly contribute to the economic and social development of the region, stimulating tourism, generating sources of employment and offering more people the opportunity to fly. We are very proud to have American Airlines in the astounding group of ALTA member airlines and we are convinced that its active participation in the committees, events and initiatives of ALTA will be key to strengthen our work in achieving better conditions for air transport and its users in the region". Atlas Air Worldwide's Southern Air Unit to Provide CMI Service to Amazon Using B737-800 Aircraft Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc. entered into an Amended and Restated Air Transportation Services Agreement with Amazon.com Services, Inc. a pursuant to which AAWW’s wholly owned subsidiary Southern Air will provide crew, maintenance and insurance services to Amazon using Boeing 737-800 series aircraft. The Boeing 737-800 aircraft will be leased by Amazon from a third party and subleased to Southern Air. The B737-800 CMI operations will be for a term of seven years, with an extension option by Amazon for a total term of 10 years. Five aircraft are scheduled to be placed into service in this fiscal year. Amazon may, in its sole discretion, place up to 15 additional Boeing 737-800 aircraft into service with Southern Air by May 31, 2021, subject to Amazon’s confirmation that it will exercise such options no less than 240 days in advance of the scheduled delivery date for each aircraft. Avmax has Added Q400 Capabilities to its Calgary MRO Avmax announced 27 March the addition of the Dash 8-400 to its Transport Canada (TCCA) Approved Maintenance Organization (AMO) rating at it’s Calgary Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) base. There are 480 active Q400 aircraft in the world right now, with 119 of those located in Canada. FAA Moving Forward with En Route Expansion of Data Comm The White House’s request for $136 million of its Data Communications (Data Comm) program in Fiscal Year 2020 comes as the FAA prepares for the rollout of the technology at nation’s air route traffic control centers (ARTCC). Data Comm provides a means for air traffic controllers and pilots to communicate digitally. Controllers can send text instructions to several aircraft at once, while pilots may digitally transmit flight plans, clearances, instructions, advisories, flight crew requests, reports, and other essential messages. The FAA estimates that the technology could produce $10 billion in savings (and another $1 billion for the FAA alone) over 30 years. Harbour Air to Become an All-electric Airline Harbour Air announced a partnership to transform Harbour Air seaplanes into an all-electric commercial fleet powered by the magni500, a 750 horsepower all-electric motor. Greg McDougall, founder and CEO of Harbour Air Seaplanes said “Harbour Air first demonstrated its commitment to sustainability by becoming the first fully carbon-neutral airline in North America in 2007, through the purchase of carbon offsets. Through our commitment to making a positive impact on people’s lives, the communities where we operate and the environment, we are once again pushing the boundaries of aviation by becoming the first commercial aircraft to be powered by electric propulsion. We are excited to bring commercial electric aviation to the Pacific Northwest, turning our seaplanes into ePlanes.” Jetlines Announces Up to $14 Million Financing from a Korean Special Purpose Fund Canada Jetlines Ltd is pleased to announce that it has entered into a letter of intent with a Korean special purpose fund led and established by InHarv Partners Ltd. for a financing of up to $14 million. InHarv is a hybrid of venture capital and private equity based in Seoul, South Korea whose strategic stance is to raise capital in South Korea for investment in cutting edge start-ups overseas. InHarv will be acting as lead & general partner for the Korean special purpose fund, and also investing as principal. The Korean special purpose fund includes the investment divisions of a number of leading Korean manufacturing and financial institutions as its group of limited partners. A special purpose vehicle will be created by InHarv to facilitate the investment into Jetlines. Spirit Aero's Asco Acquisition Cleared in Europe The European Commission has cleared Spirit AeroSystems’ acquisition of Belgium’s Asco Industries nearly a year after the Wichita-based supplier to Airbus and Boeing first announced the deal. “Spirit looks forward to completing the work required for a successful closing in the weeks to come,” the company said 20 March. Transportation Department Committee to Probe Max Certification The U.S. Department of Transportation has established a special committee to review the procedures of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the certification of new aircraft, including the Boeing 737 Max. The committee will serve as an independent body that will present findings and recommendations directly to Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao and the FAA Administrator. Acumen Aviation © 1 April 2019 All Rights Reserved.