18 Nov 2019

North America Newsletter 18 November

Boeing, Biman Bangladesh Airlines Announce Order for Two 787-9 Dreamliner Jets Boeing and Biman Bangladesh Airlines (Biman) announced at the 2019 Dubai Airshow that the carrier is expanding its 787 Dreamliner fleet with two additional airplanes valued at $585 million at list prices. The purchase – recorded in October as an unidentified order on Boeing's website – complements Biman's fleet of 787-8 jets with the larger and longer-range 787-9 variant. The national flag carrier of Bangladesh says the addition of the 787-9 will help modernize its fleet and expand its international network."One of our key priorities is to have a modern fleet with technologically-advanced airplanes that will enable us to expand our international reach," said Air Marshal Muhammad Enamul Bari, Former Chief of Air Staff, Chairman Board of Directors, Biman Bangladesh Airlines. "While we have a good domestic network, we plan to extend our international network to include more destinations in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. The 787 with its technological superiority, excellent operational performance and passenger experience will enable us to achieve that goal," he added. De Havilland Canada Enhances Support to Operators of Dash 8-400 Aircraft with the Addition of Falcon Aviation Services to Its Network of Authorized Service Facilities To coincide with the Dubai Airshow De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited announced today that it has entered an agreement with Falcon Aviation Services that will enhance support to operators of Dash 8-400 aircraft in the Middle East and Africa. Under the agreement, Falcon is appointed as a De Havilland Canada Authorized Service Facility (ASF) and will offer heavy check maintenance services from its facilities in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The company operates three Dash 8-400 aircraft and provides MRO support to five Dash 8-400 aircraft that are in service with Qazaq Air in Kazakhstan. "The Dash 8-400 aircraft continues to be a valuable asset in our portfolio, and we are delighted to be appointed as an Authorized Service Facility for the aircraft which has proved its operational capability in the arid regions of North Africa, as well as in the humid, sub-Saharan regions," said Capt. Ramandeep Oberoi, Chief Executive Officer, Falcon Aviation Services. GE9X Engines Nearly Ready for 777X Flight Tests GE Aviation has delivered the first three fully compliant GE9X turbofans to Boeing’s Everett, Washington, widebody plant following retrofit of redesigned Stage 2 stator vane assemblies in the engines' compressors, GE9X program head Ted Ingling reported just ahead of the Dubai Air Show. Ingling explained that the process that led to the fix to the titanium part involved revamping the geometry to ensure a proper wear profile. With testing completed, GE has now retrofitted the fix on six engines, the fourth of which it was preparing to send to Everett when Ingling spoke with AIN on 8 November. In all, GE has built 10 compliant engines, eight of which will go on flying test airplanes, along with two spares. GE and LOT Polish Airlines Sign TrueChoice Agreement for CF34 Engines LOT Polish Airlines and GE announce the signing of a five-year TrueChoice™ Overhaul service agreement for the airline’s fleet of CF34-8E engines that power its 18 Embraer E170/175 aircraft. The TrueChoice Overhaul agreement provides time and material overhauls with tailored workscopes. The agreement is valued at more than $100 million over the life of the agreement. “LOT Polish Airlines has a strong network of connecting flights with our E170/175 aircraft,” said Rafal Milczarski, President and Chief Executive Officer of LOT Polish Airlines. “The GE TrueChoice Overhaul agreement will ensure our regional jets continue to provide reliable service to our customers who depend on our aircraft fleet.” “GE Aviation and LOT Polish Airlines have developed a strong relationship, and this TrueChoice Overhaul agreement further strengthens our service support for the airline,” said Jean Lydon-Rodgers, President and Chief Executive Officer of GE Aviation’s Services organization. Gulf Well Placed for Further Hub Growth, Says Boeing Almost half the new jetliners needed in the Middle East over the next 20 years will be twin-aisle designs, according to the latest Boeing Commercial Market Outlook (CMO). European network carriers have been challenged by Middle East operators that have gained significant market share by providing global one-stop service to destinations in areas such as Australia, India, and Southeast Asia, led by Gulf-based airlines exploiting the geographic accident of their location. Growth of the Gulf carriers’ “one-stop-to-anywhere super-connector business model” has involved longer-range airplanes linking destinations “as far [away] as the U.S. west coast and Australia.” The appeal of “affordable travel on long one-stop flights, enabled by Middle East airlines’ central location [when viewed on a map oriented either side of the Greenwich meridian] will help drive higher-than-average growth” on routes to Asia-Pacific (predicted to enjoy 6.2 percent/year traffic growth), according to the manufacturer. Strata Delivers Empennage Ribs for Boeing 777X Strata Manufacturing has delivered its first shipset of empennage ribs for the Boeing 777X, the Mubadala Investment Company subsidiary announced at the Dubai Airshow. The delivery follows a landmark agreement marking the fourth work package Boeing has awarded to Strata, after signed during the Abu Dhabi Global Aerospace Summit in April 2018. “As we embark on our second decade of operations, this milestone delivery is a new chapter in our ongoing success story with a long-trusted partner such as Boeing,” said Strata CEO Ismail Ali Abdulla. Boeing now expects to start flight testing the 777X in the first quarter of next year and targets certification in early 2021. Voyageur and BendixKing Launch Dash 8-100/200/300 AeroVue™ Avionics Upgrade Chorus Aviation announced that its subsidiary, Voyageur Aviation Corp., has entered into an agreement with BendixKing to develop a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the design installation of the BendixKing AeroVue™ avionics upgrade for the De Havilland Dash 8-100/200/300 series of aircraft.The Dash 8 100/200/300 remains one of the most reliable and robust regional turboprop aircraft in the industry.  With expert support from BendixKing, Voyageur will leverage its extensive experience as a global Dash 8 operator, lessor, maintainer and modifier to develop the Dash 8 100/200/300 AeroVue™ flight deck upgrade. The AeroVue™ system addresses avionics component obsolescence, fully meets regulatory requirements, and provides cost effective operation for years of further operation. Voyageur Aviation Corp. and Segers Aviation SA establish a regional aircraft parts depot in Dubai Voyageur Aviation Corp and Segers Aviation SA, a Segers Group company, are delighted to announce the establishment of a regional aircraft parts depot in Dubai, UAE. The new partnership includes a spare parts distribution agreement that will leverage Segers' experienced logistics and sales expertise to sell Voyageur-owned spare parts to operators in the region and beyond.  Under this agreement, Voyageur will be providing a pool of Dash 8-400, CRJ, and Dash 8 Classic spare parts to Segers for sale or exchange. Segers' UAE office has expertise in marketing its own inventory and MRO services to operators in the Middle East, Africa and Asia. The two organizations have a long history of successful cooperation and partnership with Voyageur having sent Dash 8 propeller components to Segers' UK MRO, Proptech Aero Ltd for many years. Acumen Aviation © 18 November 2019 All Rights Reserved.