07 Jun 2022

North American Aviation Newsletter 7 June

Air Lease Corporation Announces Lease Placement of Three New Airbus A321neo Aircraft with LATAM Airlines Air Lease Corporation announced long-term lease placements for three new Airbus A321neo aircraft with LATAM Airlines. The aircraft are scheduled to deliver to LATAM in summer and fall of 2023 from ALC’s orderbook with Airbus. Atlas Air Takes Delivery of First of Four New Boeing 747-8 Freighters Atlas Air announced it has taken delivery of a Boeing 747-8 freighter, which will operate on behalf of its customer Cainiao, the logistics arm of Alibaba Group, as part of a previously announced long-term agreement. The aircraft will increase capacity on routes between China and the Americas. This aircraft is the first of four new 747-8 freighters that Atlas expects to receive from Boeing this year. Atlas Air Worldwide VP & Chief Commercial Officer Michael T. Steen said “These four new 747-8s allow us to offer our customers significant growth opportunities to capitalize on strong demand and deliver value on what we consider among the best and most versatile widebody freighters in the market. We are pleased that the first of our new 747s will be placed on a long-term basis with Cainiao, as they continue strengthening their presence as a global e-Commerce logistics leader, and we look forward to continue supporting their growth and expansion.” Flexjet Launches New Helicopter Division Flexjet announced the launch of its private helicopter division, integrating Associated Aircraft Group (AAG), which was acquired by parent Directional Aviation, into the Flexjet family. Flexjet will extend complimentary helicopter transfers to its Gulfstream G650 fractional Owners, and will sell add-on fractional, lease and charter access in Flexjet-branded Sikorsky S-76 helicopters. The division is expected to grow domestically and in Europe over the next five years as point-to-point vertical aviation demand increases worldwide. Flexjet CEO Michael Silvestro stated “Flexjet’s new helicopter division enhances our position as the leader in combining fixed-wing operations and private urban mobility in the U.S. This distinguishes us as the only operator in our industry to offer seamless travel. Today, more and more travellers are seeking an alternative to crowded forms of transportation – opting instead for easier, safer and less stressful options from beginning to end. In addition, this enhanced segment of the Flexjet experience allows our clients to become even more productive with their time. Pratt Canada Picks Battery Supplier for Hybrid-Electric Project Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) has chosen Switzerland’s H55 to supply battery systems for the engine company’s regional hybrid-electric flight demonstrator program, P&WC said Thursday. The development of the battery component designs and associated electrical control systems will also draw support from the National Research Council Canada (NRC) and the province of Quebec’s Innovative Vehicle Institute (IVI). H55 joins the P&WC-led program some ten months after the governments of Canada and Quebec committed to contributing about half of a C$163 million investment in the hybrid-electric propulsion technology for a Dash 8-100 flight demonstrator scheduled to start ground testing late this year and fly in 2024. Textron Aviation Achieves NATA Sustainability Standard Textron Aviation has certified all 20 of its service centres under the National Air Transportation Association’s (NATA) Sustainability Standard for Aviation Businesses, making it the first aircraft OEM to self-certify under the standard. NATA's standard promotes sustainability and encourages the use of environmentally friendly energy sources and reduction of waste. The NATA certification follows the airframer’s 20-year contract with Kansas energy company Evergy to provide its Wichita and Independence, Kansas factories with electricity derived from wind energy. Acumen Aviation © 7 June 2022  All Rights Reserved.