30 Nov 2020

North American Newsletter 30 November

Air Canada Provides Update on Cargo Business Air Canada announced the appointment of Jason Berry as Vice President, Cargo effective January 1, 2021.  Mr. Berry will be based at Air Canada's Montreal headquarters, and will report directly to Lucie Guillemette, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer. The next steps in its strategic plan as the airline continues to adapt rapidly to evolving market opportunities. To date, Air Canada has operated more than 3,500 all-cargo flights globally, and the airline is now finalizing plans to convert several of its owned Boeing 767-300ER aircraft to freighters to fully participate in global cargo commercial opportunities. CAE to acquire TRU Simulation + Training Canada Inc CAE announced that it has concluded a conditional agreement with Textron to acquire TRU Simulation + Training Canada Inc. for a cash consideration of approximately US$40 million, excluding post-closing adjustments. The closing of the transaction is subject to customary conditions and regulatory approvals. The acquisition of TRU Canada expands CAE's global installed base of commercial flight simulators and customers, and the addressable market for simulator lifecycle support services.  TRU Canada also brings with it a backlog of simulator orders, full-flight simulator assets and provides access to a number of airline customers globally. De Havilland Canada Delivers Dash 8-400 Aircraft to Biman Bangladesh Airlines De Havilland Canada has delivered the first of three new Dash 8-400 aircraft ordered by Biman Bangladesh Airlines Ltd. ("Biman") and the aircraft is enroute to Bangladesh. The aircraft were ordered under a purchase agreement that was signed between Biman and the Canadian Commercial Corporation ("CCC") in 2018 and will join two Dash 8-400 aircraft that were introduced to Biman's fleet in 2015 and 2018. Global Crossing Airlines Estimates Delivery of First Cargo Aircraft in June 2021 Global Crossing Airlines announced that it estimates the delivery of its first A321F, as part of the Vallair LOI announced October 20, 2020, will be June 2021. In addition to this delivery, GlobalX is close to finalizing the leases for its first two previously announced passenger aircraft expected to be delivered in December 2020 and January 2021. To help fund the deposits on these two planes, GlobalX has completed another draw down under the GEM Facility in accordance with the GEM Agreement as previously disclosed. Ryan Goepel EVP and CFO of GlobalX stated “we are happy to continue to work with GEM as they continue to support our progress. The true benefit of working with our GEM facility is that it allows us to draw the amounts needed at the right time to fund our certification and aircraft acquisitions.” Mesa Air Group Enters New Contract with American Airlines to Operate 40 CRJ-900s for Five Years; Replaces Existing Expiring Contract Mesa Air Group announced that it has finalized a new contract, which replaces the previous agreement with American Airlines, to operate 40 CRJ-900s for a five-year term beginning January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2025. Under the previous contract 30 CRJ-900 aircraft were set to expire in 2021 with an additional 17 expiring in 2022. “I want to express my appreciation to the American Eagle team leaders who worked with us on this new contract,” said Jonathan Ornstein, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Mesa Air Group. “This new contract will position Mesa for long term stability and improved performance on our American operation. This year has been difficult for our entire industry, but I’m thankful that despite the obstacles, American has chosen to continue its long-standing relationship with Mesa.” Paris-Vancouver Direct Flights Offered Again by Air France Travel between Paris and Vancouver will be available again on Air France with 2 flights a week from December 14 to March 27, 2021. Passengers will be on board the Paris-Papeete flight which is temporarily stopping in Vancouver replacing Los Angeles as the route's refueling stop. "We are delighted to offer travellers who meet the criteria to enter France or any other of the world's destinations we fly to, with this new option of doing so from  ancouver," indicated Catherine Guillemart-Dias, Vice-President and General Manager of Air France KLM Canada. She added "it also gives businesses that need to ship cargo an extra alternative." Universal Asset Management Welcomes its First Boeing 777-300ER airframe to Tupelo for Disassembly Universal Asset Management announced that it has taken delivery of its first Boeing 777-300ER airframe, MSN 35165, for disassembly. This 2008-vintage airframe was previously operated by Jet Airways and will be disassembled at UAM’s Aircraft Disassembly Center in Tupelo, MS. Acumen Aviation © 30 November 2020 All Rights Reserved.