20 Aug 2018

USA Aviation Industry Newsletter 20 August

Aviation groups to US Senate: Adopt long-term FAA reauthorization A coalition of 30 organizations representing a cross-section of the US aviation industry is appealing the leadership of the US Senate to move expeditiously to consider legislation for a long-term reauthorization of the FAA, before current authorization for the agency expires on 30 September. CTS Engines Inducts First PW2000 Engine CTS Engines announced 14 August that it had inducted the first PW2000 engine into its engine overhaul facility in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Along with the CF6-80C2, CF6-80A, and CF6-50C2, the PW2000 represents the fourth engine model type serviced by CTS. Delta, Kenya Airways to codeshare on Nairobi flights Delta Air Lines and Kenya Airways have agreed to a codeshare partnership in which Delta’s code will be placed on certain flights to and from the Kenyan national flag carrier’s hub at Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). Ducommun Awarded 10 Year, $200 Million Contract for Engine Nacelle Components Ducommun Incorporated announced 15 August the award of a long term contract to produce nacelle components using its proprietary VersaCore Composite™ technology for a leading engine OEM to support a high rate single aisle commercial aircraft. The contract is valued at greater than $200 million and runs through 2029. Ducommun will complete the composite product design and process development in 2018-19 and expects to begin full production in 2020. Mesa Air Group Announces Closing of Initial Public Offering Mesa Air Group, Inc announced 14 August the closing of its initial public offering of 9,630,000 shares of its common stock, at a public offering price of $12.00 per share, thereby raising gross proceeds of $115,560,000. The shares trade on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “MESA.” The Company and the selling shareholders identified in the registration statement on Form S-1 previously filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission have granted the underwriters a 30-day overallotment option to purchase up to an additional 1,444,500 shares of the Company’s common stock. Piedmont Airlines To Open New Maintenance Shop Piedmont Airlines will open a new maintenance shop in Albany, New York. To staff the facility, the regional carrier plans to hire approximately 50 people, a combination of FAA-certified mechanics, supervisors, quality control staff and part clerks, according to spokesperson Jacqueline Jennings. SWISS becomes US TSA Pre✓ certified SWISS stated it is now US TSA Pre✓ certified. "The departure at US airports is now easier and faster for SWISS guests who are members of the TSA programme", the carrier said. Travellers who are US citizens, US nationals and lawful permanent residents of the US can apply for TSA Pre✓ for a cost of $85 for five years, or $17 p/a through the TSA Pre✓ application programme. Triumph to Provide Thrust Reverser MRO Services for Asiana Airlines Fleet Triumph Group, Inc. announced 14 August that its subsidiary, Triumph Aviation Services Asia, Ltd., has been selected by Asiana Airlines Inc. to provide CF6-80C2 thrust reverser maintenance support and services for its fleet of Boeing 747-400 and 767-300. Triumph Aviation Services Asia is an operating company of Triumph Product Support. Under the new agreement, the Chonburi, Thailand based Triumph facility will provide full maintenance and engineering capability, supply chain management and asset management support under an Integrate-Capability-Enhanced Program (ICEP) for the entire Asiana Airlines fleet of 14 Boeing 747-400 and eight 767-300. Willis Lease Finance Commits to Offering of $373.4 Million in Fixed Rate Notes Willis Lease Finance announced 17 August that its wholly-owned subsidiary Willis Engine Structured Trust IV has priced $373.4 million in aggregate principal amount of fixed rate notes. As previously announced, the Notes will be issued in two series, with the Series A Notes to be issued in an aggregate principal amount of $326.8 million and the Series B Notes in an aggregate principal amount of $46.7 million. The Notes will be secured by, among other things, WEST IV’s direct and indirect interests in a portfolio of 55 aircraft engines and one airframe. The planned closing date is August 22, 2018. Acumen Aviation © 20 August All Rights Reserved.