08 Oct 2018

USA Aviation Industry Newsletter 8 October

AeroCentury Corp. Completes Acquisition of JetFleet Holding Corp AeroCentury Corp announced 1 October it has completed the acquisition of JetFleet Holding Corp. JHC is the parent of JetFleet Management Corp., which has managed the Company’s operations and aircraft portfolio since the Company’s founding in 1997. ACY paid approximately $2.8 million in cash and 129,286 shares of ACY common stock to JHC shareholders. Air Transport Services Group to Acquire Omni Air International Air Transport Services Group announced 2 October that it has agreed to acquire Omni Air International LLC (Omni Air), a passenger ACMI and charter services provider with significant experience serving U.S. and allied foreign governments and commercial customers, for $845 million, subject to customary adjustments. The company did not assume any debt in connection with the acquisition. The acquisition of Omni Air will further diversify ATSG’s customer base, add significant presence in the growing government passenger charter services market, add 13 aircraft to ATSG’s fleet, and broaden the ATSG carriers’ operating capabilities to include three Boeing 777-200 extended range (ER) aircraft. Boeing, Air Lease Corp., EVA Air Celebrate Airline's First 787-9 Dreamliner Boeing , Air Lease Corp and EVA Air 2 October celebrated the delivery of the airline's first 787-9 Dreamliner, via lease from ALC, at Boeing's South Carolina Delivery Center. EVA Air plans to debut the 787-9 in November on international routes. To improve the operational efficiency of its 787s, EVA Air plans to use a variety of Boeing Global Services tools, including Maintenance Performance Toolbox, Airplane Health Management and the electronic flight bag product. Boeing, United Airlines Announce Order for Nine 787-9 Dreamliners Boeing and United Airlines announced 1 October the carrier is expanding its 787 Dreamliner fleet again with a new order for nine 787-9 airplanes, the longest-range member of the super-efficient Dreamliner family. The deal is valued at $2.53 billion according to list prices. United Airlines says the order reflects its fleet strategy of replacing older widebody jets with new, advanced airplanes such as the 787-9, which can fly farther and use 20 percent less fuel with 20 percent fewer emissions. The U.S. carrier, which announced a purchase of four 787-9s in July, has now ordered a total of 64 Dreamliners. Delta Airlines announces new Boston-Lisbon route Delta Airlines is to launch a new Boston to Lisbon route for Summer 2019 commencing 23 May operated by a Boeing 757-200 complementing its existing service to London-Heathrow, Amsterdam, Paris and Dublin. "Delta has significantly grown Boston's direct access to the world in the past five years, including popular tourism destinations like Dublin and now Lisbon, as well as flights to major international hubs offering onward travel to hundreds more destinations," said Roberto Ioriatti, Vice President — Trans-Atlantic. "This will be an excellent addition to the many options for nonstop international travel available to Delta customers at Logan International Airport." Five-Year FAA Bill Paves Way for Industry Stability U.S. President Donald Trump last Friday afternoon signed into law the sweeping Federal Aviation Administration funding bill, providing one of the longest reauthorization periods for the agency since the 1980s and addressing a range of issues from consumer protections and regulation reform to the safe integration of unmanned aircraft systems. The bill, which provides for up to $96.7 billion for the FAA through 2023, streamlines the passenger facility charge (PFC) application process and eases certain restrictions on its use. Mesa Air Group Announces Senior Management Changes Mesa Air Group announced 1 October a series of management changes and additions to help address the requirements of its recent growth. Jameson Año has been named Vice President of United Express Operations. He previously served as Vice President of Inflight Services at Mesa since 2016. Prior to joining Mesa’s executive staff, Año was at United Airlines for over 25 years where he held numerous operational management positions including Senior Manager of United Express Operations. Amber Wansten has been promoted to Vice President of Inflight Services. Wansten’s previous role was Director of Corporate Communications and Travel, where she also oversaw Inflight Recruiting. Wansten has been with Mesa for over 17 years serving in various roles throughout the Company. United Airlines Enhances Transcontinental Schedules, Announces New 787-10 Dreamliner on Flights Between New York and Los Angeles and San Francisco United Airlines announced 1 October it is enhancing its transcontinental service offering customers more flights and more seats between New York/Newark and Los Angeles and San Francisco, more than any other airline. Beginning Jan. 7, 2019, United will be the first North American airline to operate the Boeing 787-10, the newest aircraft in the Dreamliner family, on select transcontinental flights between New York/Newark and Los Angeles and New York/Newark and San Francisco. Acumen Aviation © 8 October 2018 All Rights Reserved.