Contact: http://www.yhmdesigns.ca/
BLOG UPDATES
To contact us our e-mail address is = CdnAviationNews@rogers.com
Airport Log — Last update 2115 – 28 Jun – 2017
Photo Gallery — Last update 1625 – 24 Jun – 2017
Nostalgia Gallery — Last update 2345 – 30 Mar – 2017
A319s –Last update — Oct 19-2016
A320s –Last update — Jul 16-2015
A321s –Last update — Apr 10-2017
E-190s–Last update — Dec 22-2016
E-175s–Last update — Jun 27-2017
B767s – Last update — May 18-2017
B787s –Last update — Jun 25-2017
B737-MAX Updated — Apr 5, 2017 (New addition)
B777s — Last update — Jun 12-2016
CRJ’s — Last update — Jun 5 -2017
DHC-8s –Last update–Jun 04 -2017 (Whole page re-edited and brought up to date)
Beech 1900’s –Last update –Mar 11-2017
Air Transat – 10 Jun
CanJet – 09 Jan
CargoJet – 15 Mar
Porter – 24 Mar
Sunwing – 24 May
WestJet – 27 Jun
Porter Airlines grows Atlantic market with new service to Saint John
TORONTO, June 26, 2017 /CNW/ – Porter Airlines is on its way to Saint John, N.B., adding another destination to its Atlantic Canada roster. Flights begin September 21, 2017, with daily non-stop service between Ottawa and Saint John, and continuing service on the same aircraft to Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.
A detailed schedule is available at www.flyporter.com, with flights now available for booking.
“Atlantic Canada is an important market that Porter has served since our first year in operation,” said Robert Deluce, president and CEO of Porter Airlines.
Saint John is a welcome addition to our network and we look forward to providing travellers with Porter’s refined customer service and competitive fares.” Saint John Airport welcomed the announcement as another important option for its customers.
“The Saint John Airport serves the air travel needs of 300,000 residents, and in our ongoing efforts to provide excellent service for the present and future needs of our travelers, we are thrilled to announce the addition of Porter Airlines to our growing family of airline partners,” said Saint John Airport President and CEO Derrick Stanford. “We are doing everything we can to enhance both business and leisure passenger experience and convenience for our loyal customers, as well as visitors to our region.”
“Porter Airlines’ new service to Saint John reinforces their success at YOW,” said Mark Laroche, President and CEO of theOttawa International Airport Authority.
As YOW’s third-largest carrier, this new route is a testament to Porter’s impressive ability to meet passenger demand in unserved markets.” Porter’s home base at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is known for its convenience and proximity to downtown Toronto; just 2.5 km from the central business and entertainment districts.
Porter provides a premium experience for all passengers, including leather seats, complimentary wine and beer onboard, and airport lounge access. Its “flying refined” philosophy has helped the airline win numerous global awards.
The Bay of Fundy is a must-see in Saint John. Twice daily, one hundred billion tons of water pours into the bay from the Atlantic Ocean, raising the water level by four stories. Visitors will find a combination of historic charm and lively nightlife as the downtown comes to life with galleries, theatre and street festivals.
Sunwing to offer vacation packages from Abbotsford for the first time this winter
TORONTO, June 26, 2017 /CNW/ – Sunwing is excited to announce it will be offering vacation packages from Abbotsford for the first time. Beginning December 17, 2017 and running weekly until April 8, 2018, travellers can look forward to convenient Sunday departures from the airport direct to the popular vacation destination of Puerto Vallarta in Pacific Mexico. The addition of the new gateway by Sunwing also means that residents of British Columbia will have four different departure cities across the province to choose from when they book their vacation with the #1 to the sun this winter.
President of Tour Operations, Andrew Dawson, welcomed the news. “Saving our customers time and money by providing them with convenient access to the most popular sunshine destinations is central to our commitment of delivering an exceptional vacation experience. Puerto Vallarta is one of our most popular vacation destinations, and we are sure it will be well received among our Abbotsford customers this winter.”
Mayor of Abbotsford, Henry Braun, also commented on the news. “Service additions are always great news for Abbotsford and for residents across the Fraser Valley region. The airport is one of our main economic enablers and is a key factor in making us a regional hub for transportation and investment. This new route gives our residents another great option when traveling to Mexico for their winter holidays, and we are happy to welcome Sunwing to YXX and our region.”
Sunwing offers a wide variety of accommodation packages in Puerto Vallarta. A favourite among families and couples, Riu Jalisco is situated on the soft sands of Playa de Flamingos in Nuevo Vallarta. Located on a private beach area, it offers a variety of complimentary land and watersports including shuffleboard, kayaking, and catamaran sailing. Younger guests can enjoy a wide variety of crafts and activities at the complimentary RiuLand Kids’ Club, while the children’s swimming pool provides a safe place to splash around. Known for its entertaining Kamp Krystal for kids which features an indoor playground, video games room and daily program of activities for younger guests, the family-friendly Krystal Vallarta is another consistently popular choice. Parents looking for a little alone time can take advantage of the relaxing Jacuzzis, indulgent spa treatments, and romantic outdoor dining that affords breathtaking views of Banderas Bay.
All Sunwing packages to Puerto Vallarta from Abbotsford include return flights operated by Viva Aerobus. Once on board, passengers can sit back and relax with quality inflight service that includes complimentary drinks including soda, water, coffee or tea and one snack. Light meal options and alcoholic beverages are also available for purchase.
Porter Airlines grows Atlantic market with new service to Fredericton
TORONTO, June 26, 2017 /CNW/ – Porter Airlines is on its way to Fredericton, N.B., adding another destination to its Atlantic Canada roster. Flights begin September 12, 2017, with daily non-stop service between Ottawa and Fredericton, and continuing service on the same aircraft to Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. A detailed schedule is available at www.flyporter.com, with flights now available for booking.
“Porter has received tremendous support from Atlantic Canada communities and we’re looking forward to adding service to New Brunswick’s capital,” said Robert Deluce, president and CEO of Porter Airlines. “Our commitment to customer service, along with providing more options and competitive fares, will be a welcome addition for Fredericton travellers.”
Fredericton International Airport and the City of Fredericton welcomed the announcement as another important option for its customers. “This is fantastic news for our region, and we’re excited to welcome Porter to the Fredericton International Airport. As the capital city of New Brunswick and home to the second-largest military base in Canada, we have strong ties to Ottawa, and our vibrant business community will also benefit from the onward flight directly to Billy Bishop Airport in downtown Toronto,” says Johanne Gallant, President and CEO of the Fredericton International Airport Authority. “We welcome Porter to Fredericton. We are a dynamic and growing community with an increasingly busy airport. This is good for business, good for leisure travelers, good for our airport and good for central and western New Brunswick’s future,” said Fredericton Mayor Mike O’Brien.
Direct flights to Ottawa are an added benefit of the daily service for business and leisure travellers.
“We’re thrilled to see Porter Airlines build their YOW-Atlantic Canada reach with the addition of Fredericton,” said Mark Laroche, President and CEO of the Ottawa International Airport Authority. “Having Ottawa–Gatineau well-connected to Canada’s provincial and territorial capitals just makes sense. The addition of Porter Airlines to this route enhances both capitals’ business and tourism connectivity.”
Porter’s home base at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is known for its convenience and proximity to downtown Toronto; just 2.5 km from the central business and entertainment districts. Porter provides a premium experience for all passengers, including leather seats, complimentary wine and beer onboard, and airport lounge access. Its “flying refined” philosophy has helped the airline win numerous global awards.
Fredericton is known as the ‘city at the edge of nature,’ with 88 kilometres of hiking trails and the Saint John River running through the city. The vibrant city celebrates art, music and local flavours with year-round festivals and an inspirational cultural scene worth exploring time and time again.
First Flight For Fairview Canso
After one of the most complicated recovery and restoration efforts in warbird history, much of the town of Fairview, AB turned out to watch a PBY Canso lift off from the local airport for its official first flight on Father’s Day. The aircraft is a former RCAF Canso that hunted submarines in the North Atlantic in the Second World War. It’s second career as a water bomber ended during a rough landing that holed the hull on Sitidgi Lake in the Northwest Territories in 2001. The owner, Buffalo Airways, hauled the aircraft to shore and salvaged the engines but left the airframe beside the lake. That’s where the Fairview Aircraft Restoration Society stepped in.
In 2008 they dragged, trailered and barged the aircraft to Fairview and, over eight years, restored it to flying condition. Veteran Canso pilot Bill Brady was at the controls for the June 18 flight. “It flies beautifully, nice and straight,” he told the CBC. “”It flew just like a Canso. Very heavy on the controls,” he said. “You use an awful lot of rudder which you don’t [use] on most airplanes.” Two Second World War Canso pilots, James McRae, 99, and Hal Burns, 94, were on hand for the event. The society plans to use the aircraft as a flying museum to educate people about Canada’s wartime aviation contribution.
Air Canada Celebrates First Montreal-Tel Aviv Flight
MONTREAL, June 22, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ – The departure of flight AC082 from Montreal-Trudeau airport tonight will mark the successful launch of Air Canada’s non-stop Montreal service to Tel Aviv. This new seasonal service will operate twice weekly from June 22 to October 16, 2017.
“Air Canada is the leader in the Canada–Israel market, which we have served for 22 years. Today we are pleased to launch a new seasonal non-stop service between Montreal and Tel Aviv, which will also offer convenient connections throughout Canada and the U.S. and complement our existing daily year-round flights from Toronto,” said Benjamin Smith, President, Passenger Airlines at Air Canada. “This new service also reflects Air Canada’s ongoing international expansion strategy, from which Montreal is deriving significant benefits. Since the beginning of the year Air Canada has launched new services from Montreal to Shanghai, Marseilles, Reykjavík, Dallas and Washington Dulles with Algiers scheduled on July 1.”
“On behalf of all Montrealers, I am proud to take part in this ceremony marking the inaugural flight linking Montreal to Tel Aviv. This new direct service is the result of dynamic collaborative efforts, as demonstrated by the important trade mission to Israel. This new service is a concrete example of the thriving links that unite our cities and our countries,” said Denis Coderre, Mayor of Montreal
Added Ron Huldai, Mayor of Tel Aviv, “Tel Aviv is a rare city that enjoys two major assets that usually do not exist in the same destination. First, it is a great beach city. With 14 kilometers of beach and 300 days of sun, National Geographic named it “One of the Top Ten Beach Cities in the World”. Secondly, it is an extremely vibrant urban center. The New York Times calls us “The Capital of Mediterranean Cool” thanks to 1748 bars and pubs; amazing art; high culture and street culture; and one of the best culinary scenes in the world. We are eager to see many tourists from Quebec enjoying Tel Aviv.”
|
Flight |
Departs |
Arrives |
Day of Week |
|
AC082 |
Montreal 18:00 |
Tel Aviv 11:35 + 1 day |
Thursday, Sunday |
|
AC083 |
Tel Aviv 12:55 |
Montreal 17:35 |
Monday, Friday |
Flight will be operated with 292-seat Airbus A330-300 aircraft with three cabins of service, including Air Canada’s International Business Class cabin, featuring 27 Executive Pods with 180- degree lie-flat seats all configured for direct aisle access. The Premium Economy cabin has 21 seats that offer generous personal space, wider seats and extra legroom and recline, as well as premium meals, complimentary bar service and priority check-in and baggage delivery at the airport. The Economy cabin has 244 seats providing comfortable personal space and a state-of-the-art individual on-demand entertainment system. Flights are timed for convenient connections with Air Canada’s extensive domestic and transborder network.
Bombardier CSeries CAE simulator wins Level D certification
Bombardier Commercial Aircraft has received Level D certification for its CAE-built CSeries full-flight simulator (FFS) from Transport Canada, FAA, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport of the Republic of Korea (South Korea). The announcement was made at the 2017 Paris Air Show.
The Bombardier CSeries FFS, located at the Bombardier Training Center in Montréal, is the first CSeries FFS to receive Level D qualification, the Canadian manufacturer said in a statement.
Bombardier Commercial Aircraft VP & GM-customer services Todd Young said, “With this qualification, our simulator reproduces to the highest level of fidelity, the characteristics of the CSeries aircraft, as certified by the civil aviation authorities.”
According to Bombardier, there are currently five CAE-built CSeries simulators worldwide, either in operation or on order.
Labrador Airlines Combine
When Air Labrador ceased to exist last week, its longest serving pilot figured that was as good a time as any to end his highly respected career. Lester Powell spent 44 years engaged in some of the most challenging flying on Earth, ensuring people and freight could move in and out of the far-flung communities of northern Labrador and Quebec. “When you’ve flown in as much weather — and often without [instrument flight rules and] things like that — and you’re able to hang up your headset and still be here and be safe, it’s worth celebrating,” Dempster said. Although he spent more than four decades and 35,000 flight hours at Air Labrador, he was only there for half of the airline’s life. It was founded in 1948 and was one of the longest lived airlines in the world until last week when it became part of a new venture called Air Borealis.
Air Borealis is the amalgamation of Air Labrador, which is owned by the Inuit-owned Nunatsiavut Group of Companies and Innu Mikun, owned by the Innu Development Limited Partnership. Innu Mikun was run by PAL Airlines and the new airline will be run by PAL. The amalgamation has created a monopoly but rather than compete for passengers the schedules of the two carriers can be adjusted to provide expanded service. New flights will be added and the greater availability of aircraft will ensure faster response times for needed services. Innu and Inuit residents will get discounted fares on Air Borealis.
Bombardier Continues to Build Momentum with Successful Paris Air Show
- Orders and commitments for up to US$ 2 billion
Bombardier Commercial Aircraft concluded a successful week at the 2017 International Paris Air Show, where it had the opportunity to connect with customers from around the world and announced up to US$2 billion in orders and other commitments. “We are concluding the airshow with solid momentum, and I am very pleased with the level of interest and activity we are seeing in all of our aircraft programs,” said Fred Cromer, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft.
“With our unique product portfolio, we are the leader in the market segment below 150 seats, and the orders and commitments, from multiple operators, for over 60 Q400 aircraft announced during the airshow are clear demonstrations that Bombardier already has innovative solutions that meet market requirements for larger and higher-performance turboprops.”
The airshow was also an opportunity for Bombardier to showcase the CS300 aircraft alongside launch operator airBaltic. “As the momentum continues to build up following the successful first year in service of the C Series aircraft, we are pleased that airlines around the world are demonstrating growing interest as they witness the C Series performance and hear about the overwhelming positive feedback from passengers and our launch operators,” added Fred Cromer.
On June 21, 2017, Ilyushin Finance and Co. (IFC) and an undisclosed airline have signed a framework agreement on the lease of six CS300 aircraft. IFC ordered 20 CS300 aircraft under an agreement signed with Bombardier in 2013.
The C Series Aircraft Limited Partnership, an affiliate of the Bombardier Commercial Aircraft segment of Bombardier Inc. manufactures the C Series aircraft.
Chorus Aviation delivers third CRJ1000 aircraft to Air Nostrum
HALIFAX, June 22, 2017 /CNW/ – Chorus Aviation Inc. (‘Chorus’) (TSX: CHR) today announced the delivery of a third new Bombardier CRJ1000 regional jet to Air Nostrum, Lineas Aereas Del Mediterraneo, S.A. (‘Air Nostrum’).
Commenting on the delivery, Chorus Aviation Capital’s President, Steven Ridolfi, said “We are building Chorus Aviation Capital into a leading global aircraft lessor, focused on new and mid-life regional aircraft placed with high-quality lessees. We are delighted to place a third CRJ1000 with Air Nostrum and look forward to the fourth delivery before the end of this year.”
On November 9, 2016, Chorus announced plans to purchase and lease four new CRJ1000 regional jets to Air Nostrum. The fourth aircraft is scheduled to be delivered in September 2017.
Founded in 1994, and headquartered in Valencia, Spain, Air Nostrum is a leading European regional airline carrying over 4 million passengers annually. Since 1997, Air Nostrum has been a franchise partner of Iberia®, Spain’s leading national and international carrier, and is an affiliate of the oneworld® airline allianc
![Scramble%20Poster[1]](https://canadianaviationnews.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/scramble20poster1.jpg)
Air Canada Pilots Association Welcomes Transportation Committee Report
Parliamentarians call for fatigue regulations with safety as a primary concern, based on scientific evidence
MISSISSAUGA, ON, June 21, 2017 /CNW/ – The Air Canada Pilots Association, representing more than 3,500 pilots, expressed gratitude to the Hon. Judy Sgro, Chair, and the members of Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities for their recommendations to improve aviation safety.
“The Committee’s comprehensive report has just been released, and we are pleased to see a number of important recommendations that cut to the heart of important safety improvements for Canada’s aviation industry,” said Milt Isaacs, CEO of ACPA. “We agree with the Committee on many of their recommendations including the importance of: science-based fatigue regulations that consider safety first; alignment with international standards for runway end safety areas; urgent implementation of Transportation Safety Board of Canada safety recommendations; and adopting best practices in flight training.”
Modernized Fatigue Regulations
The Parliamentary Committee’s report recommends that updates to Canada’s flight crew fatigue regulations be based on scientific evidence and with safety as a primary concern. ACPA strongly agrees, given that science has clearly established fatigue as a form of impairment. ACPA pilots support science-based measures that will improve the margin of safety for flight crews and their passengers.
300 Metre Runway End Safety Areas (RESA)
The report recommends Canada adopt the International Civil Aviation Organization’s standard of a 300-metre runway end safety area (RESA) at the end of major airport runways. A RESA offers vital protection to planes and passengers in the event of an overrun or underrun. The Transportation Safety Board has investigated 16 runway overruns in Canada since 2010.
ACPA strongly supports this recommendation as Canada currently only has a handful of major airport runways that meet this international standard. For instance, Canada’s busiest airport — Toronto’s Pearson International Airport, which is a hub for North American traffic — does not have a single runway surface that complies with ICAO’s recommended practice of a 300 M RESA or an alternative safety measure, despite a longstanding TSB recommendation for RESA that dates from its 2007 report on an Air France overrun incident.
TSB Air Safety Recommendations
ACPA fully supports the recommendation that Transport Canada expedite its response to the TSB’s air safety-related recommendations, including addressing the current backlog. A timelier response to the TSB’s urgent recommendations will serve to significantly improve aviation safety in Canada.
Flight Training
Finally, ACPA supports the recommendation that Transport Canada review best practices for flight training, and would be pleased to participate alongside other pilot associations in consultations on this important issue. One of the best safety measures available is a well-trained flight crew; it is critical that pilot training be regularly assessed to ensure it reflects the most modern safety standards.
Bombardier Unveils Ethiopian Airlines as Previously Undisclosed Customer that Ordered Q400 Aircraft
- Ethiopian’s Fourth Order for Bombardier Q400 Turboprop Airliners
- Q400 critical for Ethiopian’s expansion plans in Africa
Bombardier Commercial Aircraft announced today that Ethiopian Airlines Enterprise is the previously undisclosed customer that signed a firm purchase agreement for five additional Q400 turboprop aircraft. Based on the list price of the Q400 aircraft, the contract is valued at approximately $162 million US.
“Our relationship with Ethiopian Airlines extends beyond straight buyer-seller,” said Colin Bole, Senior Vice President, Commercial, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “Ethiopian is an Authorized Service Facility for Q400 aircraft and operates the only Q400 aircraft flight simulator in Africa. In addition, we have worked together to support other Q400 aircraft operators such as RwandAir, Congo Airways and Air Tanzania.”
“We are reordering the Bombardier Q400 turboprop as it is the core element in serving our expanding domestic and regional destinations,” said Tewolde GebreMariam, Group Chief Executive Officer, Ethiopian Airlines. “No other turboprop airliner matches its 360-knot speed capability, low operating costs, environmental credentials and passenger comfort, especially with its cabin flexibility for single and dual-class passenger configuration. The Q400 aircraft shines in terms of climb rate, single-engine ceiling, and greater revenue-producing payload capability from our hot weather, high altitude airstrips, these performance attributes being critical to interchangeability with our jet fleet.”
“The airline market in Africa has been growing slowly but steadily as the industry is becoming more liberalized and the infrastructure to support the growth is being put in place,” said Jean-Paul Boutibou, Vice President, Sales, Middle East and Africa, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “Airlines in Africa are working very hard to modernize their operations to meet the challenges of tomorrow and we are committed to helping with the aircraft and technical support they require.”
Ethiopian Airlines’ initial order for eight Q400 aircraft plus four options was announced on November 20, 2008. Four re-orders directly and through Palma Capital, including the one announced on June 9, increase the airline’s Q400 aircraft fleet to 24 aircraft, the largest in Africa.
Bombardier Commercial Aircraft already has a solid foothold on the African continent with upwards of over 190 Q Series turboprops – including over 35 Q Series operators – and CRJ regional jets in operation or on order from customers. Over the next two decades, Africa is expected to take deliveries of 550 new aircraft, and with Bombardier’s family of aircraft, the company is well positioned to serve this growing market.
Bombardier has now recorded a total of 585 Q400 aircraft on firm order.
CAE officially unveils its first CAE Airline Pilot Demand Outlook, a 10-year view at the Paris Air Show
- 255,000 new airline pilots needed over the next 10 years
- 50% of the pilots who will fly the world’s commercial aircraft in 10 years have not yet started to train
Paris, Le Bourget, France, June 20, 2017 (NYSE: CAE; TSX: CAE) – CAE releases today at the 2017 International Paris Air Show its first CAE Airline Pilot Demand Outlook, providing the airline industry with key insights on the future need for professional pilots in commercial aviation. The 10-year view builds on key drivers, variables and trends and addresses airline pilot needs around the world.
The report exposes a global requirement for 255,000 new airline pilots over the next 10 years to sustain the growth of the commercial air transport industry and support retirements. It also reports a need to develop 180,000 first officers into airline captains, a greater number than in any previous decade. The document breaks down the numbers by region and provides a thorough analysis of the training needs of the aviation industry.
“As the leading training organization in the world, we are very proud to introduce our first-ever CAE Airline Pilot Demand Outlook to the market, which will provide airlines with a view on the upcoming needs and development opportunities for professional pilots,” said Marc Parent, CAE’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “It is fair to say that the majority of today’s pilots have been in contact with CAE at some point in their career, whether it be in one of our academies, training centres, as part of a flying assignment or in one of our full-flight simulators. As such, we deeply understand the pilot development process and our experience sourcing and training pilots for airlines from diverse regions gives us a unique position to understand these insights.”
“The airline industry will need 70 new type-rated pilots per day for the next 10 years to meet global demand,” said Nick Leontidis, CAE Group President, Civil Aviation Training Solutions. “This record demand will challenge current pilot recruitment channels and development programs. New and innovative pilot career pathways and training systems will be required to meet the industry’s pilot needs and ever-evolving safety, competency and efficiency standards. We’re very proud to share this first comprehensive report with the industry and continue to shape the future of pilot training with our aviation partners and colleagues”.
The CAE Airline Pilot Demand Outlook is available for download at www.cae.com/civil-aviation/
Bombardier Signs a Letter of Intent with CemAir for Two Q400 Aircraft
Bombardier Commercial Aircraft announced today from the International Paris Air Show, that it has signed a letter of intent (LOI) with CemAir (Pty) Ltd. (CemAir) of South Africa for two Q400 airliners. Based on the Q400 turboprop list price, a firm order would be valued at approximately US$ 65 million.
“We are proud of the Q Series turboprops’ continued success in Africa. Our operators appreciate their outstanding economics and performance, and we are delighted that CemAir intends to add new Q400 aircraft to its current fleet of Bombardier aircraft”, said Jean-Paul Boutibou, Vice President, Sales, Middle East and Africa. “With its unmatched capabilities, the Q400 is uniquely suitable for the region and we are thrilled with this additional recognition for our modern and versatile turboprop.”
“With their impressive short runway performance and the flexibility it brings to our operations, the Q Series turboprops have allowed us to build our network and fly passengers from more airports,” said Miles van der Molen, Chief Executive Officer, CemAir. “We are looking forward to the addition of these brand new Q400 aircraft which will help us support our growth and increase connectivity in South Africa.”
With these Q400 aircraft, CemAir would increase its current fleet of Bombardier aircraft to 17 – including five Q Series turboprops and 12 CRJ Series aircraft.
Bombardier Commercial Aircraft already has a solid foothold on the African continent with upwards of 190 Q Series turboprops – including over 35 Q Series operators – and CRJ regional jets in operation or on order from customers. Over the next two decades, Africa is expected to take deliveries of 550 new aircraft, and with Bombardier’s family of aircraft, the company is well positioned to serve this growing market.
Bombardier has recorded firm orders for a total of 585 Q400 aircraft.
Musqueam Indian Band and Vancouver International Airport Sign Momentous Agreement for Shared Benefit
Significant Agreement Honours Relationship with Mutual Opportunity and Investment
JUNE 21, 2017- RICHMOND B.C. – Today, Musqueam Indian Band (Musqueam) and Vancouver International Airport (YVR) signed The Musqueam Indian Band – YVR Airport Sustainability & Friendship Agreement, a 30-year agreement based on friendship and respect to achieve a sustainable and mutually beneficial future for our community. Elders, Musqueam Chief & Council, Board of Directors and business partners joined the celebration which included the official signing of the Agreement and traditional Musqueam songs at YVR followed by a feast, calling of witnesses and exchange of gifts at the Musqueam Cultural Pavilion.
“Friendship between Musqueam Indian Band and YVR is incredibly important for our people”, stated Chief Wayne Sparrow. “YVR is located on our traditional lands and we all benefit from a positive relationship. This agreement provides Musqueam with important education and employment opportunities at YVR, a voice in future development, environmental enhancements and restoration and financial support that will allow our people to continue to grow our economic foundation and reinvest in our community.”
The Musqueam Indian Band – YVR Airport Sustainability & Friendship Agreement is based on the four pillars of Sustainability—Social, Economic, Environment and Governance. The Agreement recognizes the evolving nature of the relationship between YVR and Musqueam through education, employment, revenue sharing, an engagement protocol for long-term development and support of operations.
Craig Richmond, President & CEO, Vancouver Airport Authority added: “This is an incredible day as we mark the evolution of our relationship with the Musqueam people. We are proud to look ahead to a future where we continue to learn and grow together for the economic and social benefit of the region. Being able to celebrate this new and exciting way forward with our friends is not only good for our business – it is the right way for YVR to move forward in the community we serve.”
Some of the details of the Agreement include a path of education to employment with a number of scholarships and new jobs, one per cent of annual revenue from YVR, identification and protection of archeological resources and support for ongoing operations and long-term development at the airport.
Vancouver International Airport and Musqueam Indian Band are located in the same community on land that is Musqueam traditional territory. Musqueam have historically played an integral role in many areas of YVR’s business and operations, from noise management and environmental advisory to development planning and cultural engagement.
The Agreement is subject to completion of Musqueam’s member consultation process before the end of July.
Air Canada Launches Cool New Summer Destination: Iceland
Seasonal non-stop services start from Toronto and Montreal
MONTREAL, June 21, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ – Air Canada is inaugurating service to its newest international destination this evening with Air Canada Rouge flight AC1970 from Toronto to Reykjavik, Iceland. The new, non-stop service will operate this summer four days a week from Toronto and three days a week from Montreal.
“Iceland’s rugged beauty and intriguing cultural attractions are making it a prime destination for travellers seeking new adventures and Air Canada is pleased to be the only Canadian airline and only Star Alliance carrier in North America to serve the island, providing convenient connections across Canada and the U.S.A.,” said Benjamin Smith, President, Passenger Airlines, at Air Canada. “Iceland is the latest addition to our expanding international network as these new services from Toronto and Montreal are two of 11 new routes being launched this summer.”
Already this summer Air Canada has begun new services from Vancouver to Frankfurt, Nagoya, Taipei and London–Gatwick, from Toronto to Berlin, and from Montreal to Marseille. Other new routes beginning soon include Toronto to Mumbai (July 1) and Montreal to Tel Aviv (June 22) and Algiers (July 1).
The new non-stop service to Iceland will be operated by Air Canada Rouge with a 136-seat Airbus A319 aircraft offering a choice of Premium Rouge and Economy cabins of service with in-flight internet satellite connectivity throughout. All flights provide for Aeroplan accumulation and redemption, Star Alliance reciprocal benefits and, for eligible customers, priority check-in, Maple Leaf Lounge access at the Toronto and Montreal hubs, priority boarding and other benefits.
|
Flight |
From |
To |
Depart |
Arrive |
Days of operation |
Schedule dates |
|
AC1970 |
Toronto |
Reykjavik |
11:25 p.m. |
9:00 a.m. (+1 day) |
Mon, Wed, Thur, Sat |
June 21 – Oct 7 |
|
AC1971 |
Reykjavik |
Toronto |
10:00 a.m. |
11:50 a.m. |
Tue, Thur, Fri, Sun |
June 22 – Oct 8 |
|
AC1972 |
Montreal |
Reykjavik |
11:45 p.m. |
9:00 a.m. (+1 day) |
Tue, Fri, Sun |
June 23 – Oct 8 |
|
AC1973 |
Reykjavik |
Montreal |
10:00 a.m. |
11:15 a.m. |
Mon, Wed, Sat |
June 24 – Oct 9 |
Satair Group and Metamaterial Technologies Inc. sign memorandum of understanding to bring innovative laser strike protection to civil aviation market
Logos: Satair Group and Metamaterial Technologies Inc. (CNW Group/Metamaterial Technologies Inc.)
HALIFAX, June 21, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ – Airbus wholly-owned subsidiary, Satair Group and Metamaterial Technologies Inc. (MTI) and its optical filters division Lamda Guard of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which will lead to an exclusive multi-million dollar global distribution agreement to bring MTI’s laser protection product metaAIRTM to the civil aviation market.
metaAIR is nanofabricated as a flexible metamaterial optical filter which can be applied to any transparent surface – such as the inner surface of an aircraft’s cockpit windscreen – to control unwanted light sources while not interfering with visibility. The filter deflects harmful laser beams aimed at aircraft windscreens even at high power levels and from wide angles preventing the beam from reaching the inside of the aircraft cockpit. In addition to laser protection at night metaAIR may also feature new types of optical protections such as Ultraviolet ray protection for daytime operation at cruising altitudes, answering a long-established concern for many flight crews.
Laser strikes on commercial aircraft have risen over the years and laser pointers are increasing in power and decreasing in price. Lasers can distract and even harm pilots during critical phases of flight and can cause temporary visual impairment. Over 2000 laser incidents were recorded in the USA in the first four months alone of 2017 according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). In 2015 there were over 10,000 laser incidents reported to the FAA, the UK Civil Aviation Authority and Transport Canada.
George Palikaras, MTI Founder and CEO said: “This marks a key milestone for MTI. Satair Group is a global leader in aerospace supply management and known for their innovative products. We are very pleased to have Satair Group as our exclusive distributor for our laser protection products. Through our partnership with Satair Group we will introduce metaAIR to the commercial aviation market in 2018, offering a solution to the increasing threats of laser strikes in global aviation.”
Satair Group’s involvement follows in the footsteps of two previous agreements signed between Airbus and MTI’s Lamda Guard division over the past three years. In 2014 MTI entered Airbus Corporate Innovation’s Start-Up 2 Partner program which aims at building mutually beneficial partnerships with disruptive innovators and start-up companies. While setting the ground for future business arrangements, with the support of the Airbus Aircraft Security team, the program also evaluated, tested and tailored metaAIR for potential application on to its aircraft. Earlier this year, a new agreement for the validation, certification and commercialization of the product was announced.
Satair Group is now moving this relationship to commercialization and will deploy its global presence and extended distribution and parts support services to all commercial aviation market segments with a full metaAIR service offering package.
Bart Reijnen, CEO of Satair Group added: “We are delighted to pick up the baton for this exciting technology from our colleagues at Airbus Corporate Innovation and Airbus Aircraft Security who have steered it through the verification and testing stage. With our first mover advantage and through our global reach and excellent relationships with operators we will ensure metaAIR gets exposure to all aircraft categories and to airlines, MROs and corporate operators worldwide.”
Satair Group will choose an experienced partner for Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) development to ensure metaAIR meets airworthiness and certification requirements for different aircraft types. Certification approval initially from the FAA, European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) is expected to be granted in early 2018 with other relevant jurisdictions following later.
The metaAIR product will be developed initially for the Airbus A320 family, followed shortly afterwards by all other Airbus and also Boeing types, as well as for other commercial airliners. Satair Group also sees demand for this product coming from business and general aviation and rotary wing customers.
Chorus Aviation Announces the Successful Completion of the World’s First Dash 8-300 Aircraft Extended Service Program
- Launch customer for Bombardier Dash 8-300 ESP
HALIFAX, June 21, 2017 /CNW/ – Chorus Aviation Inc. (‘Chorus’) (TSX: CHR) announced today that Jazz Technical Services (‘JTS’) – a division of Chorus subsidiary, Jazz Aviation (‘Jazz’) – has successfully completed the Extended Service Program (ESP) on the first of 19 Dash 8-300 aircraft. Chorus is the launch customer for Bombardier’s Dash 8-300 ESP; the first of its kind for this aircraft type.
“Our relationship with Bombardier goes back many years and we are proud to be the first operator in the world to conduct the Extended Service Program on Dash 8-300s,” said Colin Copp, President, Jazz. “I commend our maintenance engineers for this significant achievement.”
The ESP extends the service life of Jazz’s Dash 8-300 aircraft by 50 per cent, or approximately 15 years, through the replacement of certain structural and systems components. Jazz Technical Services will complete the ESP work on a minimum of 19 Dash 8-300 aircraft over the next five years at its facility in Halifax, NS.
“I congratulate the JTS team on this important milestone,” said Joe Randell, President and Chief Executive Officer, Chorus. “The range of technical expertise we possess across all facets of regional aviation differentiates us from our competition as we work toward our vision of delivering regional aviation to the world.”
“Bombardier is excited to celebrate this milestone alongside Chorus, Jazz and JTS and we congratulate all the teams that contributed to the successful execution of the Dash 8-300 aircraft Extended Service Program,” said Todd Young, Vice President and General Manager, Customer Services and Q400 Aircraft Program, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “The Dash 8-300 aircraft ESP, and the Dash 8-100 aircraft ESP, which was available earlier, extend the economic life of these robust and reliable aircraft for years to come — allowing for enhanced operational value for our long-standing customer, Chorus.”
Dr. Ajay Virmani Receives Prestigious Transformational Award
MISSISSAUGA, ON, June 20, 2017 /CNW/ – The Board of Directors of Cargojet are pleased to advise Dr. Ajay Virmani, President and CEO of Cargojet was honoured with the prestigious Transformational Award in Toronto. The awards gala was hosted at a ceremony on Friday, June 16th at the Royal York Hotel. The awards are presented by the Transformation Institute for Leadership and Innovation. Dr. Virmani was selected for the Leadership Award and will be included on the Canada 150 Leadership and Innovation list.
“This recognition is not about Ajay Virmani, the award is all about TEAM Cargojet. This award belongs to each and every member of my team, they have earned it and they deserve it, ” says Dr. Ajay K. Virmani President and CEO. “It has been my pleasure to work with every member of the Cargojet family, they are the true recipients.”
Cargojet is Canada’s leading provider of time sensitive overnight air cargo services and carries over 1,300,000 pounds of cargo each business night. Cargojet operates its network across North America each business night, utilizing a fleet of all-cargo aircraft.
CAE signs a series of commercial and business aviation training contracts valued at approximately C$85 million
Paris, France, June 20, 2017 (NYSE: CAE; TSX: CAE) – CAE announced today at the 2017 Paris Air Show a series of aviation training solution contracts with large fleet operators and airlines worldwide, including Ethiopian Airlines, Air India, and Japan Airlines. These agreements, valued approximately C$85 million, cover airline pilot and cabin crew training, crew resourcing, business aviation pilot training programs, as well as the sale of four full-flight simulators (FFS).
They include:
Airline pilot and cabin crew training as well as business aviation pilot training agreements, demonstrating the recurring nature of CAE’s offering
- Ethiopian Airlines in Africa: a 5-year agreement to market Boeing 737NG, 757, 767, 777, 787 and Bombardier Q400 pilot training capacity
- MHS Aviation in Europe: a new 2-year contract for business aviation pilot training
- JetSMART in South America: an exclusive 5-year contract for Airbus A320 pilot training
- Exclusive agreements for Airbus A320, A330 and Boeing 737NG pilot training to undisclosed airlines in Asia
- An exclusive 2-year contract for Airbus A320 pilot and cabin crew training as well as crew resourcing to an undisclosed airline in Europe
Innovative training equipment, including update services and the sale of 4 full-flight simulators
One ATR72-600 full-flight simulator to Air India in India
- One Airbus A350 full-flight simulator to Japan Airlines in Japan
- Two full-flight simulators, including one Boeing 747 FFS and one business jet FFS, to undisclosed customers in North America
“These contracts come from all regions of the world and highlight the full extent of CAE’s aviation training solutions,” said Nick Leontidis, CAE’s Group President, Civil Aviation Training Solutions. “We are proud that our new and existing customers continue to choose CAE as their partner to support their growing training and crew sourcing needs.”
The 4 full-flight simulator sales represent CAE’s first four FFS sales for fiscal 2018. The FFSs are at list prices, which include the value of OEM aircraft-specific data, parts and equipment (DP&E). In the case of these contracts, some customers are providing part of the OEM content.
Air Canada Named Best Airline in North America by Skytrax World Airline Awards at the Paris Air Show
Airline named North American leader in customer satisfaction for sixth time in eight years
MONTREAL, June 20, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ – Air Canada was today named Best Airline in North America by the 2017 Skytrax World Airline Awards at the International Paris Air Show. It is the sixth time in eight years Canada’s flag carrier has been named the continent’s best airline by Skytrax, whose survey of almost 20 million air travellers is recognized as the global benchmark of industry excellence.
“We are delighted to be recognized as the Best Airline in North America by Skytrax based on the opinions of those who know us best: our customers. This award is a significant milestone in the transformation of Air Canada into one of the world’s leading carriers and is all the more meaningful given the increased competition in our industry,” said Calin Rovinescu, President and Chief Executive of Air Canada.
“I thank our employees for their hard work and dedication in helping us earn this distinction and I thank our customers for their loyalty and support as we have expanded our reach across the globe. As we celebrate our 80th year in 2017, we are extremely proud to be Canada’s flag carrier, North America’s Best Airline and its only Four Star network carrier,” added Mr. Rovinescu.
Benjamin Smith, President, Passenger Airlines at Air Canada, said: “This award, based on the opinions of almost 20 million air travellers worldwide, shows customers are enthusiastically embracing the significant investments Air Canada is making in its products and services. These include the introduction of the state-of-the-art Boeing 787 Dreamliner into our fleet, a widening choice of destinations to choose from in our expanding global network, refurbished aircraft interiors featuring our next generation lie flat Business Class seats on all of our Boeing 777 and 787 aircraft and dedicated Premium Economy cabins, as well as other enhanced amenities ranging from sharply restyled Maple Leaf Lounges to signature dishes and wine pairings onboard.”
“We are delighted to welcome Air Canada back at the World Airline Awards to recognize their achievement of being named the Best Airline in North America. To receive this accolade six times, in the last eight years is a remarkable achievement and we congratulate the airline on this outstanding, consistent performance,” said Edward Plaisted, Chief Executive of Skytrax.
Since 2010, Air Canada has embarked on a $10 Billion capital expenditure program to elevate the travel experience. Customer-focused initiatives have included:
- An expanded global network connecting over its Canadian gateway hubs to 95 cities in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Australia, the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America and South America. Air Canada is one of only a few airlines in the world to serve all six inhabited continents;
- A fleet renewal program that introduced Boeing 777s and state-of-the-art Boeing 787 Dreamliners, with new Boeing 737MAX aircraft arriving in 2017 and Bombardier CSeries jets entering the fleet in 2019;
- Refitted cabin interiors across its wide-body fleet, including the introduction of the first lie-flat business seat fleetwide in North America and the first dedicated Premium Economy cabin in North America;
- New International, Domestic and U.S. Maple Leaf Lounges;
- Training initiatives for customer-facing inflight, airport, baggage and call centre employees, including expanded language capabilities. There are an estimated 80 languages spoken by Air Canada employees and in addition to English and French, service is available from three call centres in North America in Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean and Japanese. From nine call centres outside North America service is offered in local languages, including Portuguese, Spanish, German, Italian, Hebrew, Mandarin, Cantonese and Japanese;
- Technological innovations to facilitate customer interactions, including a new website compatible with all types of devices for a consistent experience, ongoing refinements of mobile technology, and increased investments in AI to further develop customer-focused capabilities and information management;
- Enhanced onboard amenities such as signature dishes prepared by celebrated Canadian chef David Hawksworth coupled with wine pairings by world-renowned sommelier Veronique Rivest, and in-flight Wi-fi connectivity fleet-wide in North America to complement Air Canada’s personal seatback In-Flight Entertainment System offering hundreds of hours of free digital audio-visual content.
Bombardier Announces Several Customer Services Agreements Targeted at Enhancing Support for CRJ and Q Series Aircraft Operators
- LOT Polish Airlines signs five-year Smart Parts agreement to provide component management for the airline’s fleet of Q400 aircraft
- Jazz Technical Services becomes first Canadian Authorized Service Facility for CRJ and Q Series aircraft
- Bombardier expands strategic alliance with GKN Aerospace’s Fokker business to include support for the CRJ Series regional jets
- FSTC acquiring Q400 aircraft simulator from FlightSafety International to provide crew training in India and region
Bombardier Commercial Aircraft announced today, from the International Paris Air Show, four transactions pertaining to its Customer Services offerings. These transactions showcase the work that Bombardier is doing to enhance support to more than 240 operators and the global fleet of over 2,700 Bombardier commercial aircraft serving approximately 200 million passengers annually. Managed under the portfolio of The Bombardier FlightAdvantage, operators are deriving the unmatched benefits that come with working alongside the team that knows the company’s commercial aircraft best.
LOT Polish Airlines Signs Smart Parts Component Management Agreement
LOT Polish Airlines has signed a five-year Smart Parts agreement with Bombardier to provide long-term component management for the airline’s fleet of 10 Q400 aircraft. The Smart Parts program provides LOT with comprehensive component maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services, access to a strategically located spare part exchange pool, and on-site inventories based at the airline’s hub in Warsaw.
“LOT has been a customer of the Smart Parts program for several years, and we are pleased to enter into a new agreement knowing that we can rely on Bombardier’s comprehensive and cost-effective support,” said Rafal Milczarski, Chief Executive Officer, LOT Polish Airlines.
“With this new agreement, LOT will continue to benefit from the component management solutions, superior parts availability and cost predictability that Bombardier provides via the Smart Parts program. We’re very happy that we’ve been selected to support LOT as the airline continues to develop its Q400 aircraft network,” said Todd Young, Vice President and General Manager, Customer Services, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft.
Jazz Technical Services Becomes a Canadian Authorized Service Facility for Q Series Turboprops and CRJ Regional Jets
Bombardier has enhanced support for operators of Q Series turboprops and CRJ regional jets by entering into an agreement with Jazz Aviation LP (Jazz), a Chorus Aviation Inc. subsidiary, whereby Jazz Technical Services (JTS) will become Bombardier Commercial Aircraft’s first Authorized Service Facility (ASF) located in Canada. Under the ASF agreement, which takes effect immediately, JTS will offer aircraft operators heavy maintenance services from its facilities located in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
“As an operator and MRO service provider of Bombardier regional aircraft for over three decades, our JTS and Maintenance and Engineering teams have exceptional expertise and experience with these Canadian-made aircraft,” said Colin Copp, President, Jazz. “Today’s announcement marks an exciting new chapter in our long-standing relationship and we look forward to collaborate on providing valued support to Bombardier aircraft operators.”
“Jazz Aviation operates one of the largest fleets of Q Series and CRJ aircraft in the world and has received numerous Airline Reliability Performance Awards from Bombardier in recognition of its outstanding dispatch reliability. I am delighted that Jazz’s technical division, JTS is now available to support other Q Series and CRJ aircraft operators across Canada,” said Mr. Young.
Bombardier Strengthens Strategic Alliance with GKN Aerospace’s Fokker Business
Bombardier has extended and expanded its strategic alliance with GKN Aerospace’s Fokker business to provide coverage for the CRJ Series regional jets. As an Authorized Service Provider, GKN Aerospace’s Fokker business is therefore now supporting operators of Dash 8/Q Series 100/200/300 turboprops, as well as operators of CRJ Series regional jets under Fokker’s industry-leading ABACUS program. Aimed at improving the availability of components and reducing operators’ repair and overhaul costs, the ABACUS program provides customized services on a cost-by-the-hour basis, allowing operators to better manage the life-cycle costs of their aircraft.
“The guaranteed availability of serviceable components under the ABACUS program has been instrumental in ensuring the efficient, reliable operation of many Dash 8/Q Series 100/200/300 aircraft for more than six years, so we are pleased to extend our agreement with Fokker and to expand it to cover the CRJ Series regional jets,” said Mr. Young.
“Our agreement with Bombardier to provide component repair management to operators of Bombardier Q400 aircraft, which was announced in March this year, and now our expanded support on the ABACUS program to cover the CRJ Series regional jets, signal our growing commitment to support operators of Bombardier’s industry-leading aircraft,” said Erik Geertsema, Vice President Business and Strategy Development at GKN Aerospace’s Fokker Services business.
FSTC to Provide Q400 Aircraft Crew Training
Flight Simulation Technique Centre Pvt Ltd. (FSTC), India’s largest stand-alone diversified Approved Training Organization, has entered into a data license agreement with Bombardier, and has ordered a Q400 Full Flight Simulator from FlightSafety International to provide support to Q400 aircraft operators. FlightSafety is a world leading supplier of training services, flight simulators, visual systems and displays.
“We welcome our new partners; our collaboration will go a long way to support Q400 aircraft crew training. This will benefit operators, not only in India, but also in the region,” said Sanjay Mandavia, Managing Director, FSTC. “FSTC is dedicated to delivering professional training experiences at the best prices to meet airline and individual training and rating goals, and we look forward to working with FlightSafety and Bombardier to support Q400 aircraft operators.”
“We’re pleased to welcome FSTC to our Customer Services network. From its base in Gurgaon, Haryana, India, the Centre is well positioned to deliver high-quality training for Q400 aircraft operators in India and the region,” said Mr. Young.
Air Transat celebrates its first direct flight from Montreal to Tel Aviv
Canada’s ambassador to Israel welcomes dignitaries and business partners for the occasion
MONTREAL, June 19, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ – Air Transat celebrated the start of its new direct Montreal–Tel Aviv flight yesterday during an event held at the official residence of Canada’s ambassador to Israel.
Launching its inaugural flight on June 18, Air Transat is the first Canadian airline to offer a flight between the two metropolises, twice a week. Also available from Toronto with a connection in Montreal, this new flight on Airbus A330-200 aircraft consisting of 332 seats will allow travellers to enjoy an unparalleled experience with Air Transat, named Best North American Leisure Airline five years in a row.
Gilles Ringwald, Vice-President, Commercial, of Air Transat, thanked the dignitaries present, including Yariv Levin, Israel’s Minister of Tourism; Ziv Nevo Kulman, Consul General of Israel in Montreal and Permanent Representative to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO); as well as Gideon Thaler, President and CEO of TAL Aviation.
In addition, a celebration took place at the Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv for the inauguration of the new flight. It was in this festive spirit that representatives of Air Transat and Israel welcomed the flight from Canada together with the traditional ceremony of the water salute, during which fire trucks spray high arches of water over a plane.
It is worth reminding that all Economy Class passengers travelling with Air Transat to or from Tel Aviv will be allowed one piece of checked baggage of 30 kg and a carry-on of 10 kg. In addition, to meet certain dietary preferences and restrictions, Air Transat offers all passengers the option to pre-order special meals, such as glatt kosher meals, up to 72 hours before departure.
SpiceJet signs LOI for up to 50 Bombardier Q400s
Indian low-cost carrier (LCC) SpiceJet has signed a letter of intent (LOI) for the purchase of up to 50 Bombardier Q400 turboprops, the Canadian manufacturer announced at the Paris Air Show June 20. The LOI includes 25 Q400 turboprops and purchase rights on an additional 25 aircraft, and is valued at $1.6 billion if all rights are exercised, based on current list prices.
“[The Q400’s] 86-seat configuration will support SpiceJet [to] develop its domestic operations from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities across India,” Bombardier VP Sales-South Asia and Australasia François Cognard said.
“SpiceJet operates India’s largest regional fleet and is the only organized operator in this space. The acquisition will help us further increase connectivity to smaller towns and cities and help realize Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ensuring that every Indian can fly,” SpiceJet chairman and MD Ajay Singh said. The airline has taken delivery of 15 Q400 aircraft since 2010 and at present operates 20 Q400s in a 78-seat configuration on both domestic and international routes.
SpiceJet is the second announced customer for the 86-seat variant of the Q400 at Le Bourget, following Philippine Airlines’ order for seven of the aircraft placed June 19. In addition to the Q400 LOI, SpiceJet announced June 19 that it signed an MOU for 40 Boeing 737 MAX 10s.
CDPQ & GE Capital Aviation Services to join forces in creating USD 2-billion global aircraft financing platform
- CDPQ to provide strategic capital over four years to create an aircraft leasing and financing platform alongside world class operator GECAS
- Platform will provide GECAS with increased flexibility to support future growth
- Investment marks new milestone in the strategic relationship between CDPQ and GE
MONTRÉAL and SHANNON, Ireland, June 19, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ – Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ), a leading institutional asset manager, and GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS), a world leading aircraft leasing company, announced today that they have signed a commitment letter to create a USD 2-billion global aircraft financing platform. The transaction is subject to conditions including any required regulatory approvals.
This new platform, to be named Einn Volant Aircraft Leasing (EVAL), will be involved in the acquisition of modern fuel efficient aircraft from a diverse set of global airlines and in leasing them back to such airlines under long-term leases. GECAS will source the transactions and, under a sistership condition, will invest in aircraft ownership opportunities alongside the platform to further align its interests with those of EVAL. GECAS will also act as servicer for the platform.
EVAL will provide GECAS with the flexibility to finance future growth and opportunities, while serving as an entry point for CDPQ into the aircraft leasing and financing industry. In addition, it represents a key step in the expansion of the strategic relationship between GE and CDPQ, which has been built over several years.
“This platform will provide financing solutions to airlines to help support the growth of their fleet and answer essential industry needs. The high-quality aircraft will be chosen for their ability to withstand short-term cyclicality in a sector underpinned by strong long-term growth drivers,” said Michael Sabia, President and Chief Executive Officer of CDPQ. “Through this platform, CDPQ’s stable capital and GECAS’ extensive expertise and network will combine to identify the best opportunities globally. Working with world class operators such as GE is a fundamental part of our investment strategy, and this announcement is yet another example of this strategy in action.”
“This new platform will enable continued growth and development of our global customer relationships,” said Alec Burger, President & CEO of GECAS. “We are delighted CDPQ will be our strategic partner in this exciting venture, which is a natural expansion of the relationship between the highly regarded pension fund manager and GE.”
Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and Bank of America Merrill Lynch advised GECAS on the transaction. Clifford Chance, Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy, Torys, Walkers and Lavery provided legal advice. E&Y provided tax advice.
ABOUT CAISSE DE DÉPÔT ET PLACEMENT DU QUÉBEC
Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ) is a long-term institutional investor that manages funds primarily for public and parapublic pension and insurance plans. As at December 31, 2016, it held C$270.7 billion in net assets. As one of Canada’s leading institutional fund managers, CDPQ invests globally in major financial markets, private equity, infrastructure and real estate.
ABOUT GE CAPITAL AVIATION SERVICES
GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) is a world leader in aviation leasing and financing. With 50 years of aviation finance experience, GECAS offers a wide range of aircraft types including narrow-bodies, wide-bodies, regional jets, turboprops, freighters and helicopters, plus multiple financing products and services including operating leases, purchase/leasebacks, secured debt financing, capital markets, engine leasing, airframe parts management and airport/airline consulting. GECAS owns or services a fleet of over 1,950 aircraft (1,660 fixed wing/ 306 rotary wing) in operation or on order, plus provides loans collateralized on an additional ~400 aircraft. GECAS serves 264 customers in over 75 countries from a network of 26 offices. gecas.com
Bombardier’s FlightLink System for C Series Aircraft Showing Strong Benefits as Fleet of In-service Jetliners Grows
Bombardier Commercial Aircraft announced today that customers are benefiting from the C Series Aircraft Health Management System (AHMS) following the successful entry-into-service (EIS) of the CS100 and CS300 aircraft last year. Now known as the “FlightLink” system, this suite of services leverages the vast amount of data recorded from C Series aircraft, rapidly moving that key data from the air to the ground, and from the ground to the customer. It enhances decision-making on aircraft performance and maintenance, eliminating wait times and allowing for rapid analysis. The system thereby optimizes aircraft availability and lowers maintenance costs.
Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) and Air Baltic Corporation AS (airBaltic) have signed up and have been utilizing the FlightLink system for the management of their CS100 and CS300 aircraft since EIS. Delta Air Lines has signed up for the system to facilitate the management of its ordered CS100 aircraft. Other customers continue to familiarize themselves with the system during briefing and training sessions being conducted by Bombardier as they get closer to their EIS.
“Our FlightLink system for C Series aircraft is specifically designed to optimize aircraft availability and lower maintenance costs throughout the life cycle of the aircraft. With the entry-into-service of SWISS’ CS100 and CS300 aircraft, as well as airBaltic’s CS300 aircraft, we are now capturing vast amounts of data and supporting our operators in the management of their C Series aircraft from our Customer Services nerve centre in Mirabel, Québec,” said Todd Young, Vice President and General Manager, Customer Services and Q400 Aircraft Program, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “Combined with the C Series aircraft’s unmatched performance, economics and environmental credentials, the FlightLink system affords operators with dispatch reliability levels and cost-savings that have not previously been available in this market segment.”
“With nine C Series aircraft now in our fleet, we are beginning to see the strong capabilities of the FlightLink system. It’s a powerful tool that keeps us informed about the performance of our C Series aircraft,” said Gabriele Pedrazzini, Head of Maintenance Operation Control, SWISS. “Our decision-making regarding the maintenance requirements for our C Series aircraft is easier now that we’re fully utilizing the FlightLink system. We expect that this advantage will become even more evident as more C Series aircraft are added to our fleet,” said Andris Vaivads, Senior Vice President of Technical Operations, airBaltic.
“As we prepare for the entry-into-service of the CS100 aircraft at Delta, our teams are gaining much insight from Bombardier’s deployment of the FlightLink system. We look forward to the introduction of the CS100 to our fleet and to the operational advantages that will come with the FlightLink system,” said Greg May, Senior Vice President, Supply Chain Management and Fleet Strategy, Delta Air Lines.
The C Series aircraft is manufactured by the C Series Aircraft Limited Partnership, an affiliate of the Bombardier Commercial Aircraft segment of Bombardier Inc.
Philippine Airlines firms seven Bombardier Q400 orders
Philippine Airlines (PAL) intends to use its latest order for Bombardier Q400s to help wrest market share back from local low-cost carriers (LCCs), PAL COO Jaime Bautista said at the Paris Air Show June 19. PAL has converted seven purchase orders for Q400s to firm orders. In December 2016, it firmed the other five aircraft in what had initially been a letter of intent to purchase 12.
“We used to be the dominant domestic player, but with the arrival of LCCs in the early 2000s, they were able to get people who used to ravel by boat or bus,” Bautista said. “They have grown faster than us and the board of PAL believes we should get back market share.”
The seven new Q400s will replace five older examples of the Canadian-built turboprop in the airline’s inventory. They will be outfitted in an 86-seat, dual-class configuration—eight premium economy at 33-in. pitch and 78 economy-class at 29-in. pitch. Bautista said 29 in. was “very comfortable for domestic operations.” PAL is the launch operator for the 86-seat dual-class variant.
The first of the initial batch of five Q400s ordered late in 2016 will be delivered in July, with one a month arriving until November. The new aircraft ordered at the show will start to arrive in March 2018. Five will arrive throughout next year, with the remaining two in the second half of 2019.
Bombardier is still looking for a launch customer for a high-density 90-seat version of the Q400, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft president Fred Cromer said. This would have a 28-in. pitch. Asked at the PAL press conference in Paris if he felt that might impact on the appeal of the aircraft, he said seat pitch was becoming “less and less relevant; it’s the [seat] technology that’s becoming more important.”
P&W Canada, Ilyushin eye IL-114-100 aircraft restart
Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) and Russia’s Ilyushin Joint Stock Co. have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to explore the restart of the Ilyushin IL-114-100 regional turboprop aircraft program with PW127H engines.
According to the MOU, P&WC will support the initial program restart by providing two PW127H engines for the aircraft type. Both companies will also cooperate in reaching a new, long-term agreement regarding future regional turboprop programs for Russian and international regions.
P&WC and Ilyushin, which is a member of Russia’s United Aircraft Corp. (UAC), originally worked together on the IL-114-100 at the end of the 1990s and early 2000s. Its first flight, powered by two PW127Н turboprop engines, took place in January 1999 and the aircraft obtained a Russian type certificate at the end of that year.
Ten IL-114-100s were manufactured in Uzbekistan on behalf of Ilyushin and delivered to launch customer Uzbekistan Airways starting in 2002. but the program was later suspended.
“The IL-114-100 aircraft already has a head start with a certified platform and the P&WC PW127H engine, which has accumulated more than 118,000 flying hours,” Ilyushin general designer Nikolay Talikov said. “With a range of 4,500 km at 460 km/hr, it is well positioned for takeoff among customers in both Russian and international regional requirements.”
Air Canada inaugurates Daily Montreal-Washington Dulles (IAD) Flights
Adds capacity to New York, San Francisco and Houston
MONTREAL, June 19, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ – The departure today of Air Canada flight AC8172 marks the return of daily year-round service between Montreal and Washington Dulles (IAD) offering more choice for customers travelling between Montreal and the Washington, D.C., Metro area. In addition to well-timed connections to Air Canada’s extensive network to Europe and North Africa, flights will also offer one-stop service to/from Quebec and Eastern Canada including Bagotville, Sept-Îles, Quebec City, Fredericton, Moncton, Bathurst, Saint John and Halifax.
“We are happy to once again operate Montreal-Washington Dulles (IAD) flights that complement our existing twice daily flights to Washington National Airport and strengthen our market presence in the Washington, D.C., Metro area,” said Benjamin Smith, President, Passenger Airlines, at Air Canada. “We continue to strategically grow our transborder network with the recently launched Montreal–Dallas service and added flights to New York, San Francisco and Houston. The transborder capacity increase this summer underscores our commitment to expand our global reach from Montreal-Trudeau reinforcing it as a hub that offers convenient connections from points throughout Quebec and Eastern Canada and to Air Canada’s extensive international network including Paris, Brussels, Frankfurt and Casablanca. And our expansion continues next year as we have already announced new 2018 Montreal-Phoenix seasonal service providing even more choice for our customers in Quebec looking to escape Canadian winters.”
The daily non-stop Air Canada Express service will be operated with 50-seat Bombardier CRJ-100 aircraft. All flights provide for Aeroplan accumulation and redemption, Star Alliance reciprocal benefits and, for eligible customers, priority check-in, Maple Leaf Lounge access, priority boarding and other benefits.
|
Flight # |
Depart |
Time |
Arrive |
Time |
|
AC8172 |
Montreal (YUL) |
13:25 |
Washington (IAD) |
15:09 |
|
AC8173 |
Washington (IAD |
15:40 |
Montreal (YUL) |
17:15 |
Air Canada flies non-stop to the most popular U.S. destinations from Montreal including New York City (LaGuardia and Newark), Chicago, Las Vegas, Orlando and Fort Lauderdale. In addition, Air Canada is the only carrier at Montreal-Trudeau to fly non-stop to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, Denver, Tampa, Fort Myers, West Palm Beach, Hartford, and Washington Reagan.
Coulson Group buys Southwest jets to make first-ever Boeing 737 firefighting tankers
A Northwest aerospace company has bought six Boeing Co. 737 passenger jets from Southwest Airlines to convert them into aerial firefighting tankers.
It appears to be the first time that Boeing’s single-aisle workhorse will be enlisted to fight wildfires from above, dumping 4,000 gallons of fire retardant chemicals at low speed and low altitude.
Coulson Group CEO Wayne Coulson says the converted Boeing 737-300 jets will dump up to 2,100 gallons per second using systems the company originally developed for its fleet of four Lockheed C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft.
They’ll also have room for 63 passengers, or enough for three strike teams of 20 firefighters each to drop at airports in fire zones.
The first of the jets is being repainted at an International Aerospace Coatings facility in Spokane. They’ll roll out next week when the deal is formally announced. Coulson said he decided to convert 737s after realizing that there wasn’t a single C-130 available anywhere in the world to buy. “So we looked at other planes and the 737-300 was a perfect fit for us,” Coulson said. “We were lucky to get them, and since Southwest was the only owner, they’re for the most part in platinum condition.”
Coulson declined to say how much his contract aerial firefighting company paid for the airplanes. “The six 737s were less than one C-130,” Coulson said, laughing before adding, “What’s expensive is getting the plane right with all the engineering work needed to modify our C-130 system for the 737.”
He said Southwest sold the jets because the Federal Aviation Administration would not allow it to fly too many 737 variants at the same time, once it takes delivery of dozens of brand-new, fuel efficient 737 Max 8 jets.
Coulson Group’s 200 staffers operate a fleet of C-130s and Sikorsky S-61 helicopters in Portland, Oregon, Port Alberni in British Columbia, and Melbourne, Australia. It operates an air tanker base in Reno, Nevada, and helps the U.S. Forest service and other countries combat wildfires during hot and dry summers.
The fleet won’t be the first Boeing aircraft converted for firefighting. Colorado-based Global Super Tanker Services flies a converted Boeing 747-400 jumbo jet that can drop nearly 20,000 gallons of fire retardant.
Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame recognizes Robert Deluce, Porter Airlines CEO
Canadas Aviation Hall of Fame recognizes Robert Deluce, Porter Airlines CEO (CNW Group/Porter Airlines Inc.)
TORONTO, June 15, 2017 /CNW/ – Porter Airlines’ president and CEO, Robert Deluce, is being formally inducted into Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame (CAHF) at a ceremony to be held in Vancouver this evening. The honour represents a continuing career that began by assisting his parents as a boy with their small hunting and fishing charter service in Northern Ontario, through to his current position at Porter. Deluce is the airline’s founding CEO, having served in the role for more than a decade.
“Bob’s dedication to establishing Porter as a distinct and sustainable alternative for travellers required a strong vision and determination,” said Don Carty, Porter’s Chairman of the Board. “I’ve known Bob for many years. He is an incredibly-skilled business person and has a unique ability to relate to people of all backgrounds and experiences. His contribution to Canada’s aviation system is immense and his induction well earned.”
Deluce has held management positions at a number of airlines over the years, including White River Air Service, norOntair, Austin Airways, Air Creebec, Air Manitoba, and Canada 3000. He is also an active pilot, accumulating more than 13,000 hours of operating time commercially and privately.
Robert joins his father, Stanley Deluce, who was inducted into the CAHF in 2007 for his own significant achievements related to establishing regional air service in numerous northern Canadian communities.
“My induction is a tremendous honour,” said Deluce. “It represents many people, places and companies that I’ve been privileged to associate with. Starting with my parents, eight siblings and countless mentors, colleagues and friends, I’m immensely grateful for the support that has been provided to me.
“The work we are currently doing at Porter is really just beginning. I’m very committed to working with our 1,500 team members as we grow the award-winning airline we’ve all worked very hard to establish.”
Porter also acknowledges the complete class of 2017 inductees: James Erroll Boyd, WWI pilot and co-founder of the Air Scouts of Canada; Daniel A. Sitnam, founder of Helijet International Inc. and Pacific Heliport Services and Rogers Eben Smith, NASA and NRC test pilot and RCAF pilot. The Royal Canadian Air Force “Golden Hawks” aerobatic team received the Belt of Orion Award for Excellence.
AirBaltic takes delivery of fifth CS300
Latvian carrier airBaltic has received its fifth Bombardier CS300, after becoming the launch customer for the larger CSeries variant in late 2016.
The fifth CS300 aircraft, registered as YL-CSE, arrived in Riga June 16, following a seven-hr. and 56-min. nonstop flight from Montreal Mirabel.
Thus far, airBaltic has completed more than 1,552 flights and flown over 3,892 block hours with its CS300 fleet.
By the end of 2019, airBaltic plans to have 20 Bombardier CS300 aircraft in its fleet.
AirBaltic will exhibit its fourth Bombardier CS300, which was delivered June 1, at the Paris Air Show. The Latvian carrier has 20 CS300 jets on firm order.
WestJet launches first intra-Quebec flight
CALGARY, June 15, 2017 /CNW/ – Today, WestJet launched its new route between Quebec City and Montreal, the airline’s first non-stop flight within the province of Quebec. WestJet will operate four flights daily connecting the two cities.
“WestJet’s introduction of our first-ever point-to-point service within Quebec brings lower fares and an elevated inflight experience to ‘la belle province’ and is the next step in our mandate to become a truly national carrier,” said Charles Duncan, President, WestJet Encore. “The communities of Montreal and Quebec City will enjoy having a choice of air carriers on this popular route, as WestJet provides another convenient option for residents who travel within the province for business and leisure. As always, we are committed to making air travel in Canada better.”
“By adding more service from Quebec City, WestJet shows its commitment toward the passengers of the Greater Quebec City area,” said Mr. Gaëtan Gagné, President and Chief Executive Officer of Aéroport de Quebec inc. “WestJet’s increased presence in the Québec-Montreal corridor will give more access to more destinations through its network and that of its airline partners. More competition in the market has a direct impact on the price of airfare, for the benefit of the travellers in our community.”
“This new flight between Montréal-Trudeau and Quebec City is another proof of WestJet’s commitment to enriching our airline network,” said Philippe Rainville, President and Chief Executive Officer of Aéroports de Montréal.
The new route is the second of three the airline announced earlier this year – bringing more choice, competition and lower fares to the Quebec market. The routes are part of a significant investment in Quebec’s travel and tourism market, with increased service and new routes to and from Montréal–Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport as well as Quebec City’s Jean Lesage International Airport. On March 15, WestJet launched twice-daily service between Montreal and Halifax. And, on October 15, WestJet will begin twice-daily service between Montreal and Boston. Overall, the airline is adding 105 more flights per week in the province, a capacity increase of 74 per cent.
The Quebec-City/Montreal route is operated by WestJet’s regional airline, WestJet Encore, on its fleet of Canadian-made Bombardier Q400s. WestJet is proud to support this iconic Canadian company based in Montreal and flies the fourth largest fleet of Q400s in the world. By mid-2018, the regional airline will have a total of 45 aircraft.
Details of WestJet’s new non-stop service:
|
Route |
Frequency |
Departing |
Arriving |
Effective |
|
Montreal – Quebec City |
Four times daily |
7:45 a.m. 12:15 p.m. 4:10 p.m. 8 p.m. |
8:40 a.m. 13:10 p.m. 17:05 p.m. 8:55 p.m. |
June 15, 2017 |
|
Quebec City – Montreal |
Four times daily |
6:15 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 2 p.m. 5:38 p.m. |
7:07 a.m. 10:22 a.m. 2:52 p.m. 6:30 p.m. |
June 15, 2017 |
CAE supports Royal Australian Air Force Diamond Thunder distributed virtual training exercise
— Simulators at bases in Williamtown, Tindal and Richmond networked for training and mission rehearsal —
Silverwater, Australia, June 13 2017 – (NYSE: CAE; TSX: CAE) – CAE recently supported the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) participation in the Diamond Thunder distributed mission training exercise, which saw the RAAF network various simulation assets across the country as part of its inaugural Air Warfare Instructor Course.
The Diamond Thunder Exercise involved the networking of F/A-18 simulators at both RAAF Base Williamtown and Tindal with the E-7A Wedgetail simulator at Williamtown and C-130J simulator at RAAF Base Richmond. The Air Warfare Centre’s Joint Air Warfare Battle Laboratory at Williamtown served as the exercise command centre to manage and coordinate the overall virtual training environment.
CAE engineering staff at Richmond supported the integration and testing of the C-130J full-flight mission simulator (FFMS) onto the Australian Defence Training and Experimentation Network (DTEN). CAE also provided an exercise planner to assist with creating and executing the virtual training and mission rehearsal scenarios, and had staff within the Australian Defence Simulation and Training Centre to assist with the provision of the networking infrastructure to support this distributed virtual training exercise.
“Diamond Thunder demonstrates the significant advances Defence has made in live-virtual-constructive (LVC) training capabilities,” said Air Commodore Richard Lennon, Commander, Air Mobility Group, RAAF. “The ability to develop, evaluate, and practice tactics in a simulated environment allows all combat elements to work better with each other and assure positive mission outcomes. Increased familiarity for the RAAF workforce with LVC training will create exciting opportunities for how we develop and train our workforce, regardless of where they are based.”
During the Diamond Thunder exercise, each of the high-fidelity simulation devices was networked and flew simultaneously in the same virtual environment. As a joint and integrated force, the F/A-18 fighters, E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) platform, and C-130J tactical transports had to address threats such as air defence systems, ground radars and surface-to-air missiles.
“There’s potential for LVC training to further advance and develop, and complement the existing training that we do,” said Wing Commander Jason Baldock, 285 Squadron, RAAF. “There are a number of applications for LVC, including pre-deployment and exercise training, which are of significant value in preparing aircrew for real-world operations.”
“Integrated LVC training systems are becoming more critical as military forces such as the RAAF look to expand the use of virtual training to cost-effectively prepare for their missions,” said Ian Bell, CAE’s Vice President and General Manager, Asia-Pacific/Middle East. “CAE brings a great deal of experience and expertise as a training systems integrator in being able to help our customers create integrated, interoperable and immersive environments for distributed mission training.”
