Category Archives: Airbus

Dubai Airshow takes off

08 Sunday Nov 2015

Posted by in A350XWB, A380, Airbus, Airlines, Aviation, Boeing, Bombardier, Business, Business Aviation, Canada, CS100, CS300, CSeries, Dreamliner, Dubai, Dubai Airshow, Embraer, News, Transport, Travel

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OpenThe focus was on partnerships rather than mega deals as Dubai 2015 opened Sunday with more than 1,100 exhibitors from around the world descending on the city to showcase their products.

Aircraft orders worth more than US$200 billion were announced at the previous show in 2013, but analysts say they don’t expect any major deals this time as airlines have ordered enough airplanes to meet their demands.

Instead, manufactures like Boeing and Airbus are expected to announce partnerships with regional aerospace companies.

The UAE Space Agency is one of the new exhibitors at the show. The government organization was created last year to regulate and support the country’s space sector.

spaceDubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who opened the airshow, also toured the space agency pavilion.

“With the addition of the UAE Space Agency to our existing exhibitor list, we have added yet another dimension to the Dubai Airshow,” said Michele van Akelijen, managing director of F&E Aerospace, the organizers of the Dubai Airshow.

Dubai 2015 has also added a dedicated 3D print pavilion, 3D Printshow Dubai.

“With (3D printing leader) Stratasys recently reported to have 3D printed more than 1,000 in-flight parts for the Airbus A350 XWB aircraft and GE already developing and testing engines with 3D printed parts, the technology is a natural fit for inclusion in the Dubai Airshow,” the organizers said.

In other show news:

Bombardier Commercial Aircraft announced that the CS100 flight test program is almost complete.

Fred“Only a few tests remain to be completed and Bombardier is on track to have the aircraft certified this year with Transport Canada,” said president Fred Cromer (right).

“We’re proud to be moving into the entry-in-service and production phase as we look to deliver the aircraft in the first half of 2016 to SWISS, a customer that has been with the program from the beginning.”

airBombardier also announced that Riga, Latvia-based airBaltic will be the launch customer of the CS300 aircraft when it takes delivery in the second half of 2016.

The Latvian flag carrier has 13 CS300 aircraft on firm order and retains options for seven CS300 aircraft.

“Bombardier’s CS300 airliners are integral to the execution of airBaltic’s business development strategy and fleet optimization plan,” said Martin Gauss, CEO of airBaltic.
airbal“The CS300 aircraft has exceeded our expectations in terms of its noise and emissions footprint, aligned with airBaltic’s low environmental impact vision, ” he added.

“Additionally, it will offer airBaltic passengers a widebody, unparalleled in-flight passenger experience, perfectly complementing our modern fleet of 12 Bombardier Q400 turboprops.”

The show runs until Thursday.

Images are courtesy of Dubai Media Office, UAE Space Agency, airBaltic and Bombardier. The CS100 photo is by Abdul Latheef.

Stars of the Dubai Airshow

06 Friday Nov 2015

Posted by in A350XWB, A380, Airbus, Airlines, Airports, Aviation, Boeing, Bombardier, Business, Business Aircraft, CSeries, Dassault Falcon, Dreamliner, Dubai, Dubai Airshow, Embraer, Gulfstream, News, Textron, Transport, Travel

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DubailogoThe 14th edition of the Dubai Airshow opens on Sunday. DAS 2015 is the biggest in the show’s history. More than 160 aircraft will be on display at the five-day show.

Featured below are some of them: The first two-class configured Emirates A380, the Sukhoi Superjet 100, the Bell 429, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the Airbus A350XWB, the Bombardier CS100, the Bombardier Global 6000, the Gulfstream E650ER, the Embraer Legacy 650, the Dassault Falcon 9000LX and the Embraer Phenom 100.

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EmbraerPhenomImages are courtesy of their respective owners. 

CS100 to make Dubai Airshow debut

04 Wednesday Nov 2015

Posted by in Airbus, Airlines, Airports, Aviation, Boeing, Bombardier, Business, Business Aircraft, Canada, CS100, CS300, CSeries, Dubai, Dubai Airshow, Embraer, Emirates Flight Training Academy, Luxury Travel, Phenom, Transport, Travel, UAE

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cs3The all-new CS100 is going to Dubai, after all.

Initially Bombardier had decided to send just the Q400 turboprop,
Learjet 75, Challenger 350 and Global 6000 to the Dubai Airshow.

Today, the Canadian aircraft maker announced that the CS100, in the livery of launch customer SWISS, will be on static display at the show.

The Bombardier lineup will also feature a CRJ900.

Fred2“Recognized worldwide as a premier venue for meeting key industry leaders, the Dubai Airshow also represents a great venue and opportunity for us to display our lineup of aircraft and provide an update on the exciting developments ongoing with C Series aircraft’s certification program,” said Fred Cromer, president of Bombardier Commercial Aircraft.

“Additionally, it’s a great opportunity to showcase the Q400 aircraft and CRJ900 aircraft’s performance capabilities, making them ideal for different types of operations in a diverse region.”

The CS100 and CS300 made their airshow debut in Paris this summer, but Bombardier was unable to win any new orders at Le Bourget.

Cost overruns, long delays and most crucially a lack of new orders have beset the CSeries program.

The CS100 can carry up to 125 people while the bigger version, the CS300, is meant for up to 160.

In all, Bombardier has won 243 firm orders for the CSeries aircraft, 180 of them for the CS300.

emMeanwhile, Emirates Flight Training Academy has signed a firm order for five Embraer Phenom 100E business jets, with options for five more aircraft. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2017.

A Phenom 100E in the Emirates Flight Training Academy’s livery will be on static display at the Dubai Airshow, which runs from Nov. 8 through Nov. 12.

The organizers say more than 160 commercial, business and military aircraft will be on display at the show.

The Phenom 100E image is courtesy of Embraer.

Boeing says Middle East market hot

04 Wednesday Nov 2015

Posted by in Airbus, Airlines, Airports, Aviation, Boeing, Bombardier, Business, Dubai, Dubai Airshow, Embraer, News, Sheikh Mohammed, Tourism, Transport, Travel, UAE

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The inaugural flight on Oct. 25, 1985.

The inaugural flight on Oct. 25, 1985.

Dubai’s Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum marked the 30th anniversary of Emirates airline last month with a bold statement.

“Our vision for Dubai is clear: we are not building the largest airports in the world. We are building the aviation capital of the world.”

He noted the airline’s humble beginning in 1985 with two leased airplanes and its exponential growth in the past three decades, becoming one of the world’s largest airlines with 240 aircraft in service and another 267 on order.

“Our vision for Emirates for the next 30 years is rooted in innovation: to reinvent aviation with new products, technologies and services.”

Today, the world’s largest manufacturer of airplanes predicted that airlines in the Middle East will need 3,180 new airplanes, valued at $730 billion, over the next 20 years.

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According to the Boeing Current Market Outlook, released ahead of next week’s Dubai Airshow, 70 per cent of that demand is expected to be driven by rapid fleet expansion in the region.

Single-aisle airplanes will command the largest share of new deliveries, with airlines in the region needing more than 1,400 aircraft, Boeing said.

Twin-aisle aircraft will account for a little under half of the region’s new airplane deliveries over the 20-year period, compared to 23 per cent globally, it added.

“Traffic growth in the Middle East continues to grow at a healthy rate and is expected to grow 6.2 per cent annually during the next 20 years,” said Randy Tinseth, vice-president at Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

There is a reason for such rapid growth.

Hub“About 80 per cent of the world’s population lives within an eight-hour flight of the Arabian Gulf.” Tinseth said.

“This geographic position, coupled with diverse business strategies and investment in infrastructure is allowing carriers in the Middle East to aggregate traffic at their hubs and offer one-stop service between many city pairs that would not otherwise enjoy such direct itineraries.”

The Dubai Airshow runs from Nov. 8 through Nov. 12.

The organizers say more than 160 commercial, business and military aircraft will be on display at the show.

Images are courtesy of Emirates and Boeing.

Global 7000 : ‘There’s no competition’

03 Tuesday Nov 2015

Posted by in Airbus, Airlines, Aviation, Boeing, Bombardier, Business, Business Aircraft, Canada, Embraer, GE Aviation, Global 7000, Global 8000, Gulfstream, Luxury Travel, Montreal, News, Toronto, Transport, Travel

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P3P1Work is progressing rapidly at a Bombardier facility in Toronto on what is being billed as the ultimate long-range business aircraft.

The super-luxury Global 7000 boasts of many firsts, among them a four-zone cabin that includes a bedroom.

Two Global 7000 flight test vehicles are being assembled on what the company calls “the most advanced production line in business aviation.”

Two additional test vehicles are in various stages of production.

Coleal, Ouellette and GE's Kathy MacKenzie in Toronto on Tuesay.

Coleal, Ouellette and GE’s Kathy MacKenzie in Toronto on Tuesay.

“With a no-compromise approach and forward-thinking technology, we are focused on bringing the game-changing Global 7000 aircraft to market,” said David Coleal, president of Bombardier Business Aircraft.

He noted that Bombardier is employing the highest-calibre technology throughout the entire manufacturing process for the Global 7000 and Global 8000 aircraft program.

“The final assembly line in Toronto features a state-of-the-art automated positioning system that moves the wing structure into place for joining with the fuselage.”

The program’s integrated aircraft ground tests are also making good progress across 15 facilities, the company said.

When the Global 7000 and 8000 program was first announced in 2010, many thought it was in response to Gulfstream’s G650. More than 100 G650s are in service now.

But Coleal doesn’t agree with that argument.

Design Manager Tim Fagan

Design Manager Tim Fagan

“The G650 is not a competitor because of the four-zone cabin,” he said Tuesday as Bombardier showcased the test vehicles to the media.

In fact, Coleal doesn’t think there is another business aircraft currently in operation or in development to compete with the Global 7000.

Powered by the next-generation General Electric engines, the Global 7000 aircraft will have a range of 7,400 NM (13,705 km) at M 0.85 with 8 passengers, and will be able to connect London to Singapore or New York City to Dubai non-stop.

The Global 8000, which is also under development, will have a longer range and feature a three-zone cabinet. It will also be powered by GE engines.

B6“We’re excited by the unprecedented precision and quality we’ve observed on the assembly of the first two flight test vehicles,” said Michel Ouellette, senior vice-president of the program.

“This further validates that Bombardier made the right choice in the technology it is employing to build the most advanced business jet on the market.”

The Global 7000 is expected to enter service in the second half of 2018.

As for customer interest, Ouellette said, “We’ve a healthy backlog of orders.”

A full-scale mock-up of the Global 7000

A full-scale mock-up of the Global 7000

All images are by Abdul Latheef

Bombardier Global 7000 in pictures

03 Tuesday Nov 2015

Posted by in Airbus, Airlines, Airports, Aviation, Boeing, Bombardier, Business, Business Aircraft, Embraer, Global 7000, Global 8000, Luxury Travel, Niki Lauda, Transport, Travel

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Images from the Global 7000 media event in Toronto on Tuesday. All photos are by Abdul Latheef.

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CSeries skips Dubai Airshow

01 Sunday Nov 2015

Posted by in Airbus, Airlines, Airports, Aviation, Boeing, Bombardier, Business, CS100, CS300, CSeries, Dubai, Dubai Airshow, News, Tourism, Transport, Travel

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CSBombardier will be showing off a few of its airplanes at next week’s Dubai Airshow, but the brand new CSeries aircraft will not be among them.

A list of aircraft that will be on display at the show released by the organizers does not include the CS100 or the CS300.

Instead, the Canadian manufacturer is sending the Q400 turboprop, Learjet 75, Challenger 350 and Global 6000 to one of the world’s premier airshows.

The CSeries aircraft made their airshow debut in Paris this summer, but Bombardier was unable to win any new orders at Le Bourget.

Cost overruns, long delays and most crucially a lack of new orders have beset the CSeries program.

300In an effort to resuscitate the CSeries, the Quebec government announced last week that it will invest US$1 billion in the program in exchange for a 49.5 per cent stake in a newly-created partnership.

“This partnership comes at a pivotal time, with the CSeries on the verge of certification,” said Alain Bellemare, president and CEO of Bombardier Inc., in announcing the deal.

“The market is there, our leadership is in place, we have the best product and with the support of the government, we are ready to make this aircraft a commercial success.”

Quebec has also asked the Canadian federal government to match its investment in the single-aisle aircraft project.

The CS100 can carry up to 125 people while the bigger version, the CS300, is meant for up to 160.

In all, Bombardier has won 243 firm orders for the CSeries aircraft, 180 of them for the CS300.

D2The Dubai Airshow runs from Nov. 8 through Nov. 12.

The organizers say more than 160 commercial, business and military aircraft will be on display at the show.

Orders worth more than US$200 billion were announced at the last show in Dubai, but analysts say no mega deals are expected this time.

Images are courtesy of Dubai Airshow and Bombardier.

Wow! Reykjavik for $99 from Canada!

01 Thursday Oct 2015

Posted by in Airbus, Airlines, Aviation, Business, Iceland, Montreal, Montreal Airport, News, Pearson Airport, Reykjavik, Toronto, Tourism, Transport, Travel, WOW air

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W6Iceland’s only low-cost airline is making an irresistible offer to Canadians travelling to Reykjavik: $99 one way from Toronto or Montreal, tax included!

For an additional $149, passengers can travel one way to several destinations in Europe, including London, Paris, Berlin, Copenhagen and Amsterdam.

WOW air made the announcement in Toronto on Thursday ahead of the launch of flights from Toronto and Montreal in May.

Service from Montreal’s Pierre Elliott Trudeau will begin May 12 and Toronto’s Pearson on May 20. The flights will be operated, using a fleet of Airbus A320 family aircraft, on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

Wow2“WOW air prides itself on offering the lowest fares possible as well as the biggest smile and the friendliest service,” said Skuli Mogensen (right), owner and CEO.

“I’m thrilled to now announce our new routes to Canada, especially as I lived in Montreal for nearly a decade and also because the Icelandic people feel a special affinity for Canada.”

The airline said its entry into the Canadian market was expected to create an estimated 100 jobs.

Launched in November 2011, WOW air flies from Reykjavik to 20 destinations in Europe and the United States.

Its expansion into the Canadian market follows the launch of transatlantic services from Boston and Washington, D.C., in early 2015, the airline said.

Wow5“We have just had our best summer ever and, with these new routes launching in May 2016, next summer is another chance to break records,” said Mogensen.

“These great Canadian cities will become our newest destinations but I look forward to announcing even more in the not-too-distant future!”

All images are courtesy of WOW air.

CS100: ‘The quietest in its class’

10 Thursday Sep 2015

Posted by in Airbus, Airlines, Aviation, Boeing, Bombardier, Business, Canada, CS100, CS300, CSeries, EASA, Embraer, Environment, FAA, ICAO, News, Toronto, Tourism, Transport, Travel, TSB

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CS1
The message was loud and clear as the all-new Bombardier CS100 made its Toronto debut Thursday: It’s the quietest aircraft in its class.

The company told a gathering of government officials and airline executives that the “aircraft’s noise performance and its outstanding short-field capability make it ideal for city centre operations.”

The CS100 is the smaller version in the CSeries and is on course for certification later this year.
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The aircraft that debuted in Toronto was in the colours of launch customer SWISS, or Swiss International Air Lines, and is expected to make the first commercial flight before the middle of next year.

The CS100 can carry up to 125 people while the bigger version, the CS300, is meant for up to 160.

It is not the first time Bombardier is stressing the efficiency of the aircraft. Just before this year’s Paris Air Show, the company declared that the performance of the CSeries was “better than advertised.”

“We announced previously that the CSeries aircraft are exceeding their original targets for fuel burn, payload, range and airfield performance,” said Rob Dewar, vice-president of the program.

“Now we are delighted that the CS100 aircraft’s noise performance tests have confirmed it as the quietest in-production commercial jet in its class.”

The company said the first production CS100 will soon start function and reliability testing, signalling the start of the final flight testing phase.

Fred2“For these tests, the aircraft will operate on a commercial airline type of schedule from key airports in North America.”

In all, Bombardier has won 243 firm orders for the CSeries aircraft, 180 of them for the CS300.

No new orders were announced Thursday but Fred Cromer (above), president of Bombardier Commercial Aircraft, was very optimistic.

“The momentum continues to grow,” he said.

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All images are by the author.

Boeing sees no turbulence in China

25 Tuesday Aug 2015

Posted by in Airbus, Aircraft, Airlines, Aviation, Beijing, Boeing, Business, China, China Current Market Outlook, News, Single-Aisle, Transport, Travel, Wide-body

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b2Even as China struggles with the slowest pace of economic growth in years, Boeing is forecasting that the country’s aircraft fleet will almost triple by 2034.

In its annual China Current Market Outlook released in Beijing on Tuesday, the American aircraft manufacturer projected a demand for 6,330 new airplanes worth $950 billion over the next 20 years.

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“Despite the current volatility in China’s financial market, we see strong growth in the country’s aviation sector over the long term,” said Randy Tinseth, vice-president of marketing at Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

“Over the next 20 years, China’s commercial airplane fleet will nearly triple: from 2,570 airplanes in 2014 to 7,210 airplanes in 2034.”

B1Boeing projected that the main growth would be in the single-aisle airplane (left) sector with a demand for 4,630 aircraft while the widebody (below) segment will require 1,510 new airplanes.

Boeing also noted that Chinese airlines have more than doubled their long-haul international capacity over the past three years.

B2“Enabled by China’s growing middle-class population, new visa policies and the underlying strength of its economic growth, this expansion is expected to continue, and in fact accelerate,” Tinseth said.

Images are courtesy of Boeing.

ATR tests ‘green’ airplane

08 Wednesday Jul 2015

Posted by in Airbus, Aircraft, Alenia Aermacchi, ATR, Aviation, Clean Sky, Environment, Europe, European Union, Transport, Travel

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atrAn ATR “green” aircraft has made its first flight as part of Europe’s Clean Sky initiative.

The Clean Sky Green Regional Aircraft Flying Demonstrator took off from Toulouse, France, at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday and returned two hours later.

ATR said the purpose was to test new and more effective composite insulating materials and sensors integrated into a panel of the airplane’s forward fuselage section.

The flight also tested new generation of optical fibres for improved identification of micro-cracks, the company added.

“The objective of such advanced technologies is to reduce the aircraft weight, fuel consumption, emissions and noise level.”

ATR has been part of the project financed by the aeronautical industry and by the European Union since its launch in 2008. The aim is to reduce emissions and noise pollution by half by 2020 from 2000 levels.

Clean“Today’s successful flight shows the real progress accomplished in introducing large pieces of innovative materials in regional aircraft,” said Eric Dautriat, executive director of Clean Sky.

“The outcome opens the door to further improvement to the environmentally friendly planes people expect.”

ATR2A second flight, planned for later this year, will check out improvements to the electrical distribution, energy dispersal and the air conditioning systems.

ATR is jointly owned by Airbus Group and Alenia Aermacchi of Europe. It has sold more than 1,500 aircraft to 190 airlines.

Images are courtesy of ATR and Clean Sky.

Vietnam Airlines gets its first A350 XWB

30 Tuesday Jun 2015

Posted by in AerCap, Airbus, Airbus A350XWB, Aircraft, Aviation, Boeing, Business, Dreamliner, News, Paris Air Show, Tourism, Transport, Travel, Vietnam, Vietnam Airlines

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VietVietnam Airlines has been in the news a lot in the past few weeks – all for good reasons.

The airline’s brand new Boeing 787 Dreamliner was one of the main attractions at this month’s Paris Air Show.

Today, the Vietnamese flag carrier has received its first Airbus A350 XWB (above) through a lease agreement with AerCap.

It will become the second airline in the world to operate the aircraft after Qatar Airways.

Viet2The A350-900 will be first used on a domestic route and then for regular non-stop service between Hanoi and Paris.

The aircraft is configured with a three-class layout, with 29 seats in Business Class, 45 in Premium Economy and 231 in Economy, Airbus said.

The airline already operates 59 Airbus aircraft — 49 A321s and 10 A330s. The new aircraft is one of the 14 A350s it has ordered.

“The arrival of the A350 XWB marks the start of a major upgrade of our long-haul fleet,” said Trinh Ngoc Thanh, executive vice-president of Vietnam Airlines.

“Combining the latest technologies, a wider cabin and the highest levels of comfort, the A350 XWB will enable us to fly our passengers in style whichever class of travel they choose.”

Viet4In all, Vietnam Airlines has 90 aircraft and flies to more than 50 cities, including 21 international destinations.

Airbus has received 781 firm orders for the A350 XWB from 40 customers worldwide.

Images are courtesy of Airbus.

Airbus big winner at Paris Air Show

18 Thursday Jun 2015

Posted by in Airbus, Aircraft, Aviation, Boeing, Bombardier, Business, CS300, CSeries, Le Bourget, News, Paris Air Show, Transport, Travel, Wizz Air

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AirbusAirbus has won firm orders for 124 aircraft worth more than $16 billion at the Paris Air Show, the European manufacturer announced in Le Bourget, France, on Thursday.

In addition, the company has also received commitments for 297 airplanes worth another $41 billion.

WizzThe final tally included a commitment by the Hungarian budget carrier Wizz Air to buy 110 Airbus A321neo (new engine option) aircraft.

“Our latest forecast for 32,600 planes in the next 20 years is being proved correct,” said Airbus CEO John Leahy.

“The orders and commitments at this year’s Paris Air Show demonstrate three things; Asia is powering the growth, we are leading in single-aisle and widebody and our A321neo is the aircraft of choice in the middle of the market.”

The Budapest-based Wizz Air is the largest low-cost carrier serving Eastern and Central Europe and operates an all-Airbus fleet.

“Thanks to our rapidly growing A320 fleet, we’ve become one of Europe’s leading carriers,” said Jozsef Varadi, CEO of Wizz Air.

b2Boeing, meanwhile, won orders and commitments for 331 aircraft worth just over $50 billion. That included a firm order from AerCap for 100 737 MAX 8s, valued at $10.7 billion, announced on the second day of the week-long show.

“Boeing is focused on execution and remains on track to deliver between 750 and 755 airplanes in 2015, a new industry record,” the American manufacturer said Thursday.

“Upcoming commercial development program milestones scheduled before the end of this year include factory rollout of the 737 MAX and firm configuration of the 777X.”

Canadian aircraft maker Bombardier, which debuted its brand new CS300 at the show, did not win any new orders for the single-aisle aircraft.

Images are courtesy of Airbus and Boeing.

Airbus unveils new flight-tracking platform

17 Wednesday Jun 2015

Posted by in Airbus, AirFlight, Airlines, Aviation, Business, Flight Tracking, Flightradar24, Flights, Le Bourget, News, Paris, Paris Air Show, Transport

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TrackingAirbus is launching a new flight-tracking platform called AirFlight, relying on data mainly from Flightradar24, a leading provider of real-time flight tracking.

The platform will be handled by Airbus ProSky, the air traffic management subsidiary of the European aircraft manufacturer.

The project was announced on Wednesday, the third day of the Paris Air Show in Le Bourget, France.

“Knowing precisely where aircraft are – and where and when they will be anywhere – brings major benefits to the entire aviation community,” said Sebastien Borel, Airbus ProSky general manager.

He said AirFlight would tackle three major items: provide flight tracking as required by the authorities, optimize airlines operations with statistical data on fuel, holding, and airport taxi situations, and provide a base for reliable information on airport demand and arrival time.

Following the disappearance of the Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, the International Civil Aviation Organization has recommended the adoption of a new aircraft tracking standard from 2016.

Tracking image is courtesy of Airbus.

Airbus begins work on new heavy-lift helicopter

16 Tuesday Jun 2015

Posted by in Airbus, Airbus Helicopters, Aircraft, Aviation, Business, Concept Aircraft, Le Bourget, News, Paris, Paris Air Show, Transport, Travel, X6

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H2Airbus has announced plans for a new heavy-lift helicopter at the Paris Air Show.

With a concept phase of two years, the X6 (above) will be tailored for the civilian market, the European manufacturer said.

It will initially target oil and gas missions and will also be perfectly suited for search and rescue, VIP and other applications, it said.

“Major marketing, architecture and design choices for the twin-engine aircraft will be assessed to meet customer operational requirements during the concept phase,” Airbus said.

H3“It will set new standards in the industry not only for design, but for its production strategy as well, as we will rely on the industrial capacities of our core countries, including the upcoming pillar in Poland,” said Guillaume Faury, president and CEO of Airbus Helicopters.

“Our objective is to bring to the market the most efficient helicopter solutions adapted for how our customers’ needs and the industry itself will evolve in the future.”

One of the major innovations to be integrated on the X6 is the fly-by-wire flight control system, the company said.

“Once adequate program maturity has been achieved in the concept phase, a subsequent development phase will follow, leading to an X6 entry into service anticipated in the 2020s,” the company said.

Image is courtesy of Airbus.