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  • SIA-CAE pilot training joint venture in Singapore to commence operations

    Singapore, July 18, 2018

    Singapore Airlines (SIA) and CAE (NYSE: CAE; TSX: CAE) announced today that they will launch operations of their new Singapore CAE Flight Training Pte. Ltd. (SCFT) joint venture for pilot training in Singapore next month. SIA and CAE have concluded the establishment of the joint venture company and all regulatory approvals have been obtained. Plans for the joint venture were announced in August last year, when a Memorandum of Understanding was signed.

    CAEIncLogoThe joint venture will provide simulator and classroom training with an initial focus on Boeing aircraft types, supporting SIA Group airlines and other operators’ pilot training needs in the region. The equally-owned joint venture will operate out of the Singapore Airlines Training Centre (STC) located near Changi Airport.

    SIA will transfer four of its full-flight Boeing aircraft simulators to the venture, while additional new CAE-built training equipment including the Boeing 737 MAX and 787 aircraft type full-flight simulators and flight training devices will be deployed by June 2019. The training facility will provide a full range of initial type rating and recurrent training programmes for Boeing 737 MAX, 747, 777 and 787 aircraft types.

    “The establishment of Singapore CAE Flight Training brings together the expertise of both SIA and CAE to cater to increasing demand for trained pilots worldwide fuelled by the industry’s strong growth. The joint venture will support the SIA Group’s fleet and network expansion plans, as well as our strategy to develop new revenue-generation opportunities through adjacent businesses. It will also continue to further enhance Singapore’s position as a leading aviation hub,” said Singapore Airlines CEO, Mr Goh Choon Phong.

    “CAE is very proud to officially begin our training joint venture operations with our partner of more than 40 years. Together, Singapore Airlines and CAE will deliver world-class pilot training to Singapore Airlines and to other airlines in the region, supporting the fast-growing training needs of operators in Asia-Pacific. We are committed to offering the most innovative and best training experiences to our airline partners and we look forward to continuing to shape the future of training in partnership with Singapore Airlines,” said CAE’s President and CEO, Mr Marc Parent.

  • Uganda National Airlines Company Limited Signs Firm Order for Four Bombardier CRJ900 Aircraft

    First operator of the new CRJ Series ATMOSPHÈRE cabin in Africa

    July 18, 2018 – Montréal, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft
    Bombardier Commercial Aircraft announced today that it has signed a firm order for four new CRJ900 regional jets with Uganda National Airlines Company.

    Based on the list price for the CRJ900 aircraft, the firm order is valued at approximately US$190 million.

    “We congratulate the Government of Uganda for the revival of its national flag carrier, and are thrilled that the new airline has selected Bombardier and the CRJ900 regional jets for its upcoming debut,” said Jean-Paul Boutibou, Vice President, Sales, Middle-East and Africa, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “Recognized for its superior economics and efficiency, the CRJ Series aircraft have enabled airlines worldwide to serve communities with better connectivity, and we look forward to supporting the development of Uganda’s regional air travel with these CRJ900 regional jets.”

    Uganda Airlines will operate the CRJ900 in dual-class configuration with 76 seats, including 12 first class seats.

    “We are delighted to have ordered the world’s leading regional jet, and we look forward to providing the most modern passenger experience in regional aviation to the people of Uganda and across Africa,” said Ephraim Bagenda, CEO, Uganda National Airlines. “As we were establishing Entebbe as a strong hub in East Africa and building more connectivity in Africa, we thoroughly reviewed our needs. With its proven track record in Africa and other regions of the world, we are confident that the CRJ900 aircraft will help us succeed.”

    Today, 21 operators are flying 58 CRJ Series in Africa. Including the order announced today, Bombardier has recorded firm orders for 1957 CRJ Series regional jets.

    About the ATMOSPHÈRE Cabin

    The new ATMOSPHÈRE cabin sets new standards of passenger experience in the regional jet market segment. Key features of the new interior are comprised of larger passenger living space, wheel-first roller bag capability, more spacious lavatory, increased cabin connectivity options, all integrated in a contemporary design and material choices. In fact, the ATMOSPHÈRE cabin design allows passengers to carry and store an “oversized” roller bag within the aircraft cabin bins which minimizes the need to check bags at the counter or the gate. To learn more: DiscoverAtmosphere.com

  • Bombardier’s CRJ Series now certified to operate at up to ISA+40°C

    July 17, 2018 Montréal – Bombardier Commercial Aircraft, Press Release

    Bombardier Commercial Aircraft announced today that its CRJ700 and CRJ900 Aircraft are now certified to operate at a higher temperature. The CRJ Series obtained a new International Standard Atmosphere certification (ISA + 40 degrees Celsius) from Transport Canada (TC) and the Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) in May 2018.

    “Our CRJ Series now have another distinctive advantage over competing regional jets,” said Patrick Baudis, Vice President, Marketing, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “This shows our strong commitment to meet the ever changing needs of the industry.”

    The certification process required studying the effect on engines, auxiliary power unit, environmental control system, Firex system, avionics, landing gears, flight control, hydraulics and electrical systems and aircraft performance.

    The ISA+40°C certification upgrade on the CRJ aircraft is available as an optional feature, both for new production and retrofit. American Airlines is the first operator to take advantage of this upgrade.

  • JetBlue orders 60 A220-300s (Bombardier CS300) to replace E190s

    By Sean Broderick, sean.broderick@aviationweek.com

    resized-P1120908
    Photo: Air Transport World correspondent Kurt Hofmann

    JetBlue Airways, providing an early boost to the newly rebranded Airbus A220 line and delivering a notable blow to Embraer, has placed an order for 60 A220-300s—previously known as Bombardier CS300s—and earmarked them as E190 replacements. Delivers are planned to start in 2020.

    The deal, the first announced under the new Airbus-Bombardier partnership that took over the CSeries, includes options for 60 more aircraft, which would begin arriving in 2025. JetBlue also has options to swap smaller A220-100s (previously CS100s) for the larger -300 models.

    The Airbus A320-family operator also rearranged its orderbook for its larger narrowbodies, converting 25 A320neos to A321neos and modifying the delivery schedule. JetBlue plans to take 13 A321neos in 2019, followed by 15, 16, 15, 14, and 12 each year through 2024.

    Taken together, the A220 order plus the swap of A320neos for larger A321neos means that JetBlue’s average aircraft capacity will grow in the coming years. While it has not specified a configuration for its A220-300s, they will have at least 20% more seats than the carrier’s 100-seat E190s.

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  • Bombardier confirms the closing of the C Series transaction

    bombardier-airbus-cseries
    July 1, 2018 Montréal – Bombardier Inc., Press Release

    The closing of the previously announced C Series transaction between Airbus SAS, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Airbus SE (EPA: AIR), Bombardier Inc. (TSX: BBD.B) and Investissement Québec came into effect on July 1, 2018. Airbus now owns a 50.01% majority stake in C Series Aircraft Limited Partnership (CSALP), while Bombardier and Investissement Québec (acting as mandatory for the government of Québec) own approximately 34% and 16% respectively. CSALP’s head office, primary assembly line and related functions are based in Mirabel, Québec.

    Furthermore, as previously announced, Bombardier has issued today in the name of Airbus SAS warrants exercisable for a total number of 100,000,000 Class B shares (subordinate voting) in the capital of Bombardier, exercisable for a period of five years at an exercise price per share equal to $1.74 US, being the U.S. dollar equivalent of $2.29 Cdn on June 29, 2018.

  • Changes to Air Transat’s fleet – Carrier signs agreement to lease seven new Airbus A321neos

    livree2012_2MONTREAL, June 27, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ – Air Transat, wholly-owned business unit of Transat A.T. Inc., has signed an agreement with AerCap for the long-term lease of seven new Airbus aircraft: two A321neos and five A321neo LRs (long-range). These next-generation, single-aisle jets, which will be delivered gradually between 2020 and 2022, will notably replace wide-body A330s whose leases will expire during this period.

    “We are continuing our fleet transformation in order to achieve greater efficiency and versatility,” said Jean-François Lemay, President of Air Transat. “With their smaller size, the A321neos will enable us to implement our air strategy, which involves increasing our flight frequencies, expanding our network and strengthening our position in several markets. The goal: continue to provide our customers with comfortable service at the best possible price.”

    With 199 seats in a two-class configuration, the A321neo will be used for feeder flights and service to the South (short- and medium-haul) while the long-range version (A321neo LR) will be deployed for Sun and transatlantic destinations (medium- and long-haul). These aircraft will be added to the 10 new A321neo LRs, on lease from AerCap, announced in July 2017, which will gradually be introduced to Air Transat’s fleet starting in spring 2019.

    While this type of aircraft has been selected to optimize the fleet, its fuel efficiency will also keep cost per seat as low as possible, while reducing its carbon footprint. Additionally, because of the cockpit commonality of the A330 and A320 (including the A321), Air Transat’s pilots will be able to fly both types of aircraft, which will result in greater operating flexibility and savings, including on training costs.

    Air Transat’s fleet currently consists of 33 permanent aircraft in a unique flexible-fleet model that allows it to deploy more wide-body aircraft in summer for the high transatlantic season, and narrow-body aircraft in winter for the high Sun destinations season. By 2024, it will have an all-Airbus fleet.

  • Delta and Bombardier execute purchase agreement for 20 CRJ900 replacement

    Delta has entered into an agreement with Bombardier to purchase 20 CRJ900 aircraft that will replace older regional jet aircraft flown by Delta Connection operators.

    screen-shot-2018-06-20-at-7-35-21-amThe operationally efficient jets are to be delivered beginning in late 2018 with the last delivery to occur in 2020. They will feature Bombardier’s new Atmosphère Cabin, including increased carry-on bag capacity, a larger lavatory and improved aesthetic detail throughout the cabin.

    These aircraft will be configured with 70 total seats including 12 in First Class, 20 in Delta Comfort+ and 38 in the main cabin. They will fly on small market routes to and from Delta’s domestic hubs.

  • Air Transat prepping for A321LRs by rapidly expanding in Europe

    livree2012_2.jpg

    Air Transat executives are describing the company’s rapid European summer expansion as part of a long-term strategy to remain competitive in transatlantic markets.

    The airline will dump 15% more seats into Europe this summer – and do so with widebody aircraft that executives concede are not ideal for the job.

    But starting next year, Transat will begin defending newly-acquired turf with an expanding fleet of efficient Airbus A321LRs.

    “Our first goal [is] to increase frequencies so that we are able to protect our market share,” Annick Guerard, chief operating officer of Air Transat parent Transat AT, says on 14 June. “We need to take our place in those markets that we see are highly profitable.”

    The 15% capacity gains will be carried on existing routes by A330s and A310s.

    “Do we have the exact right aircraft to operate these routes? The answer is no,” Guerard says during the company’s fiscal second quarter earnings call. “We preferred to have smaller models like the A321 long-range, which is coming up in our fleet.”

    The first of those aircraft – Transat has orders for 10 – will arrive in spring 2019. Transat will use A321LRs to replace A310s on transatlantic routes, it has said.

    Guerard says Air Transat seeks to gain more share on routes to Portugal, French destinations besides Paris, as well as the UK.

    “It needs to be done this year, as we see competition growing,” Guerard says. “If we don’t do it, others will.”

    She does not name competitors, but next year WestJet will start acquiring the first of ten Boeing 787-9s, an aircraft that the airline has said it will likely deploy to Europe.

    Transat’s European growth reflects broader industry expansion.

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  • Air Canada Rouge Inaugurates Montreal-Bucharest Flights

    rouge-boeing-767-300-coastal-5.jpgOnly North American Airline to Operate flights to Romania

    MONTREAL, June 8, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ – The arrival of Air Canada flight 1928 at Bucharest’s Henri Coandă International Airport marks the launch of twice weekly Air Canada Rouge seasonal service to Bucharest, Romania. Flights will be operated with Air Canada Rouge Boeing 767-300ER aircraft featuring Premium Rouge and Economy class service and are timed to optimize connectivity from across Air Canada’s network through Air Canada’s Montreal hub.

    “As the only North American airline flying to Romania, the largest European market without trans-Atlantic flights, we are extremely proud to launch our first Montreal-Bucharest flight, strengthening even further Air Canada’s presence in Southeastern Europe,” said Benjamin Smith, President, Passenger Airlines at Air Canada. “Air Canada’s on-going commitment to grow Montreal as an important hub in our global network provides customers greater choice, as well as the ability to conveniently connect onward through our extensive North American and International network.”

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  • Air Canada Inaugurates Two New International Dreamliner Routes From Vancouver

    Air Canada B787-9VANCOUVER, June 7, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ – Air Canada today launched the first of two new international Boeing 787 Dreamliner routes to Europe with a celebration prior to the departure of the carrier’s inaugural flight from Vancouver to Zurich.  Tomorrow, the airline will launch non-stop flights to Paris, marking five non-stop European routes from Air Canada’s YVR hub.

    “We are delighted to launch new non-stop flights from Vancouver to Zurich and to Paris, both onboard our state-of-the-art Boeing 787 Dreamliners. The strategic addition of these seasonal international flights further strengthens our YVR hub which combined with our extensive North American network, provides excellent options for travelers from BC and the North American west coast to Europe, and as well as for European visitors and beyond to western Canada and the Pacific Northwest,” said Benjamin Smith, President, Passenger Airlines at Air Canada.

    “These new flights are great news for travelers and for tourism,” said Lisa Beare, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture. “As more Europeans choose to vacation in British Columbia, I’m pleased to see Air Canada creating options to meet that demand. Having more direct flights makes traveling to our beautiful province easier for people. This means more visits to B.C. and more jobs for British Columbians.”

    Air Canada’s Boeing 787 Dreamliners feature three cabins of service with enhanced definition individual on-demand personal entertainment offering a wide range of movies, short films, TV programs and audio selections at every seat throughout the aircraft.

    All flights provide for Aeroplan accumulation and redemption, and for eligible customers, priority services and access to Air Canada’s Maple Leaf Lounges.

    Flight #

    Routing

    Departs

    Arrives

    AC802

    Vancouver-Zurich

    01:00 p.m.

    Tue/Thur/Sat

    7:55 a.m. (+1 day)

    AC803

    Zurich-Vancouver

    10:05 a.m.

    Wed/Fri/Sun

    10:25 a.m.

    AC806

    Vancouver-Paris

    12:45 p.m.

    Mon/Wed/Fri/Sun

    07:40 a.m. (+1 day)

    AC807

    Paris-Vancouver

    09:25 a.m.

    Mon/Tue/Thur/Sat

    10:20 a.m.

    From its YVR hub this summer, Air Canada offers up to 1,293 flights each week non-stop to eight destinations in Asia, three destinations in Australia, five destinations in Europe, 16 destinations in the USA, 22 destinations in Canada and two destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean.