FLUG REVUE update: Week ending February 16, 2003

UPDATE
Week ending February 16, 2003

+++ First results of Shuttle investigation +++ IRIS-T approved in Germany +++ Third Zeppelin NT flies +++ Offshore Logistics order 15 Sikorsky S-76s +++ Munich airport results +++ Bombardier delivers first CRJ900 +++ ESA and Russia cooperate +++ EADS 2002 revenues in line with forecast +++ News in brief +++

First results of Shuttle investigation
Erste Ergebnisse der Unfalluntersuchungen

On 13 February, the Space Shuttle Columbia accident investigation board released its first results. It said preliminary analysis by a NASA working group indicates the temperature indications seen in Columbia's left wheel well during entry would require the presence of plasma. Plasma is a super heated gas surrounding the orbiter during re-entry. The CAIB said heat transfer through the structure, as from a missing tile, would not be sufficient to cause the temperature indications seen in the last minutes of flight. Additional analysis is under way, looking at various scenarios in which a breach of some type could occur, allowing plasma into the wheel well area or elsewhere in the wing. Other flight data, including landing gear position indicators and drag information, indicate it is unlikely the left landing gear was deployed early, the CAIB said.
The search continues in the western United States for debris from Columbia. As of early Thursday, no debris found farther west than Granbury, Texas, about 40 miles southwest of Fort Worth, had been confirmed as Shuttle-related. The first two trucks containing debris from Columbia arrived at Kennedy Space Center (KSC), Fla. Wednesday morning. The Civil Air Patrol is expanding operations west of Fort Worth, and negotiations are under way to bring in a blimp to help search in the area from Fort Worth east to Palestine, Texas. The Navy is taking control of water operations, with dive teams and equipment arriving today. Searches will focus first on the Toledo Bend Reservoir and then turn to other lakes in the affected area.
On Wednesday, U.S. space officials released an e-mail from a space agency engineer who had warned of the possibility of catastrophic consequences two days before the Columbia disaster on February 1. The engineer warned that damage to insulating tiles could allow enough heat into the shuttle's wheel well to cause the spacecraft's tires to explode, and blow the doors of the wheel well off their hinges.
Meanwhile, NASA Administrator Sean O´Keefe said before Congress. "This was indeed a tragic day for the NASA family, for the families of the astronauts who flew on STS-107, and likewise is tragic for the Nation. A Space Shuttle contingency had been declared in Mission Control, Houston, as a result of the loss of communication with the Space Shuttle Columbia at approximately 9 a.m. EST Saturday as it descended toward a landing at the Kennedy Space Center, Fla. It was scheduled to touchdown at 9:16 a.m. EST. Communication and tracking of the shuttle was lost at 9 a.m. EST at an altitude of about 203,000 feet in the area above north central Texas. The shuttle was traveling approximately 12,500 miles per hour (Mach 18).”

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IRIS-T approved in Germany
Parlamentsausschüsse billigen IRIS-T

After the positive resolution of the defence committee of the German federal Parliament of 29 January 2003, the budget committee on 30 January 2003 approved Germany's participation in the procurement of the European IRIS-T (Infra Red Imaging System Tail Thrust Vector-Controlled) air-to-air guided missile in co-operation with Greece, Italy, Norway, Sweden and Spain. The development of this missile took place under German leadership. Germany takes over also for the quantity production the tasks of the pilot nation.
With IRIS-T, the Eurofighter and other combat aircraft will receive beginning in 2005 a modern and effective weapon to engage aerial targets at short distances within visual range. IRIS-T, an air-to-air guided missile of the new generation, replaces the US Sidewinder missile and substantially increases the mission effectiveness and survivability of combat aircraft. Germany plans to procure 1,250 IRIS-T guided missiles for the combat aircraft of the air force and navy, and its total financing obligations are valued at 540 millions euros. The Bodensee Geraetetechnik (BGT) company will take a leading world-wide position in the field of infra-red seeking missiles. Their efficiency is impressively demonstrated with the IRIS-T project in co-operation with our European partners. The program will secure over 180 highly-qualified jobs in Germany within key technological areas.

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Third Zeppelin NT flies
Erstflug des dritten Zeppelin NT

On 9 February, the third Zeppelin NT took off from Friedrichshafen airport, at 2 p.m. D-LZZF conducted a 90 minute flight over Lake Constance. “This is a further milestone but also a challenge, said CEO Dr. Bernhard Sträter. “We now can operate from two locations with our series airships”. Test pilots for the flight were Dominique Marniére and Fritz Günther, with test engineer Klaus Strasser. It took 15 months to assemble the new Zeppelin NT, which started its engine ground runs on January 20. Unfavourable weather delayed the first flight several times. Now a thourough flight test programme will lead to German LBA certification. Later, the Zeppelin NT, which has better comfort and one more seat, will be used for sightseeing flights under the aegis of Deutsche Zeppelin Reederei.

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Offshore Logistics order 15 Sikorsky S-76s
Großauftrag für S-76

Offshore Logistics, the world's largest provider of offshore oil helicopter transportation services, signed an order for 15 Sikorsky S-76C+ helicopters to be delivered over the next five years, with options for an additional 24 helicopters within the same timeframe. The contract represents one of the largest S-76 orders from a single customer in the company's history. The agreement perpetuates a decades-old relationship between Sikorsky and Offshore Logistics, whose subsidiaries and affiliates include Air Logistics and Bristow Helicopters. Currently operating 43 S-76 and 21 S-61 aircraft, OLOG achieves 265,000 flight hours annually with a diverse fleet of helicopters. The first three new S-76C+ deliveries, and more than half of the firm orders, will refresh the existing Air Logistics S-76 fleet aircraft in the Gulf of Mexico. The balance of the order will support Air Logistics, Bristow, and other OLOG affiliates worldwide.
“We selected the Sikorsky S-76C+ as a major component of our fleet renewal program because of its dependable track record and performance that provides 30 to 40 percent more productivity over the original S-76 model,” said Dru Milke, President-Air Logistics. “We look forward to another 20 years of safe, dependable service from these new aircraft.”

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Munich airport results
Zufriedenstellende Ergebnisse für Flughafen München

Munich Airport handled approximately 23.2 million passengers in 2002. With this result, the annual total was just 2 percent short of the prior year's level despite the turbulent economic situation and the aftereffects of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Munich even set a new record with the number of take-offs and landings recorded in 2002. The nearly 331,000 commercial aircraft movements represented a 2.8 percent gain over the previous year. With this increase, Munich Airport posted the strongest growth rate in this category among Europe's 10 busiest passenger airports.
The great majority of airlines operating in Munich did not respond to declining passenger demand by discontinuing routes or reducing numbers of flights. Instead, they adapted their seating capacity to the new demand situation by deploying smaller aircraft while either maintaining their existing routes or actually increasing flights and destinations. "With this performance in the crisis year 2002, Munich Airport has—once and for all—proven its mettle as a leading international air traffic hub," concluded Dr. Michael Kerkloh, Munich Airport's CEO, at the company's annual press conference today. “In the final analysis,” continued Kerkloh, “This has actually boosted Munich Airport's hub structure, a development reflected in the increase in the quota of transferring passengers from 29 percent to a new high of 31 percent.”
Munich also set a new record in the freight sector in 2002. The total tonnage of airfreight flown jumped 17 percent to 144,000 tons. Including the freight moved by truck and transferred as airfreight at Munich Airport, the total tonnage loaded was actually about 245,000 tons.
A key component in the airport's future development is the new Terminal 2, jointly planned, built and operated by Munich Airport and Lufthansa, and set to open this coming June 29th. Europe's fastest and most modern transfer terminal offers Lufthansa and its partners optimal conditions to continue expanding hub traffic in Munich. As airlines and passengers move to the new facility, the vacated space in Terminal 1 presents an opportunity for airport and airlines to establish clear product differentiation. A precisely targeted restructuring of the terminal and redefinition of spaces will enable Munich Airport to offer airlines remaining in Terminal 1 tailor-made facilities to match their specific needs. By shifting hub operations to Terminal 2 while focusing on classical arrival and departure traffic in Terminal 1, Munich Airport will gain, in the words of CEO Dr. Michael Kerkloh, “an entirely new quality and profile as an airport". He adds, “As of this summer, Munich Airport, with its two modern terminals, will offer an infrastructure to meet all needs, and will be able to measure up to any of its rivals among Europe's top air transport hubs.”
The airport's financial results for 2002 reflect the difficult economic conditions. Although preliminary figures show total revenues at the previous year's level of approximately Euro 571 million, the total profits of approximately €14 million fell short of the 2001 results. Despite this decline in profits in 2002, Munich Airport was able to completely eliminate the last of the losses carried forward from its early operating years. For the first time since it opened, the airport will disburse funds to its shareholders. The three partners—the Free State of Bavaria, the Federal Republic of Germany and the City of Munich—will receive interest payments from shareholder loans equal to Euro 7.5 million.

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Bombardier delivers first CRJ900
Erster CRJ900 ausgeliefert

Bombardier Aerospace announced delivery of the first Bombardier CRJ900 to Phoenix, Arizona-based Mesa Air Group, launch customer for the new 90-seat class regional jet. Mesa will be the first airline to operate all three variants of Bombardier's industry-leading family of regional jets, the 50-seat CRJ200, 70-seat CRJ700 and 86-seat CRJ900. Mesa offers two-class seating in its Bombardier CRJ700 and Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft, with 64 and 80 seats respectively. Mesa recently revised its CRJ firm orders by converting five Bombardier CRJ700 to five Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft. The airline now has firm orders for 15 Bombardier CRJ700 aircraft, of which seven have been delivered, and firm orders for 25 Bombardier CRJ900 Series. It also holds options on an additional 20 of each variant. In addition to its Bombardier CRJ700, Mesa also currently operates 32 Bombardier CRJ200 aircraft. The Bombardier CRJ900 will be flown by Mesa under the America West Express banner.
“The introduction of the Bombardier CRJ700 in our America West Express system has had a very positive impact, leading to significant increases in both the number of passengers and load factors,” said Jonathan Ornstein, chairman and CEO of Mesa Air Group. “The Bombardier CRJ900 is the next step in our regional jet growth strategy with its very low operating cost per seat and the resulting improvement in financial performance.” Mr. Ornstein also noted that passengers have remarked on the roominess and comfort of the cabin in the Bombardier CRJ700 which features two-class service with a three abreast first class section. The redesign of the cabin from the CRJ200 has made the CRJ700 passenger cabin even better, and the Bombardier CRJ900 also reflects these improvements.

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ESA and Russia cooperate
Zusammenarbeit Russland - ESA

At ESA Headquarters the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Mr Igor Sergeevich Ivanov, and the Director General of the European Space Agency, Mr Antonio Rodotà, signed the Agreement between ESA and the Government of the Russian Federation on Cooperation and Partnership in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space for Peaceful Purposes. This Agreement succeeds the Agreement concluded in 1990 between ESA and the Government of the USSR and reflects the geopolitical developments that have taken place over the past decade, setting the scene for enhanced cooperation and genuine partnership between ESA and Russia. The Russian Government has designated the Russian Aviation and Space Agency, Rosaviakosmos, as the organisation competent for implementation of the Agreement.
ESA and Rosaviakosmos are already engaged in fruitful cooperation in a variety of fields, such as human spaceflight, microgravity research, Earth observation, satellite navigation and space science. The Agreement signed today will open new opportunities for cooperation in areas such as launchers, with emphasis on future launcher technologies and operation of the Russian Soyuz vehicle from Kourou (French Guiana), and robotic and human planetary exploration. "This cooperation is a tangible building block for a strategic partnership between Europe and Russia", said Mr Rodotà at the signing ceremony, "we are ready to continue and reinforce our long-standing cooperation with Russia for the benefit of both parties".

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EADS 2002 revenues in line with forecast
Ergebnisse der EADS entsprechen Erwartungen

EADS achieved its revenues target for 2002 thanks to successful management of challenging market conditions. The company recorded revenues of EUR 29.9 billion (2001: EUR 30.8 billion), in line with its forecast for 2002. At EUR 31.0 billion, order intake remained above revenues, indicating sustained demand for its commercial and defence products despite the currently difficult environment for commercial aircraft.
EADS confirmed that it has surpassed its 2002 EBIT target (Earnings before interest and taxes, pre goodwill amortisation and exceptionals) of EUR 1.4 billion by a slight margin. The main contributions came from the Airbus and Aeronautics Divisions. The Defence and Civil Systems Division achieved its turnaround and exceeded its break-even target. The Space Division recorded a substantial loss, as previously announced. The Military Transport Aircraft Division was impacted by an already reported one time charge. EADS will release detailed financial statements on the day of its Annual Press Conference in Munich on March 10, 2003.
The EADS CEOs, Philippe Camus and Rainer Hertrich, said: “2002 was a difficult year, but EADS met or exceeded all its financial targets. Our figures are a persuasive proof of our successful efforts at EADS to ensure the resilience of most of our businesses. With further restructuring and cost cutting already under way, we are totally committed to sustaining healthy margins.” Net Cash at the end of 2002 is better than originally anticipated, at more than EUR 1 billion, thanks to the disciplined containment of customer financing exposure, to active cash management and to the lower value of US-Dollar denominated liabilities.
Order intake at EUR 31.0 billion remained above revenues, despite a soft market for commercial aircraft and the delay in the final order for the A400M military transport aircraft, now expected for Spring 2003. Airbus recorded net orders for 233 aircraft, compared to 274 net orders in 2001. The 2002 figure reflects order cancellations and includes the win of the Easyjet deal for 120 firm aircraft orders. The order intake amounted to EUR 19.7 billion, compared to EUR 50.3 billion in 2001, when contracts over 85 “big-ticket” A380 aircraft were signed. The Airbus order book was maintained above 1,500 aircraft. The Space Division strongly increased its order intake through the military launcher business and the Amazonas telecom satellite contract with Spain. Orders at the Defence and Civil Systems Division grew strongly thanks to the successes in missiles (Meteor and Taurus programmes) and Defence Electronics.

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NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN

On Jan. 31, 2003, ICGS completed negotiations with Agusta Aerospace Corporation, Philadelphia, Pa., a subsidiary of Agusta SpA, to bring the HITRON lease contract, previously held between the Coast Guard and Agusta Aerospace Corporation, under the scope of the U.S. Coast Guard's Deepwater program. This contract covers a one-year lease term, for a value approaching $12 million, renewable for up to four additional years. The contract covers the current eight helicopters, with an option to add up to two (2) additional aircraft, at the direction of the Coast Guard. The HITRON force was established in 2000, when the Coast Guard awarded a contract to Agusta Aerospace for eight MH-68A helicopters, dedicated versions of the twin-engine A109 powered aircraft used primarily to interdict fast- moving boats carrying illegal narcotics. These helicopters usually deploy from Coast Guard cutters.
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Northrop Grumman Integrated Systems sector continued its successful flight testing of the U.S. Navy RQ-8A Fire Scout vertical takeoff and landing tactical unmanned system in January with the first flights of the second engineering and manufacturing development air vehicle (E-2); the first flight fully operated with the U.S. Navy S-280 ground control station, and a three-hour flight to demonstrate ship-landing approach profiles and wave-off maneuvers. All tests were conducted at the Webster Field annex of Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md. During the flight operated by the Navy ground control station, the tactical control datalink was used to uplink payload command and control and to downlink imagery. The ARC-210 datalink was used for air vehicle command and control. This test was the first time both datalinks were used for uplink command and control, demonstrating the versatility and robustness of the system's datalink suite.
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Sikorsky Aircraft has selected and launched the first elements of an S-76 model upgrade, designed to provide even higher levels of performance and reliability for the company's flagship commercial aircraft. The improvements are targeted for delivery in 2005. The new S-76 aircraft will include Turbomeca Arriel 2S2 engines, boasting six percent more power than the current Arriel 2S1 engine and offering a dual channel digital engine control. The 2S2 will combine improved hot-high performance with a simpler and more reliable control system. Sikorsky and Turbomeca signed the formal agreement to develop and certify the Arriel 2S2 for the S-76 in November 2002. Additional features for the S-76 model upgrade include the S-76 Quiet Tail Rotor, new proprietary quiet gearbox technology and rotor de-ice capability, which is derived from the system designed for the recently-certified Sikorsky S-92. All model upgrade improvements will retrofit the S-76C+, and some elements will be available to the S-76B and S-76A versions.
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Rolls-Royce announced that it has been contracted by Eurocopter to support a multi-operator fleet of Model 250-powered BO 105 light turbine twin helicopters through a Fleet Hour Agreement (FHA) support package. The five-year engine support agreement covers approximately 75 Model 250-C20B engines powering Eurocopter BO 105 CBS helicopters. These include 22 aircraft of the Bundesgrenzschutz (BGS), or German Border Police, plus 11 aircraft operated by the German air rescue organization DRF (Deutsche Rettungsflugwacht). All of these aircraft are equipped as air ambulances, representing approximately 30 percent of the German air rescue helicopter fleet. A number of BO 105 CBS training aircraft owned by Eurocopter are also covered by the FHA contract.
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At the Heli Expo 2003, Turbomeca revealed its latest development in terms of support and product news. Turbomeca reminds that, on a worldwide level, approximately one out of every two parapublic and civilian helicopters flies with its engines. Latest developments in the organisation of Turbomeca operator support: to ensure to be always close at hand to react more quickly and reduce waiting time, Turbomeca has made additional resources available in order to make this a meaningful reality in the field: Implementation of our MORE Initiative.MORE is a contraction of "more responsive" and that is what we intend to be. The best way to improve responsiveness is to have people and technical resources as close to operators as possible. So the MORE Initiative is, in large part, an effort to add staff in the field and distribute facilities, rental units and other resources near concentrations of operators.
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Rolls-Royce released its annual ten-year forecast of worldwide turbine helicopter deliveries. The forecast, which was presented at Heli-Expo 2003 by Alex Youngs, the company's Director for Business Development - Helicopters, projects worldwide deliveries of turbine-powered helicopters and rotary-wing UAVs in all size classes, both civil and military, from 2003 until the end of year 2012. For the second year in a row, Rolls-Royce has teamed-up with industry forecasting specialist the Teal Group to provide what both companies believe is the definitive turbine helicopter market forecast. This partnership allows the companies to pool their respective analytical tools, forecasting databases and industry surveys, thereby creating the most accurate survey available. During the 2003-2012 period, some 10,407 turbine helicopter deliveries are forecast worldwide. This is a 5 percent increase over last year's forecast, attributable to the onset of major military acquisition programs over the period, together with a shallower near-term downturn associated with the current economic downturn. On a unit basis, the split between civil and military sales is 50:50, although on a value basis, the split is 22:78. Civil helicopter deliveries are projected to total 5,161 units during the next ten years, a 7 percent increase over last year's forecast. This change is again associated with a forecast improvement in general economic conditions over the period, together with an injection of activity provided by paramilitary sales. Turbine singles (59 percent of deliveries) and light twins (22 percent) will dominate the market. Deliveries are expected to grow slowly over the period from a low of 497 units (compared to 480 in 2002) to a peak of 533 at the end of the period. Our forecast projects a total of 5,246 military helicopter deliveries and major engine-related upgrades during 2003 - 2012, which is a 4 percent increase from last year's forecast. This increase reflects the onset of the long-awaited re-equipment phase of the market and the eventual entry into service of rotary wing unmanned air vehicles (UAVs), offset by cutbacks in a number of big ticket programs. Approximately 47 percent of all unit deliveries will be multi-engine heavy rotorcraft, primarily troop transports and maritime patrol helicopters, with 24 percent being intermediate twins (chiefly light attack helicopters and tactical transports). The new military rotorcraft shipment forecast indicates a 33 percent increase in military deliveries over the next five years, with demand levelling-off thereafter. The number of major engine-related upgrade programs is expected to triple over the period as key recapitalization efforts commence. Program delays, budgetary constraints and changes in some governments' leadership have historically affected the approval and delivery schedules, and there still remains what is considered to be a 'bow wave' effect in the military rotorcraft procurement profile. The problematic nature of this effect to long-term forecasting is readily exemplified by recent delays and volume reductions associated with such programs as the RAH-66 Comanche and Eurocopter Tiger.
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Partnering with a Chinese helicopter company has put Enstrom Helicopter Corporation in an excellent position to capitalize on the burgeoning civil helicopter market in China, according to President Steven P. Daniels. Wuhan Helicopter Industry Corp. (WHIC) will begin manufacturing helicopter components under license to Enstrom by the third quarter of this year, and within five years will be building and selling Enstrom helicopters under license in China, Daniels said. WHIC is based in Wuhan in the People's Republic of China. Enstrom originally signed a letter of agreement with WHIC in 1993. That agreement was followed by a co-production agreement in 1998, about the same time WHIC began commercial operations.
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AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica and GKN company, is pleased to announce that Agusta Aerospace Corporation, the US subsidiary of AgustaWestland, has been selected to provide the elite New York City Police Department's Aviation Unit with four A119 Koalas. The NYPD helicopters will be equipped with state of the art high tech special police equipment. The A119 Koala is the most capable, versatile, highest performing single engine helicopter in the world. The A119 is powered by a Pratt & Whitney PT6-B37 turboshaft engine rated at 1,002 shaft horsepower. The ability to change the interior configuration provides exceptional versatility to support the law enforcement role. The versatility of the Koala provides the NYPD a highly effective, multi-mission capable helicopter. The Koala's will be equipped for patrol, VIP transport, 1 litter/2 attendant EMS missions, tactical insertion and extraction.
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Officials for Integrated Coast Guard Systems (ICGS) have announced that the Bell Eagle Eye has been selected for the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (VUAV) portion of the U.S. Coast Guard's Integrated Deepwater System contract. The Coast Guard's Integrated Deepwater System is a critical multi-year program to modernize and replace aging ships and aircraft, and improve command and control and logistics systems. Bell Helicopter is a subcontractor to Lockheed Martin Naval Electronics & Surveillance Systems, who is a major contractor to ICGS. Under this award, Bell Helicopter is scheduled to begin delivering the Bell Eagle Eye aircraft with a First Unit Equipped (FUE) date of 2006. The total anticipated contract is valued at over $1 billion over the life of the program. “We are both pleased and proud to be selected for this program” said John Murphey, Chairman & CEO of Bell Helicopter. He went on to add, “In today's world protection of the U.S. shores has gained in focus and importance. To have the opportunity to contribute to the U.S. Coast Guard's ability to perform homeland defense, Search and Rescue (SAR) and other deepwater missions is an honor.”
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Robinson Helicopter Company announced that it has taken deposits for more than 90 helicopters so far this year, exceeding expectations and projecting a strong year for the company. The new R44 Raven II is credited for the early 2003 surge in sales. Equipped with a Lycoming IO-540 Fuel Injected, Angle-valve, Tuned Induction engine, the Raven II has received a total of 124 orders, including two ENG Newscopters, since June 2002. More than 40 Raven II helicopters have been delivered since receiving final FAA certification in November 2002. Brad Moses, a commercial insurance broker in Virginia Beach, Virginia, took delivery of his helicopter in November and uses it to fly customers between jobsites along the East Coast. “I've owned R22s, R44 Astros, and a Raven, and this helicopter surpasses them all,” Moses says. “It flies much smoother, runs cooler, is quieter, and has a great deal more power. Our biggest concern was potential hot starts and over speeds associated with fuel-injected engines, but the Raven II has been designed in such a way that these are not even an issue.
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Bell Helicopter Textron aircraft deliveries for 2002 saw decline in the total number of aircraft sold over 2001. World financial market pressures as well as an exhaustive extended testing program for military products combined to reduce deliveries to 155 ships. After a major reorganization and manufacturing process improvements 2003 looks to be a better year all around. Current confirmed sales combined with milestone attainment in military programs should result in increased deliveries next year
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The Bell/Agusta 609, jointly developed by Bell Helicopter, a Textron company and by Agusta, an AgustaWestland company, has completed its ground run and taxi testing in preparation for first flight planned for mid-April 2003. Ground runs for the world's first commercially available tiltrotor started December 6, 2002, and were conducted at Bell's Flight Research Center, Arlington, Texas. “The ground run and taxi testing program went very well,” said BA609 Program Executive Director Jack Gallagher, adding, “We have accomplished 100% of the planned test conditions in 32 hours of rotor turn time over five weeks of testing” “The 609, for a new developmental aircraft has done better than any other aircraft---helicopter or tiltrotor---than I've ever seen,” declared Bell/Agusta 609 Project Pilot Roy Hopkins. Hopkins, the world's most experienced tiltrotor pilot with 1,000 pilot in command hours on XV-15 and V-22 aircraft added, “the 609 was virtually trouble free and that's a tribute to the superb engineering and manufacturing team that built this aircraft.” During the ground run engine and systems testing the BA609 was tethered to a ramp specially constructed for tiltrotor aircraft. Taxi testing was conducted on the main runway of Arlington Municipal Airport, home of Bell's Flight Research Center. “The BA609 has very good ground handling capabilities,” Hopkins said, adding, “The aircraft tracked very well down the runway both during acceleration and deceleration.”
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A difficult year is now history for MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI), which joined other manufacturers in reporting a decline in 2002 deliveries. MDHI delivered 15 helicopters in 2002, according to Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Henk Schaeken, who is leading the MDHI contingent this week at the company's fifth Heli-Expo in Dallas. The 2002 delivery total included five MD 500E four MD Explorer four MD 520N and two MD 600N helicopters. “In terms of deliveries, it was a disappointing year,” Schaeken said. “But we can't change the past, so we learn and move forward.” Schaeken said MDHI expects to deliver 44 aircraft in 2003 and already has 35 firm orders on the books. Last year's deliveries were negatively impacted due to delays in delivering 13 MD Explorers to two major customers, the Dutch National Police (eight MD Explorers) and the German State Police (five MD Explorers). In addition, the delivery of 10 MD 600Ns to the Turkish National Police was delayed due to ongoing export financing issues. The first Dutch and German MD Explorers were finished the first week of February, with both programs to be completed by year-end. The Turkish National Police MD 600Ns also are slated for delivery before year-end.
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Turbomeca is pleased to announce that the first flight of the Cheetah (Lama) prototype helicopter, which is manufactured by HAL (Hindustan Aeronautic Limited) and is now powered by the TM 333 2M2 engine, passed off successfully on February 1 2003 in Bangalore, India. The Cheetah, fitted with its new Turbomeca engine, performed 4 successful flights: 2 on the first day and 2 on the following day. The Cheetah is currently powered by Turbomeca's Artouste engine. A minimum of 150 aircraft used by the Indian Armed Forces, could now be re-engined with the TM 333 2M2. The next stage in the re-engining project is to demonstrate the performance at altitude of a helicopter fitted with the TM 333 2M2. The two-fold objective of this new engining is to improve the Cheetah's performance at altitude and to increase its payload above 5 000 metres.
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Robinson Helicopter Company has announced a new warranty for all new R22 and R44 helicopters, which covers both parts and labor. The cost for removal and reinstallation of defective parts replaced under the previous Robinson Limited Aircraft Warranty was not covered. The new warranty is effective for claims processed after 1 Feb 03 and will cover both parts and labor for two years or 1,000 hours, whichever occurs first. However, the labor warranty applies only to labor performed by the Dealership that sold and delivered the new aircraft to its original owner. The provision will encourage buyers to purchase their new aircraft from a qualified dealer in their local area, and will give the Dealer an incentive to provide the best after-sale support for the aircraft.
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Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) together with Israel Aircraft Industries Ltd. (IAI) will present at the 2003 Aero India exhibition the HAL Advanced Light Helicopter (“DHRUV”) demonstrator, equipped with IAI's Integrated Avionics Package for helicopters. The multi-role multi-mission helicopter together with the Advanced Modular Avionics System will take part in the air show and will demonstrate its capabilities both as an advanced helicopter for any mission, civil or military, and as an advanced avionics package that includes Glass Cockpit, Observation and targeting system and EW suite. This demonstrator for the export version of the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) will fly during the air show and will take potential customers for a demo flight, in order to get first hand experience in the helicopter and its systems.
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Offshore personnel in Statoil will enjoy safer and more comfortable helicopter flights after the group has become one of the world's first oil companies to adopt the Sikorsky S-92. Two of these machines will come into service for Statoil on 1 January 2005 at Bergen's Flesland heliport under a renewed five-year contract worth NOK 630 million with Norsk Helikopter . The introduction of the S-92 forms part of the group's commitment to greater safety, and is in line with an official Norwegian government report on safer offshore helicopters.
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MTU Aero Engines and General Electric Company, acting through its GE Aircraft Engines division (GEAE), have signed an agreement, which assigns to MTU a 10 percent interest in the GP7000 engine program. Under the terms of the agreement, MTU will develop and manufacture the turbine center frame and manufacture high-pressure turbine components, including a disk, seals, nozzle vanes and rotor blades. The turbine center frame will be assembled at the Ludwigsfelde site. The GP7000 engine is being jointly developed and produced by the GE-P&W Engine Alliance, a joint company of GE and Pratt & Whitney. A contractually binding GP7000 agreement between Germany`s leading engine manufacturer and Pratt & Whitney is already in place. It assigns MTU a 12.5 percent program stake in the full engine and includes the complete development of the low pressure turbine and the manufacture of a large part of that turbine. The module will be assembled at Ludwigsfelde, as well. Taken together, the GE and P&W work shares assure MTU a 22.5 percent participation in the GP7000 program. This makes the Munich-based company the third-largest partner in the program, behind the two U.S. manufacturers. The engine will enter testing in February next year and power the Airbus A380 mega-transport beginning in the fall of 2006. The GP7000 has been selected for approximately 50 percent of the A380 aircraft ordered to date.
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Boeing and the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command have signed the first Low Rate Initial Production contract valued at about $140 million including options for remanufacturing seven CH-47 Chinooks to the new CH-47F and MH-47G Special Operations configurations. The contract covers the first production lot of a modernization program that will include at least 300 Chinooks over the next 13 years. Boeing Integrated Defense Systems will manage the program at the Rotorcraft Enterprise Capability Center in suburban Philadelphia. Work on the first aircraft begins this month, with the first CH-47F delivery scheduled for Sept. 2004. The remaining six aircraft in the first lot will be converted to MH-47G Special Operations Chinooks and delivered in 2004 and 2005.
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NASA scientists have discovered how an intricate martian network of streams, rivers and lakes may have carried water across Mars.Using new three-dimensional data from the Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft and a powerful state-of-the-art computer code that 'models' overland water flow, scientists visualized the complex flow of martian water. These data, acquired by the laser altimeter on board the spacecraft, provided highly accurate, three-dimensional topographic views of Mars. "We've known for some time that Mars contains lakebed and stream-like surface features, and that many of these stream features run into depressions, then end abruptly," said Marc G. Kramer, a visiting National Research Council scientist at NASA Ames Research Center in California's Silicon Valley. Kramer is principal author of a peer-reviewed news article about the study that recently appeared in EOS, a weekly American Geophysical Union publication. "A new aspect of this study shows how these two features link to one another as a single, integrated water network that may have existed on Mars at some time in the past," he said.
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Northrop Grumman Corporation's Defensive Systems Division has successfully flight demonstrated its LITENING Extended Range (ER) precision targeting system with a U.S. Navy F/A-18D aircraft at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station in Lexington Park, Md. Working with a Navy test team, and RAFAEL Missile Division, Northrop Grumman modified the LITENING ER targeting system's interface to be compatible with existing aircraft interfaces. These changes were first tested in the F/A-18 system integration lab at the Naval Air Warfare Center in China Lake, Calif., followed by on-aircraft ground checks at the Patuxent River NAS facility prior to the actual flight demonstration.
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The U.S. Navy awarded Boeing a contract for a second phase of the Component Advanced Development, or CAD, of the Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft, or MMA, program. The contract is valued at $20.5 million. "The MMA program is vital to our national defense and an integral part of the Navy's war fighting and transformational strategy for the 21st century," said Jack Zerr, program manager for multi-mission aircraft programs at Boeing Integrated Defense Systems. "We have a talented, dedicated and hard-working team that will meet and surpass the Navy's CAD requirements for this program." Boeing received a contract for CAD Phase I in September 2002. During Phase I, Boeing validated air vehicle performance and developed and analyzed mission system parameters, including surveillance, intelligence and reconnaissance capabilities.
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Astrium has been selected, following an international competition, by Telesat to build the ANIK F1R satellite. Planned to enter into service mid 2005, ANIK F1R will provide fixed satellite communications services in C and Ku-bands over a large zone covering North America from the 107.3°degree West Longitude orbit location. Astrium, as prime contractor for ANIK F1R, will design and build the satellite and supply both the payload and the platform. Canadian industry will supply a significant part of the spacecraft equipment and technology. The satellite will provide a full range of fixed satellite communications services that include telephony, business communications, Internet-based services and television transmission and is equipped with 24 transponders in C-band and 32 transponders in Ku-band. The spacecraft will have a launch mass of 4 tons, a solar array span of 35 metres once deployed in orbit, and spacecraft power of 10 kW at end of life. The satellite, operating in geostationary orbit, will provide commercial services for a minimum of 15 years. ANIK F1R is based on the E3000 version of the Eurostar family, already ordered by four major satellite operators. Thirty-three Eurostar spacecrafts have been ordered to date, of which twenty-two have already been launched and have proven highly reliable in operational service.
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Boeing and Cargolux Airlines International announced that they have completed an order for one new Boeing 747-400 Freighter to help accommodate increased freight traffic in several international markets. The new cargo airplane, which will join 12 other 747-400 Freighters in the fleet of the Luxembourg-based freight carrier, is scheduled for delivery in the second quarter of 2004. The new airplane will be powered by Rolls-Royce RB211 engines. Cargolux is a reputed air cargo transportation company that operates a fleet of 747-400 Freighters and works in combination with trucking services to move valuable and time-sensitive commodities to more than 90 destinations around the world.
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The Board of Directors of Arianespace met on Friday, January 31, 2003 in Evry, France. They noted the conclusions of the Inquiry Board established after Flight 157 and the actions that will lead to improving the overall efficiency of the Ariane system. The Board of Directors then approved Arianespace's decision to order more Ariane 5 "Generic" launch vehicles, in addition to those now in production. This will enable the company to meet market requirements and continue to give customers reliable, proven launch services. With this decision, Arianespace will be able to ensure the continuity of its launch services.
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The German Federal Armed Forces signed an agreement today with armed forces of the Netherlands for the lease and deployment of 46 Patriot missiles. The missiles have already been placed at the Netherlands' disposal. These Patriot missiles are the most modern in service with the German Federal Armed Forces. They are particularly suited to anti-missile defense. The Netherlands' Patriot batteries are suitable for the mounting and launching of the German missiles. Responding to an earlier request from the Turkish government, the Dutch government intends to deploy Patriot missile batteries in Turkey.
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Fleet pilots at Patuxent River began getting their first crack at the Corps' newest attack and utility helicopters, the AH-1Z SuperCobra and the UH-1Y Huey, in the first operational test for the H-1 Upgrades Program. The test flights will be comprised of five sorties for each aircraft and will represent tactical missions to be flown by the aircraft once they reach the Fleet, according to Maj. Harry Hewson, PMA-276 deputy program manager for Operations. Conducting the operational tests will be 25 enlisted Marines and four officers, all of whom are assigned to the H-1 Operational Test Team and fall under the operational control of VX-9 at China Lake, Calif.
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The Lockheed Martin-led F/A-22 Raptor air dominance fighter flight-test program has for the first time successfully demonstrated between two Raptors the capabilities of the Intraflight Datalink (IFDL), a key component of the Raptor's avionics suite that is designed to enhance a pilot's situational awareness. This achievement moves the F/A-22 closer to being prepared to support the timely start and successful execution of the program's critically important Dedicated Initial Operational Test & Evaluation (DIOT&E) phase. During the almost four-hour flight from the Air Force Flight Test Center (AFFTC) at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., two F/A-22s -- Raptors 4005 and 4006 -- demonstrated the basic functionality of the IFDL, which can broadcast and receive both voice transmissions and data.
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Jordan has signed a contract with EADS CASA for US 45 million dollars for the purchase of two C-295 military transport aircraft that will be delivered throughout 2003, enlarging thereby the transport capacity of its Air Force. The C-295 aircraft is the most modern military transport aircraft belonging to the family of transport aircraft manufactured by EADS CASA. Other aircraft belonging to this family are the C-212 and CN-235, of which there are more than 700 flying all over the world.
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Russia has launched an unmanned cargo ship on a flight to the International Space Station (ISS), one day after the U.S. Space Shuttle Columbia broke-up on re-entry, leaving no survivors. Russia's Progress cargo ship will deliver fuel, equipment, food and packages for the crew of three one Russian and two Americans who are aboard the orbiting international space station. The long-planned cargo launch occurs as shocked Russian space officials offer their condolences to their American counterparts. The Russians have also offered any interim assistance the United States may need. NASA had planned to expand the international space station during five shuttle flights this year. But after Saturday's disaster, those plans have been put on hold until officials learn what caused the Columbia to break up over Texas. Russian space officials say they are ready to pick up the slack by sending crews and shipments to the station aboard Russian spacecraft. But it is no secret that Russia's space program is underfinanced and overburdened by aging equipment. Also, U.S. shuttles can carry far greater payloads than Russian Progress supply ships.
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Two industrial consortia have been selected for the next stage of the multi-million pound Watchkeeper (UAV) programme, which will provide surveillance and reconnaissance on the future battlefield. The New Chapter of the Strategic Defence Review, published last year, highlighted the key part that UAVs will play in contributing to network enabled capability, in order to improve our ability to find, identify and act decisively against the enemy. UAVs will be linked with 'strike' systems, including artillery, army attack helicopters or ground attack aircraft. Teams led by Thales UK and Northrop Grumman ISS International have been selected to carry forward parallel assessment phase work before the selection next year of the preferred bidder for the £800m Watchkeeper programme.
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At a ceremony in Budapest the negotiating parties-FMV (The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration) and ASIB (Acquisition and Security Investment Bureau) within the Hungarian Department of Defence signed an amendment to the lease contract from 2001. With this lease and purchase agreement, consisting of twelve (12) single seat and two (2) twin seat Gripen aircraft, Hungary has secured a thirty-year solution for its Air Force. The agreement will benefit Hungary substantially, combining an outstanding product with the best combination of price, financing and long term industrial cooperation. By choosing Gripen, Hungary will be the first NATO member state to operate a fourth generation, high performance, multi-role combat aircraft to fulfill its national, NATO and European defense needs. The aircraft is a fully NATO interoperable solution and meets the Hungarian requirements in a highly cost effective manner. Gripen will provide Hungary with one of the most advanced and operationally versatile combat aircraft currently in operational service. Gripen provides high performance, outstanding maneuverability, fully integrated information management and capability to use armament for all operational scenarios. The result is a modern combat aircraft with high levels of effectiveness in a wide range of roles, high reliability, training efficiency and low operating costs.
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STN ATLAS Elektronik GmbH has just been awarded a major contract to supply important systems for the new Airbus A380. The Bremen, Germany-based electronics specialist will be responsible for supplying the electronic controls for the cargo loading system of Europe's new giant jet. The contract for the order has already been signed. STN ATLAS Elektronik, a unit of the Düsseldorf-based Rheinmetall Group, expects the order to generate sales well in excess of US$ 100 million.
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Air Tahiti Nui has taken delivery of two firmly ordered A340-300s, as part of a fleet modernisation and expansion that will see it operate four of them. The aircraft will join the A340s already in service with Air Tahiti Nui on flights to Japan and the US West coast, as well as on one-stop flights to Europe and regional routes to New Zealand.
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The European Commission initiated the investigation procedure into additional rescue aid to insolvent aircraft manufacturer Fairchild Dornier GmbH (Dornier). Following the Commission's approval of a rescue guarantee until 20 September 2002, Germany notified a new rescue package for Dornier. The Commission has decided to investigate the new package to verify whether State aid is involved, and if this is the case, to see whether this aid can be justified. Dornier is a German manufacturer of regional aircraft. It has been insolvent since March 2002. Dornier is based in Oberpfaffenhofen-Wessling, in the German State of Bavaria, where, prior to insolvency, it employed 3,600 people. On 19 June 2002, the Commission approved a 50% loan guarantee granted by the Federal Government and the Land of Bavaria for a loan of $90 million (around Euro 85 million). A consortium of banks provide the loan. The guarantee which constituted State aid - was nevertheless approved as rescue aid for a period of three months. This was, according to Germany, the time needed to find a financial investor for the company. However, on 6 August 2002, Germany informed the Commission that the company had not yet found a financial investor and requested a prolongation of the guarantee for three additional months. At the same time Germany informed that 65% of the costs of a redundancy scheme in favor of half of Dornier's workforce were being financed through grants from the Federal Agency for Employment (Bundesanstalt für Arbeit). In total, these grants amounted to Euro 19.2 million.
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His Majesty Shaikh Hamed Isa Al Khalifa has announced that the Bahrain Defence Force has contracted with BAE Systems for the supply of Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer aircraft, together with the necessary synthetics and simulators to provide a complete solution to an indigenous flying school in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The contract is constituted under a Government-Government Memorandum of Understanding, which underpins the close relations between the two nations, and particularly between the Royal Bahrain Air Force and the Royal Air Force. It forms part of a four-phase approach to flying training comprising pilot selection, basic flying training, synthetics and simulation and, ultimately, Hawk Advanced Flying Training.
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The Austrian Airlines Group has made extensive proactive preparations in the face of possible conflict in the Middle East. The Group's ability to withstand the economic pressures of war has been substantially bolstered by the real progress achieved to date as part of the turnaround programme. A clear fall in demand has been gaining in strength since the beginning of this year, a trend reflected in relatively low prebookings for the first quarter. As a result of this, the forecast results for 2003 (EBIT of EUR 120 million, net profit of EUR 45 million) will not be achievable. Since it is impossible to make a reliable estimate of the duration and economic consequences of a war in Iraq at present, a hedged new forecast cannot yet be provided. The prospective financial results for 2002 of approximately EUR 40 million (EBIT) will not be affected by this development. The new turnaround programme successfully introduced last year will be secured with a further package of measures. “If war should break out in Iraq, our crisis planning is founded upon strategies designed to guarantee the safety of our passengers and our employees, and the minimisation of any negative commercial consequences for the Group,” stated Chief Executive Officer Vagn Soerensen today, defining the conceptual basis of the preparations he and his team had completed. Turning to the subject of how such measures would be implemented, he emphasised the following: “Regrettably - like the majority of other national carriers - we have wide experience of dealing with geopolitical and economic crisis scenarios. If a conflict should develop in Iraq, and depending upon the nature of the particular situation, the Austrian Airlines Group will put its crisis management plans into action as rapidly and as consistently as was the case following the events of September 11, 2001.
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The German travel magazine „Business Traveller“ awarded SWISS the Business Traveller Award as the best airline serving Norh and South America, at a ceremony in Frankfurt. SWISS is naturally delighted with the exceptional assessment which it received from the magazine's readers. Business travellers particularly enjoy flying with the Swiss airline to North and South America. This was deduced from a survey of the readers of the „Business Traveller“. Magazine.
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Boeing announced that the successful 12-hour mission of the first micro-satellite, known as XSS-10, proves that an autonomous space system can operate near other orbiting space objects. XSS-10 was one of two payloads launched on Jan. 29 on a Delta II rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. Work on this first micro-satellite began in 1997 when Boeing was awarded the contract under a project funded by the Air Force Research Laboratory. Boeing's Space and Intelligence Systems and Rocketdyne Propulsion and Power, both business units of Boeing Integrated Defense Systems, designed, developed and built this 31-kilogram (68-pound) spacecraft that is the first in the XSS series of experimental satellite systems.
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Germania and Fokker Services have signed an agreement for all "return to service work" to be carried out on the 17 ex-USAirways Fokker 100 aircraft which the German airline has acquired in December 2002. Fokker Services will carry out an extensive maintenance and reconfiguration package to a tight schedule during 2003. This project will mean a turnover of approximately Euro 17 million. A Total Care Program for the in-operation support is under discussion. On 6 February 2003, Fokker Services launched the Future100 program, aimed at re-marketing the Fokker 100s which are currently available for lease or sale. With airline operators looking to rationalize costs, the economic arguments for adding Fokker 100s to a fleet or keeping these in service for a prolonged period are very strong. Erik Goedhart, Vice President Marketing & Sales Fokker Services said: "Acquisition costs are low and operational costs are very competitive with comparable aircraft".
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Lockheed Martin's Small Diameter Bomb (SDB) team successfully completed several significant tests during the program's Component Advanced Development (CAD) phase, becoming "first to fly" during tests in December, January and February. Small Diameter Bomb is a precision-guided, miniature munition that will enable U.S. Air Force fighters and bombers to attack more targets with fewer planes. Lockheed Martin is engaged in a two-year competitive program to develop the design for the bomb and carriage system. Lockheed Martin's SDB program leverages expertise gained from its Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) and Wind Corrected Munitions Dispenser (WCMD) programs.
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Northrop Grumman Corporation's Integrated Systems sector has been awarded a $302.9 million fixed-price-incentive-fee contract modification by the U.S. Air Force's Aeronautical Systems Center to provide for the second low-rate initial production lot of the Global Hawk unmanned reconnaissance system. The contract includes delivery of four Global Hawk air vehicles, three integrated sensor suites, two electro-optical infrared sensors and one launch and recovery element for the Air Force as well as two air vehicles, two integrated sensor suites, two launch and recovery elements and one mission control element for a planned 2005 maritime demonstration by the U.S. Navy.
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Northrop Grumman Corporation's Integrated Systems sector has been awarded a $112 million modification to an existing contract for the U.S. Air Force multi-platform radar technology insertion program (MP-RTIP) to design and develop the airborne ground surveillance/cruise missile defense radar for the multi-sensor command and control aircraft (MC2A). The MC2A is the Air Force's next-generation wide area surveillance platform designed to provide a near real-time, horizontally integrated view of the air and surface battlespace through the use of advanced sensors such as the MP-RTIP radar. MC2A will be a key enabler of the national military anti-access strategy and will become a critical component of the joint cruise missile defense architecture.
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HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd.) of India and Snecma group of France have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a joint venture in the field of aircraft and helicopter engines. The purpose of the future joint venture is to become a Centre of excellence in the manufacturing of key components and equipment dedicated to aeronautic engines. Subject to the terms and conditions of the MoU, HAL and Snecma group will evaluate the scope, feasibility and viability of establishing this joint venture company, through which they would collaborate in the manufacturing of engines and their parts, both for HAL and the Snecma group companies such as Snecma Moteurs and Turbomeca. The collaboration could include assembly and test of engines and manufacturing of sub-assemblies and parts for Indian and worldwide markets.
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The EADS Executive Committee has appointed Senior Executives in top management positions. With effect from 01 February 2003, the former EADS General Secretary, Pierre-Henri Ricaud (47), was appointed Head of Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) within the EADS Headquarters. Since 01 February 2003, Laurence Dors (46) is the new EADS General Secretary. From 01 March 2003, Christian Pechmann (45), currently Head of Planning and Control at Airbus, will become Head of Controlling at EADS.
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Bombardier Aerospace announced that the Ministry of Defence of Croatia has signed a contract for the purchase of a fourth Bombardier 415 amphibious aircraft and has taken delivery of the aircraft. The contract also contains an option for an additional aircraft. The order brings the Croatian fleet to four Bombardier 415s. Since the first delivery in 1994, Bombardier Aerospace has sold 57 Bombardier 415 aircraft, which have been delivered to firefighting agencies in Italy, France, Greece, Québec, Ontario and Croatia. There are over 70 Bombardier CL-215, the predecessor to the Bombardier 415 and the world's first aircraft specifically developed to fight forest fires, still in operation worldwide.
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Gold Air International, the United Kingdom's leading executive jet charter company, will expand its existing fleet with the addition of five new Bombardier Learjet 45 XR high-performance business jet aircraft. The firm order, valued at approximately $55 million US (33.435 million £; $83.5 million Cdn), is the second contract between Gold Air and Bombardier Aerospace. The firm currently operates five Bombardier Learjet 45 aircraft. “This agreement with Gold Air is significant because it expands upon the excellent relationship between our two companies and represents the launch of the Bombardier Learjet 45 XR in Europe,” stated Peter Edwards, president, Bombardier Business Aircraft.
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The newest derivative of the GE90 jet engine has set another world record for thrust, reaching 127,900 pounds during final engine certification testing. The new record was set recently during testing of a GE90-115B development engine at GE Aircraft Engines' (GEAE) outdoor test complex near Peebles, Ohio. It eclipsed the engine's previous Guinness world record of 122,965 pounds of thrust. "The record wasn't a test objective; it simply resulted from the test program established for airworthiness certification,” said David Calhoun, president and chief executive officer of GEAE. “It confirms the performance margin inherent in the GE90. Designed as part of a growth strategy for the Boeing 777 aircraft family, the GE90 continues to surpass expectations and provide unmatched value for airlines flying longer-range routes.”
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“I have made it absolutely clear to Laurent Beaudoin, the Chairman of Bombardier Inc, the manufacturers of the Dash 8 / 400, that we are now calling for massive support in eliminating the technical problems we are having with this aircraft type,” stated Vagn Soerensen, CEO of the Austrian Airlines Group, at the start of a press conference to present a package of measures for the Tyrolean Airways Dash 8 / 400 fleet. “I whould like to express my personal apologies to all our customers who were affected by flight cancellations and suffered inconvenience as a result. I assure you that we are doing everything in our power to restore the usual reliability and punctuality of our services as quickly as possible,” Soerensen added. Soerensen´s declaration was made as a result of the recent incident involving a Dash 8 / 400 belonging to the Austrian Airlines Group carrier Tyrolean Airways, in which a wheel detached from the starboard side of the aircraft´s dual undercarriage at Frankfurt Airport. During summer 2002 there had been an increase in the number of flight cancellations, particularly on the Salzburg – Frankfurt – Salzburg route. These delays were due to necessary technical adaptation work on the electronics of the Dash 8 / 400 aircraft used to operate services on this route. The majority of these teething troubles had been eliminated by the end of October 2002 thanks to a comprehensive raft of measures undertaken by the Tyrolean technical services department. The latest incident was in no way connected with these earlier problems, said Soerensen. Dr. Walter Bock, as Chief Operations Officer responsible for Flight Operations, Technical Services and Ground Services, emphasised that safety is the top priority of the entire Austrian Airlines Group: “Although many passengers have been irritated by flight cancellations, the supreme commandment is and remains that we only take off if all the aircraft´s safety systems are functioning perfectly. This will continue to be the case in future. Our group carrier Tyrolean Airways has been operating safely and without accident since its founding 23 years ago.
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dba airline will reduce capacity on its German routes by around 500 flights in February and March. This is due to weak demand, the company said. Barring a turnaround, jobs could go, the management warned. Dba should be taken over by EasyJet, but negotiations drag on due to wage demands by the pilots union.
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The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released its monthly statistics for scheduled international airline traffic for December and year 2002. In the month of December passenger traffic was up 12.7% on the previous year, an increase that was exaggerated by the depressed traffic levels at the end of 2001. Freight traffic grew by 6.6%, continuing the positive trend seen during the second half of 2002. Full year 2002 results show a slight net increase in international passenger traffic on IATA carriers over 2001 of 0.06%. However passenger capacity fell by 4.3%, resulting in a 3.3% improvement in the overall passenger load factor for the year. Freight traffic shows an increase of 6.5% for the year. Overall capacity (passenger and freight combined) fell by 2.5%. With regard to regional results, Giovanni Bisignani, IATA's CEO and Director General, highlighted the continuing traffic growth in Asia Pacific. „Asia Pacific carriers ended the year with encouraging traffic figures compared with other regions. Passenger traffic grew by 5.8% and freight traffic by 13.3% in contrast to the results seen for North American and European carriers.“ Since 2001 was an exceptionally bad year, a better idea of overall traffic and capacity trends is seen from a comparison of 2002 with 2000 on the following graph. Current passenger traffic levels are averaging a 4.0% decline and freight a 2.0% decline, on two years ago. „This comparison to our last full year of normal operations shows that we have started the recovery process. Now it is time for traffic growth to be matched with revenue growth and a return to profitability. If the political climate remains stable and military conflict is avoided, a 6.4% increase in to
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