FLUG REVUE update: Week ending April 11, 2004

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UPDATE
Week ending 11 April 2004

+++ AEJPT study submitted +++ Boeing selects two 7E7 engines +++ First flight of Grob G 160 +++ Germany's Air Transport Initiative presents results +++ Lufthansa Technik need to cut costs +++ News in brief +++

AEJPT study submitted
Vorschläge für Europäische Pilotenausbildung

On March 30, 2004, representatives from the 12 AEJPT Air Forces (Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, The Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland) met in Aermacchi, Venegono with the European G5 industry consortium for a two-days final presentation of the AEJPT Eurotraining Feasibility Study. The Eurotraining Feasibility Study, commissioned to the European industry in December 2002, and concluded on 6 March 2004, had the objective to define possible solutions and their life cycle costs for an integrated Advanced European Jet Pilot Training (AEJPT) system. The Eurotraining project features the ambitious vision of a major step forward in the joint flying training of future fighter pilots in Europe while also strengthening European co-operation in defense and industry.
The Eurotraining Feasibility Study enjoyed a real multi national, multi companies environment. Five companies jointly led and conducted the Study: Aermacchi, Dassault Aviation, EADS-CASA, EADS Deutschland and Saab. This consortium was supported by a large number of other aerospace companies based in the twelve participating nations. The twelve European Air Forces will now enter into a comprehensive evaluation of the Study results which will eventually lead to the decision for the follow-on phases. During this imminent evaluation phase and in expectation of the positive evolution toward the implementation of the Eurotraining programme, the G5 consortium will maintain its full commitment to the programme and its readiness in supporting the potential Customers

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Boeing selects two 7E7 engines
GE und R-R bei 7E7 dabei

Boeing has selected two engine types, the General Electric GENX and Rolls-Royce Trent 1000, for its all-new Boeing 7E7 Dreamliner, an airplane that will provide the world's airlines with exceptional efficiency and environmental performance. Boeing's decision follows months of collaboration with the leading manufacturers of large commercial airplane engines. "The General Electric and Rolls-Royce engines will enable the 7E7 to fly higher, faster, farther, cleaner, quieter and more efficiently than comparable airplanes," said 7E7 Senior Vice President Mike Bair. "Having an engine choice is a key consideration for our customers. We're now offering two excellent options for the 7E7." Both engine types will be capable of providing between 55,000 and 70,000 lbs. of thrust, which will allow the three planned 7E7 models to use the same basic engines.
The 7E7 will reduce fuel use -- and associated emissions -- by 20 percent over today's comparably sized airplanes. The engines are key contributors to the airplane's dramatic efficiency improvements. The engines will also help the 7E7 be significantly quieter than today's airplanes and meet new industry requirements. "All three engine manufacturers presented exceptional proposals," Bair said. "We reached this major milestone well ahead of our original schedule due to the close collaboration on requirements, capabilities and technologies. While it was a challenging decision, the speed with which we made it is representative of the customer interest and the overall momentum on the 7E7 program." For the first time in commercial jet history, both engine types will use the same standard interface with the airplane, allowing any 7E7 twinjet to be fitted with either engine at any point in time. Engine interchangeability makes the 7E7 a flexible asset that can easily be moved among carriers, an attractive feature for financiers, leasing companies and airlines. Other 7E7 innovations include the elimination of traditional bleed air systems in favor of an efficient, more-electric architecture.
General Electric's new engine, called the GENX (GE Next Generation), is derived from the ultra-high-thrust GE90 engine, which has a proven track record on twin-engine aircraft. The GENX technologies include composite fan blades, the highest pressure-ratio compressor in aviation, and a unique single-annular combustor (where compressed air and fuel are mixed) to achieve dramatically lower emissions. The GENX will have its first full-engine test in 2006. The engine is being designed and tested at GE Transportation's world headquarters in Evendale, Ohio. Final assembly will occur in Durham, N.C.
Rolls-Royce will produce a new variant of its successful, high-thrust Trent engine series to power the 7E7, the Trent 1000. Designed to deliver optimum performance with minimum development risk, it will be the fifth member of the Trent family to enter service, once again featuring the three-shaft design layout unique to Rolls-Royce. The engine will be the most efficient and environmentally advanced Trent ever built.

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First flight of Grob G 160
Grob G 160 Ranger fliegt

The Grob Ranger G 160, newly developed flagship of the Grob Aerospace turboprop series, successfully completed its first flight on March 29th. The first prototype, with the registration D-FTBG, took off from the plant's airport and delivered a promising performance on its first test flight. Test pilot Ulrich Schell and co-pilot Toni Uhl praised in particular its “rapid acceleration and impressive climb rate” as well as its short take-off and landing runs. They characterized the Grob Ranger as precision-controllable and pleasantly quiet.
The seven-seater turboprop was specially developed as a comfortable means of transport for private and business travel. It is an upward expansion of the series of turboprop models launched with the G 140. Powered with the highly reliable Pratt&Whitney PT6A-42A engine, at 850 hp it can reach a maximum cruise speed of 270 knots (500 km/h). It has a maximum range of 2,200 miles (4,000 km) or 1,800 miles (3,300 km) with 6 persons on board. The maximum useful load is 720 kg. As with all Grob aircraft, the GROB RANGER's fuselage is made of carbon-fiber composites, which makes it very robust and economical to operate. With its performance data, the GROB RANGER is superbly positioned in the market. The spaciousness of its cabin and the 2+4+1 seat arrangement are on a par with those of small and medium-size business jets. Five meters long (16.4 ft), 1.42 meters (4.7 ft) high and 1. 58 meters (5.2 ft) wide, it is the largest in its class. Individual reading lamps, foldout tables, a toilet with washstand and power connections (for laptops, for instance) make for comfortable travel. An onboard bar and an eighth seat (instead of the toilet) can be installed as an option.

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Germany's Air Transport Initiative presents results
Luftverkehrsinitiative für Deutschland

Don't talk, act quickly - that was the motto adopted by the initiators of the "Air Traffic for Germany" initiative in summer 2003. Nine months after the start of the initiative, Wilhelm Bender (Chairman of the Management Board of Fraport AG), Dieter Kaden (Managing Director of DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung GmbH), Michael Kerkloh (Chairman of the Management of Munich Airport GmbH) and Wolfgang Mayrhuber (Chairman and CEO of Deutsche Lufthansa AG) presented the first actual results today, Wednesday, in Berlin.
"We must produce faster, more cost effectively and efficiently in order to maintain and improve our competitive position in European air traffic. Only an internationally competitive air traffic location is a strong partner for the German economy", said Lufthansa chief Wolfgang Mayrhuber, on behalf of the companies involved. "Quality, price and time are decisive for the success of German products on international markets. Only air traffic guarantees a seamless chain between producers and buyers."
Mayrhuber described it as a measurable success, that in the joint analysis of the ground processes at Frankfurt Airport alone, "savings potentials had been identified amounting to double-digit millions". Together with Wilhelm Bender, Michael Kerkloh and Dieter Kaden, he emphasized the spirit of the initiative: "We are all sitting in the same boat. The focus is on our common interests. We want a strong German position in European and international competition. Regional and institutional parochial thinking no longer has a place in the global competition of the 21st century." At the same time, Mayrhuber thanked the patrons of the initiative, Federal Minister of Transport Manfred Stolpe, and the representatives of the federal and regional governments, for the close cooperation in the development of possible solutions to questions of sovereignty.
Air Traffic is and will remain a "job machine". The initiators are agreed on that. While personnel was considerably reduced in almost all sectors of industry and by almost all transport providers between 1995 and 2001, employment in the air traffic sector has grown counter to the trend. An increase of 16 percent in employment in the civil aviation industry, for example, compared with cuts in the workforce of 30 percent by German Railways (Deutsche Bahn).

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Lufthansa Technik need to cut costs
Kostenreduzierung bei LH Technik notwendig

In 2003 in an extremely difficult competitive market environment the Lufthansa Technik Group, one of the world's leading providers of aircraft MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) services, hung on to and strengthened its No. 1 position in the world market. With sales of 2.85 billion euros, up 1.5 percent from their 2002 level, Lufthansa Technik AG (LHT) and its sixteen allied companies have posted in their year-2003 annual report income from operations of 152 million euros, 26 percent below that of the previous year.
"In view of the worldwide business downturn in our industry, we have reason to be satisfied with our ninth year as an independent company within the Lufthansa Group," said Lufthansa Technik AG executive-board chairman August Wilhelm Henningsen on April 6th in Hamburg. He cited as reasons the company's focusing on modern aircraft and engine types, its international alliance with other companies, plus its effective cost-cutting and efficiency-increasing programs, which alone had improved cash flow by a total of 87 million euros by the end of the year. While the aircraft MRO industry worldwide suffered a drop in sales of about 5 percent, those of the Lufthansa Technik Group held steady. Its business with other companies within the Lufthansa Group was up by nearly 7 percent. On the other hand, its sales to customers outside the Lufthansa Group fell by 2 percent, accounting for 56 percent of the total.
Despite this extremely difficult market environment, in 2003 the seventeen companies comprising the Lufthansa Technik Group increased the combined number of their customers to 458. Two hundred one new contracts were signed, having an aggregate value of 284 million euros - 54 of them with new customers. The number of aircraft being serviced by the Group, including the Lufthansa fleet, rose by 11 percent to a total of 959.
Henningsen stressed that the company's international presence and overseas production facilities help to safeguard the jobs of its employees in Germany. In that way and thanks to the flexibility of how the work is organized, Lufthansa Technik has been able to avoid having to resort to short hours or layoffs at its German facilities, and up to now could even offer to those of its 800 trainees who complete their apprenticeship. "If we want to remain competitive, we have to find new ways for our facilities in Germany to further increase their productivity and the flexibility of how their work is organized. We have to reduce our operating expenses and personal costs in total by another 20 percent if we are to meet market requirements," said Henningsen.

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NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN

On 22 March 2004, the ESA/NASA SOHO solar observatory spacecraft discovered its 750th comet since its launch in December 1995. SOHO comet 750 was discovered by the German amateur astronomer Sebastian Hönig, one of the most successful SOHO comet-hunters. It was a part of the Kreutz family of 'sungrazing' comets, which usually evaporate in the hot solar atmosphere. The LASCO coronagraph on SOHO, designed for seeing outbursts from the Sun, uses a mask to block the bright rays from the visible surface. It monitors a large volume of surrounding space and, as a result, has become the most prolific 'discoverer' of comets in the history of astronomy. Its images are displayed on the internet. More than 75% of the discoveries have come from amateur comet hunters around the world, watching these freely available SOHO images on the internet. So, anyone with internet access can take part in the hunt for new comets and be a 'comet discoverer'! Click here for information about how to search for your own comet.
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The Polish low-cost airline Air Polonia is now offering services from Frankfurt Hahn to Warsaw. Ticket prices will start at 49 Euros one-way. It is operating Boeing 737-400s.
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Since October 2001 NASA's Genesis spacecraft has exposed specially designed, collector arrays of sapphire, silicon, gold and diamond to the sun's solar wind. That collection of pristine particles of the sun came to an end last week, when NASA's Genesis team at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., ordered the spacecraft's collectors deactivated and stowed. The closeout process was completed when Genesis closed and sealed the spacecraft's sample-return capsule. "This is a momentous step," said Genesis project manager Don Sweetnam. "We have concluded the solar-wind collection phase of the mission. Now we are focusing on returning to Earth, this September, NASA's first samples from space since Apollo 17 back in December 1972," he said.
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NASA's Aura spacecraft, the latest in the Earth Observing System (EOS) series, arrived at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., to begin launch preparations. Packed in a special shipping container, Aura was transported from Northrop Grumman's Space Park manufacturing facility in Redondo Beach, Calif. The spacecraft will undergo final tests and integration with a Delta II rocket for launch in June. Aura's four state-of-the-art instruments will study the atmosphere's chemistry and dynamics. The spacecraft will provide data to help scientists better understand the Earth's ozone, air quality and climate change.
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Eurofighter GmbH announced the successful completion of the first in a series of in-flight gun firing trials of the BK27mm Mauser cannon and the first air launch of an IRIS-T short range air-to-air missile (SRAAM) from the outboard and ITSPL station. The trials were undertaken as part of a weapons flight test campaign that will progressively clear advanced missiles and systems for the Eurofighter Typhoon Weapons System. The Mauser BK27mm for Eurofighter Typhoon is a revolver gun that features a linkless-closed ammunition feed system. This system eliminates the risks associated with the ejection of cases and links and provides a 60% reduction in volume over existing systems. IRIS-T is planned for Batch 2 Entry in to Service with Eurofighter fleets in Germany, Italy and Spain from end 2004. In operational service Eurofighter will be able to carry and fire up to four IRIS-T missiles across the entire flight envelope. Clearance for full IRIS-T capabilities on the Eurofighter will be included with Tranche 2 enhancements. This includes advanced capabilities that fully realise the potential of IRIS-T off-boresight and lock-after-launch capabilities.
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Lockheed Martin unveiled its offering for the Navy's Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft (MMA) program at the Navy League of the United States trade show. Designated Orion21, the company's design brings together the latest network centric mission system technologies while offering the Navy a low risk, proven military capability. The U.S. Navy has designated MMA as its long-term maritime patrol and reconnaissance system solution for the 21st century. MMA missions include antisubmarine warfare (ASW), antisurface warfare (ASuW), and maritime intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). Lockheed Martin's offering reflects six decades of Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance experience that comes from having hundreds of P-3 Orion aircraft in operation with 14 countries. Orion21 is backed by a Logistics Partnership that leverages strengths from both the Navy and industry.
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Lockheed Martin and Sikorsky Aircraft have received contracts totaling $152.2 million to complete production of four MH-60R maritime helicopters for the U.S. Navy. The low-rate production contract (LRIP 2) covers four helicopters scheduled for delivery to the Navy in 2006. Sikorsky Aircraft and Lockheed Martin's contracts are valued at $84.4 million and $67.8 million respectively. In May 2003, the companies received an initial $31 million for purchase of components with long lead times and for early-stage production activity. LRIP 2 is the second in a series of low-rate production contracts under the ongoing MH-60R program. LRIP 1 involved delivery of five MH-60R aircraft. Full rate production is expected to begin in 2005 and will eventually ramp to 30 aircraft per year.
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Air France announced the launch on April 5, 2004 of its recommended public exchange offer for KLM common shares. The acceptance period will begin on April 5, 2004 and will end at 5 p.m. New York City time (23:00 Amsterdam time) on May 3, 2004. KLM shareholders tendering KLM common shares will receive: 11 Air France shares and 10 Air France warrants for every 10 KLM ordinary shares listed on Euronext Amsterdam, or 11 Air France ADSs (American Depositary Shares) and 10 Air France ADWs (American Depositary Warrants) for every 10 KLM New York Registry Shares listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Three Air France warrants (or three Air France ADWs) give shareholders the right to acquire or subscribe for two Air France shares (or two Air France ADSs) at an exercise price of 20 euros per share (or ADS). The warrants (and ADWs) have a maturity of 3.5 years and will be exercisable after a period of 18 months following the date of completion of the offer.
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The A380 is on board! Airbus' sites across Europe are preparing to send major A380 sections to the Jean-Luc Lagardère final assembly line in Toulouse. Delivering these A380 components presented Airbus' transportation teams in France, UK, Spain and Germany with a fresh challenge – the dimensions of some A380 components are bigger than anything previously produced for a civil aircraft, meaning new transportation methods were needed. Airbus worked with partners and suppliers to produce sea vessels, barges and road vehicles capable of bringing the A380's components across the canals, rivers, seas and roads of Europe to Toulouse. Following the successful loading of the A380 starboard wing on the evening before, the Dee River Craft Afon Dyfrdwy, left the Broughton Load Out Facility at 2.04 pm on 7 April on its journey to the Port of Mostyn in the UK, arriving 5.05 pm after travelling against strong headwinds with no major difficulties. The river craft safely negotiated three bridges which pass over the River Dee, the A494 Road Bridge, the Queensferry (Blue Bridge) and the Hawarden Rail Bridge. The departure from the LOF and arrival times at various points on the journey were synchronized by the utilisation of specially developed water level prediction software, several electronic water depth gauges and physical tide boards attached to the bridges. The A380 forward, central and rear fuselage sections are now just over one hundred kilometres from the A380 final assembly line – having begun their final three-stage road journey to Toulouse on 5 April. The sections, being transported in a three-vehicle convoy, have stopped for the day in the countryside and will resume their journey at 10 pm on 6 April. The fuselage sections – which will form part of the A380 structural test aircraft – were transferred from river barge to road trailer at the river port of Langon, with the convoy setting off along the 240km-long route at just after 10pm on 5 April. Some two hundred people from Langon watched as the convoy began its historic journey. The first wing for the A380 has left Airbus' factory in Broughton, near Chester in the UK on 5 April on the first leg of its journey to France. The huge wing (measuring over 45 metres along its leading edge) was driven out of the dispatch area and loaded onto its specialised transportation 'jig', which sits astride a special 96-wheel powered trailer or Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV). The wing, jig and MPV together weigh around 200 tonnes. The starboard 'static-test' wing was then positioned on the Dee River Craft ready to start the next phase of its journey - travelling 24 km along the Dee estuary to Port of Mostyn. The first two large fuselage sections from Airbus' Saint Nazaire plant are continuing their journey within France, on their way to Toulouse. On 1 April, these major airframe components were at Pauillac, where they arrived from Saint Nazaire and were transferred to a river barge. The fuselage sections will arrive this week at Toulouse. On Tuesday 30 March, the first two major sections assembled in the Airbus plant in Saint Nazaire, France left the site and were loaded on board a ship to go to Pauillac near Bordeaux. There they were transferred to a river barge. The two sections are part of the static test aircraft, and are scheduled to reach Toulouse next week.
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The year 2003-04 has been an eventful and memorable one for HAL. During this year, HAL has achieved an all time high turnover of Rs 3690 crores (provisional) and a profit of Rs 445 crores (provisional). While the value of production achieved is Rs 3655 crores, export performance improved by 107% over the previous financial year to Rs. 215 crores. The major highlights being the sale of two Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH)-Dhruv and one Dornier Do-228 aircraft to friendly countries. With this, the indigenously designed & developed Dhruv enters the global market. While HAL continues its wide spectrum of services to the Indian Armed Forces, Coast Guard and other domestic customers, some of the major products supplied by HAL during the year were 13 ALH, 8 twin seater Jaguars and 28 upgraded MiG-21 Bis aircraft. Major emphasis was laid on indigenous design & development activities which include DGCA certification of Dhruv civil variant, indigenous development of mission computers for Jaguar and MiG 27 upgrade programmes, first flight of upgraded MiG 27M, supersonic flights by Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) -Tejas and rapid progress of IJT programme with the second prototype taking to the skies on 26th March 2004.
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A U.S. Air Force/Lockheed Martin team has completed on-orbit checkout of the upgraded Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite launched successfully March 20 from Cape Canaveral. The spacecraft, designated GPS IIR-11, has been declared fully operational for navigation users around the globe. Built by Lockheed Martin in Valley Forge, Pa., the satellite features significant upgrades, including an advanced antenna panel that will deliver greater performance and power for GPS receivers. The launch represented the 50th GPS mission for the Air Force and was dedicated to the late Dr. Ivan A. Getting, the founder of the GPS concept, who passed away in October 2003. A plaque was attached to the satellite featuring one of Getting's best-known quotes, "Lighthouses in the Sky, Serving All Mankind."
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EA-6B Improved Capability (ICAP) III Airborne Electronic Attack weapon system has been approved to begin its final and most rigorous testing. Having successfully completed the U.S. Navy's developmental technical evaluation (TECHEVAL), ICAP III is now ready to begin operational evaluation (OPEVAL), the final hurdle before a full-production approval. During OPEVAL the Navy will take the two EA-6B ICAP III Prowler test aircraft and operate them under normal deployment conditions. Though instrumented and closely monitored, the aircraft will be maintained and flown exactly like all aircraft on a carrier. The Navy will measure ICAP III system performance, the reliability and maintainability of its components and other criteria defined for system development and demonstration. After the system passes OPEVAL, the Department of Defense will move to approve it for full-rate production.
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PanAmSat announced that it has decided to de-orbit one of its in-orbit international spares, PAS-6, due to a failure in the satellite's power system. Located at 43 degrees west longitude, PAS-6 was one of two backup satellites supporting PanAmSat's international fleet. PanAmSat anticipates that this will not affect its 2004 revenues. As a result of this event, PanAmSat will record a non-cash charge within income from operations of approximately $100 million in the first quarter of 2004. This will result in an approximate $63 million non-cash charge to net income after taxes. Further, the Company anticipates reduced depreciation expense for full year 2004 of approximately $9 million. PanAmSat will adjust its 2004 guidance to reflect these changes when it releases its first quarter 2004 results.
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Northrop Grumman Corporation announced its solution to the mission suite for the Aerial Common Sensor (ACS), the U.S. Army's and Navy's next-generation airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) system. By using a modular, service-oriented approach, the Northrop Grumman Team's ACS solution will reduce program risk and total ownership cost by making substantial use of off-the-shelf components and mature subsystems. Extensive commonality exists between the company's proposed Army and Navy ACS systems, both of which integrate into the Department of Defense's Joint ISR Enterprise. Numerous parallels exist throughout the respective solutions - in the airborne system, the ground-based architecture, and the communications links. Northrop Grumman's ACS mission suite will provide the warfighter with instantaneous collection along with fusion, analysis, and dissemination of multi-intelligence (multi-INT) information.
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Lufthansa Technik is expanding the range of services it offers in the technical care of regional jets. Acting jointly with the Star Alliance member LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa Technik AG in Hamburg is now offering full-care support with components for Embraer regional jets. This cooperative venture will enable Lufthansa Technik to expand the existing services for Canadair regional jets to include the aircraft of the successful Brazilian aircraft manufacturer. The cooperation partner LOT already has 14 Embraer ERJ 145 in its fleet, in addition to 15 Boeing and 13 ATR aircraft, and just a few days ago became one of the first operators flying the new Embraer 170; ten of these planes have already been ordered, and there is an option for an additional eleven. Effective immediately, the strategic partnership offers European customers with ERJ fleets a broad array of services culminating in the Lufthansa Technik's Total Component Support TCS. This service package allows the customer to select the services which meet his needs – from maintenance to engineering to stocking of the components. The service lowers costs while at the same time increasing flexibility.
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Northrop Grumman has developed new communication capabilities that could deliver near real-time mission and survivability information from off-board sensors to EA-6B Prowler crews. This critical information is currently not available to the crews in this format or with this precision and speed. To demonstrate the concepts, the company funded tests from March 10-12 using a Tactical Exploitation System-Army (TES-A) installed in a U.S. Navy EA-6B Prowler electronic attack aircraft. The tests involved the receipt of off-board report data by a surrogate TES common ground station sending node located in Baltimore, Md. The data was processed by TES and sent via a secure communications link directly to the cockpit of an EA-6B aircraft located at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash. No modifications were necessary to the TES common software baseline to accomplish this effort, which featured the use of commercial-off-the-shelf and government-off-the-shelf hardware and software.
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Pooling the Royal Navy's, Army's and Royal Air Force's battlefield helicopters has brought significant benefits, Sir John Bourn, the head of the National Audit Office, told Parliament. Efficiencies have been produced through a joined up approach, by standardising procedures and removing duplication, but there is a large shortfall in helicopter capability and further improvements can be made. The important role of battlefield helicopters has been bolstered by the formation of the Joint Helicopter Command The formation of the Joint Helicopter Command has brought added focus to the organisation of battlefield helicopters. It has helped to harmonise disparate operating and engineering standards, and is further able to draw upon equipment and personnel from the three Services. This has led to greater efficiencies in operational deployment. It has, for example, prevented such situations as in Bosnia in 1996 when the separate Services deployed some 40 per cent too many helicopters, duplicating capabilities.
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Low-fare airline Independence Air has signed a contract to purchase 15 Airbus aircraft. The deal includes firm orders for 10 A319s and five A320s. Previously, the airline finalized agreements for an additional 10 leased A319s – four from CIT and six from International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC) bringing the total to 25 firm aircraft. “We are very excited to become the newest Airbus operator,” said Kerry Skeen, Independence Air Chairman and CEO. “These new aircraft will allow us introduce low-fare transcontinental service aboard Independence Air later this year as we transform our Washington Dulles operation into the largest low-fare hub in America, growing to over 350 daily departures with service 50 destinations across the country.” “We are very excited to become the newest Airbus operator,” said Kerry Skeen, Independence Air Chairman and CEO. “These new aircraft will allow us introduce low-fare transcontinental service aboard Independence Air later this year as we transform our Washington Dulles operation into the largest low-fare hub in America, growing to over 350 daily departures with service 50 destinations across the country.”
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CAE announced layoffs of 300 employees, 250 of whom are based in Montreal. The Montreal staff reductions are attributable in large part to the decision by the Canadian government on the CF-18 simulation equipment contract. CAE anticipates a restructuring charge of approximately C$8 million to be taken in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2004 to cover severance and other costs related to these layoffs. CAE's President and CEO Derek H. Burney, said: “Our bid was deemed fully compliant with all the stated requirements. It was significantly lower in cost to Canadian taxpayers and substantially higher in Canadian content. It is therefore regrettable when a decision by our own government has the perverse effect of reducing Canadian jobs and potential Canadian exports in one of the very few high tech sectors in which a Canadian company is a recognized global leader.
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National Air Support, the current provider of fixed wing civil maritime surveillance for the Australian Government's Coastwatch border protection program (through subsidiary Surveillance Australia), today announced it had entered an exclusive partnership with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), the U.S.-based manufacturer of the proven Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) systems such as the U.S. Air Force Predator series. The companies will identify opportunities in which the MARINER UAV system would be applicable for civil maritime surveillance applications in Australasia. Based on the design philosophy and operational performance of the U.S. Air Force Predator B, MARINER utilises the Predator B fuselage coupled with the longer (86ft or 23.2m) wing of its proven ALTAIR aircraft. Endurance is increased with the addition of internal fuel tanks enabling MARINER to operate for over 49 hours during maritime and border surveillance missions. MARINER is powered by a Honeywell turbo prop engine allowing it to operate at speeds over 200 knots. Together with an on-board camera system and maritime radar, MARINER is optimised for operations at high altitudes, however it will be able to descend to lower altitudes for identification of contacts. Video and radar information would be instantly transmitted to numerous end users throughout Australasia.
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In a rare and exceptional mark of recognition to a senior European industrialist, Airbus President and Chief Executive Officer Noël Forgeard has been knighted by the Her Majesty The Queen. The honour, which is only very occasionally awarded to non-British nationals, has been awarded to Noël Forgeard in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the civil aerospace industry, including employment and the education and training of apprentices in the United Kingdom. The Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) was bestowed upon the Airbus President and Chief Executive Officer during the last day of Her Majesty The Queen's state visit to France. The three day visit marks the centenary anniversary of the Entente Cordiale agreement between the two countries.
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Lufthansa has further improved its traffic performance in a successful start in 2004: In the first quarter, the Group carried more passengers, transported more freight and returned better load factors in all traffic regions. In the first three months of 2004, about 11.4 million passengers flew with the Group's airlines, an increase of 7.5 on the first quarter in the previous year. Available capacity rose by 7.7 per cent. A two-digit increased pushed sales up by 10.8 per cent. Capacity utilisation rose accordingly by two percentage points to 72.6 per cent. Cargo business also recovered well: Lufthansa Cargo transported about 414,185 tonnes of cargo and mail in the first quarter, an increase of 7.7 per cent on the year-ago period. The cargo load factor was up year-on-year by 3.4 percentage points to 68.9 per cent. Overall utilisation of passenger and cargo aircraft in the Lufthansa Group improved by 2.6 percentage points to 71.1 per cent.
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Fraport AG Frankfurt Airport Services Worldwide and the Shanghai Airport Group have signed a contract establishing a joint-venture subsidiary, which both companies had already announced in 2003. Under the agreement, each airport company holds a 50-percent share in Shanghai Frankfurt Airport Consulting Service Co. Ltd., based in Shanghai, China. The joint-venture agreement was signed by Fraport's executive board chairman, Dr. Wilhelm Bender, and executive board member for finance, Dr. Stefan Schulte, along with Wu Nianzu, the executive board chairman of Shanghai Airport Group.
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Munich Airport is Europe's first airport with official clearance for operations with the new Airbus A380. The permit issued by the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Infrastructure, Transport and Technology means that Munich can allow wide body Airbus A380 jets to land even today without any elaborate special procedures – a boast that no other airport in Europe or America can make. Apart from the Munich air traffic hub, only five other airports worldwide – all of them in Asia – meet the exacting standards imposed by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) on so-called Category F airports. Peter Trautmann, Munich Airport's managing director for technical and traffic operations, says the A380 approval represents both an obligation and an incentive: "Munich Airport's role as a hub in the international air traffic network is continually expanding. This means that the A380, which is designed to link major hubs, is likely to become a regular visitor to our airport over the next few years."
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Munich Airport kicked off 2004 with a new quarterly record. During the first three months of 2004 more than 5.7 million passengers arrived, departed or caught connecting flights at Munich Airport – more than in any quarter in the airport's history. This performance translates into an almost 5 percent jump in total passenger volume as compared with the first quarter one year earlier. The number of commercial take-offs and landings increased during the same period by about 2 percent to almost 84,000. The fact that growth in passenger figures outstripped the rise in total aircraft movements was reflected in a 1.3 percentage point rise in load factors to a level over 65 percent.
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