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Qantas has now upgraded the cabin interior on the carrier’s final Boeing 767 (B767) concluding the $20 million programme to refresh 15 aircraft.
Undertaken as part of a wider investment in Qantas’ domestic customer experience, the refurbished fleet now offers in-flight entertainment (IFE) for all passengers with contemporary interior designs including leather seats in Business and new lighting.
Read more
Satcom Direct has been selected by Inmarsat to be a distributor of the satellite communication provider's GX Aviation services to the business aviation market.
Satcom Direct has signed an agreement to distribute GX Avionics equipment manufactured by Honeywell.
Read more
Amjet Executive SA claims to be the first charter operator to install OnAir’s inflight mobile phone and Wi-Fi products on a Dassault Falcon 7X aircraft.
The connectivity services on the European business jet operator’s brand new aircraft were activated on 1 May 2013.
Read more
Bombardier Aerospace has opted for Lufthansa Technik's (LHT) Innovation Business Unit's nice cabin management and in-flight-entertainment (CMS/IFE) systems for its new Challenger 350 aircraft program.
Liz Moscrop, Inflight / Inflight-Online.com
Read more
Satcom Direct has signed an agreement with OnAir to be a value-added reseller for its GSM mobile phone service, Mobile OnAir, on VIP and business aviation aircraft.
Read more
Rockwell Collins has announced that its Tailwind 500 and 550 Multi-region in-flight Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) TV systems now enable live high-definition (HD) and high-compression digital video (MPEG-4) programming to business aircraft cabins.
The company is the first to make these capabilities available. Rockwell Collins’ Tailwind is a fully integrated, cabin TV system that delivers live DBS programming from Ku-band free-to-air (FTA) TV providers. Steve Timm, vice president Flight Information Solutions says, “Adding live HD programming to the cabin will enrich the passenger experience and resemble what has become the norm in many homes.”
Read more
Aircell has announced that it has signed an agreement with P3 Voith Aerospace GmbH to develop several new Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs) for the Aviator 200 in-flight connectivity system in the European market.
Under the programme, Aircell will provide complete, no-cost STCs to operators installing an Aviator 200 system at an authorised Aircell Dealer and activating a new SwiftBroadband service plan with Aircell. Plans for the first STC in the programme are now being finalised, and the company is seeking aircraft to be used as the certification platform for future STCs.
Read more
The 40 firm orders will be included in Embraer’s 2013 second quarter backlog. The deal is in addition to the contract signed by Embraer with United Airlines for 30 firm E-175s with 40 options.
SkyWest plans to configure its E-175s in a dual-class 76-seat layout, with the delivery of the first aircraft scheduled for the second quarter of 2014.
“This is truly a milestone order for Embraer. As our largest Brasilia and ERJ operator, SkyWest has now selected the enhanced E-Jet for their fleet, validating their confidence in Embraer and recognising the tremendous capabilities of the E-175 as the best aircraft in its class,” commented Paulo Cesar Silva, president & CEO, Embraer Commercial Aviation. “I’m confident the technologically advanced E-175 will become the company’s flagship, bringing greater efficiency to their operations and a higher standard of comfort to their customers.”
Jerry Atkin, chairman and CEO of SkyWest, added, “We have enjoyed our partnership with Embraer since the 1980s, and now it is extremely rewarding to be placing this significant order for E-175s. We are confident the E-Jet will serve our partners and passengers well, with greater cabin comfort and with the best economics in its class.”
Read more
Revenues also rose by 13%, to €4.88 billion, as traffic grew 5% to 79.3 million passengers. Unit costs rose 8%, which according to the airline was mainly due to an 18% (€292 million) increase in fuel.
Fuel costs rose by over €290 million, and now represent 45% of total costs. Excluding fuel, unit costs were up 3% due to increases in Italian ATC, Eurocontrol and Spanish airport fees. Ancillary revenues outpaced traffic growth, rising 20% to €1,064 million or 22% of total revenue.
“Our new route teams continue to handle more growth opportunities than our current fleet expansion allows,” remarked Ryanair’s chief executive Michael O’Leary. “Significant opportunities are opening up in Germany, Scandinavia and central Europe in particular, where Air Berlin, SAS and LOT continue to restructure. We are in active discussions with the new owners of Stansted Airport and the new management at Dublin Airport and while no agreements have yet been reached, if a competitive cost base emerges, then we could restart growth at one or other airports as early as September 2013.
“We have also made offers to the Spanish airport monopoly AENA to reverse a significant proportion of its traffic declines over the past two years,” added O’Leary. “In a country where youth unemployment runs at 50%, their policy of increasing airport fees, while traffic declined from over 220 million to just under 180 million over the past two years is plainly ill-judged. As ever, Ryanair remains willing to exploit growth opportunities wherever airports provide attractive incentives to do so.”
O’Leary reported that Ryanair is 90% hedged for FY14 at $980 per tonne (approximately $98 a barrel) and has now extended its hedges to FY15 with 25% of H1 hedged at $930 per tonne (approximately $93 a barrel).
“Ryanair’s balance sheet remains one of the strongest in the industry,” O’Leary declared. “We have gross cash over €3.5 billion and year-end net cash of €61 million, despite having returned almost €500 million to shareholders in November via a second special dividend. We have also taken advantage of current low interest rates to secure almost 70% of our fleet financing all in at under 3% and we have completed our Capex hedging programme to the end of 2014 at a euro/dollar exchange rate of 1.32.”
Read more
Commenting for Marshall, owners of the airport, Steve Jones, managing director of aviation services, said, “The opening of this new and exciting base by Darwin Airline is a strategic step in our development of Cambridge as a regional international airport. This puts our city firmly on the international transport map, making it easier for people from around the world to get here. As an established regional carrier in Europe, we feel that Darwin Airline is the perfect partner for Cambridge Airport going forward, offering long term expertise, award-winning service and global connectivity.”
Darwin Airline’s CEO, Maurizio Merlo, added, “As we expand within Europe, the UK is a key market for us to further establish and we are delighted to open our new base in the heart of East England. Cambridge is at the forefront of several business sectors and spearheading the UK’s economic growth – it is thriving and vibrant, one of the UK’s most valuable and affluent markets. The team here at Cambridge Airport and many of the city’s stakeholders have inspired us to invest and connect the region to Europe and beyond.”
Read more
The financing facility is to support the purchase of of 10 new Airbus A320s, which are part of a larger order for 44 A320s placed with Airbus in 2007.
Photo shows (l-r) Mohammad Sultan Al Qadi. chairman of Commercial Bank International (CBI), HE Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammad Al Thani, chairman of Air Arabia and Abdulla Mubarak Al-Khalifa, general manager, group corporate and institution banking, Qatar National Bank (QNB Group).
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Rockwell Collins’ Skybox cabin solution and Venue cabin management and entertainment system have been chosen for aftermarket installation by European-based Dassault Falcon Services Le Bourget on a Falcon 2000EX.
The installation marks the first aftermarket integration of Venue with Skybox. Final completion is expected this summer.
“Our proven, quickly implemented Skybox is the perfect fit for the aftermarket, especially aircraft equipped with our Venue cabin management system,” said Dave Austin, vice president and general manager, Cabin Systems for Rockwell Collins. “Skybox with internet connectivity elevates the cabin experience by providing the commonality and convenience of the home or office experience, giving each passenger the power to watch and share exactly what they want.”
Rockwell Collins claims that Skybox, unveiled in October, is the first airworthy and fielded cabin solution that wirelessly streams Hollywood-protected content on demand from an on-board Apple iTunes library using up to 10 Apple iOS devices. Passengers can stream movies, photos or business documents from their devices to cabin displays. The solution’s one-terabyte library provides users with storage for these sharable files.
Skybox has passed all the environmental, electrical and structural compliant requirements required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
Read more
The Group reported an operating profit of $12.7 million for the quarter ended 31 March 2013 (4Q13), a turnaround from the operating loss of $17.2 million in 4Q12, on the back of a 49.4% jump in Group revenue to $240.6 million, from $161.1 million in 4Q12.
Commenting on the results, Group CEO Koay Peng Yen said, “We are extremely encouraged to have achieved a second straight quarter of operating profit, and are looking forward to delivering a sustained turnaround upon the completion of the Tiger–Virgin joint venture in mid-July.”
Tiger Singapore reported an operating profit of $21.5 million for 4Q13, compared with an operating loss of $6.7 million in the respective period last year. Revenue grew 37.6% to $166.5 million, lifted by higher traffic volume (up 27.9%) and stronger yield ( up 7.2%).
Revenue recorded by Tiger Australia increased 82.0% to $71.1 million. The higher costs of operations, up 51.8% to $86.2 million, due to increased capacity, resulted in an operating loss of $15.1 million, which was an improvement over the $17.7 million loss recorded in 4Q12.
The share of the loss from associate airline, SEAir, amounted to $7.3 million for 4Q13.
The Group recognised $8.1 million in share of loss from its other associate airline, Mandala, for the quarter. The Group has an unrecognised share of cumulative losses in Mandala amounting to $13.3 million as at 31 March 2013.
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The streamlined approach to the construction of the panels has successfully increased overall efficiencies while maintaining the same high quality standard. “By combining the two production lines, our improved process has allowed us to capture the efficiencies and economies of scale associated with full production rates, resulting in better pricing for our CRJ200 floors.” explained Dennis Cicci, Comtek’s director; sales & NPI.
The CRJ200 aftermarket floor panels’ line covers the complete set of CRJ200 cabin and cargo area floors. Comtek will continue to offer the same product with heavy-wear resistance for maximum durability and a 24-month warranty that covers materials and workmanship. The product is delivered ready to install and requires no aircraft modifications.
Read more
The programme renewal is tailored to the airline's specific operational and performance needs and will continue to provide Japan Air Commuter with “competitive and predictable repair costs for key components for its Q400 turboprop fleet” until April 2018.
"The entire team is deeply engaged in ensuring that our Smart Parts programme meets Japan Air Commuter's exacting parts quality and performance standards, which are our core strengths as the OEM," commented Gary Martin, vice-president, sales, marketing & service programs, customer services, Bombardier Aerospace.
"By selecting Bombardier's new Smart Parts programme for our Q400 aircraft component support, we expect to benefit from its quality and service level," remarked Yasushi Tokuda, general manager, maintenance planning and administration, Japan Air Commuter. "Passengers boarding our fleet can count on next to no itinerary changes and on-time schedules."
Read more
Latest News
Qantas completes cabin interior upgrades on B767s
Qantas has now upgraded the cabin interior on the carrier’s final Boeing 767 (B767) concluding the $20 million programme to refresh 15 aircraft.
Undertaken as part of a wider investment in Qantas’ domestic customer experience, the refurbished fleet now offers in-flight entertainment (IFE) for all passengers with contemporary interior designs including leather seats in Business and new lighting.
Flying to a range of destinations including Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Darwin, Canberra, Adelaide and Cairns, the upgraded B767 fleet delivers an enhanced IFE offering. There is also an upgraded Boeing 767 operating on flights to Honolulu.
“Passengers travelling on Qantas’ fleet of Boeing 767 aircraft can enjoy updated cabin interiors and in-flight entertainment streamed direct to iPads in every seat,” explained Qantas Domestic Chief Executive Officer, Lyell Strambi. “We have partnered with Panasonic to provide over 200 hours of on-demand in-flight entertainment content across Business and Economy. We plan to increase this content even further to up to 350 hours by the end of the year, giving customers 20 movies, 350 TV programmes and a wide selection of music to choose from.”
“Our customers wanted greater comfort, better on board entertainment and a more modern design,” added Strambi. “Customer feedback has shown great support for the introduction of iPads. Passengers have been very impressed with the variety of in-flight entertainment that is provided on each flight.”
Qantas’ wide-bodied domestic fleet is made up of B767s and Airbus A330s. The five Qantas B767s not included in the refresh programme will be retired by the end of this year.
Inmarsat appoints Satcom Direct as GX Aviation distributor
Satcom Direct has been selected by Inmarsat to be a distributor of the satellite communication provider's GX Aviation services to the business aviation market.
Satcom Direct has signed an agreement to distribute GX Avionics equipment manufactured by Honeywell.
"Satcom Direct is a very important Inmarsat partner, so we are delighted that they will be adding our GX Aviation services to their product portfolio - which includes Inmarsat's SwiftBroadband - for the business aviation sector," said Leo Mondale, Managing Director of Inmarsat GX. "As the first high-speed global broadband aviation service, GX Aviation will offer consistent connectivity, including the ability to stream internet content live or hold uninterrupted video calls from 30,000 feet.”
GX Aviation will deliver global Ka-band coverage at broadband speeds, data rates and bandwidth that consumers expect on the ground. It will enable total network provision for the entire aircraft, providing new services to aircraft operators, crew and air traffic control, such as predictive maintenance and enhanced communications regardless of location.
GX Aviation is scheduled to become commercially available in early 2015.
EBACE 2013: Amjet Executive opts for OnAir in-flight connectivity on Falcon 7X aircraft
Amjet Executive SA claims to be the first charter operator to install OnAir’s inflight mobile phone and Wi-Fi products on a Dassault Falcon 7X aircraft.
The connectivity services on the European business jet operator’s brand new aircraft were activated on 1 May 2013.
Amjet Executive provides charter services from its Geneva-based office. It also manages the operations and maintenance of aircraft on behalf of owners. The company took delivery of the Falcon 7X, (registered SX-JET), from Dassault’s facility in Little Rock, Arkansas, on 26 April.
“Your office needs to go with you and an integral part of that is being able to stay in touch, both by phone and email, as if you were on the ground,” said Captain Abakar Manany, Chairman of Amjet Executive SA. “We selected OnAir because it is the only company that can provide both GSM and Wi-Fi connectivity for business jets, everywhere in the world.”
Mobile OnAir enables business jet passengers to use their mobile devices exactly as on the ground. It works in the same way as international roaming with all charges included in the user’s standard mobile phone bill.
Internet OnAir creates a Wi-Fi network in the aircraft, providing Internet access through any Wi-Fi-enabled device, including smartphones, tablets and laptops.
“Just five months after our linefit agreement with Dassault, we are now announcing the first delivery,” commented Ian Dawkins, CEO of OnAir. “More than ever, given the economic climate, a business jet has to be a quantifiable business tool. Passengers must be able to work during the flight. For that to happen, they need to be able to use their mobile phones and laptops as if they were at their desks.”
EBACE 2013: Bombardier's NICE selection for new Challenger 350
Bombardier Aerospace has opted for Lufthansa Technik's (LHT) Innovation Business Unit's nice cabin management and in-flight-entertainment (CMS/IFE) systems for its new Challenger 350 aircraft program.
This latest announcement comes after the Canadian airframer's selection of the nice HD system on the Learjet 70, Learjet 75 and the Learjet 85 types. To date LHT has delivered more than 300 shipsets of the first generation nice and its successor, nice HD, to Bombardier.
Nice HD is based on a wired and wireless high-bandwidth Ethernet network. Thanks to its open IP architecture, nice HD is highly configurable, allowing LHT to offer a wide number of cabin equipment packages - from lighting and environmental control to the integration of third-party solutions such as satcomms, and TV, portable audio / video devices or cameras.
The Challenger 350's system encompasses several brand new applications and functions, such as an embedded and wireless networked distribution, which is compatible with all Apple, Android, and Windows 8 platforms.
Liz Moscrop, Inflight / Inflight-Online.com
Geneva, Switzerland
EBACE 2013: Satcom Direct to offer OnAir GSM services to business aviation
Satcom Direct has signed an agreement with OnAir to be a value-added reseller for its GSM mobile phone service, Mobile OnAir, on VIP and business aviation aircraft.
OnAir offers global in-flight connectivity services. It uses Inmarsat SwiftBroadband and offers consistent global coverage for in-flight GSM services through a unique network of regulatory authorizations from over 90 countries and more than 350 roaming agreements with mobile network operators.
By becoming a reseller of Mobile OnAir, Satcom Direct will enable business and corporate aviation passengers and crew to use their mobile phones in a similar manner as they do on the ground during flights in global regions that authorize mobile use during flight operations.
Mobile OnAir works in the same way as international roaming where the user turns on the phone and uses it, and all charges are included in the user’s standard mobile phone bill.
Liz Moscrop, Inflight / Inflight-Online.com
Geneva, Switzerland
EBACE 2013: Rockwell Collins first to enable live satellite HD video for VIP cabins
Rockwell Collins has announced that its Tailwind 500 and 550 Multi-region in-flight Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) TV systems now enable live high-definition (HD) and high-compression digital video (MPEG-4) programming to business aircraft cabins.
The company is the first to make these capabilities available. Rockwell Collins’ Tailwind is a fully integrated, cabin TV system that delivers live DBS programming from Ku-band free-to-air (FTA) TV providers. Steve Timm, vice president Flight Information Solutions says, “Adding live HD programming to the cabin will enrich the passenger experience and resemble what has become the norm in many homes.”
With Tailwind, passengers have access to live TV programming in the air or on the ground. The addition of HD and MPEG-4 video enables hundreds of additional channels in the cabin. Rockwell Collins’ Tailwind with HD and MPEG-4 capability will be an option for new aircraft and available as an upgrade to fielded systems beginning in mid-2013.
The company also announced at EBACE that its Venue cabin management and high-definition (HD) entertainment system was recently selected for installation aboard a Boeing Business Jet (BBJ)—its fifth selection on a narrow-body VIP aircraft in the last nine months.
The updated BBJ cabin will feature HD monitors and digital audio throughout the aircraft for watching Blu-Ray Disc movies and other high-resolution content, such as real-time flight information from Rockwell Collins’ Airshow 3D Moving Map.
Liz Moscrop, Inflight / Inflight-Online.com
Geneva, Switzerland
EBACE 2013: Aircell and P3 Voith Aerospace develop STCs for Aviator 200 in Europe
Aircell has announced that it has signed an agreement with P3 Voith Aerospace GmbH to develop several new Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs) for the Aviator 200 in-flight connectivity system in the European market.
Under the programme, Aircell will provide complete, no-cost STCs to operators installing an Aviator 200 system at an authorised Aircell Dealer and activating a new SwiftBroadband service plan with Aircell. Plans for the first STC in the programme are now being finalised, and the company is seeking aircraft to be used as the certification platform for future STCs.
“Providing no charge certification packages to operators will significantly reduce installation costs and allow more people to enjoy the productivity-enhancing benefits of in-flight connectivity in Europe,” explained John Wade, Aircell’s Executive Vice President and General Manager. “By establishing this programme in partnership with members of the European business aviation community, Aircell continues to support the proliferation of in-flight connectivity services.”
SkyWest Inc orders 40 E-175s, with potential total of 200
Embraer and SkyWest Inc have announced a firm order for 40 Embraer 175s, which it will operate the aircraft under a Capacity Purchase Agreement (CPA) with United Airlines.
Another 60 firm orders are reconfirmable aircraft, which are subject to SkyWest being awarded CPA agreement contracts with major US airline partners. In addition to that, the agreement includes options for another 100 E-175s, taking the total order potential up to 200 airplanes.
The 40 firm orders will be included in Embraer’s 2013 second quarter backlog. The deal is in addition to the contract signed by Embraer with United Airlines for 30 firm E-175s with 40 options.
SkyWest plans to configure its E-175s in a dual-class 76-seat layout, with the delivery of the first aircraft scheduled for the second quarter of 2014.
“This is truly a milestone order for Embraer. As our largest Brasilia and ERJ operator, SkyWest has now selected the enhanced E-Jet for their fleet, validating their confidence in Embraer and recognising the tremendous capabilities of the E-175 as the best aircraft in its class,” commented Paulo Cesar Silva, president & CEO, Embraer Commercial Aviation. “I’m confident the technologically advanced E-175 will become the company’s flagship, bringing greater efficiency to their operations and a higher standard of comfort to their customers.”
Jerry Atkin, chairman and CEO of SkyWest, added, “We have enjoyed our partnership with Embraer since the 1980s, and now it is extremely rewarding to be placing this significant order for E-175s. We are confident the E-Jet will serve our partners and passengers well, with greater cabin comfort and with the best economics in its class.”
Ryanair increases annual profit by 13% to €569m
Ryanair has reported record annual profits of €569 million for its financial year which ended on 31 March 2013, an increase of 13% on last year’s €503 million despite higher oil costs.
Revenues also rose by 13%, to €4.88 billion, as traffic grew 5% to 79.3 million passengers. Unit costs rose 8%, which according to the airline was mainly due to an 18% (€292 million) increase in fuel.
Fuel costs rose by over €290 million, and now represent 45% of total costs. Excluding fuel, unit costs were up 3% due to increases in Italian ATC, Eurocontrol and Spanish airport fees. Ancillary revenues outpaced traffic growth, rising 20% to €1,064 million or 22% of total revenue.
“Our new route teams continue to handle more growth opportunities than our current fleet expansion allows,” remarked Ryanair’s chief executive Michael O’Leary. “Significant opportunities are opening up in Germany, Scandinavia and central Europe in particular, where Air Berlin, SAS and LOT continue to restructure. We are in active discussions with the new owners of Stansted Airport and the new management at Dublin Airport and while no agreements have yet been reached, if a competitive cost base emerges, then we could restart growth at one or other airports as early as September 2013.
“We have also made offers to the Spanish airport monopoly AENA to reverse a significant proportion of its traffic declines over the past two years,” added O’Leary. “In a country where youth unemployment runs at 50%, their policy of increasing airport fees, while traffic declined from over 220 million to just under 180 million over the past two years is plainly ill-judged. As ever, Ryanair remains willing to exploit growth opportunities wherever airports provide attractive incentives to do so.”
O’Leary reported that Ryanair is 90% hedged for FY14 at $980 per tonne (approximately $98 a barrel) and has now extended its hedges to FY15 with 25% of H1 hedged at $930 per tonne (approximately $93 a barrel).
“Ryanair’s balance sheet remains one of the strongest in the industry,” O’Leary declared. “We have gross cash over €3.5 billion and year-end net cash of €61 million, despite having returned almost €500 million to shareholders in November via a second special dividend. We have also taken advantage of current low interest rates to secure almost 70% of our fleet financing all in at under 3% and we have completed our Capex hedging programme to the end of 2014 at a euro/dollar exchange rate of 1.32.”
Darwin to start services at Cambridge, UK, with four routes
Darwin Airline has announced new scheduled services linking Amsterdam, Paris, Milan and Geneva with Cambridge in the UK.
Darwin will operate the new services in a codeshare partnership with Alitalia beginning on 2 September. The carrier will begin by offering 50 flights a week to and from Cambridge – 24 to and from Amsterdam; 12 to and from Paris CDG; eight to and from Milan Malpensa, and six weekly services to and from Darwin Airline’s main hub at Geneva. All routes will be operated by the airline’s 50-seat Saab 2000s.
Commenting for Marshall, owners of the airport, Steve Jones, managing director of aviation services, said, “The opening of this new and exciting base by Darwin Airline is a strategic step in our development of Cambridge as a regional international airport. This puts our city firmly on the international transport map, making it easier for people from around the world to get here. As an established regional carrier in Europe, we feel that Darwin Airline is the perfect partner for Cambridge Airport going forward, offering long term expertise, award-winning service and global connectivity.”
Darwin Airline’s CEO, Maurizio Merlo, added, “As we expand within Europe, the UK is a key market for us to further establish and we are delighted to open our new base in the heart of East England. Cambridge is at the forefront of several business sectors and spearheading the UK’s economic growth – it is thriving and vibrant, one of the UK’s most valuable and affluent markets. The team here at Cambridge Airport and many of the city’s stakeholders have inspired us to invest and connect the region to Europe and beyond.”
Air Arabia signs $350m financing deal with QNB Group & CBI
Air Arabia has signed a $350 million finance deal with a syndicate of two GCC banks – Qatar National Bank (QNB Group) and Commercial Bank International (CBI) to support aircraft acquisition.
The financing facility is to support the purchase of of 10 new Airbus A320s, which are part of a larger order for 44 A320s placed with Airbus in 2007.
Photo shows (l-r) Mohammad Sultan Al Qadi. chairman of Commercial Bank International (CBI), HE Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammad Al Thani, chairman of Air Arabia and Abdulla Mubarak Al-Khalifa, general manager, group corporate and institution banking, Qatar National Bank (QNB Group).
Skybox and Venue cabin systems selected for Falcon 2000EX
Rockwell Collins’ Skybox cabin solution and Venue cabin management and entertainment system have been chosen for aftermarket installation by European-based Dassault Falcon Services Le Bourget on a Falcon 2000EX.
The installation marks the first aftermarket integration of Venue with Skybox. Final completion is expected this summer.
“Our proven, quickly implemented Skybox is the perfect fit for the aftermarket, especially aircraft equipped with our Venue cabin management system,” said Dave Austin, vice president and general manager, Cabin Systems for Rockwell Collins. “Skybox with internet connectivity elevates the cabin experience by providing the commonality and convenience of the home or office experience, giving each passenger the power to watch and share exactly what they want.”
Rockwell Collins claims that Skybox, unveiled in October, is the first airworthy and fielded cabin solution that wirelessly streams Hollywood-protected content on demand from an on-board Apple iTunes library using up to 10 Apple iOS devices. Passengers can stream movies, photos or business documents from their devices to cabin displays. The solution’s one-terabyte library provides users with storage for these sharable files.
Skybox has passed all the environmental, electrical and structural compliant requirements required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
Tiger Group reports $45.4m loss for FY2013
For the year ended 31 March 2013, Tiger Airways Holdings recorded an operating profit of $7.3 million, a reversal from an operating loss of $83.4 million in FY2012, but which after tax became a net loss of $45.4 million, itself a 56.5% improvement from the $104.3 million loss recorded a year ago.
The Group reported an operating profit of $12.7 million for the quarter ended 31 March 2013 (4Q13), a turnaround from the operating loss of $17.2 million in 4Q12, on the back of a 49.4% jump in Group revenue to $240.6 million, from $161.1 million in 4Q12.
Commenting on the results, Group CEO Koay Peng Yen said, “We are extremely encouraged to have achieved a second straight quarter of operating profit, and are looking forward to delivering a sustained turnaround upon the completion of the Tiger–Virgin joint venture in mid-July.”
Tiger Singapore reported an operating profit of $21.5 million for 4Q13, compared with an operating loss of $6.7 million in the respective period last year. Revenue grew 37.6% to $166.5 million, lifted by higher traffic volume (up 27.9%) and stronger yield ( up 7.2%).
Revenue recorded by Tiger Australia increased 82.0% to $71.1 million. The higher costs of operations, up 51.8% to $86.2 million, due to increased capacity, resulted in an operating loss of $15.1 million, which was an improvement over the $17.7 million loss recorded in 4Q12.
The share of the loss from associate airline, SEAir, amounted to $7.3 million for 4Q13.
The Group recognised $8.1 million in share of loss from its other associate airline, Mandala, for the quarter. The Group has an unrecognised share of cumulative losses in Mandala amounting to $13.3 million as at 31 March 2013.
Comtek aids aftermarket with lower price CRJ200 floor panels
Comtek has rolled the production of the CRJ200 aftermarket floor panels into its OEM production line, resulting in an immediate price reduction for customers.
The streamlined approach to the construction of the panels has successfully increased overall efficiencies while maintaining the same high quality standard. “By combining the two production lines, our improved process has allowed us to capture the efficiencies and economies of scale associated with full production rates, resulting in better pricing for our CRJ200 floors.” explained Dennis Cicci, Comtek’s director; sales & NPI.
The CRJ200 aftermarket floor panels’ line covers the complete set of CRJ200 cabin and cargo area floors. Comtek will continue to offer the same product with heavy-wear resistance for maximum durability and a 24-month warranty that covers materials and workmanship. The product is delivered ready to install and requires no aircraft modifications.
Japan Air Commuter renews Q400 Smart Parts deal
Bombardier Aerospace has signed a five-year agreement with Japan Air Commuter to renew its Smart Parts programme coverage for the carrier's 11 Q400s.
The programme renewal is tailored to the airline's specific operational and performance needs and will continue to provide Japan Air Commuter with “competitive and predictable repair costs for key components for its Q400 turboprop fleet” until April 2018.
"The entire team is deeply engaged in ensuring that our Smart Parts programme meets Japan Air Commuter's exacting parts quality and performance standards, which are our core strengths as the OEM," commented Gary Martin, vice-president, sales, marketing & service programs, customer services, Bombardier Aerospace.
"By selecting Bombardier's new Smart Parts programme for our Q400 aircraft component support, we expect to benefit from its quality and service level," remarked Yasushi Tokuda, general manager, maintenance planning and administration, Japan Air Commuter. "Passengers boarding our fleet can count on next to no itinerary changes and on-time schedules."
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