12 minute read
NEWS
AIRLINE ABC updates Aer Lingus interiors ABC International announced its first collaboration with Irish flag carrier Aer Lingus. The company worked with the airline to refresh interiors on its A330s and A321neos, including an updated shamrock logo.
The project began in 2019 as part of Aer Lingus’ development strategy. After ABC International refreshed cabin interiors on the carrier’s A330 long-haul routes, Aer Lingus extended the branding to its A321neo fleet with a different sized shamrock designed and manufactured by the cabin branding specialist.
The designer translated the new shamrock brand image into an airworthy product compliant with the aviation environment and ready for onboard installation, according to the January press release from ABC International. The CNC machined aluminum branding logo, surface treated with a sandblasted effect, is divided into three parts and installed separately to achieve the right look.
The shamrock restyling underlines the “values of modernity, confidence and strength of the Irish carrier,” the release said. It has been installed on 14 A330s and eight A321s, and 30 other branding elements have been manufactured and delivered. On retrofitted A330s, ABC International has also been in charge of engineering and certification activities to approve, under its DOA privileges, logo installation on board and on line-fit A321neos, the installation has been coordinated with the a/c OEM.
“It’s always challenging and a source of pride to welcome such a leading airline within our customer base,” said Olindo Spatola Vice President of Engineering and Programs at ABC International. “Having the chance to work on the A330 project and then on A321neo’s has allowed ABC to cement the relationship with Aer Lingus, experiencing different means of installation and working with several stakeholders involved in both projects.”
SUPPLIER TSI Seats featured in Airbus BFE Product Catalogue With an agreement signed in November 2019, TSI Seats, will be featured in Airbus Buyer-Furnished-Equipment (BFE) Product Catalogue starting in the first quarter of 2020. The catalogue offers seating choices to Airbus customers and will expand TSI’s reach and accessibility to leading airlines and grow its market presence by putting it in the spotlight.
TSI Seats Economy Class seats Skysofa and Epianka will be featured in the potential future products section of Airbus BFE Product Catalogue for the A350 XWB, A330 and A320 aircraft families. Additional seats like the Elesa S model and Royalux, TSI’s first Business Class product, will also be added into potential future products section of the catalogue after certification phase is completed.
“This latest accomplishment shows how hard we have worked to grow TSI Seats by investing in our employees, supporting infrastructure and innovation,” TSI Seats General Manager Suat Sağıroğlu said at the time the listing was announced.
TSI and Airbus have worked together since 2015. The seating company equipped the A321neo ACF with TSI seats in 2018 and has also delivered its first line-fit project to the A330. Economy Class seats for A350 have 13.3-inc monitors for inflight entertainment.
The exposure will place TSI Seats in the spotlight for airlines around the world
Trenchard Aviation Group appoints new VP Business Development Trenchard Aviation Group has appointed Mark Radford as its new Vice President Business Development. With 30 years’ experience in the aviation interiors industry, working for both OEMs and part of 145 organizations, he has held senior positions covering sales, operations and procurement. His range of product knowledge covers seats, lavatories, galleys, monuments and soft furnishings.
Mark joins Trenchard from his most recent position as Sales Director – Western Europe with Iacobacci HF Aerospace SPA. “This is a great time to be joining an extremely progressive, forward-thinking organization,” said Radford. “I am looking forward to the challenge and to generating new business opportunities and potential new customers.” Neil Watkins, Trenchard Aviation Group Sales and Marketing Director, added: “I’m delighted that Mark has agreed to join us. Have recently undertaken a significant transformation in our operational capability, we are not gearing up for the next phase of our growth and development strategy and I have no doubt that Mark will be making a significant contribution to that.” TRAVEL
SUPPLIER Delta A321neo to debut with Recaro Seating Delta’s A321neo, slated for delivery in late 2020, will feature domestic First Class seats from Recaro with more privacy, more comfort, larger screens and superior stowage.
“Customer insights were instrumental to the new design, and we spent hundreds of hours listening to customers so that we could respond with thoughtful improvements,” said Mauricio Parise, Delta’s Managing Director of Product Development in January’s announcement. “We’ve completely customized every feature on the seat to create a truly unique, premium seating product for domestic First Class.” The airline also partnered with Factorydesign, using customer feedback and industry trends, to develop the next generation of domestic First Class cabin seats.
The new seat design will bring elements of Delta’s international travel experience on widebody aircraft to domestic routes.
Highlights of Delta’s A321neo First Class seats include: A fixed headrest for increased privacy and better sleep without compromising seat width or space, a larger and sturdier tray table, including 25 percent more workspace, three times more volume for storing personal items and devices, including dedicated laptop stowage and water bottle stowage, passenger-facing power ports and enhanced memory-foam cushions for added comfort and a high-definition monitor.
In addition to its latest seat design, Delta’s A321neo will feature a next-generation, wireless inflight entertainment system created by the airline’s in-house start-up, Delta Flight Products.
Delta has 100 firm orders and 100 options for the A321neo. The airline will configure the A321neo to a total of 194 seats including seating for 20 in First Class, 42 in Delta Comfort+ and 132 in the main cabin.
The updated seats offer more privacy, comfort, larger screens and better stowage
The investment from Boeing HorizonX aims to accelerate Immfly’s digital inflight entertainment solutions
Inflight digital services and entertainment company Immfly announced in February that it received a strategic investment from Boeing HorizonX in late 2019.
Boeing HorizonX, an innovation and venture organization within Boeing, helps accelerate the next generation of products and markets by investing in technology. Immfly’s digital solution enables airlines to efficiently and remotely manage onboard digital products and services on all aircraft types, including inflight entertainment content and flight information.
“This investment will help further establish Immfly as the industry’s leading partner for pioneering cabin digitalization and reinforce our ability to provide global services,” said Immfly Executive Chairman Jimmy Martinez von Korff. “Boeing and Immfly share a common vision to the continued growth of digital capabilities provided to airlines to enhance their onboard experience and develop new revenue streams.”
“Boeing’s strategic investment in Immfly drives innovation across the entire passenger journey,” said Brian Schettler, Senior Managing Director for Boeing HorizonX. “Immfly’s digital cabin solution is fundamentally changing how airlines around the world are engaging with passengers during flight.”
Immfly is one of four companies outside the United States to join the Boeing HorizonX portfolio. The company showcased its digital services in the Boeing HorizonX “What’s Next” booth at the Singapore Airshow in February.
COMPANY Sanad and Ethiopian to create MRO Center in Africa
Engine maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) solutions provider Sanad Aerotech announced in February that it has signed a landmark agreement with Ethiopian Airlines to expand its presence in Africa. Signed at MRO Africa, the agreement paves the way for Sanad and Ethiopian Airlines to collaborate and maximize on untapped MRO business opportunities in the region.
The initial phase of the agreement will see Sanad and Ethiopian establish a Centre of Excellence for the repair and overhaul of auxiliary power units (APU) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and will start with APU’s used on 737 and A320 aircraft, with goals to collaborate in the provision of APU MRO services to other African airlines in the future. The strategic alliance also has aspirations to expand capabilities to include aircraft components and aircraft engine MRO.
This latest agreement between the two companies builds on a 2018 Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on APU capabilities, among others.
“Our strategic alliance with Ethiopian Airlines goes beyond this announcement, as it provides greater opportunities for us to jointly collaborate and develop mutually beneficial activities across the entire African continent,” said Mansoor Janahi, Sanad Aerotech Chief Executive Officer, in the press release from the time of the announcement.
“This Strategic Alliance with Sanad Aerotech is consistent with Ethiopian Airlines vision of making its MRO facility the leading MRO service provider in Africa through strategic partnerships with OEMs and selected international MRO Service Providers,” said Ethiopian Airlines Group Chief Executive Officer Tewolde GebreMariam. “Our MRO facility is ready to provide cost effective and efficient overhaul services with standard turnaround time to APUs of African airlines.”
Sanad Aerotech is a part of Sanad, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mubadala Investment Company. Sanad has built strategic relationships with leading international OEMs including Rolls-Royce, General Electric and International Aero Engines, and has delivered aircraft engine MRO expertise throughout a variety of engine maintenance service programs across engine platforms.
At MRO Africa, Sanad Aerotech and Ethiopian Airlines signed a landmark agreement to establish an MRO Centre of Excellence in the region
Magnetic MRO acquires four airBaltic 737s Magnetic MRO has announced that it acquired four 737 Classic aircraft from airBaltic through a public tender. Following the delivery from Latvia’s flag carrier, all aircraft will continue their service in the fleets of new owners. As launch operator of the A220, airBaltic operates a fleet of 36 aircraft, including 21 A220s, 12 Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 NextGens and four 737s, as of December 2019. The decision to sell the 737 aircraft was a preplanned move by airBaltic in order to focus on its new A220 fleet which delivers higher fuel efficiency and reduces the carbon footprint.
“In June 2019, we were awarded to acquire four Boeing 737s. Some of these aircraft have a long maintenance history at our MRO base in Tallinn. It’s delighting to witness the expansion of our cooperation beyond conventional MRO business – not only do we keep aircraft airworthy, but also commit to take the ownership of the very same assets and help airlines to manage their exit risks,” said Risto Mäeots, Magnetic MRO Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Martin Gauss, CEO of airBaltic said, “Boeing 737 Classics were a notable part of the airBaltic fleet for more than 10 years. They served as our breakthrough, helping to establish ourselves as a strong regional carrier. Now we are modernizing our fleet and relying on A220s as our future aircraft that will enable us to improve efficiency and better connect Baltics to the world.” After maintenance checks and customization work by Magnetic MRO, the former airBalticaircraft will go to new operators COMPANY
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PEOPLE
STELIA Aerospace recognized as Top Employer STELIA Aerospace has been awarded the “Top Employer” certification for 2020, for the second consecutive year.
The company received the honor after several months of audit led by the international Top Employers Institute, comparing STELIA Aerospace’s human resource strategies, policies, processes and tools with the best practices worldwide, and after a second audit led by an independent organization.
The international “Top Employer” certification was awarded to 91 French companies this year, among which only two companies in the aeronautical industry.
The annual study conducted by the Top Employers Institute recognizes the best employers throughout the world, across all sectors of activity. The awarded companies are ones that offer a qualitative work environment, encourage the development of talents at all stages and try to constantly improve their HR practices.
“Obtaining the “Top Employer” certification once again is a strong endorsement of our employer processes and policies, and we are very proud,” said Cédric Gautier, STELIA Aerospace Chief Executive Officer in February’s announcement. “Beyond the efforts of our HR teams to accompany the development of our men and women, this certification is also the result of the implication of all our employees. Much more than just a satisfaction survey, this certification represents the recognition of our processes aimed at being the “best in class” and enabling our company to maintain its external reputation and image.”
STELIA Aerospace receives Top Employer certificate for the second consecutive year
AIRLINE
SAS A320neos to be serviced by Magnetic MRO
Magnetic MRO and SAS have extended the base agreement for the airline’s A320neo fleet until 2023
Magnetic MRO, a total technical care and asset management organization, and Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) have extended the base maintenance agreement for its A320neo fleet. The original contract between the two companies was signed in December 2017 but has been extended until 2023 and consists of maintenance visits of 56 aircraft.
“SAS’ A320neo fleet is brand new and just came out of [the] Airbus factory. And for our team of professionals here at Magnetic MRO, [this] is one more step forward working on new generation aircraft,” said Sergei Shkolnik, Base Maintenance Director at Magnetic MRO, in a press release from the company. “These new aircraft will serve as SAS’ narrow-body fleet backbone for the next couple decades and we are honored to be chosen as partners for its base maintenance.”
The scope of work covered in the agreement is “technically demanding yet interesting,” the statement continues. “Magnetic MRO has an opportunity to work on the fleet for a long time. It allows [Magnetic MRO] to predict the maintenance needs and also serves as a great chance for the companies to mature together.”
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