Life Link III signed a contract for one AW119 helicopter from Leonardo

Leonardo announced this week that the EMS operator Life Link III, based in the upper-midwest United States, has placed an order for one IFR-certified AW119 single engine helicopter with a future option for a second aircraft. The aircraft will be added to an existing fleet of ten AW119Kx helicopters delivering in-flight critical care and transporting patients in Minnesota and Wisconsin with over 21,000 total flight hours amassed. Delivery from the AW119 final assembly line in Philadelphia is expected in the third quarter of 2021.

Kawasaki Receives Order for New H145//BK117 D-3 Helicopter From NMB-Minebea Thai Ltd.

Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. confirmed this week the receipt of an order for its leading-edge H145//BK117 D-3 helicopter (D-3) by NMB-Minebea Thai Ltd. This is the first time Kawasaki has received a D-3 order from overseas, and the customer plans to utilize the helicopter for transport operations of its employee and related personnel in Thailand after the delivery scheduled in March 2022.

The D-3 is an improved version of the current BK117 D-2 ("D-2"). The D-3 inherits the traditional advantage of the BK117 series such as large cabin space with a full flat floor, versatile and large rear clam shell doors, improved high-altitude hovering performance, lower noise, and the state of the art avionics (electronics), while improving performance as listed below by the adoption of new features such as the latest main rotor system (5-blade main rotor).

1. Increase of useful load weight by approximately 150 kg:
   Maximum Takeoff Weight was increased by approximately 100 kg, and the total empty weight was reduced by approximately 50kg, increasing the useful load of the D-3 by approximately 150 kg
2. Reduction of maintenance period by approximately 50%: A contribution of fewer inspection items and intervals, the adoption of a modern, easy-to-maintain main rotor system.

The BK117 is a medium-sized, twin-engine helicopter developed jointly with European company Airbus Helicopters, and is used for various purposes including emergency medical services, firefighting, disaster relief, law enforcement, broadcasting, and personnel and cargo transport. Following delivery of the first model in 1983, this helicopter has been continually improved over the years, and thanks to the aircraft's outstanding technological strengths and high reliability, Kawasaki has successfully delivered 179 units as of June 17, 2020, and more than 1,600 worldwide with deliveries of Airbus Helicopters combined.

Kawasaki will continue to improve the BK117 helicopter, including the development of new optional equipment for various applications. Kawasaki will pursue further business around the world, taking advantage of the strong customer trust fostered through past deliveries, as well as the company's comprehensive customer support system encompassing everything from development to manufacturing, sales and after-sales services.

Specifications of H145//BK117 D-3 helicopter

Length:	13.54 m
Width:	1.73 m (body)
Height:	3.98 m
Capacity:	10(standard number of seats) 12 (maximum number of seats)
Maximum Take Off Weight:	3,800 kg
Maximum speed:	Approx. 267 km/h
Cruising range:	740 km (standard tank, maximum load, ISA + 20°C, 5,000 ft.)

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Malaysia Airlines Advances Digital Transformation Strategy with PROS

PROS, a provider of AI-powered solutions that optimize selling in the digital economy, today announced Malaysia Airlines has implemented PROS Revenue Management Advantage (RM Advantage) as part of its revenue management transformation strategy. The next-generation system from PROS will enable Malaysia Airlines to deliver optimized offers in an ever-changing marketplace.

“With PROS RM Advantage, we expect to continue making remarkable improvements in our performance despite the challenges of overcapacity and notoriously thin margins, further strengthening our commitment to digital transformation strategies to meet passenger needs while attaining our growth goals.”

The national carrier of Malaysia serves 58 global and domestic markets. With a focus on Southeast Asia, Malaysia Airlines has opened more of Malaysia’s destinations than any other airline while delivering a world-class customer experience. But intense competition among both low-cost and full-service carriers coupled with a price-sensitive population make operating in this region particularly challenging.

Only 69% less passengers for Allegiant in June

 Allegiant Travel Company reported preliminary passenger traffic results for June 2020 as well as second-quarter  2020 this week. 

  "We continued to see modest demand improvements throughout the month of June, building upon May's demand increases," stated Gregory Anderson, executive vice president, chief financial officer and principal accounting officer of Allegiant Travel Company. "Gross bookings for the month of June averaged more than $4 million per day, bringing the average daily gross bookings for the second quarter to over $2.5 million. June's bookings exceeded our expectations, thus the average daily cash burn for the second quarter was $900 thousand, down from our previous forecast of $1.75 million. However, within the last two weeks, several states have reported increases in the number of people with the virus, which has negatively impacted bookings and tempered expectations into the third quarter. Therefore, utilizing the average daily bookings from the second quarter of $2.5 million, we now expect daily cash burn will be approximately $750 thousand during the third quarter. We recognize the situation is fluid, and that demand could be impacted by additional shutdowns and required quarantines in our markets. As a result, we remain focused on finding ways to eliminate costs and preserve cash. We continue to keep our finger on the pulse and will leverage the flexibility of our model to pull back capacity to match demand levels in the coming months."

"During the month of June we operated 70 percent of our schedule while increasing load factor by nearly 10 points from May to 57.3 percent," stated Drew Wells, vice president of revenue. "Capacity was down 17.5 percent for the month of June as compared with 2019, but peak day available seat miles actually grew 3.5 percent from prior year. Allegiant travelers represented roughly 6 percent of all travelers going through a TSA checkpoint in the month, and that trend continued into the Fourth of July weekend. We expect to operate roughly 75 percent of our schedule into the third quarter but will make any necessary adjustments as dictated by demand trends."

Air France Chooses SkyBreathe Eco-flying Solution to Reduce Fuel Burn and CO2 Emissions

 Air France is today pursuing its efforts in terms of innovation for carbon reduction by partnering with OpenAirlines, the leading global provider of fuel efficiency solutions. Under the agreement, OpenAirlines will continuously analyze the data of thousands of daily flights by deploying its eco-flying solution SkyBreathe® - which was developed in partnership with Transavia France, an Air France Group company - to identify fuel-saving opportunities to maximize Air France's operational efficiency and thus minimize costs and carbon emissions.

This new initiative is part of Air France's global commitment to reducing its environmental footprint through its fleet renewal, its piloting or ground handling practices, the use of biofuels, or its partnership with the Solar Impulse foundation aimed at developing innovative sustainable solutions for aviation. Air France has set an objective for 2030 to reduce by 50% its CO2 emissions per passenger / kilometer compared to 2005.

Landmark Recovery Announces Charitable Partnership with American Airlines Unions

Landmark Recovery has announced a charitable partnership with American Airlines, CWA, AFLCIO, CBTU and Farm Share to help American Airlines employees at the Miami-Dade Airport who, due to COVID, have seen a significant decrease in work hours.

Landmark is participating in a food drive for the Miami-Dade Airport American Airlines union employees on July 9th. At this event put together by CWA, and hosted at an American Airlines airplane hangar, Landmark volunteers will help provide boxes of food for CWA union members to help provide food for their families.

CWA local 3140 President Georgina Felix shared the vision for this food drive with Landmark’s liaison Stephanie Davis, “As the local Union President, it is my job to make sure our members are taken care of, and when unfortunate circumstances led to a lack of available work hours for members, I knew they needed help providing food for their families. I’m so grateful for all of our partners that are making this happen and for Landmark providing volunteers and rotisserie chickens so that families can take home a hot meal.”

Post-COVID-19 Green Recovery Must Embrace Sustainable Aviation Fuels

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) emphasized the aviation industry’s commitment to its emissions reduction goals and called for the International Energy Agency (IEA) to prioritize investment in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to help power aviation’s contribution to the post-COVID-19 recovery.

IATA’s call comes on the eve of the IEA Clean Energy Transitions Summit which will meet virtually to debate moves toward a low-carbon future. The IEA is well placed to promote SAF production with its stakeholders both in government and in the fuel industry.

The world must “build back better” from the COVID-19 crisis with attention focused on investment in carbon reduction technologies and in SAF, which will create jobs at this critical time and boost aviation’s progress towards its goal to cut aviation emissions to half 2005 levels by 2050.

Current SAF production rates are too low for aviation to reach this goal despite SAF’s proven potential and airline efforts to date:

JetBlue’s West Coast Focus City Strategy Lands at LAX

JetBlue Doubling the Number of Destinations Offered From LAX With More Than 30 Daily Flights This Fall, Opens Door to West Coast Growth Potential With 70 Daily Flights by 2025

JetBlue today announced it will make Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) its primary base of operations in greater Los Angeles, advancing its focus city strategy and building relevance for the airline in one of the busiest markets in the world. To enable the shift, the airline will move service currently operated at Long Beach Airport (LGB) to LAX, along with its Long Beach crew and maintenance bases, beginning in October.

JetBlue announced it will make Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) its primary base of operations in greater Los Angeles, advancing its focus city strategy and building relevance for the airline in one of the busiest markets in the world. (Graphic: Business Wire)

The move consolidates JetBlue’s popular transcon and West Coast service into LAX, initially operating more than 30 daily flights with service between LAX and 13 destinations including four Mint routes – New York-JFK, Boston, Fort Lauderdale and new Mint service to Newark launching July 23. JetBlue flights at LAX will continue to operate from Terminal 5. New LAX markets will be available for purchase tomorrow, July 10.

Oman Air putting health and safety first video

Oman Air has enhanced all of its preventative procedures and measures to protect passengers, from check-in to boarding and on the carriers fleet.

Oman Air is the flagship carrier of the Sultanate of Oman and an Official 4 Star Airline (Skytrax 2011). Founded in 1993, the airline has since witnessed massive growth and has played a major role in making Muscat an important traffic hub in the Middle East, supporting the commercial, industrial and tourism sectors.

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Finland now welcomes travellers from several countries

Finland now welcomes travellers from several countries; Finnair serves over 30 destinations in July

As of 13 July, Finland will open its borders for all travel from e.g. Australia, Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Slovenia, 

Slovakia and Switzerland, and allows work-related travel from China, Japan and Thailand as of July 13. Travellers from these countries can thus enter Finland without quarantine requirements. Finland opened its borders already in June for travel from Denmark, Estonia, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania and Norway.  

In line with opening borders, Finnair is increasing its traffic in July, flying 70-80 one-way flights a day to domestic, European and Asian destinations. In July, Finnair serves some 30 destinations in Europe and flies to Tokyo, Seoul and Hong Kong in Asia. The number of destinations and frequencies will increase towards autumn.  

Finnair has the capability to increase flights rapidly, when travel restrictions are removed and demand recovers.   

Air Lease Corporation Activity Update for the Second Quarter of 2020

Air Lease Corporation announced an update on order book deliveries, sales and new significant financing occurring in the second quarter of 2020.

As of June 30, 2020, ALC’s fleet was comprised of 301 owned aircraft and 81 managed aircraft, with 398 new aircraft on order from Boeing and Airbus set to deliver through 2026.

Order Book Deliveries 

Delivered one new Airbus A320neo aircraft from ALC’s order book

Sales 

Sold three aircraft to Thunderbolt Aircraft Lease Limited III and one aircraft to a third-party buyer

Sales proceeds for the quarter totaled approximately $87 million

Financing

Issued $850 million of senior unsecured medium-term notes due 2025 at a fixed rate of 3.375%

ALC is a leading aircraft leasing company based in Los Angeles, California that has airline customers throughout the world.  ALC and its team of dedicated and experienced professionals are principally engaged in purchasing commercial aircraft and leasing them to its airline customers worldwide through customized aircraft leasing and financing solutions.  

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Air Traffic Control Market to Reach $11.50 Bn, Globally, by 2027

 Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Air Traffic Control Market by Airspace (ARTCC, TRACON, ATCT, and Remote Tower), Application (Communication, Navigation, Surveillance, and Automation), Offerings (Hardware, Software & Solutions, and Services), and Airport Size (Large, Medium, and Small), and Sector (Commercial, and Military & Defense): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2020–2027." According to the report, the global air traffic control industry generated $8.41 billion in 2019, and is estimated to generate $11.50 billion by 2027, witnessing a CAGR of 4.1% from 2020 to 2027.

Download Report Sample (320 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, Figures) @ https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/5323

Prime determinants of growth

Rise in number of passengers, requirement of a better aerospace management system, and surge in number of airports drive the growth of the global air traffic control market. However, expensive ATC systems and potential threats from cyber-attacks hinder the market growth. On the other hand, implementation of the satellite-based air traffic control systems is expected to present new opportunities in the coming years.

AerCap Raised $3 Billion of Funding in the Second Quarter 2020

AerCap has announced its major business transactions during the second quarter 2020:

Raised funding of $3 billion, including $2.5 billion of unsecured bonds.
Purchased 2 new aircraft, 2 Airbus A320neo Family aircraft.
Executed sale transactions for 9 owned aircraft, including 3 Airbus A320 Family aircraft, 5 Boeing 737NGs and 1 Boeing 757.
Signed lease agreements for 10 aircraft, including 1 widebody aircraft and 9 narrowbody aircraft.

AerCap is the global leader in aircraft leasing with one of the most attractive order books in the industry. AerCap serves approximately 200 customers in approximately 80 countries with comprehensive fleet solutions. AerCap is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (AER) and has its headquarters in Dublin with offices in Shannon, Los Angeles, Singapore, Amsterdam, Shanghai, Abu Dhabi, Seattle and Toulouse.

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Eurowings details its summer 2020 schedule

The last weeks were very special for the Lufthansa Group. Now that the Extraordinary General Meeting of Lufthansa AG has approved the proposed stabilisation measures, which means Eurowings has now been able to move forward with its future plans.

Eurowings will continue to expand the flight schedule, the airline says it will be offering around 6,000 flights over its schedule, an increase of two-thirds compared to last month. 

In addition to several daily domestic German connections, e.g. between Stuttgart, Dusseldorf, Cologne, Berlin, Hamburg and Munich, Eurowings are also increasing flights to numerous tourist destinations for the start of the summer holidays. As well as opening further European routes, including the Greek islands, Croatia, Mallorca or the Bulgarian coastal cities of Burgas and Varna. Major European centres such as Barcelona, Paris, Rome and Zurich complete our current schedule.

Hyatt To Expand Thompson Hotels Portfolio in the Southern US

New Thompson hotels in Georgia and Texas expected to boost the lifestyle brand’s footprint in the region

Hyatt Hotels Corporation  announced yesterday the continued growth of the Thompson Hotels brand throughout the Southern United States with deals for two new properties—Thompson Savannah and Thompson Buckhead—expected to open in Georgia in 2021. Marking the brand’s entry into the state, these projects will join four other Thompson hotels already under development including Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Austin, Texas. These six new properties are expected to join Thompson’s nine hotels across the United States and Mexico, many of which have resumed operations and are welcoming back guests.

"We are excited to announce the future openings of six new Thompson hotels in Georgia and Texas, which, together with Thompson Nashville, will bolster the brand's presence in the Southern US," said Crystal Vinisse Thomas, Hyatt's director of global lifestyle brands. "In this new and uncharted era of travel, we recognize the importance of unique, lifestyle-driven hotels that inspire travelers seeking refined and evocative experiences. We look forward to inviting our guests to rediscover southern hospitality through the tailored lens of the Thompson Hotels brand--celebrating the rich culinary, music and artistic foundations of the South through exceptional service, crafted design and an elevated social scene."