New Airbus Helicopters facility opens at London Oxford Airport

Airbus Helicopters' new facility at London Oxford Airport has been officially opened with the help of a former RAF Rescue helicopter and air ambulance pilot - HRH The Prince of Wales.

Prince William is the Royal Patron of London's Air Ambulance and spent quite some time working as an East Anglian Air Ambulance pilot between 2015 and 2017, surprised many by his appearance at the event. The Prince was there in a personal capacity and was shown around a newly delivered Airbus H135 helicopter which is all set to operate for London Air Ambulance later this month. 

The casually dressed Prince chatted to workers, reminisced about his time as a pilot, and confided that he missed his time going up in the air and said he'd "love to fly again."

The new facility has room for 32 helicopters and will be the home of around 250 employees, a major boost to the local community. 

After 50 years, the F100 is going hypersonic

It’s sleek and shimmering, gliding through sun-tinted clouds. It’s moving at nearly four times the speed of sound – faster than the famous SR-71 Blackbird, which set the airspeed record some 50 years ago.

Its name is Quarterhorse, its mission is to be the world’s first high-Mach autonomous aircraft, and its creator is the U.S. startup company Hermeus.

But powering the futuristic aircraft and its ambitious goals is an engine familiar to aviation enthusiasts – the Pratt & Whitney F100.

Rather than build a new engine, Hermeus will use a modified F100, a propulsion system with 30 million flight hours and a track record aboard the F-15 Eagle and F-16 Falcon, which celebrates 50 years of flight in 2024.

Now, the engine is looking toward its next 50 years.

“Fifty years of life combined with the opportunity to remain in service for another 50 years is something that’s unique,” said Josh Goodman, senior director of the F100 program. “Pratt likes to do hard things, and utilizing the F100 in this solution gives us the opportunity to once again go solve hard problems.”

But first, Hermeus must prove its Chimera turbine-based combined cycle engine, which will use the F100 as its gas turbine, can achieve hypersonic speeds for Darkhorse, an uncrewed multi-mission military aircraft that would fly through contested environments at Mach 5+.

Then, it will build its third aircraft, Halcyon, a 20-passenger commercial aircraft that would make the New York-Paris flight with a yet-to-be-determined engine.

“People see it as ambitious, a little crazy,” said A.J. Piplica, Hermeus’ co-founder and CEO, “but also highly grounded in rational, realistic roadmaps to get there.”

The F100 will appear in the third prototype of Quarterhorse in 2025, where it will help the vehicle surpass Mach 2.5. Then, in the fourth prototype, it will help solve an especially hard problem called mode transition, which is when the propulsion system switches from turbo to ramjet during flight.

Here’s how they’ll do it.

The Chimera engine works a little like a car’s manual transmission system, but rather than changing gears to go faster, the engine changes propulsion systems.

For speeds up to about Mach 2, the Chimera engine will use a turbine propulsion system, where an engine creates thrust by taking in air, compressing it and igniting it. For anything faster, it switches to its ramjet system, which needs no compressor because the air around it is already moving so fast.

Something called a precooler – a clever way of getting more performance out of the turbine engine – will help the two systems work together. By lowering the temperature of the air it takes in, the precooler gives the turbine more headroom to work harder and get the aircraft up to higher speeds.

Hermeus has already completed two major milestones by proving mode transition and precooler technologies in separate lab-based tests.

A330 MRTT: the evolution of the world's leading air-to-air refuelling tanker

With more than 300,000 flight hours and 15 customers worldwide, the A330 Multi Role Transport Aircraft (MRTT) is more than just a tanker. From pioneering automatic refuelling to taking connectivity to the next level, here are ten facts about the aircraft that help keep it ahead of the game.

1. Ready for mission

With ten operators and 15 user nations, the A330 Multi Role Transport Aircraft (MRTT) fleet has accumulated more than 300,000 flight hours. This operational readiness is reflected in the fact that the Airbus tanker is approved to refuel more than 25 different aircraft receivers, either using the hose and drogue or boom refuelling systems, or the fuselage refuelling unit for large probe-equipped aircraft such as the A400M. With a market share of over 90% (outside the US), the A330 MRTT has been ordered by launch customer Australia , France, NATO’s Multinational MRTT Fleet (MMF), Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Spain and Canada. A total of 82 aircraft have been sold to date.

2. Automatic refuelling, day and night!

The A330 MRTT features pioneering advances such as fly-by-wire control for the refuelling boom, and a high-resolution 2D/3D digital system that improves visibility for refuelling operators.  Together with the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), Airbus launched the SMART MRTT project a few years ago. This saw  the world's first automatic air-to-air refuelling (A3R) using the boom system, with certification for daytime operations achieved in 2022. 

In July this year, Airbus continued the development by conducting more than 500 night automatic refuelling tests, which should enable certification for night operations by early next year. The RSAF is already using the A3R's groundbreaking daytime refuelling capability. Other operators are expected to follow.

3. The transition to the A330 MRTT+

Airbus is preparing a new major evolution of the tanker, through the A330 MRTT+ programme. The A330-200 baseline aircraft will be replaced by the A330neo (A330-800). The main changes are to the wings and engines, while the passenger cabin will also be improved. These aerodynamic and propulsion improvements are expected to reduce the aircraft's fuel burn by up to 8%, allowing for more range and/or offload capacity. Furthermore, Airbus is working at expanding the connectivity of the A330 MRTT, turning the tanker into a battlefield communications node. Following a development phase, the A330 MRTT+ is expected to be introduced to customers in the coming years.

4. Towards fully autonomous operations

Airbus is exploring further automation that would allow the tanker to control the aircraft being refuelled, with or without a crew. The  18-month Auto'Mate campaign tested a technology demonstrator designed to explore and develop Autonomous Assets Air-to-Air Refuelling (A4R) and Autonomous Formation Flight (AF2) operations. The idea is to automate the entire refuelling process. This entails tankers autonomously guiding a 'receiver' aircraft into position, followed by fuel transfer and safe separation. Auto'Mate paves the way for in-flight refuelling of non-piloted combat aircraft such as drones, as well as reusing technologies in remote carrier and ‘wingman' operations - key unmanned elements of Europe's Future Combat Air System (FCAS).

Airbus used its A310 MRTT for the Auto'Mate flight campaign. Over the years, the company has used this flying testbed for air-to-air refuelling developments and in-house innovative projects, such as the A330 MRTT boom refuelling system. The boom introduced new technologies such as electric actuators, a hoist, flight controls, a high-resolution digital vision system and new capabilities such as a fuel flow rate of 1200 US gallons per minute, dual redundancy and envelope protection.  

5. Enabling air power projection 

This summer, the A330 MRTT joined forces with other Airbus military aircraft to play a crucial role in the Pacific Skies 24 major overseas joint airlift. France, Singapore, the UK and the German-led Multinational MRTT Unit (MMU) all relied on the aircraft for logistical support, in addition to its primary tanker role. 

Indeed, the MRTT's air-to-air refuelling capability has been a driving force behind the air forces' air power projection in recent years. The French Air and Space Force's annual long-range Pégase mission in the Indo-Pacific region in 2021 saw frontline fighters fly 17,000 km to Polynesia in 48 hours, while the Royal Air Force's Mobility Guardian exercise in 2023 saw an A400M make the longest flight ever undertaken by a propeller aircraft: a non-stop journey of over 11,000 km to the Pacific island of Guam. Both record flights were supported by in-flight refuelling from the A330 MRTT. 

U.S. Air Force awards Reliable Robotics a multi-year contract for dual-use advanced aircraft automation

Reliable Robotics, announced the award of an Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract leveraging the company’s dual-use technology to provide advanced automation to United States Air Force (USAF) airlift and refueling aircraft. The flexible IDIQ contract will span multiple years, and advance the development, production and deployment of Reliable’s autonomous flight system. The contract is also a vehicle for AFWERX and Reliable Robotics to explore partnerships with other branches of the military and combatant commands to scale and transition Reliable’s advanced automation technologies for specific use cases.

In its quest to develop innovative logistics capabilities, with a focus on the Indo-Pacific, the USAF is seeking commercial technologies like Reliable’s autonomous flight system to enable longer duration operations in contested environments while increasing safety and reducing demands for aircrews and lowering procurement costs.

“Aircraft autonomy is a mission critical capability for the Department of the Air Force. This IDIQ contract is driven by demand from Air Mobility Command, Air Combat Command, Pacific Air Forces and commands that want to employ advanced aircraft automation in their fleets as soon as possible,” said Lt Col Josh Fehd, AFWERX Autonomy Prime Branch Chief.

Houston Airports moves forward in voluntary global program that strives to mitigate airport carbon emissions

In a proactive commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility, Bush and Hobby Airports achieved Level 2 of the ACI Airport Carbon Accreditation program.

Airports Council International (ACI) announced that George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) achieved Level 2 of the Airport Carbon Accreditation program.

Houston Airports is committed to carbon neutrality by 2030 and has already begun implementing several sustainable initiatives, including the transition to an all-electric fleet of vehicles, solar panels, LED lighting, and thoughtful upgrades to airport terminals.

ACI Airport Carbon Accreditation is the only carbon management certification standard for airports. It is the only voluntary global carbon management standard that helps airports to manage and reduce their carbon footprint. The program is focused primarily on CO2 emissions and offers a common framework for airports to analyze and identify carbon-intensive activities. It is site-specific and can be used by airports to plan daily and long-term sustainability strategies through continuous improvement and stakeholder partnerships.

"Reaching ACA Level 2 at Bush and Hobby airports represents a significant milestone in our journey toward a more sustainable future for Houston Airports. This achievement reflects our ongoing commitment to reducing our carbon footprint and making substantial, data-driven progress in environmental stewardship," said Jim Szczesniak, Director of Aviation for Houston Airports. "As we advance through the levels of carbon accreditation, we remain dedicated to implementing sustainable practices that not only benefit our community today but also secure a cleaner, greener future for future generations."

Munich Airport receives first delivery of electric passenger buses

Another step towards "Net Zero 2035", the sustainability strategy of Munich Airport, has been taken: MAN Truck & Bus Germany has delivered the first ten electric solo passenger buses to AeroGround Flughafen München GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of Munich Airport. A further 27 electric buses of MAN Lion's City E 12 and E 18 models will be put into operation by the end of the year. There is an option to purchase 25 additional buses.

Ten electric buses from MAN were delivered to subsidiary AeroGround

50 percent of the apron vehicle fleet to be emission-free by year’s end

Buses offer innovations in comfort and safety

"We are reducing air pollutants, lowering our energy consumption and avoiding climate damaging CO2 emissions. The changeover is a further step towards sustainable airport operations and a clean future for the aviation industry. The buses also offer passengers a more comfortable journey from the gate to the aircraft," says Jost Lammers, CEO of Munich Airport.

Munich Airport is one of the first MAN customers to receive and use the new e-buses from the 2024 model year.

The electric drive is considered to be particularly efficient for apron use with many short distances and low speeds. The 18-meter articulated buses (MAN Lion's City E 18) offer sufficient space for passengers and airline crews as a supplement to the 12-meter solo buses (MAN Lion's City E 12). Both models feature numerous innovations in terms of equipment and safety. For example, a more efficient and sustainable air conditioning system.

Prue Leith set to appear at Newcastle Station with some unexpected flavours

LNER challenges the concept of ‘uninspiring’ train food with an off-board menu a-PRUE-ved by the renowned cook. 

LNER has teamed up with renowned culinary expert Dame Prue Leith to host the LNER Taste Station at Newcastle Central Station on October 4th and 5th 2024. Featuring unusual ‘off-board’ food creations from LNER’s local suppliers, the event aims to dispel the myth that train food is 'uninspiring’.    

From a Popping Jack Roll to BaNacon Sponge, these inventive creations will leave travellers' taste buds tingling and wanting more, proving that there are endless possibilities when it comes to train food and good quality ingredients. People will have the opportunity to taste the creations for themselves, with samples served from 10am until stocks last. 

These a-PRUE-ved dishes will also be tried and tested by the UK’s very own cooking grande, Prue Leith, who is working with LNER to help redefine perceptions of train food and encouraging Brits to try new things – whether that’s exploring the UK or taking their taste buds on a journey of their own through its latest menu. Prue is renowned for being at the forefront of transforming train cuisine, after being recruited to the board of British Rail more than forty years ago.  

One PRUE-ven popular creation will even feature on selected LNER’s services for a limited time, giving customers the chance to taste new flavours whilst exploring new places.   

Dame Prue Leith, campaigner, cookery writer and Bake-off judge, said: “Train food has come a long way since my campaigning days 25 years ago. It’s great to see train companies really pushing themselves to provide fresh, creative and local on-board menus... and I can’t wait to taste these unexpected creations made by LNER’s suppliers!”  

Japan Airlines to give complimentary domestic flights to international passengers (from some countries!)

Japan Airlines is introducing an exclusive offer for international travellers - complimentary domestic flights to any destination within Japan when booking an international flight with the well-respected carrier. 

Key points of the offer

- Complimentary Domestic Flights: Book an international flight with JAL and receive free domestic flights to explore more of Japan.

- Seamless Travel Experience: Plan your journey with ease, staying at your initial destination (e.g., Tokyo) and travelling to another location within Japan without extra charges for most travellers.

Rules for the special offer mean that customers must book a Japan Airlines international flight and also a corresponding domestic flight in the same reservation, separate bookings for domestic flights are not eligible.

A stopover fee applies to U.S., Canada, Mexico, and China travellers whose first destination stay in Japan exceeds 24 hours. No additional charges apply to travellers from other countries for the domestic segments.

Unfortunately, the deal is not available for everyone, the carrier has decided to discriminate against travellers from Europe and limit the free offer to nationals of Australia, Canada, China, Indonesia, Mexico, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam and the United States of America. 

Schedule for free domestic flight offer:

Explore More of Japan with JAL's Domestic Flights and Services 

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Los Angeles International Airport to get a new Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse early next year

Virgin Atlantic is all set to open a new Clubhouse lounge at Los Angeles International Airport early next year, subject to local authority approvals. The carrier which is 49% owned by U.S. airline Delta says the lounge will be located in the Tom Bradley International Terminal and will pay homage to the City of Angels.

The Clubhouse will feature Virgin Atlantic’s signature touches including an expansive bar and social area with table service dining options, exclusive spaces - including a VIP Booth dubbed ‘The Royal Box’ – and flexible seating areas in which to work, dine and connect. Yes, travellers can stay connected with wireless charging, Bluetooth connectivity, and plenty of power outlets throughout the lounge, including at the bar and in private pods where they can take calls or finish emails in a peaceful setting.

 

Corneel Koster, Chief Customer & Operating Officer, Virgin Atlantic, commented:  "We’re thrilled to bring our award-winning Clubhouse to the vibrant, entertainment capital Los Angeles, where we know business and leisure travellers alike will enjoy our experience before their flight across the pond. 

Our latest Clubhouse will have something special for every customer, from signature dishes to British designer finishes, plus some fun surprises you’d only expect from Virgin Atlantic. And we know our amazing teams will bring the experience to life brilliantly." 

The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse will be open daily for those who are eligible to enter. 

Eligibility criteria.

Customers flying in Upper Class on Virgin Atlantic + one guest travelling with Virgin Atlantic or Delta Air Lines 

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Gold Card members + one guest travelling internationally with Virgin Atlantic or Delta Air Lines 

Delta One customers on a Delta Air Lines international flight 

SkyTeam Elite Plus members travelling on Virgin Atlantic or Delta + one guest travelling on an international flight operated by a SkyTeam carrier 

Customers connecting domestically must be traveling same day on the same itinerary and ticket 

Discover Upper Class

. Discover Upper Class

Airbus selected by MDA Space to deliver over 200 Sparkwing solar arrays

Airbus has been selected by MDA Space Ltd. to supply solar arrays for MDA AURORA, the software-defined satellite product line enabling constellations to extend communication networks to every corner of the world.

Airbus will supply more than 200 Sparkwing solar arrays that will be built on a designated line at Airbus' high-capacity production facility in Leiden, the Netherlands. The solar array is the largest Sparkwing to date, consisting of two wings with five panels each and providing a photovoltaic area of well over 30 sqm. 

The MDA AURORA supply chain will help support product deliveries for anchor customer Telesat’s Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellation Lightspeed, an innovative, advanced global network that will bring enterprise-class connectivity to customers worldwide.

“We are delighted to be selected as the supplier of solar arrays to partner with MDA Space for Telesat Lightspeed. Our industrialised Sparkwing solar array product not only meets the demands of this ground-breaking constellation project, but is also tailored to ensure optimal performance in space. The Sparkwing solar arrays are designed for series production, ideally suited for constellations, and we will accordingly contribute to a project enabling space connectivity,” said Rob Postma, Managing Director of Airbus in the Netherlands.

Hydrogen is a promising option for the future of aviation......

Hydrogen is a promising option for the future of aviation - a new report from market intelligence firm IDTechEx finds that the hydrogen aeroplane market will be worth US$28.4 billion in 2045. However, there is still a long way to go before hydrogen commercial flights take off. Along with aircraft development, infrastructure investment will need to be made at airports to handle liquid hydrogen. As such, it will take some key airports investing in the hydrogen infrastructure to kick-start the hydrogen-air travel market.

In 2023, aeroplanes from Los Angeles (LAX) to Las Vegas (LAS) transported nearly 3.5 million passengers, making it one of the busiest routes in the US. Additionally, it is only 380km, making it easy to complete with hydrogen power. These airports are some of the key hubs in the US, along with Atlanta, Denver, Dallas Fort Worth, and Chicago O'Hare. Adding just a few more of the most popular airports in the US to this list and creating a network of 21 airports would cover nearly 25% of the US's domestic air travel demand.

New York (JFK) to London (LHR) is one of the busiest routes in the world, with approximately 3.8 million passengers flying this route in 2023. At 5,500km it is perhaps outside the realms of possibility for hydrogen power. However, LHR would be one of the starting points for creating a hydrogen-powered network in Europe, along with other important hubs like Schiphol and Frankfurt.

Hydrogen-powered flight will not be easy. There are still many technical challenges around certification, hydrogen fuel cells, longevity, making motors powerful enough for aeroplanes, hydrogen storage, and more. However, getting the right airports to invest in LH2 refuelling technologies will be key in getting the upcoming industry off the ground.

 

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IDTechEx's new report, "Sustainable Future Aviation 2025-2045: Trends, Technologies, Forecasts," provides a detailed analysis of hydrogen and electric flight technologies. Its forecasts show how the industry will grow in the number of planes sold, revenue from sales in US$, battery demand for electric planes in GWh, and motor demand for planes in GW. Find out more at www.IDTechEx.com/SustAviation.

JetBlue and Cape Air enhance codeshare deal

JetBlue announced this week that members of its TrueBlue loyalty program can now earn and redeem TrueBlue points on select Cape Air-operated flights when booking travel on jetblue.com or through the JetBlue mobile app.

JetBlue’s customer loyalty benefits with Cape Air further expands a partnership that was first formed in 2007 – the very first airline codeshare agreement for JetBlue. Cape Air, one of the largest commuter airlines in the U.S., currently serves 32 cities in the U.S. and the Caribbean and offers more than 250 daily flights. Over the years, the partnership between the two airlines has grown to deliver seamless connections between New York, Boston, and San Juan, Puerto Rico to destinations across the Northeast and the Caribbean all on one reservation.

“As our first airline partner, we couldn’t be more excited to expand our partnership with Cape Air to offer our customers the ability to earn and redeem through our TrueBlue loyalty program,” said Chris Buckner, JetBlue’s vice president of loyalty and partnerships. “Whether traveling to one of our beloved focus cities like Boston, New York or San Juan, or connecting to world-class beach destinations in the Caribbean, we continue to provide customers with more ways to be rewarded for their loyalty and make the most of their travel experience.”

“For 17 years we have grown our partnership with a shared vision to connect and delight customers in the communities we serve,” said Lisa Shivdasani, Cape Air’s senior vice president of airline partnerships and commercial. “With our expanded partnership, we are excited to offer even more value to those who live, work, and play in some of the most beautiful vacation destinations in the world.”

StandardAero provides CFM LEAP-1B engine services to Corendon Airlines

StandardAero has signed a non-exclusive agreement Corendon Airlines to provide CFM International LEAP-1B engine services in support of the carrier’s fleet of Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft.  

StandardAero has already inducted Corendon’s first LEAP-1B engine, for a Continued Time Engine Maintenance (CTEM) shop visit.  In addition to the LEAP-powered MAX fleet, Corendon also operates Boeing 737-800 jets powered by CFM56-7B engines.  This new agreement extends StandardAero’s existing relationship with Corendon on the CFM56-7B.

Will Pitcher, Senior Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Customers for StandardAero’s Airlines & Fleets division, said:  “StandardAero is proud to have been entrusted by Corendon Airlines to provide LEAP-1B MRO services, adding Türkiye to our growing list of LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B customer nations.  We value the confidence shown by Corendon in our San Antonio-based LEAP team, and look forward to meeting the service expectations of Corendon and its passengers for many years to come.”

Emirates supporting young golf hopefuls' journeys to the U.S. for higher education

Emirates is supporting the flight journeys for Syed Daniah and Syed Abiha, two remarkable young golf prodigies from Karachi, as they head to the United States to pursue their higher education at Blinn College-Brenham Campus in Brenham, Texas.

Through supporting flights from Karachi to Houston, Emirates continues its commitment of positively impacting the communities it serves by providing opportunities for talented youth from diverse backgrounds to fulfil their potential and pursue their academic and athletic dreams. By facilitating the journey of Daniah and Abiha to continue their education while competing at the highest levels of collegiate golf, Emirates is also reinforcing its dedication to nurturing the pipeline of sporting talent as a new generation of players emerge.

Mohammed Alhashmi, Emirates’ Vice President for Pakistan said “These sisters have already made a significant mark on the World Amateur Golf Ranking list and these remarkable achievements have earned them full scholarships. They were awarded for their exceptional talent and dedication to the sport. As key members of the Pakistan National Team, they have represented their country in prestigious tournaments worldwide, earning acclaim in countries such as Scotland, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Dubai, and Thailand and we are proud to be an enabler in their pursuit of education abroad.”

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Syed Abiha, currently playing with a handicap of 2 and a driving distance of over 240 yards, has achieved a best score of 70 (2 under) while her sister, Syed Daniah, with a handicap of 1 and a similar driving distance, boasts a best score of 69 (3 under). Both sisters are recognized not only for their impressive golfing skills but also for their leadership and sportsmanship, qualities that have propelled them to the forefront of the sport both nationally and internationally.

Emirates is the award-winning global airline operating the world’s largest fleet of wide-body Boeing 777 and Airbus A380 aircraft and serving 140 cities on six continents through its efficient hub in Dubai. The airline has earned customer recognition for its industry-leading services on the ground and in the sky, delivered by a passionate workforce representing over 160 nations. Emirates supports local communities worldwide and brings people together through its vast portfolio of international sports and cultural sponsorships. Emirates currently operates 53 flights per week from the Pakistan to Dubai.

Demand over next 20 years for 1,170 new aircraft highlights Africa's potential......

Africa's commercial fleet to more than double driven by single-aisle jet demand by 2043

As Africa’s young and growing population seeks new opportunities to travel, the region’s commercial aeroplane fleet is projected to more than double by 2043, according to Boeing’s 2024 Commercial Market Outlook (CMO). Deliveries of more than 800 new single-aisle jets will account for most of this growth, as predicted by the company’s long-term demand forecast for commercial aeroplanes and services.

According to the CMO, passenger air traffic in Africa will increase 6.4% annually ─ more than tripling the region’s air traffic by 2043. This growth rate ranks Africa as the third highest among the ten regions tracked by Boeing.

“As demand for air travel rises, African airlines will need more single-aisle aeroplanes to efficiently serve many routes in the continent’s largest aviation markets, including Europe, the Middle East and within Africa," said Shahab Matin, Boeing managing director of Commercial Marketing for Middle East and Africa. “This growth will build on Boeing’s nearly eight decades of partnership with African carriers, as more than 60 airlines currently operate around 500 Boeing aeroplanes.”