NATO awards AFI KLM as best Source of Repair (SOR)

FI KLM E&M has been appointed best Source Of Repair (SOR) by the Nato Support Agency (NSPA) and the International Aerospace Management Company (IAMCO), the organization responsible for maintenance on Nato's fleet of E3A AWACS aircraft.

This award has been presented each year since 1999 to the most effective source of component repairs for Nato's fleet of E-3A AWACS surveillance aircraft. The NSPA and IAMCO jointly assess the level of supplier performance according to three criteria: punctuality (TAT), quality (of service and quality assurance) and contract management. The SOR 2013 award has gone to AFI KLM E&M.

Thom Grobben, Vice-President Component Services, KLM E&M, said: "The work we have been doing for IAMCO on the E3As is a major and highly gratifying aspect of our business. We are constantly striving to respond favourably and efficiently to IAMCO's requirements, and to do that are investing in internal improvement initiatives and programs. This accolade clearly demonstrates that those efforts have paid off. For the Group, this means that constant attention should be paid to this type of sustainable, integrated process, and that such attention and unbroken effort will always be rewarded."

Ton Dortmans, Executive vice-President, KLM E&M, added: "We are very proud to receive this prestigious award, which showcases our ability to develop and provide reliable, top-flight component support services. It is a privilege for us to help maintain Nato's AWACS fleet and we fully intend to continue this cooperation over the long term by continuously optimizing our operational processes to provide an ever more efficient service."

Source and image: Air France KLM

WWE wrestling superstar Sean O'Haire dead at 43

Former WWE wrestling superstar Sean O'Haire has been found dead at his home in America. The cause of the 43-year-old’s death remained a mystery but police have said no foul was suspected after visiting his house in South Carolina. His death is the latest in long line of wrestlers who’s lives have ended prematurely. O’Haire -real name was just Sean Haire - made his debut in the now defunct WCW in 2000 going to win their tag team championship three times with with partner Chuck Palumbo. However he became a household name when joined the WWE, who earmarked him stardom. He became the protege of wrestling legend Rowdy Roddy Piper but when the Scot left in 2003, O'Haire's career fizzled out and eventually a year later he was released.
Read more at: http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/sports/article/2000134499/wwe-wrestling-superstar-sean-o-haire-dead-at-43?utm_source=charles-odero&utm_campaign=september&utm_medium=st#/

China will need $870b worth of new planes by 2033

Boeing, China's leading provider of passenger airplanes, projects a demand in the country for 6,020 new airplanes over the next 20 years, valued at $870 billion. The company released its annual China Current Market Outlook (CMO) today in Beijing which shows Chinese carriers will take delivery of nearly 45 percent of the total demand for airplanes in the Asia Pacific region during the forecast period.

"China's aviation market is going through dynamic changes," said Randy Tinseth, Boeing Commercial Airplanes vice president of Marketing. "New business models like low-cost carriers and airplane leasing companies, a new generation of fuel-efficient airplanes and evolving consumer needs are driving demand for more direct flights to more destinations."
Boeing airplanes such as the 737 MAX, 777X and 787 Dreamliner are well positioned to take passengers directly to their destinations and help airlines generate more revenue.
The new CMO also shows how the emergence of start-up airlines and low-cost carriers stimulates traffic and allow more people to fly. Tourism in China and intra-Asia travel support a strong demand for single-aisle airplanes, with total deliveries reaching 4,340 through 2033. Tinseth said both the Next-Generation 737-800 and new 737 MAX 8 offer the airline customers the most revenue potential in this segment.
Chinese airlines with large global networks continue to look for opportunities to expand as international flying increases from secondary cities apart from Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. This growth in the long-haul segment is expected to result in demand for an additional 1,480 new fuel-efficient widebodies, such as the 777, 787 Dreamliner and 747-8 Intercontinental. This year's forecast reflects a continued shift in demand from very large airplanes to efficient new small and medium widebody airplanes.
"To compete in the tough long-haul international market, our Chinese customers are focused on evolving new business models, adding new destinations, increasing their capacity and resources," said Tinseth. "These trends will shape market demand for an airplane lineup that has high efficiency, low operating costs, environmentally progressive technologies and a great passenger experience. We believe Boeing's comprehensive widebody portfolio is perfectly aligned to meet those needs."

Source and  image: Boeing

Dutch Safety Board, MH17 “broke up in air” due to external damages

Flight MH17 with Boeing 777-200 operated by Malaysia Airlines broke up in the air probably as the result of structural damage caused by a large number of high-energy objects that penetrated the aircraft from outside. The pattern of wreckage on the ground suggests that the aircraft split into pieces during flight (an in-flight break up).

Based on the available maintenance history the airplane was airworthy when it took off from Amsterdam and there were no known technical problems. The aircraft was manned by a qualified and experienced crew.

As yet it has not been possible to conduct a detailed study of the wreckage. However, the available images show that the pieces of wreckage were pierced in numerous places. The pattern of damage to the aircraft fuselage and the cockpit is consistent with that which may be expected from a large number of high-energy objects that penetrated the aircraft from outside. It’s likely that this damage resulted in a loss of structural integrity of the aircraft, leading to an in-flight break up. This also explains the abrupt end to the data registration on the recorders, the simultaneous loss of contact with air traffic control and the aircraft's disappearance from radar.

Tjibbe Joustra, Chairman of the Dutch Safety Board

“The initial results of the investigation point towards an external cause of the MH17 crash. More research will be necessary to determine the cause with greater precision. The Safety Board believes that additional evidence will become available for investigation in the period ahead.”

The Board aims to publish the report within one year of the date of the crash.

Source and image: Dutch Safety Board

Ryanair to purchase CFM engines for more than $2.6B

Ryanair today announced its commitment to purchase 200 LEAP-1B engines to power 100 Boeing 737 MAX 200. Boeing formally launched the airplane, a variant of the MAX 8 that can accommodate up to 200 passengers, today with this order. Once finalized, the firm engine order is valued at more than $2.6 billion U.S. at list price.

Ryanair also has options to purchase an additional 100 LEAP-1B-powered 737 MAX 200 airplanes.

"The CFM-powered Boeing 737 has always been a winning combination," said Michael O’Leary, CEO of Ryanair. "The reliability of the CFM56 engines already in our fleet has helped us sustain profitable growth in the past. We look to this new LEAP engine to do even better."

"The LEAP-1B-powered MAX 200 is going to be a great engine/airplane combination and we believe it will bring tremendous value to our customers," said Jean-Paul Ebanga, president and CEO of CFM International. "The major improvement in fuel efficiency, coupled with CFM’s legendary reliability, will fit seamlessly into Ryanair’s very successful business model and should prove to be a real asset to their operations."

"Ryanair is one of our oldest customers, as well as one of our biggest," said Gael Meheust, vice president of sales for CFM parent company Snecma (Safran). "We are really looking forward to working closely with the Ryanair team to introduce this new engine into its fleet."

Ryanair first became a CFM customer in 1998 with an order for 28 CFM56-7-powered 737s and today operates a fleet of more than 300 Next-Generation 737-800s, representing the largest fleet of CFM-powered Boeing airplanes and the largest CFM56-7B-powered Boeing Next-Generation 737 fleet in Europe. Today’s order will expand the airline’s CFM engines fleet to more than 1,000. The airline operates more than 1,600 flights daily from 68 bases connecting 186 destinations in 30 countries.

The LEAP-1B engines powering Ryanair’s 737 MAX 200 aircraft represent the new state-of-the-art in engine technology. The foundation of the LEAP engine is heavily rooted in advanced aerodynamics, environmental, and materials technology development programs. It will provide double-digit improvements in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions compared to today’s best CFM engine, along with dramatic reductions in engine noise and emissions. All this technology brings with it CFM’s legendary reliability and low maintenance costs.

The first full LEAP-1B engine began ground testing in July 2014, three days ahead of schedule, as part of the most extensive ground and flight test certification program in CFM’s history. The total program, which encompasses all three LEAP engine variants, includes 28 ground and CFM flight test engines, along with a total of 32 flight test engines for Boeing, as well as Airbus and COMAC. Over the next three years, these engines will accumulate approximately 40,000 engine cycles leading up to entry into service. By the time this engine enters service, CFM will have simulated more than 15 years of airline service with 60 different engine builds.

CFM has been the sole engine supplier for all Boeing 737 aircraft models since 1981. In 2011, Boeing selected the LEAP-1B as the sole powerplant for its new 737 MAX. To date, a total of 4,478 LEAP-1B engines have been ordered to date to power 2,239 the MAX aircraft family.

Source and image: Safran

Emirates congratulated for confidence in the Seychellois workforce

The Emirates, a globally-recognized airline, has appointed a Seychelloise, Denise Rassool as their District Manager for Seychelles.

Ms. Rassool started her career with the airline in 2004 as a Customer Sales and Service Agent. She took up the post of Sales Manager in April 2011, after several promotions in the sales department.

Oomar Ramtoola, the Emirates Manager for the Indian Ocean Islands, congratulated Ms. Rassool by saying the recognition of local talent is important to the airline.

“I am pleased to see Ms. Rassool has been rewarded for her commitment and dedication to the airline. I wish her good luck as the head of Emirates Seychelles and assure her of my continued support,” Mr. Ramtoola said.

Ms. Rassool expressed words of thanks to the airline company for the opportunity she has received.

“I am thankful for the opportunity I have been given. Working for a leading international company such as Emirates has been challenging as well as rewarding. It is with a lot of dynamism and motivation that I take on my new responsibilities," Ms. Rassool said.

Ms. Rassool, accompanied by Mr. Oomar Ramtoola, paid a courtesy call to Tourism and Culture Minister Alain St.Ange as the appointment of Ms. Denise Rassool was being announced to the world. Mr. Ramtoola and Ms. Rassool were received at the Ministry’s offices at ESPACE building, where she was congratulated by Minister St.Ange for this new post taken. The Minister also congratulated Emirates for its faith in the Seychellois workforce, saying that they had recognized the managerial capabilities of the Seychellois and have appreciated their ability to deliver as is expected from those considered the best in a company such as Emirates.

Present at the meeting was Principal Secretary for Tourism Anne Lafortune, and the Chief Executive of the Seychelles Tourism Board, Sherin Naiken.

Emirates operates its Airbus A340-500 on the Seychelles route, offering customers a choice of cabins with 12 luxurious private suites in First Class, 42 deeply-reclining Business Class seats, and plenty of room to relax in Economy Class, where there are 204 seats available.

The airline recently announced the introduction of 2 more flights per week on the Seychelles-Dubai route, increasing the existing 12 scheduled flights to 14, making it a double-daily service from October 28 this year.

Emirates employs 20 Seychellois at the local Seychelles office. The airline started operations to the islands 9 years ago. Four Seychelles nationals are now listed as Emirates Managers in their Seychelles Office:

1. Denise Rassool – District Manager
2. Franky Hetimier – Airport Services Manager
3. Lisa Chetty – Finance & Administration Manager
4. Mike Balthilde – Cargo Manager

Emirates also used their meeting with the Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture to update the Tourism Minister on their new routes which should also be helpful to the Seychelles tourism industry:

• Emirates will commence services to Hungary from October 27, 2014 with a daily flight to the capital Budapest. Emirates will offer 278 seats per day on this route, operating with a Business and Economy class cabin.

• Emirates just started its operation today to Brussels, Belgium. The daily nonstop service will be operated by a Boeing 777.

• On September 2, 2014, Emirates has expanded its Scandinavian reach with the start of its daily nonstop service to Oslo.

UPGRADE OF SERVICE:

• Emirates launches Daily A380 flight to Frankfurt.

• Emirates launched Daily A380 service to Mumbai. The Emirates A380 operating on the Mumbai route will feature 14 private First Class suites, 76 Business Class lie-flat seats, and a spacious cabin for 399 Economy Class passengers.

• Emirates launches second daily nonstop flights to Dublin as of September 1, 2015.

Seychelles is a founding member of the International Coalition of Tourism Partners (ICTP) .

Ryanair reveals record August

DUBLIN, Ireland - With a load factor of 93% (up from the 89% for the same period last year) and 9.4m (9m - 2013) customers carried Ryanair had a very good August. The rolling annual traffic rose to a record 83.4m customers (up 4%).

“Ryanair traffic grew by 400,000 to a record 9.4m customers in August, thanks to our lower fares and our improving customer experience, including our great new website and mobile app, allocated seating, a free second small carry-on bag and PED (personal electronic device) use on all flights. The launch of our new family and business products have been extremely successful and have contributed significantly to these highest ever load factors in Ryanair’s history.”