Singapore Airlines Launches Private Suites, Double Beds And Swivel Chairs on A380s

From double beds, leather swivel chairs to full-sized closets and vanity counters, the newest suite of offerings from Singapore Airlines aims to close the gap in luxury air travel with its rivals in the Middle East.

On Thursday, the Asian carrier pulled back the curtain on the $850 million revamp of their A380s, the double-decker aircraft which boasts the title of the world's largest passenger airliner.

The centerpiece of the aircraft's design is undoubtedly its suites, six private apartments tucked at the front of the upper deck cabin, hidden behind sliding doors.

Along with a reclining, swivel leather chair, each suite comes with a full-sized closet, 32-inch HD monitor, and full-flat bed dressed in luxury bedding embroidered by French brand Lalique.

Of the two lavatories reserved for suite guests, one features a sit-down vanity.

Suite customers can slip under the duvet covers in sleeper suits, eyeshades, slippers and socks and refresh themselves using the luxury amenity kits that include Lalique toiletries, perfumes and scented candles.

Likewise, meals are served on Wedgwood serviceware, and wine and Champagne served in Lalique crystal glassware.

The carrier's newest launch signals an intent to reposition itself as a leader in luxury air travel, currently dominated by wealthy carriers in the Middle East.

Etihad famously offers a three-room apartment suite called "The Residence," while Qatar Airways became the first airline to launch a double bed for Business Class.

Emirates also invested millions into upgrading their in-flight bar and lounge aboard their A380.

Meanwhile, over in Singapore Airlines' business class, seats recline into sun-deck positions for a comfortable in-flight entertainment experience as well as full-flat beds.

Taking cues from Qatar Airways, the two center-seats have also been configured so that the center divider can be lowered to form double beds for couples and families.

The new cabin launches will be fitted on all 19 of the carrier's A380 fleet, including retrofit work on 14 aircraft which are already in service.

The complete roll-out is expected for 2020.

Singapore Airlines' A380s currently serve Auckland, Beijing, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, London, Melbourne, Mumbai, New Delhi, New York, Paris, Shanghai, Sydney and Zurich.

Airbus reports nine-month 2017 results

Airbus SE reported nine-month 2017 financial results and confirmed its guidance for the full year.

“The strong backlog and a healthy market environment continue to support our commercial aircraft production ramp-up plans,” said Airbus Chief Executive Officer Tom Enders. “We confirm our outlook even though this year’s delivery schedule is extremely back-loaded, largely due to the well-known engine problems plaguing our A320neo Family.”

Order intake totalled € 50.8 billion (9m 2016: € 73.2 billion) with the order book(1) valued at € 945 billion as of 30 September 2017 (year-end 2016: € 1,060 billion). A total of 271 net commercial aircraft orders were received (9m 2016: 380 aircraft), with the order backlog comprising 6,691 aircraft at the end of September. Net helicopter orders totalled 210 units (9m 2016: 211 units), including 14 H175s in the third quarter. At Defence and Space, the good order momentum continued in Military Aircraft with five A330 MRTTs booked in total for Germany and Norway in the third quarter. The overall order intake at the division was impacted by perimeter changes from portfolio reshaping and the slow telecommunications satellite market.  

Revenues were stable at € 43.0 billion (9m 2016: € 42.7 billion) despite the perimeter changes at Defence and Space and were higher on a comparable basis. Commercial Aircraft revenues rose four percent with deliveries of 454(2) aircraft (9m 2016: 462 aircraft) comprising 350 A320 Family, 50 A350 XWBs, 45 A330s and nine A380s. Helicopters’ revenues were slightly higher with deliveries of 266 units (9m 2016: 258 units). Revenues at Defence and Space reflected the negative impact of around € 1.4 billion from the perimeter changes.

EBIT Adjusted – an alternative performance measure and key indicator capturing the underlying business margin by excluding material charges or profits caused by movements in provisions related to programmes, restructuring or foreign exchange impacts as well as capital gains/losses from the disposal and acquisition of businesses – totalled  € 1,796 million (9m 2016: € 2,408 million).

Commercial Aircraft’s EBIT Adjusted of € 1,545 million (9m 2016: € 1,836 million) reflected the aircraft delivery mix and phasing as well as transition pricing. 

The industrial ramp up on the A350 continues to make good progress, with the programme well on track to meet the monthly production target rate of 10 aircraft by the end of 2018. Progress was also made on A350 recurring cost convergence. An agreement was signed with Qatar Airways following the cancellation of four A350 delivery slots to continue to take delivery of four associated finished aircraft by year-end. On the A320neo programme, 90 aircraft were delivered to 19 customers. The A320neo ramp-up remains challenging with the delivery profile very much loaded into the fourth quarter. Priority is being given to engine deliveries to customers to be used for spares, as agreed with the engine manufacturers. At the beginning of 2017, around 200 A320neo deliveries were targeted for the full year. Due to engine availability issues and allocation between the OEM and spare pools, A320neo deliveries are now expected to be slightly below that target. The A330neo programme reached an important milestone in October with the successful maiden flight.

Helicopters’ EBIT Adjusted declined to € 165 million (9m 2016: € 200 million), reflecting the unfavourable mix mainly from lower commercial flight hours in services and the impact associated with the past grounding of the H225. This was partially mitigated by the division’s transformation efforts. Airbus continues to work with its customers on bringing the civil H225 fleet back into full operation.

Defence and Space’s EBIT Adjusted was € 357 million (9m 2016: € 436 million), reflecting the perimeter change and was broadly stable on a comparable basis.

Twelve A400Ms were delivered compared to 11 aircraft in the first nine months of 2016. The operational and commercial assumptions that were retained in 2016 remain the management’s best current assessment. However, in the meantime, production levels were adjusted to absorb inventory with delivery schedules still in discussion with customers. Development activities continued toward achieving the revised capability roadmap. However, achievement of the contractual technical capabilities and associated costs remain highly challenging. There are also challenges remaining on securing sufficient export orders in time, on cost reductions, industrial efficiency and commercial exposure, which could all impact the programme significantly. Discussions to de-risk the A400M programme are ongoing with the Nations and OCCAR.

Group self-financed R&D expenses declined to € 1,918 million (9m 2016: € 2,015 million).

EBIT (reported) of € 2,312 million (9m 2016: € 2,356 million) included Adjustments totalling a net € +516 million compared to net Adjustments of € -52 million in the first nine months of 2016. The 9m 2017 Adjustments comprised:

 

·         A charge of € 150 million on the A400M programme, including € 80 million in the third quarter reflecting the production adjustment and liquidated damages incurred;

 

·         A positive impact of € 43 million related to the dollar pre-delivery payment mismatch and balance sheet revaluation;

 

·         An updated net capital gain of € 604 million from the divestment of the Defence Electronics business;

 

·         A net positive impact of € 19 million related to other portfolio changes at Defence and Space.

 

Net income amounted to € 1,851 million (9m 2016: € 1,811 million) after the EBIT Adjustments with earnings per share of € 2.39 (9m 2016: € 2.34). EPS and net income included a positive impact mainly from the revaluation of financial instruments and balance sheet items. The finance result was € 92 million (9m 2016: € -342 million).

Free cash flow before M&A and customer financing improved to € -3,344 million           (9m 2016: € -4,184 million), although its development was impacted by inventory build-up related to the ramp-up and NEO engine delays. Free cash flow of € -3,208 million (9m 2016: € -2,649 million) included net proceeds of around € 600 million from the Defence Electronics disposal. Cash flow for aircraft financing improved year-on-year by approximately       € 100 million to around € -440 million. The overall aircraft financing environment remains healthy with a high level of liquidity available in the market. Airbus continues to work constructively with the Export Credit Agencies (ECAs) to return to some ECA backed financing.

The net cash position on 30 September 2017 was € 6.7 billion (year-end 2016: € 11.1 billion) after the 2016 dividend payment of € 1.0 billion in the second quarter with a gross cash position of € 18.0 billion (year-end 2016: € 21.6 billion).

FAI adds first Airbus ACJ319 to the fleet: Available in 29-seat VIP layout

Germany´s largest general aviation fleet-operator, FAI rent-a-jet AG, a member of FAI Aviation Group, has announced further fleet expansion with the addition of its largest corporate aircraft to date, an Airbus ACJ319 Corporate Jet.

Newly registered D-AXTI will be available for lease and ad hoc charter from early 2018 following an extensive cabin upgrade and other enhancements 

With 29 VIP seats, the ACJ is equipped with five additional fuel tanks, enabling a range of more than 5,000 nm or 11 hours’ flying. The 2001-built aircraft will feature a VIP bathroom with shower and will be equipped with the latest communications and inflight entertainment technology, including high-speed connectivity and wireless iPad controls.

The ACJ319, which offers almost twice the cabin size of a traditional business jet, will be marketed by FAI specifically to the 19-seat plus, large-cabin user market. It is anticipated that it will be maintained by FAI’s MRO subsidiary, FAI Technik.

“While there is plenty of supply in the charter market up to 19 passengers, we have something very unique in this class with our 29-seat layout.  The ACJ will be excellent for corporate shuttles, groups, music and sports tours, and conference and incentives - where we can fully brand the aircraft.  This aircraft became available recently (it was previously under bank ownership) and we are delighted to add it to our growing fleet and move into a new market ourselves,” commented Siegfried Axtmann, FAI´s Chairman.

FAI plans to showcase the aircraft to the charter broker fraternity early next year.

The ACJ will join a total fleet of 25 aircraft based at FAI’s headquarters in Nuremberg, Germany including four Global Express, six Challenger 604, 11 Learjet 60, one Learjet 55, one Premier 1A and a King Air 35.

FAI operates satellite offices in Dubai and Miami, as well as line stations in Bamako and Dakar

CPaT Global to provide Distance Learning Solutions for EgyptAir

CPaT Global has been selected by EgyptAir to provide tailored Distance Learning Solutions for the pilot training needs of EgyptAir and EgyptAir Express as well as its cargo carrier and training academy.

The airline will employ CPaT’s Learning Management System (LMS) to provide classroom and mobile training for its Airbus A320 family, A330, Embraer 170, Boeing 737NG and Boeing 777 pilots.

Captain Moataz M. Refaat, EgyptAir’s Manager of Ground and Simulator Training, said: “EgyptAir employs over 1000 pilots flying five different aircraft types. As we approach a new era, the company is growing and expanding, management is embracing new technology and methods to enhance training through CPaT Distance Learning and LMS, which provide a good solution for our pilots and dispatchers. The Computer Based Training addresses both our operational training needs as well as IT demands.”

“CPaT is pleased to have been chosen to support EgyptAir, the flag carrier airline of Egypt,” said Captain Greg Darrow, CPaT Global’s VP Sales and Marketing. “EgyptAir has implemented CPaT’s advanced Distance Learning Solutions including the Airbus A320 family, A330, Boeing 737NG and Boeing 777 systems courses, LMS tools, dynamic exam generator system and the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737NG and Boeing 777 interactive classroom. EgyptAir’s commitment to advanced training solutions provides pilots with the best quality A320, A330, B737NG and Boeing 777 training while allowing pilots to study anywhere on any device.”

Two Kenya Airways crew were arrested with narcotics at the JKIA

Two Kenya Airways crew were arrested with narcotics at the JKIA in Nairobi on Thursday morning.

They were apprehended about 15 minutes after  take-off to Cotonou, Benin, with the substances whose value is yet to be establihsed

This was the report a sources privy to the matter gave The Star.

In a statement, KQ said: "The airline is aware of the incident and is working with relevant authorities to get to the bottom of it."

The national carrier noted it does not condone illegal activities by its staff members.

"All members of crew are trained on regulations and laws and are expected to adhere to them at all times," it said

About two weeks ago, multi-agency police smashed a suspected drug trafficking ring at the airport and said it involved Kenya Airways staff.

EgyptAir Express to go with C-Series for E170 replacement

EgyptAir Holding has settled on the C-Series to replace its EgyptAir Express unit's fleet of twelve EMB-170s, reports ch-aviation.

Quoting unnamed airline sources, a report claims the Egyptian carrier group has committed to twelve CS300s. It did not reveal if the jets would be acquired direct from Bombardier or via a third party lessor.

EgyptAir Express is planning to dispose of its twelve Embraer Regional Jets during 2018/19 as part of a larger fleet renewal plan that will see EgyptAir withdraw a total of twenty-five aircraft from service over the course of next year.

Aside from the Embraers, four A321-200s are to be disposed of in 2018 while four remaining A320-200s will be sold off in 2018/19. A total of seven A330s are also to be decommissioned in 2019 with three A330-200s to be retained for conversion into freighters for EgyptAir Cargo.

Africa's first Ethiopian B 787-9 touches down at Delhi International Airport

Ethiopian B787-9 Dreamliner that joined the airline's youngest and most modern operating fleet on October 27, 2017 made its debut flight to India's capital and metropolitan city of Delhi.

It is to be recalled that Ethiopian has named one of its twenty B 787-8 fleet after India’s greatest tourist attraction, Taj Mahal.

Ethiopian presence in India dates back to the 1970’s and currently operates 29 weekly scheduled passenger and cargo flights to India’s major cities of Mumbai, Delhi and Ahmedabad.