SIA reports Q1 loss of S$307 million

"Singapore Airlines swung to a net loss of S$307 million ($212 million) during its fiscal first quarter, its first quarterly loss since the SARS crisis in 2003. The Star Alliance member also warned that it expects to report a net loss for the full year if "adverse business conditions" continue." Flight Global

Cessna, Bell Parent Textron Reports 2Q Loss

"Textron, parent company of Cessna Aircraft and Bell Helicopter, today reported a net loss of $58 million in the second quarter, compared with a $258 million profit in the year-ago period. Revenues were $2.6 billion, down 29 percent from the second quarter of last year. The company also downgraded its revenue forecast this year from $11 billion to $10.6 billion, mainly due to further reductions in the Cessna Citation production rate, charges to downsize Cessna’s workforce and one-time costs to cancel development of the Citation Columbus. Textron for the third time lowered this year’s Citation delivery estimate; the target now is 275 jets, down from a previous 290 to 300." AIN Online

Kingfisher reports INR16.09bn losses for FY2008-09

"Updated with results for first quarter of 2009-2010 financial year. India's Kingfisher Airlines has posted a net loss of 16.09 billion Indian rupees ($334.9 million) for the year ending 31 March on income of 52.7 billion rupees." Flight Global Flyintelligence

Aeroflot postpones A320 deliveries but plans to lease MD-11s

"Aeroflot is postponing deliveries of five Airbus A320-family aircraft, following its recent examination of capacity requirements. The Russian flag carrier is also to lease three Boeing MD-11s from Boeing Capital, having already opted to withdraw its long-haul Ilyushin Il-86 fleet." Flight Global

Air France confirms additional pitot tube problems

"Air France confirmed a Le Figaro report that one of its A320s flying from Rome Fiumicino to Paris Charles de Gaulle on July 13 had a "very brief six-second anomaly" in its airspeed data display that was "probably due to icing at high altitude." The aircraft was fitted with the new Thales BA probes, AF noted, adding that the crew applied the necessary procedures and the aircraft maintained its flight path with no change."
ATW Online

Unmanned aircraft take on increased importance

"The US military's expanded overseas use of unmanned aircraft highlights the increased importance of such aerial platforms to current and future military operations, senior Air Force officers said here July 23.

The Unmanned Aircraft Systems Flight Plan announced July 23 will serve as a template for how the Air Force will look in 2047 - the 100th anniversary of the US Air Force -- Gen. William M. Fraser III, the Air Force's vice chief of staff, told reporters at a Pentagon news conference.

"The future of our systems is really now," General Fraser said. "The Air Force today looks dramatically different than it did 35 years ago when I first came aboard on active duty."

The flight plan, he explained, lays out the Air Force's "vision for maximizing our efforts in unmanned aerial systems" today and in the future.

"We'll continue to push the UAS envelope," General Fraser said, adding that unmanned systems are unmanned in name only.

"While there may be no Airmen onboard the actual vehicle, there indeed are airmen involved in every step of the process," General Fraser said, including the pilots who operate the vehicles' remote controls and sensors and maintenance personnel.

Unmanned aircraft systems "represent an important addition to our comprehensive set of Air Force capabilities that actually define air power," General Fraser said.

Lt. Gen. David A. Deptula, the Air Force's deputy chief of staff for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, told reporters that unmanned aircraft systems have proven effective during aerial strike missions against insurgents in Afghanistan and Pakistan, while also performing surveillance and intelligence-gathering missions.

Persistent flight capability, General Deptula said, is one of the advantages of employing unmanned aerial vehicles in military missions." Shephard

Textron Names John Garrison President & CEO of Bell Helicopter

"Textron today announced that John L. Garrison, Jr. has been named president and CEO of its Bell Helicopter business unit, effective August 1st. He replaces Richard (Dick) Millman, who is retiring after 43 years of service to Textron." Shephard

Ethiopian Airlines fait l’acquisition de 12 A350 XWB d’Airbus

"Ethiopian Airlines, l’une des principales compagnies aériennes en Afrique, dont la croissance est l’une des plus rapides, a signé un Protocole d’Accord portant sur la commande de 12 A350 XWB, et devient ainsi un nouveau client d’Airbus."Procen

AAR signs LOI to be SSJ100 service centre

"AAR has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with SuperJet International to become a service centre for the Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft. As part of SuperJet’s network of service centres, AAR will provide SSJ100 operators with heavy airframe maintenance, modifications, interior and exterior refurbishments, unscheduled maintenance services, line and RON maintenance and will have field teams to provide off-site support. “We are very pleased to have AAR as part of our worldwide service network,” declared Giovanni Simonetti, senior vice-president of customer service for SuperJet International. “AAR is a top tier MRO provider in North America with a long history of providing outstanding support to the commercial and regional airline industry. AAR’s capabilities and professionalism will be a great benefit to our customers.” Sherphard

Air France cargo traffic crashes

"AIR France-KLM cargo revenues plummeted 41.5 per cent drop in this financial year’s first quarter. Total revenue from cargo fell to €544 million (US$744 million) following a 22.7 per cent decline in traffic, a 17.2 per cent cut in capacity and a 25.1 per cent fall in yields. However, the company remains optimistic...." Air Cargo

EADS welcomes A400M customer nations decision

"After the nations’ Defence Ministers meeting in Le Castellet (France), EADS welcomes the ministers’ statement that the A400M is still their preferred choice for future air transport and their agreement to enter into detailed negotiations with Airbus Militar Sociedad Limitada (AMSL) up to the end of the year. On their side, EADS and Airbus are fully committed to finding an agreement that is technically and contractually acceptable to both sides." Aviation News

KC-X specs should be released in September

"Details of what the Air Force wants from its next-generation aerial refueling tanker, the KC-X, should be released in September, Air Force Secretary Michael Donley told hundreds of airmen here for Air Mobility Command’s Rodeo competition.

If that date holds, the KC-X tanker could be chosen by mid-2010.

“We think we can make a source selection in the May/June time frame,” Donley said Wednesday.

Last year, the Pentagon awarded a $40 billion contract for 179 tankers to Northrop Grumman Corp. and then canceled the deal after competitor Boeing Co. protested. The Government Accountability Office concluded the Air Force had unfairly penalized Boeing’s smaller plane.

The day before Donley spoke, the head of Air Mobility Command was clear about his disappointment with the tanker program.

“I would be lying if I said I wasn’t frustrated,” Gen. Arthur Lichte told reporters at Rodeo. “I’d love to be able to say by the next mobility Rodeo [in 2011], we’ll have a new tanker. But, realistically that’s not going to happen.”

A new tanker at the 2013 Rodeo is possible, Lichte added.

The new tanker offer needs to pass several mileposts before the request for proposals is issued. Right now, the proposal package is being reviewed for potential problems, Donley said." Air force Times

Finmeccanica reçoit 500 millions de la BEI pour investir dans le sud de l'Italie

"La Banque européenne d'investissement (BEI) va accorder un prêt de 500 millions d'euros au groupe italien d'aéronautique et de défense Finmeccanica pour des investissements dans le sud du pays, fortement touché par le chômage. Ce financement est destiné à des investissements de la filiale... ..." Les Echos

Thales abaisse ses prévisions de résultats

"Thales annonce un recul de 82% son résultat opérationnel au premier semestre, après de nouvelles provisions sur le programme d'avion militaire A400M. Le groupe, spécialisé dans les systèmes électroniques destinés à l'aéronautique et la défense, a ainsi revu ses objectifs 2009. Il table désormais sur une simple "croissance organique" de ses revenus alors qu'il affichait jusqu'à présent un objectif de croissance chiffrée de 3% à 5%." Les Echos

OpenSkies to suspend Amsterdam-New York route

"British Airways' all-premium transatlantic carrier OpenSkies is to suspend its Amsterdam-New York service next month. The route - one of two served by the carrier, other other being Paris-New York - will be halted on 16 August. OpenSkies insists the suspension is "temporary". Chief Dale Moss says: "The current economic situation has resulted in a significant decrease in demand for business-class flights." Flight Global.

First ARJ21 Transferred to Xi’an Flight Test Center

" Test pilots yesterday flew the first ARJ21-700 regional jet from its production site in Shanghai to China’s Flight Test Establishment in Xi’an, the capital of northwest China’s Shaanxi province, where developers plan to continue flight testing and earn type certification from the country’s civil aviation authorities. The 700-nm, two-hour, 19-minute trip marked the ARJ21’s longest flight to date, according to official Chinese sources. The second ARJ21-700 flew for the first time on July 1, marking another important step in the Chinese regional jet’s slow march toward certification, officially expected some time near the middle of next year. That flight lasted 61 minutes, during which time the airplane cruised at an altitude of 9,000 feet." AIN Online

A400M partners head for latest crisis meeting

"Defence ministers from the A400M partner nations will meet in Nice, France on 24 July, where they will make a potentially crucial decision on the future of Airbus Military's troubled airlifter. The A400M's failure to fly has placed the project at risk of cancellation since late March, and partner nations Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Spain, Turkey and the UK in June agreed a one-month extension to a rolling moratorium period to agree its fate." Flight Global

Boeing’s debt issuance oversubscribed

" Boeing received an enthusiastic response from the capital market on Thursday for a three-part $1.5bn debt offering, which was quickly oversubscribed. The offering was the second time this year the world’s second biggest aircraft manufacturer has gone to the bond markets. In March, it successfully placed close to $2bn of debt. James Bell, Boeing chief financial officer, hinted on the company’s earnings call on Wednesday that it was looking at a debt issuance. “We have had a successful bond offering in March and this form of capital raising continues to be an attractive option for us,” he said. “Clearly, we do have the ability to get back in the bond markets and we’ll probably do some of that.” Financial Times

Boeing warns on Dreamliner losses

"Boeing’s troubled 787 Dreamliner looks unlikely to make a profit for at least two years after its first delivery, as the aircraft-maker warned on Wednesday that the programme could make a loss in its initial stages. The manufacturer is poised to announce the details of the fifth delay to the 787 programme after discovering weaknesses in the structure where the wings join the body. Although it has repeatedly stressed the fault can be fixed using a relatively minor technical solution, Boeing is gearing up for significant financial implications because of the cost of solving the problem and penalties to customers." Financial Times

787 Dreamliner Flight Test Airplane Painted in Special Boeing Livery

" The fifth Boeing 787 Dreamliner flight test airplane has been unveiled sporting a special Boeing livery. Painted white with blue accents, the new livery incorporates visual and color elements from the distinctive blue-and-white Boeing Commercial Airplanes livery seen on the first 787 flight test airplane and other new commercial models. The simplified paint scheme will be applied to the three remaining unpainted flight test airplanes (Nos. 3, 4 and 6). Airplane No. 2 has been painted in the colors of launch customer ANA of Japan." Aviation News

Aviation Market Shows Sign of Stabilisation

"June passenger volume and cargo traffic at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) declined by 18.9% and 13.4% when compared to the same month in 2008, to 3.3 million and 270,000 tonnes, respectively. Air traffic movements also decreased by 13.3% to 21,505. The declines in passenger volume and aircraft movements were mainly attributable to the continually weak global economy and reduction in flights by airlines to reflect lower demand. Demand for travel was further dampened by the global fear sparked by Influenza A (H1N1). As a result, travel by Hong Kong residents and visitors dropped by 12% and , visitors by 25% and transfer passenger traffic by 17% year-on-year respectively. On the cargo side, exports declined 17% over the same month last year, mainly due to the continually weak consumption markets in North America and Europe..." Next.

EADS North America Delivers First U.S. Army UH-72A Lakota Helicopters for Basing Outside of Continental United States

"The first two EADS North America-built UH-72A Lakota Light Utility Helicopters to be based outside of the continental United States have been delivered to the U.S. Army for operations in Puerto Rico. The UH-72A is a derivative of Eurocopter's proven EC145 multi-role helicopter, and is produced at a state-of-the-art facility in Columbus, Miss., that is operated by American Eurocopter, an EADS North America company. These rotary-wing aircraft were the 66th and 67th UH-72As delivered to U.S. Army and Army National Guard units by EADS North America, and they continued the company's track record of on-time deliveries for the service's new Light Utility Helicopter..." Next.

Boeing KC-767 Tankers for Italy Complete Military Utility Observation

"Two of the KC-767 aerial refueling tankers that Boeing is building for the Italian Air Force recently performed a series of airborne boom contacts and fuel offloads in observation test flights with the U.S. Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards Air Force Base. The flights included KC-767 fuel transfers with a U.S. Air Force F-16 aircraft as well as from one KC-767 to the other. The KC-767 tankers achieved the milestone contacts in late June during a successful Military Utility Observation (MUO) that demonstrated the tankers’ operational capabilities to refuel both a large receiver aircraft and a fighter aircraft using the KC-767 advanced aerial refueling boom and Remote Aerial Refueling Operator (RARO) station..." Next.

BA-Iberia merger discussions

"British Airways and Spanish airline, Iberia, are seeking to finalise terms of a merger which would result in the formation of the the world’s third-biggest airline. BA have said that the combined operation would have a turnover of $8.4 billion US, fly to over 200 destinations and would significantly expand BA’s reach into the lucrative and expanding Latin American air travel market..." Next.

Mauvais rebond judiciaire pour Mecachrome

"Le vent du boulet souffle de nouveau sur Mecachrome. La justice canadienne vient de refuser le plan de refinancement proposé par cet industriel franco-canadien placé en sauvegarde depuis décembre dernier en raison de sa dette. Ce plan, abondé par l'Etat français via le Fonds stratégique..." Next.

BA explores options for selling majority share in OpenSkies

"British Airways is gearing up to sell control of its OpenSkies premium transatlantic operation, although it intends to retain a degree of interest in the carrier.

The carrier has recruited a London-based investment bank, Reynolds Partners, to explore options for the airline.

OpenSkies operates all-business Boeing 757-200s from Amsterdam and Paris to New York, but the collapse of the premium market has already forced BA to hold back on expanding the airline.

BA is confining itself to saying that it is "reviewing all aspects" of its activities, given the economic environment and the financial pressure on the carrier.

But a spokeswoman for BA points out: "OpenSkies is a small part of our business and its losses are not significant compared with losses in other parts of the company."

Reynolds Partners declines to comment on the issue.

But the bank has recently appointed former BA head of joint ventures and investments Tim Hammond to lead a newly-created transport division, and Flightglobal sister publication Air Transport Intelligence understands that he will take charge of the OpenSkies assignment.

A source familiar with the situation confirms that BA is to task the bank with assessing options for OpenSkies and, although the carrier is not setting a timescale, it expects to have an initial idea of possible paths within "a couple of months".

"The issue is really that BA does not want to put investment in to make this work, but wants to remain involved," says the source, indicating that sale of a majority shareholding appears to be the preferred outcome.

Despite the depressed economy, the source adds, there are already "several potential interested investors" in the carrier and a view that the OpenSkies business, in principle, is "potentially very good".

BA has already committed to grounding and selling its 11 remaining mainline 757-200s rather than use them to reinforce the OpenSkies fleet. Eight will be parked this winter and the other three in summer 2010.

When BA pushed through the creation of OpenSkies last year - risking a revolt by mainline pilots in the process - it set a target of profitability within three years.

But the premium travel sector has been badly hit by the economic crisis. BA chairman Martin Broughton even warned shareholders this week that the market for premium travel "may never fully recover".

OpenSkies' management has remained upbeat about the carrier's performance and prospects. The carrier, which began services in June last year, subsequently took over the similar French carrier L'Avion. It has a fleet of four 757-200s, operating under a single brand."

Shanghai Airlines takes delivery of its first Airbus aircraft

"During a ceremony held at Hamburg, Germany, Shanghai Airlines has taken delivery of its first Airbus aircraft, an A321, becoming a new operator of Airbus aircraft. The aircraft is the first of 10 A321s ordered by the Shanghai-based carrier in 2006 and 2007.

Powered by IAE V2533-A5 engines, the carrier’s first A321 is fitted in an all-new, comfortable two-class configuration with 178 seats (166 seats in Economy, 12 in Business Class). The aircraft will initially be deployed on domestic routes followed in the future by regional routes including Japan and Korea." Next

British Airways lance un emprunt obligataire de 350 millions d'euros

"British Airways a annoncé vendredi le lancement d'une émission d'obligation convertibles de 300 millions de livres (environ 350 millions d'euros), dans le cadre d'un plan pour renforcer ses liquidités de 600 millions de livres au total. La compagnie aérienne britannique, qui doit publier le 31 juillet les résultats de son premier trimestre achevé fin juin, a annoncé à cette occasion qu'ils devraient ressortir légèrement au-dessus des attentes des analystes financiers, avec un chiffre d'affaires de 1,98 milliard de livres et une perte opérationnelle de 100 millions de livres environ. Les obligations, dont l'émission sera soumise au feu vert des actionnaires, seront remboursables en 2014 et, en cas de conversion, pourraient représenter de l'ordre de 15 à 20 % du capital de British Airways, a précisé le groupe." Next.

China Eastern offers $1.3 billion for Shanghai Airlines

"China Eastern Airlines has formally offered to take over Shanghai Airlines in a 9 billion yuan ($1.3 billion) deal as it seeks to increase its market share, lower costs, and return to profitability. The carrier says in a statement to the Hong Kong stock exchange that it plans sell 7 billion yuan worth of new shares to fund the acquisition. It will do this by selling 1.35 billion Shanghai-listed shares at 4.75 yuan apiece, and 490 million Hong Kong-listed shares for at least HK$1.40 apiece to its parent, China Eastern Air Holding." Next.

BA to raise £600 million in cash

"British Airways is looking to raise £600 million ($987 million) in cash to increase its liquidity in the face of "difficult trading conditions" amid the ongoing economic crisis. "Following discussions with institutional investors, we're taking action to improve our liquidity and strengthen our position within the industry," says BA chief executive Willie Walsh in a statement to the London stock exchange." Next.

Air India lost $1 billion in last fiscal year

"Air India's parent company National Aviation Co of India (Nacil) is likely to report losses of 50 billion Indian rupees ($1.02 billion) for the financial year ending 31 March. Nacil also owes 5.99 billion Indian rupees to the Airports Authority of India and 5.42 billion Indian rupees to jet fuel companies, India's civil aviation minister Praful Patel told the country's upper house of parliament in a statement." Next.

Embraer Holds Its Own with 56 Q2 Aircraft Deliveries

"Embraer on Tuesday announced that it delivered 56 aircraft during the second quarter, including 35 regional airliners and 21 executive jets. Broken down by model, the executive jet side delivered 15 Phenom 100s (including two to an unidentified defense customer, presumably for VIP transport), five Legacy 600s and one Lineage 1000. The company’s firm order backlog stands at $19.8 billion, which includes orders for more than 800 Phenom 100s and 300s. Meanwhile, at the end of last month Embraer started to deliver Phenom 100s to Brazilian customers." Next.

Textron ‘Formally Cancels’ Cessna Citation Columbus

"The large-cabin Cessna Citation Columbus program has been “formally cancelled,” according to an Form 8-K report parent company Textron filed late last week with the Security Exchange Commission and confirmed today by Cessna officials. The move comes just a little more than two months after Textron’s decision “to suspend the development of the Citation Columbus widebody jet due to prevailing market conditions,” Textron said in the report. (In addition to quarterly Form 10-K reports, companies must file Form 8-K “current reports” to announce major events that shareholders should know about.) “Upon additional analysis of the business jet market related to this product offering, we decided to formally cancel further development of the Citation Columbus,” the company explained." Next.

First ARJ21 Transferred to Xi’an Flight Test Center

"Test pilots yesterday flew the first ARJ21-700 regional jet from its production site in Shanghai to China’s Flight Test Establishment in Xi’an, the capital of northwest China’s Shaanxi province, where developers plan to continue flight testing and earn type certification from the country’s civil aviation authorities. The 700-nm, two-hour, 19-minute trip marked the ARJ21’s longest flight to date, according to official Chinese sources. The second ARJ21-700 flew for the first time on July 1, marking another important step in the Chinese regional jet’s slow march toward certification, officially expected some time near the middle of next year. That flight lasted 61 minutes, during which time the airplane cruised at an altitude of 9,000 feet." Next

Zimbabwe gets new airline

"As Zimbabwe's economy begins to recover after a decade of crisis, a group of local investors announced Thursday it was setting up a low -cost airline to rival the nation's state-owned carrier, the country's only airl i ne until now. The airline, Fly Kumba, is scheduled to begin operations in September, and will ply both domestic and regional routes, officials said. Airline chief executive Lloyd Muchaka said Fly Kumba had been modeled along the lines of low-cost carriers in Europe and elsewhere, and was confident of securin g viable business in this market segment. " Next.

Boeing acquires second 787 supplier plant

"Boeing has been forced to take over one of the key suppliers to its troubled new jet, the 787 Dreamliner, in an effort to gain tighter control of the production process. It has agreed to pay at least $580m for the facility that makes chiefly composite sections for the 787, a planned family of long-range jets which is running more than two years behind schedule. The purchase of the South Carolina plant from Vought Aircraft Industries – owned by the Carlyle Group, the private equity firm – is the second time Boeing has been forced into an acquisition to strengthen the global supply chain." Next.

China aviation heads to clearer skies but clouds remain

"After a turbulent first half, it seems that China's aviation industry is flying into clearer skies. On Tuesday, Air China, the country's flag carrier, said profit for the first six months of 2009 jumped more than 50 per cent from the same period last year, due to strong domestic traffic, fuel hedging gains, stringent cost control and state support. The news came on the heels of a long-awaited announcement by China Eastern to buy smaller rival Shanghai Airlines for $1.3bn. The takeover is likely to help the carrier return to profitability this year following the end of a fierce price war between the two Shanghai-based airlines." Next

American Airlines hit by continuing losses

"AMR, the parent company of American Airlines, reported a heavy second quarter loss for the second consecutive year, as sales came under pressure from weak demand and falling fares.

Gerard Arpey, AMR chief executive, said on Wednesday revenues were down sharply from a year ago as a result of continuing weakness in the global economy." Next.

CAE remporte une série de contrats pour le C-130

"CAE a annoncé qu'elle a remporté une série de contrats auprès du maître d'oeuvre Lockheed Martin et d'un client dont l'identité demeure confidentielle pour concevoir et construire quatre simulateurs C-130 et plusieurs dispositifs de formation pour des clients militaires du monde entier." Source.

Accord entre Athènes et Paris sur l'acquisition de 15 Super Puma

"La Grèce a conclu un accord d'une valeur de 400 millions d'euros avec la France pour acquérir 15 hélicoptères de type Super Puma, annonce un haut responsable du ministère grec de la Défense.

"Le gouvernement a décidé d'acheter 15 hélicoptères Super Puma pour 400 millions d'euros après des discussions avec la France", a dit le responsable à Reuters. L'accord a été conclu à la fin du mois de juin, a-t-il précisé. La France et la Grèce discutent également de la vente de six frégates multi-missions (Fremm). "Les discussions sur les frégates se poursuivent", a déclaré le responsable.

Renee Maltezou, version française Gwénaelle Barzic et Nicolas Delame" Article.

Airbus lance la construction d'une nouvelle usine en Chine en coentreprise

"Airbus a annoncé le lancement, mercredi, de la construction dans le nord-est de la Chine d'une nouvelle usine établie en coentreprise avec des partenaires chinois pour produire des éléments pour son programme de A350 XWB et ses A320.La coentreprise baptisée Harbin Hafei Airbus Composite..." La suite.

EADS remporte le marché saoudien de sécurité des frontières

"Ce contrat marque une première brèche d'importance dans le monopole qu'exercent les Anglo-Saxons dans les fournitures de militaires et de défense de l'Arabie saoudite.

Alors que les tractations durent depuis 1996, EADS a finalement remporté le contrat de surveillance électronique des frontières de l'Arabie saoudite. L'information, dévoilée ce matin par le Point sur son site internet, a été confirmée dans la journée par le groupe européen de défense et d'aérospatiale. Le montant du marché n'a pas été précisé, mais il est estimé par les observateurs entre 1,6 milliard d'euros à 2,5 milliards d'euros.

Le contrat porte sur la sécurisation des 8.000 kilomètres de frontières saoudiennes. Il consiste en "l'installation le long des frontières saoudiennes de radars et de postes de commandement visant à prévenir toute attaque en provenance de la mer, du ciel ou de terre", a précisé une porte-parole du groupe à l'AFP. Il sera finalisé "dans les cinq ans", a-t-elle ajouté." la suite.