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Magazine Issue

SpeedNews - March 27, 2020

March 27, 2020

Air Transport

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S7 AIRLINES

Mar 20, 2020
S7 AIRLINES took delivery of third GTF-powered A320neo (9590) on lease from SMBC Aviation Capital as part of deal for eight.
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TAP AIR PORTUGAL

Mar 20, 2020
TAP AIR PORTUGAL has reduced operations to 34 weekly flights to 15 destinations (11 international/four domestic).
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SWOOP

Mar 20, 2020
SWOOP (WestJet) is temporarily suspending all scheduled international and transborder operations.
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FORWARDKEYS

Mar 20, 2020
FORWARDKEYS says >48,200 flights/10.2m seats are in jeopardy due to 30-day EU border closure; AIR FRANCE and LUFTHANSA are most impacted.
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AMERICAN AIRLINES

Mar 20, 2020
AMERICAN AIRLINES is using 777-300 pax aircraft for cargo-only flights (can carry >100,000 lb) between US and Europe.
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AVIANCA HOLDINGS

Mar 20, 2020
AVIANCA HOLDINGS is suspending operations and grounding its 22 widebodies, 105 narrowbodies and 15 ATRs.
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HK EXPRESS

Mar 20, 2020
HK EXPRESS is suspending all flight operations (2,000 flight sectors) through at least end of April due to COVID-19.
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AIR NEW ZEALAND

Mar 20, 2020
AIR NEW ZEALAND secured NZ$900m loan from New Zealand Government to support sustainability through COVID-19.
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FIJI AIRWAYS

Mar 20, 2020
FIJI AIRWAYS is suspending 95% of schedule through end of May due to COVID-19; it will operate twice-weekly Nadi-Singapore.
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FINNAIR

Mar 20, 2020
FINNAIR has announced substantial funding plan to secure liquidity during COVID-19 crisis; plan includes € 775m in available credit lines, sale and…
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SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS

Mar 20, 2020
SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS has now suspended all international flights at least through end of May due to COVID-19.
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DELTA AIR LINES

Mar 23, 2020
DELTA AIR LINES secured new $2.6b credit facility to enhance its liquidity during COVID-19 outbreak; it is also drawing $3b from existing revolving…
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EMIRATES

Mar 23, 2020
EMIRATES is suspending most passenger operations, but will retain cargo service with 777Fs. It is also taking cost reduction measures, including…
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HAWAIIAN AIRLINES

Mar 23, 2020
HAWAIIAN AIRLINES is significantly reducing network in response to State of Hawai‘i 14-day quarantine order for all arrivals.
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UNITED AIRLINES

Mar 23, 2020
UNITED AIRLINES has adjusted its flight schedule to continue daily service in April/May from Newark to Frankfurt, London and Tel Aviv, from Houston…
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SINGAPORE AIRLINES

Mar 23, 2020
SINGAPORE AIRLINES is cutting 96% of capacity after Singapore closed it borders due to COVID-19 outbreak and grounding 138 of 147 SIA/SilkAir…
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ETIHAD AIRWAYS

Mar 23, 2020
ETIHAD AIRWAYS is suspending all passenger operations in Abu Dhabi due to COVID-19; it will continue cargo operations.
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ICELANDAIR GROUP

Mar 23, 2020
ICELANDAIR GROUP says it is operating 14% of its planned flight schedule, and, in coming weeks, capacity will decline further.
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GE AVIATION

Mar 23, 2020
GE AVIATION plans to reduce its US workforce by 10% and furlough about 50% of its MRO employees for 90 days as part of plan, that includes its CEO…
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BELAVIA

Mar 23, 2020
BELAVIA, Belarus leased ex-TUI 737-800 (35139) from Infinity Transportation.
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UNIVERSAL ASSET MANAGEMENT

Mar 23, 2020
UNIVERSAL ASSET MANAGEMENT, TN acquired ex-S7 A319-100 (1090) for part out in Tupelo, MS.
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NORWEGIAN

Mar 24, 2020
NORWEGIAN says two Nordic banks have obtained credit committee approval to provide a guarantee for required 10% for first tranche of NOK300m. Norway…
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CATHAY PACIFIC

Mar 24, 2020
CATHAY PACIFIC and CATHAY DRAGON are cutting capacity by 96% in April/May; its freighter capacity remains intact.
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ALASKA AIRLINES

Mar 24, 2020
ALASKA AIRLINES says it plans to park 30 mainline aircraft of its fleet of 230 until further notice. It is cutting schedule 15%.
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TRANSAVIA FRANCE

Mar 24, 2020
TRANSAVIA FRANCE leased ex-Jet Airways 737-800 (39068) from AMCK Aviation, Ireland.
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GOL

Mar 24, 2020
GOL plans through May 3 to maintain essential network of 50 daily flights between São Paulo International (Guarulhos) and the other 26 capital cities…
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RYANAIR

Mar 24, 2020
RYANAIR says it does not expect its Group of Airlines, including Lauda, Buzz and Malta Air, to operate flights in April and May.
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MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE

Mar 24, 2020
MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE revised its outlook for the aircraft leasing sector to negative from stable.
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IATA

Mar 24, 2020
IATA now estimates airline industry will take $252b hit in 2020 (vs previous $113b), representing 44% decline compared to 2019; year-over-year global…
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LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Mar 24, 2020
LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT handled 5.8m pax in February, down 3.8% vs Feb 2019; cargo traffic dropped 7.8%.
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VIRGIN AUSTRALIA GROUP

Mar 25, 2020
VIRGIN AUSTRALIA GROUP extended cuts in domestic capacity from 50% to 90% (remaining 10% retained for transportation of essential services, critical…
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ACI

Mar 25, 2020
ACI reports year-over-year pax growth of 1.9% in January; cargo dropped 4.4%.
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AIR CANADA

Mar 25, 2020
AIR CANADA began using 787-8 pax aircraft for cargo-only flights (can carry >77,000 lb) to Europe and (later) South America.
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SOUTHWEST AIRLINES

Mar 25, 2020
SOUTHWEST AIRLINES expanded its flight schedule reduction to 37.5% (1,500 of about 4,000 daily flights), including all international service, through…
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QANTAS GROUP

Mar 25, 2020
QANTAS GROUP secured A$1.05b loan against part of its unencumbered aircraft fleet (seven 787-9s), increasing its available cash to A$2.95b (with…
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NORTHERN AIR CARGO

Mar 25, 2020
NORTHERN AIR CARGO took delivery of ex-West Atlantic UK 737-400SF (25267) from Cargo Aircraft Management.
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AEROMEXICO

Mar 25, 2020
AEROMEXICO is cutting domestic capacity by 35% and international capacity by 50%, and has parked 40 aircraft, which it says will probably increase…
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PHILIPPINE AIRLINES

Mar 25, 2020
PHILIPPINE AIRLINES has suspended all service due to COVID-19 crisis; current plans call for restarting on April 15.
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ASL AIRLINES IRELAND

Mar 25, 2020
ASL AIRLINES IRELAND acquired ex-EAT Leipzig A330-200F (1032); aircraft was originally operated by Etihad Airways Cargo.
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EUROCONTROL

Mar 25, 2020
EUROCONTROL reports that year-over-year air traffic in Europe was down 77% (21,254 less flights) on March 24.
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QATAR AIRWAYS

Mar 26, 2020
QATAR AIRWAYS has added 10,000 extra seats to its network with extra flights to Paris, Perth and Dublin; it is now operating to 75 destinations …
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FLYBONDI

Mar 26, 2020
FLYBONDI, Argentina is suspending operations through end of April due to COVID-19 crisis; it has five 737-800s.
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ALASKA AIRLINES

Mar 26, 2020
ALASKA AIRLINES now plans to cut its April/May flight schedule by 70% (previously 15%) and taking other measures to conserve cash; it is now studying…
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AAPA

Mar 26, 2020
AAPA estimates year-over-year international traffic for Asia Pacific airlines dropped 34.8% in February; capacity fell 20.6%.
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LOGANAIR

Mar 26, 2020
LOGANAIR, Scotland leased ex-HOP! ATR 42-500 (484) from Nordic Aviation Capital.
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US DOT

Mar 26, 2020
US DOT estimates top 25 US airlines carried 70.5m pax (61.4m domestic/9.2m international) in February, up 5.6% vs Feb 2019.
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MIAMI AIR INTERNATIONAL

Mar 26, 2020
MIAMI AIR INTERNATIONAL has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy/reorganization amid COVID-19; it was operating six 737s.
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A4A

Mar 26, 2020
A4A says before COVID-19 crisis, US airlines were transporting 2.5m pax per day; TSA screened 454k pax on March 22; 331k on March 23; 279k on March…

Aerospace

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AVTECH

Mar 20, 2020
AVTECH says completion of SEK1m-2m deal with unnamed European charter for Aventus NowCast full-flight wind uplink service is delayed due to COVID-19.
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THYSSENKRUPP AEROSPACE SUZHOU

Mar 20, 2020
THYSSENKRUPP AEROSPACE SUZHOU was selected by AVIC Shenyang Commercial Aircraft to provide 1,000 cut-to-size aluminum plate items in 2020-2022 for…
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LONGVIEW AVIATION CAPITAL

Mar 20, 2020
LONGVIEW AVIATION CAPITAL has suspended Dash 8-400 production at De Havilland's Downsview facility in Toronto, and Series 400 Twin Otter production…
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KYMERA INTERNATIONAL

Mar 23, 2020
KYMERA INTERNATIONAL (owned by affiliates of Palladium Equity Partners), NC completed acquisiton of READING ALLOYS, PA (supplies master alloys,…
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BOEING

Mar 23, 2020
BOEING says its CEO, Dave Calhoun, and Chairman, Larry Kellner, will forgo all pay until end 2020. It is also suspending dividends and extending…
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AIRBUS

Mar 23, 2020
AIRBUS has withdrawn its 2020 delivery guidance of 880 aircraft due to current volitility; it delivered 86 in January/February.
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AIRBUS

Mar 23, 2020
AIRBUS is partially resuming production and assembly work in France and Spain. It also secured new €15b credit facility (in addition to existing €3b…
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MTU AERO ENGINES

Mar 23, 2020
MTU AERO ENGINES is suspending large proportion of operations across several facilities in Europe, including engine production in Munich and Rzeszów…
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EMBRAER

Mar 23, 2020
EMBRAER is placing employees who cannot perform job activities remotely on temporary paid leave until March 31, 2020.
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ePLANE

Mar 23, 2020
ePLANE secured $9m equity infusion from MARUBENI CORPORATION and current investors to fund growth of its online aircraft parts marketing platform.
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GE AVIATION

Mar 23, 2020
GE AVIATION plans to reduce its US workforce by 10% and furlough about 50% of its MRO employees for 90 days as part of plan, that includes its CEO…
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BOEING

Mar 23, 2020
BOEING is shutting down production in Puget Sound region for 14 days starting March 25 due to COVID-19.
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BOMBARDIER

Mar 24, 2020
BOMBARDIER is suspending non-essential work/business jet production at most Canadian-based operations through April 26.
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PLATAINE

Mar 24, 2020
PLATAINE, Israel was selected by Canada's STELIA North America to provide its IIoT solution to digitize and streamline it manufacturing processes.
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SPIRIT AEROSYSTEMS

Mar 24, 2020
SPIRIT AEROSYSTEMS is suspending Boeing work performed at Wichita, Tulsa and McAlester for 14 days in response to Boeing decision to shut down…
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AAR

Mar 25, 2020
AAR had $2.3m net income on $553m revenues for third quarter ended Feb 29 vs $37.4m loss on $530m a year ago, and says in fourth quarter it plans to…
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AIRCASTLE

Mar 25, 2020
AIRCASTLE expects March 27 to complete $2.4b merger with new entity controlled by MARUBENI and MIZUHO LEASING.
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BOEING

Mar 25, 2020
BOEING said this week that it still expects FAA to end 737 MAX grounding in mid-2020 as it is close to the finish line with all mods and testing. It…
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VSMPO-AVISMA

Mar 25, 2020
VSMPO-AVISMA had US$321m net income in 2019, up 31.3% vs 208; revenues rose 0.7% to US$1.6b; it has US$739m cash.
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ATI

Mar 25, 2020
ATI (Allegheny Technologies) extended labor deal with USW-covered workers for one year through February 2021.
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AIR INDUSTRIES GROUP

Mar 25, 2020
AIR INDUSTRIES GROUP had $9.1m gross profit on $54.6m sales in 2019 vs $5.4m on $44.5m in 2018.
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ASD

Mar 25, 2020
ASD is calling on EU Institutions and worldwide Governments to provide specific support for the entire civil aviation sector with specific emergency…
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EMBRAER

Mar 26, 2020
EMBRAER is teaming with companies/research centers to develop technologies to supply replacement parts/filtration systems for medical equipment,…
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EMBRAER

Mar 26, 2020
EMBRAER reported $209.8m net loss on $2.1b revenues for 4Q19 vs $2.6m profit on $1.7b in 4Q18; and $322.3m net loss on $5.5b revenues for 2019 vs …
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AIRBUS

Mar 26, 2020
AIRBUS is reducing production at wing plants in Bremen, Filton and Broughton because of sufficient stock levels; sites will remain open during this…
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L3HARRIS

Mar 26, 2020
L3HARRIS launched Express Readout automated aircraft recorder validation service that provides necessary reports about recorder functionality.

MRO

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VD GULF

Mar 20, 2020
VD GULF, UAE secured long-term maintenance/modification contract from GECAS; first job is cabin mod on 777-300ER.
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THOMAS GLOBAL SYSTEMS

Mar 25, 2020
THOMAS GLOBAL SYSTEMS has Transport Canada STC to install its TFD-7000 Series plug-and-play LCD flight displays on CRT-equipped 737s/757s/767s.
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ERA

Mar 25, 2020
ERA is urging EASA to freeze non-urgent consultation/rulemaking activities and provide extension for maintenance tasks to complement other measures…
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VORTEX AVIATION

Mar 25, 2020
VORTEX AVIATION secured EASA/FAA/TCCA certification for its facility in Dublin, Ireland, which provides engine hospital shop visit maintenance.
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APOC AVIATION

Mar 26, 2020
APOC AVIATION, Amsterdam established dedicated landing gear services division to service airlines and MROs.
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HAECO GROUP

Mar 26, 2020
HAECO GROUP acquired Dallas-based JET ENGINE SOLUTIONS (engine MRO) to join its Global Engine Support network.
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GA TELESIS

Mar 26, 2020
GA TELESIS acquired five CF6-80C2B1Fs from Atlas Air for part out.
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AV8 GROUP

Mar 26, 2020
AV8 GROUP, TX developed FAA-DER approved replacement kit for MCDU keyboard on A320, A330 and A340 in conjunction with SAVVY AEROSPACE.

Aerospace/Defense

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FARNBOROUGH INT

Mar 20, 2020
FARNBOROUGH INTL cancelled the 2020 Farnborough International Airshow due to COVID-19; 2022 Farnborough Intl Airshow is scheduled for July 17-24.
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JET YARD

Mar 23, 2020
JET YARD has opened new aircraft parking locations in Moses Lake, WA (40 acres) and Kingman, AZ (60 acres), joining its existing site at Marana, AZ.

Who'sNews

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WHO'SNEWS: BOEING

Mar 23, 2020
Nikki R. Haley has resigned from Board of Directors of Boeing over disagreement over company's pursuit of US Govt stimulus/bailout.
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WHO'SNEWS: FACC

Mar 24, 2020
Robert Machtlinger was extended as Chief Executive Officer of FACC through June 30, 2025.
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WHO'SNEWS: TRIUMPH SYSTEMS AND SUPPORT-PRODUCT SUPPORT

Mar 24, 2020
Jim Berberet to President of Triumph Systems and Support-Product Support, Dallas, TX.
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WHO'SNEWS: TRIUMPH SYSTEMS AND SUPPORT-MECHANICAL SOLUTIONS

Mar 24, 2020
Ian Reason to President of Triumph Systems and Support-Mechanical Solutions, Dallas, TX.
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WHO'SNEWS: TRIUMPH ACCESSORY SERVICES

Mar 24, 2020
Brandon Witte to General Manager of Triumph Accessory Services-Grand Prairie, TX.
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WHO'SNEWS: TRIUMPH ACCESSORY SERVICES

Mar 24, 2020
Brandon Witte to General Manager of Triumph Accessory Services-Grand Prairie, TX.
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WHO'SNEWS: TRENCHARD AVIATION GROUP

Mar 25, 2020
Sohaib Ahmed to Technical Sales Manager of Trenchard Aviation Group, UK.
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WHO'SNEWS: SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS

Mar 26, 2020
Zuks Ramasia, Acting CEO of South African Airways, announced her early retirement (effective April 14); no successor has been named.

Defense

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S.A.F.E. STRUCTURE DESIGNS

Mar 23, 2020
S.A.F.E. STRUCTURE DESIGNS was selected by M2 Concepts & Design to manufacture/distribute its Extended Range Fuel System (ERFS) tank shoring system…

Space

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AE INDUSTRIAL PARTNERS

Mar 23, 2020
AE INDUSTRIAL PARTNERS acquired ADCOLE MARYLAND AEROSPACE, MA (satellite components) from Artemis, which was advised by Mesirow Financial.

Business Aviation

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TEXTRON AVIATION

Mar 23, 2020
TEXTRON AVIATION completed initial ground engine tests on Cessna SkyCourier prototype in preparation for first flight.

Air Transport/MRO

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UNIVERSAL ASSET MANAGEMENT

Mar 23, 2020
UNIVERSAL ASSET MANAGEMENT, TN acquired ex-S7 A319-100 (1090) for part out in Tupelo, MS.
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TDA

Mar 25, 2020
TDA, The Netherlands acquired ex-Virgin America/Alaska A320-200 (3359) for part out; aircraft was manufactured in late 2007.

Aerospace/MRO

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AJW GROUP

Mar 24, 2020
AJW GROUP acquired a CFM56-5B4 for part out; parts will be stored in UK.

Business Aviation/MRO

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DUNCAN AVIATION

Mar 24, 2020
DUNCAN AVIATION developed an aircraft disinfection service using EPA-registered, hospital-grade disinfectant on all interior surfaces; process uses…
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CONSTANT AVIATION

Mar 25, 2020
CONSTANT AVIATION, Cleveland says in two weeks it has applied its MicroShield 360 antimicrobial shield on >250 aircraft.