Distributor: Avio-Diepen Locations: Offices and warehouses in the Netherlands, the U.K., the U.S. and Americas and Hong Kong. Capabilities: Distributes a variety of aircraft components to operators, MROs, airframe manufacturers and subsystem manufacturers. www.avio-diepen.com
Lufthansa Technik and Airbus SAS signed a total component support contract to extend their cooperation for the Airbus Beluga fleet, which consists of five A300-600ST aircraft. The first contract for component supply was signed in 1995, and the new agreement is valid until 2025. Lufthansa Technik signed another total support contract with Global Aviation Holdings for up to nine MD-11 aircraft operated by its subsidiary World Airways, for five Boeing 767-300ER aircraft; and for five Boeing 767-300ER aircraft for another subsidiary, North American Airlines.
In the 2004 animated hit film “The Incredibles,” an early scene finds a mom telling her son Daschle, “Everyone is special, Dash.” “Yeah,” replies the frustrated boy, “which means no one is.”
Monarch Aircraft Engineering signed a line maintenance agreement with Air France for full maintenance support on its Airbus A320 service to Malaga, Spain.
Arinc restructured its air/ground domestic radio VHF voice service in North America, changing it from 12 separate networks to six regionally divided networks operating on six frequencies throughout the continental U.S. Parts/Components
These Crystal Cabin Award finalists made waves at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg for innovations that enhance passenger experience. Here is a sampling. 1. Silver Lining
When Stephen Morse invented the twist drill bit in the 1860s, the aviation world was characterized at best by gliders, parachutes and birdlike machines that achieved flying for only a few minutes. Things have certainly changed immensely in the field of aeronautics since then, but the drill bit has more or less stayed the same. That is, until Perfect Point created a forceless drilling process that uses an electrode to remove a fastener in seconds.
By Michael Wm. Denis, Vice President, Customer Engagement, InfoTrust Group
The problem with standards is that everybody has one. However, there are several industry trends—such as new-generation aircraft and asset lifecycle management systems—that are accelerating the adoption of the ASD SX000i and ISO standards. Now the challenge isn't what standard to use to move toward data interoperability, it is when to incorporate the standards, the cost of conversion and the commitment to comply. For new aircraft and weapons systems, the decision is easy. Backward compatibility for older aircraft is another story.
Finnair is launching labor talks to shed 280 positions as the airline moves to outsource engine and component services to SR Technics. The move is part of a wider Finnair group effort to realign the business and seek €140 million in cost savings to improve financial returns. In announcing the deal, airline COO Vile Iho says “this plan is based on a thorough analysis, where we first examined the costs and structures of our own operations, and then compared the results to tens of external service providers.”
Delta Air Lines and MDS Coating Technologies announced a teaming agreement that for engine compressor protective coatings. MDS Coating Technologies will give Delta exclusive partnership rights to its coating technologies via DER and STC certification. The agreement will include the Black Gold coating for erosion and corrosion protection.
Northwest Aerospace Technologies is working with British Airways on its first class cabin retrofit program for the Boeing 777-200 and Boeing 747-400 aircraft. The modification includes new first class suites, IFE upgrades, cabin lighting and electronic window blinds.
AFI KLM E&M signed a support contract with Monarch Airlines covering component pool access, repairs and the lease of a spares stock in the U.K. for the carrier's fleet of Airbus A330s. This is the second renewal of an existing contract that started in 1998.
Lufthansa Systems' BoardConnect won the Crystal Cabin Award in the “passenger comfort” category at the Aircraft Interiors Expo 2012 in Hamburg. BoardConnect's WiFi network enables passengers to use mobile devices to access entertainment stored on an onboard server.
Baines Simmons welcomes Karen Jones as principal consultant. She has had 23 years of experience in operations roles for regulatory authorities, most recently the UK Civil Aviation Authority and Transport Malta.
Aviation Business International promoted Shawn Horvath to manager of maintenance and technical services. He will oversee line maintenance and special projects within the Americas.
Manufacturer: Ancra International Applications: These quick-release fittings require no tools to remove or install, and they significantly cut down maintenance turnaround time. Specifications: Meets Boeing's 16G tool-less seat fitting requirements. www.ancra.com
Sabena Technics is now a limited liability company with a board of directors instead of executive and supervisory boards.The MRO's board named Rodolphe Marchais as CEO and chairman of its board of directors, and Marchais then appointed Jean-Luc Fournel COO customers, Philippe Rochet to COO production and Stephane Burton to COO supply chain and support.
Fokker Services signed an agreement with seat manufacturer Acro to be the exclusive reseller of lightweight seats for the Fokker 50, 70 and 100 and the Dash 8 aircraft. It also won a five-year Abacus contract from Nigerian airline Aero for its Dash 8 Q-300 aircraft.
Airlines in the booming Asia-Pacific market, are becoming far more aware of life-cycle costs and are seeking more flight-hour-based, comprehensive solutions, extending to spares accessibility and obsolescence management. “The more mature carriers are starting to understand that back shops are not delivering a high-value proposition, and are moving toward outsourcing,” says Bob Still, general manager of operations for Rockwell Collins Melbourne (Australia) Service Center.
A.J Walter Aviation increased its Airbus and Boeing component inventory at its facilities in Miami and Los Angeles. The company is building up its inventory levels to in Miami and other developing North American hubs with more than $50 million worth of parts. A.J. Walter also signed a three year consignment agreement with StandardAero.
