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Gogo Business Aviation looks at robust recovery

By Featured, IFECNo Comments

Gogo Business Aviation has reported an uptake in the number of reactivations, as more aircraft return online.

On 25 June, the number of flights flown with active Gogo service onboard reached 3,039 flights, close to Gogo’s pre-COVID average of 3,500 flights per day. The company is actively working with customers to reactivate service quickly as flying activity increases, and installations of new AVANCE L5 and L3 are on the rise.

In mid-April, witnessed a single-day low-point of 378 daily flights, as many aircraft owners chose to park their aircraft and 30% of Gogo Business Aviation’s accounts chose to reduce their spending through either account suspensions or service-plan downgrades.

“I’m encouraged because we’re seeing several positive trends taking shape in the market,” said Sergio Aguirre, president of Gogo Business Aviation. “We’ve strived to be a good partner with our customers to get through a very difficult time together, and we’re now in the midst of a measurable recovery as flight activity increases.”

“I’ve been amazed with the level of productivity and engagement our employees have delivered to help our customers, and the company, get through this unique and challenging time,” Aguirre added. “And from an innovation standpoint, we have several positive developments that will be released in the coming weeks that will make your Gogo in-flight experience even better.”

July 1, 2020

MAC Aero Interiors receives Airbus approval for Tallinn facility

By Featured, MRONo Comments

The Tallinn production facility of MAC Aero Interiors has received approval from Airbus for the manufacture of literature pockets for A380 aircraft.

MAC Aero Interiors had previously been producing parts for Airbus in its plant in the UK, before its relocation in early 2020 to Estonia.

“Since Airbus already has experience working with MAC Aero Interiors, they are aware of our comprehensive approach and capabilities. Thus the approval process was smooth – and it also gave us the opportunity to introduce and showcase the newly opened Tallinn facility,” said Zuzana Obračajová, Sales Director at MAC Aero Interiors

July 1, 2020

Diehl introduces Cabin Confidence Concept for post-COVID air travel

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Diehl Aviation has launched Cabin Confidence Concept, a product innovation initiative the company has developed to address the operational challenges that airlines are facing in the post-Corona environment, as well as health concerns of the travelling public.

 

The company has identified three suitable areas in its portfolio:

  • Environmental control systems to optimise air circulation und humidity in the cabin, as well as disinfecting and purifying the air onboard;
  • Touchless features for the aircraft cabin, particularly for lavatory environments, in order to enhance hygiene on board;
  • UV-C technology will be applied as tool for disinfecting surfaces, and for water purification.

Based on these competences, Diehl Aviation is now working on specific product solutions that will be available to the market as soon as possible. In addition, the company offers features for immediate applications such as flight–ready disinfectant dispensers, corona placards for cabin hygiene and hands-free lavatory handles.

June 29, 2020

Straw Mask offers path to reintroduce onboard F&B services

By Catering, FeaturedNo Comments

US-inventor Derek Lee has invented a face mask that allows individuals to drink without having to remove the mask or open it up to airborne contaminants.

Straw Mask connects to an antibacterial medical grade silicone tube which itself can connect to most commercially available water bottles with a 28 mm cap. Four water bottles at a time can be connected; enough food and drink to last for over 12 hours.

Every connecting part of the patent pending Straw Mask is sealed, from the face mask to the antibacterial silicone straw tubes to the bottles.

Launching in July, the Straw Mask is available for pre-orders from airlines. Partnership with meal replacement beverage brands are coming soon, Lee claims.

The mask and tubes are intended mostly for single use and may be conveniently disposed of.

June 29, 2020

Luxaviation Group implements FlySkills hygiene and safety standards

By Business aviation, FeaturedNo Comments

Luxaviation Group has begun implementing the hygiene and safety standards recently developed by FlySkills together with Socotec.

The FlySkills Hygiene Certification (FHC) Program is available to all FBOs, aircraft operators and owners enabling them to demonstrate that defined and accredited hygiene standards have been implemented and are both followed and subject to regular compliance auditing.

FlySkills, an independently working Luxaviation Group company, is supervising the adoption of these standards with Luxaviation Group operators and ExecuJet FBOs the launch customers.

The procedures validated by Socotec allow any participating FBO, operator or aircraft owner to be listed in the FlySkills’ certification database. This listing will be made available to charter brokers and dispatch departments and related B2C and B2B platforms, enabling them to choose suppliers at any location that meet the hygiene protocols their customers are demanding. FlySkills accredited organisations are certified to minimise the risk of exposure of their aircraft owners and charter customers to COVID-19 and other such communicable diseases.

 

June 26, 2020

First Praetor 500 conversion unveiled

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Embraer Services & Support has completed the first conversion of a Legacy 450 to a Praetor 500 for an undisclosed customer. The conversion was performed at the Embraer Executive Jets Service Center at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut.

“Embraer-owned Service Centers are well prepared with parts kits and skilled labor and are ready to bring the most disruptive and technologically advanced midsize business jet ever made, the Praetor 500, to our existing Legacy 450 customers, with the company’s primary vision of delivering the ultimate customer experience,” said Johann Bordais, President & CEO, Embraer Service & Support.

The conversion was made possible by the expertise of structures and avionics specialists, A&P mechanics, logistics teams, and engineers from Embraer operations around the globe.

The cabins of the Praetor jets include a six-foot-tall, flat-floor cabin, with stone flooring, and a vacuum service lavatory. The class-exclusive turbulence reduction capability and 5,800-foot cabin altitude, complemented by a whisper-silent cabin. The largest baggage compartment in the class is complemented by a generous wardrobe and a full vanity in the rear private lavatory.

There is also an industry-exclusive Upper Tech Panel that displays flight information and offers cabin management features also available on personal devices through Honeywell Ovation Select. High-capacity, ultra-high-speed connectivity for all aboard is available through Viasat’s Ka-band, with speeds of up to 16 Mbps and video streaming capability, another industry-exclusive in midsize jets.

 

 

June 26, 2020

Aerkomm to cooperate with Telesat

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Aerkomm’s wholly owned subsidiary, Aircom Pacific has entered into a cooperation agreement with Telesat Leo to develop technical and commercial activities around Telesat’s Low-Earth-Orbit (LEO) Network.

The two parties’ technical collaboration includes testing network performance, leveraging Telesat’s Phase 1 LEO satellite which has been in polar orbit since 2018, ensuring compatibility with existing Aircom solutions and future user terminal solutions, and end-to-end implementation within regulatory guidelines. Commercial collaboration will include optimising business and operating models, joint presentations and information sessions with key customers and partners, and exploring a long-term joint development plan.

Louis Giordimaina, CEO of Aerkomm, commented, “Our research leads us to believe that a hybrid geostationary/low-earth-orbit solution will have the ability to provide such capacity, and Telesat’s LEO Network, a multi-terabit, high-throughput, low-latency open network infrastructure, is a fitting complement to our existing geostationary solution.”

June 26, 2020

Global 5500 enters service

By Business aviation, FeaturedNo Comments

Bombardier’s long-range Global 5500 business jet has entered into service following delivery to an undisclosed customer.

“This spacious and efficient aircraft is the ultimate business tool, with the range and access to safely take our customers where they need to be,” said David Coleal, President, Bombardier Aviation. “The first Global 5500 aircraft delivery is of particular significance for our employees in Wichita, who recently took on the meticulous work of interior completions for the Global 5000 and Global 5500 aircraft.”

The new Global 5500 business jet features Bombardier’s patented Nuage seat, the first new seating architecture in business aviation in 30 years, a 4K-enabled cabin offering the fastest in-flight connectivity, and an intuitive cabin management system that delivers an ultra-high-definition entertainment experience, from Collins Aerospace.

The Global 5500 business jet is also equipped with Bombardier Pũr Air, a sophisticated air purification system available exclusively on Global aircraft. The system’s advanced HEPA filter captures up to 99.99% of allergens, bacteria and viruses, and completely replaces the cabin air with 100% fresh air in as little as one-and-a-half minutes.

 

 

June 26, 2020
SIA AppChallenge logo

Singapore Airlines launches latest App Challenge

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SIA AppChallenge logo

Singapore Airlines has launched its 2020 app challenge, seeking digital solutions to address real business challenges.

This year, the app challenge sees Singapore Airlines in search of startups with the most innovative solutions to 10 Problem Statements across six Challenge Themes. Startups can be teams or individuals from anywhere around the world, from any industry and submissions can be made to address one or multiple challenge statements across the six themes.

There are four stages to the challenge, with the first being the submission round. Submissions must be made via https://appchallenge.singaporeair.com/startup and the closing date is 2359 (GMT +8) on 12 July 2020. Shortlisted teams will be announced on 20 July to progress to the next stage, which is selection, followed by prototyping and the grand finale, due to take place on 2 October.

Challenge Themes and Problem Statements

Theme 1: Seamless Travel Experience

  • How can we automate the process of identifying damaged baggage?
  • How can we manage in-cabin baggage to ensure a smooth boarding experience?
  • How can we re-imagine a customer’s life onboard Vistara flights?
  • How can we use technology to reduce catering waste and automate the in-flight delivery of pre-ordered meals?

Theme 2: People and Operations

  • How can we use gamification to assess the suitability of candidates for Cabin Crew roles?
  • How can we leverage intuitive digital tools to assist engineers in pre-departure activities?

Theme 3: Beyond Travel

  • How can we enable new shopping experiences at physical touchpoints through personal mobile devices?

Theme 4: Travelling in the New Norm

  • How can we build robust capabilities that address customers’ concerns on their health and safety across their travel journey, both on ground and in flight?

Theme 5: New Business Opportunities

  • How can we leverage SIA’s assets and global brand to launch new products, services and businesses that are adjacent to and complement our core business?

Theme 6: Sustainability

  • How can we develop new approaches to broaden our sustainability initiatives?

Finalists will be invited to pitch to Singapore Airlines’ senior management and top executives. Solutions with business potential will be fast-tracked into the SIA Accelerator Programme, where startups will build a Proof-of-Concept of their solution with the Airline.

For further details and to apply, visit https://appchallenge.singaporeair.com/startup

 

 

 

June 26, 2020
Delta food donations

Delta continues with food donations

By Catering, FeaturedNo Comments
Delta food donations

Delta has donated 1 million pounds of food to communities around world, since temporarily adjusting services on board and in Delta Sky Clubs, and the effort is still ongoing.

Delta is donating food and beverages that would otherwise go unused and the number of donations increases each day. Delta is also donating food service items like utensils, bowls, napkins and packaging materials.

“We are so proud of our people who have seen the needs in communities around the world and acted with the resources Delta has to offer. That is what we like to call the Delta spirit,” said Allison Ausband, Senior Vice President – In-Flight Service. “Especially during the ongoing pandemic, we see our people going above and beyond the call of duty to serve others.”

Delta is working with longstanding US partners including Feeding America, whose local organisations are distributing food to those in need. The airline has also developed new relationships with local organisations and chefs in communities seeing a significant need for food resources.

In the Philippines, Delta donated more than 39,000 packs of snacks, 25,000 drinks, almost 5,000 packages of coffee and 600 packages of tea to COVID-19 frontline workers and first responders. Delta has also made donations in Senegal, South Africa, Brazil, Argentina, El Salvador, Peru, Japan, Greece, Spain, France, Netherlands and the UK.

June 26, 2020