December 2008
Fly for Free in a new Diamond DA40 Diamonds Economic Stimulus Package
(December 10, 2008)While turbulent markets may make today seem like the wrong time to buy an airplane – there has never been a better time to buy a Diamond DA40 XLS or DA40 CS. This is especially true now with this new offer from Diamond Aircraft and Diamond dealers, good through year-end 2008. With one of the industry’s best safety records, low insurance rates, low long-term interest rates, affordable maintenance and a low fuel burn, the DA40 is not only fun to fly, but also appealing to the fiscally-responsible traveler. Now, a great deal is even better. By buying and taking delivery of a new DA40 between now and December 31, 2008, customers receive free maintenance, free insurance, free fuel and free flight training, for the first year of operation – a $13,250 value. • Free maintenance includes all scheduled maintenance – parts and labor – for one year or 125 hours, whichever comes first: a $2,750 value. • Free insurance credit worth up to $3,500 – which will cover most private, instrument-rated pilots in a DA40 XLS. • Free fuel card worth $5,000, which should cover the first 100 hours of flying at $5 per gallon and the DA40′s low 10 gph fuel burn. • Free flight training via a $2,000 training credit, which customers can use for transition training or toward any rating – private or more advanced, in their new airplane. Combine this with the United States government’s special bonus depreciation tax incentive program that allows new owners to write off up to $300,000 of the purchase price, and it is likely the best deal you will make this year. This offer expires December 31, 2008 and is limited to new U.S. or Canadian-registered DA40 aircraft in current inventory at Diamond distributors.
Embraer Phenom 100 executive jet certified by Brazils ANAC
(December 9, 2008)Embraer’s Phenom 100 jet received its Type Certificate from Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Authority (Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil or ANAC), in a ceremony held today at the Embraer headquarters in São José dos Campos, Brazil. “In 2005, we promised to design and build a revolutionary jet with premium comfort, outstanding performance, docile flying qualities, and a low operating cost,” commented Luís Carlos Affonso, Embraer VP, Executive Jets. “We have relentlessly pursued these design goals and, now, I am thrilled to announce that the Phenom 100 has not only met all original specification targets, but has also surpassed several performance goals.” Emilio Matsuo—Embraer’s Senior VP for engineering—said, “This certification makes all of us at Embraer very proud. The Phenom 100 was conceived, developed, and certified in less than four years, which is very noteworthy. Furthermore, the performance figures obtained demonstrate the product’s excellent design.”
Airbus finalizes deal with Etihad
(December 9, 2008)Airbus has orders for 84 aircrafts in November, including the largest civil aircraft deal of the year—51 planes ordered by Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways, which is worth more than $10 billion. The final tally lead to a gross of 878 aircrafts for 2008, Airbus said in a statement. Last November, Airbus had three cancellations leaving the net total of aircrafts sold to 756, which is a sharp decline compared to last year. For 2008, Airbus is targeting 850 plane sales. Airbus rival Boeing, which also has a 45-plane order from Etihad, has declared 646 gross orders and 640 net as of December 2, 2008.
Airbus finalizes deal with Etihad
(December 9, 2008)Airbus has orders for 84 aircrafts in November, including the largest civil aircraft deal of the year—51 planes ordered by Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways, which is worth more than $10 billion. The final tally lead to a gross of 878 aircrafts for 2008, Airbus said in a statement. Last November, Airbus had three cancellations leaving the net total of aircrafts sold to 756, which is a sharp decline compared to last year. For 2008, Airbus is targeting 850 plane sales. Airbus rival Boeing, which also has a 45-plane order from Etihad, has declared 646 gross orders and 640 net as of December 2, 2008.
Embraer welcomes new operators in Israel
(December 8, 2008)Last week, Embraer welcomed Arkia Israeli Airlines to its E-Jets customer family. The Israeli airline will use an EMBRAER 195 jet to fly travelers to selected Mediterranean and European destinations. “We are very proud to have Arkia join our E-Jets family of customers and as the very first operator of an E-Jet in Israel,” commented Mauro Kern, Embraer Executive Vice President for Airline Market. “Arkia is a fast-growing Israeli airline. It is a pleasure to support them, and we look forward to an ever expanding and developing relationship.” The EMBRAER 195 can accommodate up to 122 passengers in single-class configuration. The aircraft will be used for mid-density European scheduled and charter markets. “For short and medium routes, the EMBRAER 195 is going to offer us much more advantageous costs than any conventional single-aisle aircraft, plus an exceptional level of comfort for our passengers,” asserted Gadi Tepper, CEO of Arkia Israeli Airlines. He continued “The introduction of this new aircraft is pivotal to our dynamic ongoing development plan.”
Embraer welcomes new operators in Israel
(December 8, 2008)Last week, Embraer welcomed Arkia Israeli Airlines to its E-Jets customer family. The Israeli airline will use an EMBRAER 195 jet to fly travelers to selected Mediterranean and European destinations. “We are very proud to have Arkia join our E-Jets family of customers and as the very first operator of an E-Jet in Israel,” commented Mauro Kern, Embraer Executive Vice President for Airline Market. “Arkia is a fast-growing Israeli airline. It is a pleasure to support them, and we look forward to an ever expanding and developing relationship.” The EMBRAER 195 can accommodate up to 122 passengers in single-class configuration. The aircraft will be used for mid-density European scheduled and charter markets. “For short and medium routes, the EMBRAER 195 is going to offer us much more advantageous costs than any conventional single-aisle aircraft, plus an exceptional level of comfort for our passengers,” asserted Gadi Tepper, CEO of Arkia Israeli Airlines. He continued “The introduction of this new aircraft is pivotal to our dynamic ongoing development plan.”
BAA Jet Management is first with A318 Elite in Asia
(December 5, 2008)BAA Jet Management Ltd of Hong Kong has taken delivery of its first managed Airbus aircraft, an A318 Elite, becoming the first to operate the type in the Asian region. The Airbus A318 Elite – the first to be registered in the People’s Republic of China – is now based at Shenzen and is available for VVIP charter. "This Airbus A318 Elite is the first in Asia to offer customers something that they cannot get with other high-end business jets – much greater comfort, space and ease of movement around the cabin," says BAA Managing Director Ricky Leung. "And with seating for 18 passengers in our A318 Elite, we can also carry larger business groups and families than any other corporate jet currently available for VVIP charter in the region today," he adds. The Airbus A318 Elite is the newest member of the Airbus ACJ Family and offers the widest and tallest cabin of any business jet in its class, as well as all the benefits of a modern and elegant design. "Asia has long been an important market for Airbus – it’s where we won our first airliner sale outside Europe – so it’s great to see BAA becoming our first operator in the region for our modern A318 Elite corporate jet," comments Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers, John Leahy. "The longer you fly, the more important your comfort becomes, so the A318 Elite really does have a lot to offer," he adds. The A318 Elite is the most affordable aircraft in the Airbus ACJ Family, and features a cabin created in co-operation with Lufthansa Technik. Its interior comprises several different seating zones in a spaciously large living area, as well as a very practical and private office that converts into a bedroom, complete with ensuite bathroom. Part of the world’s most modern airliner family, the A318 Elite features a robust airframe and systems, proven in millions of hours of airline service as a member of A320 Family, from which it is derived. The Airbus ACJ Family has many corporate jet "firsts" to its credit. These include being the first with fly-by-wire controls, the first with centralised maintenance for faster and more efficient trouble-shooting, the first to offer Category 3B autoland, and the first to make extensive use of weight-saving carbonfibre. Airbus ACJ Family has more than 100 firm orders to its credit, and is now flying on every continent, including Antarctica, highlighting its versatility. BAA is one of the leading aviation companies in Asia, offering a complete range of business jet services, including charter, aircraft management, flight support and aircraft sales and acquisitions. It will also manage three Airbus ACJs and two A350 Prestiges.
Bombardier quarterly earnings increase
(December 5, 2008)Last Thursday, Bombardier announced that the company’s quarterly earnings doubled, boosted by an 8 percent increase in revenue, but new orders decreased due to unstable economic conditions that cripple demand. The Montreal-based aircraft manufacturer’s income rose from $91 million to $245 million through the January and October. During the same time frame, revenue ascended from $4.2 billion to $4.6 billion. Bombardier stated that it has achieved its ideal aerospace profit margin before interest and taxes. Currently, the company is aiming for a 12 percent increase by the fiscal year of 2013. “The surprise out of this is that they’ve opted to increase the target on margins,” commented Richard Stoneman—an analyst from Dundee Securities Corp. Stoneman continues, “That suggests that earnings are going to increase.” But Bombardier is also aware of the difficulties and challenges set for the company in 2009. As asserted by Pierre Beaudoin, a chief executive from Bombardier, “Although it is too early to assess the severity and duration of the economic slowdown and its potential impact on both businesses, we are confident in our future, having taken significant steps in the past few years to strengthen our operations and financial position.”
Bombardier quarterly earnings increase
(December 5, 2008)Last Thursday, Bombardier announced that the company’s quarterly earnings doubled, boosted by an 8 percent increase in revenue, but new orders decreased due to unstable economic conditions that cripple demand. The Montreal-based aircraft manufacturer’s income rose from $91 million to $245 million through the January and October. During the same time frame, revenue ascended from $4.2 billion to $4.6 billion. Bombardier stated that it has achieved its ideal aerospace profit margin before interest and taxes. Currently, the company is aiming for a 12 percent increase by the fiscal year of 2013. “The surprise out of this is that they’ve opted to increase the target on margins,” commented Richard Stoneman—an analyst from Dundee Securities Corp. Stoneman continues, “That suggests that earnings are going to increase.” But Bombardier is also aware of the difficulties and challenges set for the company in 2009. As asserted by Pierre Beaudoin, a chief executive from Bombardier, “Although it is too early to assess the severity and duration of the economic slowdown and its potential impact on both businesses, we are confident in our future, having taken significant steps in the past few years to strengthen our operations and financial position.”
Pratt & Whitney to layoff 350 workers
(December 4, 2008)Amidst an economic recession, US jet engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney has decided to lay off 350 workers, which is less than 1% of its total operating staff. The company announced this plan yesterday. The workers, 250 of whom are located in Connecticut, hold white-collar positions across the industry, explained spokeswoman Jennifer Whitlow. The layoffs were effective as of today. Whitlow maintains, “We are trying to reduce out cost structure so we can remain competitive.” By the end of 2008, Pratt & Whitney expects to employ around 38,000 people.
