Archives: Market Intelligences

New Indian Turboprop Operator Announces 2024 Appointment for Vice President of Operations

New Indian turboprop operator Air Kerala has appointed Captain CS Randhawa as its new Vice President of Operations. Bringing an unparalleled 48 years of experience in aviation with roles in DGCA, Air India, the Indian Air Force (IAF), and commuter airlines, Captain CS Randhawa joins Air Kerala as Vice President of Operations.

An alumnus of Saint Stephen’s College, Delhi, and a qualified A-2 QFI (Qualified Flying Instructor) from the Indian Air Force, Captain Randhawa has been a prominent figure in aviation operations and training. His expertise spans flight operations, safety, and airline management, having served as a Joint General Manager at Air India and Deputy Chief Flight Operations Inspector at DGCA. With extensive flying experience on multiple aircraft types, including the B-777 and A-310, and holding key positions such as President of the Federation of Indian Pilots, Captain Randhawa’s wealth of knowledge will significantly enhance Air Kerala’s operational standards and flight safety protocols.

About Air Kerala
Air Kerala is India’s first ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC). Born from the vision of UAE entrepreneurs – Afi Ahmed (Chairman) and Ayub Kallada (Vice Chairman) operating under Zettfly Aviation Pvt Ltd. Air Kerala takes pride in its fleet of ATR 72-600 turboprop aircraft, known for their fuel efficiency and market leadership. The airline started strong with three ATR 72-600s, with an ambitious plan to expand to 20 aircraft as it venture into international operations.

Source: Air Kerala

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Airbus Announces Commercial Aircraft Orders and Deliveries for the Month of September 2024

In September 2024, European aircraft manufacturer Airbus:

  • Delivered 50 aircraft to 29 customers
    • 1 A220-100
    • 4 A220-300
    • 1 A319neo
    • 12 A320neo
    • 28 A321neo
    • 1 A330-900
    • 2 A350-900
    • 1 A350-1000
  • Secured 235 orders
    • 35 A320neo
    • 190 A321neo
    • 5 A350-900
    • 5 A350-1000
  • Year to date Airbus has delivered 497 aircraft to 77 customers.

See last month’s stats here.

AFM Team Note – kindly contact us for a detailed Excel breakdown of orders and deliveries by airline.

Source: Airbus
Photo Credit: Airbus

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Taiwanese Regional Airline Places Order for 1 ATR 72-600 Aircraft – Delivery 2026

Toulouse, France – Mandarin Airlines, the regional subsidiary of Taiwan’s flag carrier China Airlines, and the world’s number one regional aircraft manufacturer ATR, announced the signature of a firm order for one ATR 72-600, underscoring the airline’s unwavering confidence in ATR as the optimal platform for the island’s domestic operations.

This strategic agreement comes swiftly on the heels of the order for six ATR 72-600 placed at last year’s Paris Air Show. Delivery of the additional aircraft is scheduled for the first quarter of 2026, to meet Mandarin Airlines’ peak season demand. Three of the six aircraft from the previous order have been delivered, while deliveries of the next three will take place in the third and fourth quarter of 2025.

The cutting-edge turboprop will complement the airline’s existing fleet of 12 ATR 72-600. Operating primarily from its main hub at Taipei Songshan Airport, Mandarin Airlines plays a pivotal role in Taiwan’s domestic network, offering essential connections to eight key destinations, including the islands of Kinmen, Penghu and Matsu. Reliable air services ensure consistent access to essential goods, services, and transportation for residents and businesses, in addition to stimulating economic growth and fostering social integration.

Chairman of Mandarin Airlines, Kao Shing-Hwang, expressed his enthusiasm for the fleet expansion, stating: “The addition of this new ATR 72-600 underscores our confidence in ATR as the preferred platform to serve the island’s domestic markets responsibly. The turboprop’s exceptional fuel efficiency, low operating costs and reliability make it the perfect choice to strengthen our current routes and explore new services to further stimulate the local economy and tourism sector across Taiwan.”

Nathalie Tarnaud Laude, Chief Executive Officer of ATR, added: “Mandarin Airlines has been consistently unlocking new opportunities for the Taiwanese communities in a responsible and cost-effective manner over the past seven years. We are grateful for their continued trust in ATR’s capabilities, which stands as a testament to the relevance of our product for their operations, and are strongly committed to providing them with continuous support, ensuring reliable and profitable operations long into the future.”

About Mandarin Airlines
Mandarin Airlines was established on June 1, 1991. Mandarin Airlines’ parent company, China Airlines, the flag carrier of the Republic of China owns 96.96% of Mandarin Airlines. At the moment, Mandarin Airlines serves a domestic network of major cities and outlying islands as Taipei-Songshan, Taichung, Kaohsiung, Kinmen, Matsu, Penghu, Taitung and Hualien. In addition to this, Mandarin also serves destinations in Asia and China by leasing China Airlines’ narrow-body jets.

About ATR
ATR is the world number one regional aircraft manufacturer with its ATR 42 and 72, the best-selling aircraft in the below 90-seat market segment. The unifying vision of the company is to accelerate sustainable connections for people, communities and businesses, no matter how remote. Flown by some 200 airlines in over 100 countries, ATR aircraft opened 160 new routes in 2023, facilitating the development of territories and enabling access to crucial services like healthcare and education. Thanks to ATR’s focus on continuous innovation and the intrinsic efficiency of the turboprop technology, ATR aircraft are the most advanced, versatile, cost-effective and lowest-emission regional aircraft on the market, emitting 45% less CO2 than similar-size regional jets. In January 2022, we flew the first ever commercial aircraft using 100% SAF in both engines. ATR is a joint-venture between Airbus and Leonardo.

Source: ATR
Photo Credit: ATR

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CAE Announces Ready for Training Bombardier Global 6500 Full-Flight Simulator in Alabama, USA

Alabama, U.S.A. – CAE announced the deployment of its integrated solution for the U.S. Army High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation Systems (HADES), featuring the CAE Bombardier Global 6500 full-flight simulator (FFS). The comprehensive training solution is part of the U.S. Army G-2 Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) Task Force and the Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM), under the Department of Defense’s Sentinel task order from Leidos, Inc. The CAE 7000XR FFS was presented to command leadership as Ready-for-Customer-Training (RFCT) during an official ceremony at the CAE Dothan training center in Dothan, Alabama.

The convertible flight training device achieved Level D Certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the highest standard of fidelity for flight simulators. Additionally, the CAE Dothan training center attained FAA Part 142 certification to support this program, providing graduating aviators not only with certification, but also with an FAA-approved Bombardier Global Aircraft Type Rating.

“CAE continues to set the highest training standards to enable defense forces to achieve mission readiness and accelerate training capabilities,” said Merrill Stoddard, USA Division President, CAE Defense & Security. “In less than 15 months from the program award, we are standing together, ready to train these essential Army aviators – that is a testament to our dedication and understanding of the demands on our customers.”

In addition to the HADES program, CAE supported the lead in programs with Flight Training Support of Aerial Tech Demonstrators for the Aerial Reconnaissance and Electronic Warfare System (ARIES), Airborne Reconnaissance and Target Exploitation Multi-Mission System (ARTEMIS), and the Army Theater-Level High Altitude Expeditionary Next Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ATHENA) S/R.

“CAE is a unique partner for our customers as we work across our business to leverage the resources and solutions from both civil and defense sectors to meet the demands of pilot training,” said Marc Parent, CAE President and CEO. “Leveraging innovation, advanced technology, and centers and devices around the world, we create a rapid on-ramp to training that easily transitions to the needs of defense forces today and in the future.”

The Bombardier Global 6500 aircraft was selected as the new manned aerial intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance platform to meet current and emerging requirements. The platform supports the critical needs of speed, range, endurance-at-range, and altitude to overcome the physical challenges without sacrificing the unique quality and capability of collection that airborne ISR provides.

The delivery of the CAE 7000XR full-flight simulator in the Bombardier platform configuration supports the military requirements of providing timely, relevant, and accurate intelligence to tactical, operational, and strategic commanders.

“HADES is the centerpiece of the Army’s long-promised Aerial ISR transformation strategy,” said SES Andrew Evans, Director, U.S. Army ISR Task Force. “HADES allows the Army to fly higher, faster, and farther which directly impacts our ability to see and sense deeper, delivering an organic capability in line with the Secretary of the Army’s number one operational imperative [Deep Sensing]. Transforming this enterprise efficiently and safely starts with our people – and investing in people means investing in how we train to develop readiness. Our partnership with CAE is a reflection of the value we place in leveraging industry leading technology partnered with rock-solid training fundamentals. We believe the tasks, conditions, and standards our Aviators learn through the CAE partnership will enable them to safely and effectively employ a Global 6500 anywhere in the globe, any time, in any number of challenging conditions.”

Bombardier, Global, Global 6000 and Global 6500 are trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.

About CAE
At CAE, we equip people in critical roles with the expertise and solutions to create a safer world. As a technology company, we digitalize the physical world, deploying software-based simulation training and critical operations support solutions. Above all else, we empower pilots, cabin crew, maintenance technicians, airlines, business aviation operators, and defense and security forces to perform at their best every day and when the stakes are the highest. Around the globe, we’re everywhere customers need us to be with approximately 13,000 employees in more than 240 sites and training locations in over 40 countries. CAE represents more than 75 years of industry firsts—the highest-fidelity flight and mission simulators as well as training programs powered by digital technologies. We embed sustainability in everything we do. Today and tomorrow, we’ll make sure our customers are ready for the moments that matter.

Source: CAE
Photo Credit: CAE

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Portuguese Flight Training Provider Places Order for 1 New Tecnam Multi-Engine Aircraft in October 2024

Ponte de Sor- Portugal – Tecnam and Air Dream College announced, during the Portugal Air Summit, the purchase agreement for one (1) Tecnam’s, P2006T NG twin engine for its fleet expansion program. More aircraft have been optioned to sustain Air Dream College growth.

The aircraft will be used for both PPL – Private Pilot License – up to the MCC/JOC – Multi Crew Cooperation Course/Jet Orientation Course, modules for ATPL courses.

In business since 2020, today Air Dream College operates 6 Tecnam aircraft, among single and twin-engine training two hundred Pilots (200) and one hundred and fifty Operations Officer (150).

The P2006T NG, Next Generation is the latest version of the P2006T, one of the smartest twin engine aircraft on the market today, offering unbeatable value and innovative design with a modern Garmin avionics suite, integrating all primary flight, navigation, communication and terrain data on two high-definition LCDs.

The aircraft is also equipped with two-axis autopilot, for the most efficient MEP complex training.

Fitted with two Rotax 912iSc3 injected engines, the Tecnam P2006T exhibits remarkable fuel savings and can be operated on AVGAS and MOGAS fuel, leading to huge cost savings, offering the best training for Multi Engine, Variable Pitch and Retractable Landing Gear ratings. The advanced avionic system offers VFR/ VFR Night, MEP, IR, PBN (LNAV, VNAV, LPV).

“As we continue to grow our international training programme, we count on Tecnam’s aircraft fleet solutions as one of the key partners in our strategy. In addition, we are also asking Tecnam to option more aircraft in the same period to meet our additional needs,” said Aurélio Almeida, Air Dream Colleges Accountable Manager. “We are now ready to support the training needs of the airline industry.”

“We are delighted to support Air Dream College in its continued growth. Tecnam’s fleet solutions innovate the market, keep costs down and help more students start their aviation careers in a sustainable way,” said Walter Da Costa, Tecnam Chief Sales Officer.

About TECNAM; “Quality Aircraft since 1948”
Tecnam is an Italian aircraft manufacturer and one of the world’s leading piston aircraft manufacturers. Founded in 1948 by brothers Luigi and Giovanni Pascale, the company is headquartered in Capua, Italy, and operates two subsidiaries in Sebring, Florida, USA, and Brisbane, Australia, to serve and support the needs of local Tecnam owners and operators. Tecnam designs and manufactures a wide range of aircraft for personal use, commercial operations, business travel, flight training, surveillance, law enforcement and other specialised applications.

Source: Tecnam
Photo Credit: Tecnam

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Chinese Flight Simulator Manufacturer U-Wing Simulation Passes Advanced Aviation Training Device (AATD) Certification

Recently, the Cessna C172 and Diamond DA40&42 Specific&Convertible Advanced Aviation Training Devices independently developed and produced by U-Wing Simulation have successfully passed the certification of Advanced Aviation Training Devices (AATD) by China Academy of Civil Aviation Science and Technology (CASTC), which marks that U-Wing Simulation has become the first manufacturer in China to have passed the inspection of AATD, and its R&D and manufacturing capabilities and product technical standards have been fully recognised.

China’s AATD certification standards align with those of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), reflecting strict requirements for quality, performance, and technical parameters in aviation training devices. The industry standard “Specification for Advanced Aviation Training Device Assessment” (MH/T 9011-2021) provides clear technical guidance and standard references for AATD certification, streamlining the certification process and accelerating industry development and openness.

This certification holds significant importance for the flight training industry. AATDs provide flight students with a highly realistic training environment that can substitute for a portion of actual flight hours under certain conditions, reducing flight risks and improving the safety and quality of pilot training. It also lowers the cost of flight training and enhances efficiency. AATDs have gained widespread recognition globally for their ability to ensure training quality while reducing operating and procurement costs and improving training efficiency. In regions such as Europe and the U.S., AATDs have become standard equipment in pilot schools and flight operators.

With the rapid growth of China’s general aviation and low-altitude economy, as well as the further opening and regulation of low-altitude airspace, the demand for professional flight talent will continue to increase. U-Wing Simulation’s AATD series will help meet this demand by enabling flight schools and other operators to improve safety, quality, efficiency, and cost management in flight training, providing strong technical support for the development of the low-altitude economy.

Source: U-Wing Simulation
Photo Credit: U-Wing Simulation

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Global Pilot Training Group Simaero Prepares for New Paris Training Facility Opening in Early 2025

Global operator of full flight simulator training centers Simaero is counting down to the grand opening of its second facility in the Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) area, scheduled for early 2025. Recently, its Technical Director visited the construction site to review the progress of the new eight-bay area, which will soon house state-of-the-art full-flight simulators.

Among the simulators, a CAE 7000XR A350-900 Full-Flight Simulator is expected to arrive soon, with bookings for 2025 already underway.

Source: Simaero
Photo Credit: Simaero

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