Aircraft Manufacturer ATR Celebrates Milestone with Delivery of 1,700th Regional Aircraft

Toulouse – ATR, the world’s leading regional aircraft manufacturer, announced the delivery of its 1,700th aircraft since the inception of the programme to longstanding customer Air Corsica. The delivery of this ATR 72-600 to the French airline completes the full transition of its fleet of ATR -500 series to the latest generation of turboprop aircraft, demonstrating its commitment to operational excellence, regional connectivity, and sustainability. It also underscores the robustness and enduring success of the ATR programme, solidifying its position as a cornerstone in the regional aviation landscape.

Air Corsica was the first operator to take delivery of an ATR 72-600 equipped with the new PW127XT engine in November 2022, which resulted in a 20% reduction in maintenance costs and at least a 3% reduction in fuel consumption compared with the PW127M. It generates a CO2 emission saving of 45% compared with a similar-sized regional jet. With this delivery, the airline now operates seven ATR 72-600 aircraft, powered by the latest PW127XT engines, enhancing the reliability, comfort, operating costs, and CO2 emissions of its connecting flights from Corsica’s four airports, while providing a high-quality public service.

Marie-Hélène Casanova-Servas, President of Air Corsica’s Supervisory Board, said: “Completing our fleet renewal with the ATR 72-600 is a pivotal moment for Air Corsica, reflecting our commitment to providing the best possible service to our passengers and supporting the economic vitality of our island. This latest-generation aircraft enhances our operational efficiency and significantly reduces our environmental impact, aligning perfectly with our vision of a more sustainable future for air travel in Corsica. By investing in this modern fleet, we are ensuring that our island remains well-connected, fostering growth and opportunity for our communities.

Nathalie Tarnaud Laude, ATR’s Chief Executive Officer, emphasised: “Delivering our 1,700th aircraft to Air Corsica marks a major milestone in our partnership and highlights our joint commitment to setting the standard for regional connectivity. This achievement also underscores ATR’s resilience, unmatched adequacy for the regional market, and capacity to provide highly-efficient, versatile aircraft that empower airlines to thrive in the dynamic regional aviation sector.

The new aircraft will significantly improve regional connectivity. By linking communities, they will stimulate economic growth through increased business activity, tourism, and investment opportunities. As ATR looks towards the future, this milestone reinforces the company’s unwavering dedication to excellence and customer satisfaction, setting the stage for continued success and innovation in regional aviation.

About Air Corsica
Air Corsica is Corsica’s leading airline, it operates 51% of annual traffic (88% in winter) to and from the island’s four airports: Ajaccio, Bastia, Calvi and Figari. It is the 4th largest company in Corsica with more than 700 employees. Air Corsica has carried some 42 million passengers since its first flight in 1990, making it France’s 3rd largest airline. It operates 12 public service domestic routes, 12 non-public service domestic routes and 12 international routes, both year-round and seasonally in the summer, totaling 22,800 flights a year. Air Corsica has a fleet of 13 aircraft: seven ATR 72-600, and six Airbus A320, including four A320neo aircraft.

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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World’s Largest ACMI Provider and Aviation Conglomerate Avia Solutions Group Reports Euro 1.2 Billion in Revenue for H1 2024

Avia Solutions Group, the world’s largest ACMI provider (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) services and owner of global pilot training group BAA Training, announced that in its first half results of 2024 it reported a 34% growth in EBITDA year-on-year to €179 million.

Over the first half of 2024, European customers accounted for 55.1% of revenues, while Asia accounted for 27.9%. The Americas, Africa, Australia and Pacific Islands represented 11.8%, 2.7%, and 1.2%, of revenues respectively.

Driving this increase in revenues, and a 44% increase in net profit for the second quarter of 2024 compared to the second quarter of 2023, was the implementation of Avia Solutions Group’s ongoing strategy of investing in bolstering its capacity in a timely manner to meet the continued strong demand from airlines globally for additional aircraft during their peak seasons.

The Avia Solutions Group has ongoing plans to further expand its global presence and ability to offer capacity solutions, particularly during peak seasons, to airlines around the world. The Group is planning to obtain further air operator certificates (AOCs) in Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines and Brazil in the near future.

As part of this strategy, the Group completed the acquisition of Australian based Skytrans in the first half of 2024. The obtained AOC brings the total number of air operator certificates held by the group to 11.

Our performance over the first half of 2024 underscores our strong market position and ability to meet the rising demand for passenger aircraft. Our 44% growth in net profit for the second quarter is a testament to our team’s dedication and the trust our airline partners place in us, particularly during the peak holiday season in counter seasonal markets. We remain committed to driving further growth and delivering value to our stakeholders.” Jonas Janukenas, CEO of Avia Solutions Group, said. “As such, we will continue to expand our worldwide services operations, fleet capacity and capabilities to continue delivering exceptional services across passenger and cargo operations to customers.

Testament to investor confidence in the Group’s strategy is the increase of group equity capital by €307 million to €655 million over the first half of 2024. Part of this growth in group equity capital included US-based Certares Management LLC, a private equity investment firm which invested into Avia in 2021, electing to convert its preferred shares to ordinary shares.

To further the Group’s business development initiatives, Avia Solutions Group also successfully issued US$300 million of five-year senior unsecured bonds with coupon of 9.75% in the first half of 2024.

Avia Solutions Group offers its services to customers including some of the largest airlines in the world. The group operates in 68 countries around the world and consists of 100+ companies providing a wide range of aviation services like aircraft maintenance and repair (MRO), pilot and crew training, ground handling, and more. The group’s team encompasses 12,000 highly qualified aviation professionals.

Source: Avia Solutions Group

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Aircraft Manufacturer Embraer Celebrates 55 Years with 9,000 Aircraft Produced and Delivered

São José dos Campos – Embraer will celebrate its 55th anniversary on August 19, 2024 inspired by a history marked by excellence in the development of people and products, as well as significant contributions to the aeronautical industry.

With nine thousand aircraft produced and delivered to more than 100 countries and a modern portfolio of products, the company has currently registered over 800 patents. These, together with several other initiatives, drive the virtuous cycle of continuous innovation capable of transforming knowledge into industrial activity with high-added value.

The Brazilian aeronautical industry is a global reference, and we are proud to celebrate Embraer and its history of achievements. We have been producing aircraft for 55 years, developing cutting-edge technology, training highly qualified people and contributing to the development of society,” said Francisco Gomes Neto, President and CEO of Embraer. “We look to the future with confidence in the ability of our people to carry forward this legacy with efficiency, quality, innovation, social responsibility and a commitment to a more sustainable aviation.

In full integration and with intense knowledge exchange between all its business units (Commercial Aviation, Executive Aviation, Defense & Security, and Services & Support), the company has built a successful trajectory guided by the training and qualification of people, technological development, innovation, identification of market opportunities, strategic planning, determination and creativity.

In 2024, Embraer has been executing its plan to meet the aircraft production ramp-up and future growth expected with investments, which includes research and development activities for new technologies.

Today, with a backlog valued at US$21.1 billion, more than 19,000 employees and a truly global presence, Embraer is strengthening its position as a competitive company focused on building the sustainable aviation of the future.

Source: Embraer
Photo Credit: Embraer

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Aircraft Manufacturer Embraer Delivers 47 Jets in 2Q24 – an Increase of 88% from Previous Quarter

São José dos Campos, Brazil – Aircraft manufacturer Embraer reported a significant increase in aircraft deliveries for the second quarter of 2024, delivering a total of 47 jets, marking an 88% rise compared to the 25 aircraft delivered in the first quarter of the year.

  • Embraer delivered 27 executive jets, including 20 light jets and 7 medium jets.
  • The company also delivered 19 commercial jets and one multi-mission C-390 Millennium aircraft for the defense sector.
  • The increase in deliveries highlights Embraer’s strong performance and growing demand across its business segments.

2024 Guidance:

  • Embraer projects deliveries of 72 to 80 aircraft in Commercial Aviation for the full year.
  • In Executive Aviation, the company anticipates delivering between 125 and 135 jets.

About Embraer
A global aerospace company headquartered in Brazil, Embraer has businesses in Commercial and Executive aviation, Defense & Security and Agricultural Aviation. The company designs, develops, manufactures and markets aircraft and systems, providing Services & Support to customers after-sales. Since it was founded in 1969, Embraer has delivered more than 8,000 aircraft. On average, about every 10 seconds an aircraft manufactured by Embraer takes off somewhere in the world, transporting over 145 million passengers a year. Embraer is the leading manufacturer of commercial jets up to 150 seats and the main exporter of high value-added goods in Brazil. The company maintains industrial units, offices, service and parts distribution centers, among other activities, across the Americas, Africa, Asia and Europe.

Source: Embraer
Photo Credit: Embraer

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Virgin Australia Places Order for 8 Embraer Aircraft in August 2024

  • E190-E2 fleet to be based in Perth, Western Australia
  • Embraer’s E2 offers outstanding comfort, performance, the lowest noise emissions and fuel burn
  • Delivery starts 2H2025

Perth, Australia, 13 August 2024 – Virgin Australia has placed a firm order with Embraer for eight E190-E2 small narrowbody aircraft, as part of its fleet renewal plan. The order will see the E190-E2, the world’s most fuel-efficient single-aisle aircraft with the lowest noise emissions, complement the airline’s larger narrowbodies and replace its long-serving Fokker fleet. The order will be reflected in Embraer’s Q3 backlog and deliveries are scheduled to begin in the second half of 2025.

The announcement event will be attended by the Deputy Premier of Western Australia and Treasurer, Minister for Transport and Minister for Tourism, the Hon. Rita Saffioti. Virgin Australia’s E190-E2 fleet will be based in Perth and operated by Virgin Australia Regional Airlines (VARA). The aircraft has a flying range of around six hours and is powered by Pratt & Whitney’s PW1900G engines.

When the new E190-E2 enters service from October 2025, it will become the first new aircraft in the WA charter market this century,” said Jayne Hrdlicka, Virgin Australia Group CEO. “The E190-E2 is the most fuel-efficient aircraft in its segment and will reduce emissions by about 30 per cent compared to the outgoing F100. These aircraft also feature significantly lower noise profiles and enhanced passenger comfort.

When the E190-E2 joins the fleet from late next year it will predominantly operate charter flights for VARA, bolstering its position as a leading operator in the WA charter market.

“This is a huge vote of confidence by the Virgin Australia Group in our charter business and the WA market.

The E2 is a game changer,” said Martyn Holmes, Chief Commercial Officer, Embraer Commercial Aviation. “We are excited to welcome Virgin Australia to the Embraer family and look forward to seeing our best in class E2 – renowned for comfort, quietness, and low emissions – take the Airline to even greater heights.

Building upon the first-generation E-Jets’ 20 years of operational excellence, the E190-E2’s enhanced aerodynamics, novel wing design, and new technologies deliver significant improvements in carbon emissions and fuel burn. It has been certified to fly with blends of up to 50% SAF and has demonstrated through test flights the engine’s operability with 100% SAF.

Embraer is committed to developing products, solutions, and technologies to contribute to the aviation industry’s goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050. Embraer aims to be carbon neutral by 2040 and achieve carbon neutral growth from 2022. It plans to implement 25% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) use in its operations by 2040 and 100% renewable energy sources by 2030.

Since the first Bandeirante took to Australia’s skies in 1978, Embraer’s has firmly established its presence there with close to 50 aircraft currently operating in the country, making it one of the largest E-Jets fleets in the Asia-Pacific region.

About VARA and Virgin Australia Group
Virgin Australia Regional Airlines, formerly Skywest, has been a proud fixture in the Western Australian landscape for more than six decades. VARA joined Virgin Australia Group in 2013 and now operates more than 250 services per week.

The Group was founded in the year 2000 by Sir Richard Branson and is now one of the largest Australian airlines operating an extensive domestic network as well as short-haul international services, charter and cargo operations, and its loyalty program, Velocity Frequent Flyer. The Group employs more than 7,800 people and boasts more than 12 million Velocity members who can use their Points to redeem flights to over 600 destinations around the world through Virgin Australia and the airline’s extensive list of international partner carriers.     

About Embraer
A global aerospace company headquartered in Brazil, Embraer has businesses in Commercial and Executive aviation, Defense and Security, and Agricultural Aviation. The company designs, develops, manufactures, and markets aircraft and systems, providing Services and Support to customers after-sales.

Since it was founded in 1969, Embraer has delivered more than 8,000 aircraft. On average, about every 10 seconds an aircraft manufactured by Embraer takes off somewhere in the world, transporting over 145 million passengers a year.

Embraer is the leading manufacturer of commercial jets with up to 150 seats and the main exporter of high value-added goods in Brazil. The company maintains industrial units, offices, service, and parts distribution centers, among other activities, across the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe.

Source: Embraer
Photo Credit: Embraer

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