Market Intelligence: Asia Pacific

Leading Oceanic Carrier Places 2024 Order for 4 ATR 72-600

ATR, the world’s leading regional aircraft manufacturer, announced the signing of an order for four ATR 72-600 aircraft with Air Tahiti, along with an eight-year Global Maintenance Agreement (GMA). Deliveries of the new aircraft are scheduled between 2025 and 2028, highlighting Air Tahiti’s long-term vision and confidence in ATR’s products for connecting and serving the archipelago’s communities responsibly.

As a dedicated user of ATR aircraft for nearly 40 years, Air Tahiti has been crucial in providing essential connectivity to the communities in Tahiti and its islands. The airline currently operates a fleet of 11 aircraft, comprising nine ATR 72-600 and two ATR 42-600. The introduction of these new aircraft will enable Air Tahiti to address both flight frequency and capacity, further enhancing its service offering and passenger experience.

The Tahitian carrier continues to renew its fleet with new-generation turboprops that boast the lowest CO2 emissions per trip in the regional market. The GMA, ATR’s flagship pay-by-the-hour maintenance package, renewed for eight years, will leverage ATR’s expertise as both an aircraft manufacturer and service provider to further optimise operations, enhance performance and rationalise costs. Under this comprehensive agreement, ATR will provide repair, overhaul and pooling services of Line Replaceable Units, ensuring that Air Tahiti maintains the highest standards of reliability and efficiency.

Edouard Wong Fat, Air Tahiti’s Chief Executive Officer, highlighted: “Air Tahiti has been a cornerstone in Tahiti and its islands for more than 65 years, facilitating not just travel but a better quality of life. By ensuring our communities have easy access to essential goods, services, and cultural experiences, we’ve also helped boost the local economy and tourism. The ATR fleet has been pivotal in these efforts and it will continue to enable us to offer reliable and responsible connectivity.”

Nathalie Tarnaud Laude, ATR’s Chief Executive Officer, emphasized: “Air Tahiti’s continued trust, earned over many years, is a testament to our commitment to providing the most efficient, comfortable, and low-emission regional aircraft. In French Polynesia, where air services are particularly vital, our aircraft, emitting 45% less CO2 compared to similar-size regional jets, are ideal for responsible travel. This region, with the shortest and one of the longest ATR flights between islands, highlights the importance of our mission. At ATR, we focus on supporting affordable regional mobility while aligning with sustainability goals.”

The new aircraft will significantly improve regional connectivity in the region. By linking communities, they will stimulate economic growth through increased business activity, tourism, and investment opportunities.

About Air Tahiti
Air Tahiti is the leading inter-island carrier in French Polynesia, based at Faa’a International Airport in Papeete. The company is a driving force in the region’s social and economic development. It acquired its first ATRs in January 1987. Its network progressively expanded to include 48 domestic destinations and one international route to the Cook Islands. Air Tahiti’s ATR fleet, all of which have an ETOPS 120 rating, connects over 90% of the inhabited islands of French Polynesia.

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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New Zealand Flight Training Organisation Opens Applications for 2025 Pilot Training Program

The International Aviation Academy of New Zealand (IAANZ), an Air New Zealand Preferred Flight Training Organisation, has officially opened applications for its 2025 pilot training program. Aspiring pilots can now apply to start their aviation journey with IAANZ, aiming to earn their Commercial Pilot License (CPL) with a Multi-Engine Instrument Rating (MEIR).

In 2023 International Aviation Academy of New Zealand (IAANZ) celebrated 30 years of pilot training. From small beginnings at Christchurch International Airport in 1993 to today being the ‘Best Path to the Aviation Industry’, the IAANZ celebrates 30 years of ‘Fulfilling the Dream of Flight’ for aviators from all over the world – check out the video here.

Source: IAANZ
Photo Credit: IAANZ

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Global Aircraft Manufacturer, Boeing, Announces 2024 Appointment for President and CEO

Boeing announced that its Board of Directors has elected Robert K. “Kelly” Ortberg as the company’s new president and chief executive officer, effective August 8, 2024. Ortberg will also serve on Boeing’s Board of Directors.

He will succeed Dave Calhoun, who earlier this year announced his intention to retire from the company, having served as president and CEO since January 2020, and as a member of Boeing’s Board of Directors since 2009.

“The Board conducted a thorough and extensive search process over the last several months to select the next CEO of Boeing and Kelly has the right skills and experience to lead Boeing in its next chapter,” said Steven Mollenkopf, Chair of the Board. “Kelly is an experienced leader who is deeply respected in the aerospace industry, with a well-earned reputation for building strong teams and running complex engineering and manufacturing companies. We look forward to working with him as he leads Boeing through this consequential period in its long history.”

“The Board would also like to thank Dave Calhoun for his strong leadership at Boeing, first as Chair and then as CEO, when he stepped in to steer the company through the challenges of recent years,” added Mollenkopf.

“I’m extremely honored and humbled to join this iconic company,” said Ortberg. “Boeing has a tremendous and rich history as a leader and pioneer in our industry, and I’m committed to working together with the more than 170,000 dedicated employees of the company to continue that tradition, with safety and quality at the forefront. There is much work to be done, and I’m looking forward to getting started.”

Ortberg, 64, brings over 35 years of aerospace leadership to this position. He began his career in 1983 as an engineer at Texas Instruments, and then joined Rockwell Collins in 1987 as a program manager and held increasingly important leadership positions at the company prior to becoming its president and CEO in 2013. After five years leading Rockwell Collins, he steered the company’s integration with United Technologies and RTX until his retirement from RTX in 2021. He has held a number of important leadership posts in industry, including serving on the Board of Directors of RTX. Additionally, he serves on the Board of Directors of Aptiv PLC, a global technology company and an industry leader in vehicle systems architecture. He is the former Chair of the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) Board of Governors.

Ortberg holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Iowa.

As a leading global aerospace company, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. As a top U.S. exporter, the company leverages the talents of a global supplier base to advance economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing’s diverse team is committed to innovating for the future, leading with sustainability, and cultivating a culture based on the company’s core values of safety, quality and integrity.

Source: Boeing
Photo Credit: Boeing

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Australian Flight School, Sydney Flight College, Officially Celebrates Inaugural Class at Second Base

On Friday, July 19, 2024 Australia’s Sydney Flight College (SFC) officially celebrated its inaugural class of SFC Pilot Academy Tamworth, generating much attention and media hype.

With guests including Member for Tamworth, The Hon. Kevin Anderson, MP, Tamworth Mayor Russel Webb, Deputy Mayor Judy Coates, and Representative for the New South Wales Government, Kate Ware, Tamworth was abuzz at seeing the long-dormant International Flight Training Tamworth facility back in operation.

The celebration commenced with a ‘welcome to country’ by local Kamilaroi man Len Waters, recollecting a story of man’s desire to fly and inspiring students to set their aim ever-higher with their own dreams, followed by expressions of joy and elation by local and federal government officials.

With local media teams eager to share the action and excitement with the region, SFC CEO Joseph Pilo was given the opportunity to explain just what makes Tamworth such an ideal location.

Additionally, students were invited to share their own stories and desires for their future, with plenty of smiles captured on camera and sharing some sunshine around the New England region.

Students of this newest SFC class will capitalise on both the location and facility, gaining a commercial pilot licence, multi-engine instrument rating, multi-crew cooperation endorsement and upset prevention and recovery training all in just 12 months.

With the attention on a diverse class of 16 students, new Piper Archer TX and LX aircraft, and state-of-the-art VR and full-motion simulators, the Academy shines bright as the product of years of dedication from the committed team of SFC, looking ever-forward to the growth and sustainability of Australia’s aviation industry.

Source: Sydney Flight College
Photo Credit: Sydney Flight College

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Flight School Management Software Flight Schedule Pro to Unveil Enhanced Platform in August 2024

United States headquartered Flight Schedule Pro, a major provider of flight school management software, will introduce its new Next Gen suite on August 13, 2024. The platform aims to advance flight school operations with features such as smart scheduling, enhanced tracking of student graduation progress, and automated billing.

Flight Schedule Pro says a key priority for the company is enhancing aircraft utilization as it’s a major operational challenge for flight schools today. According to the provider, by refining scheduling and maximizing the use of existing aircraft, schools can boost their training capacity without the high costs of adding more aircraft—leading to greater profitability and quicker student progression.

Nick Wegner, CEO of Flight Schedule Pro, underscored the importance of the Next Gen suite of tools stating, “Next Gen Flight Schedule Pro is a critical step in flight school management technology. Our customers serve not only their students but also global airlines who are combatting the pilot shortage. NextGen capabilities maximize aircraft utilization, streamline student progress tracking, and automate billing and operations to strengthen the relationship between flight schools, their students, and the airlines.”

The Next Gen features of Flight Schedule Pro will be available to all Suite subscribers, while Billing Autopilot will be available to users with FSP’s Preferred Merchant Account.

Source: Flight Schedule Pro
Photo Credit: Flight Schedule Pro (shown as meta image)

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Global Pilot Training Solution Provider, CAE, Announces 2024 Chief Financial Officer Transition

Montreal, Canada – CAE Inc. (CAE or the Company) announced that Sonya Branco, Executive Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), has advised the company of her intention to step down from her position at the end of August to pursue interests outside of CAE. As part of CAE’s succession plan, Constantino Malatesta, Chief Accounting Officer and Vice-President, Controller Office, will become interim CFO following Ms. Branco’s departure. A process is underway to identify and select a permanent CFO, and Ms. Branco will continue in a support capacity to ensure a seamless transition.

Ms. Branco has been CAE’s Executive Vice President, Finance and CFO since 2016. She joined CAE in 2008 and was appointed to the role of Vice President and Corporate Controller in 2011.

During her tenure, Ms. Branco was instrumental in the transformation of CAE into the world’s largest civil aviation training provider, which — combined with Defense & Security — makes CAE a company with highly recurring sources of revenue and cash flow. She presided over a period of significant expansion involving more than 20 acquisitions and their integration. Ms. Branco also planned and executed a capital allocation strategy, balancing accretive growth with maintaining a strong financial position and investment grade profile that allowed CAE to successfully navigate the COVID pandemic and beyond.

“On behalf of myself, CAE’s Board of Directors, and the entire executive management team, I wish to express my sincere appreciation to Sonya for her numerous contributions to CAE’s success over the last 17 years,” said Marc Parent, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Sonya led CAE’s finance organization through a period of significant growth and reached many important milestones. We have benefitted greatly from Sonya’s stewardship, her insightful mentorship of her colleagues, and her deep commitment to the Company. We wish Sonya the very best in her future endeavours.”

Added Mr. Parent, “Constantino has worked closely with Sonya for many years, and he has a deep knowledge of CAE’s business and an extensive background in finance that will provide continuity and stability at CAE. I have full confidence in Constantino’s ability to oversee the Company’s financial operations and strategy as we move forward with our selection process for the permanent CFO role, for which we will consider both internal and external candidates.”

Mr. Malatesta was appointed CAE’s Chief Accounting Officer and Vice-President, Controller Office, in 2022. Before that he was Vice President, Finance and Corporate Controller (2016-2022), Global Head of Finance, CAE Oxford Aviation Academy (2014-2016), and Director, Finance and Assistant Corporate Controller (2011-2014). He joined CAE in 2006 as Manager, Accounting Standards. Mr. Malatesta is a Chartered Professional Accountant and U.S. Certified Public Accountant. He obtained a Bachelor of Commerce Degree and a Graduate Diploma in Accounting from Concordia University in Montreal.

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 defence 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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Global Aircraft Manufacturer, Boeing, Releases Commercial Market Outlook for 2024–2043

Global aircraft manufacturer Boeing released the following latest Commercial Market Outlook 2024-2043.

Boeing’s latest Commercial Market Outlook projects a robust demand for 43,975 new airplanes over the next 20 years, reflecting a 3% increase in deliveries compared to the previous year’s forecast. The report highlights the significant growth driven by emerging markets and a strong demand for single-aisle aircraft.

  • Boeing anticipates a 3% increase in airplane deliveries by 2043, with a total of 43,975 new units expected.
  • Much of the growth is attributed to emerging markets and the rising demand for single-aisle airplanes.
  • The global passenger and freighter fleet is expected to nearly double over the next two decades.

“As commercial aviation enters the second half of 2024, passenger and air cargo traffic are surpassing 2019 levels, highlighting the industry’s resilience over the last several decades. In the long-term, both market segments are forecast to continue to outpace economic growth. Consumers are prioritizing travel in an increasingly connected world, aviation development is accelerating in emerging markets, and supply chain and e-commerce growth are supporting air cargo demand.

Like air traffic, airlines have also shown resilience. The global airline network is back to 2019 levels and has adapted to new market trends. Route competition remains high. Plus, airlines are managing fleets and boosting productivity to remain profitable in a dynamic global environment.

The 2024 Commercial Market Outlook’s fleet and delivery forecasts remain steady as industry dynamics are largely playing out along the path Boeing anticipated in 2020. There is pent-up demand to replace ageing fleets where retirements have been delayed. Innovation and emerging markets are once again driving fleet growth. Also, a focus on sustainability across the industry is improving efficiency in all facets of airline operations.”

Contact us to receive a copy of the Boeing Commercial Market Outlook 2024-2043.

Source: Boeing
Photo Credit: Boeing

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