by Charlotte Daniels | Feb 3, 2020 | BUZZ, Connectivity
All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Singapore Airlines (SIA) have announced a new joint venture (JV) agreement. The JV aims to enhance flight connectivity for passengers, in addition to strengthening network support between the two carriers. For instance, the agreement focusses on services between Singapore and Japan, as well as in key markets including Australia, India, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
In addition, both members of the Star Alliance group will be able to offer a broad range of joint fare products, tie-ups between frequent flyer programs and aligned corporate programs.
This latest announcement builds on the existing partnership between the two airlines that focuses on codeshare flights, mileage programs, lounge access, and coordination on check-in baggage and connecting flights.
“ANA is excited about strengthening its ties with Singapore Airlines, a fellow Star Alliance member that shares our passenger-oriented philosophy and has also distinguished itself as a true global leader in service and convenience,” said Yuji Hirako, President and CEO of ANA. “We have worked closely with Singapore Airlines for many years and we are excited to take this partnership one step further. The joint venture will help ANA and Singapore Airlines build upon their reputation for superior service, further differentiating both airlines from the competition.”
“This proposed joint venture underscores our commitment to the important Japanese market and our valued partner ANA,” said Goh Choon Phong, CEO of Singapore Airlines. “Through this partnership, customers would be able to enjoy increased flight frequencies and travel convenience, and access the strong connectivity at both the Singapore and Tokyo air hubs, while enjoying the industry-leading products and services ANA and SIA are renowned for.”
by Charlotte Daniels | Jan 29, 2020 | Flight Ops IT, Innovation
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has ordered a Head-Up Display (HUD) training device from Collins Aerospace Systems, to be used in ongoing scientific research. The research will explore areas such as pilot-HUD interface, and the benefits of utilising HUD for pilot performance and overall crew workload.
The HUD VR trainer provides a view of what a pilot would actually see when flying with a HUD, and utilises Collins Aerospace’s Heads-up Guidance System and Enhanced Vision System (EVS).
“The HUD VR system provides increased access to training, helping pilots get as much time as they need using a HUD on approaches and landing in difficult conditions,” said Nick Gibbs, vice president and general manager, Simulation and Training Solutions for Collins Aerospace. “Our trainer can significantly reduce the length of time it takes for a pilot to become familiar with this technology, making them more productive once they enter the full-flight simulator or live flight.”
Collins Aerospace provides HGS and EVS technologies to a variety of business, commercial and military aircraft operators. These technologies are thought to increase safety for night flying, or in low visibility and adverse weather conditions. According to the manufacturer, HGS and EVS can also help improve military mission success with aircraft such as the C-130J, helping aircrews more accurately see drop zones, runways or other targets in all conditions.
by Charlotte Daniels | Jan 28, 2020 | Connectivity, Innovation
The Boeing 777X completed its first flight on 25th January, achieving a milestone in its test program. The aircraft undertook a three hour, 51 minute flight over Washington state before landing at Seattle’s Boeing Field.
“The 777X flew beautifully, and today’s testing was very productive,” said Capt. Van Chaney, 777/777X chief pilot for Boeing Test & Evaluation. The primary purpose of the test flight was to exercise the 777X’s systems and structures while the test team in Seattle monitored flight data in real time.
The first of four dedicated 777-9 flight test airplanes, WH001 will now undergo checks before resuming testing in the coming days. The four aircraft will endure a comprehensive series of tests and conditions on the ground and in the air over the coming months to demonstrate the safety and reliability of the design.
Boeing forecasts entry into commercial service and aircraft delivery in 2021. According to the manufacturer, there are currently 340 orders and commitments from airlines including ANA, British Airways, Cathay Pacific Airways, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways and Singapore Airlines.
by Charlotte Daniels | Jan 21, 2020 | Flight Ops IT
SITAONAIR has acquired GTD Air Services – the aviation branch of Spanish software provider GTD System & Software Engineering as part of an overall plan to expand its offering of flight operations-based applications.
SITAONAIR initially partnered with in developing its eWAS portfolio – a suite of electronic weather situational awareness mobile applications. This acquisition heralds its determination to pursue new digital initiatives and technologies that will increase flight safety and environmental efficiencies.
As part of its announcement, SITAONAIR has disclosed that the GTD Air Services team will continue to be based in Barcelona, Spain, and operate under a separate entity. It will also enhance, through its growth, the Digital Day of Operations application development capacity for SITAONAIR.
“At GTD, we are very proud to have closed this deal with SITAONAIR,” says Angel Ramirez, GTD Air Services President. “After five years of intensive collaboration and important deployment with airlines such as Air France and Singapore Airlines, SITAONAIR has decided to invest in our group’s aeronautical subsidiary.”
“We believe that embracing a digital shift – from air to ground, from pilots to dispatch – will reinvent the operation of aircraft flight and onboard experience, making it safer, more efficient, more environmentally sustainable and enjoyable,” adds David Lavorel, Chief Executive Office of SITAONAIR. “In this context, weather and situational awareness solutions like eWAS, combined with SITAONAIR’s Digital Day of Operations application portfolio, are becoming vital, strategic tools for both pilots and dispatchers, connecting them with real-time information at their fingertips.”
by Charlotte Daniels | Jan 21, 2020 | Connectivity, Innovation
In order to increase industrial capacity and flexibility, Airbus has announced its plan to create new A321 production capabilities at its site in Toulouse.
By mid-2022 the facility in Toulouse – which was most recently home to A380 production – will consist of a digitally-enabled A321 line. Until now, Airbus’ Hamburg factory was the only European based assembly line for the A321, while Alabama USA was its US counterpart. Airbus has declared that this development will allow greater flexibility and scope for its A321 production.
“We are enjoying an unprecedented high demand for our winning A320neo Family and especially its A321 Long Range (LR) and Xtra Long Range (XLR) derivatives,” said Michael Schoellhorn, Airbus Chief Operating Officer. “In order to optimise the industrial flow, we have decided to increase our global A321 production capacity and flexibility as well as to establish a next generation Final Assembly Line in Toulouse.”
According to Airbus, Toulouse was selected for several reasons such as: overall competitiveness, time to market, investment cost, available floor space and resources. The A321XLR is slated for entry into service by 2023.
You must be logged in to post a comment.