Mumbai-based Jet Airways last month announced the planned induction of five leased ATR 72-600s into its fleet. Scheduled to launch service with the first of the new 68-seat turboprops by the end of last year, Jet Airways said it expects to accept all five Gecas-sourced airplanes by the end of this March. The airline’s domestic expansion strategy centers on serving more so-called Tier II and Tier III destinations, according to Jet Airways COO Sudheer Raghavan.
Transport
January 5, 2013 - 5:15am
SAS’s conciliation with the last of its eight main labor unions in late November allows the Scandinavian carrier to move ahead with the sale of its Wideroe regional subsidiary as part of its “4Excellence Next Generation” restructuring.
January 5, 2013 - 4:40am
A new full flight simulator for training on the Sukhoi SSJ100 arrived for installation at the SuperJet International (SJI) Training Center in Venice, Italy, early last month. SuperJet International said it expected installation of the L-3 Communications-made simulator to take 30 days, after which it will undergo an “extensive” phase of on-site testing. The company will then apply for final approval of the EASA STD (synthetic training device) evaluation team, allowing for the start of training, potentially this month.
January 5, 2013 - 4:10am
Latin American airline group AviancaTaca signed a firm purchase order for 15 ATR 72-600s last month and reserved options on another 15 of the new turboprops. Potentially worth $700 million, the contract calls for deliveries to start in June.
January 4, 2013 - 12:54pm
When Florida congressman John Mica decided not to challenge Republican term limits on chairmanships, it set the stage for Rep. Bill Shuster (R-Pa.) to take the controls of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
January 4, 2013 - 6:00am
Flexjet has launched a new option under its Flexjet 25 Jet Card debit program. The new Coastal Connect offering gives customers improved flight-hour rates when flying across the U.S. in the program’s Bombardier Challenger 300s, operated for Flexjet by Jet Solutions.
“By taking advantage of long-haul operational efficiencies, the Coastal Connect program is able to save travelers thousands of dollars,” said Flexjet president Deanna White.
January 4, 2013 - 5:25am
The nation’s third-largest fractional jet program will continue to pursue a “stealth wealth” clientele while offering them customized solutions to their private aircraft travel needs beyond traditional fractional sales, and that may mean bringing more capital into the company, according to Flexjex president Deanna White.
January 4, 2013 - 4:45am
Erickson Air-Crane has entered into a non-binding letter of intent to acquire 14 helicopters and associated personnel and assets from HRT Participacoes em Petroleo (HRT). The deal requires Erickson Air-Crane to provide operational services, including both cargo and passenger transport, to HRT in the Amazon under a three-year renewable contract. Erickson traditionally had focused its efforts on building, selling, servicing and operating heavy-lift S-64 Aircranes. Erickson CEO Udo Rieder said the agreement provides “an excellent path to diversification and growth.”
January 4, 2013 - 3:30am
Australian operator Newcastle Helicopters has plans to launch a floating heliport in Sydney’s harbor in the middle of this year. The powered, flat-top vessel will feature two helipad sites, aircraft storage, refueling facilities and meeting rooms.
January 3, 2013 - 3:10pm
Following the withdrawal of a “hold” by Sen. Jim DeMint last month, the Senate voted on Tuesday to confirm Michael Huerta to a five-year term as FAA Administrator. Huerta has been serving as acting FAA Administrator since Randy Babbitt resigned from the post after a drunken-driving arrest in December 2011 in Fairfax, Va.
The aviation industry unanimously applauded the confirmation.
