Oct 13, 2008

AgustaWestland, Ornge

Canadian charity Ornge has agreed a $120 million deal with AgustaWestland to buy 10 AW139 medium twin helicopters. The agreement includes an option for two additional aircraft. The helicopters will be equipped with aero-medical interiors and

a full de-icing system to allow them to operate in adverse weather conditions. Ornge co-ordinates all aspects of Ontario[sup.1]s aero-medical transport system and manages one of the largest aero medical and critical care land transport medicine programs in North America. Oct 8, 2008

Aviation Capital, Avianca, Airbus

Aviation Capital Group (ACG) has acquired its first new Airbus A330s under a sale/leaseback agreement for 10 Rolls-Royce Trent 700-powered-200s brokered with Colombia's Avianca. Avianca has already taken delivery of the first A330, a 280-seat aircraft registered as N948AC. The second is expected to be delivered in November. Avianca, which already leases a Boeing 767-200ER from ACG, has agreed to lease the aircraft for six years, but the contract contains renewal rights. Avianca, meanwhile, continues to hold orders for eight more A330s with the airframer. Oct 6, 2008

Boeing

Boeing says it will re-start negotiations with its machinists union this weekend, hoping to end a five-week strike that has cost the company an estimated 21 aircraft deliveries. "We have kept lines of communications open and have agreed to pursue additional talks through the federal mediator," said Boeing's chief negotiator, Doug Kight. Union officials said they will be looking for concessions on job security. "I'd hope they're not wasting our time on this," warned IAM lead negotiator Mark Blondin. Oct 10, 2008

Boeing

Boeing and its commercial plane workers' union have agreed to resume contract talks in an effort to end a month-long strike which has idled the company's Seattle-area plants. Oct 9, 2008

Boeing

Boeing, union will return to negotiations. Boeing and its machinists union have agreed to return to contract negotiations. The workers walked off the job about a month ago after voting down a contract offer. "We are interested in exploring whether there is a path forward to resolve the strike," Boeing Vice President Doug Kight said. "There are a number of issues to resolve, and any agreement must allow us to remain competitive and provide the flexibility to manage our business." Talks may start this weekend, officials said. The New York Times (10/8) Oct 9, 2008

Boeing

Boeing said today it has added 21 orders worth $3.1bn for its Business Jet (BBJ) since the last NBAA event, bringing the total number of orders to 172. Work is also progressing on the BBJ 3, which provides 35 per cent more interior space and 89 per cent more luggage space than the BBJ 2. There are now two BBJ 3s at Decrane Aircraft in Delaware. The first will be used to certify the auxiliary fuel system and Head-up Display (HUD) and both aircraft should be at completion centers in early 2009. Oct 6, 2008

Chase Business

Chase Business Aircraft Finance is at NBAA to help bridge the financing gaps for aircraft purchases. Chase says it has built a multi-billion dollar business on the premise that choice of aircraft type is only one of many critical factors. Specialty manager Doug Reinarz says: [sup.3]We ask questions and really take the time to understand customer requirements around domestic or international travel, frequency, range, flexibility and upgrades, but also making sure to address tax, insurance and even early termination concerns.[sup.2] Oct 6, 2008

ExecuJet Aviation Group

ExecuJet Aviation Group is to expand its pre-owned aircraft division to the US by opening an office in Ohio. Its pre-owned division has seen a 35% gain in activity over the past 12 months and it already has sales representatives in Europe, South Africa, the Middle East, Asia Pacific and Mexico. Oct 6, 2008

Hawker Beechcraft

Turboprop manufacturers are enjoying a surge in sales as high oil prices prompt business jet owners to downgrade to slower but more fuel efficient aircraft. "We're haven't sold this many King Airs since 1982," says Hawker Beechcraft president commercial sales Brad Hatt. Hawker Beechcraft unveiled at NBAA the King Air 350i, which features a package of interior upgrades for the 350 that Hatt believes will appeal to business jet owners as well as owners of older King Air variants and lead to a surge in sales. The 350i marks the debut of the Beechcraft FlexCabin, offering improved lighting, reduced cabin sound levels, more space, more luxurious seats and more configuration choices. Oct 9, 2008

Parker Aerospace, Embraer, Gulfstream, Cessna

Parker Aerospace announced several flight control deals for cutting-edge Embraer, Gulfstream and Cessna aircraft at NBAA, worth a combined total of around $2 billion. Parker has been selected by Embraer to supply the complete fly-by-wire flight control system and all hydraulic and fuel system components for the new Legacy 450/500 executive business jet aircraft. The contract is valued at an estimated $1.1bn. Oct 6, 2008

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