Honeywell and Thales Have New High-Speed Data System for Airlines
Honeywell and Thales Avionics are introducing a new passenger-and-crew, high-speed data system offering data speeds up to 256 kilobits per second (kbps).

JetBlue Will Get Dual Rockwell Collins' HUDs on New Embraer 190s
Embraer has confirmed an earlier report that it and Rockwell Collins' are developing a dual head-up guidance system for the Embraer 190 for launch customer JetBlue Airways.  When the system is operational next year, it will mark the first commercial use of dual HUDs.

Skyguide Changes Course on Air Traffic Management System
Switzerland's air traffic services provider, skyguide, has decided to terminate its current ATMAS (air traffic management and air surveillance) project and focus on its own next-generation ATM systems instead.  Skyguide officials believe the decision will require less investment and lower costs for its customers.

Teledyne Controls Will Supply Onboard EFB Information Terminals to Airbus
Teledyne Controls says Airbus has selected it to be the sole supplier for its on-board information terminal (OIT) hardware on the A320 and A330/340 aircraft families.  What is commonly described as an electronic flight bag (EFB), will, in this case, become part of the Airbus Flight Information System (AFIS), which will be available for new and retrofit aircraft installations.

Aloha Airlines Reporting Aircraft Tracking and Health Data via Iridium
Aloha Airlines has equipped three of its B-737-200s and nine B-737-700s with a data collection and reporting system from Calgary-based AeroMechanical Services (AMS), which gathers and sends the information to Aloha's Honolulu base via Iridium satellites.

Barco Introduces Five New Cockpit Display Products
Barco is introducing five new cockpit display products, including terminals for  pilot information and cockpit maintenance, an additional head-down display, upgraded hazard-avoidance-display software, and a new version of its modular open system architecture (MOSArt) that can combine a large number of map formats and overlay capabilities.

Honeywell Introduces New Radar for Airline and Business Jets
Honeywell has a new "3-D volumetric scanning" radar system that analyzes a three-dimensional database of information from ground level to 60,000 feet, and can show side views of weather away from the aircraft’s heading.

Alaska is Honeywell's First Runway Awareness and Advisory System Customer
Alaska Airlines will be the first airline to equip its fleet with Honeywell's Runway Awareness and Advisory System (RAAS).

L-3 Communications Developing New Screening Technology and Concepts
L-3 Communications says its Security & Detection Systems division is developing several security initiatives, including the use of passive millimeter wave to screen for concealed weapons, and pairing two types of explosives detection systems to reduce false alarms.

Airbus, SITA INC and Tenzing Forming New Company for Inflight Communications
Airbus, SITA INC (Information Networking Computing) and Tenzing Communications are forming a jointly owned company to develop and market cabin connectivity, including inflight mobile phone and broadband Internet services.

NetJets Will Equip its Raytheon Hawker 400XPs with AirCell Iridium Satcom
Fractional provider NetJets has ordered 50 Iridium satellite communication systems for its fleet of Raytheon Hawker 400XP light business jets.

American and QUALCOMM Test Mobile Phones Inflight
QUALCOMM and American Airlines have demonstrated the use of commercially available mobile phones inflight.  Passengers on the test flight were able to place and receive calls through an onboard third-generation (3G) “picocell” network.

Singapore's Changi Airport Using New Unisys Passenger Processing System
Singapore's Changi International Airport is using a new Unisys passenger handling system that provides a common language facility (CLF) allowing multiple airline departure-control systems (DCS) to be accessed more efficiently.

Global 5000 Will Feature Rockwell Collins' Airshow 21 IFE and Communications
A new Rockwell Collins' integrated cabin electronics system will be available on Bombardier's Global 5000 for redundant communications, digital distribution, and an easy path to future upgrades.

Airbus Selects CMC Electronics' Satcom Antenna for A380
Airbus has selected CMC Electronics' new CMA-2102LW (light weight) high-gain satcom antenna as its standard seller furnished equipment (SFE) for the A380.

Check Out Additional Fleet Changes

Boeing Projects $5.4 Trillion Market for New Airplanes and Services over Next 20 Years
Boeing sees a $5.4 trillion market for new commercial airplanes and aviation services during the next 20 years, based on a doubling of the world's airplane fleet by 2023 and a 5.2 percent annual increase in world air travel.

One Hundred Gulfstream Aircraft Now Have EVS
Gulfstream Aerospace says it has retrofitted 82 Gulfstream's with its enhanced vision system (EVS), and delivered 13 new G550s with the system, as of the end of March.  In addition, five developmental aircraft used in the company's G550 and G450 flight test programs have EVS installed.

Check Out Additional Industry Trends

Honeywell and Thales Have New High-Speed Data System for Airlines

Honeywell and Thales Avionics are introducing a new passenger-and-crew, high-speed data system offering data speeds up to 256 kilobits per second (kbps).

The new HS-720 Honeywell/Thales system has four channels, each with a 64 kbps access rate, which can be used individually or linked together, using Swift 64 technology provided by EMS Technologies.  The system complements Honeywell/Thales' MCS-4000/7000 satellite communications systems, meaning up to seven-channels of Inmarsat Aero-H and Aero H+ voice and data services could be available, on an equipped aircraft, to support both cockpit and cabin satellite communications.

Honeywell and Thales Avionics already offer their HS‑700/HS‑702 high speed data system, which can achieve data rates of up to 128 kilobits per second with a similar linking scheme.

According to Honeywell, the HS-720 utilizes the same form factor as its satcom radio frequency unit (RFU), which allows simplified installation and saves valuable space on the aircraft.

Honeywell says it is currently accepting system orders for the HS-720 units from customers worldwide.  It expects to start delivering the systems in early 2006.   07-21-2004.  (Top)

JetBlue Will Get Dual Rockwell Collins' HUDs on New Embraer 190s

Embraer has confirmed an earlier report that it and Rockwell Collins' are developing a dual head-up guidance system for the Embraer 190 for launch customer JetBlue Airways.  When the system is operational next year, it will mark the first commercial use of dual HUDs.

JetBlue's Embraer 190s will come equipped with Flight Dynamics HGS-5600s that use LCD (liquid crystal display) technology and will be integrated with the airplane's Honeywell PRIMUS Epic avionics system. The system will provide for Category IIIa approaches to qualified runways as well as improved low-visibility takeoff capability.  While the system is capable of supporting enhanced or synthetic vision, these additional technologies aren't a part of the initial package for JetBlue, according to Embraer.

JetBlue's decision to invest in dual HUD systems is significant, and suggests a new phase in their maturity and acceptance.   Embraer and Rockwell officials point out that it also suggests a greater appreciation for the other attributes of modern civilian HUDs, including their ability to increase a pilot's flight-path precision during visual, circling and non-ILS approaches, and crosswind landings. The ability of the copilot to regularly use the system should increase safety and reduce training costs as well.  07-23-2004.  (Top)

Skyguide Changes Course on Air Traffic Management System

Switzerland's air traffic services provider, skyguide, has decided to terminate its current ATMAS (air traffic management and air surveillance) project and focus on its own next-generation ATM systems instead.  Skyguide officials believe the decision will require less investment and lower costs for its customers.

Skyguide initiated the ATMAS project in 1999 to help increase airspace capacity.  In 2001, skyguide decided to procure Thales ATM’s ATMAS-Eurocat system, but nevertheless continued to develop its existing ATM.  Now, because of the advanced current systems that its parallel policy has produced, replacing them with ATMAS can’t be justified, skyguide believes.

The Swiss ATS provider says, however, that it will continue to collaborate actively on joint development programs in which Thales is also a systems supplier.

Most of the €36 million (out of a projected €80 million) already invested in the ATMAS project will be used within skyguide in the form of a new simulator, a fallback tracker, screens, computers and similar equipment items.  Nearly all of the ATMAS project team will be reassigned to other company projects.  07-21-2004.  (Top)

Teledyne Controls Will Supply Onboard EFB Information Terminals to Airbus

Teledyne Controls says Airbus has selected it to be the sole supplier for its on-board information terminal (OIT) hardware on the A320 and A330/340 aircraft families.  What is commonly described as an electronic flight bag (EFB), will, in this case, become part of the Airbus Flight Information System (AFIS), which will be available for new and retrofit aircraft installations.

The Airbus OIT is a Class 3 EFB consisting of two 12.1-inch XGA (1024 x 768 pixel resolution) touchscreen color display terminals in a landscape mode.  (Class 3 EFBs are considered installed aircraft systems that provide extensive information requiring software certification.)  Each unit will be mounted within a sliding-table assembly that stows when not in use.  Both terminals will be connected to a computer processing unit located in the aircraft’s electronic and equipment bay that are interconnected for video switching and system redundancy.  They can also operate independently.

Teledyne Controls' EFB product line ranges from Class 1 portable electronic devices to fixed, installed equipment, and include applications for aircraft operating performance, aeronautical charts, and graphical weather.  In addition, Teledyne has an EFB electronic documentation browser capable of displaying flight operations manuals, equipment lists, operating procedures, and other airline documents.

The Airbus OIT system is scheduled to be certified in the second quarter of 2005.  07-21-2004.  (Top)

Aloha Airlines Reporting Aircraft Tracking and Health Data via Iridium

Barco Introduces Five New Cockpit Display Products

Barco is introducing five new cockpit display products, including terminals for  pilot information and cockpit maintenance, an additional head-down display, upgraded hazard-avoidance-display software, and a new version of its modular open system architecture (MOSArt) that can combine a large number of map formats and overlay capabilities.

Barco’s cockpit information terminal (CIT) is a derivative of the class 3 product developed for the A380.  It has a 12” liquid crystal display with XGA (1024 x 768 pixel) resolution, and two keyboards – one with an integrated cursor control device.  Its cockpit maintenance terminal (CMT) also is derived from one developed for the A380 that comes as a DO-160-qualified laptop computer, with a 15 inch XGA AMLCD (active matrix liquid crystal) display and an attached keyboard.

Barco’s new CHDD-5.7 head-down display presents real-time video data on a 5 x 7 inch LCD that can be configured with RGB (red-green-blue) or LVDS (low voltage data signal) inputs.  And because of its open architecture, Barco says the CHDD-5.7 can easily accommodate future upgrades.  Besides the -5.7, the company offers its CHDD-5.4 (5 x 4 inch) and CHDD-6.8 (6 x 8 inch) displays.  Larger sizes are under development.

New software has also been developed by Barco for its hazard avoidance display (HAD) that enables traffic, weather, terrain and flight management safety information to be displayed in one place.  HAD uses an open, modular architecture and can be combined with a full range of avionics displays in several sizes and configurations, Barco says.

Barco’s digital moving map (D-Map) now uses its latest version of its modular open system architecture (MOSArt) that can combine a large number of map formats and overlay capabilities, integrated into its processing unit and multi-function displays.  07-22-2004.  (Top)

Honeywell Introduces New Radar for Airline and Business Jets

Honeywell has a new "3-D volumetric scanning" radar system that analyzes a three-dimensional database of information from ground level to 60,000 feet, and can show side views of weather away from the aircraft’s heading.

Speaking of the new RDR-4000 radar system, Frank Daly, Honeywell Air Transport Systems’ president said, “We have invested in a massive design effort for it, and no previous commercial weather radar has ever come close to providing the safety and operational benefits it will bring to aviation.”

Here are some RDR-4000 factoids:

• Rather than scanning a flat plane of sky as traditional radars do, it will search from the ground to 60,000 feet altitude, creating a computer-analyzed, three-dimensional database of information.
• It can show a side vertical "slice of weather" that can be aligned along the aircraft’s current direction of travel.  
• Rather than adjusting antenna tilt angle, pilots can select a constant altitude mode that even takes the earth’s curvature into account.    
• Pilots can also select an automatic antenna tilt mode that takes into account flight-plan climbs and descents, based on information from the flight management system.
• Rather than use traditional computer “filtering” to discern weather returns from ground clutter, it uses an internal terrain database to help make the distinction.
• Alternatively, pilots can select extended ground map mode to see a radar-derived depiction of the all terrain ahead of the aircraft.
• It uses pulse compression for longer range and higher resolution.
• It can provide forward-looking wind shear alerting with an antenna as small as 12 inches diameter, that when combined with its small overall size and weight, makes it available to smaller aircraft such as regional airliners and business jets.
• It is less than half the size of a traditional air transport weather radar system (3MCU instead of 8MCU).
• It is 18 pounds lighter than a traditional radar unit in a single installation, 28 pounds lighter in a dual installation.
• It uses direct drive antenna motors with no gears or bearings to improve reliability.
• It has Ethernet connections to increase data speed and assure compatibility with next-generation cockpit displays, such as on the A380.
• Its transmitter doesn’t use traditional wave guides, which typically develop cracks leading to loss of performance.

Honeywell says the system has already been selected for the A380 as part of that aircraft’s integrated Aircraft Environment Surveillance System (AESS) it is developing.  American has selected the system for a fleet retrofit, and the U.S. Air Force will install it on its C-17 Globemaster.   Initial availability is scheduled for the first quarter of 2005.  07-21-2004.  (Top)

Alaska is Honeywell's First Runway Awareness and Advisory System Customer

Alaska Airlines will be the first airline to equip its fleet with Honeywell's Runway Awareness and Advisory System (RAAS).  

RAAS uses GPS, an internal runway database, a voice annunciator, and software hosted on Honeywell's Mark V and Mark VII EGPWS (enhanced ground proximity warning systems) to do the following:

• When the airplane is approaching a runway – either while taxiing for landing, routine advisories are provided, such as “Approaching one one.”
• When the airplane has entered and is aligned with a runway, a routine advisory concerning runway identification is announced, such as “On runway three four left.”
• When the runway is not long enough for the particular aircraft, a non-routine advisory is given, such as “On runway three four left. Two thousand remaining,” or “Approaching three four right. Three thousand available.”
• Calls out the distance remaining to the end of the runway after landing or during a rejected takeoff.  For example: After landing, routine call-outs are made, such as “5000 remaining,”  and during an aborted takeoff, non-routine call-outs are provided, such as “3000 remaining.”
• When the pilot inadvertently begins to takeoff from a taxiway, a non-routine advisory is announced: “On taxiway, on taxiway.”
• When an aircraft has been immobile on a runway for an extended time, a non-routine advisory is given, such as “On runway three four left.”

Alaska, which has a reputation for innovation and being an early adopter of new technology, currently operates a fleet of 108 B-737s and MD80s.  07-21-2004.  (Top)

L-3 Communications Developing New Screening Technology and Concepts

L-3 Communications says its Security & Detection Systems division is developing several security initiatives, including the use of passive millimeter wave to screen for concealed weapons, and pairing two types of explosives detection systems to reduce false alarms.

According to L-3, using passive millimeter wave (MMW) technology for passenger screening has important potential, because of its ability to "see" through clothing and packaging and automatically detect – not only metal – but ceramic weapons, plastic explosives, drugs, and other contraband.  Because of these attributes, L-3 says its Security & Detection Systems is aggressively working to develop and commercialize an advanced MMW imaging portal for airport security screening, which should begin airport trial testing before the end of the year.

In addition, L-3 is working on pairing its MVT (multi-view tomography) X-ray system and its eXaminer device that uses another tomography method.  (Tomography is a technique for making detailed x-rays of a predetermined plane section of a solid object while blurring out the images of other planes.)  The idea is to analyze luggage in an in-line configuration where all bags would first be screened by the MVT, followed by a second screening of any “alarmed bags” in eXaminer.  L-3 believes this combined "system of systems" can meet all TSA certification criteria for explosives detection and false alarm rate.  07-23-2004.  (Top)

Airbus, SITA INC and Tenzing Forming New Company for Inflight Communicationss

Airbus, SITA INC (Information Networking Computing) and Tenzing Communications are forming a jointly owned company to develop and market cabin connectivity, including inflight mobile phone and broadband Internet services.

The new company (presently using the moniker “Newco”) intends to offer airline passengers a portfolio of services that allows them to use their own mobile phones, laptops and PDAs (personal digital assistants) in flight, and be billed through their normal mobile operator or Internet service provider. Typical international roaming rates will apply for mobile use and laptop and PDA connectivity will be charged on a usage basis.

Airbus, SITA and Tenzing see an advantage to airlines by offering what they claim will be a more cost-effective, evolutionary and commercially viable path for full bi-directional broadband communication – presumably compared to alternatives such as Connexion by Boeing.  They say their services – which will be available on Boeing as well as Airbus aircraft – will be based on technology that offers airlines a minimal up-front capital investment, a straightforward up-grade path to new services, and low overall operating costs.

SITA, as the majority shareholder, will play a leading role in the new company.  Airbus and Tenzing are expected to hold equal shares, but their exact relationship remains to be determined.  Airbus already owns more than 30% of Tenzing and the Seattle-based company will be absorbed into Newco.

The new company will initially offer the already existing SITA and Tenzing services, including in-seat telephony, e-mail and two-way SMS (short message service).  Sometime in 2005 it will introduce corporate network access and Internet browsing capabilities, and in early 2006 it expects to offer airlines the ability to allow their passengers to use personal cell phones while inflight.  07-23-2004.  (Top)

NetJets Will Equip its Raytheon Hawker 400XPs with AirCell Iridium Satcom

Fractional provider NetJets has ordered 50 Iridium satellite communication systems for its fleet of Raytheon Hawker 400XP light business jets.

AirCell says its AirCell ST 3100 system will offer NetJets’ owners access to worldwide voice and data services at all altitudes and on the ground through the Iridium network of 66 low-earth orbiting (LEO) satellites.

AirCell ST 3100

The phone systems will be installed in the 400XPs prior to delivery to NetJets in the coming months.  07-20-2004.  (Top)

American and QUALCOMM Test Mobile Phones Inflight

QUALCOMM and American Airlines have demonstrated the use of commercially available mobile phones inflight.  Passengers on the test flight were able to place and receive calls through an onboard third-generation (3G) “picocell” network.

During the proof-of-concept demonstration flight, passengers placed and received phone calls and text messages on their mobile phones, through a small in-cabin CDMA (code division multiple access) cellular base station, connected to the worldwide terrestrial phone network by a Globalstar satellite link.

American officials believe commercial availability of cell phone use inflight is approximately 24 months away.  07-19-2004.  (Top)

Singapore's Changi Airport Using New Unisys Passenger Processing System

Singapore's Changi International Airport is using a new Unisys passenger handling system that provides a common language facility (CLF) allowing multiple airline departure-control systems (DCS) to be accessed more efficiently.

Six airlines use the Unisys Check-In Assistant at Changi, which is installed on Windows NT-based common user terminal equipment (CUTE), to allow airlines to share equipment and technology costs.

Unisys says this is its first deployment of its Check-In Assistant on CUTE.  Currently, Unisys customers use Check-In Assistant to front-end more than 15 DCS systems at more than 25 airports around the world.  07-23-2003.  (Top)

Global 5000 Will Feature Rockwell Collins' Airshow 21 IFE and Communications

A new Rockwell Collins' integrated cabin electronics system will be available on Bombardier's Global 5000 for redundant communications, digital distribution, and an easy path to future upgrades.

Global 5000 passengers will be able to use Collins' Airshow 21 Ethernet-based LAN (local area network), or an optional wireless LAN, to access onboard printers, fax machines and shared files, or communicate with the outside world via terrestrial networks.  When the Global 5000 is equipped with satcom and a high-speed transceiver, Airshow 21 will provide multiple voice and high-speed data channels to support simultaneous secure voice and data communications, anywhere in the world. The system will also support flight deck applications such as ADS (automatic dependent surveillance), oceanic CPDLC (controller-pilot datalink) and operational voice communications, Collins says.

Airshow 21's entertainment capabilities will allow Global 5000 passengers to conveniently manage all of today's multiple entertainment sources, as well as advanced capabilities such as audio/video-on-demand (AVOD).

Initial flight testing of Airshow 21 will begin in September with certification flight tests scheduled for October.  Supplemental type certification of the system is expected in December 2004.  07-23-2004.(Top)

Airbus Selects CMC Electronics' Satcom Antenna for A380

Airbus has selected CMC Electronics' new CMA-2102LW (light weight) high-gain satcom antenna as its standard seller furnished equipment (SFE) for the A380.

The top-mounted CMA-2102 – which virtually eliminates multi-path interference – can support current and planned Inmarsat high-speed data services without modification, CMC Electronics says.  It enables applications ranging from intranet virtual private network (VPN) access for crews, to multi-channel voice services and e-mail for passengers, using the Aero H/H+ satcom components already found on many air transports and business jets.

According to CMC Electronics, its CMA-2102 is now installed on more than 75% of twin-aisle air transports leaving the factory fitted with satcom.  Its customer list now includes 73 airlines and a number of corporate and military installations.  07-20-2004.  (Top)

Additional Fleet Changes

The Amiri Flight Division of Qatar Airways is purchasing a Challenger 300 for on-demand charters.  The aircraft will be delivered in March 2005.  07-22-2004.

The Royal Jet Group of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) agreed to purchase two Challenger 300s and placed options for two additional aircraft from Bombardier.  The two “firm” aircraft will enter service in the second quarter of 2005.  07-22-2004.

Airbus added Honeywell’s RMA-55B multi-mode receiver to its list of standard options, to be available without a change charge to buyers of current-production A318s, A319s, A320s, A330s and A340s.  07-22-2004.

Club Air of Italy leased two 146-200s from BAE Systems Regional Aircraft, doubling its fleet to four. 07-22-2004.

Kibris Turk Hava Yollari of Northern Cyprus will lease an A321 from BAE Trading and Services.  07-22-2004.

Meridiana has leased three A319s and one A321 from BAE Trading and Services.  07-22-2004.

Air Deccan purchased three used ATR 42-500s from ATR, and is considering taking another two later this year. 07-22-2004.

Airlinair brought five used ATR 42-500s from ATR. 07-22-2004.

Turkish Airlines signed an MOU for 19 A320s, 12 A321s and five A330-200s, with unspecified engine types.  Deliveries will begin in late 2005.  07-21-2004.

Indian low-fare startup Kingfisher Airlines signed an MOU for four A320s and options for eight more.  The airline is negotiating with leasing companies for four additional A320s to start service in the first quarter of 2005.  Deliveries of the leased aircraft will begin in the first quarter of 2005, while those of the new aircraft from Airbus will start in the last quarter of 2005.  07-21-2004.

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, signed a MOU to purchase four A380s, four A340-500s, four A340-600s and twelve A330-200s.  Deliveries for the A330-200s and A340-500s will begin in 2006 and in 2007 for the A340-600s and A380s.  The A340-500s and -600s will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 500s.  No decision has been made on engine types for the A330 and A380.  07-21-2004.

Sichuan Airlines has selected Rockwell Collins’ WXR-2100 weather radar, for its four new A319s, along with Collins’s ADF-900 automatic direction finder, DME-900 distance measuring equipment, HFS-900 high frequency system, CPL-920D coupling unit and the VOR-900 VHF omnidirectional radio.  07-21-2004.

GOL Linhas Aereas Inteligentes ordered two more new B-737-800s for delivery in July 2006.  This purchase is in addition to its agreement with Boeing in May of this year, for the acquisition of up to 43 737-800 Next Generation aircraft, 15 of which are firm orders, and 28 of which are purchase options.  07-21-2004.

Emirates will order up to 13 B-777-300ERs.  Four of the airplanes are on firm order and will be delivered during 2006.  The rest are covered by purchase rights that extend through 2012.  Emirates operates 21 B-777s currently, and will begin receiving a separate group of leased 777-300ERs next year.  At that point it will operate all four 777 models: the -200, -200ER, -300, and the -300ER.  07-21-2004.

Dragonair took delivery of its ninth and tenth V2500-powered A320s. 07-20-2004.

Trans States Airlines, which flies as a regional partner for American, US Airways and United, converted seven options for ERJ-145s into orders.  Deliveries will start later this year.  07-20-2004.

Luxair plans to exercise options for two ERJ-135s for delivery in the first quarter of 2005.  07-20-2004.

Republic Airways Holdings firmed up two options for Embraer 170s,  in addition to three the company already converted this year, increasing is total firm orders to18.  Republic has 32 options remaining for the Embraer 170, of which 25 can be converted to 190s or -195s.  07-20-2004.

Spain's Air Nostrum ordered 20 CRJ200s with options for 20 more.  The airline currently flies or has on order for 31 CRJ200s, the last of which arrive in early 2005.  However, the airline can swap either its firm orders or options for any commercial transport in Bombardier's product line, including the Q series of turboprops. 07-20-2004.

Austria's Styrian Spirit ordered an additional CRJ200.  It currently operates three of the type. 07-20-2004.

Slovenia's Adria ordered another CRJ200.  It already operates five CRJs.  07-20-2004.

Embraer confirmed that JetBlue will equip its new Embraer 190s with Rockwell Collins Flight Dynamics’ dual head-up guidance systems.  07-20-2004.

Siberia Airlines ordered 50 Russian-built Sukhoi RRJ-95s for delivery beginning in Sept. 2007, plus 10 options, becoming the launch customer for the RRJ program.  The first flight of the 55/95-seat aircraft is scheduled for mid-2006.  The airplane will be powered by SM-146 turbofans, manufactured jointly by Snecma Moteurs and NPO Saturn. 07-20-2004.

Far Eastern Air Transport took delivery of an RB211-535E4-powered B-757-200PF freighter from AWAS.  07-20-2004.

Alaska Airlines will fit five of its B-737-400s in a 4 pallet/70 passenger configuration to replace its B-737-200 combi fleet.  07-20-2004.

ANA (All Nippon Airways) ordered 45 shipsets of winglets from Aviation Partners Boeing Blended Winglet Technology for its B-737-700s.  Deliveries will begin in October 2005. 07-20-2004.

Austrian Group ordered a B-737-800 that will be operated by its fully owned subsidiary Lauda Air.  The aircraft will be delivered in July 2005.  07-20-2004.  (Top)

Boeing Projects $5.4 Trillion Market for New Airplanes and Services over Next 20 Years

Boeing sees a $5.4 trillion market for new commercial airplanes and aviation services during the next 20 years, based on a doubling of the world's airplane fleet by 2023 and a 5.2 percent annual increase in world air travel.

This was the major conclusion of its 2004 Current Market Outlook released this week during the Farnborough Air Show.

Boeing projects that operators will invest $2.0 trillion for approximately 25,000 new commercial airplanes during the next 20 years.  Of that:

• 17 percent will be for 4,290 regional jets,  
• 59 percent will be for 14,770 single-aisle airplanes,  
• 21 percent will be for 5,150 intermediate, twin-aisle airplanes,
• Three percent for 790 B-747 size and larger airplanes.

Together these additions will increase the world's fleet to nearly 35,000 airplanes by 2023.

The entire report is available by clicking here.  07-23-2004.  (Top)

Additional Industry Trends

SkyWest reported net income of $20.1 million for the second quarter ended June 30, up 34.6% compared to its net income of $14.9 million in the prior-year period. Operating revenues increased 25.7% to $267.4 million, while operating expenses climbed 23.2% to $232.2 million.  For the first six months of 2004, net income went up 39.8% to $39.4 million from $28.2 million in the year-ago period.  Operating revenues increased 24.1% to $521.1 million and operating expenses rose 20.1% to $451.1 million.  07-23-2004.

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