Boeing Statement on Brazil’s GOL Airlines Fleet Selection

SEATTLE, Dec. 27, 2007 — The Boeing Company  is honored that Brazil’s GOL Linhas Aéreas S.A. [NYSE: GOL, Bovespa: GOLL4], the parent company of Brazil’s low-cost airlines GOL Transportes Aéreos S.A. and VRG Linhas Aéreas S.A., Latin America’s largest 737 operator, has announced selection of the Next-Generation 737 as a key element of its fleet renewal.

“GOL has garnered international attention by consistently posting profits since beginning operations, and the 737 has been a large part of that success,” said John Wojick, Boeing’s vice president of sales for Latin America and the Caribbean. “The Next-Generation 737 enables GOL to continue providing passengers reliable, on-time performance while benefiting from the airplane’s reliability and fast airport turnaround times.”

Boeing looks forward to concluding financial and contractual details of the GOL selection.

Source: Boeing

Boeing and British Airways Finalize Contract for 24 787 Dreamliners

SEATTLE, Dec. 27, 2007 — Boeing [NYSE: BA] and London-based British Airways have finalized an order for eight Boeing 787-8s and 16 787-9s, raising the total number of 787s ordered worldwide from 766 to 790 and taking the 787 order book past the 787th mark. The order is valued at $4.4 billion at list prices. British Airways also placed options for 18 787s and purchase rights for an additional 10.

Willie Walsh, British Airways’ chief executive, said, “The 787 is a fantastic aircraft and will be a welcome addition to our fleet. It will provide major environmental improvements in terms of global emissions, local air quality and noise.

“With lower operating costs and the range to fly to all our destinations, it will give us more flexibility when planning our route network and we are confident that our customers will enjoy flying on the aircraft,” Walsh said.

British Airways first announced its selection of the 787 Dreamliner as a key element of its long-haul fleet renewal last September. The carrier also announced in September that it will power its 787s with the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000.

“This order is a vote of confidence from one of the world’s leading global network carriers in the 787’s unprecedented performance,” said Marlin Dailey, vice president of Sales for Europe, Russia and Central Asia, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “No other airplane in its category offers British Airways the superior efficiency, economics and passenger comfort while also fitting so easily into its medium- and long-haul twin-aisle fleet.”

“Reaching the 787th order is significant for the program, and it’s great that we get to celebrate it with British Airways. Their leadership in the industry validates our momentum in the marketplace,” said Patrick Shanahan, vice president and general manager, 787 Program.

The 787 will help British Airways meet aggressive environmental performance targets. It will reduce CO2 emissions and has a noise footprint that is more than 60 percent smaller than those of today’s similarly sized airplanes.

Common elements between the 787 and British Airways’ 777 flight deck will allow for 777 pilots to train for 787 certification in only five days.

The 787 also offers more cargo-revenue capacity than the 767 and similarly sized airplanes.

With 790 orders in three years, the 787 remains the most successful airplane launch in aviation history.

Boeing developed the 787 for the mid-sized jetliner market, estimated at 3,500 aircraft over the next 20 years. The 787 will be more than 50 percent advanced carbon composites which allow the largest windows in the industry, higher cabin humidity and a lower cabin altitude that reduces the fatigue often experienced by passengers.

High-efficiency engines combined with a lighter airframe and improved aerodynamics mean the 787 will produce seat-mile costs normally associated with much larger aircraft.

Air Astana to Buy Nine Airbus and Boeing Jetliners

December. 26, 2007  Air Astana, a venture between the Kazakh government and BAE Systems Plc, agreed to buy nine Airbus SAS and Boeing Co. jetliners to help meet surging travel demand in the Central Asian nation.

The six Airbus A320s and three Boeing 787-8s have a combined catalog price of $950 million, Air Astana said in an e-mailed statement today. Deliveries will start in 2012, the carrier said.

Air travel in Kazakhstan, a country of 15 million people about four times the size of Texas, climbed 18 percent last year to 1.96 million passengers, according to the Economy Ministry. The nation’s $80 billion economy has grown 10 percent a year on average since 2000 as rising oil and gas revenue bolstered a consumption boom in the largest energy producer in the former Soviet Union after Russia.

“The company will arrange financing for the purchase itself, without using state money or guarantees,” Air Astana President Peter Foster said in the statement.

Deputy Kazakh Transport Minister Azat Bekturov said in May that Air Astana could finance 85 percent of the purchases via the U.S. Export-Import Bank or the European Investment Bank, with the company borrowing the rest from commercial lenders. London-based BAE, Europe’s largest defense company, last year proposed selling part of its 49 percent stake to help fund expansion.

The Almaty-based carrier will have options to buy an additional three A320s and three 787s for $736 million. The airline, which now leases 18 jets, plans to boost its fleet to 63 planes by 2022. Air Astana’s longest routes include flights between Almaty, the country’s commercial capital, and London, Bangkok and Seoul.

Philippines’ Cebu Pacific orders 4 additional ATR 72-500s

ATR and Philippines-based carrier Cebu Pacific today announced the purchase of 4 ATR 72-500s. These aircraft are the conversion into firm orders of 4 of the 8 option aircraft included in the previous contract for 6 firm plus 8 option aircraft inked earlier this year. Today’s deal, which includes new options for 4 additional aircraft, brings to 10 the total firm orders of ATR 72-500s.

Cebu Pacific will take delivery of these ten aircraft during 2008 and 2009. All the aircraft will be configured with 72 seats and will feature state-of-the-art technological innovations in the field of communications and navigation aid tools and passenger comfort.

Lance Gokongwei, President and CEO of Cebu Pacific, said the additional aircraft will allow Cebu Pacific to serve more cities whose runways are too short for its Airbus fleet. “The Philippines has seventy five airports, of which only about twenty five can accommodate our fleet of Airbus aircraft”. He added: “Areas with smaller airports, like Caticlan, will likely experience a business boom as the 72-seat ATRs bring in more tourists and businessmen”. And he concluded: “Our expanding service will unlock the beauty and natural wealth of our archipelago. We have hubs in Manila, Cebu and Davao and hopefully Clark. All of these can be staging points for travel to what up to now are largely inaccessible destinations”.

Stephane Mayer, ATR CEO, stated: “Cebu Pacific is experiencing a dramatic increase of its domestic services and we are proud to have, once again, their confidence in ATR to face such ambitious expansion plans. Our aircraft are perfectly adapted to the interisland operations across the archipelago. Both in terms of economics and environmental care, the ATR aircraft are unrivalled and will offer an optimal service to the airline”.

Since the beginning of the year, ATR has received orders for 92 new aircraft, some of them not yet unveiled. Since the beginning of the programme, ATR has sold 929 aircraft (416 ATR 42s and 513 ATR 72s) and has delivered 749 (396 ATR 42s and 353 ATR 72s), thus posting a current backlog of 180 aircraft

REPUBLIC CONFIRMS 11 E-JETS OPTIONS FOR A TOTAL OF 102 FIRM ORDERS

The aircraft will be operated by Shuttle America in the livery of Delta Connection

São José dos Campos, December 21, 2007 – Embraer has received confirmation from U.S.-based Republic Airways Holdings of 11 options for the EMBRAER 175 jet. The aircraft will be operated by its subsidiary Shuttle America and will fly under the Delta Connection brand name. First delivery is scheduled for July 2008. The value of the deal, at list price, is US$ 341 million, based on January 2007 economic conditions.

“We are honored, once again, to be a part of the further expansion of Republic’s fleet,”said Mauro  Kern, Embraer’s Executive Vice President, Airline Market. “This additional order from our largest customer confirms that our approach for the E-Jets family in offering the right aircraft size for different airline applications meets market demands.”

Republic Airways is the largest E-Jets operator in the world, with 76 EMBRAER 170 and 25 EMBRAER 175 jets currently in its fleet. The company’s remaining E-Jets order book now totals 29 firm orders and 74 options. Shuttle America has been offering scheduled commercial passenger service since 1998 and currently operates 44 EMBRAER 170 jets, 16 of which in the Delta Connection livery. The company’s EMBRAER 175 will be configured with 76 seats – 12 first-class and 64 coach.

“We are very pleased to add the EMBRAER 175 to the Delta Connection fleet. Our customers will appreciate the size and comfort of these jets,” said Bryan Bedford, Chairman, President and CEO of Republic Airways Holdings. “The introduction of the first EMBRAER 175 will allow us to deliver a seamless travel experience to our partners.”

The EMBRAER 175 is one of the four members of the new E-Jets family, which entered service in December 2004. At the end of the third quarter of 2007, the EMBRAER 170/190 family of E-Jets had logged 712 firm orders and 756 options, totaling 1,468 aircraft.

Currently, the E-Jets client base is 43 companies in over 30 countries on five continents, accumulating more than one million flight hours.

China inaugurates homegrown jet

SHANGHAI, China – China’s first fully homegrown commercial aircraft rolled off the production line Friday, marking a potential milestone for the country’s aviation program.

In a nationally televised ceremony, the Xiangfeng, or “Flying Phoenix,” was towed into a hangar at the Shanghai Aircraft Manufacturing Factory amid flashing laser lights and rousing music. The rollout ceremony was closed to most media, apart from state-run CCTV and the official Xinhua News Agency.

“Today, China’s aviation industry has turned over a new leaf,” Lin Zuoming, general manager of China Aviation Industry Corp. I, or AVIC I, said in comments carried on the news channel of China Central Television.

The maiden flight for the the ARJ-21 is planned for March. It will carry up to 90 passengers and have a flight range of 2,300 miles, according to Xinhua.

Dutch Police Orders Two AW139 Helicopters

AgustaWestland is pleased to announce that the Netherlands Police Agency has signed a contract today for two AW139 medium twin turbine engine helicopters. These two helicopters will be used by the Dutch Police KLPD (Korps landelijke politiediensten) for law enforcement and homeland security purposes.

The AW139 Law Enforcement has the largest cabin in its class with large sliding doors to enable easy and quick access and to perform fast roping. The cabin also allows easy configuration changes to meet operational requirements. The AW139 internally and externally accessible separate baggage compartment of 3.4 m3 is large enough to carry a multitude of mission specific equipment. With a maximum speed of 165 knots (306 kph) and excellent range and endurance the AW139 can be quickly deployed to any crime scene or accident location. The integrated avionic system provides the basis for managing the sensors and comprehensive communications suite required for the law enforcement role. The cockpit is NVG compatible and the aircraft can be equipped with mission equipment like advanced FLIR, weather radar, search light, loudspeaker.

QinetiQ Says Farewell With Last Ever UK Jaguar Flight

XX833, a Jaguar T Mk 2A operated by QinetiQ is retired

(December 20, 2007) — Thursday 20th December was a historic day for aviation enthusiasts as XX833, which for the past six months was the only flying UK military registered Jaguar left in service, took its last flight, marking the end of an era for Jaguar flying in UK – the last of the RAF’s Jaguars were themselves all retired this Summer.

The QinetiQ owned Jaguar T Mk 2A, (XX833), which is operated in conjunction with the MOD as part of the Aircraft Test and Evaluation Centre (ATEC)* operation, was undertaking trials flights after which the airframe went out of hours. It was piloted by Sqn Ldr Andy Blythe, and accompanied by Wg Cdr Paul Shakespeare, both from the Fast Jet Test Squadron (FJTS), based at MOD Boscombe Down.

At around 11:30 the aircraft took off from its home base for a medium level flight, routed via RAF Coltishall, RAF Coningsby and BAE Systems Warton locations each with a long Jaguar heritage, (doing a slow and fast fly past at each) plus it overflew RAF Marham where a number of the engineers that worked on the Jaguar are now based, before returning to MOD Boscombe Down. Then at around 15:00, XX833 took to the air for the final time with a low level flight around Wales prior to an overflight of St Athan, eventually returning to MOD Boscombe Down for a final flypast before landing at around 15:45. The Jaguar was also accompanied by one of QinetiQ’s Alpha Jets on these flights to obtain air-to-air photographs.

Jaguar T Mk 2A, XX833, was manufactured by BAe at Warton as a two-seat operational advanced trainer and delivered to the MOD in February 1975. It was transferred to RAE Farnborough in February 1989, transferring to MOD Boscombe Down in April 1994 and finally became a QinetiQ asset in July 2001.

On retirement, XX833 will have flown around 4700 sorties, clocked up over 5,335 flying hours with more than 7690 landings. In the 12 years of service at MOD Boscombe Down, the aircraft has flown 1070 hours, suffered five bird-strikes, one lightning strike, consumed nine engines (with an average life of 122.33 hours each), and carried out over 864 sorties.

XX833 was powered by two Rolls-Royce Turbomeca Adour Mk 104 engines with afterburning, producing a max speed (at straight and level) of Mach 1.1 (729kt, 1,350km/h) and a service ceiling height of 14,023m (46,000ft). Its internal fuel capacity of 4,200 litres (924 Imp gallons) plus the fitment of additional external fuel tanks gave an approximate operational radius of 408km (760nmiles).

Since manufacture it had a comprehensive instrumentation, recording and telemetry system fitted; this required the removal of the Aden Gun facility and modification of the ammunition tanks to accommodate its experimental fits. The aircraft was used as a development test vehicle for the Jaguar 96/97 updates and had a number of systems broadly comparable with those fitted to T Mk 4 aircraft.

A Head Tracker System (HTS) was provided to give steering and target information to the Head Tracker System and NAVWASS (Navigation and Weapon Aiming Sub-System). The HTS was used in conjunction with HMD (Helmet Mounted Display), Display NVG (Night Vision Goggles), or Integrated Panoramic NVG (IPNVG) to provide a Helmet Mounted Sight (HMS) facility.

Technical data

Wingspan 8.69m (28ft 6in)
Length overall 17.53m (57ft 6in)
Height overall 4.89m (16ft 0in)
Weight empty 7,000kg (15,432lb)
Max T/O weight 15,700kg (34,612lb)

*ATEC (Aircraft Test and Evaluation Centre) is the aircraft flight test centre, formed by the public-private partnering arrangement between MOD’s Joint Test & Evaluation Group and QinetiQ’ System Evaluation Services.

Vietnam Orders 10 A350 XWB and 20 Additional A321 Aircraft

Vietnam Airlines and Vietnam Aircraft Leasing Company look to the future with Airbus

(december 21, 2007) — Vietnam Airlines has signed a contract for 10 A350-900 XWBs, as well as for 10 additional A321s. This announcement follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the aircraft on 1st October 2007 in the presence of Nguyen Tan Dung, Prime Minister of Vietnam during his state visit to France. An additional ten A321s covered under the MOU have now been confirmed as firm orders for the new Vietnam Aircraft Leasing Company, in which Vietnam Airlines is a major shareholder.

The respective contracts were signed in Hanoi today by Mr Pham Ngoc Minh, Chief Executive Officer of Vietnam Airlines, and Mr Tran Long, Chief Executive Officer of Vietnam Aircraft Leasing Company, with John Leahy, Chief Operating Officer – Customers.

Vietnam Airlines has steadily and efficiently built a modern Airbus fleet in recent years and currently operates 10 A320s, 11 A321s and three A330s (two -200s and one -300) on an extensive regional and domestic network. Four previously ordered A321s are still to be delivered.

“We thoroughly reviewed the A350 XWB programme, and we are very confident that this aircraft will set new standards of passenger comfort, operating economics and low emissions in our growing long-haul markets. The size of the A350-900 XWB responds very well to our expected traffic growth over the next decade,” said Mr Nguyen Sy Hung, Chairman of Vietnam Airlines. “Our A330s already provide us with an excellent level of economics combined with superior passenger appeal. The A350 XWB will further consolidate our successful growth and long term development into the future.”

“Vietnam Airlines has been a strong partner for Airbus in Asia for many years and I am delighted that this relationship is now further strengthened with the airline becoming a strategic customer for the A350 XWB in the region,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer – Customers. “With orders for A321s from both Vietnam Airlines and Vietnam Aircraft Leasing Company, Airbus is proud to be playing a central role in the continued modernization of the rapidly developing Vietnamese air transport industry.”

Boeing and Qantas Agree to Additional 737 Purchases

Brings total Qantas 2007 orders with Boeing to 51 jetliners

SEATTLE, Dec. 20, 2007 — The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] and Qantas Airways today announced a final agreement for the order of 31 Boeing Next-Generation 737-800 jetliners. The order is valued at US$2.3 billion at Boeing list prices.

This is the largest single 737 order placed by Qantas for the Next-Generation 737. The airline previously ordered 38 737-800s in increments over the past six years.

Today’s order brings the airline’s order total with Boeing to 51 airplanes during 2007, including an order posted last month in which Qantas contracted for 20 787-9 Dreamliners, which the airline initially announced in July.

The chief executive officer of Qantas, Geoff Dixon, said the 737-800s would have the latest in-flight entertainment technology.

“This further investment in the latest aircraft technology will also underpin our efficiency drive by lowering operating costs, while at the same time minimizing our environmental impact as we grow,” he said. “The 737-800 has a 25 percent lower fuel burn per seat and 30 percent lower maintenance cost compared with older equivalent aircraft.”

“Qantas is a key 737 customer, and the Australian geography is one where the airplane really proves its value,” said Stan Deal, vice president, Asia Pacific Sales – Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “The 737 will continue to provide excellent economics, reliability and passenger comfort to one of the world’s great airlines.”

The Boeing Next-Generation 737 family is the world’s most popular and reliable single-aisle airplane family. As of Nov. 30, Boeing had logged orders for more than 4,300 Next-Generation 737s, and has unfilled orders for nearly 1,900 airplanes worth more than $135 billion at current list prices.

With the November order for 787s, Qantas is now the second largest customer (and holds the most orders by an airline) for the 787 family, with 50 787-9s and 15 787-8s on order. The airline will operate its 787 fleet with GE Aircraft Engines’ GEnx power plants.

The 787s are expected to be used by the Qantas Group’s two major brands, Qantas and Jetstar, for both domestic and international operations.

Boeing Marks 50th Anniversary of 707 First Flight

SEATTLE, Dec. 20, 2007 — Today Boeingmarks the 50th anniversary of the first flight of its 707 jetliner, and the point in commercial aviation history when propellers gave way to the jet age and air travel became affordable and available.

On a typically cold and rainy Northwest Friday afternoon Dec. 20, 1957, Boeing’s chief of flight test Tex Johnston, his copilot Jim Gannet and flight engineer Tom Layne sat on the drenched runway at Renton Municipal Airport in the first production 707, checked weather reports and waited for the chance to take the new airplane up for its maiden flight.

At 12:30 p.m., the decision was made to go. But as the 707 climbed over the city of Renton, the unpredictable weather immediately closed in around the airliner and forced a landing at nearby Boeing Field after just seven minutes in the air. Later that day, the sky cleared enough for the crew to take the 707 up for a 71-minute flight. This historic day was the culmination of five years of hard work and gut-wrenching decisions. With the 707, Boeing President William Allen and his leadership team had “bet the company” on a vision that the future of commercial aviation was in jets.

The prototype model 367-80 or “Dash 80″ led to a revolution in air transportation. Although it never entered commercial service itself, the Dash 80 gave birth to the 707 series of jetliners. Much larger, faster and smoother than the propeller airplanes it was replacing, the Boeing 707 quickly changed the face of international travel.

The first commercial 707s, labeled the 707-120 series, had a larger cabin and other improvements compared to the prototype. Powered by early Pratt & Whitney turbojet engines, these initial 707s had range capability that was barely sufficient to cross the Atlantic Ocean. Boeing soon introduced the long-range 707-320 Intercontinental that in May 1959 flew 5,382 miles nonstop from Seattle to Rome in 11 hours and 6 minutes. A number of variants were developed for special use, including shorter-bodied airplanes and the 720 series, which was lighter and faster with better runway performance.

Pan Am World Airways was the first 707 customer, signing up for 20 Boeing 707-120s in October 1955. In 1962, Pan Am also took delivery of the last 707-120 series airplane. Production of commercial 707s ended in 1978 after 878 had been built. The number rose to more than 1,000 by 1994, when limited production of military variants ended. Most civil 707s left in service today have been converted to freighters, while a number are used as corporate transports. Approximately 130 remain in commercial service.

LOCKHEED MARTIN RECEIVES $849 MILLION CONTRACT FOR TRIDENT II D5 MISSILE

SUNNYVALE, Calif., December 20th, 2007 — The U.S. Navy has awarded Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) a contract valued at $849 million for fiscal year 2008 production and deployed system support for the Trident II D5 Fleet Ballistic Missile (FBM) program. 

Work under the contract includes D5 production support, including reentry system hardware, and operations and maintenance to support the readiness and reliability of missile systems deployed aboard FBM submarines and at on-shore facilities.

The contract also continues D5 Life Extension development work. Deliveries under the original D5 contract, which called for production of 425 missiles, began in 1989 and concluded in 2007.  D5 Life Extension missile deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2011, with a minimum of 108 additional missiles being delivered by 2017.  The D5 Life Extension program will support the service life of the Navy’s Trident II Ohio-class submarines, which has been extended to 2042.   

“Under the leadership of our Navy customer, we will continue our work in support of the D5 missile while continuing to prepare for the Navy’s transition to the D5 Life Extension missile,” said Tory Bruno, vice president and general manager of Strategic Missile Programs, Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company.   

First deployed in 1990 and scheduled for operational deployment until 2042, the Trident II D5 is aboard Trident II-configured Ohio-class submarines.  The three-stage, solid-propellant, inertial-guided ballistic missile has a nominal range of 4,000 nautical miles and carries multiple independently targeted reentry vehicles.

Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, Sunnyvale, Calif., is the prime strategic missile contractor and missile system program manager for the U.S. Navy’s Strategic Systems Programs.  Approximately 2,400 Lockheed Martin Space Systems employees, principally in California, Georgia, Florida, Washington and Utah, support the design, development, production, test and operation of the Trident strategic weapon system.  

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2006 sales of $39.6 billion.

Source: Lockheed Martin

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