Aurora Aviation has high hopes for its new FBO in one of the UAE’s quietest emirates.

The Swiss aviation services company has signed a memorandum of understanding with Fujairah International airport to take over its executive aviation terminal and ground handling services.

Ammar Kutait, CEO of Aurora Aviation, says despite being small, Fujairah has “huge potential” to attract business jet operators looking for lower-cost parking and other services than busier airports in the region such as Abu Dhabi, Dubai in the United Arab Emirates or Jeddah, in Saudi Arabia.

“In much of the Middle East, parking is scarce and expensive. We can offer the ability to, for example, drop a VVIP passenger in Dubai and then park at Fujairah for three days before returning to pick him up,” he says. “Availability of fuel also makes Fujairah attractive as a technical stop.”

Aurora is also close to announcing a ground handling operation and executive terminal at another undisclosed, non-Middle Eastern airport.

By:   MURDO MORRISON

Source : www.flightglobal.com

European air taxi GlobeAir is hoping to almost double its Cessna Citation Mustang fleet in the next two years and increase its share of the entry-level business aircraft charter market to more than 50%.

The Horsching, Austria-based firm was set up four years ago with two Mustangs. In the next few days, it will take delivery of its eleventh aircraft. Four of the entry-level types have been purchased from new, while the remainder of the fleet was acquired second hand. “We have options with Cessna for more aircraft, but they cannot offer these types for the same price that we can get them on the open market,” says GlobeAir chief executive Bernhard Fragner.

The operator has a 30% share of the entry-level charter market, Fragner says, but “adding additional aircraft is fundamental for the success of our long-term strategy”. This includes placing an aircraft in Moscow to take advantage of the bustling local charter market there.

By:   KATE SARSFIELD

Source : www.flightglobal.com

HondaJet announced that it is planning that the first delivery of HondaJet, over 100 orders already on the books, will be achieved at the end of 2013. Michimasa Fujino, CEO of HondaJet, expects to be handing over aircraft as soon as FAA certification is achieved towards the end of 2013.

Metal is already being cut on the first production HondaJets to roll out of its Greensboro factory in USA. Production rate will increase in 2014-2015 up to a target rate of 80-100 jets per year, says Fujino.

HondaJet is planning to deliver aircraft to its backlog of North American and European customers. Fujino added that customers from China and Asia have a lot of interest in the aircraft .

HondaJet is using a dealership network to sell the Aircraft, rather than the direct sales from factory model, says Fujino. Dealership network is a sales method favoured by Honda.

Airlineberg.com

It is announced that AFBAA (African Business Aviation Association) launched after one year devolopment study. Tarek Ragheb, Chairman of AFBAA said that  the  oganisation’s goal will be  to establish  the business aviation that  is recognized, valued  and supported by governments, civil aviation authorities,  enterprises  and all related parties throughout Africa as an asset.

There are  368 business jets, registered in the 56 countries in  Africa. The majority of Bizjet fleet is  long-range,  large-cabin aircraft “because of the geographical reasons”.  At the same  time,  increasing mineral and oil business in Africa is drawing in a growing number of  mid/long haul business aircraft. Because the continent’s regulatory and operating environment is not supporting safe and efficient operation.

“It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know there are challenges to business aviation in Africa,” Ragheb said, listing several of them. “There are over-flight issues, lack of infrastructure, high fees and a lack of consistency in regulations.” Raghed, is also a senior advisor to business-jet manufacturer Gulfstream, added  that  “The first step in having the association’s voice heard is creating a “white paper” on the state of African business aviation and a “road map” for its future”  and “By this time next year we should be well on the way to finalizing that study”

Jack Olcott, Former NBAA president, senior advisor to AFBAA, is saying  that there are  two organizations related to Africa’s Bizjet business–the Middle East Business Aviation Association (MEBAA) and the Business Aviation Association of South Africa (BAASA)–represent regional interests on the continent, but that no pan-African umbrella organization exists. “We don’t see the African Business Aviation Association as competition with other groups, but rather as a collaboration,” Olcott said.

Gainjet (Stand 1265) is hosting AFBAA  during EBACE, and They are open to hear from all who share  its goals.

Source: Airlineberg.com

Bombardier took the wraps off its latest Learjets today. The Canadian manufacturer has relaunched its entry-level Learjets as the Learjet 70 and 75, with a new flight deck, cabin management system (CMS) and interior, as well as an upgraded Honeywell engine offering extended range.

Although the new jets share their airframes with their Learjet 40 and 45 predecessors, the similarities stop there, says Ralph Acs, vice-president and general manager, Learjet. “It’s all about newness. We have preserved the look and feel of our existing Learjets, but with a lot of features that you will find in our Learjet 85,” he says.

Bombardier has already been secretly testing the pair at Learjet’s Wichita facility. The current 40 and 45 range will cease production in 2013. The Learjet 75 will enter service in the first half of next year, while the 70 will following about six months later.

The new aircraft’s touch-screen Vision flight deck – which uses Garmin avionics – is similar to that on the Global 5000 and 6000, while the Lufthansa Technik-designed CMS includes 7in (178mm) pop-up touchscreen monitors and “shares the same DNA” as the top-of-the-range Learjet 85 in development. Instead of speakers, passengers experience, surround-sound, says Acs. “The whole cabin wall is a speaker. It’s like sitting in a speaker,” he says.

An improved TFE731-40BR powerplant delivers an additional 10% thrust and extends range from “just over 1,900nm [3,515km] to cross the 2,000nm mark” says Acs. “It means we can get in and out of 5,000ft [1,524m] runways comfortably and it really opens up more city pairs, especially out of hot and high locations.”

Test aircraft three to five will fly in the next six months, with the fifth aircraft the first “real 75″ – with cabin, CMS, engine and avionics.

Acs says the new aircraft will retain the qualities of the iconic brand. “When you talk about Learjet, the heritage that comes across is phenomenal. In China, Australia, wherever you are, they know what you are talking about. Pilots love the look and feel of a Learjet, and especially its performance.”

Production of Learjet’s other aircraft, the 60XR, will continue for the time being.

Source : www.flightglobal.com

Airbus and Boeing devoted part of their news conferences to accuse each other of spreading false information.

Boeing’s conference came first and included several presentation slides correcting what it considers to be misleading Airbus marketing claims about the 737-based Boeing Business Jet.

Boeing refuted Airbus claims that the BBJ’s cabin height is lower than that of the A320-based Airbus Corporate Jet. BBJ president Steve Taylor said Airbus did not sell 11 VIP derivatives in 2011 and the BBJ is operated under both private and commercial certification.

Only a few minutes after Boeing’s press conference ended, Airbus Corparate Jets vice president commercial Francois Chazelle hit back.

“Why are they being so defensive?” Chazelle asked.

Taylor claimed that Airbus started the row last month by making erroneous statements at the ABACE event in Shanghai, China. Chazelle countered that Boeing was the instigator.

“They started this in Shanghai,” Chazelle says. “I was busy closing deals.”

Airbus also defended the accuracy of its original claims. Boeing argues that Airbus counts three orders for military tankers in its 2011 sales numbers for business jets, but Airbus flatly denies that.

“I can categorically assure you there are no tankers in our 2011 sales,” an Airbus spokesman insists.

Taylor also attacked the performance of the ACJ, claiming that a BBJ’s higher maximum take-off weight allows it to carry more fuel. This means the BBJ, with an equivalent interior, has a 700nm (1,296km) range advantage, Taylor says.

But Airbus points to published performance data, showing only a 200nm range advantage for the BBJ compared with the ACJ.

Source:http://www.flightglobal.com

Of the four conforming aircraft built to date, three (F1, F2 and F3) are flight test aircraft and the fourth (ST1) is a structural test article on which the company successfully completed an ultimate strength test to 150% of design limit loads, says HondaJet president and chief executive Michimasa Fujino.

He says the final two aircraft are in fabrication, one for the flight test campaign and one for structural testing. Aircraft F3 will be used primarily for avionics and electrical system flight testing.

Fujino says testing on F1 and F2 have confirmed the aircraft’s maximum cruise speed of 420kt (777km/h), maximum cruise altitude of 43,000ft (13,100m) and climb rate of 3,990ft/min (20m/s).

New HondaJet features displayed here at EBACE include an option for pilots or co-pilots to split the 14in (356mm) primary flight displays (PFDs) in the Garmin 3000 flight deck in a 40/60 format to include more information, an upgrade designed to improve the visual scan process for single-pilot operations. A new cabin management system allows passengers to use an iPad to control cabin elements, including lights, sound and temperature.

Providing the HondaJet’s engine, the GE Honda Aero Engines HF120, can gain approval in the second half of this year, Honda says it will certify the twinjet in the second half of 2013, shipping completed aircraft to first customers immediately afterwards.

Honda in October revealed a one-year slip for the HondaJet entry-into-service to the second half of 2013, due to a needed engine redesign. Problems were encountered during ice slab induction tests at GE facilities, requiring the redesign of the one-piece titanium fan “blisk” for the 1,950lb take-off thrust (8.7kN) engine.

Brad Mottier, vice president and general manager of GE Aviation’s business and general aviation group, says the company will finish FAA certification testing in August, though completing the reports and having the US Federal Aviation Administration process the submission will take several months longer. “We believe we’re going to have the certification this year,” says Mottier.

FUJINO: Tests on aircraft F1 and F2 have established key performance figures

Source : www.flightglobal.com

Airbus is working hard to delivery  the first green A380 which will be converted into a VIP configuration for Prince Al-Waleed, Saudi billionaire.

Although Airbus failed to delivery the Aircraft in 2011 which was the targeted year of the delivery,  the company is sure that the Aircraft will be delivered to an undisclosed completion centre “soon” for VIP configuration.

There are only two conversion centers in the world have capabele of handling this project;  Jet Aviation and Lufthansa Technik.  The next question will be that which company will handle it and how much will  the programme’s total costs?

Airbus has forecast a total market for about 30 sales of A380s with VIP interiors.

by Editor

Airlineberg

DALLAS, May 14, 2012 -(www.flexjet.com) – Marking its second strategic marketing alliance with an international airline, Flexjet—a subsidiary of Bombardier—has signed an agreement with Qatar Airways to offer its fractional owners premium benefits when traveling through Qatar Airways’ four North American gateways to and from the Middle East and beyond.

“With a growing focus on the international business market, we’ve seen an increase in demand for travel to the Middle East and the surrounding regions,” said Fred Reid, President, Flexjet. “This alliance with Qatar Airways — an award-winning airline that shares Flexjet’s passion for customer service — is an ideal way for us to provide a global aviation solution to our customers. It’s a win-win.”

“We are extremely pleased to be launching this new programme and are confident that it is an attractive product offering for individuals and large multi-national companies alike,” said Akbar Al Baker, Chief Executive Officer, Qatar Airways. “The new service is yet another enhanced product offering by Qatar’s national carrier,” he added.

As part of the marketing alliance, Flexjet fractional owners receive Gold member status in Qatar Airways’ Privilege Club for a full year following the purchase of a single long-haul first – or business class ticket*. Membership perks include access to exclusive lounge facilities, priority check-in, and meet and greet services for guests arriving at or departing from Doha International Airport. Owners can also fly with Qatar Executive, the airline’s private jet service featuring the youngest fleet of Bombardier aircraft in the Gulf.

In return, Qatar Airways’ customers can obtain guaranteed access to more than 5,000 U.S. airports with as little as 24-hours’ notice on high-performance Bombardier business jets, operated by U.S. air carrier Jet Solutions and supported by Flexjet’s world-class customer service.

Flexjet established the first North American marketing alliance between a fractional jet ownership company and an international airline – Korean Air – in May 2010.

For more information, visit: www.flexjet.com, www.qatarairways.com or www.qatarexec.com.qa.

About Flexjet Richardson, TX-based Flexjet — a division of Bombardier, the world’s largest business aviation manufacturer — first entered the fractional jet ownership market in 1995. Flexjetnow offers whole aircraft ownership and management, fractional jet ownership, jet cards and charter brokerage services. Flexjet‘s fractional aircraft program is the first in the world to be recognized as achieving the Air Charter Safety Foundation’s Industry Audit Standard, and Flexjetis the first company to be honored with its 13th FAA Diamond Award for Excellence. Flexjet‘s fractional program fields an exclusive family of Bombardier business aircraft — the youngest in the fractional jet industry with an average age of approximately five years — including the Learjet40 XR, Learjet 45 XR, Learjet 60 XR, Challenger 300 and Challenger 605 business jets. For more details on innovative programs and flexible offerings, visit www.flexjet.com.

Flexjet has an approved fractional ownership program pursuant 14 C.F.R. Part 91, Subpart K, and manages flights for individual aircraft owners under Part 91 whole aircraft management program. All other flights (e.g. Flexjet 25 Jet Card program, charter brokerage services, etc.) are provided by certificated air carriers in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, as Flexjet is not an air carrier.

About Qatar Airways Qatar Airways operates one of the youngest fleet of aircraft in the skies today – 108 aircraft flying to 113 diverse business and leisure destinations from its Doha hub to cities across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, North America and South America. It has orders worth over US $50 billion for more than 250 aircraft, including Boeing 787s, 777s, Airbus A350s, A380s, A320 family of aircraft and Bombardier corporate jets. The rapid expansion of Qatar Airways prompted the State of Qatar to embark on one of its biggest projects – the construction of a brand new international airport in Doha, which is scheduled to open at the end of 2012. For more information on Qatar Airways, visit www.qatarairways.com

About Qatar Executive Qatar Airways first announced at the Paris Air Show in 2009 the formation of a corporate jet subsidiary – Qatar Executive – as part of the airline’s ongoing robust global growth strategy, and continued commitment to the Middle East and global business travel community. Headquartered at Doha International Airport, luxury jet services are available for charter to Europe, Asia, North America, Africa, Australia and the Middle East.

About Jet Solutions, LLC Richardson-based Jet Solutions, established in 1995, is one of the largest FAR Part 135 air carriers, having operated more than 1,000,000 flight hours for customers throughout the world. Jet Solutions is the first air carrier in the world to be recognized as achieving the Air Charter Safety Foundations Industry Audit Standard, and is the exclusive provider of theFlexjet 25 Jet Card program. www.jetsolutions.com.

About Bombardier Bombardier is the world’s only manufacturer of both planes and trains. Looking far ahead while delivering today, Bombardier is evolving mobility worldwide by answering the call for more efficient, sustainable and enjoyable transportation everywhere. Our vehicles, services and, most of all, our employees are what make us a global leader in transportation.

Bombardier is headquartered in Montreal, Canada. Our shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD) and we are listed on the Dow Jones Sustainability World and North America indexes. In the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, we posted revenues of $18.3 billion USD. News and information are available at bombardier.com or follow us on Twitter @Bombardier.

The Flexjet 25 Jet Card Program is operated under Part 135 by Jet Solutions, LLC, a U.S. air carrier. Flexjet acts as an agent for Jet Solutions, LLC, in connection with the Flexjet 25 Jet Card program. Flexjet acts as an agent for the customer with on-demand charter broker services when arranging transportation operated under Part 135 by U.S. air carriers.

Bombardier, Challenger, Challenger 300, Challenger 605, Flexjet, Flexjet 25, Learjet, Learjet 40, Learjet 45, Learjet 60, Learjet 70, Learjet 75 and XR are trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.

*Terms & Conditions apply www.flexjet.com www.jetsolutions.com www.bombardier.com

SOURCE Flexjet

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/05/14/4487917/flexjet-and-qatar-airways-launch.html#storylink=cpy

Universal Aviation(SM), the ground support division of Universal Weather and Aviation, Inc., has officially opened a fourth office in Italy at Venice’s Marco Polo Airport (LIPZ). Universal Aviation Italy also has offices in Rome at Rome Ciampino Airport (LIRA), and in Milan at Milano Malpensa Airport (LIMC) and Milan Linate (LIML).
Universal Aviation has more than 40 locations in 20 countries, and is known for adherence to standards for consistent, professional, personalized services, and regional expertise. Multilingual staff members provide solutions including UVair® fuel, credit for approved customers, trip planning, and more through Universal®.
“We are delighted to welcome Universal Aviation to Venice. Universal Aviation is recognized globally for the quality of its ground support services, and we are excited to be working with them to develop business-aviation services and traffic at Venice Airport,” said Mr. Enrico Marchi, Chairman, Save — Venice Airport Management Company.
Universal Aviation Venice, which is available 24/7/365, can provide and arrange the following services:
Full VIP meet-and-greet service
Customs and immigration coordination and assistance
Diplomatic and VIP passenger coordination
UVair contract fuel
Arrangement of all concierge and tourist services
VIP catering
Dedicated passenger lounge
Passenger and crew transportation as requested
Taxi boats services
Flight following and other communications
Standard weather briefing and NOTAMs
Ground handling services
Internet Access
“Even in the current economic climate, our three Universal Aviation locations in Italy have experienced increased movements year-over-year,” said Jonathan Howells, Vice President, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. “Based on growth patterns and client demand, Venice was a logical choice for expansion of our global Universal Aviation footprint.”
“We are very excited to now be able to offer our clients the high level of service and personal touch they already receive at our locations in Rome and Milan,” said Lorena Carraro, Managing Director, Universal Aviation Italy. “In addition to ground support services adhering to Universal Aviation standards around the globe, we will also now offer our clients complete concierge services for Venice, including arrangement and recommendations for both passengers and crew on restaurants, transportation, and water taxis for this very popular destination.”
For more information on Universal Aviation Venice, please contact vceops@univ-wea.com or visit Universal® exhibit #7080 at EBACE. For more information and a complete listing of all of Universal Aviation’s worldwide locations, visit www.universalaviation.aero.
About Universal Weather and Aviation, Inc.
With 50+ years of experience in supporting business aviation and more than 2.5 million trip legs facilitated, Universal® has the knowledge and expertise to accomplish our shared purpose: the success of your trip. Our comprehensive resources include customized trip support, convenience through the UVair® Fuel Program, worldwide ground support from Universal Aviation(SM), online flight planning, aircraft data link, and more. For more information, contact worldwide sales at

Source : www.yahoo.com