Executive Airlines plans to expand at the double Executive Airlines ...

More documents

Recommendations

Info

6 APRIL 2008 EUROPEAN BUSINESS AIR NEWS A corporate alliance, named after a Greek goddess, is planning to take U.K. SAR services into a new era with a combination of skills that could be used to win further business in Europe. Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) has joined the CHC Helicopter Corporation and Thales UK team bidding for the planned new U.K. SAR service as an equity partner. The alliance plans to become a joint venture called Soteria after the Greek goddess of safety, deliverance and preservation from harm, on contract signing. The U.K. Ministry of Defence and the department for transport last year formally launched a joint SAR–Helicopter (SAR-H) project designed to procure a harmonised service for the U.K. The Soteria team is one of three bidders who have been selected to participate in a process where solutions will be assessed jointly by the MoD and Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). The ‘Soteria alliance’ faces competition from the VT Group, Lockheed Martin & British International and from Serco, Bristow Helicopters & FB Heliservices. But CHC, which operates more than 250 aircraft in 35 countries, has already been awarded the contract to provide an interim SAR capability to run from June 2007 through to June 2012. It is now adding debt financing, risk management and investor service skills to the international electronics and systems capability provided by Thales. Keith Mullett, European md of CHC, says: “The launch of the alliance is key to focusing Soteria in delivering proposals whose core ‘Greek goddess combination’ aims to be a force as SAR welcomes introduction of new technology theme is the safety and protection from harm of the public. CHC operates an established and growing portfolio of SAR services in the U.K., in Europe and around the world. We are bringing all of that We deliver service with a capital Dublin, Ireland (EIDW) +353.1.844.4455 eidw@landmarkaviation.com Aeronorte staff were assessing innovation at Heliexpo. Portugal’s Aeronorte is planning to develop profitable new business by servicing the tourism and immigration sectors. Headquartered at Braga’s Oporto airport since 2007 Aeronorte has invested US$6million (€5 million) in building a business serving the region's executive, corporate "S " ERVICE Superb handling and concierge level personal service is what you'll find when you visit any of our European Landmark Aviation facilities or any of our 38 U.S. and Canadian locations. From our onsite fueling service to our attention to detail, we’re here to give you the extraordinary service you deserve! Nice, France (LFMN) +33.4.9321.8218 lfmn@landmarkaviation.com HELICOPTER FOCUS Aeronorte sets new business development targets and celebrity corporate aviation demand. Aircraft acquisitions include a Learjet 45 and an AS350 B2 based at the Francisco St. Carneiro airport in Oporto. “Aeronorte expects to achieve a total business volume of Euros10 million this year,” says executive director Leana Ribeiro. “We expect a Paris, France (LFPB) +33.1.4934.6231 lfpb@landmarkaviation.com strong turnover from the tourism and immigration sectors.” He was speaking at Heliexpo 2008 in Houston, Texas, where Aeronorte assessed available technology updates “in terms of innovation, effectiveness and safety.” Aeronorte is also investing in a new hangar, Ribeiro says. experience, and our commitment to introducing new technology, as we seek to take a harmonised UK SAR service into a new era.” The U.K. SAR helicopter capability is currently provided by the MCA, an agency of the DfT, through service contracts at four bases and by the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy using Sea King helicopters at eight MoD bases. The MCA and MoD together provide a 24-hour military and civil SAR service for the UK SAR working Region from these 12 bases around the UK. The SAR-H project seeks to replace the MCA and MoD capabilities in the next decade when the MoD Sea Kings come to the end of their useful lives and the current MCA service contract is due for renewal. The MCA SAR service has been contracted out using civilian pilots and crews at their four bases for approximately 20 years and has been re-competed at regular intervals. The first of three brand-new AgustaWestland AW139 helicopters, configured entirely for SAR, have been delivered to the MCA's new hangar at the Lee-On-The-Solent airfield. The helicopters, which will be used primarily on the south coast, are being provided under a service contract to the MCA by CHC Helicopters. The service will provide 24-hour coverage at Sumburgh, Stornoway and Lee-on-Solent, and will operate on a 12 hour day-time basis at Portland, in line with current cover. Two AW139s will be based at Lee on the Solent and one at Portland. Peter Cardy, ceo, MCA says: “These new aircraft will be able to fly more quickly, and will be able to fly farther to people in distress at sea than those currently in use. They have been specifically kitted with various items of advanced technical equipment, including an on board automatic identification system (AIS), specifically designed for the challenges of search and rescue in the 21st Century.” CHC’s UK SAR contract manager Ian McLuskie says: “The introduction of the AW139s represents the latest key phase in our work with the MCA to introduce new technology to civilian helicopter search and rescue work in the UK.” The change in emphasis in U.K. SAR comes as helicopter operators are introducing increasing sophisticated approaches to the service in Europe. Sweden's Norrlandsflyg AB has taken delivery position agreements for eight S-76Ds, the next generation model of the Sikorsky S- 76 helicopter. Norrlandsflyg is a leading SAR and EMS helicopter operator which currently operates a fleet of nine S- 76 helicopters in Sweden for air ambulance and SAR duty. This spring, another two “factory fresh” S-76C++ helicopters will be added to the fleet. Norrlandsflyg is under contract with the Swedish Maritime Administration’s SAR division and performs all Swedish maritime SAR missions. Fredrik Skanselid, ceo, says: “Specially configured maritime Sikorsky S-76s are strategically placed at five bases, with crews on 15 minute, 24-7 response time,” he says. “The S-76 helicopter has a solid record of performance in this capacity, and we are looking forward to seeing what the next generation of this aircraft will bring. The S-76D performance will give us the ability to offer an enhanced and unparalleled service to our clients, be it in the SAR or HEMS role.” U.K. SAR services are undergoing a sea change. Skanselid says the S-76D offers more than a 1,000 lbs increase in useful load and extended range performance over the S-76C++ currently in the field. He also cited the all-composite, flaw-tolerant main rotor blades; the rotor ice protection system (RIPS) option; the advanced Thales avionics system and autopilot and dual speed rotor with active vibration control. Additional attractions, according to Skanselid, are a quiet tail rotor, additional fuel capacity, new electrical generation system, quiet gearbox and Health and Usage Monitoring System (HUMS).
EUROPEAN BUSINESS AIR NEWS Greater emphasis on logistics reflects rising orders for AW119s AgustaWestland is doubling the size of its logistics centre in Italy as it reports rising orders for AW119s in Europe. Kaan Havacilik of Turkey, Scandinavian Aircraft Marketing Aps and Copterline of Finland are among companies who believe helicopter fleets will profit by augmenting their multirole single-engine capacity. Istanbul based Kaan Havacilik of Turkey has ordered six helicopters. As well as an AW119, the order includes an AW109 Power and three Grand light twins and one AW139 medium twin turbine. Services provided by Kaan Havacilik include executive air transport and air tours. But it is also the distributor in Turkey for AgustaWestland‘s commercial helicopters and has already purchased the AW119 Ke as well as Grand and AW139 helicopters. Celebrating new interiors (left to righ) Bruno Zago of Elimarca; Renzo Lunardi, senior vp commercial business unit, AgustaWestland, Ioan Tiriac, owner of Tiriac Group and Giancarlo Di Risio, ceo, Versace. Scandinavian Aircraft Marketing Aps (SAM) has entered into a memorandum of understanding for the purchase of five AW139 medium twin turbines. It says the aircraft will have an initial passenger transport configuration but they may be further configured for specific roles. SAM is also an official AgustaWestland official distributor. It says factors in the AW139's popularity include its ability to carry up to 15 passengers or six litters with two medical attendants or up to four litters and four medical attendants at high speed and also its spacious cabin. Copterline of Finland is taking delivery of two AW139s at AgustaWestland’s Vergiate facility. They will operate between Helsinki, Finland and Tallinn, Estonia. Meanwhile AgustaWestland says its product support logistic centre at Lonate Pozzolo, Italy, is now fully operational and work has started on the second phase which will see the current 10,000 m2 facility double in size. Bruno Spagnolini, md, operations, AgustaWestland says the centre is strategically located in the Avioport Logistic Park, near Milan Malpensa airport, and is also close to AgustaWestland facilities located in Cascina Costa, Vergiate and Sesto Calende. AgustaWestland has delivered the first two helicopters fitted with Versace-styled interiors during an official ceremony held at its Vergiate plant. The two aircraft are a Grand light twin turbine engine helicopter featuring a black and white interior and paint scheme and an AW109 Power light twin with a grey-coloured Versacestyled interior, ordered by Ioan Tiriac Air of Romania and Elimarca of Italy. Expanding RAE ready to expand its pool of Metroliner and CJ1 pilots Regional Air Express, which has brought its fifth aircraft, a CJ1, into service, is urgently seeking pilots and co-pilots. “The CJ1, which will be based at Münster/Osnabrück, is fully available for charter,” says Detlef Döbberthin, manager marketing and public relations. Chief pilot Thomas Gemes (pictured right) and his colleague Karsten Weidner say the CJ1 is popular with clients and is performing well. “We are very happy with it,” Gemes adds. It joins two Metro III “heavies”, a Merlin IVC and a Metro 23D.”There is big demand for business charter and it is important to provide speed, performance and range,” says Döbberthin. “We expect our aircraft to be in the air 70 per cent of the week and 30 per cent on the ground and to fly an average of 150,000 miles weekly.” The company, which operates pre-owned aircraft, was formed in 2004 and grew its fleet from one to four aircraft within three years. APRIL 2008 7 Sagolair reports encouraging levels of business after new launch New charter operation Sagolair, launched by Nordjet Airlines, has reported a brisk start to business. “We are consolidating the charter business generated by our two aircraft which are already flying 80 hours or so a month between them,” says Estíbaliz Marín, ground operations executive. “No decision has yet been taken but it is possible we will look at expanding the charter fleet this year.” Sagolair is targeting the business executive and corporate market with a five seat Cessna 421 and a seven seat Citation II both based in Vitoria. “There is huge demand for executive charter in Spain,” Marin confirms. “Nordjet Airlines decided it was the right time to service the demand.” FUTURE COVERAGE The May issue of EBAN, which will see extra copies distributed at EBACE in Geneva and at ILA in Berlin, will bring readers up-to-date on charter operations in Belgium.
Page 1: EUROPEAN BUSINESS AIR NEWS Lufthans
Page 4 and 5: 4 APRIL 2008 EUROPEAN BUSINESS AIR
Page 16: Mach, Mach. Who’s there? Only the

Executive Airlines plans to expand at the double Executive Airlines ...

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?