Source: Airbus Airbus has signed a trilateral agreement with Thales and Diehl Aerospace for the joint development of the flight control computers of CityAirbus NextGen. The central flight control system of CityAirbus NextGen, the electric vertical take-off and landing vehicle (eVTOL) being developed by Airbus, will combine extraordinary computing power with lightweight design and highest safety standards. Diehl and Thales are joining Airbus in investing into the emerging eVTOL market. Both partners are developing their own system that will be integrated into a dissimilar architecture to comply with the new EASA regulation for eVTOL. This architecture is essential to ensuring the redundancy of the computers and the vehicle’s safety. The developments will be supported with public funding from the German [...]

Source: Airbus In the first major airshow since the COVID-19 pandemic struck two years ago, customers demonstrated confidence in the recovery of the aviation sector and also in Airbus by placing orders and commitments totalling 408 aircraft (269 firm orders and 139 commitments). The agreements covered the full range of commercial aircraft families, including a first commitment for the A350F freighter derivative. At a pre-show event, Airbus launched its  latest global market forecast outlining progressively shifting demand from fleet growth to accelerated retirement of older, less fuel-efficient aircraft resulting in a need for some 39,000 new-build passenger and freighter aircraft. Of these,15,250 aircraft (around 40%) are for replacements. With the UAE Universal expo showcasing themes on Mobility, Sustainability and Opportunity, [...]

Source: Airbus Air Lease Corporation (ALC)has signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) covering all Airbus Families, highlighting the power of the company’s full product range. The agreement is for 25 A220-300s, 55 A321neos, 20 A321XLRs, four A330neos and includes seven A350Fs. The order which will be finalised in the coming months, makes the Los Angeles based ALC one of Airbus’ largest customers and lessor with the biggest A220 order book. Founded in 2010, ALC has ordered a total of 496 Airbus aircraft to date. With this order ALC and Airbus are launching a multi-million dollar ESG fund initiative that will contribute towards investment into sustainable aviation development projects that will in the future be opened to multiple stakeholders from the [...]

Source: Boeing - DHL places its largest Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF) order for nine 767-300BCF - The expanded 767-300BCF fleet will strengthen DHL's response to the continued growing demand for express cargo driven by e-commerce   DHL Express (DHL) and Boeing announced that the logistics company placed a firm order for nine more 767-300 Boeing Converted Freighters (BCF). Representing their largest single 767-300BCF order to date, the additional freighters will help expand DHL's long-haul intercontinental fleet in response to increased global demand for cargo capacity.   "We are confident in the quality and OEM expertise that comes with Boeing's converted freighters," explains Geoff Kehr, senior vice president, Global Air Fleet Management, DHL Express. "The additional B767 freighters are part of our [...]

Source: Boeing - New conversion lines to open at KF Aerospace in Canada and at Boeing's London Gatwick MRO in the United Kingdom - Icelease orders eleven 737-800BCF; will be launch customer for new conversion line at London Gatwick MRO facility - 737-800BCF now has more than 200 orders and commitments from 19 customers As global demand for freighters continues to soar, Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced plans to add three conversion lines for the market-leading 737-800BCF across North America and Europe. The company also signed a firm order with Icelease for eleven of the freighters as the launch customer for one of the new conversion lines. In 2022, the company will open one conversion line at Boeing's London Gatwick [...]

Source: Airbus The Spanish Ministry of Defence has signed the formal order for the acquisition of three Airbus A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircraft (MRTT). Under the agreement, the handover of the first aircraft in transport configuration is scheduled in the coming days, followed by its conversion to MRTT in 2024. The handover of the first fully converted aircraft is scheduled in 2023 and the third and final unit in 2025. The contract covers associated support such as spares, ground support equipment, training and in-service support until the end of the contract. The aircraft, acquired from Iberia, will be converted into military tanker transport at Airbus’ Spanish headquarters in Getafe, Spain. It will be equipped with a state-of-the-art hose & drogue [...]