Airbus has commenced deliveries to airlines of the first A350 XWBs equipped with pioneering new touchscreen cockpit displays. Specially developed for the A350 XWB together with Thales, they will confer enhanced operational efficiencies, greater crew interaction, cockpit symmetry and smoother information management. On 18 December, China Eastern Airlines took delivery in Toulouse of the first A350 XWB equipped with the new devices. To date, around 20 airlines have selected the option for their new A350 XWBs.
Of the A350 XWB cockpit’s six large screens, three can now become touch capable: the two outer displays plus the lower-centre display. These displays now offer touchscreen capability for the pilots when presenting Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) applications. This new method of input complements the existing physical keyboard integrated into the retractable table in front of each pilot and also the keyboard and trackball “keyboard-cursor control unit” (KCCU) located on the centre console.
The new technology, which was recently certified for the A350 XWB by EASA in November, facilitates ‘pinch-zooming’ and panning gestures and will facilitate more flexibility and better interaction between both pilots, particularly during these scenarios: (a) before take-off (for computing take-off performance while entering data into the flight management system “FMS”); (b) in-flight/cruise (for accessing en-route navigation charts); and (c) during approach preparation (for consulting the terminal charts before entering FMS data). Moreover, during high workload phases of flight, the touchscreen capability reduces the need for pilots to make multiple cursor inputs and avoids them having to flip between different displays when using the EFB applications collaboratively on the lower centre display.
Patrick Piedrafita, Head of Airbus’ A350 XWB Programme said: “Airbus continues to set the industry trends in aircraft cockpit design with these new interactive touchscreen displays in the A350 XWB. With our partner Thales we are very proud to bring this technology to our customers, to enhance their aircrews’ operations.”
The A350 XWB features the latest aerodynamic design, a carbon fibre fuselage and wings, plus new fuel-efficient Rolls-Royce engines. Together, these features translate into unrivalled levels of operational efficiency with a 25% reduction in fuel burn and emissions. By the end of November, the A350 XWB Family had received 959 firm orders from 51 customers.
Source: Airbus
Boeing 747 freighter operator Cargolux Airlines International has passed its seventh IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) audit.
The IOSA programme assesses the operational management and control systems of an airline. As a member of IATA, Cargolux is required to pass an initial IOSA audit and then subsequent renewal audits every two years.
During the latest week-long audit renewal process, five IOSA representatives assessed Cargolux against approximately 900 different standards, a statement from the Luxembourg-based airline noted.
Joeri Meeûs, director quality & compliance monitoring at Cargolux, declared: “This fantastic result is the reflection of Cargolux’s commitment to high standards, and the efforts invested by the teams to continuously monitor and enhance procedures.”
Meeûs explained: “After years of mobilising teams and preparing the audits ahead of time, we have decided to adopt a smoother and more seamless approach.
“Since the last assessment, we have worked hard to integrate IOSA requirements into our daily processes to facilitate the audits, and ensure best practices are upheld throughout the year.”
Cargolux currently operates a fleet of 14 B747-8 freighters and 16 B747-400 freighters.
Cargolux president and chief executive Richard Forson earlier this year told ACN that the carrier is currently going through an interesting period: on one hand, it enjoyed record profits last year, but on the other, 2019 is shaping up to be a tough year for the whole industry.
The airline also has some long-term decisions to make as Boeing continues to wind down production of the Boeing 747 freighter that makes up Cargolux’s entire fleet.
And, as regards the market in which the all-cargo carrier is currently operating: “In our business plan for the year we had foreseen a reduction in yields.
“In terms of volumes, we expect them to be slightly lower this year and possibly into next year.
“Some people may say I am too pessimistic, but we have had two good years. Unfortunately our industry is very cyclical and volatile, and at this point in time there is so much uncertainty regarding future trade flows,” he added.
Source: Air Cargo News
Embraer and the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) signed today a memorandum of understanding which enables the study of the potential development of a new light military transport aircraft.
The study seeks to identify alternatives and solutions to meet FAB’s operational needs, especially in the Amazon region and austere environments, including unpaved, short and damaged runways located in remote areas. Relying on Embraer’s high level of innovation and technological capabilities, the study will also seek to explore new technologies to provide solutions to FAB’s extreme demands, such as different system architectures, innovative platform solutions, and hybrid-electric propulsion, among others.
FAB, which in 2019 received its first units of the modern KC-390 Millennium, a multi-mission tactical military airlifter, seeks with this study to complement and modernize its transport capabilities in the smaller segments, in order to broadly and completely fulfill Brazil’s needs. Based on a strong track record of cooperation, that unites Embraer’s excellent execution capabilities and FAB’s innovative and high-performance requirements, the study will also cover global market demand for the new aircraft.
According to the agreement, Embraer will carry out market studies for the development of the new aircraft, while FAB will provide its expertise in operating aircraft in this segment.
“We are confident that the expertise of the Brazilian Air Force will help us to establish the most appropriate requirements for this study, resulting in an extremely capable aircraft,” said Jackson Schneider, President and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security. “Embraer is more than up for the challenge. Our newest product, the C-390 Millennium multi-mission transport aircraft, is coming into operation, and this new project will be instrumental in maintaining and enhancing Embraer’s engineering and technology capabilities to meet the challenging demands of FAB and other customers worldwide.”
“The purpose of this memorandum is to formalize Embraer’s intention to develop a light transport aircraft to carry cargo and personnel. The Brazilian Air Force participation is mainly with regard to sharing expertise, based on projects that Embraer and the Brazilian Air Force have already developed in partnership, to meet the Air Force’s needs over time”, said Lieutenant-Brigadier Antonio Carlos Moretti Bermudez, Brazilian Air Force Commander.
Source: Embrayer
The project required special planning and execution due to complex geopolitical issues affecting the flightpath of the cargo.
Antonov Airlines flew four Apache AH-64E Attack Helicopters on behalf of Boeing, from Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport (AZA), Arizona, USA, to Hindan Airforce Base (VIDX) in India.
An Antonov Airlines AN-124-100, which can accommodate up to five Apache helicopters, transported the aircraft, with a total payload of 39 tonnes including their dismantled rotor blades.
“The Antonov Airlines team was responsive and willing to support deadlines while applying for the complex overflight permits required for military cargo,” said Jon Roland, Boeing Program Manager.
“Antonov Airlines partnered with us to secure the required clearance and permissions, creating a cooperative environment to ensure smooth delivery.”
The Antonov and Boeing engineers collaborated closely on mission planning in real time during the loading process.
“We worked out how to best use the available space during loading to safely transport the cargo,” said Amnon Ehrlich, Commercial Director, Antonov Airlines USA.
“We also took into consideration the high summer temperatures in Arizona while planning the move.
“The loading started in the early hours to avoid the high temperatures. Following a night-time departure, the mission was completed 24 hours later.”
Boeing has already contracted Antonov Airlines for further Apache helicopter shipments later this year.
Source: Antonov Company
Lufthansa Cargo and ANA Cargo have taken the opportunity of the fifth anniversary of their air cargo joint venture to promise the integration of further products in the future.
Currently the cooperation covers standard and express shipments, as well as perishables on the carriers’ routes between Europe and Japan.
The joint venture “is characterised by direct access to more destinations, faster and more frequent connections, and more efficiency due to shared standard processes and one-stop shopping for pricing and bookings”.
Toshiaki Toyama, chief executive of ANA Cargo Inc. said: “We extend our sincere gratitude to Lufthansa Cargo for their supportive partnership of this joint venture’s stable growth, and we will make full commitment to further enhance our valued customers’ convenience with first priority by creating new values under this joint venture.”
Peter Gerber, chief executive of Lufthansa Cargo, added: “We are very pleased to have launched the first air cargo joint venture of its kind together with ANA Cargo five years ago. We would like to thank our partner for the excellent cooperation and look forward to continuing to offer our joint customers many advantages in the future.”
Source: Air Cargo News
According to the results of the 3d quarter of 2019, Boryspil became the leader of ACI Europe rankings among European airports, having given the way to Milan-Malpensa airport only.
The growth dynamics of 25.8% made the result possible.
This is a joint achievement of a close-knit team of the airport, airlines, contractors and passengers who choose KBP.
ACI Europe monthly compares airports by passenger traffic, analyzing data from more than 230 European airports.
Source: Boryspil Airport
Boeing has confirmed it is examining how it can improve the efficiency of the 767 freighter during the next decade.
Air Cargo News sister title FlightGlobal revealed in October that Boeing has been studying a possible re-engined version of the twinjet for freighter and passenger markets, powered by GE Aviation GEnx engines.The project is understood to be designated “767-X”.
Asked about the airframer’s plans for the 767 during the Dubai air show, Randy Tinseth, Boeing’s vice-president of commercial marketing, confirmed that potential developments were being considered.
“We’re going to be delivering 767s well into the next decade and the last ones off the line will probably be operated for as long as 40 years by the US government,” he said.
“We’re looking at the future of the 767 in that [freight] marketplace. We have certain requirements that kick in in the middle of the next decade in terms of efficiency and we’re asking ourselves how we might address that. We’re looking at that closely.”
Boeing’s range of new-build freighters extends from the 767-300F through the 777 Freighter to the 747-8F. Tinseth said consideration is also being given to its wider long-term cargo strategy:
“We think part of the freight market is around the 777-sized freighter, and we’re engaged with our customers to see what the next generation of 777 freighter looks like based on the 777X platform.”
Boeing has previously talked of developing an all-cargo 777X F based on the smaller 777-8 passenger aircraft.
Source: Air Cargo News
The state-owned Spetstekhnoexport foreign trade enterprise, which is part of the Ukroboronprom group of defense companies, has completed the signing of a contract for supply of an An-178 multipurpose transport aircraft with the Peruvian Interior Affairs Ministry.
The contract provides for production and supply of aircraft for the needs of the Peruvian National Police, provision of a package of training services, maintenance, and extension of warrantees.
“Thanks to the signing of the contract, Ukraine has opened up the Latin American market to a new generation of Antonov cargo planes. At the moment, Spetstekhnoexport is in talks with potential customers of Ukrainian planes in other countries in the region,” the enterprise said.
The An-178 performed its first flight in May 2015. Later, Antonov replaced the imported Russian components on the aircraft.
The An-178 aircraft has a speed of 825 kilometers per hour, a flight altitude of 12.2 kilometers, and a flight range of 5,500 kilometers. The aircraft is capable of landing and taking off from any airfield, including unpaved airfields.
The configuration of the aircraft ordered by the Peruvian Ministry of Interior Affairs will allow it to perform transportation of personnel (100 people); parachuting of personnel (84 people); transportation of passengers (80 people); delivery of cargo (up to 18 tons); parachuting of cargo; evacuation of wounded personnel with the possibility of medical care (40 people).
As reported in August, Spetstekhnoexport won the tender for supply of aircraft to the Peruvian National Police by beating competitors such as Leonardo, which offered the C27J aircraft (United States), and Airbus, which offered the CASA C-295 aircraft (Spain). The size of the contract is USD 65 million.
The last time Antonov sold an aircraft was in 2015, when it delivered an An-158 to a customer.
Source: Centre for Transport Strategies
A new smartBooking feature provides Lufthansa Cargo customers and partners with a binding offer that can be booked online immediately. It contains the available routes, capacities and prices, and automatically executes all relevant checks.
The application programming interface (API) will be available to direct customers and will also be used by partners such as the online marketplace cargo.one
Peter Gerber, chief executive of Lufthansa Cargo, said: “We want to offer our customers seamless digital solutions. To achieve this, we connect digitally with our partners along the transport chain.
“smartBooking is another major step in our digital transformation process. APIs will continue to gain in importance as an interface to our customers. We are delighted that as first platform our partner cargo.one is using smartBooking, making our services digitally available to many customers.”
Oliver T. Neumann, managing director of cargo.one, adds: “cargo.one adds real value as a digital distribution channel by delivering significant booking volumes. Our aim is to deliver the best customer experience possible and to drive value and efficiency for the airfreight industry. Accordingly, we are excited to be the first Lufthansa Cargo partner to benefit from the new smartBooking API.”
APIs enable system-to-system communication, networking both with booking platforms and directly with forwarders. Air cargo customers can access the cargo.one booking platform directly via the internet. The API also enables Lufthansa Cargo data to be directly integrated into customers’ systems.
Lufthansa Cargo joined forces with the digital booking platform cargo.one in July 2018. The airline says the platform is now a rapidly growing third-party distribution channel next to its own ebooking channel.
Source: Air Cargo News