Updates and developments at Airbus 2018

Airbus forecasts $4.6 trillion worldwide market over the next 20 years

Airbus’ new Global Services Forecast predicts a US$4.6 trillion worldwide market for commercial aircraft services from 2018 to 2037. The new analysis is based on a three-way market segmentation, respectively focusing on the aircraft, the airline operation, and the passenger experience.

 Aircraft-focused lifecycle services represent the largest segment of growth and include maintenance, spares pool access, tooling, technical training and system upgrades – which are needed to keep the airlines aircraft flying. This market represents a cumulative value of $2.2 trillion over the 20-year period – from $76 billion in 2018 to more than $160 billion per annum by 2037. These services are provided throughout the lifecycle from design to dismantling. In this category, aircraft manufacturers provide customers with core services which come with the aircraft, including assigned field reps and call centres for AOGs for example. The largest market by value is maintenance, increasingly characterised by outsourcing and “paid-by-the-hour” (PBH) contracts. Moreover, as technology and new materials develop, such as composite repairs, Airbus sees a strong trend for further outsourcing. PBH contracts allow airlines to secure and predict their maintenance costs, allowing airlines to focus on their core business of flying. Airbus also sees airlines increase their outsourcing of inventory management – towards pooling, instead of investing in their own stocks.

The next largest category encompasses flight operations services – such as pilot training and flight-planning solutions – and will account for a $1.5 trillion cumulative spend over 20 years. Fleets are expected to more than double to 48,000 aircraft over this period, such that Airbus estimates a need for 540,000 new pilots in the next 20 years. This trend will require ‘smarter’ ways of training using new digital technologies.

The third component of the global services market centres on the passenger experience which will account for an estimated $0.9 trillion cumulative value over the 20 year period. This encompasses the services needed to optimise the flight experience, including cabin upgrades, cabin crew training, in-flight-entertainment, connectivity and booking. This segment is expected to more than double in the next 20 years and grow from $27bn to almost $70bn. A notable trend is that seamless connectivity will undergo exponential growth, as more and more passengers manage their travel using a smart device, providing them all the information in real-time about the airport, connecting flights, bag collection details etc.

After an 18 percent annual growth in its services revenues for the past two years, Airbus’ ambition is to triple its services revenues from more than $3.2bn in 2017 to reach $10bn of services revenues in commercial in the next decade. To attain this goal, Airbus will continue to develop full lifecycle integrated services for all Airbus’ aircraft operators. Furthermore, these integrated services – such as Flight Hour Services (FHS) – will be even more efficient through the Skywise open data platform. Airbus will also expand its current service portfolio to non-Airbus platforms, given that 62 percent of Airbus’ total fleet is operated by ‘multi-fleet’ operators. An example of this happening today is illustrated by Airbus’ materials management subsidiary Satair, which already has 25 percent of its revenues coming from non-Airbus parts; while the Navblue flight operations subsidiary also delivers multi-fleet services. Furthermore, Airbus will extend services to a wider customer base – such as airports and air traffic control operations. Lastly, Airbus will reinforce its strategic position in the value chain. Another visible facet of Airbus’ growth in its services is the increasingly local presence, ie. being closer to its customers. Airbus’ developing global services footprint now spans 65 locations globally including 17 training centres.

Hi Fly, the 14th operator of the iconic double-decker wide-body airliner, displayed its A380 for the first time at recently concluded Farnborough International Airshow 2018.

Airbus introduces the A220-100 and A220-300

 Airbus has revealed the A220 at a ceremony held at its Henri-Ziegler Delivery Centre, near Toulouse. Witnessed by Airbus employees and members of the global news media, the A220-300 landed directly from the painting wearing its new Airbus name and colours.

 The A220 family comprises two models, the A220-100 and A220-300, formerly Bombardier C Series (CS100 and CS300). The aircraft are fully optimised for the 100 to 150 seat market and ‘perfectly complement Airbus’ existing best-selling A320neo family’. “Everyone at Airbus has been looking forward to this historic moment. Today, we are thrilled to welcome the A220 to the Airbus family and are honoured to see it wearing its new Airbus colours for the first time,” stated  Guillaume Faury, Airbus President Commercial Aircraft, “I pay tribute to all the women and men at Bombardier and the supply chain who have strived over the past years to bring this fantastic aircraft to the world. The A220 now enters a new phase in its career with all Airbus’ resources behind it to further its commercial success worldwide.”

A220-300 in flight

JetBlue in commitment for 60 A220-300 aircraft, converts 25 A320neo orders to larger A321neo

JetBlue has became the first customer for the newly-rebranded Airbus A220 aircraft, signing a Memorandum of Understanding for 60 firm orders for the larger A220-300 model.  In addition, the airline converted 25 of its current orders for Airbus A320neo aircraft into orders for the larger A321neo. JetBlue’s A321neos and A220s will be powered by Pratt & Whitney GTF engines. “JetBlue’s selection of the A220 aircraft as a complement to its growing A320 Family fleet is a tremendous endorsement – both of the A220 itself and of the way these two aircraft can work together to provide airline network flexibility and a great passenger experience,” remarked Eric Schulz, Chief Commercial Officer for Airbus.  “JetBlue will be able to leverage the unbeatable efficiency of both the A321neo and the A220-300, as well as taking advantage of the roomiest and most passenger-pleasing cabins of any aircraft in their size categories.”

First BelugaXL successfully completes maiden flight

The first of five BelugaXL aircraft to fly completed its first flight lasting four hours and 11 minutes. Following the first flight, the BelugaXL will undergo some 600 hours of flight test over 10 months to achieve Type Certification and entry into service later in 2019. The BelugaXL programme was launched in November 2014 to address Airbus’ transport capacity requirements in view of the A350 XWB ramp-up and Single-Aisle production rate increases. Five aircraft will be built between 2019 and 2023 to gradually replace the five BelugaST. The aircraft will operate from 11 destinations as Airbus’ method of transporting large aircraft components. Based on an A330-200 Freighter, the BelugaXL is powered by Rolls Royce Trent 700 engines. The lowered cockpit, the cargo bay structure and the rear-end and tail were newly developed jointly with suppliers, giving the aircraft its distinctive look.

Nepal Airlines Takes Delivery of its First Widebody Aircraft, an A330

Nepal Airlines has taken delivery of the first of two A330s, which it will lease from Portuguese lessor Hi Fly. These will be in addition to its two existing A320ceos, and will be one of the largest aircraft operating out of Tribhuvan International Airport.  Situated at high altitude, only the most sophisticated of aircraft are capable of operating from this location, which is Nepal’s gateway to destinations in the rest of Asia and beyond

AEGEAN Airlines Firms Up 30 A320neo’s 

Greece’s biggest airline, AEGEAN Airlines, has firmed up an order for the purchase of 30 A320neo Family aircraft at a ceremony in Athens.  The purchase agreement, comprising 10 A321neos and 20 A320neos, was signed by AEGEAN Chairman Eftichios Vassilakis and Airbus Chief Executive Officer Tom Enders. It follows an earlier Memorandum of Understanding signed in March 2018. Currently, AEGEAN operates a fleet of 49 Airbus aircraft (37 A320s, 11 A321s and 1 A319).

Airbus Helicopters and Safran boost for H125 and H130

Airbus H125 and H130 helicopter customers will get a boost in their operations thanks to a significant reduction in direct maintenance costs for the Safran Arriel 2D engine, which equips both single engines. The two main improvements provided by Safran are the extension of 25 % of the time between overhaul (TBO) to 5,000 hours for new and in-service helicopters, and the new three year/ 2,000 hours warranty conditions – replacing the previous two year/1,000 hours warranty – for all H125 and H130 helicopters delivered in 2018. H125 and H130 customers will benefit from the removal of the calendar limitation, which until now required an engine inspection at a repair centre every 15 years, regardless of the number of hours logged.  The robustness of the Arriel 2D eliminates the need for a calendar limit on modules 1, 2, 4 and 5, while for module 3, the engine’s condition can be restored during a periodic visit performed at a maintenance centre.

More than 1,000 Arriel 2D-equipped H125 and H130 helicopters are in service worldwide and have collectively logged over one million flight hours. The Arriel 2D offers extremely competitive operating costs, 10% lower in average than those of earlier variants. The Arriel 2D is also backed by a complete Safran service package, notably the Support By the Hour (SBH) contract and the 5Star programme, fully adapted to customers operating fewer than five helicopters.

H125 & H130 from Blue Hawaian

Hungary orders 20 H145Ms 

The Hungarian Ministry of Defence has ordered 20 H145M military helicopters equipped with the HForce weapon management in the frame of the military modernisation programme Zrinyi 2026. Together with the helicopters, Airbus will provide an extensive training and support package. With a maximum take-off weight of 3.7 tonnes, the H145M can be used for a wide range of tasks, including troop transport, utility, surveillance, air rescue, armed reconnaissance and medical evacuation. The Hungarian fleet will be equipped with a fast roping system, high-performance camera, fire support equipment, ballistic protection as well as an electronic countermeasures system to support the most demanding operational requirements. The HForce system, developed by Airbus Helicopters, will allow Hungary to equip and operate their aircraft with a large set of ballistic or guided air-to-ground and air-to-air weapons. 

Airbus performs world’s first A3R contact with large aircraft receiver

Airbus Defence and Space has followed its earlier achievement in demonstrating Automatic Air-to-Air (A3R) refuelling of a fighter with another world-first – the same operation performed with a large receiver aircraft. In a joint operation with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), which is collaborating with Airbus in development of this technology, Airbus’ A310 company development tanker performed seven automatic contacts with a RAAF KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport, also made by Airbus. The system requires no additional equipment on the receiver and is intended to reduce refuelling boom operator workload, improve safety, and optimise the rate of air-to-air refuelling (AAR) in operational conditions to maximise aerial superiority. Airbus has begun work towards introducing the system on the current production A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (A330 MRTT).

Drukair places order for a new ATR 42-600 

Drukair and ATR have announced the signing of an order for an ATR 42-600 equipped with the new ClearVision system. The airline will be the first operator to benefit from the advantages of ClearVision’s Combined Vision System (CVS), incorporating the Enhanced Vision System (EVS) which improves visibility and the Synthetic Vision System (SVS) which generates images of terrain and obstacles using an extensive database. This new ATR 42-600 is expected to be delivered to Drukair in July 2019. Drukair has been operating ATR 42s since 2011 and operates in challenging environments, serving small airports in the Himalayan Mountains. Certified last year, the ATR -600’s latest Standard 3 avionics includes RNP AR 0.3/0.3, which further enhances airfield accessibility and operational performance.

 Tandi Wangchuk, Chief Executive Officer of Drukair, stated, “Purchasing another ATR was a natural decision. The improvements delivered by the -600 series’ new Standard 3 avionics, along with the ClearVision CVS system add significant operational and thus economic value. We also look forward to welcoming passengers into the most modern cabin in regional aviation and offering them the most comfortable in-flight experience possible.”

 

Airbus and International SOS sign MOU on drone cargo delivery systems

 Airbus and International SOS, the world’s leading medical and security risk services company, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today to jointly study the viability of using aircraft or unmanned systems to deliver medical cargo and supplies. Under the agreement, Airbus will help to define and install reliable aircraft or unmanned aerial medical cargo deliveries as part of International SOS MedSupply services. MedSupply deploys medical supplies, specialist medical care and equipment to meet the requirements of preventive health programme or in support of a medical emergency in urban as well as unfamiliar and remote locations. The studies will look into both urban to rural and ship to shore deliveries. Airbus and International SOS will thus collaborate on safe, secure and enterprise drone delivery for hub to hub distribution of medical cargo, compliant with local regulatory bodies, as International SOS have global operations worldwide in emergency evacuation or medical resupplying.

 

Ukraine for 55 helicopters 

Following the Intergovernmental Agreement signed between France and Ukraine on 8 June, Airbus Helicopters have signed a contract with the Ukrainian Ministry of Interior for the purchase of 55 civil helicopters destined for search and rescue (SAR), public services, and emergency medical service (EMS) missions in the country. The 55 aircraft include 21 repurposed H225s, and 10 brand new H145s and 24 H125. The contract, which also foresees the setting up of a local training and maintenance centre, was signed in Kiev on 14 July in the presence of Arsen Avakov, Minister of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Ukraine, and Bruno Even, Airbus Helicopters CEO.

Zephyr S set to break world endurance record

Zephyr S, Airbus’ High-Altitude-Pseudo-Satellite, has surpassed the current flight endurance record of an aircraft without refueling of 14 days, 22 minutes and 8 seconds and continues to pioneer the stratosphere. The Zephyr aircraft departed for its maiden flight from Arizona, USA on 11 July 2018. This first flight of the Zephyr S aims to prove and demonstrate the aircraft capabilities, with the final endurance record to be confirmed on landing.