Aerospace Diary

AINONLINE by    NEELAM MATHEWS March 13, 2014, 3:32 PM Bombardier Business Aircraft is confident India’s general aviation market will revive following national elections in India that are to be held during April and May. Nilesh Pattanayak, Bombardier’s Asia-Pacific regional vice-president said there has been a big change in the regulatory environment and infrastructure since 2007, when he first came to India. Despite the country’s recent economic setbacks, he told  AIN  at this week’s India Aviation show in Hyderabad that he remains optimistic about further growth in private aviation. “We believe there will be a revival at the end of the 2014 elections [to be concluded on May 12] and that 2015 is going to be a very strong year for business aircraft in India,” he said.  “There is a high level of activity and interest in our products. Traditionally the larger cabin aircraft, such as our Global aircraft, have been the most...

AINONLINE by    NEELAM MATHEWS Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev (right) and Bombardier president and CEO Pierre Beaudoin meet in Astana on February 26. March 4, 2014, 11:12 AM The Central Asian Republic of Kazakhstan plans to launch a domestic airline, Air Kazakhstan, in early 2015 with a fleet of 10 new Bombardier Q400 twin turboprops. Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev announced the plans with Bombardier president and  CEO  Pierre Beaudoin on February 26 following a meeting between the two at January’s World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, to discuss wider cooperation in air and rail transport. “We can build on the experience of starting a new airline from Air Astana,” a 12-year-old joint venture between Kazakhstan’s national wealth fund Samruk Kazyna and the  UK ’s  BAE  Systems, confirmed Nazarbayev. “We plan to transfer technology, provide training to Kazakhstan’s pilots, construct a...

Posted by Neelam Mathews Jan 10, 2014

Paris Air Show  »  2013 by  Neelam Mathews Linking arms over the pact are, left to right, Bombardier Business Aircraft president Steve Ridolfi, VistaJet founder Thomas Flohr and Bombardier v-p of sales Bob Horner. June 18, 2013, 3:15 PM VistaJet is expanding its 35-airplane fleet of Bombardier Global and Challenger jets with an order for 20 super-midsize Challenger 350s plus 20 options. The large order lead Steve Ridolfi, president of Bombardier Business Aircraft, to remark, “Sometimes we are in awe of what VistaJet has accomplished. We couldn’t be more proud.” Thomas Flohr, founder and chairman of VistaJet , said the Challenger 350 fits in with the company’s strategy to provide point-to-point global coverage. With a range of 3,200 nm, he said, “This can connect China with India and India with Africa ...

MEBA CONVENTION NEWS  »  DECEMBER 12, 2012 by    NEELAM MATHEWS Air Works recently commissioned a paint hangar under its Air Livery brand at the Bratislava airport in Slovakia. The facility is booked with work up to next May. December 11, 2012, 1:45 PM Business for general aviation providers in India is generally slow as the economy shows signs of slackening, yet 60-year-old Mumbai-based  Air Works Engineering  is looking at innovative ways to expand its business in India and abroad. “We are now looking at doing heavier checks in India–one of the first in the country–as we will get certification, one-by-one, for the Bombardier series, Bell Helicopters and Hawker Pacific,” managing director Vivek Gour told  AIN . The “deep level of heavy maintenance” will encourage customers to get 8-, 10- and 16-year checks in India rather than at facilities abroad, Gour said. While taxes in India are high, labor is che...

Neelam Mathews Oct 12, 2012 Bombardier Aerospace has enhanced its worldwide aftermarket service network for business aircraft customers with the addition of a second Line Maintenance Facility (LMF) in India. Air Works in New Delhi has been named an LMF for Challenger 604 ,  Challenger 605 ,  Global Express  and  Global Express XRS  business jets. The facility will complement Air Works’ center in Mumbai, which has been part of Bombardier’s Authorized Service Facility network since 2008. Éric Martel, President, Customer Services & Specialized and Amphibious Aircraft, Bombardier Aerospace said: “The two Air Works facilities are an important part of our overall network in India, anchored by our Mumbai Regional Support Office. We continue to place a heavy focus on growing our local roots in key markets, and are pleased to collaborate with local partners.” The newly authorized New Delhi facility, centrally located at Indira Gandhi International Airp...

A report by Wedbush Equity Research Posted by- Neelam Mathews March 26, 2012 Checks Indicate Chinese Aftermarket Demand Holding Up, Freight still Struggling • In light of increased concern with the 2012 growth outlook in China, we conducted a number of specific checks to determine the impact on the demand for commercial aerospace aftermarket parts and services. So far, the macro issues in China have not had a negative impact on 1Q 12 aftermarket parts demand. It is true that the Chinese market for aftermarket parts demand will see slower growth in 2012 (~10%-12% as compared to ~20% in 2011), but recent issues have not yet changed the outlook for firms relative to expectations at the end of 2011. Remember China accounts for an estimated 8% of all commercial aftermarket parts shipments. • Any slowdown in aftermarket activity will be initially felt in engine and airframe markets. We have heard that engine is currently somewhat softer now than it was last year (in line with expect...

Neelam Mathews Singapore Feb 12, 2012 Even as Bombardier Aerospace has just announced that an airline, which has requested to remain unidentified at this time, has signed a firm order for six CRJ1000 NextGen regional jets and has taken options on another 18, Aerospace Diary learns ATR will receive around 40 orders and Embraer between 5 to 6. They are divided between customers. Looks like the war is now starting on the regional front in Asia.

Neelam Mathews Sept 20, 2011 Actor John Travolta, also a licensed jet pilot and an advocate for corporate aviation was welcomed by Bombardier as a brand ambassador for its Learjet, Challenger and Global jets. With a busy schedule of filming, publicity and charity work, he embodies the persona of the true business traveler - making him an ideal representative for Bombardier Business Aircraft, says the company. "John is both a film icon and knowledgeable aviator," said Steve Ridolfi, President, Bombardier Business Aircraft. "He also recently added the Challenger aircraft to the impressive list of 11 different jets he is qualified to fly, an aircraft that offers him the ability to meet his passion for aviation and demanding business travel requirements all in one. We are thrilled to have him as our brand ambassador." With an acting career spanning over 30 years, John Travolta has starred in 60 films and has been honored with a number of prestigious film awards...

Posted by- Neelam Mathews Sept 20, 2011 Bombardier will reduce the production output of its CRJ aircraft, starting January 2012, to align with current market demand. No manpower impact is anticipated. "Although several sales campaigns for our CRJ aircraft are making progress and the long-term prospects for the CRJ program remain positive, the reduced pace of orders has made a review of our production plans necessary," said Guy C. Hachey, President and Chief Operating Officer, Bombardier Aerospace. "For these reasons and after careful consideration, a CRJ aircraft production decrease is warranted in the short term." As announced earlier this year, Bombardier's guidance in terms of commercial aircraft deliveries for 2011 of approximately 90 aircraft remains relatively the same. Guidance for 2012 will be provided as usual after the end of the current fiscal year.

The World Neelam Mathews Aviation Week & Space Technology Nov 15 , 2010 , p. 17 An agreement to purchase 15 Bombardier Q400 turboprops has established SpiceJet as the most aggressive among India’s budget carriers in pursuit of the country’s fast-growing regional routes. Indian aviation has been on a growth spurt for the past decade, but of the country’s estimated 400 commercial transports in service, 261 are single-aisle jets seating 100 or more passengers. Only 20 are regional aircraft of fewer than 90 passengers, so acquiring 15 of the 78-passenger Q400s has drawn attention. Deliveries are to start in the second quarter of 2011 and be completed in 12 months. Bombardier opened an office in Mumbai earlier this year. Credit: SPICEJET SpiceJet currently operates 22 aircraft, all Boeing 737-800/900ERs. During President Barack Obama’s state visit to India last week, Boeing revealed that 30 737-800s (sh...