February 21, 2008

Embraer airs its 20-yr expectations

By Paul Lowe

Paced by China, commercial air traffic demand in the Asia Pacific region will grow faster than any other region in the world over the next 20 years, according to a new market forecast released by Embraer here this week.

The Brazilian maker of regional airliners expects Asia Pacific to grow at an annual rate of 5.3 percent and China at a rate of 7.5 percent. It projects 4.9 percent growt more

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Lufthansa Technik expanding its footprint as an Asian MRO

By Bernard Fitzsimons

Lufthansa Technik’s Asia Pacific joint ventures are expanding in line with the region’s air transport growth. Ameco Beijing (Stand No. D78) is due to inaugurate the biggest maintenance hangar in Asia next month, Lufthansa Technik Philippines (Stand No. H65) has opened a second widebody hangar in Manila and Lufthansa Technik Shenzhen has added new capabilities.

Ameco, the maintenance, re more

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Volvo shows commitment to ‘Clean Sky’

By Julian Moxon

The environment is everything these days for engine manufacturers and suppliers, as initiatives such as the recently launched European Commission Clean Sky program drive ever more advanced ideas on reducing emissions and noise.

Volvo Aero (Stand No. Q35) manufactures components for 90 percent of the world’s large commercial engines and the Swedish company is deeply involved in the Clea more

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IAI brings ‘attitude’ to AEW

By Chris Pocock

When Singapore revealed that it had chosen the Gulfstream G550 business jet as its new AEW platform last April, Northrop Grumman officials were reportedly shocked. They had every confidence that the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) would select the E-2D, an upgraded version of the Hawkeye twin turboprop that had served the RSAF well for nearly 20 years.

“The G550-AEW with its hig more

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Cessna sees demand in Asia Pacific

By Paul Lowe

Demand for aircraft in the Asia Pacific region has become increasingly diverse, to the delight of Cessna senior vice president of sales and marketing Roger Whyte.

“Not only has demand expanded for Cessna’s line of products in the Asia Pacific region, that demand covers many countries and spans all models,” he said. “We are seeing outstanding response to our newest products–the Cessna S more

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Bell outlines progress on its key projects

Bell Helicopter announced upgrades for the in-service 206L LongRanger and the Model 407 and 412 during a press conference here Monday. The U.S.-based manufacturer also said the 429 should gain certification late this year.

The Bell 206L will benefit from structural and performance upgrades for the fielded aircraft, while the Model 407 will receive a glass cockpit option. Meanwhile, Bel more

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Used t-props fly off the shelves

By Bernard Fitzsimons

Saab Aircraft Leasing completed 28 transactions last year and by December, for the first time ever, it had placed all 137 of the 340A, 340B and 2000 models on its books.

Used turboprops have become more attractive as oil prices have spiked, and values are going up as a result, president and CEO Michael Magnusson said here yesterday. Sales of new turboprops involve mainly 70-seaters, and more

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ATR hits Pac Rim paydirt during show

By Thierry Dubois

ATR announced regional turboprop orders from two South Pacific operators here yesterday. Air Tahiti has bought an ATR 72-500, valued at about $18 million. The 66-seater will operate under ETOPS-120 rules. Air Tahiti CEO Mate Galenon said the airline is now able to serve more islands, such as Hiva Oa in the Marquesas, which the airline could until now reach only with its smaller ATR 42s. Air Tahiti more

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World awaits Singapore’s selection

By Brian Walters

It might seem strange that the aerospace world awaits with such anticipation Singapore’s choice of advanced jet trainer, especially since it will probably involve no more than a dozen aircraft. But, as Alenia Aermacchi’s CEO Carmelo Cosentino remarked here at the show, “Singapore is one of the most sophisticated and demanding customers in the world–and we like that because we have the best product more

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AgustaWestland sees Asia getting even better

By Paolo Valpolini

Asia accounted for about 20 percent of AgustaWestland’s orders last year and the European helicopter maker therefore sees the region as a growing market. The booming Chinese economy is a big factor in this assessment, as is the European helicopter maker’s presence in the People’s Republic through an expanding relationship with the Chinese aerospace industry.

In 1999, AgustaWestland sign more

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