Northern Pacific Airways launch, Belugas & more (The Allplane Newsletter #74)
Let’s start, as usual, by having a look at the sustainable aviation world:
Boeing announced its investing $450M in Wisk, one of the startups working on eVTOL development. This decision has raised quite a few eyebrows.
First is the fact that this means doubling down on one of the riskiest paths: combining the risks inherent to an entirely new market and product category (eVTOL) with its more than fair share of technology and business unknowns PLUS the risks of pursuing fully autonomous flight, as Wisk is doing. LINK
Richard Aboulafia, one of the most respected voices in the industry, is certainly not impressed. In this piece on Forbes he explains how this is a bad use of Boeing’s resources at a time when the aircraft manufacturer faces formidable challenges elsewhere.
And here’s another view, bringing to attention the fact that it is precisely pilotless flight technology which could make of this an interesting acquisition over the long term.
Another investment by a major US aerospace firm, although the eSTOL hybrid-electric segment seems to be somehow less risky than the eVTOL space. Lockheed Martin invests in Electra.
More blue chip money going to sustainable aviation: Microsoft invests in LanzaJet. $50M for the alcohol-to-jet refining plant it is building in Georgia. LINK.
Here’s another VTOL concept that I had not heard about. Zuri, from the Czech Republic. Competition is going to be fierce in this space! LINK.
Electron Aviation held a virtual investor event on 25 Jan. Interestingly this startup seems to have already secured €28M worth of orders for its light electric plane. I found it interesting how electric eSTOL producers are highlighting their faster and less risky potential way to market as compared to more complex eVTOLs. LINK.
Electron is precisely the company selected to supply 28 aircraft to FlyOneE, a startup that plans to roll out an on-demand air mobility network across Western Australia. LINK.
British leisure carrier Jet2.com will boost its carbon offsetting programme well beyond the formal regulatory requirements. It also plans to start buying SAF. Comprehensive summary here.
UK-based Urban-Air Port is getting investment from Supernal (Hyunday’s air mobility division) to develop some 200 vertiports around the world. LINK.
Tradewind Aviation, an American operator of mostly PC-12s (plus 3 Citation jets) will be adding adding carbon offsets automatically to all bookings. LINK.
Aircraft Leasing Ireland, the industry body that represents 31 aircraft leasing companies, including 18 of the world’s top twenty, has issued its own sustainability document. While not many specific actions are outlined at the moment, a charter is to be produced this year that will outline the industry’s ESG goals. An important player in this field when considering the influence they have on the OEMs. LINK.
Joby broke the eVTOL speed record at 205 mph. LINK.
Airbus flew for the first time an in-flight demonstrator of the European Clean Sky 2 (CS2) and the EU Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme. The aircraft involved is a specially modified C-295 that will act as a test bank for advanced materials, avionics and other innovations that aim to make its flight more efficient. Interesting to see military aviation taking part also in sustainability efforts. LINK.
What else in aviation?
Northern Pacific Airways, the new US carrier that aims to link several American cities with East Asian destinations by way of Alaska, was presented at an event in San Bernardino, California. We were there to get all the details. LINK.
Boom Supersonic’s Overture will be manufactured in Greensboro, North Carolina, the company announced at an event this week. LINK.
A damning report on the FT highlighting Virgin Galactic’s financial predicament. The space travel company has lost more than three quarters of its value in 2021 and revenue (let alone profits!) is not expected any time soon. LINK
Airbus has spun off its old Beluga ST fleet into a new business unit in order to carry out cargo operations for external customers. It will be particularly useful to those that need to move oversized cargoes. LINK.
Breeze Airways is starting to sell tickets on its A220 fleet. LINK.
Curiously enough I stumbled upon this café at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) that is also named Breeze - it took me a while to realize this was not a smart marketing plot to get potential future travellers emails )
First Boeing 737 MAX landing in Antarctica, by Czech operator Samrtwings.
And also a shiny brand new list of new airlines launched in 2022 (feel free to send your tips and suggestions!).