Flying palaces, cutting edge airline software & more (The Allplane Newsletter #80)
This week we have not one but two new podcast episodes!
François Chazelle, Vice President Commercial, Middle East & Africa at SITA for Aircraft overseeing the OptiFlight family of products, was on the podcast explaining how software can help pilots fly better and save tons of fuel and a lot of time.
The Allplane Podcast #59 - Opticlimb & Opticruise with François Chazelle, SITA for Aircraft
This is the second of our series about airline technology, done in partnership with SITA for Aircraft.
Arnaud Martin, Chief of Strategy at Comlux, shares some insights about the highest end of the executive jet market. On this episode we talk about the world of the flying palaces, the very large executive jets and also about how Arnaud helped redefine this segment through its work in the new TwoTwenty Airbus Corporate Jet programme. Check it out!
The Allplane Podcast #60: Flying Palaces, with Arnaud Martin of Comlux
Sustainable Aviation News
Textron is aquiring Pipistrel, the pioneering electric aircraft company from Slovenia. This is a major player in general aviation endorsing the electric way.
Had a great conversation with Pipistrel’s founder, Ivo Boscarol, here on the podcast back in 2020!
Embraer’s EVE keeps racking up orders, this time is American ACMI and charter carrier Global Crossing Airlines (aka “GlobalX”), which has ordered 200 of the type. LINK.
Avolon and Air Greenland will form a work group to evaluate the introduction of Vertical Aerospace VX4 eVTOL in that Arctic country. Although no specific figures or orders are committed at this point, this is an interesting project, given the challenges involved in operations in Greenland (cold, distances,..). It is going to be a demanding test bed for any eVTOL. LINK.
Image courtesy of Avolon
Delta Airlines to help Airbus in the development of its ZEROe hydrogen-powered aircraft. Before you get too excited, this deal doesn’t involve any financial commitments (it could be perhaps a collaboration in the form of data sharing, such as Easyjet has with electric flight startup Wright Electric). LINK.
Big SAF deal for Neste and bp, both oil majors will supply a large amount of sustainable aviation fuel to DHL. The use of this SAF will reduce emissions by the equivalent of 400,000 cars. Also DHL aims to power its aircraft fleet with 30% SAF by 2030. LINK.
Another big SAF deal: Oneworld Alliance members will purchase 200 million gallons of SAF per year from Colorado-based Gevo. LINK.
Request for Proposals by the EU’s Clean Aviation programme. There are €735M at stake for relevant projects. There’s until 23rd June to send proposals. LINK.
What else in aviation?
Eurocontrol published a map illustrating the changes in air traffic since the start of the war in Ukraine:
SAS goes SAF, the Scandinavian airline is launching a new product for frequent travellers with 100% SAF uptake. LINK.
Update on Niceair: the first three destinations of the new northern Icelandic airline have been confirmed. Click here to see which ones.
KLM launched a new thrice-weekly route to Austin, Texas, on March 28th. In recent times Austin has become a sort of new capital of American cool, attracting all sorts of creative and “new economy” professionals. LINK.
Delta welcomed its first A321neo. LINK.
Air Canada ordered 26 A321XLRs. LINK.
The Air Europa saga continues. This week there were reports in Spanish media that IAG was ready to convert an outstanding €100M loan into 20% equity, with a view to making it 100% later on. There was also another report about the tense internal situation between the airline’s appointed managers and its owners amidst calls to declare bankruptcy. Will see…
I published a new article on The Points Guy about historical airports that are still active. Check it out!
Updates to the 2022 list of new airlines. LINK.