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French Helicopter Operators Consolidate Further

In a further consolidation move in the French helicopter operator industry, the HBG holding company has taken over the Loc'Héli group and is thus claiming the largest fleet in the country, with a combined 117 aircraft. HBG is adding three companies to its portfolio—Hélicoptères de France and HDF Maintenance in full ownership, as well as...

Falcon 5X Timing Still Unclear, as New Engine Issue Surfaces

During a meeting today with AJPAE, the French association of aerospace journalists, Dassault Aviation CEO Eric Trappier said he is “still waiting for a new calendar from Snecma,” regarding delays with the Falcon 5X's engines.“Snecma is facing some difficulties with the Silvercrest engine, which will delay the 5X’s certification even if the confi...

Airbus Awards Eight Best in Class Suppliers of the Year

Airbus acknowledged eight suppliers’ outstanding contribution and presented them with Best in Class 2015 Partner Awards. The awards, split into three categories - Best Performer, Innovation and Support - distinguish the outstanding contributions from the selected partners in the areas of aerostructure and material, systems & equipment - cabin and propulsion and general procurement. Th...

Airbus gets patent for 'Concorde-2'

Airbus received a patent for a "rocket motor"-propelled aircraft that would have the capability of carrying passengers from New York to London in 60 minutes.  The U.S. government approved Airbus' patented design in July that would travel at speeds of up to 4.5 times the speed of sound. This would be three times as fast as the speed of the original Concorde jet, which was...

Upgrade brings new capabilities to Falcon 900A and B Operators

Dassault Aviation has introduced a new avionics upgrade that will provide Falcon 900A and B operators with a range of important operational benefits, including an enhanced air traffic management capability and more reliable, cost-effective component offerings. Known as “Falcon Select II”, the upgrade will enable operators to take advantage of next-generation ATM features such as ADS...

More Eco-Responsible Cleaning for FedEx Aircraft

New Procedure Implemented at the Roissy-Charles De Gaulle European Hub FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp and the world's largest express transportation company, has implemented a new fuselage cleaning procedure for the 13 aircraft serving Europe from its Roissy-Charles De Gaulle hub.  In addition to the visual advantage, this new technique is also helping FedEx to be more...

Dassault Begins Completions on Initial Falcon 8X Jets

Dassault Aviation has begun completion work on the first customer-bound Falcon 8X long-range trijet as the company progresses toward certification and deliveries next year. The aircraft, S/N 04, arrived in the Dassault Falcon Jet completion facility in Little Rock, Ark., on October 9, the company announced Thursday. S/N 04 was the second of Dassault’s new 8X family to be sent to Litt...

Dassault Falcon Service Breaks Ground on Bordeaux-Mérignac Maintenance Facility

Dassault Falcon Service (DFS), a subsidiary of Dassault Aviation, recently began work on a new maintenance facility in Bordeaux-Mérignac to expand its Falcon overhaul capability. Eric Trappier, Dassault Aviation Chairman/CEO and Jean Kayanakis, General Manager, Dassault Falcon Service, were present at the groundbreaking ceremony, which was also attended by a large number of elected offic...

Air France to Cut Some Jobs in 2016, Rest of Plan Negotiable: CEO

Air France will cut less than a third of the 2,900 job cuts it proposed in a 2016/2017 plan that triggered clashes with some staff, the chief executive of parent company Air France-KLM said on Sunday. The job cuts in 2016 would be voluntary and heavier job losses in 2017 could be avoided if talks with unions led to an agreement on alternative savings measures by the beginning of next year, Alex...

ACI members aims to boost the competitiveness of European aviation

As the finishing touches are being put to the EU’s landmark Aviation Package, Augustin de Romanet, President of ACI EUROPE and President & CEO of Aéroports de Paris, met earlier today with Violeta Bulc, the EU Transport Commissioner. He was accompanied by Arnaud Feist, CEO of Brussels Airport and Armando Brunini, CEO of Aeroporto di Napoli – both mem...

Gilles Gateau will join Air France with effect from 1st November 2015

Gilles Gateau, Deputy chief of staff and social advisor to the Prime Minister, will join Air France with effect from 1st November 2015. Following an introductory period with the Company, Gilles Gateau will take up his position of Executive Vice President Human Resources and Labour Relations Air France in January 2016, taking over from Xavier Broseta. Xavier Broseta will, as of this date, rep...

ATR Passenger-Cargo "Combi" Model Receives EASA Certification

The turboprop aircraft manufacturer ATR has obtained European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification for its passenger-cargo "combi" version of the ATR 72-600. The new cabin configuration of the aircraft allows combining increased cargo volume for over 19 m3 in volume and nearly 3,000 kg in weight with up to 44 passenger seats section. By replacing the forward seven rows by a c...