DTN News - AIRLINES NEWS: Boeing, Air Astana Announce Order For Four 767-300ERs And Three 787 Dreamliners

DTN News - AIRLINES NEWS: Boeing, Air Astana Announce Order For Four 767-300ERs And Three 787 Dreamliners
- Represents single largest order for commercial airplanes in Kazakhstan
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Boeing
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - March 1, 2012: Boeing (NYSE: BA) and Air Astana have announced an order for four 767-300ERs (Extended Range) and three 787-8s. The order is valued at $1.3 billion at current list prices, making this the largest single order for commercial airplanes in Kazakhstan's history.

"Our decision to order the Boeing airplanes is part of Air Astana's long-term growth strategy to expand and modernize our fleet with newer, more fuel-efficient airplanes to serve domestic, regional and international routes," said Peter Foster, president, Air Astana.  "In addition, we want to offer an enhanced travel experience for our customers which we shall be able to do on these airplanes."          

In addition to bringing big-jet ranges to mid-size airplanes, the 787 provides airlines with unmatched fuel efficiency using 20 percent less fuel than today's similarly sized airplanes. Passengers will also see improvements on the 787, from an interior environment with higher humidity to increased comfort and convenience.  

The Boeing 767 family is a complete family of clean, quiet, fuel-efficient airplanes that provide maximum market versatility in the 200- to 300-seat market. Boeing has delivered more than 1,000 767s that are flown by over 120 operators around the world.

"We are extremely pleased that Air Astana has partnered with Boeing to participate in the region's growing air transport market," said Marty Bentrott, vice president of sales for Middle East, Russia and Central Asia, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "Today, airlines are increasingly looking at lower operating costs and fuel efficiency without compromising on technological innovations and customer experience. We are confident that both the 767-300ER and the 787 Dreamliner will play an important role as Air Astana continues with its expansion plans."

Contact:

Saffana Michael
Boeing Commercial Airplanes
+9 7150-4590651
Saffana.michael2@boeing.com

Photo and caption will be available here: http://boeing.mediaroom.com

 
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DTN News: Airlines News TODAY October 29, 2009 ~ Azerbaijan Airlines Orders Four Boeing Jets

DTN News: Airlines News TODAY October 29, 2009 ~ Azerbaijan Airlines Orders Four Boeing Jets *Source: DTN News / Int'l Media (NSI News Source Info) BAKU, Azerbaijan - October 29, 2009: Ex-Soviet Azerbaijan's flagship carrier AZAL said Wednesday it had ordered four new Boeing airplanes for its growing fleet, including two of the US company's 787 Dreamliner long-haul jets.Boeing and Azerbaijan Airlines have finalized an order for two Boeing Next-Generation 737-900ERs and two 767-300ERs. The order is valued at $449 million at list prices. One of the 767s is a substitution for a previously ordered 787, as reflected today on Boeing's Orders and Deliveries Web site. "Two Boeing 767s will be delivered to Azerbaijan in 2011-12. The date for the arrival of the two more Boeing 787s is not yet known," Azerbaijan Airlines spokesman Maharram Safarli told AFP. He refused to disclose any financial conditions of the deal. "These airplanes have proven their quality internationally. Most importantly, Boeing's conditions are more acceptable to us," he said. AZAL has expanded in recent years amid a major economic boom in energy-rich Azerbaijan. The company's last big purchase was of four Airbus A-319 passenger airliners in 2005. Boeing launched the Dreamliner program in April 2004 and the highly anticipated long-haul aircraft is seen as key to the US aerospace giant's future. But the project has been plagued by repeated delays, with Boeing announcing the fifth postponement earlier this year. Boeing is facing stiff competition in the aviation market from Airbus, a unit of the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company.

DTN News: FAA Orders Safety Fix For All U.S. Boeing 767s To Prevent Possible Fuel Tank Explosion

DTN News: FAA Orders Safety Fix For All U.S. Boeing 767s To Prevent Possible Fuel Tank Explosion

*Source: DTN News / Int'l Media

(NSI News Source Info) NEW YORK, USA - August 8, 2009: The Federal Aviation Administration does not issue airworthiness (ADs) directives lightly. The idea is to make sure airplanes don’t crash, or—in this particular case—blow up. In this instance, the object of FAA’s attention is the ubiquitous Boeing 767. In its just-released AD, FAA wants to “prevent an overheat condition outside the center [fuel] tank fuel pump explosion resistance area,” of the twin-engine widebody. FAA says in the AD that the area “is open to the pump inlet, which could cause an ignition source for the fuel vapors in the fuel tank and result in fuel tank explosions and consequent loss of the airplane.” To correct the problem, FAA is mandating that airlines install an automatic shutoff system for the auxiliary fuel tank/override jettison fuel pumps on all Boeing 767s. That means this airworthiness directive takes in a lot of airplanes. FAA estimates the AD encompasses 414 Boeing 767s registered here in the United States. Among the airlines with significant 767 fleets: American, Delta, Continental, United, and US Airways – virtually all the country’s so-called “legacy” mainline, hub-and-spoke airlines. The cost to solve the problem according to FAA: as much as $4,655,016. The airworthiness directive also calls on carriers to revise the 767’s flight manual “to advise the flight crew of certain operating restrictions for airplanes equipped with an automatic auxiliary fuel pump shutoff control.” On certain aircraft, the AD mandates that a placard be installed in the cockpit “to alert the crew of certain fuel usage restrictions.” Some context: regulators and airlines have taken fuel tank issues very seriously since the July 17, 1996 crash of TWA Flight 800. The Boeing 747-131 was en route from New York Kennedy to Paris Charles de Gaulle when it exploded in the heavens off Long Island on a hot summer’s night. The National Transportation Safety Board concluded the Probable Cause for the crash that claimed all 230 souls-on-board was “a fuel/air explosion in the airplane’s center wing fuel tank.” While NTSB couldn’t determine the specific ignition source “with certainty,” the Safety Board concluded the most likely spark came from “a short circuit outside of the [center wing tank] that allowed excessive voltage to enter it through electrical wiring associated with the fuel quantity indication system.” Much speculation surrounded the accident, with Pierre Salinger, President Kennedy’s former press secretary, contending that the aircraft was shot brought down by a U.S. Navy missile.

DTN News: Boeing Cites 4 Aircraft Types It Could Base Tanker On

DTN News: Boeing Cites 4 Aircraft Types It Could Base Tanker On *Sources: Defense News ~ By Tom Kington

(NSI News Source Info) PARIS, France - June 17, 2009: A day after stating it could offer the 767 or 777 airframes in a new U.S. tanker bid, Boeing named on Tuesday four variants of the two types it could use to build a tanker. Boeing is waiting to see the new request for proposal in the U.S. Air Force tanker competition before deciding to stay with the 767 or shift to something else, such the larger 777. Shown is an artist’s conception of a 777 tanker refueling a B-2 bom ( BOEING) In a briefing at the Paris Air Show, Boeing tanker vice president Dave Bowman said the 767-200, -300 and -400, and the 777-200 ER aircraft all could be candidates to become Boeing's tanker offering when a new request for proposal is announced this summer. "We have one for every one of the strategies being considered. The Boeing team is pumped and ready to rock," Bowman said. Boeing would prepare to offer a mixed fleet of 777s and 767s, he said. Even the engine choice on a 777 offering would be up the customer, he added. Boeing lost the previous tanker contest to the Airbus A330 but successfully challenged the decision. Bowman was deliberately vague about which version Boeing would offer, claiming he awaited the RFP. He did say the new name for the unspecified offer, the 7A7, could stand for "Advanced, Ability, Available, Agility or Acquisition." Boeing has already developed a 767 tanker for customers Italy and Japan, but Bowman claimed that developing an all-new 777 tanker would take a "similar" time to that needed to ready a 767 tanker for a U.S. customer. Bowman did give some insight into whether Boeing would seek to take a green aircraft and convert it to tanker format, or roll an aircraft with tanker features off the assembly line. "The P8 [maritime patrol] aircraft is a line aircraft, and is a very good example of how to do a commercial derivative aircraft off the line," he said. Boeing started its 767 program for Italy with green aircraft before declaring that it would switch to rolling 767 tankers of a dedicated line if it won the U.S. contract.

DTN News: Boeing KC-767J Aerial Refueling Tankers Join Active Air Wing In Japan / KC-767J Tankers Enter Japanese Service

DTN News: Boeing KC-767J Aerial Refueling Tankers Join Active Air Wing In Japan / KC-767J Tankers Enter Japanese Service

(NSI News Source Info) ST. LOUIS - May 27, 2009: The Boeing Company today announced that three KC-767J aerial refueling tankers recently achieved Initial Operational Capability (IOC) and have been placed in an active air wing in the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF).

The aircraft, the third for Japan, was later transferred to Itochu Corp., for delivery to the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF). Itochu officially delivers the aircraft this month when it will join two KC-767J tankers that Japan received in 2008. Japan has ordered four convertible tanker/freighter KC-767Js and Boeing is scheduled to transfer the fourth tanker to Itochu in December for delivery to the MOD in the first quarter of 2010.

“This is a historic achievement for the nation of Japan and a significant accomplishment for Boeing’s tanker program,” said Dave Bowman, vice president and general manager of Boeing Tanker Programs. “These wide-body KC-767Js are now providing the JASDF with its own aerial refueling capability for the first time in history, while improving its ability to deliver passengers or cargo.”

Officials with the Japan Ministry of Defense and JASDF officially designated the KC-767J tankers "operational" during an April ceremony at Komaki Air Base, Japan, after the aircraft successfully completed a yearlong technical evaluation.

The third of four KC-767J tankers ordered by Japan was ferried from Boeing’s Wichita, Kan., modification facility and delivered on time and within budget to the JASDF in March. The first two tankers were delivered to Japan in February and March 2008.

Boeing is scheduled to transfer the fourth Japan tanker to the company's partner Itochu in December for delivery to the Ministry of Defense in the first quarter of 2010. Final work on that tanker is taking place at the Wichita modification center.

The KC-767 tanker, a military derivative of the proven Boeing 767-200 commercial airplane, features the company's advanced aerial refueling boom and Remote Aerial Refueling Operator II system. Japan's tankers are convertible tanker/freighter KC-767Js, which provide flexibility in carrying cargo or passengers while maintaining their primary role as aerial refueling tankers. “Delivery of the first KC-767J aerial refueling tankers, and their achievement of IOC status just a few weeks after the arrival of Japan 3, are great milestones,” Bowman said. “Boeing has KC-767 international tankers that have been built, flown, tested, certified, delivered and in operational service today.”

Boeing also has two KC-767 tankers in comprehensive flight test for the Italian Air Force (ITAF) and is performing modification work on two additional ITAF tankers. The first tanker for Italy is scheduled for delivery this year.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world's largest space and defense businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world’s largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $32 billion business with 70,000 employees worldwide.

A400M Customers Push Off Go/No-Go Decision

A400M Customers Push Off Go/No-Go Decision

Italy's Military Chief: It's Wise To Be Out Of A400M....Defense-Technology News March 13, 2009

(NSI News Source Info) PARIS - March 14, 2009: Defense ministers of the seven European launch countries for the A400M have agreed to a three-month suspension of a contract clause that allows them to cancel the airlifter program. The move allows time to adopt a common position in negotiations with industry, French Defense Ministry spokesman Laurent Teisseire said March 13. France asked for the contract "moratorium" at a March 12 confab on the margins of an informal EU defense ministers meeting in Prague, Teisseire said. "We are pushing back a contract rendezvous point," he said. The A400M contract allows OCCAR, the arms procurement agency that manages the program, to cancel the program - or individual aircraft - because no first flight occurred within 14 months of the contracted date, Teisseire said. The deadline for OCCAR to decide to cancel is April 1, EADS Chief Executive Louis Gallois told a March 10 press conference. The moratorium bars the agency from canceling the program in the next three months, but maintains the right to kill it after that period ends. EADS, A400M's lead builder, said it is unlikely the program will be axed. Company officials want to renegotiate the contract to cover revised plans for production ramp-up, penalties, the aircraft standard that is acceptable for delivery, and other contract clauses. The current agreement allows six months between delivery of initial and full operational capability. EADS wants to extend that time, noting that full capability depends on the availability of software from suppliers. If OCCAR cancels the program, EADS would refund 5.7 billion euros ($7.3 billion) made as predelivery payments, EADS officials said in a statement about the company's 2008 results. The March 12 meeting also was attended by Turkey, which is not an EU member but is an A400M launch customer, along with Britain, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Germany and Spain. The meeting took place in Prague because the Czech Republic holds the six-month rotating EU presidency. Air Force Gen. Vincenzo Camporini, the Italian military's chief of staff, said March 12 that Italy made a "wise" decision in 2001 to opt out of the A400M program during prelaunch negotiations, despite criticism at the time.

Italy's Military Chief: It's Wise To Be Out Of A400M

Italy's Military Chief: It's Wise To Be Out Of A400M

(NSI News Source Info) ROME - March 13, 2009: As delays continue to plague the development of the A400M European transport aircraft, Italy's senior military commander has said Italy did the "wise" thing in steering clear of the program at the beginning of the decade. On 9 January 2009, EADS announced that the first delivery has been postponed until at least 2012. EADS also indicated that it wants to renegotiate 'certain technical characteristics' of the aircraft. EADS has long maintained the first deliveries would begin three years after the A400M's first flight. The German newspaper Financial Times Deutschland has closely followed the A400M program and reported on 12 January 2009 that the aircraft is overweight by 12 tons and may not be able to achieve a critical performance requirement, the ability to airlift 32 tons. Sources told FTD that, currently, the aircraft can only lift 29 tons, which is insufficient to carry a modern armored infantry fighting vehicle. The FTD report prompted the chief of the German Air Force to say, "That is a disastrous development," and could delay deliveries to the Luftwaffe until 2014. The Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for the Luftwaffe is delayed at least until 2017. This leads the political planning to potential alternatives in the shape of a higher integration of European airlift capabilities. The OCCAR reminded the participating countries that they can terminate the contract before 31 March 2009. "I am convinced of this. Italy was strongly criticized when it made this decision. Today, those critics should indulge in some self-criticism," Gen. Vincenzo Camporini, Italian chief of staff, said March 12, when he was asked whether Italy had made the right decision to opt out of the group of European nations that was planning the airlifter in 2001. Camporini said he was nevertheless perturbed by the technical problems that have pushed back delivery dates for the aircraft. "As a passionate supporter of European capacity, I am seriously concerned about the news arriving from industry about the program," he said. "I hope that difficulties are overcome, because that way the European Union can finally carry out its strategic capacity." But Camporini said that Italy was vindicated in its decision not to sign up. "It is worth underlining the wise decision taken by political and military planners at the start of the decade, knowing the theoretical difficulties of the program, to opt for a solution that provides possibly a reduced capacity but gives Italy today a capacity for transport air that is modern, adequate and among the best in Europe." Italy operates the C-130J and the C-27J tactical transport, charters civilian aircraft, and is expecting delivery of 767 tanker transports.

Italy Taps Turkish Firm For Maritime Aircraft Work

Italy Taps Turkish Firm For Maritime Aircraft Work

(NSI News Source Info) ROME - February 4, 2009: In an unusual outsourcing decision, Italian firm Alenia Aeronautica plans to employ a Turkish company to undertake structural work on an aircraft it is supplying the Italian Air Force. Alenia is "90 percent certain" it will outsource to Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) work on four ATR 72 maritime patrol aircraft it is selling to the Italian Air Force, a company official said. "This has been agreed with the Italian Air Force, and we are now discussing details with TAI," said the official at Alenia, a unit of Italy's Finmeccanica. An ATR72 anti-submarine warfare (ASW) variant of the -500 (itself a version of the maritime patrol variant of the ATR 42-500) is also in production and has been selected by Turkish Navy and Italian Navy for ASW and anti-surface warfare (ASuW) duties. Ten aircraft will be delivered to the Turkish Navy beginning in 2010. Italy's order of four aircraft will begin deliveries in 2012. For ASW and ASuW missions, the aircraft will be armed with a pod-mounted machine gun, light-weight torpedoes, anti-surface missiles, and depth charges. They will also be equipped with the AMASCOS (Airborne Maritime Situation and Control System) maritime surveillance system of Thales, as well as electronic warfare and reconnaissance systems, and will also be used for maritime search and rescue operations. It's the kind of work Alenia might do itself. But the logic in the deal stems from the fact Alenia has already contracted TAI to convert 10 ATR 72 civilian aircraft - which are built by Alenia and EADS - to anti-submarine warfare (ASW) configuration for delivery to the Turkish Navy. "We see the deal as saving money and benefiting from Turkish know-how," said the official, who acknowledged that the reduction of similar aircraft conversion activity within the Finmeccanica group had influenced the decision. That activity was undertaken by Finmeccanica unit Aeronavali, although the unit has been restructured following a diminished demand for passenger to cargo aircraft conversions. Work by Aeronavali converting Boeing 767 aircraft to tanker format for Italy has also been taken over by main contractor Boeing. "The restructuring of Aeronavali is a contribution" to the decision to outsource to TAI, the Alenia official said. Italy has picked for its maritime patrol aircraft the ATR 72/600, a new version of the ATR 72 boasting a glass cockpit, which will be certified next year and which has also been selected by Turkey for its ASW aircraft. The first of Italy's four aircraft will delivered to TAI in Ankara from the Alenia-EADS production line in Tolouse in 2010. TAI is expected to undertake structural work to ready the aircraft for mission systems, sensors and protection systems. "The first one should take 13 months, which takes us to 2011, at which time the aircraft will be flown to Alenia's Turin facility for flight tests," the official said. The first delivery to the Italian Air Force is expected in 2012, with subsequent deliveries to follow at six-month intervals. While Italy is ordering maritime patrol aircraft, it is set to request that the ATRs are ready to be upgraded to undertake ASW missions in the future, meaning a rear boom will be installed ready to take a magnetic anomaly detector (MAD), which Turkey's aircraft will have immediately. The aircraft will also be fit for sonar buoys and reinforcements will be made to support armaments. An Italian industry source said that an initial contract Italy had signed with Alenia in December was worth about 255 million euros ($332 million) and covered the supply of the four ATR 72 aircraft in maritime patrol configuration with relevant mission and protection systems, meaning a unit price of just under 64 million euros. A second contract to be signed by June will then cover the structural work needed to render the aircraft fit for an eventual ASW upgrade, as well as five years of logistics support. An Italian defense source said the total outlay would be 350 million euros - rather than the 400 million touted in recent parliamentary documents - meaning the second contract will be worth around 95 million euros. Even if it decides to upgrade its ATR 72s to ASW configuration, Italian defense officials have said they still plan to acquire a fully fledged multimission aircraft like the new Boeing P-8 in the future.