DTN News - AIRLINES NEWS: Boeing, Air China Finalize Order for Six 777-300ERs

DTN News - AIRLINES NEWS: Boeing, Air China Finalize Order for Six 777-300ERs
*Boeing and Air China today announced an order for six additional 777-300ER (Extended Range) jetliners

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources Boeing
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - January 8, 2016: Boeing [NYSE:BA] and Air China today announced an order for six additional 777-300ER (Extended Range) jetliners. The order is valued at more than $2 billion at current list prices and bolsters Air China’s long-haul widebody fleet as it looks to expand its international network.

“The 777-300ER has consistently proved its value as a long-haul flagship for our customers around the world, making it the preferred choice for Air China’s international expansion,” said Ihssane Mounir, senior vice president, Northeast Asia Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “This order reflects the strength of our decades-long relationship with Air China and we look forward to partnering with Air China on additional opportunities in the future.”

China’s flag carrier continues to modernize its long-haul fleet to replace aging aircraft and plans to expand its growing network internationally. Air China currently operates a fleet 174 Boeing airplanes, including nearly all current Boeing production models, including the Next-Generation 737, 747-8 Intercontinental as well as 777-300ERs.

With this new order, Air China will increase its unfilled airplane orders with Boeing to 90 units, which include orders for new 787-9 Dreamliners.

The 777-300ER is one of the most fuel and cost-efficient airplanes in its class as well as the most reliable twin-aisle aircraft in the world. It also has the highest cargo capability of any passenger airplane in service. The 777-300ER will receive further improvements in 2016 designed to reduce fuel use by another two percent.

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources Boeing
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DTN News - TECHNOLOGY NEWS: Rare Earths ~ Why China Is Cutting Exports Crucial To Western Technologies

DTN News - TECHNOLOGY NEWS: Rare Earths ~ Why China Is Cutting Exports Crucial To Western Technologies

**The key to hundreds of modern technologies, from iPhones to smart-bombs, lies in the little-known rare earth metals, 95 per cent of which are mined by China. Its decision to slash exports has left the West scrabbling for alternative supplies

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources By Peter Foster - The Telegraph UK

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - March 22, 2011:

The Inner Mongolian city of Baotou is like an LS Lowry painting come to life: a faded industrial landscape of chimney-stacks and coal depots, shunting yards and steel plants. But amid the outskirts of this north China steel town there is one clutch of buildings that are noticeably more modern than the rest. They are home to a research institute that has suddenly become the envy of the world.

The showpiece headquarters of the 'Pioneering Rare Earth Hi-Tech Development Zone' is home to 400 research scientists who specialise in a group of 17 metals known as 'rare earths'. Until recently, most people had never even heard of these obscure elements.

New Generation Aircraft Concept of Chinese AVIC

However, they are the magic ingredient in almost everything that makes modern life possible. They may have exotic-sounding names such as terbium, europium, dysprosium and lutetium, but they also have decidedly everyday applications; from BlackBerrys and iPhones to catalytic converters and low-energy lightbulbs.

Known in China as 'industrial vitamins', rare earths are an essential component in green technologies such as electric cars, solar panels and wind turbines. Rare earths are not only essential for civilian life; the world's hi-tech armies also need rare earths for a host of applications from toughening tank armour to guiding smart-bombs and powering night-vision goggles.

Given their global application, it may come as a surprise to know that 95 per cent of world rare earths production is controlled by a single country – China. Last year China's ministry of commerce announced drastic cuts in the amount of rare earths it would make available for export. Quotas were cut by more than 70 per cent for the second half of 2010 to only 8,000 tons, compared with 29,000 tons for the same period the previous year, at a time when global demand for rare earth elements (REEs) was picking up fast.

Analysts say quotas are expected to shrink by a further 11 per cent this year. Rare earths demand has tripled in the past decade to an estimated 136,000 tons this year. By 2014 some analysts are now predicting a 20,000-ton shortfall in key metals.

Prices of the most sought-after rare earth metals and oxides have spiked in the international markets, with some dealers reporting that neodymium (used in computers and lasers) is now impossible to obtain outside China. At $72 a kilo, cerium oxide, used in polishing glass and lenses, is now 15 times more expensive than it was a year ago; neodymium has more than tripled in value to $115 over the same period. Analysts do not expect them to cool off for at least two years.

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources By Peter Foster - The Telegraph UK

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DTN News: Air China To Expand Boeing Airplane Health Management Coverage (Airlines News)

DTN News: Air China To Expand Boeing Airplane Health Management Coverage (Airlines News)

* Air China Cargo is included in coverage of Boeing 777 and 747-400 fleets Source: DTN News / Boeing (NSI News Source Info) SEATTLE, - March 3, 2010: Boeing (NYSE: BA), in conjunction with Air China and Air China Cargo, announced today that the airlines will expand the use of Boeing's Airplane Health Management (AHM) system to monitor the in-flight condition of the carriers' Boeing 777 and 747-400 fleets. The new agreement adds 42 in-service and on-order airplanes to a previous agreement to monitor 117 Air China 737s that are in service and on order. Air China is Boeing's first Chinese customer for AHM and the 33rd commercial customer overall. "We are certain that Boeing's Airplane Health Management will benefit our passengers and cargo customers who count on Air China and Air China Cargo meeting our schedules," said Air China Chief Engineer Zhong Detao. "This will improve our entire operation." Airplane Health Management captures and evaluates critical real-time in-flight flying condition data and relays the information to maintenance controllers. That allows the airline to turn a potentially time-consuming and costly maintenance delay into a well-planned and more easily accomplished repair. Airlines are better able to meet flight schedules, benefiting the airline, passengers and other cargo customers. The AHM system helps airlines identify and respond to problems proactively while accessing a multiple operator knowledge base, so repair decisions are more reliable and the airplane is available for service more quickly. "Airplane Health Management is a key tool in working with our customers in our mutual pursuit of greater efficiency," said Dennis Floyd, vice president, Technical Services for Commercial Aviation Services at Boeing. "The expansion of AHM coverage at Air China and Air China Cargo will provide them an advantage in the highly competitive Chinese aviation market." AHM is a component in Boeing's larger vision of Lifecycle Solutions – improving airline efficiency with digital productivity tools, product and industry expertise and the power of aviation's leading integrated supply chain, supporting Boeing airplanes from order placement through retirement. Air China operates 10 Boeing 777-200s and 10 747-400s. Air China Cargo operates seven 747-400 freighters, including two Boeing Converted Freighters.