Author Archives: MS

  • 07
    Feb 25
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Embraer’s order backlog reaches $26.3 billion

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Embraer has reported that its organization-wide backlog reached US$26.3 billion in 4Q24. The value is the largest ever recorded by the company in its history, and more than 40% higher year-on-year and 16% higher quarter-on-quarter.

Embraer delivered 75 aircraft in the last quarter of the year, 27% more than the 59 aircraft in the previous quarter, and equal to the number in the same period a year ago. Meanwhile, the company delivered a total of 206 aircraft in 2024 – a 14% increase compared to the 181 aircraft in 2023.

In Commercial Aviation, the backlog reached US$10.2 billion in 4Q24 – 15% higher year-on-year but 8% lower quarter-on-quarter – because of the seasonally strong period of aircraft deliveries. The business unit delivered 31 new aircraft in the last quarter of 2024 and 73 in the full year (at the ceiling of revised estimates of 70-73 for the year and within the original estimates of 72-80). Consequently, Commercial Aviation finished 2024 with a strong 1.6 book-to-bill ratio based on financial values[2].

Luxair formalized an order for 2 E195-E2s, which will complement the airline’s fleet of larger aircraft already requested. By exercising 2 secured options on its 2023 firm order for 4 aircraft, Luxair now has a total of 6 E195-E2 jets requested. Thus, Embraer currently has 179 firm orders for the E2 Jets family and 164 for the E1-175 Jet aircraft.

In Executive Aviation, the backlog soared to US$ 7.4 billion in 4Q24 – 70% higher year-on-year and 67% higher quarter-on-quarter – and a new all-time high for the business unit supported by a marquee contract with Flexjet. The deal includes 182 firm orders for Phenom 300E, Praetor 500, and Praetor 600 aircraft with deliveries from 2026 to 2030, and up to 30 additional Praetor options.

The division delivered 44 jets in the last quarter of 2024, and a total of 130 for the year (at the midpoint of the original guidance for 2024, and a 14-year high). Consequently, Executive Aviation finished 2024 with an industry leading 2.7 book-to-bill ratio based on financial values.

The mid and super-mid-sized Praetor 500 and Praetor 600 represented half of the segment deliveries (22 jets) during the quarter, supported by the solid thrust forward of the aircraft family. Meanwhile, the Phenom 300, the best-selling aircraft in its category for 12 consecutive years worldwide, was the top performer (19 jets) over the period.

It is important to highlight the progress observed in the company’s production levelling initiative in 2024. Management managed to reduce how deliveries were skewed towards Q4 and better distribute them throughout the quarters. In 2024, Q4 deliveries accounted for 34% of the yearly total while that number was 45% on average for the previous five years. The company achieved significant results during the year and expects additional gains supported by supply chain improvements in the near future.

In Services & Support, the backlog rose to US$4.6 billion in 4Q24 – 50% higher year-on-year and more than 30% higher quarter-on-quarter – propped by long-term contracts with Flexjet in Executive Aviation, and Air Serbia, LOT Polish Airlines and CommuteAir in Commercial Aviation. These contracts for the latter group are for the Pool and Part Exchange Plus Programs whose objectives are to support these companies’ fleet of E-Jets with a wide range of repair components, services and customized inventory. Additionally, contributions from spares/exchange parts, technical publications, technical services, training, and modifications have played a key role in this result. Services & Support finished 2024 with an industry leading 1.9 book-to-bill ratio based on financial values[4].

In Defence & Security, the backlog climbed to US$4.2 billion in 4Q24 – 67% higher year-on-year and 15% higher quarter-on-quarter – supported by new orders for the C-390 Millennium and the A-29 Super Tucano. Embraer currently has 32 firm orders for our military transport and 17 for our light attack aircraft. Meanwhile, Defence & Security continued to ramp up production with the delivery of 3 new C-390 Millennium jets in 2024 versus 2 in 2023. Consequently, the business unit finished 2024 with an industry leading 3.3 book-to-bill ratio based on financial values[5].

  • 03
    Feb 25
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Atlantic Jet Partners Aims To Be ‘One Stop Shop’

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‘There definitely seems to be an optimism’

Atlantic Jet Partners (AJP), originally established as a light-to-midsize jet sales and acquisitions company, has evolved into a multifaceted aviation company. Guided by CEO Tom Conlan’s vision of creating a “one-stop-shop” for aviation needs, the company has diversified its operations significantly over recent years, encompassing multiple specialized divisions and services.

“Basically what (Conlan) wants to do is from purchase to sale, whatever is needed to do with an aircraft, whether it’s maintenance parts, upgrades, interior refurbishments, engine extension insurance, whatever it might be, we’d like to be able to take care of that in-house for our customers,” AJP chief information officer Stephen Kaufman .

AJP owns and operates numerous subsidiaries, including Sky Aviation Holdings. Initially focused on jet sales, Sky Aviation Holdings made its mark in the light-to-midsize jet market by acquiring and refurbishing legacy jets. These refurbishments include new paint, interiors, engines, and avionics upgrades.

The company’s expansion began with the recruitment of Jim Clifford, an aircraft engineer, to head its TBO division. This program extends the operational life of JT15D engines by 2,000 hours at a fraction of the cost of a traditional overhaul.

Clifford also oversees SkyVue Avionics, an avionics division specializing in cockpit upgrades for legacy aircraft. SkyVue’s product line includes upgrades such as the SkyVue 1000 for Primus 1000-powered Citations, the SkyVue 400 for Beechjets, and the SkyVue 60 for Learjets. These upgrades enhance aircraft functionality with features like dual FMS and WAAS/LPB compliance.

To support maintenance operations, the company established Sky Aircraft Maintenance, a Part 145 maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility located in Lexington, North Carolina. The facility, managed by Steve Trent, includes two hangars totaling more than 22,000 sq ft with an additional 50,000-sq-ft hangar currently under construction.

In fractional ownership, the company launched Sky Flight Air, offering shares in aircraft such as King Airs, Beechjet 400As, Learjet 60s, and Hawker 1000s. The program is positioned as a cost-effective alternative to traditional fractional ownership and jet card providers.

Sky Aviation Insurance, another division, has experienced rapid growth due to targeted marketing and SEO initiatives. The division processes between 30 to 60 aviation-related insurance requests monthly.

The company recently expanded its engineering and manufacturing capabilities with the acquisition of Aerospace Design & Compliance (ADC) in New Castle, Delaware. ADC specializes in engineering work for supplemental type certificate (STC) approvals and recently achieved STC approval for the SkyVue 1000. This approval includes compliance with the FAA’s 2023 cybersecurity standards, enabling secure Bluetooth and Wi-Fi communications.

Complementing ADC, Sky Aviation Holdings acquired a 10,000-sq-ft facility in Melbourne, Florida, named ADC2. This facility will focus on parts manufacturing under FAA Part 21 regulations. The Melbourne site enables the company to design, certify, and manufacture FAA-approved parts in-house, fostering collaboration between certification and manufacturing processes while attracting top aerospace engineers.

Further broadening its maintenance capabilities, the company acquired Aerodyne Turbine Repair & Maintenance in Stuart, Florida. This facility provides a range of services, including hot section inspections, heavy maintenance, preventive maintenance, line maintenance, fuel nozzle repair, and oil analysis.

Additionally, the company purchased Great Lakes Turbines in Toledo, Ohio. This FAA Part 145 component repair station offers services such as welding, fabrication, non-destructive testing, CNC machining, and turbine engine component repair. The Toledo facility enhances the company’s ability to meet rigorous machining and process requirements, attracting aerospace and land-based power clients while streamlining inter-company operations.

Backing up all of this growth activity has been a strong business aviation market. “I think optimism for the economy is, from what we’re seeing, better than ever,” Kaufman said. “There was a lull period during the last four years, there was hesitance, but I think with after the election, the new government coming in, there definitely seems to be an optimism.”

  • 30
    Jan 25
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Airbus shuts down Beluga fleet amid rising challenges

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In a bold move marking the international aviation industry, Airbus has announced the termination of its Airbus Beluga Transport subsidiary, marking the end of service of the iconic Beluga aircraft. This decision has led to the suspension of all flights and the loss of 75 jobs. Thus, the termination of the unique whale-like shape aircraft’ s operations has changed the aviation landscape.

Unique whale-like shape and considerable challenges

Airbus has suspended all flight operations of its subsidiary Airbus Beluga and will shut down the unit returning the A300-600ST Belugas to the AOC of Airbus Transport International (ATI). The last flights took place on January 17, 2025. It was also operated  by F-GSTB  from Bordeaux Mérignac to Toulouse Blagnac.

The Airbus Beluga, which is popular for its big volume capacity and unique whale-like shape has been a vital addition to the  Airbus fleet since its appearance in 1995. Initially, it was designed to transfer large aircraft parts between manufacturing sites across Europe.  Particularly, it was wide enough to transfer two full-size super-puma helicopters.  It also started replacing its first generation of planes with the more advanced version Beluga XLs based on the A330 in 2019. In 2022, the latter repurposed the previous jets launching AiBT with four planes offering to transport oversized cargo for customers in aerospace, energy, aid sectors and military.

However,  the company has faced significant obstacles in managing the Beluga fleet. The Airbus company stated that there has been a significant shift in particular areas towards using maritime transport despite the increasing  demand for global air freight. Nonetheless, that was not the main reason for shutting the unique Airbus Beluga Transport business. Specifically, a spokesperson stated:

“AiBT is not ending operations because of changes in the air freight market. The main challenge was the significant operational difficulties” since the plane demanded specially trained teams and loading equipment.

Airbus decision for the Beluga business

The fleet’s manufacturer did not disclose the reasons behind the operator’s termination. Though, he mentioned the main cause was the economic factor. The medium and long-term future of the aircraft also remains uncertain.  The extend to which ATI will be operating the Beluga depends on the future planning. Notably, the company’s spokesperson mentioned:

We confirm that the decision has been taken to terminate the Airbus Beluga Transport business for outsized cargo missions. All flights operated by the BelugaST fleet are suspended as of now. The closure project has just started and it is too early to predict a completion date. One of our main priorities during this time is to support our employees during the social process

As Airbus closes this chapter of its fleet one wonders: How will the shut down of the iconic Beluga influence the global aviation sector?

  • 30
    Jan 25
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Atlantic Jet Partners Buys Component MRO Specialist

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Pompano Beach, Florida-based Atlantic Jet Partners has added more MRO capability to its offerings with the acquisition of Great Lakes Turbines. Based in Holland, Ohio, Great Lakes Turbines specializes in OEM-approved turbine engine component repair, fabrication and machining, and aircraft interior refurbishing.

The acquisition strengthens the services provided by Atlantic Jet Partners family companies, including Sky Aviation Holdings, Sky Aircraft Maintenance, SkyVue Avionics, Aerospace Design & Compliance, Aerodyne Engine Repair & Maintenance, Sky Aviation Insurance Services, Sky Flight Air, and TBO Extension. Adding Great Lakes Turbines also supports Atlantic Jet Partners’ efforts to become more vertically integrated.

Great Lakes is a Part 145 repair station and specializes in welding and fabrication, painting and coatings, cold and thermo-spray processes, tool and equipment design and fabrication, non-destructive testing, conventional and CNC programmable machining and manufacturing, and finishing and cleaning. Atlantic Jet Partners said it will invest in building improvements, office equipment, and tooling “required to run a high-quality manufacturing and FAA repair center.”

“This acquisition represents a pivotal step in our strategic growth planning, allowing us to offer a broader range of services and innovative solutions to our clients,” said Joe Rizzo, COO of Atlantic Jet Partners. “Great Lakes Turbines’ maintenance and repair capabilities with the enhanced ability for CNC machining will complement our existing capabilities, ensuring we continue to lead in the aviation industry.”

  • 27
    Jan 25
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Salus Aviation partners with MD Helicopters to establish service center in Nevada, USA

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Strategically located, the Nevada facility will serve both existing and new MD Helicopters customers in the USA

Salus Aviation has announced a new service center agreement with MD Helicopters. This collaboration will establish Salus Aviation as the sole approved service center in Nevada by providing extensive hangar and field maintenance services, in addition to supplying parts and accessories for MD Helicopters’ aircraft.

Alongside the Nevada facility, Salus Aviation also operates service centers in Auckland and Queenstown, New Zealand. The expanded network allows Salus Aviation to provide a full range of maintenance services, including dynamic component overhauls (available only in New Zealand), installations, repairs, and the supply of genuine MD Helicopter parts.

“We are thrilled to expand our service offerings in Nevada with the addition of the MD Helicopters service center,” said Greg Edmonds, CEO of Salus Aviation. “This partnership supports our continued growth and enables us to meet the increasing demand for MD Helicopters’ aircraft across the US, ensuring operators have access to the reliable, world-class support they need.”

MD Helicopters’ Service Center Network Manager, Randy Langefeld, commented: “We are excited to welcome Salus Aviation to our US service network. Their extensive experience in aviation maintenance, strong customer relationships, and skilled workforce will play a key role in delivering exceptional service and maintaining the high standards of excellence that define MD Helicopters.”

Last year, Salus Aviation signed a purchase agreement for an H145/BK117 D-3 helicopter.

  • 22
    Jan 25
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ATR Aircraft Now Certified for Starlink High-Speed Internet

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ATR, the global leader in regional aircraft manufacturing, has achieved a significant milestone with the certification of Starlink high-speed internet for its ATR 72 aircraft by EASA.

This development brings a new level of connectivity to regional air travel, ensuring passengers can enjoy a seamless internet experience akin to their home networks while in the skies.

The Starlink system, engineered by SpaceX, leverages a low-Earth orbit satellite constellation to provide broadband internet capable of supporting streaming, gaming, video calls, and more. This revolutionary technology has been successfully tested on ATR’s 72-600 aircraft, paving the way for its retrofit availability on ATR 72-500 and 72-600 models through a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) developed by PMV Engineering.

Air New Zealand Takes the Lead

Air New Zealand is set to be the launch customer for Starlink-equipped ATR aircraft, with plans to introduce the service on its domestic routes in 2025. According to Nikhil Ravishankar, Chief Digital Officer at Air New Zealand, “maintaining seamless internet connectivity will transform the travel experience for customers.” This innovative move aligns with the airline’s commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology to enhance passenger satisfaction.

Enhanced Travel and Safety Features

In addition to providing passengers with unmatched internet connectivity, the system offers benefits for flight operations. Pilots will gain access to real-time aviation weather services, enabling safer and more informed decision-making during flights. The compact antenna design, optimized for the ATR’s aerodynamic profile, ensures minimal impact on the aircraft’s performance.

Global Impact on Regional Air Travel

The introduction of Starlink on ATR aircraft is expected to generate strong interest across global markets, including Europe, the United States, Asia-Pacific, and Japan, where the demand for in-flight connectivity continues to rise. As part of its HighLine collection, ATR also offers complementary high-end cabin solutions, including USB sockets at every seat and in-flight entertainment systems, creating a fully connected cabin experience.

Collaboration Driving Innovation

This achievement highlights ATR’s dedication to meeting evolving passenger expectations while staying ahead of industry trends. Daniel Cuchet, Senior Vice-President Engineering at ATR, emphasized the company’s vision of excellence and innovation: “Starlink opens up a new era for ATR, offering unparalleled levels of comfort and passenger experience in the regional market.”

As ATR operators worldwide prepare to adopt this transformative technology, the future of regional air travel promises to be more connected and convenient than ever.

  • 16
    Jan 25
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Saudi Arabia’s flyadeal to order ten A330neo

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Saudi low-cost carrier flyadeal (F3, Jeddah International) will soon place an order for ten A330-900N aircraft, according to Reuters. As previously reported in ch-aviation, the airline had decided to place a widebody order but was undecided about the type. Aside from a single wet-leased A330-200, flyadeal has exclusively relied on Airbus narrowbodies to date.

flyadeal is expected to place the order within weeks, which will also include options for another ten A330s. If placed, the order represents another blow for Boeing, whose B787-9 type was under consideration but reportedly ultimately dropped.

In September 2024, Ibrahim Al Omar, director general of Saudia Group, which operates Saudia (SV, Jeddah International) and flyadeal, discussed expansion plans and said the group hoped to have 300 aircraft at its two carriers by 2032. Aside from the A330-200, wet leased from Jordan Aviation, flyadeal currently operates eleven A320-200s and twenty-five A320-200Ns. According to the data, it also has orders for eighteen A320-200N and thirty-nine A321-200N.

Meanwhile, local low-cost competitor flynas (XY, Riyadh) signed a memorandum of understanding with Airbus in July 2024 for fifteen A330neo and 75 incremental A320neo family aircraft. The MOU also included options for 15 more A330neo and 55 more A320neo aircraft.

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals include increasing the number of airline passengers moving through the country to 300 million annually, including 100 million inbound tourists, and expanding connectivity to over 250 destinations from Saudi Arabia’s 29 commercial airports.

  • 13
    Jan 25
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2024 – Who won the battle of the OEMs?

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2024 was a year of recovery for aircraft OEMs who all continued their post-pandemic recovery but for Boeing in particular there was also the recovery from several years of very high-profile production problems with their 737 Max and 787 range.

The 2024 Farnborough Airshow threw up some decent orders which boosted sales and several record-breaking orders throughout the year, making it a healthy year for the aircraft manufacturing industry but who did best?

Airbus

Airbus has cemented its position of the world’s leading aircraft manufacturer in recent years with its best-selling A320neo range proving popular across the globe so what do the 2024 results show us for the Toulouse, France based OEM.

Highlights for Airbus included orders for 100 aircraft order from Air India, 70 aircraft from Cebu Pacific and a 31 aircraft order from Japan Airlines.

Airbus is vital to the UK economy with the wings being made at Airbus’ Broughton North Wales facility.

OrdersDeliveries
878766

Boeing

Boeing has had a tough year with ongoing production problems affecting its 737 Max and 787 product lines. This was compounded in Washington State by a 5 week strike by Boeing employees which saw production grind to a halt and a massive revenue loss by the OEM.

That being said though, Boeing did achieve a substantial amount of orders for its 737 Max, 787 and 777X product lines despite the latter having its delivery date pushed back by another year.

Highlights for Boeing included a 200 aircraft order from Pegasus Airlines and a 35 aircraft order from ACG.

OrdersDeliveries
378340

Embraer

The Brazilian OEM will never compete with Airbus and Boeing for numbers but its E-Jet range has proved popular with regional and short-haul airlines and its deliveries went up 14% compared to 2023.

Highlights for 2024 include Virgin Australia signing for eight E190-E2 jets.

OrdersDeliveries
Unconfirmed206
  • 10
    Jan 25
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airBaltic Completes First Starlink Test Flight

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AirBaltic has completed a successful flight test of SpaceX’s Starlink high-speed internet system on its Airbus A220-300 aircraft.

AirBaltic has completed a test flight of SpaceX’s Starlink high-speed internet system on its Airbus A220-300 aircraft.

The certification flight, departing from the airline’s hub in Riga, Latvia, evaluated both the Starlink aero terminal and internet connection performance.

This critical test represents a major step toward obtaining European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification.

A First in Europe

“We’re revolutionizing air travel with this breakthrough,” says Martin Gauss, AirBaltic’s President and CEO.

“As Europe’s first airline to offer complimentary Starlink internet, we’re proud to enhance our passengers’ travel experience.”

“This high-speed connection will benefit travelers across our entire network and beyond, setting a new standard for in-flight connectivity in the European aviation sector.”

Gauss emphasized the significance of collaborating with Starlink. “Working with SpaceX’s Starlink team has been remarkable. Their satellite constellation, operating in low-Earth orbit, will provide our passengers with the fastest in-flight internet available.”

“Adding Starlink to our modern Airbus A220-300 fleet aligns perfectly with our innovative approach to passenger comfort and technological advancement.”

The airline is currently pursuing a Supplemental Type Certification (STC) with Starlink, pending EASA approval. Installation of the cutting edge system on AirBaltic’s Airbus A220-300 fleet is scheduled to begin in early 2025, marking a significant upgrade to the airline’s service offerings.

Once the implementation is complete, the airline’s entire A220-300 fleet will feature Starlink connectivity. It will offer passengers high speed internet access throughout their journey without complicated login procedures or additional fees.

This enhancement supports AirBaltic’s commitment to providing superior passenger experience and maintaining its position as a technology leader in European aviation.

Starlink has established itself as a global connectivity pioneer, serving users across 118 countries and all seven continents. The service now connects over 4.6 million users worldwide, demonstrating its rapidly growing influence in the telecommunications sector.

Since launching its commercial aviation service last year, Starlink has demonstrated superior performance through its low Earth orbit satellites, positioned significantly closer to Earth than traditional satellite systems.

The advanced system delivers impressive speeds up to 500 Mbps with minimal latency, transforming the in flight experience.

This exceptional performance enables passengers to enjoy activities previously impossible during flights, including online gaming, VPN usage, and other data-intensive applications. It effectively brings home like internet connectivity to the skies.

Starlink provides revolutionary high speed internet access worldwide through its pioneering low Earth orbit satellite constellation. The service supports streaming, gaming, video calls, and various online activities that demand consistent, high speed connectivity.

As a SpaceX creation, Starlink benefits from the company’s extensive spacecraft and orbital operations expertise, making it the world’s most sophisticated broadband internet system.

This technological achievement represents a significant leap forward in global connectivity solutions, particularly for aviation and remote locations.

  • 10
    Jan 25
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Garuda invests $25.8mn in MRO; Citilink to revive fleet

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Garuda Indonesia (GA, Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta) has participated in a rights issue conducted by subsidiary PT Garuda Maintenance Facility Aero Asia Tbk, though not with cash. Instead, it provided IDR418.28 billion rupiah (USD25.8 million) in non-cash deposits, primarily hangars and supporting facilities.

A January 3 Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) filing shows that Garuda Indonesia handed over three hangars, annex buildings, and other supporting assets, including machinery and access roads, to its subsidiary. In return, it is entitled to receive 9,093,245,600 Series B shares valued at IDR25 (USD0.0015) each, giving the total share package a total nominal value of IDR227.33 billion (USD14 million).

Garuda Maintenance Facility Aero Asia, trading as GMF AeroAsia, is a major Southeast Asian MRO business that Garuda Indonesia spun-off and listed on the IDX in 2017. However, the flag carrier retains a 89%-plus shareholding.

In the filing, Garuda Indonesia said the transaction would improve operational efficiencies and increase “the strategic value of assets through management by entities that have special competencies.”

In related news, another Garuda subsidiary, Citilink (QG, Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta), wants to have all its aircraft back in service by the end of 2025. Last week, Citilink President Director Dewa Kadek Rai told Jakarta journalists that his focus was on getting 19 grounded aircraft back in the air.

“Our focus this year is to make all of the aircraft serviceable so that by the end of the year, all of our aircraft will be able to fly, namely 56 aircraft,” he said. “Currently, we have 75 routes and 49 destinations. If our target is to service all aircraft, we will increase the frequency on existing routes, and there will be additional routes, especially to eastern Indonesia where we currently do not have many frequencies.”

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