NEW YEAR HONOURS FOR AEROSPACE
Two Airbus executives have been recognised in the UK’s 2011 New Year’s Honours list. Tom Williams, executive vice-president programmes receives a Commander of the Order of the British Empire for his leadership of the Airbus business and contributions to the wider UK aerospace industry. Jenny Body, head of research and technology and business development (now retired), receives an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for services to the aerospace industry and engineering. A knighthood is bestowed on BA chairman Martin Broughton.
CHINA EASTERN TO ORDER 50 A320s
China Eastern Airlines is to purchase 50 Airbus A320s, for delivery in stages from 2012 to 2015. The new aircraft are valued at $3.22 billion overall, based on the 2005 list price, but the carrier says that it has obtained “significant price concessions” after “arm’s length negotiations” with Airbus. Meanwhile, UK low-cost carrier EasyJet has exercised its options for 15 A320s.
ISRAELI UAVS FACE EXPORT RESTRICTIONS
Restrictions will be imposed on the export of some Israeli-made unmanned air vehicles such as the Aeronautics Dominator-2, to avoid breaching Missile Technology Control Regime guidelines. The MTCR is a voluntary association of 34 countries that share the goals of non-proliferation of missiles, complete rocket systems, unmanned air vehicles and related technology capable of delivering weapons of mass destruction.
ITALIAN TRANSPORTS TO GET DIRCM FIT
Elettronica has been awarded a €25.4 million ($33.7 million) contract to supply ELT/572 directional infrared countermeasures equipment for the Italian air force’s Alenia Aeronautica C-27J and Lockheed Martin C-130J transports and AgustaWestland AW101 helicopters. The three-year deal covers the development, integration and ground-test of a two-turret DIRCM installation, plus five production systems.
INDIA TO TEST UNMANNED DHRUV
Hindustan Aeronautics and Israel Aerospace Industries could fly an unmanned version of India’s Dhruv advanced light helicopter this year. The work would introduce new avionics to replace the aircraft’s pilots for maritime missions flown by the Indian navy. The companies have already performed initial tests of an unmanned version of HAL’s Chetak light helicopter.
BRAZIL TO OPEN AIRPORTS TO PRIVATE INVESTMENT
Brazil’s new government is preparing a major restructuring of the country’s aviation framework, including new regulations that could open up the capital of state-owned airport operator Infraero to private investors and allow private construction and operation of airport terminals.
SINGAPORE AIRLINES REORGANISES
Singapore Airlines has announced an organisational restructuring aimed at streamlining its commercial, operational and corporate planning activities. The restructuring will take effect on 1 February.
MARTINAIR SIGNS MRO SUPPORT CONTRACT
Air France Industries and KLM Engineering & Maintenance and Martinair have signed a five-year deal to provide the Dutch Air France-KLM airline subsidiary with component and brake support for seven Boeing MD-11F freighters.
ISRAEL TO MERGE STATE-HELD DEFENCE FIRMS
Faced with union opposition to privatisation plans, the Israeli government has decided instead to merge Israel Military Industries with one of the other two state-owned defence companies, Israel Aerospace Industries or Rafael, both of which are understood to be interested in IMI’s Givon heavy propulsion division. This makes missiles, satellite launch boosters and other highly classified weapon systems. Despite rising sales, IMI is under heavy financial strain from its pension obligations.
Source: Flight International
