Rafale selected for Indian AF MMRCA requirement

Indian Government sources in New Delhi confirmed on Jan. 31st that Dassault has been selected as the lowest bidder in the US$11 billion competition to provide 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) for the Indian Air Force. Although neither the Indian Government or Defence Ministry have made an official statement on the outcome of the MMRCA bidding, Dassault issued a press release confirming its Rafale had been selected for the requirement. (Source: key.aero)

TM/DCA: Malta Aircraft Register - update 31/1/2012

Transport Malta/Directorate of Civil Aviation has published today the latest update of the Maltese Aircraft Register.

New addition/s: none

Cancellation/s:

• 9H-VSM - Bombardier BD-700-1A11 Global 5000 (c/n. 9430) registered to Carre Aviation Ltd. (re-registered as P4-MMM)
  

AviancaTaca firms up order for 51 A320s

AviancaTaca, which includes subsidiary AeroGal of Ecuador, has signed a purchase agreement for 33 eco-efficient A320neo and 18 A320 Family aircraft. The order, which is the largest from a single airline in the region in terms of number of aircraft, follows a MoU signed during the Le Bourget Air Show in Paris in June 2011. (Source: Airbus)

Etihad Airways orders two more A332 freighters

Etihad Airways has signed a firm order with Airbus for two additional A330-200F freighter aircraft to meet their growth plans in the cargo market. The airline was a launch customer and the launch operator of the A330-200F, having taken delivery of its first aircraft at the Farnborough Int'l Airshow in 2010. Today’s order will increase the fleet of the airline’s cargo business, Etihad Crystal Cargo, to four A330-200F freighters. (Source: Airbus)

Boeing receives USN contract for 15 additional F/A-18E/F Super Hornets

U.S. Naval Air Systems Command has awarded Boeing a US$687.5 million ceiling-priced modification to a previously awarded fixed-price-incentive-fee multi-year procurement contract for 14 additional fiscal 2012, Lot 36, F/A-18E aircraft and one additional fiscal 2012, Lot 36, F/A-18F aircraft contained in the F/A-18 multi-year III production contract. Pursuant to the variation in quantity clause, this procurement will bring the number of F/A-18E aircraft on this contract from 55 to 69, and the F/A-18F from 20 to 21. Work is expected to be completed in October 2014. (Source: U.S. Department of Defense)

Norwegian orders 100 B737 MAXs and 22 B738s

Boeing and Norwegian have announced a firm order for 100 B737 MAX airplanes and 22 Next-Generation B737-800s. The total order is valued at US$11.4 billion at list prices and represents the largest-ever Boeing order from a European airline. Oslo-based Norwegian is the first European carrier to finalize an order for the B737 MAX. (Source: Boeing)

Northrop Grumman receives USN contract for five E-2D Advanced Hawkeyes

U.S. Naval Air Systems Command has awarded Northrop Grumman Systems Corp a US$781.5 million modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract for the manufacture and delivery of five low rate initial production Lot 4 E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft. Work is expected to be completed by May 2015. (Source: U.S. Department of Defense)

Saudi Arabian orders eight additional B773ERs

Saudi Arabian Airlines has been identified as the buyer of eight Boeing 777-300ERs, with a list-price value of US$2.4 billion, that were previously carried on Boeing’s "unidentified customer" list. The announcement came Jan. 23rd as the airline accepted delivery of its first two B7773ERs in a ceremony in Everett, Wash. They are part of a 12-airplane order placed in April 2010. (Source: aviationweek.com)

Syria signs US$550 million deal for 36 Yak-130s

Syria has signed a US$550 million contract to purchase 36 Yak-130 advanced training fighter planes from Russia, the Kommersant business daily reported Jan. 23rd. The deal was signed in December with Russia's Rosoboronexport state defense corporation, Kommersant cited a source close to the agency as saying, adding that production of the jets would begin once the advance payment was made. (Source: Agence France-Presse/defensenews.com)

USAF to get five additional C-17 Globemaster IIIs

The Boeing Co. is being awarded a US$693.4 million firrm-fixed-price USAF contract for a modification to delivery order (DO) 0006 against the basic C-17 production indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for five additional C-17 Globemaster IIIs. Basic DO 0006 was awarded on May 13th, 2011 for the first five aircraft of the FY10 Air Force C-17 requirement. Work is expected to be completed by March 20, 2013. (Source: U.S. Department of Defense)

TM/DCA: Malta Aircraft Register - update 20/1/2012

Transport Malta/Directorate of Civil Aviation has published today the latest update of the Maltese Aircraft Register.

New addition/s: none

Cancellation/s:

• 9H-AFM - Airbus ACJ318-112 (c/n. 2910) registered to Comlux Malta Ltd. (re-registered as 'HZ-A5' to Alpha Star Aviation)

Cathay Pacific inks deal for six more A350-900s

Cathay Pacific has inked an agreement with Airbus for the purchase of six more A350-900 aircraft in a deal worth US$1.62 billion. It expects to take delivery of the aircraft between 2016 and 2017 and operate them on long-haul routes to destinations in Europe, said the airline in a stock exchange statement. It added that the six aircraft, which brings its order for the -900s to 36, will "replenish and expand" its fleet capacity. (Source: flightglobal.com)

PrivatAir signs firm order for up to ten CSeries aircraft

Bombardier Aerospace has announced that Geneva-based PrivatAir has placed a firm order for five CS100 airliners and has taken options on an additional five CS100 aircraft. Based on the list price for the CS100 aircraft, the firm order contract is valued at approximately US$309 million US, and could increase to US$636 million if the five options are exercised. (Source: Bombardier Aerospace)

Russian Navy RFS Sergey Osipov in Valletta Port

The Russian Federation naval auxiliary vessel RFS Sergey Osipov - a Boris Chilikin class (Project 1559/1593) replenishment tanker - has sailed into Valletta Port (Grand Harbour) this morning on a courtesy visit.

This RFS Sergey Osipov's second visit in Valletta Port this month. Her first visit was between the 9th and 12th January.

The Russian tanker is presently berthing alongside at Parlatorio (North) Wharf (in French Creek) and she's expected to sail from the Grand Harbour this Saturday, January 21st, at 1600LT.

French Navy FS Cephee is Valletta Port

The French Navy Eridan class (Type Tripartite) minehunter FS Cephee (M 652) has sailed in Valletta Port (the Grand Harbour) this morning on a courtesy visit.

The French minehunter is presently berthing alongside at Pinto-3 Wharf, and she's expected to sail from the Grand Harbour this Sunday, January 22nd, at 0900LT.

TM/DCA: Malta Aircraft Register - update 17/1/2012

Transport Malta/Directorate of Civil Aviation has published today the latest update of the Maltese Aircraft Register.

New addition/s:

• 9H-ALL - Cessna 525A Citation Jet 2 (c/n. 525A-0005) registered to Luxwing Ltd. (ex I-LALL)

Cancellation/s: none

Poland's MoD signs contracts for five W-3A Sokols and the upgrade of 14 helicopters

PZL-Swidnik has announced it has signed contracts with the Polish MoD, valued at approximately PLN380 million net, for the supply of five W-3WA Sokol helicopters and the upgrade of 14 helicopters. The five new W-3WA Sokol helicopters will be configured for VIP transport and used by the Polish AF to provide transport services for senior military and government personnel.

Deliveries of the five aircraft will be completed by the end of 2013. The upgrading of 14 helicopters consist of the upgrade of four W-3 Sokols to W-3PL Gluszec armed configuration, and the overhaul and upgrade of eight Mi-2 helicopters and the upgrade of two W-3VIP helicopters with a Full Authority Digital Engine Contro system. (Source: AgustaWestland)

Air Malta leases an A320 to Sky Airline of Chile

Air Malta has leased an Airbus A320 aircraft to Sky Airline of Chile for two months. The plane will rejoin Air Malta’s fleet in early March in time for the airline’s busy summer season. The aircraft with registration 9H-AEF will be operated by Air Malta cockpit crew and maintained by Air Malta engineers. A number of Maltese training pursers have also been sent over to Chile to train Sky Airlines' cabin crew. Air Malta said this is the fourth wet lease agreement between both airlines since 2007. (Source: timesofmalta.com)

U.S. Navy USS Whidbey Island in Valletta Port

The United States Navy Whidbey Island class amphibious dock landing ship USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41) has sailed into Valletta Port (the Grand Harbour) this morning at 0920LT on a courtesy visit.

USS Whidbey Island is presently berthing starboard alongside at Pinto-4/5 Wharf, and she's expected to sail from the Grand Harbour on Monday, January 16th, at 0900LT.

Volaris signs purchase agreement for 44 A320s

Mexican low cost carrier Volaris has signed a purchase agreement with Airbus for 44 eco-efficient Airbus A320s, comprised of 30 A320neo and 14 A320 aircraft. The order represents the largest single commercial aircraft order ever by an airline in Mexico. Volaris, also the first airline in Mexico to order the A320neo, will announce its engine selections for the aircraft at a later date. (Source: Airbus)

Boeing receives U.S. Army contract for 14 additional CH-47F Chinooks

Boeing has on Jan. 11th that it has received a U.S. Army contract valued at approximately US$370 million for 14 CH-47F Chinook helicopters, primarily to support Foreign Military Sales efforts. The aircraft will be delivered to the U.S. Army commencing in 2014, with all but one being intended for export to Australia and the United Arab Emirates. (Source: Boeing)

TM/DCA: Malta Aircraft Register - update 10/1/2012

Transport Malta/Directorate of Civil Aviation has published today the latest update of the Maltese Aircraft Register.

New addition/s:

• 9H-ZAT - Hawker Beechcraft Corp. Hawker 900XP (c/n. HA-0143) registered to Hangar 8 AOC Malta Ltd. (ex G-OZAT)

Cancellation/s: none

EADS North America receives U.S. Army contract for 39 UH-72A Lakota LUHs

The U.S. Army has awarded EADS North America a US$212.7 million contract to deliver 39 UH-72A Lakota Light Utility Helicopters as part of its total acquisition plan. Thirty-two of these Lakotas will be produced in the Army’s Security and Support Battalion configuration. EADS North America has already delivered 198 UH-72A Lakotas to the U.S. Army, on time and within budget, along with five H-72A versions to USN for test pilot training. (Source: EADS North America)

Air France-KLM finalizes an order for 25 B787-9s

Air France-KLM Group has finalized an order with Boeing for 25 B787-9 Dreamliners, with options. The order was signed in late December 2011 and was recorded on Boeing's Orders & Deliveries website, attributed to an unidentified customer. A preliminary agreement was first announced on Sep. 16th, 2011. (Source: Boeing)

Indonesia signs contract for six Su-30MK2s

Indonesia has signed a US$470 million contract with Russia to buy six Sukhoi Su-30MK2 jet fighters for the Indonesian Air Force, The Jakarta Post daily has reported. The deal was confirmed by Russian defense-industry and diplomatic sources, but the Sukhoi aircraft maker and arms exporter Rosoboronexport declined to comment. Deliveries will start after 2013. (Source: RIA Novosti)

Ryanair adds more routes to Malta

Low cost airline Ryanair has announced today seven new routes to Malta, including services to London-Stansted and Bournemouth in the U.K, Oslo in Norway, Turin in Italy, Malmo in Sweden, Kaunas in Lithuania and Wroclaw in Poland. The London-Stansted route will fly four flights a week while the others fly twice a week. The new routes will start operating from May 2012.

The new routes were announced today in Malta by chief operating officer M. Cawley. He said that Ryanair will thus operate 28 routes to/from Malta. He said they expected to attract a million passengers to Malta within a year. (Source: timesofmalta.com / maltatoday.com)

Mexican Air Force orders six T-6C+ Trainers

Hawker Beechcraft has achieved the first sale of its new, enhanced Beechcraft T-6C+ version of the Texan II military trainer with an order for six aircraft from the Mexican Air Force, which was announced by the manufacturer on Jan. 9th. The T-6C+ is capable of carrying external stores and delivering practice weapons for training purposes. The first two of six contracted T-6C+ aircraft will be delivered to an advanced training base in Mexico's northern region in early 2012. The new T-6C+ trainers will replace the aging PC-7 fleet. (Source: key.aero)

Hong Kong Airlines confirms order for ten A380s

Hong Kong Airlines has confirmed an order for ten Airbus A380 aircraft at a list price of $3.8 billion. The airline signed a memorandum of understanding with Airbus for the aircraft at the Paris Air Show in June 2011, but the deal was only confirmed last month, said a spokeswoman. With the new aircraft, due to be delivered from 2015, the carrier will introduce long-haul services to destinations including Paris, London and Sydney, she added. (Source: flightglobal.com)

Air Malta aircraft struck by lightning

An Air Malta aircraft was struck by lightning this evening as it was approaching Malta. Sources said the aircraft, 9H-AEH, was hit on the front part. Although the aircraft did not seem to have suffered any structural damage, fire crews deployed at the airport in line with procedure and stood down after the plane parked. Aircraft have lightning protection systems but engineers must assess whether any system suffered damage, the sources said. (Source: timesofmalta.com)

Technical problem forces Air Malta flight to London-Heathrow to return to Malta IAP

Air Malta flight AMC102 to London-Heathrow was forced to return back to Malta IAP this evening because of a technical problem. The flight (operated by an Airbus A320, registration 9H-AEP) took-off from Malta IAP around 1705LT and the problem was soon detected by crew. The crew had no option but to turn the aircraft back to Malta. The aircraft landed safely at Malta IAP around 30-mins after departure. Following an aircraft change, flight AMC102 took-off again (opb A320, 9H-AEO) with a two hour delay.

South Korea places order with KAI for 20 FA-50s

South Korea has placed a US$600 million order with Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) for 20 examples of the FA-50 attack variant of the T-50 advanced jet trainer. KAI said that under the deal it will deliver the aircraft from 2013 to 2014. Seoul could acquire a total of 60 to 150 FA-50s to replace its fleet of more than 150 Northrop F-5s. The FA-50 is the most advanced variant of the T-50. It will have the Link 16 tactical data link, as well as an Elta Systems EL/M-2032 pulse doppler radar. (Source: flightglobal.com / Photo: KAI)

MSoF C172 skids off RWY 23 at Malta IAP

A Malta School of Flying (MSoF) light aircraft - a Cessna 172 with registration 9H-ACL - has skidded off RWY 23 at Malta IAP this morning, around 0700LT, ending in the grass next to the runway. The aircraft was performing touch and goes on RWY 23 when the incident occurred. The airport's emergency services were deployed to the scene for any eventuality. No one was injured.

Malta IAP achieves record 3.5 million pax in 2011

Mr M. Klaushofer, new CEO at M.I.A. plc, today announced that the airport had achieved a record 3.5 million passenger movements in 2011. "In effect, this means an increase of 6.5% over 2010, which in itself was a record year which had then registered an increase of 12.8% over 2009." The CEO said that "this result was possible due to the hard work of our staff, the commitment of our airlines and all the ground work and efforts which our airline marketing department carries out in conjunction with the government and the Malta Tourism Authority." (Source: maltaiport.com)

GECAS signs order for two additional ATR 72-600s

GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS), the commercial aircraft leasing and financing arm of General Electric, has signed an order with ART for two additional ATR 72-600s, and two options. This is a follow-on to GECAS’ first-ever ATR order placed in June at the Paris Air Show and brings the total number of ATRs ordered by GECAS to 17 with 17 options. GECAS will begin to take delivery of the new aircraft in late 2012. (Source: ATR)

Brazilian Navy signs contract for three OPVs

The Brazilian Navy has signed a contract worth £133 million with BAE Systems​​ for the supply of three OPVs and ancillary support services. The contract also contains a Manufacturing Licence to enable further vessels of the same class to be constructed in Brazil.

The three 90m offshore patrol vessels, originally constructed for the Government of Trinidad & Tobago, will provide the Brazilian Navy with enhanced maritime capability in the near term, pending the acquisition of future ships under its PROSUPER programme. The first two ships will be delivered in 2012 and the third will follow in early 2013. (Source: BAE Systems)