Russia's MoD signs contract for 24 MiG-29Ks for the Russian Navy

The Russian Defense Ministry has signed a contract with aircraft maker MiG for the delivery of 20 MiG-29K and four MiG-29KUB carrier-based fighter aircraft, MiG said on Wednesday. MiG will deliver the aircraft from 2013-2015. The aircraft will operate from Russia's single serving carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov, with the Northern Fleet based in Murmansk. The value of the deal has not been disclosed. (Source: RIA Novosti)

BIW receives USN contract to execise options for DDG 116 construction

U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command has awarded General Dynamic's Bath Iron Works (BIW) being a US$663 million modification to previously awarded contract to exercise options for DDG 116 (an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer) construction and associated engineering change proposals and design budgeting requirements. Work is expected to be completed by August 2018. (Source: U.S. Department of Defense)

China Southern to acquire ten B773ERs

China Southern Airlines has agreed to acquire 10 Boeing 777-300ERs, the first time this specific type has been selected by the carrier. The Guangzhou-based carrier said it would purchase the aircraft, the list price for which is US$298 million apiece, and take delivery in stages from 2013-16. China Southern said, however, that the actual price was "significantly lower" than the catalogue price because of concessions from the airframer. (Source: flightglobal.com)

Estonian Air signs order for four e-Jets and leases eight more

Estonian Air has signed a contract with Embraer for the purchase of three E175s and one E190. Estonian Air will also take eight additional aircraft, four E170s and four E190s, under a combination of lease agreements with third parties and leasing companies. The direct purchase from Embraer is subject to the approval of Estonian Air's Supervisory Council. The first of four E170s leased from Finnair is entering service this month, while the aircraft on firm order will be delivered in the second semester of 2014. (Source: Embraer)

Austal USA receives USN contract for JHSV 8 and 9

U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command has awarded Austal USA a US$321.7 million modification to previously awarded contract for the exercise of construction options for Joint High Speed Vessels (JHSV) eight and nine. The JHSV will provide high speed, shallow draft transportation capability to support the intra-theater maneuver of personnel, supplies, and equipment for the Navy, Marine Corps, and Army. Work is expected to be completed by April 2016. (Source: U.S. Department of Defense)

TM/DCA: Malta Aircraft Register - update 23/2/2012

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

New addition/s:

• 9H-MQT - Fokker F27 Mk.400 (c/n. 10295) registered to Miniliner srl, Italy (ex I-MLQT)
  

Cancellation/s: none

Spanish Navy SPS Martin Posadillo in Valletta Port

The Spanish naval auxiliary vessel SPS Martin Posadillo (A 04) has sailed into Valletta Port (Grand Harbour) this morning around 0835LT on a two-day courtesy visit. 

The Spanish naval auxiliary is presently berthing alongside at Pinto-2 Wharf and she's expected to sail from Valletta Port tomorrow, February 24th, at 1630LT.

South Korean yard to build four fleet oilers for the U.K.'s Royal Fleet Auxiliary

South Korea’s Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering has won a £452 million (US$ 715.2 million) deal to equip Britain’s Royal Fleet Auxiliary with new military tankers. The South Korean yard has been named preferred bidder to build, in South Korea, four 37,000-ton auxiliary oilers using a design from leading British naval consultants BMT Defence Services. The British Ministry of Defence said no British companies had submitted final bids to build the vessels. (Source: defensenews.com)

Lockheed Martin receives USAF contract for a third C-130J-30 for Israel

U.S. Air Force has awarded Lockheed Martin a US$58.3 million firm-fixed-price contract for a not-to-exceed option exercise for the acquisition of a third C-130J-30 aircraft for the government of Israel minus the planning and advance long lead procurement of aircraft components to support the third Israeli aircraft, which was previously authorized under another undefinitized contract action. Work is expected to be completed by Nov. 30th, 2014. (Source: U.S. Department of Defense)

Libyan Mirages roar back into the sky, head back home

The two Libyan Mirage F.1 fighter jets ('502' & '508') which were flown to Malta by defecting pilots a year ago, roared back into the air just after noon today and and headed back home. The planes arrived in Malta unexpectedly a year ago yesterday, when their pilots Col. A. al-Rabti and Col. A. al-Salheen, defected to Malta after refusing to bomb fellow Libyans in Benghazi. The two pilots were given protection in Malta for the duration of the Libyan uprising. The two pilots were back at the controls this morning. They acknowledged Malta's assistance with a low-level flypast before finally heading south. The planes were due to fly back yesterday, on the anniversary of the defection, but they were grounded by bad weather over Malta and Libya. (Source: timesofmalta.com / Photo: Paul Spiteri Lucas)

ex TAM A345 and an aircraft tow-truck in unusual collision at Malta IAP

An ex Brazilian TAM Airlines A340-500 plane (PT-MSN) was damaged in an unusual collision involving an Air Malta aircraft tow-truck at Malta IAP this morning. The tow truck ended up wedged beneath the central section of the fuselage. The airport fire section was on the scene as a precaution. The aircraft is currently stored at Malta IAP.

PIA signs order for five B773ERs

Boeing and Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) have announced today a firm order by the airline for five Boeing 777-300ER (extended range) airplanes. Valued at nearly US$1.5 billion at list prices, the order also includes purchase rights to Pakistan International Airlines for five additional B777-300ERs. (Source: Boeing)

Horizon Air orders two Q400 NextGens

Bombardier Aerospace has announced today that Horizon Air of Seattle,WA has signed a firm purchase agreement for two Q400 NextGen turboprops. Horizon Air, a wholly owned subsidiary of Alaska Air Group, is the largest operator of Q400 and Q400 NextGens in the Americas with 48 aircraft in service today. Based on the list price for the Q400 NextGensr, the transaction is valued at approximately US$60 million. (Source: Bombardier Aerospace)

Wings Air’s parent company Lion Air signs contract for 27 additional AT76s.

Indonesia’s fast growing carrier Lion Air has signed a contract with ATR for the purchase of 27 additional ATR 72-600 aircraft. Once these aircraft will be integrated into the fleet of Lion Air’s regional subsidiary Wings Air, it will become the largest operator of ATR aircraft in the world, with a total fleet of 60 aircraft (20 AT75s and 40 AT76s). (Source: ATR)

USN announces names of five new ships

Three military heroes — two of whom received the Medal of Honor for their actions — and two Midwestern cities were honored Feb. 15th when U.S. Navy Secretary R Mabus announced a batch of new ship names. The names of John Finn, Ralph Johnson and Rafael Peralta will grace three new Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, while new Littoral Combat Ships will be named Sioux City and Omaha. (Source: defensenews.com)

JAL orders ten B787-9s, converts ten B787-8s to -9s

Japan Airlines (JAL) has ordered ten Boeing 787-9s and converted orders for ten B787-8s into the -9 model. The airline also has options for ten more B787-9s as part of the latest deal, it said in a statement. With this, JAL has 25 firm orders for the 787-8 and 20 for the 787-9, with 20 options for both types. The airline plans to deploy the B787-9s on medium to long haul international routes after the 2015 fiscal year, which ends on Mar. 31st, 2016. (Source: flightglobal.com)

Garuda Indonesia confirmed as previously unidentified CRJ-1000s buyer

During a joint press briefing at the Singapore Airshow today, Bombardier Aerospace and Indonesian flag carrier, PT. Garuda Indonesia (Persero) Tbk. confirmed that the airline is the unidentified customer that ordered the six CRJ-1000 NextGen regional jets and placed 18 options, announced by Bombardier on Feb. 10th, 2012. As previously announced, based on the list price of the CRJ1000 NextGen aircraft, the airline’s firm order is valued at approximately US$297 million and could increase to approximately US$1.32 billion should all 18 options be exercised. (Source: Bombardier Aerospace)

Indonesia's MoD signs contract for nine C295s

Airbus Military has signed today a firm contract with PT Dirgantara Indonesia to supply nine C295 military transport aircraft for delivery to the Indonesian Ministry of Defense. The Indonesian designation of the aircraft will be CN295. The aircraft will be operated by the Indonesian AF throughout the vast territory of Indonesia. The aircraft will perform a variety of roles including military, logistical, humanitarian and medical evacuation missions. The first delivery is foreseen in 2012 and by summer 2014 all aircraft will have been delivered. (Source: Airbus Military)

Belavis signs an order for two E175s

Belarus' Belavia has completed the transaction for two E175s, as part of a fleet renewal initiative to replace smaller-capacity equipment and older, larger capacity aircraft. The airline has leased the two E-Jets from Air Lease Corporation of Los Angeles, USA. The first E175 is expected to be delivered in September 2012. (Source: Embraer)

AZUL confirms ten more options of the E195s

Just four months after acquiring 11 E195s in Oct-11, Azul Linhas Aereas Brasileiras confirmed ten more options, today, for the purchase of the same model, which will be used on its routes, beginning in 2015. The agreement raises the total number of airplanes under contract to 62 (57 E195s and five E190s), 33 of which are already in operation, together with another five E190s bought by Azul from other companies.The total value of the deal, at list price, is US$478 million. (Source: Embraer)

Minsheng Financial Leasing Co. Ltd. signs for three Lineage 1000

Embraer has signed an agreement for three Lineage 1000 ultra-large executive jets with China’s Minsheng Financial Leasing Co., Ltd., one of the largest financial institutions providing executive jet leasing services in China. Signed in late Dec-11 and announced in a press conference, today, at 2012 Singapore Airshow, the order is scheduled to begin delivering in 2012. (Source: Embraer)

ALAFCO orders additional 35 A320neo

Aviation Lease And Finance Company (ALAFO), the Kuwait-based international aircraft leasing company, has finalised a purchase order for 35 A320neo Family aircraft bringing its total backlog for the type to 85. The firm contract is an increase of the previous agreement signed at the 2011 Dubai Airshow for 50 A320neo aircraft. (Source: Airbus)

Lion Air finalizes order for up to 380 B737s

Boeing and Jakarta-based Lion Air have finalized today a firm order for 201 737 MAXs and 29 Next-Generation 737-900ERs. The agreement, first announced last November in Indonesia, also includes purchase rights for an additional 150 airplanes. With orders for 230 airplanes valued at US$22.4 billion at list prices, this deal is the largest commercial airplane order ever in Boeing's history by both dollar value and total number of airplanes. (Source: Boeing)

Bond Aviation to acquire 16 Sikorsky S-92s

British helicopter operator Bond Aviation is acquiring 16 Sikorsky S-92 long-range, medium-lift helicopters as it plans a global expansion of its offshore oil and gas exploration support activities. Announced during the 2012 Heli-Expo in Dallas on Feb. 13th, the order is the single largest for the S-92, which entered the market in September 2004. (Source: aviationweek.com)

BOC Aviation signs an order for 20 C919s

BOC Aviation has signed an order for 20 Commercial Aircraft Corp of China (Comac) C919s, bringing the Chinese manufacturer's order backlog for the narrowbody to 235. The sale marks Comac's first order since the C919 entered the detailed design phase at the end of last year. With the order, BOC has become Comac's 11th customer for the narrowbody. (Source: flightglobal.com)

Noordzee Helikopters Vlaanderen orders ten EC175s

Eurocopter has expanded its EC175 order book with Noordzee Helikopters Vlaanderen’s ten-aircraft acquisition of this new seven metric ton-category helicopter. Deliveries of the EC175s will begin next year for Noordzee Helikopters Vlaanderen and are to continue through 2015, with the rotary-wing aircraft equipped for missions that include transportation flights for the oil and gas sector. Future applications include search and rescue missions. (Source: Eurocopter)

Boeing awarded contract for 32 CH-47Fs for U.S. Army

U.S. Army has awarded Boeing a US$676 million firm-fixed-price contract. The award will provide for the modification of an existing contract to procure 32 CH-47F new build cargo helicopters. Work will be performed in Ridley Park, Pa., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31st, 2015. One bid was solicited, with one bid received. (Source: U.S. Department of Defense)

Undisclosed airline orders five Q400s

Bombardier Aerospace announced today that an airline that has requested to remain unidentified at the present time, has signed a firm purchase agreement for five Q400 NextGen airliners. Based on the list price for the Q400 NextGen airliner, the transaction is valued at approximately US$160 million.

Milestone Aviation Group signs order for 16 EC225s

Milestone Aviation Group and Eurocopter have announced today an order for 16 EC225 aircraft. These aircraft are valued at €362 million (US$480 million) and will be delivered over five years, starting in 2013. Milestone Aviation Group is the first global aircraft leasing company exclusively focused on helicopters. Milestone’s global aircraft leasing platform addresses the liquidity needs of the market through 100% operating lease financing. (Source: Eurocopter)

Royal Navy HMS Somerset in Valletta Port

The Royal Navy Duke class (Type-23) frigate HMS Somerset (F 82) has sailed into Valletta Port (Grand Harbour) this morning at 0940LT on a four-day courtesy visit.

HMS Somerset has presently aboard one EH-101 Merlin HM.1 helicopter, serial ZH852.

The British frigate is presently berthing alongside at Pinto-2 Wharf, and she's expected to sail from Malta on Wednesday, February 15th, at 1000LT.

BAES to modify used BAe.146s for Royal Air Force

BAE Systems is to modify two used BAe 146 transports for the U.K. Ministry of Defence under an urgent operational requirement deal to support operations in Afghanistan. "The C-17 and CS Project Team intends to place a contract with BAE Systems (Operations) for the upgrade of two second-hand civil BAe.146-200 quick change aircraft," the MoD said on Feb. 11th.

The deal will include the design, installation, test and certification of modifications required to allow the passenger type to enter military service, it added. These will include the installation of defensive aids system equipment to meet the U.K.'s theatre-entry standard for operations in Afghanistan. (Source: flightglobal.com)

USN names tenth LCS Gabrielle Giffords

U.S. Secretary of the Navy R. Mabus has announced Feb. 10th that the next Independence variant littoral combat ship (LCS) will be named USS Gabrielle Giffords. The selection of Gabrielle Giffords, designated LCS 10, honors the former congresswoman from Tucson, Ariz. who is known for supporting the military and veterans, advocating for renewable energy and championing border security. Giffords recently resigned from Congress to recover from wounds she sustained in an assassination attempt in 2011. (Source: U.S. Navy)

China Express unveiled as customer for up to 11 CRJ9s

Bombardier Aerospace has identified China Express Airlines as the undisclosed Chinese customer in the previously announced CRJ900 NextGen transaction of October 26, 2011. The conditional order for six CRJ900 NextGen aircraft and options on an additional five CRJ900 NextGen aircraft will build upon China Express’ existing fleet of CRJ200 aircraft, serving to further enhance the airline’s regional network. (Source: Bombardier Aerospace)

Japan's Skymark orders six A330-300s

Japan's Skymark Airlines has ordered six Airbus A330-300s that it will introduced into service from 2014. The aircraft will allow it to expand its domestic and international route network, Skymark said in a statement. Skymark placed a firm order for six Airbus A380s, its first widebody aircraft. in February 2011 and expects the deliveries to begin in the second half of 2014. (Source: flightglobal.com)

M.I.A. plc releases traffic results for January 2012

Passenger movements at Malta Int'l Airport for the first month of the year reached 165,969; which is a decrease of 2.2% when compared to Jan-11, whilst aircraft movements for the month decreased by 10% over the corresponding period last year. Likewise, the seat capacity for the month reached 254,714, i.e. a decrease of 9.8% over January 2011. The maximum take-off weight was 5.4% lower than the corresponding period, whilst cargo and mail was 6.5% lower than that recorded during the same month in 2011.

The Italian and French markets retracted in January, by 16.2% and 13.4% respectively, whereas the German market grew by a considerable 25.6%. The United Arab Emirates market grew by 19.6%, whereas the United Kingdom market had a more modest increase of 2.2%. (Source: maltairport.com)

Air Malta A320 returns back to Malta IAP due to a damaged cockpit window

An Air Malta A320 (9H-AEO), operating scheduled flight AMC328 from Malta to Frankfurt, had to return to Malta this afternoon as a precautionary measure due to a damaged cockpit window. The flight was uneventful and the aircraft landed normally. Following an aircraft change, flights KM 328/9 will be operated by another aircraft in order to minimise disruption and get passengers to their final destination. (Source: Air Malta)

Air Namibia expands fleet with order for two A319s

Air Namibia, the Windhoek based national airline of the Republic of Namibia, has ordered two new Airbus A319 aircraft. Seating 112 passengers in a two class layout, the aircraft will bring new levels of comfort to regional routes from Windhoek to other major African cities. (Source: Airbus)

French Navy FS Jean de Vienne in Valletta Port

The French Navy Georges Leygeus class (Type F70) destroyer FS Jean de Vienne (D 643) has sailed in Valletta Port (the Grand Harbour) this morning at 0910LT on a courtesy visit.

The French naval destroyer is presently berthing alongside at Deep Water Quay 1, and she's expected to sail from Malta on Wednesday, February 8th, at 0900LT.

MALEV Hungarian Airlines ceases operations

Hungarian airline MALEV has suspended operations and grounded its fleet in the face of accelerating financial collapse. A statement on the Oneworld alliance member's website said that it taken the decision to "cease operations" from 0600L on Feb. 3rd "after 66 years of almost continuous operation". L. Limburger, chief executive, said it had "worked hard" to avoid the airline's closure, however, recent revelations about its financial health had worsened the situation, with suppliers demanding up-front payment for services. (Source: flightglobal.com)

Boeing receives FMS contract for ten C-17A for India

Boeing has been awared a US$1,78 billion firm-fixed-price contract, modification to a Foreign Military Sales requirement for the Indian Air Force, for ten C-17 Globemaster IIIs. Work is expected to be completed by Jul. 28th, 2014. (Source: U.S. Department of Defense)

DCNS launches the shipbuilding program of two BPCs for the Russia Navy

DCNS has launched today at the STX shipyards in Saint-Nazaire the industrial production of the first of two bâtiments de projection et de commandement (BPC) ordered by the Russian Federation. Russian and French dignitaries and employees of both groups attended the official launch ceremony.

The construction of the first BPC for Russia started this morning in the presence of A. Petrovich Vernigora - Acting Director of Department of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation, responsible for monitoring the execution of the military orders of the State, by Captain V. Pletnev, Naval Attaché, Embassy of the Russian Federation in France, and I. Goncharenko, First Deputy Director General of Rosoboronexport. (Source: DCNS)

Spirit Airlines firms up 75 A320 Family order

Spirit Airlines has finalised its firm order for 75 Airbus single-aisles including 45 A320neo aircraft. The original Memorandum of Understanding was announced at the 2011 Dubai air show. The airline has not yet announced its engine selection. Spirit's order for 45 A320 neo aircraft was booked in December 2011. The firming up of the additional 30 A320s in January brings the total new firm order to 75. (Source: Airbus)