European aviation in 2020 and outlook 2021

After the worst year for European aviation in living memory, just how bad was 2020 for all aviation actors, what does 2021 hold, and what needs to be addressed to ensure that the sector ‘builds back better’ going forward? Eurocontrol’s latest think paper uses exclusive Eurocontrol aviation data to run the big numbers for 2020, providing a review of the total impact of COVID-19 on flights, airlines, aircraft, airports, European States, air navigation service providers (ANSPs), and on sustainability. Headline impacts of a year like none other include:

- €56.2 billion losses for airlines, airports & ANSPs

- 1.7 billion fewer passengers

- 6.1 million fewer flights, 55% down on 2019

- 51% of all aircraft grounded at year-end

Looking forward, the think paper predicts that 2021 traffic will recover to 51% of 2019 volumes, with the recovery gathering pace from the summer onwards as vaccine rollouts take effect. And it concludes that in parallel, 2021 represents a golden opportunity to build back better European aviation by urgently tackling existing problems. Download the full paper to learn more: www.eurocontrol.int

---

Luxaviation enters partnership with Amici dell’Aeroporto of Lugano

Luxaviation Groupis announced the agreement in principles of a partnership with Amici dell’Aeroporto (AA/p) from Lugano, Switzerland, aiming to establish direct flight connections from Lugano to Geneva and Bern. AA/p is a consortium which consists of Ceresia Holding SA, a company 100% owned by Sir Lindsay Owen-Jones, lead company and Investindustrial Services S.A., a company part of the Investindustrial group headed by the Bonomi family.

The partnership is part of Amici Dell’Aeroporto’s participation to the Lugano airport privatization tender published by the City of Lugano and the canton of Ticino. It is a direct response to the need of an efficient and regular flight connection between the three Helvetic business hubs which does not exist today.

Amici Dell’Aeroporto initially plan to offer two daily round-trip flights to Geneva and one daily round-trip flight to Bern. If successful, the list of destinations will be gradually extended, with the ambition to establish Lugano as a hub, integrated into the public and private transport network. The flight connection is planned to be assured by a new King Air aircraft. www.luxaviation.com

---

Bombardier completes acquisition of Berlin service center

Bombardier this week announced the completion of the previously announced acquisition of all the issued and outstanding shares of the aircraft service centre in Berlin that it did not own. Bombardier purchased the shares from Lufthansa Technik AG and ExecuJet Aviation Group AG, thereby allowing Bombardier to establish a wholly-owned service centre in Berlin and further expand its worldwide customer support footprint.

Located at Berlin Brandenburg Airport, the service centre has been providing MRO services to Bombardier business aircraft customers since 1997. With more than 160,000 sq. ft. (15,000 sq. metres) of service capacity and 240 employees on site, the service centre provides customers with maintenance and support for Bombardier’s growing fleet of Learjet, Challenger and Global business jets based in Europe, Russia, Africa and the Middle East. www.bombardier.com

---

People: AeroParts Now announces Jeffrey Jerge as CEO

AeroParts Now this week announced that Jeffrey Jerge has been named Chief Executive Officer. Jerge’s leadership position with AeroParts Now will commence immediately.

Jerge has more than 20 years of combined consulting, management and leadership experience in aerospace technology companies, most recently as Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Inventory Locator Service, LLC (ILS). Prior to that, he led marketing and product development efforts as Director of Marketing and Product Management at ILS, for a total of over eight years at the company.

Before AeroParts Now and ILS, Jerge also worked in sales and marketing at GECAS, where he managed sales for recertified rotable parts. Prior to that, he worked in program management at Aviall, where he oversaw component repair and overhaul operations and supply chain management. Jerge began his aviation career as a consultant for American Airlines where he was responsible for developing internal processes and supporting the merger with Trans World Airlines.

Jerge received his BS in Aeronautical Science and MBA degrees from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and is an instrument rated commercial and instructor pilot. www.aeropartsnow.com