Luxaviation and Shell to partner on expanding FBO network
Luxaviation Group, one of the largest business aircraft and helicopter operators worldwide, last week announced the signature of a strategic collaboration with Shell Aviation. Luxaviation and Shell, beyond their existing respective FBO and fuel supply networks, will join forces for an expansion plan, Co-investing in adding new FBO locations.
Patrick Hansen, CEO of Luxaviation Group, says: “For more than a decade, Luxaviation group has implemented multiple initiatives to reduce the impact our business activities have on the environment, creating added value for our customers, employees and investors. The strategic alliance with Shell Aviation is the mere start of a game changing cooperation of two players in the industry nurturing a common ambition for a future sustainable aviation industry.” The strategic collaboration aims at laying the foundations for a long-term cooperation of two players of the aviation industry with the ambition to progress and transform traditional business into world-wide dynamically developing operations and product portfolios.
Bombardier introduces the new Challenger 3500
Bombardier unveiled its Challenger 3500, a new super midsize jet that’s projected to enter service in the second half of 2022. The Challenger 3500 aircraft, the evolution of the Challenger 350 aircraft, introduces a redesigned interior. As part of an overall focus on passenger wellness, this new business jet will provide a reduced cabin altitude of 4,850 ft at 41,000 ft, representing a 31% improvement compared to its predecessor.
The Challenger 3500 aircraft will be the first business jet in the super mid-size segment to have an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD). In addition to this declaration of the aircraft’s life cycle environmental footprint, other environmentally conscious initiatives include the option for customers to choose from a selection of high-end sustainable materials for the cabin. Another sustainable initiative is the introduction of the first eco app solution in business aviation. The eco app is developed by SITA, a specialist in air transport communications and information technology, using its existing eWAS Pilot with OptiFlight® solution. The tool is designed to specifically optimize flight plans and reduce fuel burn.
Heston MRO extends MRO services into Europe
Heston MRO, the largest independent MRO organization in Australasia, extended its presence into Europe. The newly established subsidiary, Heston MRO Europe, will start immediate offering of components support and asset management services to airlines and asset owners. The company is planned to operate local European warehouses and have AOG support and logistics teams located next to its European customers and suppliers.
“Based in Lithuania, Heston MRO Europe will aim to service operators and asset owners in EMEA and CIS markets”, says Kestutis Volungevicius, CEO of Heston MRO Europe. “Having started with components and asset management solutions, we aim for organic customer driven expansion into other adjacent MRO offerings like engineering services, engines solutions, and other technical support services”.
Heston MRO Europe has tailored its components and asset management solutions for narrow body aircraft, covering B737 and A320 families through spare parts support, AOG coverage, asset part-outs and trading. The company is seeding its European stock with own part-out projects and partnerships with asset owners.
People: Julia Zhang - new SVP of pricing and revenue management at Wheels Up
Wheels up announced last week the appointment of Julia Zhang as Senior Vice President of pricing and revenue management. In her new role, Ms. Zhang will focus on developing and implementing data-driven profitable revenue growth strategies for Wheels Up that provide significant enterprise value to the organization. In addition, she will work to create dynamic pricing rules and enhanced processes in the day-to-day pricing decisions, allowing the company to grow its membership base aggressively, optimize fleet strategies for customer needs, and maximize profitability.
Prior to Wheels Up, Ms. Zhang was Vice President of Device & Supply Chain Strategy, Analytics, Planning and Reporting, at T-Mobile, leading an organization of 85 people, including corporate strategists, data scientists, operation research scientists and reporting analysts. As a member of T-Mobile's device and supply chain executive leadership team, Ms. Zhang led the development and launch of innovative "un-carrier" initiatives as well as highly profitable device and service programs that attracted and retained millions of customers. As a result of the "un-carrier" strategies, T-Mobile went from the fourth wireless carrier to the second, surpassing AT&T, and becoming a Fortune 50 company.
Ms. Zhang received a bachelor's degree in international economics from the Southwestern University of Finance and Economics in China and an MBA from California State University, Bakersfield.