Atlas Air Service acquires Swiss-based AAL
At the turn of the year 2021/2022, Atlas Air Service AG acquired 100 percent of the shares in business aviation service provider AAL AG (formerly Altenrhein Aviation Ltd.). AAL AG, based in Altenrhein, in eastern Switzerland, on Lake Constance, is a business aviation maintenance company. AAL AG is an authorized service center for aircraft manufactured by Embraer Executive Jets, Gulfstream Aerospace (G150, G200, G280) and the TBM family; in addition, business aircraft of Cessna and Pilatus are also serviced. 50 employees generate a growing annual turnover of over 12 million Swiss francs.
Natascha Rode, Managing Director of AAL AG, said: "In association with Atlas Air Service, we can serve our customers even better, for example through a joint AOG services and better availability of spare parts within the group. In addition, Atlas can support us in digitalization and marketing." John van Emden, Managing Director AAL, adds, "Together with Atlas Air Service and Augsburg Air Service, we are a group that is five times larger than AAL AG. High-value test-equipment and tools can now be used within the whole group; thus we expand our competence - to the benefit of our customers."
Pandemic leads to third cancellation of ABACE
The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) and the Shanghai Airport Authority (SAA) announced today the decision to postpone through 2022 the Asian Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (ABACE), given challenges for exhibitors and attendees due to COVID-19, including travel restrictions.
ABACE is held each year in partnership with the SAA, and co-hosted by NBAA and the Asian Business Aviation Association (AsBAA). The event was scheduled to take place in Shanghai, China from April 12-14. “We were hopeful we could have held the event, but the health and safety of all ABACE participants is our highest priority, so we have elected to postpone it through 2022,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. Since its launch in 2012, ABACE has become the premier business aviation event in Asia, attracting more than 9,000 attendees from 50 countries.
First ever ACJ TwoTwenty delivered to Comlux
The first ACJ TwoTwenty, launched just over a year ago, was successfully delivered to Comlux from the Airbus A220 Final Assembly Line in Mirabel, Canada. The all-new business jet will be joining the Comlux’s facilities in Indianapolis, USA, for the VVIP cabin completion in the coming days. This first aircraft is expected to enter service with its owner, FIVE, in early 2023.
The ACJ TwoTwenty is a new proposition to business aviation buyers. It combines intercontinental range (up to 10’460 km / 5650 nm) aenabling the aircraft to fly over 12 flight hours and a 73m2/785 ft2 floor space. The ACJ TwoTwenty is the only business jet featuring six wide VIP living areas, of around 12m2/130 ft2 each and is at a price point of a ULR bizjet. Comlux has been selected as an exclusive outfitting partner for the first 15 ACJ TwoTwenty aircraft.
People: Richard Aboulafia joins the AeroDynamic Advisory team
AeroDynamic Advisory has recently announced that aerospace industry expert Richard Aboulafia has joined the consulting team, effective January 1, 2022. He will be a Managing Director with the consultancy.
Since 1988, Richard has tracked aircraft programs, markets, and companies as an analyst and consultant. He manages consulting projects in the commercial and military aviation field and analyzes broader defense and aerospace market and industry trends. He has advised numerous aerospace companies, including most prime and many second- and third-tier contractors in the US, Europe and Asia. He also advises numerous financial institutions on aerospace market conditions.
Prior to joining AeroDynamic, he was Vice President of Analysis at Teal Group. There, in addition to his aviation and defense consulting role, he wrote and edited Teal Group’s World Military and Civil Aircraft Briefing, a forecasting and analysis tool covering over 135 aircraft programs and markets. He is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society. Frequently cited as an aviation industry authority by trade and news publications, Richard has appeared on numerous television news and radio programs.
Before he joined Teal Group in 1990, Richard analyzed the jet engine market at Jane’s Information Group, served as an aerospace industry consultant for an international trade advisory company and supported research projects at the Brookings Institution. He has a Masters degree in War Studies from King’s College, University of London and a Bachelors degree from George Washington University. He lives in Washington, DC. www.aerodynamicadvisory.com