RIAT Fairford - ‘the greatest airshow in the world’
Three years since its last edition, the world’s largest military airshow made its triumphant return to Gloucestershire in July with its most successful show ever. The airshow welcomed 266 aircraft, and 1,500 crew members from across the globe in a celebration of aviation, science, and engineering. Visitors included representatives from the Kingdom of Bahrain – the 57thnation to participate in RIAT with its first ever appearance, and A-list aviation enthusiast, Tom Cruise. Paul Atherton, Chief Executive of the RAF Charitable Trust Enterprises, the organizers of RIAT, said: “I’ve been blown away by the support we have received for the long-awaited return of RIAT. Around 200,000 people have been here this weekend – visitors, volunteers, partners, and all those involved in the build. I’d like to personally thank every single one of them for helping RIAT to return with such success.” From 15-17 July, RAF Fairford played host to a three-day-long extravaganza of flying displays, static exhibits, and interactive family entertainment. Appetite from participants and visitors was at an all-time high, with tickets to all three days selling out before the show, and flying displays on Saturday and Sunday being extended to over eight hours to accommodate those from around the world who wished to participate.
New Orders at Farnborough Airshow
US aircraft manufacturer Boeing kept its nose ahead of European rival Airbus in the race for new orders of the Farnborough International Airshow in London: Delta/MAX10 – The deal includes 30 options. Crucially Delta noted: “737-10 is currently awaiting final certification from (FAA), which is expected in 2023. In the event of a delay, the agreement has adequate protection in place, including allowing Delta to shift to another model of MAX family” if needed. Delta exercised a dozen options for Airbus A220-300s. The total order is now 107 making Delta the program’s lead customer. Boeing won 30+33 MAX orders from 777 Partners; including MAX8s and 30 MAX8-200s. Aviation Capital Group orders 12 more MAX 8s, bringing the total MAX orders to 34. AerCap ordered 5 787-9s. Azerbaijan Airlines signed for four Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft via a Memorandum of Understanding. Qatar finalizes its order for 25 737 MAX10s. Airbus and EasyJet announced orders for 56 A320neo aircraft, including an upsizing of 18 A320neo aircraft to the A321neo. LATAM ordered 17 A321neo and confirmed it will bring in the A321XLR to complement their long-haul operations. Alaska Airlines ordered 8+13 E-175s. Porter Airlines ordered another 20 E-195-E2s. Astral will take the first two E190Fs from NAC’s conversions. ATR is to be an LoI with Japanese start-up Feel Air Holdings for 36 -42-600s, 72-600S and -72-600. Japanese regional airline, ORC (Oriental Air Bridge), placed an order for an ATR 42-600. Abelo to acquire 20 ATR Aircraft, with a firm order of 10 ATR42-600S (Short Take-off and Landing) and 10 new ATR72-600. Afrijet Business Service orders one ATR 72-600.
Cargolux: B777-8 Freighter as the preferred solution to replace its 747-400
Boeing and Cargolux announced in Farnborough that Europe's largest all-cargo airline has selected the 777-8 Freighter as the preferred solution to replace its 747-400 fleet. With nearly identical payload and range capabilities as the 747-400 Freighter, the 777-8 Freighter will provide 30% better fuel efficiency and emissions and 25% better operating costs per ton as the airplane to replace aging large freighters later this decade. Boeing launched the 777-8 Freighter in January and has booked more than 50 orders for the model. With advanced technology from the new 777X family and proven performance of the market-leading 777 Freighter, the 777-8 Freighter offers the highest payload and the lowest fuel use, emissions and operating cost per tonne of any large freighter. Cargolux is the largest operator of Boeing widebody freighters in Europe with a combined total fleet of 30 747-400 and 747-8 Freighters.
People: Swissport: Christoph Müller steps down as Chairman
Christoph Müller, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Swissport International AG, has informed the Board that he intends to step down after 18 months in executive and non-executive functions. He will remain a shareholder and continues to be available as an independent advisor. David Siegel, an aviation industry veteran and member of Swissport's Board of Directors since December 2020, will serve as interim Chairman of the Board until a permanent successor for Christoph Mueller has been appointed. Christoph Mueller joined the Board of Directors of Swissport in December 2020. At the peak of the Covid-19 related crisis in global aviation – as the company was completing a comprehensive financial restructuring – the designated Chairman of the Board initially served as interim CEO and as interim CFO at the request of the new shareholders of Swissport – large US and UK investment funds. He set the strategic direction for Swissport and was instrumental in building a new, high-caliber management team around the globe. In his role as Chairman, he also established an effective, modern corporate governance structure with the necessary committees and their chairpersons. Christoph Mueller also served as Chairman of the Audit Committee and other subcommittees. Christoph Mueller joined Swissport in December 2020 as a member of the Board of Directors and its designated Chairman. He was interim Chief Executive Officer from 1 January 2021 until Warwick Brady, Swissport's current CEO, could assume his role on 1 May 2021, and was then appointed as Chairman of the Board. Christoph Mueller is a Non-Executive Director of WestJet Airlines Limited, Inmarsat and Cathay Pacific Airlines. He previously held senior executive positions in the aviation sector, including CEO of Sabena SA, Air Lingus plc, Malaysia Airlines Berhad and Brussels Airlines, and Chief Digital and Innovation officer at Emirates Airline. www.swissport.com