Embraer has announced today, at the Dubai Air Show, a firm order for three new E175, plus three purchase rights for the same model of aircraft, with Overland Airways, from Nigeria. The 88-seat aircraft, with premium class cabin configuration, will be delivered from 2023. The deal is worth at USD 299.4 million, at list price with all purchase rights being exercised.

These aircraft will increase the domestic flights and allow to expand more regional routes. The president and CEO of Overland Airways, Capt. Edward Boyo, said, “we are confident that this is the right moment to invest, as regional aviation is on an optimistic post-pandemic recovery. Our customers will really enjoy all comfort in the E175, and we appreciate our partnership with Embraer.”

Cesar Pereira, Vice-president for Europe, Middle East and Africa, Embraer Commercial Aviation said, “we are proud of this partnership with Overland and to support their regional expansion. We are seeing growing long-term demand for rightsized aircraft to deliver profitable domestic connections in Nigeria.”

During the pandemic, the E175 has been a vital tool for many regional airlines, as they are perfectly suited to rebuilding network, enhancing frequencies and efficiently adding capacity to meet demand that has been gradually recovering.

Singapore-based Aeroter today announced an exclusive five-year agreement with Swedish company Savback Helicopters AB to distribute and sell its innovative VRT500 light, single-engine helicopter. From its headquarters in Sweden, Savback will also cover sales representation of the aircraft in Norway, Denmark, and Finland.

The co-axial format VRT500 helicopter is on display at the Dubai Airshow, which is being held during 14-18 November at Dubai World Central Airport.  Aeroter CEO Alexander Okhonko leads the company’s participation at  Booth S14 in the exhibition hall.

The partners have identified a ripe market for the VRT500 from discerning European buyers.  Confirming the new partnership, Mr. Okhonko commented: “We are delighted to have made this agreement with our new Swedish partners.  Savback has built a strong global reputation marketing helicopters for civil use, and built a solid presence in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland.”

Mr. Okhonko continued.  “We plan to start deliveries of the VRT500 and are aiming to secure a 10% share of the global rotorcraft market for single turbine-engined helicopters between 2024 and 2042.”

The co-axial rotor format of Aeroter’s VRT500 has long been favoured in a number of successful aircraft designs, and its two sets of counter-rotating blades on a single mast removes the requirement for a tail rotor. It also provides opportunities to land in a smaller area, owing to the lack of tail and tail boom.

Head of Sales & founder Michael Savbäck, added: “We are very proud and honoured to be working with the capable and innovative people at Aeroter, and are delighted to be able to bring this exciting helicopter to the Scandinavian market.”

“The VRT500 highlights a gap in the market for light single-engine helicopters which we have long identified.  The helicopter’s versatility fulfils the requirement for six-seat passenger transport – attractive for VIPs, strong and safe for aerial work, and a very safe rotor system without the hazard of a tail rotor,” he stated.

Test flying of the VRT500 prototype will begin in 2022 in Italy in conjunction with Vertex Aero srl.  The location of the final production line is to be determined from a shortlist currently under consideration. 

Powered by the Pratt & Whitney PW207V engine, the aircraft has been designed to reach speeds of up to 250 km (155 mph) with a range of up to 900 km (559 miles) and a payload of up to 800 kg (1,763 lb). 

The VRT500 will feature new-generation avionics from Thales.

Last month Aeroter selected Swiss simulator company Bruner Elektronik to produce a Virtual Reality full-motion simulator for the aircraft, which will be used for demos and test flights at trade shows.

Aeroter is already working with EASA and expects certification of the VRT500 under their jurisdiction in 2024. The first 20 helicopters from the production line are already sold and are scheduled for delivery to customers in Europe and Asia.

Low-cost carrier flyadeal, a subsidiary of Saudi Arabian Airlines, has signed a seven-year TrueChoice™ Overhaul agreement during the Dubai Airshow to cover CFM56-5B* engines that power its 11 A320-200 aircraft fleet. The TrueChoice Overhaul agreement provides time and material required to overhaul flyadeal’s fleet of CFM56-5B engines.

“GE Aviation is honored to provide Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul services and material to support flyadeal’s growth in the Middle East. This agreement will enable us to provide high-quality OEM service to keep flyadeal’s CFM56-5B engine fleet flying,” said Russell Stokes, GE Aviation Services president and chief executive officer.

As part of the agreement, GE Aviation provided flyadeal an end-to-end engine management solution, combining engine overhaul services along with logistics for engine removals, changes and leases. Previously, the cost and logistics of engine removal, delivery and collection was the responsibility of the airline or lessor customer. The company’s turnkey approach means these logistics will be handled by GE and its suppliers.

“We are delighted to be working with GE Aviation in developing its first integrated turn-key engine services program which addresses the complete A to Z needs of flyadeal under a single vendor agreement between GE and flyadeal. It’s a testament to how a true low fare operator like flyadeal is driving innovation and change by working closely with key partners willing to adapt to the specific operational needs of flyadeal,” said Mike Hewitt, chief operating officer of flyadeal.

GE Aviation is providing flyadeal integrated overhaul and engine change services through Caerdav, an independent aviation Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) provider that is a GE vendor in this agreement.

“This idea represents a new way of doing business for GE, and we are proud to be one of their trusted MRO suppliers. Through working closely with Caerdav, GE will be able to offer their customers a more streamlined, efficient and cost-effective way of managing their engine requirements,” said Joachim Jones, group CEO for Caerdav.

The TrueChoice suite of engine maintenance offerings incorporates an array of GE capabilities and customization across an engine’s lifecycle. Each TrueChoice offering is underpinned by GE Aviation Fleet Support’s 24/7 Remote Monitoring and Diagnostics to help reduce maintenance burden and service disruptions for customers.

™TrueChoice is a trademark of GE.

*CFM56 engines are a product of CFM International, a 50-50 joint company between GE and Safran Aircraft Engines.

Dubai Air Show 2021 debut for G-KELT

Acropolis Aviation was the launch customer for Airbus’ new ACJneo single-aisle family in May 2015, during EBACE in Geneva.  This week’s 2021 Dubai Air Show will see G-KELT make its first public appearance on the static at the Dubai World Central (DWC) Airport venue – for Airbus Corporate Jets.

The aircraft entered service in March 2020, sporting a distinctive, luxurious cabin design by Yves Pickardt from Alberto Pinto and installed by leading completion specialist AMAC Aerospace at its Basel Airport facilities in Switzerland. “We are absolutely delighted Airbus Corporate Jets is showcasing our aircraft at the Dubai Air Show”, commented Acropolis’ CEO Jonathan Bousfield. “We are very much looking forward to presenting the aircraft to our Middle Eastern clientele for the first time.”

G-KELT can accommodate up to 19 passengers, sleeping 17 on fully lie-flat beds, with luggage space for over 100 pieces of baggage and the support of a crew of six. The aircraft is also certified for extended-range flights of up to 12 hours and low visibility ‘CAT 3A’ landing minima in severe weather conditions. Flight entertainment and onboard connectivity is via Collins Aerospace and Satcom Direct.

Leonardo’s participation at the air show is centered on the future of flight and advanced electronics. Leonardo is a leader in military pilot training, offering a turnkey training solution including platforms, systems and services that guarantees the highest standards of quality at every stage of training to customers worldwide. In the UAE, Leonardo has provided more than 100 helicopters, advanced naval technologies, secure communications, space technologies and training aircraft

Leonardo, the Italian-headquartered global aerospace and defence company, is presenting its revolutionary AW609 tiltrotor for the first time in the region at the 2021 Dubai Airshow (14-18 November). With a stand (booth 530 – UK Pavilion) and an outdoor static area (Pavilion S19) at the event, Leonardo is ready to welcome visitors to see some of its most advanced technologies, including the only tiltrotor in the market set to receive civil certification. Other high-tech equipment on show will include advanced electronics, helicopters and defence technologies.

“In 2019, the Dubai Airshow was the last major Aerospace and Defence event before the pandemic – says Pasquale Di Bartolomeo, Leonardo Chief Commercial Officer –: and this year’s edition, taking place as we start to emerge from the global emergency caused by Covid-19, is going to be an important showcase for Leonardo. We are sure that the event will be a success even in a time of ongoing caution, just like the

Emirati government’s hugely impressive and safe Expo 2020 Dubai which Leonardo is currently proudly contributing to. Our partners in the UAE and in the whole Middle East continue to be of great importance to Leonardo and we believe that the Dubai Airshow will give us the chance to further strengthen these ties and pursue a range of business opportunities.”

That close relationship between Leonardo and its regional partners is behind the company’s choice to present the AW609 tiltrotor at Dubai Airshow 2021, marking its first appearance at an aerospace and defence exhibition outside Europe and the U.S. The AW609 is an impressive feat of engineering: with its ability to change the position of its two rotors in less than 60 seconds, it can take-off vertically like a helicopter while performing in-flight like an aeroplane. Capable of carrying out a variety of missions, from passenger transport and medical care to civil protection and search and rescue, the AW609 can fly at over 500 km/h. It has a range of almost 1,400 km, which increases to over 2,000 km with auxiliary tanks. The AW609, on display at the Dubai Airshow, was flown to Dubai for the opening ceremony of the innovative helicopter terminal, built by Leonardo in partnership with Falcon Aviation Services at the Expo 2020 Dubai site. Here the company also launched ‘Agusta’, reinvigorating the iconic helicopter brand as the marker for Leonardo’s VIP transportation products and services.

At booth 530 in the UK Pavilion, Leonardo will be presenting its gold-standard aircraft protection technology in the form of BriteCloud and Miysis DIRCM as well as advanced electronics for airborne surveillance, represented by its Osprey AESA radar and SAGE electronic support measures system. BriteCloud is a countermeasure for combat, transport and special mission aircraft that provides latest- generation protection from radar-guided surface-to-air and air-to-air missiles. Fired like a flare, it contains a powerful miniature jammer that seduces incoming missiles towards BriteCloud as it falls away from the aircraft, ensuring that the missile detonates far away from its intended target. Then for protection against InfraRed (IR)-guided threats, Leonardo’s Miysis DIRCM uses a high-powered laser to ‘dazzle’ incoming missiles, forcing them away from their intended target. Leonardo’s decades of experience in laser and precision targeting enables this to happen at lightning-fast speed, allowing Miysis to defend against multiple, simultaneous incoming missiles.

Ensuring that aircraft crews have access to the highest level of situational awareness, the Osprey radar offers multi-domain AESA capabilities, meaning it can support a wide variety of missions and provide maximum field of view on a variety of platforms – be they fixed wing, rotary wing or uncrewed. For customers looking for an electronic intelligence capability, the Leonardo SAGE system delivers a unique level of situational awareness to operators. Notably, the system has been integrated into the General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. MQ-9B SeaGuardian Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) and is being offered to customers as a fully-integrated capability on-board that system.

Leonardo’s technologies have been contributing to the security and defence of the Emirates for over fifty years and the Company continues to work – via its local branch in Abu Dhabi – with the UAE government, Armed Forces and partners. Leonardo technologies have equipped Emiri Armed Forces as far back as the mid ‘70s, with the supply of SF-260 basic trainers and OTO 76/62 naval guns. Since then, Leonardo has provided integrated naval systems for combat management, defence systems, naval radars, fire control systems, missile electronics and military radios for more than 40 ships in the UAE, including Ghannatha, Baynunah, Falaj 2 and Abu Dhabi-class corvettes. Based on this track record, last February Leonardo announced it submitted an offer to Tawazun proposing itself as partner for the design and development of the UAE national Combat Management System, which will be the pillar of the UAE Navy’s future naval assets and it will ensure the legacy for the progressive upgrade the existing fleet. Leonardo high-tech platforms in the UAE include more than 100 helicopters, secure communications applications, space technologies and training aircraft, including the Aermacchi MB-339 jet trainer, chosen for Emirati national aerobatic team Al Fursan. Leonardo is proud that the Al Fursan pilots have trained in Italy, using the company’s aircraft and teaching systems.

In fact, Leonardo is a world leader in the training sector thanks to its M-345 and M-346 and can cover the entire pilot training syllabus. The new Fighter Attack version of the M-346, already delivered to its first international customer, retains all the characteristics of the advanced trainer version while also being a light fighter aircraft capable of carrying out a wide range of operational missions at far lower costs than other front-line fighters. As advanced pilot training continues to be needed in the region, Leonardo is ready to host students at the International Flight Training School (IFTS), a strategic collaboration between the Italian Air Force and Leonardo. Just a few weeks ago the IFTS announced its third customer and an expanded IFTS campus is under construction at Decimomannu Air Force Base in Sardinia. This will be an advanced flight academy able to host students and technical staff, with facilities including accommodation, recreational areas, a cafeteria and sports facilities. Its infrastructure will underpin the operations of a fleet of 22 M-346 aircraft (designated T-346A by the Italian Air Force). An entire building will be home to the Ground Based Training System (GBTS), with classrooms and a modern training system based on latest- generation simulation equipment.

flydubai, the Dubai-based airline, is participating at the Dubai Airshow for the seventh time, joining the static aircraft display with one of its Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft. The Airshow, which is held from 14 to 18 November, will give visitors the opportunity to experience the airline’s interior and onboard product. In addition, flydubai has unveiled a new livery design feature in celebration of the UAE’s 50^th anniversary and it will take part in the official formation flight at the Dubai Airshow.

Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer at flydubai, said: “we are delighted to be back at the Dubai Airshow, especially during this historic year in which we celebrate our nation’s 50^th anniversary. As travel begins to open up and the world begins to connect once again, it gives those of us in the aviation industry an opportunity to be optimistic and what better place to share this sentiment than with key stakeholders at the Dubai Airshow. It is also a great platform to showcase our Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft which offers our passengers an enhanced onboard experience and operational efficiencies.”

The aircraft on display is one of flydubai’s 18 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft that is part of its single fleet-type of 55 Boeing 737 aircraft, which also includes 34 Next-Generation Boeing 737-800 and 3 Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft. With a flying range of 6,560 km, a LEAP-1B engine from CFM international and enhanced fuel efficiency, the MAX is designed to help improve overall fleet performance and operational flexibility. The size of the aircraft has been refined to allow for improved space in the cabin which features the innovative Boeing sky interior. The flowing lines of the gently-sculpted side walls provide a sense of spaciousness making the cabin welcoming and relaxing and the innovative LED lighting system can be adjusted for any ambience requirements. Since its return to service, the airline’s Boeing 737 MAX aircraft have completed more than 23,000 flight hours.

flydubai’s MAX 8 has a configuration of 166 seats, with 156 in Economy Class and 10 in the Business Class cabin, delivering an enhanced onboard experience for passengers through optimised space. The Business Class seat is designed to provide extra space and privacy with its high curved shell providing comfort and a sense of seclusion. It also features a flatbed, and when fully reclined the seat measures 78 inches, allowing passengers to sleep comfortably. The seat is also fitted with a 15.6-inch 1080p HD built-in touchscreen to enjoy a wide range of entertainment. The RECARO economy seat provides comfort through a generous seat pitch for passengers to sit back, relax and enjoy their flight.

To mark the 50^th anniversary of the UAE, flydubai has unveiled a newly designed decal on its aircraft. The new design feature is inspired by the flydubai logo, while the circle breaks into colourful triangles which symbolise the celebration of this important milestone. flydubai’s two primary colours are incorporated in the design; whereby the orange symbolises the sun and sand in the desert and the blue stands for the sky and sea reflecting Dubai’s landscape and coastline.

With travel restrictions gradually easing and more countries opening up for international travel, flydubai has grown its network to more than 95 destinations in 50 countries across Africa, Central Asia, the Caucasus, Central and South-East Europe, the GCC and the Middle East and the Indian Subcontinent. The carrier has recently resumed flights to Naples, Prague and Zagreb and has launched operations to Ankara, Budapest, Ljubljana, Salzburg, Sohar and Warsaw.

Passengers who book a flydubai flight to Dubai will enjoy a complimentary 1-day ticket to visit Expo 2020 Dubai, which will take place from 01 October 2021 to 31 March 2022. The initiative is valid for all bookings that were made from 01 January 2020 for travel during the event dates.