Azhul takes delivery of the first ATR72-600

Brazilian carrier Azul Linhas today took delivery of the first ATR 72-600 regional turboprop aircraft. Fast-growing carrier Azul has placed orders for a total of 30 ATR 72-600s, with options an additional 10 aircraft. Azul was founded in December 2008, and in less than three years has developed an extensive network of 40 destinations throughout Brazil. In addition to its ATR 72s, Azul operates a jet fleet of Embraer 190s and 195s. With the delivery of the aircraft today, Azul Linhas  becomes one of the first operators of the newest generation ATR aircraft. With the introduction of its new fleet of ATR 72-600s, Azul will continue to support its growing national jet network with shorter haul regional routes. With its current fleet of 8 ATR 72s, Azul serves more cities within the economically vibrant state of Sao Paulo from its Campinas base than any other carrier.

Brazil has become in recent years a booming market for ATR, whose aircraft are optimally suited for the expansion of domestic short-haul routes due to their low operating and maintenance costs, up to 45% less than its competitors. The environmental friendliness of the ATRs, which produce up to 50% less CO2 than other regional aircraft, are also among the reasons for their popularity in Brazil. Today there are 50 ATR aircraft operating in Brazil, a figure expected to more than double within the next three years.  David Neeleman, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Azul, declared: “We are delighted to introduce the new ATR -600 series in Brazil and to be among the very first operators of the newest generation turboprops in the world. In addition to offering our passengers the highest standards of comfort, we are committed to making flying more accessible to Brazilian customers in terms of both frequency and cost. This aircraft fits this mission perfectly."

Filippo Bagnato, Chief Executive Officer of ATR, declared: “With the new ATR 72-600s, the Brazilian regional passengers will have the opportunity of experiencing the new ‘Armonia cabin’, which features the most advanced technologies in terms of comfort, including larger overhead bins and thinner seats with more legroom. Brazil is a very dynamic market and we are convinced that the performance of the ATRs, coupled with the high levels of comfort proposed to passengers, will continue providing us expansion opportunities across the country and in the whole Latin America”.

Private Jet makers target India

The growing list of billionaires in India is an enticing prospect for executive jet makers seeking to recover from a slump in demand caused by the global financial crisis. Prominent among exhibitors at the ongoing Aero India 2011 air show in Bangalore were manufacturers such as US-based Gulfstream and Brazil's Embraer -- both hoping to seduce corporate high-flyers with their luxury private planes. The global private jet market had a hard landing in 2008-09, with jet prices plunging by up to 30 percent and actual flying time falling by an estimated 40 percent. But India's fast-growing economy minted 17 new billionaires in 2010, driving the total to a record 69, according to Forbes magazine's list of the world's wealthiest individuals.

The country's richest man, Mukesh Ambani, reportedly gifted his wife a $60 million Airbus, complete with entertainment cabins and showers, for her birthday in 2007. Jose Eduardo Costas, vice president of Asia sales for Embraer, said the Brazilian firm had a host of orders lined up. "A private jet is not a Ferrari or a luxury boat. It's a business tool and the market here realises that," he said.
"Five of our aircraft are already with the government and four with private companies, and in the next three years we will be making 30 deliveries of our jets." Gulfstream said there were 17 of its aircraft in India by the end of last year, up from just five in 2001, adding that 12 of them were large-cabin models including the G550, which has a range of 12,000 kilometres (7,500 miles).
"We see great long-term potential in the Indian market as infrastructure for business aviation expands and government officials focus more on this segment," said Roger Sperry, Gulfstream's senior vice-president for international sales.
According to figures from aviation data firm JetNet, new business jet deliveries to the wider Asia-Pacific region grew from 7.0 percent of the world market in 2007 to 12 percent in 2009.

JetNet cited India as having the second-largest fleet in the region, with 143 business aircraft of all sorts -- a sign of the country's growing presence in the top-end luxury goods market. Cessna Aircraft Co. set up shop four years ago in Bangalore and industry experts say the Kansas-based manufacturer leads its private jet competitors in India. "India is important to Cessna and the expanding economy should soon support a robust business aircraft fleet and infrastructure," said Cessna's vice president for international sales, Trevor Esling.
He declined to give details of orders the company has on hand or the number of planes delivered, but said: "By 2025 I would expect India to be in the top 10 individual countries for business jet ownership outside the United States."

FlightSafety Intl to provide Flybe with their new simulators

Flybe, Europe’s largest regional airline and the UK’s Number One Domestic carrier, has confirmed that it has selected US-based FlightSafety International to provide two state-of-the-art full flight simulators for its new Training Academy, namely for the Bombardier Q400 and Embraer E-Jet 170/190 aircraft, the Q400 sim being the first to arrive next month.

The simulators will be situated at the new Flybe Training Academy located at Exeter International Airport and will be equipped with FlightSafety’s industry leading VITAL X Visual System and electric motion and control loading technology. They will not only be used to train Flybe’s own pilots but, in a cooperative marketing agreement, also provide other Q400 and E-Jet operators with the opportunity to purchase surplus simulator hours on site. Prior to the E-Jet sim being installed in early 2012, FlightSafety will be providing Flybe with Embraer 170/190 training services at its facilities in Amsterdam and at Paris Le Bourget airport.

The new Flybe Training Academy will offer a wide range of Pilot, Technical, Cabin Crew, Customer Service and Aviation Support courses to airlines across the world, as well as a range of non-aviation training to other individuals and organisations. Apart from the flight simulator complex, it will incorporate Cabin Door trainers, 25 purpose-built classrooms and an integrated Apprentice workshop that will allow Flybe to offer an increased range of training to third party customers.

Flybe places orders for Embraer E 175 jets

Embraer and Flybe, one of Europe's leading low-cost and regional airlines, signed a contract for the sale of 35 Embraer  E175 jets, today, at the 47th Farnborough International Airshow, in England. The deal includes 65 options and 40 purchase rights, giving the order a potential for 140 Embraer 175s. The total value of the contract, at list price, is US$ 1.3 billion, based on January 2010 economic conditions, and could reach US$ 5.0 billion, if all options and purchase rights are exercised. The British airline's Embraer 175 jets will be configured in a single-class layout, seating up to 88 passengers with comfortable, 30-inch pitch (76 cm) Elite seats. The first aircraft is scheduled for delivery in the second half of 2011.