Boeing Accelerates 737 MAX Production, Air Travel Becoming Slower? and More
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Boeing Accelerates 737 MAX Production; Aims for 50 Jets per Month by 2026
Boeing has announced plans to increase production of its 737 MAX aircraft above the current rate of 31 jets per month "very soon," according to Stan Deal, head of the company's commercial airplanes division. The new 737 MAX 7 model is also progressing, with final submissions for FAA certification underway.
Despite ongoing supply chain challenges, Boeing aims to boost monthly MAX production to 50 planes by the end of 2026 and increase 787 Dreamliner production to 10 aircraft per month during the same period. The company also plans to raise Dreamliner production to five jets per month by the end of 2023. Read more
Vancouver's Potential in Advanced Air Mobility Sector
The Vancouver Economic Commission (VEC) and Canadian Advanced Air Mobility Consortium (CAAM) have released a report indicating that Vancouver could become a leading hub for advanced air mobility (AAM).
The city's strengths include its hydrogen fuel cell cluster, net-zero transportation, and drone manufacturers, which align with high-value AAM applications like zero-emissions aviation and critical payload delivery.
The report emphasizes the need for clear regulations and collaboration between governments and industry leaders. High-value, near-term use cases include medical supplies delivery, geological and marine surveys, and wildfire services, while passenger mobility will likely increase after 2030. Read more
Rocket-Powered Mk-II Aurora Spaceplane Poised to Revolutionize Space Travel
Dawn Aerospace is set to launch its Mk-II Aurora suborbital spaceplane in April, following recent regulatory approval from New Zealand.
Having completed 48 test flights using conventional jet engines, the upcoming launch signifies the first civil airport certification for a remotely piloted, rocket-powered vehicle.
The reusable Mk-II can reach altitudes above 100 km and is designed for earth monitoring, microgravity research, and disaster management.
With the potential to fly twice daily, Dawn aims to reduce space travel costs and increase flight frequency through horizontal take-off and landing rockets. Last year, the company raised $13M to further develop the Mk-III orbital spaceplane and its in-space propulsion technologies. Read more
Collins Aerospace Secures $140M Contract to Service U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules Propellers
Collins Aerospace, a subsidiary of Raytheon Technologies, has secured a potential $140 million contract from the U.S. Air Force to repair propeller systems on C-130 military transport aircraft. The indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract includes $116.8 million in options and a firm-fixed-price provision.
Collins will focus on repairing the NP2000 eight-blade propeller and its electronic control system. With an initial obligation of $13.8 million from the Air Force's 2021 procurement funds, the contract is set for completion on March 29, 2028.
Lockheed Martin developed the C-130 Hercules primarily for military airdropping of personnel and equipment. Read more
Rising Global Temperatures Impact Airplane Takeoff Efficiency
Climate change is affecting air travel in unexpected ways. Strengthened vertical wind shear in jet streams due to climate change may increase aircraft turbulence.
By 2050, clear-air turbulence frequency could double, and turbulence strength may rise by 10-40%. Severe turbulence at cruising altitudes might become two to three times more common, particularly in the Northern Hemisphere.
Rising temperatures make it harder for aircraft to generate lift during takeoff, possibly requiring longer runways and reduced takeoff weights. Read more
Air India's Ambitious Revival: Fleet Expansion, New Routes, and Major Mergers
Air India is undergoing a significant transformation under Tata Group's ownership, aiming to become a world-class global airline.
Since June 2022, the airline has appointed a new CEO, adopted Amadeus IT Group's Altea software, leased 30 new aircraft, and returned 16 grounded planes to service.
Furthermore, Air India has launched a five-year turnaround plan called Vihaan.AI, completed a deal to acquire AirAsia India, and announced a merger with Vistara.
The airline is investing in upgrading its fleet and technology, hiring more staff, and expanding its domestic and international routes, including non-stop services between India and the US, and Europe. Read more
Alaska Air Cargo Set to Double Capacity with Boeing 737-800 Conversions
Alaska Air Cargo is set to expand its fleet to five aircraft by converting two Boeing 737-800 passenger jets into freighters, almost doubling its cargo capacity.
The airline currently transports over 200 million pounds of freight annually across 100+ US, Canada, and Mexico destinations. In 2021, Alaska Air Cargo's revenue increased 25% YoY to $216 million.
The converted Boeing 737-800s will have a payload of nearly 50,000 pounds, allowing them to carry 40% more weight per flight than the existing 737-700s.
Conversion costs per plane are expected to range between $4.4 million and $6.5 million, with delivery slated for 2023. Read more
Tailored Jet Card Programs Emerge as Trend in Private Aviation Sector
Volato, a 2021 start-up, is launching a second jet card program, following similar moves by FlyExclusive, Jets.com, OneFlight International, VistaJet, Amalfi Jets, and Jet Token.
Volato's new Insider jet card offers HondaJets with capped hourly rates for flights within or between eight U.S. zones, covering most of the West, Southwest, Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Northeastern U.S., as well as parts of Canada, Mexico, and the Bahamas. The program is as-available and refundable, starting at $50,000.
Companies are increasingly segmenting the market by offering different jet card programs, providing private flyers with more choices but potentially causing confusion for ultra-high-net-worth prospects. Read more
Air Travel Becoming Slower? Schedule Padding Rises 27% Over a Decade
A recent FinanceBuzz study reveals that airline schedule padding has increased by 27% over the last decade.
Schedule padding refers to the extra time added to flight durations to account for potential delays, with the padding time rising from an average of 8 minutes in 2012 to 11 minutes in 2022.
Although Southwest Airlines has the highest percentage of padding at 13.9%, other airlines like Alaska, United, and American pad each flight more in terms of actual minutes.
The increase in schedule padding points to bottlenecks in the air travel system, rather than airline inefficiency. To improve throughput, there is a need for greater airport capacity and better air traffic control. Read more
European Air Travel Disruptions Loom as Union Worker Strikes Sweep the Continent
Union worker strikes and protests are causing disruptions in air travel across Europe this spring. Strikes are taking place in multiple countries, including France, Germany, the U.K., Italy, and Spain, potentially causing flight delays and cancellations.
Travelers are advised to monitor strike announcements and maintain flexibility in their itineraries. In case of flight disruptions, airlines typically provide alternatives or refunds.
Purchasing through-tickets, working with travel advisors, and obtaining travel insurance can help travelers navigate these disruptions more effectively. Read more
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