Pre-Owned Business Jets to Flood the Market, FAA Moves to Ease Mental Health Rules for Pilots, and More
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Here are the exciting aviation industry updates for today. Let’s get started.
Pre-Owned Business Jets to Flood the Market, Predicts ALTEA
Aviation consultancy ALTEA forecasts an increase in pre-owned business jet inventories, a decrease in transactions and flight activity, and longer sales periods for jets on the market.
Based on JETNET data and its research, ALTEA expects the trend of growing inventory, which rose from over 1,175 units in December 2022 to 1,325 in April 2023, to continue.
With transactions declining, aircraft are staying on the market longer, leading sellers to reduce prices. ALTEA predicts some business aviation newcomers will revert to airlines as they recover to pre-Covid service levels. source
Airline Bankruptcy Raises Concerns Over India's Standing with Global Aircraft Lessors
Struggling airline Go First is facing demands from aircraft lessors for the return of their planes amid ongoing bankruptcy protection. Go First's voluntary insolvency resolution temporarily prevents lessors from repossessing aircraft.
However, with the airline's future uncertain, lessors are seeking intervention from Indian authorities. Accipiter Investments Aircraft 2 Ltd has petitioned the Delhi High Court, requesting the deregistration of aircraft. Three others are seeking action from the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal.
Go First owes over $1 billion to creditors and lessors. The situation has led to concerns about India's reputation among global aircraft lessors. source
Singapore Airlines Bolsters Australia Service with Additional A380 Flights
Singapore Airlines has increased its service to Australia by adding two daily Airbus A380 flights to Sydney and a third to Melbourne. This move effectively doubles the airline's service to Sydney, taking its seat capacity to almost 100% of pre-COVID levels.
The increase in service reflects strong travel demand in all segments since borders reopened in November 2021. The addition of the A380 flights also provides passengers more premium cabin options and raises economy class capacity, reinforcing Singapore Airlines' commitment to Sydney. source
Delta Air Lines Negotiating Widebody Order with Airbus
Delta Air Lines is reportedly in discussions with Airbus to place an order for dozens of widebody aircraft. The prospective order includes A330-900Ns and A350 models, aimed at replacing the older A330s and B767 aircraft in Delta's fleet. The announcement may coincide with the upcoming Paris Air Show.
Delta currently operates 22 A330-900Ns and 28 A350-900s, with several more on order, while maintaining a stock of older widebody models that it is considering replacing. source
Russia's Utair May Ground a Third of Its Helicopters Amid Parts Shortage
Utair, one of Russia's largest airlines, may be forced to idle 30% of its helicopter fleet due to difficulties procuring parts. CEO Andrei Martirosov attributed the situation primarily to problems obtaining engines for both foreign and domestically-produced helicopters.
This signals that Western sanctions following Russia's military intervention in Ukraine are impacting the Russian economy.
Utair operates more than 200 helicopters, providing scheduled and charter flights, particularly serving Siberia's expansive oil fields and mining regions. source
Air China Rushes to Australian Flight School Amid Pilot Demand Surge
Air China Ltd. has urgently requested commercial pilots from an Australian flight academy, indicating a potential resurgence as China prepares to resume international travel.
After halting its training operations at the Australian Airline Pilot Academy (AAPA) due to the pandemic, Air China rapidly engaged the school to interview over 100 Chinese candidates in a four-day period in April.
This urgency signals the expected demand for pilots, with over 600,000 needed worldwide between 2022 and 2041, especially in Asia, according to Boeing's forecast. source
Virgin Galactic Preps for Last Test Flight Ahead of Commercial Space Tourism
Virgin Galactic is preparing to conduct its final fully crewed test flight on May 25 before the commencement of commercial space tourism operations. The VSS Unity 25 flight will assess the complete spaceflight and astronaut experience, with specialist training sessions starting on May 22.
After a successful launch in July 2021, the VSS Unity spacecraft will return to space, crewed by two pilots and four Virgin Galactic mission specialists.
The flight's success is critical for Virgin Galactic, which has experienced setbacks in the past and is looking to initiate commercial operations to counter significant losses. source
Qantas Decision to Lease Finnair Aircraft Sparks Union Outrage
Qantas's decision to lease two Airbus A330s along with crews from Finland's Finnair has been met with criticism from the Australian and International Pilots Association (AIPA).
The association argues that utilizing an external carrier to operate Qantas' routes would be significantly more costly than running services internally.
Qantas aims to increase international capacity in response to recovering aviation industry, planning to run the leased Finnish aircraft on routes from Sydney to Singapore and Bangkok. CEO Alan Joyce affirmed that the move provides more opportunities for Qantas crew as domestic operations ramp up. source
FAA Moves to Ease Mental Health Rules for Pilots
The FAA is working to ease rules related to mental health concerns for pilots, aiming to streamline the recertification process and reduce grounding periods.
Federal Air Surgeon Dr. Susan Northrup announced the FAA's intentions at the Business Aviation Safety Summit, emphasizing the importance of early intervention and changing the industry's approach to mental health issues.
This comes as studies show over half of the pilots avoid disclosing health issues for fear of losing their aeromedical certificate. Currently, only 0.1-0.2% of applicants with mental health components are denied certification, yet the fear of loss remains prevalent. source
Qantas Unveils 'Neighbour-Free' Flight Option for Extra Space
Qantas has introduced a "Neighbour Free" option that lets passengers ensure an empty seat next to them, starting at €18.50 ($30). Previously only available to frequent flyers, this service is now extended to all passengers on eligible flights.
Interested passengers receive an email 48 hours before the flight, allowing them to purchase the empty seat next to them. However, it's only confirmed at the gate and subject to availability. If occupied, passengers are refunded.
This service is currently limited to certain domestic routes and does not cover infants or carry-on baggage. source
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