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Aviation Day 2023, a signature conference for the global aviation industry, kicked off in Hong Kong. Co-hosted by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), the two-day event held at AsiaWorld Expo was attended by more than 1,000 aviation industry professionals from around the world.
aul Chan, Financial Secretary of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government; Jack So, Chairman of Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK); Willie Walsh, Director General of IATA; Fred Lam, Chief Executive Officer of AAHK; Wan Xiangdong, Chief Pilot of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC); Lam Sai-hung, Secretary for Transport and Logistics; Victor Liu, Director-General of Civil Aviation of Civil Aviation Department; and airline representatives attended the kick-off ceremony.
In his welcome address, Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of HKSAR Government said, “The future is bright for Hong Kong as an aviation hub, and this is manifested not just in the sunny economic outlook of the Greater Bay Area, but also a flurry of far-sighted infrastructural developments. The Government, together with the Airport Authority, are transforming our airport into an “Airport City”, under which the HKIA will be developed into a node of various economic activities with aviation as its core business, making our airport a new engine which will propel the growth of Hong Kong and the GBA as a whole. The Government is also striving to establish Hong Kong as an aircraft leasing and services hub by providing tax concessions so as to attract more aircraft leasing companies to come to Hong Kong; and supporting manpower training for the aviation industry as well as welcoming talents from abroad with expertise and experience in the industry to join us.”
Jack So, Chairman of AAHK, remarked, “It is my great pleasure to welcome industry participants from all over the world to this event. Like the rest of the world, Hong Kong airport has had three difficult years because of the pandemic. We kept our confidence not only in keeping the airport open, but also building for the future with our Three-runway System expansion project. With the expansion, HKIA’s capacity will be increased by 50%, ready to serve up to 120 million passengers and 10 million tonnes of cargo annually.”
Wan Xiangdong, Chief Pilot of CAAC, also gave the keynote speech of the conference.ADVERTISEMENTAviation Day 2023 features speeches and panel discussions by some of the industry’s top leaders, sharing insight on topics including new opportunities for air travel and air cargo in the Greater Bay Area, new technology trends in the aviation industry, and more. One of the highlights is a tour of HKIA during which the airport’s new facilities, services, technologies and latest developments will be introduced.

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Ethiopian Airlines, Boeing and ThinkYoung have launched the STEM School, an initiative designed to equip young individuals and teachers in Ethiopia with the necessary skills for better employment opportunities. The program focuses on underprivileged African youth especially women, fostering their pursuit of higher education in STEM with a focus on aviation.
The STEM School will be hosted at the Ethiopian Airlines Aviation University, leveraging the expertise of the flagship carrier of Ethiopia. This collaboration ensures that students and teachers will benefit from the extensive knowledge and resources of the fastest growing Airline in Africa, enhancing their educational experience and providing them with real-world insights.
Ethiopian Airlines Group Chief Executive Officer Mr. Mesfin Tasew said about the program: “We are delighted in our collaboration with Boeing and ThinkYoung to launch the STEM School initiative, which helps Ethiopian youths to succeed in education and in their future careers, primarily in aviation fields, and to become the next generation of innovators. We believe in going at a compatible pace with the speed of technology and being prepared for future demands. This cooperation and initiative will develop young people to meet the future needs of the fast-growing Ethiopian aviation industry.”
A comprehensive, immersive program spanning six weeks, the STEM School will provide over 300 hours of classes and hands-on training. The program will welcome 24 students in grades 11-12 from different regions of Ethiopia. 50% of students will be girls. The students will learn the basics of STEM, coding and programming as well as soft skills such as teamwork and problem-solving. Job shadowing at Ethiopian Airlines will allow students to experience various STEM-related roles and improve skills gained during the program. The students will have an opportunity to meet with the professionals from Ethiopian Airlines who will mentor them during their individual projects. This internship also has the added benefit of providing professional recommendations, resume-worthy experience, and networking opportunities.
Kuljit Ghata-Aura, president of Boeing Middle East, Türkiye and Africa commented, “The partnership between Ethiopian Airlines, ThinkYoung, and Boeing embodies a perfect blend of leadership in African aviation, global aerospace innovation, and educational excellence. This synergy will undoubtedly contribute to the success of the STEM School, facilitating the creation of a steady talent pipeline to support growing commercial aviation in Ethiopia.”ADVERTISEMENTAnbessie Yitbarek, Boeing Commercial Airplanes Sales and Marketing vice president in Africa added, “We value our partnerships with Ethiopian Airlines and trusted NGOs that in the long run help boost the economy in Ethiopia and beyond by developing and attracting local talent. We are proud of the community work we do in Africa and believe in developing the skills and encouraging young people to consider the aviation industry for their studies and careers.”
Another portion of the partnership is the Teacher Training Program. 24 educators from Ethiopia will attend a teaching workshop to improve their ability to teach advanced STEM concepts. After one week of training the teachers will return home with a kit they can use in their classrooms.
Andrea Gerosa, founder of ThinkYoung Africa said, “ThinkYoung is honored to join forces with Boeing and Ethiopian Airlines in introducing our transformative STEM School program, aimed at supporting Ethiopia’s commitment to addressing skills gaps, particularly in the field of STEM education. Together, we want to create a lasting impact on the lives of Ethiopians, empowering them with the essential education and skills needed to not only adapt but thrive in the ever-evolving digital future.”

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PARIS AIR SHOW—Pratt & Whitney, an RTX business, has announced more than 800 GTF engine orders and commitments, including spare engines, since the beginning of 2023.Airlines and lessors who have announced orders include Azorra, CALC, Carlyle Aviation Partners, Binter, Croatia Airlines, LATAM Airlines, Qantas Airways, United Airlines and Volaris. In total, more than 10,000 GTF engine orders and commitments have been placed by more than 90 customers worldwide.
“The GTF engine offers unmatched economic and environmental benefits, and these latest orders are a testament to the value it delivers to customers,” said Rick Deurloo, president of Commercial Engines at Pratt & Whitney. “The GTF Advantage engine will extend this lead while providing more thrust and higher durability. As we increase time on wing and resolve supply chain challenges, GTF engines will continue to drive reductions in operating costs, new routes and revenue, and progress towards meeting the industry’s sustainability targets.”
Since entering service in 2016, GTF-powered aircraft have saved airlines more than 1.2 billion gallons (nearly five billion liters) of fuel – and the planet over 12 million metric tons of carbon emissions. GTF engines currently power over 1,600 aircraft and have accumulated more than 23 million engine flight hours of experience across nearly six million flights, carrying an estimated 860 million passengers to their destinations. GTF engines power the Airbus A220 and A320neo families and the Embraer E-Jets E2 family, including E190-E2 and E195-E2 model aircraft.

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Xiamen Airlines, Airbus in tie-up to advance sustainable development

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On June 21, Xiamen Airlines and Airbus announced a strategic partnership focused on sustainable development during the Paris Air Show. The partnership aims to enhance collaboration in advancing sustainability within the civil aviation sector.
Both parties are committed to supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and fostering the long-term growth of the aviation industry.The partnership was initially discussed at the IATA Annual General Meeting in Istanbul, Turkey. During the meeting, Xiamen Airlines chairman Zhao Dong and Airbus chief commercial officer Christian Scherer engaged in discussions leading to the concept of forming the partnership. Subsequently, the two companies signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) to solidify their intentions, which had been earlier established at the 14th Airshow China held in Zhuhai in 2022.
The MoC encompasses several areas of collaboration, including the expanded adoption of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) across test, freight, and commercial flights, exploration of innovative solutions and technologies to enhance fleet fuel efficiency, reduction of emissions, and mitigation of noise levels, collaborative implementation of eco-friendly travel initiatives to encourage low-carbon transportation, fulfillment of corporate social responsibilities, nurturing of talent development in emerging technologies and sustainability expertise, and strengthening of cooperation in the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) realm.
“Sustainability has not only become a global consensus but has also emerged as a new trend in the aviation industry, presenting both opportunities and challenges for the sector,” said Xiamen Airlines chairman Mr. Zhao. “Over the years, Xiamen Airlines has consistently pursued sustainability with a particular focus on green development, social responsibility, and corporate governance. We look forward to deepening our partnership with Airbus to advance the industry’s green, low-carbon transition.”
“We are thrilled with the prospect of collaborating with Xiamen Airlines in creating a sustainable future for the aviation industry,” stated Xu Gang, global executive vice president of Airbus and CEO of Airbus China. “Although the airline just joined the Airbus fleet family earlier this year, we share a vision and ambition for spearheading sustainability in the aviation sector, making us crucial strategic partners.”ADVERTISEMENT Xiamen Airlines has consistently demonstrated its active participation in and support of the UN SDGs. The airline’s commitment to the SDGs was highlighted when it became the sole Chinese airline to join the UN Global Compact in late 2022. This significant milestone followed an agreement signed with the UN in 2017, affirming their dedication in promoting the SDGs on a global scale. In May 2023, the airline successfully accomplished mainland China’s inaugural commercial A321neo flight utilizing Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in collaboration with Airbus and China Aviation Oil. The milestone marked an important step towards promoting sustainability within the aviation sector. Building upon this achievement, the company aims to further develop its sustainability alliance, fostering a more environmentally friendly and promising future for the entire industry.

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Airbus is taking digital collaboration into a new dimension by developing an industry-first collaborative solution based on mixed reality technologies for aircraft interior customisation.
This new concept will transform and boost the way Airbus defines aircraft cabins by enabling live and remote interactions with customers in an immersive virtual world.
Thanks to holograms in a 3D environment, users can visualise various cabin equipment choices and test different interior configurations, materials or colours. All users, wherever they are, can communicate easily and in real time.
The “Airbus immersive remote collaboration” solution is planned for industrialisation on the A320 family by 2025, opening the door to more mixed reality industrial applications for other commercial aircraft and on helicopter programmes.
This innovative concept builds on Airbus’ experience of mixed reality technology in industrial environments and highly-accurate visualisation of aircraft interiors.ADVERTISEMENTIt supports Airbus’ ambition to deploy a fully digital end-to-end approach for its industrial operations to improve aircraft design quality, support production ramp-up and increase customer satisfaction.
Catherine Jestin, Executive Vice President Digital and Information Management at Airbus, said: “With this new solution, Airbus is opening a new era where mixed reality will help shape the future of aircraft cabin definition. We are leveraging the power of data and most advanced technologies to create engaging, interactive and realistic virtual experiences for our customers, accessible at any time, from anywhere in the world. This shows how we foster digital innovation at Airbus for all our products and services, always keeping our customers at heart.”
To learn more about the broad range of our disruptive concepts, visit the Airbus website at https://www.airbus.com/en/innovation/disruptive-concepts

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Boeing and Air Algérie today confirmed an order for eight fuel-efficient 737-9 jets at the Paris Air Show. The Algerian flag carrier also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for two 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighters (BCF) to meet increasing cargo demand in the region.
“This order will contribute to the development of the Air Algérie fleet,” said Yacine Benslimane, general manager of Air Algérie. “This acquisition is part of Air Algérie’s fleet extension strategy through the purchase of new aircraft.”
Air Algérie operates a single-aisle fleet of more than 30 737-500, 737-600 and 737-800 jets. Adding the 737-9 allows the airline to carry more passengers, increasing profitability within its network. With added capacity and increased profitability, the 737-9 is designed to serve 193 passengers in a two-class configuration with a range of 3,300 nautical miles.
“The 737-9 is ideally suited for Air Algérie’s regional network, providing it with additional capacity and flexibility to operate seamlessly with its existing 737 fleet,” said Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “In addition, the highly reliable and capable 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighters will enable Air Algerie to capture growing cargo opportunities, expanding beyond its passenger business.”
This 737-9 order was unidentified on Boeing’s Orders & Deliveries website.ADVERTISEMENTThe 737 MAX airplane family delivers enhanced efficiency, improved environmental performance and increased passenger comfort to the single-aisle market. Powered by CFM International LEAP-1B engines and advanced technology winglets, the 737 MAX reduces fuel use and emissions 20% compared to airplanes it replaces.
Boeing customers have placed more than 1,000 orders and commitments for the company’s new commercial airplanes since July 2022. This includes over 750 737 MAX airplanes, reflecting the value of the family’s versatility and commonality.
The 737-800BCF carries more payload (up to 23.9 tonnes) and offers more range (2,025 nautical miles) than previous standard-body freighters. Global customers have placed more than 250 orders and commitments for the 737-800 BCF.

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Boeing and Avolon, the international aircraft leasing company, yesterday announced an order for 40 737 MAX airplanes at the Paris Air Show.
The announcement reaffirms our long-standing partnership with Boeing and our support for their 737 MAX program. We are confident in the long-term demand from our customers for the 737 MAX, and this order extends our delivery pipeline out to 2030,” said Andy Cronin, CEO, Avolon. “The transitioning of the global fleet to more fuel-efficient new-technology aircraft is a priority for our industry, and we are looking to play a leading role by supporting airlines achieving their sustainability objectives.”
The 737 MAX will provide Avolon’s customers with greater flexibility across their network, while reducing fuel use and emissions by 20% compared to the airplanes they replace. On average each airplane will save up to 8 million pounds of CO2 annually compared to airplanes it replaces.
“This order demonstrates the popularity of the 737-8 among the leasing community and the demand they are seeing from their customers for this airplane model,” said Stan Deal, president and CEO, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “Avolon has a long-standing relationship with the 737 MAX program and took delivery of the 1,000th 737 MAX last year. We look forward to building on this strong relationship with a key leasing partner as they grow their Boeing portfolio of airplanes.”
This order was previously unidentified on the Boeing Orders & Deliveries website.ADVERTISEMENTThe 737-8 models, seating 162 to 210 passengers depending on configuration and with a range of 3,500 nautical miles, is the market’s most versatile single-aisle airplane, capable of operating profitably on short and medium-haul routes.
Boeing customers have placed more than 1,000 orders and commitments for the company’s new commercial airplanes since July 2022. This includes over 750 737 MAX airplanes, reflecting the value of the family’s versatility and commonality.

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Mexican ultra-low-cost airline and all-Airbus operator Volaris has disclosed 25 A321neo from a purchase agreement signed in October 2022.
These aircraft bring Volaris total backlog to 143 A320neo Family aircraft, which will support the airline’s continuous fleet renewal and expansion, powered by Pratt & Whitney engines.
“These A321neos will support our long-term business viability and sustainability strategy, while moving us closer to operating an all-NEO fleet by 2028. Our 143 aircraft backlog demonstrates Volaris financial strength and will guarantee our growth in the Mexican market as well as in routes to the United States and Central America,” said Enrique Beltranena, Volaris President and Chief Executive Officer.
“The A321neo’s superior performance and efficiency will continue to drive Volaris’ network growth. As the fleet grows the airline will be well positioned to meet future demand, especially in the Mexican leisure market. We look forward to working closely with Volaris as it continues to spread its wings,” said Christian Scherer, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Airbus International.
The A321neo is the largest-fuselage member of Airbus’ best-selling single-aisle A320 Family. The A321neo allows operators to cover the entire market, while offering the lowest seat-mile cost of any single-aisle available.ADVERTISEMENTVolaris became an Airbus customer in 2006, and since then the airline has ordered 206 A320 Family aircraft, including more than 170 A320neo Family aircraft. Volaris is the largest A320neo Family operator in Latin America.
Airbus has sold over 1,150 aircraft in Latin America and the Caribbean. More than 750 are in operation throughout the region, with another 500 in the order backlog, representing a market share of nearly 60% of in-service passenger aircraft. Since 1994, Airbus has secured 75% of net orders in the region.
@Viajavolaris #A321neo

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