News From The Farnborough International Airshow

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IFC Launch Customer For Tu-204

Russian leasing giant Ilyushin Finance (IFC) announced an order for 31 Tupolev Tu-204SM twin-jets from United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) in a $1.5bn order. This makes it the launch customer for the upgraded Tu-204. IFC’s deal also contains options for 30 more Tu-204SM aircraft,, which will bring the value of the contract to $3 billion. IFC is looking to place the jet with Iranian, Bulgarian and Brazilian airlines. The Aviastar plant in Ulyanovsk will produce the 210-seat aircraft, which features Aviadvigatel PS-90A2 turbofans, and better avionics and on-board systems. Kazan-based KAPO will manufacture the wing sections.

Bisignani Condemns EU For Emissions Trading Tax

Giovanni Bisignani, the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA’s) director general blasted Europe’s policy on environmentally inefficient taxes . During an industry forum on sustainable aviation hosted by the Society of British Aerospace Companies, he said that governments were ‘greedy’ with their policies on including aviation into the EU’s emissions trading scheme (ETS). He pointed out that the $5.42 billion due to be collected via the new tax via the new Co2 auctioning scheme may not go towards creating cleaner skies. He believes that the EU ETS should not apply to intercontinental flights, which infringes international rights. From 2012, the ETS will include any flight that starting or finishing in the EU. He said that the best way to cut emissions was via a more efficient air traffic control system., which he believes could save up to 12% of CO2 emissions.

Turboprop Revival

Hungarian flag carrier Malev has said it will take 12 Bombardier Q400 turboprops, which will replace the CRJ200s and Fokker 70 regional aircraft in its fleet from 2009 onwards. This year the airline will take six, one-year-old Q400s, and it plans to add four new aircraft from 2012. It will begin phasing the jet aircraft out in 2009. It cites fuel costs as the main factor.

Dassault Falcon Adds To Global Support Network

Dassault Falcon has expanded its presence in Turkey and South Africa, by appointing two new authorized service centers in Lanseria International Airport, as well as a third company to provide support in Turkey. Bhakari Aviation and Execujet South Africa will provide scheduled and unscheduled maintenance support, while Palmari, at Istanbul’s Atatrk International Airport will offer service centre support, including AOG assistance, as well as scheduled and unscheduled maintenance work. In addition, Falcon has relocated Falcon’s field service rep for India to Mumbai. Aadil Goulamaly was previously based in St. Cloud, France. Prior to joining Dassault, Aadil spent four years with a French regional airline and two years on French firefighter aircraft as an avionics technician. He also has a master’s degree in aircraft maintenance.

More Sales For Embraer

Embraer’s backlog has increased from $4.5 billion to $6 billion in the few short weeks since the EBACE show in Geneva in late May. Colin Steven, Embraer vice president of marketing, Europe, Middle East and Africa for executive jet announced two more orders. The UAE’s Al Habtoor Group, has agreed to purchase a Lineage 1000, and K2 SmartJets of Greece has signed an order for two Legacy 600s.

Falcon Aviation Services Takes Four Sikorsky S-76Ds

Abu Dhabi based charter operator Falcon Aviation Services (FAS) announced that it has taken four VIP Sikorsky S-76D helicopter positions. His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan announced the signings at the show. The S-76D helicopter will be the next production model in the S-76 line that has already seen more than 700 deliveries across the spectrum of roles, including VIP and Head of State, emergency medical transport, search and rescue, civil defense, and offshore oil crew transport. The S-76D is on track for initial certification in late 2009. With 14 aircraft currently in service FAS’ growth strategy is underpinned by firm orders for an additional 23 new helicopters and corporate jets valued at over $450 million. The S-76D helicopter positions, if converted to delivery contracts, would become the first Sikorsky aircraft to join the fleet, making FAS the first operator of the S-76D helicopter in the UAE. “Sikorsky is proud to be associated with Falcon Aviation Services and to continue supporting the growth of general aviation in the UAE,” says Joseph Gigantelli, Sikorsky’s regional sales executive for the Middle East. “We look forward to expanding on our relationship with FAS and already have entered discussions with them to establish a maintenance centre for our commercial helicopters.”

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