Bombardier (Montreal) has announcedย it will cut 1,700 jobs, or around four percent of its staff, as it attempts to preserve cash after costly setbacks in the development of two new jets according to this report by Reuters.
Bombardier plans to eliminate 1,100 jobs in Canada and 600 in the United States.
Bombardier previously announced it would delay the entry of the new CS100 due to undefined issues. The company stated it needed more testing to make sure all of the systems were mature enough for entry into service. This delay was not anticipated by the company, hence the layoffs.ย Theย CS100ย entry-into-service is now scheduled for the second half of 2015 and will be followed by theย CS300ย entry-into-service approximately six months afterwards.
Copyright Photo: Gilbert Hechema/AirlinersGallery.com. The first CS100 test aircraft, namely CS100 (BD-500-1A10) C-FBCS (msn 50001), is pictured on its first test flight at Montreal (Mirabel).
Air Algรฉrie (Algiers) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for three A330-200 passenger aircraft as part of the carrierโs continued growth plans. This order has been placed at Dubai Airshow 2013.
The new aircraft will be deployed on medium and long haul routes from the Air Algรฉrie hub in Algeria. Air Algรฉrie has already ordered a total of five Airbus A330-200s, which have all been delivered to date.
Copyright Photo: Gilbert Hechema/AirlinersGallery.com.ย Air Algerie’s Airbus A330-202 7T-VJX (msn 650) arrives in Montreal (Trudeau).
Bombardier Aerospace (Montreal) yesterday (September 16) had a successful first flight of its new CS100 airliner. The company issued this statement:
Under perfect weather conditions, Bombardier Aerospace celebrated the successful first flight of itsย CSeriesย aircraft, a major milestone in the companyโs highly anticipated development program that will provide operators with an all-new family of aircraft specifically designed for the 100- to 149-seat market segment. The maiden flight marks the start of theย CSeriesย aircraftโs flight test program leading up to the first customer delivery, and was also the first flight for Pratt & Whitneyโs new Geared Turbofanโข PurePower engine as part of an aircraft certification program.
The historic flight ofย CSeriesย flight test vehicle one (FTV1) โ aย CS100ย jetliner bearing Canadian registration markings C-FBCS โ was conducted under the command of Captain Charles (Chuck) Ellis, Chief Flight Test Pilot, Bombardier Flight Test Center. Capt. Ellis was assisted by his colleagues,ย Capt. Andris (Andy) Litavniks and Andreas Hartono in the roles of First Officer and Flight Test Engineer, respectively. The flight departed from MontrรฉalโMirabel International Airport at approximately 9:55 EDT and returned at approximately 12:25 EDT.
โDuring its maiden flight,ย CSeriesย FTV1 reached an altitude of 12,500 feet (3,810 metres) and an air speed of 230 knots (426 km/h). In-flight tests included flap and landing gear retractions and extensions; in-flight maneuvers that included a simulated landing; and early validation of the flight control system. Additionally, weโre also delighted that many of our guests commented on the impressive and quiet performance during takeoff and landing,โ added Mr. Dewar.
The firstย CSeriesย aircraft was greeted by more than 3,000 Bombardier employees and Board members, customers, partners and suppliers, upon its return to the companyโs Montreal Mirabel, Quรฉbec facility, where the final assembly line for theย CSeriesย aircraft program is now under construction.
A total of fiveย CS100ย flight test vehicles, all of which are currently in various stages of assembly, will join the flight test program in the coming months.
Top Copyright Photo: Gilbert Hechema/AirlinersGallery.com. CS100 (BD-500-1A10) C-FBCS (msn 50001) departs from YMX on its successful first flight.
Video:
Bottom Copyright Photo: Rockwell Collins. A view of the CS100 cockpit.ย Rockwell Collinsโย Pro Line Fusionยฎย avionics andย Primary Flight Control Computerย (PFCC) played a key role in the successful first flight of Bombardierโsย CSeriesย commercial aircraft.ย Rockwell Collinsโ Pro Line Fusion is featured on 16 aircraft platforms ranging from turboprops, light jets, intercontinental business jets, and commercial aircraft to military tanker and special missions platforms. The scalability of Pro Line Fusion is unmatched in the industry.
Pro Line Fusion for the CSeries aircraft, designed with five 15.1-inch diagonal LCD displays, provides an open architecture that enables extensive situational awareness capabilities, comprehensive integration with aircraft systems such as Rockwell Collinsโย MultiScanโขย weather radar and optional single or dualย Head-up Displayย (HUD), and a growth roadmap to future air space requirements. Performance-enhancing capabilities that Pro Line Fusion will bring to the CSeries aircraft include RNP AR 0.1 and Category IIIa/b autoland, which couples with Rockwell Collinsโ PFCC for Bombardierโs fly-by-wire (FBW) flight control system.ย Rockwell Collinsโ PFCC provides an enabling platform to execute complex aircraft control laws, optimize aircraft fuel efficiency, improve passenger safety and enhance overall passenger ride comfort.
Bombardier Aerospace (Montreal) has announced that the firstย CSeriesย aircraft โ Flight Test Vehicle 1 (FTV1) โ has successfully obtained Transport Canadaโs Flight Test Permit, thereby clearing the way for its maiden flight, expected in the coming weeks.
This follows a series of pre-flight tests including low-speed taxi runs. FTV1 will now proceed withย high-speed taxi runs whereby the aircraft simulates speeds for flight take-off.
โFive years in the making and today, following receipt of Transport Canadaโs flight test permit, we are very close to theย CSeriesย airlinerโs first flight โ a historic moment for Bombardier and a game-changing moment for the industry,โ said Mike Arcamone, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. โTheย CSeriesย aircraft teams have spent the last few weeks completing rigorous exercises to ensure the integrity and maturity of the aircraft are absolutely in check with the flight crewโs requirements. Pending optimal weather, theย CSeriesย aircraft will soon take to the skies.โ
Bombardier will provide regular updates on the first flight timing via its website dedicated to theย CSeriesย Aircraft First Flightย www.cseriesfirstflight.bombardier.com, where the latest news about the program and its maiden flight will be posted. On the day of first flight, the event will be broadcast live on the site.
CSeriesย aircraft
Designed for the growing 100- to 149-seat market, the 100 per cent newย CSeriesย aircraft family combines advanced materials, leading-edge technology and proven methods to meet commercial airline requirements. Powered by Pratt & Whitney PurePower PW1500G engines, theย CSeriesย aircraft family will offer a 15 percent cash operating cost advantage and a 20 percent fuel burn advantage. With the extra capacity seating option, theย CS300ย aircraftโs productivity further improves, offering airlines an average of four percent additional cash operating cost advantage per seat. Theย CSeriesย aircraftโs clean-sheet design is ensuring that the aircraft will achieve greatly reduced noise and emissions, as well as superior operational flexibility, exceptional airfield performance and a range of 2,950 nm (5,463 km). Theย CSeriesย aircraft will be up to 12,000 lbs. (5,443 kg) lighter than other aircraft in the same seat category and will provide passengers with a best-in-class, widebody cabin environment in a single-aisle aircraft.
As of June 30, 2013, Bombardier had booked orders and commitments for 388ย CSeriesย aircraft that included firm orders for 177ย CSeriesย airliners.
Copyright Photo: Gilbert Hechema/AirlinersGallery.com.ย Bombardier CSeries CS100 (BD-500-1A10) “FTV1” C-FBCS (msn 50001) parked at Montreal (Mirabel) now wears a full color scheme as it prepares for its first flight.
Sunwing Airlines (Toronto-Pearson) will add weekly seasonal flights from Montreal (Trudeau) to both Aruba and Ixtapa, Mexico starting on December 16. The company is also adding extra frequencies to existing Caribbean routes.
The company issued this statement:
In response to a successful winter of sold out flights and with further enhancements to its leading product portfolio, Sunwing is announcing greater frequency to the popular resort destinations of Punta Cana, Varadero, and Cancun and the Mayan Riviera, with service up to twice daily.
Sunwing has also announced new destinations, with direct service from Montreal to the Caribbean island of Aruba and Ixtapa, Mexico, starting in December of 2013.
Copyright Photo: Gilbert Hechema/AirlinersGallery.com.ย Boeing 737-8K5 WL C-FRZG (msn 35139) in the special 2011 Oasis Hotels and Resorts – Oasis Loves U livery climbs away from Montreal (Trudeau).
Bombardier (Montreal) has reported to Reuters its new CSeries airliner is on schedule for its first flight later this month from Montreal’s Mirabel Airport. The company will report on new orders at the Paris Airshow which runs from June 17-23.
Theย Bombardier CSeriesย is a family ofย narrow-body,ย twin-engine, medium-rangeย jet airliners. The 110-seatย CS100ย and the 130-seatย CS300 are the two models being marketed. These were initially named C110 and C130, respectively.
This new CSeries jet competes with theย Boeing 737 Next Generationย (737-600, 737-700),ย Airbus A318 andย A319ย andย Embraerย ERJย 195. Bombardier claims the Cseries will burn 20% less fuel per trip than these competitors.
Copyright Photo: Gilbert Hechema. The first CSeries, the pictured CS100 (BD-500-1A10) registered C-FBCS (msn 50001) dubbed “FTV1” (Flight Test Vehicle 1), was rolled out of the Mirabel factory in this green primer paint and is being prepared for its first flight later this month (please click on the photo for the full size view).
Air Canada rouge’s (Air Canada) first newly painted Boeing 767-300 ER aircraft touched down on Saturday morning (June 1) at Mirabel airport from Tel Aviv where it underwent an exterior transformation during a scheduled maintenance check. The plane was flown from Tel Aviv by Air Canada pilots Captain David Lywood, First Officer Kurtis Paproski and Captain John Liska (above).
After being stripped to its aluminum base, painters applied primer, two coats of white and finally used massive stencils to spray on the airline’s distinct red and burgundy branding — about 70 gallons of paint were used over nearly eight days to complete the painting. In order to maximize fuel efficiency by adding minimal weight, the least amount of paint possible is applied while achieving optimal coverage. Following a short period flying Toronto-Dublin for Air Canada in June, starting July 1 the Boeing 767-300 ER plane will fly Air Canada rouge’s three European routes between Toronto (Pearson) and Venice/Athens/Edinburgh and Montreal (Trudeau)/Athens.
The aircraft will now undergo minor interior modifications; Air Canada rouge’s aircraft will be among the first in North America equipped to offer streaming inflight entertainment to customers’ own devices (laptops, tablets, smartphones, etc).
It joins two Air Canada rouge Airbus A319 aircraft already at Mirabel airport, which will initially fly Caribbean routes and are also undergoing interior modifications to reflect the airline’s relaxed, stylish approach to leisure travel. With this delivery Air Canada rouge now has 3 of its 4 startup aircraft, with the last painted Boeing 767-300 ER arriving at Mirabel airport early next week.ย Air Canada rouge introduced its new inflight crew look earlier this week and also announced that its flight crews would be taking customer service excellence training at the Disney Institute in Orlando, Florida.
Copyright Photo: Air Canada. The crew of the ferry flight pose in front of Boeing 767-33A ER C-GHPE (msn 33423) at Montreal (Mirabel). C-GHPE is the first AC 767 to wear the rouge colors.
Air Canada (Montreal) has painted and handed over its first Airbus A319 for its new low-fare division called Air Canada rouge. The company issued these photos and short statement:
Countdown to takeoff!ย Air Canada rouge has just taken delivery of its first Airbus 319 aircraft in its new livery at Mirabel Airport today (May 22) where it will now undergo a new interior design.ย Air Canada rouge will soon be leading the way in affordable, leisure travel when service starts July 1. Further details will be released on flight team training and the unveiling of new uniforms starts on May 27.
Top Copyright Photo: Air Canada. Airbus A319-112 C-GSJB (msn 1673) is the first aircraft to be painted.
Air Canada:ย
Bottom Copyright Photo: Air Canada.ย Air Canada rouge VP Operations Al Read was on hand to take delivery of the leisure airline’s first Airbus 319 in its new livery today at Mirabel Airport, where the aircraft will be fitted with its new interior.
Grupo Aeromexico, S.A.B. de C.V. (AeroMexico) (Mexico City)ย reported its unaudited consolidated results for the first quarter 2013.
Grupo Aeromexico reported record revenues of $9.174 billion pesos in the first quarter 2013; a 0.4% year-on-year increase, despite the fact that the quarter was one day shorter than that of the previous year.[1]
The cost of available seat kilometers (CASK) excluding fuel decreased 3.0% year-on-year in the first quarter 2013 due to the Company’s successful cost containment strategies. When expressed in U.S. dollars, CASK, excluding fuel, decreased 0.4% despite first quarter Mexican peso/ U.S. dollar depreciation.
First quarter EBITDAR reached $1.259 billion pesos, with a 13.7% margin. Operating income was $189 million pesos, with a 2.1% margin.
Grupo Aeromexico reported a net operating loss of $122 million pesos ($9.9 million US) in the first quarter 2013. Market value adjustments for the Company’s fuel hedging position resulted in a $59 million peso negative impact on net income.
Grupo Aeromexico generated $215 million in operating cash before tax during the first quarter 2013. Capital expenditures reached $519 million pesos, including items such as advance payments for aircraft purchases, security deposits and repayment of debt not associated with aircraft purchases. Grupo Aeromexico’s cash balance as at March 31, 2013 was $2.243 billion pesos.
During the first quarter, Grupo Aeromexico retired two aircraft from its fleet: one Embraer ERJ-145 and one Boeing 737-700, both under lease agreements. The Company also added a Boeing 737-800 jet airliner to its fleet under an operating lease scheme.
Copyright Photo: Gilbert Hechema/AirlinersGallery.com.ย Boeing 737-752 WL EI-DRE (msn 35787) in the now gone Captain America special livery departs from Montreal (Trudeau).
AeroMexico (Mexico City) has announced that its AM Plus Class will provide new benefits and enhanced seat comfort in its more than 40 Boeing 737 aircraft.
This new service features an extra 4″ (10 cm) of legroom in the first three rows in the Economy Class cabin, with an additional seatback tilt and leather headrests. Another advantage for passengers traveling in this new class includes priority boarding and deplaning, Premier airport check-in counters and baggage identification tags.
Some of the domestic destinations featuring this new product include Cancun, Tijuana, Monterrey, Guadalajara, Merida, among others; and Miami, Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Washington, Montreal, Lima, Bogota, Caracas and Costa Rica internationally.
In other news, AM is adding new service to Loreto, Mexico.ย The new route will be served from Mexico City and will stop in Culiacan, then Loreto and continue on to its final destination in Los Angeles, California, enabling Loreto customers to connect to other destinations in the United States.
Copyright Photo: Gilbert Hechema.ย Boeing 737-752 WL EI-DRE (msn 35787) in the special Tarjeta Aeromexico Banamex-VISA markings climbs away from the runway at Montreal (Trudeau).
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