Page 25 - World Airnews September 2020 Edition

GENERAL
FEATURE
AVIATION

WHY AIRLINES ARE PARKING TWO CESSNA GRAND

AND RETIRING PLANES EARLY CARAVAN EX AIRCRAFT

here has been plenty of news in extron Aviation has announced it
Trecent months of airlines reti ring Twas awarded a contract by ATI En-

aircraft early as the industry comes to a gineering Services, LLC for two multi-mis-

standstill. Many retired planes are being sion Cessna Grand Caravan EX aircraft for

sent to aviation graveyards, otherwise the Rwanda Defence Force in support of

known as bone yards. the African Partnership Flight initiative.

Here, they live out the rest of their This will be the first fixed-wing aircraft to

days being picked apart as parts are tak- be put in service by the RDF. The aircraft,

en and used elsewhere. However, some which are anticipated to enter service

retired aircraft are not destined for scrap during the first half of 2021, will primarily
just yet. be based in Kigali, Rwanda.
The Cessna Grand Caravan EX is designed
WHY DO AIRLINES RETIRE PLANES? and manufactured by Textron Aviation

AFRICOM's intent is to field multiple

As time and technology move on, Incorporation. gine economy and simplicity. It is a perfect iterations of this configuration throughout

match for this mission throughout the US

manufacturers such as Boeing and Airbus, This African Partnership Flight initiative Africa Command area of responsibility.” Africa, and to streamline logistics support

and suppliers such as Rolls-Royce and brings together a series of collaborative ATI engineering services will modify and and enhance partner nation interoperabil-

Pratt & Whitney, find new ways to make engagements between African nations to equip the RDF’s Grand Caravan EX aircraft ity, both of which will reduce costs to the

aircraft more economical. This means strengthen US strategic partnerships with with secure high frequency and UHF or partner nation and to the US government.

more modern aircraft not only do less key countries in Africa, exchange ideas Ultra High Frequency radio systems, Night AFRICOM’s African partners who already

damage to the environment, but they taken off flying status can spend months pandemic has catalyzed their retirements. on aviation-related topics, and enhance Vision Imaging System, interior and exterior possess Grand Caravan EX aircraft include

are also cheaper to run. The new Airbus being restored and repaired. From passengers to pilots, Boeing 747 is regional cooperation and interoperability. lighting, and a reconfigurable multi-mission Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Mali, Mauritania,

A321neos use 15% less fuel compared Airlines may also choose to temporarily a favourite across the industry; however, “The Grand Caravan EX serves an interior featuring two ambulatory medical Kenya and Uganda. These countries are
to standard jets. With fuel costs rising, store aircraft due to economic conditions the Queen of the Skies is one of the largest enduring mission by providing transport, stretcher kits, 11 passenger seats, eight co-participants in United Nations peacekeep-

airlines are looking to cut fuel costs as such as rising fuel costs. If an airline casualties this year. reconnaissance, and medical evacuation collapsible utility seats and a removable ing operations, particularly in missions in the

much as possible. is changing its network, consolidating Qantas notably retired the last of its 747 operations throughout Africa,” said Bob roller ball cargo floor. Central African Republic and South Sudan.

Additionally, like any machine, planes with another airline or downsizing, it units last month. The jumbo has been sent Gibbs, vice president, special mission sales
The US government has previously pro-
Increasing commonality of equipment,
are subject to wear and tear. As planes get may choose to ground some jets. These to the Mojave Desert in California with sev- for Textron Aviation. vided grant aid funding for 14 Grand Car- such as the Grand Caravan EX, serves as

older, they naturally become less efficient. jets may be retired permanently and be eral of its siblings and 12 of Qantas’ A380s “The aircraft is engineered for challeng- avan EX aircraft procured through foreign a focal point to substantially increase in-

Just as we get older, we tend to slow down snapped up by another airline or may that are in hibernation there. ing missions, high payloads and short, military sale cases throughout Africa, with ter-operability in operations, maintenance,

and occasionally even need a few parts only be stored temporarily until condi- British Airways emotionally confirmed rough runways while delivering single-en- Rwanda being the latest recipient. supply support and planning. Q
replaced, so do airplanes. Maintaining air- tions improve. that it is also retiring the jumbo early
worthiness, therefore, becomes increasing- There is also a strong second-hand due to the implications surrounding
ly expensive. market for aircraft. Leasing companies COVID-19. Many redundant 747s from
Not only do the newer planes have a often take retired planes and refurbish across the globe are being sent to Cots- AIRLINES

direct cost-benefit, but they also have a them before leasing them to airlines who wold Airport in the Gloucestershire. The

more subtle benefit. Newer planes are cannot afford, or do not want, to buy small British field has a storage park for
equipped with the latest in passenger their own. One of the most well known aircraft that are don’t have a role in the MAIDEN LONG-HAUL

comforts. From mood lighting to minimize is Hi Fly, which recently gave a new lease current climate.

jetlag to better entertainment systems, of life to Airbus A380 formerly flown by Altogether, travel restrictions, border

sleeker designs, and comfier seats, mod- Singapore Airlines. closures, and passenger concerns have CHARTER TO CANADA

ern jets offer passengers a better expe- caused an unprecedented downturn in

rience. Generally, passengers are more TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE passenger numbers across the globe. Even
likely to travel on an airline with newer DOWNTURN though some services are picking up slowly, at 6:40 pm (local time). The airline chartered ical and essential supplies and we intend to

planes than older ones. There is no industry standard of when a it could take three to five years for activity a wide-body Airbus A330-900 Neo aircraft keep on with our efforts.”
to return to 2019 levels.

“We, at SpiceJet, are extremely sad-

WHY NOT SCRAP THEM ALL? plane should retire permanently or what Planes such as the 747 and the A380 were he first Indian budget airline has from Hi Fly for this flight. The twin-aisle dened by the Air India Express tragedy
should happen to it. Various factors can

A330 Neo aircraft has a configuration of 353

Once an airline has decided to remove affect an aircraft retirement age, including already under review due to more efficient, Toperated a long-haul fl ight to economy and 18 business class seats. and extend our deepest condolences to

aircraft from its fleet, the aircraft are the number of flight hours and pressuriza- modern types being available. However, North America and repatriated 352 Cana- Ajay Singh, chairman and managing di- the families of the bereaved and pray for

generally sent to bone yards. Sometimes, a tion cycles. with long-haul opportunities limited amid dian nationals and permanent residents. rector SpiceJet said, “Our first-ever long- a speedy recovery of those injured.”

plane goes to a bone yard for maintenance The recent downturn has meant that the current situation, these models are Continuing with its mission to help haul charter flight to Canada is another Earlier in August SpiceJet repatriated

or an overhaul. Bone yards often have many aircraft have retired early. Rather now required even less. stranded passengers get back home, Spice- example of our commitment to helping as 269 Indians who had been stranded in

maintenance hangars attached for this than pay to store aircraft at airports, air- Therefore, until there are regular, Jet, a budget airline and air cargo operator, many people as we can to get back home Amsterdam to Bengaluru and Hyderabad.

purpose. These hangars are also used to lines have been using this time to refurbish diverse operations occurring across the completed its first-ever long-haul wide- to their families in these troubled times. The airline has operated over 515

remove parts for scrap. their aircraft and renew their fleet. nations again, many planes will be taking body charter flight to North America. In a “Being the first Indian budget airline to charter and Vande Bharat flights and

However, if a plane is being retired well-deserved sabbaticals and retirements unique initiative, SpiceJet repatriated 352 operate a non-stop long-haul flight to North repatriated Indian citizens from countries

completely, it doesn’t mean it will stay in A NECESSARY MEASURE in the sun. Q Canadian nationals and permanent resi- America is a proud moment for the SpiceJet such as Philippines, Kyrgyzstan, Russia,
the bone yard forever. Sometimes, retired The global health crisis has rocked the dency holders from New Delhi to Toronto. family. We have operated flights across the Netherlands, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman,

aircraft are overhauled and then snapped aviation market from top to bottom. Even Article courtesy of The flight departed from New Delhi at 8.10 globe repatriating close to 85,000 people Qatar, Lebanon, Bangladesh, Maldives

up by other airlines that don’t have the if carriers were planning to eventually let https://simpleflying.com/aircraft- am IST and was scheduled to reach Toronto and transporting over 28,000 tons of med- and Sri Lanka. Q

cash to buy new jets. Aircraft temporarily go of some members of their fleet, the retirement-parking-vs-scrap/

World Airnews | September 2020 World Airnews | September 2020
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