Page 68 - World Airnews Magazine February 2020 Edition

NEWS DIGITAL NEWS DIGITAL

EGYPTAIR INTRODUCES

COMFORT CLASS

number of privileges during their trips. destinations will be added in the coming
The privileges include finalising period including Vienna and Athens.
Egypt's flagship airliner EgyptAir said travel procedures through business class The announcement came a few days
it is launching a new class of travel on counters and a baggage allowance of 2 after EgyptAir received a new Airbus
x32 kgs and 8 kgs in carry-on luggage.
A220-300 - the eighth of a deal with
international flights on its new Airbus The comfort class will be offered at Airbus to purchase 12 aircraft of the same
A220-300 fleet. prices lower than those of business travel family by June this year.
EgyptAir CEO Ahmed Adel said the class, he added. The new A220-300 is configured in a
airline is introducing its ‘comfort class’ on This class will be available in routes to two-class cabin with 140-seats including
front seats beginning from the first row Beirut, Istanbul, Sharjah, Moscow, Al- 15 premium and 125 economy class
to the third, with passengers receiving a Qassim, Amman, Arbil and Muscat. Other seats. Q

BAE SYSTEMS ANNOUNCES NEWS DIGITAL FOUR MORE H145S

PROPOSED ACQUISITION

of the US military and its partners.” continue to be critical to the US military
These proposed acquisitions are subject and partners worldwide.
BAE Systems announced recently it to the successful closure of the Raytheon- For example, the business is currently
has reached definitive agreements for the UTC transaction, as well as the satisfaction developing the next generation of M-Code
proposed acquisitions of Collins Aerospace of other customary closing conditions, GPS technologies for the US military,
military global positioning system (GPS) including receipt of the required US which will advance our collective position
business and Raytheon airborne tactical regulatory approvals. to address the priority growth area of
radios (ATR) business. Upon closure, both business lines would precision guided munitions.
These two high-performing businesses be integrated into the company’s Electronic
are being sold in connection with obtaining Systems sector. RAYTHEON AIRBORNE TACTICAL
the required antitrust clearances for the “These are strong businesses with RADIOS BUSINESS
previously announced pending merger be- talented employees who share our focus Raytheon’s ATR business is a provider of
tween Raytheon and United Technologies on quality and technology innovation,” said airborne tactical radio solutions. Based in
Corporation (UTC). Tom Arseneault, President and COO of BAE Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Largo, Florida,
The proposed acquisitions are structured Systems, Inc. the ATR business designs, manufactures
as asset transactions with associated “We are confident of a smooth transition and supplies a wide array of mission-critical
tax benefits and they remain subject to that will accelerate our future together communication systems to the US depart-
customary closing adjustments. and look forward to welcoming these new ment of defence, allied governments and
The asset purchase agreement for the employees to the BAE Systems team once large defence aircraft manufacturers.
Collins military GPS business calls for cash the transactions are approved.” The business has leveraged its innovative
of (US) $1.925 billion, with an expected tax technologies to develop secure commu-
benefit of approximately (US) $365 million. COLLINS MILITARY GPS BUSINESS nications solutions that are installed on a
For Raytheon’s ATR business, the pur- Based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Collins’ broad range of military airborne platforms.
chase agreement calls for cash of (US)$275 military GPS business is a longstanding Coupled with the Electronic Systems
million, with an expected tax benefit of provider of mission critical military GPS sector of BAE Systems Raytheon’s ATR
approximately (US) $50 million. receiver solutions and has been a pioneer business will enhance the company’s
“As militaries around the world increas- in military GPS receiver markets for over positions in airborne communications with
ingly operate in contested environments, 40 years. broad spectrum, multi-band, multi-channel pilots and rear crew.
the industry-leading, battle-tested Today, it designs and produces advanced, radios including battle proven, robust, Airbus Helicopters is fully embedded at both bases as the rotary
products of these two businesses will com- hardened and secure GPS products to anti-jam and encryption capabilities. The Airbus Helicopters in the UK is to provide four additional wing aircraft service provider to Ascent.
plement and extend our existing portfolio include M-Code, anti-jamming, and ATR business brings both complementary Managing director of Airbus Helicopters in the UK, Colin James
of solutions we offer our customers,” said anti-spoofing technologies. The business waveform expertise and a long trusted H145 helicopters as part of an expansion of the UK Military Flight said, “The H135 Juno and H145 Jupiter are demonstrating day-in
Jerry DeMuro, CEO of BAE Systems. has an installed base of over 1.5 million partnership with the US army. Training System (UKMFTS). and day-out their exceptional reliability and versatility in the
“This unique opportunity to acquire devices on approximately 280 platform “These businesses will be excellent The new helicopters will join the existing fleet of 29 H135s and training role at UKMFTS. It’s deeply satisfying for us to see the
critical radio and GPS capabilities strength- types around the world, including ground, strategic fits with the strong BAE Systems three H145s, known respectively as Juno and Jupiter in UKMFTS first aircrew having already graduated and we look forward to
ens our position as a leading provider of airborne, and weapon systems. Electronic Systems sector and our service. They will be delivered during 2020. delivering the additional aircraft in the very near future.”
defence electronics and communications Given the requirement for ubiquitous, combined capabilities will benefit our Operated by Ascent Flight Training Management Ltd primarily The H145 helicopter family has completed more than 5.5 million
systems, and further supports our secure geo-positioning in contested customers and all of our stakeholders,” said from RAF Shawbury and also RAF Valley on behalf of the ministry flight hours worldwide with more than 1,300 aircraft in the global
alignment with the modernization priorities battlefields, this technology offering will Arseneault. Q of defence, the aircraft are used to train all UK military helicopter fleet. Q

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