Page 5 - Aviation News - September 2017

Air Transat to Operate A321LRs

Air Transat has agreed to lease ten Airbus A computer-generated image of an Air “We are very proud of our long-standing
A321LRs from AerCap. They are being Transat Airbus A321LR. Airbus partnership with Air Transat and are thrilled
acquired on 12-year leases and will replace very pleased to strengthen our partnership to play a significant role in the future growth
the Canadian leisure carrier’s A310s, which with the world’s leading aircraft lessor, with of the airline. The A321LR will significantly
will gradually be retired. which we have enjoyed a fruitful and long- improve Air Transat’s fleet with the most
“The A321LRs will perfectly complete standing association.” efficient, longest-range single-aisle aircraft
our fleet of A330s and 737s,” said Jean- Air Transat says the 4,000nm (7,408km) that offers an exceptional level of passenger
Marc Eustache, President and CEO of range of the A321LR is ideally suited to its comfort.”
Transat, the parent company of Air Transat. network. The jetliners will be configured in Air Transat currently operates 31
“These aircraft are also an ideal solution for a two-class layout with 200 seats, with each permanent aircraft, consisting of nine A310-
replacing our A310s. This agreement with seat equipped with a touchscreen offering 300s, 11 A330-200s, four A330-300s and
AerCap will allow us to continue offering our a wide choice of in-flight entertainment seven Boeing 737-800s. All ten A321LRs
customers the service and comfort they are options. will be delivered between spring 2019 and
used to, at the best possible price. We are Aengus Kelly, CEO of AerCap, said: autumn 2020.

747-8 Negotiations for ‘Air Force One’

The USAF’s Presidential Airlift Group is airline until it went bankrupt two years for the air force and the best price for the
preparing to buy two 747-8s to replace the later. Only two aircraft were completed for taxpayer,” said Boeing spokeswoman
VC-25As (747-200Bs) currently assigned the Transaero contract, and USAF officials Caroline Hutcheson.
to Air Mobility Command’s 89th Airlift Wing have begun negotiations with Boeing to The 747-8s were flown to the Southern
at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. Either acquire them. Before taking office, Donald California Logistics Airport in Victorville in
of these two aircraft will be referred to as Trump criticised the projected cost of the Mojave Desert for storage in February.
‘Air Force One’ whenever the president is the Presidential Aircraft Recapitalization The Pentagon’s 2018 budget request,
onboard. programme. submitted to Congress in February,
The two 747-8s, N894BA and N895BA, “We’re still working toward a deal to includes a total of $3.2bn to be spent on
were part of four originally ordered in 2013 provide two 747-8s to the air force – this two new Air Force One aircraft between
by Transaero, Russia’s second-largest deal is focused on providing a great value 2018 and 2022.

Prefect

Released to

Service

The Grob G 120TP Prefect elementary trainer
received military release to service approval
on July 11. Affinity Flying Training Services has
ordered 23 aircraft and the approval “marks the
start of the service provision by Affinity to the
UK Military Flying Training System [UKMFTS],”
said Iain Chalmers, Managing Director of The Grob Prefect has now entered UK military service, these examples are shown at RAF
Affinity Flying Training Services – a joint Barkston Heath. Peter R Foster
venture involving Elbit Systems and KBR. The The Prefect will be operated from RAF being acquired are currently in the UK. The
Prefect is replacing the G115E Tutor T1 under Barkston Heath and RAF Cranwell in first ab initio students will begin training on
the UKMFTS programme. Lincolnshire. Around half of the 23 aircraft the type in January.

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