Page 8 - Aviation News (February 2020)

German Airways
CIVIL NEWS Two regional airlines operated by the
Emerges

Zeitfracht Group have come together
under a single new brand – German
Airways. While the move brings the carriers
closer, they will retain their respective Air
Operator Certifi cates.
Cologne/Bonn-based WDL has recently
started to switch from British Aerospace
146s to Embraer E190s, with just one
passenger-confi gured BAe 146, D-AMGL
(c/n E2055), remaining. However, it is likely WDL Aviation E-190LR, D-AJHW, has been repainted in the new colours of German Airways.
to continue using the Hatfi eld-built airliner AirTeamImages.com/Markus Mainka
on freight routes. The ACMI lease specialist
currently operates three former Copa Dortmund’s LGW – acquired by Zeitfracht of Bombardier Q400s. The carrier was
Airlines Colombia E190s and a further two Group in April – is also understood to previously part of Eurowings, having been
are due to be taken on lease from Azorra be eyeing a move to the Brazilian-built one of several purchases made by Lufthansa
Aviation shortly. 100-seaters, replacing its 17-strong fl eet following the collapse of airberlin.
Wizz Air Abu Dhabi EASA Approval for P&W A319neo

Budapest-based Wizz Air will launch a low-
cost airline in Abu Dhabi after provisionally The Pratt & Whitney PW1100G equipped A319neo – each with P&W PW1100G and
agreeing a joint venture with the Abu Dhabi A319neo has received EASA approval in CFM LEAP-1A engine options. Airbus holds
Development Holding Company (ADDH). November This follows that for a CFM LEAP- 83 orders for the 160-seat A319neo and
The new carrier is expected to take fl ight in 1A powered example on December 14, 2018 has so far handed over two ACJ319neos.
the second half of 2020. and the ACJ319neo corporate jet on July Deliveries to airlines are expected to start
Tentatively named Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, 9, 2019. This completes the programme this year. The fi rst A319 to be powered by
the airline will focus on establishing routes of type certifi cations across the A320neo PW1100Gs, D-AVWA (c/n 6464), made its
to markets in which the European operator Family, comprising A320neo, A321neo and maiden fl ight as such on April 25, 2019.
has existing, high-growth services. These
include central, eastern and western
Europe, as well as the Indian subcontinent, JetSMART Buys Norwegian’s
Middle East and Africa in the future. With a
fl eet composed of Airbus A321neo aircraft,
the new airline’s o ering will align directly Argentinean Subsidiar
with that of Wizz Air.
József Váradi, chief executive o cer Norwegian has sold its Argentinian replaced by JetSMART’s Airbus A320s. The
of Wizz Air Holdings, said: “Wizz Air subsidiary to Chilean low-cost carrier three jets will then re-enter service with
Abu Dhabi will be an incremental path JetSMART Airlines for an undisclosed sum. Norwegian. The carrier said the di culties
of growth for Wizz Air, built on our While the carrier will assume Norwegian’s in generating a profi t in the region were
successful ultra-low-cost business model, operation with immediate e ect, the pair exacerbated by the depreciation in the
bringing a ordable travel to ever more expect the integration process to take Argentinian peso. Geir Karlsen, acting
customers. We believe the new airline several months. Under the deal, JetSMART CEO and CFO of Norwegian said most of
has the potential to be a signifi cant player will phase out the branding across the its costs are denominated in dollars while
in the region.” The establishment of the domestic Argentinian network. revenue is obtained in pesos only: “the
carrier is subject to defi nitive agreements In the next six months, the three sharp depreciation of the peso against
between the two companies, as well as Boeing 737s currently operated by the the dollar has created a signifi cant gap
regulatory approval. carrier will be returned to Europe and between costs and revenue.”

Air Caraïbes A350 New LSA From BRM

Czech light aircraft manufacturer, BRM
Aero has announced a new all-metal two-
seat light sport aircraft (LSA), the B.8. It is
aimed at pilots who prefer the high-wing
layout rather than the low wing of BRM’s
very successful Bristell two-seater. It has a
strutless cantilever wing and a fi xed tricycle
undercarriage with a steerable nosewheel. It
also has control yokes rather than sticks and
Air Caraïbes has taken delivery of its fi rst A350-1000, the largest member of Airbus’ new
generation A350XWB Family, making it the fi rst French operator of the type. The airline plans two doors with a separate rear door for the
to operate the A350-1000s alongside its three A350-900s and six A330s on routes from Paris luggage compartment. The basic model will
to the French Caribbean. In total, parent company Groupe Dubreuil has three A350-1000s on be powered by a 100hp Rotax 912ULS but
order, confi gured in a three-class layout with 429 seats (24 in ‘Madras’ business, 45 in ‘Caraïbes’ buyers will also be able to opt for the Rotax
premium economy and 360 in ‘Soleil’ economy. Airbus IS, 914 and 915iS engines. Rod Simpson

8 AVIATION NEWS FEBRUARY 2020

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