Rolls Royce to maintain A350 XWB engines for Vietnam Airlines

Rolls-Royce has signed a £340 million deal to look after the engines on a fleet of aircraft flown by Vietnam Airlines.

The deal, known as a TotalCare long-term engine support contract, will see Rolls-Royce maintain the Trent XWB engines, which power the airline's fleet of 14 A350 aircraft.

The contract was signed at the Government Office in Hanoi in the presence of Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and UK Prime Minister David Cameron, who is visiting the country as part of a trade mission to South East Asia.

Source: Airbus

Mr Cameron said: "Rolls-Royce is the pinnacle of UK manufacturing excellence, exporting to fast-growing markets across Asia.

"I'm delighted that they are announcing this £340 million contract with Vietnam Airlines supporting UK manufacturing in Derby, Rolls-Royce's manufacturing hub for Trent XWB engines."

Dr Pham Ngoc Minh, Vietnam Airlines' president and chief executive, said: "As one of the first operators of the A350 XWB, we look forward to providing our passengers with outstanding service using state-of-the-art engines.

"This agreement will ensure we maximise the availability of these aircraft for service and enable us to become one of the leading airlines in South East Asia."

Tony Wood, Rolls-Royce's president of aerospace, said: "The Trent XWB is the latest example of our ability to take the best in technology to deliver new standards of excellence. We look forward to supporting Vietnam Airlines for many years to come."

Based on the article “Derby's Rolls-Royce signs £340m engine support deal with Vietnam Airlines” published in DerbyTelegraph

Singapore Airlines cuts from 70 to 63 its order of A350 XWB

Singapore Airlines (SIA) has cut its order of A350s from 70 to 63 after a request by Airbus.

Source: Jujug Spotting

An Airbus spokesman said that the 7 aircraft that have been released will be delivered to another airline (not named) as “that such agreements are occasionally struck with customers.”

Source: Clement Ader

SIA, which expects to receive its first A350-900 wide-body aircraft early next year, said the change "will not materially" affect its fleet renewal or growth plans.

Source: Jérémy Le roch

The airline provided the update during its second-quarter results presentation.

Based on the article “SIA cuts A350 orders from 70 to 63 at Airbus' request” published in The Straits Times

Orbital will also manufacture composite stringers and frames on A350-1000.

Orbital ATK has signed an agreement with Airbus to expand its current contract to include the manufacture of composite stringers and frames on the A350-1000.

Source: FranceBleu

Under the terms of the contract, the aerospace structures division of Orbital’s flight systems group will produce the parts at its facility in Clearfield, Utah.

Source: Airbus

It expands on the firm’s existing agreement with Airbus to make composite stringers and frames for the A350-900, which Eaton said it has delivered more than 44.000 parts for since the beginning of the program.

Based on the article “Orbital expands A350 composites agreement” published in MRO Network

Gardner Aerospace UK supplier continues growing with A350 pylon plug.

Gardner Aerospace Derby aerospace components firm has secured a £35 million loan to support its expansion plans.

The cash has been secured from the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS).

It will use the investment to fund growth across its manufacturing sites in Basildon, Broughton, Hull, Pershore and its headquarters in Derby.

A decade ago, Gardner was a UK firm employing 1,200 people in 11 obsolescing factories and with annual revenues of £40 million ($62.4 million). Today it is an international concern, employing 200 more and delivering revenues 3 times greater.

By acquiring and then investing in small companies in France, Poland and Toulouse, Gardner was able to survive and grow as the big OEMs turned to subcontractors in low-cost economies.

The company provides the pylon plug for the Airbus A350 XWB.

Source: Aviation Week

This is made from machined parts originating in Hull, England; and some from Bangalore, India; and is assembled at Mazères, conveniently close to the Airbus plant at Toulouse. International, indeed.

Paul Noel, director of asset-based lending at RBS, said: "Gardner has grown significantly over the last 5 years and has successfully secured a number of new long-term contracts for key aircraft components.

"The newly agreed facilities will further support continued growth."

Based on the article “Derby firm secures £35m loan” published in Derby  Telegraph

1st Spanish crew onboard A350.

Qatar Airways´ Captain Ramón Íñiguez García and Copilot Antonio Godia is the first Spanish crew to be in charge of an Airbus 350-900.

Source: tablondenoticias.com

Iniguez started his career in Spain in 1989 as a copilot in a Spanair´s MD80. Later he also flew a Boeing 767.

Since 1994 he took the controls as captain of an MD80 and in 2001 did the same with a Boeing 767, until Spanair was closed.

He joint Qatar Airways as captain of an A320 and today is the first Spanish captain of an A350.

Ramón Íñiguez went to USA to learn to fly after being graduated in Biology in Spain.

His passion for flying at his born-town Huesca became him pilot of cargo aircraft, general aviation and finally  commercial planes in Spanair.

Based on the article “Íñiguez y Godia es la primera tripulación española en la historia en pilotar un A350-951” published in Tablondenoticias.com

No First Class planned in Cathay Pacific´s A350s

Cathay Pacific has decided against installing first class on its Airbus A350-1000 jets, opting instead for a larger premium cabin featuring its new international business class seats.

Source: Australian Business Traveller

The move, which a spokesperson for Cathay Pacific has confirmed to Australian Business Traveller, will see both the A350-900 – due to debut in February/2016 – and the slightly larger and longer-range A350-1000 flying in a 3-class configuration of business class, premium economy (featuring an all-new design) and economy seating, although not an inflight bar.

Source: Airbus

Cathay Pacific's current first class seat was introduced in 2007 and after receiving a 'mid-life refresh' in 2013 is still regarded as among the world's better first class seats.

Source: FlightRadar24

The airline's A350-900 is expected to sport 38 business class seats, 28 premium economy seats and 214 in economy. 

It will also be kitted out with satellite Internet to run technology and pricing trials.

Based on the article “Cathay Pacific nixes first class for Airbus A350-1000” published in Australian Business Traveller

A350 4th generation inflight entertainment system IFE.

A350 marketing director Mike Bausor pointed out that the embedded inflight entertainment system on board has been greatly approved.

“IFE is a basic feature on board the A350 XWB.” 

“What the customer gets is a choice between 2 providers; one which is Panasonic and the other Thales.“

“Both of those systems are what we call 4th generation IFE, and the beauty of that is that we actually multiple the bandwidth by 5, so that means that even in coach all screens are wide-screen and high-definition, which couldn’t be achieved before.”

“On top of that, the aircraft comes with connectivity – wifi, GSM, live TV and all of these good things.”

“The other good thing about 4th generation IFE is the electronic box that used to be at your feet under the seat, has now been … integrated completely into the seat-back, so that there again you provide more comfort for the passengers by providing a totally unencumbered foot space.”

“Even the cable that goes from seat to seat now runs under the floor so you don’t get that plastic strip…it’s a completely flat floor which is unique to the A350.”

Based on the article “Airlines have not yet picked 10-abreast layout for A350: Airbus” published in Runway Girl Network.