May 6, 2006
Airbus at Asian Aerospace 2006 Singapore
A380 displayed at the Singapore Aerospace show for the first time
Airbus has come to Asian Aerospace '06 with a positive outlook after achieving record orders, deliveries and profitability in 2005. During the year, Airbus received 1,111 gross orders, delivered 378 aircraft and recorded a profitability margin above its target of 10 per cent. The year also saw the industrial launch of the new A350 and the first flight of the A380.
Airbus underscored its strong presence in the Asia-Pacific marketplace with major participation at Asian Aerospace, held at the Changi Exhibition Centre in Singapore. An A380 was exhibited at the show for the first time and it also took part in the daily flying display.
Airbus is a leading aircraft manufacturer with the most modern and comprehensive family of airliners on the market, ranging in capacity from 100 to more than 500 seats. Airbus has delivered more than 4,100 aircraft to 260 customers and operators world-wide, and boasts a healthy deliver backlog of well over 2,000 aircraft, which, at current rates, represents some four to five years of production. With an annual turnover of €22.3 billion in 2005, Airbus is a global company with design and manufacturing facilities in France, Germany, the UK, and Spain, as well as subsidiaries in the U.S., China and Japan. It is headquartered in Toulouse, France.
Airbus orders from the Asia - Pacific region in 2005 accounted for over 45 per cent of the global total, with more than 500 firm orders from 13 customers. These included highly significant orders for the A380 from China Southern and Kingfisher in India, A330s from Air China & China Southern, and almost 270 A320 Family orders from low-cost carriers including AirAsia, Air Deccan, IndiGo and Tiger Airways. Total orders from the region stand at almost 1,500, with more than 800 aircraft of all types now in service with 55 airline operators across the region.
Edited & Posted by Editor | 7:48 PM | Link to this Post
March 26, 2006
The New York Times 2006 Travel Show Draws a Record 26,500 Visitors
Travel Event Draws Consumers, Exhibitors and Trade Experts from Around the World.
NEW YORK - March 2006 - The New York Times Travel Show, presented by American Express, has announced that a record 26,500 visitors including 7,000 trade professionals attended its recent third annual show in New York at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. At this major consumer exhibition and trade event consumers were able to research, plan and book vacations to all parts of the world.
Visitors to the show could attend numerous workshops and seminars with experts including legendary travel writer Arthur Frommer, Peter Greenberg from NBC's Today Show and Business Talk Radio's Stephanie Abrams. Attendees were also treated to non-stop entertainment that included cultural performances by dancers and musicians from Aruba, Brazil, Greece and many other lands; ambassador animals from Busch Gardens; and family events with Sesame Street characters courtesy of Beaches Resorts.
"The New York Times Travel Show grows bigger and better each year and this year was no exception," said Jyll F. Holzman, senior vice president of advertising for The New York Times. "We thank our sponsors who helped us welcome nearly 500 exhibitors and thousands of consumers, making the 2006 show the largest trade event for travel in the United States."
"American Express is very pleased to have rejoined The New York Times for this year's annual Travel Show," said Lynne Biggar, senior vice president and general manager of the American Express Consumer Travel Network. "The show was a great success for us and we embrace opportunities like these to merchandise our travel-related benefits for Cardmembers and to meet with new and existing customers looking for what's exciting in travel this year."
The New York Times Travel Show supporting sponsors included Amtrak, Carnival Cruise Lines and the Greek National Tourism Organization. Contributing sponsors included Aruba Tourism, Sandals and Beaches Resorts and Washington, DC Convention & Tourism Corporation.
Among the hundreds of exhibitors at the 2006 New York Times Travel Show were Africa Travel Association, Alaska Land & Cruise Packages, American Express Vacations, Aruba Tourism, Atlantic Canada Cruise Association, Atlantis Adventures, Carnival Cruise Lines, China National Tourist Office, Club Med, Croatian National Tourist Office, Dublin Tourism, FLO USA - Visit Turkey, Grand Expeditions, the Greek National Tourism Organization, India Tourism, Japan National Tourist Office, Liberty Travel, Mexico Tourism Board, NYC & Company, Polynesian Cultural Center, Princess Cruises, Rocky Mountaineer Vacations, Sandals and Beaches Resorts and Wilderness Travel.
"The New York Times Travel Show provided Carnival a unique opportunity to meet potential cruise passengers and promote our various product enhancements, as well as our expanded schedule from Europe and four-to-eight day departures from New York, one of our fastest growing homeports," said Jerilyn Giacone, Carnival's business development director for Long Island.
"We are thrilled to once again be a proud sponsor of the New York Times Travel Show," said Frank Corzo, national director of sales for Sandals and Beaches Resorts. "The show is a great venue to highlight to everyone who is passionate about travel all the innovations taking place at Sandals and Beaches Resorts. As a proud sponsor of Sesame Street, we are proud to bring the Caribbean Adventure and our character breakfast to New York City and give a glimpse into what takes place at all four Beaches Resorts year-round."
Edited & Posted by Editor | 1:47 AM | Link to this Post
January 13, 2006
Boeing, Air India Celebrate Order Agreement for 68 Jets; Largest Commercial Airplane Order in India's Civil Aviation History
At a signing ceremony held at Air India's headquarters in Mumbai, India, Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Alan Mulally and Air India Chairman and Managing Director V. Thulasidas formally announced an order agreement for 68 airplanes. The order, placed with Boeing in December 2005, is valued at more than $11 billion at list prices and deliveries are scheduled to begin in November 2006.
Air India's order consists of 23 777s, including eight 777-200LR (Longer Range) Worldliners and 15 777-300ERs (Extended Range), and 27 787-8 Dreamliners. Air India Express, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Air India, will receive 18 Next-Generation 737-800s.
"Boeing's commitment to the Indian aviation industry dates back more than 60 years," Mulally said. "Air India is a valued and long-time partner, and we look forward to working closely with this great airline as it expands its operations with its all-Boeing fleet and brings its unique offerings to the world."
Air India currently operates a fleet of 11 747-400s, two 747-400 Combis, two 747-200s, two 747-300 Combis, three 777-200ERs and 21 Airbus 310-300s. The airline will use this order to support both fleet renewal and expansion plans. The 777s will replace the airline's current fleet of 747-200 airplanes while the 787-8 Dreamliner will replace its aging A310 fleet.
"The positive economics of the 777-200LR, 777-300ER and 787 Dreamliner will offer Air India operational cost savings and the flexibility to serve new, ultra-long-range nonstop routes that our passengers demand, such as Delhi-New York and Mumbai-San Francisco," said Thulasidas. "The combination of the 777 and 787, matched with the reliability and low operating costs of the 737s, will provide a competitive advantage for Air India and Air India Express.
"Air India will ensure that these new aircraft have the latest passenger amenities on board so that, with the induction of these aircraft, Air India can emerge as one of the leading global carriers," Thulasidas added.
Additionally, Boeing has announced that it has committed to investing in a regional maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) base, and a pilot training facility in India. Details of this effort are to be finalized over the coming months.
"We are committed to our customers' success," said Dinesh Keskar, vice president of Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "Our airline partners are looking for solutions, and Boeing has the most efficient airplanes and the broadest range of support products and services to help our customers maximize their fleets' operational efficiency."
Edited & Posted by Editor | 10:01 AM | Link to this Post
June 21, 2005
Boeing Discusses Progress on 787 Dreamliner
Boeing during a briefing at the Paris Air Show reported strong progress on many aspects of theall-new 787 Dreamliner that make the airplane more appealing to passengers and airlines.
787 Vice President and General Manager Mike Bair highlighted the airplane's new air purification system, which will provide cleaner air during flights, as one advance passengers will truly appreciate.
"Passengers will notice a difference," Bair said. "They will feel more refreshed after their 787 flights. It may be difficult for passengers to recognize the differences between today's airplanes, but the 787 will be distinct. From its larger windows to its unique interior architecture, and from its lower cabin altitude to its cleaner air, passengers will enjoy their flights on a 787."
Bair also provided an update on the progress being made in the design and development of the new airplane.
"We've built four development composite barrel sections at this point and are entirely convinced that we have our manufacturing solutions in place," Bair said. Most recently the team in Wichita, Kan., built a nose section as part of the development effort.
In Everett, the 787 team is building part of a full-scale wing box to demonstrate the manufacturing techniques and support certification of the new airplane.
"It is a true testament to the team that we have created and proven these techniques in so short a period of time and with truly outstanding results," Bair said.
He credited the innovative and integrated Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) toolset developed by Paris-based Dassault Systemes with providing a real competitive advantage.
"Our international team is better equipped to develop solutions, consider alternatives and make decisions thanks to our digital toolset," Bair said. "Even now, one year before we start building our first airplane and two years before it flies, we know that our designs are optimized and achievable."
Although the 787 has significantly more advances compared to previous airplanes, the team has reduced the development cycle by one year thanks in large part to the digital toolset, Bair said. He added that the market response to the 787 is "validation" that the team is getting it right.
"We have the right airplane at the right time," Bair said. "Its fuel efficiency, range, cargo capability and improved maintenance make it very attractive to airlines. The number of customers and their diversity in terms of geography and business models highlight the 787's ability to meet the different needs of different airlines.
"The team is humbled and motivated by the market response. We're working diligently to meet the expectations of our customers. They have put their trust in us and we will perform."
Edited & Posted by Editor | 10:07 AM | Link to this Post
