Brazilian airframer Embraer SA (NYSE: ERJ) (BM&F BOVESPA: EMBR3) said it has launched the second generation of its E-Jets family of commercial aircraft named the E-Jets E2 and comprising three new airplanes E175-E2, E190-E2, and E195-E2. Embraer said that the new jets offer seat-per-mile costs similar to larger single-aisle aircraft currently on the market.

The E190-E2 is expected to enter service in the first half of 2018. The E195-E2 is slated to enter service in 2019 and the E175-E2 in 2020.

In a typical single-class layout, the E175-E2 was extended by one seat row, compared to the current generation E175, and will seat up to 88 passengers, while the E190-E2 keeps the same size as the E190, of up to 106 seats.

The E195-E2, compared to the current E195, has grown three seat rows and will accommodate up to 132 seats.

Embraer said that the application of advanced technologies for engines, wings, and avionics distinguishes the E-Jets E2 by providing airlines with maximum efficiency gains and no compromises, while maintaining commonality with current E-Jets.

New aerodynamically advanced, high-aspect ratio, distinctively shaped wings, improved systems and avionics, including 4th generation full fly-by-wire flight controls, and Pratt & Whitney´s (NYSE: UTX) PurePower geared turbofan high by-pass ratio engines will result in double-digit reductions in fuel consumption, emissions, noise and maintenance costs, and increased aircraft availability.

The airframer said that the E-Jets E2 will be capable of achieving similar costs per seat of larger re-engined narrowbody aircraft, with significantly lower costs per trip, thus creating new opportunities for lower risk development of new markets and fleet right-sizing by airlines.

Cockpit commonality with current generation E-Jets was a key driver in the design definition for a smooth transition for pilots who will fly the E2. Honeywell´s Primus Epic 2 advanced integrated avionics system with large landscape displays, advanced graphics capabilities, and Honeywell´s (NYSE: HON) Next Generation Flight Management System (NGFMS), already in development with current-generation E-Jets, will provide exceptional pilot situational awareness and flexibility for continuous innovation on the flight deck.

Embraer estimates its total investments on the new E-Jets E2 models to be USD 1.7bn over the next eight years.
Embraer foresees a demand for 6,400 commercial jets with capacity of up to 130 seats, over the next 20 years.

Find out more at www.embraer.com.br.

US airframer Boeing (NYSE: BA) and Middle Eastern carrier Qatar Airways said at the 2013 Paris Air Show that they have inked agreements for nine Boeing 777-300ER (Extended Range) airplanes.

The agreements include a firm order for two airplanes previously attributed to an unidentified customer on Boeing Commercial Airplanes orders and deliveries website, plus a commitment for an additional seven airplanes.

Boeing said that the total value of the agreement is USD 2.8bn at current list prices.

The Doha-based airline currently operates 35 Boeing passenger and cargo 777s of various types, including 22 777-300ERs, nine 777-200LR (Longer Range) airplanes and four 777 Freighters. The two firm airplanes give Qatar Airways a backlog of nine Boeing 777s. When the additional seven become firm, the backlog will rise to 16.

Qatar Airways currently operates a modern fleet of 125 aircraft to 128 key business and leisure destinations across Europe, theMiddle East, Africa, Asia Pacific and The Americas.

Find out more at www.boeing.com.

PRC-based carrier China Southern Airlines said it has selected Pratt & Whitney´s PW4170 Advantage70 engine to power its order of 16 Airbus A330 aircraft. Pratt & Whitney is a United Technologies Corp (NYSE: UTX) company.

The contract, which is valued at USD 1.29bn, also includes a 15-year fleet management plan for engine maintenance.

China Southern Airlines said it is the largest airline in China, and the third in IATA´s 240 member airlines marked by passengers carried and in terms of fleet size.

The airline currently operates more than 500 passenger and cargo transport aircraft, including 11 Airbus 330 aircraft powered by PW4170 engines with a 12th to be delivered in June 2013, two Boeing (NYSE: BA) B747F aircraft powered by PW4062A engines, and more than 280 V2500 engines, making China Southern the largest V2500 customer in the world.

The V2500 is produced by the International Aero Engines, a multinational aero engine consortium whose shareholders comprise of Pratt & Whitney, Japanese Aero Engines Corp. and MTU Aero Engines.

Pratt & Whitney offers the Advantage70 both as a new engine and as an upgrade kit for existing engines. The upgrade includes a suite of technology enhancements that can be incorporated into a fleet during engine overhaul.

According to P&W, Advantage70 technology delivers superior engine performance, including a 2% thrust increase, more than 1% reduction in fuel consumption, increased durability, and reduced maintenance costs.

Find out more at www.pw.utc.com.

Japan-based carrier All Nippon Airways Co LTD said it has signed an eight-year extension to its exclusive part repair agreement with US aerospace and defense firm United Technologies Corp´s (NYSE: UTX) Pratt & Whitney jet engine unit to continue support of the airline´s fleet of Boeing (NYSE: BA) 777 aircraft powered by Pratt & Whitney PW4000 engines.

The repair work will be performed throughout Pratt & Whitney´s worldwide network of part repair facilities in support of ANA´s fleet of PW4074 and PW4090 engines.

Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, All Nippon Airways operates services to 49 destinations in Japan and 28 cities throughout Asia, Europe and the U.S. on its fleet of 228 aircraft.

Pratt & Whitney is in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines, auxiliary and ground power units, and small turbojet propulsion products.

Find out more at www.utcaero.com.

Dublin-based commercial aircraft lesso Fly Leasing Ltd (NYSE: FLY) said that it has acquired two Boeing (NYSE: BA) 737-800 aircraft, both manufactured in 2013.

According to Fly, the aircraft are on ten-year leases to leading carriers in the United States and in China.

The acquisitions were financed with a combination of Fly´s unrestricted cash and its aircraft acquisition facility.

Fly acquires and leases modern, high-demand and fuel-efficient commercial jet aircraft under multi-year operating lease contracts to a group of airlines throughout the world.

The firm is managed and serviced by BBAM LP, an aircraft lease manager.


Find out more at www.flyleasing.com.

New York-based low-cost carrier JetBlue Airways (NASDAQ: JBLU) said that members of its TrueBlue loyalty programme will be able to earn and keep points without the fear of expiration due to account inactivity.

JetBlue said the rewards programme for frequent fliers takes a further step beyond traditional programs, allowing customers to keep their points for as long as they want.

Most airline loyalty programs require regular account activity to maintain existing miles or points. With the change in policy, any TrueBlue points currently in a member´s account and any new points earned will remain in the account until the customer is ready to redeem them.

With this addition to the TrueBlue programme, JetBlue said it is improving the overall customer experience by moving even further away from the industry norm of limiting loyalty redemption with red tape, limited reward availability, or devalued ´miles.´

The carrier said it is taking a stance that its loyalty programme should be about encouraging all customers regardless of their travel habits.

Find out more at www.jetblue.com.

US helicopter maker Sikorsky Aircraft´s aftermarket business Sikorsky Aerospace Services said it has signed a spare parts distribution agreement with Turkish helicopter transmission supplier Alp Aviation´s AlpTeknik Havac subsidiary.

According to the principals the agreement provides for in-country warehousing and distribution of spare parts in support of Turkey´smilitary and government agency rotary and fixed wing operators.

SAS is the aftermarket business of Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX).

Sikorsky´s longstanding relationship with Turkey started more than years ago with the sale of the first Black Hawk helicopters.

With a fleet of more than 120 aircraft Turkey is one of the largest Black Hawk operators in the world. An operations base in Ankara and forward stocking location for authorised spare parts will help keep costs market-competitive, expedite deliveries and provide best-in-class service for maximum customer satisfaction, the firm said.

Formed in 1998, Alp Aviation is a joint venture between Alpata Group and Sikorsky Aircraft Corp.

Find out more at www.sikorsky.com.

US jet engine maker Pratt & Whitney said it will provide exclusive power for up to 100 firm plus 100 purchase right Embraer (NYSE: ERJ) second generation E-Jets for an order announced at the Paris Air Show this week by Brazilian airframer Embraer and Utah, USA-based carrier SkyWest Inc (NASDAQ: SKYW).

Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2020, the firms said. Pratt & Whitney is a division of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX).

Each Embraer second generation E-Jet will be powered by two PurePower engines. Pratt & Whitney has announced orders for more than 3,500 engines that include announced and unannounced firm orders, plus options.

The PurePower family of engines uses an advanced gear system allowing the engine´s fan to operate at a different speed than the low-pressure compressor and turbine. The combination of the gear system and an all-new advanced core deliver the improvements in fuel efficiency, environmental emissions and noise, the company said.

SkyWest is the holding company for two scheduled passenger airline operations and an aircraft leasing company. SkyWest´s scheduled passenger airline operations consist of SkyWest Airlines and ExpressJet Airlines. System-wide, SkyWest serves markets in the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean with approximately 4,100 daily departures and a fleet of approximately 758 regional aircraft.

Find out more at www.purepowerengines.com and www.pw.utc.com.

Georgia, USA-based charter air services provider Global Aviation Holdings Inc said that John Graber will join the company as its new chief executive officer and a member of its board of directors, effective Monday, June 17.

Graber, considered a turnaround specialist, most recently served as president of CHC Helicopter Services, where he grew revenues and simplified the corporate structure.

Prior to CHC, he was president of ABX Air, where his team completely restructured the company into a profitable enterprise when it faced a sharp drop in customer demand.

Global Aviation Holdings Inc. is the parent company of North American Airlines and World Airways. North American Airlines, founded in 1989, operates passenger charter flights using Boeing (NYSE: BA) B767-300ER aircraft.

World Airways, founded in 1948, operates cargo and passenger charter flights using B747-400 and MD-11 aircraft.

For more information visit www.glah.com.

Brazilian airframer Embraer SA (NYSE: ERJ) (BM & FBOVESPA: EMBR3) said that it has signed letters of intent with five undisclosed airlines from Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America for 65 orders for the E-Jets E2.

Embraer made the announcement at the Paris Air Show this week.

The three new airplanes (E175-E2, E190-E2, E195-E2) carry the designator “E2″ which signifies generational changes in technology that have been incorporated in the design, Embraer said.

Embraer said that the first delivery of an E-Jets E2 (the E190-E2) is planned for the first semester of 2018.

The E195-E2 is slated to enter service in 2019 and the E175-E2 in 2020. Over 950 E-Jets have been delivered to date.

Currently, 65 customers from 47 countries have added Embraer E-Jets to their fleets.

Find out more at www.embraer.com.