Monthly Archives: April 2024
South Africa all set to host premier global aerospace and defence trade exhibition
The 12th biennial Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) trade exhibition and air show, with the theme ‘Exploring New Paths, Sharing Solutions, Showcasing Innovation and Capability,’ will take place at Air Force Base Waterkloof on the outskirts of the City of Tshwane from 18 to 22 September 2024. It is considered to be one of the top six events of its kind in the world and is the only aerospace and defence exhibition and air show on the continent.
The AAD is presented in partnership with South Africa’s Aerospace, Maritime and Defence Association (AMD), the Armaments Corporation of South Africa SOC Limited (Armscor), and the Commercial Aviation Association of Southern Africa (CAASA), in collaboration with the South African Department of Defence and Military Veterans (DOD).
More than half of the available exhibition space has already been booked and confirmed. This reflects a significant vote of confidence in the event that has continued to record success and is truly in a class of its own. The event will see exhibitors coming from several countries, including the United States, Belgium, and China. The exhibitors include Sweden’s SAAB, Airbus, Turkish Aerospace Industries, and L3Harris Technologies. The event has been designed to provide the perfect platform to strengthen existing and establish new partnerships within the defence and related industries.
This year’s AAD will introduce several hubs that showcase the latest innovations. For instance, there are Energy and General Aviation hubs, as well as a third hub that features drone and anti-drone technologies. Drone operators can book space to demonstrate live at AAD through the UAV Hub online by visiting www.aadexpo.co.za.
“As organisers, we want to position the country as the global pinnacle of innovation, excellence, and a preferred investment destination. We anticipate that more than 30,000 trade visitors will engage with over 300 exhibitors. Visitors can also attend our maiden conference edition to hear thought leaders in the industry, academia, and the defence sector provide insights into topical issues that directly impact the industry. Furthermore, we project at least 60,000 visitors will attend the public air show days to witness the exhilarating aerobatics spectacle,” says Ms Nakedi Phasha, Exhibition Director at AA
Another unique initiative of the AAD is its youth development programme (YDP). This sees youth from disadvantaged and marginalised communities being exposed to science and technology disciplines and related career opportunities. In 2022, AAD hosted over 9,000 learners through its YDP initiative. For this year’s event, 12,000 learners from across all nine provinces are expected to descend on the base to benefit from this impactful programme.
The economic impact that the AAD has on South Africa’s economy is significant and makes this event stand out. International visitors to AAD 2022 contributed over R135 million to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) while public and trade visitors generated a staggering R150 million in revenue. R65 million of taxation revenue was raised and more than 1,350 jobs created, which bodes well for the importance of this notable showing on the Southern African landscape.
“Looking to the future, our focus will be on further increasing international participation, fostering collaborations, and exploring new sponsorship and partnership opportunities to grow the event’s footprint into Africa. We want to provide our partners with a premier event that contributes to the global aerospace and defence market,” concludes Ms Phasha.
For exhibitors keen on securing their space, contact us as soon as possible (www.aadexpo.co.za). Space is running out with just a few stands available for booking. Tickets will go on sale soon for the general public. So, if you are an enthusiast or a newcomer to the aviation sector, join us as we look forward to a truly spectacular event.
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ENQUIRIES
Ms Nakedi Phasha Exhibition Director:
Email: expodir@aadexpo.co.za
Connecting Holguín and Cayo Coco with London and Manchester
Iron Travel entrusts Euroairlines Group with the distribution of its new routes between Cuba and the United Kingdom
Madrid, April 18 2024. The British tour operator Iron Travel has selected the Spanish company Euroairlines Group for the distribution of its new routes between Cuba and the United Kingdom, which will begin in May 2024. Following the agreement signed by both companies, the British operator will have access to a network of travel agencies, OTAs, aggregators, and consolidators present in more than 60 countries provided by the Spanish airline.
The new routes between the UK and Cuba are exclusive and will link the cities of London and Manchester with Holguín and Cayo Coco respectively. These flights will be distributed through Euroairlines Group’s IATA Q4-291 plate.
Iron Travel is a tour operator that currently offers different services focused on Cuba, including regular and scheduled seasonal flights, car rental, accommodation and excursions.
According to Euroairlines Group CEO, Antonio López Lázaro, the agreement will intensify and consolidate the company’s presence in Latin America. “For us, Iron Travel is a strategic partner that will allow us to strengthen our presence in a very important area for international tourism,” says López Lázaro. “At Euroairlines we prioritize customer satisfaction and for this reason we are constantly looking for new alliances to be able to offer the best connections to our users so that they can reach their destination more directly”, adds the head of the Spanish company.
Ernesto Placer, CEO of Iron Travel, is “very pleased” to partner with Euroairlines Group “to launch the new routes between the UK and Cuba”. “Our collaboration will help improve Europe’s connection to the Caribbean, as we will offer the best customer experience before, during and after the trip”, he says. “We are delighted to be part of Euroairlines Group’s expansion plans”, he adds.
About Euroairlines Group
Euroairlines Group (www.euroairlines.es) was founded in Spain in 2000 as a commercial air transport operator. Today it is an airline that distinguishes itself by also offering distribution services to other airlines through its IATA Q4-291 plate with the support of leading travel agencies and GDS in more than 60 markets. Euroairlines Group is headquartered in Madrid (Spain) and has offices in New York, Miami, Cancun, Mexico City, Buenos Aires, Bogota, Lima, Sao Paulo and Santiago de Chile, as well as other European capitals.
About Iron Travel
Iron Travel is a British tour operator specializing in travel to Cuba. The company offers complete packages and complementary services to the flight, including accommodation, recreational activities and car rental.
Helicopters: from legacy to modern special missions
Helicopters: from legacy to modern special missions – with a world record thrown in for good measure
Bell OH-58D In Formation
On 15 April 2016, 32 Bell OH-58D Kiowa Warriors flew in formation from Fort Bragg, in the US, creating a Guinness World Record for the Largest Helicopter Formation Flight in history. The event was organized by 1st Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade of the US Army and marked part of the grand finale for the U.S. military fleet in a spectacular swansong for the platform and those who flew in them.
The Kiowa Warrior’s reputation as a capable and rugged aircraft started with the OH-58A, which launched in 1968. It underwent two rounds of modifications and upgrades until the world-record-setting OH-58D flew in 1983, with its upgraded engine and transmission. The single-engine, four-bladed armed reconnaissance helicopter was the first U.S. Army helicopter to have an all-glass cockpit and incorporate a Wire Strike Protection System (WSPS), designed to prevent wire and power line strikes due to its typically low-flying missions. The WSPS proved so successful, it was adapted to virtually every other helicopter in the U.S. fleet.
There were around 2,325 Kiowa Warriors produced up until the delivery of the final new-build platform to the U.S. Army in 1989, with the last of them being retired from active service in the US in 2020.
For Bell, and its customers, the Warrior’s lineage lives on, in the form of the Bell 407M – the first of a fleet of Bell’s Special Missions Aircraft that are based on its esteemed commercial platforms – but with even more multi-mission capabilities. Reconfigurable in just 30 minutes, the 407 is the world’s most cost-effective, multi-role helicopter, building on the proven features from the OH-58 and its 2-million flight hours with more than 750,000 being flown in combat. With capabilities that extend from public safety, HEMS and utility, to armed multirole including light attack, special ops, reconnaissance, command and control and anti-piracy, the Bell 407 is already well-established globally. In the 407’s commercial configuration, it has achieved more than six million flight hours over its 1,100-strong fleet.
The ‘M’ series takes its impressive mission versatility even further, in addition to low sustainment costs, and readily available parts interchangeable with other Bell platforms, all of which combine to keep the platform in the air as much as possible – and quickly.
Such a distinguished pedigree means the Bell 407M and its other SMA counterparts are well placed to meet the needs of Bell customers across the globe, as this next generation of aircraft takes to the skies – no doubt with some more World Records on the horizon too.
Sources:
Largest helicopter formation flight | Guinness World Records
OH-58D Kiowa Warrior Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter – Army Technology (army-technology.com)
OH-58D Kiowa Warrior | Military.com
Bell OH-58D Kiowa Warrior (helis.com)
https://planehistoria.com/the-remarkable-bell-oh-58-kiowa-warrior/
Amber Munday
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Jay Hernandez
+1 817 280-1949
jhernandez09@bellflight.com
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ABOUT BELL
Thinking above and beyond is what we do. For more than 85 years, we’ve been reimagining the experience of flight – and where it can take us. We are pioneers. We were the first to break the sound barrier and to certify a commercial helicopter. We were a part of NASA’s first lunar mission and brought advanced tiltrotor systems to market. Today, we’re defining the future of advanced air mobility. Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas – as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Textron Inc., – we have strategic locations around the globe. And with nearly one quarter of our workforce having served, helping our military achieve their missions is a passion of ours. Above all, our breakthrough innovations deliver exceptional experiences to our customers. Efficiently. Reliably. And always, with safety at the forefront.
ABOUT TEXTRON INC.
Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell, Cessna, Beechcraft, Hawker, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Arctic Cat, Textron Systems, and TRU Simulation + Training. For more information, visit: www.textron.com.
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Euroairlines will connect with more than 300 airlines after joining IATA MITA
Euroairlines
Euroairlines will connect with more than 300 airlines after joining IATA MITA
The company, which is the only Spanish one in the distribution sector airline, is present in more than 30 BSP and more than 60 countries
Madrid, April 2, 2024. The Spanish airline Euroirlines has joined the Multilateral Interline Traffic Agreement (MITA) of the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The company already used IATA services (ICH-, ICCS, BSP, CASS), but It was not yet part of a multilateral agreement with other airlines.
This agreement allows Euroairlines to connect with more than 300 airlines thanks to that all MITA members assume a common framework of action – with rights and responsibilities – in relation to the offering of passengers and baggage handling services, which establishes the conditions for collaboration in the development of routes between airlines associated.
“Entering MITA reinforces our commitment and commitment to air distribution and connectivity between routes at a global level, thus achieving Euroairlines the highest standards in air distribution. Entering MITA gives us new capabilities business together with the greatest guarantees in the industry”, assures the CEO of Euroairlines, Antonio López Lázaro. “We want our clients to be able to access the greatest number of possible options without barriers and that, thanks to a wide variety of connections, reach their destinations more directly,” adds the head of the Spanish company.
Euroairlines, Spanish airline dedicated to international air distribution and one of the four most important in the sector worldwide, offers its own flights to destinations in Spain, Portugal, France and Italy, and is present in more than 60 countries thanks to its distribution service connecting more than 350 routes through numerous alliances.
About Euroairlines
Euroairlines (www.euroairlines.es) was born in Spain in 2000 as a transport operator commercial air. Currently it is an airline that distinguishes itself by also offering distribution services to other airlines through its IATA Q4-291 plate with the backed by leading travel agencies and GDS in more than 60 markets. Euroairlines has its headquartered in Madrid (Spain) and has offices in New York, Miami, Cancún, City of Mexico, Buenos Aires, Bogotá, Lima, São Paulo and Santiago de Chile, as well as others European capitals.
About MITA
Multilateral Interline Traffic Agreement (MITA) is a standard agreement managed by the IATA Passenger Services Conference. Establishes the legal framework and describes the responsibilities, liability provisions and general obligations of procedure under which IATA member and non-member airlines can come together to create interline partnerships.
About IATA
IATA
IATA (www.iata.org ) is a trade association of airlines worldwide representing 320 airlines, 83% of those operating in total air traffic. The association enables connectivity and the sustainable and safe growth of the air transport industry.
For more information, please contact:
Ane Duñabeitia Goñi ane@ballecomunicacion.com
Roberto Ruiz Ballesteros roberto@ballecomunicacion.com