Airbus and Singapore: Industry leaders with a vision of the future

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As with Airbus, Singapore has always taken a forward-looking approach to the development of air transportation – which contributes to the country’s position as a world-class aviation hub.

From an infrastructure point of view, Singapore is aligned with Airbus on the need to build air traffic management systems that meet future airspace capacity and safety requirements. 

In Singapore, these efforts are led by the country’s CAAS (Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore), whose initiatives range from better airport coordination by creating data-sharing tools with all stakeholders, to improved surveillance means for aircraft at cruise altitudes.

“The future will be challenging, considering the major traffic growth predicted for Asia-Pacific – underscoring the need to move toward a seamless system,” explained Hermizan Jumari, the CAAS’ Covering Head of Air Traffic Management/Systems. “We generally work with our customers – who primarily are the airlines – but we definitely want more opportunities with aircraft manufacturers such as Airbus in understanding flight characteristics and flight phases that can contribute to better fuel efficiency and safety in the air traffic system.”

Airbus Media

Through the Singapore Air show, Airbus has once again proven beyond doubt to be a true leader and innovative competitor. In Singapore, Airbus unveiled several green initiatives, and partnered on futures innovations and technologies.

THAI signs Flight Hour Services with Airbus for its A380 fleet

SINGAPORE AIR SHOW – Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI) has signed a ‘Flight Hour Services -Tailored Support Package’ contract with Airbus to provide aircraft inventory and maintenance support for its A380 fleet.

The contract, which will run for 15 years, provides an extensive scope of A380 line replaceable units and spare parts availability, component repairs, logistics services, and tools availability, as well as APU and nacelle services to Thai Airways. A dedicated Airbus on-site team will assist Thai Airways’ daily spares management ensuring reliable on-time aircraft operations.

Captain Montree Jumrieng, Managing Director of Thai Airways Technical Department said: “This long-term commitment recognizes our confidence in Airbus to deliver the best possible service for our new flagship product. Airbus has developed a customized and tailored offer to perfectly match our operational needs. Having the Airbus supporting our aircraft inventory and maintenance will thus enable us to optimize our A380 daily operations around the world.”

Didier Lux, EVP Customer Services at Airbus said: “We are delighted to welcome Thai Airways International as our newest FHS customer. This is a real sign of trust from the national airline of Thailand, and the start of a long term and successful relationship. We are committed to providing highest quality tailored services to our customer to secure their operational needs by bringing Airbus experience and expertise.”

THAI is one of the longest standing Airbus customers in Asia, having ordered its first A300B4 in April 1977, and today operates almost 50 Airbus aircraft. The airline will become the ninth operator of the A380 when it takes delivery of its first aircraft in the third quarter of 2012. THAI has firm orders for six A380s and will operate the aircraft on its premier routes from Bangkok to Europe.

Airbus FHS contracts have now been selected to cover almost 100 aircraft from operators of A330, A340 and A380 aircraft. This new contract reinforces Airbus position on the A380 maintenance market, having now FHS contracts to support 41 aircraft.

Airbus Media

The A380 is the largest, jumbo-size (by size and weight) commercial passenger airliner in the world today. For more info about the A380 aircraft and its family, visit Airbus.com/A380

Exciting and Productive Week for Bombardier Aerospace at the Singapore Airshow

• Confirms two previously unidentified airlines: Garuda Indonesia and Ethiopian Airlines
• Announces OEM-owned service centre in Singapore for business aircraft; and Singapore-based commercial aircraft sales office
• Also announces order for two Q400 NextGen by Horizon Air
• Attracts significant interest with its business aircraft on static 

Bombardier Aerospace wrapped up its participation at the Singapore Airshow after an exciting and busy week during which it revealed the identity of two key airlines that had placed orders for its proven CRJ1000 NextGen regional jet and fuel-efficient Q400 NextGen turboprop as well as announced an order for two Q400 NextGen aircraft. It also took advantage of the airshow to announce the establishment of a Bombardier-owned service centre in Singapore for business aircraft, as well as the official opening of a sales and marketing office in Singapore for commercial aircraft.

Key commercial aircraft airlines identified

On February 15, during a joint press briefing in its CSeries aircraft dome filled to capacity, Bombardier and Indonesian flag carrier PT. Garuda Indonesia (Persero) Tbk. confirmed that the airline is the unidentified customer whose order for six CRJ1000 NextGen regional jets and 18 options was announced on February 10, 2012. The aircraft’s superior economics, outstanding fuel economy and excellent passenger comfort will meet the airline’s requirement for 100-seat aircraft to service domestic and regional markets from its five regional hubs and will be integral to its expansion and growing markets. Garuda Indonesia also took the opportunity to announce that it plans to acquire an additional 12 CRJ1000 NextGen aircraft from a lessor.

This announcement was followed the next day, on February 16 with the confirmation that Ethiopian Airlines,
one of Africa’s leading airlines, is the customer that placed the firm order for five Q400 NextGen airliners announced on February 13, 2012. The modern turboprop’s high rate of climb, single-engine service ceiling and higher take-off weight, thus greater payload, were key attributes for the airline which flies out of high altitude-hot weather airports.

On February 16, Bombardier also announced that Horizon Air of Seattle, Washington had signed a firm purchase agreement for two Q400 NextGen airliners. The airline, member of the Alaska Air Group, is the largest operator of Q400 and Q400 NextGen aircraft in the Americas. With this order, it is restating its long-standing confidence in the aircraft’s superior fuel efficiency as well as its jet-like comfort.

“Key to our success this year will be our ability to expand our global reach and gain traction in new and exciting markets,” said Guy C. Hachey, President and Chief Operating Officer, Bombardier Aerospace. “Our success at the Singapore Airshow is a testament to the results being achieved in this regard. I am very proud of the results our team has achieved so early on in the year. Our prospects for the rest of the year look great,” he added.

Opening of OEM-owned service centre in Singapore

On February 15, Bombardier announced that it will open a full-scale company-owned and operated service centre in Singapore in 2013. This new service center will ensure that Bombardier Learjet, Challenger and Global business jets customers have an even broader access to Original Equipment Manufacturer-backed service in the Asia-Pacific region in their own time zone and in their own region.

Sustained activity for Bombardier business aircraft

Bombardier Business Aircraft attracted continued significant interest in the region, reflecting the dynamism and rapid growth of the business jet market in the Asia-Pacific region. A Learjet 60 XR aircraft, a Challenger 605 jet and a Global 5000 jet from its product portfolio were on static display at the airshow, drawing the crowd’s attention.

Bombardier Media



The Q400 NexGen (Next Generation) is a fuel-efficient, regional size turboprop jet. Get More information on the Q400 Next gen webpage

Indonesian Air Force Eyes More Fighters

SINGAPORE — As the Indonesian air force works on its plan to field around 150-160 combat aircraft in 12 squadrons, it is starting to consider how to replace its fleet of F-5s.

Current plans represent merely a “minimum essential force,” with the actual air force needs being much greater to provide the full range of military capability for a country the size of Indonesia, ACM Imam Sufaat, the service’s chief of staff, tells Aviation Week during the Singapore air show. The current force counts seven squadrons equipped with combat aircraft.

The current fighter modernization plan has the Indonesian air force fielding a fleet of Sukhoi Su-30 Mk2s and Lockheed Martin F-16s, with the latter comprising 24 F-16 Block 25 aircraft being upgraded to Block 52s and four F-16 Block 25 and two F-16 Block 15 aircraft for use as spare parts. The F-16s are to be delivered by July 2014 to form two more squadrons. The air chief sees the need for more F-16s and Su-30s. While a type decision has yet to be made on the F-5 replacement, the F-16 is the frontrunner.
Growing Fleet

The Su-30 fleet is due to grow in the coming three years as well, with two aircraft to be handed over in 2012, 2013, and 2014. Indonesia is still in the process of finalizing plans for the weapons package for the fighters, with interest in a medium-range missile.

Midyear also should see the arrival of the first of 16 Super Tucanos to replace the OV-10s, with the first of 16 T-50 trainers to be handed over by Korea Aerospace Industries next year to replace Hawk Mk.53s.
The rest of the Hawk fleet is due to be replaced by the South Korean KF-X fighter after Indonesia joined the development program.

To help control the fighters, Indonesia is looking to field an airborne early warning and control system aircraft, although a decision is not expected before 2014. Even though the air force is buying C-295 airlifters, the service chief says the country would be looking for a larger system than the AEW concept put forward by Airbus Military. The AEW aircraft will need more endurance than the C-295 can deliver, he notes.

The fleet of CN-235s for maritime surveillance is being upgraded — with three more added for the navy — and the Boeing 737 maritime patrol aircraft also are due for an update.

Aviation Week

A new operational life for “mature” A330s as converted freighters

Increasing Useful Life of older A330

Airbus will expand its freighter family portfolio with the A330P2F conversion, modifying A330s that have completed their useful operational service as passenger jetliners for new careers as cargo aircraft.

This conversion program, unveiled during the Singapore Airshow, brings together the resources of Airbus, its EADS EFW sister company within the EADS group, and ST Aerospace of Singapore.

Both A330-200 and A330-300 versions of Airbus’ twin-engine jetliner will be eligible for the P2F (passenger-to-freighter) conversion, meeting the expected demand for modern, efficient and highly capable mid-sized cargo aircraft.  They are to complement Airbus’ A330-200F freighters, which are new-production jetliners that also respond to the requirements of this cargo market segment.

“Both the A330-200F and A330P2F will play a key role in this market segment, as the A330 has established itself as the most popular platform in the mid-sized wide-body category,” explained Andreas Hermann, Vice President - Freighters at Airbus.  “The A330P2F addresses a different price-point and end-users, based on different operational requirements.”

He said the market already has proven it can support both new-production freighters and converted freighter products using the same aircraft platform as the basis – if the platform is right.  “We believe the A330 is one such platform, and we expect it will enjoy strong demand in both products.”

The A330 first entered service in 1994.  Nearly 1,200 aircraft have been ordered, with almost 850 delivered to date.

Airbus Media