Dassault posted a net profit of €830 million on €6.9 billion in revenues last year, despite supply-chain difficulties, inflation, and Western sanctions that resulted in the cancellation of Russian orders for Falcon business jets. The company also booked net orders for 64 Falcons and 92 Rafales, the latter mainly thanks to the UAE’s confirmation of its order for 80.
CEO Eric Trappier told journalists this morning at the company’s annual results press conference that “the backlog was full and is the largest in the company’s history.” It comprises 87 Falcons and 164 Rafales.
Trappier described progress with the Falcon 6X and 10X programs. Certification and first deliveries of the 6X are expected in midyear, with some aircraft already completed at Dassault’s Little Rock, Arkansas factory. Some parts for the 10X are already made and wing tests have been conducted. Trappier said its spacious cabin will be a major selling point and suggested that China could be a significant source of 10X orders.
Meanwhile, production of forward fuselages for the Falcon in India is ramping up, and an avionics upgrade for the 7X and 8X is continuing.
A Falcon maintenance hub was opened in the UAE last year and a new center is opening in Melbourne, Florida, to replace the now-closed facility in Wilmington, Delaware, where “the facilities were becoming obsolete,” Trappier noted.
Private lift provider Wheels Up reported record revenues in the fourth quarter, the company said this morning during its year-end earnings call. Its total revenues for the quarter were $408 million, an increase of 18 percent year-over-year. For the full year, revenues reached nearly $1.6 billion.
The company also reported that its net loss for the quarter increased by $162 million, to $239 million, while its adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) improved by $3 million year-over-year to a loss of $44 million. Wheels Up posted a net loss of $507 million for the year.
These results come on the heels of Wheels Up announcing it would reduce its non-flight-essential staff, part of a host of cost-cutting and efficiency initiatives the operator is introducing in its effort to achieve adjusted EBITDA profitability in 2024. “When we talked about the path to profitability we said it’s going to be driven by cost actions, pricing, and program changes, as well as significant improvement in our operational execution and the efficiency of our operations,” Wheels UP CFO Todd Smith told AIN.
In October, the company also mortgaged its fleet in a move that boosted its cash on hand to nearly $600 million. “That action plus our continued momentum on our front end—we’re on the way,” said CEO Kenny Dichter.
A rejuvenated Enstrom announced that it sold 12 helicopters this week at HAI Heli-Expo in Atlanta. “We came into the show with some very high sales expectations, and we are thrilled with the results,” said Enstrom v-p of sales and marketing Dennis Martin.
Enstrom's 480B turbine single and 280FX piston single now feature glass panel avionics systems, refreshed interiors, and a signature paint scheme by renowned artist Dean Loucks. “I’ve met with many people this week who have come to our booth expressing interest in our aircraft and even more who have said how happy they are to see that Enstrom’s back and how excited they are that we’re manufacturing helicopters again,” said Chuck Surack, Enstrom’s new owner.
Surack purchased Enstrom’s assets out of bankruptcy in May 2022 and has since made a substantial investment in the company to restart and refresh its product line. Before that, Enstrom was in near-continuous operation for 64 years, manufacturing more than 1,300 light turbine and piston-powered helicopters for police, military, commercial, and private missions.
Based in Menominee, Michigan, the company had most recently been part of China’s Chongqing General Aviation Industry Group (CGAG) but had at various times been owned by the Purex Corp., famed defense attorney F. Lee Bailey, and inventor Dean Kamen.
Lutz To Head NBAA’s Events as Strong Set To Retire
Chris Strong, who has steered NBAA’s events over the past 14 years, is retiring, the association announced today. Stepping in to succeed Strong as senior v-p of events is Laurie Lutz, who has long served as an operations executive for the Consumer Technology Association’s (CTA) annual CES event.
Strong is leaving after navigating the association’s key events through the pandemic, making difficult decisions to cancel when necessary and implementing safety protocols to keep them running to the extent possible. He also has worked with the board to reshape the direction of its hallmark event, BACE, from a convention that rotates among locations to one that will be headed to Las Vegas at least for the next five years and maybe permanently.
Strong joined NBAA in 2009 as v-p of membership marketing, responsible for member services, member acquisition and retention programs, and database-management solutions. He stepped into his current role in 2014, taking responsibility for all aspects of BACE, EBACE, and ABACE, along with the association's conferences and regional forums.
Lutz will step into her new role on May 1 and work with Strong during a transition period throughout the year. She joined CTA in 2001 and served as v-p of CES operations since 2012. There, she has had oversight of event operations, infrastructure, and customer experience for CES, the largest annual trade show in North America.
Access to parts, rental engines and competitive pricing: more reasons why EAP says you should have your engines on an hourly maintenance program
Maintaining your engines helps you maintain the value of your aircraft, but Engine Assurance Program (EAP) knows hourly engine programs offer even more power to operators. With aircraft utilization at close to record levels, there’s increased competition for the already limited resources needed to keep engines in peak condition. That’s where enrolling on a program can save the day.
Atlantic Aviation expects to complete construction on its FBO at Nashville International Airport (KBNA) by year-end. The 12,000-sq-ft structure, which will replace an 8,600-sq-ft one, will offer a luxurious lobby/passenger lounge area, cafe, private VIP lounge, business center, kitchen, crew lounge with snooze rooms, and showers. For the FBO staff, there will be an expanded training area, locker rooms, and a line-service office.
"The new FBO will feature a host of high-quality materials, amenities, and technology designed to enhance the overall experience for passengers and their crews, as well as our own team members—from safe and efficient line service to customer care,” said Kris Mayle, Atlantic’s area director.
Additions to the facility will also include a 30,000-sq-ft hangar capable of sheltering the latest ultra-long-range business jets, an expanded ramp, and a new 60,000-gallon-capacity fuel farm to replace the existing fuel storage area. To make room for the construction, a 26,000-sq-ft, low-door-height hangar was demolished. Once the facility is completed, Atlantic will have 76,500 sq ft of hangar space, as well as 10,300 sq ft of office/shop space.
The company's recently expanded 24.5-acre leasehold includes property previously occupied by the Tennessee Department of Transportation.
Airbus Corporate Helicopters (ACH) has delivered its first ACH160 Exclusive helicopter. It was accepted by a private customer based in France and entered service immediately.
The ACH160 Exclusive is the premium version of the H160 helicopter, which is certified by EASA and being delivered to private and business customers. According to Airbus, it provides 20 percent greater volume per passenger compared with previous-generation medium twin helicopters and 35 percent larger windows than its competitors, resulting in the brightest cabin in its class.
According to the company, the ACH160 “provides the highest level of interior customization and bespoke craftsmanship for the most discerning customers” with features that include hinged doors, an electric footstep, and double-glazed windows.
ACH variants include the ACH125, ACH130, ACH135, ACH145, ACH160, and ACH175. They offer a range of premium completion features, including high-end interiors and various exterior paint schemes.
Business aviation operator Jung Sky has added Cessna Citation 525, 525A, and 525B-series line maintenance services under its new Part 145 certificate at its Zagreb Airport (LDZA) facility in Croatia. Jung Sky, a charter provider with two Cessna CJ2s, averages 1,200 flights annually and serves more than 200 destinations across Europe, the Mediterranean, and parts of northern Africa.
“Although we are stationed at LDZA, our team is pretty agile and can assist in maintenance-related situations anywhere in Europe. Just recently, we deployed them to Lyon [France] for an AOG mission,” stated Jung Sky technical director Davor Bujan. “As an operator ourselves, we know what it means to put your aircraft and your trust into someone else’s hands, but given the fact that our MRO team also looks after our own fleet—you can be sure we’ve assembled a very skillful team.”
Besides providing in-house maintenance on its aircraft and adding line maintenance for outside aircraft, Jung Sky's long-term plans include setting up additional line maintenance stations and establishing base maintenance services at Varazdin Airport (LDVA) in Croatia.
Mumbai, India-based aircraft leasing company Vman Aviation Services became the first private Indian lessor to sign a memorandum of understanding with Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) to form a joint venture for leasing aircraft. Vman will hold a majority share (51 percent) of the company, which has yet to be named.
“The deal will take around six months to close,” Vman CEO Vishok Mansingh told AIN. Mansingh said an agreement was signed with HAL at AeroIndia on February 14 to lease five light utility helicopters (LUH) with options for five more. The civil version of the LUH is expected to be rolled out in 2025.
“India has one of the lowest penetrations of helicopters with limited operations. We believe LUH, with a customer-focused design, will rejuvenate the helicopter market in India. It will be an asset in our portfolio,” he said. The transaction opens the door to an ecosystem where Indian-manufactured equipment will be on offer by an Indian leasing company.
“We see major potential for leasing of advanced light helicopters for commercial and oil and gas transport, as well as the Dornier (Hindustan) Do-228 for commuter aircraft for domestic and international such as Nepal and Philippines markets—and maybe even the military,” Mansingh added. On February 27, a new variant of the HAL-built Do-228—the Hindustan 228-201LW—was approved by the regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation.
As ever, you can count on AIN for full coverage of EBACE 2023. Our team will publish three of our award-winning daily EBACE Convention News editions at the show on May 23, 24, and 25. We will also have comprehensive real-time reporting of all the top news at AINonline.com and in our daily e-newsletters. If you are an exhibiting company that wants to share news or propose pre-show interviews and briefings, please contact show editor Chad Trautvetter.
AINalerts News Tips/Feedback: News tips may be sent anonymously, but feedback must include name and contact info (we will withhold name on request). We reserve the right to edit correspondence for length, clarity and grammar. Send feedback or news tips to AINalerts editor Chad Trautvetter.
AINalerts is a publication of AIN Media Group, 214 Franklin Avenue, Midland Park, New Jersey. Copyright 2023. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is strictly prohibited.
.png){kind=small}
