Myanmar Private Airline is Launched

A Myanmar private airline, called Air Bagan, plans to start flying its first international flights in April.  It will cover three regional destinations, using two airbus A-310-200 aircraft. 

Air Bagan also plans to increase its regular flights to Siem Reap, Cambodia, and its charter flights to South Korea and Japan. The airline has also purchased a Fokker F-100 and another 158 seat Airbus A-320 for its international flights.

Air Bagan was the third laragest domestic private airline after Air Mandalay and Yangon Airways. Fourteen foreign airlines fly to Myanmar currently, including Thai Airways, Indian Airlines, Qatar Airways, Silk Air, Air China, Malaysian Airlines, Bangkok Airways, Biman, Jetstar Asia, Phuket Airlins and Thai Air Asia.

Airbus Super-Jumbo A380 Gets Its Certificate

The A380, Airbus' super-jumbo aircraft, has been given its air safety certification last month.  This was a landmark event in the development of the world's biggest airliner. Singapore Airlines will be the first to take delivery of the A380 this October.

The air safety certificate was granted by the European Aviation Safety Agency and the US Federal Aviation Administration. It follows a stringent test flight program with five A380 aircraft. This flight test program revealed that the aircraft meets the guaranteed performance both in the fuel burn and range areas. The A380 produces very low emissions and is also quieter than any other airliner.

In addition to flight test success, further highlights have included airport compatibility trials with 38 airports being reviewed to date around the world, during which the ability to operate the super-jumbo A380 was demonstrated.

Strong Growth for Boeing Aircraft Worldwide

Once again confirming the continued strong growth in commercial aviation, Boeing had a record year in 2006, spurred by unexpectedly strong demand for its most profitable wide-body models.  This provides evidence that the current boom in commercial aviation may be at least two years longer than predicted.

Boeing booked orders for 1,044 new planes last year, a company record that could push its order count past that of European rival Airbus for the first time since 2000.  Boeing had originally predicted that 2006 would be a letdown from the then unprecedented 1,002 orders during 2005. Instead, airlines lined up to place orders for all sizes of Boeing jetliners, ranging from a record 729 single-aisle 737 to 76 orders for wide-body 777s and 72 four-engine 747s. The Dreamliner continued its streak as the best selling Boeing wide-body, with 157 orders.

Boeing delivered 398 planes in 2006, three more than predicted. Some analysts believe both Boeing and Airbus will reach peak production rates in 2010 or 2011, with Boeing delivering 570 airplanes and Airbus delivering about 470. Analysts agree that Airbus and Boeing together will collect a combined 1,000 orders in 2007. If so, that will mean that the two manufacturers will have gotten a total of almost 4,500 new orders since 2004.

Etihad Airways Sets Record Three Years in a Row

A fleet of new aircraft, 16 new routes and the accolade of world's leading new airline for the third year running has made 2006 a landmark year for Etihad Airways.

The Abu Dhabi-based UAE national airline continued to achieve strong growth in 2006. Last year alone, the airline launched 16 new international destinations, which included New York, Paris, Casablanca, Khartoum and Jakarta, in additional to their routes to Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, Manchester, Doha, Jeddah, Muscat, Kuwait, Tehran, Dhaka and Manila. Currently 80 percent of Etihad's fleet is new. The airline has placed a record USD8 billion order for 29 new Airbus and Boeing aircraft.

Orders for New Aircraft Confirm Continued Industry Growth

On behalf its its subsidiary, Air Nelson, Air New Zealand has firmed up orders for three new Bombardier Q300 aircraft.  This is part of an order for 17 Q300s, plus options on 10 Q300s and 13 Q400s by the airline. The value of this latest transaction is approximately USD48 million.

Air One has taken delivery of its first Airbus A320 from an order for 30 aircraft.  Air One serves 23 domestic and six international destinations.

On behalf of Air One, BAE Systems Regional Aircraft has leased three new Avro RJ70s to use on news routes from London City Airport to Milan Linate. 

Singapore-based Tiger Airways has ordered eight more Airbus A320s. The airline currently operates a fleet of seven A320s, with this latest order bringing its backlog of deliveries to 13 aircraft. These new aircraft will be used in the airline's regional network of 15 cities in seven countries.

Pakistani low-fare airline Airblue has ordered two Airbus A320s and is currently negotiating for four additional. Airblue operates six A320 aircraft presently.

Gol increased their order from 67 to 87 Boeing 737-800s, as part of its ongoing expansion program.

Virgin Blue Airlines has ordered 14 Embraer E-jets for its Australian domestic market and regional markets throughout the South Pacific island region. This includes 11 Embraer 190s plus three Embraer 170s.

Kingfisher Airlines of India have reached an agreement for two new Airbus A321s.  This complements Kingfisher's fleet of 10 A320s and three A319s.

New US low-fare airline, Skybus, based in Columbus, Ohio, has signed a firm contract to purchase 65 Airbus A319s.

Easyjet has also signed a firm contract with Airbus for an additional 52 A319s, taking the airline's total orders for the type to 192. This latest order makes Easyjet one of Airbus' biggest customers worldwide. Additionally, the airline has also taken options on another 75 A319s. Andrew Harrison, Easyjet Chief Executive said, "We are committed to operating only the newest and most fuel-efficient aircraft available. The average age of our existing 122 aircraft is only 2.2 years, and we believe that this and the fundamental benefits of our business model make us one of the world's most environmentally efficient airlines."   

AirAsia, Malaysia's low-cost carrier, has doubled an existing order for 100 Airbus jetliners to fulfill its plans for growth in Southeast Aisa. The order for an additional 100 single-aisle A320's, valued at nearly USD7 billion, underscores the appeal of this model for short-haul routes. AirAsia currently has a fleet of 50 jetliners.

China's Shenzhen Airlines to Form Regional Airline Joint Venture

Mesa Air Group, a US low-cost airline operator, and China's Shenzhen Airlines Co. Ltd. will form a regional airline joint venture based in Beijing.

This will be the first regional airline joint venture in the Chinese mainland, and it is expected to start operations at the end of 2007.

New Routes Announced

As commercial aviation continues its rapid growth, airlines are establishing new routes to meet the demand. The following airlines have recently announced the new routes:

FRONTIER AIRLINES will launch daily nonstop service between Denver International Airport and Vancouver International Airport.

JETBLUE AIRWAYS introduces new daily service from Boston to San Juan, Puerto Rico.

RYANAIR will begin daily service from Rome to Madrid.

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES began nonstop service from Newark Liberty International Airport to Roatan, Honduras, and Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles.

AMERICAN AIRLINES Is beginning new service from Austin, Texas to Seattle, Washington.

DELTA AIR LINES inaugurates service between Atlanta and Johannesburg via Dakar, Senegal.

VIRGIN ATLANTIC has begun service between London Heathrow and Nairobi.    

More Orders for Boeing as Airlines Grow

Korean Air announces an order for 25 Boeing aircraft with the value of approximately USD5.6 billion. The order includes 10 777-300ERs, five 747-8 freighters, five 777 freighters and five next generation 737s, along with options for eight additional airplanes -- four 777-300ERs, two 747-BFs and two 737-900ERs.

Mumbai-based Jet Airways announced an order for 10 Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners. This order, just placed, is valued at more than USD1.5 billion.  Naresh Goyal, chairman of Jet Airways, said "these 787 Dreamliners, which will be used in conjunction with our 777s on order, will bring a new level of world-class service, as we expand our international operations with routes to Europe, Asia and the U.S." Jet Airways currently operates a fleet of 46 Boeing aircraft: 737-400/700/800/900. They have one of the youngest aircraft fleets in the world and operate more than 330 daily flights to 49 destinations that span the length and breadth of India, plus London, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Columbo and Kathmandu. The airline plans to extend its international operations to North America, Europe, Africa, China and Asia in the coming years.

Thirty eight airlines have logged 471 orders and commitments from Boeing, worth more than USD70 billion since the 787 launch.  This makes the Dreamliner the most successful commercial airplane launch in history.

Airline Recruiting Pilots

SkyWest Airlines, the nation's largest independently owned regional carrier, announced that the airline will host recruiting sessions throughout the country to aid in its coast-to-coast expansion for 2007.

Currently, the airline operates more than 1,600 daily flights across the country as a Delta Connection from SkyWest's largest hub in Salt Lake City, and as United Express along the West Coast and from Denver and Chicago O'Hare hubs.

The company hired a record 4,000 employees in 2006. It was named the Number One On-Time Mainland Airline in the US by the Department of Transportation for 2005, 2004, and 2003. System-wide, SkyWest has more than 10,000 employees and serves a total of 133 cities in 38 states and five Canadian provinces.

Demand in the US and abroad continues to increase for those who want a career as an airline pilot, now is the time to take action. Consider PEA an accredited flight school that offers excellent training in a great location Daytona Beach, Florida. 

2007: Aviation Markets to Watch

According to Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation's 'markets to watch' in 2007, Vietnam and Saudi Arabia are both expected to undergo rapid development.

The Centre's chairman, Peter Harbison, says "Flag carriers of both countries are on the runway to privatisation, while low-cost entries will stimulate strong rates of traffic growth over the next 12 months."

Vietnam's Pacific Airlines is now offering both domestic and international services in response to rising competition from Tiger Airways and AirAsia.  Vietnam's aviation sector is expanding rapidly, up 13.1% (passenger) and 14.4% (freight) in 2006.

Saudi Arabia's National Air Services (private charter operator) is expected to launch services to serve domestic and regional destinations in the Middle East. And Sama has been awarded a new airline license.

Both countries are also expanding their airport infastructure to accommodate the expected sharp increases in demand.  Saudi Arabia is investing USD8 billion to expand Jeddah, Medina and Tabuk airports. Vietnam is developing a replacement airport for the congested Than Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City.

Golden Age of Aviation is NOW

We all know general aviation has seen significant, very positive changes in the past five year -- the most seen in decades. The aviation industry has become more dynamic; it has even had three consecutive years of double digit growth.  This indicates a brand new, exciting world for new pilots -- and new job opportunities for those who think they might like to be commercial pilots.

Over these past five years, 60 new aircraft have been certified, including the first very light jets (VLJs).  There are currently nearly 35 aircraft in various stages of development, whose certification is expected within the next couple of years. 

And it's not only new aircraft you can be excited about -- there are new engines being developed, new avionics packages, integrated moving map displays, virtual reality and multiple onboard weather sources.  Digital charts are even becoming commonplace.

Never before has there been such a variety of capable new general aviation products and services being developed.  Now is truly the gold age of aviation!

And it is not about to end, growth and opportunity for new pilots is huge. If you are interested in being part of the golden age of aviation and want to learn to be a pilot. Contact Phoenix East Aviation to learn how you can be part of this 1-800-868-4359 or 1-386-258-0703.