Category: Commercial

Hexagon Introduces Solution to Plan, Manage and Optimize Factories

Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division has launched its new digitalization solution, Digital Factory, designed to help manufacturers build highly accurate digital replicas of their factories. It enables manufacturers to optimize their floor plans and quickly pivot production lines today, and operate smarter and more sustainable future factories with open interfaces that connect digital twins of shopfloor assets. Such solutions could save a global manufacturing company £35 million per year by avoiding costly mistakes and offering a 50% reduction in the typical travel costs and the on-site training required, the company says.

Hexagon says it is ready to address this issue through its expertise in delivering best-in-class accuracy reality capture and surveying equipment, software to visualize, explore and simulate scenarios in 3D, and high-productivity cloud-native collaboration workflows. Digitalization technologies are a proven technology and have been used for over two decades in civil infrastructure, architecture and public safety, but their potential has yet to be fully realized in the manufacturing space where significant disruption now requires manufacturers — in particular brownfield site owners — to rethink their manufacturing equipment and use of space.

According to research conducted by Forrester, commissioned by Hexagon, 32% of manufacturers believe that outdated or ineffective manual processes and workflows are barriers to productivity and collaboration. Digital Factory is a future-ready alternative to traditional factory planning that enables manufacturers to not only ramp up productivity, but also increase efficiency in remodeling, preventing costly mistakes. It also empowers more efficient collaboration between manufacturing and operations teams from anywhere in the world. The core of this solution is improved access to up-to-date data in immersive virtual environments that reflect reality, addressing a major barrier that smart factory initiatives face today.

Digital Factory leverages a comprehensive portfolio of hardware and software solutions that includes Hexagon’s award-winning range of reality capture technology — such as the Leica BLK2GO handheld imaging laser scanner, the Leica BLK ARC autonomous scanning module for robotic and mobile carriers and terrestrial laser scanners like the Leica RTC360 — that allow manufacturers to capture and create dimensionally-accurate point clouds of the factory floor. Using the Leica Cyclone software portfolio and Hexagon’s Reality Cloud Studio, powered by the HxDR, manufacturers can easily collaborate and quickly process data from Hexagon or a customer’s preferred scanning hardware to recreate up-to-date 3D spaces with speed and flexibility.

Hexagon offers workflows to ensure manufacturers achieve the maximum value, from scanning the factory and processing the data into actionable 3D models for various applications, to managing the data in the cloud, making it easier for team members and external stakeholders to provide feedback and make informed decisions. By using Digital Factory, manufacturers will be able to:

  • Conduct virtual tours for remote factory monitoring – Lead a digital tour of a factory with remote access, eliminating the need for managers and contractors to travel onsite.
  • Remote team collaboration – Facilitate remote collaboration among key teams and stakeholders at any time, using cloud-based tools with analysis and modelling capabilities with on-demand data. Factory planners and production managers can make decisions remotely and provide feedback with confidence based on reliable and up-to-date data.
  • Plan and remodel factory layouts with accuracy and detail – Capture precise measurements of a factory, creating an exact and reliable digital model that can be accessed anytime from anywhere. Factory owners can regularly monitor the progress of production lines under construction in meticulous detail, avoiding the costs associated with unexpected errors.
  • Easily upgrade and install equipment – Introduce and upgrade machinery such as machining centers, 3D printers, robotics and metrology systems by evaluating their addition or replacement in a risk-free digital model. This helps prevent expensive mistakes such as ordering incorrect parts, not having sufficient footprint or access to install a machine.
  • Create operational test-beds and innovate faster – By testing out new machines, factory floor layouts and workflows in the virtual 3D environment, companies can quickly identify feasibility and emissions considerations, enabling them to better understand the potential benefits of new technology and make future-ready smart factories a reality.

“Hexagon has developed a deep understanding of manufacturers’ needs. Digital Factory allows to bring the physical world into an accurate virtual sandbox of their factories on-demand,” said Nicolas Lachaud Bandres, VP Industry Solutions at Hexagon. “Collaborating with their team and suppliers, they can consider ‘what-if’ scenarios to shape more effective plant designs and layouts and oversee implementation with irrefutable and accessible 3D plans. We’re making the digital factory more affordable and accessible, and we’re excited to see how our customers apply this to ramp up and remain competitive with smarter factories.”

Digital Factory is designed to integrate with existing customer workflows. It is interoperable with Building Information Modeling (BIM) applications, Hexagon’s HxGN EAM enterprise asset management solutions and popular CAD software from AutoCAD and Bentley.

Boeing Forecasts Demand for Nearly 44,000 New Airplanes Through 2043 as Air Travel Surpasses Pre-Pandemic Levels

With air travel fully recovered and even surpassing pre-pandemic demand, Boeing [NYSE: BA] today projected a 3% increase in airplane deliveries over the next 20 years, with carriers requiring nearly 44,000 new commercial airplanes by 2043. Leading into the Farnborough International Airshow, Boeing released its 2024 Commercial Market Outlook (CMO), which also predicts emerging markets and global single-aisle market demand will remain primary growth drivers for the industry.

Air travel demand continues to outpace economic growth in an increasingly connected world. Four years after the pandemic grounded most of the global fleet, air traffic growth has returned to the long-term trend Boeing forecast 20 years ago. Compared to 2023, passenger air traffic will rise an average of 4.7% annually over the next two decades, according to the CMO.

“This is a challenging and inspiring era for aviation. The return to more typical traffic growth shows how resilient our industry is, even as we all work through ongoing supply chain and production constraints amid other global challenges,” said Brad McMullen, Boeing senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing.

CMO forecast highlights through 2043:

  • The global commercial fleet is projected to grow 3.2% annually, more slowly than air traffic as airlines continue to boost productivity by increasing load factors and using airplanes more hours per day.
  • The air cargo fleet, with speed and reliability, consistently outperforms other modes of transport and will increase by two-thirds by 2043, to support 4.1% annual air cargo traffic growth.

Air travel trends:

  • The average global airline fare is about the same as it was 20 years ago, even as overall consumer prices doubled.
  • The number of global routes served by commercial airlines has returned to 2019 levels, even though nearly 20% of them are new, illustrating the adaptability of aviation in a dynamic market.

Key growth drivers:

  • South Asia passenger traffic will increase 7.4%, followed by Southeast Asia (7.2%) and Africa (6.4%), as emerging markets return to historical growth trends through the forecast period.
  • Eurasia is projected to lead all markets with the most airplane deliveries (22% of total) with North America (20%) and China (20%) close behind.
  • Single-aisle airplanes will make up 71% of the 2043 fleet after 33,380 new deliveries, serving short- to medium-haul routes with versatility.
  • The global widebody fleet will more than double, with twin-aisles comprising 44% of the Middle East fleet.

Services on the rise:

  • Boeing expects demand for commercial services valued at $4.4 trillion ─ driven by maintenance and modification options and digital solutions that increase efficiency.
  • With air travel expansion especially in emerging markets, the commercial aviation industry will require nearly 2.4 million new personnel as well as training to support new pilots, maintenance technicians and cabin crew*.

“As airlines respond to robust passenger demand, the services market continues to expand, not only as a result of fleet growth, but also with an increased focus on reducing operating costs and deploying efficient and sustainable solutions,” said Dan Abraham, senior vice president of Boeing Global Services Commercial Sales and Marketing.

New deliveries (2024-2043)
Regional Jet1,525
Single Aisle33,380
Widebody8,065
Freighter1,005
Total43,975

Boeing has published the CMO annually since 1961. As the longest-running forecast of its kind, the CMO is regarded as the most comprehensive analysis of the commercial aviation industry.

*Boeing will release its complete Pilot and Technician Outlook on July 22

Vortex Aviation Receives ANAC Certification, Opening Opportunities for MRO Engine Services in Brazil

Vortex Aviation Inc, the engine maintenance division of Kellstrom Aerospace has been awarded type certification approval by the National Civil Aviation Authority of Brazil (ANAC). This new authorization approves Vortex Aviation to perform its suite of engine maintenance services in the field and in our shops enabling the organization to best serve our customers within Brazil, as well as the global engine asset owner and lessor community.

Vortex Aviation is a global engine hospital shop and field service organization specializing in today’s mature and emerging commercial engine aviation market (such models as CFM56, LEAP, CF34, CF6-80, V2500, GTF Series, PW4000). Focused on quick turnaround time and surgical strike maintenance workscopes, Vortex Aviation increases the usable life and revenue generation capability of our customers’ engine assets while minimizing downtime and maintenance costs. The approval process included a full review by the Brazilian authorities of Vortex’s US facilities’ maintenance manual, safety management system, quality system, tooling and personnel records.

“This new ANAC certification adds to our current approvals, enhancing Vortex’s ability to serve our Brazilian Commercial Aviation customer base as well as our Global Lessor community,” said John McKirdy, Chief Commercial Officer, Kellstrom Aerospace Group.  “This authorization continues to position the company as a unique global leader in commercial aviation engine maintenance and a key strategic maintenance partner to the world’s leading global airlines and asset owners.”

Elevate MRO, Elevate Jet, Expand to Denver, Boosting Western U. S. Presence

Elevate MRO, a division of Elevate Aviation Group (EAG), has announced the opening of a new aircraft maintenance center at Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport (KBJC) in Denver. This expansion includes increased staff and maintenance teams to support the existing client base and enhance aircraft maintenance service availability while supporting Elevate Jet’s management, charter and aircraft sales capabilities.

The 17,000-square-foot facility provides essential hangar and office space, allowing Elevate to expand its MRO aircraft maintenance and management. Notably, the MRO will introduce much-needed avionics services, including custom installations and maintenance. Elevate MRO was recently selected by SpaceX as an approved dealer and installer of Starlink for business aircraft.

With other companies closing their Denver operations, Elevate aims to tap into the region’s talented pool of aviation technicians and industry veterans, offering aircraft owners a new local management option. With a mobile AOG team capable of quickly restoring an aircraft to service, Elevate provides support to the Denver metropolitan area and surrounding resort airports.

“In addition to expanding our MRO footprint, this new facility will provide Elevate clients a home for owners who are looking for aircraft management services,” said Jim Slack, president of Elevate MRO. “With its savage client-centric approach, Elevate MRO maintains a wide array of current airframes representing 43 unique aircraft models across 11 manufacturers. This expansion underscores our commitment to delivering top-tier services and innovative solutions to the private jet community.”

Air India Selects Lufthansa Technik for Component Supply for Boeing 777 Fleet

Lufthansa Technik takes over the Total Component Support (TCS) for Air India’s entire Boeing 777 fleet. The multi-year agreement that the MRO provider and the airline signed this Thursday in Gurugram, 
India, encompasses services for a total of 27 aircraft. With this first contract, both companies are laying the foundations for long-term cooperation.

Starting in July 2024, Air India receives Lufthansa Technik’s proven Total Component Support. The now concluded agreement includes the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of aircraft components and 
provides Air India access to Lufthansa Technik’s global component pool and logistics services. The close partnership between the two companies will enable the airline to maximize efficiency in its 
technical operations and ensures the best possible availability of the spare parts it needs.

S.K. Dash, chief technical officer at Air India, said: “The partnership with the well-experienced Lufthansa Technik for the component support of our entire Boeing 777 fleet of 27 aircraft is a significant milestone in our collaborative journey. Lufthansa Technik demonstrated professional ad-hoc support for our Boeing 777 fleet and we are delighted to strengthen this relationship further by way of this long-term agreement.”

Dennis Kohr, senior vice president corporate sales Asia Pacific at Lufthansa Technik, commented: “We would like to thank Air India for their trust and for awarding Lufthansa Technik to provide comprehensive Total Component Support. As the airline continues on its growth path in the next years, we look forward to supporting them with our services and eagerly anticipate expanding our new 
partnership further.”

Besides Air India, Lufthansa Technik has been associated with Tata group airline companies Vistara in the field of Boeing 787 components since 2020 and with Air India Express in the area of engine 
maintenance service since January this year.

AAR Selected by Airhub Aviation and Partner GetJet Airlines to Provide Repair Cost Oversight

AAR CORP. subsidiary Airinmar, a leading independent provider of component repair cycle management and aircraft warranty solutions, signed a new multi-year services agreement with Airhub Aviation, a prominent asset management and fleet support services provider, to support its partner GetJet Airlines, a Lithuanian-based aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance provider.

Airinmar will provide Airhub Aviation with cost oversight services to ensure compliance with GetJet Airline’s contracted component repairs and the cost evaluation of time and material quoted repairs. The services provided by Airinmar will complement Airhub Aviation’s current repair management activities and improvement initiatives.

“This agreement marks another significant step in Airhub Aviation’s ongoing commitment to continuous improvement and maintenance cost reduction initiatives for GetJet Airlines,” said Oleg Novak, managing director for Airhub Aviation. “Airinmar’s extensive knowledge and experience managing the component repair cycle and ability to maximize value from effective cost management practices will help Airbub Aviation position ourselves for future growth and expansion.”

“Airinmar is excited about the opportunity to bring value through our long-established repair cost oversight services and contribute to the overall sustainable growth Airhub Aviation has been experiencing,” said Greg Zuikovs, senior director of sales and business development for Airinmar. “We see great drive from their partner GetJet Airlines to operate in an effective and efficient manner, and we are fully committed to supporting them with our services.”

Liebherr-Aerospace Expands Service Capacities in the U. S.

Liebherr-Aerospace Saline, Inc. is enhancing its aftermarket service capacities with the fifth expansion since 1993. Spanning 33,000 ft² (3,065 m²), the new expansion will adjoin the existing heat transfer facility, which commenced operations in 2016.

The new facility will cater to Liebherr-Aerospace Saline’s growing heat transfer aftermarket demand of testing, repair, overhaul, and recore capacity for Liebherr products installed on Airbus, Boeing, Embraer, Mitsubishi, and Bombardier aircraft. Additionally, the new facility will accommodate the internal movement of certain other products, thus increasing the required landing gear processing capacity at the main facility.

Recognizing Liebherr-Aerospace Saline’s as well as the global success of Liebherr’s heat transfer activities, Alex Vlielander, chief customer officer at Liebherr-Aerospace & Transportation SAS, said: “The positive and overwhelming acceptance by our customers of the heat transfer servicing set-up in Saline has allowed us to expand our offerings worldwide, thus validating our strategy to be close to our customers. Furthermore, by expanding the network we are shortening the overall Turn Around Time by eliminating transportation time, cutting down on cost and lowering our carbon footprint.”

Will Dew, managing director commercial at Liebherr-Aerospace Saline, Inc. added: “It’s also imperative that we recognize the sustaining contributions of our employees. This impressive milestone combined with our summer employee appreciation event acknowledges their resilience and innovation which continues to anchor the success of the company.”

Getac’s Next Generation F110 Tablet for Field Professionals

Getac has launched the next generation F110 tablet, which combines fully rugged reliability with a host of powerful new upgrades for exceptional performance and efficiency in the field.

Getac’s flagship F110 model has long been at the forefront of rugged tablet design, making it incredibly popular with customers across multiple sectors and industries. The new F110 builds on this legacy, offering upgraded processing power, brightness, and connectivity, alongside excellent energy efficiency, for full-shift performance in a variety of challenging indoor/outdoor working environments.

Powerful and Versatile

Key features include an upgraded Intel Core 13th Gen i5/i7 processor, with Intel UHD Graphics offering new levels of processing speed and graphical performance. Elsewhere, the ultra-bright 1,200 nit LumiBond screen, with multitouch modes (touch, glove, pen) – the brightest ever available on the F110 – optimizes productivity in weather conditions ranging from full sun to rain and snow. For maximum mobility and productivity, the F110 can be used with a wide range of Getac accessories, including detachable keyboard, hard carry handle, and secure vehicle docks. 

Connectivity Options

Fast and reliable remote communication is a critical part of field operations in industries such as defense and oil & gas production/exploration, which is why the next-generation F110 offers a wide array of outstanding connectivity options as standard. These include Intel® Wi-Fi 6E AX211, 802.11ax, and Bluetooth 5.3, enabling personnel to quickly communicate with colleagues and share data as needed. Connectivity can be enhanced even further with optional 4G LTE and 5G Sub-6 modules (dual sim design including a physical sim and an e-sim), while a 5MP webcam provides clear and detailed pictures during video calls and remote guidance activities.

Energy Efficient and Reliable

Field professionals in industries like utilities and manufacturing need digital devices they can rely on for the full duration of shifts, even when access to power points or recharge facilities is limited. The next generation F110 features DDR5 memory (up to 32GB), which offers higher base speeds and lower power consumption than previous generations, making it ideal for full-shift operation. Its user-friendly hot-swappable batteries can also be easily replaced in the field if needed. If even more operation time is required between charges, the F110 is compatible with Getac’s optional high-capacity Li-ion batteries as well.

The F110 also boasts rugged reliability. MIL-STD-810H and IP66 certification, a 6ft operating drop rating, and optional salt fog resistance make it ideally suited to operations in challenging work environments where the risk of accidental knocks, drops, and spillages is much greater.

“The F110 has been a mainstay of our fully rugged tablet portfolio for a long time, and for good reason. Its combination of laptop-level performance and tablet convenience makes it the ultimate field device for customers across sectors and industries where challenging operating environments are par for the course every day,” says James Hwang, president of Getac Technology Corporation. “The next generation F110 boasts new features and enhancements that help field professionals get the job done at first time of asking, even when faced with adverse conditions and locations.”

Boeing to Acquire Spirit AeroSystems

Boeing announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Spirit AeroSystems. The merger is an all-stock transaction at an equity value of approximately $4.7 billion, or $37.25 per share. The total transaction value is approximately $8.3 billion, including Spirit’s last reported net debt.

Each share of Spirit common stock will be exchanged for a number of shares of Boeing common stock equal to an exchange ratio between 0.18 and 0.25, calculated as $37.25 divided by the volume weighted average share price of Boeing shares over the 15-trading-day period ending on the second trading day prior to the closing (subject to a floor of $149.00 per share and a ceiling of $206.94 per share). Spirit shareholders will receive 0.25 Boeing shares for each of their Spirit shares if the volume-weighted average price is at or below $149.00, and 0.18 Boeing shares for each of their Spirit shares if the volume-weighted average price is at or above $206.94.

“We believe this deal is in the best interest of the flying public, our airline customers, the employees of Spirit and Boeing, our shareholders and the country more broadly,” said Boeing President and CEO Dave Calhoun. “By reintegrating Spirit, we can fully align our commercial production systems, including our Safety and Quality Management Systems, and our workforce to the same priorities, incentives and outcomes – centered on safety and quality.”

Boeing’s acquisition of Spirit will include substantially all Boeing-related commercial operations, as well as additional commercial, defense and aftermarket operations. As part of the transaction, Boeing will work with Spirit to ensure the continuity of operations supporting Spirit’s customers and programs it acquires, including working with the U.S. Department of Defense and Spirit defense customers regarding defense and security missions.

“We are proud of the role Boeing plays in supporting our men and women in uniform and are committed to ensuring continuity for Spirit’s defense programs,” said Calhoun.

Airbus SE and Spirit have also entered into a binding term sheet under which Airbus will acquire, assuming the parties entered into definitive agreements and receipt of any required regulatory approvals, certain commercial work packages that Spirit performs for Airbus concurrently with the closing of the Boeing-Spirit merger. In addition, Spirit is proposing to sell certain of its operations, including those in Belfast, Northern Ireland (non-Airbus operations), Prestwick, Scotland, and Subang, Malaysia. The transaction is expected to close mid-2025 and is subject to the sale of the Spirit operations related to certain Airbus commercial work packages and the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including regulatory and Spirit shareholder approvals.

CPaT Announces New Partnership with Lithuanian-Based ACMI and Charter, GetJet Airlines

CPaT Global, a provider of distance learning for the airline and aviation industry, has been awarded a new contract with GetJet Airlines. CPaT will be providing GetJet Airlines with their Pilot Training Suite consisting of Aircraft Systems and General Subjects, FMS Skills Trainer, 3D Cockpit Trainer and 3D Walk Around Trainer for their Airbus A 320 CEO and Boeing B737 NG fleets. Additionally, CPaT will be proving GetJet with their Airbus A320 CEO and Boeing B737 NG cabin Crew Training Suite.

“We are thrilled to partner with GetJet Airlines, providing advanced learning solutions,” said Capt. Greg Darrow, vice president of sales. “Our comprehensive training programs are designed to improve operational efficiency and safety, ensuring their pilots and cabin crew are well-equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge for their roles.”

“We are excited to partner with CPaT to elevate our crew training programs,” said Vasilijs Kazaks, VP crew training at GetJet Airlines. “GetJet prioritizes safety as a core value. This partnership with CPaT strengthens this commitment by offering a tailored training program that addresses the specific needs of GetJet’s fleet and operational environment.”

GetJet Airlines is based in Vilnius, Lithuania.