Aerospace

Embraer makes progress throughout the Portuguese Air Force’s KC-390 test campaign

Embraer continues to advance in the test campaign of the first KC-390 aircraft for the Portuguese Air Force (FAP).

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Gavião Peixoto – Brazil, September 1st, 2022 – Embraer continues to advance in the test campaign of the first KC-390 aircraft for the Portuguese Air Force (FAP). Currently, the activities carried out at the Embraer unit in Gavião Peixoto, in the São Paulo State, are focused on flight tests that meet the specific requirements of the Portuguese State, and are certified by Brazilian authorities, including the National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) and the Institute for Industrial Development and Coordination (IFI).

This phase precedes the aircraft’s departure to Portugal, where NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) standard equipment will be integrated and certified by the National Aeronautical Authority (AAN) of Portugal and with the involvement of OGMA, a subsidiary of Embraer in Portugal. All activities are being monitored by FAP, with the first deliveries scheduled to begin in 2023.

In August of 2019, the Government of Portugal signed a contract with Embraer for the acquisition of five KC0390 Millennium aircraft, as part of FAP’s process to modernize capabilities and increase readiness for public interest missions. The contract also includes services and support, as well as a flight simulator.

The KC-390 aircraft meets all FAP requirements capable of performing various civilian missions, including humanitarian support, medical evacuation, search and rescue, and wildfire fighting, adding superior transport and launch capabilities for cargo and troops and in-flight refueling.

Portugal is the largest international partner of the KC-390 program, and its participation in the development and production of the aircraft is recognized for having a positive economic impact on the generation of jobs, new investments, increased exports and technological advances.

The C-390 Millennium and its aerial refueling configuration, the KC-390, are the new generation of multi-mission military transport aircraft that offer unparalleled mobility and payload capacity, rapid reconfiguration, high availability, enhanced comfort, and flight safety, as well as optimized management of reduced operational costs throughout its lifecycle, all on a single platform.

Aerospace

EASA Ends Suspension on PIA, Approves Flights to Europe

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The suspension of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) from operating in Europe is finally over, marking a significant turning point for Pakistan’s aviation sector.

After years of scrutiny and stringent safety assessments, the European Commission and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have officially lifted the ban on PIA. This decision also grants Airblue authorization to operate flights to Europe, further enhancing Pakistan’s connectivity with the region.

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PIA’s suspension, initially imposed in June 2020, was a direct consequence of concerns regarding the oversight capabilities of Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA). These concerns were triggered shortly after a tragic PIA plane crash that claimed 97 lives, prompting an investigation into the validity of pilot licenses issued in the country.

Now, after four years of continuous efforts and reforms by the PCAA, EASA has expressed renewed confidence in Pakistan’s aviation regulatory framework. In a statement, EASA highlighted that Pakistan has successfully addressed safety compliance issues, enabling PIA to resume its operations within the European Union.

A spokesperson for PIA expressed optimism, emphasizing the airline’s commitment to strictly adhere to EASA’s regulations and guidelines. “This milestone has been achieved after four years of relentless efforts by the PIA management,” the spokesperson said.

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The lifting of the ban is expected to have a profound impact on PIA’s future. The airline, which employs over 7,000 people, has faced criticism in the past for poor management, financial instability, and regulatory challenges.

However, the restoration of European operations is seen as a vital step toward regaining its competitive edge, improving its financial standing, and restoring its reputation on the global stage.

Pakistan’s government, which has been exploring options to privatize the debt-laden national carrier, is hopeful that this development will attract foreign investment and bolster the country’s aviation industry.

With a renewed focus on compliance and safety, PIA is now poised to rebuild its presence in Europe, offering Pakistani travelers and international passengers more connectivity and improved service.