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FAA issued 737 MAX’s LEAP-1B engine corrosion issue

FAA

FAA issued 737 MAX’s LEAP-1B engine corrosion issue: The FAA has released a new Airworthiness Directive for some CFM LEAP-1B engines used in the 737 MAX family of aircraft. The Directive addresses corrosion caused by long-term storage of planes, which can result in reduced thrust in certain cases. The remedy is simple enough, and it does not place a huge burden on the affected airlines.

When an aircraft is parked for an extended period of time without use, it is common for certain parts to begin to display signs of wear and tear. The global 737 MAX fleet was grounded for more than two years.

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According to the FAA, there have been several reports of pressure sub-system (PSS) unit faults due to corrosion after storage for some CFM LEAP-1B engines. It explicitly states,

“In April 2021, the FAA received a report from CFM, the engine manufacturer, of numerous instances of PSS unit faults. The manufacturer reported these faults have been occurring since October 2020 and are a result of pressure transducer corrosion following extended storage periods. The manufacturer’s investigation found that certain PSS units, identified by serial number, have been exposed to conditions that make pressure transducers in these units susceptible to an increased rate of faults.”

The FAA has issued a new guideline requiring airlines to conduct repeated engine tests. The US authority stated that for Leap-1B engines that were restored to service but had less than 15 hours of electrical power applied to the PSS unit within the previous 90 days, the airline should monitor the engine maintenance messages related to the pressure transducer until the unit had 15 or more hours of electrical power.

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Meanwhile, the FAA needed a one-time engine review for engines that had been returned to service and had already collected 15 or more hours of electrical power to the PSS units during the previous 90 days or completed 5 flight cycles.

The same law applies to air carriers that still have Leap-1B engine-powered aircraft in long-term storage. The FAA also cautioned that if any maintenance flaws were discovered during the tests, air carriers would have to replace the PSS units.

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According to the FAA’s AD, it affected 158 engines registered in the United States. This fault has nothing to do with the electrical problem that was recorded in late April.

Electrical Issues Affecting More Boeing 737 MAX | Jetline Marvel

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Airlines

India’s newest airline FLY91 starts commercial operations with maiden flight

India’s newest airline FLY91 starts commercial operations with maiden flight

FLY91, the latest addition to India’s vibrant aviation landscape, marked a significant milestone on Monday as it commenced its commercial services.

The inaugural flight of the airline embarked from Goa’s Manohar International Airport at 07:55 am, embarking on its maiden journey to Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru. In a remarkable debut, FLY91 also successfully operated its first route to Sindhudurg from Bengaluru on the same day.

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Expressing pride and enthusiasm, Manoj Chacko, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of FLY91, stated, “We at FLY91 are incredibly proud to launch our inaugural commercial flight. This is not just about reaching a destination; it’s about taking flight with the dreams and aspirations of a nation.”

To mark the occasion and extend a warm welcome to passengers, FLY91 introduced a special inaugural fare of Rs 1,991 (inclusive of all charges). This exclusive offer will be applicable to all flights across FLY91‘s operational sectors, highlighting the airline’s commitment to providing affordable travel options.

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FLY91’s initial operations will focus on key routes connecting Goa, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Sindhudurg, with plans to expand its network to include Agatti, Jalgaon, and Pune by April. The airline will operate flights between Goa and Bengaluru on Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays, along with a similar frequency of flights between Bengaluru and Sindhudurg. Additionally, FLY91 will facilitate connectivity between Goa and Hyderabad, as well as between Sindhudurg and Hyderabad, with flights scheduled twice a week.

With an eye toward expansion and enhancing connectivity, FLY91 has commenced operations with two ATR 72-600 aircraft, with plans to add four more aircraft in the coming months. This strategic fleet expansion will enable the airline to establish a robust pan-India presence, focused on five key zones across the country.

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Aviation

Qatar Airways to Introduce “Private Jet-Inspired” First Class on B777

Qatar Airways to Introduce "Private Jet-Inspired" First Class on B777

In a bold move to redefine luxury air travel, Qatar Airways has announced plans to introduce a groundbreaking First Class cabin experience on its fleet of Boeing 777-9 aircraft.

The airline’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, revealed in an exclusive interview with CNBC that these new cabins will offer passengers a “private jet-like” experience, setting a new standard in commercial aviation.

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Al-Meer emphasized innovation as the cornerstone of Qatar Airways’ strategy for the future, reflecting the airline’s commitment to pushing boundaries and exceeding customer expectations. With the demand for First Class travel on the rise, Qatar Airways aims to meet this demand head-on by developing a bespoke First Class cabin that leverages the airline’s expertise in both commercial and executive jet travel.

Drawing inspiration from its successful Qsuite Business Class, which revolutionized the industry upon its launch, Qatar Airways plans to debut a redesigned premium Qsuite at the Farnborough International Airshow in July 2024.boeing 777 vs airbus a350 This redesigned Qsuite will set the stage for the forthcoming First Class cabins, promising passengers an unparalleled level of comfort and luxury.

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The new First Class cabins, set to be introduced on Qatar Airways’ Boeing 777-9 best narrow body aircraft fleet starting from the end of 2025, will embody the pinnacle of commercial air travel. With private suites designed to evoke the exclusivity and refinement of flying on a private jet, passengers can expect an extraordinary journey characterized by unmatched comfort and personalized service.

The CEO of Qatar Airways, Badr Mohammed Al Meer, said in an interview with CNBC, “We will utilise our knowledge and our expertise from having a private jet company.” We want to combine our experience flying private jets and commercial aircraft to create something new, and I don’t think anyone can construct a first class cabin better than us for that reason.

Al Meer told CNBC, “Hopefully, we will be able to announce it very soon. We are 70% and 80% ready, and we are just finalising colours and final touches.”

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Aviation

Saudi Arabia’s National Airline Saudia Could Fall Under PIF Ownership

Saudi Arabia's National Airline Saudia Could Fall Under PIF Ownership

According to the report, the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia, the country’s sovereign wealth fund, is reportedly in talks to buy the national airline Saudia.

An important milestone for one of the oldest airlines in the Middle East, this prospective transfer of ownership would also apply to other businesses owned by Saudia, including as its low-cost subsidiary Flyadeal. The action is considered a component of a larger plan to strengthen the PIF’s aviation portfolio by the beginning of 2025, which might improve Saudia’s financial results and operational effectiveness.

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There have also been proposals that the airline might be privatized or combined with Riyadh Air, which is already controlled by the PIF. Saudia now has a sizable fleet of over 142 aircraft and serves more than 90 locations worldwide, while the exact value of the deal is still unknown.

However, sources caution that the plan may encounter delays or even be abandoned altogether. The establishment of Riyadh Air is consistent with the PIF’s larger goal of utilizing important industries to promote Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification. Based on projections, it is possible that Riyadh Air will generate billions of dollars in value and hundreds of thousands of jobs, making it a major contributor to the kingdom’s non-oil GDP.

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Recently, The UK-based construction company Mace has been selected as the delivery partner for King Salman International Airport (KSIA) in riyadh. When KSIA opens in 2030, it will be the largest airport in the world, marking a significant milestone for the aviation industry.

By 2030, the airport is forecasted to facilitate a substantial increase in annual passenger traffic, skyrocketing from 29 million to a staggering 120 million travelers. Moreover, aircraft traffic within the kingdom is anticipated to surge from 211,000 to over 1 million flights per year following the airport’s inauguration.

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Aerospace

Korean Air to open Asia’s largest aircraft engine MRO cluster

Korean Air to open Asia’s largest aircraft engine MRO cluster

Korean Air has started building an aircraft engine maintenance cluster at Incheon International Airport in Unbuk. The facility is expected to be operational by 2027.

This new complex, which will be the biggest of its kind in Asia, will strengthen the airline’s capacity to maintain aircraft engines and secure its place in the aviation maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) industry.

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Over 140,000 square metres are divided into seven levels of the new engine maintenance facility. The 578 billion won facility is being built by Kolon Global, and it will be positioned next to the Engine Test Cell (ETC) that the airline has been using since 2016.

Engine maintenance was traditionally handled by Korean Air at its Bucheon facility, with additional final performance testing conducted at the ETC in Unbuk. By centralised all stages of engine maintenance at one location, the engine maintenance cluster will strategically consolidate and streamline this process, improving operational efficiency.

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Additionally, Korean Air plans to greatly improve its capacity to service aircraft engines, increasing from 100 to 360 each year, and servicing a wider range of engine types. Six engine models are now overhauled by the airline: General Electric’s GE90-115B, CFM International’s CFM56, and Pratt & Whitney’s PW4000 and GTF.

Three additional engine models, including GE’s GEnx and CFMI’s LEAP-1B, are being added to the lineup as part of the expansion. Additionally, the prospect of maintaining Asiana Airlines’ engines—including the Rolls-Royce Trent XWB powering the Airbus A350—is being investigated by the carrier. In order to increase the competitiveness of the domestic aircraft MRO business and lessen reliance on foreign maintenance services, the new maintenance cluster is anticipated to create over 1,000 new jobs.

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