Aviation

Tibet Airlines and Henan jointly ordered 56 COMAC aircraft

Tibet Airlines solidified its commitment to expanding its fleet by sealing a substantial deal with China’s COMAC during the prestigious Singapore Airshow on February 20, 2024.

The agreement, marking a significant milestone, entails the procurement of 40 units of the C919 plateau variant and 10 units of the ARJ21 plateau variant, positioning Tibet Airlines as the trailblazing launch customer for COMAC’s latest offerings.

In addition to Tibet Airlines’ order, the Henan Civil Aviation Development & Investment Group also inked a separate agreement with COMAC, securing six specialized aircraft derived from the ARJ21 platform. These variants, tailored for firefighting, medical services, and emergency management, exemplify a strategic collaboration aimed at enhancing aviation capabilities and addressing diverse operational needs.

The C919 plateau variant, a pivotal addition to COMAC’s aircraft lineup, boasts modifications optimized for high-altitude plateaus. With a seating capacity ranging from 140 to 160 passengers, this variant’s shortened fuselage and enhanced performance attributes enable seamless operations at high-altitude airports across China, reaffirming its suitability for regional transportation requirements.

Similarly, the ARJ21 plateau variant showcases remarkable capabilities tailored for high-altitude environments, boasting a maximum takeoff and landing altitude of 14,500 feet. This variant’s exceptional performance in adverse conditions, including crosswinds, underscores its suitability for operation across a wide array of high-altitude airports within China, ensuring reliable and efficient air transportation services.

Tibet Airlines’ strategic partnership with COMAC underscores a shared vision for advancing aviation capabilities and delivering exceptional service in high-altitude regions, further solidifying its position as a pioneer in the aviation industry.

Aviation

Boeing to Slash 17,000 Jobs Worldwide Amid Ongoing Factory Strike

Boeing to Slash 17,000 Jobs Amid Ongoing Factory Strike

Boeing, one of the world’s largest aerospace manufacturers, is facing a severe crisis. The company announced on Friday that it will lay off 17,000 employees—roughly 10% of its workforce.

This decision comes amid a prolonged strike, production delays, and ongoing safety concerns with its aircraft. Kelly Ortberg, Boeing’s CEO since August, delivered the news, stating, “Our business is in a difficult position, and it is hard to overstate the challenges we face together.

Beyond navigating our current environment, restoring our company requires tough decisions, and we will have to make structural changes to ensure we can stay competitive and deliver for our customers over the long term.”

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Boeing has been struggling financially, with the last reported profit in 2018. The company’s largest union, with 33,000 members, has been on strike for nearly a month after rejecting a labor deal. The ongoing walkout is reportedly costing Boeing around a billion dollars each month as negotiations remain at a standstill.

Compounding these issues, Boeing’s much-anticipated boeing 777x wide-body plane is now six years behind schedule, with deliveries postponed until 2026. This follows the discovery of structural damage during flight tests. Boeing also announced it will stop manufacturing its commercial 767 freighters after fulfilling its remaining orders by 2027.

Financially, the company expects to report a significant third-quarter loss—nearly $10 per share—and a total cash outflow of $1.3 billion. boeing new aircraft commercial airplane unit faces a $3 billion pretax charge, while its defense business will absorb an additional $2 billion hit.

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The strike has severely impacted production at key boeing facilities, particularly in Seattle, where half of the company’s nearly 150,000 employees work. Since 2019, Boeing has lost approximately $25 billion.

Ortberg was brought in over the summer to help the company regain public trust following safety concerns, especially surrounding the 737 Max line, which was involved in two deadly crashes. Earlier this year, a separate incident involving a panel popping off a 737 Max mid-flight reignited concerns. A Federal Aviation Administration investigation following the event found that Boeing had failed 33 out of 89 product audits.