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NEWS

INDUSTRy NEWS AND UPDATES

Honeywell to help maintain Srilankan Airlines
SriLankan Airlines, the national aircraft-to-ground communication.
carrier of Sri Lanka, has assigned “As we expand our operations
New aircraft tracking rules Honeywell Aerospace to help improve around the world and prepare to join the
Following the mysterious disappearance its maintenance efficiency and increase oneworld alliance, it is essential that
of the Malaysian Airlines flight MH370, cockpit and cabin connectivity. our aircraft cater to the passenger’s
India has asked all airlines in the The multiple contracts include an growing need for onboard connectivity
country to track their aircraft real-time Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) maintenance and that we maintain the highest
from take-off to landing. agreement for SriLankan’s Airbus possible level of fleet availability,” said
The Directorate General of A320, A330 and A340 fleets to improve Priyantha Rose, head of engineering,
Civil Aviation (DGCA), the country’s maintenance planning and lower costs, SriLankan Airlines.
aviation regulator, on May 6 issued and communication avionics for six new As part of the avionics contract,
fresh guidelines demanding Indian A330 aircraft scheduled for Honeywell will install its quantum line
carriers and private jet operators delivery later in 2014. The avionics communication and navigation system;
to continuously remain connected — electronics that enable a range of HFR5 data link-capable solid state
with their aircraft through one of two functionality throughout the aircraft — recorders; MCS-7200 L-band SATCOM
airborne technologies - the Aircraft include communication and navigation system; and air traffic services unit
Communications Addressing and hardware, data link software, flight airline operational communication
Reporting System, or ACARS or the data and voice recorders, and satellite (ATSU AOC) data link software across
Automatic Dependent Surveillance connectivity systems to enhance the airline’s six new A330-300s.
Broadcast, or ADS-B, in case ACARS is
disabled.
The ACARS and ADS-B will Air India to lease 14 Airbus A-320s
automatically detect and report changes Air India intends to acquire 14 Airbus equipped with Sharklets.
to the flight phases - out of the gate, off A320s on lease for up to six years to “Air India will require a total number
the ground, on the ground and into the replace some of its aging aircraft and of 14 A320 aircraft on dry lease-- old
gate, DGCA official Prabhat Kumar says strengthen its domestic service. aircraft as per the current tender and
It will also enable “interface with “The selected lessors should be new aircraft as per the tender to be
Flight Management System (FMS) for able to supply on dry-lease up to three floated. Air India reserves the right to
communication of flight plans and of these airplanes in 2014-15, up to five select either old aircraft or new aircraft
weather information from the ground till 2015-16 and six till 2016-17,” an Air or a combination of both or reject fully
station,” facilitating the flight crew to India official says. or partly any bid submitted pursuant to
examine new weather conditions and The national carrier, which has been this tender,” the official adds.
consider alternative flight plans. running on losses, will also additionally The airplanes, in an all-economy
The air traffic operators have been told re-issue a bid shortly for dry lease of up configuration with 188 seats, are being
to ensure their serviceability before to 14 new Airbus A320 aircraft, powered leased in a bid to combat heightened
every departure of the flight. by CFM56-5B4/3 PIP engines and competition on domestic routes.

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