Page 37 - AAA JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2015 Online Magazine

NEWS

Safran Opens Carbon Brakes
Plant in Malaysia China Aircraft Leasing Co. Firms up Airbus Order
Safran, top international supplier of China Aircraft Leasing Company (CALC), in terms of low fuel burn, high reliability and
carbon brakes for commercial aircraft, the country’s top independent aircraft unbeatable comfort.”
has inaugurated a $130 million-worth operating lessor, has firmed its order John Leahy, Airbus’ Chief Operating
air brake systems manufacturing plant for 100 Airbus A-320 aircraft including Officer, Customers says the landmark
in Malaysia. 74 A-320 neos, 16 A-320 ceos and 10 order shows “the continuing strong
The new Messier-Bugatti-Dowty A-321 ceos. market demand, in the short, medium
carbon disk facility will specialize in The deal, first drawn up in December and longer term for the current and new
the production of carbon brakes for 2014, marks the Chinese aircraft generation Airbus single-aisle family.”
Boeing-737 and Airbus A320 single- operating lessor’s total backlog with The A-320 new engine option
aisle jets. Airbus rise to 140 A-320 aircraft. (neo) includes many improvements,
The plant - the first of its type in Asia Mike Poon, CALC’s Chief Executive Officer including latest generation engines
– is spread over 10,000 square meters says that by adding the additional A-320 and large Sharklet wing-tip devices,
(108,000 sq ft) near the Kuala Lumpur aircraft, including the latest generation A-320 which together deliver 15% in fuel
airport. Work on the plant began in neos to the company’s portfolio, “we can savings from the start and 20 per cent
July 2013. The unit is hoping to employ fully meet all our customers’ requirements by 2020.
about 150 employees by 2018.
The new facility is meant to meet
the growing demand of air brakes for New Lounges at Budapest Airport
commercial vehicles in the region, Çelebi Ground Handling has unveiled two high-level interior design and extra comfort
where aircraft fleet is posting strong business lounges for premium airline as Çelebi Ground Holding’s additional
growth, a company official says. cardholders and VIP travelers at Budapest VIP areas at Terminal 2A and the General
It will bolster Safran’s industrial Ferenc Liszt International Airport. Aviation Terminal. Located at the top of
presence in Malaysia, together The €250,000 refurbishment, the transit area of Terminal 2B, it offers
with units run by two other Safran including a renovated Platinum Lounge, a view of the airport apron and quick
companies - Morpho in the security opens a year after Çelebi Ground Handling access to all departing flights.
sector and Turbomeca dealing with signed a five-year lease agreement with The General Aviation Terminal building
helicopter engines. Budapest Airport to provide lounge and serves business jets and small private
“Malaysia is one of the world’s ground handling services at the General aircraft passengers such as movie stars,
most promising aviation hubs, and Aviation Terminal. diplomats, business people and Formula 1
by expanding our operations here we In line with the agreement, the drivers and their teams. Budapest Airport
are consolidating our strong market Budapest Airport has refurbished the Property Director René Droese says:
position in the Asia-Pacific,” says General Aviation Terminal, upgrading all “We share the same business philosophy
Safran Chairman and Chief Executive daily operations areas including security, with Çelebi in passenger services, that
Officer Jean-Paul Herteman. customs and border control. Çelebi ‘only excellent is acceptable’, since we
Currently, Messier-Bugatti-Dowty Ground Handling in turn carried out a want to provide an exceptional travel
supplies carbon brakes for more than full interior redesign and upgrade of the experience to all our passengers from
2000 aircraft in Asia. It is expected lounge areas. low-cost customers to leading world
to cater to 5000 commercial aircraft The revamped areas at the non- business people who travel with their
by2032. Schengen Terminal 2B will offer the same own business jets via Budapest.”

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