IAGblog Podcasts

Aging Airplanes

AirInsight — Mon, 07 May 2012 17:13:25 GMT

Over the past two years we have seen a remarkable surge in orders for single aisle airplanes. Much of this has been driven by fuel prices. But there has also been an issue bubbling under - airplanes in many fleets are getting older. Pat Duggins (http://www.patduggins.com/) is an expert on aging airplanes and spent some time explaining the issues. You might be surprised what you learn from this.

Pratt & Whitney Canada Share Their Turboprop Vision

AirInsight — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 17:29:11 GMT

Richard Dussault VP Marketing at Pratt & Whitney Canada spent some time discussing the company's substantial history in the making of turboprop engines. But as interesting as that is, its the vision of the future is. PWC is well into the development of an engine up to 8,000 SHP. Such an engine could power a turboprop airliner over 90 seats.

Hello SurfAir!

AirInsight — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 20:00:35 GMT

About six months ago we spoke with an entrepreneur with an idea. You can watch him discuss it here http://youtu.be/pmZEIuqvHXA. Today the idea takes off, so to speak. Wade Eyerly, CEO and Founder of SurfAir took time to speak with us while commuting in California, the new base for the start-up airline. The business model is unusual - it is subscription based. They are limiting their base to 500 people as a start and as of this interview, 20% of those slots were sold out. This sounds like a great idea.

Podcast - Bombardier & COMAC

AirInsight — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 17:52:31 GMT

The framework agreement from a year ago has made huge progress. Yesterday's announcement is remarkable. Never before have two aircraft companies decided to combine their interests quite like this. It is more than ground breaking. For an airline looking at new technologies the combined offering could be very interesting. COMAC has some catching up to do, but with Bombardier's help that process will likely accelerate. For Bombardier this friendship is pregnant with potential - China is a huge market. Bombardier has been doing business in China a long time and understands the unique challenges that brings to the table. Having COMAC as an ally is only good news for the Canadians. Talking about the new arrangement being put in place between the companies is Bombardier's Ben Boehm.

Gordon Autry

AirInsight — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 15:54:13 GMT

Gordon Autry, Founder and CEO of Rocky Mountain Airways passed away Saturday March 10, 2012 at his home on the Lazy-A Ranch, near Montrose Colorado. Here is talking about building the airline before and after deregulation.

Podcast - Rolls-Royce's XWB Engine Making Progress

AirInsight — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 15:33:37 GMT

We were given an opportunity to speak with Chris Young, Rolls-Royce's Trent XWB engine Program Director. He describes the program's progress - 18 months into the test phase; they now have their ninth engine running. With over 1,700 hours they have achieved two-thirds of the certification program. Rolls-Royce has met its milestones to date and is comfortable they will offer Airbus' A350 XWB the "best engine".

Podcast - Brain Trust Chat

AirInsight — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 12:41:37 GMT

Our brain trust consists of Michele McDonald of Editor of the Travel Technology Update, Henry Harteveldt co-founder of Atmosphere Research and Timothy O'Niell-Dunne managing partner at T2Impact. The brain trust discusses the news of a start up airline in the US, PeopleExpress, and the evolving distribution processes.

Podcast - Kingfisher faces another test

AirInsight — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:27:10 GMT

India's Kingfisher Airlines had another challenge when it ran into IATA's clearing house rules. The airline has about a third of its fleet out of action. One would think that these challengers are making the future of the airline ever more tenuous. Apparently not according to analysts at Bangalore Aviation. We did a podcast with them last night. Reuters is reporting that Kingfisher's CEO has kept on with his demand that Indian airlines be allowed to import their own jet fuel. Since some Indian states charge as much as 28% sales tax on fuel, being allowed to bring in their own fuel could bring huge savings. Indian airlines will be allowed to import jet fuel directly under a proposal from a ministerial panel Aviation Minister Ajit Singh is reported to have said.

2012 and the CSeries

AirInsight — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:17:40 GMT

Airline Business Editor Max Kingsley-Jones wrote an intruiging piece on the Bombardier CSeries in 2012. So we called Max and had a chat about the airplane and its prospects. The CS is seen as living in an awkward segment - bigger than regional jets but smaller than full size airliners. Bombardier is very confident of this segment and the success Embraer has seen in this segment seems to endorse this confidence. Trunk liners have a spotty record all the same. It is a tough space to work in. That said Bombardier needs a few more "big name" customers and these are likely to be forthcoming once the program has better visibility.

2012 is an important year for the program as it approaches the first flight in 2013. Since program delays are "new normal", airlines are to be expected to hang back until they can more clearly see the program's milestones being reached.