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Etihad Takes Warner Bros. World To The Skies

Just look at that aircraft! You’ve got fun and playful characters like the Looney Toons and Tom & Jerry painted on one side and heroes from DC Comics – Batman, Wonder Woman and Superman – on the other. So, why has Etihad done this to a mammoth Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner? That’s because the UAE’s national carrier partnered with Warner Bros. World Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. For the latter, it is the most prominent collaboration to date.

The partnership isn’t limited to a specially painted commercial widebody jet. It runs deeper than that. For instance, travellers aged up to 10 years on long Etihad flights will be recipients of the new Warner Bros. World Kids Pack. The kit has enough stuff to keep the kids entertained throughout the flight. Infants, on the other hand, will get a DC Super Hero-themed blanket. At the same time, juniors will receive goodies like a branded backpack, Super Hero cape, water bottle and activity kit.

Another highlight of this partnership can be found at the Zayed International Airport. A dedicated children’s section with a Warner Bros. World theme will soon be added to the Etihad Lounge. Kids won’t complain there, will they?

Also Read: Etihad And Batik Air Malaysia Are Now Codeshare Partners

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Air India Express Confirms Tripura As Its Latest Destination

To strengthen its presence in the Northeastern part of India further, Air India Express has announced flights to Agartala, the capital of Tripura. These daily services will begin on September 1, 2024.

The airline will link Agartala directly with Kolkata and Guwahati. The flight for Guwahati from Agartala leaves at 10:20 and lands at 11:20. The return leg starts at 11:50 and arrives at 12:45. The daily service from Kolkata to Agartala departs at 07:50 and lands at 08:50. After a half-an-hour wait, the return flight to Kolkata leaves at 09:20 and arrives in Agartala at 10:25.

Passengers from Agartala can also fly to India’s capital, Delhi, with one stopover in Guwahati. From Delhi, travellers can catch the 07:20 flight and arrive in Agartala at 11:20. Those planning a trip the other way can board the 11:50 Air India Express flight from Agartala. That, after a stopover, arrives in Delhi at 16:05.

In addition, Air India Express connects Agartala with several other destinations with one stop via 14 weekly flights. The list includes Bhubaneshwar, Bengaluru, Kochi, Hyderabad, Jaipur and Chennai. Similarly, passengers find more Air India Express connections from Guwahati and Kolkata.

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Farnborough Airshow: Air Niugini Orders GTF Engines And More For 11 New A220s

Papua New Guinea’s national carrier, Air Niugini, and Pratt & Whitney have finalised an engine deal. The GTF engines in the equation will power 11 Airbus A220 aircraft for the airline. In addition to that, the duo have inked agreements for support services with a 12-year EngineWise Comprehensive package. As a result of this transaction, Air Niugini became a first-time GTF customer.

Air Niugini has its hub in its country’s capital – Port Moresby. Besides boasting an expansive domestic network, the airline serves passengers for international destinations across Australia, Asia, and the Pacific.

Also Read: Farnborough Airshow: Sky Airline Becomes Pratt & Whitney’s New Customer

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Czinger’s 21C hypercar shatters Goodwood Hillclimb’s fastest production car record

The 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed boasted plenty of supercar action from brands like Rimac, Automobili Pagani and Aston Martin but Los Angeles-based performance automaker Czinger ended up stealing the headlines. Czinger’s 1350hp V8 hybrid 21C hypercar broke the Hillclimb record to procure the title of the fastest road-legal production car up the Hillclimb for itself. The Czinger 21C sprinted up the historic hill in a 48.82-second run, besting the previous 49.32-second record set in 2023. Veteran driver Chris Ward piloted the 21C hypercar which boasts the world’s most power-dense production engine, an in-house developed 950 bhp V8 twin-turbo, with three electric motors to deliver 1,350 horsepower. This allows the Czinger 21C to pull the 0-60mph sprint in 1.9 seconds.

Apart from the record-breaking hillclimb run, Czinger also showcased its 21C V Max in its stunning Iceman Blue specification at its stand within the Supercar Paddock. The Los-Angeles-based firm also exhibited its Bio-Logic alloy 3d Printed and carbon fibre 21C chassis for the first time with Founder and CEO Kevin Czinger, Chief Designer David O’Connell, and Chief Engineer Ewan Baldry in attendance to share insights on the same. Kevin Czinger, Founder and CEO said: “Our team had a wonderful experience at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, and breaking this record ends our fantastic week with an exclamation point. The 21C exists as proof of what is realised when the handcuffs of traditional manufacturing are removed and traded for the freedom to create, optimise, and perfect. Be on the lookout for more record shattering to come.”

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Farnborough Airshow: Airbus Announces New Deal With Berniq Airways

To strengthen its regional and international network, Libya’s Berniq Airways placed a firm order for six Airbus A320neo Family aircraft at the Farnborough International Airshow. The new single-aisle jets will join the already in-service six A320s in the airline’s fleet.

To date, Airbus has received more than 18,000 orders from more than 300 operators worldwide for the A320 Family aircraft. That makes it the most popular single-aisle turbofan jet globally. Among the variants, the A321neo occupies the top spot for carrying capacity. In other words, it is the largest member of the A320neo Family. Also, the said jet type promises a 50 per cent reduction in noise and at least 20 per cent savings in fuel and CO2 emissions over the previous-gen aircraft, thanks to the new-gen engines and Sharklets.

Also Read: Farnborough Airshow: Airbus And Japan Airlines Sign A 31-Aircraft Deal

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Vietnamese EV automaker Vinfast set to arrive in the Middle East

After already having established its presence in the U.S., Canada, and Southeast Asia, VinFast, the young EV manufacturer from Vietnam is now setting its sights on the Middle Eastern market. Vinfast has already established a regional headquarters in Dubai and is forming strategic partnerships with local dealers in countries like Oman and the UAE.

Vinfast’s undeterred drive for global expansion comes courtesy of strong backing from Vietnam’s largest private conglomerate and Vinfast’s parent firm, Vingroup. The conglomerate operates across a diverse range of sectors, including technology-industry, trade & services, contributing nearly 1.6% to the country’s 2023 GDP. Vinfast established its Hai Phong automobile factory in 2019, achieving a world record for construction speed. Even though the brand commenced operations by selling gasoline cars, Vinfast made a bold pivot to all-electric powertrain mid-way and delivered its first EV to customers in December 2021. 

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Farnborough Airshow: More Boeing 777-9s Ordered By Qatar Airways

Award-winning carrier Qatar Airways extended its order book for the Boeing 777-9 widebody aircraft at the Farnborough International Airshow 2024. The airline ordered 20 additional aircraft of the said type, bumping the order book to 60. In addition, the carrier also has 34 Boeing 777-8 Freighters on order. Simple math reveals that the airline will induct 94 777X jets into its fleet.

The 777-9 is the largest member of Boeing’s 777 family. It can seat up to 426 passengers in a typical two-class configuration and fly them nonstop for up to 7,295 nautical miles (13,510 km). Boeing began certification flight testing for 777-9 earlier this month.

Besides the order book for 777X aircraft, Qatar Airways has 12 787 Dreamliners and 25 737 Max jets on order with Boeing.

Also Read: Farnborough Airshow: Boeing Bags First Direct Order From Macquarie AirFinance

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Farnborough Airshow: Boeing Bags First Direct Order From Macquarie AirFinance

Macquarie AirFinance, a company that provides aircraft leasing and financing solutions, has placed its first direct order with Boeing at the Farnborough International Airshow 2024. It is for 20 737-8 narrowbody jets. The order doubles the lessor’s existing 737-8 order book, acquired from ALAFCO Aviation Lease and Finance Co. in 2023.

The Boeing 737-8, which offers reduced fuel consumption and carbon emissions by up to 20 per cent compared to the aircraft it replaces, can carry up to 210 passengers, depending on the configuration. Nonstop, the single-aisle twin-engined jet can travel up to 3,500 nautical miles (6,480 km).

Macquarie AirFinance has a portfolio of 236 aircraft leased to 85 airlines across 49 countries. Its order book consists of 86 aircraft from Boeing and Airbus.

Also Read: Farnborough Airshow: Boeing And Luxair Strike Deal For 737s

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Farnborough Airshow: Sky Airline Becomes Pratt & Whitney’s New Customer

Chile-based Sky Airline and Pratt & Whitney have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Farnborough International Airshow 2024. Per the agreement, Pratt & Whitney will supply GTF engines for 10 Airbus A321XLR aircraft, with options for 29 Airbus A320neo and A321neo narrowbody jets. As a result, Sky Airline has become a first-time customer of Pratt & Whitney. The engine manufacturer also plans to provide long-term maintenance services via an EngineWise Comprehensive package.

Sky Airline came into existence in 2001. It is a low-cost carrier that operates a fleet of Airbus A320neo and A321neo aircraft. The airline serves over 40 domestic and international routes in the Americas through its subsidiaries in Chile and Peru.

Also Read: Farnborough Airshow: Avolon Orders 310 Engines For Its New Airbus Jets

NOTE: The image in this article has been sourced directly from Airbus’ official media website.

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Bentley ends production of its iconic W12 engine

British carmaker Bentley recently teased its plans of ditching the W12 engine and embedding its 771hp Ultra Performance Hybrid V8 powertrain in the new Flying Spur. And now, as the final W12-powered Bentayga, Continental GT and Flying Spur cars roll off the production line at the company’s Dream Factory, Bentley held a celebratory event to commemorate its iconic W12 engine whose two-decade journey now comes to an end. Bentley hosted a special lunch for the W12’s assembly line and R&D teams at Bentley’s Heritage Garage in Crewe where attendees were presented with a W12 engine piston commemorative gift to cherish the legacy. Additionally, as a final swansong, Bentley announced a limited run of 120 ‘Speed Edition 12’ models for Bentayga, Continental GT, Continental GT Convertible and Flying Spur. All Speed Edition 12 cars will feature Edition 12 badging, treadplates, seat embroidery, fascia inlays, and numbered engine plaques.

Over 100,000 W12 engines were produced by Bentley with the 2003 Continental GT being the first model to get equipped with it. The decision to axe the W12 boils down to Bentley’s Beyond100 strategy, which is aimed towards ensuring the company becomes a global leader in sustainable luxury mobility. Andreas Lehe, Member of the Board for Manufacturing at Bentley Motors, said: 
“The W12 has played such an important role in the history of Bentley that it was only right for us to celebrate the engine’s retirement with those linked to this powerplant. The engine’s introduction helped change the face of the company almost overnight and so will go down in history as a true game changer and we should feel very proud to have designed, developed and manufactured such an icon in Britain for such a long period of time.”