XPENG X2 completes its first global public flight

Prashant-prabhakar

13 Oct 2022

At Skydive Dubai, XPENG AEROHT, the largest flying car company in Asia and a subsidiary of XPENG, completed the XPENG X2's first flight.

After passing the unique operational risk assessment and receiving a special flying authorization from the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, this is XPENG X2's first public exhibition (DCAA). Over 150 people, including representatives from the Chinese Consulate in Dubai, the Dubai International Chamber of Commerce, the DCAA, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, the Dubai World Trade Center, and international media, were present to witness the first flight. After Vice Chairman and President of XPENG, Brian Gu, gave a keynote address on the X2 and the Future of Mobility on the first day of GITEX at the Dubai World Trade Center.

The public flight was held at Skydive Dubai, which is close to The Palm and offers fantastic airspace conditions and expansive cityscape vistas, making it an absolutely stunning background for the historic flight.

XPENG X2's public display in Dubai represents a significant milestone for XPENG AEROHT and the international achievement of flying cars. Dubai is a world-renowned 'City of Innovation', which is the reason we decided to hold the X2 first public flight event here. Today's flight is a major step in XPENG's exploration of future mobilityBrian Gu, Vice Chairman and President of XPENG

The Dubai International Chamber of Commerce generously supported the XPENG X2's inaugural public flight. Since the project's inception, The Dubai Chamber has been actively involved in every step of the process, offering strategic consulting to XPENG AEROHT.

The first global public flight of the X2 flying car will change the game of future mobility. The flying car is the epitome of ambition, innovation and future-oriented vision that has always inspired Dubai and its leadership. Today, we witnessed a historic moment that will define the next 50 yearsActing President and CEO Hassan Al Hashemi 

The XPENG X2 Electric Flying Car

The fifth-generation flying vehicle, the XPENG X2, was independently created and is produced by XPENG AEROHT. To achieve the best in-flight performance, the X2 adopts an enclosed cockpit for the first time, with a sci-fi aesthetic, a minimalist teardrop-shaped design, and high-efficient aerodynamics. The XPENG X2 is entirely made of carbon fiber to decrease weight.

A two-seat flying car is called the XPENG X2. It advances the cause of urban green transportation because it does not emit any carbon dioxide while in flight. Future low-altitude city planes can use it, and it's ideal for short-distance city trips like sightseeing and medical transports.

There are two driving modes available on the XPENG X2: manual and automated. Passengers can have a safe and intelligent flying experience during the autonomous flight with simple takeoff, return, and landing procedures at the touch of a button.

This next-generation electric flying automobile, which can travel on land and in the air and has both manual and automatic flight driving modes, marks a genuine transition from two-dimensional to three-dimensional mobility. It can activate the folding deformation system to achieve vertical takeoff and landing for a low-altitude human flight in addition to meeting daily travel demands.

GITEX GLOBAL 2022

Kicked off on October 10th at the Dubai World Trade Centre, it is one of the world's largest tech shows featuring 5,000 companies and 100,000 attendees from 170 countries, converging the most advanced companies and best minds to dive deep into diverse technology topics including future mobility.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=El-gNIhPWOM&t=3s

The stability of the XPENG X2 as well as the standardization of the entire flight operating process were both praised by the DCAA reviewers during the test. The operational risk assessment of China's manned autonomous flying vehicle, the XPENG X2, has now been completed for the first time outside of China. Thus, XPENG Aerospace is the first company in the particular weight class to pass the evaluation in Dubai.

SOURCE: XPENG

IMAGE(s): XPENG

COVER: CarNewsChina.com

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IndiGo to debut with widebody aircraft for international expansion

Radhika Bansal

12 Oct 2022

India’s largest airline, IndiGo, has finalised a deal to wet lease up to three Boeing B777 aircraft to deploy increased capacity on international routes. Widebody aircraft like the B777 has a bigger fuel tank than narrow-body aircraft like the A320, which allows them to fly farther. As of now, Air India and Vistara are the only two Indian carriers that use wide bodies for operating passenger flights.

A slowdown within the supply of recent aircraft is forcing Indian airlines to wet lease planes to extend capability for the upcoming winter schedule.

ALSO READ - Airlines need new jets but facing an aircraft shortage

The airline, with 280 narrow-body aircraft which only have economy class arrangements, already has about 60% of the domestic market and is looking to expand internationally.

IndiGo, has finalised a deal to wet lease up to three Boeing 777 aircraft to deploy increased capacity on international routes.

The carrier that had to this point restricted itself to functioning single-class narrow-body planes will for the first time offer business class along with the economy on these widebody planes.

The airline can be in talks for wet leasing narrow-body Airbus A321 plane, however, a remaining determination has but to be made.

Rival SpiceJet has finalised a deal to moist lease as many as seven Boeing 737 MAX aircraft from Turkish airline Corendon. SpiceJet has been unable to develop capacity because it couldn’t get any new planes from Boeing after India cleared the 737 Max to function.

A wet lease, an association underneath which the lessor offers a plane together with crew and upkeep, is costlier than a dry lease and should result in a spike in operational value. However, the airlines worry that if they don’t deploy sufficient capacity, they might lose market share, apart from profitable slots at airports.

SpiceJet has finalised a deal to moist lease as many as seven Boeing 737 MAX aircraft from Turkish airline Corendon.

The regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, permits wet leases for as much as a most of six months in emergency conditions, like the grounding of a plane.

Individuals within the know stated IndiGo can be leasing the plane from Turkish Airways — Turkey’s nationwide flag provider with which it has a codeshare partnership. It can primarily deploy the plane on the Delhi-Istanbul and Mumbai-Istanbul routes, but additionally, use them for constitution operations.

IndiGo has been compelled to the floor around 30 aircraft as provide of spare engines by US-based Pratt & Whitney has fallen delayed by at least two months. The airline, which was returning planes older than six years, has now been compelled to carry them for an extended interval because of the shortfall.

“The Airbus A321 Neo which might have been used to reinforce capability on worldwide routes is dealing with unprecedented delays limiting the airline’s capacity to extend worldwide flights. The 777 planes which can be in a twin-class configuration with around 350 seats will substitute this,” stated an individual conscious of the plan.

Airbus A321 Neo which might have been used to reinforce capability on worldwide routes is dealing with unprecedented delays limiting the airline’s capacity to extend worldwide flights.

An IndiGo spokesperson confirmed that the airline has determined to take aircraft on wet lease to cowl the shortfall brought on by providing chain disruptions in worldwide operations.

“Worldwide air journey goes via a robust interval of restoration, and demand continues to rise within the upcoming festive and winter season. We now have obtained in-principle approval from the regulators for moist leasing plane and induction of those stays topic to additional requisite regulatory approvals,” she stated.

ALSO READ – Cash-strapped SpiceJet plans to take delivery of 7 Boeing 737 Max

A SpiceJet spokesperson didn’t touch upon the matter, however, the government stated the airline can be brought within the plane for a brief interval of as much as three months until the supply of its 737 Max begins. SpiceJet plans to add seven new Boeing 737 Max beginning subsequent 12 months.

(With Inputs from The Economic Times

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Jammu & Kashmir airports to get a makeover worth INR 2,361 crore

Radhika Bansal

12 Oct 2022

The civil aviation ministry is coming up with a civil enclave airport at Jammu worth INR 861 crore and expansion of the terminal building at Srinagar Airport in Kashmir for INR 1,500 crore, Union minister Jyotiraditya M Scindia was quoted by Jammu and Kashmir government on Monday, October 10.

ALSO READ - J&K Government to allocate 122 acres of land for a new terminal at Jammu Airport

Scindia was speaking at the 4th edition of the Heli-India Summit at SKICC in Srinagar which was also addressed by J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. The summit was organised by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, with the support of the Government of J&K, Pawan Hans Ltd and FICCI.

The summit themed ‘Helicopters for Last Mile Connectivity’ brought together various stakeholders of the helicopter industry and provided a common platform to discuss the growth of the industry, issues, challenges, and solutions for the future, J&K government’s information department said in a statement.

Scindia was speaking at the 4th edition of the Heli-India Summit at SKICC in Srinagar which was also addressed by J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.

The summit was attended by among others Secretary, of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Rajiv Bansal, Principal Secretary, of the Department of Civil Aviation, J&K, Alok Kumar, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Usha Padhee and Remi Maillard, Chairman, FICCI Civil Aviation Committee and President and MD, Airbus India.

Scindia termed the summit a historic moment for J&K. Scindia said Srinagar’s present terminal will be expanded three times from 20,000 square meters to 60,000 square meters.

“A new beginning has been made in the expansion of helicopter services. Work has been started for implementing the ‘Heli Policy’ and the use of helicopters in emergency medical services. Various scenic destinations in Jammu and Kashmir witnessed year-round tourist influx, which has the potential to boost the heli-tourism market in the UT. We are committed to facilitating and helping in the growth of heli operations. I invite industry captains to be partners in this transformational journey."Jyotiraditya Scindia, Union Minister of Civil Aviation

During the summit, Scindia said that the decrease in VAT on aviation turbine fuel (ATF) from 26.5% to 1% by the J&K government has set new dawn for air connectivity in the union territory with a 360% increase in refuelling, thus increasing the air connectivity to Jammu and Kashmir.

Lauding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts towards bringing a revolution in the civil aviation sector in India, Scindia said that from 1947 to 2014, the country had only 74 airports, but now the number has increased to 141, with 67 added in the last seven years which shows the pace of progress in the sector. The government is committed to increasing the number to above 200 in the next few years, he added.

The civil aviation ministry is coming up with a civil enclave airport at Jammu worth INR 861 crore

The union minister said that civil aviation has now become the need of the hour not only for India but for humankind across the world as it always brings with it two important multipliers, the economic multiplier and the employment multiplier.

The sector has a huge impact with an economic multiplier of 3.1 and an employment multiplier of 6, the minister informed. Therefore, civil aviation across the world today forms a very important cog in the wheel of economic development, he added.

Scindia said helicopters have multifarious roles, providing urban connectivity, which is no more an elitist prerogative in India but is based on the prime minister's vision 'Sab Ude, Sab Jude'. The other roles of helicopter service have been the emergency medical services and disaster management during floods, rescue operations etc, he said.

Srinagar’s present terminal will be expanded three times from 20,000 square meters to 60,000 square meters.

The UT has set an example of the best use of helicopter service when it erected transmission lines and towers using heli-cranes (sky cranes) on the Peer Panjal mountain range, Scindia said. The Union minister said the guidelines on the fractional ownership model have been released to help grow the non-scheduled operations.

ALSO READ - Aviation Ministry to develop a helicopter emergency medical service at AIIMS Rishikesh

Scindia said the government has also decided to incubate a helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) pilot called 'Project Sanjeevani' by deploying a helicopter in the next few weeks to provide emergency medical services at AIIMS Rishikesh. The helicopter will be based at the hospital at 20-minute notice and will have a service cover to an area of 150 km radius, he said.

The LG said that in a short period, 65 airports, eight heliports and two water aerodromes were made operational in tier-2 and tier-3 cities.

https://twitter.com/manojsinha_/status/1579499217889898496

He said that decisions like the reduction of VAT on ATF from 26.5% to 1% and abolishing the load penalty at Jammu airport have revived J&K’s civil aviation sector. “Today, Srinagar airport is setting a new record in terms of the number of flights per day. Within a year, from 20-25 daily flights, today 80 to 100 flights are operating at Srinagar airport,” Sinha said.

After the decision to abolish the load penalty at Jammu airport, the number of flights has increased, the citizens of Jammu division have got better and more economical facilities to travel to Delhi and other parts of the country, and the business sector has also gained new dynamism, he further added.

Welcoming the stakeholders of the civil aviation sector and the helicopter industry from across the country to J-K, Sinha said the Heli India Summit will play a significant role in promoting 'Heli-seva' as last-mile connectivity. Work has been started for implementing the 'Heli Policy' and the use of helicopters in emergency medical services, he added.

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Vman Aviation to buy five light utility helicopters from HAL

Jinen Gada

11 Oct 2022

Indian aircraft leasing company Vman Aviation Services on Monday signed an agreement with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for five light utility helicopters. Vman is an Indian leasing service firm, based out of International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) at Gujarat's Gift City.

The transaction is important because this is enabling an ecosystem loop where Indian manufactured equipment will be offered by an Indian leasing company. The union budget, announced earlier in the year, had rolled out several incentives and tax holidays on capital gains on aircraft leasing conducted at Gift city.

LUH is an under development, new generation helicopter in the three-ton class, incorporating the state of the art technology features such as glass cockpit with Multi-Function Displays (MFD) and powered by single Turbo Shaft engine.

As part of the agreement, there is an option of buying five more.

According to HAL, it possesses a cruise speed of 235 km/h, maximum speed of 260 km/h, service ceiling of up to 6.5 km, a range of 350 km with maximum take-off weight of 3.12 tonne and an empty weight of 1.91 tonne. The LUH will be capable of accommodating a maximum of two pilots and six passengers.

Vman said that the helicopter will also cater to a wide range of roles covering Charter, Shuttle, Urban mobility, HEMS, Aerial work, Search & Rescue and Law enforcement.

"India has one of the lowest penetrations of helicopter with limited operation profile. We believe LUH, with customer-focused design, will rejuvenate and expand the helicopter market in India. LUH will be a valuable asset in our portfolio."Vishok Mansingh, CEO of Vman.

Vman earlier became the first company to sign an aircraft purchase agreement through GIFT city after placing an order for an Airbus H125 helicopter.

With inputs from economic times.

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Airbus deliveries reach 437 jets in nine months

Jinen Gada

11 Oct 2022

Airbus deliveries accelerated in September, bringing the number of jets delivered so far this year to 437, a task one analyst called manageable in a traditionally busy fourth quarter despite obstacles in the supply chain.

Airbus said it took delivery of 55 planes during the month, according to a forecast published by Bloomberg News.

Adjusted for the cancellation of two planes that Airbus said were due for delivery in 2021 but remained in Toulouse only to be hit by sanctions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Airbus delivered 435 planes this year.

Airbus has delivered 435 jets so far this year.

Airbus therefore needs to deliver 265 planes in the last quarter of the year to hit a recently softened target of 700 jets, after the September deliveries came exactly in line with the average since 2012.

Deliveries are traditionally skewed towards the last quarter. But industry sources also caution that supply chains remain unpredictable after months of disruption since the pandemic, worsen by the war in Ukraine.

Airbus delivered 55 aircrafts to 31 customers in September. It also booked the sale of 13 airplanes in September. So far this year it has sold 856 aircraft or 647 after cancellations.

With inputs from reuters.

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Two new ATR 42-600 to Alliance Air

Jinen Gada

11 Oct 2022

TrueNoord, a specialist regional aircraft lessor, has announced the successful delivery of two new ATR 42-600 to Alliance Air, India’s only public airline. The aircraft join Alliance Air’s fleet on a long-term operating lease and will serve domestic routes within India, specifically focusing on challenging airfields in the Himalayas.

The aircraft will be used to support Alliance Air’s mission of serving challenging airfields in the Himalayas.

The ATR 42-600 aircraft is ideally suited to the region as it can operate on the short runways of Shimla and Kullu airports, both located at high altitudes, and exposed to high temperatures.

Alliance Air has signed a deal to acquire two ATR 42-600 via lessor TrueNoord.

“Our relationship with ATR started 20 years ago, and ever since we have been building a network that truly serves Indian communities, delivering comfortable, reliable and affordable air services. Thanks to the unique features of the ATR 42-600, Alliance Air will proudly fulfill the mission assigned by the Indian government to make the most inaccessible regions accessible.”Vineet Sood, Chief Executive Officer of Alliance Air.

The former regional subsidiary of Air India already operates 18 ATR 72-600s.

“The ATR42-600 is particularly well suited to serve the most remote and demanding airfields in the Himalayas, which feature both high elevation and short runways. Furthermore, the ATR42 can operate with less payload restrictions than the ATR72 and lower trip costs thus offering more flexibility and higher profitability on these underdeveloped routes.The addition of these versatile aircraft further supports TrueNoord’s ambition of bringing connectivity to some of the most remote regions of the world. In partnership with the experienced and reliable operator, Alliance Air, these aircraft will deliver essential services to the least accessible areas of the Himalayas.”Carst Lindeboom, Sales Director – Asia Pacific, TrueNoord.

Alliance Air is TrueNoord’s second customer operating in India alongside IndiGo. Last year, 40 new routes were created in India with ATR aircraft.

ATR is the leader in the regional aviation market. ATR turboprop aircraft are recognized as the most eco-friendly regional airplanes and are the world benchmark in terms of efficiency, reliability and economics on short-haul routes.

Today more than 200 operators fly ATRS in over 100 countries worldwide. ATR is an equal partnership between two major European aeronautics players, Airbus and Leonardo. Its head office is in Toulouse.

Also read - Alliance Air announced the resumption of flights on the Delhi-Shimla route.

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