LARA

✈️ The April/May edition of LARA is out now! ✈️ This edition introduces our new feature series, Fleet Focus, in which we look at regional and low-fare fleets globally. Also included in this edition is our Cockpit and Cabin Systems Special, where we look at connectivity, on-board retailing and flight management systems. All this and much more awaits you in this edition of LARA! If you aren't yet subscribed to receive the magazine, you can apply here ➡️ https://ow.ly/TbFr50Vsior Features in this edition include: 👨💼 Leadership profile: PLAY Airlines CEO Einar Örn Ólafsson tells Rob Munro about the history of the Icelandic ultra-low-cost carrier and his strategies for success in an ever more competitive market. 🛠️ Component overhaul: With new aircraft deliveries delayed, the aviation industry is increasingly relying on recycled and refurbished parts to keep planes flying. Ian Harbison reports. 🌐 Connectivity: In-flight connectivity on low-fare airlines and regional carriers is becoming more prevalent. Bernie Baldwin reports on how and why the market has shifted. 🖥️ Flight management systems: Flight management systems are an integral part of flight decks whose role continues to grow in significance. Alan Dron looks at what the future holds. 🛍️ Onboard retailing: With onboard retailing continuing to evolve, LARA spoke with leading providers to gain insights into the status of the sector and where it is heading. ...and much more! 📸 Cover photo courtesy of Cebu Pacific Air, the focus of this edition's Operator Profile Editor: Rob Munro Reporter: Grace Hardy This edition's contributors: Joanna Bailey, Bernie Baldwin, Gerrard Cowan, Alan Dron, Ian Harbison and Emma Kelly Thank you to those featured in this edition: Cebu Pacific and Xander Lao PLAY airlines and Einar Örn Ólafsson Mirus Aircraft Seating and Marcus Williams Cirium Ascend Consultancy and Rob Morris Alton Aviation Consultancy and Denis Hogan Viasat and Maik Brückner Panasonic Avionics Corporation and John Wade Intelsat and Robert Knapel Eutelsat OneWeb and Claire Gombault AirFi and Job Heimerikx Universal Avionics and Dror Yahav Bluebox Aviation Systems and Kevin Birchmore Viasat and Chris D. AerFin and Simon Goodson GA Telesis and Abdol M. Fraport TAV Antalya Airport and Gudrun Teloeken #connectivity #aircraft #turboprops #MRO

Alaska Airlines invests in development of virtual 737 flight simulator Alaska Airlines has announced an investment in Loft Dynamics, a virtual flight training provider, to support development of a full-motion Boeing 737 virtual reality (VR) simulator using extended reality technology and techniques. “By investing in the development of full-motion VR simulators, Alaska is once again moving the industry forward,” said Fabian Riesen, founder and CEO at Loft Dynamics. Click here to read more ➡️ https://ow.ly/Y3XI50Vvwgk #aviationnews #flightsimulator #VR #pilottraining #airlineindustry

Marion Smeyers becomes SVP Operations and Procurement at ATR In her new role, Smeyers will focus on driving ATR’s operational performance across the supply chain while preparing the manufacturer for a significant ramp-up in production. Prior to her appointment at ATR, Smeyers served as Head of Operations for the A321 Final Assembly Line in Toulouse. Click here to read more ➡️ https://ow.ly/OQUJ50VvwaO #aviationnews #appointment #supplychain #aviationmanufacturing

The LARA team are on their way to Aircraft Interiors Expo! See you soon Hamburg 👋

Starling Aerospace ramping up seat production after major asset acquisition Starling has taken delivery of more than 200 PF3000 seats, which are ready for installation, in addition to acquiring the intellectual property and patents for all designs from Pitch Aircraft Seating which ceased trading during the pandemic, Steve Swift, co-owner and director, said: “Starling’s acquisition of Pitch Aircraft Seating represents a major milestone for our company, which will accelerate our growth ambitions and help take the business to the next level, in terms of manufacturing and engineering design capability.” Click here to read more ➡️ https://ow.ly/kr4V50VuIQX #aviationnews #aircraftseating #aviationmanufacturing

The LARA team will be heading over to Hamburg from 8-10th April to attend Aircraft Interiors Expo! Make sure to stop by our booth, 3C52, or by the publication bins, where you can pick up a complimentary copy of our April/May issue, featuring our special on Cockpits and Cabin Systems! If you're attending, we'd love to connect! Please get in touch to schedule a meeting and discuss your show announcements or future media plans. 🔗 Contact us: marketing@hmgaerospace.com

Panasonic Avionics Corporation achieves milestone in multi-orbit satellite network testing The testing included a range of connectivity scenarios, including the use of social media, media-rich websites, 4K video streaming, and video conferencing. John Wade, Vice President of Connectivity at Panasonic Avionics,said: “The successful optimisation of our multi-orbit network is a major milestone and one which demonstrates its readiness for commercial use.” Click here to read more ➡️ https://ow.ly/b5U150VuuJk #aviationnews #connectivity #IFE

IndiGo (InterGlobe Aviation Ltd) Cadet Pilot Program welcomes ten female students The cadets will start their initial flight training at Skyborne’s Florida base in the United States before returning to India to complete their flight licence conversion and type rating. Rina Basu, Skyborne’s Regional Director (Asia Pacific), said, “ We have addressed workforce demand and tackled pilot shortages. Now, with our largest intake, we continue supplying IndiGo with cadets.” Click here to read more ➡️ https://ow.ly/bSfb50VtHR5 #aviationnews #pilottraining #womeninaviation #airlineindustry

Veryon showcases new AI-powered predictive maintenance tool According to Veryon, the solution analyses failure behaviors and captures mechanisms of short-lived failing components and broken parts to enable aircraft operators and OEMs avoid costly operational disruptions. Veryon’s Senior Vice President of Product, Kristopher Volrath said, “autonomously predicted failure insights, parts in real-time demand forecasting, and accuracy of reliability prediction data” are among the standout attributes of Veryon Reliabilty. Click here to read more ➡️ https://ow.ly/4laV50VtHN4 #aviationnews #aviationmaintenance #MRO

In an exclusive interview with LARA, Editor Rob Munro speaks to Yvonne Moynihan, Wizz Air's Corporate and ESG Officer, at Wizz Air's Customer First Compass launch event in London. Called the Customer First Compass, the plan will be rolled out across four pillars: Product, Price, Service, and Communication and is aimed at improving punctuality, affordability, innovation and overall service strategy. Yvonne emphasised that “prioritising punctuality is key” and revealed that the company had an internal initiative called Every Minute Matters “where all of our employees are focused on getting our customers to their destinations on time”. Read more here ➡️ https://ow.ly/f8nX50VtHuQ #aviationnews #airlineexperience #wizzair