saturday 20 january, 10am on 89.3fm jal backs … · jal backs supersonic jets, test-plane to fly...

JAL backs supersonic jets, test-plane to fly this yearSupersonic passenger flight at reasonable cost has come a step closer with the news that Japan Airlines (JAL) has joined US aerospace developer Boom Supersonic to bring commercial supersonic travel to passengers at fares about the same as today’s business class tickets.

Boom is developing a new-generation supersonic aircraft which flies at Mach 2.2. That’s about 2700 km/h, which is faster than Concorde. The new plane will cut flight times in half and developers say fares will be 75% lower than Concorde. JAL will provide its knowledge and experience to support Boom in developing the aircraft, joining the Virgin Group in backing the project. A smaller test aircraft is set to fly this year.

As part of the agreement, JAL has made a strategic investment of USD 10 million in Boom and is collaborating with the company to refine the aircraft design and work on the passenger aspect. JAL also has the option to purchase up to 20 Boom aircraft through a pre-order arrangement, with the two companies pledging to cooperate closely to realise faster and more convenient air travel.

A promotional video leaves no doubt about the sort of possibilities such a plane will open up from the US (available to watch on our website: www.zt.com.au).

Imagine a future “where New Zealand becomes as accessible as New York,” the narrator says.

The Virgin Group is already a Boom option holder. Developers say Boom harnesses advances in efficiency made possible by breakthroughs in aerodynamic design, state-of-the-art engines driving “an efficient super-cruise propulsion system” and new-generation composites.

This will make Boom 2.6 times faster than any other commercial passenger aircraft currently in the skies.

Engineering development of the smaller test aircraft, the XB-1 (nicknamed “Baby Boom”) is proceeding rapidly, with

aerodynamics defined, systems ground-tested and initial structural components in fabrication, the manufacturers say. Vehicle assembly is underway and the first flight is planned for later this year. Subsonic flight tests are being conducted east of the Denver metro area in Colorado, with supersonic flight proven near Edwards Air Force Base in Southern California.

“We’ve been working with Japan Airlines behind the scenes for over a year now,” said Blake Scholl, founder and chief executive of Boom Supersonic.

“JAL’s passionate, visionary team offers decades of practical knowledge and wisdom on everything from the passenger experience to technical operations. We’re thrilled to be working with JAL to develop a reliable, easily maintained aircraft that will provide revolutionary speed to passengers. Our goal is to develop an airliner that will be a great addition to any international airline’s fleet.”

President of Japan Airlines, Yoshiharu Ueki, said JAL was “very proud to be working with Boom on the advancement in the commercial aviation industry.

“Through this partnership, we hope to contribute to the future of supersonic travel with the intent of providing more time to our valued passengers while emphasizing flight safety.”

Boom’s engineers say they have already made key contributions to 40 new aircraft and conducted test flights to Mach 3 (3680 km/h).

“We’ve taken passenger jets from the drawing board through FAA certification, landed rockets and designed supersonic engines. We’re engineers, pilots, and hands-on builders. We’re grounded in physics and push technology to new heights.”

The Zeppelin Times 4CRB Travel ShowSaturday 20 January, 10am on 89.3FM

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XB-1 Supersonic Demonstrator due to fly this year

Boom Airliner over Atlantic. Graphic impression

www.zt.com.au

Insider video: Why Munich Airport may be the best in the worldJames Shillinglaw talks with Dr. Michael Kerkloh, CEO of Munich Airport, about the features that make his facility one of the best in the world. This extremely quiet, spacious and high-tech airport is ramping up as a major hub for airline service. And it

doesn’t hurt that it is still the only airport with its own brewery. WATCH ONLINE AT: www.zt.com.au/blog



Legendary Lauda poised to bid for ownership of airlineFormer Formula 1 motor racing world champion and chief of Lauda Air, Niki Lauda, is poised to return to the aviation business.

Lauda has re-emerged as a potential bidder for Niki, the Austrian budget airline he founded.

Lauda originally set up Lauda Air in 1979 after retiring from motor racing. His Lauda Air business card famously bore the simple line: “Niki Lauda. Owner.”

Lauda Air was big in the Australian market, where it was run, highly successfully, by Richard Froggatt. Froggatt ended up being awarded one of Austria’s highest honours – the Knight’s Cross First Class – for his services.

In 1989, Lauda Air began long-haul flights from Vienna to Sydney and Melbourne via Bangkok. In the 1990s, it started to fly its Sydney and Melbourne flights via Kuala Lumpur and Bali.

Lauda sold that business to Austrian Airlines in 2000 and in 2003 he created budget airline Niki after buying up the assets of failed carrier Aero Lloyd Austria.

Lauda, now 68, has emerged as a likely bidder for Niki now that an Austrian court has appointed an administrator for the budget airline. This entailed the reversal of an earlier decision by a Berlin court to locate the insolvency in

Germany. Administrators in Germany had provisionally agreed to sell Niki to British Airways owner IAG, which had planned to merge it with Vueling. That may now not be happening.

Lauda has always said he would bid for Niki if jurisdiction was moved to Austria.

“I will, of course, make an offer for Niki by January 19,” Lauda told Germany’s Handelsblatt business daily.

“The insolvency process is finally there where it belongs – in Austria,” he added. “I regret that so much time was wasted with the detour through Germany.”

www.zt.com.au

Crystal marks first construction milestone

Crystal marked an important construction milestone in Crystal Yacht Expedition Cruises’ expansion, as it cut the first piece of steel for Crystal Endeavor at MV WERFTEN Shipyard in Stralsund, Germany.

Crystal president and CEO, Tom Wolber, was joined by Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, chairman and CEO of Crystal’s parent company, Genting Hong Kong (GHK); Colin Au, group president of GHK; Jarmo Laakso, CEO of MV WERFTEN; and local dignitaries Harry Glawe, Economics Minister of the State of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, and Dr. Alexander Badrow, Lord Mayor of Stralsund at the ceremony held at the shipyard on Monday, January 15.

“Today is a special day in the development of Crystal Endeavor, which will introduce the next level of exploration for the Crystal brand,” Wolber said. “We are pleased to collaborate again with the experts at MV WERFTEN as we work toward a vision for Crystal Endeavor that truly embodies the spirit of discovery of Crystal Yacht Expedition Cruises.”

“We look forward to this innovative expedition yacht with great anticipation in the Stralsund shipyard,” Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay said. “A highlight is our investment of over 20 million euros in new equipment so that the Stralsund shipyard will be able to

continue to build cruise ships efficiently in the future.”

“Crystal Endeavor is a truly exceptional ship. We are proud to be able to implement this project and are particularly pleased to, once again, be starting shipbuilding activities in the Stralsund shipyard, creating hundreds of new jobs,” Laakso said.

Set to debut in 2020, Crystal Endeavor will be the largest and most spacious purpose-built Polar Class ship featuring Crystal’s celebrated service and hospitality, all-suite, butler-serviced accommodations, and unmatched choices for bold adventure in the world’s most remote destinations.



www.zt.com.au

saturday 20 january, 10am on 89.3fm jal backs … · jal backs supersonic jets, test-plane to fly...

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