Oneworld alliance member S7 Airlines
recently took delivery of its first Airbus
A320neo, becoming the first carrier in Russia
to operate the type. The Pratt & Whitney-
powered jet, VQ-BCF (c/n 7629) is one of 19
on order, including three A321neos. On leasefrom BOC Aviation, it was handed over to the
Novosibirsk-based operator on July 21. S
has configured the aircraft in a 164-seat, two-
class layout including eight in Business and
156 in Economy. It joins the airline’s existing
fleet of 44 A320 Family aircraft.The first A320neo for S7 Airlines. EurospotFirst A320neo for S
The Terrafugia Transition roadable aircraft
project has been sold to the Chinese
organisation Zhejiang Geely Holding Group,
which is a multi-product company with
investments including Volvo and Lotus Cars.
The Transition is a two-seat machine, originally
launched in 2006, and the prototype (pictured)
was first flown in March 2009 followed by
the production prototype on March 23, 2012.
Powered by a Rotax 912 ULS, mountedbehind the cabin module, the Transition has
double folding wings which are positioned
beside the fuselage when it is in road mode.
On the ground the Transition has a top
speed of 70mph, and in the air it cruises at
93kts and has a range of 425nm (787km). It
has been approved as an LSA (Light Sport
Aircraft), although none have been delivered to
customers, and the company is also working
on a four-seat model, the TF-X. Rod SimpsonChinese Buy ‘Flying Car’
The Transition can cruise at an airspeed of 93kts and has a range of 425nm. Rod Simpsonhttp://www.aviation-news.co.uk 15Air France Unveils Offshoot Aimed at Millennials
Previously known under the working name
Boost, Joon launches its first medium-haul
services this autumn with long-haul flights
scheduled to start next summer.
According to its parent company Joon –
which will be headed by veteran Air France-
KLM Group manager Jean-Michel Mathieu- is aimed at “a young working clientele,
the millennials, whose lifestyles revolve
around digital technology”, according to its
parent Air France.
Joon is an integral part of Air France’s
bid to regain market share on ultra-
competitive routes, although the French flag
carrier has gone to great lengths to explain
its new offshoot will not be a low-costairline, “as it will offer original products and
services that reflect those of Air France”.
Instead, savings will be achieved through
revised cabin crew labour agreements, and
buy-on-board services.
Operations will start with six Airbus
A321s leased from Air France, followed
next year by up to four A340s.Darwin
Changes Hands
Luxembourg-based private equity fund
4K Invest, owner of Slovenian flag carrier
Adria Airways, has acquired Darwin
Airline.
Under the terms of the deal, the
Lugano-based carrier will continue to
operate under its own Air Operator
Certificate (AOC) but will be rebranded
as Adria Airways Switzerland.
“Darwin is an excellent airline
with experienced management and
staff,” Adria CEO Dr Arno Schuster
remarked. “Extending our network and,
consequently, optimising cost structures
will create a win-win situation for both
carriers. Our experienced commercial
department will market Darwin’s flights
under the brand name Adria Airways
Switzerland”.
The Swiss carrier, which employs
around 400 staff, had previously operated
as Etihad Regional following a partial
buyout by Etihad Airways in 2014. Its sale
comes amid a major review of the Abu
Dhabi-based airline’s European portfolio.Lancair Mako
Debuts at
Oshkosh
Lancair International unveiled its new four-
seat Mako light aircraft at this year’s Oshkosh
EAA AirVenture show. The Mako, which
features an automatically operated retractable
nosewheel, can be powered by various engines
including the 210hp Continental IO-360 and
the turbocharged Lycoming TIO-540, giving it
competitive performance against types such as
the Cirrus SR22 and the Cessna TTx. It has
two gullwing entry doors and a central control
stick with throttles on both sidewalls allowing
operation by either pilot. As with other Lancair
products, the Mako is sold as a kit but owners
can complete their aircraft at the Lancair
builder-assist centre at its Uvalde, Texas factory.
The prototype Mako (N580L) made its first flight
on July 18 and has flown more than 40 hours to
date. Rod Simpson14-17_civil_newsDC.mfDC.indd 15 04/08/2017 12: