Sukhoi 100: SuperJet International signs contract worth USD 650 million with Mexican Interjet

January 17, 2011, Venice (Italy) - SuperJet International (SJI) - a joint venture between Alenia Aeronautica, a Finmeccanica Company, and Sukhoi Holding - signed today with Mexico's Interjet airline a contract for the purchase of 15 long range Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SSJ100) aircraft in the 98 seat configuration, plus 5 options.

Based on the price list, the overall order has a value of USD 650 million. The first deliveries are scheduled for the second half of 2012.

Along with the order, SuperJet International announced the execution of a "SuperCare" Agreement with Interjet for the after-sales support of its fleet of new Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft over 10 years duration. Since its Entry Into Service, Interjet SSJ100 fleet will be supported by SJI with this tailored after-sales solution.

The Agreement is a comprehensive "per-flight-hour" program developed by SJI specifically for SSJ100 aircraft Operators. This innovative lifecycle solution has been designed to maximize aircraft availability to Operators and minimize their maintenance and administrative associated costs.

With this new milestone, the Sukhoi Superjet 100 finalizes 170 firm orders. The first deliveries to the launch customers Aeroflot and Armavia are scheduled for the first quarter of 2011.

The Sukhoi Superjet 100 Programme represents the most important industrial partnership between the Russian Federation and the rest of the world in the civil aviation sector.

The Sukhoi Superjet 100 is currently the best choice in the 100-seat aircraft segment because of its outstanding characteristics in terms of quality, comfort and operational costs.

CEO of SuperJet International, Mr. Carlo Logli:

"This contract represents an outstanding result, proving the quality of this state-of-the-art product and its potential in the market, especially a fast-growing one such as the Latin American. I am extremely satisfied because Interjet represents a high-efficiency airline in the worldwide commercial aviation market thanks to its superior level of services".

"Now we will continue to work on the implementation of the SSJ100 project with an even greater effort. I firmly believe that 2011 will be the SuperJet International year of change, through an increase of the existing portfolio and the entry into service of the aircraft".

About Interjet:

Interjet is a 100% Mexican airline owned by Miguel Aleman family, highly recognized in both private and public sectors in Mexico. Interjet was the first entrant in the new deregulated era of Mexican Airline Industry starting operations in December 2005. In only 5 years of operations with a fleet of 22 aircraft, Interjet today is the 2nd airline in the Mexican domestic market. It operates both from Mexico City's International Airport and Toluca Airport towards the most important business and leisure destinations in Mexico. It is currently renowned as Mexico's best low-cost airline, offering to passengers an superior quality service and maximum comfort at lower fares than leading competitor.

Since 2009 Interjet is a profitable airline reporting EBITDAR and NET margins comparable to the most profitable airlines in the Latin American region.

About SuperJet International:

SuperJet International, a joint venture between Alenia Aeronautica, a Finmeccanica Company (51%) and Sukhoi Holding (49%), is in charge of the marketing, sales, customization and delivery of the Sukhoi Superjet 100 regional jet in Europe, the Americas, Oceania, Africa and Japan. The Company is also responsible for training and worldwide after-sales support, as well as the design and development of VIP and cargo variants. A SuperJet International branch is active in Moscow, together with a sales office in Washington, DC, U.S.A.


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Airbus celebrates its 10,000th order with Virgin America’s 60 A320 deal (Virgin America First Firm A320NEO Customer)

Airbus announced this morning its 10,000^th order with a firm contract from Virgin America for 60 A320s, including 30 A320neo aircraft. This is the first firm order for the A320 new engine option; therefore Virgin America becomes the launch customer for the A320neo. This formalizes and expands an initial commitment given at the Farnborough International Airshow in July 2010 with the inclusion of the A320neo as a new development in that deal. The 30 A320s will feature fuel-saving large wing tip devices called Sharklets. Virgin America has not yet announced its engine choice on the newly ordered A320s or the A320neo. Seating configuration on the aircraft will be the same as its existing A320 fleet (146-149 seats) in a two-class configuration. 

"At just three years old and at a time when many carriers are contracting, we're pleased to be growing and bringing our award-winning service to new markets," said Virgin America President and CEO David Cush. "We credit a great deal of our success to date to having the right aircraft. The low operating costs, cabin comfort and carbon-efficient design of our all-new Airbus A320 fleet has helped fuel our growth and success in the North American market – and we're confident the A320neo will only build on that."

"We hit our 5000th order in August of 2004 – after more than 30 years. To achieve the 10,000th order just over six years later is a ringing endorsement of our product line," said Tom Enders, Airbus President and CEO. "And it gives a strong boost to our new, eco-efficient A320neo when ‪Virgin America, one of our newest and trendiest customers, places the first firm order, for which we are extremely grateful."  

Based in San Francisco, California, Virgin America was founded in August 2007. The airline flies an exclusive fleet of more than 30 A320 Family aircraft on a growing network that reaches across North America. The airline prides itself on its guest service, unique design and amenities, including fleetwide WiFi and personal touch-screen entertainment platforms at every seat. Virgin America consistently wins travel industry and customer choice awards for its outstanding service, amenities and focus on sustainability.

"Virgin airlines are known around the world for innovation – for harnessing the best in design, technology and entertainment to reinvent the travel experience," said Virgin Group Founder Sir Richard Branson. "We're just as committed to investing in the next generation solutions that will make air travel more sustainable. Climate change cannot be ignored by business, and I believe that we must rise to the challenge of combating it and find new and better ways of operating. The A320neo will help us get there, by lowering costs and reducing our impact on the environment. Virgin America's existing A320s are now up to 25 percent more fuel and carbon efficient than the average U.S. fleet, and the A320neo promises to improve on the numbers even more." 

The A320neo responds to heightened customer environmental interest, offering a 15 percent reduction in fuel consumption. The option was launched in late 2010 for first deliveries in early 2016. Airlines have the choice between CFM International's LEAP-X engine and Pratt & Whitney's PurePower PW1100G engine. Each variant of the A320neo incorporates Sharklet wing tip devices. In addition to fuel savings, the A320neo will benefit from a double-digit reduction in NOx emissions, reduced engine noise, lower operating costs and up to 500 nautical miles more range or two metric tons more payload. The A319, A320 and A321 models on which the new engine option is offered will have 95 percent airframe commonality with the A320 Family, thus the A320neo will fit seamlessly into the existing Virgin America fleet. 

Since the first Airbus aircraft went into service in 1974 with Air France, Airbus has seen sales of its aircraft grow steadily. By 1989, after its first 15 years in operation, Airbus had sold 1,000 aircraft. Less than half that time again, just seven years later in 1996, sales had risen to 2,000. Sales of Airbus aircraft had reached 3,000 in 1998, again cutting the time it took to sell another 1,000 planes by more than half. And by 2000 a total of 4,000 aircraft had been sold to the market. 

Watch related 10,000th order milestone video

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Airbus hits new record aircraft deliveries in 2010

Airbus has increased its production output for the ninth year in a row and achieved a new company record of 510 (2009: 498) commercial aircraft deliveries to 94 customers (of which 19 were new). Deliveries included 401 A320 Family aircraft, 91 A330/A340s and 18 A380s. In its military division, Airbus delivered 20 light and medium military and transport aircraft (CN235 and C295), exceeding the 2009 figure by four aircraft.

Airbus booked 644 commercial aircraft orders (574 net) in 2010. The value of the new orders surpassed US$84 billion gross (US$74 billion net) at list prices. This represents 51 per cent by units of the 2010 gross worldwide market share of aircraft beyond 100 seats (52 % net). Airbus won 21 new orders for its military aircraft (CN235 and C295). 

The new commercial orders include 452 A320 Family aircraft, 160 A330/A340/A350 XWB Family aircraft, and 32 new orders for the A380. At 2010 year end, Airbus' commercial order book backlog was 3,552 aircraft valued at over US$480 billion at list prices, or equalling six years of full production. The military backlog stood at 247 aircraft. 

In 2010, Airbus launched the A320neo (new engine option), offering 15 per cent less fuel burn. This is equivalent to a saving of up to 3,600 tonnes of CO₂ emissions per aircraft per year.  

The A350 XWB continued winning key strategic campaigns during 2010, boosting the total orders for the family to 583 and number of customers to 36 by year end. On the industrial side, 2010 saw the start of manufacturing of the first A350 XWB components and sub assemblies at section level. The systems test rig (Iron Bird) for the A350 XWB started operations in December. 

The A400M programme is delivering results with four development aircraft flying. It accomplished more than 1,000 flight hours in over 300 test flights. Start of A400M series production is imminent and civil certification is planned to be obtained before the end of the year.  

The A330-based Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft achieved civil and military certification in 2010. Five are flying with a further four undergoing conversion. Delivery of the first two MRTTs to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is in the final stages.  

Airbus' Power 8 programme exceeded both its EBIT and cash saving targets. Power 8+ will continue this momentum. 

Airbus has regained its competitiveness largely thanks to Power8, the improved programme performance and the growth in its markets. In addition, progress in the A380 programme has allowed the company to reduce the temporary workforce considerably. However, hundreds of temporary positions were turned into full-time Airbus contracts creating a large number of new jobs in particular in Engineering and Production.  

In 2010, Airbus recruited 2,200 new employees, bringing the active workforce up to 52,500 by year end. For 2011 it is planned to hire up to 3,000 people, in particular for the ramp-up of the single aisle and long range programmes as well as development and industrialisation of the A400M, A350 XWB and the A320neo. 

"2010 was a good year, in fact better than expected twelve months ago. The market rebound and improved programme performance has been particularly encouraging. However, with plenty of challenges, especially in our development programmes, we'll have to work hard to further improve and also make 2011 a successful year for Airbus," said Tom Enders, Airbus President and CEO.  

For 2011, Airbus is expecting again a further increase in deliveries and a book-to-bill ratio above one. "This is the result of strong airline demand for new and more eco-efficient aircraft," Enders said. "We respond to our customer's requests by introducing the right technologies at the right time as per the launch of the A320neo."

Also in 2010, Airbus advanced the commercialisation of alternative fuels by establishing the first value chain in Brazil, bringing together farmers, refiners and airlines. Airbus completed Latin America's first bio-fuel flight, and Airbus is also supporting the world's first scheduled daily bio-fuel passenger flights due to begin in 2011. This underlines Airbus strategy to advance from demonstration flights towards the commercialisation of alternative fuels for aviation.  

 Watch the video interview of John Jeahy

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GROEN BROTHERS AVIATION ENTERS COOPERATIVE JOINT VENTURE AGREEMENT FOR PRODUCTION IN CHINA OF LIGHT GYROPLANES

Salt Lake City, Utah – January 15, 2011 – Groen Brothers Aviation, Inc. ("GBA") (stock symbol "GNBA"), announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Groen Brothers Aviation International, LLC ("Groen LLC"), formed to participate in the joint venture, has entered into an agreement with Guangzhou Suntrans Aviation Science and Technology Co., Ltd. ("Suntrans") to form a Cooperative Joint Venture ("CJV").  The CJV will be named Foshan Suntrans-Groen Aviation Co., Ltd. ("FSG Aviation").

The CJV will be a limited liability company formed under the laws of the Peoples Republic of China whose purpose is to produce in China for sales worldwide, light gyroplanes based upon GBA's SparrowHawk design.  The agreement generally provides for FSGA to assemble, manufacture, sell, and provide related services for GBA's SparrowHawk Gyroplane Program, including the most advanced version of the SparrowHawk aircraft developed to date, the SparrowHawk III.  It is expected that FSG Aviation will reintroduce the SparrowHawk III Kit into the US and world markets, followed over the next few years by a fully assembled light gyroplane using technology transferred by GBA to the CJV.

The agreement for the CJV will come into force upon the approval of the appropriate Chinese regulatory authorities for which the parties are in the process of preparing the necessary papers.

The total amount of registered capital of the Joint Venture will be Chinese Renminbi ("RMB") 100 Million (approximately US$14.7 million).  Under the terms of the agreement, Suntrans will contribute RMB 75 million (approximately US$11 million) to the Joint Venture in cash and hold 75% of the shares in FSG Aviation; in return for its contribution of the SparrowHawk Program and transfer of certain advanced gyroplane technology, Groen LLC will hold 25% of the shares valued at RMB 25 million (approximately US$3.67 million).

GBA considers the formation of this Joint Venture particularly of value because the Chinese government has announced that it has begun a program to open to the public, Chinese airspace below 3,000 meters.  "An aircraft that's easy and safe to fly, highly maneuverable and needing only a very short runway, which is essentially what the SparrowHawk Gyroplane is, ought to be very popular in China, as the country opens up to a new generation of private pilots," said GBA's Vice President of Business Development, Al Waddill, "especially since demand for personal aircraft should be far beyond the capability of China's current general aviation infrastructure."

About Groen Brothers Aviation, Inc.
Groen Brothers Aviation, Inc. has been developing gyroplane technology since 1986 and is recognized as the world's leading authority on sustained autorotative flight.  Powered by a Rolls-Royce gas turbine engine, GBA developed the world's first commercially viable modern gyroplane - the first "autogiro" to utilize a jet engine - the Hawk 4 Gyroplane.   The Hawk 4 was used extensively for security aerial patrol missions during the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.

GBA announced in October 2005 that DARPA, an arm of the United States Department of Defense, awarded a contract to GBA to form and lead a team to design a proof of concept high speed, long range, vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft designed for use in Combat Search and Rescue roles.  This modern rotorcraft, named by DARPA as the "Heliplane," is designed to exploit GBA's gyrodyne technology; offering the VTOL capability of a helicopter, the fast forward flight of an airplane, and the safety, simplicity and reliability of a GBA gyroplane.  GBA completed Phase I of the Heliplane contract and also participated as a subcontractor to Georgia Institute of Technology for tip-jet noise reduction work for Phase IB, which was also successful.  To date DARPA has not announced funding for Phase II and the future involvement of the Company in the DARPA contract is unknown.  The Heliplane could be the next generation rotor wing aircraft, meeting economy and performance goals not considered achievable by any other type of VTOL aircraft.

Further information about the Company, its products, and individual members of the GBA Team is available on the Company's web site at: www.groenbros.com.


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