Recent News

Montreal, Canada, March 26, 2024: CAE announced that it is the first leading aviation simulation and training organization to seamlessly integrate a gaming engine into its full-flight simulator (FFS) visual system and achieve level D qualification*, the highest level of qualification for a FFS. The FFS is equipped with the next-generation CAE Prodigy Image Generator (IG), which leverages gaming technology through Epic Games’ Unreal Engine, marrying highly realistic 3D visuals with high-end full-motion simulation for more realistic pilot training in a virtual environment. “Our collaboration with Epic Games on the CAE Prodigy Image Generator is a huge leap forward in the use of technology to increase the efficacy of pilot training and make our skies safer,” said CAE’s Chief Technology and Product Officer, Abha Dogra. “The convergence of the simulation and gaming industries will result in an enhanced simulator training experience with ultra-realistic visuals that further narrow the gap between the virtual and physical worlds.” “CAE Prodigy will elevate pilot training by delivering true-to-life visuals with higher-fidelity graphics that make time in the simulator more realistic than ever before,” said Michel Azar-Hmouda, CAE’s Division President, Commercial Aviation Training. “With CAE Prodigy, CAE continues to position itself as a leader in the adoption of new technologies to support its customers and advance aviation safety.” “We are thrilled that CAE, a global leader in training and simulation, is leveraging Unreal Engine to improve pilot training and aviation safety. Achieving Level D qualification is a testament to CAE’s expertise in this space as they continue to push our technology to new levels of realism,” said Bill Clifford, VP and GM of Unreal Engine at Epic Games.” The CAE Prodigy product development roadmap includes a progressive deployment on Civil and Defense & Security simulators, based on a growing set of capabilities to support new deployments and update programs. CAE Prodigy builds on the proven features of CAE’s existing family of visual systems, while leveraging Unreal Engine’s innovative rendering techniques to deliver a highly optimized and flexible Image Generator solution. For more information on CAE Prodigy’s key features and capabilities, visit https://www.cae.com/Prodigy. CAE Prodigy photos and videos are available on CAE’s Multimedia Centre. *Level D qualification under the EASA CS-FSTD(A) Issue 2 regulation. A level D simulator fidelity is at such high level that pilots transitioning to a new aircraft can perform all their training in the simulator instead of the aircraft.

New bins will be available on 50 aircraft by the end of this year and can accommodate up to 29 more bags per flight, helping make room for everyone’s carry-on CHICAGO, March 26, 2024: United Airlines announced today that it is installing new, larger overhead bins on its Skywest operated Embraer E175 fleet that will provide more room for passengers’ roll aboard carry-on bags. These new bins will be available on 50 aircraft with a 76-seat configuration by the end of this year. United may expand the E175 larger overhead bins offering to more than 150 aircraft by the end of 2026. United is the first airline to offer these larger overhead bins on E175 airplanes and estimates this move will nearly eliminate the need for one million annual passengers to gate-check bags on more than 150,000 E175 flights. United is enhancing the passenger experience by adding larger overhead bins on the Embraer E175 fleet to increase customer convenience and improve operational efficiency. The new bins will accommodate up to an extra 29 carry-on bags on the regional jets, which is an 80 percent increase in space. “Customer sentiment for the new overhead bins and signature interiors has been extremely positive. By helping to eliminate the need to gate check bags, we are seeing an increase in gate and boarding satisfaction,” said Linda Jojo, United’s chief customer officer. “This is just the latest way we’re working to create an industry-leading experience for all our customers – whether they’re on an international or regional flight.” United now has more than 200 mainline aircraft outfitted with bins large enough to fit every passenger’s carry-on bag and is in the process of retrofitting its domestic narrowbody fleet. The new overhead bins in the regional fleet will provide a seamless connecting experience for customers. Every E175 aircraft outfitted with these overhead bins will also have braille and tactile placards that enhance accessibility, part of a larger initiative the airline announced in 2023. United Airlines and United Express operate an average of more than 4,000 flights a day to over 350 airports across 6 continents. SkyWest is the world’s largest E175 operator and flies more than 700 daily departures to more than 140 destinations as United Express. In 2023, United became the world’s largest carrier as measured by seat-miles, carrying more than 150 million passengers.

Delhi, 7th March, 2024: UNO Technology, an engineering solutions company specialised in high-vision air traffic control cabins and towers, had secured the mandate to elevate the operational capabilities of the 40-meter air traffic control (ATC) cabins at Madurai International Airport. This project is part of the airport’s comprehensive development plan and is a significant step in enhancing air traffic control’s operational efficiency and safety in the region. The development of Madurai International Airport is led by the Airport Authority of India (AAI) in collaboration with SOM Projects. UNO Technology has been brought on board as a specialist sub- contractor. Through this project, the company will redesign the ATC cabin as High Vision Cabin and provide high performance glazing panels for the VCR as per the region’s unique weather conditions and stringent requirements by AAI. A standout feature of the project is the implementation of an innovative framing system developed by UNO Technology that provides obstruction-free vision for air traffic controllers. This cutting-edge design enhances the controllers’ field of view to an impressive over 200 degrees, aiming to address critical issues such as limited visibility, and elevated levels of fatigue among air traffic controllers. UNO Technology’s approach to cabin design adheres strictly to the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) standards, placing a strong emphasis on reducing controller fatigue. The ergonomic and operational aspects of the cabin will be meticulously planned to ensure a comfortable and efficient working environment for the controllers. Unni Bhaskar, Managing Director, UNO Technology Pvt. Ltd., said, “With over 25 years of experience in the aviation infrastructure sector, we take pride in contributing to the development of Madurai International Airport, bringing our patented technology and expertise to elevate air traffic control capabilities in India. This partnership not only signifies a significant leap forward for Madurai International Airport but also sets a new benchmark for the future of air traffic control infrastructure, tackling issues like limited visibility, obsolete equipment, and heightened controller fatigue that impact operational efficiency and safety standards.” This project represents a major leap forward in the enhancement of air traffic control facilities in India. UNO Technology’s innovative solutions are set to transform the way air traffic is managed at Madurai International Airport, ensuring enhanced safety, efficiency, and operational excellence.

Gurugram, 23 February 2024: Air India unveiled ‘Safety Mudras’, the airline’s new inflight safety video that seamlessly blends safety instructions with the kaleidoscope of India’s vibrant culture. Developed in collaboration with the visionary trio of Prasoon Joshi of McCann Worldgroup, Shankar Mahadevan and Bharatbala, the video is meticulously crafted to engage passengers and showcase the diversity and depth of the Indian culture, while delivering essential safety information. For centuries, Indian classical dance and folk-art forms have served as mediums of storytelling and instruction. Air India’s new inflight safety video integrates safety instructions with mudras or dance expressions in eight diverse dance forms – Bharatnatyam, Bihu, Kathak, Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Odissi, Ghoomar, and Giddha – from around the country. Each featured dance form presents a specific safety instruction, providing vital information in an engaging and culturally immersive manner. Campbell Wilson, CEO & MD, Air India, said: “As a flagbearer of the country and a longstanding patron of Indian art and culture, Air India is delighted to present a work of art that is designed to deliver essential safety instructions while showcasing India’s rich cultural diversity to travellers around the world. Our guests will find this inflight safety video to be more immersive and informative, and a warm welcome to India from the moment they step onboard.” Featuring music composed by Grammy Award-winning music composer and singer Shankar Mahadevan, the video invites passengers to experience a harmonious fusion of safety and culture. This project, spanning approximately six months, involved creators travelling and capturing the essence of India visually through mesmerizing locations across the length and breadth of the country. The safety video will be initially accessible on Air India’s recently introduced A350 aircraft, which is equipped with state-of-the-art inflight entertainment screens. It will be progressively deployed on other aircraft in Air India’s fleet.

Abu Dhabi,23rd Feb 2024: Etihad Airways is receiving three new Boeing 787-9 aircraft this weekend. The national airline of the UAE welcomed the latest additions to its expanding fleet at Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport. The new aircraft will begin operations this month, helping Etihad to expand in line with its ambitious roadmap which will see it fly to 125 destinations with more than 160 aircraft by 2030. Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Airways, said: “We are thrilled to welcome these brand-new, state-of-the-art Boeing 787 Dreamliners to Abu Dhabi. Their arrival is key to our network expansion strategy and comes at the perfect time as we continue to add multiple new destinations and expand frequencies into key markets. “These new aircraft support our commitment to Abu Dhabi, allowing us to bring more guests to experience the incredible capital of the UAE, either as their end destination or on a stopover when connecting across our expanding network.” The 787-9s will further bolster Etihad’s fleet as it launches additional destinations over the coming months. Etihad will begin flying to Boston, its fourth US gateway, on 31 March, and will add Nairobi and Bali to the network as well as summer routes to Nice, Malaga, Mykonos and Santorini. The arrival of the three new Dreamliners follows the new Boeing 787-10 received in October 2023, which added further capacity to support Etihad’s network expansion. The airline added new routes to Osaka, Copenhagen and Dusseldorf in quarter four of 2023, as well as Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram in the Kerala region of India on New Year’s Day. Etihad has also expanded across multiple markets with additional flight frequencies and improved connectivity across the network. Boeing’s 787 Dreamliners are up to 25% more fuel efficient than many comparable aircraft of their size. In total, Etihad now operates 43 Dreamliners and a total fleet of 88 aircraft including the Airbus A380, A350, A320 family, and Boeing 777.

Bengaluru,22nd Feb 2024: The India Digital Technology Center, located in Bengaluru, is strategically positioned to play a pivotal role in Collins Aerospace’s global innovation ecosystem, bringing value through digital initiatives across the globe. The center will specialize in enterprise resource planning, artificial intelligence and machine learning, data engineering and analytics and digital enablement of the product lifecycle. These capabilities set the center apart as a dynamic hub for digital transformation within the company. “The India Digital Technology Center is accelerating our digital initiatives, enabling us to deliver cutting-edge solutions to our customers globally and drive technological advancements crucial to our industry,” said Mona Bates, Chief Information Officer for Collins Aerospace. “It fosters an environment that encourages collaboration, creativity, and excellence for top-tier talent.” Collins Aerospace is committed to investing in technological innovations that enhance operational efficiency and contribute to the broader aerospace community’s progress in India. The India Digital Technology Center reflects this commitment by serving as a hub for ideation, innovation, and the development of transformative compliant digital solutions. The center will be co-located with Pratt & Whitney’s India Digital Capability Center, enabling greater cross-enterprise collaboration.

New Delhi,19th Feb 2024: Air India has selected Thales’ AVANT Up inflight entertainment (IFE) solution for its 51 aircraft for engaging and memorable guest experiences. Thales will upgrade and retrofit Air India’s current fleet of 40 Boeing 777’s and 787’s with its state-of-the-art AVANT Up system, starting in 2024 and continuing through 2025. Additionally, Thales will install AVANT Up IFE on Air India’s 11 new Airbus and Boeing aircraft with deliveries to commence in 2025. Thales is proud to build on the enduring relationship with Air India to support the airline’s transformation in redefining the passenger entertainment experience. AVANT Up offers tremendous possibilities for integrating a wide range of services and applications, such as an interactive 3D map and immersive route-based programming. Thales’ Select User Interface (UI) enhances passenger engagement enabling guests to enjoy the most intuitive user experience to navigate across the rich catalog of entertainment. Thales’ AVANT Up features Optiq, 4K QLED HDR displays designed to provide the best viewing experience in the air with unrivalled picture quality. Optiq features in-screen USB-A and USB-C high speed charging ports and is the only display with two Bluetooth connections and built-in Wi-Fi. With Optiq passengers can pair their wireless headphone or other devices to the display while also charging their phones and laptops so they can arrive at their destination recharged and relaxed. “At Thales, we are very proud to deepen our long standing partnership with Air India. ​ We are committed to support the airline’s transformation by delivering state-of-the-art AVANT Up technologies that transcend the ordinary to offer Air India’s customers with world-class inflight experiences celebrating the vibrant culture and colours of India.” Yannick Assouad, Executive Vice-President Avionics, Thales “India is the fastest growing aviation market in the world, with huge potential for further growth. This sets the stage for airlines to elevate overall flying experience of passengers. We are pleased to support Air India in achieving the ambition of providing superior customer experience with our advanced AVANT Up inflight entertainment.” Ashish Saraf, VP and Country Director for India, Thales. “Air India is committed to providing a world-class travel experience to its passengers. Partnering with Thales for its top-of-the-class AVANT Up inflight entertainment systems is a step in the direction of our transformation programme. This latest inflight entertainment technology will allow us to stay at the forefront of aviation technology and will help us provide our passengers with a unique onboard entertainment system.” Rajesh Dogra, Chief Customer Experience Officer, Air India.

Singapore, 18th February 2024; Returning as the largest exhibitor at this year’s Singapore Airshow, ST Engineering is set to showcase its latest and innovative advancements,presenting cutting-edge technological solutions that redefine the Aviation, Defence and Smart City sectors. Embodying the Group’s extensive engineering and multi-disciplinary capabilities, the showcase demonstrates the breadth and depth of its proven solutions that meet an aircraft’s total lifecycle needs, future battlefield technologies that confer tactical superiority and equip warfighters for mission success, and technologies that help cities overcome their urban challenges. Many of these solutions incorporate leading-edge digital technologies such as advanced analytics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), automation, robotics as well as cybersecurity, reflecting the Group’s strategic investments over the years. “The Singapore Airshow serves as a pivotal platform for the Group to actively connect with our global stakeholders and offers a firsthand experience of our cutting-edge technologies and innovations. Our showcase exemplifies our Group’s collective engineering capabilities and domain expertise, highlighting our ability to deliver comprehensive solutions that create meaningful impact,” said Ravinder Singh, Group COO (Technology & Innovation) at ST Engineering. “As Singapore’s homegrown technology, defence and engineering group, we take pride in flying our flag high and elevating our presence on this global stage.” ST Engineering Pavilion Organised around the Aviation, Defence and Smart City clusters, the 2,000 sqm pavilion showcases the Group’s latest innovations and solutions at the intersection of technology, engineering and innovation that empower organisations to be more automated and data-driven, to drive enhanced decision-making and response.