Embraer and Mahindra announce Collaboration on the C-390 Millennium Transport Aircraft in India

Embraer Defense & Security and Mahindra announced today that they had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly fulfill the acquisition of the C-390 Millennium multi-mission aircraft by the Indian Air Force in its upcoming Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) procurement project. The MoU was signed at the Brazilian Embassy in New Delhi.

“We are honored to announce this MoU with Mahindra . India has a diverse and strong defense and aerospace industry, and we have chosen Mahindra as our partner to pursue the MTA program jointly,” said Mr Bosco da Costa Junior, President & CEO of Embraer Defense & Security. “India is a key market for Embraer and we fully support India’s ambitions for ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’. We see this partnership as a symbol of strengthening relations between Brazil and India and a way to foster Global South cooperation.”

Embraer and Mahindra will engage with the Indian Air Force to identify the next steps of the MTA program, as well as contact the local aerospace industry in India to start developing the industrialization plan for the project.

Mr Vinod Sahay, President of the Aerospace & Defence Sector and Member of the Group Executive Board, Mahindra, said, “We are proud to start this partnership with Embraer, a company that is known for its engineering excellence and a unique portfolio of aircraft and systems. The C-390 Millennium is the most advanced military airlifter in the market, and we believe that this partnership will not only bolster the operational prowess of the Indian Air Force, but also provide an efficient industrialization solution that aligns seamlessly with the objectives of Make in India.”

The MoU was signed by Embraer Defense & Security and Mahindra Defence Systems, a 100% owned subsidiary of Mahindra, focusing on armored transport and security-related products, including electronics.

Embraer has an established presence in defense, commercial, and executive aviation in India. In August 2023, Embraer held a C-390 Millennium Day in New Delhi, India, to deepen engagement with the local aerospace industry, which was very well attended by the Indian ecosystem.

The C-390 Millennium multi-mission tactical transport aircraft offers unmatched mobility. It combines high productivity, operating flexibility, and low operating costs, which is an unbeatable combination.  

Since entering operation with the Brazilian Air Force in 2019 and most recently with the Portuguese Air Force in 2023, the C-390 has proven its capacity, reliability, and performance. The current fleet of aircraft in operation has accumulated more than 11500 flight hours, with operational availability of around 80% and mission completion rates above 99%, demonstrating exceptional productivity in the category. The C-390 Millennium attained its Full Operational Capability status by the Brazilian Air Force in 2023, which endorses the platform’s capability to carry out all missions it was designed to undertake. 

The C-390 Millennium has been selected by Brazil, Portugal, Hungary, the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic, and most recently, South Korea. 

The C-390, the most modern military transport aircraft in the market, can carry more payload (26 tonnes) than other medium-sized military transport aircraft and flies 870 km/h (470 knots). It can perform various missions, such as transporting and dropping cargo and troops, medical evacuation, search and rescue, aerial firefighting, and humanitarian missions, operating on temporary or unpaved runways such as packed earth, soil, and gravel. The aircraft configured with air-to-air refueling equipment, with the designation KC-390, has already proven its aerial refueling capacity both as a tanker and as a receiver, in this case by receiving fuel from another KC-390 using pods installed under the wings.

The collaboration around the C-390 Millennium will bring the latest technology in terms of aerospace & military transport aircraft to India. Both Embraer and Mahindra will explore the potential to turn India into a future hub of the C-390 aircraft for the region.

Mahindra Group

Founded in 1945, the Mahindra Group is one of the largest and most admired multinational federations of companies, with 260000 employees in over 100 countries. It enjoys a leadership position in farm equipment, utility vehicles, information technology, and financial services in India and is the world’s largest tractor company by volume. It has a strong presence in renewable energy, agriculture, logistics, hospitality, and real estate.

The Mahindra Group clearly focuses on leading ESG globally, enabling rural prosperity and enhancing urban living, driving positive change in the lives of communities and stakeholders, and enabling them to Rise.

Embraer Group

A global aerospace company headquartered in Brazil, Embraer has Commercial and Executive aviation, Defense and Security, and Agricultural Aviation businesses. The company designs, develops, manufactures, and markets aircraft and systems, providing Services and Support to customers after-sales.

Since it was founded in 1969, Embraer has delivered more than 8000 aircraft. On average, about every 10 seconds, an aircraft manufactured by Embraer takes off somewhere in the world, transporting over 145 Million passengers a year.

Embraer is the leading manufacturer of commercial jets with up to 150 seats and the leading exporter of high-value-added goods in Brazil. The company maintains industrial units, offices, service, and parts distribution centers, among other activities, across the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe.

Rakesh Jhunjhunwala group-backed Akasa Air will offer Valentine’s Day special meals all of February.

The special meal features truffle-drizzled cheesy mushroom calzone served with a heart-shaped red velvet pastry and a choice of beverage for Rs 500.

It will only be available for those pre-booking the same during flight bookings.
 
Since the launch of operations in August 2022, Akasa Air has introduced specially curated meal options that are inspired by regional specialties associated with celebrations during popular festivals and special occasions like Makar Sankranti, Holi, Eid al-Fitr, Mother’s Day, International Yoga Day, Monsoon season, Onam, Ganesh Chaturthi, Dussehra, Diwali, and Christmas, among others, the airline said adding it also offers a pre-selection of cakes on its regular menu for flyers who want to celebrate the birthdays of their loved ones in the skies.

Istanbul-based Turkish Airlines has launched its payment wallet system called the TK Wallet.
 
This will allow those enrolled in its Miles&Smiles frequent flyer programme to complete payment and refund quickly.

Turkish Airlines will also offer the opportunity to earn TK Money on top of the refund amount for tickets and additional service purchases made through its mobile application and website.

TK Money earned through refund transactions via TK Wallet will be offered in four different currencies (Turkish Lira, Euro, US dollar and British pound)

Turkish Airlines Chief Commercial Officer Ahmet Olmu?tur stated: "In line with our digitalization goals, we continuously improve ourselves to implement applications that will facilitate our passengers' travels. We are working to make our services more accessible and continue to introduce innovations that will add comfort to our guests' travel experiences. We have added TK Wallet to our digital payment methods by incorporating it into our digital services used through the Turkish Airlines mobile application and website."

Turkish Airlines has a fleet of 444 (passenger and cargo) aircraft flying to 345 worldwide destinations - 292 international and 53 domestic - in 129 countries.

Travel firm MakeMyTrip will provide more detailed information to passengers about their business class flights when they are about to make that booking, the portal said on Thursday.

The firm has launched a so-called "Business Class Funnel" for international flights on its digital platforms which give travelers booking an international business or first-class ticket, access to detailed information like seat recline, position, in-flight entertainment, meals, and more.

They will also get an "immersive experience" through images and videos, revamped filters, and an experiential design, ensuring transparency and clarity for travelers without having to seek information from multiple separate sources.

Rajesh Magow, Co-founder and Group CEO, MakeMyTrip said, “The newly launched Business Class Funnel reflects our commitment to innovation, transparency, and a seamless booking experience. It will ensure our customers know exactly what they pay for through a hassle-free and immersive booking experience.”

MakeMyTrip has also partnered with several prominent premium airlines, ensuring detailed information is made available across a selection of top-tier options, and will keep expanding it to all major airlines in the upcoming weeks, the firm added. 

In the midst of ongoing challenges, Boeing faces significant hurdles in meeting its delivery commitments, exacerbated by recent incidents and regulatory constraints. Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) Capital, a prominent lessor, voiced concerns regarding Boeing's ability to fulfill its contractual obligations, citing production caps and quality lapses as key impediments. Let us delve into the ramifications of these developments on Boeing's operations and the broader aviation industry.

Boeing's Production Cap and Quality Concerns

The Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) directive to cap Boeing 737 production at 38 jets per month has cast a shadow over the company's manufacturing capabilities. This move, prompted by quality lapses, not only hampers Boeing's ability to address the rising demand for new jets but also underscores the need for stringent quality control measures.

Impact of Recent Incidents

The blowout of a door plug on a 737 MAX 9 in early January has intensified scrutiny on Boeing's safety protocols. Such incidents not only erode confidence in the aircraft manufacturer but also raise questions about the airworthiness of its fleet. Airlines and lessors alike are closely monitoring developments, wary of potential delays and reputational risks.

DAE's Concerns and Contractual Commitments

DAE, as a major player in aircraft leasing, is directly affected by Boeing's challenges. With a sizable order of 64 Boeing 737 MAX jets scheduled for delivery between 2023 and 2026, the lessor faces uncertainty regarding the timeliness of these deliveries. CEO Firoz Tarapore's remarks reflect a broader sentiment within the industry, emphasizing the need for Boeing to regain control of its production processes.

Financial Implications and Strategic Considerations

The financial impact of delays and disruptions cannot be understated. DAE's recent profit announcement, coupled with insurance claim settlements related to stranded aircraft, highlights the complexities of navigating geopolitical tensions and regulatory hurdles. Moving forward, stakeholders must weigh the potential risks and rewards of their engagements with Boeing, considering both short-term challenges and long-term prospects.

Conclusion

Boeing's journey to regain trust and confidence amidst regulatory scrutiny and quality concerns is fraught with challenges. The aviation industry, including lessors like DAE, remains vigilant as they navigate uncertain waters. While the path ahead may be turbulent, stakeholders are hopeful that Boeing will take decisive actions to address underlying issues and uphold its commitment to delivering safe and reliable aircraft.

With Inputs from Reuters