Latest news with #ACMI
Business Insider
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
AfDB to launch carbon credits support facility to boost climate finance in Africa
The African Development Bank (AfDB) plans to establish a new carbon markets support facility aimed at unlocking climate finance across the continent, senior officials announced at the bank's annual meeting in Abidjan. The African Development Bank has announced plans to create the Africa Carbon Support Facility to enhance climate finance across Africa. The initiative will assist governments in developing carbon trading policies and establish infrastructure to facilitate the trade of carbon credits. Carbon credits represent the offset of one metric ton of carbon emissions and can be traded to support global climate targets. The initiative called the Africa Carbon Support Facility, is currently in the design phase and will feature two key components, according to the bank. The first component will help governments develop policies and regulations governing carbon trading, while the second will focus on boosting the supply and demand for credits as well as the key market infrastructure needed to increase their use, Reuters reported. "Through this, we envision a future where carbon credits can become a tradable commodity on Africa's stock exchanges," said Anthony Nyong, AfDB's director for climate change and green growth. Carbon credits have become a big industry, with wealthier nations offsetting their emissions by either financing clean and sustainable energy projects or compensating developing economies for conserving their natural environments. These projects earn one credit for every metric ton of carbon emissions they either reduce or remove from the atmosphere. Countries and companies can purchase these credits to help meet their climate targets. Africa has struggled to fully capitalize on the global carbon credit market, where prices on the continent remain significantly lower than in regions with stricter regulatory frameworks. Tapping Africa's underused climate assets According to Anthony Nyong, most of Africa's carbon credits, primarily derived from forestry, land use, and agriculture, are currently traded on voluntary markets. However, integrating them into stock exchanges could significantly boost their market value. Despite contributing only a small fraction of global greenhouse gas emissions, Africa's 54 countries remain among the hardest hit by climate change. Yet Africa receives just 1% of global annual climate finance, according to government officials across the region. At the U.N. COP27 climate summit, an African Carbon Market Initiative (ACMI), comprised of several nations, including Kenya, Malawi, Gabon, Nigeria and Togo, was launched to increase the number of carbon credits generated on the continent to around 300 million credits by 2030 and 1.5 billion a year by 2050.
New Straits Times
24-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Airod inks Boeing B737 fleet maintenance deal with Ascend Airways
LANGKAWI: Airod Aerospace Technology (AAe) has signed an aircraft maintenance agreement with Ascend Airways Malaysia (AMY) to support the airline's Boeing B737 fleet. The agreement, signed in February, was officially announced on the sidelines of the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (Lima'25). It designates AAe as the base maintenance provider for AMY's aircraft as the airline prepares to launch its ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance) operations later this year. AAe acting chief executive officer Datuk Firhad Uzir Abdul Rahim said the signing marks a major step in strengthening Malaysia's aviation ecosystem. "We are honoured to be entrusted with the maintenance of AMY's aircraft and look forward to supporting their growth with our world-class MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) capabilities." AMY chief executive officer Germal Singh Khera said the collaboration with AAe reflects the airline's commitment to operational excellence ahead of its debut in Malaysia and future regional expansion. "We truly value AAe's strong commitment to provide base maintenance services for our aircraft with the reliability, efficiency and technical excellence that we require. "As we pursue our mission to deliver dependable, safe and efficient ACMI services across the region, unwavering support from dedicated partners like AAe is crucial to achieving our goals." AAe, a subsidiary of Airod, was established in 2012 under the expansion plan of National Aerospace Defence Industries (NADI). The company specialises in commercial aviation MRO services for various aircraft models including the Airbus A320 Family, Boeing B737 Series and ATR42/72.
Barnama
24-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Aerotree Introduces Malaysia's First Cargo Drone, Targeting Logistics, Defence Sectors
GENERAL By Nazira Hasanah Nasaruddin LANGKAWI, May 24 (Bernama) -- In a move to enhance Malaysia's logistics and defence capabilities, local company, Aerotree Defence and Services Sdn Bhd (Aerotree) unveiled the DJI Flycart 30, the country's first cargo drone, at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2025 (LIMA'25). Aerotree Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation (ACMI) project director Mohd Aizat Mohd Aris said the drone is designed to carry a load of up to 30 kilogrammes, providing an efficient and competitive solution for logistics delivery. 'The idea to develop this cargo drone originated from Aerotree president and chief executive officer Datuk Halim Othman during the COVID-19 pandemic, when logistical challenges and movement restrictions affected all sectors,' he said. 'Following that, research and development were conducted with the expertise of local engineers, including former military personnel and flight school graduates, supported by technology from China to produce the DJI Flycart 30,' he told Bernama here today. He added that the cargo drone is capable of medium-distance logistics deliveries up to 16 km, with a flight duration of approximately 30 minutes. It is also designed to withstand moderate weather conditions, featuring an IP55 rating for splash and dust resistance. The drone is intended for delivering goods to locations such as ports, military operation sites, and hard-to-reach areas, thereby reducing reliance on human labour. 'We have also engaged in discussions with the army regarding the need to deliver supplies to personnel in forest areas, which is a more cost-effective solution compared to using helicopters. In addition, our target market includes commercial delivery service companies. However, he noted that Aerotree is still awaiting full operational approval from the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM), as the drone must comply with safety regulations, altitude limits, operating range, and frequency usage to ensure it does not interfere with commercial aviation systems.
Travel Daily News
23-05-2025
- Business
- Travel Daily News
Slovakia's largest airline AirExplore marks 15 years in business
Founded in 2010 with one aircraft, AirExplore marks 15 years of growth, pioneering ACMI leasing, expanding globally, and joining Avia Solutions Group. The aviation industry in Europe has seen and weathered many crises over the last decades – from the financial crash of 2008 to the COVID-19 pandemic. And while these large-scale events led to the demise of many airlines, they also created the conditions for new players to soar. One of such examples is AirExplore – founded in 2010 with just one Boeing 737-400 aircraft, it has grown to become Slovakia's largest airline. With a fleet of 16 aircraft and with over 9 million passengers carried by the end of 2024, today AirExplore marks 15 years in operation – a time period which saw the entire business transform and pivot multiple times. Humble beginnings The company was founded by a group of aviation enthusiasts and former employees of several bankrupt Slovak airlines at a time when the local industry was in shambles. With limited resources, the company had to be creative, scrappy and inventive to get things moving. Even their first aircraft came from an unexpected source – a German aquarium equipment manufacturer, whose owner had purchased a Boeing 737-400 as a birthday present for his daughter. While they were looking for a buyer, it took persistence and enthusiasm to convince the owner that the fledgling Slovak company was a safe bet. 'As there were no direct flights to their city, we literally chipped in and paid a friend of ours to take us there on his Cessna. In three days we signed the agreement, and in about a month we got the plane to Slovakia. That was how it all started,' says Martin Stulajter, CEO of AirExplore, who was only 25 years old when their business began. 'Looking back at our journey, I think it was actually the best time to start an airline in 2010. Before AirExplore, I worked for another airline that did not survive the financial crisis of 2008. Unlike them, we began our operations when the market was starting to recover, which gave us a great boost.' Pioneering the ACMI business model Since day one, AirExplore has had a vision of operating their business in a way different from other airlines in the region. Rather than try and operate as a traditional carrier, they chose to focus on other airlines as clients, bringing them a cooperation model that is now commonly known as ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) leasing. If today, leasing a part of the fleet is a common practice for airlines seeking to maximise their potential during peak season, back in 2010 it took effort and education to get airlines onboard. 'When we started, the ACMI model was just emerging and many airlines weren't familiar with its advantages. We had to educate potential clients about how this approach could help them manage seasonal demand without the financial burden of owning additional aircraft that's underutilised during the low season,' explains Stulajter. AirExplore was one of the pioneers of ACMI services not just in the CEE region but in Europe as a whole. A defining milestone came in 2015, when the company became the first ACMI provider for Ryanair, Europe's largest airline. 'We were already in business for five years at that point but partnering with Ryanair brought a lot of learning opportunities. The experience taught us how to be very cost-effective and efficient, how to be quick, and how to use all the digital tools to ensure 20-minute turnarounds,' explains Stulajter. The partnership even influenced Ryanair's network development, with AirExplore helping to establish the carrier's Bratislava base. 15 years of growth The ability of AirExplore to adjust to changes proved helpful during the COVID-19 pandemic, when it pivoted to transport essential medical supplies, conduct humanitarian flights, and facilitate repatriation missions while passenger services were curtailed. Over the years it has been in operation, AirExplore has achieved an impressive track record: 72,087 flights operated, 202,211 block hours accumulated, and over 9 million passengers carried by the end of 2024. From its initial 50 employees, the company has expanded to over 400 staff in 2025, representing 26 different nationalities. The airline's fleet has also grown accordingly, from a single aircraft to 16 Boeing 737-800s today. Since entering cargo operations in 2022, the company has transported nearly 30,000 tons of cargo, significantly strengthening its position in both passenger and cargo markets. Today, the company's global footprint extends to regions as diverse as Palau in the Pacific, Taiwan in Asia, Surinam in South America, and numerous African countries. Throughout its history, AirExplore has served dozens of clients across four continents, maintaining the highest safety standards with IOSA certification since 2015. Taking operations to a truly global leve A transformative moment in AirExplore's history came in June 2023 when it was acquired by Avia Solutions Group, the world's largest ACMI provider operating a fleet of 221 aircraft. 'After joining Avia Solutions Group, it took us less than a year to double our fleet,' Stulajter notes. 'We also learned to become more systematic in the way we manage the company, incorporating data at every stage of the decision making process'. The partnership brought not just access to capital but also a wide network of connections across the group and beyond it. This collaboration has accelerated AirExplore's expansion, with the company recently receiving approval from the US Department of Transportation to operate commercial flights to and within the United States. 'This is a fantastic moment for AirExplore as we continue to grow our international presence,' Stulajter remarks. 'The approval reflects the benefits of being backed by Avia Solutions Group and presents exciting opportunities for our future development.' Expanding reach The ACMI model continues to gain importance as airlines seek operational flexibility without high capital expenditure. 'There is a lot of uncertainty in the market, and with OEMs struggling to deliver orders, the issue of capacity has never been this acute. As ACMI providers, we can solve this headache and help airlines maximize profitability,' observes Stulajter. Looking beyond Europe, AirExplore is expanding its focus to emerging markets with significant growth potential, particularly in Asia and Africa. The company is investing in sustainability initiatives, including exploring sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) to reduce its carbon footprint. Looking toward the future, Stulajter's aspirations remain anchored in a passion for aviation rather than purely financial metrics. 'My ultimate goal is to keep the company running, to keep the company growing, and to make sure that we are always a preferred provider to our clients. We are becoming one of the oldest airlines ever in Slovakia. I'd like to see AirExplore in the air as long as possible.' From a single aircraft secured through an unlikely connection to Slovakia's aviation success story, AirExplore's journey embodies the power of entrepreneurial vision, adaptability, and technical excellence in the ever-evolving world of aviation.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
KBR Announces Intent to Build Human Spaceflight Innovation Facility at ACMI Properties' Exploration Park, Supporting Missions to Mars, the Moon, and In-Orbit
Global leader in human spaceflight and aerospace services to operate a 45,000-square-foot astronaut food innovation facility at Exploration Park on NASA's Johnson Space Center HOUSTON, May 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ACMI Properties ('ACMI'), a national industrial developer of mission-critical aerospace and national security facilities, today announced that KBR (NYSE: KBR), a global leader in human spaceflight and aerospace services, has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to operate a 45,000-square-foot facility at ACMI's Exploration Park development on NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. At Exploration Park, KBR will establish a state-of-the-art space food innovation facility that will be purpose-built by ACMI Properties to support the fast-growing low Earth orbit (LEO) economy, where demand for advanced human-centric systems, particularly tailored food, packaging, and nutrition, is rapidly increasing. 'This KBR-led capability will serve as a critical resource for NASA and its provider community by delivering safe, expertly developed food solutions tailored for human performance on spaceflight missions,' said Mark Kavanaugh, KBR President, Defense, Intel and Space. 'Our commitment to fulfilling and exceeding all human performance needs—including behavioral health and performance—will be at the forefront of this endeavor and will provide a level of integration across all pre-flight, in-flight, and post-flight mission phases that serves a multitude of mission models, durations, and complexities.' At this location, KBR will design, validate, and integrate astronaut food systems engineered for both government and commercial missions, with applications across LEO, lunar, and Mars environments. The facility will also develop solutions for extreme terrestrial environments where food security, lifecycle management, and performance optimization are mission critical. 'Exploration Park is designed for companies in the space ecosystem, such as KBR, to develop, produce, and deploy innovative new technologies that support space exploration and commerce,' said Simon Shewmaker, Head of Development at ACMI Properties. 'This project is moving expeditiously, and we're thrilled to sign such an innovative partner in KBR, reflecting our shared commitment to building the essential infrastructure of tomorrow for the next generation of space innovators and explorers.'As efforts to return to the Moon, reach Mars, and expand capabilities in orbit increase, the need for commercially driven innovation has never been greater. Exploration Park is tailored to be the nation's premier hub for commercial space innovation and a global center of excellence for human spaceflight. The 207-acre site at NASA's Johnson Space Center is planned to host up to 22 buildings and 1.5 million square feet of R&D facilities, labs, clean rooms, offices, and light manufacturing. The park will serve key sectors such as aerospace, advanced manufacturing, robotics, AI, and other technologies critical to human spaceflight, space commerce, and space exploration. In addition to KBR, ACMI Properties is actively negotiating with several other prospective tenants, with further announcements expected soon. 'Exploration Park represents the next chapter in Houston's legacy as the world's leader in human spaceflight,' said Brian Freedman, President of the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership. 'The decision by KBR to locate here reinforces the region's strength in space, science, and innovation. Congratulations to the ACMI team, NASA's Johnson Space Center, and all the partners on this project!' About ACMI PropertiesACMI Properties is a commercial real estate development firm focused on the industrial development of mission-critical facilities and innovation clusters to meet the growing onshoring needs of advanced manufacturing companies. ACMI Properties caters to the unique requirements of advanced manufacturing companies in the national security and aerospace industries, with a focus on specialized technologies such as propulsion systems, critical chemicals, hypersonics, space systems, energetics, and scaled manufacturing among others. ACMI Properties is the property development affiliate of the American Center for Manufacturing and Innovation (ACMI). For more information, visit About KBRKBR is a global leader in the development and delivery of spaceflight solutions, dedicated to advancing human space exploration with innovative and expert systems. With decades of experience, KBR is committed to excellence and collaboration, striving to meet the evolving needs of our partners and customers. For more information, visit Media Contact:Karen HamillCommunications Strategy Group (CSG)khamill@ in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
