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China Imposes 34% Tariff On Imports Of All U.S. Products Starting April 10

factory
Apr 04, 2025
Article Source LogoManufacturing Net
Manufacturing Net

BANGKOK (AP) — China announced Friday that it will impose a 34% tariff on imports of all U.S. products beginning April 10, part of a flurry of retaliatory measures following U.S. President Donald Trump's "Liberation Day" slate of double-digit tariffs.

The new tariff matches the rate of the U.S. "reciprocal" tariff of 34% on Chinese exports that Trump ordered this week.

The Commerce Ministry in Beijing also said in a notice that it will impose more export controls on rare earths, which are materials used in high-tech products such as computer chips and electric vehicle batteries.

Included in the list of minerals subject to controls was samarium and its compounds, which are used in aerospace manufacturing and the defense sector. Another element called gadolinium is used in MRI scans.

China's customs administration said it had suspended imports of chicken from some U.S. suppliers after detected furazolidone, a drug banned in China, in shipments from those companies.

Separately, it said had found high levels of mold in the sorghum and salmonella in poultry meat from some of the companies. The announcements affect one company exporting sorghum, C&D Inc., and four poultry companies.

Additionally, the Chinese government said it had added 27 firms to lists of companies subject to trade sanctions or export controls.

Among them, 16 are subject to a ban on the export of "dual-use" goods. High Point Aerotechnologies, a defense tech company, and Universal Logistics Holding, a publicly traded transportation and logistics company, were among those listed.

Beijing also announced it filed a lawsuit with the World Trade Organization over the tariffs issue.

"The United States' imposition of so-called 'reciprocal tariffs' seriously violates WTO rules, seriously damages the legitimate rights and interests of WTO members, and seriously undermines the rules-based multilateral trading system and international economic and trade order," the Commerce Ministry said.

"It is a typical unilateral bullying practice that endangers the stability of the global economic and trade order. China firmly opposes this," it said.

Other actions include the launch of an anti-monopoly investigation into DuPont China Group Co., a subsidiary of the multinational chemical giant, and an anti-dumping probe into X-ray tube and CT tubes for CT scanners imported from the U.S. and India.

In February, China announced a 15% tariff on imports of coal and liquefied natural gas products from the U.S. It separately added a 10% tariff on crude oil, agricultural machinery and large-engine cars.

Dozens of U.S. companies are subject to controls on trade and investment, while many more Chinese companies face similar limits on dealings with U.S. firms.

The latest tariffs apply to all products made in the U.S., according to a statement from the Ministry of Finance's State Council Tariff Commission.

While friction on the trade front has been heating up, overall relations are somewhat less fractious.

U.S. and Chinese military officials met this week for the first time Trump took office in January to shared concerns about military safety on the seas. The talks held Wednesday and Thursday in Shanghai were aimed at minimizing the risk of trouble, both sides said.

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Jaguar, Land Rover Maker Pauses Shipments To U.S. As It Develops Post-Tariff Plans
Manufacturing Net
Jaguar, Land Rover Maker Pauses Shipments To U.S. As It Develops Post-Tariff PlansLONDON (AP) — The maker of Jaguar and Land Rover cars is pausing shipments to the U.S. as Britain's struggling auto industry begins to respond to the 25% tax on vehicle imports imposed by President Donald Trump. Jaguar Land Rover Automotive, one of Britain's biggest carmakers, said Saturday that the pause would take place this month. "The USA is an important market for JLR's luxury brands," the company said in a statement. "As we work to address the new trading terms with out business partners, we are taking some short-term actions including a shipment pause in April, as we develop our mid- to longer-term plans." Analysts said they expect other British carmakers to follow suit as the increased tariffs heap more pressure on an industry that is already struggling with declining demand at home and the need to retool their plants for the transition to electric vehicles. "I expect similar stoppages from other producers as firms take stock of what is unfolding," said David Bailey, an automotive industry expert and professor of business economics at the University of Birmingham. The number of cars made in the U.K. dropped 13.9% to 779,584 vehicles last year, according to the SMMT. More than 77% of those vehicles were destined for the export market. U.K. factories export cars such as Nissan's Qashqai and Juke, BMW Mini, and Toyota Corolla, as well as Land Rover and Jaguar models. "The industry is already facing multiple headwinds and this announcement comes at the worst possible time," Mike Hawes, chief executive of the U.K.'s Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, said last week. "SMMT is in constant contact with government and will be looking for trade discussions to accelerate as we need to secure a way forward that supports jobs and economic growth on both sides of the Atlantic." U.K. carmakers have already taken steps to lessen the immediate impact of the tariffs by building stockpiles in the U.S. before the increase took effect. SMMT figures show that exports to the U.S. jumped 38.5% from a year earlier in December, 12.4% in January and 34.6% in February. "This was manufacturers like JLR trying to get ahead of the game in terms of getting inventory to the U.S. before the tariffs were implemented,'' Bailey said. British carmakers shipped 8.3 billion pounds ($10.7 billion) worth of vehicles to the U.S. in the 12 months through September, making cars the single biggest goods export to the U.S., according to government statistics. But cars make up a relatively small part of overall trade between Britain and the U.S., which is heavily weighted toward services. Britain exported 179.4 billion pounds ($231.2 billion) of goods and services to the U.S. in the year through September, with services making up 68.2% of that figure.
factory
07 April 2025
Country 'Nobody Has Heard Of' Hit With Highest U.S. Tariffs In The World
Manufacturing Net
Country 'Nobody Has Heard Of' Hit With Highest U.S. Tariffs In The WorldJOHANNESBURG (AP) — If you have ever bought a pair of jeans from an American brand like Levi's or Wrangler, chances are they were manufactured at a factory in the small southern African nation of Lesotho. Textile manufacturing is one of Lesotho's key industries, exporting some 75% of its output to the United States. This is expected to change after U.S. President Donald Trump slapped a 50% tariff on imports from Lesotho, the highest among all countries. According to Trump, Lesotho charges a 99% tariff on U.S. goods, but the government said it doesn't know how the U.S. administration calculated that figure. Government officials did not say Thursday what Lesotho's tariffs on U.S. goods are. Here is what the high tariffs mean for Lesotho. Trump made fun of Lesotho in a speech in March, calling it a nation that "nobody has ever heard of." Lesotho's foreign minister reminded him that the U.S. has a diplomatic mission there. Last year, the landlocked kingdom bordered on all sides by South Africa with a population of 2.3 million people, celebrated 200 years of the founding of the Basotho nation and 58 years of independence from British rule. Its picturesque scenery and mountainous views draw visitors from Africa and across the world, and during winter, Lesotho becomes one of the most sought-after skiing destinations. Lesotho does not pay tariffs on exports to Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Swaziland since it is a member of regional economic blocs such as the Southern African Customs Union. Main exports include clothing, diamonds, water, power, wool and mohair. The new tariffs announced by Trump mean that American consumers will pay more for goods made in Lesotho, making them less competitive in the U.S market. According to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, in 2024, U.S.-Lesotho bilateral trade stood at $240.1 million. Apart from clothing, Lesotho's exports also include diamonds and other goods. Classified as a lower-middle income country by the World Bank, nearly half of Lesotho's 2.3 million population live below the poverty line, while a quarter are unemployed. Lesotho's Trade Minister Mokhethi Shelile said his country will be on the prowl for new markets and use the Africa Continental Free Trade Area to increase exports to favorable destinations in Africa. The government would also urgently send a delegation to the U.S. to negotiate a workable arrangement. Shelile said he's concerned about the possible closure of textile factories, which employ about 12,000 people in Lesotho.
factory
07 April 2025
Rtx'S Raytheon Awards Dual-Source Contracts For Solid Rocket Motor Development
Manufacturing Net
Rtx'S Raytheon Awards Dual-Source Contracts For Solid Rocket Motor DevelopmentRaytheon, an RTX business, has awarded contracts to Nammo and Northrop Grumman for initial phase work on MK72 solid rocket motor development. "These contracts are an important step toward increasing capacity and source options to meet global demand for critical defense systems, such as Standard Missile," said Barbara Borgonovi, president of Naval Power at Raytheon. "In addition to dual sourcing, we're doubling down with support and oversight of our supply base and making strategic investments to address constraints and reduce risk so we can deliver more capabilities, faster." Under the contracts, the companies will verify design requirements and specifications and will complete a Systems Requirements Review to further refine and validate design concepts. The goal of this initial phase is to demonstrate that these suppliers can successfully execute the requirements and production ramp-up needed before moving forward with further development and qualification. By leveraging both suppliers' expertise and proven capabilities, Raytheon aims to expand the solid rocket motor supplier base and reliably fulfill customer needs.
factory
07 April 2025
Drum Motor For Conveyor Belts
Manufacturing Net
Drum Motor For Conveyor BeltsThe VDG Drum Motor from Van Der Graaf (Shelby Township, MI) is a one-component conveyor belt drive that has all drive components, including the new premium-efficiency electric motor, gear reducer, and bearings, enclosed inside the drive drum, increasing mechanical and electrical efficiency, optimizing space, and promoting operator safety. Designed for 80,000 hours of continuous operation before maintenance, VDG Drum Motors reduce maintenance and operational costs and increase productivity. VDG Drum Motors are available in a range of diameter sizes, belt speeds, horsepower, and with industry-specific options and features to suit various belt conveyor applications. www.vandergraaf.com, 888-326-1476
factory
07 April 2025
U.S. Consumers Rush To Buy Big-Ticket Items Before Trump'S Tariffs Kick In
Manufacturing Net
U.S. Consumers Rush To Buy Big-Ticket Items Before Trump'S Tariffs Kick InJohn Gutierrez had been thinking about buying a new laptop for the past year. The Austin, Texas, resident needed a computer with faster processing and increased storage for his photography work and had his sights set on a product from a Taiwanese brand. Then President Donald Trump announced expansive new import tariffs Wednesday, including a 32% tax on imports from Taiwan. That same day, Gutierrez ordered the laptop, with a base price of $2,400, from a retailer in New York specializing in photo and video gear. "I thought I'd bite the bullet, buy it now, and then that way I'll have the latest technology on my laptop and don't have to worry about the tariffs," he said. Gutierrez was among the U.S. consumers rushing to buy big-ticket items before the tariffs take effect. Economists say the tariffs are expected to increase prices for everyday items, warning of potentially weakened U.S. economic growth. The White House hopes the tariffs prod countries to open their economies to more American exports, leading to negotiations that could reduce tariffs, or that companies increase their production in the U.S. to avoid higher import taxes. Rob Blackwell and his wife needed a new car that could handle long drives from Arlington, Virginia, to their son's college. Their current electric vehicle is older with a limited range, and it will soon be used by his daughter, who is on the verge of getting her driver's license. "I have been telling my wife that for some time we were going to need to do it," he said, "and I was watching to see what the president did with tariffs." Blackwell wanted another EV, but said leasing made more economic sense because the technology is ever-changing. He had his eye on the new General Motors Optiq; it's an American car but made in Mexico, which could be subject to tariffs on supply chains that might increase the cost. After hearing that tariffs would be announced, they made plans the weekend before to lease the car. He said the dealership honored the agreement they worked out before the tariffs were finalized. And although he said the salespeople were a pleasure to deal with, Blackwell sensed a shift in their stance. "They know what we know, which is suddenly it flips from a buyer's market to a seller's market very quickly," Blackwell said, adding that he is happy with his choice. "It was just a simple rational decision," he said. "If this is what the government's going to do, I need to get my act together." Lee Wochner, CEO of the Burbank, California-based Counterintuity marketing and strategy firm, also needed a new vehicle. He wanted a more presentable car for business meetings, but kept putting it off because of his busy work schedule. On March 27, a Thursday, he told his firm's car broker: "Ed, I need a car pronto and it's got to happen by Sunday." The broker gave him some car and pricing options and he leased an Audi Q3, which was delivered Sunday to his house by a nearby dealership. A quick back-of-the-envelope calculation showed how much he saved by leasing before the tariffs were implemented. If he had waited, Wochner said, it would have cost about another $4,300. "One of the things my car broker said was that deals that were already written, some of the dealerships were ripping them up already and renegotiating them because they were afraid that they weren't going to be able to get enough new inventory at a price anybody would buy," he said. He believes prices will continue to increase because the U.S. has lost the trust of the international trade market. "If you need a new car, if you can get that pre-tariff deal still, you should go get it," he said, "because who knows what next Wednesday might be like."
factory
07 April 2025
Anduril Unveils Autonomous Underwater Torpedo
Manufacturing Net
Anduril Unveils Autonomous Underwater TorpedoAnduril recently launched Copperhead, a high-speed, software-defined family of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV) built for delivery by autonomous systems. Victory at sea will require large fleets of autonomous subsea, surface, and air vehicles capable of bringing advanced awareness and overwhelming adversaries with mass maritime effects. With the Dive-LD and Dive-XL, Copperhead enables a comprehensive, intelligent maritime capability that allows operators to quickly respond to threats in the undersea battlespace, at a fraction of the cost of legacy options. Despite the rapid advances in autonomous vehicles across air, surface, and subsea domains, torpedoes aren’t built at scale and production remains frozen in Cold War-era designs. Current systems are expensive, slow to produce, and tightly coupled to legacy platforms like nuclear submarines and warships. In addition, the U.S. and its allies need far more autonomous, quickly-deployable subsea systems that can integrate with the expanding fleet of autonomous subsea, surface, and air vehicles. Copperhead & Copperhead-M meet these needs. The Copperhead series includes two models—Copperhead-100 and Copperhead-500—offering different sizes, payload capacities, and ranges for commercial and defense missions. Copperhead-M is a munition variant that arms autonomous vehicles with affordable and mass-producible torpedo-like capabilities. Copperhead-M enhances naval operations by allowing commanders to use autonomous vehicles for high-risk missions, engaging maritime threats more precisely and effectively while protecting more valuable assets and personnel. For example, Anduril’s Dive-XL can carry dozens of Copperhead-100Ms or multiple Copperhead-500Ms, delivering underwater firepower on demand to disable or destroy maritime threats. This makes it possible for a fleet of Dive-XLs to control ocean areas with an unprecedented level of autonomous sea power. Designed for rapid-response commercial missions like search and rescue, critical infrastructure inspection, and environmental monitoring, Copperhead-100 and Copperhead-500 can reach speeds greater than 30 knots, and can be equipped with payloads such as active and passive sensors, magnetometers, side-scan sonar, or chemical detection. With the addition of Copperhead, Anduril is building a family of intelligent, autonomous maritime systems that work together to deliver unmatched situational awareness, precision engagement, and scalable maritime dominance. By integrating autonomous capabilities across subsea, surface, and air domains, Anduril is enabling operators to maintain full control of the battlespace, ensuring superiority in any maritime environment.
factory
07 April 2025
Q&A: Crc Chief On Growth Mentality And 'Getting Supply Right'
Manufacturing Net
Q&A: Crc Chief On Growth Mentality And 'Getting Supply Right'Industrial companies, no matter their age, are constantly pressured to respond to shifting variables within their markets and the overall economy. The goal, then, is how to react effectively while also maintaining a strong brand identity and the product quality you’ve been known for. For a case study in striking the right balance, we look to CRC Industries, Inc., a Pennsylvania-based supplier of specialty chemical products. Joining us today is Len Mazzanti – the company’s CEO, to tell us more about how CRC has been targeting new priorities in order to keep the business nimble while maintaining its legacy in the meantime. For more information, visit www.crcindustries.com.
factory
07 April 2025
The Trump Tariff Firestorm
Manufacturing Net
The Trump Tariff FirestormPresident Donald Trump's tariffs have created a firestorm of controversy that has confused most of the public as the media has poorly explained the economic alternatives. Before addressing this convoluted and complicated problem, the big question that must be answered is: Do you support production or consumption as an economic solution? Before choosing an alternative, it is helpful to evaluate what has been going on since 1994, when NAFTA and outsourcing began. The first question is: Was it fair for all 15 countries in Table 1 to manipulate their currencies to keep the dollar overvalued so our exports are more expensive and products from foreign countries are cheaper? They enjoy trade surpluses while the U.S. runs deficits. Trump is right about the unfairness of the existing tariff system, as shown in Table 2. Why should 25 countries have tariffs from 4.5% to 60% while the U.S. has average tariffs of 3.4%? Why did we think it would be good for America to allow all of our trading partners cheap access to all of our industries when they won't give us the same access to their industries? A good example is the auto industry. According to former U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, "The EU charges a 10% tariff on imported American cars, while the U.S. imposes a 2.5% tariff on imported European cars. Europe exports four times as many vehicles to the U.S., or 1.14 million cars annually.  These unfair tariffs justify some kind of action that would level the playing field, and the idea of reciprocation with matching tariffs to get them to reduce their tariffs is valid. Over the last 40 years, we have proven that more trade agreements and negotiations do not work, but one thing that gets everybody's attention is a monetary tool like tariffs. It is also clear that implementing tariffs will have winners and losers. The losers will be consumers living paycheck to paycheck and cannot afford price increases. Also, businesses that depend on imported parts or materials from Asia will have to absorb increased import prices unless they can get a tariff exclusion, as happened for thousands of companies during the first Trump tariffs in 2017. The big question is: What happens to the economy and manufacturing if we opt for the status quo to protect consumption and consumer prices?  Until the threat of tariffs, the U.S. pursued a race to the bottom strategy, where outsourcing jobs and industries were rewarded, manufacturing declined, multinational corporations received most of the gains, and American towns and communities were devastated. Accepting the consumption alternative means accepting deindustrialization as a permanent strategy, increasing trade deficits (which are currently $1.2 trillion per year), loss of critical industries, loss of technologies, loss of research and development, and our inability to compete in the future. The Coalition for a Prosperous America succinctly summarized the problem: "For too long, Washington sold out American workers in pursuit of a globalist fantasy—one where America consumed while others produced, and the middle class was left to fade." We must choose between two alternatives, and both have serious downsides. We can't afford to give into the idea of continued deindustrialization or give up on manufacturing, and the only way to enact change under these circumstances is tariffs. However, the way the Trump Administration has introduced tariffs is haphazard and has led to more uncertainty than rational policy. Instead of developing a comprehensive tariff plan, the Trump administration looks like they are making it up as they go along. Implementing blanket tariffs on a country—like Trump did with Canada—isn't going to work, because of the connection between our industries and suppliers. Blanket tariffs cause many problems that can only be worked out with negotiated exclusions. We need an industry-by-industry tariff approach that sets tariffs and quotas on selected industries and products we need to protect. This will help us protect against unfair trade of specific imports like Mexican steel, which deliberately exceeded the agreed upon United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USCMA) limit by 492%. Without some kind of tariff, America has no way to control countries that want to illegally dump products into the U.S. below cost like China and Mexico did with steel. Again, talking, trade agreements and negotiations haven't worked. Tariffs will reset global trade and will prioritize American manufacturing, protect key industries and working-class jobs, and provide security from countries that cheat, like China. Tariffs present complicated macroeconomic choices, but favoring production and forcing our trading partners to trade on a level playing field is a better long-term strategy than favoring consumption.  However, there will be winners and losers—prices will rise, and nobody knows how much. The predictions of price increases are not very accurate because consumers already face rising cost problems from child care, tuition, healthcare, mortgages, rent, gasoline, and insurance that will continue to increase regardless of tariffs on imported goods.  Accepting the status quo without tariffs might stabilize import prices, but it would do nothing to stop our competitor's unfair trading practices that have landed us in the economic problems we face today. Michael Collins is the author of "Dismantling the American Dream: How Multinational Corporations Undermine American Prosperity." He can be reached at [email protected] or on mpcmgt.net.
factory
07 April 2025
Multi-Orbit Inflight Connectivity Gains Momentum
Aviation Week Network-Factory
Multi-Orbit Inflight Connectivity Gains MomentumMulti-orbit inflight connectivity is taking off as providers and their customers move to take advantage of the complementary capabilities of geostationary and low Earth orbit (LEO) communications satellites. Panasonic Avionics has demonstrated switching between LEO and geostationary orbit (GEO) satellite networks in flight testing, while Delta Air Lines has selected Hughes Network Systems’ Fusion multi-orbit inflight connectivity service for new-delivery Airbus A321neos and A350-1000s. Panasonic says switching tests conducted on the Arctic region underlined the strength of LEO coverage over the Poles and validated performance of the network and terminal under extreme environmental conditions. Equatorial testing demonstrated the LEO service can operate without interfering with GEO satellites, the company says. The company’s multi-orbit connectivity solution uses Eutelsat Oneweb’s LEO constellation and a layered GEO network provided by satellite operators under contract to Panasonic that can place additional communications capability where needed by airlines, particularly over busy airport hubs. Stellar Blu Solutions provides the electronically steerable antenna that enables the multi-orbit LEO/GEO capability. The flight tests on a Cessna Citation business jet demonstrated the consistent low latency of LEO connectivity, Panasonic says, adding forward links speeds were up to 193 Mbps and return link speeds 36 Mbps. Hughes Network Systems completed flight tests of its internally developed electronically steerable antenna in October 2024 on a Bombardier Challenger 300 business jet. The system provides multi-orbit connectivity via OneWeb’s LEO constellation and Hughes’ own GEO network of Jupiter Ka-band satellites. Hughes says its system provides 195 Mbps to and 32 Mbps from the aircraft. In November 2023, Delta selected Hughes’ Fusion multi-orbit inflight connectivity solution to retrofit more than 400 Bombardier CRJ and Embraer ERJ regional jets and Boeing 717s serving North American routes, with introduction to begin onboard the 717s in the second half of this year. The latest order will extend the service to international flights. [email protected]
factory
07 April 2025
Making Airliner Cabins More Accessible Could Open Huge Market
Aviation Week Network-Factory
Making Airliner Cabins More Accessible Could Open Huge MarketAs more governments and authorities around the world work to ensure people with disabilities have equal access to commercial flying, it is likely that some companies will use the 2025 Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) to showcase some cabin concepts that would allow personal wheelchairs to go onboard. In 2016, the All Wheels Up (AWU) non-profit organization funded a series of tests to prove that wheelchairs and wheelchair protection systems could meet current FAA airplane seat standards. Since then, AWU has become part of the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) Advisory Committee, a group tasked with assessing disability-related access barriers and advising the US Transportation Secretary on its findings. The committee counts multiple advocacy groups within its membership that address air travel needs of the deaf, blind and other disabled communities. Under the Trump administration, US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has signaled support for improving access to all types of transportation readily available to people without disabilities. FAA expects to determine the feasibility of allowing wheelchairs onboard aircraft by the end of 2025, and its study will aim to streamline the approach that installers can take. Meanwhile, design work is moving ahead. One convertible seat concept is being funded by Delta Air Lines. Its subsidiary, Delta Flight Products (DFP), and partner AirforAll—a UK-based consortium formed by PriestmanGoode, Flying Disabled, SWS Certification, and Sunrise Medical—have displayed updated prototypes, including an economy-seat design and an upgraded version of a premium seat. Other onboard wheelchair concepts include Molon Labe’s Freedom Seat, a bank of two that collapses into one as the aisle seat slides over, making space for a wheelchair to lock in place. Another solution from Collins Aerospace involves an integrated restraint system and seat belt attachments, securing both wheelchair and passenger. Next steps will involve establishing standards and continuing tests of onboard accessibility concepts to bring more options to market for airlines and aircraft manufacturers. Airbus, Boeing and Embraer are said to be extremely receptive to improving accessible air travel. More than 1.3 billion people around the world—or roughly 16% of the global population—live with a disability according to World Health Organization statistics, a figure set to grow as populations age, but many choose to avoid flying because of fears of having their wheelchair lost or damaged or being confronted with other challenges along the journey. That represents a potentially massive new market for airlines and airports. [email protected]
factory
07 April 2025
Inflight Connectivity Trends To Differentiate Onboard Products At Aix
Aviation Week Network-Factory
Inflight Connectivity Trends To Differentiate Onboard Products At AixAirlines had been moving away from providing personal inflight entertainment screens as more people relied on down-streaming content to their personal devices and onboard Wi-Fi proved expensive and unreliable. But technological advances and new aircraft types are changing the dynamics of customer expectations and product deliverables. Such is the case with narrowbodies, especially new longer-range models like the Airbus A321LR and XLR. Many passengers on these longer flights seek entertainment and connectivity options similar to what they would expect to find on widebodies. Airlines are therefore increasingly prepared to spend on in-flight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC) systems, Panasonic VP product Andrew Masson said. In general, Masson said, airlines are starting to work more closely with specialist design houses to create “more integrated, more beautiful design” in cabins in a bid to differentiate their product. And there are plans to bring more digital engagement into the cabin, with seatback screens being touted as a way to bring in ancillary revenue. Getting those services into seatback screens depends on connectivity and the trend today is towards systems that can take signals from multiple satellite constellations, notably low Earth orbit (LEO) and geostationary (GEO). Intelsat is pursuing this twin-track approach, with an electronically steered antenna that can simultaneously connect to both LEO and GEO satellites. “Around half the traffic on our network today is streaming video. That’s not a latency-sensitive application, so it lends itself to GEO; the other half lends itself to LEO,” Intelsat SVP commercial aviation Dave Bijur said. Such developments are likely to be seen on the floor of this year’s Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) in Hamburg as carriers redesign their cabins to differentiate their product. Thales will be following up last year's introduction of the technology behind FlytEDGE, its cloud-based IFE system, with the chance for airline executives to experience it in the company's AIX booth. This year's show will be less hardware-intensive and more focused on providing a hands-on experience, Thales InFlyte Experience CTO Tudy Bedou said, adding that being cloud-based allows for simpler deployment and upgrading of the system. Inside the cabin, seating remains the most fundamental item, and London design studio Tangerine plans to unveil its Project Slouch at AIX. [email protected]
factory
07 April 2025
Seville Welcomes Aviation Leaders To Shape Regional Air Connectivity
Aviation Week Network-Factory
Seville Welcomes Aviation Leaders To Shape Regional Air ConnectivityThe 18th edition of Routes Europe welcomes vice presidents and heads of network planning from over 120 of the region’s leading airlines to the capital of Andalusia. Across three days, carriers will participate in more than 4,000 meetings with key stakeholders across the route development community to drive air network growth. Those in attendance include senior representatives from British Airways, easyJet, Eurowings, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Lufthansa, SAS Scandinavian Airlines, TAP Air Portugal, Transavia Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Volotea, Vueling, Wizz Air and Jet2.com. View the attendee list. Routes Europe 2025 will also welcome more than 20 association and airline leaders, government ministers and expert suppliers to participate in the event’s Conference Programme. The line-up includes: This year’s event is hosted by the Government of Spain, The Regional Ministry for Tourism, Culture and Sport of the Government of Andalucia, and Seville City Hall. Recognised as a hub for tourism innovation, Seville has become one of most visited destinations in Spain and its efforts have allowed visitors to remain practically unhindered by seasonality. Sevilla Airport plays a crucial role in supporting the city's thriving air connectivity, serving over 80 destinations in collaboration with 29 airline partners. Steven Small, Director of Routes, said: “Since Seville was announced as the host city for Routes Europe 2025, the community response has been exceptional. By welcoming senior decision-makers from over 120 of the region’s leading and fastest-growing airlines, the destination will be able to cement its favourable reputation to enhance air connectivity and ultimately grow its route network.” Small added: “Independent analysis has shown that previous host destination airport networks have grown around 6.9% more than their comparators after three years.” Arturo Bernal, Regional Minister for Tourism and Foreign Affairs of the Government of Andalucia said: “We are deeply proud to be the host of Routes Europe 2025 in the city of Seville, Spain. With over 120 airlines, 230 airports, and a multitude of destinations, this event offers us the opportunity to highlight Seville and Andalusia on the global air connectivity map, leveraging the network of its six airports. We have prepared a social programme that will leave delegates impressed. Seville Airport closed 2024 with the best year in its history, with record figures for both passenger numbers and operations. Regarding passengers, 9,175,072 were recorded, a 13.7% increase compared to 2023.” Bernal added: “Andalusia is now synonymous with growth and profitability for the commercial aviation sector, with six competitive airports spread across its territory. These dynamic infrastructures are open to the world and are ready to reach a record 21 million air seats offered in 2025, an unprecedented milestone for the region. This year, more than 530 routes will be operated by airlines to Andalusia. These flights will connect us to a total of 172 airports in 37 countries, further establishing us as an unstoppable international destination.” José Luis Sanz, Mayor of Seville, said: “For Seville, hosting Routes Europe 2025 is a great opportunity to show the world all that our city has to offer in terms of air connectivity. We are ready to continue growing as a key hub in Europe, because we have everything it takes to achieve this: Seville is an ideal strategic point for airlines looking for new routes and is a gateway to Andalusia, Extremadura and southern Portugal, combining tourism, business, congresses and sustainability like few other cities do.”
factory
07 April 2025