Honda Motor Co expects to ramp up production of business jets as part of its plan to expand in the growing industry, the head of the Japanese automaker's aircraft operations said in the United States.
The firm hoped to produce 80 business jets annually by March 2019, from up to 36 currently, Honda Aircraft Company CEO Michimasa Fujino told reporters at its plant in Greensboro, North Carolina.
"By the end of the 2018 financial year (in March 2019), we'd like to be near full production of around 80 units," he said.
The company began deliveries of its $4.5 million jets in December and says it has received around 100 orders so far, mainly from customers in North America and Europe.
Honda is Japan's first automaker to develop and market aircraft globally. Its luxury jets seat up to seven people and have engines mounted above the wings, enabling roomier cabins, reduced noise and higher fuel efficiency.
The jet competes with similar-sized aircraft produced by Cessna, Bombardier Inc and Embraer SA.
Honda Aero Inc, which jointly developed the jet's HF 120 engine with General Electric Co, currently procures all of its parts from outside suppliers, but company President Atsukuni Waragai said it would begin producing a number of parts in-house from next March.
5 ETIHAD AIRWAYS WILL SHORTLY COMMENCE A PILOT RECRUITMENT DRIVE ACROSS EUROPE
It is the first major pilot recruitment initiative in two years with the airline looking for pilots to join both its Airbus and Boeing fleets. The search will be focused on posts for First Officers. The airline operates a range of aircraft including Boeing 777s, B787s, Airbus 330s and A380s, with further deliveries of the latter two types occurring in 2017.
Richard Hill, Chief Operations Officer for Etihad Airways, said: “2017 will see further additions to our fleet as we continue our growth. We are seeking to recruit highly motivated, skilled and qualified pilots to come and join our team.”
“It is exciting to be joining an airline that is growing rapidly and whilst we will recruit experienced pilots, we also put great focus on continued training and excellence in operational standards. This significant growth also creates opportunities for our existing pilots.”
The airline has a current fleet of 123 aircraft, and between 2016 and 2025, the fleet is expected to rise to a total of 179 aircraft, presenting further opportunities for potential new joiners. Ten aircraft have joined the fleet during 2016 and Etihad Airways’ fleet remains one of the youngest in the world.
Recruiters for Etihad Airways will be in the following countries, starting in Romania on 13 November. They will move onto Bulgaria, Hungary, Lithuania, Greece, Poland, Belgium and Portugal after the opening event.
