New Zealand boosts defence spend to US$6.6 billion and vows increased closeness with Australia
This budget will be spent over the next four years and nearly doubles the country’s defence spending as part of GDP to 2%.
ExpressJet Holdings, parent company of regional and charter airline operator ExpressJet Airlines, has reported traffic and capacity results for December 2009 and announced its expected fleet allocation for 2010.
In scheduled flying during December, ExpressJet revenue passenger miles (RPMs) totalled 692 million and available seat miles (ASMs) flown were 873 million. ExpressJet's December load factor, operating as Continental Express, was 79.3%. The company flew 57,465 block hours and operated 29,975 departures during the month as Continental Express. During the month, ExpressJet transitioned four aircraft from its Continental Express flying to begin preparing for the multi-year agreement that begins with United Airlines in May 2010.
As previously announced, ExpressJet will operate 22 ERJ 145s under the United Express brand beginning in May 2010. Prior to 1 May 2010, ExpressJet will operate up to 22 aircraft under a short-term arrangement for United to assist with the transition of flying from their previous partner. The arrangement began with three aircraft on 1 December 2009, and is scheduled to increase to 22 aircraft by March 2010. With the addition of this flying, ExpressJet expects its 2010 fleet to equal 244 aircraft allocated, with 206 aircraft flying as Continental Express; 22 aircraft flying as United Express – increasing to 32 aircraft from May to October 2010 – and 16 aircraft operating within the charter division, decreasing to six aircraft from May to October 2010.
The eight aircraft being transitioned from Continental Express are being subleased by ExpressJet.
This budget will be spent over the next four years and nearly doubles the country’s defence spending as part of GDP to 2%.
Rachel Reeves announced port upgrades, protected budgets for innovation and investment in novel technologies.
The Australian Budget was marked by tax cuts and a looming general election which led to little hope that there would be a substantial defence boost even with a big bill for nuclear submarines due.
The communications company Gilat launched its new Gilat Defense division at the Satellite 2025 expo, with future solutions aimed at US military customers.
US services have already conducted multiple tests with military maritime systems fitted with the system.
Europe’s Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) “has to establish itself…as a centre of excellence for cooperative Defence Equipment Programmes” in the face of growing threats and the need for rearmament, according to the organisation’s chairman.