How UAE defence giant EDGE Group plans to double its exports
The UAE defence conglomerate has put an aggressive strategy in place to increase its share of exports while navigating the growing gap between East and West.
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.
The UAE defence conglomerate has put an aggressive strategy in place to increase its share of exports while navigating the growing gap between East and West.
The US Congress has raised concerns about how inflation rates and cuts in main acquisition programmes could affect the US military.
Washington’s ageing inventory and the pace Moscow and Beijing have been modernising their capabilities put in check the US Nuclear deterrence.
The Pentagon has been operating under temporary funding since October 2023, which has impacted its main acquisition and development programmes, increasing the capability gap between the US and China.
In 2023, defence spending increased by an unprecedented 11% across European NATO countries and Canada. Since 2014, the group has spent an additional US$600 billion on defence.
The DoD requested nearly US$850 billion to fund operations over the next fiscal year. Despite the amount being 1% higher than the FY2024 budget request, it has not covered the 3% inflation rate, which could impact the DoD’s main programmes in the medium and long term.