Must read
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AnalysisAirlines wait for more visibility as Omicron clouds recovery track
The emergence of a new Covid variant of concern and of its spread beyond southern Africa where it was first identified is the news airlines have feared since vaccination programmes began emboldening governments to reopen their borders for travel.
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News
UAE signs record export deal for 80 Rafale fighters
Dassault has scored a record export order for the Rafale, with the United Arab Emirates signing for 80 examples of the multi-role fighter.
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News
China approves changes to Boeing 737 Max and clears way for jet’s return
China’s civil aviation regulator has issued an airworthiness directive that clears the way for Boeing’s 737 Max aircraft to return to flight operations in that country after almost three years.
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News
Pilots’ lack of flying explored after serious 737 go-around incident at Aberdeen
UK investigators are examining whether lack of line flying, as a consequence of the pandemic, is directly linked to a serious go-around incident involving a TUI Airways Boeing 737-800 at Aberdeen. Neither pilot had flown for significant periods during the 18 months prior to the 11 September incident, and the ...
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In depth
Airline Business Index shows industry nearing three-quarters of pre-Covid size
The latest Airline Business Index shows the global airline industry is nearing three-quarters of its pre-Covid size, driven by rapidly returning passengers and revenue in the third quarter. The overall score of 72 (2019 = 100) represents an increase of six from the score on 30 June 2021, 12 ...
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News
Hi Fly details pioneering A340 flight to Antarctic runway
Wet-lease operator Hi Fly has detailed its landing of an Airbus A340-300 on an Antarctic ice runway, the first time the four-engined type has carried out such an operation. The Maltese-registered aircraft (9H-SOL) conducted the flight from Cape Town to the runway at Wolf’s Fang – a distance of some ...
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News
A350F timeline in ‘right place’ for single-pilot operations: Faury
Airbus is not specifically linking its new A350F to single-pilot operations, but it acknowledges that the entry-into-service schedule coincides with the timeline for testing initial concepts – and that it could serve as a platform. US lessor Air Lease has become the launch customer for the freighter, a five-frame shrink ...
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Interview
How Guillaume Faury is readying Airbus for better times
Although the indusry has yet to fully emerge from the Covid-19 downturn, Airbus chief executive Guillaume Faury explains why he thinks higher production rates are justified, and how the A350 freighter will capture demand. Meanwhile, he outlines why the company’s helicopter and defence businesses are still vital parts of the group, while planning for a low-carbon future.
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News
US Army teams autonomous Black Hawk with drones in air assault experiments
The service is exploring how automated flight technologies, developed by DARPA, might allow its utility helicopters to fly faster, further and lower to the ground – or even without any human pilots in the cockpit at all.
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News
A350s operate transatlantic formation flight to test potential for cutting fuel-burn
Airbus has carried out a transatlantic test flight with an A350-900 and A350-1000 in a bid to demonstrate the potential fuel savings achievable when aircraft operate in formation. Performed on 9 November the Toulouse-Montreal flights involved the A350-900 operating as the lead, and the -1000 following, with a separation of ...
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Analysis
Aerospace industry’s rebound may be hindered by state of suppliers
Although the big players in aerospace are looking to increase production rates and bounce back from 2020’s horrific downturn, global shortages of labour and materials have the potential to throw that recovery off course.
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Analysis
What might COP26 mean for the airline industry?
On the eve of the UN climate change conference COP26, the airline industry is braced to discover what the eventual outcomes will mean for its growth path.
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Analysis
Cathay recovery still uncertain, amid prolonged border closures, fresh competition
More than a year after a massive restructuring, Hong Kong’s embattled Cathay Pacific looks to enter 2022 with its recovery in jeopardy, as the city’s international borders remain tightly shut, and new competition takes shape in its home turf.
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News
Aerospace firms see near-term pain, long-term gain from vaccine mandate
Several aerospace manufacturers are anticipating dismissal of employees who refuse to be vaccinated against the coronavirus, worsening the industry’s labour shortage in the short term.
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News
General Atomics developing lasers, missile interceptors to protect its UAVs
General Atomics, known for unmanned air vehicles that for decades conducted armed reconnaissance over Iraq and Afghanistan, is attempting to retool its aircraft with a futuristic arsenal of weapons, including lasers and missile interceptors.
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Opinion
Who foots the bill for aviation's environmental transformation?
Commercial aviation is promising to re-invent itself as a less-polluting industry, with 2050 as a goal to reach net-zero carbon. But no-one has worked out who picks up the tab.
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News
As Asia travel recovery commences, China keeps the walls up
As Asia-Pacific tentatively starts opening to international air travel, Beijing’s tough ‘Zero-Covid’ approach means an air travel recovery will be anything but complete for airlines.
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News
Cabin virus transmission risk ‘extremely low’: ICAO conference paper
Risk of coronavirus transmission on board aircraft is lower than that for most other indoor environments, according to a paper presented to a high-level ICAO conference on aviation recovery from the pandemic. The ICAO conference – running from 12-22 October – is aiming to reach a global consensus on a ...
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News
Honda Aircraft unveils 10-passenger HondaJet 2600 concept
Honda Aircraft has unveiled a new business jet concept intended to sit at the upper end of the light-jet segment but have sufficient range and size to enable it to compete in the mid-size market.
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News
Boeing nears 60 freighter orders with 777F deals in September
Boeing has taken freighter orders this year to 59 with an agreement for six more 777Fs in September, and disclosed a repeat order for 737 Max jets from investment firm 777 Partners. The six additional freighters include one for FedEx and five for unidentified customers. They bring the total number ...
