Saab boss Johansson upbeat on Aeronautics unit opportunities
Saab’s Aeronautics business unit enjoyed a strong first-quarter performance, with highlights including a Gripen C sale to Hungary and the transfer of a first Saab 340-based airborne early warning aircraft to Poland.
Volaris remains ‘sceptical’ of Pratt & Whitney progress on GTF engines, says CEO
Mexican ultra-low-cost carrier Volaris is facing an uphill battle in 2024 as it deals with a capacity shortfall caused by a substantial part of its Pratt & Whitney-powered narrowbody fleet being out of service for much of the year.
Volaris squeezes out $33m first-quarter profit despite capacity cut due to GTF groundings
Mexican ultra-low-cost carrier Volaris has disclosed a first-quarter profit of $33 million – its first since 2019 – as the company kept a sharp eye on costs and despite the hit to capacity caused by the enforced grounding of Pratt & Whitney geared turbofan (GTF)-powered aircraft.
Involuntary captain’s seat shift preceded LATAM 787 in-flight upset
Chilean investigators have determined that an involuntary forward shift of the captain’s seat preceded the in-flight upset involving a LATAM Airlines Boeing 787-9 last month.
Argentina seeks Basler BT-67s for Antarctic resupply duties
Argentina could be set to acquire Basler BT-67 transport aircraft via a potential $143 million Foreign Military Sales deal with the US government.
USAF awards Sierra Nevada contract for replacement ‘Doomsday’ aircraft
Officially known as the Survivable Airborne Operations Center, the new aircraft will replace the Boeing E-4B Nightwatch jet capable of commanding the USA’s nuclear arsenal.
US Army still sees need for long-range airborne troop carrier in future conflict
Although battlefield observations from the Ukraine War led the army to cancel its next-generation armed scout helicopter, the service’s senior aviation leaders say they still see a need for Bell’s V-280 Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft in future conflicts.
Sikorsky VH-92As still not carrying the US president, 21 years after replacement effort began
Last June during a business event in Connecticut, Sikorsky president Paul Lemmo said the company’s VH-92A Patriot helicopter would take over presidential transport missions flown by VH-3D and VH-60N helicopters “completely” by this spring. That still has not happened.
Griffon and Textron advance to flight stage in competition to replace RQ-7B Shadow
The US Army’s Future Tactical Uncrewed Aerial System programme aims to deliver a vertical take-off and landing-capable aircraft that will replace the Textron RQ-7B Shadow and improve the ability of ground troops to collect and report intelligence.
Bombardier CEO says ‘better opportunities’ behind decision to skip upcoming EBACE show
Bombardier’s decision not to exhibit at the EBACE business jet convention in Geneva next month reflects a belief that its marketing dollars can be put to better use elsewhere.
Race to market leads top US air taxi developers to Middle East
Leading US air taxi companies pursuing certification of new and novel aircraft appear increasingly likely to launch passenger service not at home but in a Middle East region eager to embrace advanced air mobility.
Saab delivers fourth GlobalEye surveillance aircraft to the UAE
The United Arab Emirates’ fourth GlobalEye surveillance aircraft departed Saab’s Linkoping modification site on 18 April.
Emirates vows to improve after Clark admits storm response ‘far from perfect’
Middle Eastern carrier Emirates has restored its flight schedules, after four days of disruption caused by thunderstorms and torrential rain in Dubai.
Israir Group restores fleet capacity to pre-conflict levels
Six months after the Israeli-Gaza conflict began, leisure carrier Israir Group has restored its fleet to pre-war levels.
Thunderstorms and torrential rain badly disrupt Dubai flight operations
Several flights bound for Dubai’s main airport have been diverted after thunderstorms brought torrential rain to the United Arab Emirates on 16 April.
IAG and Air Europa formally notified of EU competition concerns over proposed tie-up
British Airways and Iberia parent IAG has been told that its proposed acquisition of Air Europa could restrict competition, particularly on routes to and from Spanish cities.
Higher A350 manufacturing rate fits with original design of production system: Faury
Airbus is confident that a planned A350 production rate hike to 12 aircraft monthly can be accommodated both by the supply chain and the airframer’s own industrial system.
Saab boss Johansson upbeat on Aeronautics unit opportunities
Saab’s Aeronautics business unit enjoyed a strong first-quarter performance, with highlights including a Gripen C sale to Hungary and the transfer of a first Saab 340-based airborne early warning aircraft to Poland.
Play partly blames ‘inaccurate’ coverage of volcanic activity for first-quarter loss
Icelandic budget carrier Play is attributing first-quarter losses partly to news coverage of recent volcanic activity, which the airline claims was “inaccurate”.
Belgian air navigation service shows off test centre for Charleroi and Liege digital tower
Belgian air navigation service Skeyes has shown off a prototype digital control tower which will serve as a test centre for an operational facility at Namur.
Air China signs for 100 C919s
Air China has entered into an agreement with Comac for the purchase of 100 C919 aircraft, becoming the latest high-profile customer for the narrowbody programme.
Comac jets ‘worth looking at’ for AirAsia future fleet growth: Fernandes
AirAsia Group advisor Tony Fernandes is not ruling out Comac aircraft from future fleet planning, becoming the latest in a growing number of airline leaders to comment on the Chinese airframer.
Saab boss Johansson upbeat on Aeronautics unit opportunities
Saab’s Aeronautics business unit enjoyed a strong first-quarter performance, with highlights including a Gripen C sale to Hungary and the transfer of a first Saab 340-based airborne early warning aircraft to Poland.
International travel demand drives ANA revenues and operating profits
Strong travel demand and cost controls helped ANA Holdings, the parent of All Nippon Airways, power to a record operating profit its latest financial year.
Revelations provide more questions than answers about Chinese bombers
The Xian H-6 and H-20 bombers have made headlines of late, but China’s efforts to build its long-range strike capabilities remain shrouded in mystery.
SAA rebuilds intercontinental network with Perth resumption
South African Airways is to resume its service to the Australian city of Perth by the end of April, continuing a restoration of the flag-carrier’s long-haul services.
Nigerian investigators prepare to analyse recorder data after MD-82 excursion
Nigerian investigators have retrieved the flight-data and cockpit-voice recorders from the Dana Air Boeing MD-82 which suffered a runway excursion on arrival at Lagos on 23 April.
Dana MD-82 skids off Lagos runway during storm rain
Nigerian investigators have initiated a safety probe after a Dana Air Boeing MD-82 suffered a runway excursion while landing at Lagos.
Royal Air Maroc and Safran increasing capacity of Moroccan engine MRO centre
Moroccan flag-carrier Royal Air Maroc has reinforced an engine maintenance partnership with French aerospace firm Safran, extending the capabilities of its Casablanca facility.
Norse Atlantic further diversifies by unveiling South African route
Long-haul budget carrier Norse Atlantic Airways is opening services to the South African city of Cape Town from London Gatwick later this year.