Value and versatility: Embraer pitches KC-390 to the USA
Brazilian airframer hopes to pick off business from aerospace giants like Airbus, Lockheed and Boeing with its multi-role KC-390 Millennium jet.
US FAA restores ‘Category 1’ safety status to Mexico
The US Federal Aviation Administration has returned Mexico’s aviation safety rating to “Category 1”, the highest level, allowing airlines once again to increase connectivity between the USA and its southern neighbour.
US ready to return Mexico to ‘Category 1’ safety status: report
The Federal Aviation Administration is reportedly poised to upgrade Mexico to “Category 1” safety status once again, clearing the way for airlines of both countries to add transborder capacity to their schedules.
Airline Business Covid-19 recovery tracker: September 2023 update
Our regular examination of the latest global data for several key airline market indicators, including traffic and capacity in passenger and cargo markets, in-service and stored fleets, jet fuel costs, and share price trends for the world’s largest groups.
Brazil to sign A330 MRTT conversion deal with Airbus before year-end
The Brazilian air force expects to conclude a contract agreement with Airbus Defence & Space before year-end covering the conversion of two ex-Azul A330-200s to its multi-role tanker transport (MRTT) configuration.
IAero Group files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection
IAero Group, formerly Swift Air, has voluntarily filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in Florida.
Government shutdown could derail air traffic controller training: Buttigieg
US Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg has told lawmakers that a looming government shutdown could derail training for thousands of desperately needed air traffic controllers.
FAA exempts Max 7 from lightning rules but requires wider Max fleet updates by 2027
The FAA on 19 September approved an exemption relating to lightning and radiation rules, allowing Boeing to proceed with the Max 7’s certification without first addressing non-compliance of the type’s “stall management yaw damper” (SMYD) system.
WestJet brings new Las Vegas flights and expands codeshare with Air France
Canada’s WestJet has added flights from two western cities to Las Vegas to cater to sun-hungry Canadian holiday-makers.
UPS names Bill Moore as next president of UPS Airlines
UPS has named Bill Moore as the next president of UPS Airlines, effective next month.
European buyer orders Elbit SkyStriker loitering munitions
Elbit Systems is to supply an undisclosed European customer with “several hundred” examples of its SkyStriker loitering munition, under a contract valued at $95 million.
Saudia set to be first carrier operating at new Red Sea resort airport
Saudia is set to become the first operator at the new Red Sea international airport when it opens later this year.
IAI unveils Rotem Alpha loitering munition for anti-tank strikes
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has used the DSEI show in London to launch its Rotem Alpha loitering munition, with the model optimised for use during anti-tank missions.
Airbus Helicopters cites H175M’s strong market potential on back of customer demos
Airbus Helicopters has begun conducting demonstration flights for potential customers of the H175M, including Saudi Arabia, as it eyes a market for the super-medium-twin beyond the UK.
Airline Business Covid-19 recovery tracker: September 2023 update
Our regular examination of the latest global data for several key airline market indicators, including traffic and capacity in passenger and cargo markets, in-service and stored fleets, jet fuel costs, and share price trends for the world’s largest groups.
How humility and trust helped Topi Manner lead Finnair out of a double-crisis
When Finnair chief executive Topi Manner makes his recently announced departure from the Oneworld carrier by March 2024, he will step away from the airline industry with a whole new appreciation of crisis management and business transformation.
Estonian state not a ‘capable’ airline owner and should sell carrier Nordica: audit office
Estonia’s government is not sufficiently capable of acting as the owner of complex aviation businesses, the country’s national auditor has concluded after a review of regional operator Nordica’s business.
Icelandair enters cadet training partnership with Oslo-based flight academy
Icelandair has tied up with a Norwegian flight school, the Oslo-based Pilot Flight Academy, in a training partnership programme for cadet pilots.
Saboteurs damage An-148s and other aircraft at Moscow Chkalovsky base: Ukrainian government
Ukraine’s defence intelligence directorate claims saboteurs have badly damaged a military Antonov An-148 and Ilyushin Il-20 parked at the Moscow Chkalovsky air base.
UK council to seek investor and operator to rescue Doncaster Sheffield airport
Regional UK government officials are to initiate a formal process to secure an investor and operator for Doncaster Sheffield airport, believing that there is a case for re-opening the facility which closed last year.
AirAsia Cambodia to launch in November, with MRO unit to follow
AirAsia’s Cambodia unit will begin operations in November, as sister company Asia Digital Engineering (ADE) looks to set up an MRO joint venture in the country.
ATSB probes Malaysia A330, Bamboo 787 runway excursions in Melbourne
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has opened investigations into separate runway excursion on take-off incidents that occured over a two-week period in September.
Qantas mulls clawing back ex-CEO Joyce’s payout amid string of controversies
Qantas is considering withholding a portion of former chief Alan Joyce’s remuneration, as the airline’s chair acknowledges the “acute loss of trust” stemming a string of recent controversies.
How partners will stay in formation as GCAP workshare discussions advance
Nine months into their Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) venture, defence ministry and industry leaders from partners Italy, Japan and the UK say they remain in close formation as formal requirements and workshare arrangements continue to take shape.
Digital tools offer promise for flight operations – but obstacles remain
The digital transformation of flight operations offers great potential for efficiency, but it is key to get regulators involved in the process, and redundancy could be a challenge, particularly for younger pilots.
How Mesfin Tasew is delivering the next phase of growth at Ethiopian Airlines
Drawing on almost four decades of experience with the business, Ethiopian Airlines chief executive Mesfin Tasew is guiding Africa’s stand-out performer into its next growth phase
Nigeria’s Air Peace orders five Embraer 175s
Nigeria’s Air Peace has ordered five Embraer 175 E-jets, the Brazilian airframer said on 14 September.
Airline Business Covid-19 recovery tracker: September 2023 update
Our regular examination of the latest global data for several key airline market indicators, including traffic and capacity in passenger and cargo markets, in-service and stored fleets, jet fuel costs, and share price trends for the world’s largest groups.
Second United Nigeria ERJ-145 skids off Lagos runway in three months
Nigerian investigators have opened an inquiry after a United Nigeria Airlines Embraer ERJ-145 suffered a runway excursion at Lagos, the second such occurrence involving the carrier in about three months.
Madagascar Airlines becomes initial lease customer for A340 start-up USC
German long-haul start-up operator USC has conducted an initial wet-lease assignment for Madagascar Airlines, having recently secured approval for flights.