Military certification approval clears Gripen E for operational debut
Saab has secured a Military Restricted Type Certificate for its Gripen E from the Swedish and Brazilian authorities, clearing the way for the type to enter operational use.
Viva A320neo low-fuel emergency inquiry details rapidly-changing weather situation
Preliminary analysis by Colombian investigators has detailed how rapidly-changing weather conditions at diversion airports preceded the low-fuel emergency involving a Viva Air Airbus A320neo.
Which types departed our World Air Forces fleet listing?
We highlight some of the most notable national fleet retirements recorded in the 12 months since we published our last World Air Forces directory at the end of 2021.
How year of conflict affected World Air Forces inventory
Our annual World Air Forces directory – published in association with Embraer – details the military aircraft fleets of 162 nations, and analyses the main events of the last 12 months.
LATAM and Delta expand networks across the Americas as joint business takes off
LATAM Airlines Group and Delta Air Lines have unveiled a host of route expansions under a new joint venture approved by the US Department of Transportation (DOT) in September, adding a total of 23,000 additional seats weekly to the carriers’ current schedules between North and Latin America.
Honda Aircraft lands orders for 25 HondaJets from Volato
US business aviation company Volato has ordered 25 of Honda Aircraft’s recently updated HA-420 HondaJet Elite II.
Top US lawmakers to decide fate of 737 Max 7 and Max 10 regulatory exemption
One of two proposals to exempt Boeing’s 737 Max 7 and Max 10 from a year-end regulatory change could be included in a US defence spending bill lawmakers plan to finalise before year end.
Xwing seeks to build safety case for autonomous flight in trials with FAA
Autonomous aviation company Xwing is gearing up for a series of trials with US regulators that could represent a significant step forward for pilotless cargo operations.
Senator backs exempting Max 7 and 10 from cockpit-alert requirement: reports
A movement is afoot in Washington to grant Boeing an exemption needed to bring its 737 Max 7 and Max 10 through certification without equipping the types with a modern cockpit alerting system.
Fighter jets team with UAVs in airborne targeting demonstration
Four defence contractors, including General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Tactical Air Support and General Dynamics, collaborated to test a Lockheed Martin sensor system using teams of crewed and uncrewed aircraft.
Global Knafaim to raise equity for Tus Airways loan repayment
Israel’s Global Knafaim Leasing is injecting additional capital into Cypriot carrier Tus Airways, via a share issue, the lessor reveals in its third-quarter financial statement.
ALAFCO seeks shareholder approval for $2.2bn Macquarie acquisition
Kuwaiti lessor ALAFCO is to convene a shareholder meeting to approve a substantial acquisition by asset management firm Macquarie AirFinance.
Israir details updated bid for Smartwings
Israeli carrier Israir has detailed its binding offer for Czech operator Smartwings, but has yet to discover whether it will be successful.
New Riyadh King Salman airport to absorb current King Khalid hub
Riyahd’s King Khalid international airport is to be absorbed into a larger complex which will be named after Saudi Arabia’s current ruler, King Salman.
El Al to bring in freighter next year and signals plans to renew narrowbodies
Israeli flag-carrier El Al is pressing ahead with plans to introduce a dedicated freighter, indicating that the aircraft will arrive in the second quarter of next year.
Rapid pace of Ryanair traffic growth slows in November
Ryanair’s recent run of sharp traffic growth slowed a little in November as it carried 11.2 million passengers.
GetJet granted air operator’s certificate in Latvia
Lithuanian wet-lease carrier GetJet has been granted an air operator’s certificate for a division based in neighbouring Latvia.
Military certification approval clears Gripen E for operational debut
Saab has secured a Military Restricted Type Certificate for its Gripen E from the Swedish and Brazilian authorities, clearing the way for the type to enter operational use.
UK Royal Navy reviewing specifications for struggling Crowsnest AEW system
The UK Royal Navy is reviewing its required capabilities for the Crowsnest airborne early warning and control system, after experiencing early shortcomings with the technology.
SAS expects SKr9.5bn equity raise to slip to end-January
Scandinavia’s SAS expects to commence its crucial SKr9.5 billion ($907 million) equity raise around the end of January, after the schedule for its ‘SAS Forward’ restructuring programme slipped.
Airline consolidation comes to the fore in Asia-Pacific
While a consolidation of its various airline interests has been in the works for Tata Sons ever since it acquired Air India in January, confirmation this week of plans to merge Vistara into an enlarged grouping illustrates the scope of ambition for the revamped carrier.
How enlarged Air India sets up two-horse race in Indian market
The consolidation of Tata Group’s airline units stands to transform India’s airline sector, and ratchet up the pressure on smaller carriers.
SIA, Thai sign MOU to increase codesharing
Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways International have entered a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that will see more extensive codesharing between the two carriers.
Qantas to add 6th A380 as international network expands
Qantas will see a sixth Airbus A380 join its fleet in December, as it plans to start operating additional international destinations.
RNZAF swaps C-130H propeller in ‘brutally cold’ Antarctica
The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) replaced a faulty propeller on a Lockheed Martin C-130H tactical transport in sub-zero temperatures in Antarctica.
How year of conflict affected World Air Forces inventory
Our annual World Air Forces directory – published in association with Embraer – details the military aircraft fleets of 162 nations, and analyses the main events of the last 12 months.
RwandAir takes delivery of first freighter
Central African carrier RwandAir has taken delivery of its first dedicated freighter as it seeks to expand its cargo operations.
Nigeria’s Ibom introduces leased A320s as it awaits A220 deliveries
Nigerian carrier Ibom Air is introducing a pair of Airbus A320s as bridging capacity while the airline awaits A220 deliveries.
Windshear in frame after Jubba Fokker 50 landing accident
Investigators have indicated that windshear contributed to the landing accident involving a Jubba Airways Fokker 50 turboprop in Somalia earlier this year.
Airline Business Covid-19 recovery tracker: November 2022 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.