Bell reveals 429 demonstrator with four electric tail rotors
The Electrically Distributed Anti-Torque (EDAT) tail rotors first flew on the light, twin-engined 429 helicopter in May 2019. The aircraft is being tested at the company’s Mirabel, Canada facility and has about 25h of flight time.
Sikorsky wins contract to build six more VH-92A ‘Marine One’ helicopters
The helicopters are to be operated by the US Marine Corps and are to replace the Sikorsky VH-3D, popularly known by its call sign of “Marine One” when the US president flies aboard.
General Atomics tests space laser communication system for MQ-9
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems has successfully tested on the ground a space laser communication system that it intends to use to securely transfer data between its MQ-9 Reaper unmanned air vehicle and satellites.
Atlas Air reports $293m loss in 2019 as it writes down 747-400 fleet
Aircraft lessor and air freight company Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings reported a loss for 2019 as it wrote down parts of its fleet due to lower cargo business during the year.
MQ-1C uses COMINT, SAR to target ground-based emitters
A General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) MQ-1C Gray Eagle Extended Range (GE-ER) has used two sensors to identify and localise emitters on the ground to produce targeting data.
United and Vistara codeshare on domestic Indian flights
A new codeshare agreement between United Airlines and Vistara enables United customers to book domestic travel to 26 destinations in India on flights operated by the New Delhi-based carrier.
Boeing asks for suspension of its tax subsidies
Boeing has asked for its tax breaks to be suspended amid an acrimonious and escalating trade war between the USA and the European Union, targeting its respective aircraft manufacturers, that threatens to play long-term havoc on aircraft deliveries on both continents.
U-2 spyplane fleet gets new high-powered camera
The electro-optical and infrared camera is to provide more precise, long-range tracking of stationary or moving targets in a wider range of weather conditions.
‘Definitely not in situ’: Tower confirms wheel missing to fly-by A319
Canadian investigators are probing the loss of a main landing-gear wheel from an Air Canada Airbus A319, confirmed during a tower fly-by as the aircraft prepared for arrival at Toronto.
Trump administration flip-flops on C919 de-engining idea
The Trump administration may (or may not) be considering blocking the sale of CFM International Leap-1C engines and other technology for the developmental Comac C919.
US Air Force retires aircraft and looks to future war in $169bn budget proposal for 2021
While the total is unchanged from years prior, the service is asking to increase research and development in order to meet upcoming threats from China and Russia by 2030.
Air Canada posts higher 2019 results, despite 737 Max grounding
Air Canada revenue and net profit rose slightly in 2019, but results were tempered by the ongoing grounding of the Boeing 737 Max aircraft and the start of the coronavirus crisis in Asia, the airline says.
Tariff hike only deepens US airlines’ misery: Airbus
Airbus has criticised the US government’s decision to increase tariffs on imported aircraft, claiming it simply exacerbates problems for the country’s own airlines.
USA raises tariffs on EU aircraft to 15%
The Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) raised its tariffs on large European aircraft 15%, up from its 10% levies implemented last October, in an ongoing dispute over subsidies.
American cancels Max flights through mid-August
American Airlines says it expects it will not have the Boeing 737 Max in its schedule until mid-August, the last major US airline to plan through the lucrative summer peak travel season without the new generation aircraft, which has been grounded since March 2019.
USS Gerald R Ford’s EMALS cleared for all aircraft
The US Navy’s (USN) newest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R Ford, has been cleared as operationally safe for launching and recovering all naval aircraft types using its Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) and Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG).
United cancels Max into September
United Airlines has taken the Boeing 737 Max out of its summer peak schedule as the beleaguered aircraft’s path to return to revenue service remains unclear.
A220 break-even pushed back to mid-2020s
Airbus is pushing back the estimate for A220 programme break-even to the middle of the current decade, several years later than the 2020 timeline for which Bombardier had been aiming.
Former United Airlines executive aims to launch new airline
A former United Airlines executive has raised $125 million to launch a new budget airline in the US by the end of the year.
Boeing teases its US Army FARA design
Boeing has released a teaser video of its US Army Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft design.
Alaska plans Oneworld entry by mid-2021
Alaska Airlines will join Oneworld alliance as a full member by mid-2021, allowing American Airlines to connect flights through the Seattle-based carrier’s West Coast network.
Boeing sees P-8’s new capabilities expanding international market
Boeing believes possible upgrades to its P-8 maritime patrol aircraft, including the integration of new anti-ship cruise missiles, bombs, sea mines and decoys, among other payloads, could help it increase international sales potential.
A330-800 secures joint European and US certification
European and US authorities have granted joint type certification to the Airbus A330-800, the smaller variant of the re-engined A330neo family.
Airbus to shift A220 cockpit and fuselage work to Mirabel site
Airbus is to transfer A220 work package production currently conducted at Bombardier’s Saint-Laurent facility to the Mirabel site where the aircraft’s final assembly line is located.
Airbus takes 75% of A220 programme as Bombardier exits
Airbus is increasing its share in the A220 programme to 75%, with the Canadian government’s Investissement Quebec holding the 25% balance, as Bombardier exits from the former CSeries partnership.
Boeing lands no new aircraft orders in January as deliveries slow to trickle
Boeing received no new orders for large commercial aircraft in January, and delivered only 13 aircraft – a trickle of activity for a company long accustomed to big orders and dozens of monthly deliveries.
New Boeing Global Services chief focuses on 737 Max, not $50 billion revenue goal
The new head of Boeing Global Services (BGS) faces the critically important task of keeping his business, which is key to Boeing’s growth, on track and growing amid turmoil caused by the 737 Max grounding.
Curtiss-Wright and Honeywell showcase EASA-compliant Fortress flight recorders
Aerospace company Curtiss-Wright is using the Singapore show to pitch a new-generation flight recorder that can collect 25h of cockpit audio, meeting a mandate for commercial aircraft set to take effect in 2021.
US Air Force wants commoditised F-16 for easier Foreign Military Sales
The US Air Force wants to develop a commoditised Lockheed Martin F-16 to make it easier for US allies and foreign partners to buy the combat aircraft.
JAL looks to May launch of long-haul, low-cost carrier Zipair
Executives from Boeing, Japan Airlines and long-haul, low-cost offshoot Zipair are talking up the new carrier’s pending launch of passenger flights.
American Airlines extends flight cancellations to Asia
Just five days after it extended the cancellation of flights between the United States and Hong Kong, American Airlines was once again forced to revise its schedule in light of coronavirus fears and subsequent customer cancellations.
Boeing head of sales still discounts narrowbodies as mid-market answer
Boeing’s head of sales still insists narrowbody aircraft lack sufficient comfort for operating medium-haul “mid-market” flights – an assertion seemingly opposing speculation the company may shelve a widebody development project in favour of a narrowbody.
WestJet offers 90 new connections in its summer schedule
Canada’s WestJet published an expanded timetable with 90 new connections between its Calgary hub and numerous other domestic and international destinations beginning in the summer travel season.
Fuselage deal pushes back recovery of 737 Max production rates
Spirit AeroSystems’ latest Boeing 737 Max production agreement for 2020 covers barely a third of the fuselages it delivered in 2018, and appears to put Boeing at least four years behind its ramp-up schedule for the re-engined jet.
Australia approved to buy 200 Long Range Anti-Ship Missiles for F/A-18F Super Hornet
The US State Department approved a possible Foreign Military Sale of 200 Lockheed Martin Long Range Anti-Ship Missiles (LRASMs) for $990 million to Australia.
FAA chief defends reasoning to delay 737 Max grounding
US FAA chief Steve Dickson has defended the administration’s decision to wait for empirical evidence to order the grounding of the Boeing 737 Max, rather than follow other authorities’ precautionary approach.
Boeing reveals details of 777X flight-test plan
Boeing’s 777X flight-test programme finally got underway when the first -9 roared off Paine Field’s runway on 25 January.
737 Max edging cautiously towards certification flights: FAA chief
US FAA administrator Steve Dickson has indicated that the Boeing 737 Max could commence certification flights within a few weeks, although certain issues with the aircraft still need to be resolved.
Boeing delivers first F/A-18E/F Super Hornet with 1,500h service-life extension
The first Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet to receive a 1,500h service-life extension was delivered to the US Navy (USN) on 21 January.
Airbus files protest against US Navy giving trainer helicopter contract to Leonardo
Airbus Helicopters filed a protest with the Government Accountability Office (GAO) against the US Navy (USN) awarding its Advanced Helicopter Training System contract to Leonardo Helicopters.
Boeing discloses new Max software issue, sticks to mid-2020 certification goal
Boeing has uncovered a new problem with the 737 Max aircraft’s flight control computers, though the company does not anticipate the issue will upend its expectation to receive Max certification in the middle of 2020.
US Special Operations plans to buy 75 light attack aircraft for Armed Overwatch
The US Special Operations Command plans on buying 75 fixed-wing aircraft for its just-announced Armed Overwatch programme.
Boeing has no time to lose on NMA decision
Industry experts say Boeing must move quickly towards making a decision on its new mid-market airplane (NMA), a project it has been talking about for years but was recently put on the back burner as it continues to deal with the fallout from the year-long 737 Max crisis.
Wellington taps Wisk’s Cora for air taxi trials
The New Zealand government and urban air mobility firm Wisk have entered a memorandum of understanding for a passenger transport trial involving the company’s all-electric air taxi, Cora.
Leidos completes purchase of Gremlins-maker Dynetics
Leidos Holdings has concluded its acquisition of Dynetics for $1.65 billion, with Dynetics to act as a wholly-owned unit.
US Navy flies two EA-18G Growlers autonomously; third Growler used as controller
In total, four flights were conducted at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, says manufacturer Boeing on 4 February. The aircraft demonstrated 21 missions, though the type of missions were not disclosed.
Bombardier discussing sale of business jet unit to Textron: reports
Bombardier is discussing a potential sale of its business jet unit to Textron, according to reports, a move that if completed would catapult Textron into the large-cabin business jet segment and mark another divestiture by once-mighty Bombardier.
US Navy plans to arm P-8A with cruise missiles, bombs, sea mines and decoys
The US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) is soliciting potential contractors to integrate the Boeing P-8A Poseidon with Long Range Anti-Ship Missiles, as well as several other weapons.
Lockheed Martin F-35 has 873 deficiencies
The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II has 873 unresolved deficiencies and new problems are being discovered regularly, making reducing the number of issues with the aircraft difficult.
American suspends all flights to China
American Airlines says it is suspending all flights to China as the coronavirus spreads, sickening more than a thousand and killing almost 200 people. The decision comes a day after the carrier’s pilots sued to stop the carrier’s flights to the country.
Spirit AeroSystems replaces finance chiefs after accounting mishap
US aerostructures firm Spirit AeroSystems is having to deal with further pressure after it replaced its chief financial officer and a vice-president over an accounting mishap.
SkyWest orders 20 E175s
The parent company of US regional operator SkyWest Airlines has ordered 20 Embraer E175 jets, with deliveries expected to commence in the second half of the year.
Lockheed Martin sees F-35 production rising to 180 units per year, despite high flying costs
The company sees continued sales to US military services as well as potential wins in international fighter procurement competitions, such as in Finland, Switzerland and Canada, steadily boosting production of the combat aircraft.
Checklist concern emerges after E175 crew's pitch-trim battle
US investigators have discovered chafed horizontal stabiliser control wiring on an American Eagle Embraer 175 involved in a serious mis-trim and pitch-control incident on departure from Atlanta.
Boeing still deciding which market segment its next aircraft should target
Boeing is assessing which segment of the commercial aircraft market it should actually address with its next aircraft development programme, suggesting options other than its proposed New Mid-market Airplane (NMA) may be on the table.
Boeing will need a ‘few years’ to recapture previous 737 Max production rate plans
Boeing anticipates its 737 Max production rate will return to previously expected levels several years after the company restarts Max production, which could come within the next several months.
The eVTOL revolution needs to be a quiet one
Newfangled electric-vertical-take-off-and-landing (eVTOL) aircraft, also referred to as air taxis, are still at an early stage of development but are becoming a leading topic of discussion in the aviation industry - especially at the 2020 Heli-Expo conference in Anaheim, Califonia.
Erickson to demo S-64 Air Crane flying autonomously using Sikorsky Matrix
Erickson signed a development agreement to integrate its S-64 Air Crane helicopter with Sikorsky’s Matrix autonomous flight control software.
A350 engine shutdown incidents linked to cockpit drink spills
Airbus and Rolls-Royce are investigating two incidents in which A350s experienced uncommanded in-flight engine shutdown after drinks were spilled on controls situated on the cockpit centre pedestal.
Boeing to reduce 787 production to 10 aircraft per month in 2021
Boeing has announced another 787 production rate cut, saying it plans to lower output of the widebody to 10 aircraft monthly by early 2021.
Robinson Helicopter deliveries fall by about 33% in 2019
Robinson Helicopter’s deliveries fell by about 33% to 196 units in 2019.
Leonardo to take delivery of full flight simulator for AW609 tiltrotor
Leonardo Helicopters plans to take delivery of the first AW609 simulator at its Philadelphia, Pennsylvania facility in the summer of 2020.
Azul to sub-lease E195 fleet to LOT and US start-up
Azul is to sub-lease its entire fleet of Embraer 195s to Polish flag-carrier LOT and US start-up Breeze Aviation, in order to accelerate a transition to the more fuel-efficient E195-E2 variant.
Engine surge and roll-back preceded Delta A350 diversion
Canadian investigators have disclosed that a Korea-bound Delta Air Lines Airbus A350-900 encountered engine surges and a thrust roll-back before the aircraft diverted to Alaska.
Airbus to take $4 billion provision to settle fraud and corruption investigations
Airbus has disclosed that it will take a provision of €3.6 billion ($4 billion) to cover penalty payments following its preliminary agreements to settle investigations by three states into alleged corruption in its activities.
Leonardo acquires Kopter in a deal worth at least $185m
The deal comes as Kopter says it expects to concurrently receive airworthiness certificates from the FAA and EASA in 2020, regulatory approval that will clear the way for the upstart aerospace manufacturer to deliver its first helicopter before the end of the year.
United Technologies sees 90-day 737 Max production halt
United Technologies (UTC) forecasts that Boeing will suspend production of the 737 Max for around 90 days, then start building the narrowbody again at a rate of 21 aircraft per month.
SyberJet SJ30i completes key tests as approval set for early 2021
SyberJet Aircraft has completed a series of key tests on its Honeywell Primus Epic 2.0-based SyberVision avionics suite for the SJ30i business jet, as it targets certification and service entry of the high-speed light-twin for early 2021.
Boeing, Embraer partnership cleared by Brasilia
Boeing and Embraer have secured approval of their planned partnership from authorities in Brazil.
Kobe Bryant crash puts Heli-Expo conference in tricky spot
One day after basketball star Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter accident, the world’s largest helicopter association attempted to calm public fears about rotorcraft at an industry conference not far from the crash site.
Collins prepares for pilotless helicopter rescue with digitally-controlled hoist
Foreseeing a day in the not-too-distant future when pilotless helicopters may fly to people in need of rescue, Collins Aerospace’s next generation hoist, the Pegasus, will have the ability to be controlled digitally – even eventually wirelessly.
Why Universal Avionics sees pilot shortage driving boom in wearable displays
Universal Avionics believes that a lack of helicopter pilots in the future will mean operators will increasingly need to rely on solo pilots aided by automated technologies, such as helmets with augmented reality glasses, to handle workloads while flying missions.
Bombardier readies first Learjet 70/75s for G5000 cockpit upgrade
Bombardier is poised to begin delivering and retrofitting Learjet 70s and 75 business jets with an enhanced version of the Garmin G5000 flightdeck, following US approval for the upgrade on 20 January.
Why Bell plans to vertically integrate its eVTOL business and compete with Uber
In a partial break with its partner Uber – as well as its own historical business model – Bell plans to vertically integrate aircraft production, flight operations and nearly everything in between, in order to grab a large piece of the nascent electric-vertical-take-off-and-landing (eVTOL) air taxi industry.
Wing-tip fold marks end of 777X's maiden flight
With the folding of its characteristic wing-tips while still rolling out on Boeing Field’s runway 14R, the first 777X completed a maiden 3h 51min test flight.
Boeing’s 777X takes to the skies
After two thwarted attempts, Boeing’s flight test 777X lifted off from Paine Field on 25 January.
777X first flight video stream
Boeing’s first 777X flight-test aircraft has lifted off from Paine Field, north of Seattle, kicking off a certification campaign for the twinjet family.
Tailwinds keep 777X from making maiden flight
After a several-hour tarmac hold, Boeing scrapped the planned first flight of its 777X on 24 January due to high winds.
XQ-58A Valkyrie expands flight envelope and safely recovered in fourth test
The AFRL says that the XQ-58A met all its test objectives and expanded its flight envelope, including flying at an undisclosed higher altitude as part of an effort to gather data in representative real-world flight conditions.
Boom Supersonic teams with Flight Research to trial XB-1 technology demonstrator
Supersonic aircraft developer Boom has partnered with US training support and services company Flight Research (FRI) to test its XB-1 technology demonstrator in a supersonic corridor stretching across the Mojave Desert.
EASA considers alternatives to US order on 727 fuel tanks
European regulators are looking into alternative measures to mitigate an apparent safety risk relating to Boeing 727 auxiliary fuel tanks, after opting not to adopt a US FAA directive on the matter.
JetBlue cautious in Q1 amid Puerto Rico quakes
JetBlue Airways Corporation on 23 January reported a net profit of $161 million during the fourth quarter of 2019 that slightly beat analyst expectations despite being a 5% decline year-on-year versus $170 million in 2018.
FAA investigating reports it gave Southwest preferred treatment on Hawaii routes
The Federal Aviation Administration says it is investigating reports it gave Southwest Airlines “preferential treatment” when it authorised the airline’s routes from the US mainland to Hawaii last year.
American Airlines posts strong 2019, expects 737 Max in second half of 2020
American Airlines posted higher revenue and profit figures for the full year 2019 than a year earlier, as strong demand countered fallout from the Boeing 737 Max crisis.
Boeing delays 777X’s first sortie owing to weather
The maiden flight of the Boeing 777X will be postponed owing to poor weather conditions around the company’s Everett, Washington production facility.
Boeing plans to restart 737 production ‘months’ before midyear: CEO
Boeing intends to restart 737 Max production several months before midyear and ahead of the Max’s return to service, meaning production could start humming again within three months, Boeing chief executive David Calhoun says on 22 January.
Boeing to take another ‘clean sheet’ to NMA with focus on pilots
Boeing is taking a fresh look at the design of its so-called New Mid-market Airplane due to changes in the global aviation market and heightened focus on pilot-aircraft interactions.
General Atomics to demo MQ-1C Gray Eagle as tactical ballistic missile spotter
The purpose of the flights is to show the US Army that the aircraft, when fitted with long-range radar and air-launched effects, can serve as a target spotter for the service’s next generation of tactical ballistic missiles, the Long Range Precision Fires system.
United says it does not expect to fly 737 Max this summer
United Airlines is not planning for the Boeing 737 Max’s return to service this summer, making it the first airline to announce it will operate without the aircraft during a second peak travel season.
F-35 sensors help ground interceptors engage “air-breathing” targets
The Lockheed Martin F-35 has demonstrated has demonstrated a capability to downlink targeting data about multiple “air-breathing threats” to ground forces.
Saab commences production for T-7A Red Hawk programme
Saab has commenced assembly production for the Boeing T-7A Red Hawk advanced jet trainer.
United Q4 2019 non-fuel unit costs up 2.7%
United Airlines’s non-fuel unit costs (CASM ex-fuel) increased by 2.7% year-over-year in the fourth quarter of 2019, while full-year non-fuel costs rose by 1% compared to 2018.
American sees 1.7% growth in Miami passenger traffic
American Airlines served 30.3 million passengers at Miami International airport in 2019, a year-over-year increase of 1.7% and the most passengers it has carried through Miami since establishing the hub 30 years ago, the Dallas-based airline states 21 January.
Boeing now expects mid-year certification of 737 Max
The FAA says it has set no timeframe for when the certification work will be finished.
US Navy’s Bell Boeing CMV-22B Osprey completes first flight
The US Navy envisions using the CMV-22 to ferry Pratt & Whitney F135 turbines to and from aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships. The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is powered by the F135 and the service needs the ability to replace the stealth fighter’s power plant while at sea.
Boeing schedules first 777X flight for 23 January
Boeing has scheduled the 777X’s maiden sortie for 23 January, an event that will finally kick off the revamped widebody’s delayed flight-test programme and potentially keep the airframer on track to begin deliveries in early 2021.
Peter Ingram on leading Hawaiian Airlines amid fierce competition
Two years into his role, Ingram is skilfully guiding the company through an evolution that would test any leader: answering the fierce competition from the US mainland, executing a major joint venture, overseeing a transformational infrastructure project and plotting the carrier’s next geographic and fleet expansion.
Boeing 747 marks 50 years since Pan Am service debut
This week marks exactly 50 years since the 747’s first passenger service with Pan Am
Embraer turboprop go-ahead hinges on EU probe into Boeing joint venture
Embraer is on course to decide on the launch of an all-new advanced turboprop airliner within the next year but warns that the decision hinges on the approval of its joint venture with Boeing.
Chief executive Peter Ingram on leading Hawaiian Airlines
Two years into his role, Ingram is skilfully guiding the company through an evolution that would test any leader: answering the fierce competition from the US mainland, executing a major joint venture, overseeing a transformational infrastructure project and plotting the carrier’s next geographic and fleet expansion.
WestJet Q400 damaged by sharp de-rotation at Edmonton
Investigators have determined that a WestJet Encore Bombardier Q400 suffered damage at Edmonton after de-rotating sharply during a high-speed landing.
FAA broadens emergency order in wake of 777 engine failure
Operators of Boeing 777-300ERs are being ordered urgently to remove another batch of interstage seals from General Electric GE90 engines, following an uncontained failure last October.
New 737 Max software issue arises during certification review
Boeing has identified a problem with the software on the 737 Max designed to monitor the performance of other systems during aircraft startup, adding another hitch to the Max’s return-to-service.
Dynetics X-61A Gremlins makes first flight, but destroyed after parachute fails
The aim of DARPA’s Gremlins is to create low-cost UAVs that could be air-launched and recovered in swarms. The aircraft could be used for a variety of applications including as a surveillance platform or as a loitering munition.
Delta ramps up Miami flights to boost LATAM collaboration
Delta Air Lines says it will add 13 new daily nonstop flights from Miami to US destinations as its strategy following its $1.9 billion investment in Latin American carrier LATAM Airlines begins to take shape.
Sikorsky-Boeing SB-1 Defiant continues flight testing, passing 100kt
The release of a video by the joint Sikorsky-Boeing team on 17 January helped to quell questions swirling around the status of the helicopter, a development and test effort which was in doubt after gearbox troubles put it behind schedule.
Bombardier considers divestiture of A220 shares as programme costs increase
Bombardier is “reassessing” its involvement in the Airbus-led partnership that owns the A220, citing the need for additional cash investment and lower-than-expected long-term profits.
Daher sees modest dip in TBM and Kodiak deliveries during ‘tough’ 2019
Daher saw flat sales in 2019, with deliveries of its Kodiak and TBM single-engined aircraft families slipping slightly, following what it calls a “tough year in the entry-level business aviation market”.
Sierra Technical unveils ‘faster’ and ‘more manoeuvrable’ stealth UAV
Sierra Technical Services recently completed several ground tests, including an engine test run, on its Fifth Generation Aerial Target (5GAT) aircraft.
X-60A hypersonic test vehicle completes rocket hot firings
The US Air Force Research Laboratory’s (AFRL) X-60A rocket recently completed engine test firings while on the ground at Cecil Spaceport in Jacksonville, Florida.
Credit Suisse launches aviation financing subsidiary
Credit Suisse says it has launched an aviation liquidity subsidiary which aims to assist actors in the aviation and air transport industry manage short-term transactions involving leased aircraft.
A220 cost reductions on ‘track’ as Airbus seeks to make the Quebec programme profitable
One year ago, Airbus executives in Canada laid out broad strokes of a plan to make the A220 a commercial success. Chief among the company’s goals: to boost A220 production, land sales with major airlines, reduce costs and, ultimately, make A220s profitable.
Air Canada unveils first A220-300 ahead of inaugural flight
Air Canada unveiled its first Airbus A220-300 to reporters and business partners at a 15 January event, coming one day before it places the Quebec-made twin-jet into revenue service.
Jet Edge expands with JetSelect acquisition
Jet Edge International has snapped up JetSelect Aviation to become one of the largest business aircraft charter and management companies in the USA, with a fleet of 85 aircraft.
US Navy flies F/A-18F Super Hornet with Infrared Search & Track Block II pod
The US Navy (USN) for the first time in late 2019 flew an F/A-18F Super Hornet carrying an Infrared Search & Track (IRST) Block II pod under the centerline of its undercarriage.
Delta 777 dumps fuel on schoolchildren before making emergency landing
Delta Air Lines says that one of its aircraft dumped fuel over suburban Los Angeles as it was returning to Los Angeles international airport after declaring an emergency, slightly injuring 17 children and nine adults who were outdoors on a school playground.
American says Boeing 737 Max will return to its schedule in June
American Airlines says it does not expect the Boeing 737 Max to return to service before June, as the beleaguered aircraft’s grounding extends into its 11th month following two fatal accidents.
Delta posts strong 2019 results with expanded global reach and non-737 Max fleet
Delta Air Lines, the only major US airline without Boeing 737 Max in its fleet, posted strong full-year 2019 results, as passenger demand rose and the carrier benefitted from rivals’ difficulties with the grounded aircraft.
737 Max grounding pushes Boeing’s 2019 orders into negative territory
The 737 Max grounding’s full impact on Boeing’s 2019 orders and deliveries came to light on 14 January when the company released final 2019 figures.
US Navy picks Leonardo TH-119 for next helicopter trainer fleet
The deal represents a hard-fought win for Leonardo, who defeated Bell’s light, singe-engined 407GXi and Airbus Helicopters’ light, twin-engined H135.
Calhoun takes over as Boeing CEO with transparency pledge
Longtime Boeing board member David Calhoun became chief executive of the Chicago-based company on 13 January, stepping into the spotlight amid a seething controversy while pledging to improve Boeing’s transparency and commitment to safety.
Lockheed Martin to deliver up to 50 C-130J Super Hercules to US military
Lockheed Martin has won a $3 billion multiyear contract to deliver up to 50 C-130J Super Hercules to the US Air Force (USAF), US Marine Corps (USMC) and US Coast Guard.
GE Aviation cuts 70 workers in Quebec amid Boeing’s 737 Max production halt
GE Aviation is laying off 70 temporary workers from its site in Bromont, Quebec, citing Boeing’s decision to halt 737 Max production as one factor leading to the cuts.
FAA fines Boeing another $5.4m for 737 ‘slat track’ issue
The Federal Aviation Administration has proposed fining Boeing another $5.4 million for violations related to “slat tracks” installed on 178 737 Max.
Spirit AeroSystems cuts 2,800 workers in first layoff round
Spirit AeroSystems, supplier of Boeing 737 fuselages, will lay off 2,800 workers this month and make additional cuts in the coming weeks in response to Boeing’s halt of 737 Max production.
Can Lockheed repeat F-35 production success in 2020?
One year ago, many observers doubted that Lockheed Martin would succeed in keeping its aggressive production ramp-up for the F-35 on track, given the programme’s troubled past.
Air Lease chief Plueger praises ‘order-book model’
New or recent entrants to the aircraft leasing marketplace that lack discipline risk becoming buying opportunities for the top handful of lessors, says Air Lease Corporation chief executive John Plueger at the 9 January Bank of America Merrill Lynch 2020 Defense Outlook & Commercial Aerospace Forum in New York.
Harbour Air to resume electric-powered Beaver flights as certification work begins
Canadian commuter airline Harbour Air expects to conduct additional flight tests of its electric-powered de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver as soon as next week as it builds off a successful first flight last month.
Airbus plans to hike Mobile A320 output to seven per month
Airbus plans to boost A320neo production at its Mobile, Alabama site to seven aircraft monthly in 2021, an effort that comes amid a US-imposed import tax on European-made commercial aircraft.
EHang conducts first US autonomous trial flight
Chinese autonomous unmanned air vehicle (UAV) giant EHang conducted its first trial flight in the United States, as it works towards getting certification for passenger flights in the country.
Powerplant lessor Willis orders up to 60 CFM Leap engines
Engine leasing specialist Willis Lease Finance has ordered up to 60 CFM International Leap powerplants for both the Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 Max families.
Bristow deferred H175 deliveries days prior to Chapter 11 filing
Bristow Group deferred delivery of its Airbus Helicopters H175s just 10 days prior to entering Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, an order the operator axed barely six months later as part of the financial restructuring.
First Praetor 500s enter service with Flexjet
The first Embraer Praetor 500s have entered service with fractional ownership provider Flexjet, after a pair of the midsize jets were delivered to the US operator in late December.
EmbraerX and Elroy Air collaborate on drone delivery systems
EmbraerX, the Brazilian planemaker’s innovation subsidiary, says it has signed a collaboration agreement with Silicon Valley drone delivery startup Elroy Air to develop the air cargo market worldwide.
United records $90m impairment on Hong Kong routes
United Airlines will record a special non-cash impairment on its Hong Kong routes owing to a fall in demand.
Boeing transfers Max workers and Spirit AeroSystems warns of staff cuts as production halt looms
Boeing has started temporarily reassigning employees affected by the pending 737 Max production halt, while major supplier Spirit AeroSystems has offered some staff the option to take “voluntary” layoffs.
Atlas Air to fly cargo for El Al
Aircraft lessor and air freight company Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings says its Atlas Air unit will be flying cargo for Israel’s flag carrier El Al beginning this month.
Boeing changes mind, recommends simulator training for all 737 Max pilots
Boeing now is recommending pilots complete flight simulator training prior to returning to the cockpits of 737 Max – a position reversal for a company that long insisted computer-based training was sufficient.
How business aviation gives flight to angels
They may be known as rich men’s toys, but private jets are now increasingly being used to get cancer sufferers to vital medical assistance, thanks to one determined US charity, the Corporate Angel Network
Alaska Air Group CFO to retire in March
Alaska Air Group’s chief financial officer Brandon Pedersen will retire on 2 March after working in finance positions at the company since 2003.
Airbus in line to offer dimmable windows: supplier
Airbus is offering electronically-dimmable windows on its aircraft, according to a Michigan-based supplier of the technology.
NetJets takes delivery of its first Citation Longitude
US fractional ownership company NetJets has taken delivery of its first Cessna Citation Longitude business jet from an October 2018 order for up to 175 of the super-midsize type. Service entry is expected early in the first quarter.
JetBlue to be first major US airline to offset all emissions from domestic flights
US low-cost carrier JetBlue says that it will offset all of its emissions from domestic flights beginning in July 2020, becoming the first major US airline to do so in an effort to reduce its carbon footprint from flight operations.
Checks required after Air France A380 engine blade failures
Investigators have yet to establish the root cause of a fan-blade fracture involved in an engine failure affecting an Air France Airbus A380.
Investigators probe circumstances of WestJet 737 overrun
Canadian investigators have opened a probe into the overrun at Halifax Stanfield airport by a WestJet Boeing 737-800 which was arriving from Toronto on 5 January.
American Airlines expects to share 737 Max compensation with employees
American Airlines says it is still negotiating a compensation agreement with Boeing for the grounding of the airline’s 737 Max fleet, now in its 10th month, and that it expects to share the proceeds with its employees.
Boeing clashes with FAA over 727 auxiliary tank explosion risk
Boeing and the US FAA have clashed over a safety modification for Boeing 727s, with the regulator rejecting three attempts by the airframer to have the proposal withdrawn.
Rising costs may threaten US majors’ profit margins in 2020
Consumer confidence in the US economy and a declining unemployment rate drove demand for air travel in 2019. That was good news for the four major US carriers, but for three of them there was the question of whether they would have the aircraft to meet that rising demand.
Network attack disrupts RavnAir Dash 8 fleet
Ravn Air Group on 30 December says it expects schedule disruptions through January as its Alaska-based regional airline recovers from an attack on the company’s networks that forced it to cancel flights of its De Havilland Canada Dash 8-100s.
Delta Air Lines completes 20% acquisition of LATAM
Delta Air Lines says it has successfully acquired the 20% equity stake in LATAM airlines group for $1.9 billion, completing a deal it had announced earlier this year.
Raytheon receives $768 million AMRAAM deal
Raytheon has secured a $768 million contract from the US Air Force to produce Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) for the US military as well as foreign partners.
Boeing senior legal counsel Luttig to retire as executive shakeup continues
Boeing legal counselor and senior adviser Michael Luttig, who has overseen the company’s 737 Max legal matters, will retire from Boeing at year-end, Boeing says
Aerion selects more suppliers for in-development supersonic business jet AS2
Supersonic business jet developer Aerion Supersonic has selected several more suppliers of components for its in-development AS2 jet, which the company hopes will conduct first flight in 2024.
Boeing CEO shuffle seen as another step toward Max certification
The departure from Boeing of former chief executive Dennis Muilenburg could bring the company one step closer to getting the 737 Max back in the sky, analysts say.
Embraer delivers first Praetor 500, to Flexjet
Embraer has delivered the first Praetor 500 midsize jet, handing over the aircraft to fractional business jet ownership company Flexjet.
Intense scrutiny on Boeing overshadows unaddressed lessons from 737 Max crashes
Boeing’s 737 Max updates have largely addressed concern about the aircraft’s flight control system, however broader risks involving pilot training and aircraft maintenance remain unresolved, say aviation safety experts and commercial pilots.
Boeing CEO Muilenburg steps down, board chair Calhoun to assume top job
Boeing has named board chair David Calhoun its next chief executive in succession to Dennis Muilenburg, who has resigned from the company.
Air Canada receives its first A220
Air Canada has taken delivery of its first Airbus A220, placing the Montreal-based carrier on track to launch its first A220 revenue flights in January.
Boeing KC-46A to resume cargo and passenger flights after cargo lock fixes
The US Air Force has lifted its ban on the Boeing KC-46A Pegasus in-flight refuelling tanker from carrying passengers and cargo after accepting a cargo lock retrofit from its manufacturer.
Atlas 767 crash probe considers whether pilot nudged crucial switch
Investigators have carried out a series of observations to examine whether pilots of an Atlas Air Boeing 767-300 freighter could have accidentally activated a go-around switch while operating other flight controls.
Bombardier delivers first business jet fuelled with SAF
US charter and management company Latitude 33 Aviation has become the first Bombardier customer to take delivery of a business jet fuelled by sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
Airline Business Podcast – end of year (and decade) review
The new edition of the Airline Business podcast is now available.
Spectre of pitch-up illusion emerges in Atlas 767 crash probe
Investigators have alluded to the possibility that an Atlas Air Boeing 767-300 freighter pilot experienced somatogravic illusion before the aircraft entered a fatal dive on approach to Houston.
Energy Department unveils three radiation sniffing King Air 350ERs
The Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration unveiled three new King Air 350ER aircraft at Joint Base Andrews on 18 December to be used to measure air and ground radiation contamination coming from events such as nuclear explosions or accidents.
USAF names ballistic missile security helicopter the MH-139A ‘Grey Wolf’
The US Air Force named its intercontinental ballistic missile base security and support helicopter, the Boeing MH-139A, the “Grey Wolf” on 19 December.
Leidos’ $1.65bn buy of Dynetics brings hypersonic missiles and glide munitions
Leidos signed an agreement to acquire privately owned Dynetics for $1.65 billion in cash, a deal which would add several up-and-coming military weapons, including hypersonic missiles and glide munitions, to the company’s portfolio.
Phenom 100 gets approval for Garmin G1000 NXi upgrade
Garmin has secured US certification for the next-generation G1000 NXi integrated flightdeck on the Embraer Phenom 100, and says its will perform the first upgrades on the entry-level business jet “very soon”.
KC-46A inches forward, but foreign sales remain elusive
The Boeing KC-46A Pegasus tanker programme got off to a bumpy start in 2019. Delivery stoppages because of foreign object debris and three category one deficiencies put the already-late programme on an even more delayed schedule.
All-new G700 is Gulfstream’s bigger, faster promise to regain business jet crown
The past year has been one in which Gulfstream fired back against competitors, launching an aircraft that is set help the company regain its slot in the top echelon of the traditional business jet market. That, of course, is the G700, a large-cabin jet that Gulfstream launched at the NBAA ...
Structure of Boeing groans under Max stress test
Once there was an aircraft maker called Boeing that was admired worldwide as a leader in just about everything it did, hailed as the very model of an engineering-led company guided by a belief that aircraft should be flown by pilots, assisted by computers. For good measure, it was admired as a leader in commercial aircraft development and sales – and as a financial leader, both in annual profits and stock price gains.
Inquiry raps VIP 777 operator over safety practices
Investigators have concluded that the VIP carrier involved in a serious Boeing 777-200ER wing-strike incident at Le Bourget was operating with poor safety practices.
Titan and Bain Capital Credit form leasing joint venture
Titan Aviation Holdings, the dry-leasing specialist subsidiary of airplane lessor Atlas Air Worldwide, says it has entered into a joint venture with Bain Capital Credit to develop a cargo aircraft leasing portfolio as it seeks to benefit from the continuing rapid rise in e-commerce.
NAVAIR engineers help solve Sikorsky CH-53K exhaust re-ingestion problem
Engineers from Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) helped Sikorsky solve the CH-53K King Stallion heavy-lift helicopter’s gas re-ingestion problem.
Bell stops 525 entry-into-service predictions, but sticks with oil & gas market
Bell will no longer make predictions of when its 525 Relentless super-medium transport helicopter will finish Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification testing and enter into service after several years of delays.
Delta to buy 10m gallons of biofuel annually from Gevo
Delta Air Lines and biofuels maker Gevo say the airline will buy 10 million gallons (39.4 million litres) of biofuel annually in an effort to reduce the carrier’s carbon footprint and meet global aviation sustainability goals.
FLOAT plans air taxi service in Southern California
A startup company in Southern California which hopes to revolutionise the daily commute will launch service in the coming days and plans to offer full air-based commuting schedules from up to 40 regional airports beginning in January.
Boeing to halt 737 production in January
Boeing confirms it will suspend 737 production in January, a move that comes 10 months after the aircraft’s grounding and that signal significantly-broader fallout from a crisis that has already hammered Boeing.
Bell discloses booster engine for 360 Invictus
Bell’s 360 Invictus, the company’s proposal for the US Army’s Future Armed Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) competition, will receive a power boost from a supplemental power unit, a Pratt & Whitney PW207D1 turboshaft.
Higher expenses drag Mesa Q4 profits
Mesa Air Group reported a net profit of $12 million for its fourth quarter of 2019, down from $19 million during the same quarter in 2018 as Phoenix-based regional carrier Mesa Airlines expands its fleet.
US Marines try to cut MV-22 downtime with first CC-RAM delivery
Bell Boeing delivered to the US Marine Corps (USMC) the first MV-22 Osprey with Common Configuration – Readiness and Modernization (CC-RAM) programme modifications.
North American airline profits seen strengthening in 2019
IATA sees all regions except North American carriers making less profits in 2019 than it expected six months ago, but by contrast expects all these other regions to improve their performance next year.
IATA sees airline profits jumping back after cutting outlook for 2019
Airline body IATA expects collective industry profits to climb back to almost $30 billion in 2020, despite cutting its outlook for the current year by a further $2 billion in its latest forecast.
Airbus might not be obstructed by WTO appeal impasse
Airbus’s appeal over the latest World Trade Organization ruling may not necessarily be held up by the impasse which is forcing suspension of the WTO’s Appellate Body.
International consensus key to returning 737 Max to service
Boeing has reiterated that achieving consensus among national aviation regulators will be key to ensure a successful return to service for the 737 Max, which has been grounded since March this year.
UAV Turbines unveils hybrid-electric ‘microturbine’ for drones
UAV Turbines unveiled to the market on 10 December a demonstrator hybrid-electric “microturbine” for small unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) that it says allows drones to harness the efficiency of a turbine, but also the instant power of an electric motor.
Boeing looks at laser-range finder for KC-46A refuelling boom
Boeing is researching adding a laser-range finder to the KC-46A Pegasus’ problem-plagued refuelling boom camera system.
Textron Aviation plans layoffs after Longitude certification
Textron intends to cut 875 jobs as part of a restructuring that “principally impacts” Textron Aviation and Textron’s industrial division.
USAF searches for Boeing E-4B aerial command center replacement
The US Air Force (USAF) has started searching for a new airborne command, control and communications operations center to replace the Boeing E-4B, and the service is asking US defence manufacturers for input.
2019 airline year in review
A visual journey through some of the biggest airline stories from the past 12 months
Key airline CEO appointments in 2019
A visual record of some of this year’s key airline chief executive appointments
FAA hits Boeing with $3.9 million fine for slat track issue
The Federal Aviation Administration has proposed fining Boeing $3.9 million for installing slat components that failed quality inspections on 133 737 jets.
Pilots union throws support behind United’s CEO-designate Kirby
The decision by United Airlines to name Scott Kirby as its next chief executive has been firmly endorsed by United’s pilot union, which views the change as a sign that United will continue its aggressive expansion.
US Navy to prototype Northrop Grumman MQ-8C with weapons
The US Navy (USN) intends to negotiate and award a contract to Bell to engineer an aft-cabin door redesign of the Northrop Grumman MQ-8C Fire Scout to accommodate potential weapon stores.
United’s Airbus XLR order spawns visions of a different NMA
United Airlines has served notice to its US competitors, and to Boeing, that it will not put its middle-of-the-market ambitions on hold.
United Airlines president Kirby to take over as chief executive
United Airlines’ president Scott Kirby will take over the chief executive role in May 2020, at which point current incumbent Oscar Munoz will become executive chairman of the US carrier’s board.
Bombardier expands sustainable aviation fuel offering
Bombardier is stepping up its commitment to helping reduce the carbon footprint of business aviation, with its headquarters in Montreal becoming the first facility outside the USA to take delivery of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
WTO dismisses US anxiety over possible A380 revival
US trade representatives have questioned whether Airbus is fully committed to terminating the A380 programme, which is set to close with the final deliveries in 2021.
Virgin A350-1000 sale influenced by subsidies: WTO
Virgin Atlantic’s order for 12 Airbus A350-1000s has played a central part in the World Trade Organization’s latest assessment as to whether subsidies influenced the competitive field against Boeing in the commercial aircraft market.
Airbus presses for $2bn cut in WTO tariff award
Airbus is claiming that a World Trade Organization assessment of the airframer’s compliance measures should result in a $2 billion cut in the recent tariff award to US authorities.
Icelandair expects 737 Max to re-enter service in March
Icelandair is expecting the Boeing 737 Max to return to service in March next year, 12 months after its grounding.
Action needed on LGBTQ diversity at airlines
A diverse and inclusive workplace is a better one, writes IATA’s Dexter Morse, but more airlines need to adopt a structured approach to the issue
R-R scores $1.2b contract for US V-22 engine maintenance
The United States Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force have signed a $1.2 billion contract with Rolls-Royce for engine maintenance of the Bell-Boeing V-22 fleet.
Norwegian axing long-haul services from two Nordic capitals
Scandinavian budget carrier Norwegian is axing several transatlantic and Asian routes as a consequence of low demand and continuing problems with Rolls-Royce Trent engines on its Boeing 787s.
Hartzell and Raisbeck secure STC for King Air 200 propeller
Hartzell Propeller and Raisbeck Engineering have secured US supplemental type certification (STC) for a five-blade, composite swept propeller on the Beechcraft King Air 200 series, and are preparing the first twin-engined turboprop for modification and redelivery in December.
PODCAST: Airline Business on Air Europa, Brazil, Emirates, Max
The new edition of the Airline Business podcast is now available.
Two CRJ900s apparently damaged by fuel truck at Dallas
Images have emerged of the aftermath of a serious ramp accident involving a fuel truck which appears to have struck two American Eagle Bombardier CRJ900s at Dallas-Fort Worth.
Senior Italian regulatory figure to lead ICAO Council
Former senior Italian civil aviation authority figure Salvatore Sciacchitano has been elected as the president of the ICAO Council, succeeding Nigeria’s Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu.
Beechcraft King Air 350 gets nose modification
The Beechcraft King Air 350 twin-engined turboprop family is now available with a nose modification that adds an extra 0.34cb m (12cb ft) of volume, for up to 113kg (250lb) of additional payload.
JCAB acquires Citation Longitude for flight inspection missions
Textron Aviation has sold a Cessna Citation Longitude to the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB). Scheduled for delivery in 2021, the super-midsize business jet will be configured for flight inspection and calibration missions, joining the JCAB’s fleet of five CJ4’s light twins in service.
737 Max 10 roll-out reveals revised main gear
Boeing rolled out its latest and largest 737 Max variant, the 737-10, at its Renton plant on 22 November. The aircraft, which is more than a simple stretch as it features a revised main landing gear design, is expected to fly in 2020.
New Air Tanzania Dash 8-400 seized before delivery flight
Tanzania’s foreign ministry has disclosed that Air Tanzania’s latest De Havilland Dash 8-400 has been seized in Canada before its delivery flight to the carrier’s base.
DOT approves Delta’s four-way joint venture without Alitalia
The US Department of Transportation has formally approved the joint venture proposed by Delta Air Lines, Air France, KLM and Virgin Atlantic Airways, tentatively approved in August, while agreeing with opponents of the collaboration that Alitalia would definitely not be included under the deal.
TAP deploys A321LRs for transatlantic expansion
Portuguese carrier TAP is to open new transatlantic services with its long-range Airbus A321LR fleet, operating to Montreal, Boston via the Azores, and a new Brazilian destination.
Unabashed US start-up Avatar revisits ambitious 747 plan
US would-be start-up Avatar Airlines has again submitted ambitious business plans to regulators, after failing in previous attempts to obtain a declaration of financial fitness.
P&W to open new composites R&D facility
Pratt & Whitney will open a new ceramic matrix composites research and development facility focused on aerospace applications.
American's flight attendants weigh Boeing suit over Max grounding
American Airlines’ flight attendants union will determine this week if it has sufficient grounds to sue Boeing for damages resulting from the March 2019 grounding of 737 Max aircraft.
Business jet shipments strongest for a decade
Business jet output for the first nine months of 2019 reached its highest level for a decade, due to the introduction and production ramp-up of a slew of new and long-awaited aircraft models, and renewed confidence in the market from its customer base.
Propeller blade found in cabin after fatal Saab 2000 overrun
US investigators have indicated that a Saab 2000 touched down in a tailwind during a second attempt to land at an Alaskan airport, before it suffered a fatal excursion.
Rostec soldiers on with fighter sales
Rostec is forging ahead with efforts to sell advanced combat aircraft on the international market, although US sanctions present a challenge.
Lockheed eyes night firefighting with LM-100J
Lockheed Martin is eager to develop a unique night firefighting capability for its LM-100J FireHerc variant.
British Airways identifies initial route for 787-10
British Airways is to use its first Boeing 787-10 on services to the US city of Atlanta, following delivery of the twinjet in January.
GECAS to take 12 A330neos and 20 A321XLRs
GECAS will add 12 Airbus A330neo widebodies and 20 A321XLR narrowbodies to its portfolio, Airbus has disclosed.
Business jet shipments climb 21% in Q3 as turboprop shipments sag
Shipments of fixed-wing business aircraft jumped 7% year-on-year in the third quarter of 2019 to 603 units, an increase reflecting a surge in business jet shipments that comes amid sagging turboprop and rotorcraft figures.
Virgin launches Canadian codeshare with Delta partner WestJet
Virgin Atlantic is to begin codesharing with WestJet on points to and within Canada.
Local lessor Palma signs for 20 Dash 8-400s
Dubai-based lessor Palma has signed a letter of intent to purchase 20 De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400s.
Raytheon Joint Standoff Weapon to be certificated for F-35A
The AGM-154 JSOW precision-strike glide bomb is to be certificated for the internal weapons bay of the US Air Force’s F-35A Lighting II stealth fighter by the end of November 2019.
Virgin Galactic displays fire retardant space suit
Virgin Galactic unveiled space suits at the show that it will give to private astronauts travelling aboard its SpaceShipTwo.
Boeing eyes improvements for 767 freighter
Boeing has confirmed it is examining how it can improve the efficiency of the 767 freighter during the next decade.
DUBAI: Collins unveils new touchscreen MFD
Collins Aerospace is displaying a developmental widescreen multifunction display that it wants to offer for both new aircraft types and as a retrofit.
DUBAI: New Boeing seating joint venture debuts at show
Adient Aerospace – Boeing’s new seating joint venture – is making a first Dubai appearance with its two key products prominently displayed on the stand of its parent company.
Boeing confident of 737 Max sales revival
Boeing is confident that it can recover ground lost by the 737 Max to the rival Airbus A320neo, sales-wise, once the twinjet has returned to flight.
DUBAI: Boeing gears up to talk tankers
Boeing will use this week’s show to hold discussions with potential customers of the KC-46A tanker, citing strong interest in the 767 derivative.
DUBAI: L3Harris promotes custom paint business
L3Harris Technologies has returned to Dubai to promote its “custom” paint services business, as part a wider MRO offering from the US company.
A320's order total overtakes 737's as Max crisis persists
Airbus’s A320 family appears to have overtaken the Boeing 737 in terms of total orders, in the wake of the 737 Max crisis and strong single-aisle activity from the European airframer.
SAS unveils initial transatlantic route for A321LR
Scandinavia’s SAS has disclosed that its first long-range Airbus A321neo will operate the transatlantic service from Copenhagen to Boston when it enters service next September.
Strong Praetor 600 sales boost Embraer's nine-month order intake
Robust sales of the Praetor 600 business jet resulted in the strongest nine-month order intake for Embraer’s Executive Jets division for five years.
Apache’s Longbow radar gets software boost
The AN/APG-78 Longbow mast-mounted radar that equips the Boeing AH-64E Apache has completed the US Army’s Follow-On Test and Evaluation (FOT&E) II.
Embraer sees Boeing merger delay until at least March 2020
Embraer has delayed the expected close of its commercial aircraft merger with Boeing, now anticipating the deal will not be finalised until at least March 2020.
Airspace per-seat members-only operator readies for launch
A new company, billed as the first members-only operator to offer per-seat scheduled charter services on long-range business jets, is poised to begin services on 6 December with New York to Fort Lauderdale its first route.
Tailwind and poor braking present before ERJ-145 excursion
Preliminary indications suggest the Envoy Air Embraer ERJ-145 which suffered a runway excursion at Chicago O'Hare had landed with a tailwind in gusting conditions.
Kuala Lumpur vows change after FAA downgrade
Malaysia’s civil aviation authority has requested a reassessment from the US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA), as it vows to make “serious changes” to address apparent shortcomings.
US regulators turn gaze on aircraft acquired overseas
Whistleblowers at the US Federal Aviation Administration and the US Department of Transportation contend that some aircraft operated by Southwest Airlines that had previously been operated by airlines outside the US remained in service despite having maintenance records that were “alarmingly insufficient,” according to the US Senate Committee on Commerce, ...
Solar-powered Hawk30 completes 1.5h second flight
HAPSMobile’s Hawk30 solar-powered, high-altitude platform completed its second test flight in the last two months when it touched down after a 1.5h flight at NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center in Southern California.
Serious pitch-control issue affected American Eagle E175
Captured air-ground radio transmissions reveal that an American Eagle Embraer 175 crew encountered serious pitch-control problems shortly after departing Atlanta on 6 November.
Air cargo records eleventh straight month of demand decline: IATA
Air freight demand remains weak, IATA reports in its September 2019 figures.
Epic E1000 secures US certification
Epic Aircraft has secured US Federal Aviation Administration type certification for the E1000, concluding a seven-year development-effort for the high-performance, single-engined turboprop.
Gear-up 727 captain pressed on with landing despite alerts
Cockpit-voice recordings from a Boeing 727-200 which landed with its nose-gear retracted in Alabama captured the captain admitting that he should have executed a go-around, after an unsafe gear warning and automated 'pull up' alerts.
ATSG reports higher Q3 results on Omni acquisition
Air Transport Services Group, a provider of medium wide-body aircraft leasing, contracted air transportation and related services, reported higher third quarter results after it integrated charter carrier Omni Air International, which it acquired late last year.
Garmin lines up new aircraft platforms for autoland system
Garmin plans to announce new aircraft platforms for its autoland safety system next year, and says that while the automatic landing capability is currently limited to models equipped with the G3000 flightdeck, “there is no reason” why the technology could not be adapted “at a later date” for other types ...
American and Qantas implement joint venture
American Airlines and Qantas have implemented their joint venture, designed to streamline transpacific travel and open the opportunity for new routes between North America and Oceania.
CAE and Directional Aviation complete strategic partnership
A strategic partnership between flight training provider CAE and corporate aviation investment firm Directional Aviation – announced in August – is now complete after the two companies concluded the deal in early November.
Tarom seeks US service renewal but no sign of own flights
Romanian flag-carrier Tarom has sought an extension to transatlantic operation authorisation, although it has not indicated plans to operate its own aircraft on North American routes.
Garmin autoland system is next step toward pilotless future
Just as we did not wake up one morning to find department store lift attendants had disappeared, or light rail systems in our cities suddenly without drivers sitting in the cab, the advent of autonomous passenger aircraft is unlikely to be as much a revolution as a decades-long journey of ...
Embraer delivers 44 jets in third quarter
Brazilian planemaker Embraer says it delivered 44 aircraft in the third quarter of 2019, including its first new flagship E195-E2, to launch customer Azul, bringing total deliveries in 2019 to 117 aircraft.
Spirit acquires Bombardier aerostructures plants
Bombardier is selling its aerostructures business to US-based Spirit AeroSystems, a deal which includes its wing operation in Belfast and other facilities in Morocco and the USA.
Trans States cancels SpaceJet orders
Mitsubishi Aircraft's SpaceJet programme has been dealt a fresh blow after Trans States Holdings, which owns several US regional airlines, cancelled all of its orders for the aircraft.
British Airways cuts Miami capacity over Trent 1000 issues
British Airways is cutting its winter frequencies to Miami because of ongoing issues with the Trent 1000 engines on its Boeing 787 Dreamliners.
Air Canada A319 crew failed to hear landing clearance
Canadian investigators have disclosed that an Air Canada Airbus A319 touched down at San Francisco despite its crew's not hearing the landing clearance.
Airbus starts to feel deliveries impact from WTO dispute
Airbus expects newly-imposed import tariffs arising from its subsidies dispute with Boeing to affect a small number of deliveries this year, but is concerned that the situation will become more difficult in mid-2020.
A220 engine checks revised after high-cycle Swiss failure
US regulators have disclosed that the most recent incident involving failure of a Swiss Airbus A220 engine occurred with a powerplant which had accumulated more than 300 cycles.
Avianca to codeshare with Gol as it overhauls business
Avianca has disclosed that it will begin a codesharing agreement with Brazil's domestic market leader Gol, further expanding the Colombian flag carrier's network in South America's largest aviation market as it moves forward from a challenging year.
A220 operators told to limit engine thrust at high altitude
Operators of Airbus A220s are facing operational limitations of the twinjet's engines, following several serious incidents involving powerplant failure.
Lion Air probe advises rethink of pilot skill assumptions
Commercial aircraft designers need to rethink fundamental assumptions that pilots have sufficient knowledge, training and skill to cope with failures, the inquiry into the Lion Air Boeing 737 Max accident has concluded.
How the busiest oceanic airspace manages safety in a world first
Traffic crossing the North Atlantic is predicted to increase by 50% over the next decade, and the region already has the busiest oceanic airspace in the world by far. The technological response to address this air traffic management (ATM) capacity challenge is a world first.
China Airlines to take A321neo batch from Air Lease
China Airlines has agreed to lease six Airbus A321neo twinjets under a new pact with US firm Air Lease.
American expects 737 Max grounding cost to rise to $540m
American Airlines expects its total cost for the grounding of the Boeing 737 Max to be about $540 million in pre-tax earnings in 2019, up from a previous estimate of $400 million.
Thai 777 engine failure spurs emergency checks order
Operators of certain Boeing 777-300ERs are being ordered to conduct engine checks after the uncontained failure of the General Electric GE90 powerplant on a Thai Airways International aircraft.
Spirit intends order for up to 150 A320neo-family jets
US budget carrier Spirit Airlines is intending to order 100 Airbus A320neo-family jets, for deliveries which will continue through to 2027.
A wrap-up of the big news at NBAA 2019
Our final video from NBAA 2019 covers the major developments from the second business day of the convention, including our exclusive interview with Tom Vice, president of supersonic business jet developer Aerion, who outlines his plans for a first flight of the AS2 in 2024.
Aerion chief executive hits back against supersonic sceptics
Supersonic business jet flight will happen in the next five years, will carry sustainable alternative jet fuel, and will fly in a noise envelope acceptable not just to regulators but also the public at large.
Ampaire and Ikhana work toward hybrid-electric-powered Twin Otter
Electric aircraft developer Ampaire and services provider Ikhana Aircraft Services have joined forces to study the feasibility of equipping de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otters with hybrid electric propulsion.
Raisbck and Hartzell sign first customer for King Air propeller
Hartzell and Raisbeck have secured the launch customer for their latest composite five-blade swept propeller for the Beech King Air 200 series.
Piaggio secures Evo order and mulls corporate shuttle launch
Piaggio is planning to launch a corporate shuttle version of the P180 Avanti Evo, opening up a new market for twin-pusher turboprop programme. Speaking at the show this morning Andrea di Fede, Piaggio's head of sales, said the Italian airframer – which is currently in administration – has evaluated the ...
Universal Avionics demonstrates Fly By Sight system
Easing pilot workloads to improve safety is a passion for Universal Avionics (UA) chief executive Dror Yahav. A pilot himself, Yahav joined the company from Israeli parent Elbit six months ago, tasked with bringing together the technologies and the ambitions of both companies.
SJ30i development aircraft shows off test secrets
The SyberJet Aircraft Test pilots who flew the Sj30i development aircraft to NBAA, are expecting the revised version to be approved by 2021.
Boeing profit plummets as 737 Max crisis deepens
Boeing’s profit in the third quarter fell by more than half as the company continues to suffer from fallout following the global 737 Max grounding.
Why Sabreliner is ‘perfect platform’ for recovery training
A classic 20th century business jet, the North American Rockwell Sabreliner 60, which is gracing the indoor static park once again at NBAA in Las Vegas spends much of its time in inverted flight.
Rolls-Royce predicts zero-AOG powerplant
Rolls-Royce foresees a future with zero missed trips due to engine-related issues, as it unveiled its latest intelligent engine – the Pearl 700 – at NBAA.
Sabena and Airbus partner on ACJ missile protection
The personal security of VVIP principals on business aircraft is more significant than ever before. And with corporations, government officials and heads of state traveling to – or over – troubled global hotspots, the industry is looking to step up their protection while they’re in the air.
2020 approval for Universal Avionics Falcon 900B flightdeck upgrade
Chicago Jet Group will begin the prototype cockpit upgrade for the Dassault Falcon 900B in early 2020 as it targets approval later next year.
Inmarsat Aviation celebrates over 600 installations of Jet ConneX inflight wi-fi
Global satellite communications company Inmarsat Aviation has returned to the show to highlight the rapid uptake of the its Jet ConneX inflight Wi-Fi solution, which, since its introduction in 2016 has been installed and activated on over 600 business jets worldwide.
Constant launches special offer to mark Nextant 604XT milestone
US maintenance repair and overhaul company Constant Aviation has now carried out more than 20 Collins Aerospace Pro Line Fusion flightdeck upgrades for the Bombardier Challenger 604 business jet. To mark the success of the modification programme – known as the Nextant 604XT – the Cleveland, Ohio-based company is offering ...
Epic nears E1000 type certification and service entry
Epic Aircraft is displaying a cabin mock-up of its E1000 single-engined turboprop at the show, leaving the test fleet at its base in Bend, Oregon to complete certification testing.
Safran wins tier one nacelle deal on Pearl 700
Safran Nacelles is celebrating its most significant tier one win, supplying the complete nacelle on the Rolls-Royce Pearl 700s that will power Gulfstream’s new G700, unveiled at the show on Monday evening.
Lockheed declares F-35 stealth coating ‘rock solid’
Lockheed Martin has defended both the stealth coatings of the F-35A and its efforts to boost the supply of spare parts, as it eyes the conclusion of three fighter campaigns in 2020 and lower operating costs.
Absence of runway lights preceded Q400's taxiway landing
US investigators probing the inadvertent landing on a taxiway by a Horizon Air Bombardier Q400 have disclosed that no NOTAM information had been issued warning of inoperative runway lights at the time.
Air NZ to start New York flights but end London service
Air New Zealand will begin flights between Auckland and Newark, while ending its long-serving Los Angeles-London services in October 2020.
Latest from Las Vegas as NBAA 2019 gets underway
Day one proper of the NBAA convention in Las Vegas began today with attendees digesting some big news, including last night’s announcement by Gulfstream of its largest business jet yet, the G700.
Executives insist air taxis will fly soon
As the buzz around urban air mobility (UAM) has intensified in recent years, so too has scepticism about the concept.
Vision Jet duo raise awareness of Cirrus brand
Cirrus Aircraft is showcasing a pair of Vision Jets at the static display, as it seeks to raise awareness of the single-engine jet and the Cirrus brand in the corporate and commercial aviation community.
Pilatus names three customers for new PC-12 NGX
A day after unveiling the PC-12 NGX at the show, Pilatus has named three customers for the newest version of the single-engined turboprop.
Vu Systems and Saab partner on EFVS package
A new technology capable of “seeing through clouds” which its creators promise will revolutionise operations in low-visibility minima – has been launched at NBAA.
Hawaiian Q3 net income falls 16% as competition increases
Hawaiian Holdings, the parent company of Hawaiian Airlines, says net adjusted income fell 16% to $81.5 million in the third quarter of 2019 compared to the same period a year ago as increased competition weighed on airline’s results.
Boeing’s Kevin McAllister resigns amid growing 737 Max crisis
Kevin McAllister, Boeing’s commercial aircraft chief since 2016, has become the first management casualty of the ongoing 737 Max drama which has grounded all of the next-generation aircraft for the past eight months after two accidents killed 346 people.
Image gallery from the 2019 NBAA convention
All the best images from on the ground at the 2019 NBAA show.
Bombardier brings big data to business aviation
Bombardier is to offer to install a health monitoring unit (HMU) in every Global and Challenger free of charge, as part of an initiative to bring the growing world of big data to business aviation.
Lockheed Martin sees big demand for F-16 in Middle East & Asia
Lockheed Martin believes its backlog of orders for the F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft could more than triple based on demand from Middle Eastern and Asian countries.
Sound and lights signal Gulfstream 700’s arrival
Gulfstream has upped the stakes in the ultra-long-range business jet market, unveiling in a glitzy ceremony at the static display last night its response to Bombardier’s Global 7500.
NBAA showcases unmanned air taxi innovations
The unmanned air taxi industry landed on NBAA, with a host of vendors displaying mock-ups of designs they hope one day will be shuttling passengers throughout major cities.
Blackhawk targets growth from King Air upgrades
Blackhawk Aerospace is aiming to build on the success of its Beech King Air upgrade packages following as it eyes expanding into the special-mission sector.
Daher completes acquisition of Quest Aircraft
Daher returns to NBAA following US Federal Aviation Administration certification for the TBM 940 with the announcement that it has completed its purchase of Quest Aircraft from Japan’s Setouchi Holdings.
Boeing secures order for two BBJ 787-9s from one client
Boeing revealed at NBAA today that it has taken two orders for BBJ 787-9s from a single unidentified VIP customer.
Collins Aerospace Q3 revenue, profit rise on synergies
Revenue at Collins Aerospace jumped 64% in the third quarter, primarily due to acquisitions, prompting parent company United Technologies (UTC) to once again raise its 2019 full-year financial estimates for the business unit ahead of a planned corporate merger with Raytheon.
P&W Q3 profit rises 15% on aftermarket sales
Pratt & Whitney's third-quarter operating profit rose 15% year-on-year to $471 million on growth in its military and commercial aftermarket as well as due to cost reduction for its geared turbofan (GTF) engine programme and favorable commercial OEM mix.
PODCAST: Airline Business on UK, Delta, Brazil, China, Emirates
The new edition of the Airline Business podcast is now available.
First news from NBAA 2019
From an all-new Gulfstream to a £1.4 billion deal for Embraer from Flexjet and debuts for at least two new aircraft, there was news aplenty as the business aviation community descended on Las Vegas for the opening of the NBAA annual convention.
Pilatus launches third-generation PC-12
Pilatus has taken the wraps of its third-generation PC-12, which it describes as “the most advanced and versatile single-engine turboprop ever”.
Textron upbeat after Longitude certification
Textron Aviation officials are upbeat ahead of this year’s NBAA, as the company’s new super midsize jet, the Cessna Citation Longitude, makes its official post-certification debut at an international airshow.
Wheels Up pledges to expand membership and drive global growth
US membership-based private aircraft firm Wheels Up has returned to NBAA reiterating its commitment to grow its membership from 6,000 to 10,000 members within two years, and deliver on-demand private aviation to world as soon as possible.
Boeing’s ForeFlight Dispatch delivers Flexjet operational gains
Boeing celebrated the launch of an advanced flight-dispatch web tool with its inaugural customer Flexjet at the NBAA show yesterday.
Tuvoli launches mobile quoting and payment platform
A mobile quoting and payment platform designed to “empower” charter operators and brokers was inaugurated at the show yesterday.
Europe’s regulator targets January return for Max, Reuters reports
European regulators say that the earliest date they may be able to certify the Boeing 737 Max to return to service would likely be in January 2020 following flight tests independent of the Federal Aviation Administration, Reuters news service reports on 21 October.
Delta adds two leased A330-900s to its fleet
Delta Air Lines says it will lease two new A330-900 aircraft from Los-Angeles-based lessor Air Lease Corporation beginning in the fourth quarter 2020 and first quarter 2021.
Mente exhibits G650 for sale in NBAA static
If attendees at this year’s NBAA are in the market for a nearly-new Gulfstream G650, then Mente Group has just the ticket in the static park.
First medevac HondaJet introduced in Hawaii
Honda Aircraft has configured a HondaJet for medical evacuation missions for the first time.
SyberJet SJ30i touches down in Las Vegas
SyberJet is showcasing its SJ30i for the first time at NBAA, with the arrival of the light business jet at the static display coming just over a week after it made its maiden flight.
Flexjet places $1.4 billion order for Embraer jets
Flexjet affirmed its commitment to long-term supplier Embraer at the show this morning by placing a $1.4 billion order for 64 Phenom 300Es, Praetor 500 and 600 business jets.
Boeing says text messages between pilots were misinterpreted
Boeing says instant text messages between company pilots suggesting that it may have had prior understanding of the flaws in its Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS) on 737 Max aircraft have been misinterpreted, and it was “unfortunate” that they were released without “meaningful explanation”.
Project Sunrise flights likely to commence in 2023: Joyce
Qantas is likely to launch its Project Sunrise flights on a commercial basis from 2023, and believes the initiative could lead to multiple ultra-long-haul routes to Australia from Europe and North America.
Qantas 787 arrives in Sydney after nonstop flight from JFK
Qantas's first Project Sunrise test flight has arrived in Sydney, the nonstop Boeing 787-9 touching down on runway 16R some 19h 16min after becoming airborne from New York JFK.
Engine failure preceded DC-3 ditching off Nassau
Both pilots have been rescued from a Douglas DC-3 freighter which crashed into the ocean while operating a service to Nassau.
Air Tanzania hands first Dash 8 order to newly-created DHC
Tanzania's government is ordering a single De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400, marking the first firm deal for the manufacturer since investors acquired the former Q400 turboprop programme from Bombardier.
Fatal accident inquiry opens after PenAir Saab overrun
Investigation of US regional carrier PenAir's Saab 2000 overrun in Alaska has turned into a fatal accident inquiry after a passenger succumbed to critical injuries.
Will Boeing/Porsche pact turbocharge urban mobility?
There have been hints before that the automotive sector was looking with interest at the potential offered by urban air mobility (UAM) vehicles, but the pact between Boeing and Porsche provides the most concrete evidence so far.
Boeing delays alerting FAA of pilot's 2016 messages about MCAS
Boeing handed over to the US Federal Aviation Administration 17 October instant messages between two Boeing pilots in which one expresses serious concern with 737 Max's Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS).
Why Delta bucks trend in overseas airline investments
It is something of a curiosity that, given the plagued history of previous such strategies within the airline sector, Delta Air Lines’ buying of minority stakes in operators around the world has garnered little of the scepticism that accompanied similar spending sprees from other carriers.
Europe certificates Gulfstream G500
Gulfstream has secured European certification for the G500, clearing the way for deliveries of the super-large-cabin business jet to begin to customers on the continent.
PenAir Saab 2000 overruns at Alaskan island airport
US regional carrier PenAir has disclosed that 42 occupants were on board a Saab 2000 involved in a landing accident in Alaska on 17 October.
Textron Q3 deliveries flat as defence drags
Deliveries at Textron’s aircraft manufacturers were stable in the third quarter, helping the parent company raise its earnings per share and operating margins during the time frame even as defence products continued to drag on the company’s income.
Norwegian plots transatlantic tie-up with JetBlue
Scandinavian budget carrier Norwegian has entered a tentative agreement for transatlantic co-operation with US counterpart JetBlue Airways.
Air Canada cancels 737 Max flights until middle of February
Air Canada on 16 October became the latest airline to extend the removal of the Boeing 737 Max aircraft from its winter schedule, as an increasing number of carriers expect the jet will not be approved to return to service until early 2020.
A350-1000 to be Airbus's lead candidate for Project Sunrise
Airbus is putting forward the A350-1000 as its lead contender for Qantas's ultra-long-haul initiative, Project Sunrise, as the Australian carrier prepares to conduct test flights using Boeing 787-9s.
Delta teams with Airbus to develop predictive MRO solutions
Airbus has disclosed a new digital alliance with Delta Air Lines, aimed at developing new predictive maintenance and health-monitoring solutions "for airline customers worldwide" from 2020.
Embraer hopes E175-E2 jet efficiency helps modify scope clauses
Embraer executives hope the efficiency and performance of its new E175-E2 regional jet, the third and final member of the company’s E2 family, will convince major US airlines to change the contractual “scope clauses” that currently create a barrier for operating the new aircraft in the United States.
INTERVIEW: Becoming a hacker's worst enemy
As cybersecurity threats on business aviation increase, Josh Wheeler, senior director entry into service and cybersecurity solutions at Satcom Direct leads the battle against the invisible attacks.
TBM 940 secures US certification
Daher has secured US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification for its TBM 940, and customer deliveries of the upgraded single-engined turboprop to local owners and operators are now under way.
Lithuania's GetJet eyes more widebodies for long-haul push
Lithuanian charter carrier GetJet Airlines is looking at adding further widebodies, after signing a contract to operate its first long-haul flights with an Airbus A330 on services linking Warsaw to Toronto.
SyberJet launches SJ30i flight-test campaign
SyberJet Aircraft has launched the flight-test campaign for its SJ30i, with the light business jet (N50SJ) making its maiden sortie on 9 October from the airframer’s San Antonio, Texas base.
Boeing partners with Porsche on flying taxis
German automaker Porsche is forming a team with Boeing to analyze demand for vertical takeoff flying taxis designed to ferry people around cities and over gridlock traffic as it aims to stay in step with the next generation of travel.
Consumer confidence, Max grounding drive Delta's Q3 revenue boost
Delta Air Lines scored increases in passenger volume and revenue in summer 2019 and expects the same in the fourth quarter, thanks to strong demand from US consumers and the grounding of Boeing's 737 Max, which was never part of Delta's fleet.
Boeing examines GEnx-powered 767-X for cargo and passenger roles
Boeing is studying a re-engined derivative of the 767 widebody primarily for the cargo market, with service entry slated for the mid-2020s.
Air cargo demand in worst run of declines since 2008: IATA
Air freight volumes fell for the 10th consecutive month during August, in what has become the worst run of demand contractions since 2008, according to the latest data from IATA.
Global 7500 breaks business aircraft range record
Bombardier’s Global 7500 has completed an 8,225nm (15,230km) nonstop flight, which the manufacturer bills as “the longest city-pair flown by a purpose-built business aircraft”.
Air Lease deliveries fall slightly in Q3
Air Lease Corporation invested $1.5 billion in new aircraft during the quarter ended 30 September, down from the $1.6 billion in the second quarter as it took delivery of fewer aircraft.
Wow Air's new owner now plans December relaunch
The planned relaunch of Icelandic low-cost carrier Wow Air has been delayed until December, according to a statement provided by the owner of the assets of the shuttered airline, though many unanswered questions remain as to the feasibility of refloating it.
Everything you need to know about the 6 biggest commercial engine manufacturers
Powerplant makers face conflicting demands for performance, reliability and huge production rates – as revealed in our semi-annual survey of the market for commercial aircraft engines
Lights hit as 767 freighter lands short in Puerto Rico
US investigators have disclosed that a Boeing 767-300ER freighter landed short of the runway in Puerto Rico on 4 October.
ANALYSIS: Singapore Airlines continues to dominate US flights
Singapore Airlines (SIA) is the current title holder of the world’s longest flight – the 19h Singapore-Newark – which has helped it reach near-monopoly status on the Singapore-USA market.
Hawaiian revises Q3 revenue and cost expectations
Hawaiian Airlines raises its forecasted operating revenue per available seat mile (RASM) for the third quarter of the year due to better than expected yields in long-haul markets, especially international travel, the company says on 7 October.
LOT to launch San Francisco flights in 2020
Polish flag carrier LOT will begin flights to San Francisco from Warsaw on 5 August 2020.
Single-aisle concerns drive EU to probe Boeing-Embraer
Concerns over the competition impact on the single-aisle aircraft market have spurred the European Commission to open an in-depth investigation into the planned tie-up between Boeing and Embraer.
ANALYSIS: Norwegian's race to reach profitability
Few airlines have expanded as quickly as Norwegian. In the 10 years years to 2018, it quadrupled its fleet size to more than 160 aircraft as it focused on growth above all else.
Japan Airlines not giving up on Hawaiian joint venture
Japan Airlines (JAL) remains hopeful of its proposed joint venture with Hawaiian Airlines, even after US regulators turned down the carriers’ request for antitrust immunity.
Kitty Hawk launches eVTOL Heaviside
Kitty Hawk, a Silicon Valley aviation technology startup, introduced its newest aircraft earlier this week, adding yet another eVTOL concept into the increasingly crowded urban air mobility market.
ADEX: FA-50 competes in vibrant light attack market
A modern fighter will play the starring role in any air force of merit. With advanced sensors, powerful engines, heavy payloads, and a range of high of specification capability, the modern fighter is an impressive feat of engineering and a potent symbol of power. Yet this comes at significant ...
Air Lease places 787-9 with MIAT Mongolian Airlines
MIAT Mongolian Airlines will receive its first Boeing 787-9 from Air Lease during the northern spring of 2021.
FAA proposes new airworthiness directive for PW1100G engines
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a proposed airworthiness directive for the problem-plagued Pratt & Whitney PW1100G engines that power Airbus A320neo-family aircraft.
Alitalia to offer Rome-San Francisco flights from June 2020
Alitalia will launch a direct connection from Rome to San Francisco for the 2020 summer season, joining direct competitor Air Italy in linking Italy to the City by the Bay.
Cessna Citation Longitude enters service
Textron Aviation has delivered the first Cessna Citation Longitude business jets, with the shipments in early October signalling what the US airframer describes as “the start of a new dimension in business travel”.
Textron Aviation delivers 500th Grand Caravan EX
Textron Aviation has delivered the 500th Cessna Grand Caravan EX, around six years after the single-engined turboprop entered service.
SyberJet readies SJ30i for maiden sortie
SyberJet is readying the first SJ30i for its maiden sortie in the coming weeks, and will debut the aircraft, along with a full-scale interior mock-up at the National Business Aviation Association convention and exhibition in Las Vegas from 19-21 October.
Air Transat to link Montreal and Copenhagen
Air Transat says it will offer direct flights from Montreal to Copenhagen next year during the airline’s summer season, further expanding its international network to 27 European destinations.
Boeing restates commitment to ultra-long-range 777-8
Boeing says it remains fully committed to the development of the ultra-long-range 777-8 variant despite its decision to shelve development to focus on recovering the schedule of the baseline 777-9.
Boeing leverages 777F sales to aid production bridge to 777X
Boeing says that strong demand for the 777 Freighter is aiding the production transition from the current 777 to the new 777X as it works to mitigate the impact of the latter’s delay.
Icelandair to axe two US destinations
Icelandair is axing its US services to San Francisco and Kansas City next year, as part of a network restructuring.
Viper, Venom star for USMC in Okinawa
Some names stick. Bell designates the latest incarnation of the venerable AH-1 attack helicopter as the AH-1Z Viper – sometimes referred to as the ‘Zulu’ in casual conversation. The most recent version of the UH-1, meanwhile, is the UH-1Y Venom. While the Viper and Venom are thoroughly new rotorcraft, the marines of squadron HMLA-169 use the names their fathers and uncles used for the original AH-1s and UH-1s that served in the Vietnam War: Cobra and Huey.
Crashed Convair struck trees while low on approach
Preliminary findings into the Convair 440 freighter crash at Toledo Express airport earlier this month give further details of the accident sequence, but little indication as to the cause.
Shorts 330 crash crew had history of undisciplined landings
US investigators probing a fatal landing accident involving a Shorts 330 freighter have determined that the crew had a history of intentional procedural non-compliance during approach, including late turns, high descent rates and excessive manoeuvring.
IATA advocates for gender diversity
In a further effort to increase gender diversity and level the playing field for women in the airline industry, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) is launching a new initiative designed to raise the number of women in the sector.
Swiss A220 engine failures prompt rotor inspection order
Operators of Airbus A220s are being instructed to conduct checks of the low-pressure compressor on Pratt & Whitney PW1500G engines, following two similar incidents involving failures on Swiss aircraft.
ISTAT appraisers cautious on impact of Max grounding on values
Potential implications of the grounding on future 737 Max values topped the agenda for the appraiser panel at the ISTAT EMEA conference in Berlin on 25 September.
Boeing Max return plan targeting up to 70 deliveries a month
Boeing aims to deliver up to 70 737 Max aircraft monthly to clear its backlog once the grounding is lifted, FlightGlobal has learned.
Wheels Up buys US technology firm Avianis
US membership-based private aircraft firm Wheels Up has acquired technology company Avianis Systems, in a move designed to strengthen its digital offering to a growing North American customer base. The transaction is expected to close later by the end of September.
IATA warns on airline profits and carbon offsets
Slowing passenger demand and rising costs are set to pull airline profits back this year, IATA has warned.
Challenges check airline capacity growth
After several years of above-average growth rates, airlines have tempered their expansion this summer. While that is evident across the industry as a whole, there are several notable hot-spots where players have reined in their activity
Citation Longitude secures US type certification
Textron Aviation has secured Federal Aviation Administration type certification for the Cessna Citation Longitude, clearing the way for customer deliveries of the super-midsize business jet to begin.
Bombardier delivers 100th Challenger to NetJets
Bombardier has delivered the 100th Challenger-series business jet to fractional ownership company NetJets. The handover of the Challenger 350 comes around five years after the Columbus, Ohio-headquartered operator took delivery of the initial example of the super-midsize jet.
Rolls-Royce Pearl 15 secures Transport Canada certification
Rolls-Royce has received Transport Canada certification for the Pearl 15 engine that powers the in-development Bombardier Global 5500 and 6500 business jets.
Payload tests for XQ-58A set for early 2020
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions expects to be on a contract before the end of September 2019 to integrate communications and autonomy payloads into its XQ-58A Valkyrie unmanned air vehicle (UAV).
USAF to order 10 Sikorsky Combat Rescue Helicopters
Sikorsky expects the US Air Force (USAF) to make a Milestone C decision for its Combat Rescue Helicopter (CRH) on 24 September, paving the way for a low rate initial production contract worth more than $500 million for 10 aircraft to be signed shortly thereafter.
Airbus ventures estimate of NMA demand to 2038
Airbus estimates that the potential market for Boeing’s proposed New Mid-market Airplane amounts to 2,500 aircraft, at best, over the next two decades.
Earlier retirements moderate Airbus global fleet outlook
Airbus is attributing a slightly lower global fleet outlook in 2038 to a reduction in retirement ages, the result of higher airframe productivity.
GA-ASI to conduct AI, machine learning work with MQ-9
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) has secured a US Air Force contract to demonstrate artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technology in a MQ-9 Reaper UAV.
Raytheon shows off expeditionary JPALS system
Raytheon has demonstrated the rapid setup of its Joint Precision Approach and Landing System (JPALS), which can help aircraft land at austere, hastily-established airfields.
USAF may retire B-1s to free funds for B-21 Raider
USAF may retire B-1 to free funds to pay for B-21 Raider
China Lake earthquake damage delays Gremlins UAV demo
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (DARPA) demonstration of the air-recoverable Gremlins unmanned air vehicle (UAV) has been delayed due to earthquake damage to US Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake.
Boeing eyes KC-46A cargo fix as FOD issue dissipates
Boeing’s preliminary findings are that aircraft movement and vibration are causing cargo floor restraint locks on the US Air Force (USAF) KC-46A Pegasus tanker to jostle and rotate to an unlocked position.
U-2 channels F-35 sensor data in ballistic missile test
A Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter, U-2 and a ground station have demonstrated a capability to shorten the decision loop involved in detecting and acting upon a long-range missile launch.
Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider first flight route announced
The Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider stealth bomber’s first flight will be a short hop, about 22mi (35km) north across the Mojave Desert, from Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, California where it is being built to its testing site at Edwards Air Force Base.
Raytheon unveils Peregrine: new medium-range, air-to-air missile
Raytheon has unveiled a new medium-range, air-to-air missile called Peregrine.
USAF christens new trainer as T-7A Red Hawk
The US Air Force has designated the Boeing T-X jet trainer the T-7A Red Hawk, in tribute to the US Army Air Corps’ Tuskegee Airmen and their World War II-era P-40 Warhawks.
Gulfstream expands Savannah MRO facility
Gulfstream has completed a $55 million expansion of an MRO facility at its Savannah, Georgia headquarters.
PICTURE: US Navy takes first E-2D with refueling probe
The US Navy has received its first Northrop Grumman E-2D Advanced Hawkeye airborne early warning & control (AEW&C) aircraft with an air-to-air refueling probe.
Two French carriers to take on Paris-New York route
Two French carriers are intending to open services from Paris Orly to New York next year.
PODCAST: Airline Business on Ryanair, Vietnam, Aigle Azur, cargo
The new edition of the Airline Business podcast is now available.
Two fatalities confirmed in Toledo Convair 440 crash
Two fatalities resulted from the Convair 440 crash near Toledo Express airport on 11 September.
Crashed Convair came down about 1km from runway
Details are still emerging from the Convair freighter crash outside Toledo Express airport but the impact site appears to be about 1,000m from the threshold of runway 25.
Cargo aircraft reportedly crashes near Toledo airport
Preliminary reports indicate that a freighter aircraft has crashed near Ohio's Toledo Express airport.
Horizon Air picks Embraer for E175 airframe MRO
US carrier Horizon Air has assigned heavy maintenance checks for a fleet of Embraer 175 regional jets to the manufacturer's MRO centre in Nashville.
Callen-Lenz to partner on Pegasus One flight control system
South African firm Pegasus Universal Aerospace has appointed UK engineering consultancy Callen-Lenz to assist with the design and development of the flight-control systems for its Pegasus One vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) business jet.
Lufthansa to open services to Canadian capital
Star Alliance carrier Lufthansa is to open a new transatlantic connection to Canada, with services to the capital Ottawa.
JSX to nearly double short-haul charters
Public charter airline JSX plans to increase its number of flights per month from about 2,400 currently to 4,000 next year.
Virgin Atlantic’s Weiss bullish on network strategy
Virgin Atlantic chief executive Shai Weiss wants Virgin Atlantic to become the UK’s second flag carrier behind British Airways - and he has a strategy to make it happen.
How shelving of 777-8 could prompt Boeing rethink
The decision by Boeing to shelve development of the 777-8 while it focuses on recovering the schedule of the baseline -9 aircraft is unlikely to have a significant impact on the overall programme. However, the move raises questions about the future of the smaller variant and could create opportunities for Boeing to refocus the 777X line-up.
Air cargo woes endure amid US-China spat
There are few signs that the air freight market will find any relief from the tough market conditions seen so far in 2019, as the trade spat between the USA and China, and a slowing global economy, dent demand.
Tokyo Century to take over Aviation Capital Group
Tokyo Century Corporation has signed a deal to acquire Pacific Life Insurance's 75.5% stake in aircraft lessor Aviation Capital Group (ACG).
Can urban air mobility win public confidence?
In the 12 decades since the Wright Brothers, commercial aviation has advanced greatly, but there have been only a few genuinely disruptive technologies – those alignments of science, innovation, and market opportunity that, almost from nowhere and very quickly, fundamentally change the industry.
JetBlue considers serving 'multiple' London airports
JetBlue Airways is evaluating the possibility of serving more than one London airport under its plan to start transatlantic flights to Europe in 2021.
GECAS takes A321neo commitment into triple figures
US lessor GECAS has increased its commitment to the Airbus A321neo by converting orders for 45 A320neo jets.
Boeing works to complete 777 bridge sales
This week’s order from KLM for two Boeing 777-300ERs is the first announced this year for the current version of the airliner, and comes as production transitions to the new-generation 777X. It is unclear how many additional production “bridge” aircraft remain to be sold, but Boeing is working on additional campaigns as the sun sets on the -300ER.
Why bigger is better for aerospace companies
Flight International’s latest report on the biggest companies in aerospace underscores a powerful reality about the industry: the big are getting bigger. In revenue terms, number-one-ranked Boeing has broken through the $100 billion ceiling, and billion-dollar-plus firms now make up two-thirds of the Top 100. Organic growth is broadly real, but only part of the story, because what is really driving this up-sizing are mergers and acquisitions.
Field shrinks further for Canada fighter contest
Canada's options for a new fighter have narrowed to three, with the formal withdrawal of the Eurofighter Typhoon from the competition.
Air Canada steps in as Brussels drops Toronto for Montreal
Star Alliance carrier Brussels Airlines is to open a new transatlantic service to the Canadian city of Montreal next year, but will axe its link to Toronto.
SAS shifting Los Angeles service to Copenhagen
Scandinavia's SAS is to challenge budget carrier Norwegian on the transatlantic route to Los Angeles from Copenhagen next year, by transferring its current service from Stockholm.
New Haneda international slots allotted to nine countries
Japan has allocated 50 new international daytime slot pairs at Tokyo Haneda International airport to nine countries, with the services to start from 29 March 2020.
Skeyos does the sums on parts
A career in maintenance and logistics equipped Patrick Hotz ideally to be general manager at Skeyos, an online marketplace that simplifies procurement of aircraft components for purchasers and suppliers
Schedaero takes an intuitive approach to flight scheduling
Stephen Ellis is user experience and interface manager at flight operations software company Schedaero, where he leads a development team dedicated to making the system intuitive in every possible way
CAE forms strategic partnership with Directional Aviation
Flight training provider CAE has formed a strategic partnership with corporate aviation investment firm Directional Aviation, further strengthening its foothold in the business aviation market.
DC-9 depressurised after impact from unsecured cargo
US investigators have determined that a McDonnell-Douglas DC-9 freighter depressurised after sustaining serious damage to a bulkhead from unsecured cargo.
Taiwan deters the “abyss” with F-16V buy
Beijing’s reaction to the US government’s plan to sell 66 Lockheed Martin F-16Vs to Taiwan was as rapid as it was predictable.
Airline start-ups outweigh failures over summer months
After a challenging first few months of the year in which a number of high-profile carriers were forced to suspend operations amid mounting financial problems, the summer months have largely proved a stable period in which more attention has focused on start-up projects.
Clermont acquires Eviation Aircraft
Singapore investment group Clermont has completed its acquisition of Eviation Aircraft, developer of the Alice all-electric business and commuter aircraft, as it pledges to turn the Israeli company’s “vision of electric flight into a commercial reality”.
Uncommanded pitch affects Air Inuit 737-200 in cruise
Investigators have disclosed that a Boeing 737-200 experienced two instances of uncontrolled pitch while in cruise during a domestic Canadian service.
MAKS: US sanctions make air forces wary of Russian jets
The USA’s Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) is making air forces wary of buying Russian aircraft and other weapons.
Blackhawk completes first King Air 300 engine upgrades
US engineering company Blackhawk has completed its first two Beechcraft King Air 300 engine upgrades, for which it secured supplemental type certification from the US Federal Aviation Administration in late July. Work is now under way on a third modification, which the Waco, Texas, headquartered company says “delivers the best ...
United sees digital driving transformative processes for industry
Airlines are on the brink of major breakthroughs in how they look after their customers and manage their backroom operations, thanks to fast emerging digital technologies.
Gulfstream completes major expansion of Appleton MRO facility
Gulfstream has completed a $40 million expansion of its maintenance, repair and overhaul facility at Appleton International airport in Wisconsin.
Comlux awarded ACJ320neo completions contract from DC Aviation
Comlux Completion has been appointed by German business aviation services company DC Aviation to outfit an Airbus ACJ320neo on behalf of its unnamed private owner. Green delivery to the US maintenance, repair and overhaul provider is scheduled for November, and completion expected to take around 12 months.
Air Canada Transat takeover unlikely to close in early 2020
Air Canada's proposed takeover of Transat may not close until the second half of 2020, with Transport Canada given up to 2 May to complete a public interest assessment of the transaction.
R-R signs up Air Canada for Trent 700 support
Rolls-Royce has signed the first Trent 700 engine operator under its hours-based TotalCare Flex support programme.
Bye Aerospace sells 24 eFlyer electric aircraft to Qantum Air
Bye Aerospace has secured a purchase agreement from US start-up air taxi operator Quantum Air for 22 four-seat eFlyer 4 electric aircraft, as well as two examples of its two-seat eFlyer 2. Quantum will also acquire two of its “future advanced aircraft”, details of which have not yet been released.
BAE Systems wins work to upgrade F-35’s EW suite
Lockheed Martin has awarded BAE Systems a contract to upgrade the electronic warfare (EW) suite it provides for the F-35 fighter.
Cabin crew treatment damages airline equality effort
For all the chat about diversity and gender equality among airlines over the past year, there are still some pretty outdated practices on display in the industry.
Special offer to attend Global Urban Air Summit
Barcelona or Beijing, Los Angeles or Kuala Lumpur, a bird's eye view of every modern metropolis will have one thing in common: long ribbons of concrete and tarmac lined with cars whose occupants are anxious to get from A to B as quickly as possible.
What keeps driving Bill Franke to invest in low-cost carriers
Every August, a group of geographically diverse airline managements gather in Montana for an annual review. They have a couple of things in common: they are all from low-cost carriers and each one has scored the support of Indigo Partners.
ANALYSIS: Sluggish progress on gender mix in airline C-suites
It could be the mid-2050s before there is an equal split between female and male incumbents in senior executive positions at airlines, according to FlightGlobal’s latest annual survey of the world’s biggest passenger operators.
Threshold impact preceded Everts DC-6 excursion
Investigators have indicated that a runway excursion that badly damaged a Douglas DC-6A freighter in Alaska was preceded by an impact just before touchdown.
Aeroflot A350s appear set for US and Asia-Pacific service
Russian flag-carrier Aeroflot has indicated an initial set of routes on which it intends to deploy Airbus A350-900s.
FAA seeks to keep track of flawed 737 Max slat parts
US regulators are seeking to identify flawed slat-track assemblies from Boeing 737 Max jets in order to avoid checks on older 737 variants.
Blade lock checks follow A380 fan hub failure
Operators of Airbus A380s with Engine Alliance powerplants are being instructed to conduct independent inspections for damage during disassembly of the engine fan hub blade lock.
Vietnam Airlines to carry Delta code on Tokyo-Hanoi route
Vietnam Airlines and Delta Air Lines plan to upgrade their codesharing relationship, setting the stage for Delta to offer seats on the Vietnamese carrier’s flights.
Boeing aims to remain in Qantas 'Project Sunrise' contest
Boeing's delay to development of the long-range 777-8 will not necessarily rule the US airframer out of Qantas's high-profile 'Project Sunrise' initiative to acquire an aircraft capable of operating non-stop services between Sydney and London.
Air Canada names first new routes to be opened with A220s
Air Canada has disclosed Montreal to Seattle, as well as Toronto to San Jose in California, as the first new routes it will open using its new Airbus A220-300s.
ANALYSIS: Shipment hike boosts first-half business jet billings
Business and general aviation manufacturers saw half-year billings climb by $1 billion year on year, as output increased across the industry, with the lucrative jet market registering its strongest performance for five years.
Canadian tribunal blocks 'abusive' rival bid for Air Transat
Canadian financial judges have intervened to block real estate firm Group Mach from obstructing Air Canada's intended acquisition of Transat AT, the parent company of carrier Air Transat.
Tamarack receives debtor-in-possession financing
A US bankruptcy court has granted permission for Tamarack Aerospace to accept $1.95 million in committed debtor-in-possession (DIP) financing, which should enable the winglet manufacturer to complete its restructuring process and emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection later this year.
Air Lease exchanges 15 737 orders for 787s amid Max grounding
Air Lease has taken steps to mitigate its exposure to the ongoing Boeing 737 Max crisis with an opportune deal to switch 15 of its orders to the 787.
Air Canada substantially hikes price for Air Transat
Air Canada has hiked its purchase price for Air Transat's parent by nearly 40%, adjusting the figure to C$18 per share from the previous C$13.
US carrier Frontier converts A320neo batch to A321neos
US carrier Frontier Airlines has converted a batch of 15 Airbus A320neo orders to the larger A321neo.
Airbus books 30 long-haul jets but erases Republic A220s
US operator Republic Airways Holdings appears to have cancelled the order for 40 Airbus A220-300s long-held by the company.
BBA Aviation to sell Ontic
BBA Aviation, the owner of the Signature Flight Support network of business aviation private terminals, has agreed to sell parts distributor Ontic to private equity company CVC for $1.37 billion.
Making the super-fast connection
Sergio Aguirre is president of Gogo’s Business Aviation division, where he is focused on driving down the cost of in-flight connectivity while increasing capacity and speed for its growing customer base
Ottawa releases RFP for 88 new fighters
Ottawa has released a request for proposals (RFP) for its future fighter competition that could see it obtain 88 new fighter jets.
Mission Systems boost Northrop Grumman Q2 profits
Northrop Grumman’s second quarter operating profit jumped 16% year-on-year to $946 million in the second quarter, helped by strength in its Mission Systems business.
Hawaii's Wing Spirit to operate 15 HondaJet Elites
Hawaii start-up charter operator Wing Spirit has announced that its total HondaJet Elite fleet will number 15, following the delivery of its first two examples earlier this month.
Boeing slumps to near-$3 billion Q2 net loss on Max grounding
Boeing has reported a net loss of nearly $2.9 billion for the second quarter, driven by charges for the grounded 737 Max.
XTI selects Catalyst engine for hybrid-electric TriFan 600
XTI Aircraft has selected GE Aviation’s Catalyst engine as the core of the hybrid-electric propulsion system for its in-development TriFan 600 vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft. The TriFan 600 will be the Denali’s second application, following the Textron Aviation Cessna Denali single-engined turboprop.
ANALYSIS: Hemisphere suspension creates large-cabin opportunity
Although Textron Aviation’s 17 July decision to suspend development of the large-cabin Hemisphere business jet is a setback for the airframer, its exit from the segment does create an opportunity for several other manufacturers.
JetBlue picks MTU to maintain mature V2500 engines
German engine specialist MTU Aero Engines won a contract from JetBlue Airways to maintain a subfleet of the International Aero Engines V2500s powering its Airbus A320s.
Accident reports published during the first six months of 2019
We detail accident investigation reports published by national air safety investigation bodies during the first half of this year
ANALYSIS: Leading carriers' profits crimped in 2018
Leading airline groups largely retained healthy profit levels across 2018, but creeping costs and rising competition in some key markets took the edge off recent profit highs, the latest annual Airline Business World Airline Rankings show.
PODCAST: Airline Business on Kjos, Ryanair, India, Korean, awards
The new edition of the Airline Business Podcast is now available.
Uncommanded fuel transfer diverts Rouge 767-300ER
Investigators are inspecting an Air Canada Rouge Boeing 767-300ER after it experienced the uncommanded transfer of fuel between tanks.
Textron suspends Cessna Hemisphere programme
Textron has suspended the development of the Cessna Hemisphere business jet over uncertainties with the twinjet's Safran Aircraft Engines Sivercrest turbofans.
United to pick up batch of used 737-700s
United Airlines has agreed to purchase a batch of used Boeing 737-700s, and intends to start taking delivery of the jets before the end of this year.
Garmin expands approved fleet for G1000 NXi update
Garmin is expanding the line-up of aircraft eligible for the G1000 NXi cockpit upgrade, in response to growing demand for the enhanced integrated flightdeck from owner-flyers, commercial and corporate operators.
Bombardier Challenger 350 hits 300 deliveries milestone
Bombardier’s Challenger 350 has hit its 300th delivery milestone, five years after the first example of the super-midsize business jet entered service.
USA clears Greek MH-60R acquisition
The US government has cleared the potential sale of seven Lockheed Martin/Sikorsky MH-60R multi-mission helicopters to Greece.
737 Max chief to retire; NMA VP to take over
The head of the troubled Boeing 737 programme, Eric Lindbald, will be retiring, less than a year after assuming the role.
PICTURE: Gulfstream G650ER claims record for polar circumnavigation
A Gulfstream G650ER, owned by Qatar Executive, has smashed the record for the fastest circumnavigation of the earth via the North and South Poles.
Delays pull Air Lease Q2 deliveries $300m below expectations
Air Lease Corporation invested $1.6 billion through 17 aircraft deliveries in the second quarter, $300 million less than expected.
American sees $185m negative impact on Q2 from Max cancellations
American Airlines expects a negative impact of $185 million to its second quarter pre-tax income from the cancellation of Boeing 737 Max flights.
Second-generation Vision Jet secures European validation
Cirrus has secured European validation for the second-generation G2 version of its SF50 Vision Jet – and delivered the first example to an owner in the region on 8 July.
Nextant 604XT Fusion upgrade 'ahead of expectations'
Nextant Aerospace is “significantly ahead of expectations” against its target to complete 30 flightdeck upgrades by year-end on its remanufactured Bombardier Challenger 604 programme.
EASA lifts emergency AD for Atlas winglet-equipped Citations
European regulators have lifted an emergency airworthiness directive for Tamarack Aerospace's Atlas active winglet system fitted on certain Cessna Citation light business jets.
A220 orders appear to prosper from 'Airbus effect'
Airbus has potentially increased total A220 orders by more than 50% in the year since the airframer took over the former Bombardier CSeries programme.
PICTURES: MQ-8B returns to southeast Asia aboard LCS
The deployment of the USS Montgomery Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) to Singapore highlights the increasing prevalence of manned and unmanned rotorcraft operating together from US warships.
PICTURE: First RCAF C295 conducts maiden flight
The first Airbus Defence & Space C295 aircraft due for Canada’s Fixed Wing Search and Rescue Aircraft Replacement (FWSAR) programme has had its maiden flight.
Virgin A330 diverts to Boston after device fire
Passengers on a Virgin Atlantic Airbus A330 have been safely evacuated after the London-bound aircraft diverted to Boston Logan over a fire alert.
Boeing pledges $100 million to 737 Max victims' families
Boeing has pledged $100 million to impacted families and communities who lost loved ones in the two deadly Boeing 737 Max crashes.
Garmin G5000 approved for Citation Excel and XLS
Garmin has secured US certification for the G5000 upgrade on the Cessna Citation XLS and Excel business jets, and installation is now under way on the initial batch of superlight twins; European approval should be received within six months.
PICTURE: Boeing taps 777-200 as flying testbed
Boeing will use a 777-200 to test new technologies under its ecoDemonstrator flying test bed programme.
Southwest expects 737 Max grounding to extend beyond October
Southwest Airlines chief executive Gary Kelly expects the airline's Boeing 737 Max fleet to be grounded beyond 1 October, following new issues uncovered with the aircraft by US regulators.
PICTURE: Hawaiian start-up Wing Spirit receives HondaJet pair
Hawaiian start-up operator Wing Spirit has taken delivery of its first two Honda Aircraft HondaJet Elites from a June 2018 order for an undisclosed number of the light-twins.
PICTURE: Textron Aviation delivers 300th CJ4
Textron Aviation has delivered the 300th Cessna Citation CJ4 to the US metals distribution company and long-time fractional owner of a CJ1+, McNeilus Steel.
PICTURES: ANA introduces 777F to fleet
All Nippon Airways (ANA) has introduced a Boeing 777 Freighter to its fleet, to meet increased cargo transportation demand in Asia and North America.
United to double San Francisco-Hong Kong frequency
United Airlines will double its San Francisco-Hong Kong service to twice daily on 26 October.
Southwest further extends 737 Max cancellations to October
Southwest Airlines has further extended the cancellation of Boeing 737 Max flights, removing the aircraft from its schedule through 1 October.
JetBlue to move Houston operations to Intercontinental airport
JetBlue Airways will relocate its Houston operations to Houston Intercontinental, operating its last flights out of Houston Hobby on 26 October.
WestJet gains Canadian approval for Delta joint venture
WestJet has secured Canadian approval for its proposed transborder joint venture with Delta Air Lines.
Older-variant 737 operators told to modify pitot anti-ice
Early-variant Boeing 737 operators are being instructed to replace pitot anti-icing systems and carry out related modifications, to avoid the possibility of pilots' being presented with false air data.
Mitsubishi eager to tap into CRJ expertise
The North American market is a priority for Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), as it looks to gain a stronger foothold in the market after its acquisition of the Bombardier’s CRJ programme.
Mitsubishi Aircraft parent reaches deal to acquire CRJ programme
Bombardier has disclosed a "definitive agreement" under which Mitsubishi Heavy Industries will acquire the Canadian manufacturer's regional-jet programme.
Ampaire charged with order for up to 100 Electric EELs
Ampaire has secured an order for 50 Electric EELs – an in-development hybrid-electric version of the Cessna 337 Skymaster piston-twin – from fellow US start-up Personal Airline Exchange (PAX), plus an option for a further 50 examples.
ANALYSIS: Who ordered what at the Paris air show
Lower levels of business from the big-two airframers meant the Paris air show was one of the quietest in recent years for commercial aircraft order commitments.
PARIS: Airbus smooths A220 relationship with Leonardo
Airbus's A220 programme manager believes the airframer has improved its relationship with Italian supplier Leonardo, after a legal spat over aerostructures for the type.
VIDEO: How Boeing is ramping up 737NG cargo conversions
Boeing’s freighter conversion programme for the 737NG was in the news at this week’s Paris air show, with lessor GECAS announcing the placement of additional aircraft and the manufacturer securing orders for more conversions.
ANALYSIS: Airbus wins order race – but Boeing steals the show
Boeing won a key battle, if not the war, at this year's Paris air show. Airbus marked its 50th anniversary by disclosing more business than its Seattle rival, but the event will ultimately be remembered for a show-stopping order from IAG that is set to revive the grounded 737 Max ...
Spirit debuts Las Vegas airport's first automated bag drop
Spirit Airlines has launched Las Vegas airport's first automated self-service bag drop system, as the ultra low-cost carrier marks a network expansion from the Sin City today.
PARIS: JetBlue orders 13 A321XLRs, boosts A220 orders
JetBlue Airways has joined a growing customer base for the newly launched Airbus A321XLR, by converting 13 A321neo orders to the longer-range jet that debuted at the Paris air show this week.
PODCAST: Airline Business at Paris air show 2019 – wrap-up
Join Airline Business managing editor Lewis Harper and executive editor Graham Dunn as they take you through all the key airline-related developments at this year’s Paris air show.
Delta extends equity partnerships to Korean Air
Delta Air Lines has extended its equity partnership model to Korean Air, buying a 4.3% stake in the carrier's parent Hanjin-KAL.
PARIS: A321XLR addresses only a 'sliver' of NMA market – Boeing
Boeing has mounted a defence of its New Mid-market Airplane concept after the launch of the Airbus A321XLR, arguing both that its European rival's new variant does not serve a 757 replacement, and that its own plans are not limited to filling that space.
PARIS: A220 weight hike mainly a paperwork change
Airbus's maximum take-off weight increase for the A220 is effectively a paperwork change, rather than a structural adaptation.
PARIS: Boeing reticent on Max brand's absence from IAG statement
Boeing has downplayed the significance of IAG's decision to omit the "Max" brand name from its statement on a deal for 737-8s and -10s.
PARIS: Airbus lands marquee American A321XLR order
American Airlines is the latest carrier to commit to the new long-range Airbus A321XLR, with plans to take 50 of the aircraft.
ANALYSIS: Paris air show 2019 order tracker - update
Keep up to date with all the firm orders, tentative commitments and options for commercial aircraft announced during the Paris air show. Updated 13:30, 20 June
PARIS: Frontier eyes Hawaii and Europe with A321XLR
Frontier Airlines is setting its sights far from US shores with an order for 18 of the new long-range Airbus A321XLR.
PARIS: Boeing lands digital service deals worth more than $100m
Boeing's fast-growing services business has disclosed more than $100 million-worth of orders and contracts for digital products with customers including major US carriers and smaller regional operators.
PARIS: ATR hopeful of STOL formal launch before year-end
ATR chief executive Stefano Bortoli is confident the manufacturer can officially launch the new short take-off and landing version of its ATR 42-600 after securing 17 commitments already.
PARIS: Prime Air signs for 15 more 737-800BCFs from GECAS
GECAS has signed a deal with Amazon's all-cargo airline Prime Air for the lease of 15 additional Boeing 737-800 cargo aircraft as the online retail giant expands to a fleet of 70 aircraft within the next two years.
PARIS: Indigo Partners signs for 50 A321XLRs
Three of Indigo Partners' airlines are set to receive Airbus A321XLRs after the investor announced its intention to take 50 units of the new variant.
PARIS: Boeing looks to F/A-18 E/F Block III for overseas boost
Boeing is optimistic on the international prospects for the Block III version of its F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet.
PARIS: North American customer enters talks on 15-unit M100 deal
Mitsubishi Aircraft has signed a memorandum of understanding with a "prospective North American customer" to start formal negotiations on a deal for 15 SpaceJet M100s.
PARIS: Boom XB-1 schedule slips, while JAL eyes Overture
Boom Supersonic has pushed the first flight of its XB-1 demonstrator back to 2020, as it works with Japan Airlines on its planned Overture airliner.
PODCAST: Airline Business at Paris air show 2019 – day 2
Join Airline Business managing editor Lewis Harper as he takes you through all the key airline-related developments at this year’s Paris air show.
PARIS: Gulfstream G600 makes Paris debut
Soaking up the sunshine on the Gulfstream static is the G600, which is making its Paris debut ahead of its planned certification early in the third quarter.
PARIS: Delta to take higher-weight A220
US operator Delta Air Lines has become the first to select the higher maximum take-off weight version of the Airbus A220, as it expands its orders for the twinjet by another five.
PARIS: Triumph to support design of Mitsubishi's SpaceJet
Triumph Group has sealed an agreement under which its Aerospace Structures business unit will support the design and development of Mitsubishi Aircraft's SpaceJet M100.
PARIS: Boeing sticks with big number for future T-X sales
Boeing is promoting its T-X advanced jet trainer system with a full-size mock-up in a pavilion near the static park, highlighting its big ambitions for the single-engined type.
PARIS: Industry addresses sustainability challenge
The aerospace industry's ambitious efficiency goals clashed with the realities of market economics and propulsion technology on the second day of the Paris air show.
Allegiant adds three new destinations
Allegiant Air will expand its network with three new cities in October, as it adds 10 routes.
TAP plans further US expansion in coming years
TAP Air Portugal plans to add at least five new destinations in the USA in the next five years, as it continues to see potential in the US-Europe market.
PARIS: Boeing low-key on NMA but more details emerge
Boeing has so far at the Paris air show been keeping fairly quiet about its plans for the New Mid-market Airplane (NMA), but potential customers and suppliers have indicated that progress is continuing.
PODCAST: Airline Business at Paris air show 2019 – day 1
Join Lewis Harper and Graham Dunn for all the latest from the first day of the Paris air show.
PARIS: General Atomics makes Protector progress
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems is confident about progress with its MQ-9B SkyGuardian UAV as it approaches deliveries for the RAF's Protector programme.
PICTURE: United E175 second aircraft to sport new look
The second aircraft to wear United Airlines new look is an Embraer 175 bound for its ExpressJet Airlines regional subsidiary.
PARIS: A321XLR not a full mid-market solution to United
United Airlines continues to evaluate the newly launched Airbus A321XLR for its middle-of-the-market needs, but does not see the aircraft as a full solution to the gap in its fleet.
PARIS: United places firm order for 20 more E175s
US major United Airlines has placed a firm order for 20 more Embraer 175s and taken options on a further 19, continuing its regional fleet replacement.
PARIS: Air Lease signs for A321XLRs and A220s in 100-unit deal
Air Lease has tentatively ordered 100 Airbus aircraft, including 27 of the newly unveiled A321XLR variant and 50 A220-300s.
PARIS: KC-46A makes show debut as opportunities beckon
The Boeing KC-46A tanker has made its air show debut in the static park, with an aircraft from US Air Force’s 931st Refueling Wing, based at McConnell AFB, in Kansas.
PARIS: Boeing sticks to 737 Max safety message as show opens
Boeing's top commercial aircraft executives enter this year's show stressing one message above all others: that their prime focus remains to ensure the 737 Max returns safely to the skies.
PARIS: CFM56 hits billion hours as last commercial 7B is shipped
CFM International is celebrating passing a key milestone at the Paris air show, with the fleet of CFM56 engines having just passed the 1 billion flight-hours mark.
PARIS: CFM plans Leap production hike despite Max uncertainty
CFM International aims to increase Leap output by 10% next year to 2,000 engines and is not currently planning any major adjustments in the wake of the Boeing 737 Max grounding.
NATS sees big gains from Atlantic tracking trial
UK air navigation service provider NATS believes a trial of a satellite-based tracking service over the Atlantic is showing the potential for “big benefits”.
How are the all-new Airbus and Boeing widebodies faring?
Amid ongoing speculation about Boeing’s plans for a clean-sheet design to address the much vaunted mid-market segment and the likely response from Airbus, how are the most recent all-new airliners from those stables performing?
ANALYSIS: What news to expect at this year's Paris air show
While the continued grounding of the Boeing 737 Max seems likely to cast a shadow over this year's Paris air show, there remains plenty else on the agenda for the big two airframers, together with some transformational shifts in the regional aircraft sector.
Southwest extends Max cancellations through September
Southwest Airlines has extended the removal of the Boeing 737 Max from its flight schedules through 2 September, reflecting ongoing uncertainty on when the aircraft will be cleared to return to service.
PICTURE: NFT unveils Aska eVTOL flying car
US start-up Next Future Transportation (NFT) has unveiled a one-sixth-scale model of its electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) flying car, which it hopes will become leading player in the nascent urban air mobility (UAM) market and revolutionise point-to-point transport for many thousands of travellers.
Keeping AWACS at the heart of NATO
In what is a remarkable 12 months for aerospace-sector anniversaries – ranging from half-centuries since the first flights of the Boeing 747 and Aerospatiale/BAC Concorde, man's inaugural steps on the moon and the formation of both Airbus and Embraer, toFlight's own 110thyear – one of the most influential events could ...
American, Delta and United push to finalise new Haneda flights
American Airlines has joined Delta Air Lines and United Airlines in pushing US regulators to finalise their tentative awards of 12 new flights to Tokyo Haneda.
PODCAST: Airline Business on IATA, CO2, diversity, Max and Paris
The new edition of the Airline Business Podcast is now available.
EU publishes new drone rules
The European Union has published new rules on drone use which will replace regulations in individual member states and give oversight to EASA.
Raytheon scrutinised PW1100G for UTC tie-up
Raytheon paid special attention to Pratt & Whitney's PW1000G programme in its assessment of United Technologies' (UTC) activities for the planned merger between the two US groups.
United Technologies, Raytheon announce massive merger
The aerospace units of United Technologies - Collins Aerospace and Pratt & Whitney - are to be merged with Raytheon.
American pushes 737 Max return to September
American Airlines has removed the Boeing 737 Max from schedules through September, as questions over when the jet will return to service continue to swirl.
ANALYSIS: What makes a focus city for Delta?
Delta Air Lines is unique among the US network carriers in operating "focus cities" separate from its connecting hubs across the country.
Tamarack files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection
Emergency airworthiness directives in Europe and the USA related to Tamarack Aerospace's Atlas active winglet system equipping certain Cessna Citation jets have pushed the Idaho-based supplier into seeking Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
La Compagnie to show off A321neo at Paris air show
All-premium transatlantic carrier La Compagnie is to display its Airbus A321neo during the upcoming Paris air show.
ANALYSIS: Will others follow United's embrace of biofuels?
United Airlines wants to be the commercial aviation leader on sustainability, from expanding the use of biofuels to various onboard initiatives.
Alaska expands Paine Field network with Palm Springs
Alaska Airlines will connect Paine Field with Palm Springs this November, building on its network from the Seattle-area airport within a year of reopening it to commercial service.
Honeywell and Vertical Aerospace team up on eVTOL design
Honeywell has joined forces with UK electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft developer Vertical Aerospace to address what it calls "the technical, regulatory and business challenges of the emerging urban air mobility (UAM) segment".
Mitsubishi finalising deal for acquisition of CRJ programme
Mitsubishi is expected to announce the acquisition of the CRJ programme from Bombardier at this month's Paris air show in a move which will bolster its global footprint.
The Pratt & Whitney GTF™ engine is in a league of its own
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EgyptAir plans Washington increase as it eyes Chicago
EgyptAir plans to add frequencies on its new service to Washington Dulles in the near future, as part of a larger push into North America.
Aireon gets EASA approval for space-based aircraft tracking
US company Aireon has had its space-based aircraft tracking system endorsed by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency.
Corrosion cuts life limit of A220 and E2 compressor hubs
Airbus A220 and Embraer E2 operators are being advised of cycle limit amendments to the high-pressure compressor hub on their Pratt & Whitney engines.
Spirit eyes eventual Canada service
Spirit Airlines is considering service to Canada, with chief executive Ted Christie saying its "on the list".
Flexjet launches by-the-day-based fractional programme
Flexjet, the world's second-largest fractional ownership operator, has introduced a by-the-day-based programme for the Gulfstream G650. The move is designed to give greater flexibility to shareholders of the ultra-long-range business jet and help boost the company's share of the high-end private jet travel market.
Alaska to add new Paine Field route
Alaska Airlines plans to add a new route from Paine Field, adjusting its network at the Seattle-area airport less than a year after beginning service.
Spirit drops Embraer from aircraft campaign
Spirit Airlines is focusing the campaign for its next aircraft order on Airbus and Boeing, ending the consideration of the Embraer E-Jet E2.
Delta upgrades Boston to hub status on strong growth
Boston Logan International airport is Delta Air Lines newest hub, in a rare growth move by a US network carrier establishing a new connecting complex.
INTERVIEW: Management with a personal touch
Robert Coleman is general manager for Vertis Aviation's US office. Based in Boston, Massachusetts, he is spreading the word about the aircraft charter broker and building its business throughout the Americas
Subset of 737 fleet requires slat track swap
A manufacturing defect will require the replacement of leading edge slat tracks on a small subset of the global fleet of Boeing 737NG and Max aircraft.
Airline chiefs concerned over varying 737 Max timelines
A lack of harmony in when global regulators lift the grounding on the Boeing 737 Max will further complicate the plans of international carriers to restore the troubled aircraft to revenue service, say airline chiefs.
IATA downgrades 2019 profits outlook by a fifth
IATA has downgraded its industry net profits outlook for 2019 by around a fifth to $28 billion, amid rising costs and slowing demand in part from weaker trade.
IATA awards to recognise diversity and inclusion
IATA will during this year's AGM in Seoul reveal the winners of its first diversity and inclusion awards, recognising the efforts being made industry-wide to broaden the mix of the global aviation workforce.
IATA resolution aims to reaffirm climate commitments
This year's IATA AGM, which is set to adopt a fresh resolution reinforcing airline commitments to tackle aviation emissions, comes at a particularly notable time.
Hawaiian alleges 'discriminatory' treatment at LAX
Hawaiian Airlines claims that it is being discriminated against at Los Angeles International airport, where its larger competitors are receiving preferential treatment securing precious terminal and gate space.
American aims to capture more business traffic with hub growth
American Airlines aims to capture additional business travellers in smaller markets as part of its larger effort to boost connectivity over its largest hubs.
United to seek compensation for 737 Max grounding
United Airlines will seek some form of compensation from Boeing for the impact of the 737 Max grounding, says chief executive Oscar Munoz.
SNAPSHOT: Putting numbers on the legacies of airline leaders
With airline leaders gathering in Seoul for the IATA AGM, we use Cirium's Fleets Analyzer and schedules data to measure the legacies of the chief executives who have left their roles in the past 12 months. The AGM takes place in South Korea just weeks after the death of long-serving ...
INTERVIEW: IATA chief Alexandre de Juniac flags pressing issues
IATA chief executive and director general Alexandre de Juniac believes airlines meet for this year’s AGM in Seoul against a backdrop of pressing challenges, including the consequences protectionist policies and trade wars pursued by some governments over the past 18 months.
IATA pushes for speedier adoption of One ID initiative
IATA will put forward a resolution at its forthcoming AGM in Seoul aimed at accelerating implementation of its One ID biometric identity initiative, which it says is vital to ensuring smooth passenger journeys as the air transport sector continues to expand.
Mesa closed $91mn refinancing in March quarter
Mesa Air Group closed a $91.2 million term loan to refinance a spare engine facility during the March quarter.
Chile's Supreme Court bars LATAM JVs with American and IAG
Chile's Supreme Court has struck down proposed joint ventures by LATAM Airlines with Oneworld partners American Airlines and IAG, siding with appeals filed against the deals last year by Chilean tourism and consumer organisations.
ANALYSIS: Lauda's darkest day echoes in 737 Max crisis
Late motor-racing champion Niki Lauda will be associated not just with his airline entrepreneurship but with an investigation which resulted in scrutiny of design assumptions, and the adequacy of testing and certification methods, similar to that now being given to the Boeing 737 Max.
FAA declines to commit to date for 737 Max return to service
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) says it is too early to commit to a date for when the Boeing 737 Max will return to service, as the regulator completes a day-long meeting with dozens of global aviation regulators to discuss the troubled aircraft.
PODCAST: Airline Business on Canada, Italy, India, Max and Spirit
The new edition of the Airline Business Podcast is now available.
American yet to realise US Airways merger benefits: Moody's
American Airlines may have yet to realise the full revenue benefits of its 2013 merger with US Airways, suggests Moody's Investors Service in a new report.
Viasat peers into future of onboard connectivity
With its Ka-band in-flight connectivity system now certificated for use on super-midsize business jets, satellite company Viasat is offering visitors to its stand a glimpse into the future of how it can enhance the onboard entertainment and working experience.
American seeks to stop alleged slowdown by mechanics
American Airlines claims that the unions representing its mechanics are promoting an illegal work slowdown, adding to the series of operational woes it already faces this year.
Guardian Jet bullish as it rolls out latest asset management tool
The two brothers behind business aircraft brokerage and consulting firm Guardian Jet are feeling bullish about the market as they roll out a third iteration of their Vault software tool, which they say enables users to more easily find aircraft to buy and track the value of their own assets.
Vision Jets return to service after grounding
Cirrus Aircraft has returned to EBACE with the Vision Jet to announce that the issue with aircraft's angle of attack sensor that forced its grounding by the US Federal Aviation Administration in April is now resolved and the fleet has returned to service.
Comlux Completions outfits and delivers first VVIP widebody
Comlux Completion has delivered its first VIP widebody project with the handover of an Airbus ACJ330 to a private owner.
ANALYSIS: Low-cost model suffers long-haul growing pains
Few sectors have generated as many headlines in recent years than the attempts to transfer the low-cost carrier model to long-haul markets.
American and Dallas/Fort Worth commit to new 24-gate terminal
American Airlines is committing to further growth at its Dallas/Fort Worth base, inking an agreement with the airport for an up to $3.5 billion new terminal at the hub.
A220 helps take Airbus deliveries through 12,000 mark
Airbus has racked up 12,000 deliveries with the handover of the latest A220-100 to US operator Delta Air Lines.
Cirrus Aircraft to open new service facility in Texas
Cirrus Aircraft is poised to open a new service centre at McKinney National airport in Texas, as it prepares to ramp up production of its Vision Jet single-engined business aircraft.
Fixed-wing general aviation shipments jumped in Q1
Shipments of fixed-wing general aviation aircraft surged in the first quarter of 2019, continuing a period of healthy growth despite a sag in deliveries of rotorcraft.
American prices $750m private placement
American Airlines has priced a $750 million senior unsecured private placement with funds earmarked for its pension obligations.
DOT tentatively awards new Haneda daytime flights
The US Department of Transportation has tentatively awarded 12 new daytime slots for Tokyo Haneda service to four US carriers.
Southwest eyes new gates at its Denver concourse
Southwest Airlines has requested to operate out of all 16 new gates that will be added to its concourse at Denver International airport, as part of an aggressive growth plan at the Mile High City.
Inter-island Hawaii service performing well for Southwest
Southwest Airlines says its weeks-old inter-island service in Hawaii is performing "extraordinarily well", although the Dallas-based carrier's plan to ramp up flights in the Aloha State remains on hold with the grounding of its Boeing 737 Max fleet.
INTERVIEW: Taking a manual approach to flight safety
Mark Baier is chief executive of US firm AviationManuals, where he helps to emphasise how important a formalised safety management system is to business and general aviation service providers worldwide
ANALYSIS: Global uncertainty leaves its mark on air cargo demand
Airlines across the world are experiencing what they hope will prove to be a minor diversion from the positive air-cargo demand trend seen over the past three years.
PICTURE: PlaneSense adds third PC-24
US fractional ownership operator PlaneSense has taken delivery of a third PC-24 from its 2014 order for six of the superlight business jets.
Electric aircraft projects to top 200 by year-end: Roland Berger
Almost 170 electrically powered aircraft programmes are currently in development, with the total set to surpass 200 by the year end, says German consultancy Roland Berger.
PICTURES: TriFan 600 scaled prototype takes flight
XTI Aircraft flew a 65% scale prototype of its TriFan 600 on 8 May, marking a major milestone in the development of the vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) business aircraft.
Private equity fund Onex to acquire WestJet
Canada's second-largest carrier WestJet is to be acquired by Toronto-based private equity firm Onex for around C$5 billion ($3.7 billion), including debt.
American adds Acapulco and Huatulco this winter
American Airlines will add Acapulco and Huatulco in Mexico to its network among 16 route additions this winter.
Air Italy plans North American growth despite US protests
Air Italy plans to announce at least two additional North American destinations for the summer of 2020, as the airline expands transatlantic service despite opposition from US legacy carriers.
ThrustSense autothrottle approved for King Air
Avionics and engineering specialist Innovative Solutions & Support (IS&S) has secured the first US supplemental type certificate (STC) for an integrated autothrottle on a Beechcraft King Air.
Bombardier sells five Learjet 75s to undisclosed customer
Bombardier has received an order for five Learjet 75 aircraft from an undisclosed customer.
AeroVironment, Kratos team up to deploy small UAVs from drones
AeroVironment and Kratos will explore the deployment of tactical UAVs and missiles from high-speed, long-range unmanned aircraft.
PICTURE: Delta A330neo takes maiden sortie
Delta Air Lines first Airbus A330-900 made its maiden flight today, as the carrier prepares to take delivery later this month.
Business aviation safety review of 2018
Last year, generally showed some improvement over 2017 in business aviation safety, although the number of business jet fatalities – at 25 – was slightly up on the previous year, when 22 passengers and crew died. Nevertheless, 2018 results for both business jets and turboprops have generally come in on ...
ANALYSIS: Has Baltimore/Washington's international push paid off?
Baltimore/Washington International airport has invested millions in expanding its capabilities to handle passengers from around the globe, expanding its international arrivals facilities twice in the past four years.
PICTURES: Air Transat takes first of 15 A321LRs from AerCap
Air Transat has begun a key part of its fleet renewal programme with the delivery its first of 15 Airbus A321LRs.
Boeing bosses unaware of 737 Max AOA glitch before Lion crash
After deliveries of the 737 Max commenced in 2017, Boeing discovered a software issue prevented the angle-of-attack (AOA) Disagree alert from working if customers had not chosen the optional AOA indicator.
PICTURES: Thunderstorms present during Miami Air 737-800 overrun
Thunderstorms and heavy rain were present when a Miami Air International Boeing 737-800 skidded off runway 10 at Jacksonville naval air station in Florida.
American opens new gates at Dallas/Fort Worth
American Airlines begins operations from 15 new gates at Dallas/Fort Worth International airport today, as part of a push to add capacity at one of its most profitable hubs.
Alitalia to be 'associate' of new Delta-Air France venture
Alitalia is in talks to become an associate member of the new transatlantic joint venture being forged by Delta Air Lines and Air France-KLM.
US FAA imposes flight restrictions over Venezuela
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has banned on US carriers and licensed pilots from flying below 26,000ft over Venezuela owing to security concerns.
Delta to serve Mumbai from New York JFK
Delta Air Lines will serve Mumbai from New York John F Kennedy from 22 December, following its announcement last year that it will return to the city in India.
ST Engineering to grow capacity of newly purchased nacelle unit
Fresh from acquiring a US-based nacelle manufacturer from GE Aviation, Singapore's ST Engineering plans to further invest in the unit's capabilities and grow its MRO capacity in the near future.
PICTURE: Pilatus hands initial PC-24 to U-Haul International
Pilatus has delivered the first of two PC-24s to US self-storage company and long-time customer U-Haul International.
Parker buys US materials and control technology specialist Lord
Parker Hannifin will acquire US manufacturer Lord for $3.68 billion in cash in a bid to strengthen its materials science capabilities and aerospace product line.
INTERVIEW: Taking a leading role at Bangor International
Anthony Caruso is director of Bangor International airport, Maine, a site serving around 700,000 people. Operating an FBO and handling transatlantic flights, it makes a strong contribution to region’s economy
American A321neo deliveries slide on Airbus delays
American Airlines faces another fleet-related setback to its growth plans this year, as delays at Airbus push the delivery of five A321neos into 2020.
PICTURE: RAAF receives first Falcon 7X for VIP transport
The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has taken delivery of the first of three Dassault Falcon 7X business jets from a June 2017 order.
Bombardier downgrades 2019 financial outlook
Bombardier attributes a $250 million fall in forecast full-year revenue from its commercial aviation business to a pair of divestments which are scheduled to close earlier than anticipated.
Bombardier business jet output falls in first quarter
Bombardier’s year-on-year business jet output slid by almost 25% in the first quarter of 2019 as a result of a delivery timetable that is more heavily weighted to the second half of the year.
No simulator time expected for 737 Max return: Southwest
Southwest Airlines does not expect its pilots to undergo simulator training as part of a process to return the Boeing 737 Max to service, as the carrier stresses that its aviators are well-equipped to handle a problem that has emerged as a common link between two fatal crashes of the ...
Air Canada removes 737 Max until August
Air Canada is the latest airline to remove 737 Max aircraft from its scheduled flights into August with no sign of how long regulators will keep the aircraft grounded.
Gulfstream records 'solid' first quarter performance
Gulfstream is experiencing a period of “solid but not overheated demand” for its high-end business jet family, and the market remains robust for the foreseeable future, parent company General Dynamics says.
PICTURES: Top campaigning liveries on commercial airliners
Lufthansa's new #SayYesToEurope livery – intended to promote the idea of a strong European Union in the run-up to parliamentary elections – is the latest example of an airline using a special livery to promote a particular cause or organisation. Here, we present a selection of such schemes
WestJet unveils hangar for its new Boeing 787-9s
WestJet chief executive Ed Sims unveiled the airline’s new hangar for the Boeing 787-9 on 24 April and announced it will be the first Canadian airline to base the aircraft at Calgary,
PICTURE: United unveils blue take on globe livery
United Airlines has unveiled an updated version of its globe livery, the latest in a larger transformation of its product and services.
ANALYSIS: 737 Max grounding costs Boeing $1 billion
Boeing is pulling its fiscal 2019 guidance and pausing share buybacks to save cash amid a dip in its first quarter revenue, the worldwide grounding of the 737 Max aircraft and scrutiny of its safety processes.
Atlantic Airways to serve New York from autumn
Faroese carrier Atlantic Airways is aiming to commence a seasonal transatlantic service to New York in the autumn of this year.
US gives nod for United's new South Africa flight
United Airlines has received approval begin Cape Town flights this December, reconnecting the South African city to the USA for the first time in more than a decade.
United planned up to 110 737 Max flights by end-2019
United Airlines planned to operate up to 110 flights with the Boeing 737 Max by the end of year, more than double the number it flew when the type was grounded in March.
Allegiant to add Mexico scheduled flights
Allegiant Air plans to begin flights to Mexico, adding the first scheduled international service to its network.
Vision Jet pitch-down risk traced to angle-of-attack sensor flaw
Operators of Cirrus Aircraft SF50 Vision Jets have been ordered urgently to replace angle-of-attack sensors, after three incidents in which stall-protection systems improperly activated.
Washington National set to open first piece of $1bn expansion
American Airlines will begin using the first piece of what will become a new regional concourse at Ronald Reagan Washington National airport later this month.
PICTURES: The leased jets backfilling for lost 737 Max capacity
As operators across the world scramble to fill capacity gaps created by the grounding of the Boeing 737 Max, we present this gallery of aircraft that have been drafted into affected fleets
Civil aircraft feature on EU's US countermeasures list
European regulators have listed large civil aircraft and helicopters among potential targets of trade countermeasures aimed at US exports, following the US government’s plans to introduce tariffs on Airbus jets.
ST Engineering completes takeover of GE’s nacelle unit
ST Engineering has completed its acquisition of GE's nacelle manufacturing unit Middle River Aircraft Systems (MRAS).
PICTURES: Boeing finishes 737 Max update test flights
Boeing has completed the final test fight for the updated software of the Boeing 737 Max, paving the way for a certification effort.
ANALYSIS: What guides US carriers' widebody premium decisions?
There is a premium revolution underway at the US network carriers. Business class seats are becoming more spacious and private, while premium economy cabin installations are moving forward rapidly with widebody fleets due for outfitting in two years.
Seefeld takes a specialist approach to marketing
Charles Porteous is president and founder of Seefeld Group, a consultancy helping aviation companies improve decision-making and grow revenues by better understanding their markets and customers
Boeing in $14.3bn deal for B-1, B-52 modernisation
Boeing has secured a $14.3 billion contract for upgrade work for US Air Force B-1 and B-52 bombers.
ANALYSIS: Predictive MRO raises legal and privacy questions
Technicians are speeding up MRO processes for airlines by analysing increasing amounts of data drawn from repair facilities and numerous aircraft components. This trend also raises questions about what laws and best practices will emerge to normalise the use and sharing of aircraft-related data.
ANALYSIS: Ranking the world's airports by traffic growth in 2018
Preliminary traffic figures collated by Cirium for the 100 biggest airports in the world show passenger traffic increased by 5.3% during 2018.
PICTURE: Textron Aviation rolls out 200th Latitude
Textron Aviation has rolled out the 200th Cessna Citation Latitude, less than four years after the midsize business jet entered service.
Honda Aircraft delivers first Elite into Canada
Honda Aircraft has delivered the first HondaJet Elite to a Canadian customer, shortly after achieving approval from the nation's regulator for the upgraded variant.
Gulfstream closes in on G600 type certification
Gulfstream's G600 is finally approaching the finishing line, with the airframer confident of securing US type certification for its superwide-cabin, long-range business jet before the end of the second quarter.
United plans seasonal Cape Town flight
United Airlines is seeking authority to begin seasonal service to Cape Town, South Africa, from its Newark hub this December.
Pratt & Whitney unveils mobile app amid MRO expansion
Customers of Pratt & Whitney will be able to follow their aircraft parts through the MRO process by downloading a smartphone application called Track that the manufacturer is pilot testing among certain buyers to gain feedback for a broader debut.
JetBlue to link New York and Guayaquil with A321neo
JetBlue Airways will launch nonstop service from New York John F Kennedy to Guayaquil with the Airbus A321neo, the first of which it is taking delivery in May.
American joins ranks of carriers bearish on 737 Max grounding
US carriers are increasingly bearish on returning the Boeing 737 Max to the skies, with American Airlines and United Airlines joining Southwest Airlines removing the type from summer schedules.
How does industry recover from 737 Max grounding saga?
The Boeing 737 Max grounding is an evolving and multifaceted story. This makes it extremely hard to predict how it will be resolved, and the extent to which Boeing, its customers and the supply chain will be affected.
Stratolaunch becomes world’s largest aircraft to fly
The world’s largest aircraft, the Stratolaunch air-launcher vehicle built by Scaled Composites, has undertaken its first flight today from Mojave in California.
Southwest removes 737 Max from schedules through August
Southwest Airlines has removed the Boeing 737 Max from its schedules through 5 August, representing a more conservative estimate for when it expects the grounded aircraft to return to the air.
Vista Global snaps up JetSmarter
Business aviation holding company Vista Global has entered into an agreement to acquire US online charter marketplace JetSmarter in a move designed to bolster and complement its growing portfolio of products.
GAMECO joins Boeing MRO network
Boeing Global Services has increased its MRO footprint in Asia after signing a services agreement with Guangzhou Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Company (GAMECO).
JetBlue 'confident' of accessing London airports
JetBlue Airways says it is confident of gaining access to slot-constrained airports in London, as it commits to launching service across the Atlantic in 2021.
JetBlue converts to 13 A321LRs, commits to London service
JetBlue Airways will convert 13 aircraft in its Airbus A321neo orderbook to the A321LR, and launch its first transatlantic flights to London in 2021.
Safran Nacelles contracts with Azul and Avianca
Safran Nacelles will provide engine nacelle related MRO services and replacement parts to Azul Air and Avianca Holdings following long-term contracts signed with those companies.
Delta hastens exit of McDonnell Douglas fleet with MD-90 plans
Delta Air Lines is accelerating the retirement of its Boeing MD-90 fleet, hastening the exit of the former McDonnell Douglas narrowbodies from US fleets.
PrivateFly completes Skyjet integration
Online business aircraft charter brokers PrivateFly and Skyjet have completed their merger, with the two companies now operating as a single entity under the PrivateFly brand within Directional Aviation's OneSky subsidiary.
ANALYSIS: American's Dallas/Fort Worth margin play
American Airlines bustling Dallas/Fort Worth base is about to get a whole lot busier.
United adds A321XLR as possible 757 replacement
United Airlines has added the possible long-range Airbus "A321XLR" to its list of replacement options for some of its aging Boeing 757s, as it aims to the replace the middle-of-the-market portion of its fleet in the next decade.
Stratos to open 716 VLJ orderbook at AirVenture Oshkosh
US start-up Stratos Aircraft will open the orderbook for its 716 very light jet at the AirVenture show in Oshkosh in July, where a full-scale cabin mock-up of the single-engined, six-seater will also be displayed for the first time.
Ethiopian preliminary report 'very thorough': NTSB chairman
The chairman of the US National Transportation Safety Board says a preliminary report on the Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 crash was "very thorough", even as he cautions that information could well change following the release of the initial findings.
LAX plans concourse 0 and terminal 9 expansions
Los Angeles International airport has plans for two long-dreamed terminal extensions east of the existing complex, adding sorely needed gates to the congested facility.
American and LATAM tout new routes in case for joint venture
American Airlines and LATAM Airlines Group promise millions of dollars in consumer benefits in their application to US authorities for an immunised joint venture.
INTERVIEW: Paula Kraft on training the aircrew of the future
Paula Kraft is founder of DaVinci Inflight Training Institute, dedicated to delivering highly skilled and versatile crewmembers for the business aviation industry, using very hands-on, interactive approach.
Piper launches 'value-priced' training aircraft
Piper has launched a pair of "value-priced" entry-level trainers, which are designed to plug a gap in the market from the growing training school sector for aircraft with "optimal acquisition and operating costs and economics".
WTCE: WestJet takes on cruelty-free onboard image
WestJet has selected Canadian firms to supply and produce the new amenity kits that will be carried onboard its new fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliners, adding to the strong domestic brand image.
PICTURE: American introduces first A321neo in Phoenix
American Airlines introduced its first Airbus A321neo at its Phoenix Sky Harbor hub today, with plans to operate 17 of the narrowbodies by year-end.
AIX: American to upgrade cabins across its A321 fleet
American Airlines is to equip a total of 300 in-service and on-order Airbus A321s with enlarged overhead luggage bins, LED lighting and wi-fi sytems.
FlightSafety and Tru form training venture for Textron aircraft
FlightSafety International and Textron subsidiary Tru Simulation and Training have formed a joint venture to provide training for the Beechcraft, Cessna and Hawker families of business and general aviation aircraft.
INTERVIEW: Educating aviation's next generation of professionals
Barry Butler is president at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, combining his love of aviation with higher education as he seeks to make the institution fertile ground for future inventors and innovators
AIX: Air Transat opts for Inflight Canada's USB charging system
Montreal-based leisure carrier Air Transat has chosen a USB charging system from Inflight Canada for its 40-strong fleet of Airbus A321s and Boeing 737-800s.
Harbour Air aims to lead electric flight with Beaver seaplanes
Some old planes in Canada may be getting very new engines, and could become the first electric-powered passenger aircraft.
ANALYSIS: United's new premium economy cabin takes flight
United Airlines begins offering its new premium economy cabin on select long-haul routes tomorrow, its latest step in offering a broader array of products to passengers.
First Europe-based Global 7500 handed to Niki Lauda
Bombardier has delivered the first Europe-based Global 7500 to long-time customer and former Formula 1 racing driver and airline entrepreneur Niki Lauda.
PICTURES: Airbus aims to deliver first Delta A330-900 by May
Airbus expects to deliver the first A330-900 to Delta Air Lines within the next two months as it works to stabilise production of the Rolls-Royce Trent 7000-powered twinjet during 2019.
ANALYSIS: Airliner configurations on the six longest routes
Ahead of AIX 2019 in Hamburg, we explore the airliner configurations in use on the world's six longest routes
Wow Air runs out of time to seal crucial financing
Indications that Icelandic carrier Wow Air was facing an end-game had emerged when the airline cancelled several inbound services from North America.
UTC to test hybrid-electric propulsion system on Dash 8
United Technologies (UTC) plans to fly by 2022 a hybrid-electric propulsion demonstrator system installed on a modified Bombardier Dash 8-100, with an electric motor supporting one of the aircraft's turboprop engines during take-off and climb.
Southwest sees additional $150m in lost revenue in Q1
Southwest Airlines expects lower unit revenue growth in the first quarter, as unscheduled maintenance disruptions and the Boeing 737 Max grounding contribute to an estimated $150 million in lost revenue for the period.
QTA secures approval for G280 engine inlet replacement
US engineering company Quiet Technology Aerospace (QTA) says it has received approval for a “permanent solution” to an engine inlet corrosion issue that has been plaguing owners and operators of the Gulfstream G280.
ANALYSIS: Five key themes for Big Data in aerospace
The concept of big data and predictive maintenance has echoed around industry boardrooms for several years. In its most ideal form, massive streams of data are pumped from aircraft in real time. On the ground, networks equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) use machine learning to make sense of it all ...
American 737 Max cancellations to top at least 2,700 flights
American Airlines has removed the Boeing 737 Max from its schedules through April, prompting the cancellation of thousands of flights.
PICTURE: Comlux takes delivery of its first ACJ320neo
Switzerland-based Comlux Aviation has taken delivery of its first Airbus ACJ320neo from a February 2016 order for three of the re-engined narrowbodies.
Boeing engages pilots, technicians and regulators on 737 Max
Boeing has started holding information sessions with pilots, technical leaders and regulators on the Boeing 737 Max as it works towards having the global grounding of the fleet lifted.
Ethiopian chief vows 'transparent' co-operation in Max probe
Ethiopian Airlines group chief executive Tewolde Gebremariam has pledged “full and transparent” co-operation with the inquiry into the fatal loss of a Boeing 737 Max 8, and has underscored the airline’s faith in the US airframer.
Kalitta 747's engine damaged after striking snow bank
Canadian investigators have disclosed that a Boeing 747 freighter suffered engine damage after it manoeuvred away from its taxiway after landing at Moncton.
PICTURES: Ranking the best animal-faced airliners
After ANA took delivery of its first turtle-themed Airbus A380 on 20 March, we rank the top 10 animal-face liveries on commercial airliners.
ANALYSIS: The questions around sole-source power and the NMA
A key talking point around Boeing's planned New Mid-market Airplane (NMA) – and there are several – is whether a choice of engines will be offered. And as the trend for sole-sourcing powerplants grows, could the results of Boeing's NMA strategy serve to fast-track more consolidation in the engine OEM ...
CommutAir ERJ landed off-runway after misaligned approaches
US investigators have disclosed that a CommutAir Embraer ERJ-145 had been aligned to the right of the runway during two approaches to Presque Isle airport, before an excursion on touchdown.
Virgin Trains plans airline partners for Orlando airport link
Virgin Trains USA plans to partner with airlines to offer seamless connections to travellers when its extension to Orlando International airport opens, the country's first in-terminal long-distance rail connection at an airport.
PODCAST: Airline Business team on 737 Max, KLM, Saudia and A380
The new edition of the Airline Business Podcast is now available.
Boeing in $4 billion deal for F/A-18E/F Block III Super Hornets
Boeing has secured a three-year contract for 78 F/A-18E/F Block III Super Hornets, with a total contract value of approximately $4 billion.
Boeing developing service bulletin for 737 Max operators: FAA
Boeing is developing a service bulletin for 737 Max operators for the installation of new flight computer software, says the US Federal Aviation Administration.
PICTURES: JetBlue unveils second phase of A320 cabin restyling
JetBlue Airways has placed into service the first Airbus A320 reconfigured with a new cabin interior, under the second and final phase of an ongoing cabin restyling programme that will also add more seats to the aircraft.
Boeing makes personnel changes in wake of 737 crashes
Boeing has implemented changes among its top engineering team as it works to deal with the fallout of two recent crashes and subsequent grounding of the 737 Max 8.
DOT calls for audit of 737 Max 8 certification
The US Department of Transportation has requested its inspector general to carry out an audit of the certification process of the Boeing 737 Max 8, less than a week after US regulators grounded the aircraft.
Former Delta executive nominated to lead FAA
The White House plans to nominate former Delta Air Lines senior vice-president of flight operations Steve Dickson to lead the Federal Aviation Administration.
Gulfstream makes first sustainable fuel sale
Gulfstream has made its first direct sale of sustainable alternative jet fuel, with the owner of a G550 becoming the customer.
ANALYSIS: A380 flights set to fall for first time in 2019
The cancellation of the Airbus A380 programme comes in a year that could see the first drop in scheduled passenger flights made by the type.
Atlas 767 crash probe strives to comprehend pitch upset
US investigators probing the Atlas Air Boeing 767-300 freighter crash have yet to explain fully the initiating circumstances behind the elevator deflection which pushed the aircraft into a fatal dive on approach to Houston.
United debuts premium 767 on London flight
United Airlines will introduce its first Boeing 767-300ER with an expanded business class cabin on flights to London Heathrow today.
ANALYSIS: Delta corporate funding view of EETC drove low rates
Delta Air Lines locked in $500 million in cheap funding with its first enhanced equipment trust certificate (EETC) in four years earlier this month.
OPINION: Confidence threatened by polarised Max response
Partial suspension of Boeing 737 Max operations exposed an extraordinary regulatory disparity, with European and US authorities – normally fixated on procedural harmonisation and alignment – entrenched in opposing positions on the matter.
'Multiple errors' contributed to fatal Teterboro Learjet crash
US accident investigators have determined that the fatal crash of a Bombardier Learjet 35A at Teterboro airport on 15 May 2017 was caused by the aircraft stalling at low altitude after the pilot failed to perform a go-around when the approach became unstable.
737 Max grounding to have limited impact on US carriers
American Airlines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines are the three US carriers impacted by the Federal Aviation Administration's decision to ground all Boeing 737 Max aircraft following two fatal crashes since October.
Bombardier and Embraer spar over 50-seater replacement
Bombardier and Embraer have differing views on how to replace the aging 50-seat regional jet fleet around the world.
VIDEO: Epic nears E1000 type certification
Epic Aircraft says US type certification of the E1000 is “very close”, and claims that the introduction of performance upgrades which have delayed the arrival of the single-engined turboprop by around three years “far outweigh the schedule trade-off".
'No basis' to ground 737 Max: FAA
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reiterates that it has seen "no basis" to order a grounding of the Boeing 737 Max, as the USA remains the prominent outlier among a handful of countries that have not suspended operations with the aircraft after the fatal Ethiopian Airlines crash on 10 ...
European momentum heaps pressure on 737 Max
Several European air transport regulators have taken individual decisions to ban operations with the Boeing 737 Max, resulting in a patchwork response over use of the aircraft.
Final Citation X+ delivered after 22-year run
FlightGlobal can reveal that Textron Aviation quietly delivered the final Cessna Citation X+ in late 2018, ending a 22-year, 339-unit run for the high-speed business jet and its Citation X predecessor.
IATA sees softer air cargo market growth in 2019
IATA sees geopolitical factors denting demand for air cargo during 2019, and forecasts just 2% growth for the entire year.
More than a third of global 737 Max fleet grounded
More than 30% of the global fleet of Boeing 737 Max aircraft are now grounded due to safety concerns, following the crash of two almost brand new Max 8s less than five months apart.
Boeing to upgrade 737 Max flight control software
Boeing has confirmed that it will deploy a flight control software upgrade for the 737 Max “in the coming weeks”.
Boeing to delay 777X rollout after Ethiopian crash
Boeing will push back the official rollout of the 777-9 following the 10 March crash of a Boeing 737 Max 8 operated by Ethiopian Airlines.
Ethiopian crash likely to aggravate unease over 737 Max
Loss of the Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8, just a few minutes after take-off, is likely to stir disquiet over the re-engined type which emerged during the probe into a Lion Air Max 8 accident.
ANALYSIS: Allies seek strength in numbers alongside Loyal Wingman
A mass market for loyal wingman unmanned air vehicles is rapidly forming as Boeing, in a development partnership with the Australian government, unveiled a mock-up of its Airpower Teaming System aircraft at the Avalon air show near Melbourne, Victoria, on 26 February.
Dulles fortunes turn on lower costs as United maps growth
United Airlines could double the number of flights it operates from Washington Dulles International airport, putting the once questionnable hub on firmer and firmer footing.
ANALYSIS: US carriers paint mixed demand picture
The largest US carriers continue to see strong domestic demand even as some of their smaller peers cite pockets of weakness.
United encourages Boeing to speed up NMA development
United Airlines chief executive Oscar Munoz wants Boeing to speed up the development of its proposed New Mid-market Airplane.
American parks 14 737s on overhead bin installation issues
American Airlines has removed 14 Boeing 737-800s from service after it found issues with the "quality of work conducted" on overhead bins on two aircraft.
Overrun MD-83's elevator jammed by gusts while parked
US investigators have determined that localised air turbulence damaged the elevator of a parked Boeing MD-83 to the extent that it jammed when the aircraft attempted to take off from a Michigan airport two years ago.
Air Lease emerges as customer for four more A350s
US lessor Air Lease has emerged as the customer behind an order for four Airbus A350s previously attributed to an unidentified client.
Boeing chairman unveils Embry-Riddle job training grant
Boeing chairman Dennis Muilenburg announced a $3 million aeronautics job training grant at a conference in Washington DC where he also discussed Boeing's goals for urban air mobility and his views on trade negotiations with China.
United plans 'evolution' to globe livery: CEO
United Airlines will unveil an updated livery that chief executive Oscar Munoz calls an "evolution" in the next few months.
Washington Dulles aims for 30m passengers
Washington Dulles International airport is once again the DC area's second busiest airport, but travellers eager to see improvements will have wait to a bit longer.
Delta prices first EETC in four years
Delta Air Lines has priced a $500 million secured enhanced equipment trust certificate (EETC) transaction for 14 aircraft, its first such transaction in four years.
INTERVIEW: Lowering costs of business aircraft operations
Richard Tilghman is chief operating officer for AVIAA, a start-up that streamlines purchasing for private aircraft operations using a collective model that saves members money on products and services
INTERVIEW: Taking a chief position at American Airlines
Lori Cline became the youngest airline captain in the world on the day of her 23rd birthday. Now she is chief pilot at American Airlines' second-largest hub: Charlotte Douglas International in North Carolina.
PICTURE: Kratos XQ-58A makes flight debut
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions’ XQ-58A Valkyrie demonstrator has conducted its first sortie, launching a planned five flight test campaign.
PICTURES: Global 7500 sets business jet range record
Bombardier's Global 7500 has completed an 8,152nm (15,100km) non-stop flight, which the manufacturer bills as the world’s “longest mission ever flown by a purpose-built business jet.”
Boeing to reveal 777-9 on 13 March
Boeing has confirmed it will make the public debut of the 777-9 at an event at its Everett plant in Washington on 13 March.
Eviation picks Siemens motors for all-electric Alice
Israeli start-up Eviation Aircraft has selected Siemens as the first of at least two suppliers of motors for its Alice all-electric business and commuter aircraft, which is scheduled to make its debut sortie in early June. A second provider could be announced later this year.
Southwest sees 'millions' in lost revenue from cancelled flights
Southwest Airlines estimates that it is losing "millions of dollars" in revenue weekly as it struggles with flight cancellations and delays amid contentious contract negotiations with its mechanics union.
Delta could provide Alitalia 'incremental support': CEO
Delta Air Lines could provide bankrupt Alitalia some "incremental support", says chief executive Ed Bastian without providing specifics.
Delta encourages Boeing to launch NMA
Delta Air Lines chief executive Ed Bastian is encouraging Boeing to launch its proposed New Mid-market Airplane (NMA).
ANALYSIS: Brakes applied after commercial orders glut
January is traditionally a quiet month for commercial aircraft sales, and 2019 did not break from this trend. Information from Cirium’s Fleets Analyzer shows there were 27 new orders recorded during the month, along with 11 cancellations, leaving a net total of 16.
HAI: high demand for pre-owned EC135 and A109E Power helicopters
The most liquid used twin-engined helicopter asset on the market in 2018 were Airbus H135 helicopters, followed by the AgustaWestland A109E Power helicopters.
JetBlue drops hint on A321LR order for London service
JetBlue Airways has hinted that it could announce service to London in April, after years of flirting with the prospect of launching transatlantic flights to Europe.
Carlyle Group backs Nordam restructuring efforts
Carlyle Group is to provide funding to restructuring US-based Nordam to enable the aerostructures manufacturer and repair provider to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
Southwest to begin Hawaii flights on 17 March
Southwest Airlines has started sales for its inaugural Hawaii service from California, with first revenue flights to begin within weeks.
Luxaviation launches 'industry first' helicopter alliance
Luxaviation, one the world’s largest fixed-wing charter and management companies, is seeking to become a dominant player in the international VIP helicopter charter market through a newly formed alliance with other rotorcraft operators.
PICTURES: SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule completes ISS docking
The SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule successfully docked with the International Space Station (ISS) earlier today, achieving another key objective of the Demo-1 test flight.
PICTURES: SpaceX Crew Dragon heads to ISS
The first commercially-built and operated US crew spacecraft design is due to dock with the International Space Station on 3 March, following its successful launch from the Nasa Kennedy Space Center earlier today.
ANALYSIS: Supersonic projects speed towards Concorde's successor
Almost exactly 20 years after the Aerospatiale/BAC Concorde's final revenue flight from New York touched down in London in October 2003, a commercial jet will once again cross the Atlantic at speeds faster than sound. At least that is the ambition of Tom Vice, chief executive ...
United details premium-heavy 767 fleet plans
United Airlines plans to operate 21 Boeing 767-300ERs in its new configuration with 16 additional business class seats.
PICTURES: Alaska unveils new Airbus cabins
Alaska Airlines will begin making upgrades to its cabins and adding new premium seats this year starting with its Airbus aircraft with the goal of converting 36% of its fleet by “early 2020.”
Delta to base A330neos in Seattle from July
Delta Air Lines will base its first Airbus A330-900neos at its Seattle Tacoma gateway, with flights to Asia beginning in July.
Rolls-Royce pulls out of Boeing NMA engine contest
Rolls-Royce has pulled out of the competition to develop an engine for Boeing’s proposed New Mid-market Airplane.
FAA grants Southwest approval for Hawaii flights
Southwest Airlines now has permission from the FAA to fly passengers to Hawaii after the government shutdown delayed regulatory approval.
ANALYSIS: Business jet shipments rise, but performance mixed
The business jet market experienced a modest hike in shipments in 2018. While performance across each segment was mixed, there is a widespread consensus that the industry has finally turned a corner, aided by a strong US economy, and the introduction of a plethora of new, innovative and reinvigorated aircraft ...
Alaska refinanced debt in December quarter
Alaska Airlines prepaid $220 million in debt during the fourth quarter, refinancing the loans with new borrowing.
EgyptAir plans new Washington DC flight
EgyptAir plans to begin new service to Washington Dulles International airport in June, its third North American destination.
INTERVIEW: Demonstrating the value of communication
Adam Konowe is vice-president of client strategy for US advertising and commuications agency TMP Worldwide. Konowe also teaches communications at American University in Washington DC, which he says "keeps me on my toes".
US investigators puzzle over Atlas 767's fatal dive
Twenty years after the most notorious accident in the Boeing 767’s history, US investigators are faced with explaining another fatal dive involving a twinjet which has maintained an impressive safety record over its near-40-year service life.
Video shows Atlas 767F in ‘steep’ dive prior to crash: NTSB
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has obtained security video showing Atlas Air flight 3591 in a “steep nose-down attitude” prior to crashing in Trinity Bay near Houston on 23 February.
US investigators converge on site of deadly Atlas Air 767 crash
US investigators are converging on the site where the 767-300ER Freighter crashed into the water on 23 February, killing three people on board.
Crashed 767's crew appeared to be trying to avoid weather
Preliminary analysis of air traffic control communications with the crashed Atlas Air Boeing 767-300ER freighter near Houston indicates that the crew was trying to avoid a weather system during the approach.
Atlas Air 767 Freighter crashes near Houston
An Atlas Air Boeing 767-300ER freighter operating as online retailer Amazon's Prime Air has crashed near Houston following a flight from Miami.
New judges and diversity prize added for Airline Strategy Awards
Nominations are now being sought for the 18th Airline Strategy Awards, organised by FlightGlobal’s Airline Business magazine.
Delta outlines A330-900 seating plans
Delta Air Lines plans to outfit its new Airbus A330-900neo aircraft with 281 seats, including its new business class suite product.
American, Delta, United go big for new Tokyo Haneda flights
American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines and United Airlines have applied for nearly double the 12 new flights available to US carriers at Tokyo Haneda International airport.
PICTURES: Delta opens engine test cell in Atlanta
A newly opened jet engine test cell facility at Delta’s Technical Operations Center in Atlanta is part of the company’s aim of growing its MRO business revenue by $1 billion each year for the next five years.
PICTURES: WestJet operates first 787 revenue flight
WestJet's first flight of paying customers on one of the airline’s new-del Boeing 787-9 “Dreamliner” aircraft on 20 February is a prelude to international flights the Calgary-based airline plans to begin in April.
GAMA reports surge in fixed-wing deliveries
Shipments of fixed-wing business and general aviation aircraft rose across all three sectors in 2018, as the long-awaited industry rebound finally began to appear.
Canadian investigators aim to cut air taxi fatalities
Canadian investigators are gathering information in an effort to identify underlying safety issues in the air taxi industry, owing to a persistently-high fatality rate in the sector.
ANALYSIS: Values outlook poor for A380 after termination decision
The momentous decision by Airbus to end the A380 programme was really the only logical option, given the almost nonexistent market faced by its sales team in recent years.
PICTURE: First BBJ Max 8 arrives for cabin outfitting
The first Boeing BBJ Max 8 has arrived at Comlux Completions' Indianapolis facility for cabin outfitting, with the finished aircraft scheduled for delivery to its unnamed US owner before the end of the year.
ANNOUNCEMENT: Cirium launched to be leader in data and analytics in aviation and wider travel industry
The need for accurate insights to help shape the future of travel is underlined today with the launch of Cirium, designed to be the leader in data and analytics within aviation and the wider travel industry.
Operators of 787s told to fix flight-management glitch
Boeing 787 operators are being instructed to check flight-management system software to eradicate a glitch which could lead to uncommanded manoeuvres.
PICTURE: PlaneSense receives second PC-24
A year after becoming the launch operator of the Pilatus PC-24, US fractional ownership company PlaneSense has taken delivery of a second example from an order for six of the light business jets.
ANALYSIS: Submarine threat buoys demand for Boeing's P-8
Steadily growing anti-ship cruise missile threats from Chinese and Russian submarines, among other factors, are compelling more of the world's militaries to retire their ageing fleets of Lockheed Martin P-3 Orions in favour of acquiring Boeing's 737-based P-8 maritime patrol aircraft.
ANALYSIS: Alliances enter third decade eyeing seamless transition
China Southern Airlines' departure from SkyTeam and Qatar Airways' venting of its frustrations with Oneworld illustrate that global alliance membership is likely to remain fluid, but the groupings themselves are looking at facilitating seamless connectivity to underline their relevance in their third decade of operations.
FAA awards Vietnam Category 1 status
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted Vietnam Category 1 status, setting the stage for Vietnamese airlines to serve US destinations.
United continues Denver expansion to East Coast
United Airlines will add service to Greenville-Spartanburg, Portland (Maine) and Syracuse from Denver this June, further building on its expansion at the Colorado airport.
Boeing 747's production run could outlast A380's
Airbus’s probable backlog for the A380 is less than that for the Boeing 747-8, leaving open the possibility that production of the iconic US aircraft could yet outlast its European rival.
Boeing and Safran name APU venture Initium
Boeing and Safran have named their newly formed APU joint venture Initium Aerospace.
Air Canada tail-strike pilot was conducting first 777 flight
Investigators probing an Air Canada Boeing 777-300ER tail-strike at Hong Kong have disclosed that the landing was the pilot’s first on the 777, outside of a simulator.
Q400 had oil check before in-flight cowl door loss
Canadian investigators have determined that a Jazz Bombardier Q400 underwent engine oil checks before a departure from Toronto during which it lost a cowl door from its left-hand powerplant.
Pentagon lays out F-35’s Tier II global repair network
The US Department of Defense roughly outlined the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II’s Tier II global repair network.
United ups Denver flights in latest growth move
United Airlines is adding more than 60 mainline flights a week at its Denver hub in the latest step in its effort to capture more connecting traffic over the mid-continent gateway.
Honeywell awards JetWave distributorship to Satair
Honeywell Aerospace has appointed Danish aftermarket services company Satair to distribute its JetWave high-speed, in-flight connectivity system to maintenance, repair and overhaul providers in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and India, as well as its dealer network across the region.
Spirit continues North Carolina expansion with Charlotte
Spirit Airlines will add Charlotte to its network in June, its second new destination in North Carolina this year.
Garmin G1000 NXi approved for Citation Mustang
Garmin has secured US certification for the next-generation G1000NXi integrated flightdeck on the Cessna Citation Mustang and expects European validation before the end of June.
American continues JFK adjustments with Orlando exit
American continues to adjust its network at New York John F Kennedy with plans to drop Orlando service in May.
Lockheed remains bullish on supersonic air travel
Despite pulling out of its involvement with Aerion, a startup developing a supersonic airliner, Lockheed Martin remains bullish on the prospect of high-speed air travel, pointing to its involvement developing NASA’s X-59.
VIDEO & PICTURES: Boeing's Jumbo jet celebrates golden jubilee
Fifty years ago (on 9 February), the first Boeing 747 (RA001) took to the air from Paine Field along a runway adjacent to the Boeing’s then-new Everett plant in Washington.
US carriers to gain 12 more daytime slots at Tokyo Haneda
The US Department of Transport has started accepting applications from US carriers for up to 12 new daytime slot pairs that are expected to open up at Tokyo Haneda International airport.
ANALYSIS: Delta seizes opportunities with A220 introduction
Delta Air Lines introduced its first Airbus A220s today, ending what was an unexpectedly challenging road to becoming the North American launch operator of the type.
Global 7500 awarded European type certification
Bombardier has secured European type certification for the Global 7500, clearing the way for deliveries of the ultra-long-range business jet to begin in the region.
Allegiant closes $450m term loan to fund tender
Allegiant Air has closed a $450 million term loan that will fund the pre-payment of nearly $350 million in outstanding debt.
United expands premium push with new dual-class CRJ550
United Airlines is upping the number of premium seats on hundreds of aircraft, in what is seen as a push to attract more lucrative business travellers.
Blade readies for Indian service launch
US private aircraft online booking and ride-sharing marketplace Blade is preparing to launch operations in Western India in April, marking its first move into the international market.
Airbus helps electric air race off the ground
Airbus is supporting the establishment of a regular electric flight contest, Air Race E, scheduled to begin in 2020.
Piper extends M600 warranty
Piper Aircraft has extended the warranty on its M600 to reflect the higher-than-expected utilisation rates and longer stage lengths of the single-engined turboprop's in-service fleet.
Pilots fret over 'serious' fire risk from devices in hold baggage
Cockpit crew representatives are warning that the risk of a serious fire from personal electronic devices is greater than previously anticipated, and that all large devices should be banned from carriage in the aircraft baggage hold.
Southwest plans Hawaii proving flight
Southwest Airlines will conduct a validation flight to Hawaii this week, as it continues to work towards certification to begin passenger service to the islands.
Aer Lingus plans Hartford A321LR launch
Aer Lingus plans to introduce the Airbus A321LR on flights to Hartford in July, marking the debut of the long-range narrowbody to the North Atlantic market.
G600 certification slips on back of US government shutdown
Gulfstream has pushed back certification and service entry of the G600, blaming the 35-day partial shutdown of the US government for the delay.
Probe follows shutdown of two engines on L-382
Canadian investigators are probing an incident involving a Lockheed Martin L-382G Hercules whose crew had to deal with a shutdown of two of its four engines.
A320 suffered loss of thrust as it entered mountain wave
Air Canada is probing an incident in which an Airbus A320 lost thrust on one engine as is passed through a mountain wave en route to Los Angeles.
American to add seats in Phoenix with A321neo
American Airlines plans to debut its new Airbus A321neo at its Phoenix Sky Harbor hub in April after taking delivery of its first aircraft today.
PICTURE: American latest to add A321neo to fleet
American Airlines has taken delivery of its first Airbus A321neo, making it the latest US carrier to add the re-engined narrowbody to its fleet.
RETROSPECTIVE: The day Boeing’s 747 took to the sky
The year 1969 marked a golden age for the post-war aerospace industry, in which Flight International was one of the leading communicators, for those 12 months witnessed three key events that were genuine landmarks in the evolution of flight – the maiden sorties of the Boeing 747 and Aerospatiale/BAC Concorde, ...
OPINION: The war for talent in aerospace
The aerospace industry prides itself on being a fraternity of smart, passionate people pushing the frontiers of progress. But the bitter legal feud between Bombardier and Mitsubishi Aircraft has laid bare the rough and tumble of industry hiring practices.
United expects first premium-heavy 767 in February
United Airlines expects its first Boeing 767-300ER with an expanded business class cabin in February.
FAA on verge of awarding Vietnam category 1 status: report
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) could grant Vietnam catetory 1 status in the coming weeks, setting the stage for direct services between the two countries.
Delta TechOps completes its first Trent 1000 shop visit
Delta Air Lines’ maintenance division has completed its first overhaul shop visit of a Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engine.
SIA expands JetBlue codeshare; deploys regional A350 to Brisbane
Singapore Airlines (SIA) recently expanded its codeshare with JetBlue on flights out of New York John F. Kennedy International airport, while also deploying the regionally configured Airbus A350-900s on flights to Brisbane.
Mitsubishi countersuit ratchets up Bombardier acrimony
Mitsubishi’s counter suit against Bombardier constitutes a detailed rebuttal of the Canadian manufacturer’s claims against the MRJ programme.
United prices $1bn transaction for 25 aircraft
United Airlines has priced its $1.01 billion enhanced equipment trust certificate (EETC) transaction, opening the secured aircraft debt market for 2019.
Delta continues Japan pulldown with Fukuoka exit
Delta Air Lines continues to retrench in Japan with plans to exit the Fukuoka market this May.
Ethiopian to end LA service in network rejig
Ethiopian Airlines will axe services to Los Angeles and add a new service to Houston as part of a reorganisation of the its routes to the USA.
Delta postpones A220 entry into service
Delta Air Lines has confirmed it will postpone the entry into service of its Airbus A220 scheduled for 31 January, due to an ongoing US government shutdown that has held up certification processes.
Cessna eyes Longitude approval, despite US government shutdown
Textron Aviation is in the final stages of the validation process for the Cessna Longitude business jet, having secured provisional type certification from the US regulator last year, which has enabled the company to begin customer training flights.
ANALYSIS: What lies ahead for aerospace sector over next decade?
The decade since Flight International celebrated its centenary in 2009 seems to have flown by – if you pardon the pun – and during this period there have been some key developments across the aerospace industry, as outlined elsewhere. But that posits the question: what could the next 10 years ...
ANALYSIS: Ten aerospace trends in the decade since Flight hit 100
Starting with magnificently moustachioed aviation adventurers and ending with an industry that continues to shrink the planet, a lot happened in Flight International’s first 100 years. However, what have been the biggest developments since we celebrated our centenary in 2009? From the promise of electric propulsion to the rise of ...
ANALYSIS: Megatrends and the future of aviation
We asked several experts to consider how the future of aviation might be shaped by huge forces transforming the world today
Southwest to end Mexico City service in March
Southwest Airlines will end service to Mexico City on 30 March, becoming the latest North American airline to exit the Mexican capital.
Southwest waits out 'maddening' govt shutdown for Hawaii launch
Southwest Airlines says long-anticipated Hawaii service could slip to the second quarter, unless the US government re-opens within a week which could allow for a first quarter launch.
Bombardier to acquire Global 7500 wing programme from Triumph
Bombardier is acquiring the Global 7500 wing programme from the Triumph Group, in a move designed to secure the production ramp-up and long-term success of its flagship business jet and strengthen Bombardier's position as a leading aerostructures supplier.
JetBlue sees delays to A321neos, pushes out A220 deliveries
JetBlue Airways will see delays to the delivery of several Airbus A321neo and A220 aircraft beginning from this year.
American sees close-in demand hit from government shutdown
American Airlines sees an impact on close-in bookings from the continuing partial US government shutdown, now in its 34th day, but is holding off on estimating the cost of the closure until a resolution is reached.
Boeing's electric air taxi prototype takes flight
Boeing has successfully completed the first flight of an in-development autonomous air vehicle, a step forward in Boeing's race to develop an aircraft capable of providing commercially viable intra-urban air transportation.
United aircraft deliveries to hit post-merger high in 2019
United Airlines will take delivery of 40 mainline aircraft in 2019, its highest in a single year since its merger with Continental Airlines nearly a decade ago.
JetSuiteX looks to double ERJ-135 fleet by year-end
Premium US charter company JetSuite plans to more than double its fleet of Embraer ERJ-135LRs before the end of the year to cater for booming demand for its JetSuiteX public charter service.
INTERVIEW: Peter Chang, chief executive, CDB Aviation
As a child growing up in Taiwan, Peter Chang traveled to the market with his mother. For years, much to Chang’s bewilderment, his mother always selected the same vendor from a line of identical shops. One day, Chang noticed that after paying, the vendor slipped three green onions into his ...
Drone sightings affect Newark arrivals
US authorities briefly stopped flights into Newark airport today following reports of drone sightings in New Jersey.
Alaska delays Paine Field launch due to government shutdown
Alaska Airlines is the first carrier to officially postpone a new service due to the on-going partial US federal government shutdown now in its 32nd day.
DigEcor acquires Collins Aerospace's IFE business
Collins Aerospace has divested its commercial IFE activities to Australian cabin-equipment supplier DigEcor, which has rebranded itself Burrana as part of the expansion effort.
Tokyo casts frugal eye over domestic F-35 production
Tokyo will review indigenous production of the Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter with an eye to saving production costs.
PICTURE: Delta A330neo emerges from painting
Delta Air Lines’ first Airbus A330-900 has emerged having been painted in the US carrier’s livery.
ANALYSIS: 2018 freighter conversions rise on strong 767 work
Freighter conversions rose by 11% in 2018, with widebody conversions hitting their highest level since 2008.
WNG Capital closes $345 million leasing fund
Operating lessor WNG Capital has disclosed the closing of a $345 million fund which will be used to invest in "late-life" narrowbodies.
Combat aircraft market strong over next decade: report
The global combat aircraft market could be robust in the coming decade with the industry generating total revenue of $493.14 billion between 2017 and 2026.
Aer Lingus chief voices confidence in IAG ownership structure
Aer Lingus chief executive Sean Doyle has declared that he shares IAG's confidence that its ownership structure is robust enough to survive Brexit.
PICTURE: WestJet gets its first Boeing 787-9
WestJet has taken delivery the first of 10 Boeing 787-9s it has on order.
United to take delivery of additional 777-300ERs from this year
United Airlines will receive the first widebody aircraft from a new Boeing order this year, the airline told analysts on an earnings call earlier today.
Embraer suffers slide in business jet deliveries and revenues
Embraer recorded a 17% slide in executive jet shipments in 2018 on the back of prolonged weakness in the business aviation market.
Airbus open to developing larger version of A220
Airbus is "likely" to develop a larger derivative of its A220 in the coming years – but only after the company has ramped up production and the aircraft has secured a firm place in the global aviation market.
United discloses order for four 777-300ERs and 24 737 Max
United Airlines recently placed an order for 28 Boeing aircraft, comprising four 777-300ERs and 24 737 Max.
Delta foresees delay to A220 service launch
Delta Air Lines expects it could be forced to delay the start date for its Airbus A220 operations due to ramifications of the US government shutdown, management told analysts and media on an earnings call on 15 January.
Mirabel site could produce 10 A220s monthly by mid-2020s: Airbus
Airbus expects its Mirabel A220 assembly site will have the ability to complete 10 aircraft monthly by the mid-2020s, a rate that the A220's former owner Bombardier had once intended to hit by 2020.
Gama moves into VIP completions with Lotus purchase
Business aviation services provider Gama Aviation has made its first move into VIP aircraft completions, following the acquisition of Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based MRO firm Lotus Aviation.
Allegiant to add new base in Grand Rapids
Allegiant Air will open a new aircraft base in Grand Rapids in June, as it also continues to evaluate adding long-anticipated international service to its network.
Air Canada invests C$97 million in Chorus and extends CPA
Air Canada will invest C$97.3 million ($73.3 million) in regional partner Jazz Aviation's parent Chorus Aviation, as it extends the Jazz capacity purchase agreement (CPA) by an additional 10 years until end-2035.
Brazil approves Boeing and Embraer partnership
Brazil's new government has approved a proposed partnership between Embraer and Boeing, clearing a critical hurdle for a tie-up that was challenged in court by Brazilian politicians and labour unions.
ANALYSIS: Big two airframers break output records but orders fall
Airbus and Boeing enjoyed another healthy rise in airliner output during 2018, to over 1,600 aircraft. Sales also remained strong – at 1,640 net orders – although this represented an almost 20% decline on the previous year.
Trent 1000s start receiving approved redesigned blades
Rolls-Royce has started installing a redesigned intermediate pressure compressor blade design on certain Trent 1000 engines, following approval from European and US regulators.
Cirrus certificates second-generation Vision Jet
Cirrus Aircraft has secured US certification for the second-generation version of its Vision Jet and is poised to deliver the first example of the single-engined personal aircraft in mid-January.
Delta to take 50 A220-300s in upgauged order
Delta Air Lines has ordered 15 Airbus A220-300 aircraft, and converted orders for 35 A220-100s to the larger variant.
EasyJet seals A319 deal with engine lessor Willis
UK budget carrier EasyJet has entered a sale-and-leaseback covering 10 Airbus A319s with powerplant leasing specialist Willis Lease Finance.
Canberra confirms sale of 25 Hornets to Canada at A$95 million
Australia’s Department of Defence (DoD) has confirmed a deal to sell Canada up to 25 surplus Boeing F/A-18 A/B “Classic” Hornet fighters.
Eviation secures funding for all-electric Alice
Israeli start-up Eviation Aircraft has closed the latest funding round for its Alice all-electric business and commuter aircraft, and says it now has enough money to finance the programme through certification and into production.
Global airline numbers almost unchanged despite 2018 failures
While 2018 brought its fair share of airline start-ups and collapses, the year ended with roughly the same number of commercial operators as which it ended 2017.
PICTURE: United first airline to operate all three 787 variants
United Airlines' first Boeing 787-10 has entered revenue service, making the Chicago-based carrier the first to operate all three variants in the 787 family.
OBITUARY: Herb Kelleher, low-cost airline pioneer
When the main road leading to Dallas Love Field airport was designated Herb Kelleher Way in 2011, the Southwest Airlines co-founder himself downplayed the honour in true Kelleher fashion.
Delta tops FlightGlobal's on-time performance ranking for 2018
Delta Air Lines has been named the world's most punctual major international airline during 2018 by FlightGlobal, incorporating FlightStats.
New A220 orders eclipse total A319neo sales
Airbus’s sealing of its landmark US orders for A220-300s means the airframer has effectively doubled the entirety of sales achieved by the rival A319neo.
LCC icon Herb Kelleher dies at 87
Low-cost airline pioneer and founder of Southwest Airlines Herb Kelleher has died at the age of 87.
Neeleman's US start-up confirms A220 order
David Neeleman's US start-up carrier has firmed an order for 60 Airbus A220-300s, after tentatively signing for the jets at last year's Farnborough air show.
Delta named world's most on-time mainline airline in 2018
Delta named world's most on-time mainline airline in 2018
JetBlue to decide on the A321LR in 2019
JetBlue Airways chief executive Robin Hayes says the airline will make a decision on the Airbus A321LR in 2019, almost three years after it took up the option of converting some deliveries to the long-range variant.
ANALYSIS: Airline safety still broadly improving despite setback
A rise in the number of passenger and crew fatalities made 2018 disappointing in comparison to the previous year – though 2017 was exceptionally safe.
Airline safety falls in 2018 on back of passenger jet crashes
Airline safety dipped in 2018 on the back of 14 fatal accidents – six of which involved large passenger jets – in which 543 people were killed, analysis of FlightGlobal data shows.
ANALYSIS: Which airline CEOs face big challenges in 2019?
A look at the challenges – and opportunities – that await airline chief executives in the year ahead
PICTURES: Qatar Executive takes delivery of first two G500s
Qatar Executive has become the international launch customer for the Gulfstream G500, following delivery of two of the superlarge-cabin business jets to the VIP charter company on 17 December.
PICTURES: Key airline stories from 2018
A visual reminder of some of the most significant events in the airline industry over the past 12 months
PICTURES: 2018's key airline chief executive appointments
A visual record of some of the most significant leadership appointments across the global airline industry in 2018
Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems reach long-term pricing deal
Spirit AeroSystems has reached a memorandum of agreement with Boeing that includes long-term pricing terms for additional aircraft programmes, and the release of claims from both sides in relation to the 737 manufacturing delays earlier this year.
ANALYSIS: Key factors set to shape aerospace sector in 2019
All we ever know for sure about the future is that it will look a lot like the past, only different – or maybe very different, depending on the timescale and interim events. That makes forecasting a black art best left to fortune tellers, charlatans and consultants.
ANALYSIS: What lies in store for airline sector in 2019?
Until the last few weeks of 2018 it appeared that rising fuel costs would give many airlines the stiffest test yet of the robustness of their newfound profitability in the year to come. Even as airlines have shifted to more efficient models amid fleet renewal efforts over recent years, fuel ...
THE YEAR AHEAD: 2019 aerospace outlook
All we ever know for sure about the future is that it will look a lot like the past, only different – or maybe very different, depending on the timescale and interim events. That makes forecasting a black art best left to fortune tellers, charlatans and consultants. ...
PICTURES: SB-1 Defiant breaks cover
Sikorsky and Boeing have unveiled the SB-1 Defiant helicopter, providing a pair of images showing the rotorcraft from the front and rear.
Brazil court revokes injunction against Embraer-Boeing deal
A Brazil appeals court judge has struck down a second injunction issued last week against the proposed commercial aviation joint venture between Embraer and Boeing.
Wow improves liquidity $12m through Air Canada A321 deal
Restructuring Icelandic carrier Wow Air has signed a deal to sell four Airbus A321s to Air Canada in a deal the carrier says will improve its liquidity by more than $12 million.
ATSG expands leasing and equity deal with Amazon
Air Transport Services Group (ATSG) will lease an additional 10 Boeing 767-300 Freighters to Amazon, while granting the e-commerce giant additional warrants that will allow Amazon to own a greater share of ATSG.
RETROSPECTIVE: How Flight first reported the Lockerbie tragedy
On this day 30 years ago, a Boeing 747 operated by Pan American World Airways crashed in the vicinity of the Scottish town of Lockerbie, with tragic loss of life. As well as the 259 passengers and crew on board the 747, 11 residents of the town died as a ...
MRJ set to start type certification testing in 2019
Mitsubishi Aircraft has passed a major milestone that should allow it to commence certification flight testing for the MRJ90 regional jet next year, while work on the design of the smaller MRJ70 is underway.
Bombardier Global 7500 enters service
Bombardier’s flagship Global 7500 business jet has entered service, eight years after its launch.
Embraer faces new injunction against Boeing deal
Embraer says it will "take all applicable judicial measures" to seek the overturn of a second injunction issued against its proposed commercial aviation joint venture with Boeing.
Republic finalises order for 100 E175s
Republic Airways has firmed up an order for 100 Embraer 175s, first unveiled at the Farnborough air show in July.
ANALYSIS: Push to create UAV air traffic control system gathers momentum
Advances in technology, improved designs and imaginative applications have led small unmanned air systems – frequently referred to by regulators and users by the popular term “drones” – to be increasingly seen as ready for widespread civil use. But while they are generally regarded, from a capability point of view, ...
RETROSPECTIVE: 50 years since Apollo 8’s historic lunar mission
Fifty years ago this month, a manned spacecraft blasted off on what Flight International called "the greatest technical experiment ever made – in terms of effort and money", when three US astronauts became the first human beings to slip the surly bonds of Earth.
PICTURE: Bombardier hands over third Challenger 650 to Rega
Bombardier has delivered the third and final Challenger 650 to Swiss rescue and emergency medical services provider Rega, from a 2015 order for the large-cabin business jet.
ANALYSIS: Airline start-ups and failures 2018
A round-up of 2018's start-up carriers and those airlines that suspended, ceased operations or entered formal restructuring during the year
StandardAero to be sold to Carlyle Group
Carlyle Group is to acquire US maintenance specialist StandardAero from private equity firm Veritas Capital.
Europe approves GE Passport 20 engine
GE Aviation has secured European certification for the Passport 20 engine that powers Bombardier's Global 7500 business jet.
Textron issues new petition for Longitude fuel tank exemption
Textron Aviation has submitted a new request for exemption from US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) flammability requirements covering the Cessna Citation Longitude's fuel tank. It says the aircraft already "maintains an acceptable level of safety", and that a refusal to approve its petition will "disrupt" deliveries of the super-midsize business ...
SkyWest to sell ExpressJet to United joint venture
SkyWest Inc has agreed to sell ExpressJet Airlines to United Airlines joint venture ManaAir for some $70 million in cash.
GA Telesis, partners firm up engine leasing venture
GA Telesis, Tokyo Century Corporation, and All Nippon Airways Trading have formed a joint venture called Gateway Engine Leasing.
Delta to resume Mexico City service from Minneapolis/St Paul
Delta Air Lines will return to service between Minneapolis/St Paul and Mexico City from 8 June 2019, almost eight years after it ended flights on the route.
Boeing and Embraer agree on terms for planned tie-up
Boeing and Embraer have agreed the terms of their planned joint venture under which the US manufacturer is set to take control of Embraer’s commercial aircraft activities in 2019.
ANALYSIS: How airline stories developed in 2018
While wider political tensions dominated much of the agenda and continue to cause potential headaches for airlines, it was the return of a familiar problem in the shape of rising fuel prices that did the most to knock airlines from their high-profit altitude during 2018.
PICTURES: First WestJet Boeing 787-9 breaks cover
The first of 10 Boeing 787-9s for WestJet has emerged from painting, ahead of deliveries commencing early next year.
Delta sees more international opportunity in 2019
Delta Air Lines is focusing on international opportunities in 2019, as it heeds economic forecasts of a potential slowdown at home.
FREE DOWNLOAD: Airline Business 2018-2019 digital special edition
This year’s Flight Airline Business digital special edition, sponsored by CFM, highlights 2018’s biggest stories, interviews and rankings. It also looks ahead at what’s in store for 2019.
Congressman makes show of axing Washington National perimeter
An outgoing US House representative wants to repeal the perimeter at Ronald Reagan Washington National airport, even as Congress prepares to depart for the year.
Uncle Roger's Festive Quiz 2018
Long-time readers of Flight International will know that while our dear friend Uncle Roger gives the impression of having retired to a life of leisure, this is just a cover – he actually spends all of his time hard at work preparing a fiendishly difficult quiz challenge for this annual ...
Air Canada 777-300ER suffers Hong Kong tail-strike
One of Air Canada’s Boeing 777-300ER has sustained damage during a hard landing and tail-strike at Hong Kong.
American unveils new summer service for 2019
American Airlines will launch service on 18 routes in 2019, with most of them seasonal flights that will operate in the summer.
ANALYSIS: Sun Country shifts to fleet ownership in cost overhaul
Minnesota-based Sun Country Airlines plans to have at least 40% of its fleet on capital leases or under direct ownership, as it moves away from operating leases under an extensive plan to overhaul costs following a change in ownership earlier this year.
Washington Dulles and American talk new flights
The operator of Washington Dulles and American Airlines are discussing new flights, even as the mainline carrier prepares to expand at Ronald Reagan Washington National.
United expands San Francisco with four new international points
United Airlines continues to respond to strong demand at its San Francisco hub with international growth, planning four new routes in 2019.
OPINION: Air France's naming of female chief must set a new trend
The appointment of Anne Rigail as the new chief executive of Air France is a positive end to a year in which gender diversity among airline leaders was thrust into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.
United to invest at least $34m at Washington Dulles
United Airlines and the operator of Washington Dulles International airport have reached an agreement to build an at least $34 million concourse expansion for the carrier.
Delta adds in Boston including Washington reconnection
Delta Air Lines will connect Boston Logan to four more cities in 2019, including large business markets like Chicago and Washington DC that are gaps in its network from the airport.
Spirit hires Alaska's Kirby to lead network planning
Spirit Airlines has hired John Kirby from Alaska Airlines as its new vice-president of network planning, replacing Mark Kopczak who will leave Spirit after 19 years.
Aer Lingus identifies initial transatlantic A321LR routes
Aer Lingus plans to deploy its new Airbus A321LR aircraft across the North Atlantic by next summer, as it takes delivery of its first four aircraft in 2019.
Brazil issues injunction to block Boeing-Embraer JV
A federal court in Brazil has reportedly issued an injunction to stop the proposed commercial aviation joint venture between Embraer and Boeing, following a lawsuit filed against the deal by four lawmakers in Brazil.
American 'studying' Amazon plans for Washington growth
American Airlines is closely "studying" online retailer Amazon's plans to open a second headquarters steps away from its hub at Ronald Reagan Washington National airport, where it is already planning to add seats at the slot-controlled facility.
JetBlue appoints new VP of in-flight experience
JetBlue Airways has appointed Edward Baklor as its vice-president of inflight experience, with effect January 2019.
American-Qantas joint venture approval may slip to early 2019
US approval of the proposed joint venture between American Airlines and Qantas Airways could slip a few months to early 2019, says Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce.
Southwest ‘close’ to ETOPS certification
Southwest Airlines says it is “close” to attaining extended twin-engine operations (ETOPS) certification for planned Hawaii service, even though it remains to be seen if the airline will be able to sell flights by year-end with weeks to go before 2018 wraps.
ANALYSIS: 2019 World Air Forces Directory
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Alaska maps out airport expansion at West Coast bases
Alaska Airlines has plans in place for larger facilities at its four major bases along the US West Coast.
American inaugurates first section of $8bn LaGuardia rebuild
American Airlines inaugurated the new eastern concourse at New York LaGuardia today, the first piece in a nearly $8 billion upgrade to the airport.
PICTURE: Cayman Airways debuts 737 Max in the Caribbean
Cayman Airways has become the first airline in the Caribbean to receive a Boeing 737 Max, following the delivery of one of four aircraft this week it is taking via Air Lease.
Airbus to fit 29 mini-suites in US carrier's A330neos
Airbus has sought authorisation to install ‘mini-suite’ seats on A330-900s to be delivered to a US operator, as part of a 281-seat configuration.
Avianca, Copa and United reach joint venture accord
Avianca, Copa Airlines and United Airlines have reached an accord on an immunised joint venture that will see them cooperate on flights between Latin America and the USA.
Epic readies E1000 for type inspection authorisation
Epic Aircraft expects to secure US type inspection authorisation for the E1000 single-engined turboprop in December, clearing the way for regulatory personnel to join flight-test activities.
Trump's 757 hit while parked at LaGuardia
President Donald Trump’s personal Boeing 757-200 has been involved in a ramp strike while parked at New York’s LaGuardia airport.
TAP takes A330neo to Chicago and Washington in 2019
TAP Air Portugal will add Chicago O'Hare and Washington Dulles to its network in 2019, moving forward with plans to expand its transatlantic network with next generation aircraft.
United boosts Denver hub with Frankfurt link
United Airlines will add service to Frankfurt from its Denver hub next May, making good on plans to expand European links from the Colorado airport.
American slims New York premium A321 schedule with Boston add
American Airlines will begin flying its premium Airbus A321 transcontinental aircraft between Boston and Los Angeles next April, as it adjusts schedules for the 17-aircraft strong fleet.
UK and USA reach post-Brexit open-skies accord
The UK and the USA have reached an open-skies deal that will maintain air links between the countries after the former leaves the EU.
Greenpoint delivers second BBJ 787-8
US completions company Greenpoint Technologies has outfitted a second Boeing BBJ 787-8, with the undisclosed owner taking delivery of the VVIP-configured widebody in November.
Post-Brexit UK-US air services accord near as parties meet again
UK and US officials are near an agreement covering flights between the countries once the former leaves the European Union, US officials say.
Norwegian seeks yields with Miami and San Francisco move
Long-haul discounter Norwegian will begin flying to Miami International and San Francisco International airports next March, in a move to improve yields by serving both first-tier airports.
JT610 pilots struggled against Max 8's nose down commands
Data retrieved from the flight data recorder of the Lion Air Boeing 737 Max 8 that crashed on 29 October shows that the jet’s nose was repeatedly forced down before the pilots lost control of the aircraft.
Lake Aircraft attracting 'serious interest' from potential buyers
Lake Aircraft parent Revo says five companies from Europe and the USA have shown "serious interest" in purchasing the light amphibious aircraft manufacturer and are now formally submitting their proposals.
PICTURES: ANA discloses more details of Hawaii A380 service
All Nippon Airways will operate its new Airbus A380 Honolulu service from Narita International Airport, with services to commence on 24 May 2019.
GDS giants defend operations as EU opens ticketing probe
Global distribution system specialists Amadeus and Sabre are defending their operations in the face of a formal European Commission probe into possible violations of competition law.
UTC gets China approval for Rockwell deal
United Technologies has received Chinese approval for its acquisition of Rockwell Collins, clearing the final regulatory approval needed to close the deal.
Nextant secures US approval for 604XT Fusion upgrade
Nextant Aerospace has secured US supplemental type certification (STC) for its Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion upgrade to the Bombardier Challenger 604.
ANALYSIS: Business aircraft output up, but shipment value slides
Worldwide shipments of fixed-wing business and general aviation aircraft made modest gains in the nine months ended 30 September, but the period marked one of the "few times" since the 2008 financial crisis that output rose across all three sectors – business jets, turboprops and piston-powered aircraft – according to ...
Sunwing 737 Max suffers spurious indication incident
Canadian investigators have disclosed that engineers replaced an air data computer on a Sunwing Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 after the crew received spurious indications from the aircraft’s instruments.
Boeing joins first 777X flight test aircraft
Boeing has joined the fuselage sections of its first 777X test aircraft, ahead of first flight in 2019.
VIDEO: Virgin Orbit 747 makes first captive-carry test flight
Virgin Orbit’s modified Boeing 747-400 completed a 1h 20min test flight from Victorville, Californiam on 19 November carrying the 21.4m (70ft) -long “LauncherOne” rocket attached to its port wing.
Bombardier commercial aviation faces 'challenging time': Embraer
Bombardier's commercial aviation business faces a "challenging time" after its divestiture of two of its three commercial aircraft divisions, says Embraer Commercial Aviation chief executive John Slattery.
Sun Country Airlines adds two routes from Dallas/Fort Worth
Sun Country Airlines will add two new nonstop routes from Dallas/Fort Worth.
Delta ups A330neo order with first due in 2019
Delta Air Lines has ordered 10 additional Airbus A330-900s to meet its "near-to-medium term widebody needs", while deferring a comparable number of A350-900 aircraft.
Airport slots key to JetBlue's Europe plans: CEO
Access to competitive slots at London Heathrow continues to be a crucial factor in JetBlue Airways' deliberation over starting flights across the Atlantic, as the airline's chief executive persists in highlighting challenges faced by smaller carriers like JetBlue in an industry dominated by bigger rivals.
Southwest transfers all Paine Field flights to Alaska
Southwest Airlines will no longer begin planned service from Paine Field in Washington state, after transferring its five daily flights at the airport to Alaska Airlines.
Massive F-35 deal covers production into 2023
Lockheed Martin has won a $22.7 billion contract to supply 255 F-35 Lightning II fighters for the three branches of the US armed services and international operators.
Spirit to add Austin as 70th destination
Spirit Airlines will add Austin as its 70th destination in February 2019, as the ultra low-cost carrier continues with a stream of new route announcements in recent days.
Gulfstream G600 approaching the finishing line
Gulfstream has almost wrapped up certification tests on its G600, with flight into known icing, and function and reliability trials the only evaluations remaining before US approval is granted for the super-large-cabin, long-range business jet later this year.
United sends the 787-10 to Europe from Newark in 2019
United Airlines will operate its new Boeing 787-10 on six routes to Europe next summer, making good on comments that it would fly the aircraft across the Atlantic.
LOYLOGIC: Buy, gift and transfer - giving programs a better choice
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Wencor acquires US component shop Silver Wings
US aftermarket support specialist Wencor Group has acquired component repair shop Silver Wings Aerospace based outside Miami.
Amazon headquarters likely a boon to DC-area air service
The Washington DC-area airports of Ronald Reagan Washington National and Washington Dulles International are poised to benefit from Amazon's plans to open half of its highly-sought after second headquarters in the suburb of Arlington, Virginia.
Allegiant to launch nine routes from Sarasota
Allegiant Air will add nine routes from Sarasota in Florida next year, and launch nonstop service between Louisville and New Orleans.
American drops new Philadelphia-Mexico City route
American Airlines will end service between Philadelphia and Mexico City in January, its latest in a series of quick exits from recently added markets.
Delta sees big ops gains from small improvements in northeast
Delta Air Lines aims to improve its operations in the congested north-eastern USA by 10% next year, with a focus on educating controllers and staff on how much small changes can benefit operations.
Boeing-Safran APU venture 'open for business'
Boeing and Safran's new auxiliary power unit joint venture is "open for business" after regulators gave their go-ahead for the operation.
ANALYSIS: Regional airliner sector's slow climb
Sales of regional jets and turboprops are more limited in frequency and scale than for the mainliner sector, and particularly narrowbodies like the Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 Max. Our data shows that during the first nine months of this year, net orders for aircraft in these two categories totalled ...
CAE snaps up Bombardier Business Aircraft Training
CAE strengthening its position in the business aviation training services market with a $645 million acquisition of Bombardier Business Aircraft Training.
American elevates corporate customers during disruptions
American Airlines has modified a controversial change to how it re-accommodates passengers during irregular operations, bumping all passengers with corporate contracts up to the level of elite fliers.
PICTURES: Allegiant bids farewell to MD-80s after 16 years
Allegiant Air will soon say farewell to its Boeing MD-80 fleet after a run of 16 years, concluding a fleet transition that began six years ago when the airline added its first Airbus A319s.
Bombardier Global 7500 secures US certification
Bombardier has secured US type certification for the Global 7500, and is preparing the ultra-long-range business jet for service entry before year-end.
Bombardier to sell Q400 programme
Bombardier has disclosed that it is selling its Dash 8 turboprop programme to a subsidiary of Longview Aviation Capital Corporation for $300 million.
Allegiant latest US carrier to tap JOLCO market
Allegiant Air has closed its first Japanese operating lease with call option (JOLCO) transaction, joining American Airlines among US carriers tapping the burgeoning market.
American and Hawaiian weigh in on China setting off clash
American Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines are weighing in against different aspects of Delta Air Lines and United Airlines applications for new service to China.
A330-900 ETOPS certification and US approval imminent
Airbus expects to receive 180min extended twin-engine operations (ETOPS) approval for the A330-900 later this month, while US certification of the airframe is due by year-end.
737 Max angle-of-attack sensor subject of Boeing bulletin
Boeing has issued an operations manual bulletin to 737 Max operators, covering air data sensors, following investigations into the crash of Lion Air flight JT610.
United touts efficiency in move to shrink some widebody crews
United Airlines will cut a flight attendant position from some of its international aircraft in a drive to improve efficiency and keep costs in check.
ANALYSIS: Fuel appears to take first toll on traffic growth
Global passenger and freight traffic rose at a slower pace in September than the trend seen in recent months, according to the latest IATA figures.
Cargojet closes $57 million listed bond
Cargojet has closed a C$75 million ($57 million) senior unsecured debenture transaction.
United takes first of largest 787 variant
United Airlines has taken delivery of its first Boeing 787-10, making it the first operator of all three 787 variants and the first of the largest model in the Americas.
Chicago O'Hare outlines timing of decade-long expansion works
Chicago O'Hare International airport is set to start work on an $8.5 billion plan to overhaul and expand its congested terminal complex next year.
Alitalia lands in Washington in 2019
Alitalia will add service to Washington Dulles International airport next year, its first new US destination in nearly a decade.
American Airlines orders another 15 E175s
American Airlines has signed a firm order for 15 more Embraer 175 jets.
United prompts contest with additional Shanghai flight plans
United Airlines is seeking authority to launch a second flight between Newark and Shanghai in 2020, challenging duelling proposals from both American Airlines and Delta Air Lines.
Sun Country rolls out loyalty and credit card changes
Sun Country Airlines is overhauling its loyalty and credit card programme, as the airline progresses on an ongoing change of its business model to lower costs.
Embraer stays confident on executive jets performance
Embraer Executive Jets recorded a 22% slide in revenues during the first nine months of 2018, on the back of falling aircraft output for the period, and a squeeze on aircraft pricing. However, the airframer is confident it will hit its revenue and delivery guidance for the year, as sales ...
US regulator approves Bell 407GXi
Bell has secured US validation for the 407GXi, and handed over the first example of the upgraded light-single in late October to Chilean operator Eagle Copters, which will use the rotorcraft for corporate transportation missions.
XTI grows TriFan 600 orderbook with first sale in Brazil
XTI Aircraft continues to build the backlog for its TriFan 600 vertical take-off and landing business aircraft, with the first sale to a Brazilian customer.
American faces debt concerns from Wall Street
American Airlines debt load is raising eyebrows on Wall Street, with analysts worrying about its ability to pay its bills if the economy slows down.
Tecnam wraps up P2012 Traveller certification testing
Italian airframer Tecnam has completed the flight-test campaign for its P2012 Traveller and expects to secure European and US type certification for the all-metal piston-twin before year-end.
ANA Business Jet takes flight with HondaJet pair
ANA Business Jet has launched services, providing onward travel in the USA for the airline's premium passengers using a pair of Honda Aircraft HA-420 HondaJets.
Atlas Air lands as ALTA's latest associate member
Atlas Air is the Latin American airline association ALTA's latest associate member, joining the likes of Delta Air Lines and Iberia as partners with the organisation.
ANALYSIS: Let's hear it for Delta, 10-years after Northwest
Delta Air Lines is a success. Customers like to fly them, Wall Street is happy to invest and staff, the cogs that keep the carrier running, are genuinely proud of their employer.
Embraer touts E2 costs in effort to land US orders
Embraer is doubling down on the cost savings of the E-Jet-E2 family compared to the competing Airbus A220 models in an effort to bring the latest iteration of its 100-seat aircraft to the US market.
Brazilian election 'important step' for Boeing-Embraer deal
The presidential election in Brazil today is an "important step" for the proposed commercial aircraft joint venture between Boeing and Embraer.
Airbus near final agreement on Mobile A220 line
Airbus is ready to dot the Is and cross the Ts on an agreement with local authorities to build a new final assembly line for the A220 in Mobile, Alabama.
Delta takes North America's first A220
Delta Air Lines took delivery of the first Airbus A220 for a North American carrier today, ending a bumpy road to the aircraft's delivery.
Boeing quietly plugs away at NMA pending 2019 decision
Boeing continues to explore the issues and possibilities around its New Mid-market Airplane (NMA), with its sights still firm on a potential 2025 service entry.
Argentina’s FLYEST enters scheduled market
FLYEST, the Argentinian Bombardier CRJ 200 charter operator, has announced its foray into the scheduled market with flights connecting Buenos Aires Aeroparque downtown airport with Santa Fe.
PICTURES: Epic sure it is finally set for E1000 approval
Epic Aircraft is confident that Federal Aviation Administration Part 23 certification is close for the E1000 factory-built version of its Pratt & Whitney PT6A-powered single.
Mente warns of looming business aviation pilot crisis
The business aviation industry needs actions rather than words to avoid the crippling effect of a pilot shortage.
Delta drops new Orange County flight after slot loss
Delta Air Lines will end its new service to Orange County from New York in January, after losing one of its slots in the California airport's annual allocations.
ANALYSIS: What to make of American's local shift in Phoenix
American Airlines is carrying more local passengers at the expense of connecting ones in Phoenix, as debate continues over the future of its connecting hub at the airport.
Delta plans new Shanghai flight as American puts service on hold
Delta Air Lines hopes to add new service to Shanghai Pudong from its Minneapolis/St Paul hub in 2020, even as American Airlines plans to put two of its China routes on hold.
OPINION: Aviation's climate of change
Between local air pollution and greenhouse gas, aviation is under fire. As our environment report illustrates, airports are air quality health hazards. And while aviation today is a relatively small source of CO2 emissions, it is destined to become a major driver of global warming as other activities, less reliant ...
ANALYSIS: Airlines feel the pain in US-Mexico transborder market
Weakness in the US-Mexico transborder market is persisting, as airlines on both sides of the border see soft demand amid currency depreciation and concerns over crime in Mexico.
OPINION: Are business jets ready to soar again?
Signs at this year’s NBAA convention proclaimed: “The future of business aviation starts here.” For once, there were plenty of indications that 2018 could be a turning point for the sector – 10 harrowing years after the financial crisis – and particularly in its largest market, the USA.
British Airways plans Charleston's first European nonstop
British Airways will land in Charleston, South Carolina, in 2019, offering the city's first scheduled nonstop transatlantic service.
NBAA: Safran reboots Silvercrest certification for Hemisphere
Safran has relaunched the certification process for its Silvercrest turbofan as momentum builds around the Textron Aviation Cessna Citation Hemisphere programme that the engine will power.
NBAA: Collins closes on Challenger 604 Fusion upgrade approval
Rockwell Collins test pilot George Palmer is showing off the Pro Line Fusion upgrade for the Bombardier Challenger 604 in the NBAA static park on the eve of US Federal Aviation Administration Certification.
NBAA: Iridium preps for next-gen Certus satellite constellation
Satellite communications company Iridium Communications is using NBAA to highlight its new satellite network and a Thales-made aircraft antenna.
NBAA: Raisbeck pitches King Air modifications
The new president of Raisbeck Engineering sees big opportunity in the business of modifying Beechcraft King Airs.
Software update to address 787 AC power glitch
US regulators are instructing Boeing 787 operators to install new software for the generator control unit, intended to address an issue relating to an electrical power glitch.
NBAA: Nextant introduces baseline 400XTe
Nextant Aerospace has introduced here a baseline version of the 400XTi, aimed at operators who are not looking for a high-specification version of the remanufactured Beechcraft and Hawker 400-series business jet.
NBAA: Astronics demonstrates 30 new cabin systems
Aviation technology company Astronics has brought to NBAA a new cabin demonstration both to showcase about 30 cabin technologies.
NBAA: Quest eyes special missions roles for Kodiak
Quest Aircraft is seeking to broaden the customer base for its Kodiak 100 single-engined turboprop with the expansion into the special missions market.
NBAA: Safran to test Silvercrest compressor redesign
Safran Aircraft Engines will undertake a crucial test next year on a redesigned high-pressure (HP) compressor for its Silvercrest engine as it works to tackle performance issues discovered during early flight trials.
NBAA: Business aviation urged to join electric power revolution
Key speakers at today’s opening sessions at NBAA forecast that electric power is set to become a key technology in the business aviation sector.
Embraer's Praetor 600 flight test
Brazilian airframer Embraer will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year. Its first three decades were focused on military and civil transport offerings, but the beginning of the 21st Century saw it test the business jet market waters with the Legacy Executive, later renamed the Legacy 600.
Delta A220 introduction breaks with sworn statements
Delta Air Lines is preparing to introduce its first Airbus A220-100 in January, a year after a US trade commission ruled that the aircraft did not compete with Boeing's 737 line.
NBAA: JSSI announces acquisition, Conklin & de Decker platform relaunch
Jet Support Services (JSSI) is continuing to grow, with the maintenance support and financial services company announcing another acquisition this morning.
NBAA: Pilot shortages and airspace improvements become focus following regulatory victory
Having recently secured one of its most-notable regulatory victories in decades, NBAA is turning fuller attention toward addressing longstanding, industrywide issues like US airspace modernisation and easing of a pilot shortage.
NBAA: Honeywell sweetens GoDirect connectivity services
Honeywell is highlighting changes to several maintenance and connectivity products – tweaks the company says give customers better control over onboard data usage, helping them cut costs.
ANALYSIS: Satcom Direct launches agnostic end-to-end solution
Satcom Direct is aiming to become a one-stop shop for business aviation in-flight connectivity services through the launch of SD Xperience, a new self-branded, technology-agnostic product portfolio. The company says this will enable it to deliver an end-to-end solution that combines data, airtime and communications services, aircraft connectivity hardware and ...
NBAA: Wheels Up plots path to expansion
US membership programme Wheels Up has announced an ambitious plan to grow its annual revenues by 150% by 2021, through a mixture of organic growth, partnerships and company acquisitions. Membership numbers are also expected to double over the same period to 10,000.
NBAA: ISS offers autothrottle upgrade for King Air
Avionics specialist ISS has developed its ThrustSense “Integrated Autothrottle” offering as the first full-regime autothrottle system for the Beech King Air twin turboprop.
NBAA: Loss of control in flight continues to plague business aviation
Business aviation's safety Achilles heel, like that of the airlines, seems to be loss of control in flight (LOC-I). That was true in 2016 and 2017, and it looks as if this year – with three months yet to run – is going the same way too.
NBAA: Rare opportunity for German VIP Envoy
One aircraft on the NBAA static display at Orlando Executive has a real rarity value. It is one of only 11 Envoy 3 jets in the world.
NBAA: GE christens turboprop for Cessna's Denali "Catalyst"
GE Aviation is riding high with advances at both ends of the business aviation spectrum, according to Brad Mottier, vice president and general manager of the company’s business and general aviation and integrated systems.
NBAA: Aerion reveals timeline for supersonic test flight
Supersonic business aviation broke a crucial barrier at NBAA today with Aerion’s chief executive Tom Vice laying down a firm timeline for first flight with a new engine variant from GE and what was described as a “revolutionary” new cockpit design with Honeywell for the world’s first faster-than-sound business jet.
NBAA: Kodiak quest to bring Michael disaster relief
The Quest Kodiak is well proven in backwoods missions operating in difficult conditions – and the company’s demonstrator aircraft put its capability claims to the test on its way to this year’s NBAA.
NBAA: Performance package offered for baseline HondaJet
Honda Aircraft has unveiled an improvement package for the HondaJet at NBAA, which enables performance of the baseline HA-420 towards that of the enhanced HondaJet Elite version.
PICTURE: Radical BBJ Max 'Genesis' cabin revealed at NBAA
Boeing Business Jets has unveiled a radical interior concept at NBAA dubbed “Genesis”, which is being offered on for the BBJ Max series.
United growth plan shows no sign of letting up in 2019
United Airlines is prepping for another year of aggressive domestic capacity growth in 2019, hot on the heels of its successful expansion this year.
NBAA: Boeing delivers first BBJ Max for completion
Boeing Business Jets (BBJ) announced today at NBAA 2018 that it has delivered the first BBJ Max to a customer.
NBAA: Dassault shows off Falcon 6X mock-up as programme progresses
Dassault is unveiling its Falcon 6X cabin mock-up at NBAA 2018 as it begins cutting metal on the new super-wide cabin business jet ahead of a planned first flight.
NBAA: Bombardier's Global certification work progresses on schedule
Bombardier is stressing to NBAA attendees that three of its new Global business jets remain on track for entry into service this year and next.
NBAA: NetJets in deal for 325 Cessna Longitude and Hemisphere jets
US fractional ownership company NetJets announced today at NBAA 2018 a mammoth deal with Textron Aviation for the purchase of 325 Cessna Citation business jets – 175 super-midsize Longitudes, an example in the NetJets colour scheme is on display in the static – and up to 150 large-cabin Hemispheres, for ...
Delta and WestJet plan six new routes under pact
Delta Air Lines and WestJet are touting the expansion prospects of their proposed joint venture, promising at least 20% growth and six new routes in the market if approved.
L3 and Harris reveal merger plan amid consolidation efforts
US aerospace suppliers L3 Technologies and Harris Corporation have disclosed plans to merge their businesses as the latest round of industry consolidation heats up.
NBAA: In-flight connectivity covering all bases
Sky-high demand for in-flight connectivity from all corners of the business aviation market is driving a hive of activity among service providers on both the air-to-ground (ATG) and satellite fronts. This year will see the first-phase rollout of newcomer SmartSky Networks' North American 4G LTE service, ...
NBAA: Gulfstream unveils G600 range increase
Gulfstream today announced a 14% increase in range from its original projections for the all-new G600 business jet which is nearing certification.
NBAA: Honeywell rolls out flight planning tool GoDirect
Honeywell has rolled out its GoDirect Flight Planning tool, a technology the company says can make flight planning 75% faster.
NBAA: Flying Colours set to fly higher at two sites
Flying Colours' new cabinet shop near St Louis has been humming in recent weeks as craftsmen sand, polish and assemble cabinets for large business jets.
NBAA: Ascend sees hopeful signs in used aircraft market
An uncomfortably large inventory of aircraft for sale has been a key feature of the sector for much of the past decade, and one of the main contributors to sluggish demand for new aircraft. However, research by Flight Ascend Consultancy, carried out ahead of the NBAA convention, shows that – ...
NBAA: Bombardier on track for Global 6500 deliveries in 2019
Bombardier Business Aircraft is on a roll. Fresh from the certification of the Global 7500, the airframer is moving full steam ahead on its dual Global 5500 and 6500 programme with an aim of certificating it next year.
NBAA: P&WC ramps up production of PW800
As the first variant of its new PW800 starts earning its living on the Gulfstream G500, Pratt & Whitney Canada is ramping up production and preparing its service network for the 10,000lb (44.4kN) to 20,000lb-thrust class engine.
NBAA: Embraer takes command of midsize market with Praetor launch
Embraer has stepped up the competition in the hotly contested midsize market with the launch today of not one, but two new aircraft, which it hopes will “fascinate” its customers, set a new benchmark in this crowded category and strengthen its business jet portfolio.
Delta to debut A220 at New York LaGuardia
Delta Air Lines will introduce the first Airbus A220 in North America at New York LaGuardia airport, making good on promises that the aircraft would initially fly from the Big Apple.
NBAA: Business jet designs that changed the industry
An eclectic mix of machinery has fought for a share of the corporate jet market over the last six decades. We identify 18 aircraft that have made, defined or changed business aviation, with delivery data from Flight Fleets Analyzer
NBAA: Engine programme update
From secret projects to damaging delays and changing loyalties, it has been a busy, and sometimes turbulent, few years for the business jet engine manufacturers. Four of the big six – GE Aviation, Pratt & Whitney Canada, Rolls-Royce and Safran – have new programmes in advanced ...
Thales underlines tech trends, issues facing aviation
Thales underlines technology trends, issues facing aviation sector
ANALYSIS: Delta raises growth with fuel offset in sight
Delta Air Lines is confident in its plans to continue its growth into 2019, as it closes in on margin growth and offsetting the dramatic run up in fuel prices.
UK authority to re-examine Oneworld transatlantic pact
British Airways and Iberia parent IAG is preparing a response to the UK competition regulator after it opened a probe into the transatlantic joint business agreement in which four carriers participate.
PICTURES: Four decades of the Challenger 600 series
This year's NBAA in Orlando occurs on the eve of the Challenger 600's 40th anniversary. This photo montage celebrates the Canadair and Bombardier business jet's first four decades, which began with its maiden flight on 8 November 1978
Swedish humidity system no longer standard on 787
Boeing has opted to withdraw a Swedish humidity-control system from the list of basic equipment on the 787 line.
JetBlue to add Guayaquil and exit three cities
JetBlue Airways will add Guayaquil in Ecuador to its network and exit three cities, as it works on re-allocating capacity to improve margins.
ANALYSIS: Business jets programmes in the works
Innovation is alive and well in the business aviation market, with a host of brand new and revamped designs set to enter service over the next five years. We review the state of play for the key programmes
European regulator clears Boeing-Adient seat venture
European regulators have approved a joint venture between Boeing and the US vehicle seating firm Adient.
United focused on second Singapore-San Francisco flight
United Airlines will focus on making its second daily Singapore-San Francisco route work before adding frequencies or considering other non-stop USA destinations from the Southeast Asian country.
ANALYSIS: UN climate warning comes as aviation deadline looms
Dire warnings issued by the UN on 8 October regarding the potential impact of climate change without urgent action are only likely to intensify the spotlight on the measures aviation is taking to reduce its environmental impact.
ANALYSIS: How the world's long-haul low-cost airlines are faring
The collapse of Primera Air has once again shone a spotlight on the viability of the long-haul low-cost airline model.
ANALYSIS: Spirit 'nowhere near' finished in Orlando
Spirit Airlines has big plans to bring more low fares to Orlando International airport, its latest gateway to Latin America.
PICTURES: First Delta A220-100 conducts maiden flight
The first Airbus A220-100 bound for Delta Air Lines has conducted its maiden flight from Mirabel Airport in Quebec.
SR Technics seeks US partner to grow line station network
Europe-headquartered MRO provider SR Technics has tentatively agreed a partnership with US line support specialist FEAM Maintenance/Engineering to jointly serve customers in the two regions.
New York unveils two-terminal JFK redevelopment plan
Officials plan to consolidate operations at New York John F Kennedy International airport into two primary terminal complexes in about five-years time
Spirit to open Orlando base to support growth
Spirit Airlines will open an Orlando crew base in December, supporting its planned growth at the airport.
Delta TechOps starts Trent 1000 maintenance
Rolls-Royce has recruited Delta Air Lines' maintenance division to service Trent 1000 engines at its overhaul shop in Atlanta, as the UK manufacturer looks to add capacity to a network trying to cope with the problems seen on the powerplant.
Zunum picks Safran for developmental hybrid-electric commuter
US hybrid-electric aircraft start-up Zunum Aero has selected Safran Helicopter Engines to supply a turboshaft engine in order to generate electric power for propulsion of its under-development commuter aircraft.
USA axes treaty behind Iranian aviation safety ruling
US government officials are terminating a 1955 treaty with Iran which had formed the basis of a bid by Iranian officials to lift US sanctions on the country.
ANALYSIS: How the jet travel era began in earnest – 60 years ago
This year marks the 60th anniversary of a seminal moment in commercial aviation: the start of transatlantic jet services.
VIDEO: Recollections of how BOAC’s Comet won the transatlantic jet race
Six decades ago today, on 4 October 1958, a BOAC de Havilland Comet 4 became the first jet airliner to fly revenue passenger services across the Atlantic in each direction between London and New York. In achieving this feat, the UK long-haul flag carrier beat its great US rival Pan ...
ANALYSIS: Challenger 600 marks 40 years in business
Four decades ago, a little aerospace company had big ideas about shaking up the business aircraft sector with a corporate jet design originally crafted by one of the aviation industry's 20th century icons.
UN court orders USA to lift sanctions affecting Iran air safety
International Court of Justice judges have ruled that the US government must lift sanctions against Iran which pose a threat to civil aviation safety.
ANALYSIS: H225 returning from the void
A fatal North Sea crash left customers shunning Airbus Helicopters' crew transport workhorse, but new opportunities beckon in other roles
MD Helicopters confirms Kenyan, Lebanese MD530 deals
MD Helicopters has confirmed orders from Kenya and Lebanon for a total of 12 MD530 light scout attack helicopters.
ANALYSIS: JetBlue eyes revenue upside through 2020
Network changes, ancillary fee increases and an upcoming fare structure overhaul are expected to contribute about $350 to $400 million in additional revenue for JetBlue Airways by 2020, as the airline says it remains on track in shedding structural costs by the same timeline.
American unveils 19 new routes for 2019
American Airlines has added 19 routes to be offered in 2019, with the majority building on its already-mega Dallas/Fort Worth International airport hub.
Gulfstream acquires G500 and G600 nacelle line from Nordam
Gulfstream has reached an agreement with Nordam to acquire the manufacturing line that produces the nacelle system used on its Pratt & Whitney Canada PW800-powered G500 and G600 business jets.
ANALYSIS: Bombardier ready to seize high ground with Global 7500
Bombardier's eagerly anticipated Global 7500 business jet was awarded Canadian type certification on 28 September, capping a largely uneventful two-year flight-test campaign for the ultra-long-range twin that saw over 2,700h logged by five aircraft.
UTC ordered to sell two units before acquiring Rockwell Collins
US regulators has made the divestment of two Rockwell Collins subsidiaries a condition of allowing its takeover by United Technologies.
Light military helicopter production faces decade of decline
The number of light military helicopters produced worldwide is projected to decline more than 56% to just 92 units a year in 2026 from a decade prior.
Alaska to operate majority of new Paine Field flights
Alaska Airlines will operate more than half of the 24 planned commercial flights from Paine Field in Everett, Washington, when service commences early next year.
PICTURES: Air Force One replica lands near Washington DC
A replica of Air Force One landed on the shores of the Potomac River south of Washington DC today, part of a new exhibit on democracy.
United adds nine 787-9s to orderbook
United Airlines has ordered nine more Boeing 787-9s, bringing its backlog for the type to 13 aircraft.
United to debut 787-10 on Newark-LAX flights in January
United Airlines will debut the longest variant of the Boeing 787 family at its Newark Liberty hub in January, ending months of speculation on where it would fly the new aircraft first.
Allegiant closes A320-backed $44m loan
Allegiant Air has closed a $44 million loan secured by a new Airbus A320.
Canada certifies Bombardier Global 7500 business jet
Canadian regulators have certified Bombardier's new Global 7500 ultra-long-range business jet, clearing the path for Bombardier to deliver the first of the type later this year.
F-35 suffers first crash in South Carolina
One day after the US Marine Corps conducted its first air strike with the Lockheed Martin F-35B over Afghanistan, another one of the stealth fighters crashed near USMC Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina.
Lockheed Martin F-35A price dips below $90m for first time
After drawn out negotiations with the Department of Defense, Lockheed Martin signed a contract to produce the eleventh lot of the F-35A for $89.2 million per unit.
JetBlue to debut basic economy fare in 2019
JetBlue Airways will add a basic economy fare next year as it restructures its fare tiers, joining US mainline rivals in further unbundling its product.
OPINION: Lack of women pilots exposes industry failing
When Qatar Airways chief Akbar Al Baker earlier this year made his ill-chosen, off-the-cuff remarks about the inability of women to run airlines, he did the industry a favour in that his comment highlighted – albeit rather uncomfortably – a huge gender gap that extends from the boardroom to the ...
Gulfstream hands over first G500
Gulfstream has delivered the first G500 to an unnamed US customer.
Air Canada continues to eye closer United ties
Air Canada continues to evaluate closer ties with United Airlines, as competitors WestJet and Delta Air Lines work towards a joint venture between Canada and the USA.
Vista Global strengthens US presence with XOJET buy
Less than a month after its launch, business aviation holding company Vista Global entered the acquisition market with the purchase of XOJET, one of the largest on-demand charter operators in the USA. The deal is expected to close before the end of November.
Air Baltic hands Q400 MRO work to Jazz
Air Baltic has handed heavy maintenance work on its Bombardier Q400 fleet to Chorus Aviation’s Jazz Technical Services.
PICTURES: Airbus tracks to 'cross-fleet' Airspace cabin roll-out
Airbus's goal of bringing its new Airspace cabin to all its aircraft models is coming closer to reality.
JAL expands Alaska codeshare with new Seattle route
Japan Airlines will return to Seattle in 2019 under an expanded codeshare with Alaska Airlines.
XTI opens next funding round for TriFan 600
US start-up XTI Aircraft has launched the next round of funding for its TriFan 600 ducted-fan, vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) business aircraft, as it prepares to fly a 60% scale model of the six-seat type in October.
Epic closes in on E1000 type certification
Epic Aircraft says is ready to conclude the final phase of the flight-test campaign for its E1000 single-engined turboprop, putting type certification for the high-performance, composite aircraft on track for year-end.
Pilot error behind Air Canada A320 near-miss at San Francisco
Flight crew's lack of awareness of a runway closure at San Francisco was the probable cause behind a near-miss involving an Air Canada Airbus A320 that almost landed on a taxiway on 7 July 2017, says the US Nationa