Programmes
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NewsAirbus explores potential of composite bulkhead built for Ariane launch vehicle
Space launcher technology has been adapted for potential use in future Airbus single-aisle aircraft, with testing of a composite bulkhead developed for the European Space Agency’s Ariane 5 and Ariane 6 vehicles. The design modification centres not on the main passenger cabin bulkhead, used to maintain pressurisation, but a ...
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News
China Eastern firms orders for five C919s, eyes service launch
China Eastern Airlines has firmed up orders for five Comac C919s, with the first example reported to arrive within the year and start operating major domestic trunk routes.
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News
Australia first in Asia-Pacific to lift 737 Max grounding
Australia has become the first country in the Asia-Pacific to lift a ban on Boeing 737 Max flights to and from the country.
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News
De Havilland and PAL pitch special-mission ‘P-4’ Dash 8-400
De Havilland Canada and Canadian aircraft modification company PAL Aerospace intend to offer a special-mission variant of the Dash 8-400 turboprop to the Royal Malaysian Air Force.
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News
A321XLR's rear fuel tank demands special fire-protection conditions
Airbus’s A321XLR will be subject to special conditions proposed for the aircraft’s integrated rear centre tank, intended to ensure adequate protection from fire. The large 12,900-litre centre tank, located in the aft hold of the twinjet, will contain the fuel necessary for the aircraft to achieve its extended range. ...
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News
South Korea grounds PW4000-powered 777s
South Korea has temporarily banned all operations of Pratt & Whitney PW4000-powered Boeing 777 aircraft within its airspace.
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News
Boeing bullish on growth in Southeast Asia, including 737 Max prospects
While Boeing will “continue to defer” to civil aviation regulators in Southeast Asia for the recertification and return to service of the 737 Max, it remains optimistic about the narrowbody’s long-term demand.
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News
Ex-Flybe Q400 arrives at Conair base for firefighting modification
Canada’s Conair Group has received the first in a batch of former Flybe Bombardier Q400s due for conversion into aerial firefighters. The turboprop – registered G-KKEV, and originally delivered to the UK operator in 2008 – is one of 11 acquired by Conair for the modification, following the collapse ...
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Analysis
SpaceJet pause creates new space in regional jet sector
Ascend by Cirium senior consultant Max Kingsley-Jones reviews the development of the intermediate regional jet sector and impact of the SpaceJet pause
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News
Air Cote d’Ivoire receives first A320neo
African carrier Air Cote d’Ivoire has taken delivery of its first Airbus A320neo.
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News
Airbus details progress with workforce reduction programme
Airbus estimates that 7,500 personnel remain subject to the manufacturer’s restructuring plan, which involves substantially reducing its workforce, particularly in the air transport sector. The airframer says that, as of 31 December 2020, these included some 6,100 personnel in the commercial aircraft division. Airbus originally intended to cut ...
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News
Airbus encouraged by rising export-credit support for deliveries
Airbus is encouraged by evidence of increasing engagement with export-credit agencies to support aircraft deliveries. Chief financial officer Dominik Asam, speaking during an 18 February briefing, said the airframer was trying to “resuscitate” export-credit financing, stating that the proportion of deliveries with such support has risen to 10% from ...
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News
Airbus strives for break-even on A220 and low-rate twin-aisles
Airbus is intending to achieve break-even on its twin-aisle programmes at the reduced rate of production, while it acknowledges that a shift in demand mix puts increased pressure on its loss-making A220 lines.
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News
Airbus brings year-end inventory level below 2019 figure
Airbus brought its inventory figure down to €30.4 billion at the end of 2020, below the previous year-end level of €31.5 billion. The inventory figure had sharply increased over the course of the year, reaching €37.5 billion during the first half, as deferrals and delivery difficulties meant Airbus experienced ...
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News
Airbus aims to match last year’s commercial aircraft delivery figure
Airbus is aiming to achieve at least the same number of commercial aircraft deliveries this year as the 566 it managed over the course of 2020. Its commercial aircraft operation generated a full-year earnings loss of €1.33 billion ($1.6 billion), after a 37% fall in revenues to €34.2 billion, ...
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News
FAA orders inspection of 222 Boeing 787s
The US Federal Aviation Administration will publish an airworthiness directive on 19 February ordering the inspection of cargo compartments on Boeing 787 type aircraft, adding to the list of safety and maintenance complications for the aircraft. The FAA estimates that 222 787 aircraft will be impacted, according to a ...
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News
Airbus and Air France spearhead Paris bid to advance hydrogen-hub airports
Airbus and Air France-KLM are joining airports operator Groupe ADP and other French entities to explore the use of hydrogen at Parisian airports. They are seeking projects focused on storage and distribution of gaseous and liquid hydrogen within airports, options for hydrogen recycling, and diverse uses of hydrogen in ...
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News
Airbus lines outside Europe delivered most aircraft in January
Airbus’s delivery figures for January were unusual because, as a result of the air transport crisis, the majority of aircraft were handed over from its non-European final assembly lines. The airframer has five sites with assembly lines – in Toulouse, Hamburg, Tianjin, Mobile and Montreal – with the two ...
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News
MC-21’s Russian-built engines pass ICAO emissions test
Source: Rostec PD-14 engines are fitted to the MC-21-310 which commenced flight-tests in December 2020
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News
C919 heads to Canada for cold-weather icing tests
Canada will host Comac’s in-development C919 narrowbody for natural icing flight tests this year, as the programme inches closer to certification and service entry.
