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737 Max 7 review could lead to 7,000nm BBJ
Boeing Business Jets is already considering the potential longer-range version of the 737 Max 7 to fill a pre-existing gap in the VIP version of the single-aisle family, even as the airframer's Commercial Airplanes unit studies the proposed redesign. "We are a very big piece of that conversation," Boeing Business Jets president David Longridge told journalists at EBACE today.
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Embraer’s E-Jet E2 takes to the air
Embraer began flight-testing of the re-engined E-Jet E2 family earlier today, when the first E190-E2 took to the skies from the company’s plant in Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil.
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Lufthansa Technik bags VIP 787 modification deal
Lufthansa Technik has won a modification and support contract for a Boeing 787 that will be completed as a VIP aircraft. The new agreement covers not the VIP completion itself but rather modifications based on a service bulletin issued by the airframer, says LHT.
LinkAirlines
Alaska Airlines hosts Aviation Day for youth
More than 1,000 young people received an inside peek at aviation through Alaska Airlines Aviation Day on Saturday at the Seattle airport. "We want to build a bridge from high school onto college and then to a career in aviation or aerospace," said Allen Cassino, a first officer for Alaska. "We are laying out the stepping stones to show youth in our local communities just that."
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Alitalia mulls more long-haul aircraft
Etihad Aviation Group president and CEO James Hogan believes there is potential for equity partner Alitalia to grow to 40 long-haul aircraft from its current fleet of 24. Hogan made the comments at a media briefing in Rome on May 18. Alitalia added two Airbus A330s to its fleet in 2015 and it plans to take one Boeing 777-200ER in 2016, followed by one 777-300ER and a further A330 in 2017.
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American Airlines offers "challenge miles" for loyalty program
American Airlines is offering a new way for AAdvantage loyalty program members to earn gold, platinum or elite platinum status. Members can earn "challenge miles" as a shortcut to reaching higher status.
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EgyptAir Jet Sent Smoke-Alarm Warnings Before Crash
The EgyptAir jet which crashed in the Mediterranean on Thursday sent a series of warnings indicating that smoke had been detected on board, shortly before it disappeared off radar screens. A spokesman for France's BEA air accident investigation agency said the signals did not indicate what caused the smoke or fire on board the plane, which crashed into the sea with 66 people on board as it was heading from Paris to Cairo.
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Malaysia Airlines adds two leased A350s
Malaysia Airlines Berhad (MAB) has exercised the lease option for two additional new Airbus A350-900s with Air Lease Corp. (ALC) under a 12-year agreement. The transaction is pursuant to the option provided under an existing lease agreement for four A350-900s signed in September 2015. Powered by two Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-84 engines, the A350 aircraft are from ALC’s order book with Airbus and will be delivered in 2018.
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Australian Law Firm Seeks MH17 Compensation
An Australian law firm has submitted a compensation claim against Russia and President Vladimir Putin in the European Court of Human Rights on behalf of families of victims of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, shot down in 2014, media reported. The airliner crashed in Ukraine in pro-Russian rebel-held territory on July 17, 2014, killing all 298 people on board, including 28 Australians.
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Ryanair's Full Year Profits Up 43 Percent
Ryanair reported a 43 percent increase in net profits to EUR€1.24 billion (USD$1.39 billion) in the year ended March 31. The Irish airline, Europe's largest by passenger numbers, also said it is prepared for a fare war to break out later this year and will cut its own fares sharply to increase its market share to sustain profits, it said.
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Southwest CEO receives commercial aviation award
Gary Kelly, the chairman, president and CEO of Southwest Airlines, received the 2016 Tony Jannus Award. The award, named after pilot Tony Jannus, honors outstanding achievement in commercial aviation.
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United Airlines expands service to Virgin Islands
United Airlines will expand service to the Caribbean with flights from Houston and Washington, D.C., to St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands. Both routes will be flown aboard Boeing 737 aircraft.
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VietJet To Buy 100 Boeing 737 MAX
VietJet has agreed a firm order of 100 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft worth USD$11.3 billion at list prices, making it one of Southeast Asia's fastest-growing low-cost carriers. The deal, signed during US President Barack Obama's visit to Vietnam, represents a coup for Boeing, as VietJet has only operated Airbus A320s since it began operations in December 2011.
LinkAirports
American to offer iPads in Philly airport overhaul
American Airlines plans to install more than 1,000 iPads as part of its overhaul with OTG of Terminal B at Philadelphia International Airport. "We look at the entire customer experience from the point they leave home until they get to their destination, and how we can improve that," said Rhett Workman, managing director of airport and government affairs for American.
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Brussels Airports details traffic hit from closure
Brussels Airports handled 1.2 million and 1.1 million passengers in March and April respectively, figures sharply down on the same months in 2015 as a result of the disruption that followed the bomb blasts at the Belgian capital's main gateway. Passenger numbers were 29% lower in March and almost 47% lower in April as a result of the temporary suspension of operations at Brussels airport following the fatal attacks on 22 March.
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Neffenger warns Chicago officials that delays will continue
Transportation Security Administration Administrator Peter Neffenger told Chicago officials that his agency has deployed more canines and officers to area airports and has upgraded 100 part-time officers to full-time employment. Still, delays are likely to continue. "I think you'll still see crowds in airports. My goal is to keep you moving," he said.
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Southwest wants to offer service to 3 Mexican cities from LAX
Southwest Airlines plans to file applications to fly to three cities in Mexico from Los Angeles International Airport. Southwest wants to offer service from LAX to Los Cabos, Cancun and Puerto Vallarta.
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Military
Two Dutch F-35s arriving at Leeuwarden Air Base
Two Lockheed Martin F-35s belonging to the Royal Netherlands Air Force have departed North America on the first eastbound transatlantic crossing of the fifth-generation fighter type, touching down at Leeuwarden Air Base in the Netherlands at approximately 8:45pm local time. The landing on 23 May was streamed live on YouTube by the Dutch Ministry of Defense, following an approximately 4,780nm (8,850km) journey from their home at Edwards AFB in California to Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland (4h flight) and then across to Leeuwarden (8h).
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Israel reveals defensive boost for CH-53 fleet
The Israeli air force has confirmed for the first time that an advanced missile approach warning system has been incorporated as part of the 2025 upgrade program for its Sikorsky CH-53 transport helicopters. Developed by Israeli industry, the new defensive capability is referred to by the service as the Dragon Block 3. It is designed to give effective warning of missile attack, and fast activation of countermeasures equipment, with 360° coverage.
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Aviation Quote
Deftly they opened the brain of a child, and it was full of flying dreams.
— Stanley Kunitz, My Surgeons..
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