NewsQatar A350 delivery deal does not reverse cancellationsQatar Airways' decision to take delivery of a batch of finished Airbus A350-900s does not amount to a decision to reinstate cancelled orders, FlightGlobal understands. While Airbus disclosed, during a third-quarter briefing, that it had reached an agreement with the carrier to take four finished aircraft after Qatar cancelled four delivery slots earlier this year.
LinkEasyJet signs conditional LOI for Air Berlin A320EasyJet has signed a conditional letter of intent to lease an Air Berlin Airbus A320 from Avation. Avation says the term sheet for the new lease is subject to customary conditions and the formal completion of EasyJet's partial purchase of Air Berlin.
LinkUTair tweaks brand and unveils new livery Russian carrier UTair has unveiled a refreshed livery and a slightly-modified 'Utair' brand name. The airline, based in Khanty-Mansiysk, has shown off a Boeing 737-800 (VQ-BQS) featuring the new scheme.
LinkShort take-off freighter concept undergoes windtunnel testRussian researchers are conducting windtunnel tests on a new conceptual freighter designed to operate from short unpaved fields. The medium-sized transport, with a cargo capacity of 20t, features a high wing and two turbofan engines.
LinkLatest Afghan Super Tucanos cost $174.5 millionThe US Air Force’s latest batch of six Sierra Nevada/Embraer A-29 Super Tucanos for Afghanistan cost $174.5 million, a price tag includes aircraft transportation, maintenance spares and advanced sensors. The average price of an A-29 hovers around $10 million or more depending on modifications.
LinkCorrosion issue stops F-35 deliveries for a monthLockheed Martin halted all F-35 deliveries for a month after discovering excessive corrosion on fasteners under an F-35A’s fuselage panels during maintenance at Hill AFB, Utah, the Defense Department confirmed this week.
LinkCzech Republic shortlists UH-1Y and AW139 for helicopter acquisitionThe Czech Republic has shortlisted bids from Bell Helicopter and Leonardo Helicopters for a 12-unit requirement for multirole rotorcraft. Prague's defence ministry says it has accepted offers from both the Italian and US goverments for the procurement. It now intends to "assess and evaluate" both offers, it says.
LinkIndian Navy Helo Acquisition Moves AheadIndia's Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has approved a plan to obtain 111 naval utility helicopters (NUH). The DAC is led by India’s defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and the NUH deal's "Acceptance of Necessity" is the first case to be cleared by the government under the strategic partnership (SP) model announced in May.
LinkUSAF still examining JSTARS recap cancellationThe US Air Force has missed a self-imposed late October deadline for deciding the fate of a threatened plan to recapitalise the Northrop Grumman E-8C JSTARS fleet. The service has considered stepping away from a plan that would replace the E-8C JSTARS fleet with a new business jet and instead exploring alternative intelligence and surveillance platforms, a concept that could include using multiple systems to satisfy the ground surveillance and battle management role. USAF Secretary Heather Wilson is still gathering information on how data could be fused over several platforms and whether the technology to accomplish the JSTARS mission is ready.
LinkAlaska, Virgin America pilots’ pay increases under joint contractAlaska Airlines and Virgin America pilots began working under a new, joint labor contract Nov. 1, following a binding arbitration ruling that settled pay and benefits issues.
LinkDifficult pricing environment, rising costs shrink US airline profitsUS airlines are past the peak of their current cycle of profitability and urgently seeking cost savings as expense increases outpace revenue gains, Airlines for America (A4A) chief economist John Heimlich said.
LinkJapan’s ANA, JAL boost full-year profit guidance on strong performanceJapan’s two major airlines have boosted their profit guidance for the fiscal year through March 31, in part because of strong performance on their international networks. ANA Holdings (ANA) is projecting a ¥132 billion ($1.2 billion) net profit for the full fiscal year.
LinkWestJet changes Boeing order to include 737-10; 3Q net profit up 19.4%Calgary-based LCC WestJet has modified its Boeing commitments to include the 737-10 model, the airline told analysts during its third-quarter earnings call Oct. 31.
LinkMonarch administrators seek slots clarityThe administrators of UK leisure carrier Monarch Airlines—which entered into administration Oct. 2—are scheduled in court next week to determine whether the carrier still has allocation powers over its airport slots. There has been confusion over who has the power to allocate, or re-allocate, the airline’s slots, which have considerable value, especially those at London Gatwick airport. Reports in the UK media have speculated the carrier’s slots at Gatwick alone could be worth as much as £60 million ($80 million).
LinkIAG to finalize Level plan by year-end International Airlines Group (IAG) CEO Willie Walsh is aiming to finalize Spanish long-haul LCC Level’s next steps before year-end and hire a dedicated CEO for the business.
LinkSwedish regional NextJet regains full AOCSwedish regulators have restored the full air operator’s certificate (AOC) for regional NextJet, replacing the temporary certificate that was issued because of financial concerns. Swedish CAA Transport Styrelsen downgraded NextJet to the temporary AOC in August, with an expiration date of Nov. 17, giving the airline time to sort out its finances. In an update, NextJet said Transport Styrelsen granted the carrier a permanent operating license Oct. 30, removing the Nov. 17 deadline.
LinkSkyWork Airlines receives unlimited operating license after suspensionSwitzerland authorities renewed the air operator’s certificate (AOC) for SkyWork Airlines Oct. 31, enabling the carrier to relaunch scheduled winter operations Nov. 1. The regional airline had to cancel all flights Oct. 29-31 because it had been unable to provide proof of financing necessary to continue flight operations.
LinkQatar Airways to finish widebody Qsuite conversion by end of 2018Doha-based Qatar Airways is converting its widebody fleet to its new Qsuite business class configuration—previewed at the ITB exhibition in Berlin earlier this year and shown on board an aircraft for the first time in June at the Paris Air Show
LinkKenya Airways suspends Hong Kong, Hanoi servicesKenya Airways ceased flights to Hong Kong, China and Hanoi, Vietnam from Oct. 29, following an evaluation of its Asian network. According to a company statement, the move will allow Kenya Airways to operate a more efficient schedule to Asia with a daily service on its existing Nairobi-Bangkok-Guangzhou route.
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