NewsAirbus deliveries up 4% in challenging 2017
Airbus delivered a record 718 aircraft in 2017 and secured 1,109 total net orders, during a challenging year when up to 60 new-build aircraft were left on the tarmac because of engine delays.
The 718 deliveries included 558 A320 family aircraft (including 181 A320neos), 67 A330s, 78 A350s and 15 A380s, marking Airbus’ 15th consecutive year of production growth.
LinkNew Delhi to divide Air India into four units for saleNew Delhi has detailed that it will split state-owned Air India into four companies and offer at least 51% in each for sale, as part of its divestment plan for the airline.
In a televised interview with BloombergQuint, minister of state for civil aviation Jayant Sinha, says that Air India and its low-cost subsidiary Air India Express will form the core airline business. The other three units are regional carrier Alliance Air, MRO operator Air India Engineering Services and ground handler Air India Air Transport Services.
LinkAfghan Air Force Prepares For TakeoffAs U.S. policymakers weigh a new strategy in the 16-year Afghanistan war, the U.S. military and NATO allies are working hard to build an Afghan Air Force that will be able to defend against Taliban militants long after U.S. forces leave the country. Over the next six years, the fledgling Afghan Air Force is set to grow from its current fleet of 124 aircraft up to 259 and to 12,000 personnel from 8,000
LinkThai T-50s Grounded For Inspection During Delivery FlightDelivery of two Korean Aerospace KAI T-50s to the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has been delayed indefinitely after the trainers suffered unspecified technical faults in a difficult ferry flight. The T-50s were flying over South China on the way to Thailand when they encountered severe weather that forced the crews to land at Kuantan airport, on the east coast of the Malaysian peninsula, RTAF says in a statement.
LinkA380 line faces closure without Emirates order: LeahyAirbus chief operating officer for customers John Leahy believes a failure to secure a follow-on A380 agreement with Emirates would effectively force closure of the programme.
But Leahy, who is set to retire from Airbus this year, remains confident that the Middle Eastern carrier will continue to commit to the double-deck type.
LinkMRJ Program Nears Completion Of RedesignMitsubishi Aircraft has almost, but not quite, completed the design changes that a year ago forced it to delay first delivery of its MRJ regional jet to mid-2020. The company is sticking by that latest schedule, although there are signs that redesigning parts of the aircraft is taking longer than expected.
LinkConair boosts Q400 order book with deal for six tankersAerial firefighting firm Conair has ordered six new-build Bombardier Q400s that will be used as multirole aerial firefighting aircraft.
The aircraft will receive Conair's retardant delivery system, which includes a tank that can be removed so that the aircraft can perform other missions, such as passenger and cargo transport, medical evacuation, and coast patrol, says Bombardier.
LinkBoeing shows its vision for a hypersonic spy aircraftLockheed isn't the only one hoping to make a hypersonic spy aircraft. Boeing has provided early details on its own design for a hypersonic tech demonstrator that would lead to a spiritual successor to the SR-71 Blackbird. In some ways, it's a logical extension of the company's X-51A Waverider: the wedge-shaped, twin-tail body is designed to minimize drag while gulping in as much air as possible. It would be about as long as the Blackbird, but its Mach 5-plus top speed would leave the older Mach 3.2 jet far behind.
LinkMelrose presents GKN takeover plan to shareholdersMelrose Industries has outlined its plans for GKN, including the sale of non-core operations, should it be successful in its pursuit of the UK aerostructures and automotive specialist.
GKN has already rejected the investment firm's overtures, but could still be the subject of a firm offer from Melrose and pressure from shareholders to accept.
LinkMunich airfreight up 7% in 2017
Munich Airport's dynamic cargo growth continued in 2017 with a record total turnover of 379,000 tons – a 7% gain over the previous year. Passenger traffic at the southern Germany hub increased by 2.3m to a new all-time high of 44.6m, a 5.5% gain over the 2016 figure.
LinkUndisclosed customers order 40 A320neo-family jetsAirbus's end-of-year activity has included securing orders for 40 A320neo-family aircraft from undisclosed customers.
The airframer has disclosed that it landed an order for 20 A321neos on 22 December.
Airbus also lists a 28 December order 20 A320neos.
LinkCanada, U.K. Renew Demands on Boeing to Drop Bombardier DisputeCanada and the U.K. are continuing to press Boeing Co. to drop its trade challenge of Bombardier Inc., with one Canadian minister saying any resolution must also include the cancellation of U.S. punitive tariffs.
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