NewsVirgin cancels long-dormant A380 orderVirgin Atlantic has finally cancelled its order for six Airbus A380s, the airframer's latest backlog data shows. Airbus has listed a cancellation of six of the double-deck type in its figures covering the first two months of this year. Virgin Atlantic had six A380s on order, but Airbus no longer lists these aircraft against the UK airline.
LinkDevelopers seek to partner with IAG on Heathrow terminal International Airlines Group (IAG) CEO Willie Walsh has been approached by several companies interested in partnering to manage a terminal at London Heathrow Airport.
LinkWest Atlantic reduces deficit on strong revenue growthSweden-based cargo specialist West Atlantic reduced losses in 2017, ending the year with a net loss of SEK61.6 million ($7.5 million) compared to a deficit of SEK81.8 million for the previous year. The airline recorded a significantly better 4Q than in 2016, swinging from a loss of SEK23.3 million to a profit of SEK17.4 million.
LinkAeromexico set to put first MAX into serviceAeromexico’s fleet transformation hit two major milestones in late February with the delivery of its first Boeing 737 MAX and the retirement of its last 777, leaving the carrier with three basic fleet types. The Mexican flag carrier’s final 777 flight took place Feb. 26 from Buenos Aires to Mexico City. The widebody twin’s retirement, combined with last year’s accelerated phase-out of 15 Embraer ERJ-145 regional jets, leaves Aeromexico with E170s/190s, 737s and 787s—the three fleet types it will build its network around while “bringing efficiencies, including training, maintenance, inventory and fleet productivity,” Aeromexico CEO Andrés Conesa said.
LinkLufthansa mulls additional A350 orders Lufthansa is considering a follow-up order for more Airbus A350s now that the airline has seen the initial results of flying Airbus’ latest widebody.
LinkSingapore defends move to raise charges at ChangiSingapore’s transport ministry has defended Changi Airport Group’s (CAG) move to raise aeronautical charges for its expansion, explaining that the Changi East project is “akin to constructing a second airport”. “The project’s scale and complexity is unprecedented. Our airport expansion thus far has largely consisted of the construction of new terminals. But the Changi East project goes far beyond the terminal building itself,” says the city-state’s second minister for transport Ng Chee Meng.
LinkVistara set to place new aircraft orders this yearVistara will place orders for new narrowbody and widebody aircraft by the end of 2018 as it plots a new aggressive growth phase. Speaking to FlightGlobal, chief executive Leslie Thng says that the carrier “does not have enough narrowbodies”. The widebodies he adds, will be put on medium-haul flights of between five to nine hours that could “either be Europe or North Asia”.
LinkCzech carrier banned after treacherous L-410 landingUK investigators have determined that the crew of a Let L-410 opted to land at the Isle of Man in a crosswind double the maximum demonstrated certification level. The aircraft rolled considerably as it approached the runway and, after touching down, its right-hand main gear lifted, causing the left wing-tip of the high-wing aircraft to come within 1m (3ft) of the runway surface.
LinkVirgin Atlantic unbundles economy fares“Economy Light”, “Economy Classic” and “Economy Delight” will give passengers options from a basic, hand-luggage-only option, through to a fare including seat choice, pre-ordered meals, priority boarding and three inches of extra legroom. Economy Classic will be in line with Virgin Atlantic’s current economy offering.
LinkA380 and A400M rate cuts affect up to 3,700 staffAirbus estimates that its proposed reduction in A380 and A400M production rates will affect up to 3,700 personnel across its four home nations. The airframer is planning to reduce output of the A380 to just six aircraft annually from 2020, while that for the A400M will be set at eight aircraft. Airbus has presented the planned cuts to the European Works Council.
LinkGE renames ATP engine 'Catalyst' as test plan heats upGE Aviation's Czech-built Advanced Turboprop (ATP) engine has been rebranded Catalyst, as the manufacturer readies the new design for critical certification tests relating to ice crystal icing this summer. The renaming comes more than three years after Textron Aviation selected GE’s 1,300shp (969kW) turboprop to power the Cessna Denali, in a surprise break from the aircraft manufacturer’s long association with the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6.
LinkAMAC begins works on ACJ330 overhaulSwiss completions house AMAC Aerospace has inducted an Airbus ACJ330 into its facility in Basel for major maintenance and refurbishment work. The widebody’s arrival brings the number of VIP airliner refurbishment projects under way at AMAC’s EuroAirport site to five: an ACJ319, a second ACJ330, an ACJ340 and a Boeing Business Jets 747-400, AMAC says.
LinkU.S. Navy vexed by lack of access to F-35 logistics codingThe U.S. Navy remains frustrated by its inability to connect the F-35’s logistics software with the other logistics software programs it uses. Efforts to integrate the F-35’s Autonomic Logistics Information System (ALIS) with the Navy’s other internal logistics systems is thwarted by developer Lockheed Martin’s insistence that the software code is proprietary, said Vice Admiral Paul Grosklags in a hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Navy and Marine Corps Aviation Programs on 6 March.
LinkF-35 development and support to cost $1 billion annuallyThe Joint Program Office (JPO) estimates that continued development of the F-35 to deal with evolving threats and changing warfighting environments will cost the U.S. government more than $1 billion a year between 2018 and 2024. The figure came to light during testimony from Vice Admiral Mathias Winter to the U.S. House Armed Services Committee on 7 March.
LinkEmbraer returns damaged KC-390 to flight-test programOne of Embraer’s KC-390 prototypes returned to flight over Brazil on 2 March, after being grounded for several months due to unexpected altitude loss during a stall test flight conducted last October, several flight tracking websites report. Embraer confirms that the tactical transport involved in last year's mishap has resumed testing. The company’s first production aircraft is expected to enter service with the Brazilian air force’s 11th Wing in Rio de Janeiro later this year: a schedule that Embraer says will not be delayed by the prototype’s stall test incident and subsequent months of unavailability.
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