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Niki Lauda, F1 champion, aviation entrepreneur, dead at 70
Three-time Formula One world champion Niki Lauda has died. He was 70. Lauda won two of his titles after a horrific crash that left him with serious burns, and he went on to become a prominent figure in the aviation industry.
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EU, China strengthen ties with two aviation accords
China has agreed to recognize European Union (EU) carrier designation, allowing EU airlines to serve China from other EU countries, and to align some aviation safety and certification work following the recent EU-China Summit. “It is estimated that, during the first eight years of the agreements [2018-2025], the economic benefits for both the EU and China will be up to €3.5 billion ($3.9 billion) and 11,000 jobs will be created,” the European Commission (EC) said, ...
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Analysis: Pilots right to ask why they weren’t told about MAX system
Since the crashes of two Boeing 737 MAX 8 crashes, and a continued focus on software designed specifically for that aircraft, it has become increasingly clear that many pilots are finding it hard to believe that they were not informed about that software.
In mid-May, almost two months after the second crash, of Ethiopian Airlines flight 302, Boeing announced that modifications were finished to a now-infamous flight control system that both investigators and Boeing acknowledge played a central role in both accident sequences.
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Air BP steps up sustainable fuel effort
Air BP has begun offering sustainable aviation fuel to business jet customers at Stockholm Arlanda and Caen Carpiquet airports through its recently-inked partnership with biofuel producer Neste, and is looking to collaborate with other providers to increase the supply of more environmentally-friendly fuels to the sector.
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ANALYSIS: Bombardier builds momentum as new Globals near delivery
Bombardier set the bar high for itself and competitors at least year's EBACE when it unveiled the Global 5500 and 6500 programme, which it had surprisingly kept secret from the industry's prying eyes.
Now Bombardier is carrying last year's splash into this year's show, highlighting the on-schedule development of those jets while unveiling updates for several aircraft in its line-up.
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Honda poised to break ground on new wing assembly plant
A year after it unveiled the latest version of its HondaJet, called the Elite, Honda Aircraft has returned to EBACE to announce that it is poised to expand the footprint of its headquarters in Greensboro, North Carolina, in expectation of rising sales for its light business jet.
The company will break ground in July on an 82,000sq ft (7,600sq m) plant in July that will house wing assembly and parts storage to support the growing fleet of HondaJets. The facility is scheduled for completion in July 2020.
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ANALYSIS: Rolls-Royce's vision of a hybrid future
It’s no surprise to hear Rolls-Royce declare there will be a long future for the gas turbine. The name “Trent” is arguably more widely associated globally with a family of jet engines than it is with the river flowing past R-R’s Derby home, and in any case the company is investing heavily in a new geared architecture, called UltraFan, which is set to fly for years if not decades to come.
But when it comes to the sort of disruptive technology needed to meet ambitious targets for slashing aviation emissions, even R-R says the gas turbine isn’t the answer.
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Pilatus re-opens PC-24 orderbook
Pilatus has reopened the orderbook for the PC-24 business jet, five years after the initial batch of 84 aircraft sold out within 36h. The superlight business jet has also secured European and US steep-approach certification, allowing owners and operators of the Williams International FJ44-4A-powered aircraft to perform landings under strict conditions, including using the 5.5° approach angle and short runway at London City airport.
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Airlines

PICTURES: ANA takes second A380 ahead of schedule
All Nippon Airways has taken delivery of its second Airbus A380, around three weeks earlier than originally planned.
ANA’s second A380 features a unique ‘Emerald Green Flying Honu’ livery, similar to the Sky Blue Flying Honu livery featured on the first A380 that was delivered in March.
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Ryanair sees full-year profit fall 29%
Ryanair said profit fell 29% in the year to March 2019, hit by lower fares, a trend it expects will continue throughout the summer season, while the delayed arrival of the Boeing 737 MAX means its cost benefits will be later to accrue. The Dublin-based ULCC reported a profit of €1.02 billion ($1.14 billion) for its financial year to the end of March 2019, compared with €1.45 billion the previous year.
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FAA urges caution over Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman
The FAA has issued a warning for carriers to avoid flying over the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, citing an increasing risk to civil aviation operations because of the potential for “miscalculation or mis-identification” of aircraft by armed forces in the region.
In a May 16 Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), the FAA also said aircraft operating in the region risk encountering inadvertent GPS interference and other communications jamming, which could occur “with little to no warning.”
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American Airlines urged to offer ‘living wage’ to Envoy agents
A group of US Democratic senators are calling on American Airlines chairman and CEO Doug Parker to provide “livable, family-sustaining wages” to passenger service agents at American-owned regional subsidiary Envoy Air.
Envoy Air provides regional flight service to American Airlines under the American Eagle brand.
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Finnair, Juneyao Air to codeshare on Finland, China routes
Finland flag carrier Finnair and Shanghai-based Juneyao Air have signed a codeshare agreement, which becomes effective June 28.
The partnership with Juneyao Air will provide Helsinki-based Finnair with connectivity between the Finnish capital and Shanghai Pudong International Airport and beyond.
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Asia-Pacific carriers' half profits in 2018 on external pressure
The average net earnings for Asia Pacific’s 25 main carriers fell a little more than 50% year-on-year (YOY) in 2018, in light of “significantly higher jet fuel prices, adverse currency movements and rising pressures on non-fuel cost items,” according to Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA).
Profits dropped to $4.7 billion in 2018 from $9.6 billion in 2017. This is despite strong international RPKs, which grew 6.9% YOY, spurred by rising incomes, further expansion of airline networks and widespread availability of competitive airfares.
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LCC Jambojet plans Africa expansion with more Q400s
Kenya Airways LCC subsidiary Jambojet plans to receive four more Bombardier Q400s in 2019 under the leadership of new CEO Allan Kilavuka.
“Today we are operating five Q400s, but we are getting four more this year,” Kilavuka told ATW. “That’s a doubling of our fleet. We’ll use it for regional expansion.”
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TUI Group may extend MAX contingency plans through summer season
European leisure airline TUI Group will decide by the end of May whether to extend contingency plans put in place to offset the impact of the grounding of its 15 Boeing 737 MAX 8s.
If it does not become clear during May that the MAXs will resume operations by mid-July, TUI will need to extend the measures through the summer season, the company said in a May 15 statement.
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Ural Airlines cancels Paris, Nice routes after French ruling
Russia´s Ural Airlines ceased flights from Moscow Zhukovsky to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Nice from May 18 after French civil aviation authorities determined the services breached an agreement between the two nations.
Zhukovsky is a secondary airport of the Russian capital and is not part of the Moscow airport system that comprises Domodedovo, Sheremetyevo and Vnukovo. But French authorities insist Zhukovsky is a Moscow airport and therefore violates a bilateral agreement between Russia and France that restricts the number of designated carriers on the Paris routes.
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Far Eastern Air Transport cancels international flights
Taiwan’s Far Eastern Air Transport (FAT) has abruptly canceled over 30 international flights after it came close to flying beyond its monthly limits set by the country’s Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA).
The Taipei-based carrier canceled all flights to Palawan and Boracay in the Philippines May 17 then canceled service to Vietnam’s Da Nang May 18. It is also suspending flights to Japan, South Korea and China by end of May.
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WestJet ratifies agreement with dispatchers
WestJet has ratified a three-year agreement with its flight dispatchers, represented by the Canadian Airline Dispatchers Association (CALDA), continuing a wave of unionisation at the airline.
The agreement, effective 18 May runs through May 2022, does not include dispatchers from WestJet Encore. Dispatchers at the Calgary-based airline voted 90% in favour of the agreement.
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Airports

DFW, American Airlines to build new terminal, adding up to 24 gates
Dallas Fort Worth International (DFW) Airport and American Airlines are teaming up to develop a sixth terminal at the American hub that could add as many as 24 gates.
The deal, announced May 20, calls for DFW to invest $3 billion in Terminal F, as well as another $500 million in improvements to Terminal C. The terminal could open by 2025, though much remains to be determined.
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Jersey Airport receives remote tower operations approval
Jersey Airport in the Channel Islands became the first British airport to receive approval for operational use of remote tower technology to manage commercial aircraft movements, the airport said May 20.
EASA, which is the air navigation service provider competent authority for the island of Jersey, and Channel Islands director of civil aviation Dominic Lazarus endorsed the remote tower operations after a testing period last year that included training air traffic controllers.
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Successful biometric boarding project at Ljubljana airport
After a successful biometric boarding pilot project at Ljubljana Airport, Amadeus believes that the industry has taken another step towards the creation of a common, centralised industry platform for the technology.
Working with Adria Airways, the airport’s home carrier, and LOT Polish Airlines, 175 participating passengers were successfully boarded in record time.
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Flights cancelled at Manchester Airport after fuel supply problems
Nearly 90 flights were cancelled at Manchester Airport as unexpected power issues within the airport created a fuel supply problem.
Manchester Airport experienced a power issue over the weekend, which had a knock-on effect on the fuel supply. This in turn meant 87 flights (42 arrivals and 45 departures) were cancelled and others delayed.
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Sydney Airport has launched a new assistance service for passengers
The new service provides a qualified professional to assist passengers who need extra assistance; ensuring a high-quality experience for all.
Sydney Airport has launched new assistance service for passengers
Sydney Airport has partnered with Medical Travel Companions (MTC) to provide extra assistance for a wide variety of needs, allowing passengers to relax and enjoy their travel experience.
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Military

VIDEO: Maiden sortie for initial HH-60W combat rescue helicopter
Sikorsky has performed the first flight of the HH-60W combat search and rescue helicopter it is developing for the US Air Force (USAF), with the event taking place from the manufacturer's facility in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Lasting 1h 20min, the maiden sortie included hover control checks, low speed flight, and a pass of the airfield.
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Aviation Quote

There are only two emotions in a plane: boredom and terror.

- Orson Welles, interview to celebrate his 70th birthday, The Times of London, 6 May 1985.

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Aircraft Names

Designation Provided, you provide the name…

1. XB-70
2. F-89
3. B-25
4. B-26
5. B-45
6. F-51
7. F-86
8. C-119
9. C-123
10. TBD