NewsCzech Airlines and Norwegian cut A320neo commitmentsCzech Airlines has cancelled more than half of the Airbus A320neos it originally ordered more than three years ago, while Norwegian has also trimmed its A320neo commitment. The Czech flag-carrier has cut four of the seven twinjets it ordered in March 2016, the airframer's latest backlog revision indicates.
LinkHard-landing A319 not withdrawn for checks for daysIndian investigators have revealed that an Air India Airbus A319 which suffered a severe hard landing at Chennai was released to continue flying and not taken out of service for five days. The aircraft had landed on Chennai's runway 25, with a descent rate of 400ft/min, touching down initially with a 1.6g impact before bouncing.
LinkAdria figures reveal growing financial pressure on carrierSlovenian flag-carrier Adria Airways' latest full-year figures have revealed the extent of the financial pressure on the airline which collapsed at the end of September. The airline's operating loss for 2018 increased nearly five-fold to €16.2 million ($17.8 million) while its net loss more than trebled to €18.6 million.
LinkPilot shortage hitting UK business aviation sectorA growing shortage of business jet pilots in the UK is hitting aircraft sales and creating challenges for local owners and operators who are struggling to source crews. UK business jet sales and marketing company Colibri Aircraft expects the squeeze to continue for the foreseeable future, as commercial airlines increasingly tap private aviation to make up recruitment shortfalls.
LinkWow Air's new owner now plans December relaunchThe planned relaunch of Icelandic low-cost carrier Wow Air has been delayed until December, according to a statement provided by the owner of the shuttered airlines' assets, though many questions about the effort's feasibility remain unanswered. The 8 October statement from Michele Ballarin, chair of Virginia-based USAerospace Associates, does not disclose any information about pending schedules, routes or destinations.
LinkBoeing's Q3 deliveries sag on 737 Max groundingBoeing's deliveries of large jet aircraft slipped to just 63 in the third quarter of 2019, down 67% year-over-year thanks largely to the grounding of the 737 Max, the company reports on 8 October. In the first nine months of 2019, Boeing delivered 302 commercial aircraft, slightly more than half of the 568 aircraft it delivered in the same period last year.
LinkAir Lease deliveries fall slightly in Q3Air Lease Corporation invested $1.5 billion in new aircraft during the quarter ended 30 September, down from the $1.6 billion in the second quarter as it took delivery of fewer aircraft. The Los Angeles-based lessor states that it delivered 15 aircraft during the period, down from 17 in the earlier period. Deliveries comprised of two Airbus A320neos, six A321neos, one A330-900neos, one A350-900, two Boeing 787-9s and three 787-10s.
LinkAvolon continued to grow portfolio in Q3Aircraft lessor Avolon's portfolio grew to 527 aircraft at the end of September, up 3% year-on-year as it delivered eight new jets. At the end of the quarter, the Dublin-based lessor also had commitments and orders on a further 387 aircraft.
LinkARJ21 shines in weak September for Asia-Pacific deliveriesAirlines in the Asia-Pacific received 33 of the 91 new commercial airliners delivered during September, as the absence of Boeing 737 deliveries weighed on overall numbers. European airlines followed the Asia-Pacific with 25 deliveries, while North American airlines took 15 new aircraft, according to Cirium fleets data.
LinkFlight-test PD-14 engines edge towards MC-21 installationFlight-testing of the Irkut MC-21 with the Russian-built Aviadvigatel PD-14 engine is set to commence next year, although the initial powerplants have yet to be moved to the assembly line. Two PD-14s have formally been transferred to Irkut but are still located at the Perm Motors manufacturing facility.
LinkBoeing bets on space with Virgin Galactic investmentBoeing will invest $20 million in Virgin Galactic to "broaden commercial space access and transform global travel technologies" the companies announced on 8 October. Leanne Caret, chief executive of Boeing's space division, says in a statement that “together we will change how people travel on Earth, and among the stars, for generations to come”.
LinkBoeing military aircraft deliveries jump 114% in Q3Boeing Defense, Space & Security delivered 77 military aircraft in the third quarter of 2019, a 114% jump over the number of aircraft it delivered in the second quarter, as the company continues catching up on orders delayed by quality issues. Much of the production lift comes from a boost in deliveries of new and remanufactured AH-64 Apache attack helicopters, as well as of KC-46A Pegasus in-flight refuelling tankers, the company disclosed in a media release.
LinkDassault delivers first Rafale to IndiaNew Delhi has taken delivery of its first four Dassault Rafales, completing a decades-long odyssey to obtain a new fighter for the Indian air force. The jets were handed over to Indian defence minister Raksha Mantri at a ceremony held at Dassault's Merignac production line near Bordeaux in southwest France.
LinkManila to return 7 UH-1s to service with Japanese sparesThe Philippine Air Force will use spare parts donated by Japan to help return seven UH-1 utility helicopters to service. According to an air force statement carried by the official Philippine News Agency, a team of air force personnel “found several items needed for restoring seven of the helicopters [to] operational status.”
LinkH225 helicopters face engine safety issueOperators of the Airbus Helicopters H225 are facing a fresh safety issue, this time focused on the heavy-twin’s Safran Helicopter Engines Makila 2 powerplants. European safety regulators are mandating, via an emergency airworthiness directive, the replacement of certain bevel gears in the engine’s number one module.
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