NewsAccidents/Incidents
‘Out-of-control’ Chinese rocket Long March 5B is falling to Earth
Part of a huge rocket that launched China’s first module for its Tianhe space station is falling back to Earth and could make an uncontrolled re-entry at an unknown landing point.
The 30-metre high core of the Long March 5B rocket launched the “Heavenly Harmony” unmanned core module into low Earth orbit on 29 April from Wenchang in China’s Hainan province.
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Former Etihad CEO fined for violating UK’s quarantine rules
The former CEO of Etihad, James Hogan, was caught at Heathrow trying to violate the UK’s quarantine rules. He is now facing a fine of £10,000.
Hogan flew from Geneva to London Heathrow on March 19 using his UK passport. However, he didn’t declare that he had visited the United Arab Emirates days before his departure to Heathrow.
LinkCommercial
IAI to build Boeing 777 freighter conversion facility in South Korea
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), the Lod-based aerospace and aviation manufacturer, announced its plan to establish a Boeing 777 conversion facility in South Korea.
Expecting an increase in demand for wide-body long-range cargo aircraft, the Israel company decided to build a new facility that will provide Passenger 2 Cargo (P2F) conversion services.
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Airbus A321 freighter – synergy between costs and convenience
Probably one of the longest ongoing rivalries in the aviation market is the one between two aircraft manufacturing giants - Airbus and Boeing. For years the companies had been head to head, trying to outsmart the other and take over the lucrative market. And while for many years the world’s oldest aircraft manufacturer Boeing was on top, in 2019 Airbus displaced Boeing as the largest aerospace company by revenue. But what about their performance in the cargo area?
LinkAirlines
Allegiant loses $57.9 million in the first quarter
“The momentum reported last quarter picked up in earnest towards the back half of the first quarter with booking trends showing meaningful improvement,” stated Maurice J. Gallagher, Jr., chairman and CEO of Allegiant Travel Company.
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SpiceJet brings in oxygen concentrators to India from China, defers 50% of its employee’s salaries
SpiceJet is doing its part to help in the COVID-19 surge in India. The company has brought in over 4,400 oxygen concentrators to India from China in the past two weeks.
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Air Malta launches its summer 2021 flight schedule
Air Malta today launched its summer flight schedule with a planned operation to 20 cities. During the six-month program (covering May till October 2021), the Airline is committed to operate 3,012 flights and will offer for sale over half a million seats.
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Emirates forecasts busy winter 2021, hints A380 return
Having already recovered about 85% of its pre-pandemic passenger flights to 120 destinations, Emirates plans to recover 70% of its capacity by the winter season of 2021.
Speaking at the Arabian Travel Market event in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates on May 4, 2021, Emirates’ Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) Adnan Kazim said that the airline was focused on its recovery plans.
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China Eastern’s Labor Day numbers exceed 2019
The travel demand experienced during the Labor day holidays is a rebound for Chinese airlines which recorded low numbers during the Lunar New Year Holiday, which is usually a peak season, in February 2021.
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Norwegian Air Shuttle plans to raise $725 million in cash
Norwegian Air Shuttle expects to raise around $725 million (NOK6 billion) in fresh capital as a part of its restructuring plan which should help the airline to emerge from bankruptcy protection in Norway and Ireland by May 26, 2021.
According to the Norwegian Air Shuttle announcement, released on May 3, 2021, the airline expects to have a cash holding of $725 million (NOK6 billion) by the end of May 2021. The carrier plans to offer new capital perpetual bonds that should bring the company around $226,162 (NOK1,875 million).
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Malaysia Airlines to oust the Airbus A380 from its fleet
Malaysia Airlines Airbus A380 could be permanently retired soon, the airline’s parent company announced.
Another airline is joining the ever-growing list of the Airbus A380 ex-operators. Malaysia Airlines announced that its six SuperJumbos that are currently parked would not be returning to service. Instead, the airline plans to retire them in the near future.
LinkAirports
Lithuanian Airports launches MRO land lease auction for Kaunas Airport
Lithuanian Airports has announced that it has launched a land lease auction as Kaunas International Airport (KUN) aims to further develop infrastructure for aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO). The airport operator aims to attract foreign and Lithuanian investors via the launched auction. Kaunas Airport is already the largest base for aircraft maintenance in the Baltics.
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Therapy dog programme reinstated by Orlando International Airport
The MCO Paw Pilots, a therapy dog programme first launched at Orlando International Airport (MCO) in 2019, has returned after a yearlong break as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The customer service initiative, which was suspended to ensure fewer opportunities for crowds to gather within the airport’s North Terminal, was designed to offer some comfort to the travelling public.
LinkMilitary
Germany prefers Boeing P-8A Poseidon to France’s ATL2 offer
Germany seemingly rejected the offer from France to temporarily acquire 4 Dassault Breguet Atlantique 2 aircraft, and should instead procure up to 5 Boeing P-8A Poseidon jets. That new acquisition could jeopardize the joint development of a new maritime patrol aircraft by the two European countries.
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Egypt confirms order for 30 Dassault Rafale from France
France and Egypt signed a contract for the delivery of 30 Rafale fighter jets manufactured by Dassault.
Rumors of the order emerged on May 3, 2021, based on information obtained by the online investigative media Disclose. On the early morning of April 4, 2021, the Egyptian Ministry of Defense confirmed the news on its website
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