NewsEmirates introduced 35 long-haul jets over full yearMiddle Eastern carrier Emirates received 35 long-haul aircraft over its 2016-17 financial year, as its fleet modernisation removed the Dubai-based airline's last Airbus A330s and A340s. The airline describes its long-haul renewal as a "record", adding that it included 19 Airbus A380s and 16 Boeing 777-300ERs.
LinkA350-1000 circles Europe in early long flight trialAirbus has carried out an early long flight with the A350-1000 as part of the aircraft's airborne testing prior to certification. The test was carried out in co-operation with Virgin Atlantic, one of the customers for the largest variant of the A350 family.
LinkFamily focus under fire at BombardierAfter years of costly stumbles, Bombardier finally seems to be moving in the right direction, especially since the hiring of Alain Bellemare as chief executive in February 2015. So it might seem an odd moment for institutional investors to insist on the removal of Pierre Beaudoin, a grandson of the company’s founder, as executive chairman.
LinkBoeing's 737 Max – the same but differentI flew on Southwest Airlines flight 1389 into Albuquerque International airport on the first leg towards evaluating Boeing's newest model 737 Max 8 – its follow-on to the 737NG. Southwest is a launch customer for the latest model, so before heading out to Boeing's hangar in Roswell, New Mexico, I talked with the flightcrew about what they wanted and expected in the new aircraft.
LinkThe C919 is a tale of dreams and destinyWhen the Comac C919 took off into overcast Shanghai skies on 5 May, guests at the ceremony burst into cheers and applause. Its employees and suppliers hugged and congratulated one another, having just witnessed China’s aerospace ambitions take flight.
LinkPiaseki targets US Marine Corps MUX with ARESPiaseki Aircraft is tweaking its affordable reconfigurable embedded system (ARES) concept to create a candidate for the US Marine Corps’ future expeditionary unmanned aircraft. As part of its Marine Air Ground Task Force – Unmanned Expeditionary Capabilities programme, also known as MUX, the Marines are seeking a Class 5 UAV that can keep up with their fleet of MV-22s. The UAV would complete assault, maritime interdiction, medical evacuation, tactical resupply and combat search and rescue missions.
LinkOttawa should cancel Super Hornet acquisition, say senatorsCanadian politicians have recommended that the country cancel its proposed acquisition of 18 Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, describing the plan as a "political decision" that fails to serve either the air force or taxpayers.
LinkSierra Nevada and Embraer to fly in USAF OA-X experimentThe US Air Force has invited Sierra Nevada Corp (SNC) and its Brazilian partner, Embraer Defense and Security, to participate in the OA-X light attack experiment, SNC announced 12 May. SNC will offer the Embraer A-29 Super Tucano for the capability assessment, which will take place this July at Holloman AFB, New Mexico. The Super Tucano is one of several low-cost aircraft that could fly in the experiment, with Textron Aviation promoting both its Scorpion twin-engined jet and Beechcraft AT-6 turboprop as OA-X options. During Textron's first quarter earnings call last month, chief executive Scott Donnelly said he expected an air force decision on the invitation in May.
LinkANA 787 with engine problem makes emergency landing in RussiaAn All Nippon Airways (ANA) Boeing 787-9 made an unscheduled landing in Bratsk, Russia, after cockpit instruments warned pilots of an engine problem. The aircraft, powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines, operated as flight NH209. It was en route from Tokyo Narita to Dusseldorf.
LinkLOT Polish Airlines takes delivery of first Boeing 737-800LOT Polish Airlines took delivery May 12 of its first Boeing 737-800, and expects to have four aircraft of the type by the end of June. “It is a historic moment and the first new aircraft of the 737 family to join our fleet after more than 20 years, “Adrian Kubicki, director of corporate communications, said in a statement. “In that way we prove that our profitable growth strategy has become a fact. The delivery of the 737-800 marks the launch of an ambitious program of our fleet development.”
LinkACG posts $830 million 1Q net profit after tax-status changeUS aircraft lessor Aviation Capital Group (ACG) posted an $830 million net profit for first-quarter 2017. The result includes AGC’s receipt of an $891 million tax benefit related to the elimination of the company’s net deferred tax liability―a result of the company’s March 31 change in tax status from a corporation to a limited liability company (LLC).
LinkEasyJet bases 12th aircraft at Berlin SchoenefeldUK low-cost carrier (LCC) EasyJet will base its 12th Airbus A320-family aircraft at Berlin Schoenefeld Airport. The carrier plans to launch new routes to Bastia, France, beginning June 26; to Pula, Croatia, starting June 27; and to Varna, Bulgaria, from June 28.
LinkAir Arabia posts 10% drop in 1Q net profit Gulf low-cost carrier (LCC) Air Arabia reported a first-quarter net profit of AED103 million ($28 million), down 10% compared to net profit of AED114 million in the 1Q 2016. Revenue for the quarter was AED810 million, down 14% year-over-year.
LinkCopa posts $102 million 1Q net profit; operating income up 24%Panama City-based Copa Holdings reported $102.3 million net profit for the first quarter of 2017, down 11.4% from $115.5 million net income for 1Q 2016. Copa Holdings—the parent company of Panama’s Copa Airlines and Copa Airlines Colombia—said the first-quarter results reflect improving demand trends combined with continued cost discipline. The company said higher load factors and yields were behind revenue growth and margin expansion seen during the quarter, as compared to 1Q 2016.
LinkBrazil’s GOL posts $74 million 1Q net profit São Paulo-based low-cost carrier GOL reported a BRL232.7 million ($74.4 million) net profit for the first quarter of 2017, down 69.3% from BRL 242.1 million in 1Q 2016. GOL continued to rationalize operations during the Brazilian summer to meet reduced passenger traffic, which was down 739,000 passengers compared to 1Q 2016. The airline reduced the number of seats available for sale by 13% during the quarter.
LinkChina’s Lucky Air to start Kunming-Moscow flights in JuneLow-cost carrier Lucky Air, a Kunming-based subsidiary of HNA Group, announced it will launch Kunming-Moscow services from June 12. The carrier plans to operate the Airbus A330-300 on the route, which will be 2X weekly in June and increase to 3X weekly in July.
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