NewsChina set to order over 180 Airbus jetsChina is set to finalize orders for 184 Airbus A320-family aircraft, say media reports citing French president Emmanuel Macron, after talks with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Beijing. The orders will mainly be for A320neo jets with deliveries to 13 airlines scheduled in 2019 and 2020. It is unclear whether these are new orders, or were previously undisclosed.
LinkSilver Airways to acquire Seaborne AirlinesFort Lauderdale-based regional carrier Silver Airways has signed an agreement to purchase Puerto Rico carrier Seaborne Airlines, which filed for bankruptcy protection on 8 January. "As Seaborne filed for reorganization under Chapter 11, Silver Airways entered into an agreement to acquire Seaborne," Silver chief executive Steve Rossum says in a statement.
LinkDamaged Dash 8 tire exploded in wheel bayInvestigators believe contact with jagged rocks at the Bulolo airstrip damaged a tyre on a Bombardier de Havilland Dash 8-200 before the tiyre exploded inside its stowage well at cruise altitude. The turboprop – registered P2-ANK, owned by Air Niugini and operated by Link PNG – had been operating a service from Port Moresby to Tari on 4 August last year.
LinkRussian airspace recovers after economic slumpRussian airspace handled over 1.5 million flights last year, the highest level in the country for three years. Federal air transport regulator Rosaviatsia says the previous peak, 1.46 million, was recorded in 2014.
LinkAirbus COO upbeat on 2017 performanceAirbus chief operating officer Tom Williams has delivered an upbeat assessment of the company's performance in 2017, less than a week before it will report its commercial orders and deliveries totals. Speaking at Airbus Group reception in London on 9 January, Williams said 2017 "has been a good year for Airbus", describing it as "busy and eventful".
LinkBoeing HorizonX flies unmanned electric cargo prototypeBoeing HorizonX, which the manufacturer set up to pursue potentially disruptive ideas inside as well as outside the company, has flown a prototype electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing (eVTOL) unmanned cargo aircraft.
LinkAmerican’s 4Q 2017 unit revenue growth to be higher than expectedAmerican Airlines provided upbeat guidance for the upcoming release of its fourth quarter 2017 results, projecting higher unit revenue growth than previously projected.
LinkGaruda Indonesia defers next 737-8 deliveries to 2020Garuda Indonesia has achieved its aim of deferring the arrival of its remaining Boeing 737 MAX orders, with the next deliveries now scheduled for 2020.
LinkNorwegian secures Amsterdam-New York slotsLCC Norwegian has secured the slots it needs to launch 4X-weekly Amsterdam-New York flights, using remedies from a transatlantic joint venture (JV) between four SkyTeam member airlines.
LinkSaudiGulf Airlines to go internationalSaudi Arabian carrier SaudiGulf Airlines will launch international flights in March 2018 with service between Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and Dubai. Privately owned SaudiGulf began operating in summer 2016 and has built up a domestic network between Riyadh, Dammam, Jeddah and Abha, operating 200 weekly flights.
LinkAirAsia to launch IPO for Indian franchiseThe AirAsia Group plans to launch an initial public offering (IPO) for shares in its Indian joint venture, part of the parent group’s efforts to seek new investors and monetize its holdings in various units.
LinkEthiopian to lease Boeing 737 freighters from GECASEthiopian Cargo and Logistics Services has signed an agreement with lessor GECAS to take the first two Boeing 737-800SF freighters to be converted by Miami, Florida-based Aeronautical Engineers Inc. (AEI). First delivery is expected in June 2018, with the second to follow in January 2019. Ethiopian Cargo and Logistics Services is a division of the Ethiopian Airlines Group.
LinkFedEx plans $35.4M project at Memphis, Tenn., airportFedEx is seeking a permit for a $35.4 million project at Tennessee's Memphis International Airport. The project would expand the shipper's hub with new aircraft ramp space and support facilities.
LinkJetBlue announces new daily service between Fla., Dominican RepublicOn June 14, JetBlue Airways will launch new daily service between Florida's Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and Santiago de Compostela Airport in the Dominican Republic.
LinkUnited introduces complimentary checked bags for US-China flightsUnited Airlines announced its new complimentary luggage policy on a second checked bag for passengers traveling on all flights between North America and Hong Kong or China. The airline is also celebrating the upcoming Chinese New Year by offering lower fares until Feb. 16, and between April 2 and June 10.
LinkAmerican Airlines' IFE options include movies, games, TV and musicAmerican Airlines passengers can access the carrier's in-flight entertainment options for free and the selections are updated monthly. Travelers can choose to listen to music, play video games like poker or Plants vs. Zombies, watch TV or take in a movie.
LinkAerolíneas Ejecutivas picks Latitude for MexJet fractional offerMexican business aviation services company Aerolíneas Ejecutivas has ordered three Cessna Citation Latitude business jets for its MexJet fractional ownership program.
The trio of midsize aircraft will be delivered over in the “first three quarters” of 2018, says Cessna parent company Textron Aviation. They will join MexJet’s fleet of more than 30 business jets and helicopters based in Toluca and Monterrey.
LinkStandard Aero closes LAX repair shop, blaming decline in TFE731 shop visitsBlaming a “severe and unexpected” reduction in Honeywell TFE731 shop visits, StandardAero announced on 9 January that it will close a business aviation repair station at Los Angeles International airport by the end of March. The Arizona-based maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) company also says the facility’s closure comes after multiple attempts to secure a long-term lease for the Los Angeles repair station failed.
LinkUVision trials extended-range HeroIsraeli unmanned air system developer UVision has demonstrated its Hero 400EC extended-range loitering weapon system to what it describes as a "strategic customer". Conducted in southern Israel last month, the activity "proved the tracking and lock-on capabilities of the system using a moving vehicle and a human target in various operational scenarios", the company says. It also demonstrated its precision-strike and mission-abort performance.
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