NewsRussia’s Aeroflot finalizes MC-21 orderRussia’s largest carrier Aeroflot has firmed up an order for 50 MC-21-300 narrowbody airliners, which will be leased through Avia Capital Services, a leasing arm of government-owned Rostec Corp.
LinkFleet transition drives SkyWest to $429 million net profit turnaround Utah-based SkyWest Inc., parent of regional carriers SkyWest Airlines and ExpressJet Airlines, turned around its profitability picture in 2017, posting a $428.9 million net profit, reversed from a $161.6 million net loss in 2016.
LinkUPS to invest heavily in air services; 2017 net profit soarsUnited Parcel Service (UPS) anticipates continued growth in the global express cargo market in 2018 and believes investment in its air services will pay off handsomely.
LinkSweden implements new rules for UAV useSweden has become the latest country to regulate the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones, covering both private and commercial operators. Swedish Transport Agency Transportstyrelsen said that while the rapidly developing UAV technology presents great opportunities, the craft must be operated safely.
LinkIndustry condemns video of drone close encounter with Frontier aircraft The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) industry and hobbyists alike have been quick to condemn an alleged close encounter with commercial airliner. News of the incident emerged after an undated video taken from the UAV, or drone, involved was posted on YouTube. The 27-sec.video clip starts airborne above Las Vegas. How high the drone is flying is not clear, but it appears obviously above the altitude limit set by the FAA as a large white object moves into frame. The camera turns to track the object, which is revealed to be an Airbus in Frontier Airlines livery. The camera pans around as the aircraft passes underneath. It is hard to make out relative distances in the unmarked expanse of sky, but it appears to be uncomfortably close.
LinkEuropean ASL group hands back Swiss AOCIreland-based ASL Aviation Holdings has reorganized its Swiss operating unit ASL Airlines Switzerland and handed back the latter’s air operator’s certificate (AOC) to Swiss regulatory authorities.
LinkAir Senegal firms A330neo orderAir Senegal has firmed an order for two Airbus A330neos, following an MOU signed in November 2017 at the Dubai Air Show. The order makes the national carrier of Senegal the first airline in Africa to select the new re-engined A330 version, which is powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines. The order was signed in Dakar by Air Senegal CEO Philippe Bohn and Airbus head of commercial aircraft-Africa & Middle East Fouad Attar, in the presence of the French Republic president Emmanuel Macron on a state visit to Senegal and Republic of Senegal president Macky Sall.
LinkAir Astana returns to profit in 2017 after strong passenger growthAir Astana posted a net profit of $39.1 million in 2017, returning to profit after its first-ever loss in 2016. The Kazakhstan flag carrier carried 4.2 million passengers and recorded a 12% year-over-year (YOY) passenger growth.
LinkVilnius Airport begins major terminal reconstructionLithuania’s largest airport at Vilnius is preparing to start a four-year makeover of its terminal building that will double its capacity. Vilnius Airport, which in summer 2017 closed for 35 days to allow a major reconstruction of its runway, will start to modernize and expand its terminal building this month.
LinkWizz Air further expands A321 operations at London LutonRapidly growing LCC Wizz Air is adding a further Airbus A321 to its London Luton base, bringing the total number of aircraft based there to eight.
LinkEmirates to launch Santiago de Chile services in JulyEmirates Airline is launching services to Santiago de Chile, the Dubai-based carrier’s fourth South American passenger route, starting July 8. The 5X-weekly service will use a two-class Boeing 777-200LR, which offers 38 business-class seats in a 2-2-2 configuration and 264 seats in economy class.
LinkJapan moves quickly on airport privatizationJapan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) is working to seek private-sector improvements in running the country’s 28 MLIT-owned airports after deciding the airports put a ceiling on aviation growth, especially LCCs, tourism and the economy.
LinkAirbus US outpost starts VTOL taxi flight testsAirbus's Silicon Valley-based advanced projects unit A³ has started flight tests with an autonomous vertical take-off and landing aircraft that has been designed to serve as an air taxi for a single passenger. Called Vahana, the electrically powered aircraft features eight rotors that are installed on four tilting wings around a passenger cabin on skids.
LinkAlaska Airlines, Japan Airlines agree to expand codeshare partnershipAlaska Airlines and Japan Airlines have announced a plan to expand their codeshare network, which will offer travelers from Japan more routes and destinations to the West Coast. Tickets for the codeshare flights are expected to be available Feb. 6.
Link American Airlines to launch online cargo tech with IBS partnershipAmerican Airlines Cargo will use IBS Software to launch iCargo, a web-based cargo management system. "We are focused on modernizing processes for our team, and increasing transparency and flexibility for our customers. The rapidly changing cargo landscape demands that we invest in the best of tools, so that our team can focus on doing what they do best -- delivering an exceptional customer experience," an American Airlines spokesperson said.
LinkSeattle airport aims to save fuel with electric ground fleetFollowing Alaska Airlines' move to an all-electric ground vehicle operation at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, officials there are working to become the country's first airport with all-electric ground vehicles, a move that could save the facility 1 million gallons of fuel each year. Airport officials are installing 576 smart charging locations that can optimize a vehicle's charging rate based on battery power.
LinkUSAF rejects Scorpion for OA-X, names A-29 and AT-6 finalistsThe US Air Force has excluded the Textron AirLand Scorpion light-attack aircraft from the next phase of its OA-X experiment, leaving Textron Aviation's Beechcraft AT-6 Wolverine and the Sierra Nevada/Embraer A-29 Super Tucano as the finalists for a potential follow-on acquisition deal. The news comes as a blow for joint venture Textron AirLand’s five-year-old campaign to win the endorsement of the US Air Force for the company-funded Scorpion, a twinjet designed to perform as a light-attack and observation platform.
LinkNorway runs into fresh problem with NH90 helicoptersNorway has concluded that its on-order fleet of NH Industries NH90 naval helicopters will not deliver sufficient flight hours to perform the roles originally intended for the 11t-class rotorcraft and recommends that all are converted to the anti-submarine warfare mission. To be operated by the Royal Norwegian Air Force, 14 NH90s were selected in 2001: six to undertake frigate-based ASW operations and eight for the search and rescue and fisheries and border protection role for the coastguard.
LinkFrench army starts definition work for new armed scout helicoptersThe French army has begun early definition work with Airbus Helicopters on the H160Ms it will obtain as part of a tri-service procurement. Paris in March 2017 selected the developmental H160M to form the basis of its hélicoptère interarmées léger (HIL) program, splitting 160-190 rotorcraft between the air force, army and navy to replace a sizeable fleet of aged types. Deliveries were due to start in 2024, but this is likely to be pushed back when France publishes its defence spending plan later this year.
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