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HNA Group cancels IPO for Gategroup at last minute
China’s HNA Group canceled an initial public offering (IPO) for Switzerland’s Gategroup at the last minute because of a gap in valuation under current market conditions, dealing a blow to the debt-ridden Chinese company.
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EU passenger rights audit to be completed in 2018
The application of Europe’s passenger-rights rules—often referred to as EU261—is being scrutinized by the European Court of Auditors, but a wider revamp remains in limbo.
LinkAirlines
Air New Zealand calls for tougher drone regulations following near miss
A near collision between a drone and a Boeing 777 on March 25 has prompted Air New Zealand to call for stricter regulations for drone operators. The 777 was on descent into Auckland Airport when it passed within about 5 meters (16.4 ft.) of a drone.
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Air France unions call for strike March 30
Air France flights face disruption on March 30, as several of the carrier’s trade unions take strike action, which will also affect schedules on the carrier’s LCC subsidiary Joon.
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Delta, Qatar Airways bring first A350 scheduled services to Atlanta
Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines and Doha-based Qatar Airways both introduced Airbus A350-900 XWB aircraft to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) over the March 24-25 weekend.
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Fiji Airways to begin replacing 737s with MAXs, widebodies
Fiji Airways plans to begin replacing its Boeing 737s with newer versions later this year, and is also evaluating widebody replacements.
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LOT’s long-haul service gets 787-9 boost
LOT Polish Airline’s first Boeing 787-9 will be used both to service the carrier’s flagship transatlantic routes and to open new sectors, the airline’s CEO Rafał Milczarski said as the first 787-9 arrived in Warsaw March 23.
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EasyJet signs predictive maintenance deal with Airbus
EasyJet has subscribed to Airbus's digital services platform Skywise in order to roll out predictive maintenance across its A320-family fleet.
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Great Lakes Airlines ceases flights after pilot shortage warnings
Great Lakes Airlines, a turboprop operator with a network that connected cities in the western USA, suspended all scheduled flights on 26 March.
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China Southern Group to take 309 aircraft through to 2020
The China Southern Airlines Group is currently scheduled to take delivery of 309 aircraft over the next three years, with nearly half of those set to arrive this year.
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First Boeing 737 Max 9 Delivered to Thai Lion Air
Boeing delivered its first 737 MAX 9 to launch customer Lion Air Group, also the first operator to put the MAX 8 into service. One of the world’s largest operators of 737s, Lion Air Group has a commitment for 50 MAX 10s in place as well.
LinkAirports
London City Airport enjoys its busiest ever week
Figures published by London City Airport today reveal that it has just enjoyed the busiest week in its history, eclipsing the 100,000 passenger mark for the first time.
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New solar farm to reduce Dublin Airport's energy consumption
Irish airport operator, daa, in partnership with ESB has opened a new solar farm at Dublin Airport that will provide more than half of the annual energy requirements of its water reservoir system.
LinkMilitary
Poland adds four more M-346 trainers
Poland has exercised an option worth more than €115 million ($143 million) with Leonardo to boost the size of its M-346 advanced jet trainer fleet to 12 aircraft, and could further increase this in the future.
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Aviation Quote
I hate to wake up and find my co-pilot asleep.
- Anonymous
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Trivia
General Trivia
1. Talton Higbee _______ and John Paul _______ began a Waco dealership in 1925 and in 1927 were awarded a contract to carry the mail using Wacos. After a series of mergers and acquisitions, their company eventually became part of what is now American Airlines. What current, well-known organization bears their names?
2. How did FIDO help to bring home British bomber crews during World War II?
3. How is it possible for four airplanes to fly in formation so that the distance between any one of these airplanes and any of the other three is the same?
4. What is the difference between Victor airways, T-routes, and Q-routes?
5. What airport was first in the world to have an airline passenger terminal and first to have an airport hotel?
6. Most are familiar with the Royal Air Force’s Lancaster and Mosquito bombers. What were the RAF’s Washington bombers?
