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PICTURES: Third C919 prototype operates first flight
The third prototype of the Comac C919 has conducted its maiden flight from the company’s factory adjacent to Shanghai Pudong International Airport.
The flight lasted 1hr 38 minutes, and 31 test points were covered, says Comac.
Link
BOC Aviation signs for 11 737 Max jets
BOC Aviation has signed with Boeing to purchase 11 more 737 Max aircraft.
These jets will be delivered in 2019 and 2020, says the lessor in a stock exchange statement.
LinkAirlines
PICTURES: Lucky takes first SMBC-bound 737 Max
Chinese carrier Lucky Air has taken delivery of the first of 90 Boeing 737 Max aircraft on order with lessor SMBC Aviation Capital.
The Chinese airline will operate the aircraft on lease, according to a Tweet from Boeing. It adds that it is “looking forward to delivering 89 more to you, SMBC Aviation Capital.”
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Bamboo Airways start again delayed, but fleet growing
Vietnam start-up Bamboo Airways will miss its 29 December start date, and aims to commence services in the middle of January 2019.
A report by Reuters, quoting airline chief executive Dang Tat Thang, indicates that the carrier has yet to attain the necessary licences to launch services.
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Lion Air co-pilot’s family sues Boeing over MAX crash
Lawyers for the family of the co-pilot killed in the crash of the Lion Air Boeing 737 MAX 8 have filed a lawsuit against Boeing alleging the aircraft was “unreasonably dangerous” and that the manufacturer failed to provide proper instruction on how to handle the new narrowbody’s anti-stall system.
Indonesian LCC Lion Air issued a press statement Dec. 28 disclosing the lawsuit on behalf of the family of co-pilot Harvino, who is described as an experienced pilot with over 5,000 flight hours.
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SF Airlines adds freighter 50 and launches Bangkok route
On December 21 Chinese express carrier SF Airlines added its fiftieth freighter, shortly after adding number 49.
The airline said that the delivery of a Boeing 757-200 converted freighter marked an important milestone as it officially becomes a medium-sized airline.
LinkAirports
Lufthansa criticizes Fraport for long holiday security lines
Lufthansa has called on Frankfurt Airport operator Fraport and German border police to urgently address system problems that led to some 3,000 passengers missing their flights in the days leading to Christmas.
Passengers using Frankfurt on Dec. 22 faced security lines of up to 90 minutes and many of them missed their flights even if they turned up early.
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Brazilian airport concessions: Rio and São Paulo to be included
The Brazilian airport concession programme took another unexpected turn when a further tranche – this time of 44 airports in six regional blocks – was reported to have been drafted on the orders of recently elected President Jair Bolsonaro.
Many of the most attractive airports, especially so to foreign operators and investors, appear to have gone already, but in this instance both the Santos Dumont Airport in Rio de Janeiro and Congonhas Airport in São Paulo will also be included.
LinkMilitary
PICTURES: Il-112V undergoes taxi trials ahead of first flight
The initial prototype of Ilyushin’s Il-112V transport has begun taxi trials on the runway at the VASO manufacturing plant in Voronezh, as United Aircraft (UAC) prepares the twin turboprop for its maiden flight.
The high-wing design is powered by two Klimov TV7-117ST turboprops. The initial variant is the Il-112V military transport, with a civil Il-112T version also planned.
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Aviation Quote
Bankruptcy as a solution in kind of un-American.
- Tom Horton, Chief Financial Officer American Airlines, reported in USA Today, 6 April 2006.
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AIRPORTS
Provide Either the IATA code or the airport name
1. Will Rogers International Airport.
2. LEMD
3. General Billy Mitchell International Airport
4. TNCM
5. LFSB
6. EDDF
7. EGLL
8. YSSY
9. SAEZ
10. SKBQ
11. ENGM
12. Tokyo Haneda
13. OIII
14. Cape Town D.F. Malan
15. BOMBAY INTERNATIONAL
