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GE finishes final GE9X flight tests for Boeing 777X
Final flight tests of GE Aviation’s GE9X turbofan engine have been completed on the company’s Boeing 747-400 flying testbed ahead of the engine’s first flight this summer on the 777-9, the initial version of the US aircraft manufacturer’s new 777X twinjet series. The flight test campaign, which began in December 2018, stretched over more than 50 flights and 320 flight hrs., and followed an earlier preliminary test program between March and May ...
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Embraer posts higher Q1 loss but holds to 2019 delivery goals
Brazilian airframer Embraer lost $41.2 million in the first quarter of 2019, slightly more than its $34.9 million net loss in the same period of 2018.
The quarterly loss reflects a revenue decline across several segments, and the financial impact of a commercial aircraft restructuring and pending joint venture with Boeing, says Embraer chief financial officer Nelson Salgado.
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PICTURE: Australian state to buy 737 Fireliner
Coulson Aviation has signed a landmark deal to sell a Boeing 737-300 modified for firebombing duties to the state government of New South Wales in Australia.
The sale also includes two Cessna Citation V lead/intelligence aircraft, and a 10-year operating contract with Coulson’s Australian unit to provide all flight and maintenance personnel to support the aircraft.
LinkAirlines
Alitalia unions call for strike June 24 as relaunch plan drags on
A group of Alitalia pilot and cabin crew unions said they would strike June 24, delaying a planned walk out until after the latest deadline for a formal bid for the bankrupt carrier.
Defining a plan to rescue and relaunch Alitalia, which declared bankruptcy two years ago, has been fraught with complications.
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AirAsia asks Malaysian regulator to rule on airport disputes
AirAsia has filed a legal challenge in an attempt to force Malaysian regulators to rule on long-running disputes between the airline and Kuala Lumpur airport operator Malaysia Airports.
The dispute relates to the passenger service charge (PSC), and airline accusations of poor service levels at Kuala Lumpur International Airport’s Terminal 2 (KLIA2).
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LuxairGroup 2018 profit up 32%; warns of ‘sharp decrease’ in 2019
LuxairGroup has posted a €12.5 million ($14 million) full-year net profit, up 32% year-over-year, but president and CEO Adrien Ney has warned of a “sharp decrease” for 2019 because the group faces “enormous pressure” in a complicated environment.
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Russia’s Utair launches regional feeder flights
Utair Aviation has launched feeder routes, connecting regional points in the Tyumen region and the Khanty-Mansi autonomous republic. The carrier has begun weekly services of Khanty-Mansiysk-Uray-Sovetsky, Tyumen-Uray-Sovetsky, Tyumen-Sovetsky-Beloyarsky, using ATR 72 aircraft.
The stopovers at regional airports will be around 45-50 min., the airline said. The flights will be also connected to routes to other cities in Russia including Yekaterinburg, Moscow and Ufa.
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Thailand’s Nok Air posts 1Q net loss despite fleet reduction
Thai LCC Nok Air is hoping a reduction in aircraft numbers will help reverse its deepening net losses.
Nok and its subsidiaries reported a 2019 first-quarter net loss of THB391.3 million ($12.4 million), widened from a net loss of THB1.2 million in the year-ago quarter.
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Iberia Express to take A320neos in fleet renewal plan
Spanish LCC Iberia Express will take delivery of four Airbus A320neos in 2020, with the first scheduled for delivery in April.
Iberia Express, which launched in 2012, currently operates a fleet of 22 A320 and A321ceos to 40 short- and medium-haul destinations, acting as a feeder for parent carrier Iberia’s long-haul network.
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Bangkok Airways first quarter profit down 22%
Bangkok Airways posted a 22% decline in its first quarter operating profit to Bt870 million ($27.6 million) as expenses rose faster than revenue.
Total revenue for the quarter ended 31 March was static at Bt7.79 billion. Revenue from the airline and airport segments all saw declines, while revenue from the airport-related services and other businesses posted double digit growth.
LinkAirports
Heathrow to open third-runway consultation in June
London’s Heathrow Airport is about to enter the next stage of its third-runway expansion plan, with the opening of a statutory public consultation that will feed into a final planning application.
Heathrow has released dates of the consultation, which will run from June 18 to Sept. 13.
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Moscow Domodedovo Airport joins the DragonPass Lounge Program
Passengers can now select the specific services they require during their experience at Moscow Domodedovo Airport with the use of DragonPass.
In an effort to enhance passenger experience further, Moscow Domodedovo Airport has started serving DragonPass cardholders.
LinkMilitary
Swedish military welcomes proposed spending boost
Sweden's defence committee has published its white paper on proposed spending and equipment priorities for the 2021-2025 period, as Stockholm looks to further strengthen its defensive capabilities.
Released on 14 May, the report on the non-aligned nation's security policy and defence development spans the full range of capabilities, from combat and surveillance aircraft through transports and training assets.
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Embraer nears first KC-390 export deal with Portugal
Embraer is closing in on its first export deal for the KC-390 transport/tanker with programme partner Portugal, as it readies to fly the initial delivery aircraft for launch customer Brazil to the Paris air show.
Lisbon has budgetary approval for the purchase of five KC-390s and an announcement on a contract is possible during or before the air show in June.
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F-15EX could be delivered as early as 2020: Boeing
Boeing is ready to deliver at least two engineering, manufacturing and development (EMD) F-15EX fighters to the US Air Force (USAF) as soon as 2020.
The company says the aircraft’s similarities to its Advanced F-15 – a fighter it is producing for Qatar and Saudi Arabia – means it can quickly be turned out from its active production line. The proclamation comes as the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee included $986 million in a draft FY2020 budget for eight F-15EX aircraft to replace aging F-15C/Ds.
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Aviation Quote
Chi Vola Vale,
Chi Non Vola non Vale,
Chi Vale e Non Vola è un Vile
- seen on a office wall at the Italian Airforce Ministery. Translation: He who flies is worthy, He who doesn't fly is unworthy, he who is worthy and doesn't fly is a coward.
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Trivia
General Trivia
1. Upon touchdown, the rudder of a Space Shuttle orbiter splits open and becomes a speed brake. What well-known general aviation airplane incorporated such a feature long before America’s manned space program started?
2. The first air-to-air refueling occurred on 12 NOV 21. How was this accomplished?
3. What was so unusual about the 1931 French-built Makhonine MAK-10 monoplane?
4. What was the name of the famous 1930s airship that was involved in a New Jersey accident and claimed more lives than any other accident in a dirigible?
5. The primary purpose of feathering a propeller following an engine failure is to reduce drag and improve engine-out performance. What are two other important reasons for feathering?
