NewsCommercial
Pilatus delivers 1,700th PC-12 to Jetfly
Pilatus has delivered its 1,700th PC-12, around 25 years after the first example of the single-engined turboprop entered service.
The all-metal PC-12NG (registration LX-FLG, with the serial number 1912) was handed over on 26 November to one of Pilatus’s oldest and largest customers, Jetfly. The Luxembourg-based fractional ownership operator has the biggest inventory of PC-12s in Europe, with 40 aircraft in service.
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Gulfstream delivers first Europe-based G500
Gulfstream has delivered the first Europe-based G500, with the unnamed charter operator receiving the superwide-cabin aircraft in late October, shortly after the type secured European certification.
While Gulfstream has not disclosed the identity of the owner, Cirium Fleets data records Denmark’s Blackbird Air as the recipient of the G500, operating the aircraft (serial number 72019, registration OY-WLD) under management.
LinkAirlines
Bangladesh Biman Pilots: ACC finds scam in recruitment
Twenty-eight out of 32 pilot cadets had failed the tests but Biman recruited them anyway.
Biman officials gave them “grace marks” and then manipulated viva exams to give them the jobs, according to a first information report the Anti-Corruption Commission filed against four incumbent and former Biman officials.
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British Airways pilots to consider new pay offer
A months-long labor dispute between British Airways (BA) and its pilots could be nearing an end as union members are set to consider a new pay offer.
Following talks among the airline, the British Airline Pilots Association and the UK’s Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS), BALPA will present the new offer to its membership.
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Fastjet Tanzania to be liquidated: reports
A Tanzanian court declared LCC fastjet Tanzania insolvent and has appointed a liquidator for the carrier, according to local media reports.
The small airline was the subject of a management buyout in late 2018 from parent fastjet Group and had little ongoing connection with the larger company, which operates in Zimbabwe and South Africa.
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Air France prepares to begin A380 decommissioning process
Air France will return a first Airbus A380 to its lessor in February.
The aircraft (F-HPJB) is currently being repainted in Malta in preparation for being handed back to lessor Dr Peters, says Air France. But the carrier adds that the aircraft will briefly return to service after painting and operate a last commercial flight on 1 January.
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Two CRJ900s apparently damaged by fuel truck at Dallas
Images have emerged of the aftermath of a serious ramp accident involving a fuel truck which appears to have struck two American Eagle Bombardier CRJ900s at Dallas-Fort Worth.
The truck came to rest with the left-hand wing-tip of one CRJ – identified as Mesa Airlines' N945LR – embedded in its cab, the vehicle having sustained serious damage during the impact.
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El Al seals financing for first 787-8
Israeli carrier El Al has signed for the financing of its first Boeing 787-8, which is scheduled for delivery during November.
The airline is intending to acquire 16 787s, of which it has received 12 – all of them the larger -9 variant.
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Qantas aligns with Asia growth
Asia remains a long-term growth opportunity for Qantas Group, with Qantas and Jetstar “playing where we can win in Asia”, investors were told at the group’s recent investor day.
Qantas will play to its competitive advantage to align with Asia’s growth, says group chief executive Alan Joyce.
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AtlasGlobal suspends operations until mid-December
Turkish carrier AtlasGlobal will halt operations until mid-December owing to financial troubles.
The airline says it will "temporarily" cease flights from 26 November to 21 December as it deals with cash flow problems amid tough economic conditions.
LinkAirports
Schiphol Airport to invest €237 million into airport public transport
Schiphol Airport has announced that it will invest €237 million to increase the airport’s public transport capacity, including an improved train and bus station.
Renovations will include increasing capacity of the station area, improving the station layout and creating more logical walking routes for public transport passengers.
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Hong Kong Airport’s Terminal 1 extension to commence operation
The extension of Terminal 1 (T1) at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) has been scheduled to commence operation on 29 November 2019.
As part of the expansion, the new terminal will be adding a new aisle L with 48 check-in counters, bringing the total number of check-in counters in T1 to 369, Airport Authority Hong Kong has said. The number of smart check-in kiosks in T1 will also increase to over 100 at the extended departure level.
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Gatwick sees 1H passenger increase as long-haul flights grow
A surge in long-haul flights at London Gatwick Airport, particularly to South America, helped boost passenger numbers in the half-year ended Sept. 30.
Overall, 26.6 million passengers traveled through Gatwick in the period, a 0.2% year-over-year increase. Long-haul passenger numbers, however, rose 2.3%, according to the airport’s interim results released Nov. 26.
LinkMilitary
Nepal, Thailand take delivery of PTDI turboprops
The Nepalese Army has taken delivery of a single Airbus Defence & Space CN235 that was produced by Indonesian Aerospace (PTDI).
This delivery marks the first time the Indonesian manufacturer, which produces Airbus types under licence, has delivered an aircraft to Nepal, says the company. The delivery stems from an order placed in June 2017.
HERE
Kabul receives five additional MD530Fs
The Afghan Air Force has taken delivery of the final five MD Helicopters MD530F rotorcraft.
The five rotorcraft are the last examples of a 30-example order the company received in September 2017. They are part of the $1.4 billion IDIQ (indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity) package the company signed with the US government in September 2017 that covers up to 150 MD530 rotorcraft for partner nations.
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Private aerial refueller Omega buys KDC-10 tankers with booms
Omega Air took delivery of the first of two McDonnell Douglas KDC-10 tankers in San Antonio, Texas that it bought from the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) on 4 November.
The KDC-10 is the first aircraft that Omega owns with a refuelling boom, the company says on 22 November.
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Aviation Quote
. . . when I look round to see how we can win the war I see that there is only one sure path . . . and that is absolutely devastating, exterminating attack by very heavy bombers from this country upon the Nazi homeland. We must be able to overwhelm them by this means, without which I do not see a way through.
- British Prime Minister Winston Churchill in a letter to Minister of Aircraft Production Lord Beaverbrook, July 1940.
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