NewsAccidents/Incidents
Investigators recover flight data from Sriwijaya Air 737
Indonesian authorities announced that they recovered data from the crashed Sriwijaya Air Boeing 737 Flight Data Recorder (FDR). Investigators expected to provide a preliminary report of the deadly accident within 30 days of the crash.
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FAA Gets Tough On Troublemakers With Stricter Unruly Passenger Rules
Following several incidents of politically motivated harassment on aircraft and in airports over the past weeks, the FAA has decided to crack down on unruly passengers. On Wednesday, the agency’s Administrator Steve Dickson signed an order for a “compliance and enforcement program,” which could land offenders with up to 20 years in prison.
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PIA Boeing 777 impounded in Malaysia over lease dispute
As it was about to take off for Islamabad International Airport (ISB), Pakistan, a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) Boeing 777, registered AP-BMH, was seized on the tarmac of Kuala Lumpur Airport (KUL), Malaysia. According to local media reports, the aircraft was impounded over nonpayment of the lease dues to AerCap, an Ireland-based lessor. The latter started legal action in a court in the United Kingdom.
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Frankfurt Airport Evacuated Due To Security Threat
Passengers were evacuated from Frankfurt am Main Airport Terminal 1 in relation to abandoned baggage. Parts of the airport were then closed off for a police investigation.
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Spirit Airlines Airbus A320neo Strikes Coyote Departing Houston
A Spirit Airlines A320neo struck a coyote on the runway when departing Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport on January 13th. The plane was leaving the Texas hub to head for Florida’s Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.
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Major security breach at Suvarnabhumi airport as man high on drugs drives car onto runway [VIDEO]
Airport officials are trying to establish how a man, who police said was under the influence of drugs, was able to breach security at Suvarnabhumi airport and drive his car onto the runway.
LinkCommercial
Airbus and Boeing finish 2020: different stories and signs of trouble
While Boeing had its hands full with the Boeing 737 MAX crisis, Airbus had a record 2019 in terms of deliveries after a frantic December. 2020, was a year of a lot of highs and lows for both, including troubling signs for the pair.
All in all, Airbus delivered 556 aircraft, while Boeing handed off 157 jets to its customers.
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Trump adds COMAC to US investment blacklist
On January 14, 2021, the Trump administration imposed an investment ban on the Chinese aircraft manufacturer Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), due to the alleged ties to the Chinese military.
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De Havilland set to pause Dash 8 Q400 production, future uncertain
Manufacturer De Havilland Canada (DHC) is set to pause production once the current Dash 8-400 backlog is completed, indicated the company.
The Canadian aircraft manufacturer notified suppliers to stop delivering parts to avoid building the so-called “whitetails” – completed aircraft ahead of confirmed orders, a report by Leeham News previously stated.
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Rolls-Royce makes first test run on world’s largest testbed
The British engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce completed the first engine run at its largest indoor aerospace testbed which the company plans to officially open in the coming months.
Rolls-Royce reached the next milestone in its new project of developing the largest indoor aerospace testbed.
LinkAirlines
VietJet ends 2020 with positive financial results, CEO says
Vietnam’s low-cost carrier VietJet Aviation CEO Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao said that the airline has ended 2020 with no losses, after reporting a small profit.
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Wizz Air Abu Dhabi makes inaugural flight to Athens
Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, a joint venture of a state-owned Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company and Hungary’s Wizz Air, has finally taken off for the inaugural flight from its base in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates.
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Biden’s mandatory mask rule backed by US airlines
President-elect Joe Biden’s plan to mandate masks for air travelers was supported by Airlines for America, a trade association representing major United States airlines.
Already in October 2020, Joe Biden said he would mandate facial covers for all inter-state passengers and since the election, he reiterated that plan. Airlines for America supported the decision but asked to be given some flexibility.
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SpiceJet to restart Boeing 737 MAX ops by March 2021
Indian low-cost carrier SpiceJet is reported to restart Boeing 737 MAX aircraft flights by March 2021.
“We have been told by our sources that SpiceJet is expected to resume 737 MAX operations by March 2021,” local media reported on January 15, 2021.
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American Airlines Boeing 787-9: A Full Cabin Tour
Simple Flying got a chance to tour an American Airlines Boeing 787-9 in Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). Traditionally, the planes are used on the airline’s long-haul international network flying far and wide to places such as Sydney, Tokyo, São Paulo, and more. Here’s an inside look at the American Airlines Boeing 787-9 cabin.
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American Is The First US Carrier To Use Digital Health Passport
American Airlines announced this week that it is introducing a health passport for inbound travel to the United States from all international destinations. Passengers flying to the US can use the VeriFLY app to confirm testing and other travel requirements from January 23rd.
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US Regional Carrier SkyWest To Receive Over $230mn In Aid
SkyWest Airlines has reached a final agreement with the United States Department of the Treasury for payroll support extension. The airline expects to receive over $230 million in the second round of support.
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SWISS Brings New Cargo Routes To Lima And Seoul
SWISS announced earlier this week that it is further expanding its cargo operations to two intercontinental destinations. The new freight services will serve the Peruvian and South Korean capital cities of Seoul and Lima.
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Delta Air Lines Receives $3bn In Additional Government Support
Delta Air Lines and the United States Department of the Treasury have reached an agreement for additional funding. The Payroll Support Program Extension Agreement (PSP Extension Agreement) gives Delta access to almost $3 billion in funds, which are only allowed to be used for employee wages, salaries, and benefits.
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Brazil's GOL Celebrates Its 20th Birthday With Special 737 MAX Flight
The Brazilian airline GOL Linhas Aereas turned 20 years old today. It had its first flight on January 15, 2001, connecting Brasilia and Sao Paulo. Now, to celebrate GOL’s first two decades, the airline used one of its Boeing 737 MAX to design a 20 in the sky.
LinkAirports
Concourses Vs. Terminals – What Are The Differences?
When it comes to airport architecture, concourses and terminals are terms that one often hears. These two words are sometimes used almost interchangeably, but is this strictly correct. Let’s examine what the differences are between these two structures.
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Concern For UK Airports: Travel Restrictions Could Force Mothballing
Travel companies, airlines, and airport operators are worried that some airports may need to be mothballed following the United Kingdoms’ latest measures to curtail the spread of COVID-19. Starting at 04:00 GMT on Monday 18 January, any passengers aged 11 and over must show proof of a negative PCR test taken no longer than 72 hours before departure.
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VINCI Airports continues modernisation and expansion of Belgrade Airport
Two years into a 25-year concession, VINCI Airports is continuing its modernisation work at Belgrade Airport in order to make it a more sustainable hub.
LinkMilitary
Following US, Russia intends to withdraw from Open Skies Treaty
After the United States, Russia announced its withdrawal from the Open Skies Treaty, which allows mutual aerial monitoring of military movements and strategic installations of the signatory countries.
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Top 10 oldest fighter jets still in service
We all love the new and advanced aircraft. But what are some of the longest-serving and the oldest fighter jets still in service within militaries?
Of course, if a military wants to keep an edge on the battlefield, it has to operate the newest and the most advanced tech available. But sometimes that is simply not possible. Budgets might be too small, or the political situation too inconvenient to buy new fighter jets. So, old ones have to remain in service.
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Aviation Quote
I am well convinced that 'Aerial Navigation' will form a most prominent feature in the progress of civilisation.
- Sir George Cayley, 1804
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