NewsAccidents/Incidents
Accidental ejection from Tu-22M3 bomber leaves 3 people dead
Three crewmembers of a Tu-22M3 bomber were killed when their ejection seat accidentally triggered while on the ground at Shaykovka airbase, southwest of Moscow, Russia.
Link
Dangerous SAA Take Off Under Investigation
A South African Airways flight is under investigation after a miscalculation almost caused a serious incident during take-off. The flight, which took place on February 24th, was heading to Brussels to pick up some COVID-19 vaccinations but almost crashed as it departed. According to reports, automatic safety features were responsible for preventing a catastrophe.
LinkCommercial
Story behind name: why is it called Airbus A380?
Just recently, the last superjumbo rolled out of its hangar and departed for its maiden flight. While the history of the A380 does not end with that – the giant will most likely remain flying in the skies for decades to come – the end of the aircraft production is still a bitter date for its fans.
Link
Airbus adds more range to the A220
Airbus will offer its customers more range on the Airbus A220-300, as the manufacturer looks to increase the aircraft’s Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) by a tonne.
Link
Will The COMAC C919 Really Compete With The Airbus A320neo?
Earlier this year, the Airbus A320neo reached the milestone of having spent five years in active commercial service. Since Lufthansa launched the type in January 2016, it has been a highly-efficient trailblazer in the short to medium-haul market.
Link
Boeing Sells Hundreds Of Puget Sound Office Items Via Auction
American aircraft manufacturer Boeing has decided to downsize by selling off hundreds of office items and exercise equipment at online auction as it prepares to cut its Puget Sound regional office footprint. The sell-off comes after employees based at the commercial airplanes headquarters campus in Renton were told to clear out their belongings last month.
Link
The Rise Of The COMAC ARJ21 – The Best Year Yet?
The ramp-up of the COMAC ARJ21 is continuing quickly as seven airlines use the domestic-only aircraft this year. Yet the ARJ21 still has just less than 1% of China’s domestic capacity, even though it’ll be operated on 107 routes.
LinkAirlines
Frontier Airlines Reveals First Airbus A320neo With New Seats
Frontier Airlines has debuted its first aircraft with new, lighter-weight seats. The airline first revealed the new seats, coming from Recaro, back in December, with the first jet outfitted with these seats due in March of 2021. With this aircraft arriving on time, the airline is excited about the benefits this new seat will offer.
Link
British Airways Owner IAG Agrees $1.8 Billion Of Credit
British Airways parent group IAG has agreed to a $1.755 billion line of credit to help it survive this crisis. The line is secured by the group’s aircraft and landing rights at London Heathrow and Gatwick Airports. The fresh boost increases IAG’s total financial liquidity to €10.3bn ($12.2bn), placing it in a relatively strong position.
Link
RwandAir Is The First African Airline To Vaccinate Every Employee
Ambitious African airline RwandAir has achieved a milestone today as it has reported that all its staff, both on the ground and in the air, have been vaccinated against COVID-19. It has become the first airline in Africa to reach this achievement and sets it on a path to begin a safe ramp-up of flights as it heads through 2021.
Link
What Happens When An Airline Takes Delivery Of A New Plane?
For any airline, receiving a new aircraft represents an exciting step forward in its fleet development. But how exactly does this process play out? Several different aspects must be considered in order to make the delivery process a success.
Link
Aer Lingus Operates A Handful Of Germany-US Freight Flights
Aer Lingus has been operating a handful of direct, though not non-stop, flights from Germany to the United States. The flights are being conducted for IAG Cargo and are reportedly assisting a German car manufacturer with cargo relocation.
Link
SriLankan Airlines Sues Airbus For $1 Billion In Court
The Airbus bribery scandal continues to rumble on, with one of the affected airlines taking legal action against the planemaker this week. SriLankan Airlines is suing the company for $1 billion in compensation relating to bribery claims surrounding an order of six A330s, four A350s, and a further four A350s to be leased.
Link
1 Week To Go: Alaska Airlines Set To Join The oneworld Alliance
Alaska Airlines will be joining the oneworld alliance in around a week. Coming over a year after the airline first announced it planned to join the alliance, the carrier will be buoyed by a further enhanced partnership with American Airlines and access to deeper partnerships with other oneworld carriers, allowing it to grow its business in the United States and around the world.
LinkAirports
Landlocked Microstate Andorra Might Soon Get Its Own Airport: The Approach Looks Challenging
The small nation of Andorra is looking for a way to connect to the outside world as a way to open itself up to business and opportunity. The country’s Chamber of Commerce believes that a national airport project could be “the best strategic option” to promote the economic transformation of the country.
Link
Growing concern as more airports could lose international designation
REGINA -- Victoria, Kelowna and Thunder Bay are among the latest to find they no longer have an international airport designation, echoing the situation faced by the airports in Regina and Saskatoon.
Up to a dozen medium sized cities in Canada may have been delisted, including both of Saskatchewan’s major airports.
Link
Copenhagen Airport renegotiates deal with airlines to kick-start traffic return
Copenhagen Airport (CPH) and its airlines have announced that they have “struck an agreement” that they believe will provide the necessary commercial framework for a restart of traffic and the route network at the Danish gateway.
LinkMilitary
US Air Force funds research for new flight suit insulation
OROS, a Portland-based cold-weather apparel company, was awarded a research grant from the United States Air Force through the AFWERX program to study the application of their SOLARCORE insulation technology to long-range flight suits.
Link
Taiwan suspects ejection killed F-5E pilot, plans to replace seats
During a regular training mission in the south of the island on March 22, 2021, two Taiwanese F-5 Tiger II fighter jets crashed into the sea after what appeared to have been a mid-air collision. Both pilots managed to eject from their aircraft. One remains missing, the other was recovered but later died from his injuries.
Link
Aviation Quote
I believe they're all fvcking Toyota Corollas.
- Michael O’Leary, Ryanair CEO, regards the technical differences between Airbus, Boeing & Comac airliners. Fortune magazine article, 18 November 2013
Daily Video
Trivia
WORLD AIRLINES
1. What is the oldest airline still operating under its original name?
KLM
Northwest Airlines
Deutsche Lufthansa
Qantas
2. What airline carried the most passengers in 2005?
British Airways
American Airlines
United Airlines
Japan Airlines
3. Which of these low-cost airlines is not based in India?
Air Blue
Go Air
SpiceJet
Paramount Airways
4. What colour is associated with EasyJet?
Dark Blue
Purple
Orange
Maroon
5. Which of these is not an international airline?
Continental Airlines
Southwest Airlines
Northwest Airlines
Delta Air Lines
6. Which of these European Airlines is not operating?
SABENA
Air Dolomiti
Eurowings
Luxair
7. Which of these is a French airline?
GB Airways
Air Scotland
Brit Air
Aurigny Air Services
8. MALEV was the flag-carrier of what country?
Czech Republic
Lithuania
Iceland
Hungary
9. Which of these is not a Japanese Airline?
Skymark Airlines
All Nippon Airways
Asiana Airlines
Hokkaido International Airlines
10. Which of these is a Mexican Airline?
Aero California
Mesaba Airlines
Frontier Airlines
Chautauqua Airlines