NAS Daily 20 APR 21

airtrainer 19 Apr 21, 22:50

News

Commercial

Another flagship down: Russia cancels mass-production of new Il-96-400M
Only two Il-96-400Ms are going to be built, the sources say, painting a grim future for the new flagship of Russia’s aviation industry. The change in plans was revealed by Russian newspaper Vedomosti on March 15, 2021, quoting several sources from the Russian United Aircraft Corporation (UAC). It was later confirmed by the government.
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Airlines

JetBlue's Approval for London Routes Start of Larger Global Ambitions
JetBlue Airways has made the grade for takeoff to the UK this summer with the official green light for its planned service to London, a first step toward larger global ambitions.
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American Airlines reintroduces beverage service as customers return
Starting May 1, American Airlines will reintroduce full beverage service in all domestic premium cabins. Starting June 1, beverage service, including canned drinks, juice and water, will begin in the main cabin.
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United Airlines a first quarter 2021 net loss of $1.4 billion
United Airlines (UAL) today announced first-quarter 2021 financial results. The company has its eyes on the future, making continued progress on its commitment to remove $2 billion in structural costs and investing in key customer programs that will position the airline to capitalize on the recovery of business travel and long-haul international demand.
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United Airlines adds new flights to Croatia, Greece and Iceland
United Airlines is adding three new flights to its international network, giving travelers more options for summer travel by flying direct to countries that are starting to reopen to vaccinated visitors. Starting in July, United will offer new direct flights from Newark Liberty International Airport to Dubrovnik, Croatia, from Washington Dulles International Airport to Athens, Greece and from Chicago O’Hare International Airport to Reykjavik, Iceland, all subject to government approval.
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Smartavia adds its first Airbus A320neo
Smartavia Airlines has taken delivery of its first of three Airbus A320neo, powered by CFM International Leap-1A engines.
Airbus A320-251N VP-BOS (msn 7523, ex XA-JRM) was formerly operated by Interjet. It was delivered on April 13.
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Gulf Air sets date for its first commercial flight to Israel
June 3, 2021, should become an important date for Gulf Air, the state-owned airline of Bahrain. The country’s national carrier has started accepting bookings for its first commercial flight between Bahrein and Isreal. The historic flight will take off from Bahrain International Airport (BAH) to Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) in early June 2021.
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Airports

Airports across New Zealand and Australia welcome quarantine-free trans-Tasman travel
On 6 April 2021, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern, and the country’s COVID-19 Response Minister, Chris Hipkins, confirmed that the conditions for starting to open up quarantine-free travel between New Zealand and Australia had been met and that a trans-Tasman travel bubble between the two countries would be in place from 19 April 2021.
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Brussels Airport opens new building in its logistics hub, Brucargo
After two years of construction work, a new logistics building for the handling of goods was officially opened in the logistics area at Brussels Airport (BRU). The building, which provides large refrigerated storage spaces and offers direct airside access, accommodates three first-class logistics companies.
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Military / Space

Boeing and contractor lock horns over Air Force One delays
Air Force One subcontractor GDC Technics filed a lawsuit against Boeing on April 16, 2021, claiming at least $20 million after the planemaker canceled its contracts.
On April 7, 2021, Boeing reported that Texas-based GDC Technics failed to complete the required interior works on the two 747-8 airliners destined to become the next Air Force One aircraft and were nearly a year behind schedule in fulfilling their contractual obligations. The delays “threaten to jeopardize work that is of critical importance to the (U.S. Air Force) and the president of the United States," Boeing stated as the reason for launching legal action.
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NASA successfully flies helicopter on Mars
On April 19, 10:52 GMT, NASA announced that the Ingenuity helicopter has successfully completed its first flight on Mars.
The small helicopter was sent to the Red Planet together with Perseverance rover. It is a technology demonstrator, intended to demonstrate the possibility of flight in planet’s sparse atmosphere.
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Aviation Quote

"I'm sure we would not have had men on the Moon if it had not been for Wells and Verne and the people who write about this and made people think about it. I'm rather proud of the fact that I know several astronauts who became astronauts through reading my books."

- Arthur C Clarke, The View from Serendip, page 238, 1977.