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Airbus May Shift More Production To A321s
Airbus may shift more of its narrow-body airliner production toward the A321, sales chief John Leahy said, as the model outsells Boeing's rival aircraft. The 185-seat A321neo has been winning more orders than the 178-seat Boeing MAX 9, putting pressure on the US plane maker which is considering building a new plane to compete with the A321.
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Bombardier, Air Inuit launch Q300 freighter
Bombardier and Canadian carrier Air Inuit have launched a passenger-to-freighter conversion program for the Q300 turboprop featuring a large cargo door. Dorval, Quebec-based Air Inuit will be the launch customer, planning to add three Q300 Large Cargo Door freighters to its fleet. Air Inuit already operates Q300 freighters with 13,500 lbs. of cargo capacity. The new Large Cargo Door version will have 12,500 lbs. of cargo capacity, and will accommodate both palletized and free load cargo.
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Honeywell drops UTC acquisition bid
Honeywell on 1 March withdrew a public and controversial bid to acquire rival aerospace engines and systems supplier United Technologies. The proposed $90.7 billion acquisition had drawn criticism from UTC and major customers, such as Airbus and Embraer.
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NASA showcases design for supersonic aircraft
NASA revealed the design of its supersonic aircraft, QueSST, that can fly up to 1,100 mph. Completing the design is estimated to cost around $20 million, but could eventually offer speedy air travel. "Just imagine you (can) go anywhere in the world in six hours," said Jaiwon Shin, NASA's head of aeronautics.
LinkAirlines
Aeromexico Starts to Serve the Mexico City-Shanghai Route
Aeromexico, Mexico's global airline, announced that starting on February 22nd, it would operate its Mexico City-Shanghai route with its Boeing 787 Dreamliner, considered one of the most modern aircraft in the skies.
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Air China orders 12 A330-300 aircraft
Air China has ordered 12 Airbus A330-300 aircraft, valued at $2.93 billion at list prices, according to a carrier statement. The aircraft are scheduled for delivery between 2016 and 2018. This deal, which still needs government approval, is expected to boost capacities by 5.6%.
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Alaska taps fashion designer to create new uniforms
Luly Yang, a fashion designer based in Seattle, is redesigning uniforms for Alaska Airlines. "What Luly will bring to the table is those little design details that maybe a customer might not even notice, but a flight attendant will notice," said Sangita Woerner, vice president of marketing for the carrier. The uniforms are slated to debut in 2018.
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American Airlines extends catering contract with gategroup
American Airlines has extended its contract with gategroup Holding AG for catering and provisioning. American Airlines is one of gategroup's three largest customers in North America.
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American Airlines pilot surprises passenger with big news
Passenger Lisa Sadiwnyk enlisted the help of an American Airlines pilot to tell her husband she was pregnant. "Well, Eric, although you didn't strike it rich here in Las Vegas, you did hit the jackpot," said the pilot over the loudspeaker on a flight from Las Vegas to Philadelphia. "Congratulations, you're about to be a dad."
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Assembly begin on Saudia regional A330
Middle Eastern carrier Saudia’s first regional-variant Airbus A330-300 has entered final assembly at the airframer’s Toulouse plant. The Saudi flag-carrier ordered 20 of the type through International Airfinance Corporation last year
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Sriwijaya Air takes delivery of leased 737-800
Indonesia-based regional carrier Sriwijaya Air has taken delivery of a Boeing 737-800 from lessor AWAS as part of its ongoing expansion plans. Sriwijaya, the third largest carrier in Indonesia behind Lion Air and flag-carrier Garuda Indonesia, took the first of a 22-aircraft, $2.2 billion option from Boeing in August last year when two 737-900ERs were handed over.
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Turkish Airlines reports $1.69 billion net profit in 2015
Turkish Airlines reported a 2015 net profit of $1.69 billion, up from $845 million for the previous year and surpassing a billion dollar level for the first time in its history. During 2015, profit from main operations stood at $895 million, up 32% compared to in 2014.
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Westjet Talking To Boeing, Airbus On 767 Replacement
WestJet Airlines has started talks with aircraft makers on replacements for its fleet of Boeing 767-300s, with delivery expected by the end of this decade. The airline is talking to Boeing and Airbus on options to replace the 767, an extended range aircraft that will serve Europe starting in May, chief executive Gregg Saretsky said.
LinkAirports
Greece To Start Talks On Extending Athens Airport Concession
Greece plans to start talks with the shareholders of Athens Airport in the next few days, seeking to extend a concession deal by 20 years. Under a third EU/IMF bailout agreement signed last year, Greece promised to renew an agreement with Germany-based AviaAlliance and Greek energy group Copelouzos, allowing them to operate Athens International Airport (AIA) until 2046.
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Cleveland airport handled more passengers in 2015
Cleveland Hopkins International handled more than 8.1 million passengers last year, compared to 7.61 million passengers in 2014. United Airlines eliminated its Cleveland hub in 2014, but three new carriers have debuted service at the airport since then.
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Military
New Il-76 military transport carries out maiden flight
A more modern variant of the Ilyushin Il-76 military transport has carried out its first test flight from Zhukovsky in Russia, according to the manufacturer. This variant of the four-engined transport includes modifications to the flight, navigation, radio communication and lighting systems, and has replaced obsolescent parts to keep the aircraft viable for 40 years, United Aircraft Corporation says.
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Aviation Quote
If you are bored flying, your standards are too low.
— Lauran Paine Jr., article in Sport Aviation, June 2014.
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