NewsCommercial
EASA proposes narrower runways for large aircraft
European safety regulators are proposing to update airport design requirements which will include formally narrowing the required runway width for high-capacity transport aircraft.
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Boeing tackles engineering challenge for 737 10X
As the 737 Max 9 begins stability and control testing, Boeing’s engineers are working to finalise a critical detail in the configuration of a proposed larger variant aimed at forming a two-pronged attack on the Airbus A321neo, which is currently dominating the market for large narrowbodies.
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Boeing Closes In On 737 MAX 10 Launch, But Still Will Trail Airbus A321neo
Boeing continues its steady march toward launching another derivative of the venerable 737, the MAX 10. The -10 is the longest of the 737 line, able to carry 230 passengers in shoe-horn configuration and about 185 in standard two-class cabins.
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COMAC C919 completes high-speed taxi tests; cleared for first flight
China’s Commercial Aircraft Corp. (COMAC) has completed high-speed taxi testing for the C919, and received a special flight permit from the Civil Aviation Administration of China to conduct the inaugural flight. The first flight is expected to take place in May on Shanghai Pudong International Airport’s fourth runway. The aircraft is powered by CFM Leap 1C engines.
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Lessor SMBC Aviation Capital orders three Boeing 737-800s
Dublin-based aircraft lessor SMBC Aviation Capital has placed a direct order with Boeing for three 737-800s, bringing its total owned, managed and committed portfolio for 737-800s to 198.
LinkAirlines
Alaska Airlines uses data analytics to achieve operational excellence
Alaska Airlines has long been committed to leveraging data in its operations, a strategy that has helped the airline become a leader on-time performance. The company plans to bring this practice to Virgin America.
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Alitalia shareholders to meet on 27 April as crisis mounts
Alitalia has called a crunch shareholders meeting for 27 April to "initiate procedures provided for by law" after a planned recapitalisation was hit by workers rejecting cuts proposed in a new a labour deal.
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BoraJet suspends operations
Turkish regional carrier Borajet Airlines suspended operations April 23, citing maintenance issues, but said it plans to resume operations by the time the new Istanbul airport opens in 2018. The company said 30,000 passengers were affected and have been reportedly redirected to Turkish Airlines.
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China Southern to buy 20 Airbus jets for close to $6 billion
China Southern Airlines has signed a deal worth nearly $6 billion to buy 20 aircraft from European planemaker Airbus SE, the Chinese carrier said on Wednesday. China's largest airline by passenger numbers has agreed to buy 20 A350-900 jets, each with a price tag of $298.9 million, it said in a stock exchange filing.
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Delta is partnering with the on-demand helicopter startup Blade so that VIPs can avoid the airport
Blade, the on-demand "Uber for helicopters" startup, wants to help its customers avoid the airport completely. The startup has launched a partnership with Delta Air Lines to streamline the transfer process for passengers flying in and out of New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport.
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Ernest Airlines eyes international expansion
Italy’s Ernest Airlines could expand into European markets outside of Albania as soon as this winter, commercial director Ilza Xhelo discloses.
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Flydubai to add three seasonal routes
Dubai-based low-cost carrier (LCC) flydubai said it will launch new seasonal flights from Dubai to Batumi (Georgia), Qabala (Azerbaijan) and Tivat (Montenegro). The new services will operate from June to September 2017, expanding its network to 93 destinations in 44 countries.
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Iceland basks in tourism boom
To gauge something of the extraordinary increase in air traffic to Iceland in recent years, you need look no further than the growth in the Icelandair fleet, chief executive Birkir Holm Gudnason suggests.
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JetBlue switches A321neos as Pratt troubles persist
JetBlue Airways has switched its first three Airbus A321neos to the A321ceos, in what it calls a "prudent" move as issues continue to be reported with the Pratt & Whitney PW1100G engines that will power the airline's aircraft. The New York-based carrier will now take 11 A321ceos next year, instead of three A321neos and eight A321ceos as originally planned.
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JetBlue 1Q profit down 59%; rising costs drive Airbus fleet changes
JetBlue Airways has changed 11 Airbus A321neo deliveries in 2018 to 11 A321ceo deliveries, and is deferring the delivery of another 13 Airbus aircraft.
Additionally, the New York-based carrier is taking a “hard look” at its fleet of 60 Embraer E190s and 24 E190s scheduled for delivery from 2020-2022, and is considering removing the aircraft type from its fleet.
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JetBlue invests in hotel booking platform
JetBlue Technology Ventures is backing Recharge, a startup that enables people to book hotel space by the minute. Recharge is currently working with 30 hotels and expanding into the New York market.
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Giant rabbit dies on United Airlines flight to United States
A 3-foot giant rabbit has died on a United Airlines flight from London, prompting a review at the Chicago-based airline which faced a global backlash this month over its treatment of a passenger who was dragged from his seat. The 10-month old rabbit named Simon, who was tipped to become one of the world's largest rabbits, was travelling to O'Hare in Chicago from Britain after a celebrity owner purchased him.
LinkAirports
Roanoke, Va., airport sees increased passenger traffic
Virginia's Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport has 14 more flights than it had a year ago as airlines look to accommodate increased demand. The airport served 50,885 passengers last month, 2,200 more than in March 2016.
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Alaska, Virgin America to consolidate at New York JFK Terminal 7
Alaska Airlines and Virgin America will consolidate operations at New York JFK’s Terminal 7 by October, the combined airlines said April 25. Seattle-based Alaska Airlines will vacate its premises at JFK Terminal 8, and San Francisco-based Virgin America will move from its premises at JFK Terminal 4.
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Military
Kuwaiti Caracals now in Airbus Helicopters' firm backlog
Kuwait has officially signed an order for 30 Airbus Helicopters H225Ms, with the heavy twins now in the airframer's firm backlog, FlightGlobal understands. Although the Gulf state selected the Caracal in August 2016, the deal had not been finalised by year-end.
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Aviation Quote
Today it is even more important to dominate the . . . highly sophisticated weapon systems, perhaps even more important than being a good pilot; to make the best use of this system.
- General Adolf Galland, Luftwaffe.
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Editor's Choice
Trivia
General Trivia
1. What was the first American aircraft manufacturer to commercially produce airplanes?
2. A pilot lands during poor visibility on a runway with white centerline lighting. During the roll-out and when the white lights begin to alternate with red lights, he/she knows that therer are ________ feet of runway remaining. When the alternating red and white lights become red only, there are only _______ feet of runway remaining.
A. 3,000; 1,500
B. 3,000; 1,000
C. 2,500; 1,500
D. 2,000; 1,000
3. What WW2 combat aircraft had the shortest missions?
4. What was the heaviest single-engine, piston-powered airplane ever produced in the United States?
5. Many unimproved airports have a "runway halfway" sign to indicate the midpoint of a runway. According to the Aeronautical Information Manual, what rule of thumb can a departing pilot use to enhance safety when departing from such a runway?
6. A pilot shuts down an engine, but it continues to run in an irregular manner for some time after the ignition is turned off. In an automobile, this is called dieseling. When it occurs in an airplane, it is called ________ and caused by ________.
