NewsA330neo takes off on maiden flightAirbus's first A330neo has lifted off from Toulouse on its maiden flight, commencing the airborne test program for the re-engined twinjet. The aircraft, an A330-900 variant, took off at about 09:57 from the airframer's headquarters in Toulouse.
LinkAirbus starts opening A330neo flight envelopeAirbus's maiden sortie with the A330neo initiates a flight-test campaign which will primarily involve two instrumented airframes and a third aircraft for cabin and route testing. The first aircraft (MSN1795) took off from Toulouse ahead of schedule on 19 October after an approaching weather front – which had caused concerns over a possible postponement – shifted away from the area.
LinkOutgoing Malaysia Airlines chief explains Ryanair moveOutgoing Malaysia Airlines chief executive Peter Bellew has released a statement to the media, explaining his unexpected departure from the airline to take up the role of chief operating officer at Ryanair.
LinkA330neo maiden flight is first for Trent 7000Airbus's first flight of the A330-900 also marks the initial flight of the Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 powerplant, which has only undertaken ground tests so far. The engine – the exclusive powerplant for the A330neo family – is a successor to the Trent 700 on the baseline A330.
LinkAirbus-CSeries deal raises new Bombardier questionsBombardier's deal to grant Airbus majority ownership of CSeries throws a needed lifeline to a flagship aircraft that observers widely compliment for efficiency, technological advances and relatively smooth entry-into-service. But the deal's fine print highlights Bombardier's challenges, and raises the possibility Bombardier might eventually sell all of CSeries to Airbus.
LinkBoeing broadens bet on autonomous tech with new partnershipBoeing will invest and partner with a commercial spin-off of Carnegie Mellon University's Robotics Institute that specialises in in developing sensors for unmanned aircraft to avoid collisions. HorizonX, Boeing's venture capital arm, is focusing the new partnership with Near Earth Autonomy on the urban mobility market, a market sector that has received intense interest yet faces significant technical and regulatory obstacles to develop.
LinkBoeing, KAL eye Korean Chinook upgrade opportunityBoeing and Korean Air have entered a memorandum of understanding related to Seoul's plan to upgrade its aging fleet of CH-47D Chinook transport helicopters. "Under the MOU, Korean Air and Boeing will collaborate technically on the Chinook design, modification flight-testing and air worthiness upgrades," says the Korean firm in a statement.
LinkSilvercrest impact on Hemisphere jet premature: Textron CEOTextron chief executive Scott Donnelly says it is “premature” to know how to respond to the new problem with Safran's Silvercrest engine which has been selected to power the Cessna Citation Hemisphere to a first flight milestone within two years. “We don’t know enough yet,” Donnelly told analysts on 19 October during a third-quarter earnings call.
LinkFalling United 3Q profit margins prompt 12% investor selloffChicago-based United Airlines posted a $637 million net profit for the 2017 third quarter Oct. 18, down 34% from 3Q 2016 as the airline weathered an estimated $210 million loss in revenue from the August-September hurricanes and faced increased competition from ULCCs.
LinkSaudi Arabia re-establishes Iraq air linksSaudi hybrid carrier flynas operated the first direct flight between Riyadh and the Iraqi capital Baghdad Oct. 17, ending a 27-year gap in services between the two countries. Services ceased at the time of the first Gulf War in 1990, when Saddam Hussein’s Iraqi regime invaded Kuwait.
LinkThomas Cook Group to launch Balearics airlineUK-based tour operator Thomas Cook Group will launch a new airline in Spain’s Palma de Mallorca next year, the company said Oct. 18. Thomas COO Airlines Balearics should begin operations with three Airbus A320s from spring 2018, operating flights for the Thomas Cook Group. The new unit is part of the group’s airlines growth strategy.
LinkSouth African undergoes major board shakeupSouth African Airways (SAA) is losing its chairwoman and several board members as its new CEO prepares to come to grips with the airline’s financial problems.
LinkRussia spends nearly $6 million on Kaliningrad subsidy programRussia spent RUB341.5 million ($5.9 million) on subsidies for the Kaliningrad subsidy program, which ran from May 15-Oct. 15, down 5.2% year-over-year, according to Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency, Rosaviatsia.
LinkAir France-KLM to boost capacity for winter seasonAir France-KLM plans a substantial boost in capacity over the upcoming winter season. The Franco-Dutch group will increase capacity 5.5% compared to the same period a year ago, launching 52 new services.
LinkEASA advises against use of Kobe Steel-made aircraft partsEASA has advised aircraft manufacturers that use products or parts provided by Japanese company Kobe Steel to use alternative suppliers if possible. The advisory comes as ongoing investigations have revealed that Kobe has been fabricating inspection data on parts it makes.
LinkUnited Airlines, AIG ink travel insurance agreementUnited Airlines has signed a deal with AIG to offer travel insurance to the airline's customers. The multiyear deal will offer insurance that covers trip cancellation, baggage loss and emergency medical services to its passengers in the US and 15 other countries.
LinkAlaska Airlines offers freight benefit to Alaskan cargo customersCargo customers who use Alaska Airlines to ship freight throughout Alaska will save up to 90% in shipping costs. The Freight for Less perk is a new benefit in the airline's Club 49 loyalty program.
LinkAmerican Airlines offers Premium Economy on some Australia-US flightsPassengers aboard American Airlines 787-9 Dreamliner select flights from Australia to the US will enjoy its Premium Economy service, which offers more leg room, upgraded premium seats and improved food and beverage options. The new service will begin Oct. 31.
LinkAirlines, airports disagree over fee hike before CongressAirlines are warning that passengers could be charged $2.2 billion more each year to pay for airport construction, under a proposed fee increase Congress is considering. Congress, which has been divided over a possible hike, is expected to make a decision soon.
LinkAlaska Airlines in-flight Wi-Fi to get speed upgradeAlaska Airlines is upgrading its in-flight Wi-Fi from tower-based service to satellite-based starting next year for some planes, with a target of early 2020 for the entire fleet. This change will increase internet speed by up to 20%.
LinkApple adds several airports to its Maps appApple is adding more maps of airport interiors to its iOS 11 Maps app. Miami International Airport, Chicago O'Hare International Airport, Portland International Airport in Oregon and others have been added, and Apple says more are coming.
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