NewsDelta plans Northwest hub tour for 747 farewellDelta Air Lines plans to fly its final Boeing 747 to former Northwest Airlines hubs next month, after the type completes its last international service on 17 December.
LinkAustrian to bid farewell to its last Fokker in DecemberAustrian Airlines plans to operate its last remaining Fokker 100 until the end of the year. The Lufthansa Group carrier tells FlightGlobal that its intention "from today's point of view" is to operate its last scheduled passenger service with the Rolls-Royce Tay-powered regional jet for a return flight from Vienna to Kosovo's capital Pristina on 31 December.
LinkEmirates goes two-class to hike 777-200LR seatingEmirates is to increase the seating capacity on its Boeing 777-200LR fleet, by converting the three-class interior to a two-class cabin. The carrier's president, Tim Clark, disclosed the plan on the sidelines of the Dubai air show.
LinkKuwait's Wataniya signs for 25 A320neosResurrected Kuwaiti carrier Wataniya Airways has tentatively signed for 25 Airbus A320neo jets, in a deal reached with its aircraft provider Golden Falcon Aviation. Wataniya Airways has emerged as a new operation after a predecessor with the same name ceased flying in 2011.
LinkAir Arabia to explore long-range routes with A321LRsMiddle Eastern budget carrier Air Arabia is to acquire six long-range Airbus A321LRs to modernise its single-aisle fleet. The carrier exclusively operates A320-family jets but last year opted to take half a dozen A321neos from US lessor Air Lease.
LinkEgyptAir hints at CSeries orderEgyptAir appears set to disclose a commitment to the Bombardier CSeries twinjet. A source within a senior Egyptian government and EgyptAir delegation attending the Dubai air show states that the airline will shortly disclose details of an agreement, without elaborating on the number or variant of aircraft involved.
LinkLinkEmirates' faith in 787-10 closes window to A350Emirates appears to have shrugged off initial concerns over the performance capabilities of the Boeing 787-10 in the hot-weather conditions of Dubai. The airline has an agreement for 40 aircraft, which the carrier would introduce from 2022.
LinkAir Transat unveils new livery Canadian leisure carrier Air Transat unveiled its new livery in a ceremony marking the company's 30th anniversary on 13 November in Montreal. The new design, painted on an Airbus A330-200, comes as the Montreal-based carrier embarks on a major fleet transition where it will retire aging Airbus A310s and acquire new A321LRs.
LinkGE unveils 3D-printing machine for large metal componentsGeneral Electric has developed an additive manufacturing machine to produce large, complex metal parts. GE Additive says the "beta" machine is the first of the US manufacturer's innovation programme ATLAS, which stands for additive technology large area system.
LinkATR considering new corporate structure for flexibilityATR's top executive has indicated that the Airbus-Leonardo joint venture could be restructured into a limited-liability company to increase management flexibility and financing options ahead of the potential launch of a larger turboprop that could feature conventional or disruptive technologies such as hybrid-electric propulsion.
LinkEtihad marks opening of Louvre Abu Dhabi with A380 flybyEtihad Airways, which is displaying an Airbus A380 at the Dubai air show, is pictured here Cezanne the opportunity to add its own touch of glamour to the opening of the new Louvre Abu Dhabi art museum earlier this month.
LinkF-35 arrivals propel Norwegian air force modernisationThe Royal Norwegian Air Force has conducted its first domestic flights with the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II, after a trio of the fifth-generation type touched down at its Ørland air base early this month. Oslo's lead arrivals from an eventually 52-strong fleet of the conventional take-off and landing fighter were formally welcomed during a ceremony held at the base on 10 November, following their formal acceptance by its Defence Materiel Agency.
LinkBell closing in on V-280 first flightBell Helicopter's immediate attentions at Dubai may be centred on the sale of AH-1Z attack helicopters, but back at its Amarillo, Texas facility the focus is on first flight of its latest rotorcraft. The airframer plans to perform a maiden sortie of the V-280 Valor tiltrotor before "the end of the autumn", says Vince Tobin, vice-president military business at Bell, ushering in a frantic period of test activity as part of a broader US Army-led effort.
LinkEmirates rejects A380plus concept as order negotiations continueEmirates Airline is rejecting the proposed Airbus A380plus concept in spite of its plans to continue ordering more of the largest commercial aircraft. “We would rather they just offered us the continuation of the line,” Emirates president Tim Clark said at the Dubai Air Show. “I have never been a big fan [of the A380plus].” Key features of the proposed upgrade include the removal of the large forward staircase and an 11-abreast cabin in the economy section, both of which Emirates will not take. Emirates is also not insisting on a commitment by Airbus to eventually re-engine the A380 as a prerequisite for a new order.
LinkEthiopian Airlines orders four Boeing 777 freightersEthiopian Airlines announced an order for four Boeing 777 freighters in a deal valued at more than $1.3 billion at list prices. The transaction includes a new order for two freighters. It also includes two freighters the airline announced as a commitment in June that finalized into a firm order this month.
Link Boeing said Middle East airlines will need 3,350 new aircraft over the next 20 years valued at $730 billion. The bullish forecast for the region, released at the Dubai Air Show, projects 5.6% annual passenger traffic growth for Middle East airlines over the next two decades. Boeing Commercial Airplanes VP-marketing Randy Tinseth pointed out that 85% of the world’s population lives “within an eight-hour flight” of the Gulf.
LinkHong Kong Express faces penalties for multiple flight cancellationsHNA Group LCC Hong Kong Express Airways (HKE) will not be allowed to add new services between Nov. 1 and April 30, 2018 as part of a penalty for canceling multiple flights during a peak holiday period in early October.
LinkSamoan government says state airline must be self-sufficientThe government of Samoa said the South Pacific country’s state-owned airline must remain financially self-sufficient, as it relaunches international services.
LinkAirbus to deploy mixed reality training on JAL’s incoming A350 XWBsAirbus, Japan Airlines (JAL) and JAL Engineering are planning to introduce mixed reality training—involving Microsoft’s HoloLens and immersive headsets—for mechanics and crew training on JAL’s incoming fleet of Airbus A350 XWBs. JAL has orders for 18 A350-900s and 13 A350-1000s, the first of which are scheduled for delivery in 2019, plus options for a further 25 aircraft.
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