NewsHawaiian Airlines adjusts summer schedule on A321neo delivery delaysHawaiian Airlines is experiencing a further operational and planning disruption because of Airbus A321neo delivery delays related to issues with the Pratt & Whitney PW1100G geared turbofan (GTF) engine.
LinkEmirates to restore A380 service to HoustonEmirates Airline will resume its flagship Airbus A380 service between Houston, Texas, and Dubai from June 1, after the rise in oil prices improved the route’s viability. The move is one part of a raft of recent adjustments by the Dubai-based carrier to its US services.
LinkUK restores Bangladesh cargo link, with caveatsThe UK Department of Transport (DoT) will allow direct cargo flights to resume between Bangladesh and the UK, after security improvements at Dhaka airport. London halted cargo services from the Asian nation in March 2016 after concerns were raised over standards of security at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. The concerns are believed to have included inadequate management oversight and ease of access to cargo facilities. Bangladesh Biman, the national carrier, was the sole airline that handled direct cargo flights to the UK.
LinkThai AirAsia to expand fleet, network as tourism growsThai AirAsia (TAA) intends to grow its fleet and network this year, as the carrier looks to capitalize on Thailand’s surging international tourist numbers.
LinkLessor Avolon doubles revenue, reports $550 million 2017 profitDublin-based Avolon reported a $550 million profit for the year, a 59.4% rise over its $345 million profit after tax in 2016. In 2017, the lessor became one of the top three global aircraft lessors with its purchase and integration of CIT Group’s aircraft leasing business. Avolon is a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of China’s Bohai Capital Holding. Bohai, a unit of Chinese conglomerate HNA Group, acquired Avolon in January 2016. Avolon launched as a standalone company in 2010.
LinkEthiopian Airlines adds Airbus A350 XWB flight simulatorEthiopian Airlines has finalized the installation of an Airbus A350 XWB full flight simulator (FFS), becoming the first FFS operator of the type in Africa. The device is fitted with a full electrical motion system. Ethiopian operates seven A350-900s with 17 on order.
LinkTianjin Cargo set to launch with 3 Boeing 737FsTianjin Cargo Airlines has secured approval for three Boeing 737 family freighters from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), paving the way for a May 2 launch. The first Tianjin-based cargo carrier received formal CAAC approval in October 2017. The three 737Fs will fly on routes from Tianjin to Zhengzhou, Xi’an, Chongqing, Shenzhen, Urumqi, Shanghai (Pudong) and Guangzhou.
LinkAl Baker: Qatar to reveal new economy seat; supports supersonic transport Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker is working on a new economy-class product, which could be unveiled as early at 2019, likely at next year’s ITB Berlin. The Doha-based airline unveiled a new business-class seat at the 2017 ITB world tourism fair.
LinkAirbus and Delta partner in mobile-connectivity schemeAirbus and Delta Air Lines are spearheading a new initiative intended to simplify introduction of, and access to, high-speed data networks for passengers. The initiative, known as the Seamless Air Alliance, intends to enable mobile operators to broaden their reach into airline cabins.
LinkAustralia moves ahead with new joint military-civil ATC systemAustralia’s project to bring together military and civilian air traffic management systems has moved another step forward with Thales, Airservices Australia and the Department of Defense formally signing a A$1.2 billion ($940 million) contract. Under the ‘OneSky’ initiative, Thales will deliver the Civil Military Air Traffic Control System (CMATS), which will replace separate systems used by Airservices and Defense air traffic controllers.
LinkChina Huarong Financial Leasing signs for 30 C919s, 20 ARJ21sChina Huarong Financial Leasing has signed a purchase framework agreement for 30 Comac C919s and 20 ARJ21 regional jets. The deal, which brings the total commitment for the C919 to 815 units and the ARJ21 to 453 units, was inked in Beijing on 26 February.
LinkAir Canada outlines fleet changesAir Canada will make some fleet changes as new planes come in from Boeing and Bombardier. The airline will remove its remaining Embraer jets from service by mid-2019 and retain its Airbus A319-100 aircraft until later that year, when it takes delivery of the Bombardier CSeries jets.
LinkSouthwest Airlines seeks expanded growth in Las VegasAs space for meetings and conventions continues to expand in Las Vegas and an improving economy and additional hotel rooms bring more travelers to the city, Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly said the airline is looking to grow more aggressively in the market. "As we grow the fleet this year and restore that capacity, we're getting back to the flight counts that we had before," he said.
LinkUSAF has no plans for all-weather, wide area surveillance after JSTARSThe US Air Force has no firm plans to replace a wide area surveillance capability if Congress later this year approves a proposal to retire the Northrop Grumman E-8C JSTARS in 2025, the head of the US Air Force’s Air Combat Command says. The core of the wide area surveillance capability is the Northrop APY-7 radar, a 7.32m (22ft)-long sensor that can characterize and track moving targets in any weather across thousands of square miles.
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