NewsAir Belgium eyes 7 Chinese routes by fall as launch date approachesAir Belgium is targeting seven Chinese destinations by fall as the startup carrier readies its first flight from Brussels South Charleroi Airport to Hong Kong at the end of April, its CEO Niky Terzakis told ATW’s sister publication Aviation Daily.
LinkBeijing warns of 25% tariff on Boeing 737NG aircraftBoeing could fall victim to the escalating trade dispute between the US and China after Beijing announced a potential 25% tariff on US-made aircraft that would affect the 737NG narrowbody. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce announced April 4 that it plans to impose this new tariff on $50 billion worth of US exports, including aircraft, soybeans and autos. The aircraft tariff would apply to narrowbodies weighing between 15 and 45 tonnes, which would include the 737NG but not the heavier 737MAX.
LinkUK airlines report big gender pay gapsAirlines based in the UK have universally reported that men in their employ earn more than women, with male employees dominating the highest-paid roles at all operators. British Airways appears closest to achieving gender parity among the UK's major operators – though it still has some way to go – while Ryanair revealed the largest pay gap.
LinkMH17: Missile could have evaded radar detectionInternational investigators have confirmed that a surface-to-air missile fired at a Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777-200ER could have avoided detection on radar. Such a weapon could have simply been travelling too fast for the surveillance processing capabilities of the civil radar station at Ust-Donetsk, the analysis indicates. Ust-Donetsk is located in the Rostov region of Russia.
LinkEASA proposes to reinforce flight-recorder resilienceEuropean safety regulators have detailed certification proposals to improve the protection of information from flight recorders. The European Aviation Safety Agency says that premature depowering of cockpit-voice recorders has, in some cases, resulted in loss of useful information which might have been captured if an alternate power source had been installed.
LinkAirbus to resume Pratt-powered A320neo deliveries in AprilAirbus has corrected previous information given to FlightGlobal. The company now says there is no change in the timeline for resumption of PW-powered A320neo deliveries. Those deliveries will resume in April, Airbus says. The company has already received PW1100G engines with required fixes.
LinkSouthwest Airlines looks to modernize fleetSouthwest Airlines is considering ordering more Boeing 737 MAX planes as its operations continue to grow. "With the extra capital, we are working on ways to better serve our customers and the first place we want to look is to continue to modernize our fleet," said Southwest CEO Gary Kelly.
LinkAlaska Airlines flight attendants' union agrees to new contractThe Association of Flight Attendants announced that 75% of Alaska Airlines flight attendants have agreed to a new work contract. The contract includes details including pay raises, increased retirement contributions and greater schedule flexibility.
LinkAmerican Airlines starts Chicago-NYC shuttle serviceAmerican Airlines will launch its new Chicago-New York City shuttle service today. The flights will use Boeing 737 aircraft and offer passengers complimentary beer and wine.
LinkVistara Tops Up A320neo Orders With Two MoreIndian full service airline Vistara will continue its fleet and route expansion with the order of a further two Airbus A320neos. The airline, a joint venture between India’s Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines, announced the new order as the seventh and final A320neo from a previous order arrived at the carrier’s Indira Gandhi Airport hub.
LinkGlobal Freight Has Strongest Start To Year Since 2015Global air freight demand for February showed the strongest start to a year since 2015, IATA said in its monthly update, citing robust global trade flows as a contributing factor. Demand growth (in freight tonne kms) for the month was 6.8 percent compared to February last year. Adjusting for Lunar New Year distortions by combining growth in January and February 2018, demand increased by 7.7 percent, the International Air Transport Association said.
LinkBlackhawk secures Canadian approval for King Air 350 engine upgradeUS engineering company and aftermarket specialist Blackhawk Modifications has received Canadian supplemental type certification for its XP67A engine upgrade on the Beechcraft King Air 350, and is preparing to begin work on the first retrofit for a local customer. The upgrade replaces the type's 1,050shp (783kW) Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-60A engines with 1,200shp PT6A-67As, which boost the 350's maximum cruise speed by up to 40kt (74km/h). The XP67A-powered twin can also climb from sea level to 35,000ft in 18min in hot conditions, says Blackhawk – more than twice the rate of the baseline model.
LinkPilatus delivers second PC-24 as launch aircraft enters servicePilatus Aircraft has delivered its second PC-24 to its US dealer and maintenance provider Western Aircraft. The handover of aircraft serial number 102 – carrying the registration N224WA – came as the first production example enters service with fractional ownership company PlaneSense.
LinkSpain cleared to buy CH-47FsThe Trump administration has given the green light for Spain to acquire 17 CH-47F helicopters worth $1.3 billion.
LinkThunderbird Crash At Nellis Kills PilotA U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds pilot was killed Wednesday when his F-16 Fighting Falcon crashed over the Nevada Test and Training Range. The incident happened around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday during a routine aerial demonstration training flight, Air Force officials said.
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