Recent changes to the proposed Airbus A350 have rendered the planned A330 variant much more competitive against the Boeing 787 in the battle for the “middle of the market,” according to Airbus. The European airframer has refined the design, which now offers more seats and, consequently, lower seat-mile costs.
Air Transport and Cargo » Air Transport and Cargo Aircraft
News and issues relating to air transport and cargo aircraft.
December 12, 2006 - 8:18am
BAE’s Jetstream regional airliner family enjoyed a successful year in 2004, delivering 25 turboprops to lease customers, and expecting to achieve its 2005 target of 30 more.
December 12, 2006 - 8:17am
A recent slew of new announcements from BAE Systems Regional Aircraft has reminded the industry that the BAE146/ Avro RJ jetliner family has not gone away. New lease packages to regional airlines, the possibility of a new production line and some innovative conversion packages all suggest that the four-engine jets still have some life left in them.
December 12, 2006 - 8:12am
The April 27 first flight of the Airbus A380 was undoubtedly a triumph for Europe’s aerospace industry. But it was also an occasion to celebrate for many companies on the other side of the Atlantic. According to EADS, which owns 80 percent of Airbus, more than 300 U.S. suppliers in 42 American states produce nearly 50 percent of the A380.
December 12, 2006 - 7:22am
Say what you will about Boeing’s political and boardroom troubles over the past few years, the company’s technical proficiency doesn’t appear to have diminished. Just ask 787 program manager Mike Bair, whose engineering team continues to meet virtually every scheduling milestone set when the company launched the Dreamliner project a little more than a year ago.
December 12, 2006 - 7:10am
Airbus officials hope to eventally have the new A380 very large airliner certified by European and U.S. safety regulators to carry almost 900 people. Initial A380-800s will enter service with nominal loads of 555 travelers, but the European manufacturer plans to show later this year that both main cabins can be cleared of 873 crewmembers and passengers quickly enough to ensure approval of planned higher capacity variants.
December 12, 2006 - 7:08am
Less than 50 days after the A380’s first flight, Airbus has reported an essentially satisfactory start to the very large jetliner’s test program. Preliminary results include “excellent” comfort up to the M 0.89 maximum operating Mach number, with cruise performance said to be “on target,” a spokesman said.
December 12, 2006 - 6:58am
Boeing last month launched the much-anticipated 777 Freighter with five firm orders from Air France. Based on the 777-200LR, the 777 Freighter will fly as far as 4,965 mn with a full 229,000-pound payload, making it the world’s longest range cargo hauler.
December 12, 2006 - 6:54am
As the second Boeing 777-200LR makes its public debut right here in Paris this week to show off its snazzy interior, prototype number-one continues to work hard back at the airframer’s facility in Everett, Washington, testing aerodynamic adjustments and stretching the type’s range capacity close to its limits. Scheduled for U.S.
December 12, 2006 - 6:35am
With almost 150 flights and well over 500 hours of test flying behind it, the Airbus A380 very large airliner’s participation at Dubai 2005 marks only its second airshow presence since the maiden flight last April. The program has been boosted this month by visits to airports in Europe and the Asia/Pacific region that will host early scheduled passenger services slated to begin with Singapore Airlines around the end of next year.
