Air Transport
News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.
Accidents
Torqued: In Safety Reports, the Devil Is in the Details
Canadian study finds U.S. regional airlines responsible for majority of runway incursions at Toronto Airport, a fact not mentioned in the media summaries.
Accidents
Search Crews Find CVR from Doomed Atlas Air 767
The NTSB has sent the airplane’s cockpit voice recorder to Washington, D.C., for analysis.
Engines
Rolls-Royce Withdraws from Boeing NMA Competition
Two companies—CFM and Pratt & Whitney—remain in the mix for the propulsion contract for Boeing’s proposed midsize airliner.
Aircraft
British Airways Parent IAG Orders 18 Boeing 777X Twins
The UK flag carrier will phase out its 747-400 fleet in favor of GE-powered 777Xs by 2024.
Airlines
Authorities Urge African States To Reject Aviation Protectionism
Speakers at the Aviation Africa Summit in Kigali call for the end of “shortsighted” policies.
Airlines
Kashmir Hostilities Severely Disrupt Airline Operations
Operators can no longer use Pakistani and Afghani airspace while India closes eight airports.
Aircraft
Boeing Inks Major Deals at Trump-Kim Summit
Orders for a total of 110 Boeing airplanes follow the FAA’s award of a Category 1 safety rating to Vietnam.
Aircraft
MC-21 Serial Production Delayed Until 2021
Russian officials site sanctions and a need to switch to local suppliers for the Irkut narrowbody’s schedule slip.
Aircraft
Air Vanuatu Signs For Four A220s
Airbus wins its first orders of the year for the former C Series jet.
Aircraft
Embraer Shareholders Approve Joint Venture with Boeing
More than 96 percent of participating shareholders vote in favor of the transaction between the Brazilian and U.S. airframers.
Airlines
Cambodia Weighs Commitment To Cape Town Convention
A Phnom Penh seminar on the Cape Town treaty’s benefits included the U.S. FAA and Boeing.
Accidents
Atlas Air 767 Entered Steep Dive Before Impact with Texas Bay
A low tide has hampered efforts to recover the FDR and CVR from the Boeing 767-300ER freighter that crashed Saturday near Houston.
Aircraft
Beriev, Indian Airlines in Be-200 Talks
India’s Regional Connectivity Scheme sets aside 18 routes for seaplane operations.
Airlines
Sale of Flybe to Connect Airways Completed
The UK regional airline has struggled to find direction for years but new owners will give it access to Heathrow Airport.
Rotorcraft
American Airlines Adds Private Aviation Touches
The airline's high-end customers will now be able to book private helicopter transfers at JFK and LAX, along with use of a private terminal at LAX.
Aircraft
Sukhoi Inspects 48 Superjets for Cracks in Uncertified Titanium
Endoscope examinations show no sign of cracks in suspected parts.
Maintenance and Modifications
Asia-Pacific Ripe for OEMs’ Burgeoning Services Business
Boeing’s Keskar characterizes MRO and related services as more competitive than aircraft sales.
Regulations and Government
Thailand Accelerates Push To Regain FAA Category 1 Rating
The most recent FAA review raises 26 “issues” with Thai safety practices and oversight.
Aircraft
Britten-Norman Expands Manufacturing Footprint
UK's aircraft manufacturer is keen to grow its upgrades and modifications business, while new aircraft manufacturing continues at a low level.
Airlines
Air France-KLM To Launch Medium-Haul Tender This Year
The Franco-Dutch airline group will allow leases to expire on three A380s by 2021.
Aircraft
Avianca Hangs On as Brazil's Air Transport Market Heats Up
Fleet repossession involving Brazil’s fourth-largest carrier threatens travel chaos.
Aircraft
Southwest Airlines Launches Probe into Flight Disruptions
An unusual number of maintenance-related flight cancellations and delays continue to dog the U.S. low-fare carrier.
Airlines
Air France-KLM Strengthens Group Structure
A new governance structure includes the reappointment of Pieter Elbers as CEO of KLM.
Aircraft
CityJet, Russians Differ on Reasons for Superjet Shuffle
The Irish carrier disputes Sukhoi’s claims of changes to its business model or ‘ongoing discussions’ over the fleet.
Airlines
Indian Air Transport Growth Threatened by Pilot, Slot Shortages
CAPA-Centre for Aviation estimates a 15- to 20-percent shortfall of captains in India.
Airlines
Lawmakers Rebuff Bid To Cap UK Fights to Europe Post-Brexit
The European Commission had sought to freeze UK airline capacity at this year’s levels and prohibit code sharing.
Airlines
Tunisair’s Outlook Brightens Amid Restructuring Exercise
The Tunisian flag carrier sees modest growth despite geopolitical difficulties.
Aircraft
Comac Plans to Fly Three More C919s This Year
The next indigenous Chinese airplane scheduled to fly has nearly reached final assembly.
Aircraft
Airbus Terminates A380 Program
The last two A380s, for Emirates Airline, will roll off the assembly line in 2021.
