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.
Aircraft
Delivery Delays Pose Fleet Capacity Challenges for Qantas
The Australian flag carrier has had to source second-hand and leased aircraft while it awaits delayed new airliner deliveries from Airbus.
Aircraft
China's Haite MRO Joins A321 Freighter Conversion Network
Under an agreement with Elbe Flugzeugwerke, the first A321 passenger-to-freighter conversion project will start at the Tianjin facility later this year.
Airlines
SriLankan Airlines Chases Foreign Income with Route Reboot
The state-owned carrier may once again be partly privatized as the Sri Lankan government deals with fallout from a financial crisis.
Airlines
Indonesian Officials Seek Release of Captured Airline Pilot
Papuan independence rebels have threatened to kill Susi Air pilot Philip Merthens if Indonesia will not recognize the territory's independence.
Aircraft
Safran Tests 'More Electric' Turboprop
The Tech TP technology demonstrator is based on Safran Helicopter Engines' Ardiden-3 turboshaft engine family, incorporating electrical power.
Aircraft
Airbus Sustains Recovery Despite Russia War Headwinds
The European aerospace and defense group's CEO Guillaume Faury warned it will face more complexity and disruption risk during 2023.
Accidents
Nepal ATR 72 Accident: Propellers Were Feathered Before Landing
The preliminary report on the Yeti Airlines ATR 72 accident implies that the pilot monitoring moved the incorrect lever during approach to land.
Regulations and Government
ALPA Head Urges Streamlining of Notam System
ALPA president Ambrosi pushed for stable funding for notam system streamlining, while FAA chief Nolen said the project is about "halfway there."
Safety
NTSB Preliminary Report Outlines Runway Incursion Near-miss
The NTSB subpoenaed two pilots involved in a runway incursion at JFK International Airport after they declined a request for a recorded interview.
Airlines
Air India Goes On Boeing, Airbus Aircraft Buying Spree
Air India signed an order for nearly 500 airliners—250 from Airbus and 220 from Boeing—on February 14 at the Aero India airshow.
Aircraft
Air India Turns to Airbus for Major Fleet Renewal Order
The carrier is buying 250 new narrow- and widebody aircraft, including a mix of 140 A320neos, 70 A321neo, 34 A350-1000s and 6 A350-900s.
Accidents
Aviation Heeds Lessons from ICAO Annex 13
First introduced in 1951, Annex 13 lays out international Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) for accident investigators.
Airlines
European Airlines Expand China Operations
EU and UK carriers are resuming flights to China in spite of the markedly higher costs owing to their inability to use Russian airspace.
Aircraft
European Green Aviation Projects Gain Funds and Momentum
New funding from both the European Union and the UK are fuelling multiple projects aimed at achieving air transport's net zero carbon objectives.
Airlines
Indonesia Steps Up Search for Kidnapped New Zealand Pilot
Papuan rebels have taken a Susi Air Pilatus PC-6 pilot hostage.
Airlines
Malaysia Revisits Plans for Subang Aviation City
Plans call for major development of Kuala Lumpur's former international gateway, Subang Airport.
Aircraft
Mitsubishi Heavy Finally Axes SpaceJet Program
Two and a half years since suspension of SpaceJet development, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries cuts its losses and cancels the program.
Aircraft
ANZ’s Mission Next Gen Aircraft Program Signs New Partners
Embraer, Heart Aerospace, and Universal Hydrogen have joined ATR and Airbus as partners in Air New Zealand’s program to field a zero-emissions aircraft.
Aircraft
U.S. Urges Turkey to Enforce Sanctions against Russian Airlines
While calling Turkey “a longstanding and valued NATO ally, the U.S. has urged the country to not become a “safe haven” for illicit Russian transactions.
Accidents
FAA, NTSB Probing Near-Collision of SWA 737 and FedEx 767
A FedEx 767 nearly landed on top of a Southwest Airlines 737 taking off from Austin Bergstrom Airport in Texas.
Airlines
Icelandair’s ‘Strong’ Outlook Follows Solid Covid Recovery
The Icelandic flag carrier plans to operate its largest network ever as it takes delivery of more Boeing 737 Max twinjets.
Aircraft
Boeing 747: Saying a Fond Farewell to the ‘Queen of the Skies’ Airliner
Boeing 747: Saying a Fond Farewell to the ‘Queen of the Skies’ Airliner
Aircraft
Airbus, Qatar Airways Settle A350 Surface Degradation Dispute
Following nearly two years of trading barbs, Airbus and Qatar Airways have reached an “amicable” settlement on their dispute over A350 surface degradation.
Avionics
NASA Reports Show Possible 5G Interference Issues
Airline pilots in the U.S. are submitting a significant number of reports about potential 5G cellphone tower interference.
Airlines
Norwegian Low-cost Carrier Flyr Files for Bankruptcy
Flyr becomes the second European airline to cease operations in a week’s time.
Aircraft
Boeing Delivers Final 747 to Atlas Air
Thousands of Boeing company employees, airline executives, lawmakers, and program luminaries celebrated the end of the 747’s 53-year production run.
Airports
Mekong Countries Pin Development Hopes on Airport Progress
Thailand's U-Tapao Airport to serve as heart of Southeast Asia's Eastern Economic Corridor
FAA Bolsters Safeguards for Notam Maintenance, Database
Acting FAA Administrator Billy Nolen said the agency has taken initial precautions to protect the notam database.
Aircraft
Boeing To Establish 737 Line in Everett, Washington
Now operating two of three lines in Renton, Boeing expects more demand for the 737 Max to require a fourth line at the former 787 assembly bay in Everett.
Airlines
UK Regional Carrier Flybe Ceases Operations
Flybe, a regional airline in the United Kingdom, has entered insolvency for the second time since March 2020.
