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
Russia’s Slon Heavyweight Completes Latest Research Cycle
Intended to replace the An-124 Ruslan, the Slon will feature a wider cross section and more powerful engines.
White House Selects Denver Airport CEO To Lead FAA
White House FAA pick Phillip Washington has had just a year of direct aviation leadership experience, but a broad transportation management background.
Environment
EU Parliament Backs SAF Blending Mandates
The European Parliament sets ambitious targets for an EU-wide mandate to uplift SAF that includes the world’s first e-fuel uptake obligation.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
SpaceX Moves a Step Closer to Airborne Satcom Service
The FCC will allow SpaceX to provide satcom services to moving vehicles, including aircraft.
Airlines
SAS Files for Chapter 11 Protection in U.S.
A strike among some 1,000 pilots has affected roughly half of SAS’s schedule and led to its decision to voluntarily enter bankruptcy protection.
Aircraft
Airbus Inks Orders for 292 A320neos with Chinese Airlines
Air China, China Eastern, China Southern, and Shenzhen Airlines will take A320neo-family jets under the terms of contracts signed in Beijing.
Aircraft
Start-up Promises All-electric Propulsion For 100-Seater Airliners
H3X is working on a 2.8 MW electric motor drive that it says will have the power density and redundancy needed to convert 50- to 100-seat aircraft.
Aircraft
Feds To Audit FAA Oversight of Boeing 737, 787 Programs
The Department of Transportation’s Office of the Inspector General confirmed that it will audit the FAA's oversight of B737 and 787 production processes.
Aircraft
ICAO Calls on Russia to Cease Dual Aircraft Registration
The UN’s aviation arm resolves to call on Russia to end its infractions of the Chicago Convention.
Regulations and Government
Brexit Trade Row Puts UK Aerospace Sector Under Pressure
Trade group ADS is concerned that the UK government's breach of its Brexit trade agreement with the European Union could expose its members to new risks.
Aircraft
Boeing Preaches Pragmatism in Setting Sustainability Priorities
Divergent views of hydrogen’s immediate potential have Boeing and Airbus at odds once again.
Aircraft
Lufhansa Group CEO Sees Strengthening Yield Environment
Strong post-Covid demand combined with delays in aircraft deliveries will result in a much healthier airline industry, said Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr.
Aircraft
Airbus’s New A321XLR Will Be An Intercontinental Narrowbody Airliner
Airbus’s New A321XLR Will Be An Intercontinental Narrowbody Airliner
Airlines
Airbus CEO Doubts Prospects for a Future Very Large Aircraft
Airbus sees the European Union's "Fit for 55" policy as a “mixed bag” of some positive and not so positive measure aimed at decarbonizing air transport.
Airlines
IATA Upbeat on Recovery, Forecasts Return to Profit in 2023
Airlines are seeing a strong uptick in demand and expect to return to profit in 2023 though the re-start is causing disruptions in Europe and North America
Aircraft
Regulatory Scrutiny Still Slowing Boeing’s Certification Efforts
Boeing works to gain regulatory approval for the 737 Max 10 ahead of introduction of new U.S. aircraft safety and certification legislation on January 1.
Aircraft
Kremlin Steps Up Domestic Aircraft Output As Sanctions Bite
The Russian government this week ordered the country's aerospace groups to increase production of civil aircraft to an additional 1,000 units by 2030.
Aircraft
Airbus's New Long-Range A321XLR Makes First Flight
The A321XLR single-aisle airliner is intended to serve commercial airline routes as long as 4,700 nm when it enters service in 2024.
Aircraft
Spanish Airline Plans Airship Services From 2026
Air Nostrum says it plans to be the launch operator for Hybrid Air Vehicles' 100-seat Airlander 10 airship on domestic routes of up to around 265 miles.
Airlines
Pilots Call on Wizz Air to Put Safety over Profits
Following recorded comments from Wizz Air CEO József Váradi complaining of flight disruptions caused by staff shortages, pilots' unions strike back.
Aircraft
Aeroflot To Order 300 Russian-made Airliners
MC-21 and SSJ100 programs will get a major boost from an impending order from Russia’s flag carrier.
Collins Brings 3D Printing Capability to its NC MRO
The new additive manufacturing center opened in Monroe, North Carolina with two 3D printers and plans to add more in the future.
Maintenance and Modifications
Bogus Parts Could Indefinitely Ostracize Russian Air Transport
Russia's aviation regulator is facilitating the use of unapproved parts, compromising asset values and longer-term relations with the global industry.
Aircraft
Universal Hydrogen, Connect Airlines Plan ATR 72 Conversions
Universal Hydrogen said it has collected a firm order from prospective regional carrier Connect Airlines to covert 75 ATR 72-600s to hydrogen power.
Airlines
Eurocontrol Pushes Back Covid Recovery as Delays Worsen
The air traffic management agency published a revised short-term forecast for European air traffic, as airlines and airports face serious staff shortages.
Airlines
JetBlue Again Sweetens Merger Offer for Spirit Airlines
In its latest offer to merge with Spirit Airlines, JetBlue increases its promised reverse break-up fee to $350 million.
Aircraft
Airbus To Open Hydrogen Tech Development Center in UK
A new Airbus Zero Emission Development Center in Filton, UK, will concentrate on the development of a cryogenic fuel system for hydrogen-powered airliners.
Aircraft
Short-haul Travel, Tecnam Style
Italian manufacturer Tecnam is exhibiting its P2012 Traveller low-cost, short-haul commuterliner at EBACE.
Aircraft
VoltAero’s Cassio 1 To Perform Demo Flights in the Netherlands
France’s VoltAero plans to perform demonstration flights with its first Cassio hybrid-electric aircraft starting June 13.
Training and Workforce
FlightSafety To Train Cargo Drone Pilots
Bulgarian unmanned cargo airline Dronamics has engaged FlightSafety to ensure its pilots have the right training to maximize operational safety.
