Boeing Completes First 787 GEnx Engine Runs The first General Electric GEnx engines on a Boeing (NYSE: BA) 787 Dreamliner came to life Monday with initial engine starts...[continue]
Sikorsky targets third quarter for 250kt X2 flight Sikorsky is targeting the third quarter to achieve the 250kt (460km/h) goal for its X2 high-speed prototype, after several delays in the flight-test programme.....[continue]
Air force launches US military's first spaceplane The successful launch to orbit from Cape Canaveral on 22 April of the US Air Force's X-37B marked the flight debut of the US military's first-ever spaceplane - and the USA's first reusable re-entry vehicle since the Space Shuttle. At 8.9m (29.25ft)-long and with a 4.5m wingspan....[continue]
EADS to offer KC-45 tanker to US Air Force as prime contractor EADS North America has informed the Department of Defense the company will compete for the KC-X tanker deal as a prime contractor against Boeing. The announcement by EADS NA Chairman Ralph Crosby on 20 February at the National Press Club....[continue]
Royal Thai Air Force Helicopters to Receive Obstacle Warning System Three additional helicopters for the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) will be equipped with obstacle warning systems under a new contract with EADS Defence & Security....[continue]
FAA grants expanded TIA to 787 flight test programme The US FAA granted Boeing expanded type inspection authorisation (TIA) yesterday for its Boeing 787 flight test programme. The move will pave the way for FAA personnel to fully take part in future test flights, and to collect flight test data. “Boeing achieved the expansion by demonstrating the readiness of the airplane throughout a variety of speeds...[continue]
Flight disruptions costing Thai 100m baht daily Thai Airways International has estimated its financial losses at 100 million baht ($3.1 million) a day from flight disruptions due to the volcanic ash cloud in Europe. The Star Alliance carrier has cancelled flights on nine out of 13 routes to Europe, says the airline’s president Piyasvasti Amranand....[continue]
Watchkeeper UAV makes first UK flight The British Army's Watchkeeper 450 unmanned air vehicle has made its first flight in UK airspace, completing a 20min sortie from the ParcAberporth centre in west Wales on 14 April. "The success of this first flight is the first milestone in a long-term programme to demonstrate that Watchkeeper...[continue]
Elbit to build F-16I training centre for Israel Elbit Systems is to begin construction work soon on a new networked simulator building for the Israeli air force's Lockheed Martin F-16I strike aircraft. To be built at Hazor air base, the facility will include eight full-dome, high-definition simulators for the F-16I...[continue]
Malaysia aims to upgrade air force with new fighters, AEW aircraft Malaysia's air force suffers from too many aircraft types and aircraft that fail to keep up with recent purchases by its neighbours. But government and air force officials are working to upgrade the air force's capability, despite cuts to this year's defence budget...[continue]
China Eastern decides to join SkyTeam China Eastern Airlines has chosen SkyTeam as its alliance partner, and plans to formally join the group by mid-2011.The decision will come as a disappointment to Star Alliance and especially Oneworld, which had wooed the Shanghai-based carrier as well. Air China, the country's flag carrier...[continue]
Saab to Further Develop the Reconnaissance System for GripenDefence and security company Saab has received an order from the Swedish Defence Material Administration for upgrade and further development of the reconnaissance system in Gripen. The order is worth approximately MSEK 400, distributed over a four-year period...[continue]
Virgin Blue orders CFM56-7BE engines for new 737s Australia's Virgin Blue has ordered the CFM InternationalCFM56-7BE engine as part of last week's deal for 50 Boeing 737 aircraft. The purchase of 50 CFM56-7BE powerplants is valued at $700 million at list prices, says CFM. The CFM56-7BE engine enhancement...[continue]
ICELAND VOLCANO: Latest on airspace disruption European airline operations remain seriously disrupted by the eruption of the Icelandic Eyjafjallajokull volcano, and there is uncertainty over the duration of the airspace closures resulting from the ash cloud. Typically the European air navigation organisation Eurocontrol's Central Flow...[continue]
Cessna Skycatcher China factory to open in 2011 Shenyang Aircraft's plans to have a new manufacturing plant and flight-test centre for the Cessna 162 Skycatcher light sport aircraft have been delayed until 2011. The Chinese state-owned aircraft manufacturer plans to build a Skycatcher factory on a "green field" site in Faku county...[continue]
Solar plane first flight Plane powered by sunshine completes its first test flight from Payerne Air Base Switzerland on April 7 2010....[continue]
Malaysia Airlines Orders 17 A330s (March 31, 2010) -- Malaysia Airlines has placed a firm order with Airbus for 17 A330 widebody aircraft. The contract firms up a previously announced Memorandum of Understanding for 15 A330-300 passenger aircraft, plus an additional order for two A330-200F Freighters...[continue]
First F-15SGs arrive in Singapore Singapore has flown home its first Boeing F-15SG fighters, just under a year after taking delivery of the first examples. Republic of Singapore Air Force pilots started training with US Air Force F-15s in July 2008, moving on to the F-15SGs at Mountain Home...[continue]
Lockheed reveals USAF's first HC-130J tanker The US Air Force will take delivery of its first HC-130J combat rescue tanker later this year, with the aircraft having emerged at Lockheed Martin's Marietta production plant in Georgia on 3 April....[continue]
Struggling JAL to cut 50 routes TOKYO, April 3, 2010 (AFP) - Struggling Japan Airlines expects to cut about 50 routes including international and domestic flights this financial year in its bid to return to profitability, reports said Saturday...[continue]
BA, Iberia merger held up by 'technical issues'MADRID, April 1, 2010 (AFP) - The signing of a merger agreement between British Airways and Iberia, initially planned for the first quarter, has been delayed for "technical issues," El Pais daily reported Thursday...[continue]
China, Bolivia to build communications satellite LA PAZ, April 1, 2010 (AFP) - Chinese and Bolivian officials Thursday signed an agreement to build Bolivia's first communications satellite, intended for domestic security, for launch in 2013. The document was signed by the heads of the Bolivian space agency....[continue]
Success for hypersonic outback flight it soared through the atmosphere at more than 5,000 kilometres per hour after taking off from the Woomera Test Range in outback South Australia. It was the second test flight, after one last May....[continue]
China's AC313 has first flight and secures launch customerChinese state-owned helicopter manufacturer Avicopter flew its AC313 helicopter on 18 March from its Jingdezhen facility in eastern China's Jiangxi province. The triple-engined 13.8t AC313 is a development of the Harbin Z-8 military helicopter....[continue]
CFM opens Hyderabad maintenance training centreCFM International's fourth CFM56 maintenance training centre has opened in Hyderabad in India to support its customers in the country and the region....[continue]
Korea Utility Helicopter makes first flight(March 16, 2010) -- Korea Aerospace Industries has conducted the first flight of its Korea Utility Helicopter (KUH), which it developed with Eurocopter. Also known as the Surion, the KUH achieved the milestone on 10 March at an airbase in Sacheon, south-east of Seoul....[continue]
Boeing reveals NewGen Tanker for KC-X contract Boeing has revealed a 767-based NewGen Tanker to offer the US Air Force for the KC-X contract to build 179 tankers....[continue]
Indian AF Signs EUR 560 M Contract For 12 AW101 HelicoptersAgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that a contract has been signed by the Government of India for the acquisition of twelve AW101 helicopters that will perform government transport duties....[continue]
Saab receives order for development of GripenDefence and security company Saab has received an order from FMV (the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration) concerning development of the existing Gripen fleet. The order value amounts to SEK 2 billion for Saab, split over a period of four years.....[continue]
India to Buy Additional Fighter Jets from RussiaIndia is negotiating a new military contract with Russia to buy 42 additional Su-30MKI fighter jets for the Indian Air Force (IAF).....[continue]
Republic orders 40 CSeries and options 40 moreUS-based Republic Airways Holdings has ordered 40 Bombardier CSeries aircraft and placed options on 40 more....[continue]
BA to use biofuel from planned new conversion plant British Airways is to assist in establishing a biofuel plant from which it has tentatively agreed to acquire all the fuel the project produces.....[continue]
Vietnam to buy 12 Russian Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jets Vietnam has signed a deal to buy 12 Russian Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jets from Russia for about $500 million, Russian media reported on Thursday, citing industry sources. "A contract to deliver SU-30MK2 (jets) was signed by (state arms export monopoly)....[continue]
STOVL Jet is 5th LM F-35 to Enter Flight Testing (Fort Worth, Texas, February 2, 2010) -- A Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) F-35B Lightning II short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) stealth fighter today became the fifth F-35 to begin flight operations....[continue]
Hong Kong Airlines to Order 6 A330-200s (February 4, 2010) -- Hong Kong Airlines has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Airbus for six A330-200 aircraft. The latest commitment will increase the number of A330s ordered by the airline to 23. Hong Kong Airlines intends to use the A330-200s to develop new services to destinations across the Asia-Pacific....[continue]
Shanghai Engine Center Delivers 1st Heavy CFM56 Engine Overhaul (Singapore, February 4, 2010) -- The Shanghai Engine Center, a joint venture of Pratt & Whitney, a division of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX), and China Eastern Airlines, delivered its first heavy overhauled CFM56(r) engine. The new center has capacity to overhaul up to 300 engines annually and is one of the largest CFM56 engine overhaul shops in Asia....[continue]
Boeing Moves 787 Dreamliner Fatigue Test Airframe to Testing Rig (Everett, Wash., February 2, 2010) -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) on Sunday moved the 787 Dreamliner fatigue test airframe to its structural test rig. The test rig is located in the northwest corner of the Everett, Wash., site....[continue]
Indonesia Plans to Buy Super Tucano Fighters The Indonesian Air Force plans to buy 16 Brazilian-made Super Tucano jet fighters to upgrade its fleet....[continue]
Sukhoi's PAK FA fighter completes first flight  Sukhoi has conducted the first flight of its prototype PAK FA fifth-generation fighter, with the aircraft having conducted a 47min sortie this morning...[continue]
Airbus to Showcase Latest Products at Singapore Airshow Airbus will have a major presence at this year's Singapore Airshow, showcasing both its commercial and military transport products. The highlight will be the first public presentation of the new A330-200F Freighter....[continue]
Lockheed Performs First F-35B In-Flight STOVL Test Lockheed's fifth-generation F-35B Lightning II aircraft has successfully performed its first short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) propulsion system in-flight test....[continue]
China to build world's highest airport in 2011  China plans to build a commercial airport at an altitude of 4,436m (14,544ft) in Tibet, making it the world's highest airport. Construction at Nagqu prefecture in northern Tibet is due to commence in 2011....[continue]
Mechanical fault forces A380 to be grounded  A new Airbus A380 super jumbo has been grounded at a South Korean airport due to a mechanical fault, the latest in a series of glitches for the world's largest airliner....[continue]
Airbus lays groundwork for A320 re-engining   Airbus has moved closer to launching a revamped A320 family after signing agreements with CFM International and Pratt & Whitney which will lay the groundwork for re-engining the twinjet.....[continue]
USA issues new security directives for inbound flights   The US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has mandated new security measures covering inbound flights to the USA effective 4 January....[continue]
Boeing Delivers Four Next-Generation 737-900ERs to Lion Air  Boeing delivered four Next-Generation 737-900ER (Extended Range) airplanes to Lion Air in December....[continue]
World air travel falls record 3.1 percent in 2009 MONTREAL, Dec 18, 2009 (AFP) - World airline passenger traffic fell 3.1 percent in 2009, the biggest drop in aviation industry history, fueled by the global financial downturn, the International Civil Aviation Organization said Friday....[continue]
Hong Kong airport posts 0.4% dip in passenger traffic Hong Kong airport posted a 16.4% growth in cargo traffic in November, but passenger numbers fell 0.4%. Total passenger numbers dropped 0.4% to 3.8 million from 3.81 million a year ago, says the airport...[continue]
Jetstar and AirAsia in talks for JV Australia's Jetstar and Malaysia's AirAsia are in talks about a potential cost-saving joint venture between the two low-cost carriers. "Qantas confirms that its wholly owned subsidiary...[continue]
A400M, world's most advanced airlifter, completes first flight The first Airbus Military A400M military airlifter has landed back in Seville, Spain today at 14:02 local time (13:02 UTC) after completing a successful maiden flight lasting 3h 47min....[continue]
Boeing 787 Dreamliner Completes First Flight 787 Dreamliner took to the sky for the first time today, ushering a new era in air travel as it departed before an estimated crowd of more than 12,000 employees.....[continue]
Boeing 787 Dreamliner Program Completes Static Test Analysis (Everett, Wash., December 10, 2009) -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) today completed the review and analysis of the static test that was conducted Nov. 30 to validate the side-of-body modification made to the 787 Dreamliner. "I am happy to report that the program has validated the airplane structure for the 787 Dreamliner," said Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager of the 787 program.....[continue]
Thais detain plane with weapons from North Korea  Thai authorities seized a cargo aircraft carrying tons of weapons from North Korea during a refueling stop in Bangkok, a government official said. The pilot told Thai authorities the aircraft was headed to Sri Lanka, but its final destination was unknown, according to Panitan Wattanayagorn, a spokesman for the Thai prime minister....[continue]
Thai saves 10.3bn baht on non-fuel expenses Thai Airways International has saved 10.3 billion Thai baht ($310 million) on non-fuel expenses in the first three quarters of this year, as the airline works to reduce its debt. It expects to achieve 11.84 billion Thai baht in savings, or a 15% reduction in costs, in the whole of 2009, says the carrier....[continue]
New Thai Joint Venture (December 3, 2009) -- Saab has entered into a partnership with Thai company Avia Satcom Co. Ltd., to form a joint venture for developing high technology products within aviation and defence. The new company, Avia Saab Technologies, will initially focus on the development of a National Tactical Datalink....[continue]
Air Force To Expand PlayStation-Based Supercomputer The U.S. Air Force is looking to buy 2,200 Sony PlayStation 3 game consoles to build out a research supercomputer, according to an document posted on the federal government's procurement Web site...[continue]
Alenia Aermacchi delivers MB-339CM trainers to Royal Malaysian Air Force Alenia Aermacchi, a Finmeccanica company controlled by Alenia Aeronautica, officially delivered the eight MB-339CM to the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) in a ceremony held yesterday...[continue]
IAI, EADS discuss adapting A320 for airborne early warning Israel Aerospace Industries and EADS are in advanced discussions on teaming up to offer an airborne early warning system installed on a member of the Airbus A320 family...[continue]
First Flight for Airbus A400M in 2 Weeks Airbus’ long-delayed A400M military transport will make its first test flight during the week beginning Dec. 7, “weather permitting”...[continue]
Thai to replace 4-6 747s with leased 777-300ERs  Thai Airways International plans to get four to six Boeing 777-300ERs to replace its older 747...[continue]
Thai Airways reported third quarter loss of $119. million Thai Airways reported a THB4.03 billion ($119.5 million) loss in the third quarter, reversed from a THB426.2 million profit in the year-ago period that was the product of a large foreign exchange gain. Revenue dropped 27.7% year-over-year ...[continue]
First Air France A380 reaches New York The world's largest airliner, an Air France A380, touched down in New York on Friday after completing the superjumbo jet's first Atlantic crossing from Europe to the United States. The Airbus plane, carrying 538 passengers, left Paris earlier in the day and landed at 1:07 p.m. (1807 GMT) at J.F. Kennedy Airport, several minutes ahead of schedule, under crisp blue skies...[continue]
P&W Delivers 1st F100-229 EEP Engine Pratt & Whitney has delivered the first ever F100-229 Engine Enhancement Package (EEP) Engine for installation in a Republic of Korea Air Force F-15..[continue]
Saab Signs Contract with United Arab Emirates for Airborne Surveillance System Defence and security company Saab has signed a contract for the sale of an airborne surveillance system to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The contract is worth approximately 1.5 billion SEK..[continue]
Airbus launches A320 wingtips to cut fuelburn European aircraft manufacturer Airbus launched on Sunday its fuel-saving "Sharklet" large wingtip devices for its A320 family....[continue]
Sikorsky and Tata Create JV in India to Manufacture Aerospace Components Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) today announced the signing of an agreement creating a joint venture that will manufacture aerospace components for Sikorsky in India, including components for S-92(r) helicopter cabins...[continue]
Air India must cut costs to qualify for bailout minister NEW DELHI, Nov 13, 2009 (AFP) - A panel of Indian ministers has told flagship state-run airline Air India that it must cut costs in order to qualify for a government bailout. "If the recovery (in the airline's performance) is visible, the support from the government will also be visible," Civil Aviation Minister Praful...[continue]
Boeing Receives Contract to Develop Miniature Weapon Technology The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] received a $500,000 U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory contract on Sept. 30 for the first phase of a program to demonstrate miniature weapon technology for use on unmanned airborne vehicles (UAV)...[continue]
UK could arm its Watchkeeper UAVs The UK could integrate a lightweight weapon with its Thales UK/Elbit Systems Watchkeeper 450 tactical unmanned air vehicles, operations of which should begin from late next year. "We are conducting analysis to investigate the contribution that an armed Watchkeeper UAV system could make in current and future operations,"...[continue]
ANA and Continental sign alliance agreement  Star Alliance carriers All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Continental Airlines have signed an alliance agreement. The deal covers codesharing, lounge access and frequent flyer programmes, says ANA. Continental joined Star on 27 October. ANA says its passengers will be able to earn and redeem points on Continental flights and vice versa, and that Star Alliance gold members will have complete access to the lounges of both carriers...[continue]
Australian competition watchdog targets Thai for alleged price-fixing Australia's competition watchdog has taken legal action against Thai Airways International for alleged price-fixing of cargo services. A hearing in the country's federal court has been set for 26 November, says the Australian Competition Consumer Commission (ACCC)...[continue]
Thai AirAsia to increase focus on international markets Thai AirAsia plans to increase its proportion of international services due to relatively few growth opportunities within Thailand. The low-cost carrier has a 50:50 split between international and domestic services, but that will increase to 70:30 in favour of the international services within the next five years, says CEO Tassapon Bijleveld. This is because the domestic market is saturated, he adds....[continue]
Gripen NG Demo Returns to the Skies he Gripen NG Demonstrator has been modified with a number of tactical systems: AESA radar, a new satellite communication system, an electro-optical missile warning system as well as activation of the increased internal fuel...[continue]
Continental officially joins Star  Continental in a ceremony later today at its Newark hub will formally enter into the Star Alliance, completing an 18 month transition from the SkyTeam Alliance, and becoming the 25th airline to join first global airline alliance. The impetus for Continental's move was the merger between Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines that was unveiled in April 2008...[continue]
The Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master makes its 1,000th flight The new M-346 Master advanced trainer designed by Alenia Aermacchi, a Finmeccanica company, has reached the symbolic 1,000-flight milestone....[continue]
KLM to make demonstration flight on bio-fuel KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will be the first airline in the world to make a demonstration flight on bio-kerosene with a select group of passengers. This will also be the first ever flight in Europe on bio-kerosene. On 23 November 2009...[continue]
Boeing plunges into the red in 3Q, reiterates 787 will fly by year-end Costs and charges associated with Boeing's delayed 787 and 747-8 programmes pushed the airframer deep into the red for the third quarter. For the three months ended 30 September, the manufacturer incurred a net loss of $1.6 billion compared to a $695 million profit in the year-earlier period...[continue]