A Syrian Arab Airlines A320 sustained serious damage September 20 when it collided feet with a Syrian military Mi-8 helicopter at 12,000 feet over Duma, Syria. At press time, sources still could not confirm whether the aircraft was on approach to Damascus International Airport (OSDI) or had just departed. The aircraft landed safely without injuries to anyone on board. The Airbus lost a significant portion of its vertical stabilizer. The helicopter, however, crashed, killing both pilots.
Airbus A320 family
September 26, 2012 - 12:35pm
Airbus Corporate Jets expects to achieve double-digit sales of its ACJ aircraft in 2012 and is on course to deliver at least as many as the 10 jets it delivered in 2011. The European airframer told a September 26 press conference in Moscow that it has now sold more than 170 aircraft in the business aviation market, including some 110 A320-family narrowbodies and 60 widebodies (A330s, A340s and A380s).
September 10, 2012 - 10:30am
Dynamic growth in emerging economies will be the principal factor driving commercial aircraft requirements in the coming 20 years, according to Airbus. Other major contributions will come from increased global urbanization and a doubling of middle-class populations. “By 2031 the number of ‘mega-cities’ will more than double to 92, and 90 percent of the world’s traffic will be between (or through) these points,” concluded the European airframer in its new 2012-31 market forecast, released in London on September 4.
August 30, 2012 - 10:13am
China’s ICBC Leasing has signed a firm order with Airbus covering a total of 50 A320-family narrowbodies, including 30 current-generation A320s and 20 A320neos.
August 28, 2012 - 9:35am
Philippine Airlines (PAL) has placed a firm order for 34 current-generation Airbus A321s, 10 A321neos and 10 A330-300s, Airbus announced today. A plan by the flag carrier to embark on a fleet renewal program calls for deliveries to start next year.
August 17, 2012 - 8:30am
At LABACE 2012, easily the biggest “footprint” on the aircraft static display line is the imprint of the ACJ318 bizliner from Airbus.
“When it comes to business jets, it’s what you offer in the cabin that counts,” said Airbus COO for customers John Leahy.
August 6, 2012 - 1:30pm
Residual value guarantees, superior hot-and-high capabilities and “outstanding” launch customer incentives all contributed to a decision by Mexico’s second-largest airline to take a “calculated risk” on the Sukhoi Superjet 100, Interjet CEO Jose Luis Garza told AIN during a visit to New York last week.
August 5, 2012 - 5:15am
The FAA has awarded a supplemental type certificate (STC) to JetBlue for installation of the ACSS XS-950 mode-S transponder on the airline’s Airbus A320 fleet. The XS-950 is certified to TSO-C166b to meet the FAA’s 2020 ADS-B out mandate. According to ACSS, “The XS-950 also supports ADS-B in capabilities, such as ACSS’s SafeRoute suite of applications. SafeRoute software products include Surface Area Movement Management (SAMM), CDTI Assisted Visual Separation (CAVS) and Merging and Spacing. Several SafeRoute applications are planned for installation as part of this program.”
July 30, 2012 - 3:45pm
Bahrain Air got started close to the onset of the global economic slowdown and has found it hard to escape its grip. Incorporated in 2007 and operating its first flight in February 2008, the carrier has struggled to thrive in the cut-throat arena of the Arabian Gulf’s air transport market.
July 17, 2012 - 3:00pm
ECA Program of Amsterdam has launched a VIP A319/320 fractional program. Each aircraft will be outfitted for 19 passengers. The company’s fleet will consist of three A319s and four A320s, the latter to be used for regional flights of less than eight hours and the former for intercontinental flights. The service will be operated by a new entity, operating under Dutch AOC and regulations, and the full fleet is expected to be operational by 2015.
