Gregory Polek
Senior Editor
Gregory Polek has spent his entire career in aviation journalism with AIN, starting as a proofreader and assistant to then-managing editor Mary Mahoney in 1995 after serving an internship with New Jersey Monthly magazine and completing his B.A. degree in English/Writing at New Jersey’s William Paterson College. By 1997 Polek accepted a position as an associate editor, covering the regional airline beat for Aviation International News in place of retiring industry veteran Don Anderson. The assignment took Polek across North America and Europe to profile regional airlines varying in size and mission from the likes of floatplane operators Kenmore Air and Chalk’s Ocean Airways to regional jet operators such as SkyWest and American Eagle. Today, in his dual role as Air Transport Editor and International Airshow Editor, Polek writes, edits, and manages AIN’s commercial aviation content while overseeing each of the company’s daily international air show publications in Paris, Farnborough, Singapore, and Dubai. Most recently Polek has assumed oversight of daily coverage of the Helicopter Association International’s annual Heli-Expo convention.
Latest from Gregory Polek
FutureFlight
Saudi Arabian Airlines and Lilium Agree To Develop eVTOL Network in Saudi Arabia
The Saudi flag carrier has also committed to helping Lilium navigate the country’s regulatory approval process.
Aircraft
Boeing Sees Supply Chain Constraints Through 2023
A shortage of engine castings has hindered Boeing’s commercial production.
Aircraft
JetBlue Bullish for 2023 Despite External Growth Constraints
Even as supply chain constraints limit aircraft deliveries, JetBlue projects return to historical growth trends next year.
Accidents
Korean Air A330 Suffers Major Damage During Overrun in Cebu
A runway excursion involving Korean Air A330-300 halted operations at the Philippines’ Mactan Cebu International Airport.
Aircraft
Amazon to Lease 10 EFW A330-300 Converted Freighters
Hawaiian Airlines will operate converted freighter aircraft for online retailing giant Amazon.
Airlines
Spirit Shareholders Approve JetBlue Merger Deal
During a special meeting on Wednesday, investors in Spirit Airlines approved JetBlue’s purchase of the Miramar, Florida-based ultra-low-cost carrier.
FutureFlight
Air France KLM To Support Ampaire’s Development of 19-seat Electric Aircraft
The airline's engineering division will help Ampaire implement conversions of aircraft to hybrid-electric propulsion under supplemental type certificates.
Aircraft
Universal Hydrogen To Fly Hydrogen-powered Dash 8 by Year-end
In a partnership with Aerotec, Universal Hydrogen is preparing a Dash 8-300 fitted with a hydrogen-fuel-cell-based powertrain for its first flight.
FutureFlight
JetBlue Puts Its Money Where Its Mouth Is With Advanced Air Mobility Investments
Recently adding its 41st company to its investment portfolio, JetBlue Ventures stands at the center of JetBlue’s sustainability outreach.
Airlines
JetBlue Takes Holistic Approach to Sustainability
Recently adding its 41st company to its investment portfolio, JetBlue Ventures stands at the center of the airline’s sustainability strategy.
Aircraft
Airbus Considers ACJ TwoTwenty a ‘Perfect Fit’ for U.S.
In the process of completion at Comlux in Indianapolis, the first ACJ TwoTwenty will go to a Dubai-based customer.
FutureFlight
Heart Collects Commitment for Up to Six ES-30 electric airplanes from Portugal’s Sevenair
A letter of intent from the regional airliner increases the ES-30’s backlog of purchase commitments, options, and LOIs to 429.
Aircraft
EASA Certifies ATRs Powered by Latest Pratt Turboprop Variant
ATR 42s and 72s powered by the recently certified PW127XT-M burn 3 percent less fuel and cost 20 percent less to maintain.
Aircraft
Boeing Business Jets Emerges Energized from Max Grounding
Boeing witnessed record demand for its BBJs early this year, and values have skyrocketed for the minimal used inventory.
Aircraft
Cargolux Finalizes Boeing 777-8 Freighter Order
Boeing’s 777-8 order book exceeds 50 airplanes with a firm order for 10 from Cargolux.
FutureFlight
American Airlines Places Equity Investment in Universal Hydrogen
The funding supports the airline's science-based targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 2035 and achieve net-zero GHG emissions by 2050.
FutureFlight
Surf Air Signs $450 million Funding Commitment With Leasing Group Jetstream Aviation Capital
As part of its $450 million finance deal with Surf Air, Jetstream Capital has agreed to buy as many as 250 hybrid and fully electric powertrains.
Aircraft
Surf Air Signs $450M Funding Commitment with Jetstream
Jetstream Aviation Capital is providing $450 million in funding for Surf Air Mobility to expand its fleet.
Aircraft
American Airlines, Delta Commit to Substantial AAM Investments
American Airlines has tendered an equity investment in Universal Hydrogen while Delta Air Lines said it would invest in Joby’s eVTOL project.
Airlines
Pilots Say ‘Broken’ Scheduling Processes Leading to Fatigue
Unions say a surge in pilot fatigue reports over the summer will reoccur when weather worsens and traffic spikes during the next holiday season.
Aircraft
AA Pilots Oppose Deadline Extension to Certify Max 7, Max 10
American Airlines’ pilot union calls for preserving the December deadline for certifying the Max 7 and Max 10 without an EICAS.
Aircraft
Airbus Sees Full Recovery of Aircraft Services Market In 2023
Following a return to pre-pandemic levels in 2023, demand for services such as aircraft maintenance will grow 3.7 percent annually, projects Airbus.
Aircraft
Embraer Collects E195-E2 Order from Oman's SalamAir
Oman’s SalamAir plans to supplement its Airbus narrowbody fleet with six E195-E2 airliners.
Aircraft
Boeing Preaches Safety Ethic as Work on Max 7, Max 10 Persists
As year-end deadline approaches for certification of Max 7 and Max 10, Boeing hangs its hopes on a possible extension by act of Congress.
Aircraft
Comac Wins Certification of C919
After 14 years of development, China's C919 narrowbody airliner appears nearly ready to enter service.
Airlines
Mesa Airlines Buys 29 Pipistrel Trainers for Pilot Development
A purchase order from Mesa Airlines for 29 Pipistrel Alpha Trainer 2 aircraft comes with options for another 75 of the two-seaters over the next year.
Aircraft
Airbus Wins Order for 40 A320neos from Xiamen Airlines
A new 40-aircraft order for A320neos adds to a previous contract for 96 from Xiamen parent China Southern Airlines.
Airlines
FAA Denies Republic’s Proposed Exemption from 1,500-hr Rule
Republic Airways’ proposal to reduce its first officer flight time requirements from 1,500 to 750 hours meets with stiff resistance from the FAA.
Aircraft
United Airlines Invests in Eve, Signs for 200 eVTOL Aircraft
A $15 million investment by United Airlines in Eve Air Mobility accompanies a conditional purchase agreement for 200 four-seat electric aircraft.
FutureFlight
United Airlines Invests $15 million in Eve, Signs Purchase Deal for 200 eVTOL Aircraft
The U.S. major airline’s agreement with Eve marks its latest commitment for aircraft in the urban air mobility sector.
