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
Accidents
Civil Aviation Sees Big Drop in Accident Rate in 2021
The International Civil Aviation Organization reports a 9.8 percent drop in the rate of accidents and a 66 percent decline in fatalities last year.
FutureFlight
Harbour Air’s All-Electric Beaver Performs First Point-to-Point Test Flight
The first eBeaver flew a 45-mile trip between Vancouver and Victoria, Canada, in 24 minutes.
Airlines
UK Software Startup Helping Pilots Fly More Efficiently
Virgin Atlantic has saved some 1,000 tonnes of fuel over six months thanks to a new behavioral economics and data science app from London-based Signol.
Aircraft
American Airlines Places Deposit to Secure 20 Boom Overtures
A contract between Boom Supersonic and American Airlines covers a firm order for 20 Overtures and options on another 40.
Aircraft
Malaysia Airlines Chooses A330neos for Widebody Replacement
The Malaysian flag carrier plans to take a total of 20 A330-900s under a sale-leaseback and direct lease agreements with Avolon.
Airlines
Airlines Clamor for Clarity on Altimeter Upgrades for 5G
The airline industry calls on the FAA to issue more definitive guidance for upgrading their radio altimeters to accommodate full-strength 5G signals.
FutureFlight
Cranfield Aerospace Draws Fresh Funding from UAE and California-based Investors
CAeS has now drawn £14.4 million for the development of a hydrogen propulsion system meant to power 19-seat commuter aircraft.
Aircraft
Boeing Resumes 787 Deliveries after 14-month Pause
American Airlines takes the first delivery of a Boeing Dreamliner since the end of May 2021.
Airlines
Spirit Airlines Agrees To Merge with JetBlue
Hours after rejecting a merger agreement with Frontier Airlines, Spirit Airlines has accepted a sweetened offer from JetBlue.
Airlines
Spirit Calls Off Merger Deal with Frontier Airlines
A terminated merger agreement between Frontier and Spirit Airlines means JetBlue gains pole position in any takeover attempt of Spirit.
Aircraft
Supply Constraints Force Boeing to Cut 737 Output Target
Boeing sees production of 737 Maxes reaching the “low 400s” this year while Airbus projects 700 A320neo deliveries.
Aircraft
Boeing Seals Max Deal with Qatar, Adds 777-8F Customer
Qatar Airways signs a firm order for 25 Boeing Max 10s while Cargolux endorses the 777-8F.
FutureFlight
Eviation Picks Parker for Alice Aircraft's System Packages
Parker and Eviation have entered the design phase for the production and certification phase of the nine-seat Alice.
Aircraft
Embraer Won’t Let the Competition Guide its Turboprop Plans
New but conventional engines will power Embraer’s turboprop upon expected entry into service in 2028.
Aircraft
Embraer Finds Its Stride after Failed Boeing Deal
The Covid crisis and the failed sale of its commercial division has forced Embraer to sharpen its focus on efficiency and innovation.
FutureFlight
Eve Gathers Urban Air Mobility Expertise At First Advisory Board Meeting
The June 14 and 15 meeting in Lisbon drew more than 20 participants engaged in plans to develop eVTOL air services.
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.
Airports
Farnborough Airport Aims for Net-zero Emissions by 2030
Under what it calls its Net Zero Roadmap, Farnborough Airport has committed to neutralizing controllable carbon emissions by 2030.
Airports
Genav Groups Urge DOT To Address Airspace Congestion
In a letter to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, six general aviation groups ask for a meeting to discuss solutions to air traffic disruptions.
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.
Aircraft
Boeing Preaches Pragmatism in Setting Sustainability Priorities
Divergent views of hydrogen’s immediate potential have Boeing and Airbus at odds once again.
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.
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.
FutureFlight
ZeroAvia and Monte Aircraft Leasing To Retrofit 100 Aircraft with ZA600 Powerplants
Monte Aircraft Leasing’s agreement to buy 100 ZeroAvia hydrogen fuel cell powerplants accompanies plans to retrofit Cessna Caravans, DHC-6 Twin Otters, and Dornier 228s.
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.
FutureFlight
Universal Hydrogen Signs Deal to Convert 75 ATR-600s to Hydrogen Power for Connect Airlines
Massachusetts-based Connect Airlines plans to fly to Toronto Billy Bishop Airport from several U.S. cities in the Northeast and Midwest.
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.
Charter & Fractional
Embraer: Long-term eVTOL Biz Case Hinges on Autonomy
The long-term viability of the eVTOL market will depend on the ability to adapt and certify the segment’s vehicles for autonomous flight.
