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&nbsp;New Jersey Monthly&nbsp;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&nbsp;Aviation International News&nbsp;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.

Senior Editor

Gregory Polek

Boeing has suspended all parts deliveries and support for its airplanes in Russia as the U.S. followed the European Union in banning all flights from Russia from its airspace starting Wednesday. On Monday a Boeing spokesperson told AIN it had closed its operations center in Kyiv and paused operations at its Moscow training center, and that it would adhere to all global laws and regulations.

 


In an updated statement on Wednesday, Boeing added it has suspended “major” operations in Moscow. “We are also suspending parts, maintenance, and technical support services for Russian airlines,” it said. “As the conflict continues, our teams are focused on ensuring the safety of our teammates in the region.”

 


In a separate statement to AIN, Airbus on Monday said it continued to monitor the situation closely but called any comment in detail about the effect of sanctions on the industry “premature.”

 


While Russian carriers operate more than 700 Western-built aircraft, Airbus said its backlog exposure stands at 14 A350s to Aeroflot and about 40 A220- and A320-family narrowbodies due for delivery through lessors. &nbsp;

 


Although Western countries have not yet prohibited imports of titanium from Russia, OEMs must brace for the possible interruption of Russian export of the vital material. Sources close to Boeing, which imports roughly a third of its titanium from Russia, told AIN that the company would not feel any immediate effect from any interruption of delivery of the metal because it had stockpiled a surplus during the pause in deliveries of Boeing 787s and a period of low output of Boeing 737 Max narrowbodies and 777 widebodies.

 


Airbus, which gets about two-thirds of its titanium from Russia, told AIN that it is “protected in the short/medium term” because it considers geopolitical risks in its titanium sourcing policies.

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Boeing Ends Parts Supply, Support for Russian Customers

Following the closure of its Moscow training center, Boeing cuts off virtually all support channels to Russian airlines.

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News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

Australian start-up is developing a hydrogen-powered aircraft

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Hanneke Weitering

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News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Jo Damato and Andrew Broom assume additional responsibilities

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Honda's secretive eVTOL program picks up steam

FAA Greenlights Honda eVTOL Flight Tests

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