Air Transport
News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.
Accidents
Engine Explosion Aboard Southwest Airlines 737 Kills Passenger
Flight from New York to Dallas diverted to Philadelphia
Engines
FAA To Lower ETOPS Limits on Some Rolls-powered 787s
Ruling follows EASA AD calling for more frequent inspections of Package C Trent 1000s
Maintenance and Modifications
New Airbus Drone in Works for Mx Inspections
The drone-based aircraft inspection system has been demonstrated to a number of airlines and will be offered to MROs as well.
Engines
Rolls-Royce Grapples with More Trent 1000 Disruptions
Company reports need for more frequent inspections of intermediate pressure compressor blades in Package C engine
Airlines
Three Parties Bid for Alitalia but Sale Deadline Pushed Back
New wave of layoffs to start in May
Airlines
Indian Budget Carriers Hold Long-haul Aspirations
SpiceJet, IndiGo considering widebody orders
Aircraft
SAS Commits to 50 More Airbus A320neos
Scheduled to arrive from 2019 to 2023, new narrowobodies to form backbone of single-type fleet within five years
Aircraft
Lion Air To Take 50 More Boeing 737 Max 10s
$6.24 billion order marks the largest ever for the big narrowbody
Aircraft
American 787 Order Strikes another Blow to Airbus in U.S.
Deal for 47 Dreamliners accompanies cancellation of order for 22 A350s
Aircraft
China Tariffs Could Hurt More Than First Thought
Analysts’ belief that China’s proposed tariff won’t cover the 737 Max 8 might be incorrect, according to IBA Group
Aircraft
Embraer E190-E2s To Get Fully Compliant GTFs by October
Pratt & Whitney making steady progress to fix durability deficiencies in combustor liner
Aircraft
Embraer Delivers First E190-E2 to Wideroe
Norwegian airline scheduled to launch first service on April 24
Regulations and Government
Qatar–Curaçao Open Skies Deal Raises Concerns in Europe
New EU fair competition rules divide governments, aerospace industry, airlines, and airports
Airlines
Philippines AirAsia on a Roll
The low-cost carrier sees opportunity in what it characterizes as an underserved market.
Indian Government Looks To Divest Air India
The significant employee rolls are a deterrent for many buyers, analysts say.
Aircraft
Falklands Islanders Upgrading to Garmin Flight Decks
Figas awaits the Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly’s decision on buying a sixth BN2B-26 Islander.
Airlines
SpiceJet Lobbies for International Route Subsidies
Sees major demand for air travel to bordering Asian countries
Airlines
Lufthansa Eyes Asia Growth, Relauches Munich-Singapore
Five weekly flights with an A350-900 increases capacity between the two countries by 40 percent
Aircraft
Boeing 737 Chief Engineer Predicts ‘Huge Future’ for Max
Calls Max 7 ideal for high-altitude airports in China
Airlines
SIA Unveils New Interior, Plans for Boeing 787-10s
Airline investing $350 million in cabins of first twenty 787-10s on order
Airlines
Great Lakes Airlines Ceases Scheduled Service
Becomes latest regional airline casualty of U.S. pilot shortage
Aircraft
Singapore Airlines Takes First Boeing 787-10
Scheduled to enter service in May, SIA 787-10s will initially fly routes planned for Osaka, Japan, and Perth, Australia.
Aircraft
Airbus Continues To Stretch A330 Capabilities
While still in A330neo test phase, the OEM now offers a higher mtow, longer range variant
Aircraft
Second MC-21 Preparing for Flight Test
Assembly complete, airplane moved to Irkut’s flight line
Aircraft
Boeing Won't Appeal ITC Ruling on C Series
Bombardier calls decision “good news” for the aerospace industry and flying public
Airlines
Boeing Promotes Aviation Biofuel in Africa
Teams with several stakeholders to identify and develop feed stocks on the continent
Airlines
ERA Tackles Brexit, Pax Rights Issues
Europe’s regional airlines still must emphasize their vital importance to the wider European economy.
Accidents
Saratov Airlines Forced To Ground An-148s
Russian aviation authority Rostransnadzor cites safety concerns stemming from investigation into the airline's February 11 crash.
Aircraft
Boeing Delivers First 737 Max 9
First operator Thai Lion Air plans to use the 220-seat narrowbody to develop international services
Airlines
Ryanair To Partner With Niki Lauda To Build LaudaMotion
Irish low-fare carrier to support fleet of Airbus narrowbodies
