The world’s largest passenger jet could get a lot more crowded after Airbus revealed a new seating plan that would squeeze as many as 70 additional travellers on board and create a dreaded middle, middle seat in economy class. If an airline adopts the arrangement, so-called ‘cattle class’ on the A380 would be realigned with 11 passengers in almost every row in a 3-5-3 configur...
Airbus Helicopters earlier this year passed an important milestone in the development of the high-speed, compound helicopter demonstrator currently being built as part of the Clean Sky 2 European research programme. A mockup of the breakthrough airframe design has just undergone windtunnel testing in an Airbus facility. The tests proved the viability of the chosen design in terms of efficiency, su...
Airbus is sticking to 2016 delivery targets despite a slow start caused by supplier problems, but is having to fall back on an older version of its best-selling jet to make up for delays in the A320neo, executives said. Deliveries fell 7 percent in the first quarter after problems at engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney left about two dozen A320neo jets without engines, creating what its ope...
Delta Air Lines has become the launch customer for Airbus’ “Prognostics and Risk Management” solution following a successful year-long collaboration between the Airbus and the airline. The web-based application is part of the Smarter Fleet ‘big data’ solutions platform developed by Airbus in partnership with IBM. Jim Jackson, Manager of Predictive Maintenance Engin...
Cathay Pacific Airways has become the sixth airline to operate the world’s latest and most efficient twin engine widebody airliner. The airline’s first aircraft featuring the carrier’s new livery has arrived at its home base in Hong Kong. Cathay Pacific has configured its A350-900 with a premium three class layout with a total of 280 seats, comprising 38 in Business Class, con...
Airbus had "let itself be persuaded by some well-known European leaders into using an engine made by an inexperienced consortium". Airbus chief Tom Enders conceded in a newspaper interview on Sunday that some of the "massive problems" dogging the European airplane manufacturer's new military transporter, the A400M, were of the group's own making. "We un...
Union activists disrupted the Marseille airport Friday and halted activity at half of the country's oil refineries in protests over changes to France's labor system, but nationwide gasoline shortages eased slightly after government intervention. Tensions let up slightly Friday after one-day strikes and protests Thursday pitting unions against the Socialist government and leaving many dr...
French aerospace firm Airbus has filed a patent for a revolutionary new 3D printing process that would make it possible to print out an entire aircraft's exteriors in one go from multiple metals – a feat that is definitely not possible today. 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is a new technology that enables industries to manufacture materials much faster than the tra...
Aviation master Airbus has just unveiled the new must-have luxury helicopter for the billionaire and celebrity set. The $22 million H160 VIP is a super-luxe variant of the world's most technologically advanced chopper, and it's a veritable Maybach for the skies. It's based on the H160, the world's first all-composite civil helicopter, a lightweight whirlybird that can...
The six H130s operate scheduled flights between Monaco and Nice. More than 15,000 passengers transported since start of operations in January. Monacair has received the last H130 of a contract for six units signed in September 2015. Like the previous five aircraft, the new helicopter will join the regular scheduled flight service that Monacair has set up between Monaco He...
Airbus has added Jet Aviation and its MRO facilities to its ACJ Service Centre network, enhancing choice and geographical reach for its corporate jet customers and operators around the world. The expanded network comprises companies that are owned or controlled by Airbus, as well as independent ones that it has approved. Its capabilities include line and heavy maintenance, cabin-refurbishing, a...
During a ceremony at the Palais de l'Elysée today in Paris, attended by French President François Hollande, Safran Aircraft Engines and Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance (AFI KLM E&M, part of the Air France-KLM group) signed a Memorandum of Understanding concerning the creation of a joint company dedicated to the repair of aircraft engine compressor blad...
