50 SKY SHADES - World aviation news

United Kingdom aviation news

Dr Gary Clark to head up newly formed Airbus Helicopters UK civil business department

Dr Gary Clark, formerly Head of Vehicle Test and Integration with Airbus Helicopters, has joined Airbus Helicopters UK Ltd as Head of UK Civil Business on 1 April 2016. His experience both within Airbus Helicopters and the wider Airbus Group will strengthen the UK business, helping to support the company’s continued mission to improve customer satisfaction. Dr Clark joins the UK t...

London Heliport reports strongest upturn in movements since 2008; 500,000 movements surpassed

The London Heliport at Battersea, the capital city’s only commercially licensed heliport, achieved its best year for activity since 2008 with over 10,500 movements recorded for the year ending 31st March, 2016.  A high proportion of growth was attributable to business movements.  There was an uptick especially, in private users during 2015, including the prolific weekly dep...

This Boeing 737 Jet Engine Chair Is Fit For A Supervillain

Ever wonder what it would be like to sit inside of a Bowing 737 engine cowling? Well, probably not, but thanks to England-based Fallen Furniture, you can experience it anyway. They’ve crafted a luxurious leather 737 Cowling chair from authentic parts of military and civilian aircraft. n its original form the chair sits atop a highly polished aluminum base Stood. Not only does this support...

TAG Aviation Europe Announces New Charter Structure

TAG Aviation Europe today announced the introduction of a streamlined charter structure that aims to provide greater focus and resources to its sales organisation and advance both the growth of its Aircraft Management fleet and the development of more direct charter clients. Florent Sériès, Vice President Sales and Marketing, TAG Aviation Europe, has extended his current charter res...

Drone flights will be banned during Obama's visit to London

Transport Secretary says ban on drones is "part of the overarching security plan". Drones have been banned in parts of London while Barack Obama visits the UK this week. An advisory published by the National Air Traffic Service (NATS) and regulator the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), has put restrictions on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and other aircraft from Thursday evening on Ap...

EasyJet's founder says would oppose acquisitions after Monarch reports

European low-cost airline easyJet's founder and biggest shareholder Stelios Haji-ioannou would oppose any move by the company to make an acquisition, he said on Tuesday, following media reports that it was looking at making a bid for smaller rival Monarch. The Sunday Times newspaper said that easyJet was eyeing Monarch Airlines, one of a number of stories about Monarch to emerge in rec...

Opinion: Tragic drone strike with plane 'inevitable'

It now seems inevitable that a tragic accident involving a commercial plane with hundreds aboard and a drone is only a matter of time. The numbers are troubling with the British Airways encounter Sunday just the tip of the iceberg. Officials: Drone apparently slams into plane Last year, in the United Kingdom alone there was a quadrupling of near misses to 23 in the six month period from A...

Magnus Aviation sees 32% increase in private jet empty legs for business aviation clients

Magnus Aviation, a UK-based private jet charter business, has reported a 32% increase in the availability of empty legs on private jets in the first three months of this year compared to the same period in 2015. It has also secured 17% more empty leg placements for clients. Magnus Aviation estimates that there were around 40,900 private jet empty legs in Europe during the first quarter of this...

EasyJet announces 'shock' bid to snap up budget airline rival Monarch

  EasyJet is reportedly making a surprise takeover bid for rival British budget airline Monarch, it was reported on Sunday, 17 April. A takeover would signal a further upturn in the ailing British aviation company's fortunes after it came close to collapse in 2014, due in part to an "outdated business model" and stiff competition from rival budget airlines. Monarch –...

Drone hits plane at Heathrow airport, says pilot

Police are investigating a pilot’s claim that his plane was struck by a drone as it approached Heathrow airport. The Metropolitan police said they were contacted on Sunday afternoon by the pilot, who landed the plane safely at Terminal 5. No one has been arrested, officers said. The flight, BA727, was coming in to London from Geneva, carrying 132 passengers and five crew. British Ai...

British Airways to be the first airline to fly to St Helena

British Airways, operated by Comair, is preparing to be the first airline to fly scheduled flights to St Helena. Flights will depart Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport to St Helena and return each Saturday.   “We’re proud to have been selected to provide an airline service to the St Helena. This is an important addition to our existing routes in South...

Lufthansa A320neo visits Heathrow

Airbus A320neo launch operator Lufthansa has operated the re-engined variant's first revenue flight outside Germany. On 12 April, the Star Alliance carrier deployed its second A320neo (registration D-AINB) for a service from Frankfurt to London Heathrow. Lufthansa says the flight was a one-off intended to familiarise the airport operator with the aircraft, and the airline will contin...