Czech manufacturer Aircraft Industries (AI) is here in Dubai (Stand 1947) to show its prototype L410NG commuter aircraft, which first flew in late July. Since then, the test-flying team it has been busy with certification flights, as well as a whistle-stop series of airshow appearances and marketing promotions. Last month [October], for example, AI joined engine provider GE Aviation in exhibiti...
After seven years of development marked by repeated delays, China’s new C919 airliner is ready to start ground testing of its avionics, flight controls and hydraulics systems. It made its debut in a roll-out ceremony on November 2. Developed by state-run Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China (Comac), the narrowbody rolled off the assembly line in the manufacturer’s Shanghai factory on to...
Visitors at the Honeywell Chalet (A6) at the Dubai Air Show will be able to experience a wide range of the U.S. company’s cockpit and cabin products through virtual reality and 3D scenarios, even though the company does not have actual products on display. Among the products visitors can “experience” is the Honeywell Integrated Multi-Mode Receiver (IMMR), an all-digital naviga...
A new form of air transport for the UAE, which will add a further boost to the nation's booming tourist industry, will be launched at the Dubai Airshow today. Captain Khaled Ahmed Al-Ansari will introduce ‘Spirit of the Emirates’, a UAE national project to develop an airship as a tourist attraction. Airships are classified as ‘lighter than air’ aircraft and mix li...
Embraer and Emirates have plenty to celebrate at the Dubai Airshow this week. The airline’s rapid expansion means it has invested heavily into a new training arm, Emirates Flight Training Academy, an in-house flight school, bringing all its cadet training into one place. Earlier this week it announced a $39 million investment in new Embraer and Cirrus light aircraft, underscoring its c...
Boeing has kicked off its activities at the Dubai Airshow this week with its latest 20-year forecast for sales in the Middle East, predicting that the region's airlines will require 3,180 new aircraft between now and 2034, with an estimated value of $730 billion. In a sign that the explosive growth of the region’s airlines will continue, it predicts that 70% of this demand will be dri...
New Zealand firm Martin Aircraft is eyeing the sales opportunities for its developmental one-man jetpack in the Middle East. Appearing for the first time at the Dubai air show, Martin Aircraft is primarily focused on the first responder market in the region. Company chief executive and managing director Peter Coker says it is working to commercialise the jetpack, with the aim of a first cust...
Bombardier is showcasing its CSeries regional jet to the Dubai Airshow this week for the first time, as the aircraft prepares for 2016 service entry. Certification of the aircraft is targeted for the end of this year, with Bombardier saying in mid-October that the programme was more than 90% complete. Swiss is due to receive its first aircraft in the first half of next year. The aircraft is...
Airbus has debuted the Airbus Corporate Jet ACJ319 at the Dubai Airshow this week, which is for sale via Switzerland's 28 East Group. The interior is split into four compartments and features dining space for 12, a relaxed lounge and an aft shower. The airframer is upbeat about regional prospects for the VIP variant of its latest ‘neo’ airliner types. Initially available in A...
The Iomax Archangel, a light attack and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft now being delivered to the UAE Armed Forces for special forces support, is making its debut at the Dubai Airshow this week. Based on the airframe of the Thrush S2R-660 agricultural aircraft, the Archangel was originally known as the Block III border patrol aircraft (BPA). Some 24 Block I and...
The Antonov An-178 military transport aircraft is making its Middle East debut at the Dubai Airshow. The Antonov (stand 2210) An-178 military transport aircraft is making its Middle East debut at the Dubai Airshow. It forms the centrepiece of the Ukrainian company’s on-going effort to break into the Middle Eastern and African markets. Mykhaylo Gvozdov, Antonov’s acting preside...
The UAE Armed Forces' new Bell Model 407MRH (multi-role helicopter) has made its Dubai debut at this years air show. The 407MRH is a new military derivative of the Bell 407 developed by Abu Dhabi-based NorthStar Aviation, which is already fulfilling an order for 30 of the helicopters from the UAE armed forces. Approximately 20 have now been delivered with the remainder will arriving on...
Egypt’s Accident Investigation Committee has said its initial observation of the aircraft wreckage from the Oct. 31 MetroJet Airbus 321 crash “does not yet allow for identifying the origin of the inflight breakup.” In a report released Saturday, the committee said the debris is “scattered over a wide area more than 13 km in length, which is consistent with an inflig...
Embraer Executive Jets is closing in on its 1,000th aircraft delivery, with the milestone set to be achieved in around 11 years since the division’s launch. The Brazilian manufacturer has so far handed over 930 examples of its business aircraft since it arrived on the market in 2005 with the Phenom 100 and 300 light jets. “Next year we will be celebrating 1,000 planes in 11 years...
Estonian Air has announced that it will cease business from Nov. 8 after a European Commission (EC) ruling that it received unfair state aid. In a brief statement, the airline’s management board said it had decided to cease operations following the EC decision, which demanded that the airline, which has provided services for the small Baltic state since 1991, should pay back some €85...
Saudi Arabian flag carrier Saudia has wet-leased two Airbus A319s from Czech Airlines to increase capacity on its domestic routes as it gears up to face competitive pressures from new rivals in the Kingdom. Liberalization of Saudi Arabia’s airline sector will see Qatar Airways’ subsidiary Al Maha Airways and startup carrier SaudiGulf Airlines providing new competition for both...
Cessna’s new Citation Latitude business jet is making its Dubai Airshow debut this week in a region where the company’s similar Citation Sovereign has proven popular. Textron Aviation’s new twinjet received FAA certification this summer and European (EASA) certification is expected by the end of the year. “With one of the most comfortable and spacious cabins available in...
After three years of record jetliner orders, planemakers are bracing for a slowdown in new commitments at the Dubai Airshow which opens on Sunday under the shadow of recently falling oil prices and conflicts in the Middle East. Barring traditional show surprises, delegates attending the biennial Nov. 8-12 event predicted a drop in major commercial order announcements as Gulf airlines take stock...
Airlines Operators Association of Nepal (AOAN), a representative of the private airline companies in Nepal, has said they might halt a certain number of domestic flights on Sunday due to unavailability of aviation turbine fuel (ATF). It is the first time since the fuel crisis began that domestic airlines are on the verge of not receiving enough fuel. Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC), the onl...
This year's Dubai Airshow is going to be bigger, better and more varied than anything that has gone before, says Michele van Akelijen, managing director of show organizers F&E Aerospace. "With over 160 aircraft due to appear and the possibility of seeing UAVs taking part in the daily flying program for the first time, it's going to be an exciting event," she says. Dubai...
New Ultra Long Range Falcon 8X Set for First Deliveries in 2016, Strong Response from Middle East Dassault Aviation will present its expanding line of large-cabin long range Falcon business jets at the Dubai Air Show, which opens on November 8 at Dubai World Central. The exhibit will feature the top-of-the-line Falcon 7X, the super versatile Falcon 900LX and a mockup of the all-ne...
