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Philippine Airlines and Lufthansa Technik sign Total component maintenance contract

Philippine Airlines and Lufthansa Technik AG have signed a five-year Total Component Maintenance (TCM) contract for the Airline’s Airbus  A320 and A340 Fleet. The services will be extended end of 2016 to support additional Airbus 320s operated by Philippine Airlines. Lufthansa Technik will support Philippine Airlines at its main base in Manila, the Component Service o...

First A320neo delivery opens new era in commercial aviation

The Lufthansa Group, Airbus’ largest airline customer and operator, marks a major step in aviation history today by taking delivery of the first A320neo, the world’s best-selling and most fuel efficient single aisle aircraft. Equipped with all new technology Pratt & Whitney PurePower® Geared Turbofan™ engines, the A320neo sets a new, even higher standard in aircraft ef...

Aviastar-SP to upgrade three An-124 Ruslan transport aircraft

Russian aircraft manufacturer Aviastar-SP, based in Ulyanovsk, will upgrade three Antonov An-124 Ruslan (NATO reporting name: Condor) heavy transport planes, the manufacturer’s press office told TASS on Tuesday in a message. "Under a government contract, Aviastar-SP JSC will modernize three An-124 planes - one in 2016 and two in 2017," the message says. According to the press...

Etihad Airways named Business Airline of the Year at 2016 Business Travel Awards

Etihad Airways has been named Business Airline of the Year at the 2016 Business Travel Awards. The ceremony was held last night at the Grosvenor House Hotel on London’s Park Lane. The Business Travel Awards recognise the extraordinary achievements of the most deserving organisations and individuals in the business travel industry.   The awards, organised by Buying Business Travel M...

A340 testbed visits Darwin for ice crystals detection trials

An Airbus A340 testbed is currently operating out of Darwin Airport in search of icing conditions in tropical thunderstorms as part of a flight test campaign to trial new technologies developed to detect icing conditions. A340-300 F-WWAI – in fact A340 MSN1, the original A340 flight test development aircraft, which first flew in October 1991 – arrived in Darwin on January 11 and is...

What severe turbulence looks like inside an airplane

An hour into their trip from Tokyo to Auckland on an Air New Zealand airplane, passengers aboard this flight experienced severe turbulence, the kind that makes you worry about your life. Turbulence hit right during dinner service and the results look just like the aftermath of a massive party in an Airbnb rental. It’s not quite as intense as these videos of scary airplane landings we hope to...

Iran's First Big Purchase: 114 Airbus Jetliners

Tehran has for months telegraphed its intention to purchase new commercial aircraft to update its aging jetliner fleet just as soon as economic sanctions against the country were lifted. Iranian Transport Minister Abbas Akhoundi made good on that promise Saturday, telling state media that Iran will purchase 114 jets from Airbus Group  EADSY 0.79% , just hours before the process of formally ro...

Meet the Icon A5, the Sports Plane That Costs Less Than an SUV

Exotic supercars? Luxury powerboats? Whatever. This new two-seat aircraft is the most fun you can have on land, sea, or in the air. In the annals of cinematic foreplay, there are few greater scenes than Pierce Brosnan's tandem glider flight with Rene Russo in 1999's The Thomas Crown Affair. Russo shrieks, giggles, and gasps—and that's before Brosnan hands her his joystick. (In...

Brooklyn men sue American Airlines over alleged Muslim discrimination

Four Brooklyn men have filed a $9 million federal lawsuit claiming they were racially profiled as Muslims and kicked off a flight from Toronto to New York. The four men from Brighton Beach were among six friends that had traveled to Toronto in December. Two of the friends, Shan Anand and Faimul Alam, said they each paid $75 to switch planes so they could all return home together on the same...

Bombardier’s All-new C Series Aircraft Program Starts Ramp-up to Full Production

Airfinance Conference Dublin 2016 – Bombardier Commercial Aircraft announced today that its all-new C Series aircraft program has begun the ramp-up to full production. The final assembly facility is fully equipped and production is progressing according to plan with aircraft in various stages of the build sequence. Additionally, Bombardier also confirmed that the CS100 aircraft that is sched...

50 Fokker aircraft transactions in 2015

Fokker Technologies, a division of GKN Aerospace, announces that a total of 50 Fokker aircraft were sold to 10 existing Fokker operators and 3 new operators during 2015 by their respective aircraft owners. These comprise 5 Fokker 50s, 20 Fokker 70s and 25 Fokker 100s. ‘Low operating costs, comprehensive support and more flexible Rolls-Royce Tay engine support solutions remain th...

Private jet flights to Davos soar by a third

The number of private business flights landing at the three airports nearest to Davos was 35pc higher last January – and could rise even more this year. The number of private jets landing in east Switzerland's main airports is expected to jump by a third this month as world leaders, executives and entrepreneurs descend on Davos for the annual World Economic Forum. Last January, 1,3...

Nut-rage incident prompts South Korea to amend aviation law

South Korea has introduced a new “anti-nut rage” law, prompted by an angry outburst by the daughter of Korean Air’s boss over a bag of macadamias. The revised aviation law, which drastically toughens punishments on unruly passengers, was a direct result of the “nut rage” incident involving Cho Hyun-Ah in December 2014, the transport ministry said. “Th...

Daniel Christe appointed CEO of TAG Aviation Europe

Daniel Christe has been appointed chief executive officer of TAG Aviation Europe. He has replaced Christof Späth, who has stepped down from the role due to personal circumstances. “I am very enthusiastic to take the lead of TAG Aviation Europe which enjoys an unrivaled reputation in the business aviation industry.” Daniel Christe said: “I am very enthusiastic to take t...

Thai launches codeshare with Oman Air

Thai Airways International Public Company Limited will codeshare with Oman Air for flights between Bangkok and Muscat, Oman. Mr. Charamporn Jotikasthira, Thai President, said Thai is pleased to offer additional flights and services for passengers from Bangkok and Muscat, Oman through our newest codeshare partner Oman Air. Starting 25 January 2016, Thai will now be able to offer additional fligh...

Moody's: Strong sector performances support positive outlook for aircraft lessors

Continued increase in air travel will benefit aircraft lessors this year but slower economic growth in key markets and increased competition will limit further profitability gains, said Moody’s Investors Service. Moody’s said its outlook for aircraft lessors is positive over the coming 12 to 18 months. The ratings agency expects that growth in air travel, strong airline operating pe...

Virgin Australia To Codeshare On Singapore Airlines’ New Canberra Services

Virgin Australia has welcomed today’s announcement that Singapore Airlines will introduce direct international services from Canberra to Singapore and Wellington from September 2016. As part of the alliance between the two airlines, Virgin Australia will codeshare on Singapore Airlines flights between Canberra and Singapore, providing Virgin Australia customers with greater access to Asia...

ST Aerospace wins $415m of new contracts in Q4 2015

Singapore Technologies Engineering (ST Aerospace) said it secured contracts worth S$415m ($285m) in the fourth quarter of 2015, rising from S$310m ($216m) in Q4 2014. In its quarterly report released today (January 19), ST Aerospace said some of the contracts included line and heavy maintenance agreements for customers supporting Airbus, Boeing and McDonnell Douglas aircraft types, as well as c...

Stonebriar delivers $9.8m debt financing

Stonebriar Commercial Finance (SCF) has provided a $9.8m, 60 month term loan refinancing for a 15 year old Bombardier Global Express business jet. The borrower is a leading aviation company that provides a wide array of turnkey aviation solutions to an extensive and diverse client base of corporations, governments, and individuals throughout the world. Michael Amalfitano, EVP, senior managin...

Coming soon: 8 brand new private jets worth waiting for

Hold it! If you are about to looking at new private jets with the intention to buy, it may be worth waiting for one of the newest models coming on to the market in the next few years. Despite a tough market, aircraft manufacturers have invested in new private jets and have upgraded existing ones to give prospective buyers plenty of options. Corporate Jet Investor has rounded-up of list of new p...

UK eyes potential for in-flight refuelling of helicopters

The UK is exploring options for its transport rotorcraft, including in-flight refuelling, as it looks to extend the operational range of its fleet in line with commitments in a recent defence review. Released in November, the Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) promised the UK would "upgrade helicopters and transport aircraft so we can deploy further, faster and independently, to...