DARPA has awarded a contract to Aurora Flight Sciences to develop the agency's newest unpiloted vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft. The new "X-plane" concept (no, not that X-plane) will reach speeds of 400 knots and carry cargo loads of at least 40 percent of the plane's expected 10,000- to 12,000-pound gross weight, all while beating the efficiency of its predecessor,...
An Air Astana captain was fired Friday after he failed a drug test and was discovered to have a bag of marijuana on him following a flight to Kazakhstan. According to Olzhas Auyezov of Reuters.com, the unnamed Air Astana pilot had just arrived in Almaty, Kazakhstan, from Moscow, Russia, on an Airbus 320 when a drug-sniffing dog became suspicious of him during a routine security check at Almaty...
On March 3, 2016, Air China announced at a press conference held in Chongqing that it would start Chongqing-Dubai service on April 2, 2016. The nonstop service will be the first of the kind from Chongqing to Dubai, and also Air China’s second international link to the Middle East following the launch of its Beijing-Dubai service. It takes passengers just 7 hours to get to a city of chic stan...
Painting of the first U.S.-built A321 has been completed as it emerged from the paintshop in Mobile, Alabama in its JetBlue livery. This latest milestone shows that the first aircraft to be produced at the Airbus U.S. Manufacturing Facility is progressing well on its route to first flight and delivery in spring 2016. The aircraft painting was achieved by MAAS Aviation. The company is re...
Aeropodium and Air Link Atlantic are honoured to announce the launch of the Aero Expo Panama Pacifico to be held on April 21-22, 2016 in Panama. Panama Pacifico International Airport is the platinum sponsor and official host of this major event in Panama City. Exhibition and sponsorship packages are available offering unique branding opportunities and exposure to the regional market.&...
French investigators have detailed an incident in which an Air France Airbus A320 took avoiding action after encountering an unmanned aerial vehicle near Paris. The aircraft (F-GKXT) had been operating a service from Barcelona on 19 February and had been descending for an approach to Paris Charles de Gaulle’s runway 26L. French investigation authority BEA states that the A320...
Airbus will spare no effort to be the dominant player in China, with its president and CEO pledging a personal commitment to the manufacturer's partnerships in the country. Speaking to the media ahead of the groundbreaking of its A330 completion and delivery centre in Tianjin, the manufacturer’s first outside of its European home ground, Airbus chief Fabrice Bregier says he first moot...
Organisers of the Middle East and North Africa Business Aviation Association (MEBAA) 2017 have announced a new location at Marrakesh Menara Airport, from 12-13 September. The 2015 edition saw 2033 visitors over its two-day run, viewing offerings from 57 exhibitors including the leading players in the business aviation market. It was during this show that discussions with the Moroccan government...
Fourth quarter delivery numbers for Embraer's business jet division were mostly as expected in today's announced financial results, while deliveries of commercial jets (25 light and 20 large jets – 101 deliveries for all of 2015) surpassed its overall annual guidance for 2015. Embraer Executive Jets delivered 82 light jets and 38 large jets throughout 2015, meeting its projections fr...
Gama Aviation has been awarded the International Standard for Business Aircraft Handling (IS-BAH) at its Sharjah FBO. The accreditation, made by the International Business Aviation Council, is the first for a Middle East-based FBO. “I am delighted that the Gama Sharjah FBO is setting the standard for quality within the Middle East. It’s a tribute to the hard work of our staff and...
Embraer is showcasing two of its executive jets at the fourth edition of Abu Dhabi Air Expo, slated for March 08 to 10 in the United Arab Emirates capital. The event will be held at the Al Bateen Airport, which handles executive flights, featuring manufacturers, airlines, pilot schools, executive aviation services and airport operators. Embraer said in a press release that the Middle East is on...
FlightPartner has released its latest software, V2, a B2B air charter marketplace. The software offers an advanced search engine allowing complex trip builds, an accurate instant quote and complete internal payment processing. The new release allows a sale to be closed immediately, rather than have user switch between tools to complete the transaction. “We are extreme...
