France aviation news. 1665 news related to France (FR)

Airbus Helicopters begins flight testing high-compression engine demonstrator

Airbus Helicopters has completed the first flight of a lightweight, high-compression engine (HCE) on an H120 Colibri helicopter technology demonstrator. The 6 November sortie of the light-single, modified with a 4.6 litre V8 high-compression piston engine, is part of the “green rotorcraft” component of European Clean Sky initiative. The powerplant is designed to lower noise and emis...

Ethiopian Airlines first A350 XWB takes shape

The first Airbus A350-900 for Ethiopian Airlines is taking shape on the Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Toulouse, France. Ethiopian Airlines will be the first African A350 XWB operator when it takes delivery of the aircraft next year. Ethiopian Airlines will operate 14 A350 XWB of which 12 are directly purchased from Airbus and two are on lease from AerCap, including this first aircraft. &nb...

Airbus ACJ319neo wins new customer

Airbus’ ACJ319neo has won another commitment, taking total sales of the new private jet family, which includes the ACJ320neo launched earlier this year, to six aircraft. Many of the sales are repeat orders from existing customers, highlighting the appeal of the family. This will be the first ACJneo Family aircraft to be operated by K5 Aviation of Germany, which already manages three ACJ31...

Airbus Helicopters delivers the first H130 for Bhutan

The Kingdom of Bhutan, Airbus Helicopters announced the arrival of the first H130, from the proven Ecureuil family, in the Kingdom of Bhutan. This is the first of two helicopters acquired by the Royal Bhutan Helicopter Services Limited (RBHSL) to serve parapublic and commercial missions. The second H130 is expected to be delivered in June 2016. “We are thrilled to be the first to rec...

Case for A380 is 'inevitable' – Leahy

Airbus has underlined its faith in the A380, despite slower-than-desired activity and an absence of sales for the type so far this year. Chief operating officer for customers John Leahy, speaking at the Dubai air show, insisted that the “case for the A380 is inevitable”. He is confident that the type is becoming “known in the marketplace” and that a new customer could...

Airbus Helicopters speeds progress on H160

Airbus Helicopters has taken its in-development H160 twin-engined helicopter to a speed of 176kt (202km/h) during flight tests, and believes a never-exceed speed (Vne) of 180kt should be achievable. Disclosing the flight-test progress at a Dubai media briefing held at the H160 mock-up on the static display, Benoit Terral, sales promotion manager for the type, said the velocity was achieved duri...

Airbus to meet A380 sales target this year

Airbus expects to meet its target to sell 25 A380 superjumbo planes this year but it is not in talks with any potential new customer from the region. Its chief executive Fabrice Brégier added there was “no urgency” to build a more fuel-efficient version of the world’s biggest passenger aircraft because of the low oil price. “I think generally we have a target t...

Stretched A350-1000 must not be 'me too' project – Leahy

Airbus is closely examining the potential market for a larger version of the A350-1000, but wants to avoid distancing itself from the core A350 market. The airframer has been talking to a “handful” of potential customers to explore whether there is a sufficient market for an aircraft with 50-60 more seats than the -1000, says Airbus chief operating officer for customers John Leahy....

A350 works for Qatar Airways, so should also work for Emirates, Airbus chief says

The chief executive of Airbus has brushed off requests by Emirates for an A350 aircraft that copes better with hot and humid conditions. Emirates said last month that it would postpone a decision to choose between the Boeing 787-10 aircraft or Airbus A350-900 - depending on which manufacturer would work with Emirates on its requirements. “The A350-900 has much more flexibility when you...

Neo news is good news for Airbus Corporate Jets

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...

Dassault to Showcase Expanding Business Jet Family at 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...

“Shades” livery now also on new A330neo

Airbus’ A330neo is joining the A350 XWB in its distinctive cockpit windscreen design. “The A330neo complement the A350 XWB in the new Airbus Long-Range family, so it was only natural that the A330neo should have the same cockpit shades design than its larger sibling” said Eric Zanin, Head of A330 programme. The new A330neo share the latest innovations and technologies...

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