Mexican low-cost carrier Volaris plans to launch a subsidiary airline in Costa Rica to allow it to expand its route network into South America. “We are trying to obtain an AOC [air operator’s certificate] in Costa Rica,”Volaris chief executive Enrique Beltranena tells Flightglobal. “That process is moving well ahead.” The airline embarked on the p...
Leading Austrian operator Tyrolean Jet Services (TJS) received San Marino AOC and has created a new subsidiary TJS San Marino, which is 100% owned by Tyrolean Jet Services Group. The operator's certificate and the new company introduced the first business jet - Gulfstream G650 (T7-AZG). Aeronautical authorities of San Marino have introduced a new aircraft register in partnership with Am...
MC Aviation Partners ("MCAP") announced today that it has commenced the lease of one used Trent-powered Boeing B777-200ER to Russian operator VIM Airlines. VIM Airlines was founded in 2002 and is based in Moscow Domodedovo Airport. It operates a fleet of ten Airbus A319-111 and Boeing B757-200 on regular and charter flights to domestic and international destinations.
Sikorsky's first CH-53K King Stallion has achieved speeds of 120kts as the heavy-lift helicopter development project presses forward with flight envelope expansion and adds a second test aircraft to the mix. The Lockheed Martin-owned rotorcraft manufacturer says its second triple-engine giant achieved flight on 22 January, and the two developmental aircraft have logged 35 flight hours since...
The Singapore Airlines Group has built a portfolio that it hopes appeals to nearly every kind of passenger — luxury, business, economy or budget — and its changing strategy in Asia highlights the growing importance of the region to global carriers. Singapore Airlines seeks to grow its ultra long-haul routes (those longer than 12 hours) during the next few years but it isn’t sl...
Airbus Helicopters has signed a contract with Japan Coast Guard (JCG) for the purchase of an additional H225. JCG, which already operates five H225s, has ordered this additional aircraft as part of its fleet renewal plans. The helicopter is scheduled for delivery by the end of 2018. This H225 will be equipped with the most advanced search and rescue mission systems and operated in security enfo...
Government rules restricting foreign ownership in the Indian defence sector to 49 percent are undermining New Delhi's drive to lure greater investment in manufacturing, a senior executive at European conglomerate Airbus Group said on Monday. Pierre de Bausset, president of Airbus Group India, said his company needed to own a majority share in joint ventures to justify more investment and th...
Bell Helicopter announced that Genel Havacılık A.Ş. is nearing completion of its application to become appointed as a Bell Helicopter Authorized Customer Service Facility (CSF) in Turkey. “Bringing on Genel Havacılık as an authorized CSF reinforces our commitment to enhancing the regional support customers need to continue their operations,” said Jakub Hoda, Bell Helicopte...
It was a proud moment for Darwin pilot Dean Ham as he landed the first passenger jet from the Northern Territory at Australia’s newest airport in Toowoomba, South-East Queensland, on Friday. The historic Airnorth flight preceded the start of direct services from Toowoomba to Melbourneon Monday and Toowoomba to Cairns services on Tuesday. Melbourne becomes the 25th destination for Airno...
Metro Aviation has committed to buy six EC145e e-lite helicopters. The EC145 e-lite is the utility variant developed to provide greater useful load by reducing or simplifying some of the onboard systems. Metro have now sold the first of these to Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta, and will carry out the completion work including air conditioning, HeliSAS and specialty pediatric care equi...
A badger on an airport runway forced a passenger plane to abort its landing. The flight from Gatwick to Newquay was an estimated 300ft (90m) off the ground when the wild animal was spotted. Passenger Pete Atkinson said there was a tense five-minute gap between the aircraft climbing sharply away from the runway and the pilot announcing the badger's presence. The airport said it was a c...
Boeing Co. has been investing heavily in its 777-X and other transition programs, developing new facilities, and signing contracts for the plane’s different parts. The strategic decision has forced the aircraft manufacturer to lower its 2016 production guidance as well; it has revised down the outlook from 765 aircraft to a 740-745 range. The company aims to shift its focus toward its new...
New Zealand company Airwork recently ordered its 100th LTS101-850B-2 engine from Honeywell. Airwork NZ offers a Eurocopter BK117 engine upgrade program swapping out LTS101-750 engines for the higher power -850 variant, an STC which is widely seen in the Pacific Rim. New Zealand CAA approval was given in May 2010, followed by EASA approval 2012, and the upgraded aircraft is marketed as the BK117...
One of the world’s shortest commercial flights is Loganair’s Westray and Papa Westray flight, which takes anywhere from 75 to 180 seconds, depending on wind conditions. The record for the fastest flight is 53 seconds. The distance between Westray Airport (WRY) and Papa Westray Airport (PPW) is slightly more than a mile, and standing at one airport, you ca...
The pilot and sole occupant of a King Air 200 that crashed into a FlightSafety International (FSI) simulator building at Wichita Mid-Continent Airport (ICT) on Oct. 30, 2014 responded incorrectly to a decrease in power from the twin turboprop’s left engine on takeoff, according to the NTSB’s probable cause report. The aircraft was headed to Mena Intermountain Municipal Airport (MEZ)...
Royal Brunei Airlines has introduced its first all-female pilot crew. Captain Sharifah Czarena and senior first officers Sariana Nordin and Dk Nadiah Pg Khashiem were pictured in the cockpit of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner before their inaugural flight on February 23, which is Brunei's National Day. The trio made their maiden flight together from...
Key business jet market indicators, measured by a monthly UBS Business Jet Market Index survey, point to a weakening global market and have fallen back to levels tracked in 2008-2009, the latest index said. The UBS Business Jet Market Index, released March 10, tracks changes in market conditions through surveys of domestic and international brokers/dealers, manufacturers, fractional providers,...
Airbus sold two A320s in February. That's better than zero -- but it rounds down to zero. In soccer, 2-2 is a pretty exciting game. In airplane sales -- not so much. Yet it just happens to be the score that airplane-building archrivals Boeing and Airbus racked up last month. For four long weeks (up until last week), Boeing had very little to say about its airplane sales. In fact, I...
Pillsbury announced that it is applying for a license to open an office in Hong Kong as part of the firm’s long-term strategy to extend its reach in China. Prominent aviation finance lawyer Paul Jebely will lead the firm’s highly ranked Transportation Finance practice in Asia and play a key role building the new office once a license is obtained. Jebely comes to Pillsbury from the Hong...
Ethiopian Airlines Cargo is set to operate 12 full cargo flights a week out of Brussels Airport starting from 26 March. In recent weeks, the airport has been conducting intensive talks with the carrier about returning to Brussels Airport after the Federal Government had inked a new bilateral agreement with Ethiopia, enabling the carrier to undertake direct flights from Belgium to Dubai, Shanghai a...
Delta Air Lines has entered into a codeshare partnership with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Jet Airways to provide convenient connections for passengers to and from key destinations across North America to the Indian Subcontinent via Amsterdam. Effective March 27, 2016, Jet Airways, India’s premier international airline, will launch daily non-stop flights from Amsterdam to each t...
