UK airports had their busiest ever summer last year, collectively handling 78m passengers, and the indicators are that 2015 as a whole was the busiest year on record. London City Airport certainly had a record-breaking year, with 18 per cent growth in passengers to 4.3m. More people than ever are taking to the skies and generating wealth for the UK economy in doing so – passengers travell...
FlightSafety International announces that its simulator for the Sikorsky S-76C+™ and S-76C++™ located in Singapore has been qualified to Level D by the United States Federal Aviation Administration. The facility has also been approved to provide FAA PART 142 training under FlightSafety’s single certificate. “We are pleased to announce that training for the Sikorsky S-76C...
Reaction to the new Lufthansa A320neo layout, including two more rows of seats and the Space-Flex v2 galley/lav combo, has been impressively loud and negative. While the forward half of the plane offers a smidgen more space for business class passengers, the back of the fuselage – where the SpaceFlex kit makes its mark – sees the opposite effect. Reduced pitch, limited overhead bin spa...
Major assembly of the first Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner is underway, the latest major milestone in the development of the newest member of the super-efficient 787 family. Boeing partner Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. began installing the circular frames into the midforward section of the fuselage on March 14, a full two weeks ahead of schedule. "Beginning major assembly early under...
In a meeting held on March 13, 2016, Royal Jordanian’s Board of Directors, presided by Chairman Suleiman Hafez, endorsed the company’s audited financial results. The figures show that Royal Jordanian registered a net profit before tax of JD21 million in 2015, while in 2014 it had registered JD49.5 million net losses before tax. The net profit after tax reached JD16 million, while in...
French investigators have revealed the first officer of a Dassault Falcon 7X used an escape technique picked up from bombing exercises to regain control of the jet during a trim runaway event on 24 May 2011, which later resulted in the temporary, worldwide grounding of the long-range trijet fleet. The aircraft’s trimmable horizontal stabiliser moved from its neutral position to 12° do...
Bombardier Business Aircraft has teamed with SmartSky to offer the SmartSky 4G LTE-based network on in-service Learjets, Challengers and Globals. Bombardier’s service center network will sell and install the equipment for SmartSky 4G, a new network that is set to become operational later this year. SmartSky uses 4G beamforming technology and 60MHz of spectrum on an air-to-ground platform to...
Boeing, Air Europa and SMBC Aviation Capital are celebrating the delivery of the carrier's first Boeing 787 Dreamliner today. Air Europa leased its first 787 through an agreement with SMBC Aviation Capital. The delivery is also the first Dreamliner to SMBC Aviation Capital. The newest addition to Air Europa's fleet will touch down in Madrid on March 16th followin...
This year’s Asian Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (ABACE) should provide important insight into the extent business aviation can pin its aspirations on emerging markets such as China. As it has in the past, the Shanghai Hawker Pacific Business Aviation Service Centre at Shanghai Hongqiao Airport will host the show, which takes place from April 12 to 14. The slowdown i...
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...
