All air transport news – Page 317
-
AnalysisMixed fortunes for Airbus and Boeing in first half amid sharp declines
Combined deliveries by Airbus and Boeing have declined by more than half during the first six months of 2020 to just 266 aircraft, compared with 2019. Meanwhile the overall order intake has collapsed into a negative tally, although this is driven by a raft of cancellations for the Boeing 737 Max.
-
NewsBoeing’s deliveries tumble in first half of 2020, Max cancellations climb
Boeing delivered 10 commercial aircraft in June, bringing to 70 the number of jets it delivered in the first half of 2020, down 71% from 239 deliveries in the same six-month period last year.
-
In depth737 Max certification remains urgent for Boeing even as new-jet demand sags
Among Boeing’s various challenges, getting the 737 Max certificated still takes top prize – even though the coronavirus downturn has eroded demand for new jets
-
NewsStability tests conducted on proposed An-124 successor
Researchers have analysed low-speed behaviour of a proposed successor to the Antonov An-124 heavy freighter, and are set to assess its aerodynamics in cruise. The proposed aircraft, dubbed ‘Slon’, would be powered by Aviadvigatel PD-35 engines, and have a payload capability of 180t and a range of 3,800nm. Using a ...
-
NewsWizz Air’s Abu Dhabi division sets out initial route network
Wizz Air’s new Middle Eastern operation is to focus initially on the eastern Mediterranean and Caucasus when it commences services in October. The new venture, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, will station two Airbus A321neo in the United Arab Emirates capital. But this fleet will be expanded to six aircraft in ...
-
NewsGovernment tries to divide SAA pilots as creditor vote looms
South Africa’s government is appealing to individual South African Airways pilots to break from their union’s position and accept voluntary severance packages, as the beleaguered airline faces a critical creditor vote on its proposed rescue. Cockpit union SAAPA has put forward alternative proposals intended to reduce retrenchments and increase the ...
-
NewsEl Al faces class-action suit alleging unpaid ticket refunds
Israeli flag-carrier El Al is facing a lawsuit over allegations that it failed to reimburse customers for cancelled flights, and did not inform the public about their right to receive a refund. The class-action suit has been brought before a district court by all passengers who were due to fly ...
-
NewsCR929 faces delays amid Beijing, Moscow differences
Russia has disclosed that the Sino-Russian CR929 widebody programme will make its first delivery in 2028-2029, in what appears to be another round of delays in the programme’s production timeline. Russian media reports cite Irkut chief Ravil Khakimov as saying that the delivery timeline will move to the right, ...
-
NewsAmerican pilots review Boeing’s latest Max training draft
American Airlines’ pilot union is now reviewing Boeing’s latest 737 Max pilot training draft – a document the union describes as vastly more thorough than previous drafts.
-
NewsSAA pilots seeking ‘unaffordable’ staff retention: government
South African Airways pilots have sought to more than halve the proposed number of employee retrenchments, and instead retain almost 3,100 personnel for the carrier’s relaunch, according to the country’s government. But the proposal has been dismissed by the department of public enterprises, which insists it is “not prepared to ...
-
OpinionWhy Comac is playing long game with ARJ21
Measuring the success of China’s first domestically developed regional jet is not as easy as it seems.
-
NewsLaminar-flow nacelle being explored for PD-35 engine
Russian researchers are exploring the use of laminar flow to improve the aerodynamic efficiency of nacelles for the planned Aviadvigatel PD-35 engine. The PD-35 is a higher-thrust evolution of the PD-14 – the powerplant for the Irkut MC-21 – and intended for the proposed Russian-Chinese long-haul CRAIC CR929 twinjet. Aviadvigatel ...
-
NewsAir China completes its maiden ARJ21 service
Air China has completed its maiden flight of a Comac ARJ21 regional jet on the domestic routing from Beijing Capital airport to Xilinhot.
-
NewsPilots’ dual-control obstructed A320’s collision-avoidance manoeuvres
Dual-control inputs from a Condor Airbus A320’s pilots badly obstructed its response to collision-avoidance orders during a low-altitude conflict, investigators have determined. The incident culminated in a serious air-proximity encounter and a terrain alert, shortly after departure from Kavala airport in Greece on 16 August 2018. After the aircraft (D-AICD) ...
-
NewsCanadian aerospace groups appeal for federal aid
The Canadian aerospace industry is appealing for federal aid after the Canadian government released an economic stabilisation plan that makes no mention of the aerospace sector.
-
NewsTentative Icelandair cabin crew deal falls through
Cabin crew members at Icelandair Group have voted against a provisional collective bargaining agreement that was struck between the airline and flight attendant union FFI in June. The carrier says it will “evaluate its options” after union members “declined” the pact, an important part of its restructuring plan. Icelandair has ...
-
NewsRolls-Royce clears parked 787 backlog after Trent 1000 blade progress
Rolls-Royce has eliminated the backlog of Boeing 787s grounded while they await maintenance in relation to Trent 1000 blade-durability issues. The powerplant manufacturer had expected to reduce the number of 787s awaiting work to single digits by the end of the second quarter of this year. Rolls-Royce says the clearance ...
-
AnalysisForget batteries, is hydrogen the holy grail for carbon-free commercial aviation?
While full-electric power may be feasible for short-range urban air mobility designs, a different energy source will be required for larger commercial jets.
-
NewsCoronavirus outbreak scuppers proposal to develop Manila airport
A group of local conglomerates have withdrawn their proposal to develop Manila Ninoy Aquino International airport, citing the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on the aviation industry Known as the NAIA consortium, the group comprises entities from at least six local conglomerates. Among them are JG Summit Holdings and LT ...
-
NewsRolls-Royce lays out expectations for ‘subdued’ long-haul market
Rolls-Royce is expecting widebody engine flying hours to recover to around 70% of last year’s levels during 2021, while engine deliveries will remain depressed. It forecasts a 55% overall decline in engine flying hours for widebody aircraft over the course of this year, after a 50% drop in the first ...