All articles by David Kaminski-Morrow – Page 53
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NewsIsrair pays deposit to advance Smartwings acquisition talks
Israir Group has paid a €500,000 ($544,000) deposit in favour of Chinese firm CITIC Group, as part of the Israeli operator’s negotiations to take over Czech airline Smartwings. CITIC is linked to the Chinese economics ministry and holds just over 49.9% of Smartwings. Israir Group has been negotiating with Smartwings’ ...
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NewsSAS’s pandemic aid to undergo renewed European Commission scrutiny
Scandinavian operator SAS’s recapitalisation by the Swedish and Danish governments, carried out during the pandemic, is to be scrutinised under an in-depth European Commission investigation. Although the measure – worth around SKr11 billion ($1 billion) – was previously approved by the Commission in August 2020, this approval was annulled by ...
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NewsAirbus's second 'Wing of Tomorrow' to undergo structural tests at new Filton facility
Airbus is preparing to conduct a destructive test of an experimental wing as part of a technologies initiative, as it opens a new facility at its UK site in Filton dedicated to future wing research. The facility – known as the Wing Technology Development Centre – will focus on constructing ...
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NewsAir Inuit to replace 737-200s with combi-configured 737-800s
Canadian operator Air Inuit is to introduce three Boeing 737-800s to modernise its fleet, which includes 737-200 variants. The carrier says it has ratified an agreement to take the aircraft which will be configured in a combi passenger and freight layout. “Addition of these aircraft to our fleet enhances our ...
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NewsFatal Queensland mountain-crash PA-28 pilot was unlicensed trainee
Australian investigators probing the fatal crash of a Piper PA-28 in mountainous terrain in Queensland have found the pilot did not hold any licence qualifying them to operate the aircraft. The pilot had undertaken training at a flying school and completed just over 30h of instruction – including 5h solo ...
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NewsLuxair starts 737 Max introduction with ex-Air Italy jet
Luxembourg’s flag-carrier, Luxair, has introduced its first Boeing 737 Max, as it embarks on further fleet modernisation. The aircraft (LX-LBL), powered by CFM International Leap-1B engines, was originally delivered in 2018 to Air Italy. Air Italy was a short-lived joint-venture between Qatar Airways and Alisarda, which used a 737 ...
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NewsAirbus rolls out sixth and final BelugaXL transport
Airbus has rolled out the sixth and final example of its BelugaXL high-capacity transport, designed to fly aerostructures between the airframer’s manufacturing facilities. The BelugaXL – formally designated the A330-700L – is a heavily-modified A330, developed to replace the older A300-600ST Beluga fleet. Airbus operated five Belugas and originally intended ...
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NewsIAG firms more options on Airbus single-aisle jets
British Airways and Iberia parent IAG is converting options on another 10 Airbus A320neos into firm orders. The company states that the aircraft will be delivered in 2028. IAG says they will replace older A320-family jets, adding that it has the option to take some of the additional aircraft as ...
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NewsTwo fatalities after gunfire incident at Moldova’s main airport
Moldova’s Chisinau international airport has been the scene of a fatal firearms incident, according to the country’s interior ministry. The shooting on 30 June resulted in two fatalities – the ministry indicates that the individuals were “on duty” at the time, but has not given further information regarding the location. ...
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In depthFive years an Airbus: How the ‘little’ A220 transitioned to the big league
For an aircraft originally dismissed by Airbus as having no business case, the A220 has defied sceptics not only by settling snugly into the airframer’s line-up but also by emerging as a potential successor to the ubiquitous A320.
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NewsLondon Heathrow names new chief executive
London Heathrow’s operator has named Copenhagen airport head Thomas Woldbye as its new chief executive, succeeding John Holland-Kaye. Woldbye has been the chief of Copenhagen’s operator since May 2011, and was previously with the Danish shipping and logistics firm AP Moller-Maersk where he held several management positions during a 27-year ...
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NewsAeroflot Superjet captain imprisoned over fatal Moscow landing accident
Russian authorities have sentenced the captain of an Aeroflot Sukhoi Superjet 100 to six years in an open penitentiary over the fatal landing accident at Moscow Sheremetyevo four years ago. The aircraft departed Moscow for Murmansk on 5 May 2019, and had just been cleared to climb to 11,000ft when ...
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NewsEl Al would have avenue to SkyTeam membership under Delta co-operation pact
Israeli flag-carrier El Al could potentially join the SkyTeam alliance with Delta Air Lines’ support, following a strategic co-operation agreement sealed between the two airlines. El Al and Delta will implement reciprocal codeshares and loyalty benefits as part of the tie-up, which is intended to offer more convenient connections between ...
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NewsUK start-up Global Airlines reaches agreement to take several A380s for initial fleet
Proposed UK long-haul start-up Global Airlines has agreed terms to acquire three Airbus A380s, adding to an initial aircraft disclosed last month. Global Airlines is aiming to commence transatlantic operations using the double-deck type from spring next year. The company is claiming “significant backing” from investors as well as the ...
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NewsRussian-built composite-laying robot developed to produce MC-21 wings
Russian aerospace firm AeroKompozit is introducing a domestically-built robot designed to lay composite fibres for the Irkut MC-21 twinjet’s wings. The machine – created in co-operation with the South-Russian Platov state polytechnic university in Novocherkassk – is intended to replace foreign-built equipment, unavailable owing to sanctions imposed over the Ukrainian ...
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NewsIsrair granted extension to Smartwings talks with Chinese investors
Israeli leisure operator Israir Group has been granted an extension to complete negotiations with Chinese interests regarding its proposed acquisition of Czech carrier Smartwings. Israir Group says the extension will run to 3 July. Aspects of the discussions include the deposit of €500,000 ($547,000) in favour of CITIC Group, which ...
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NewsTurkish Airlines’ AnadoluJet to lease more 737 Max 8s
Turkish Airlines’ AnadoluJet arm is to lease a batch of Boeing 737 Max 8s from the Chinese-linked lessor CDB Aviation. The carrier is to take six of the type from Irish-based CDB. All six of the aircraft – which are powered by CFM International Leap-1B engines – will be sourced ...
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NewsWizz Air becomes first European recipient of Chinese-built A321neo
Central European budget carrier Wizz Air has taken delivery of an Airbus A321neo manufactured at the airframer’s Chinese assembly line. Wizz is claiming to be the first European carrier to take an A321neo from the plant at Tianjin. The aircraft – powered by Pratt & Whitney PW1100G engines – will ...
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NewsRussian civil aviation regulator grants life extension to An-148
Russia’s federal air transport regulator has granted life-extension approval for the Antonov An-148 regional twinjet, increasing it from 10 to 30 years. Rosaviatsia says the work to extend the type’s life has been conducted in “strict accordance” with regulations and international practice. The An-148 was originally developed by Ukrainian design ...
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NewsGerman laboratory to convert Dornier 328 into hydrogen-fuel testbed
German aerospace research laboratory DLR is to convert a Dornier 328 turboprop into a hydrogen fuel and propulsion testbed. The aircraft will be stationed at the research centre in Braunschweig. DLR says it will be used to explore “disruptive” hydrogen technologies under a decarbonisation programme known as UpLift. Deutsche Aircraft ...