Air Transport Aircraft & Propulsion
Oct 21, 2009
Air Astana President Peter Foster told ATWOnline yesterday that the carrier's MOU with Boeing for three 787s plus three options is "inactive" and that it is searching for alternative fleet solutions. Speaking in Almaty, Foster said, "There is very little clarity on delivery dates," for the 787. The MOU was signed in 2007 and delivery originally was scheduled for 2014-15 (ATWOnline, Jan. 3, 2008). Air Astana now estimates that its first Dreamliner could arrive as late as 2019.
Oct 20, 2009
Thai Airways' new president, Kasikornbank Bank executive and former Thai Minister of Energy Piyasvasti Amranand, yesterday said he plans to raise funds through a share issue next year. Thai has THB29 billion ($854.8 million) in debt to pay off in 2010. "We need to raise capital because we have a lot of short-term debt to be repaid," Piyasvasti said, according to Reuters. "We are also trying to convert our short-term debt to longer maturities.
Oct 19, 2009
Responding to media speculation that its 787 program may suffer more delays because of the complex side-of-body modification, Boeing VP and GM-787 Dreamliner Program Scott Fancher issued a statement Friday claiming that the troubled aircraft is on schedule to fly this year.
Oct 19, 2009
Qantas will have to wait until December for the delivery of its fifth and sixth A380s after encountering flight stability problems with the fifth aircraft, which had been expected to enter service on US routes next month. QF confirmed to ATWOnline that the aircraft will require further testing in Toulouse to rectify a minor trim stability problem. However, it dismissed media rumors that the A380 was not flying straight while on autopilot.
Oct 19, 2009
Volaris intends to lease two new A319s next summer, CEO Enrique Beltranena said last week, according to Dow Jones. He also said the Toluca-based carrier has been operating in the black for the past 17 months. Flydubai took delivery of a fifth new 737-800, part of its order for 50 placed at last year's Farnborough Airshow. Aircraft seats 189 in one class and is financed by the $320 million sale/leaseback deal recently announced with GECAS (ATWOnline, July 2).
Oct 22, 2019
FAA administrator Stephen Dickson said mistakes made during the development of the Boeing 737 MAX highlight the need for a “more integrated approach to human factors” during the aircraft design process.
Oct 22, 2019
Air Tahiti Nui (ATN) has completed the transition of its widebody fleet from Airbus A340s to Boeing 787-9s, and the carrier anticipates significant operational benefits from the switch.
Oct 22, 2019
Electric aircraft developer Ampaire is studying the feasibility of modifying the de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter to hybrid-electric propulsion under a NASA contract.
Oct 22, 2019
The UK is looking to form a mobile national counter-drone capability to respond to “challenging drone security incidents” such as the shutdown of London’s Gatwick Airport around the 2018 Christmas holiday.
Oct 21, 2019
The prospects of Boeing cutting or halting 737 production have grown, financial analysts and others said Oct. 21 after an internal Boeing pilot conversation over the MAX and the maneuvering characteristics augmentation system (MCAS) became public.
Oct 21, 2019
UK regional Virgin Connect, formerly known as Flybe, plans to ultimately consider larger aircraft once things have settled under its new ownership.
Oct 21, 2019
Telecommunications provider Nokia has sold its air-to-ground (A2G) aviation connectivity assets through a management buyout, leading to the creation of a new company called SkyFive that will play a key role in the worldwide roll-out of A2G.
Oct 21, 2019
Embraer’s just-certified Praetor business jets have won their first fleet order in a $1.4 billion deal with fractional operator Flexjet.