FAA, EASA certifies CFM LEAP-1A engine for A320neo

The CFM International LEAP-1A engine, one of two engine choices on the Airbus A320neo, has been jointly certified by FAA and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

Colorful Guizhou to launch Dec. 28

China’s new regional startup Colorful Guizhou Airlines is scheduled to launch its inaugural flight Dec. 28 with an Embraer E190 initially on some regional routes in the Guizhou Province and neighboring provinces.

Boeing delivers two 747-8Fs to AirBridgeCargo

Boeing delivered two 747-8Fs to AirBridgeCargo Airlines (ABC), part of Volga-Dnepr Group.

Bombardier CSeries certification flight testing complete

Bombardier has “completed certification flight testing” on the CS100, SVP-commercial aircraft sales and asset management Colin Bole said.

EasyJet orders 36 A320ceos, neos

EasyJet has placed a follow-on order for six CFM-powered A320ceos and 30 A320neos, cementing its position as the world’s fourth largest A320 family operator.

Russia confirms bomb onboard Metrojet A321

The Russian government has formally stated that an explosive device was responsible for the downing of a Metrojet Airbus A321 over the Sinai on Oct. 31 with the loss of 224 lives. Photo: Russian security chief Alexander Bortnikov

Volga-Dnepr Il-76 lands on ice

Russia’s Volga-Dnepr Airlines Ilyushin Il-76ТD-90VD aircraft has landed for the first time on an ice airfield in Antarctica. The aircraft completed a series of runs at the Novolazarevskaya Antarctic Research Station airfield runway to check performance capability and define the engine reverse thrust application range.

Volga-Dnepr Il-76 lands on ice

Russia’s Volga-Dnepr Airlines Ilyushin Il-76ТD-90VD aircraft has landed for the first time on an ice airfield in Antarctica. The aircraft completed a series of runs at the Novolazarevskaya Antarctic Research Station airfield runway to check performance capability and define the engine reverse thrust application range.

New lounge at New York JFK features airplane replica

A one-of-a-kind, 1,500-sq.-ft. airplane replica, with real steel and other parts from actual aircraft, was recently installed in the world-class retail lounge of New York JFK’s Terminal 4. Designed and constructed as part of a Jose Cuervo marketing campaign, the plane relives the Rolling Stones iconic 1972 North American tour, known as the “Tequila Sunrise Tour.” The airplane display will remain in the terminal through the end of the year.

ALTA Airline Leaders Forum in Puerto Rico

IATA officials, led by DG and CEO Tony Tyler (center), brief media at the ALTA Airline Leaders Forum in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Tyler said Brazilian airlines lost a combined $500 million in just the first half of 2015.

KLM takes first 787

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines took delivery of its first Boeing 787-9 on Nov. 14, an aircraft leased from Aercap which will initially be operated on its Amsterdam-Abu Dhabi-Bahrain service.

TAP Portugal orders 35 Airbus aircraft

Portuguese national carrier TAP Portugal has signed a firm order with Airbus for 53 aircraft from the European manufacturer, it announced Nov. 13. Photo: Rendering of A320neo in TAP livery.

Oman Air E175

Oman Air Embraer E175

China Airlines to take delivery of first A350 in July 2016

Taipei-based China Airlines expects to take delivery of its first of 14 Airbus A350-900s in July 2016, a spokesperson confirmed to ATW in Taipei. The Taiwanese carrier will begin to replace its Airbus A340-300s with the A350-900 in next year’s third quarter. Photo: Rendering of A350-900 in China Airlines’ livery

MRJ launches first flight

The Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ) completed its first flight Nov. 11, taking off from Nagoya Airport and flying for about 90 minutes before returning.

Lufthansa cabin crew strike

A Lufthansa A380 lands at Frankfurt Airport Nov. 11 with grounded Lufthansa widebodies in the background due to a week-long cabin crew strike.

EVA Air unveils new livery on 777-300ER

EVA Air unveiled a new livery as it took delivery of its 22^nd Boeing 777-300ER on Nov. 11, 2015.

Vietjet orders 30 more A321s

Vietnamese low-cost carrier Vietjet signed a firm order Tuesday for 30 Airbus A321s, including 21 neos, bringing its total firm orders for A320 family aircraft to 99.

Ethiopian Airlines first A350 on FAL

Airbus said Ethiopian Airlines’ first A350-900 is taking shape on the final assembly line (FAL) in Toulouse, France.

Emirates weighs A350 vs 787 decision at Dubai Air Show

An Airbus A350 XWB flies over an Emirates aircraft on display at the Dubai Air Show.

Russia suspends flights to Egypt

Russia has suspended all Russian airline flights to/from Egypt, citing the ongoing investigation into the Oct. 31 Metrojet Airbus A321 crash.

Photo: Russian tourists at Sharm El-Sheikh Airport.

Munoz to return to helm of United Airlines in 2016 1Q

United Airlines president and CEO Oscar Munoz says he will return to duty after heart attack in the 2016 first quarter.

German businessman acquires 20% stake in airBaltic

German businessman Ralf Dieter Montag-Girmes has acquired a 20% stake in airBaltic for €52 million ($57 million).

Vueling CEO named next British Airways chief

International Airlines Group (IAG) has named Vueling CEO Alex Cruz as the next chairman and CEO of British Airways (BA), succeeding Keith Williams who will retire April 2016.

More airlines halt Sham el-Sheikh flights

Lufthansa Group suspended all flights to/from Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, a move made following strong statements from the UK government that an explosive device could be responsible for the Oct. 31 Metrojet Airbus A321 crash.

Photo: Security checkpoint at Sharm el-Sheikh Airport.

Air New Zealand orders 15 more ATR 72-600s

Air New Zealand placed a firm order for 15 additional ATR 72-600s, valued at $375 million at list prices.

Tests begin on A350-1000 Trent XWB-97 engine

The Airbus A350-1000’s new engine–the Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97—has completed its first flight-test aboard a dedicated A380 flying testbed.

Cargo aircraft crashes in South Sudan

A cargo aircraft crashed immediately after takeoff Nov. 4 from Juba International Airport, South Sudan, with up to 40 people dead both in the Antonov An-12 turboprop and on the ground, according to multiple news media reports.

Etihad begins Mumbai A380 service May 1

Etihad Airways begins Abu Dhabi-Mumbai Airbus A380 service May 1. The service will be operated daily and will use the 9W code of Etihad’s partner airline Jet Airways.

Egypt to head Metrojet crash investigation

Egyptian aviation authorities will take the lead in the investigation of the Metrojet Airbus A321crash, which occurred Oct. 31 in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula shortly after takeoff from Sham el-Sheikh airport. The A321 was operating as flight 9268 to St. Petersburg when it crashed, killing all 217 passengers and seven crew members.

Search teams recover flight recorders from Metrojet A321

Search teams have recovered the flight recorders of the Metrojet Airbus A321 that crashed Oct. 31 in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula shortly after takeoff from Sham el-Sheikh airport, killing 217 passengers and seven crew members.

COMAC rolls out C919

China’s first 158-seat Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China (COMAC) C919 prototype aircraft rolled off COMAC’s final assembly plant near Shanghai Pudong International Airport.