Air Transport World

ATR fires up its Final Assembly Line as orders roll in.

US government officials and Boeing emphasized their confidence in the safety of the 787 even as they announced the FAA will conduct a “comprehensive review” of the Dreamliner program.

The US FAA will emphasize the electrical nature of the Boeing 787’s design in its full review of the aircraft.

The US Dept. of Transportation and FAA are to conduct a full review of the Boeing 787 critical system, including the aircraft’s design, manufacture and assembly.

Singapore Airlines has finalized a previously announced commitment for five A380s and 20 A350-900s, valued at $7.5 billion at list prices.

US carriers reported an on-time performance (OTP) arrival rate of 85.7% in November, up slightly from 85.3% reported in the year-ago month and 80.2% in October.

Lockheed Martin Canada is acquiring parts of Aveos Fleet Performance.

Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Co. (HAECO) named Tse Pak Wing Peter to its board of directors as an additional independent non-executive director. Tse is a non-executive director of CLP Holdings and an independent non-executive director of HSBC Bank (China) Co. Morten Beyer & Agnew appointed Patrick Daley as COO, replacing Nick Lacey who retired. Daley has served as lead auditor, evaluator, and instructor in the company’s IATA IOSA program for 15 years.

Ukraine’s AeroSvit Airlines has guaranteed to local aviation authorities that it will operate flights on all domestic and most international routes.

Boeing rolled out the first 777—a freighter for Korean Air—to be built at the production rate of 8.3 per month.

British Airways has inked a 10-year agreement with Air Lease Corp. (ALC) to lease two Boeing 777-300ERs.

Vienna International Airport has opened the first phase of its dedicated terminal for Air Berlin and its subsidiary, FlyNiki, as well for its oneworld alliance partners.

Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency, Rosaviatsia, has begun inspecting Red Wings Airlines’ Tupolev Tu-204 aircraft.

Kingfisher Airlines’ revival plans got tougher Thursday following an Indian Service Tax Dept. notice that it will impound all its aircraft, PTI news agency said.

Romanian budget carrier Blue Air has terminated its order for five Boeing 737NGs following financial difficulties at one of its major shareholders.

Irish lessor Avolon has finalized and expanded an Airbus A320neo commitment, placing a firm order for 20 of the type.

Dublin-based aircraft asset management company Amentum has completed its buyout from former owner HSH Nordbank.

The Chinese government has lowered domestic jet fuel prices 0.6% to CNY7,389 ($1,173) per ton from CNY7,436 per ton as international fuel prices fluctuate.

US Airways will launch daily Charlotte, N.C.-London Heathrow Airbus A330-300 service March 30. JetBlue Airways will launch 5X-daily Boston-Philadelphia service May 23. Virgin America will launch 3X-daily service to New YorkNewark from San Francisco and Los Angeles April 2.

GKN Aerospace announced Michael McCann will head its new Engine Systems business as CEO.

Horizon Air and its pilots, represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT), have ratified a labor agreement.

Global airline passenger traffic grew 4.6% year-over-year in November 2012, bringing growth for the first 11 months of last year to 5.3%, IATA said.

Austrian regional carrier Intersky has taken delivery of its first of two 70-seat ATR 72-600s. The regional carrier is the first ATR operator in Austria.

The cost of financing new aircraft purchases is set to increase, according to a report published this week by consultants PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).

Includes: Top 20 World Airports Top 20 Reporting Airlines World Airline Traffic Jet Fuel Price Monitor U.S. Fuel Cost and Consumption US Ontime Performance US Consumer Complaints US Mishandled Baggage Transport Aircraft Deliveries Aircraft Values Airline Traffic by Region