Japan’s All Nippon Airways (ANA) has scheduled the inaugural flight of its newest Star Wars-themed aircraft—a Boeing 777-200 featuring C-3PO, on Tokyo Haneda-Kagoshima service March 21.
Safran looks to acquire Zodiac Aerospace
Safran/Zodiac
French aerospace firm Safran has revealed it is in exclusive negotiations to acquire seating and cabin interior manufacturer Zodiac Aerospace, in a deal that would rank it as the third largest aerospace firm.
Airlink to take five E-Jets
Embraer
South African regional airline Airlink will acquire three Embraer E170s and two E190s from Embraer subsidiary ECC Leasing, as part of a wider plan to take 13 E-Jets in total.
American Airlines is ATW's 2017 Airline of the Year
American Airlines
American Airlines has been named the recipient of the 2017 ATW Airline of the Year, taking the top honor of the 43nd annual ATW Airline Industry Achievement Awards.
ACT Airlines Boeing 747 crash
Aviation Safety Network
All four crew members and dozens of people on the ground were killed when an ACT Airlines Boeing 747-400 freighter crashed into a village near Manas airport in Kyrgyzstan early morning Jan. 16 local time.
American to offer basic economy fare option
Rob Finlayson
American Airlines has introduced a basic economy fare option as part of the Dallas/Fort Worth-based carrier’s effort to better compete with ultra low-cost carriers. Photo: American Airlines 737-800.
DOT proposes new baggage fee disclosure rules
Getty
The US Department of Transportation (DOT) put forth a new proposal Jan. 17 to require airlines and ticket agents to disclose specific baggage fees when providing airfare information.
Flynas buys 80 A320neos
Airbus
Saudi Arabian hybrid carrier flynas has ordered 80 Airbus A320neo family aircraft and taken purchase rights on a further 40.
TSA administrator head Neffenger to resign
Getty
US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) head Peter Neffenger will resign Jan. 20, the day President-elect Donald Trump assumes office.
United to test basic economy fares on Minneapolis flights
Rob Finlayson
United Airlines will initially test basic economy fares on flights to/from Minneapolis before rolling out the offering to its entire domestic network.
Avianca Argentina takes region's first ATR
ATR
Avian Líneas Aéreas, the new subsidiary of South America’s Synergy Aerospace, has taken delivery of the first ATR 72-600 to fly in Argentina. The airline—branded as Avianca Argentina—plans to start operations of its new ATR -600 series fleet during the first quarter of 2017, following certification.
Linda Blachly is Senior Associate Editor for Air Transport World and Aviation Week. She joined the company in July 2010 and is responsible for producing features for Air Transport World’s monthly magazine and engaging content for the aviationweek.com. She is based in the Washington DC office.
