Southwest becomes first US airline to take Boeing 737 MAX 8
Boeing
Southwest Airlines has become first US airline to take delivery of the Boeing 737 MAX 8, an aircraft in which the Dallas-based carrier played a key role in developing.
Pittsburgh Airport to allow public access to airside
Pittsburgh International Airport
Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) will become the first airport in the US since 9/11 to allow non-ticketed members of the public access to the secure, airside area of the airport on a regular basis starting next week.
BAA gets approved to train Russian pilots
BAA Training
Lithuania’s BAA Training has received approval by the Russian Federal Air Transport Agency, Rosaviatsia, to provide Boeing 737CL initial, recurrent and renewal training to Russian pilots.
Airlines take a hit from Hurricane Harvey
United Airlines
United Airlines prepares relief supplies to be flown to Houston Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. Severe flooding in the Houston area has closed IAH, where United has a major hub.
UTC to open new nacelle facility in Alabama
UTC Aerospace
UTC Aerospace Systems is preparing to open a new nacelle assembly and manufacturing facility in Foley, Alabama, in the coming weeks, which will significantly expand its existing operations there.
Chongqing airport opens new terminal, runway
Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport
Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport began operations from a newly built third terminal and third runway Aug. 29.
Qantas to upgrade A380 cabins
Qantas
Australian flag carrier Qantas has announced a multi-million dollar major cabin upgrade for its 12 Airbus A380s to improve passenger comfort on long-haul flights and meet increased demand for premium cabins on flights to the US, Europe and Asia. Photo: Rendering of upper deck lounge on Qantas A380.
Qatar to install Inmarsat GX Aviation connectivity on 777s
Victoria Moores
Doha-based Qatar Airways has begun installing Inmarsat’s GX Aviation connectivity on its Boeing 777 fleet after receiving European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) approval for the equipment.
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.
