Aerospace

The China Aviation Planning and Design Institute says it has won the bid to construct the second phase of the Comac C919 assembly plant in Shanghai.

Emirates and MSC Cruises have renewed their partnership for another two seasons.

EHang, an urban air mobility company, has completed the first passenger-carrying demonstration flight in the UAE and the Middle East.

Etihad Airways picked up a double award scoop for its Cabin Crew, on the opening day of the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai.

Etihad Airways and JetBlue have entered a loyalty partnership.

The Press Council of South Africa ruled that ‘Die Vrye Weekblad’, a South African online publication, breached various clauses of the Press Code that governs South African media in its reporting on the African Peace Mission to Ukraine and Russia, in June 2023.

Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority (RAKTA) and Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) have signed a future-forward MoU with Skyports Infrastructure (Skyports).

Aviation experts convened at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) yesterday to discuss how the Middle East market is changing, outlining predictions for the future of air travel.

Suborbital space tourism company Virgin Galactic is eyeing a 2028 entry-into-service for its next new mothership.

Former Boeing CEO and Chairman Frank Shrontz, who led the company through key developments ranging from the 747-400 and 777 to the space station, died aged 92.

U.S. startups Archer and Joby commit to beginning urban air mobility services as early as 2025.

Developers of turbo- and diesel-electric generators offer flexibility.

Certification plans firm up as turbo-compressor and humidifier changes pave the way for the next flight-test phase.

PRECISION AEROSPACE, Dallas acquired OWENS MACHINE AND TOOL, TX (multifaceted parts, tooling and prototypes).

Jim Bohlman to Chief Operating Officer of Avix Aero, Dallas; Sai Kalegowda was named Chief Information Officer.

Despite a slowdown in its commercial aftermarket sales, TransDigm managed to exceed Wall Street’s expectations for its fiscal 2024 second-quarter earnings.

Bell has unveiled a fly-by-wire control system-equipped 429 twin-engine light helicopter as the company’s new flying testbed.

AIRBUS finalized acquisition of US-based AEROVEL and its UAS, FLEXROTOR, to strengthen its portfolio of tactical unmanned solutions.

BELL unveiled Bell 429 aircraft lab for future autonomous fly-by-wire ops.

TRANSDIGM had $404m net income on $1.9b sales in second quarter ended March 31 vs $304m on $1.6b a year ago.

NIAR (Wichita State University) is adding eVTOL test facility in Wichita for late 2024 that will include out-of-ground and in-ground effect test rigs.

SPIRIT AEROSYSTEMS lost $617m in 1Q24 on 19% higher y-o-y revenues. It delivered 70 Boeing shipsets (44 737s) vs 116 (95) a year ago and 191 Airbus shipsets vs 176. Its current 737 production rate is approximately 31 aircraft/month.

EMBRAER had $32.4m net income on $897m revenues in 1Q24 vs $72.7m loss on $717m in 1Q23; it has $21.1b backlog vs $17.4 a year ago. It also confirmed plan to deliver 72-80 E-Jets and 125-135 business jets in 2024.

AIRBUS delivered 61 aircraft (three A220s; 51 A320neo Family; A330neo; six A350s) in April vs 54 (six A220s; 42 A320neo Family; two A330neos; four A350s) in April 2023. It also posted orders from BRITISH AIRWAYS for three A320neos and two A321neos, JAPAN AIRLINES for one A350-900, and an undisclosed customer for 51 A321neos.

Emirates and the China Cultural Centre in the UAE have signed an MoU on the sidelines of the Arabian Travel Market (ATM).