Air Transport

A shortage of airline pilots, a worrisome trend that will grow more apparent over the next two decades, has the industry contemplating current pilot-education requirements and ways to streamline the process of certifying commercial pilots.

Pilot academies in Australia are playing a leading role in helping meet the growing need for pilots at Southeast Asian and Chinese airlines.

New maintenance base for landing gear opened by Gameco will be one of the largest in China.

The new configuration would allow United to install 364 seats on each aircraft, nearly 100 more than the airline has on many of its three-class 777s.

The increasing strength of airlines in the Middle East may present more of a strategic threat to legacy market than the one posed by long-haul, low-cost carriers.

It’s business as usual for U.S. major carriers, as recent low fuel costs will not, as of now, factor into decisions regarding fleet and capacity.

IAG, the only entity willing to invest in European airlines, is nearing a deal to acquire Aer Lingus, subject to government and shareholder approval.

Middle East MRO facilities feature a variety of services for aircraft and their engines.

Kamarudin Meranun, AirAsia co-founder, has been appointed to the new role of AirAsia X Group CEO, where he will spearhead development of the “overarching strategy” for the carrier and its new join- venture affiliates in Thailand and Indonesia.

In a letter to the secretaries of State, Commerce and Transportation obtained by The DAILY, Hayes expresses JetBlue’s “unwavering support” for the open skies regime.

Skymark filed for bankruptcy protection. The airline will continue operating during the reorganization process.

A few European airlines are seeking to expand into the low-cost long-haul market, but they are finding that a viable formula to do so is not easy to identify.

Air Canada’s Westjet edges toward long-haul market, but most North American low-cost airlines are taking a wait-and-see attitude.

Early expansion limits returns, but airline executives stress that the LCC model is sound.

United this year will take delivery of two used Boeing 737-700s, aircraft acquired due in part to their more favorable economics, thanks to fuel prices of around $50 per barrel.

Seeking permission to expand, Heathrow is pursuing multiple initiatives to reduce noise impacts on surrounding communities.

Although it was years in the making, Aeroscopia—a museum dedicated to France’s major role in aerospace history—proves to be well worth the time and effort.

Amid concerns about liquidity and CSeries progress, Bombardier announces delay in Learjet 85 program.

Based on a NASA study, the agency is suggesting enhancements to airline training curricula, including developing techniques that throw pilots more “surprise” curveballs.

An “A322” would have a minimum range of 5,000 nm, opening up many new, thin international routes to Europe from U.S. hubs currently unreachable with single-aisle aircraft.

This week is all about unmanned aircraft: using quadcopters on construction sites; 3-D cameras help avoid collisions; UAS get MAD for ASW; “micro” unmanned aircraft certification category proposed; UAS air-dropping UAS.

Airlines in Asia are concerned that OEMs will monopolize engine aftermarket services, limiting their MRO choices and driving up costs.

The recommendations—four new and four revisions of previously issued requests—come as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) prepares for a high-level safety conference in early February to address many of the same issues.

Bolstered by record backlogs and unprecedented demand, Boeing is on track to raise annual production to more than 900 commercial aircraft per year, says the company's chief technologist.

In a Bloomberg TV interview at the World Economic Forum, Clark said that he visited Airbus in Toulouse late last week to discuss the A380, among other subjects.