Air Transport

News of a weak first-quarter performance by Bombardier’s Commercial Aircraft unit was offset somewhat by the cash-generating sale of its Downsview aircraft assembly operation, a new CRJ order and optimism that the C Series program tie-up with Airbus will close within weeks.

Southwest Airlines revealed the four continental U.S. cities from which it plans to operate flights to Hawaii as it moves closer to selling tickets for the service.

The head of AirAsia’s Indian joint venture is stepping down to return to the group’s Malaysian headquarters.

Air France said 75% of its flights should continue May 4, the latest in a series of one-day strikes organized by unions in protest of the company’s pay proposal for staff.

South Korean carrier Asiana is deploying Airbus A350-900s on an increasing number of its long-haul routes as more of these aircraft are delivered.

American Airlines has split an order for 30 76-seat regional jets between Bombardier and Embraer, signing deals to buy 15 CRJ900s and 15 E175s. The Dallas/Fort Worth-based carrier has also taken 15 options of each type.

Aerostructures leader Spirit AeroSystems expects to catch up on its shortfall in providing Boeing with 737 airframes by June, but the costs of doing so—as well as a new $650 million acquisition of European aerostructure specialist Asco—will require more money and the company’s full attention for the rest of the year, executives said May 2.

Central and Eastern European LCC Wizz Air has secured its UK air operator’s certificate (AOC) and operating license, allowing Wizz Air UK to launch flights on May 3.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced global passenger traffic results for March 2018 showing that demand (measured in revenue passenger kilometers, or RPKs) rose 9.5%, compared to the same month a year ago, the fastest pace in 12 months.

Abu Dhabi’s national airline awaits government guidance on its future direction, and that may take more time than it wants.

DLR’s converted autogyro, nicknamed Air Dolly, will prove cargo concept.

Providers are reshaping the passenger experience by using what they can find out about everything from entertainment preferences to food tastes.

The pilots of a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-700 diverted to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport and landed safely on May 2 after a window cracked inflight.

SkyTeam carrier China Southern Airlines is ultimately hoping to secure rights to fly between the new Beijing Airport and London Heathrow Airport, but in the interim is planning to announce a new Heathrow link from Sanya, an island off China’s south coast.

FAA has started a nationwide beta test of the Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC), a system that will streamline its process of granting drone operators permission to fly near airports.

Further details are emerging of Rolls-Royce’s plan to flight test the company’s UltraFan future commercial engine technology demonstrator with Airbus as part of a wider strategy that targets entry-into-service from the mid-2020s.

Hainan Airlines plans to open routes to Paris from Shenzhen and Chongqing.

HNA Group has signed a preliminary agreement to buy 15 Airbus A350s while moving to increase the role of Hainan Airlines as its mainland Chinese long-haul specialist, industry sources said.

The U.S. Transportation Department (DOT) has doubled the number of unmanned aircraft system (UAS) integration projects it will fund after a strong response from organizations that want to participate.

Qantas has converted six more options for Boeing 787-9s to firm orders, which will allow it to retire its remaining 747-400s a few years earlier than planned.

Italy formally pushed back the deadline for selecting a buyer for ailing airline Alitalia by six months to Oct. 31, with the repayment of a controversial government bridge loan that is keeping it flying now set for Dec. 15.

The newest member of the A330neo Family, the A330-800, has rolled out of the paintshop, on track for its first flight mid-2018.

Royal Jordanian and the Jordanian Private Jets Services (JPJets) signed an agreement on Feb. 1 whereby RJ will be the handling agent for all JPJets’ charter flights operating at the Jordanian airports.

Oman Air has celebrated the inauguration of its new Boeing 737 MAX. The addition is part of an exciting fleet and network expansion programme, which will see Oman Air operate new destinations worldwide.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for global air freight markets showing that demand, measured in freight tonne kilometers (FTKs), rose 1.7% in March 2018, compared to the same period the year before. This was five percentage points lower than the February result and the slowest pace of growth in 22 months.