Air Transport

Boeing is preparing to begin flight tests of the third and smallest member of the 737 MAX family, the 737-7, following the Feb. 5 rollout of the first aircraft at its Renton, Washington, plant.

Airbus debuts the newly certified A350-1000 at the Singapore Airshow this week as part of a three-week demonstration tour across the Asia-Pacific region and Middle East.

Boeing is looking to use its strong position in Singapore as a springboard to dramatically increase its presence in Southeast Asia, particularly in Indonesia and Vietnam where the company sees expanding opportunities across its commercial, defense and services businesses.

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.

H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Department of Transport, has inspected the specially-designed Etihad Airways’ “Year of Zayed” A380 at Etihad Airways Engineering’s facilities in Abu Dhabi.

The indebted group is milking its airlines for cash, but not enough to threaten their businesses.

This year’s winners will be recognized March 1 at a black-tie gala in Washington, when four Grand Laureates also will be awarded.

Facing stronger than expected competition in its home market, SaudiGulf Airlines is turning its gaze abroad while re-evaluating a stalled order for the Bombardier CSeries. Martin Rivers talked to president Samer Majali.

Leaders of Spirit AeroSystems said Feb. 2 they plan to use growing cash flow, in part due to recent U.S. tax law changes, to accelerate capacity and research investments at the Wichita-based aerostructures provider.

News of the incident emerged after an undated video taken from the drone involved was posted Feb. 1 on YouTube.

The U.S.-based Mitre Corp. will be helping the Vietnam Air Traffic Management Corp. (VATM) to develop an air traffic flow management (ATFM) master plan, under a contract.

Regional carriers' parent SkyWest Inc. turned around its financial picture in 2017, citing its continuing fleet transition.

Startup Air Belgium has selected Brussels South Charleroi Airport as its home base for flights to China and other Asian destinations.

This Week In Aviation Daily History

Aeroflot has firmed up its order for 50 Irkut MC-21-300 narrowbody airliners. The aircraft will be procured through Avia Capital Services, a leasing arm of the Russian government-owned conglomerate Rostec Corp.

Rapidly growing LCC Wizz Air is adding another Airbus A321 to its London Luton Airport base, bringing the number of its aircraft there to eight.

Worldwide passenger traffic grew 7.6% in 2017, outpacing the 10-year average annual rate of 5.5%, according to IATA.

GE tackling GE9X fix and maintenance issues with CF6 engines powering 747-400 flying testbed before first flight of new engine for Boeing’s 777X.

Sénégal's national carrier Air Sénégal, has signed a firm order for two A330neo aircraft, the new Rolls-Royce re-engined version of the best-selling A330 wide-body airliner.

Natilus, Elroy Air and Sabrewing are U.S. startups developing large unmanned cargo aircraft. But the Chinese may be ahead of them.

More divestments could emerge at Leonardo as new CEO targets double-digit profitability.

The subsidized routes add to competition, diverting passengers from established routes and driving down prices.

The Vahana single-seat electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing (eVTOL) aircraft developed by A³, Airbus’ Silicon Valley outpost, made its unmanned first flight at Pendleton, Oregon, on the morning of Jan. 31.

Las Vegas-based Allegiant Travel Co., parent of LCC Allegiant Air, reported $194.9 million in net income for 2017, an 11.2% decrease from $219.6 million in 2016.

JetBlue Airways and Toyota are among investors plowing a total of $100 million into startup Joby Aviation to take its five-seat electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing (eVTOL) air taxi into pre-production and certification.