A project to convert the nine-passenger Britten-Norman Islander to hybrid-electric propulsion for short-haul flights has kicked off in the UK. Project Fresson is led by Cranfield Aerospace Solutions (CAeS), which plans to obtain and market a supplemental type certificate (STC) for the conversion.
The European Commission and Airbus doubled down on calls for the US and Boeing to negotiate an end to the 15-year-old airliner subsidy dispute at the World Trade Organization (WTO) after a WTO arbitrator green-lighted the US to collect up to $7.5 billion in punitive tariffs on European imports.
UPS announced on Oct. 1 that its Flight Forward subsidiary has received the first FAA Part 135 Standard certification to use unmanned aircraft vehicles (UAVs) for package deliveries nationwide, allowing it to operate a “drone airline.”
Thai Airways’ plans to place major aircraft orders has been put on hold by the board, although the airline will still proceed with plans to lease three more widebodies in the short term.
Rolls-Royce has completed the acquisition of the electric aircraft propulsion activities of German industrial giant Siemens. The UK engine manufacturer says the purchase of the former Siemens eAircraft unit will boost its strategy to champion the electrification of aircraft.
Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary is expecting the Boeing 737 MAX to return to European service in early 2020, although the LCC’s current contingency plan will hold until the end of February.
Ryanair Group CEO Michael O’Leary is looking to secure some of the Airbus A320s formerly operated by UK leisure carrier Thomas Cook to support growth at Austrian LCC Laudamotion.
US pilots who have tested the new Boeing 737 MAX flight-control software have given it positive reviews and some carriers are beginning to finalize step-by-step MAX return-to-service plans, suggesting that Boeing’s notional timeline of getting FAA approval by year-end may come to fruition.
The FAA is working with Boeing to finalize an inspection order on higher-time 737NGs after cracks were discovered in fuselage frames and related parts on three 737-800s being converted to freighters.
Boeing is implementing several recommendations made by its board of directors aimed at elevating the company’s safety focus, led by the creation of a new Product and Services Safety (PSS) unit, CEO Dennis Muilenburg announced Sept. 30.
The Aviation Industry Corp. of China (AVIC) began assembling the first airframe in the MA700 turboprop airliner program Sept. 27, aiming for a first flight in 2020 and certification in 2022.
Airbus started flight tests Sept. 12 of the first of 52 UPS Airlines A300-600 freighters undergoing major flight deck upgrades designed to keep the fleet operating until at least 2030.
Boeing president and CEO Dennis Muilenburg and two other company representatives, including the 737 chief pilot, will testify before a US House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee hearing on the 737 MAX scheduled for Oct. 30, the committee said Sept. 27.
Indian LCC SpiceJet will continue a year of rapid growth by adding 46 more domestic one-way flights, and is also reportedly considering another major aircraft order.
Etihad Airways will delay delivery of five Airbus A350-1000s until an unspecified future date, a move adhering to the Abu-Dhabi-based company’s business transformation plan.
The FAA, moving quickly to adopt Pratt & Whitney’s recommendations, is ordering engine inspections on some Airbus A220 and Embraer E190-E2-series aircraft within 50 cycles—or about a week—based on findings from two recent Swiss International Air Lines’ PW1524G-3 failures.
