Airbus confirmed its exclusive collaboration agreement with Siemens to develop hybrid-electric propulsion systems for the experimental E-Fan X demonstrator and other vehicles is concluding a year ahead of schedule, but said the two companies will continue to partner on projects.
IATA director general and CEO Alexandre de Juniac urged global regulators to lift the grounding of the Boeing 737 MAX in unison, even while acknowledging that the model’s return to service is still likely a few months away.
At 50, Airbus is comfortable in its middle age. Led by a new, streamlined executive committee headed by a new CEO, the company has its own identity and the jabs at “our friends in Seattle” have all but disappeared.
Chinese airlines will incur losses of CNY4 billion ($580 million) if their grounded Boeing 737 MAXs do not return to the air by June 30, the China Air Transport Association said.
South Korea’s two largest carriers are set to begin major narrowbody fleet upgrade programs over the next two years, although delivery delays have disrupted planning efforts.
A decision on whether to rename Embraer’s E-Jets is still up in the air following the announcement that the company’s commercial aircraft business will be rebranded as Boeing Brazil-Commercial.
FAA is rolling out contingency operations plans to hundreds of air traffic control (ATC) facilities, an effort that started after a September 2014 fire shut down its Chicago en route center and disrupted air traffic across the US midwest.
Following the lead of the China’s three state-owned carriers, 10 more Chinese airlines have filed compensation claims with Boeing over the grounding of the 737 MAX 8 this week.
Beijing-based international express delivery company DHL-Sinotrans has launched a full automated drone delivery service under a strategic partnership with autonomous aircraft developer Ehang.
FAA’s decision to allow the Boeing 737 MAX back into the air could be based at least in part on input from foreign regulators, though consensus will not be necessary for the US agency to move forward, FAA acting administrator Dan Elwell said.
Boeing 737 MAX operators still do not know when they will be cleared to put their aircraft back in service, but one thing is certain: Getting the 370-aircraft fleet flying presents a significant logistical undertaking for the airlines, suppliers and the manufacturer.
European pilots are asking for clarity and an overhaul of a certification process they described as flawed, as regulators meet in the US to discuss a possible return to service for the grounded Boeing 737 MAX.
FAA, leveraging similar requirements issued more than a decade ago for the Boeing 787, has issued special conditions Boeing must follow to demonstrate the 777-9’s composite fuel tanks can withstand tire debris impact.
Leading small unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) manufacturer DJI has committed to installing surveillance receivers on new models weighing more than 250 grams by 2020, a safety measure intended to make drone pilots aware of nearby manned aircraft transmitting their position.
Two more Chinese carriers—Air China and China Southern Airlines—have formally filed for compensation from Boeing over the grounding of the 737 MAX 8, joining China Eastern Airlines, which reportedly filed a claim May 21.
Boeing’s reimbursements to airlines for 737 MAX-related service disruptions will approach $1.4 billion, assuming the grounded fleet is back in service by October, according to Bloomberg analysts.
