Indian LCC SpiceJet firmed its order for up to 50 Bombardier Q400 turboprops Sept. 29, the largest single Q400 order to date, valued at $1.7 billion if all purchase rights are optioned.
UK LCC easyJet is set to trial onboard intranet-based IFE, supplied by Barcelona-headquartered technology firm Immfly, from this fall and is evaluating Inmarsat’s European Aviation Network (EAN) for future full Wi-Fi connectivity.
The prospective long-range widebody aircraft being developed jointly by the Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China (COMAC) and Russia’s United Aircraft Corp. (UAC) will be called the “CR929,” the China-Russia Commercial Aircraft International Co. (CRAIC) joint venture said in Shanghai Sept. 29.
Chinese seating manufacturer Zhejiang Science and Technology Investment Company (ZTC) has paid £55 million ($73.7 million) to acquire a stake in UK-based Acro Aircraft Seating previously held by private equity firm BGF.
Boeing chairman, president and CEO Dennis Muilenburg has voiced support for President Donald Trump’s tax reform initiatives, noting “there’s a wide variety of opinions on tax reform but we know it’s a big enabler. It will unleash the economic horsepower in this country.”
The MRJ90 flight test program is back on track following a temporary suspension spurred by an unscheduled engine shutdown during a test flight, according to Mitsubishi Aircraft Corp.
How many ARJ21s will finally be built remains a matter of speculation, although the manufacturer is planning to deliver the 67th unit by the end of 2020.
UK LCC easyJet has formed a partnership with US-based Wright Electric, which aims to develop an 180-seat electric aircraft for commercial aviation use within 10 years.
Icelandic LCC WOW Air sees potential to serve Asia using the latest longer-range narrowbodies, although they also threaten to undermine Reykjavik’s role as a hub.
The US will impose a duty of almost 220% on Bombardier CSeries imports if a parallel price-dumping investigation finds subsidies on the narrowbody jet ordered by Delta Air Lines in April 2016 threaten to materially damage Boeing. The duty is expected to be in place before deliveries to Delta begin in April.
Airline panelists speaking at World Routes in Barcelona would like to see electric aircraft enter the market and—in the shorter term—to have the ability to reconfigure aircraft during turnarounds.
The U.S. regional airline industry is “shrinking” because of a pilot shortage that is reducing air service to smaller markets throughout the country, Bryan Bedford Republic Airways Holdings president and CEO, said.
Elon Musk proposed a capsule or pod system encased in a long, airless tube that would be powered by magnets and provide very fast city-to-city transportation.
Bombardier is pressing to deliver 30 CSeries aircraft this year, but acknowledged it will be difficult to meet the low end of its previously announced target of 30-35 CSeries deliveries in 2017.
