Aircraft & Propulsion

Malaysia’s Malindo Air has operated the first revenue flights with a re-engined Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft.

Airbus has established a new independent compliance review panel (ICRP) to ensure “irreproachable” behavior, following allegations of fraud, bribery and corruption in its civil aviation business.

The basic version of the aircraft will carry 280 passengers over 12,000 km (7,500 mi.), making it somewhat comparable to the Airbus A330-900, but with a wider body suiting nine-abreast economy seating.

Belgian flag carrier Brussels Airlines has decided to replace seven of its 10 Airbus A330s, but is sticking with A330ceos for its fleet renewal and long-haul expansion.

[UPDATED] Boeing said it has agreed to negotiate a widebody aircraft order with Saudi Arabian startup SaudiGulf Airlines for as many as 16 aircraft, which the airline indicated will be 777s and/or 787s.

GE Aviation has started the 18-month certification program for the GE9X engine that will exclusively power the Boeing 777X.

GE is promising the GE9X will offer 10% greater fuel efficiency than the GE90-115B and will be the most efficient engine it has produced on a per-pounds-of-thrust basis.

China’s Commercial Aircraft Corp.’s (COMAC) unannounced target for first delivery of its C919 narrowbody is now 2020, a senior program source said.

Safran Aircraft Engines CEO Olivier Andries stresses the LP turbine’s design is not at stake and describes the situation as a “temporary logistic disturbance.”

The stakes are high for General Electric’s GE9X testing program for Boeing’s future 777X twinjet.

Air France has given more details of its Boost project, revealing plans to launch the new airline with five Airbus A320s in winter 2017.

Allegiant Air has taken delivery of its first-ever new aircraft, an Airbus A320 that departed Toulouse May 16.

Boeing delivered the first 737 MAX 8 to Malaysia’s Malindo Air May 16 at Boeing’s Seattle Delivery Center in Washington state.

LOT Polish Airlines would like to simplify its aircraft inventory, but is unable to proceed because of existing leases and contracts, CEO Rafał Milczarski said May 16.

For Canadian manufacturer Bombardier's commercial aircraft, consolidated 2016 orders, deliveries and cancellations.

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has granted type certificate approval to Russia’s Sukhoi Superjet 100 B100 aircraft, Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Co. announced May 16.

Iran Air has taken the first four ATR 72-600s from a firm order for 20 of the type, forming part of the airline’s post-sanctions fleet renewal.

UK low-cost carrier (LCC) easyJet has reached an agreement with Airbus to convert 30 of the Airbus A320neos that it has on order to A321neos, with the first delivery scheduled for summer 2018.

For Canadian manufacturer Bombardier's commercial aircraft, consolidated 2017 orders, deliveries and cancellations -- updated through the 2017 first quarter.

Delta Air Lines is introducing four self-service bag drop machines at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport this summer.

Bombardier reported a consolidated net loss of $31 million for the first quarter of 2017, narrowed from a consolidated $138 million net loss in 1Q 2016.

Boeing is operating 737 MAX flights using CFM International LEAP-1B engines unaffected by the issue that prompted a May 10 suspension of all MAX flying.

The Star Alliance, which marked its 20th anniversary in ceremonies in Frankfurt this weekend, is focused on initiatives that will better serve the almost 690 million passengers who fly each year on one or more of its carriers.

Boeing says it remains confident that delivery of the first 737-8 to Lion Air Group carrier Malindo Air will take place by month’s end.

Last month, Aviation Week pilot Fred George strapped into the left seat of the updated version of the world’s best-selling jetliner. Listen in as he discusses the flight and technical upgrades. Also, our senior editor and resident Boeing expert Guy Norris breaks down the status of the flight test program and on-going inspections of the Leap-1B engines.