Final loads testing on Boeing’s delayed 777-9 has been suspended while investigations continue into the failure of a cargo door during pressurization evaluations on the static test airframe at Everett, Washington, Sept 5.
Air Canada continues to reveal little about its plans for Air Transat beyond keeping the leisure airline’s brand and Montreal headquarters, but a senior executive said that getting its aircraft flying more often will be a near-term focus.
Russia and China are reportedly close to selecting a location for the Chinese-Russian commercial aircraft consortium (CRAIC) CR929 program’s engineering center, an issue that has been delaying progress in development of the widebody airliner.
Taiwan’s China Airlines (CAL) has finalized an order for six Boeing 777F freighters in a deal worth $2.1 billion at list prices. The new aircraft will replace 747-400Fs currently in service.
Rolls-Royce is fast-tracking the removal of certain older Trent 1000 intermediate pressure turbine (IPT) blades and modifying its blade-life calculation methods in the aftermath of a Norwegian Boeing 787 engine failure near Rome linked to blades that cracked before established life limits.
Dedicated Boeing operator Alaska Airlines continues to be coy about whether it will hold onto any of its Airbus aircraft acquired in its Virgin America purchase, but one of the airline’s top executives acknowledges the A321neo has advantages not found in the 737 family.
Emirates blasted engine manufacturers GE Aviation and Rolls-Royce for performance and reliability shortfalls and has shelved confirmation of large outstanding Airbus and Boeing orders until it has clarity about schedules and guarantees.
Germany’s Volocopter has conducted a test flight at Finland’s Helsinki International Airport with its prototype electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing (eVTOL) air taxi.
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) executive director Patrick Ky said there is “still a lot of work to be performed” before it will allow the Boeing 737 MAX to return to service.
A coalition of 28 environmental and public-health groups is protesting FAA’s push to provide regulatory relief for the civil supersonic aircraft industry.
Rolls-Royce and Widerøe are teaming up to research zero emission aviation as the Scandinavian regional airline aims for an all-electric fleet, in parallel with the Norwegian government’s goal of zero emission domestic flights by 2040.
The leading US developers of supersonic aircraft called on the Department of Transportation (DOT) Aug. 27 to modify its proposed rule on supersonic flight authorizations, arguing the proposal’s wording amounts to an effective prohibition on all supersonic flight.
The FAA has suspended the use of an automated system at New York JFK International Airport that allows drone operators to request and obtain authorization to fly in the vicinity of the New York City airport.
