Aircraft & Propulsion

On the eve of this year’s Paris Air Show Boeing Commercial Airplanes (BCA) senior leadership is downplaying the likelihood of major orders or product announcements while the company remains laser focused on lifting the 737 MAX grounding.

Asiana Airlines intends to add 34 new aircraft to its fleet over the next four years as it phases out many of its oldest models.

Russia’s deteriorated relations with the West following Moscow’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 has had substantial consequences for the Irkut MC-21 program.

As part of a major shake-up of its regional jet strategy, Mitsubishi Aircraft has rebranded the former MRJ90 as the SpaceJet M90 and has announced details of the stretched MRJ70 redesign, which will now be called the M100.

CFM International is redesigning the bearing in the radial drive shaft of the LEAP-1B that powers the Boeing 737 MAX after five incidents in which an engine was shut down in-flight because an oil filter bypass warning light indicated in the cockpit.

Korean Air is one of several Asian airlines holding discussions with manufacturers that could result in new widebody aircraft deals.

Uber has added a fifth electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing (eVTOL) vehicle developer to its Elevate aerial ridesharing program, announcing a partnership to develop Jaunt Air Mobility’s Reduced Rotor Operating Speed Aircraft (ROSA).

Boeing’s full-scale Passenger Air Vehicle (PAV) electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing (eVTOL) prototype crashed earlier in June during unmanned flight testing at subsidiary Aurora Flight Sciences in Manassas, Virginia.

The US House Transportation & Infrastructure (T&I) Committee will hold its second hearing on the status of the Boeing 737 MAX June 19, which will feature testimony from groups representing airlines, pilots and flight attendants.

Ukraine International Airlines (UIA)—which had planned to take delivery of three Boeing 737 MAX 8s beginning in mid-April—is considering switching from Boeing to Airbus aircraft as a long-term fleet strategy step.

Japan Airlines (JAL) is embarking on a new phase of fleet renewal this year as it prepares to introduce Airbus A350s and Boeing 787s on domestic routes.

American Airlines has removed its 24 737 MAXs from its flight schedules through Sept. 3, becoming the first US operator to formally plan to be without its newest Boeing narrowbodies through August.

United Technologies and Raytheon have agreed to a merger, which could lead to a $74 billion company that provides a wider array of aircraft engines, parts, avionics, interiors, missiles and cyber technology than any other company.

Air Canada and Drone Delivery Canada (DDC) have entered into an exclusive sales agency agreement that calls for Air Canada Cargo to market DDC’s drone delivery services in Canada, the companies announced.

As work continues towards first flight of the GE9X-powered Boeing 777-9, GE Aviation chief test pilot Jon Ohman explains what’s involved in flight testing the world’s largest turbofan.

The supply chain is under significant pressure, despite the robust outlook for jetliner production.

A late-emerging durability issue forces the Boeing-GE decision to hold 777X flight tests until mods can be completed on GE9X engines.

Spirit AeroSystems, the aerostructures provider for 70% of the Boeing 737, will shorten its workweek to 32 hours as a result of the aircraft’s production slowdown.

German startup Volocopter says its multicopter electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing (eVTOL) air taxi can offer the majority of inner-city and airport shuttle services in more than 90% of its Top 100 target cities.

US startup Ampaire has begun flying a testbed for its electric propulsion conversion for regional aircraft.

Japan Airlines (JAL) will mainly rely on increased aircraft utilization to increase capacity and meet an expected demand surge in 2020, although its planned long-haul LCC startup will also help.

Southwest Airlines pilots are “comfortable” with proposed training updates for the Boeing 737 MAX fleet and did not recommend any changes to FAA’s draft standards during the public comment period.

American Airlines pilots are emphasizing detailed instruction on the maneuvering characteristics augmentation system (MCAS) and revamped emergency procedures as keys to ensuring a safe return to service for the grounded Boeing 737 MAX fleet.

International Airlines Group (IAG) is inviting startups to demonstrate how their products and innovations can transform the travel industry during a 10-week accelerator program.

Chinese LCC Spring Airlines intends to lift its fleet total close to 100 this year with additional Airbus A320neo deliveries, and the carrier is also scheduled to begin taking A321neos in 2020.