Aircraft & Propulsion

Russia’s Rostec has finalized a decision to merge with United Aircraft Corp. (UAC), Interfax news agency reported, quoting Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov.

Technology for electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing air taxis is advancing rapidly, but is it making enough progress to enable urban air mobility?

WestJet ULCC subsidiary Swoop has placed its fourth Boeing 737-800 into service and is using it to support previously announced seasonal flights between Abbotsford International and Winnipeg Richardson International airports.

Aircraft Briefs-Aug. 15, 2018

Boeing recorded new firm orders from three customers for 30 commercial aircraft in July, valued at about $6.2 billion worth at list prices.

Airbus and Boeing commercial aircraft deliveries for 2018 year-to-date, sorted by most-recent delivery date.

Airbus and Boeing commercial aircraft gross orders for 2018 year-to-date, sorted by most-recent date of order placement with manufacturer.

EgyptAir Cargo has taken delivery of the first Airbus A330-200 to be converted to a freighter by Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW), the joint venture between ST Engineering Aerospace and Airbus that manufactures passenger-to-freighter (P2F) conversion.

Boeing is storing up to 40 unfinished aircraft on a taxiway at Renton, Washington, airport, which puts limits on Runway 16/34.

Aviation industry interest in hybrid-electric technology is growing as limitations of all-electric propulsion become clearer.

Russia’s state-owned Rostec said it will sell 75% minus one share in Technodinamika holding company, the leading developer and manufacturer of components and systems for the MC-21, including the neutral gas, electrical power, oxygen and fire protection systems, as well as landing gear components.

Cathay Pacific Airways plans to ramp up its fleet with 17 more widebody deliveries by the end of next year, primarily consisting of Airbus A350-1000s.

Two Chinese airlines, Air China and Sichuan Airlines, have taken delivery of their first Airbus A350-900s.

With its first 787 delivery three years away, Hawaiian is already making preparations and considering where the new aircraft can be deployed.

Boeing continues to experience 737 production issues as cumulative problems with late and incomplete fuselages, a shortage of skilled mechanics, and the late arrival of CFM engines impact deliveries, which are not expected to recover until year-end, the company said.

The European Union (EU) has asked the World Trade Organization (WTO) to confirm that it is complying with WTO rulings on subsidies to Airbus, in the latest step in a 14-year-old dispute between the US and the EU over alleged subsidies to Airbus and Boeing.

For Canadian manufacturer Bombardier's commercial aircraft, consolidated 2018 orders, deliveries and cancellations.

European turboprop manufacturer ATR delivered five ATR 72-600 aircraft to Iranian flag carrier Iran Air just before US sanctions came back into force.

Electric light aircraft manufacturer Pipistrel leads European-funded project to develop and test modular hybrid-electric propulsion architecture.

Despite Airbus’ new orders and commitments for about 475 commercial aircraft gained at the Farnborough Air Show, the Toulouse-based manufacturer registered just one firm booking—for eight A350-900s—in its July orders and deliveries report released Aug. 6.

Double-digit orders from American Airlines and Delta Air Lines have pushed Bombardier's CRJ backlog to 60 for the first time in nearly two years, as the manufacturer considers a production rate increase next year.

Brazilian manufacturer Embraer posted a second-quarter 2018 consolidated net loss of $124.7 million, a reversal from the company’s $72.1 million net profit showing for 2Q 2017.

Air Austral will wet lease an Airbus A380 from Portuguese wet-lease specialist Hi Fly to replace its second Boeing 787-8, which is being taken out of service for three months from Aug. 24 for Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engine inspections.

Luxembourg’s national carrier Luxair plans to acquire two Boeing 737-700s in 2019 to expand its route structure and build additional resilience to its network.

Now that Airbus has taken control of the CSeries program, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft (BCA) said it will focus on returning to profitability by reducing the cost structure for its regional airliners, increasing production volume and growing aftermarket revenue, Bombardier CEO Alain Bellemare told analysts on the company’s Aug. 2 second-quarter results call.