Aircraft & Propulsion

The next generation of turboprops must be faster and carry more passengers to compete with the latest regional jets, according to a senior Luxair executive.

Aircraft News-Dec. 1, 2015

TAM Airlines’ first Airbus A350 XWB has taken off on its maiden flight from Toulouse International Airport in France.

Turkish Airlines has converted options on 10 Boeing 737-8 MAX and 20 Airbus A321neo aircraft, spokesperson Ali Genc confirmed to ATW in Istanbul.

The fatal crash of Indonesia AirAsia flight QZ8501 in December 2014 was precipitated by a fault in the aircraft's rudder warning systems, according to a report just released by the Indonesian National Transportation Safety Committee (NTSC).

Arabic graffiti has been found on both EasyJet and Vueling aircraft, prompting security checks at both airlines.

Bahamas flag carrier Bahamasair has taken delivery of its first ATR 72-600 from an order for two 70-seat ATR 72-600s and three 50-seat ATR 42-600s at the Paris Air Show.

The Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China (COMAC) delivered China’s first domestic built 90-seat ARJ21 regional aircraft to launch customer Chengdu Airlines on Nov. 29.

Copa Airlines took delivery of the 100th airplane to join its fleet, a Boeing 737-800 decorated with a special decal celebrating the airline achieving this important milestone. The aircraft, leased from SMBC Aviation Capital, flew from Seattle to its Panama City home base.

Low-cost carrier (LCC) Wizz Air has begun Airbus A321ceo operations.

Austrian Airlines will sell its entire fleet of Fokker 70 and 100 short-haul airliners to Australian carrier Alliance Aviation Services Ltd (AAS).

Adria Airways is considering adding two more aircraft to its fleet, as the Slovenian government prepares to enter exclusive negotiations for its 91.58% stake in the carrier.

Bombardier has outlined its CSeries production ramp-up schedule, which foresees 250 of the airliners in service by 2020.

All Nippon Airways (ANA) posted a 50% year-on-year increase in net profit of ¥53.9 billion ($447.8 million) for the fiscal half year ending Sept. 30. International operations growth helped fuel the strong results despite continued pressure in the domestic and cargo markets.

Rolls-Royce faces short-term difficulties, but is essentially a profitable company, new CEO Warren East said.

Airbus has secured joint EASA and FAA type certification for its Pratt & Whitney-powered A320neo, marking a major milestone for the variant’s entry into service.

Singapore-based lessor BOC Aviation has placed an order for 11 CFM 56-powered Boeing 737-800s and 11 LEAP-1B-powered 737 MAX 8s, scheduled for delivery between 2018 and 2021.

Taiwanese carrier EVA Airways has finalized an order for up to 24 GEnx-1B-powered Boeing 787-10s and two GE90-115B-powered 777-300ERs, valued at more than $8 billion at current list prices.

Aeromexico has become the launch customer for a global airliner flight tracking tool produced by Rockwell Collins.

Small unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) owners should be required to register their name and physical address with FAA, a task force has recommended.

Etihad Airways has signed a research agreement with Abu Dhabi’s Masdar Institute of Science and Technology to develop a fog prediction and monitoring system at Abu Dhabi International Airport.

Turboprop manufacturer ATR has opened a representative office in Beijing, as it aims to tap into the potentially lucrative Chinese market.

Aircraft & Engine News-Nov. 20, 2015

The CFM International LEAP-1A engine, one of two engine choices on the Airbus A320neo, has been jointly certified by FAA and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).