Aircraft & Propulsion

Compilation of over 350 selected active commercial passenger and cargo aircraft types currently operating in Africa and the Middle East, as of September 28, 2015.

Mitsubishi Aircraft Corp. has narrowed the target schedule for first flight of the Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ) to the last week of October.

Lufthansa Systems has developed a small, portable version of its BoardConnect IFE system that gives airlines the option of bringing on a low-cost, entry-level onboard entertainment system.

Compilation of over 450 types of selected active commercial passenger and cargo aircraft currently in service in the European Region, as of September 28, 2015.

Airbus has developed an aerodynamic option for the A320neo to improve its short field performance.

Compilation of over 200 selected active commercial passenger and cargo aircraft types currently operating in Latin America (Central and South America) and the Caribbean, as of September 28, 2015.

Texas Aero Engine Services (TAESL), the 50-50 joint venture (JV) between American Airlines and Rolls-Royce, will be dissolved by January 2016.

Over 400 active commercial passenger and cargo aircraft types for the North America Region (USA, Canada and St. Pierre & Miquelon), as of September 28, 2015.

A top FAA official said as many as one million small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) could be sold during the upcoming US holiday season.

Thai-based regional operator Siam Air Transport will lease two Boeing 737-800s from Air Lease Corp. to expand services to first- and second-tier destinations in China.

Fast-growing Hungarian low-cost carrier Wizz Air signed an agreement with China Development Bank’s CDB Leasing to finance six Airbus A321ceos.

Boeing has opened a 104,000-sq.-ft. research and technology center in North Charleston, South Carolina.

Airbus began fuselage assembly of the largest member of the A350 family at its Hamburg and Saint-Nazaire plants.

Finnair has warned it may take a €30 million ($33.4 million) hit due to national pension reforms, although it is also expecting a €70 million gain from its fleet renewal.

Aeromexico is looking to upgauge its fleet with newer aircraft in the coming years, the airline’s SVP-global sales Jorge Goytortua said.

Boeing confirmed 300 aircraft orders/commitments from Chinese companies and said it will open a joint venture 737 “completion” facility in China.

Japan is returning to the world of commercial aviation, this time on the wings of the Mitsubishi Regional Jet, expected to make its first flight in late October.

Chinese companies are expected to order 300 Boeing aircraft, and Boeing is poised to announce a 737 manufacturing facility in China.

Aircraft News-Sept. 22, 2015

On the eve of the formal opening ceremonies of Airbus’ first airliner factory in North America, company president and CEO Fabrice Brégier was keen to make something clear to the media gathered for the event.

Table of Contents from the October issue of ATW

Finnair will take delivery of its first A350-900 on Oct. 7.

Lufthansa will offer high-speed Internet access on its short- and medium-haul European flights from early summer 2016.

Ireland’s FLY Leasing is selling 12 older aircraft from its portfolio for $240 million as the company continues its fleet renewal strategy.

SAS Scandinavian Airlines has become the first European carrier to deploy the 242-tonne maximum weight Airbus A330-300 Enhanced.