Aircraft & Propulsion

FAA administrator Michael Huerta said Boeing’s proposed 787 battery fix is being “carefully analyzed” but gave no guidance on how long it will take to review the proposal.

Airbus has completed the wing assembly of the first A350 XWB flight-test aircraft at the Roger Béteille Final Assembly Line in Toulouse.

Ireland-based aircraft lessor Avolon said an analysis it conducted on the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737NG and their successors, the A320neo and 737 MAX, concluded that the current versions won’t be quickly displaced when the new versions enter service in 2015 and 2017, respectively.

Air France has pushed back the timeframe for finalizing its commitment for 25 firm Airbus A350 XWBs until later in 2013.

FAA said it is reviewing a 787 battery fix proposed by Boeing in a Washington DC meeting.

United Airlines has removed the Boeing 787 from its flight schedule through June 5, though it is still hopeful it can launch Denver-Tokyo Narita 787 service in May.

Russia’s state corporation Rostech is in talks with Bombardier on a joint venture to build the Q400 in Ulyanovsk.

The Japan Transport Safety Board (JTSB) said it has found incorrect wiring in the All Nippon Airways (ANA) 787 that made an emergency landing Jan. 16.

Swiss International Air Lines may finalize an order for six Boeing 777-300ER sooner than expected, an unnamed source told ATW.

Qantas Group announced plans to order five additional Boeing 737-800s and upgrade its Airbus A330 fleet.

Russia’s Ilyushin Finance Co. (IFC) leasing company has ordered 32 Bombardier CS300 aircraft, plus 10 options.

Pratt & Whitney’s PW1500G geared turbofan (GTF) engine, set to power the Bombardier CSeries, has gained Transport Canada type certification.

The Single European Sky ATM Research (SESAR) Joint Undertaking has launched a call for proposals for Remotely Piloted Air Systems.

Lao Central Airlines has taken delivery of its first Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SSJ100).

Japanese investigators probing the Jan. 16 All Nippon Airways (ANA) Boeing 787 emergency landing said swelling has been found in the aircraft’s auxiliary power unit (APU) battery.

International Airlines Group CEO Willie Walsh supports Airbus’ decision to switch the A350 XWB back to nickel cadmium batteries.

Malaysia Airlines has firmed up 20 orders for ATR 72-600s to be operated by its regional subsidiaries.

Qantas Group’s new low-cost subsidiary Jetstar Japan has taken delivery of its first Airbus A320 aircraft equipped with Sharklets, becoming the first Japanese carrier for the type.

Raytheon has opened a new silicon carbide manufacturing foundry facility in Scotland.

Iberia has taken delivery of first of eight Airbus A330-300s on order.

Xiamen Airlines is planning a rapid expansion this year as it grows its fleet and takes advantage of the booming Asian market demand.

Aeroflot’s fourth and final Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SSJ100) has received its renewed airworthiness certificate.

Oman Air is increasing capacity to the Indian sub-continent by leasing two additional Boeing 737-800s.