Aircraft & Propulsion

The UK arm of European charter airline Thomas Cook is set to lease a de-militarized Airbus A330 tanker from the AirTanker consortium.

Nobody wants a surprise during an aircraft flight test program, but if it happens, that’s the right place for it to happen and much can be done to mitigate the impact.

After years of missteps, false promises and multiple delays on the 787-8 and A380 programs, Boeing and Airbus are cruising into the Farnborough Airshow able to boast about smooth, successful flight test programs for the 787-9 and A350-900, respectively.

UK carrier Virgin Atlantic has firmed up one of its five Boeing 787-9 options and will decide this year whether to cancel or further defer its Airbus A380 order.

Russia’s VIM Avia is considering adding the Embraer E-195 to its fleet, according to airline spokesperson Elena Fedorova.

British Airways (BA) has unveiled new seats and cabin interiors for its short-haul fleet, which operate domestic and European services from London Heathrow and Gatwick airports.

Russia’s UTair Express Airlines has signed a technical support agreement with PowerJet for the SaM146 engines that power its fleet of Sukhoi Superjet 100LRs (SSJ100LRs).

The fifth and final aircraft in the Airbus A350 WXB flight-test program completed its first flight Friday from the company’s Toulouse facility.

The UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has made a series of recommendations to test lithium metal batteries more strenuously during certification following a fire onboard a parked Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 787 at London Heathrow Airport.

Airbus continues to study the feasibility of launching a re-engined version of the A330, but is in no hurry to make a decision.

Airbus continues to study the feasibility of launching a re-engined version of the A330, but is in no hurry to make a decision. Some lessors and airlines have made public their interest in seeing an A330neo launched, but Airbus is nearing certification of the A350 XWB widebody and is reluctant to potentially harm sales of that aircraft.

American Airlines has decided to place 20 Embraer E-175 aircraft with Minneapolis-based regional carrier Compass Airlines, which will fly the 76-seat jets under the American Eagle brand starting in the 2015 first quarter.

CFM International has begun ground testing of the first LEAP-1B engine—the exclusive powerplant for the Boeing 737 MAX—at Snecma (Safran) facilities in Villaroche, France.

Airbus has completed hot weather flight and ground testing on the A350 XWB.

Finnair is wet leasing a Boeing 767 and 787 to temporarily replace one of its Airbus 330 aircraft, which is undergoing extra maintenance.

Boeing has placed several new full-flight simulators for the 737, 777 and 787.

The production of the first Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ) has reached a major milestone with the mating of the fuselage and wings of the first flight test aircraft.

China Eastern Airlines has signed a deal for 80 Boeing 737 series aircraft, which includes 737 MAXs and 737-800s.

FAA and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have certified the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner for commercial service.

Air New Zealand CEO Christopher Luxon has confirmed to ATW it is expecting the first Boeing 787-9 delivery in early- to mid-July.

JetBlue Airways has launched its new premium service, Mint, on an Airbus A321 flying between New York JFK and Los Angeles (LAX).

UK regional carrier Flybe has unveiled a new purple livery, which will be gradually rolled out across its fleet over the next three years.

UK regional carrier Flybe is hoping to stem the losses of its Finnair joint venture, Flybe Finland, with the scheduled return of two ATR 42s to their lessor.

Ryanair has issued €850 million ($1.2 billion) in new bonds to fund its new aircraft acquisitions, attracting a strong take-up.

Safety levels remain high within European airspace, but Eurocontrol’s Performance Review Commission (PRC) said occurrence reporting and incident analysis still need to be improved.