British Airways has started using its Airbus A380s as a tool to reduce frequencies on trunk routes without cutting capacity and is pleased with the initial results, according to British Airways’ parent International Airlines Group (IAG) CEO Willie Walsh.
Rolls-Royce has taken full control of composites manufacturing joint venture Composite Technology and Applications (CTAL), acquiring GKN’s 49% stake for £8 million ($13.3 million).
Finnair has made further progress with its fleet renewal financing, firming up a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with GECAS for the sale and leaseback of two Airbus A330s.
Atlas Air and Qantas Freight, the cargo unit of Australia’s Qantas Airways, have extended their aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance (ACMI) contract.
Rolls-Royce has released details of two new engine development programs, Advance and UltraFan, slated for entry into service from 2020 and 2025, respectively.
The chances of ATR getting approval from both of its shareholders quickly for a new large turboprop are looking remote, judging from comments made by Airbus Group chief strategy officer Marwan Lahoud at the company’s annual press conference in Toulouse.
The A350 XWB flight test aircraft, MSN2 and MSN4, have both completed their first flights, bringing the total number of A350 XWBs now flying from two to four.
Aviation Corp. of China (AVIC) subsidiary Xi’an Aircraft Industry Co. plans to apply to the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) to ground MA60 operations as soon as possible for safety inspections following another incident on the Chinese-produced regional aircraft.
When Air Transport World was launched 50 years ago, the airline industry was just five years into the “Civil Jet Age.” The first issue of ATW in May 1964 excitedly chronicled how the fast-growing business had used jet aircraft to increase worldwide annual revenue by 45% to $7 billion in 1963 compared to $4.8 billion in 1958. In 2013, worldwide airline revenue topped $700 billion—a more than 100 times increase in the 50 years this magazine has been publishing.
Will airliners always look the same as they do today? The answer is taking shape in research centers in Europe and the US, but will depend on when Airbus and Boeing begin designing their next generation of all-new aircraft.
The US Aerospace Industries Association projected that US civil aircraft sales reached $67 billion last year, which would be an increase of about 8% over 2012. This number reflects the current strength of the world’s commercial aircraft market.
GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) could be in the market for around 40 Airbus A320neos, along with up to 10 of each of the Boeing 777X and re-engined A330, should the latter program go ahead with GE engines.
UK regional carrier Flybe is planning to phase out its entire fleet of 14 Embraer E-195s from its UK scheduled operations and is seeking 16 additional aircraft, as it shifts to a turboprop-focused fleet after a £150 million ($250 million) capital increase.
Airbus and the Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China (COMAC) have signed a memorandum of understanding in an effort to enable a sustainable growth in air transport.
Middle East lessor Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) is considering reinventing itself as a widebody specialist and may be in the market for more aircraft in 2014.
