United formalises A350 order
United has signed a firm order for its 25 A350-900 XWB aircraft, formalising a commitment originally announced in December 2009. ”With this order we are investing in United’s future, gaining a widebody aircraft that will help us reduce operating... [Continue reading]
500th T-6 delivered to US military
Hawker Beechcraft has delivered the 500th Beechcraft T-6 military trainer to the US military, a T-6B for the US Navy which will be based at NAS Whiting Field in Florida. The T-6 is based on the Pilatus PC-9 and was selected for the US Joint Primary Aircraft... [Continue reading]
Airframers to boost production rates
Airbus has announced that it will increase the production rate of its A320 Family lines, while Boeing has indicated that it is examining possibly raising output on its 737NG and 777 lines. From December Airbus will lift its production rate for the A320... [Continue reading]
Northrop Grumman won’t bid on KC-X
The USAF KC-X tanker contest appears to now be a one horse race with the March 8 decision by Northrop Grumman to not bid its Airbus A330 based solution it was partnering with EADS North America for the program. Northrop Grumman CEO Wes Bush said the company... [Continue reading]
Air NZ best at managing reputation
Company CEOs and members of the media in New Zealand have voted the national airline as the best at managing its reputation according to a survey by Senate Communications. “Air New Zealand is top of mind as a company that deals well with situations... [Continue reading]
Fokker 100 to be reborn?
Long held plans to put the Fokker 100 back into production have gained a boost, with the Dutch government providing a loan to fund the development of a prototype new generation version of the aircraft. NG Aircraft, which is a successor to the Rekoff company... [Continue reading]
Jetstar makes changes after go-around mishap
Jetstar says that a serious incident at Melbourne Airport in 2007 which was initially not reported to the ATSB has seen it change its procedures for handling go-arounds and training of its A320 crews. The ATSB released its final report on the incident... [Continue reading]
New Canberra Airport terminal 2nd stage approved
Transport Minister Anthony Albanese has approved a Major Development Plan for the western concourse extension at Canberra Airport. The western concourse extenstion is the second of the two-phase $350 million new multi-level passenger terminal project.... [Continue reading]
ATR 42-600 commences flight testing
The first ATR 42-600 made its first flight at Toulouse on March 4, kicking off a 75 hour flight test campaign ahead of the type’s expected entry into service in 2011. The two hour maiden flight saw the aircraft undergo tests of the engines, avionics,... [Continue reading]
Boeing reveals NewGen Tanker
Boeing has confirmed it will offer a development of its 767, dubbed ‘NewGen Tanker’, to meet the the US Air Force’s recently released KC-X requirement. The NewGen Tanker is based on the 767-200 airframe but would feature a fly-by-wire controlled... [Continue reading]
Pac Blue to fly Brisbane-Queenstown
Pacific Blue has announced that it will commence twice weekly services between Brisbane and Queenstown from June 25 to September 12. “We know that many Queensland skiers currently fly via Christchurch to get to Queenstown so we’re sure they’ll be... [Continue reading]
