Australian Aviation

CFM International has announced it has started ground testing of the first LEP-1B engine for the re-engined Boeing 737MAX program. Nominated as the exclusive engine for the MAX family, the LEAP-1B was fired for the first time on June 13 and after a few run-ins, has achieved maximum thrust. This content is available exclusively to

The Royal Brunei Air Force has extended an agreement with BAE Systems Australia to provide basic military aviation training at the company’s Tamworth facility. The new agreement covers six RBAirF students in three courses in the 2014-15 period, and adds to the arrangement that has been in place since 2009. This content is available exclusively

Air New Zealand has increased its stake in Virgin Australia, taking it up to the maximum amount allowable by the Foreign Investment Review Board of 25.99 per cent. The minor increase from 24.46 per cent maintains Air NZ’s position as Virgin’s biggest shareholder, ahead of Singapore Airlines’ 22.4 per cent, Etihad at 21.4 per cent,

Qantas Group news In this issue we report the deliveries of a 787 and an A320 to Jetstar and a 717 to QantasLink. Qantas ferried A380-832 VH-OQA, which had been in maintenance in Manila since March 8 (Traffic/May), from Manila to Sydney as QF6006 on April 11. This content is available exclusively to Australian Aviation

Airbus has launched the fourth biennial Fly Your Ideas Challenge which is designed to challenge the next generation of students to stretch their imagination and to re-invent the norms associated with air travel today. The global competition was granted UNESCO patronage in 2012, and offers students an opportunity to work with a team of aviation

Air New Zealand has launched a program designed to attract more international conferences to New Zealand. The airline says its new conference support program aims to grow the number of conference bids won for New Zealand by working in partnership with conference organisers. Air New Zealand says it will support travel to New Zealand for