Australian Aviation

Melbourne Airport has successfully implemented the new SITA AirportConnect Open passenger services platform following the successful introduction of SITA passenger common-use self-service (CUSS) kiosks and automated bag drops. The new platform will power all 275 check-in counter and boarding gate work stations at the airport’s international terminal. This content is available exclusively to Australian Aviation

Air New Zealand’s Airpoints frequent flyer program has signed up its 1.5 millionth member. The airline says recent changes to the program, including the ability for members to earn ‘Airpoints Dollars’ on every normal fare and the introduction of new credit and debit card products have been well received, and that monthly signups have increased

Brisbane-based training organisation, Aviation Australia has announced that 14 of its aircraft maintenance trainees have been selected to work for Qantas at the airline’s Brisbane and Sydney maintenance facilities. An Aviation Australia statement says 13 of the trainees will start their apprenticeships at Brisbane working on Qantas’s 737 and A330 fleets, while the 14th will

India’s Air Costa signed a firm contract for 25 Embraer E190-E2s and 25 E195-E2s and retained purchase rights for an additional 25 of each at the Singapore Airshow last week. The contract is valued at US$2.94bn (A$3.24bn) at list prices and is the first for the new E2 type from an Indian operator. The airline

Northrop Grumman has successfully flown a second MQ-8C Fire Scout unmanned helicopter at the US Navy’s Point Mugu test facility in California. The aircraft joins the first example which first flew last October and has since completed 41 test flights totally 66 hours. “The addition of the second MQ-8C means we can begin testing on

The Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) has formally inducted a squadron of 16 Korean Aerospace T-50i Golden Eagle advanced trainers into service. In a ceremony attended by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro, the aircraft were handed over to the TNI-AU by the Ministry of Defence on February 13 for service with 15