While many sporting eyes are clearly focussed on the Olympics in Brazil next year, Japan is already working towards expanding the number of flight slots in advance of the expected need for the 2020 Olympics they are hosting. It is anticipated the bulk of international flights will target Narita airport in Chiba, the main international
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released full-year air cargo data for 2014 showing 4.5% demand growth compared to 2013 measured by freight tonne kilometers (FTKs). That is a significant acceleration from the 1.4% recorded in 2013 over 2012. Air cargo market expansion gathered momentum as 2014 progressed. The year finished on a positive note,
LATAM Airlines Group took delivery of the airline’s first 787-9 Dreamliner. LATAM Airlines Group is leasing the new airplane from Amsterdam-based lessor AerCap. LATAM Airlines Group will become Latin America’s first operator of both the 787-8 and 787-9 variants of the Dreamliner family when the airline group launches 787-9 services on South American routes in
South Korea’s Asiana Airlines has selected Airbus Flight Hour Services (FHS) to provide components support, securing the highest service level for daily A330 operations. This latest selection by Asiana Airlines re-affirms its confidence in Airbus’ Flight Hour Services, less than a year after signing an FHS contract for its A380s. The FHS Components agreement, which
Bristow Helicopters Australia has acquired an 85% interest in Airnorth, the largest regional airline operating across Northern Australia. Airnorth will retain its name and brand identity and will continue to operate under the direction of Michael Bridge, Airnorth’s chief executive officer. Bridge will remain on the Airnorth board of directors. Bristow will have three representatives
Subsequent to the tragic air crash on Wednesday in Taipei, its Civil Aerospace Authority (CAA) has grounded all Taiwanese-registered ATR 72s for the purpose of carrying out safety checks to establish if they meet the CAA’s standards. This not only affects TransAsia, but also Uni Air, another local carrier. Including the crashed aircraft, TransAsia operates
Qatar Airways has acquired a 9.99% stake in International Airlines Group (IAG). Both IAG and Qatar Airways have a close relationship already as part of the oneworld alliance and IAG welcomes Qatar Airways’ statement that it would look to strengthen existing commercial ties. Commenting on the share acquisition, Willie Walsh, IAG chief executive, said: “We’re
The Irish facility operated by Lufthansa Technik as part of its European aircraft overhaul network is now called Lufthansa Technik Shannon. What used to be Shannon Aerospace (SAL) – a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lufthansa Technik AG – has thus joined Hamburg, Berlin, Budapest, Malta and Sofia as one of the six European base maintenance facilities
Avianca Holdings S.A. has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airbus for 100 A320neo Family aircraft. Avianca will base its fleet renewal strategy on the A320neo Family. “After a thorough technical evaluation, we selected the A320neo Family for its excellent fuel efficiency, reliability and comfort,” said Fabio Villegas Ramirez, Avianca Chief Executive Officer. “These
AgustaWestland has completed the delivery of the Italian Police’s AW139 intermediate twin helicopters at the end of December 2014. Deliveries started in mid-2013 and now eight aircraft are in service at five different bases in central and southern Italy comprising three aircraft in Pratica di Mare close to Rome, two helicopters in Reggio Calabria and
