South Korea plans to allow the operation of non-landing international scenic flights at Seoul Gimpo International, Daegu International, and Busan Gimhae International airports. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) expects this to commence early May, after the necessary clearances are obtained, and each airport will operate up to three daily flights, it said in an 18 April …

South Korea to allow scenic flights from secondary airports Read More »

The heads of Australian arch-rivals Qantas and Regional Express have again traded barbs in the latest escalation of a bitter dogfight between the two carriers. In separate, harshly-worded columns published days apart in the Australian Financial Review, Rex deputy chairman John Sharp and Qantas group chief Alan Joyce did not mince words in criticising each …

Qantas, Rex chiefs wage war of words — again Read More »

The sluggish recovery of the aviation market in the Southeast Asian region and the knock-on impact on carriers’ ability to pay their rents remains an area of concern for Aircastle, chief executive Michael Ingelese says, emphasising that some airlines are “struggling pretty significantly”. Speaking on an analyst call on 21 April, Inglese focused on Thailand, …

Southeast Asia a focus of concern: Aircastle Read More »

US lawmakers unloaded anger against Lockheed Martin, Pratt & Whitney and the Department of Defense (DoD) during a 22 April hearing, criticising the group for not meeting F-35 stealth fighter programme sustainment goals. “I’m [going to] take a deep breath and try to contain my anger at what is going on here,” says John Garamendi, chairman of …

US lawmakers slam F-35 programme for sustainment problems Read More »

Delta Air Lines has firmed orders for 25 Airbus A321neos and pulled forward A350 and A330 deliveries, reflecting the airline’s anticipation that passenger demand will accelerate in coming years. The Atlanta-based carrier, which disclosed the move in a 22 April filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, also took options to purchase another 25 A321neos. The …

Delta orders 25 A321neos, accelerates Airbus widebody deliveries Read More »

Airbus and JetBlue Airways are among companies that have invested a combined $20.5 million in Universal Hydrogen, the Paul Eremenko-backed firm developing a hydrogen-fuel distribution and storage system. The investments came from Airbus Ventures and JetBlue Technologies Ventures – the investment arms of the European airframer and New York-based airline, Universal says on 22 April. …

Universal Hydrogen lands $20.5m investment, Airbus and JetBlue contribute Read More »

Southwest Airlines made a profit in the first quarter thanks to federal payroll support payments, but says passenger demand remains “inconsistent by region” as the airline shuffles its fleet to meet fluctuating demand. The Dallas-based carrier’s chief executive Gary Kelly says on 22 April he is “relieved, enthused, grateful” for revenue and booking developments in …

Southwest swings to Q1 profit, ‘the worst is behind us’ Read More »

US lawmakers have proposed a union-backed bill that seeks to prevent the spread of disease within the commercial aviation sector, including by changing aircraft certification requirements. Released 22 April into the House, the bill would require commercial aircraft designs include features intended to reduce disease transmission. It also would require airlines take steps to keep …

Bill to reduce disease transmission on jets targets airworthiness standards Read More »

American Airlines sees the pace of the aviation industry rebound “accelerating” as shifts in customer travel behaviour have forced the carrier to be exceedingly flexible when planning its fleet. The Fort-Worth-based airline says on 22 April that it lost $1.3 billion during the first quarter of the year, less than the $2.2 billion it lost in …

American sees aviation rebound ‘accelerating’ Read More »

Ryanair chief executive Eddie Wilson remains optimistic of a strong lift in air travel in Europe this summer and expects consumers will extend holiday plans later into the year Wilson, speaking at the World Aviation Festival today, said the low-cost carrier has loaded capacity into markets it suspects will be open for travel this summer. …

Ryanair chief Wilson hopeful of ‘extended summer’ Read More »