Aerospace

Airbus unveils Concept Plane with novel design

Airbus

Airbus has unveiled a new aircraft design, the Concept Plane, at the TEDGlobal 2013 conference currently taking place in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Designed by a team of structural engineers at Airbus, the Concept Plane’s relatively lightweight design is based on the human skeleton structure and is expected to lower fuel costs.

The European aircraft manufacturer stated that the aim would be to 3D print the composite material which would result in the structure.

Boeing unveils 787-10 Dreamliner

Boeing announced the launch of the 787-10 Dreamliner, the third member of its 787 family, at the 50th International Paris Air Show currently being held at Le Bourget Airport.

The new 787-10 will fly up to 7,000nm, covering more than 90% of the world’s twin-aisle routes, with seating capacity of 300-330 passengers.

The 787-9, the second member of the family, is in final assembly in Everett, Washington, US, and is scheduled to make its maiden flight later this year.

easyJet in talks to place $10bn aircraft order with Airbus

easyJet

British low-cost carrier easyJet is in advanced talks with European aircraft manufacturer Airbus for the purchase of more than 100 jetliners, in a deal estimated to be worth $10bn.

The deal would include orders for about 100 A320neo aircraft with an option for an additional 120 airliners, which will mark the carrier’s first largest order in more than a decade, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Featuring large Sharklet wing-tip devices, the A320neo will provide a double-digit reduction in NOx emissions and reduce engine noise, according to Airbus.

Russia’s Ilyushin Finance to acquire 42 Bombardier CSeries jetliners

Russian leasing firm Ilyushin Finance’s (IFC) shareholders have approved the purchase agreement for 42 Bombardier CSeries aircraft, a move that converts the agreement to a firm order.

The firm purchase agreement includes the acquisition of 32 CS300 aircraft, with an option to purchase a further ten.

IFC signed a letter of intent in 2011 and a conditional purchase agreement was announced by Bombardier on 20 February this year.

Thomson Airways first UK airline to operate Boeing 787 Dreamliner

Boeing 787 Dreamliner

Thomson Airways has taken delivery of its first Boeing 787 Dreamliner, becoming the first UK airline to operate the wide-body, twin-engine jetliner.

The new 787, which is the first of eight 787s Thomson Airways has on order, completed its delivery flight from Paine Field in Everett, Washington, and arrived at Manchester Airport.

The carrier will fly the new aircraft from London Gatwick, Manchester, East Midlands and Glasgow airports, on long-haul routes to Sanford, Florida and Cancun in Mexico, starting from 8 July.

Boeing predicts global aircraft demand will exceed 35,000 aeroplanes by 2032

Boeing has predicted that airlines, lessors and freight firms will need 35,280 passenger aeroplanes, valued at $4.8tn, in the next two decades.

In its latest current market outlook (CMO), the company raised its previous 20-year forecast for commercial jet demand by 3.8%.

Boeing analysts believe the global aircraft fleet will double in the next 20 years and expects passenger and cargo traffic to grow by five percent annually.

Ryanair finalises firm order for 175 Boeing Next-Generation 737-800 aircraft

Ireland-based low-cost carrier Ryanair

Ireland-based low-cost carrier Ryanair has finalised a firm order for 175 next-generation 737-800 aeroplanes, valued at $15.6bn at list prices, at the 50th International Paris Air Show currently being held at Le Bourget Airport.

The firm order is part of the carrier’s efforts to increase its fleet by a third to 400 aeroplanes, which was announced as a commitment in March.

This order marks the largest ever Boeing aircraft order from a European airline.

Unmanned aerial vehicle completes record flight across the Alps

A type md4-1000 drone, from German company microdrones, has completed a complex record flight by taking off from Switzerland and crossing the Saint-Gotthard Massif to Italy.

The drone crossed the Alps via the Saint-Gotthard Massif between Hospental and Airolo in Switzerland.

Lasting for almost 25 minutes, the flight was monitored by a professional stunt and film team.


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