News Archive
Archive of industry news from the global aerospace industryNews By Date
February 2012
Top
Europe’s new launcher Vega makes first flight
The European Space Agency (ESA) has successfully launched the new lightweight rocket Vega, carrying nine test payloads from the Kourou bases in French...
Four dimensional air traffic management technology trialled in Europe
Airbus has trialled a four dimensional optimised and upgraded air traffic management (ATM) technology on its A320 test aircraft, flying from Toulouse in France to Copenhagen, Denmark and...
Russia to invest $12bn on Glonass satellite navigation system
Russia is planning to invest RUR346.5bn ($12bn) on its Glonass satellite navigation system during 2012-2020, which is creating a navigation programme that is independent of the US...
EASA orders wing checks on entire A380 fleet
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has ordered checks for possible cracks inside the aircraft's wings on the entire global fleet of Airbus A380 superjumbo jets under its...
NASA explores alternative green propellant technology
NASA is seeking new technology proposals from companies for a green propellant alternative to the highly toxic fuel...
Space Systems/Loral wins Australian satellite contract
Australian Government-owned National Broadband Network (NBN) has awarded a $620m contract to US-based Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) to design two next-generation Ka-band 1A and 1B...
PTC to support Mitsubishi’s Regional Jet programme
Mitsubishi Aircraft has chosen PTC as a strategic partner for developing a reliable and maintainable management platform for the Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ) next-generation aircraft...
Air Namibia orders two Airbus 319 aircraft
Air Namibia, the African country's national carrier, has ordered two new A319 aircraft from Airbus to replace the existing two Boeing 737-500s in its fleet, in a deal worth $161m at list...
Korean Air receives first Boeing 747-8, 777 Freighters
Korean Air has obtained its first Boeing 747-8 and 777 Freighters to expand its cargo fleet making it the first airline in the world to operate both the 747-8 and 777...
NewSat signs satellite capacity deal with Measat
Malaysian-based satellite operator Measat has signed a 15-year contract worth $180m with Australian satellite company NewSat to acquire capacity on the Jabiru-1 satellite, which will...
Estonian Air to lease 12 Embraer E-Jet family aircraft
Estonian Air, the government owned national carrier of Estonia, has selected Embraer's 170-Jet aircraft to replace the existing Boeing model and to serve new destinations, dropping its plans to...
AirAsia to add 275 A320s aircraft in next 14 years
Asia-Pacific's low-cost airliner AirAsia has unveiled a plan to add 275 Airbus 320 aircraft over the next 14 years as part of its fleet...
ESA orders additional eight Galileo satellites
European Space Agency (ESA) has awarded a contract to a consortium led by OHB System and Surrey Satellite Technology (SSTL) to build and launch a further eight satellites for its...
Air Astana orders 15 aircraft worth $1bn
Kazakhstan's flagship carrier Air Astana has ordered 15 new planes in a deal worth over $1bn to expand and modernise its...
Spirit Airlines confirms 75 A320 jet order
US-based Spirit Airlines has confirmed its order for 75 Airbus single-aisles comprising 45 of the upgraded fuel-efficient A320neo aircraft and 30 A320 jetliners, following the Memorandum...
Northrop to develop solar electric propulsion flight concepts for NASA
Northrop Grumman has received a four-month study contract from NASA to study high-power solar electric propulsion flight system technology for the space agency's future deep space and...
Embraer delivers 1,200 ethanol fueled Ipanema aircraft
Embraer has delivered the 1,200th Ipanema aircraft, which is the first in a series of agricultural aircraft certified to run on ethanol (hydrous...
Cebu Air to lease eight Airbus 330-300s
Philippine budget carrier Cebu Air (CEB) is planning to lease up to eight Airbus A330-300 aircraft to serve flights to the US, Middle East, Australia and Europe in...
Moller completes new Skycar design
Moller International (MI) has completed the initial design phase of two new Skycars which are anticipated to meet the requirements of US Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA's) Light...
January 2012
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Honda to unveil first business jet in 2013
Japanese car maker Honda Motor is planning to unveil its first seven-seater small business jet in 2013 and is anticipating to get at least a quarter of the market...
GE leases three Boeing 737-800s to Royal Air Maroc
GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS), the commercial aircraft leasing and financing unit of GE, has delivered three new Boeing 737-800 aircraft leased to Royal Air...
AviancaTaca finalises 51 A320 aircraft order
Colombian airline AviancaTaca Holding (AV) and its Ecuadorian subsidiary, AeroGal, have confirmed their order for 51 Airbus narrow-body A320 jets with Airbus in a deal worth...
Russian cargo ship Progress M-14M docks with ISS
A Russian cargo spacecraft carrying 2.6t of cargo of fuel, water and food supplies, as well as scientific equipment has docked at the International Space...
Thales Alenia Space completes integration of ATV4 module
Thales Alenia Space has completed integration of the fourth Integrated Cargo Carrier (ICC), which is the service module for the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) being built for the European...
NEC starts system design for second Hayabusa asteroid explorer
NEC has begun the system design of Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's (JAXA) second Hayabusa Asteroid Explorer under the Hayabusa 2...
Norwegian orders 222 aircraft from Boeing and Airbus for $21.5bn
Norwegian Air Shuttle (Norwegian) has signed deals worth $21.5bn to buy 222 planes from Boeing and Airbus including models equipped with fuel-efficient...
Airbus delivers first A320 aircraft to Hong Kong Airlines
Airbus has delivered a long-range, single-aisle A320 aircraft to Hong Kong Airlines, the first of 30 aircraft ordered by the...
Hawaiian Airlines extends maintenance agreement with Goodrich
Goodrich and Hawaiian Airlines have extended their current Prime Solutions nacelle maintenance agreement in order to include three Boeing 717-200 aircraft inducted into the airline's fleet...
Saudi Arabian Airlines orders eight Boeing 777-300ERs
Saudi Arabian Airlines has ordered eight Boeing 777-300ER aircraft in a deal worth...
Indian Government to fund civilian aircraft development project
The Indian Government’s Planning Commission is expected to allocate Rs50bn ($995.6m) in the 12th Five Year Plan for the development of a 90-seater regional transport aircraft...
EASA orders checks on one third of A380 fleet
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has issued an Airworthiness Directive (AD) relating to one third of the current Airbus 380 fleet following reported cracks inside the wings of the...
ULA launches fourth WGS satellite
The United Launch Alliance (ULA) has launched the Boeing-built Wideband Global SATCOM 4 (WGS-4) satellite on board an unmanned heavy-lift Delta IV rocket from Space Launch Complex 37 in...
Cathay Pacific Airways orders six Airbus A350-900 jets
Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific Airways has signed a $1.6bn order with Airbus for six A350-900 wide-body long-haul aircraft intended to serve European...
Boeing to build eighth and ninth WGS satellites for USAF
The US Air Force (USAF) has given authorisation to Boeing to build and launch the eighth and ninth wideband global SATCOM (WGS)...
Etihad cancels six Airbus A350-1000 aircraft orders
Etihad Airways, the Abu Dhabi Government owned airline, has cancelled six Airbus A350-1000 of its original order of 25 aircraft, but retained the option to buy wide body...
BE Aerospace wins $800m Boeing contract
BE Aerospace has won an $800m contract from Boeing to manufacture the modular lavatory systems for Boeing’s 737 Next-Generation family of aircraft and the 737 MAX, which is expected to launch...
Five countries join US in Wideband Global Satcom (WGS) project
Canada, New Zealand, Denmark, Luxembourg and the Netherlands will contribute $620m towards the ninth satellite in a new US military communications system costing about...
Iran to launch new satellite, unveil maritime patrol aircraft in February
Iran is planning to launch a new satellite into space and unveil its maritime patrol aircraft in...
RBS sells aviation asset to SMFG, Sumitomo
Japan's Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (SMFG) and Sumitomo have signed an agreement with the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) to acquire RBS's aircraft leasing business, RBS Aviation Capital, for...
Jet Airways orders additional Boeing 737s
Indian private air carrier Jet Airways has placed orders for an additional 17 mid-range, single-aisle 737-800 aircraft with Boeing by converting its options contract into a purchase...
Starta wins Airbus A350 XWB work package
Strata Manufacturing, Mubadala Aerospace’s advanced composite aircraft structures plant in Al Ain, UAE, has won a work package to provide wing flap track fairings for the new Airbus A350...
Lockheed Martin wins GPS satellite contract from USAF
The US Air Force (USAF) has awarded a $238m contract to Lockheed Martin to build two more next-generation global positioning system (GPS) III...
Eurocopter delivers three helicopters to UTair Aviation and one to Kenya
Eurocopter has delivered the first three of 20 AS350 B3e helicopters to Russia’s UTair Aviation and one to Kenya Police...
Etihad Airways finalises engine leaseback agreement
UAE’s Etihad Airways has finalised a $367m deal with Sanad Aero Solutions (SAS) and Engine Lease Finance Corp (ELF) for the financing of its 23 spare engines in a sale and leaseback...
Boeing expects rise in demand for 737 jets
Boeing is expecting demand for its narrow-body 737 to increase along with its upcoming Next-Generation 737 MAX, which offers improved fuel...
Air France-KLM confirms order for 25 Boeing 787s
Air France-KLM has finalised a $5.7bn order for 25 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners as part of its plan to expand its fleet, announced in September last...
AEDC tests Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engine
Arnold Engineering Development Center’s (AEDC) Aeropropulsion Systems Test Facility C2 test cell in the US has been conducting simulated altitude performance and operability tests on...
B/E Aerospace to acquire UFC Aerospace
US-based B/E Aerospace has signed an agreement to purchase aerospace supply chain management and inventory logistics company UFC Aerospace for approximately...
ESA set to launch Vega rocket in early February
The European Space Agency (ESA) is planning to launch its new Vega rocket on 9 February 2012 from the Guiana Space Centre (GSC) in Kourou, French...
China launches Ziyuan III civilian remote sensing satellite
China has launched the first of a new series of high-resolution civilian remote sensing satellites, Ziyuan III, onboard the Long March 4B (Chang Zheng-4B -Y26) launch vehicle from the...
Hong Kong Airlines finalises A380 order with Airbus
European passenger jet maker Airbus has finalised a $3.8bn deal with Hong Kong Airlines (HKAIRZ) to deliver ten superjumbo double decker A380...
Boeing wraps up 2011 with 805 commercial aircraft orders
US aerospace giant Boeing booked 805 net commercial aircraft orders in 2011, an increase of about 530 from the previous...
Bolivia’s first satellite set to be launched in 2013
China will launch Bolivia's first telecommunications satellite, Tupac Katari, into orbit from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in China's Sichuan province in December...
Malta University and QuAreo to develop Clean-Flight take-off and landing system
A team of scientists from the Electronic Systems Engineering Department of the University of Malta (UoM) and Malta-based QuAreo are developing a system that will reduce fuel burn during...
NRC approves ISRO reusable launch vehicle design
India's National Review Committee (NRC) has approved the design of the winged Reusable Launch Vehicle-Technology Demonstrator (RLV-TD) developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation...
Boeing to shut down Wichita facility in US by 2013
US-based plane manufacturer Boeing has decided to close its 83-year-old defence, space & security (BDS) facility in Wichita, Kansas, US, by the end of...
Elbit wins Hermes 900 UAS contract in Americas
Elbit Systems has been awarded a $50m contract by an unidentified country in the Americas to supply Hermes 900 Unmanned Aircraft Systems...
GECAS orders two additional ATR 72-600s
General Electric’s commercial aircraft leasing and financing arm GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) has ordered two additional ATR 72-600 turboprop aircraft with the Alenia and EADS joint...
Nasa seeks funding for private spacecraft development
Nasa is planning to hold a competition in February of this year for a third round of private funding for the development of a private spacecraft, which will ferry astronauts to the...
Air India to lease eight Boeing-777 aircraft
Air India (AI) has offered to lease eight Boeing 777-200 planes for 8-10 years to raise money as a part of a plan to cut its debt by...
Nasa’s second GRAIL spacecraft enters into lunar orbit
Nasa has placed the second of two Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) spacecraft, GRAIL-B, into orbit to study the moon’s inner...
December 2011
Top
Eurocopter to supply EC225 LP helicopters to China’s COHC
Eurocopter has been awarded a contract by China’s CITIC Offshore Helicopter (COHC) to supply seven EC225 LP long-range helicopters that will allow the company to carry out its airlift duties...
Season's Greetings from the editorial team
We will be taking a short break over the holiday season. Our daily news service will return in full on 3...
China to launch five satellites in 2012
China is planning to launch five commercial satellites for unidentified foreign customers in...
Precision Air to buy five ATR-600 series aircraft
ATR, a consortium of Alenia and EADS, has won a $98m order from Tanzania’s Precision Air Services for four 50-seat ATR 42-600s and one 68-seat ATR 72-600 turboprop...
Hebei Airlines receives two Embraer 190 jets
China's Hebei Airlines has received two Embraer 190 (E190) jets from...
China launches NigComSat-1R satellite
China has launched a Nigerian communications satellite, named NigComSat-1R, on a Long March 3B (LM-3B) launch vehicle from the Xixhang Satellite Launch Centre in south-west...
Lion Air plans to place new aircraft order in February 2012
Indonesia-based Lion Air is planning to place another aircraft order in February 2012 to upgrade its fleet following a $21.7bn contract with Boeing to buy 380 737 aircraft in November...
Etihad Airways selects GEnx-1B engines to power Boeing 787 and 777 jets
GE Aviation has secured a $900m contract from Etihad Airways to deliver its GEnx-1B engines to power ten Boeing 787 Dreamliners and two Boeing 777...
JetBlue orders 86 Pratt & Whitney PW1100G-JM engines for A320s
JetBlue Airways has signed a $1.03bn agreement with Pratt & Whitney, a division of United Technologies, to purchase 86 PW1100G-JM engines to power 40 Airbus A320neo...
Arianespace launches six satellites
Arianespace has launched the Pleiades 1A, Elisa and SSOT satellites from the Guiana Space Center (CSG) in French Guiana for French space agency CNES, Astrium and the French and Chilean...
FedEx orders 27 767-300 freighters
FedEx Express has signed an agreement with Boeing to purchase 27 767-300 freighters worth $4.7bn to replace its less efficient, medium wide-body cargo...
Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental receives FAA certification
Boeing has received certification from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for its 747-8 Intercontinental passenger aircraft, clearing the way for deliveries early next...
Astrium to manage the ISS on behalf of ESA
Astrium has secured a €240m contract from the European Space Agency (ESA) to manage the continued operation and exploitation of the European components of the International Space Station (ISS)...
Arianespace to launch MEASAT-3b satellite in 2013
Arianespace has secured a contract from the satellite operator MEASAT Global to launch the MEASAT-3b...
Southwest Airlines confirms 208 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft order
Southwest Airlines has agreed to buy 208 Boeing 737s to modernise its all-Boeing...
Six satellites built by Astrium ready for launch
Astrium has built six satellites, ready for launch on 16 December on the second Soyuz flight from the Kourou space port in French...
Bel Air to buy two AW189 helicopters from AgustaWestland
Bel Air of Denmark has signed a contract with AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, for two AW189 helicopters, which will be used for offshore oil and gas transport missions in the North...
Russia launches two telecommunication satellites
Russian space agency Roscosmos has launched two telecommunication satellites, AMOS-5 and Loutch-5A, onboard a Proton-M carrier rocket from the Baikonur space centre in...
Air Lease finalises order for Boeing 787-9s and 737-800s
Air Lease has confirmed a $1.2bn order with Boeing for four 787-9 Dreamliners, with an option to buy four Next-Generation 737-800s, marking the completion of an agreement announced during the...
Etihad Airways to buy ten Boeing 787-9 and two Boeing 777 aircraft
Etihad Airways has signed a $2.8bn contract with Boeing to buy ten 787-9 Dreamliners and a pair of 777...
Iran to launch three domestically built satellites
Iran Space Agency (ISA) is planning to launch three indigenously built satellites, named Navid (Herald), Fajr (Dawn) and Kavoshgar (Explorer...
NewSat to launch Jabiru-1 satellite in 2014
NewSat has signed a contract with Arianespace to launch its Jabiru-1 satellite in the second half of...
Weststar Aviation to buy ten AgustaWestland helicopters
Weststar Aviation Services of Malaysia has signed a $150m contract with AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, to purchase ten...
Sampoerna to get AgustaWestland's GrandNew helicopter
Sampoerna is set to receive AgustaWestland's GrandNew light twin engine...
SFS Aviation signs contract for AW139 helicopter
SFS Aviation has signed a contract with AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, to buy an AW139 medium twin...
China to launch Turkmenistan communications satellite in 2014
China is planning to launch a communications satellite in 2014 for the Turkmenistan Government on a Long March-3B carrier rocket at the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in south-west China's...
Avation to buy five ATR72 aircraft
Aircraft leasing company Avation has signed a contract with ATR for the purchase of five additional ATR72 aircraft, which will expand its ATR72 fleet to...
Allegheny Technologies signs supplier contract with Goodrich
Allegheny Technologies has secured a long-term sourcing contract from Goodrich to supply aerospace forgings used for landing gear...
China to develop Fengyun-series weather satellite
China will develop a third-generation Fengyun-series weather satellite to observe meteorological changes, enabling the country's scientists to collect climate change...
Airphil Express receives Airbus A320 aircraft from GE Capital Aviation
Airphil Express has received a new Airbus A320 aircraft from GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS), the commercial aircraft leasing and financing arm of GE, to expand its...
Arianespace to launch Pleiades 1 satellite on 16 December
Arianespace is preparing to launch the Pleiades 1 Earth observation satellite along with five co-passengers on a second Soyuz flight from French Guiana on 16 December...
Transaero Airlines orders eight Airbus A320neos
Transaero Airlines has confirmed an order for eight A320neo aircraft following a memorandum of understanding signed in August...
US and Canada require 6,315 aircraft by 2030: Airbus
The US and Canada will require 6,315 new aircraft worth $648bn between 2011 and 2030, according to Airbus' Global Market Forecast...
Kalitta Air finalises purchase of new Boeing 747-400ERF aircraft
Kalitta Air has finalised the purchase of a new Boeing 747-400ERF aircraft to enhance its international cargo...
China launches tenth navigation satellite
China has launched its tenth navigation satellite, named Beidou or Compass system, to reduce dependence on the US global positioning system...
CAE wins LTSA contract from US Airways
CAE has secured a five-year long-term support agreement (LTSA) from US Airways to assist the airline with simulator planning and engineering for six Airbus A320 and A330 full-flight...
Rolls-Royce to provide Trent 700 engines to Hawaiian Airlines
Rolls-Royce has secured a $350m contract from Hawaiian Airlines to deliver Trent 700 engines for five Airbus A330...
Airbus conducts sharklet-equipped A320 flight test
Airbus has completed the first flight test equipped with sharklet wing-tip devices on its A320 development aircraft (MSN 001) to gather data to fine-tune the aircraft's flight...
Boeing to build TDRS-M satellite for Nasa
Boeing has secured a $289m contract modification from Nasa to build a Tracking and Data Relay Satellite...
Boeing opens interiors fabrication facility in South Carolina
Boeing has opened its new interiors fabrication facility in North Charleston, South Carolina, US, which manufactures interior parts for Boeing's...
CPI Group to buy AgustaWestland's AW119Ke helicopter
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, has secured an order for one AW119Ke single-engine helicopter from Czech Republic-based CPI...
Goodrich to install electronic flight bag system on Monarch Airlines' Airbus fleet
Goodrich has secured a contract from Monarch Airlines to provide the upgradeable SmartDisplay Electronic Flight Bags (EFB) system for Airbus A300, A320, A321 and A330...
GE to lease two Airbus A330-300s to China Airlines
GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS), the commercial aircraft leasing and financing unit of GE, is planning to lease two new Airbus A330-300 aircraft to China Airlines to further expand its...
European Space Agency prepares new technologies for future launchers
The European Space Agency (ESA) and the DLR German Space Centre have launched a Texus 48 rocket from the Esrange Space Centre near Kiruna in northern Sweden to demonstrate new technologies...
Indra to build ground system for Paz satellite
Indra has secured a contract from INTA, an organ of the Spanish Ministry of Defence, to provide the ground control segment for the Paz Earth Observation...
Globalstar to launch six new satellites on 25 December
Globalstar is planning to launch six new second-generation satellites on 25 December 2011, which will be the third launch of its second-generation constellation...
China launches Yaogan XIII satellite
China has launched the remote-sensing satellite Yaogan XIII on a Long March 2C carrier rocket from Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre in the northern province of...
Senior acquires Weston Group
UK-based engineering group Senior has acquired commercial aerospace parts-maker Weston for...
November 2011
Top
AeroMechanical to install AFIRS 220 for Nigerian airline
AeroMechanical Services (AMA) has secured a contract from a Nigerian airline to install the Automated Flight Information Reporting System (AFIRS) 220 on six Fokker 100...
Hebei Aviation orders ten ARJ21 jets
Hebei Aviation Investment Group has signed an agreement with Commercial Aircraft of China (Comac) to buy ten Comac ARJ21 regional...
SIA Engineering wins TSP contract from Airbus
SIA Engineering Company (SIAEC) has secured a six-year tailored support package (TSP) contract from Airbus to maintain Singapore Airlines' (SIA) additional fleet of 15 A330-300 aircraft, which...
Russia launches Glonass-M navigation satellite
Russia has launched another Glonass-M navigation satellite on a Soyuz carrier rocket from the Plesetsk space centre as part of its Glonass global navigation...
Nasa launches car-sized rover to explore Mars
Nasa has launched the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL), which carries a car-sized rover named Curiosity, on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in the US...
Kazakhstan receives six EC145 helicopters from Eurocopter
The Republic of Kazakhstan has received the first of six EC145 helicopters out of a total of 45 ordered from...
UK opens national composites centre
The UK has opened a 8,500m² National Composites Centre (NCC) in Bristol at a cost of...
AsiaSat launches AsiaSat 7 satellite
Asia Satellite Telecommunications Company (AsiaSat) has launched AsiaSat 7, a new communications satellite, on an ILS Proton Breeze M launch vehicle from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in...
Nigeria to launch NigComSat-1R satellite on 19 December
Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) is planning to launch NigComSat-1R to replace NigComSat-1, which was lost in orbit on 10 November...
Volvo to divest aero engine parts business
Swedish group Volvo is planning to sell its aerospace engine component business to streamline the group towards commercial...
Thales Alenia Space to build Turkmenistan telecommunications satellite
Thales Alenia Space has secured a contract from the Turkmenistan Government to build a telecommunications...
Flybe secures funds for aircraft finance deal
European regional airline Flybe has secured $500m of funding from the Brazilian Export Development Bank (BNDES) to buy 20 new Embraer E175 regional jet...
Nordic region requires 424 aircraft by 2030: Airbus
The Nordic region will require 424 new passenger aircraft between 2011 and 2030 worth $38.6bn, according to an Airbus global market...
American selects CFM56-5B and V2500-A5 to power A319 and A321
American Airlines has selected the CFM56-5B engine from CFM International for its A319 aircraft, and V2500-A5 engines from International Aero Engines (IAE) for its A321 aircraft, as part of...
Thales to provide software for Globalstar second-generation satellite
Thales Alenia Space has secured a contract from Globalstar to develop software to enhance operations of Globalstar second-generation...
China Bank of Communications orders 30 Comac C919s
Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) has secured an order for 30 C919 aircraft from China Bank of Communications' leasing...
Xilin Fengteng to buy two Eurocopter helicopters
Xilin Fengteng has signed an agreement with Eurocopter to buy two helicopters, one EC120 B and one...
BOC Aviation orders 15 Embraer 190 aircraft
BOC Aviation has signed an agreement with Embraer to buy 15 E190 aircraft, powered by 15 CF34-10E engines, worth...
Singapore Airlines signs engine maintenance deal with GE
Singapore Airlines has signed a $300m deal with GE Aviation to expand GE's OnPoint solutions to its fleet of additional GE90...
SES to launch SES-4 satellite in December
SES is planning to launch the SES-4 satellite in December 2011 aboard an ILS Proton Breeze M vehicle at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in...
China launches pair of satellites
China has launched two satellites, named Chuangxin 1-03 and Shiyan 4, on a Long March 2D carrier rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in Gansu Province, north-west...
Embraer and Aerolíneas sign flight hour pool agreement
Embraer has signed a six-year flight hour pool programme agreement with Aerolíneas Argentinas to provide component support for the carrier's fleet of 20 Embraer 190 jets through...
Latin America aircraft market to reach $197bn by 2030
Latin America will require 2,028 new passenger aircraft worth $197bn between 2011 and 2030, according to an estimate by...
Lion Air orders 230 Boeing aircraft for $21.7bn
Indonesia-based Lion Air has signed a $21.7bn contract with Boeing to buy 230 aircraft, including 201 737 MAXs and 29 Next-Generation 737-900...
Volaris to buy 44 A320 family aircraft
Volaris has signed a memorandum of understanding to buy 44 eco-efficient Airbus A320 aircraft for $3.7bn, comprising 30 A320neos and 14 A320 family...
Bombardier Aerospace to build new manufacturing facility in Morocco
Bombardier Aerospace has signed an agreement with the Moroccan Government to invest $200m to build an aircraft component manufacturing plant in the...
Vietnam to develop national space centre
The Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology has secured a contract from the Vietnamese Government to develop a national space centre at a cost of about $600m with support from Japanese...
Singapore Airlines seals deal for eight Boeing B777-300ERs
Singapore Airlines has confirmed a contract with Boeing, worth approximately $2.4bn, for eight more B777-300ER aircraft, which was first announced on 10 August...
Republic Airways finalises LEAP-1A engine order
CFM International has secured a $2bn order from Republic Airways Holdings, a unit of Frontier Airlines, for advanced LEAP-1A engines to power the airline's recently ordered Airbus 80 A320neo...
Qatar Airways orders 100 Pratt & Whitney PW1100G-JM engines
Qatar Airways has signed a contract with Pratt & Whitney, a division of United Technologies, to buy 100 PurePower PW1100G-JM engines with a PureSolution maintenance...
Arianespace to launch DIRECTV satellite in Latin America
Arianespace has secured a contract from DIRECTV to launch a satellite from the European Spaceport in French Guiana on an Ariane 5 to provide services in Latin...
Brazil aircraft market to grow by $82bn to 2030
Airbus estimates that Brazil will require 701 new passenger aircraft, comprising 501 single-aisle, 174 twin-aisle and 26 very large aircraft, worth $82bn between 2011 and...
AgustaWestland and Abu Dhabi Aviation form JV in UAE
AgustaWestland, a unit of Finmeccanica, and Abu Dhabi Aviation have formed a joint venture (JV) in the UAE to provide helicopter...
Safran and Honeywell trial electric green taxiing system
Honeywell and Safran have begun the first rolling tests for their electric green taxiing system, which is expected to improve operational...
Qatar Airways orders two Boeing 777 Freighters
Qatar Airways has ordered two Boeing 777 Freighters worth $560m, which will increase the airline's 777 Freighter fleet to...
Spirit Airlines orders 75 Airbus A320 family jets
Spirit Airlines has signed a $6.7bn agreement with Airbus to buy 75 single-aisle aircraft, which includes 45 A320neo aircraft with a new engine option and 30...
Aviation Capital orders 30 Airbus A320neos
US-based aircraft leasing company Aviation Capital Group (ACG) has signed a $2.7bn contract with Airbus to buy 30 eco-efficient A320neo family...
Oman Air to buy six Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners
Oman's state-owned carrier Oman Air has signed a $1.16bn contract with Boeing to buy six 787-8 Dreamliner...
Goodrich signs maintenance agreements with Emirates Airlines
Goodrich has signed two support agreements with Emirates Airlines to provide maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) and support services for passenger evacuation slides on the airline's...
Boeing forecasts Middle East aircraft market to reach $450bn by 2030
Boeing estimates that the Middle East region will require 2,520 planes worth $450bn by 2030 for fleet expansion and replacement of existing...
Rolls-Royce to provide Trent 700 engines to Garuda Indonesia
Garuda Indonesia Airlines has ordered four Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines to power its Airbus A330 aircraft in a deal worth...
Emirates Airline orders 50 Boeing 777-300ERs
UAE-based Emirates Airline has signed a $18bn contract with Boeing for the purchase of 50 777-300ER...
Alafco orders 50 Airbus A320neo family aircraft
Kuwait-based aviation lease and finance company Alafco has ordered 50 A320neo family aircraft, with options for an additional 30 finalised by the end of...
Middle East aircraft market to grow by $347.4bn to 2030
The Middle East will require 1,921 new passenger and freighter aircraft worth $347.4bn between 2011 and 2030, according to Airbus' latest Global Market...
Embraer to redesign engines for E-Jets instead of building new planes
Embraer is planning to upgrade the engines and wings on its E-170 and E-190 jets by 2018, instead of designing bigger...
Nasa gears up to launch Mars rover on 25 November
Nasa is in the final phase of preparations to launch its car-sized robotic vehicle named Curiosity to Mars aboard an Atlas V rocket on 25 November 2011 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station...
Bristow Group orders six AW189 helicopters
Bristow Group has signed a contract with AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, to buy six AW189 helicopters, with an option for additional...
Thales Alenia Space to build four more satellites for O3b constellation
O3b Networks has signed a contract with Thales Alenia Space for the construction of four satellites for its medium Earth orbit...
China launches two satellites
China has launched a remote-sensing satellite and a university-built satellite on a Long March 4B carrier rocket from the Taiyuan space centre in the Shanxi province of northern...
Boeing, Hawai'i BioEnergy cooperate to develop biofuel
Boeing has joined forces with Hawai'i BioEnergy to work on renewable energy sources for the development of aviation...
American Airlines signs sale-leaseback deal with ILFC
American Airlines has signed a sale-leaseback agreement with International Lease Finance (ILFC), under which it will sell 15 new Boeing 737-800 aircraft and lease them...
Caribbean Airlines receives first ATR 72-600
Caribbean Airlines has taken delivery of the first of nine ATR 72-600 aircraft as part of a $200m...
ILS to launch W3D satellite in 2013
International Launch Services (ILS) has signed a contract to launch Eutelsat's W3D satellite on its Proton rocket in...
CTT Systems to install Cair system on two Airbus VIP A319 aircraft
CTT Systems has secured an order from Airbus Corporate Jet Centre (ACJC) to install its Cair system in two Airbus VIP A319 aircraft, which will provide humidification of dry aircraft cabins...
Lao Airlines receives delivery of first A320 aircraft
Lao Airlines has taken delivery of the first of two A320 aircraft ordered from...
Transaero Airlines to buy four Boeing 747-8 aircraft
Russia-based Transaero Airlines has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Boeing to buy four passenger models of its new 747-8 jet for...
Boeing delivers 747-8 Freighter to Atlas Air
Atlas Air Worldwide has received the first of nine Boeing 747-8 Freighters it has on...
Republic Airways finalises 80 Airbus A320neo family aircraft order
Republic Airways Holdings (RJET), a unit of Frontier Airlines, has confirmed an order with Airbus for 60 A320neo (New Engine Option) and 20 A319neo aircraft following a memorandum of...
Vantage to provide scientific services to Nasa
Nasa has selected Vantage Partners to provide engineering and scientific services to the Glenn Research Center in Cleveland,...
NLR and Airborne form partnership on RTM technology
The National Aerospace Laboratory in the Netherlands (NLR) and Airborne have formed a strategic partnership on resin transfer moulding (RTM)...
Alaska Airlines launches biofuel-powered commercial flight in US
Alaska Airlines is to launch a biofuel-powered commercial service in the US, its maiden flight leaving Seattle, bound for Washington...
UrtheCast signs agreement with Roscosmos to send two cameras to ISS
UrtheCast has signed an agreement with the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) to send two UrtheCast cameras to the Russian module of the International Space Station...
Wuhan to buy three helicopters from Eurocopter China
Eurocopter China has received an order from Wuhan Helicopter for three helicopters, comprising two AS350 B3e helicopters and one EC120 B light single-engine helicopter, which will be used...
CIT Group to buy 30 jets from Embraer
CIT Group has signed an agreement with Embraer to buy up to 30 E190 and / or E195 jets, which includes ten firm...
ATR delivers first ATR 72-600 to ALC
US-based Air Lease (ALC) has taken delivery of its first ATR 72-600 turboprop aircraft from European turboprop manufacturer...
Peach Aviation receives delivery of first A320s
Peach Aviation has leased its first A320 from GECAS, which will lease ten A320s to the Japanese...
Astrium to build DirecTV 15 satellite
Astrium has secured a contract from digital television entertainment services provider DirecTV to design and manufacture a new high-power telecommunications satellite, named DirecTV...
Russia launches Glonass-M satellite
Russia has launched a Proton-M launch vehicle with three Glonass-M navigation satellites, a Russian global positioning system (GPS), from the Baikonur Space Centre in...
Australia's Optus 10 satellite to be launched in 2013
Australia-based SingTel Optus will launch its Optus 10 satellite, which will offer enhanced data transmission services, on an Ariane 5 rocket in 2013 from the Guiana Space Center in French...
Airbus secures FHS contract from Singapore Airlines
Airbus has secured a flight hour services (FHS) tailored support package contract from Singapore Airlines to integrate and provide full component support, line and base airframe...
Boeing selects 68-inch fan for 737 MAX engine
Boeing has selected a 68-inch fan diameter for its new 737 MAX family, which will be powered by CFM International LEAP-1B...
Dubai Aerospace modifies five 747-8Fs to 777Fs
Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) has agreed to cancel five of the 15 747-8 freighters and convert them to smaller Boeing 777 freighter...
Aveos raises funds to expand component solutions centre
Aveos has raised $50m from a group of financial institutions to invest into its new component solutions...
Cathay Pacific receives first Boeing 747-8 Freighter
Cathay Pacific Airways has received the first of ten Boeing 747-8 Freighters it ordered from Boeing to replace its 747-400 Boeing Converted Freighters...
Southern Air to lease two Boeing 777F aircraft
Southern Air Holdings is to enhance its fleet by leasing two Boeing 777F...
NASA, Space Florida sign agreement for Nano-Satellite Launch Challenge
NASA has signed an agreement with the Space Florida Small Satellite Research Centre of Cape Canaveral, Florida, to manage the Nano-Satellite Launch Challenge to launch satellites with a mass of...
Cobham, Carson Helicopter partner to provide avionics upgrades for Sikorsky Aircraft
Cobham and Carson Helicopters have signed a partnership to provide an advanced suite of avionics for Sikorsky S-61, S-76, and UH-60 derivative...
China launches unmanned spaceship Shenzhou 8
China has launched an unmanned spaceship, Shenzhou 8, in a bid to place a manned permanent space station into orbit by...
GE starts construction on jet engine component plant in US
GE Aviation has broken-ground on a new $50m jet engine component plant in Auburn, Alabama,...
Boeing to build orbiter processing facility at Kennedy Space Centre
Boeing has signed a deal with Nasa and Space Florida to build an Orbiter Processing Facility-3 at Nasa's Kennedy Space Centre (KSC) in Florida,...
China to launch 20 rockets, 25 satellites by year-end
China is planning to launch 20 rockets and 25 satellites into space by the end of this...
Astrium delivers Arabsat-5C satellite to Arabsat
Astrium has delivered Arabsat-5C, a multi-mission satellite, to Arabsat as part of the in-orbit delivery...
Nasa launches Earth-observation satellite
Nasa has launched a new Earth-observation satellite on a Delta II rocket from Space Launch Complex 2 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California,...
Air China, Boeing conduct first sustainable biofuel flight
Air China, Boeing and other Chinese and US aviation energy companies have conducted a trial of a passenger plane powered by a 50:50 mix of biofuel and traditional aviation...
Goodrich reports Q3 profit
Goodrich has reported a 26% rise in profit to $201m during the third quarter of 2011 compared with the $160m it reported during the corresponding period in...
Azul orders 11 E-195 jets from Embraer
Brazilian airline Azul Linhas Aereas has signed a $497.5m contract with Embraer to buy 11 E-195...
Boeing and Embraer join jet biofuel research initiative
US-based Boeing and Brazil-based Embraer have signed an agreement with the Sao Paulo State Scientific Research Federation (FAPESP), the Brazilian state-run scientific research foundation,...
Russia launches cargo ship to ISS
Russia has launched an unmanned cargo space-ship loaded with 3t of supplies to the International Space Station...
October 2011
Top
Chinese airline orders six Bombardier CRJ900 NextGen aircraft
An unnamed Chinese airline has signed a conditional agreement with Bombardier Aerospace to buy six CRJ900 NextGen aircraft for...
JetBlue Airways orders 40 Airbus 320neo jets
JetBlue Airways has finalised a firm order with Airbus for 40 medium-haul, single-aisle A320neo...
Transaero to buy four A380 Airbus aircraft
Transaero Airlines has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to buy four Airbus A380 aircraft for $1.5bn and will become the launch customer for the A380 in Russia, the CIS and Eastern...
Royal Air receives two new Boeing 737-800s from GECAS
GE's commercial aircraft leasing and financing unit GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) has delivered two new Boeing 737-800 aircraft to Royal Air...
Ukraine to launch Cyclone-4 satellite in 2013
Ukraine is planning to launch the Ukrainian rocket Cyclone-4 from the Brazilian Alcantara space centre in...
Sichuan Airlines orders 20 C919 aircraft
Sichuan Airlines has signed an agreement to purchase 20 C919s from Commercial Aircraft of China...
Air Berlin postpones order for 19 aircraft
Air Berlin has signed an agreement with aircraft manufacturers Airbus and Boeing to partly postpone delivery of 19 new aircraft, valued at about $1.6bn, from the companies to help ease its debt...
Gulfstream Airlines to buy six Saab 340B Plus aircraft
Gulfstream International Airlines has signed an agreement with Saab Aircraft Leasing to buy six 34-seat 340B Plus...
Air India to reduce Boeing Dreamliner order
Air India is planning to cut down its order for Boeing 787 Dreamliners to 12 from its original 27-jet order announced in 2005, according to sources familiar with the...
Pratt & Whitney's PW210S engine receives Canadian clearance
Transport Canada has certified Pratt & Whitney Canada's PW210S engine, which will be installed in Sikorsky Aircraft's new S-76D...
Lockheed Martin to start GeoEye-2 satellite integration
Lockheed Martin is set to commence the integration of GeoEye's next-generation, high-resolution Earth-imaging satellite, known as GeoEye-2, to its Sunnyvale, California, facilities at the end...
AerCap secures loan for 12 Boeing 737-800s
AerCap Holdings has secured a $400m credit facility with ten years maturity to fund 12 Boeing 737-800 aircraft which will be leased to American...
International Launch Services to launch AsiaSat 7
Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) has delivered its new communications satellite AsiaSat 7 to the Baikonur Space Centre in Kazakhstan, ready for its scheduled launch on 26 November...
Air Pacific orders three A330-200 aircraft from Airbus
Airbus has secured a contract from Air Pacific to deliver three new A330-200 aircraft as part of its plan to overhaul its long-haul...
United Rotorcraft to design four EC145 aircraft for OSF Aviation
OSF Aviation has awarded a contract to United Rotorcraft, a division of Air Methods, to complete its four new Eurocopter EC145...
Bombardier to build aft fuselage for Global 7000 and 8000 aircraft in Mexico
Bombardier Aerospace is planning to build aft fuselages for its new Global 7000 and Global 8000 business jets at its site in Queretaro,...
TAM Airlines orders 32 A320 aircraft from Airbus
TAM Airlines has ordered 32 A320 aircraft from Airbus, comprising 22 A320neos and ten...
AAR to acquire Teleflex's two aerospace business units
AAR has signed an agreement with Teleflex to acquire its two aviation businesses, Telair International and Nordisk Aviation Products, for $280m, expanding its offering to aircraft makers Airbus...
Eurocopter delivers Ecureuil AS350 B3e to Servicios Aereos
Eurocopter subsidiary Eurocopter Chile has delivered an Ecureuil AS350 B3e helicopter to Servicios Aereos Kipreos Marignane,...
Arianespace launches Europe’s two Galileo navigation satellites
Arianespace has launched Europe's first two Galileo navigation satellites on the Russian-built Soyuz launch vehicle from French...
Namibia Air to buy two Airbus A319-100 aircraft
Namibia Air has signed a contract with Airbus to buy a pair of A319-100 aircraft for...
ICBC orders 45 C919 jets
The finance leasing unit of Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) has ordered 45 C919 jets from China-based aircraft maker Commercial Aircraft Corp of...
US DARPA plans to recycle space debris
The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has started a programme, called Phoenix, which will find ways to recycle space junk thousands of miles above the...
ViaSat-1 launched on a Russian Proton rocket
The ViaSat-1 broadband spacecraft has been launched on a Russian Proton rocket by International Launch Services (ILS) for ViaSat of California,...
ST Engineering wins aircraft maintenance contracts
ST Engineering's aerospace unit has secured new maintenance contracts worth $453m in the third quarter of...
Innovative Solutions to supply avionics suite to Eclipse Aerospace
Innovative Solutions & Support has signed an agreement with Eclipse Aerospace to provide an advanced avionics suite for the production model of the Eclipse 550...
United Technologies reports Q3 profit
United Technologies has reported a profit of $1.3bn during the third quarter of 2011, up by 11% over the corresponding period in 2010, boosted by orders from its aerospace and building...
Air New Zealand orders seven ATR72-600 turboprop planes
Air New Zealand has ordered seven new short-haul planes with an option to buy five more from France-based company ATR for...
Airbus, Rolls-Royce prepare for A350 engine flight test
Airbus has completed installation of the first Rolls-Royce Trent XWB flight-test engine on the A380 flying-testbed aircraft (MSN 001) at its Jean-Luc Lagardere site in Toulouse, France, ahead...
Middle East airlines market to grow to $390bn
Boeing forecasts that Middle Eastern airlines will require 2,340 aircraft by 2029 with a total value of $390bn as the regional industry...
Bombardier unveils CSeries aircraft cabin demonstrator
Bombardier Commercial Aircraft has unveiled a full-scale cabin demonstrator for the all-new CSeries...
China Eastern orders 15 Airbus 330 aircraft
China Eastern Airlines has ordered 15 Airbus 330 wide-body aircraft for $2.5bn and the resale of five A340...
Cobham extends QantasLink contract with Qantas
Cobham has signed a five-year extension of its B717 QantasLink contract with Australian airline Qantas worth A$500m ($514m), which was scheduled to expire in...
Virgin Atlantic develops low-carbon aviation fuel
Virgin Atlantic, in collaboration with New Zealand-based LanzaTech, has developed an aviation fuel from industrial waste gases which will reduce the carbon emission of standard jet fuel by...
Airbus delivers A380 to China Southern Airlines
Airbus has delivered the first A380 aircraft to China Southern Airlines, under a firm five-aircraft order, at its delivery centre in Toulouse,...
China Eastern cancels 24 Boeing 787 Dreamliner jets order
China Eastern Airlines has terminated an order of 24 Boeing 787 Dreamliner jets due to delivery...
Cargolux Airlines receives GEnx-powered Boeing 747-8 Freighter
Boeing has delivered the first Boeing 747-8 Freighter, powered by the GEnx engine, to the launch customer Cargolux Airlines as part of a firm order totalling 13 747-8...
Air France and Airbus test biofuel-based aircraft
Air France and aircraft manufacturer Airbus have completed the world's greenest commercial flight by combining the latest fuel and air traffic management (ATM)...
Airbus opens new wing facility in Broughton
Airbus has opened a new £400m wing-manufacturing factory in Broughton, UK, to expand existing manufacturing capacity and produce high-tech carbon fibre composite wings for the A350 XWB...
Nasa to launch Earth-observing satellite
Nasa is planning to launch the first Earth-observing satellite, the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System Preparatory Project (NPP), on a Delta II rocket from...
ISRO launches four satellites on PSLV-C18
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has launched four satellites, named Megha-Tropiques satellite, VesselSat-1, Jugnu and SRMSat, on a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-C18 (PSLV-C18)...
Pratt & Whitney buys Rolls-Royce stake in IAE
Pratt & Whitney will pay $1.5bn to acquire Rolls-Royce Group's stake in International Aero Engines (IAE), a producer of engines for the Airbus A320 plane...
Kenya Airways to lease two Boeing 777-300 ER Aircraft
Kenya Airways has signed a 12-year lease agreement with General Electric Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) for two Boeing 777-300 Extended Range (ER)...
CAE to deliver four Level D flight simulators
CAE has signed a C$55m ($53.7m) contract to deliver four Level D full-flight simulators (FFS) to Cathay Pacific Airways, Asian Aviation Centre of Excellence and Lufthansa Flight...
Helistar to buy three EC145 helicopters from Eurocopter
Colombia-based Helistar has signed an agreement with Eurocopter Group subsidiary Eurocopter de Mexico to buy three EC145...
Eclipse Aerospace to restart production of 550 very light jets
Eclipse Aerospace is planning to restart the production of the Eclipse 550, a new twin-engine jet model in the Eclipse jet...
Cessna Aircraft unveils Citation Latitude business aircraft
Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron company, has unveiled the new Citation Latitude mid-size business jet worth...
Minsheng Financial orders 20 Falcon business jets from Dassault
Minsheng Financial Leasing has signed a memorandum of understanding to buy 20 Falcon business jets from Dassault Falcon, including ten Falcon 7X and ten Falcon 2000S...
Bombardier begins Learjet 85 jet production
Bombardier Aerospace has started production of its new Learjet 85 test aircraft, which is expected to enter into service by...
Minsheng Financial orders 13 Legacy 650 jets from Embraer
Minsheng Financial Leasing Company has signed firm orders for 13 Legacy 650 executive jets from Embraer for $393m following a memorandum of understanding signed in July 2011 for 20...
Bombardier selects seven suppliers for its Global 7000-8000 jet development
Bombardier has selected seven new suppliers to design and manufacture key systems for its Global 7000 and Global 8000 jet...
Lufthansa Technik to provide component services for Peach Aviation
Lufthansa Technik has secured a multi-year component supply contract from Peach Aviation for 16 Airbus A320 aircraft in...
Embraer deploys Honeywell's fuel efficient jet engine
Embraer has received Honeywell's HTF7500E, the latest version of its HTF7000 family of engines, for flight testing on its family of Legacy 450 and 500 series...
Eutelsat launches W3C satellite
Eutelsat Communications has launched its W3C satellite on a Long March 3B rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in...
Bombardier to complete Global 7000-8000 business jets in Montreal
Bombardier Aerospace is set to complete its new Global 7000 and Global 8000 business jets at its Global Completion Centre in Montreal,...
CFM to provide engine maintenance to Garuda Indonesia
CFM International has secured a 15-year rate per flight hour (RPFH) contract from Garuda Indonesia to provide engine maintenance services for its CFM56-7B engines powering the airline's fleet of...
Lion Air, Boeing test satellite navigation technology
Lion Air, together with Boeing and the Indonesian Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has performed successful validation flights to test its tailor-made Required Navigation...
GECAS places order for six Embraer E190 jets
Embraer has secured a contract from GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) to provide six Embraer 190s and options for another six, with the right to convert to Embraer 195, for a total value...
Arik Air orders two Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental aircraft
Nigeria's Arik Air has ordered two Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental aircraft, worth about $635m, to expand its...
Airbus forecasts South Pacific carriers market to grow to $98bn
Air carriers in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands region will require 736 new passenger and freighter aircraft (above 100 seats) between 2011 and 2030 worth up to $98bn, according...
British Airways signs FHS agreement with Airbus
British Airways has signed a 15-year flight hour services (FHS) agreement with Airbus to provide aircraft inventory support for its A380 fleet of...
Qantas finalises $9.5bn aircraft order with Airbus
Qantas has finalised a deal with Airbus worth $9.5bn for 110 A320 Family aircraft, comprising 78 A320neo and 32 A320s, to expand its fleet in...
Ethiopian Airlines orders four Boeing twin-engine freighters
African carrier Ethiopian Airlines has placed a $1.1bn order for four 777 Freighters with Boeing to replace its existing fleet and meet increased cargo demand in...
Nextant remanufactured business jet receives FAA certification
Nextant Aerospace has received FAA certification for its remanufactured business jet Nextant...
Eurocopter completes hybrid helicopter testing
Eurocopter has completed testing of its hybrid helicopter, which combines a turboshaft internal combustion engine with an electric motor to further enhance rotary-wing aircraft...
Boeing forecasts $760bn aircraft market in North America
Market demand for air carriers in North America over the next 20 years will reach up to $760bn, said...
ISRO to launch PSLV-C18 on 12 October
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is planning a lift-off of the polar satellite launch vehicle (PSLV-C18) from the spaceport at Sriharikota on 12...
Eurocopter secures third EC225 helicopter order from SSFC
Eurocopter South East Asia has secured a third EC225 order, with an option for one more, from Southern Service Flight Company (SSFC) of Vietnam will use the helicopter to enhance its fleet...
Pratt & Whitney concludes PW1200G engine ground testing
Pratt & Whitney has concluded the ground testing of the PW1217G engine, the first of its PW1200G family, for Mitsubishi Regional Jet...
DigitalGlobe completes WorldView-3 satellite critical design review
DigitalGlobe, in collaboration with Ball Aerospace & Technologies, has completed the critical design review (CDR) for its next-generation remote-sensing satellite,...
Hong Kong GFS orders two aircraft from Bombardier
The Hong Kong Government Flying Service (GFS) has awarded an order to Bombardier Aerospace for two Challenger 605 aircraft for use primarily in search and rescue, as well as other special...
Nasa and ULS modify contract to add Delta II rocket service
Nasa and United Launch Services (ULS) have agreed the modification of the Nasa Launch Services (NLS) II contract to add the Delta II rocket launch service as part of the contract's on-ramp...
Nordic Aviation to buy 12 aircraft from ATR
Danish aircraft lessor Nordic Aviation Capital (NAC) has signed a $500m contract to buy ten ATR 72-600s and two ATR 72-500s, with an option of an additional ten ATR...
ILS launches QuetzSat-1 satellite
International Launch Services (ILS) has launched the QuetzSat-1 satellite into geostationary transfer orbit aboard its ILS Proton Breeze M for operator SES of...
CFM signs engine deal with ICBC
CFM International has signed a $450m memorandum of understanding (MoU) to supply its CFM56-5B engines for a fleet of 22 Airbus A320 aircraft to CBC Financial...
Eurocopter receives 20 EC225 helicopter order from CHC
Eurocopter has secured an order of 20 EC225 Super Puma twin-engine helicopters, with an option of an additional four aircraft, from...
Northwest Research wins Nasa contract for NextGen project
Northwest Research Associates has secured a four-year contract to support Nasa Airspace Systems Program's concepts and technology development project at Nasa Langley's Aeronautics...
Luxair finalises four Q400 NextGen turboprops with Bombardier
Luxair has finalised a $126m order for four Bombardier Q400 NextGen high-speed turboprop...
Lufthansa Technik to provide MRO services to Hamilton's Boeing 787 Dreamliner
Lufthansa Technik has secured a long-term contract to provide maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services on components designed by United Technologies subsidiary Hamilton Sundstrand for...
Lufthansa places €1bn aircraft order
German airline Lufthansa is planning to order 12 new aircraft from Airbus and Embraer, valued at approximately €1bn...
Boeing delivers 737-900ER to Somon Air
Boeing has delivered its first next-generation 737-900ER with the new Boeing Sky interior to Tajikistan-based Somon...
Pipavav and EADS to form aircraft maintenance JV in India
India-based Pipavav Defence has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Airbus to set up an aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility in...
Goodrich to provide maintenance to Mesa Air’s Bombardier fleet
Mesa Air Group has signed a multiyear agreement with Goodrich to provide landing gear maintenance services for its fleet of Bombardier CRJ700 and CRJ900...
CAE delivers four Level D flight simulators
CAE has signed a C$70m (US$68.4m) contract to deliver four Level D full-flight simulators (FFS) to Thai Airways International, Gulf Aviation Academy (GAA), Russian aviation equipment company...
September 2011
Top
Aerolia delivers first A350 XWB nose section to Airbus in France
Airbus partner Aerolia has delivered the first A350 XWB nose section to Airbus's facility in St Nazaire,...
American Pacific to develop next-generation rocket engine for ESA
The European arm of AMPAC-ISP, American Pacific, an in-space propulsion subsidiary (AMPAC-ISP) based in Dublin, has won a European Space Agency (ESA) contract to develop next generation...
MHI to join PW1100G-JM engine development for Airbus A320neo
Japan-based Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has signed an agreement to join in the development of PW1100G-JM, a next-generation engine for the A320neo, a single-aisle aircraft that Airbus...
ELFC to acquire aircraft engine assets from Macquarie Bank
Engine Lease Finance (ELFC) has signed an agreement with Macquarie Bank to acquire 47 aircraft engine assets for an undisclosed...
Avianca orders four A330F aircraft
Avianca, part of the airline group AviancaTaca Holdings, has signed $500m order for four Airbus A330-200 freighter aircraft, which will be operated by its cargo subsidiary...
Orbital Sciences launches TacSat-4 Satellite
Orbital Sciences has launched US Navy's Tactical Satellite-4 (TacSat-4) into Earth orbit aboard its Minotaur IV space launch vehicle from Kodiak launch complex in Alaska,...
UTair Aviation finalises $3.8bn Boeing order
Russian carrier UTair Aviation has signed a $3.8bn order with Boeing for 40 next-generation 737...
Eutelsat launches Atlantic Bird 7 satellite
Eutelsat Communications has launched its Atlantic Bird 7 satellite into orbit on a Zenit-3SL rocket operated by Sea Launch from the ocean-based Odyssey Launch Platform in international waters...
Pratt & Whitney wins engine maintenance deal from Cargolux Airlines
Pratt & Whitney, a United Technologies company, has secured an engine management contract from Cargolux Airlines to provide on-wing engine health...
Cessna launches new business jet
Cessna Aircraft Company has launched a $4.195m Citation M2 light business jet that can carry two crew and up to six passengers at a maximum cruise speed of...
SpaceX plans to test reusable suborbital rocket
SpaceX has sought permission from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to test an experimental reusable launch vehicle (RLV) at its McGregor test site in Texas,...
Lockheed Martin delivers BSAT-3c / JCSAT-110R satellite to Japanese companies
The BSAT-3c / JCSAT-110R broadcasting satellite, designed and built by Lockheed Martin for the Broadcasting Satellite System (B-SAT) and SKY Perfect JSAT, is now ready for service...
Boeing delivers first 787 Dreamliner to ANA
All Nippon Airways (ANA) has received the first of Boeing's long-delayed 787s Dreamliner aircraft from its plant in Everett, Washington,...
Avolon to lease nine aircraft to Ryanair and AirAsia
Aircraft leasing group Avolon has agreed to lease nine aircraft to Ryanair and AirAsia for $740m - five Boeing 737-800s to Ryanair and four Airbus A320s to...
Japan launches information-gathering satellite
Japan has launched a new information-gathering satellite (IGS), called Optical-4, on H-2A (H-IIA) launch vehicle from the Yoshinobu Launch Complex at the Tanegashima Space...
Russia to launch earth remote sensing satellite in 2012
Russia is planning to launch the Kondor, its first Earth remote sensing satellite, in January...
Arianespace launches two new communication satellites
Arianespace has launched two communications satellites, Arabsat 5C for the operator Arabsat and SES-2 for the operator SES, on an Ariane 5 ECA...
Embraer delivers first E190 Jet to Alitalia
Embraer has delivered the first Embraer 190 jet to Italian airline Alitalia as part of a 20-jet...
Atlas Air cancels three Boeing 747-8F order
Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings has cancelled orders for three early-production Boeing 747-8 freighters that were part of a 12-jet order announced in...
AgustaWestland and CQHIC to form JV in China
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, and Chongqing Helicopter Investment (CQHIC) have signed a deal to explore potential collaboration in helicopter development in...
United Technologies to buy Goodrich for $16.5bn
United Technologies has agreed to acquire aerospace manufacturer Goodrich in a deal valued at...
IAE to provide V2500 engines to China Eastern Airlines
IAE International Aero Engines has secured a $400m contract from China Eastern Airlines to supply V2500 engines to power a new fleet of 50 Airbus A320-family...
Shanghai Aircraft to provide horizontal stabilisers to Boeing
Boeing has signed a ten-year contract extension with Chinese aircraft maker Shanghai Aircraft Manufacturing to supply horizontal stabilisers for Boeing 737...
China to launch space station module
China is planning to launch its Tiangong-1 space module that will help pave the way for a planned Chinese space...
Bombardier to cut CRJ jet production
Bombardier, the Canadian aircraft and train maker, is cutting production of its flagship CRJ regional jet due to slowing demand. Bombardier Aerospace president and chief operating officer...
Worker strike hits launch of two satellites from French Guiana
French space transportation company Arianespace has postponed the launch of the Arabsat-5C and SES-2 satellites due to a strike at the French Guiana space centre. The mission was interrupted...
British Airways to replace 747 fleet
British Airways is planning to float a tender later this year to replace its 55 aging 747 jumbo jets. BA will explore Airbus SAS's A350-1000, which is a 350-seat airplane, and two...
MTU and ACAE to develop CJ1000 engine
MTU Aero Engines of Germany and Chinese engine manufacturer AVIC Commercial Aircraft Engine (ACAE) have signed an agreement on key terms for a future cooperation on the CJ1000 engine. As part...
Rolls-Royce secures engine contract from TUI Travel
Rolls-Royce has secured a contract from leisure travel company TUI Travel to deliver Trent 700 engines to power two Airbus A330 aircraft. The Trent 700, which is specifically designed for...
China to launch communication satellite for Belarus
China has signed a contract with the Republic of Belarus to build and launch a communication satellite for the country. China will launch the satellite from the Xichang satellite launch...
Aircraft demand to double in next 20 years
Airbus forecasts that world passenger aircraft demand is expected to double to over 27,800 aircraft in the next 20 years. In its latest global market forecast (GMF), the aircraft...
Cargolux rejects deliveries of Boeing 747-8 freighter pair
Cargolux has rejected deliveries of the first two of 13 Boeing 747-8 freighters the company had ordered due to unresolved contractual issues between the companies, Cargolux has said. Boeing...
China launches new communication satellite
China has launched a new communication satellite, Zhongxing-1A, on a Long March-3B rocket carrier from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in the south-western Sichuan Province, China, after...
Skymark selects Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines for Airbus A380
Japanese airline Skymark Airlines has signed a letter of intent (LoI) to equip six Airbus A380 aircraft with Rolls-Royce's Trent 900 engines. The deal value is worth $1bn, which...
Pratt & Whitney completes PW1524G engine tests for Bombardier jets
Pratt & Whitney's (P&W) PurePower PW1524G engine has completed tests for the Bombardier C-series jets, completing 25 flights with 115 flight hours at the company's Mirabel Aerospace...
Pratt & Whitney and AVIC Engine to form new MRO JV in China
Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) and China Aviation Engine Holdings (AVIC Engine Holdings) have formed a joint venture to create a new maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility for...
Arianespace to launch BepiColombo spacecraft
The European Space Agency (ESA) has signed a contract with Arianespace to launch the BepiColombo spacecraft, which is designed to explore the planet Mercury, using an Ariane 5 ECA launcher from...
Air France KLM to place 110-aircraft order
Air France KLM has agreed to buy 50 long-haul aircraft, with an option to purchase 60 more, to replace older planes and add capacity on long-haul routes. In order to split the $12bn order,...
University of Leicester engineers to study volcanic ash for aircraft safety
Researchers at the University of Leicester, UK, are studying volcanic ash to provide better advice to the aircraft industry about whether it is safe to fly through the debris of explosive...
SG Biofuels and JETBIO to produce biojet fuel in Brazil
SG Biofuels (SGB) and JETBIO have formed a partnership to accelerate the production of crude Jatropha oil as a source for aviation biojet fuel in Brazil. SG Biofuels intends to develop...
US and Australia to develop alternative aviation fuel
The US and Australia have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to continue research and development of clean, sustainable alternative aviation fuel, and have agreed to cover the...
Northrop Grumman to provide microwave sounder for JPSS Spacecraft
Northrop Grumman Systems has secured a $30m contract from Nasa to deliver advanced technology microwave sounder (ATMS) instrumentation for the first joint Polar satellite system (JPSS-1). ...
Bombardier unveils first Q400 NextGen aircraft
Bombardier Aerospace has unveiled the first of two Q400 NextGen turboprop airliners to deliver to Smart Aviation Company of Cairo, Egypt, which were ordered in August 2010. Smart Aviation...
Arianespace to launch DIRECTV satellites
DIRECTV has selected Arianespace to launch two satellites, with an option to launch another two, to strengthen its direct-to-home digital entertainment services across the US. Arianespace...
Russia delays launch of manned mission to ISS
Russia's Federal Space Agency has delayed the launch of the next manned Soyuz spacecraft to the International Space Station until 12 November. Three astronauts were stranded in the...
Mahindra tests new five-seater aircraft
Mahindra group, in collaboration with India's CSIR National Aerospace Laboratories, has tested a five-seater aircraft capable of travelling distances of approximately 300km. The new...
Nasa and Alliant Techsystems to develop Liberty launch system
Nasa and Alliant Techsystems (ATK) have signed an agreement to explore if the company's Liberty rocket can be used to transport astronauts and cargo to the International Space Station. ...
Cathay Pacific to expand aircraft fleet
Cathay Pacific has unveiled a plan to invest HK$200bn (US$25.7bn) to expand its fleet by adding 95 fuel-efficient aircraft. The new aircraft will be added to the airline's fleet before the...
AJ Walter to buy four Boeing 737-300 aircraft
AJ Walter Aviation (AJW) has signed an agreement to buy four Boeing 737-300 aircraft from aircraft leasing firm Pembroke Capital Aircraft (Shannon) for part out. The acquisition will help...
MTU secures maintenance contract from Southern Air
MTU Aero Engines has said that its MTU Maintenance Hannover has secured a 12-year maintenance and spare engine support contract from Southern Air Holdings, which is expected to generate...
Galileo satellite navigation spacecraft ready to launch in October
Europe's first Galileo satellite navigation spacecraft has reached the spaceport in French Guiana ahead of its launch on 20 October. The satellites are part of the European Commision's...
Kenya Airways receives eighth E190 jet from Embraer
Kenya Airways has received its eighth E190 jet from Embraer, which is expected to grow the carrier's fleet capacity. The new 96-seater aircraft is expected into service within the next two...
ViaSat's satellite launch rescheduled to mid October
ViaSat has rescheduled the launch of its $400m broadband internet satellite, named ViaSat-1, for the second time to mid October 2011 due to the launch failure of the Russian Federal...
UNI Air to buy ten ATR 72-600s
EVA Air subsidiary UNI Air has signed an agreement with European regional turboprop manufacturer ATR to buy ten ATR 72-600s, which will replace the Dash-8-300 aircraft from its fleet. The...
ULA launches Nasa's twin moon orbiter
United Launch Alliance (ULA) has launched Nasa's twin lunar gravity recovery and interior laboratory (GRAIL) orbiter aboard a Delta II Heavy 7920H-10 configuration vehicle from Cape Canaveral...
Air France-KLM plans 100-aircraft purchase
Air France-KLM is planning to buy about 100 aircraft to renew its fleet of medium-sized airliners - the company will decide on the order on 15 September 2011. Air France-KLM has said it...
Boeing signs research agreement with Dalhousie University
The Boeing Company has signed a research agreement with Dalhousie University to support research and development projects to strengthen the aerospace industry in Canada and globally. Under...
TRIP Linhas Aereas to acquire 18 ATR 72-600s
Brazilian carrier TRIP Linhas Aereas is planning to buy as many as many as 40 planes from ATR Aircraft for $903m to expand network destination in the country. Trip will add 18 ATR...
ATK and NASA test five-segment solid rocket motor
Alliant Techsystems (ATK) and NASA have completed a full-scale test of a five-segment solid rocket motor, designated Development Motor-3 (DM-3) to further validate the rocket's potential use...
Arianespace to launch Hispasat's Amazonas-3 satellite
Spanish satellite operator Hispasat has selected Arianespace to launch its Amazonas-3 telecommunications satellite onboard an Ariane 5 rocket in late 2012 or early 2013. Arianespace will...
Boeing expects China's commercial aircraft market to triple by 2030
Boeing forecasts that China will require 5,000 new commercial aircraft valued at $600bn over the next 20 years. Boeing said that a significant portion of the demand will be small...
Honeywell secures satellite operations contract from GSFC
Honeywell has secured a $450m contract from Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), a major Nasa space research laboratory, to develop ground systems and mission operations (GSMO) services for...
FedEx to place 50-aircraft order
FedEx is in talks to purchase wide-body freighters from Boeing and Airbus SAS as it looks to replace its older fleet of cargo airliners. FedEx is interested in acquiring about 50 aircraft,...
Dunmore provides insulation material to protect Nasa GRAIL satellites
Dunmore has provided its multilayer insulation materials for Nasa's twin Grail satellites protecting the sensitive internal systems from the temperature changes and radiation of open...
EDAC Technologies secures two engine component contracts
EDAC Technologies has secured two new engine component contracts worth $50m from two aircraft engine manufacturers. EDAC Technologies has signed a five-year agreement with an unnamed...
Scientists to revive 40-year-old satellite
A group of academic space scientists have decided to revitalise a UK satellite, the Prospero spacecraft, launched in 1971 and contacted annually until 1996, which is still in orbit after almost...
Monarch Airlines cancels Boeing Dreamliner order
Monarch Airlines has cancelled an order for six Boeing 787 Dreamliners due to the delay in deliveries that were originally planned for 2010. The cancellation is part of company's wider plan...
UK to develop satellite systems for observing Earth
The Centre for Earth Observation Instrumentation has awarded contracts to eight industrial and academic teams around the UK to develop new satellite technologies for observing the Earth from...
ISRO to launch climate satellite
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is planning to launch an advanced weather and climate satellite named Megha-Tropiques onboard a Polar satellite launch vehicle (PSLV) in October...
Macquarie plans to bid for RBS plane-leasing unit
Macquarie Group is preparing to bid for Royal Bank of Scotland's (RBS) aircraft leasing business unit. Macquarie is considering several options, including buying the whole division, part of...
Sanad Aero to expand component inventories
Mubadala Aerospace's component and engine financing solutions firm Sanad Aero Solutions has signed a new component inventory agreement worth more than $50m with Abu Dhabi Aircraft...
Ethiopian Airlines to purchase four Boeing 777 freighters
Ethiopian Airlines is planning to order four Boeing 777 freighter aircraft to meet the growing demand for cargo flight services in Africa. The B777 freighter, with a catalogue price of...
Space junk reaches tipping point, says study
According to a US National Research Council study report, the amount of debris orbiting the Earth has reached a tipping point, threatening to smash satellites and endanger astronauts. Nasa...
Orbital receives FAA licence for Taurus II COTS demonstration mission
The US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) has granted a licence to Orbital Sciences to launch its Taurus II rocket from Wallops Island, US, which will carry a Cygnus cargo carrier on its...
Embraer and GE complete biofuel test
Embraer and General Electric have conducted a series of biofuel test flights with an Embraer 170 jet, aimed at benchmarking the performance of E-jets and GE CF34-8E engines powered...
Boeing set to deliver first 747-8 Freighter to Cargolux
Boeing is set to deliver the first 747-8 freighter to launch customer Cargolux on 19 September at Paine Field in Washington, US. Cargolux, which has a total of 13 of the aircraft on firm...
Bombardier Q2 profit rises 53%
Bombardier has reported a 53% rise in profit to $211m during the second quarter of 2011 compared with the profit of $138m it reported during the corresponding quarter in 2010. The...
TransDigm acquires Schneller Holdings
US-based aircraft component maker TransDigm Group has completed the acquisition of Schneller Holdings from an affiliate of Graham Partners for $288.5m. Schneller makes laminates and...
Latvia set to launch its first satellite, Venta-1
Latvia is set to launch its first satellite, Venta-1, with an Indian carrier rocket at the end of 2011 or with a Russian carrier rocket at the beginning of 2012. Weighing in at 7.5kg,...
Embaer Lineage 1000 receives certification in China
Embraer's ultra-large Lineage 1000 executive jet has received type certificate from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), clearing its way to register and operate the aircraft...
Orbital Sciences to develop NASA's ICESat-2 spacecraft
Orbital Sciences Corporation has secured a $135m contract to build NASA's Ice, Cloud and Land Elevation Satellite (ICESat) -2 spacecraft, which is to be launched in 2016. Under the...
Kenya Airways Finalises Embraer 190 jets order
Kenya Airways has finalised an order with Embraer for ten E-190 jets, with an option to acquire another 16 as part of its long-term plan to fly to all African capital cities by the end of...
NASA prepares to launch Earth-observing satellite
NASA is making final preparations for an 25 October 2011 launch of its next Earth-observing research satellite, which has arrived at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, US. The...
Nav Canada initiates flight trials to reduce GHG emissions
As part of the Engage Corridor Project, Nav Canada has begun flight trials to demonstrate new procedures to improve fuel efficiency and reduce aviation-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions...
Russian Helicopters and AgustaWestland to deliver 20 AW139 helicopters to UTair
Russian Helicopters, a subsidiary of JSC UIC Oboronprom, and AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, have signed a memorandum of understanding for a planned order of 20 AW139 helicopters,...
ISRO to launch a satellite developed by Indian engineering institute
The Indian Institute of Kanpur has developed a nano satellite, named Jugnu, which is expected to be launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The engineering model from...
Boeing to deliver 737 jets with new engine
Boeing has unveiled a plan to upgrade its 737 narrowbody aircraft with a more fuel-efficient engine in 2017 to beat competition from Airbus. The new model, named the 737 MAX, will compete...
Rockwell Collins to develop Inmarsat's GX aeronautical services
Inmarsat, a leading provider of satellite services to the maritime industry, has selected Rockwell Collins as technology partner to develop aeronautical services. Under the agreement,...
August 2011
Top
Lao Airlines orders two Airbus A320s
Lao Airlines has signed an $91m order with Airbus for the purchase of two A320 aircraft. The aircraft will be powered by CFM56 engines and operated by Laos's national carrier on routes...
Russia delays manned flight to ISS after cargo plane crash
Russia has delayed its next manned mission to the International Space Station (ISS) by a month after an unmanned cargo vessel crashed into Siberia instead of reaching orbit last week. ...
ATK opens US aerospace composite plant
Alliant Techsystems (ATK) has opened a new $100m manufacturing plant, called Aircraft Commercial Center of Excellence (ACCE) facility, in Clearfield, Utah, US. The 615,000ft² new...
SpiceJet receives two Q400 turboprop aircraft from Bombardier
SpiceJet has received first two of 15 Q400 NextGen turboprop aircraft form Bombardier Aerospace. The turboprop aircraft can accommodate 78 passengers and SpiceJet will use the aircraft...
NewSat signs Jabiru satellite contract
Pakistani telecommunications provider 3A Technology has signed a $134m contract with Australian satellite company NewSat to buy transmission capacity on the Jabiru-1 satellite for ten years. ...
Delta orders 100 Boeing jets for $8.5bn
Delta Air Lines has signed an $8.5bn order with Boeing for 100 next-generation 737-900ER airplanes to replace its less efficient domestic aircraft. The Boeing 737-900ER aircraft will...
Nasa to launch moon mission in September
Nasa's Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) is planning its final launch preparations ahead of its 8 September 2011 launch onboard a Delta II rocket from Cape Canaveral Air...
Boeing 787 Dreamliner certified by FAA and EASA
Boeing has received final approval from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for the all-new 787 Dreamliner. The certification clears...
Russian cargo ship crashes after engine failure
Russia has grounded its Soyuz rockets after a spaceship carrying 3t of cargo to the International Space Station (ISS) crashed into Siberia shortly after launch. The Russian Progress...
StandardAero inks services deal with Ak Bars Aero
StandardAero has secured a fleet maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) contract from Russian regional carrier Ak Bars Aero. Under the contract, StandardAero will be responsible for...
Nasa extends IT services deal with DB Consulting
Nasa's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland has awarded a $36m two-year information technology services contract to DB Consulting Group. The extension of the contract, which increases the...
China and Brazil to launch CBERS 3 satellite in November 2012
Brazil and China are planning to launch China Brazil Earth Resources Satellite (CBERS 3), which will send images of the Earth's surface used for agricultural and environmental purposes, in...
US NRL to launch TacSat-4 satellite
The US Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) is planning to launch Tactical Satellite IV (TacSat-4) on 27 September 2011 from the Alaska Aerospace's Kodiak launch complex. The satellite will...
ViaSat to provide high-speed internet to Bombardier jets
Bombardier Aerospace has selected ViaSat to provide airborne communications terminal equipment as the company plans to offer a high-speed internet package in Global 5000 and Global 6000...
Honeywell to provide mission operations support to Nasa
Honeywell Technology Solutions has secured a $450m contract from Nasa to provide ground systems and mission operations support to Nasa's Goddard Space Flight Center in Colombia, US, between...
China Eastern Airlines takes delivery of first Boeing 737
China Eastern Airlines has received its first next-generation 737-700 outfitted with both the high-altitude / high-temperature airport operations feature package and the new Boeing Sky interior. ...
Boeing 747-8 jet certified for services in US and Europe
Boeing has received certification from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and European aviation regulators to enter its 747-8 freighter into service as a cargo jet. The...
Airservices secures services contract from AeroPearl
Airservices Australia has secured a ten-year contract with AeroPearl for the delivery of its flight inspection service (FIS) in a deal worth over $100m. Under the contract, AeroPearl...
EMS to provide anti-jamming system to Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems (NGAS) has awarded an $11.5m contract to EMS Technologies Defense & Space (D&S) to provide an anti-jamming system to protect US military...
Delta plans to buy 100 Boeing aircraft
Delta Air Lines plans to purchase 100 Boeing 737 single-aisle jets in a deal worth about $8.6bn. The US-based carrier is seeking to lower its costs by flying more fuel-efficient planes...
Israel Aerospace unveils unmanned aircraft
Israel Aerospace Industries has unveiled its Ghost unmanned aircraft, which the company says can provide intelligence imagery to soldiers in real time. The miniature aircraft, which weighs...
Rolls-Royce RR300 engine awarded certification for flight operations in Russia
Russian airworthiness authority IAC-AR has awarded certification for Rolls-Royce's RR300 engine to enable flight operations for the Robinson R66 helicopter. The Robinson R66 Turbine...
Aeronautics signs deal with CAE for simulation solution
Aeronautics, a manufacturer and supplier of unmanned systems, has selected CAE to provide simulation and mission training solutions for Aeronautics unmanned aerial systems (UAS). Under the...
Sky Aviation to buy 12 Sukhoi Superjets from SCAC
PT Sky Aviation has signed a $379.2m contract with Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company (SCAC) to buy 12 Sukhoi Superjet 100/95B aircraft. SCAC designed and developed the Sukhoi Superjet 100...
Greenbriar Equity to purchase Anixter's aerospace hardware division
Anixter International has agreed to sell its aerospace hardware division to Greenbriar Equity Group for $155m. Under the deal, Anixter will receive the $155m in cash subject to a net...
Boeing 787 Dreamliner completes type certification flight testing
Boeing has completed all the flight tests required for the US Federal Aviation Administration type certification of the 787-8 Dreamliner. The certification cleared the way for the...
Bombardier wins orders for four Q400 planes
An unidentified European airline has signed a $126m order with Bombardier Aerospace for four Q400 NextGen high-speed turboprop airliners. The order also includes options on an additional...
IFC to purchase ten Bombardier CSeries aircraft
Russian lessor Ilyushin Finance Co. (IFC) has signed a letter of intent (LoI) to buy ten Bombardier CSeries aircraft. The order comprises seven larger versions of the CS300 aircraft and...
Turkey launches first national observation satellite
Turkey launched RASAT, its first national earth observation satellite, into space on 17 August from Yasny launch base. The TÜBITAK Space Technologies Research Institute (TÜBITAK...
Boeing expects Russian aircraft market to reach $110bn by 2030
Boeing expects the commercial aircraft market in Russia and the Russian Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) to increase to $110bn by 2030. The company estimates carriers in these...
LAN Airlines installs winglets on Boeing 767 fleet
Australian LAN Airlines has completed the installation of winglets on its entire existing long-haul Boeing 767 fleet. The company has invested $80m for the winglets, which are high-tech...
US to fund aviation biofuel initiative
The US Departments of Agriculture, Energy and Navy will invest $510m over the next three years in partnership with the private sector to produce advanced drop-in aviation and marine biofuels...
China Launches Maritime Satellite
China has launched a maritime satellite at the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre in the city of Taiyuan in Shanxi Province. The Haiyang-2 (HY-2), which was developed by the Chinese Academy...
AAR Secures Maintenance Contract from Virgin America
AAR has secured a maintenance and installation services contract from Virgin America to maintain the airline's fleet of Airbus 320 aircraft. Under the 18-month contract, AAR will carry...
Qantas to Purchase 110 Airbus Aircraft
Qantas is planning to buy 110 aircraft from Airbus for $9bn to salvage its loss-making international business. The order includes 106 firm orders and 78 A320neo jets, making Qantas the...
ALC Finalises $2.5bn Boeing Order
Air Lease Corporation (ALC) has signed a $2.5bn order with Boeing for 14 next-generation 737-800s, with options for four more aircraft, and five 777-300ER extended-range aircraft. The...
Aerospace-technology.com Launches Major Aerospace Survey
Aerospace-technology.com is launching a major aerospace industry survey, and we'd like to hear your opinions on the industry's most important sustainability issues for 2011-2012. ...
Nasa Opens Human Explorations and Operations Directorate
Nasa has launched a human exploration and operations (HEO) mission directorate for deep space exploration in Washington, US. The new organisation combines the space operations and...
CTC Expands Aircraft Capacity
CTC Aviation has received four additional aircraft to meet the expansion of its airline pilot training operation in Hamilton, New Zealand. CTC Aviation, which is currently in the process...
Finnair Secures Engine Maintenance Contract from Rossiya
Finnair Engine Services has secured a four-year engine maintenance and repair contract from Rossiya Airlines, which includes the CFM56-5B engines used in Rossiya's A319/320 aircraft. ...
Nasa to Launch Twin Lunar Spacecraft
Nasa is planning to launch twin lunar probes side by side on a United Launch Alliance Delta II heavy rocket from Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 17B on 8 September 2011. The gravity recovery...
China Launches Satellite for Pakistan
China has launched Pakistan's first communications satellite, PAKSAT-1R, which was carried into orbit by a Long March-3B rocket from the Xichang Satellite Centre in the Sichuan province of...
Russia Tests Rocket Carrier for Glonass Launch
Russia's space forces have begun ground tests for a Soyuz-2.1b carrier rocket, which will orbit a Glonass satellite by the end of August. The initial dry run of the rocket is being conducted...
Mahindra Aerospace to Launch Civilian Aircraft
Mahindra Aerospace is planning to launch five-seat NM5 aircraft, a civilian aircraft developed in association with the National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) of India. A prototype of the plane...
China to Launch Maritime Satellite
China is set to launch a maritime satellite at the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre on a Long March-4B carrier rocket in north China in the coming days. The Haiyang 2 is an...
Thai Airways Orders Nine Aircraft from Airbus
Thai Airways has finalised a deal with Airbus for four A350-900s and five A320 aircraft. In addition, Thai Airways will also lease eight additional A350-900s and six more A320s from third...
Embraer Delivers First E190 Jet to CLC
Embraer has delivered the first Embraer 190 jet to China's CDB Leasing (CLC). The order is part of a deal to deliver 20 E-190s ordered by CLC for China Southern, which will base the...
NewSat and TrustComm Ink Deal for Jabiru Satellite
US communications provider TrustComm and Australian satellite operator NewSat have signed a three-year $105m contract for supporting the company's launch of a new satellite, named...
China to Help Bolivia Launch Communications Satellite
The Bolivian state-run space agency and China Great Wall Industry, a subsidiary of China Aerospace Science and Technology (CASTC), have signed a deal to develop a communication satellite...
China to Launch Communication Satellite for Pakistan
China is planning to launch a communications satellite for Pakistan, which will be carried by a Long March-3B carrier rocket. The satellite, named PAKSAT-1R, will offer high-power...
CIT and Garuda Finalise Aircraft Orders with Airbus
CIT Aerospace, a unit of CIT Group, has signed an agreement with Airbus for the 50 A320neo family aircraft worth $4.6bn. In addition, Airbus said Garuda Indonesia has finalised an order for...
Eurocopter Receives EC145 Helicopter Order from Namibia
Eurocopter has received an order for EC145 helicopters from Namibia's Ministry of Safety and Security to expand the capabilities and reach of the Namibia Police Force's (NAMPOL) air wing. ...
Nasa Awards Contracts for Near-Space Flight Services
Nasa has selected seven companies to integrate and fly technology payloads on commercial suborbital reusable platforms that can carry payloads near the boundary of space. The seven...
Ducommun to Support the Nasa SMAP Earth Observation Satellite
Ducommun LaBarge Technologies (DLT) has secured a contract from Boeing Space & Intelligence Systems to supply resolvers for the soil moisture active passive (SMAP) Earth observation satellite....
Cathay Pacific to Buy 12 Boeing Aircraft
Cathay Pacific has signed an agreement to buy 12 new planes from Boeing for $3.28bn as part of the airline's continuing expansion plans. The order includes four Boeing 777-300ER...
Italian Researcher Proposes a Spacecraft to Clean Up Space Junk
With the growing problem of space junk hovering around the Earth, Italian researcher Marco Castronuovo has proposed a 'housekeeping spacecraft' to clear it. The plan, submitted by researchers...
Singapore Airlines to Order Eight Boeing 777-300ERs
Singapore Airlines is planning to place a $2.3bn order for eight more Boeing 777-300ERs to support the company's growth plans. The aircraft will join Singapore Airlines' existing fleet of...
Cebu Pacific Finalises Order for 30 A321neo Aircraft
Cebu Pacific has finalised a firm order for 30 Airbus A321neo aircraft, which brings its total A320 family orders to 71. Cebu Pacific signed a memorandum of understanding for the aircraft...
SES and SS/L Deliver QuetzSat-1 to Baikonur Launch Base
SES and Space Systems / Loral (SS/L) have delivered the QuetzSat-1 satellite to the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan to prepare for its launch, which is scheduled for September 2011, onboard...
Biman Receives Loan to Buy Two Aircraft
Biman Bangladesh Airlines has received a $277m financing facility from JP Morgan, which is guaranteed by the Export-Import Bank of the United States, to support its long-term expansion...
Gulfstream's G150 Aircraft Receives Type Certification in China
Gulfstream Aerospace has received type certificate validation from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) for its G150 aircraft. The validation will allow Gulfstream Aerospace...
Boeing Unveils First All Nippon Airways 787 Dreamliner
Boeing has unveiled the first 787 Dreamliner for launch customer All Nippon Airways, which is set to be delivered in September 2011. The next-generation plane was rolled out of Boeing's...
Lockheed Martin Launches Telecommunications Satellite
Lockheed Martin has launched the BSAT-3c/JCSAT-110R broadcasting and telecommunications satellite from Kourou, French Guiana. BSAT-3c/JCSAT-110R was launched aboard an Ariane 5-ECA...
Aviastar Forms JV with AeroComposit
Aviastar-SP is planning to form a joint venture with AeroComposit to manufacture wings for MS-21 medium-haul passenger jets in Russia. The plant is working on a programme for the development...
ULA Launches Nasa's Solar Powered Juno Spacecraft to Study Jupiter
United Launch Alliance has launched NASA's solar-powered Juno spacecraft from the Space Launch Complex-17 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, US, to begin a five-year journey...
Fokker Secures Component Management Contract from Alliance Airlines
Fokker Services has secured a three-year component management contract from Alliance Airlines of Australia to support its Fokker fleet, which includes 18 Fokker 100 jets, two Fokker 70 jets...
Boeing Selects Atlas V for CST-100 Spacecraft Launch
Boeing is planning to launch its seven-seat Crew Space Transportation spacecraft, CST-100, on a test run using an Atlas V rocket built by United Launch Alliance to the International Space...
Falko Signs Engineering Services Deal with BAE Systems
Aircraft asset manager Falko has signed a long-term support and engineering services agreement for the BAE Systems-built aircraft in its lease portfolio. As part of the deal, BAE...
Boeing and GECAS Finalise $2.9bn Order
GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) has signed a $2.9bn order with Boeing for two 747-8 freighters and eight 777-300 extended range aircraft. The extended range 777-300s will help GECAS,...
Boeing 747-8 Freighter Completes Final Certification Test
Boeing's new 747-8 freighter has completed its certification flight test programme and the company is now expected to deliver the first aircraft to Cargolux in September 2011...
SR Technics and Sanad Aero Solutions Sign Component Maintenance Deal
SR Technics and Sanad Aero Solutions, part of Mubadala Development Company's aerospace unit, have signed a component maintenance agreement which will cover full integrated component...
Avanti Secures Additional Contract from Hughes Network
Satellite operator Avanti Communications has secured another contract from Hughes Network Systems to provide additional Hylas-1 capacity. The additional capacity will support Hughes'...
FLY Leasing to Purchase Aircraft from Global Aviation
FLY Leasing, a lessor of commercial jet aircraft, has agreed to acquire a portfolio of 49 aircraft from Australia-based Global Aviation Asset Management for $1.4bn. With the acquisition,...
Boeing and Aeromexico Test First Transcontinental Biofuel Flight
Boeing and Aeromexico have tested the first commercial transcontinental flight powered by biofuel, which arrived in Madrid from Mexico City. The 777-200ER aircraft, using a 70% traditional...
Mahindra Aerospace to Launch New Aircraft
Mahindra Aerospace is planning to launch ten and 18-seater aircraft, which will be built by Australia based unit GippsAERO, to expand its presence in the aerospace industry in India. ...
ILFC to Acquire AeroTurbine Subsidiary from AerCap
International Lease Finance (ILFC), a wholly owned subsidiary of American International Group (AIG), has signed an agreement with Dutch-based AerCap Holdings to acquire its AeroTurbine...
Dynomax Secures Multiyear Contract from B/E Aerospace
Dynomax has secured a three-year contract, which is extendable by one year, from B/E Aerospace to provide first-class seat components for Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft. As part of...
Inmarsat Signs Deal with ILS for Launch of Three Satellites
Mobile satellite services provider Inmarsat has signed a contract with International Launch Services (ILS) to launch three of its Inmarsat-5 satellites on an ILS Proton launch vehicle between...
Boeing to Supply Two Jetliners to Korean Air
Boeing has received a $171.6m order from Korean Air for two next-generation 737-900 extended range jetliners, which will be fitted with the new Boeing Sky interior. The 737-900 aircraft is...
Hamilton Sundstrand and AVIC EM to Build Aircraft Facility in China
Hamilton Sundstrand and AVIC Electromechanical Systems (AVIC EM) have begun construction of a 5,000m² facility to co-develop and manufacture the electric power system for the new...
Korean Air Orders Ten CSeries Aircraft from Bombardier
Korean Air has converted a letter of intent into a firm order with Bombardier Aerospace for ten CS300 airliners, making Korean Air the launch customer for the CSeries aircraft in Asia. ...
Eutelsat Selects Astrium to Build New Satellite
Eutelsat has selected European space company Astrium to design and build a tri-band satellite, named Eutelsat 3B, which will operate from the Eutelsat 3°E location in geostationary...
Bombardier to Offer High-Speed Internet Systems in Global 5000 and Global 6000 Jets
Bombardier has selected EMS Aviation to provide new increased high-speed internet connectivity as an option for Global 5000 and Global 6000 business jets. Under the contract, the new...
Curtiss-Wright Buys Acra Control
Curtiss-Wright has acquired Dublin-based aerospace company Acra Control for approximately $61m. Acra is a supplier of data acquisition systems and networks, data recorders and telemetry...
GippsAERO Selects Rolls-Royce M250-B17F/2 Engine for GA10 Aircraft
GippsAERO, a subsidiary of Mahindra Aerospace, has selected the Rolls-Royce M250-B17F/2 turboprop engine for its new ten-seat turboprop utility aircraft, named GA10. Rolls-Royce and...
GE to Open Aviation Production Facility in US
GE Aviation is to set up a new manufacturing facility at a cost of $56m in Ellisville, Mississippi, US, to meet increasing global demand for aviation composites. The 300,000ft²...
Nasa Prepares for Juno's Jupiter Mission
Nasa's Juno spacecraft is preparing for its mission to Jupiter, and is scheduled to launch between 5 August and 26 August 2011. The $1.1bn Juno spacecraft is set to launch aboard a...
New EU Emission Norm Will Cost US Airlines $3bn
The Air Transport Association of America (ATA) has said that the new EU emissions trading scheme (ETS) could cost the US airline industry more than $3bn to 2020. The trade group has called...
EVA Selects ARINC's Satellite Services for In-Flight Connectivity
Taiwan-based Evergreen Group unit EVA Airways has signed a deal with ARINC Incorporated for its GLOBALink satellite communications (SATCOM) services to enhance passenger and flight...
July 2011
Top
Mahindra Group and Eurocopter Ink MoU
Mahindra Group has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for a trade partnership with the Eurocopter Group and its Indian subsidiary, Eurocopter India, to strengthen the civil...
China Launches Ninth Orbiter
China has launched its ninth orbiter into space as part of its indigenous satellite navigation and positioning network, called the Beidou or Compass system, to reduce dependence on the US...
Lufthansa Orders 30 A320neo Jets
Germany based Lufthansa airline has ordered 30 Airbus A320neo family aircrafts, worth $2.8bn. The order comprises 25 A320neo and five A321neo aircraft, which will be powered by Pratt &...
Airbus to Buy Satair
Airbus has agreed to acquire Danish aircraft parts distributor Satair for about $504m in cash. Airbus said the acquisition will significantly enhance its services offering in aircraft...
Airbus to Buy Metron Aviation
Airbus has signed an agreement to acquire air traffic management (ATM) services provider Metron Aviation to help create a new unit focusing on air-traffic management. The acquisition will...
SpaceX Recieves Nasa Approval for Space Station Flight
Private space flight company Space Exploration (SpaceX) has received approval from Nasa to send its Dragon cargo craft on its first mission to the International Space Station on 30 November 2011. ...
IAG Buys Eight Airbus 330-300s
International Consolidated Airlines Group (IAG), the merged unit of Iberia and British Airways, has ordered eight Airbus eco-efficient A330 family aircraft for Iberia's fleet. According...
GE Completes H80 Engine Testing
GE Aviation has completed all engine certification testing, including design assurance, development, operability and environmental tests, for its new H80 turboprop engines at its Prague facility...
Kestrel Selects Honeywell to Power Turboprop
Kestrel Aircraft has selected the Honeywell TPE331-14GR engine to power a future six-seat, single-engine turboprop airplane. The TPE331-14GR is a single-shaft engine with dual...
Commercial Aircraft MRO Market Expected to Reach $50.2bn by 2021
The commercial aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) market is expected to reach $50.2bn by 2021, according to a report by Visiongain. The global fleet of commercial aircraft...
Ball Aerospace Develops Flight Computers
Ball Aerospace & Technologies has completed the developed prototype launch vehicle flight computers that will offer safety and reliability to future human spaceflight systems. The...
Hamilton Sundstrand to Provide Support Services to JAL's Boeing Fleet
Hamilton Sundstrand, a subsidiary of United Technologies, has secured a $350m maintenance contract to support Japan Airlines' (JAL) fleet of 35 Boeing 787 aircraft. Under the agreement,...
Vector Signs Network Services Deal with Lanmar Aviation
Vector Aerospace Engine Services-Atlantic has signed a network services agreement with Lanmar Aviation based in Groton, Connecticut, US. Under the deal, Vector will provide comprehensive...
Flight Design to Launch New Four-Seat C4 Aircraft
German aircraft manufacturer Flight Design is planning to introduce a full-scale mock-up of its new four-seat C4, which will include BRS parachutes as standard. The C4 aircraft offers a...
AviaAM Acquires Eight Bombardier CRJ200 Aircraft
AviaAM Leasing has acquired eight Bombardier CRJ200 aircraft from various special purpose companies managed by German Operating Aircraft Leasing (GOAL). The aircraft are powered by...
ISS to Launch Mini Satellite Kedr
The International Space Station (ISS) is planning to launch Russia's mini satellite, named Kedr, during a spacewalk on 3 August 2011. The mini satellite, which was carried by Russian...
Japanese Firms Form Joint Venture to Design and Build Engines for A320s
IHI Corporation, Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries will form a joint venture with Pratt & Whitney and MTU of Germany to design and produce a new engine for Airbus's...
Vector Inks Service Deal for Pratt & Whitney Engines
Vector Aerospace Engine Services-Atlantic has signed a service agreement with John Hopkinson & Associates to provide comprehensive fixed-wing engine repair and overhaul support for the...
Thales Alenia Wins Solar Orbiter Equipment Contracts
Italian space agency ASI has awarded phase B contracts to Thales Alenia Space to support the solar orbiter satellite mission. The satellite will observe the sun and its environment at a...
Air China Receives First B777-300ER Aircraft from Boeing
Air China has received its first B777-300ER airplane from aircraft manufacturer Boeing. Boeing delivered the new aircraft as the first of 19 777-300ERs ordered by Chinese airlines. Air...
Pratt & Whitney Completes Chill Test of Nasa's J-2X Engine
Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne has completed a chill test and 1.9-second ignition test of the J-2X upper-stage engine, which is in development stages to power Nasa's next era of human...
Minsheng Financial to Buy Executive Jets from Embraer
Minsheng Financial Leasing, a subsidiary of China Minsheng Banking, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to buy up to 20 executive jets from Embraer. Embraer expects the deal to...
CAE Receives Flight Simulators and Training Devices Order
CAE has received a C$60m (US$63.4m) order to supply four CAE 7000 series level D full-flight simulators (FFSs) and associated training devices to various customers, which include Aeroflot...
Boeing Receives Major Aircraft Order from American Airlines
American Airlines has awarded a contract to Boeing for 200 narrow-body aircraft, with options for 100 more, to accelerate its single-aisle fleet replacement. The agreement includes...
American Airlines Plans to Order Over 600 Jets
American Airlines is planning to place orders worth over $20bn for more than 600 aircraft, split between Boeing and Airbus. The US airline is expected to order 620 aircraft, which include...
South Korea Unveils First Passenger Plane
South Korea has introduced Naraon, its first indigeonously built private aircraft, which is made up of light, carbon-based composite material and has devices to control fuel injection. The...
ViaSat to Delay ViaSat-1 Satellite Launch
ViaSat is planning to delay the launch of its ViaSat-1 satellite by a few weeks, after the spacecraft's manufacturer Space Systems / Loral (SS/L) discovered and reviewed a malfunction in a...
Nanyang University to Launch Velox-I in 2013
Nanyang Technological University in Singapore is planning to launch satellite Velox-I in India or the US in early 2013. Velox-I is made up of two tiny satellites, one weighing 3.5kg and...
Ducommun to Deliver Fuselage Skins for Bombardier Aircraft
Ducommun AeroStructures (DAS), a unit of Ducommun, has secured a contract to manufacture fuselage skins for the Bombardier CSeries aircraft. Fuselage skins, composed of advanced aluminum...
Russia Launches Spektr-R Astronomy Satellite
Russia has launched its long-delayed Spektr-R astronomy satellite on 18 July 2011 from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Spektr-R was launched aboard a Zenit-3M rocket equipped with a...
Nasa Inks Deal with United Launch Alliance
United Launch Alliance (ULA) has signed an agreement to provide technical information to Nasa about using the Atlas V rocket to launch astronauts into space. Under the unfunded space...
American Airlines Signs Sale-Leaseback Deal with AerCap
American Airlines has signed a sale-leaseback deal with AerCap to finance up to 35 Boeing 737-800 next-generation aircraft. The 35 aircraft include 29 firm deliveries, of which 26 are...
SES Launches SES-3 Satellite on ILS Proton
Satellite operator SES has successfully launched its SES-3 satellite into space on board an ILS Proton launch vehicle from Pad 39 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome. SES-3, which has a 15-year...
JetStar to Invest $500m in Singapore Hub
Low-cost carrier JetStar is planning to invest $500m in its Singapore hub to expand its Asian operations, mostly by adding seven Airbus aircraft to its fleet by the end of 2011. JetStar will...
ISRO Launches GSAT-12 Satellite
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said that its Polar satellite launch vehicle (PSLV-C17) has taken off from the GSAT-12 communication satellite from Satish Dhawan Space Centre...
CEB Inks Aircraft Lease Deal with RBS Aviation
Cebu Pacific (CEB) has signed six-year operating lease agreements with RBS Aviation Capital for two new Airbus A320 aircraft, which will be delivered in March 2012. The two A320s will be on...
Finnair to Operate Biofuel Flight
Finnair is planning to operate flights partially-powered by biofuel from Amsterdam and Helsinki, using either an Airbus A319 or A320 aircraft. For its first biofuel flight, Finnair will...
Iran to Build Two Satellites
Iran's aerospace organisation is planning to build two satellites, Pars 2 and Qaem, which will orbit at an altitude of 600km and 3,600km above the Earth's surface respectively. Pars 2...
Mubadala Aerospace to Provide Services for Boeing 787s
Hamilton Sundstrand has signed an agreement with Mubadala Aerospace, a business unit of Mubadala Development Company, to service its products and systems on the Boeing 787. Under the...
NASA Awards Contract for Collision Prediction System for Unmanned Aircraft
NASA has awarded a two-year contract to Numerica Corporation to develop collision-prediction capabilities for unmanned aircraft systems under Phase II of its Small Business Innovation...
Associated Air Re-Engineers Mock-Up Facility for Boeing Jet
StandardAero's Associated Air Center (AAC) has developed a full-scale airframe mock-up centre for creating and testing new designs, fabrications and systems on Boeing business jets (BBJ). ...
Lockheed Martin and Esri Extend Partnership for Geospatial Applications
Lockheed Martin and Esri have entered into a deal to collaborate on developing online geospatial applications and services. Lockheed Martin recently joined the Esri Partner Network as a...
Capitale Helicoptere Orders AW169 Helicopters
Canada-based Capitale Helicoptere has placed an order for three AW169 helicopters with AgustaWestland. The aircraft will be used for charter, VIP transport, utility and medevac...
Globalstar Launches Six Communication Satellites
Globalstar launched six new second-generation Globalstar-2 F1 communication satellites on Wednesday 13 July from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, using the Soyuz launch vehicle. ...
Iridium Expects FAA Authorisation for Oceanic ATC Communications
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is expected to provide authorisation for aircraft operating in oceanic airspace to use Iridium's satellite data service for air traffic control...
Avidyne TAS600 Series Traffic Advisory Systems Receive Brazilian STC Validation
Avidyne has received Agencia Nacional De Aviacao Civil –Brasil (ANAC) validation for its approved model list supplemental type certificate (AML STC) for the installation of the...
Astrium to Develop Two Satellite Sensors for ESA
Astrium has secured a €150m contract from ESA to develop and build two satellite sensors that will monitor the Earth's atmosphere as part of Europe's global monitoring for environment...
Boeing and ANA Complete 787 Testing in Japan
Boeing and All Nippon Airways (ANA) have completed the 787 service ready operational validation in Japan. Under the validation, Boeing and ANA flew the Dreamliner on routes throughout Japan,...
China Launches Tian Lian-1B Satellite to Strengthen Manned Mission
China has launched its second tracking and data relay satellite, Tian Lian-1B (TL-1B) from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan province. The satellite was launched on a Long March...
AMA to Install AFIRS 228 on Three Boeing Aircraft
AeroMechanical Services (AMA) has signed a contract with a French charter airline to install its automated flight information reporting system 228 (AFIRS) on three Boeing 737-800 aircraft and...
US EPA Proposes Air Pollution Standard for Large Commercial Aircraft
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing new air pollution standards for large aircraft engines, and greenhouse gas regulations could also be on the way as a result of a...
Arianespace Postpones US Globalstar-2 Communications Satellite Launch
The postponed launch of the Arianespace US Globalstar-2 communications satellite from its Soyuz-2.1a spacecraft has been rescheduled to today. The spacecraft was orginally scheduled for...
Last Spacewalk for US Space Shuttle Programme
Flight engineers will soon conduct the only spacewalk of the STS-135 shuttle mission, marking the last such walk of the US space shuttle programme. Expedition 28 flight engineers Mike...
Precision Castparts to Buy Primus
Metal components and products maker Precision Castparts has signed an agreement to acquire Primus International, a manufacturer of aerospace components, for $900m in cash. Precision Castparts...
Boeing and Airbus Compete for $15bn Order
Boeing and Airbus are competing to win an order of 250 passenger planes from AMR Corporation's American Airlines, which is planning to replace about 38% of its current fleet with the roughly...
Embraer to Build First US Phenom 100 Business Jet
Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer has taken delivery of the fuselage and wing parts of the first Phenom 100 executive jet to be assembled at the Embraer Executive Jets facility in...
China Launches Shi Jian 11-03 Satellite
China has launched an experimental orbiter in the country's Shi Jian 11-03 satellite series using the Long March 2C (Chang Zheng-2C) launch vehicle from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre...
DAE Cancels Over $5bn of Airbus Orders
Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) has cancelled all of its aircraft orders with Airbus, worth $5.8bn, for 45 planes comprising 34 A320s and 11 A350s. DAE has ordered more than 200 aircraft...
Dextre to Demonstrate Satellite Repair in Space
The robotic refuelling mission module is set demonstrate the ability to refuel and repair satellites in space using the Canadian Space Agency robotic tool, Dextre. Atlantis is carrying...
Nasa Signs Space Deal with Sierra Nevada
Nasa's Kennedy Space Center in Florida has signed a commercial space agreement with Sierra Nevada Space Systems (SNSS) of Sparks, Nevada, to offer technical capabilities from the centre's...
Airbus and DLR to Develop Greener Aircraft
Airbus and the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) have formed a research partnership to perform research tests for fuel-cell-powered autonomous taxiing as part of the development of greener aircraft. ...
GeoEye Expands Satellite Imagery Contrcat with ScanEx
GeoEye has expanded its satellite imagery contract with Russian partner the ScanEx Research and Development Center. The deal is an expansion of a 2010 agreement wherein GeoEye provided...
Allegiant Gets Approval to Begin Boeing 757 Operations
Allegiant has received approval from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to begin operating the Boeing 757-200, a narrow body, twin-engine, medium-range jetliner aircraft. ...
MIT Researchers Develop Algorithm to Prevent Midair Collisions
Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) are planning to submit an early result of a new algorithm that uses data from a tracking system to predict and prevent...
Arianespace Wins Contract to Launch TSBc's Thor 7 Satellite
Arianespace has won a contract to launch Telenor Satellite Broadcasting's (TSBc) Thor 7 satellite in the fourth quarter of 2013. The satellite will be launched into geostationary transfer...
AirAsia to Purchase Additional 100 Airbus A320neos
AirAsia is planning to purchase an additional 100 Airbus A320neo passenger jets, adding to the 200 planes previously ordered to take the total order to $27bn. Last month, AirAsia signed...
NRC Aerospace Unveils Fly-By-Wire Technology
NRC Aerospace has developed a technology, named fly-by-wire, that will give helicopter pilots far better control especially under conditions that could put their life at risk. The new...
Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne's SSMEs to Boost Space Shuttle Atlantis
Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne's three space shuttle main engines (SSMEs) will power the launch of space shuttle Atlantis on the programme's final flight to the International Space Station (ISS). ...
Hawaiian Airlines Expands Inter-Island Fleet
Hawaiian Airlines has leased three additional Boeing 717-200 aircraft to meet increasing passenger demand. With these three leased 717 aircraft, Hawaiian will be able to expand its...
Garuda Indonesia to Buy Four Airbus A330-300s
Garuda Indonesia has signed a new firm order to buy four Airbus A330-300s, which will increase the its A330 fleet to 23 aircraft. The airline will furthermore convert three previously...
ASTRA 1N Satellite Launch Postponed
Luxembourg-based satellite operator SES has postponed the launch of its new ASTRA 1N satellite during final countdown operations due to an anomaly detected on a valve of the main cryogenic...
SAS Orders 30 Airbus A320neo
The SAS Group has placed an order to purchase 30 Airbus A320neos with an option for an additional 11 Airbus A320neos for £1.8bn ($2.8bn) as part of its fleet renewal and harmonisation programme. ...
ISRO to Launch GSAT-12 Satellite this Month
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Polar satellite launch vehicle-C17 (PSLV-C17) is scheduled to be launched from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, on 15 July 2011. The...
Boeing and ANA Begin 787 Flight Tests in Japan
Boeing and All Nippon Airways (ANA) have launched Dreamliner 787 service readiness validation tests in Japan ahead of its commercial launch. The Dreamliner will fly on actual airline routes...
Lockheed Martin GeoEye Satellite Completes Design Review
Lockheed Martin, which is developing an earth-imaging satellite with GeoEye, has completed space system critical design review (CDR) two weeks ahead of schedule. Lockheed Martin said that...
Eurocopter Acquires Vector Aerospace
Eurocopter Holding, a subsidiary of EADS, has acquired a 98.32% stake in Canada-based Vector Aerospace for C$624m (US$647m). Eurocopter had planned to obtain 100% of Vector under a...
Lockheed Wins $133m Nasa Contract
Lockheed Martin Space Systems Corporation (LMSSC) has won a $133m follow-on contract from Nasa for mission operations, systems engineering and software (MOSES-II) for the Hubble Space Telescope. ...
EVA Selects Rockwell Collins 3D Moving Map System
EVA Airways has selected Rockwell Collins enhanced Airshow 4200D 3D moving map system for 36 of its aircraft. The system will incorporated in EVA's three new Airbus A330s, and its fleet of...
American Airlines to Buy 280 Jets
American Airlines is negotiating with aircraft manufacturers Airbus and Boeing over the purchase of an order of as many as 280 new narrow-body jets in a deal worth an estimated $22.6bn. ...
Rolls-Royce Secures $1bn Engine Contract
UK-based power systems company Rolls-Royce has secured a contract to supply and maintain Trent 700 engines for Singapore Airlines Airbus planes worth $1bn. Under the contract, Rolls-Royce...
Boeing Opens New 787 Vertical Fin Assembly Line
Boeing has opened a new 787 vertical fin assembly line at its production facility in Salt Lake City, Utah, US, with production on the new assembly line due to begin this month. The site,...
Selex Galileo to Supply Gabbiano Radars to Elbit Systems
Selex Galileo, a Finmeccanica Company, has signed a deal to supply its Gabbiano radar family, which is fully operative and can perform in all light and weather conditions, for installation...
Lockheed Martin Set to Launch Communications Satellite
Lockheed Martin is set to launch The BSAT-3c / JCSAT-110R satellite for Broadcasting Satellite System and SKY Perfect JSAT on 1 July onboard an Ariane 5-ECA launch vehicle from...
SIA to Lease 15 A330s from Airbus
Singapore Airlines (SIA) has signed an agreement with Airbus to lease another 15 new 330 aircraft to expand its fleet. The aircraft will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines and will...
June 2011
Top
Nasa Prepares for Shuttle Launch
Nasa has cleared a readiness review of the space shuttle Atlantis to launch on 8 July in its Kennedy Space Center in Florida, US. Atlantis's STS-135 mission, which will deliver the...
CAS and ICBC to Buy 88 Airbus A320 Family Aircraft
China Aviation Supplies Holding Company (CAS) and ICBC Financial Leasing have signed agreements to buy 88 A320 family aircraft from European aircraft manufacturer Airbus. Aircraft...
Pratt & Whitney Secures Maintenance Contract from Jetstar Pacific Airlines
Pratt & Whitney Global Service Partners, a United Technologies Corporation company, has secured a two-year maintenance services contract from Jetstar Pacific Airlines. As part of...
Avinor Selects Sensis ADS-B to Enhance Flight Safety
Norwegian air navigation service provider Avinor has selected Sensis Corporation to deploy an automatic dependent surveillance - broadcast (ADS-B) system to enhance safety of flights across...
HyperMach Unveils Plans for Supersonic Jet
UK-based HyperMach has unveiled plans for a supersonic plane, SonicStar, a 20-seat business jet that will cruise at a speed of 2,664mph, twice as fast as Concorde at 62,000ft, linking Paris and...
MSU, Kentucky Space and UOR to Launch Four New Satellites
Morehead State University (MSU) and Kentucky Space are collaborating with the University of Rome Sapienza Aerospace Engineering School (UOR) to develop, build and fly a series of four...
Boeing Begins Final Phase of 787 Testing
Boeing has started the final phase of function and reliability (F&R) testing and extended operations (ETOPS) demonstrations on the 787 Dreamliner. The final phase of testing includes...
Sky Aircraft Selects Beaver to Power SK-105 Aircraft
Sky Aircraft, a subsidiary of France-based GECI International, has selected Beaver Aerospace & Defense to supply the electromechanical flap actuation system for the Skylander SK-105 aircraft. ...
GE Aviation and Nexcelle Sign Engine Purchase Deal
GE Aviation has signed a purchase agreement with Nexcelle to provide the nacelle system for its GE Passport 20 business aircraft jet engine. Under the agreement, Nexcelle will develop,...
Nigeria to Launch Two New Satellites Next Month
The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) of Nigeria is planning to launch two earth observation satellites, NigeriaSat-2 and NigeriaSat-Xinto from Russia on 7 July at a cost...
MT Aerospace Subsidiary Secures Iridium NEXT Satellite Programme Deal
MT Aerospace Satellite Products has been awarded a contract by Thales Alenia Space to manufacture 81 propellant tanks for the Iridium NEXT satellite programme. Under the deal, German...
India's GAGAN Satellite in Position
India's advanced GSAT-8 communications satellite that carried the country's GPS-aided geo augmented navigation (GAGAN) system has been positioned, marking completion of the first phase of...
Flydubai Signs Engine Maintenance Deal with GE Aviation
Flydubai has signed an OnPoint solution agreement with GE Aviation for the maintenance, repair and overhaul of its 109 CFM56-7B engines for $300m over the next ten years. As part of...
Astrium and Thales Alenia Space Deliver Y1A Satellite
Astrium, an aerospace subsidiary of European Aeronautic Defence and Space, and Thales Alenia Space have delivered the Y1A communications satellite to Al Yah Satellite Communications in UAE. ...
CFM Secures Engine Order from Shenzhen Airlines
CFM International, a 50/50 joint company between Snecma and GE Aviation, has secured an order to supply CFM56-5B engines to Shenzhen Airlines in a deal worth $190m. The engines will...
SGT to Provide Support Service to NASA
NASA has awarded a geophysics, geodynamics and space geodesy support contract to Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies (SGT) for $45m. As part of the contract, SGT will develop instruments,...
Qantas Agrees Settlement with Rolls-Royce
Qantas has reached a £62.5m settlement with Rolls-Royce over a mid-air explosion caused by a Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engine on 4 November 2010, which forced the Australian carrier to ground...
ESA and Thales Alenia Enter Intermediate Experimental Vehicle Pact
The European Space Agency (ESA) and Thales Alenia Space have signed an agreement for the production of the atmospheric re-entry demonstrator intermediate experimental vehicle (IXV) and its...
Republic Airways Orders LEAP-X1A Engines from CFM
US-based Frontier Airlines parent company, Republic Airways Holdings, has selected CFM International's advanced LEAP-X1A engine to power a total of 80 Airbus A320neo aircraft. The engines,...
Airbus Wins Record A320neo Orders at Air Show
Airbus won large orders at the Paris Air Show with India's low-cost carrier GoAir buying 72 Airbus A320neo for $6.6bn. GoAir will take delivery of the aircraft from 2016 and the order...
Hypersonic Passenger Jet Unveiled at Paris Air Show
A proposed hypersonic passenger jet that could carry passengers from Tokyo, Japan, to Los Angeles, US, in two and a half hours has been unveiled by EADS at the Paris Air Show. EADS...
Europe and China Enter Aerospace Cooperation Pact at Air Show
The Chinese Aeronautical Establishment (CAE) has signed an agreement for long-term cooperation in research and development (R&D) with the National Aerospace Laboratory from the Netherlands and...
ILFC Orders Engines to Power Airbus A320neo Aircraft
International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC), a subsidiary of American International Group, has placed a $950m order with CFM International for its advanced LEAP engine to power 40 new...
Rolls-Royce Wins Engine Order
Rolls-Royce has secured a $2.2bn contract from Brazil's TAM Airlines to deliver Trent XWB engines for 27 Airbus A350-XWB aircraft at the Paris Air Show. The order also includes a...
Boeing Signs 737s Deal with Malaysia Airlines and UTair
Kuala Lumpur-based Malaysia Airlines has exercised an option for the purchase of 10 additional Next-Generation 737-800s for $800m at the Paris Air Show. The airline still has purchase...
Elbit Introduces Countermeasures Technology to Protect Aircraft
Elbit Systems has launched its commercial multispectral infrared countermeasures system (C-MUSIC) for the protection of large jet aircraft from shoulder-launched missiles (MANPADS) at the...
Damaged A380 Withdraws as Airbus Momentum Continues
An Airbus A380, which was damaged at the Paris Air Show on Monday, will take no further part in demonstrations and has been withdrawn from the show. The demonstrator of the world's...
Boeing Receives 17 747-8 Intercontinental Orders
Boeing has received orders worth $5.4bn for 17 747-8 intercontinentals from two undisclosed customers. One carrier has committed to 15 of the new passenger version of the 747-8 while...
Air Lease Orders Airbus and Boeing Aircraft
Air Lease Corporation (ALC) has placed orders at the Paris Air Show for the purchase of up to 33 Boeing aircraft and 50 A320neo family aircraft from Airbus, including 14 options. The deal...
Siemens to Debut Serial Hybrid Electric Aircraft
Siemens, Diamond Aircraft and EADS will launch the world's first aircraft with a serial hybrid electric drive system at this year's Paris Air Show. The consortium believes that the...
Qatar Orders Six Boeing 777-300ERs at Paris Air Show
Qatar Airways has ordered six Boeing 777-300 extended range (ER) aircraft for $1.7bn at the 49th international 2011 Paris Air Show at Le Bourget, which is taking place from 20 to 26 June. ...
Green Theme Present at Paris Air Show
Honeywell has stolen headlines at the Paris Air Show, demonstrating its Gulfstream G450 jet following the world's first transatlantic flight of an aircraft using biofuel. The aircraft landed...
GE Orders ATR 72-600
The aircraft leasing and financing arm of General Electric, GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS), has placed its first order for 15 ATR 72-600s with European turboprop manufacturer ATR. ...
Airbus Joins with Rolls-Royce for Enhanced A350-1000
Airbus and Rolls-Royce have revealed a plan to jointly develop the A350-1000 with more powerful Trent XWB engines. The enhanced version of the Trent XWB engine will be fully optimised for...
Korean Air Takes Delivery of First A380
Korean Air has received its first A380 from Airbus, becoming the first airline in north-east Asia to operate the aircraft. The airline will initially operate the aircraft on service to...
GoAir Orders 72 Airbus A320s for $7.2bn
Indian airline GoAir has placed a $7.2bn order for 72 A320neo aircraft with Airbus. GoAir has a fleet of ten aircraft and currently flies to 18 destinations within India, operating 931...
Boeing to Debut Biofuel-Based 747-8 Freighter
Boeing is to debut its new 747-8 Freighter, which uses a renewable aviation jet fuel, at next week's Paris Air Show. The 747-8 Freighter will have four GE GEnx-2B engines powered by a blend...
Boeing Expects New Aircraft Market to Rise to $4tn by 2030
Boeing forecasts that the new aircraft market will reach $4tn over the next 20 years with a significant increase in forecasted deliveries. The company's 2011 current market outlook (CMO)...
Cebu Pacific Places A321neo Order with Airbus
Philippine flag carrier Cebu Pacific has placed an order with Airbus for the purchase of 30 A321neo aircraft. The carrier has also exercised existing options for seven more A320s,...
Eurocopter to Debut X3 Hybrid Demonstrator and EC175
Eurocopter will introduce its X3 hybrid demonstrator and the new EC175 helicopter at the 2011 Paris Air Show to be held next week. The X3 demonstrator is powered by a five-blade main...
Qantas Cancels Orders
Australia's Qantas Group has cancelled or deferred orders for 12 narrow-body jet aircraft, including three aircraft in the second half of 2010/11 due to the softening of the Australian...
Virgin America Places $1.4bn Engine Order with CFM
Virgin America has placed a $1.4bn order for an advanced LEAP engine with CFM International to power 30 new Airbus A320neo aircraft due for delivery in 2016. In addition, the airline...
Iran Launches Second Satellite
Iran successfully launched its second domestically produced satellite, Rasad, into orbit on Wednesday 15 June. The satellite was launched aboard an Iranian-made Safir rocket and is...
Pratt & Whitney Prepares Rocketdyne J-2X Engine for Test
Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne has completed assembly of the first J-2X upper-stage engine for Nasa's next era of human spaceflight in preparation for demonstration testing, expected to begin...
Boeing Delivers First 777-300ER to Angolan Carrier
Boeing has delivered the first 777-300ER (extended range) to Angolan flag carrier TAAG Linhas Aereas de Angola. The African carrier is the first in the country to acquire, own and operate...
India Plans $1.69bn Indigenous Aircraft
India has unveiled plans to develop a 1,700-seat passenger transport aircraft in the next seven years in a bid to become a global player in civil aeronautics. The development of the...
ALC Signs Lease Agreements for 25 Aircraft
Air Lease Corporation (ALC) has signed lease agreements for 25 additional aircraft. ALC has entered into a long term lease agreement with Brazil's TRIP Linhas Aereas for six new ATR 72-600s...
Orbital Signs Contract to Build Thai Communications Satellite
Thailand-based private satellite operator Thaicom has awarded a contract to Orbital Sciences to build the Thaicom 6 communications satellite. Based on Orbital's GEOStar-2 satellite...
Boeing Completes Space Capsule Design Review
Boeing has completed the delta system definition review (SDR) of the company's crew space transportation (CST)-100 space capsule design, following Nasa's award of a commercial crew...
Arianespace Speeds Up Ariane 5 Mission Launch
Arianespace has advanced preparations for the fourth Ariane 5 flight this year, with its satellite passengers Astra 1N and BSAT-3c / JCSAT-110R now undergoing final processing at the spaceport's...
Northrop Grumman Completes Critical Review of Space Vehicle Programme
Northrop Grumman has completed a systems requirement review (SRR), the first of several major steps to design, build and deliver a new spacecraft bus to reduce costs to space operations. ...
US Group Approves Alternative Jet Fuel Specification for Aircraft
The Air Transport Association of America (ATA) has said standards development organisation ASTM International has granted preliminary approval to passenger airlines to use a new jet...
Thai Airways to Acquire 37 Aircraft
Thai Airways International will acquire 37 aircraft between 2011 and 2017 for $3.89bn, including 23 Airbus and 14 Boeing airplanes, to upgrade its aging fleet. Under the plan, the airlines...
Iran and Russia Sign Agreement for Space Cooperation
Iran and Russia have entered into a deal to boost space cooperation, focusing on building a new generation of satellites and sending astronauts into space. The agreement between the...
Nasa Launches First Ocean Science Satellite
Nasa launched the Aquarius / SAC-D satellite on Friday 11 June, a satellite capable of measuring the saltiness of Earth's oceans to advance understanding of the global water cycle around the...
Qatar Airways Seals Cargolux Stake Deal
Qatar Airways had entered into a strategic equity and commercial partnership with Cargolux to acquire a 35% stake in the European all-cargo airline. The price of the deal has not...
Raytheon Completes Third Communications Upgrade at McMurdo Station
Raytheon has successfully completed the third major communications upgrade at McMurdo Station, Antarctica, in support of future scientific and environmental satellite missions. McMurdo is...
Boeing to Offer System Integration for Iridium NEXT
Boeing has received a contract from Thales Alenia Space to provide system integration and testing support for Iridium NEXT satellites. NEXT is the next-generation satellite constellation...
China to Help Launch Turkey's First Intelligence Satellite in December
Turkey will launch its first intelligence gathering satellite, Göktürk-2, in December or early 2012 with support from China for $20m. The Göktürk-2 satellite will be...
Thales Alenia Wins MUSIS Programme Contract
Thales Alenia Space España has received contracts worth more than €11m for the multinational space-based imaging system (MUSIS) programme for Earth observation. The company will...
Alcoa Develops New Lighter Alloy for Aircraft
Alcoa has unveiled a new-generation alloy and technology, which it claims can lower the weight of aircraft by up to 10% and improve fuel consumption. The alloy has been developed by...
Bombardier Secures CSeries Aircraft Orders
Bombardier Aerospace has received a firm order from an undisclosed airline for three of its CS100 aircraft, with options on three more. Deliveries of the aircraft will start in 2014. The...
Measat Inks Deal with Astrium for New Satellite
Measat Global has entered into a contract with Astrium to build Measat-3b, a new satellite to augment its core Ku-band business in Malaysia, India and Indonesia. The satellite has also...
Honeywell Secures Nasa's Safety Services Deal
Honeywell has won a five-year $96m contract with Nasa's safety centre (NSC) to provide audits, assessments, and assurance services across the agency's centres and suppliers. Under the...
EADS, Airbus and Russian Partners Halt Freighter Conversion Programme
Airbus, EADS and their Russian partners, United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) and IRKUT, have jointly decided to stop the A320/A321 passenger to freighter (P2F) conversion development programme...
Kingfisher in Talks for Fresh Share Issue
Kingfisher Airlines has resumed talks with investors to raise about $300m through a global depository receipts (GDR) issue as oil prices have eased after reaching record highs in April. ...
Finnair Deploys Jeppesen Fatigue Risk Management Solution
US-based aeronautical charting and navigation services provider Jeppesen has revealed that Finnair is now using its crew management solution suite with Boeing alertness model functionality to...
Bombardier Flight Deck Receives Transport Canada Certification
Bombardier Aerospace has announced that its Global Vision flight deck has received certification from Transport Canada to feature on the Global 5000 and Global 6000 jets. Bombardier...
Hawker 200 Jet Completes First Flight
Hawker Beechcraft (HBC) has completed the first two hour and three minute flight with its final pre-production Hawker 200 light jet and will now begin contributing to the certification flight...
ESA to Switch Rosetta Comet Hunter into Hibernation
Mission controllers at the European Space Agency (ESA) will switch the agency's Rosetta comet-hunting spacecraft into deep-space hibernation for the next 31 months. During this mission,...
Boeing to Debut 747-8 Aeroplane Models in June
Boeing's two new 747-8 airplane models, the Intercontinental passenger version and the freighter version, will make their international debuts at the Paris Air Show this month. The...
NASRDA to Launch Two Satellites This Month
The Nigerian National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) will launch two satellites, NigeriaSat-2 and NigeriaSat-X, into orbit by the end of this month. NASRDA head of...
Airbus Delivers 50th Chinese Assembled A320
Airbus has delivered the 50th A320 Family aircraft from its Final Assembly Line in China (FALC) to Shanghai-based carrier Juneyao Airlines. The A320 single-aisle family of aircraft,...
Teledyne Brown and Aerojet Team to Build Rocket Engines
Teledyne Technologies said its subsidiary, Teledyne Brown Engineering, has signed an agreement to form a strategic alliance with Aerojet to manufacture and assemble liquid rocket engines. ...
Qantas Replaces Airbus A380 Engines
Australian airline Qantas Airways has replaced 24 engines on its fleet of Airbus A380 super-jumbos since one of them suffered a mid-air engine explosion near Singapore last year. ...
TTComm Secures Deal to Lease AMOS Capacity in Poland
Polish teleport and satellite service supplier TTComm has signed a number of long-term agreements with communications satellite operator Spacecom to lease capacity from the AMOS satellite...
Sofradir to Deliver Infrared Arrays for Sentinel 5 Precursor Satellite
Sofradir has secured a contract to provide shortwave infrared arrays for the TROPOMI/S5-P (Sentinel 5 Precursor) mission, as part of the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security...
Russia to Step Up GLONASS Satellite Launches
Russia has unveiled plans to step up the pace of communications satellite launches to give its GLONASS navigation system full global coverage capacity by the end of the year. Russian...
Turkmenistan to Establish National Space Agency
Turkmenistan has decided to establish a new national space agency to supervise future space exploration. The space agency will have the responsibility to control near-earth orbit satellites...
Ukraine, Kazakhstan Hold Talks for Joint Plane Project
Kazakhstan is in discussions with Ukraine on launching joint production of small airliners in the Central Asian country, according to Kazakh deputy foreign minister Amangeldy Zhumabayev. ...
Willis Lease, Mitsui Form JV for Jet Engine Lease
Willis Lease Finance Corporation has entered into a joint venture agreement with Mitsui & Company to acquire and lease IAE V2500-A5 and General Electric CF34-10E jet engines. IAE...
Bombardier Clinches 10 CSeries Jet Orders
Canadian aircraft manufacturer Bombardier Aerospace has won an order to supply five CS100 and five CS300 mainline jetliners, plus options on an additional 10 CSeries aircraft, to Braathens...
Thaicom Receives Approval for New Satellite in 2013
Thaicom has received approval from the Thailand government to build and launch the Thaicom 6 satellite with an investment of about $160m. Thaicom 6 will expand the company's business...
ATR 72-600 Achieves EASA Certification
European turboprop aircraft manufacturer ATR has obtained European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification for its ATR 72-600, the newest member of its aircraft family. Flight testing...
Orion MPCV Navigation System Test Completed Successfully
Nasa, Lockheed Martin and Ball Aerospace have successfully completed the on-orbit Orion multipurpose crew vehicle (MPCV) approach to the International Space Station. The team worked...
Bulgaria Air to Lease Three Embraer 190 Jets
Bulgaria Air will lease three Embraer 190 jets from the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer as part of its fleet expansion programme. The airline's new aircraft will be configured in a...
GOL Receives First Boeing 737
Brazil's GOL Airlines has received its first next-generation Boeing 737-800 with the new Boeing Sky interior. The airline notes that it is the launch customer in Latin America for the...
China Southern to Receive First Boeing 787 Dreamliner in Q4
Boeing has revealed plans to deliver China Southern its first 787 Dreamliner in the final quarter of this year. The jet will be the first Boeing Dreamliner to be delivered to a Chinese...
Korea Aerospace Intends to Issue IPO
Aircraft manufacturer Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) plans to raise up to $542.9m from an IPO on the Korea Exchange. The company plans to sell 36.6 million shares through the IPO,...
CTT Secures Zonal Drying System Order
UAE's flydubai has ordered 31 zonal drying systems from CTT Systems to be installed in the airline's Boeing B737-800 aircraft. The systems, which eliminate condensation in the aircraft, will...
US Shuttle Endeavour Undocks from Space Station
US space shuttle Endeavour has undocked from the International Space Station (ISS) in order to head back to Earth after completing its mission, Nasa has said. The undocking took place...
May 2011
Top
BAE Sells Regional Aircraft Business
BAE Systems has announced the sale of its commercial aircraft lease portfolio and asset management business to Fortress Investment Group for $187m. The sale is expected to close in the...
Venezuela to Launch Second Satellite from China
Venezuela has signed a deal to launch its second satellite from China in October 2012. The Chinese-made satellite will study climate change, the environment and soil quality so authorities...
Nasa Seeks Suborbital Flight Services Proposals
Nasa has issued a request for proposals (RFP) for services from commercial suborbital flight providers and payload integrators to support the agency's flight opportunities programme. ...
Kenya Airways to Add Embraer E190 to Fleet
Africa's Kenya Airways is set to receive a new Embraer E190 jet by end of the week. The aircraft is expected into service within the next two weeks and will be deployed to operate in...
Hawaii to Collaborate with NASA on Space Exploration
NASA and the US state of Hawaii will collaborate on a range of activities to promote the country's human and robotic exploration of space, it has been announced. The partnership will...
UAE Technology Insitute to Launch DubaiSat-2 by the End of 2012
The Emirates Institution for Advanced Science & Technology has said that it plans to launch its second remote-sensing satellite, DubaiSat-2, by the end of 2012. The institute has...
Satellite Survey Uncovers Lost Pyramids of Egypt
Seventeen lost Egyptian pyramids have been discovered by archaeologists using infra-red satellite imaging. The work, pioneered at the University of Alabama in Birmingham, US, also...
Boeing Confirms Delivery Window for First 787 Dreamliner
Boeing has revealed plans to deliver the first 787 Dreamliner to Japanese air carrier All Nippon Airways in August or September 2011. Using the second flight-test aircraft, known as...
Korean Air Receives First Airbus A380
Korean Air has taken the delivery of its first GP7200-powered Airbus A380 aircraft. The GP7200 engine is the leading engine for the Airbus A380 aircraft and will power 56% of all A380s on...
AgustaWestland Secures GrandNew and AW139 Orders
Finmeccanica unit AgustaWestland has secured orders for two EMS-configured GrandNew light twin helicopters, four GrandNew light twin and one AW139 medium twin helicopters from European...
Nasa Unveils Spacecraft Plans for Next Deep Space Mission
Nasa has unveiled plans to develop a new spacecraft, known as the multipurpose crew vehicle (MPCV), for the next US transportation system that will carry humans into deep space beyond...
American Airlines Receives First 737-800
American Airlines has received its first next-generation Boeing 737-800 featuring the new Boeing Sky interior (BSI). The new 737-800 BSI offers larger overhead bins which can hold 48 more...
ESA to Launch Galileo Satellites
The European Space Agency (ESA) has revealed that Europe will launch its first two global navigation satellites on 20 October 2011. The two satellites will be deployed using a Soyuz...
Lockheed Delivers Nasa's Twin GRAIL for September Launch
Lockheed Martin has delivered Nasa's twin gravity recovery and interior laboratory (GRAIL) spacecraft to Kennedy Space Center in Florida, US. The two vehicles will undergo four months of...
Vietnam Airlines Secures Loan for Airbus A321-231
Vietnam Airlines has signed an agreement with three foreign banks for a $457m loan to purchase eight Airbus A321-231 aircraft. The three banks include Citigroup, DBS and HSBC. The...
TransAsia Orders Rolls-Royce Trent 700 Engines
Taiwanese airline TransAsia Airways has placed a $150m order for Trent 700 engines from UK-based power systems company Rolls-Royce. It was the first order from the airline for...
AirAsia X Signs Engine Deal with GE
AirAsia X, the long-haul, low-fare affiliate of AirAsia Group of Malaysia, has signed a $600m deal with GE to buy CF6-80E1 engines to power its fleet of three new A330-200s, with an option for...
SingTel and Chunghwa Telecom Launch ST-2
Singapore Telecommunications (SingTel) and Taiwanese telecom operator Chunghwa Telecom have launched their joint satellite, ST-2, into orbit from Kourou, French Guiana. At 4.38am,...
European Airlines Could Face Fresh Ash Cloud Disruption
Airlines operating from Europe could face fresh disruption to flights due to an ash cloud from the erupting Grimsvotn volcano in Iceland. The UK Met Office has warned that the ash cloud...
UTair Receives First ATR 72-500
Russian air carrier UTair has taken delivery of its first ATR 72-500 aircraft. UTair placed a $426m order with ATR for 20 aircraft, with the remaining aircraft to be delivered by 2012. ...
Saab Secures Civil Aircraft Missile Protection System Order
Swedish aerospace and defence company Saab has received an order for the civil aircraft missile protection system (CAMPS) from Mexico-based charter airline FlyMex. The company notes CAMPS...
Lufthansa Cargo Orders Five 777 Freighters
Germany-based Lufthansa Cargo has placed a $1.35bn order with Boeing for five 777 Freighters. The aircraft will help the cargo carrier to modernise and expand its fleet, though Lufthansa...
Astra 1N Departs to Launch Site
The Astra 1N satellite, designed and manufactured by Astrium for satellite operator SES Astra, has left Astrium's facility in Toulouse, France, where it had undergone its final integration and...
Ball Aerospace Completes Tests for Next US Weather Satellite
Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corporation has successfully completed thermal vacuum testing for Nasa's NPOESS preparatory project (NPP) satellite to bring the spacecraft closer to a 25...
Bombardier Selects Four Suppliers for Global 7000 and Global 8000 Aircraft
Bombardier Aerospace has revealed four suppliers for the Global 7000 and Global 8000 business aircraft programme. The programme, overseeing the supply of two major structural packages and...
Embraer Unveils Aircraft Health Diagnosis System for Phenom Jets
Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer has introduced the aircraft health analysis and diagnosis (AHEAD) solution for Phenom 100 and Phenom 300 executive jet customers. The service...
Hawker 800XPR Adds Honeywell TFE731-50R Engine
US-based aircraft manufacturer Hawker Beechcraft has revealed that its Hawker 800XPR upgrade is making steady progress toward certification with the installation of new Honeywell...
ViaSat to Deliver Ka-band Transceiver Modules for Iridium NEXT
US-based wireless communications provider ViaSat has received a $40m contract to provide Ka-band transmit-receive (T/R) modules to Thales Alenia Space for the second-generation Iridium...
Boeing and Alaska Airlines Jointly Develop Component Optimisation Programme
Boeing and Alaska Airlines have jointly launched a component management optimisation programme that will increase the efficiency of fleets. Alaska Airlines has agreed to use its fleet...
Dassault Launches Falcon 2000S
Dassault has launched the Falcon 2000S for the super mid-sized business jet market. The 3,350nm Falcon 2000S will feature inboard slats, high-Mach blended winglets, a new-generation...
Honeywell Software Receives FAA Approval for Dassault Falcon 900
Honeywell has received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) technical standard order (TSO) approval for its Primus Epic-based EASy II software package for the Dassault Falcon 900 EASy...
Nasa Prepares for Aquarius / SAC-D Mission
Nasa is making final preparations for the 9 June launch of the international Aquarius / SAC-D observatory. The mission's primary instrument on the spacecraft, Aquarius, will study...
Boeing and Greenpoint Partner on 747-8 VIP Modification Work
Boeing has partnered with Greenpoint Technologies (GTI) to offer modifications for four of its 747-8 Intercontinental aircraft. Under the deal, Boeing will install GTI's Aeroloft...
India Plans Three PSLV Launches this Year
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is planning to launch three PSLV satellites from Sriharikota spaceport by October this year. PSLV-C17 will launch GSAT-12, equipped with...
Eurocopter X3 Hybrid Surpasses Speed Targets
Eurocopter has revealed that its X3 hybrid helicopter has surpassed its original speed target of 220kt during a test programme. The hybrid demonstrator maintained a true airspeed of...
Pratt & Whitney Unveils Engine Diagnostic Tool for PW100
Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) has launched an engine diagnostic tool, powered by Spotlight, for its PW100 engine. The diagnostic tool is an interactive system designed to help...
Boeing Offers Advanced Engines for VIP 747-8 Intercontinental
Boeing has revealed that the first five customers for 747-8 Intercontinental VIP airplanes will have the option to use loaned GEnx-2B engines that will be replaced with new...
Goodrich Completes Microtecnica Acquisition
US-based Goodrich has completed the acquisition of Italy's Microtecnica for $478m. Microtecnica is a provider of flight control actuation systems for helicopter, regional and business...
Bombardier to Introduce Six Business Jets
Bombardier Aerospace is set to introduce six of its Learjet, Challenger and Global business jets this month. The super-light Learjet 45 XR aircraft, midsize Learjet 60 XR...
Japan Quits Daichi Satellite Mission
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) said its Daichi Earth-observing satellite is dead in orbit, three weeks after it developed a power generation anomaly, which crippled the spacecraft. ...
GE to Deliver 20 Leased Aircraft to Chinese Airlines this Year
GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) will deliver 11 new Boeing 737s, seven new Airbus A320s, and two new Boeing 777Fs to airlines in China this year, expanding its leased business by 10%. ...
Mayflower Test Satellite Meets SpaceX Mission Target
Northrop Grumman Corporation and Applied Minds have revealed that the Mayflower test microsatellite was successful during its recent SpaceX mission. Mayflower was the first commercial...
ISRO to Launch SPOT 6 Satellite Next Year
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is planning to launch the French image capturing 'satellite pour l'observation de la Terre (SPOT) 6' next year. The satellite is a...
Nextant Aerospace to Unveil 400XT Aircraft
Nextant Aerospace will unveil its first fully conforming production 400XT aircraft this month, taking it a step closer to delivery of aircraft later this year. The Nextant 400XT is...
Embraer Delivers 200th Phenom 100
Brazilian aerospace conglomerate Embraer has delivered its 200th Phenom 100 executive jet to US-based aviation services provider Swift Aviation Group. The aircraft was ordered by Swift in...
Honeywell Introduces New Traffic Collision Avoidance System
Honeywell has revealed the availability of its advanced traffic collision avoidance system (TCAS) with SmartTraffic. Airbus is the first to certify the new system and plans to offer...
GE Delivers Two Airbus A320s to French Airline
GE's commercial aircraft leasing and financing unit, GE Capital Aviation Services, has delivered two new Airbus A320s leased to Aigle Azur, adding to the French airline's fleet of A320...
FAA Approves ETOPS to Rolls-Royce Engine
The Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) has approved extended twin-engine operations (ETOPS) to the Trent 1000 engine, developed for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner by Rolls-Royce, making it the...
China to Launch Space Station this Year
China is planning to launch its first space station module, Tiangong-1, in the second half of this year. Tiangong-1 and the Shenzhou 8 vehicle will mark China's first docking tests leading to...
Boeing Delivers BBJ 737-700 IGW to Beijing Airlines
Boeing Business Jets (BBJ) has delivered a BBJ 737-700 increased gross weight (IGW) airplane to the business jet subsidiary of Air China, Beijing Airlines. The addition of the first BBJ...
Iran to Launch Four Satellites in Two Years
Iran is planning to launch four satellites within the next two years. The country will launch the Fajr satellite, which will carry out remote sensing and topography missions, in the next...
RSCC and Eutelsat Expand Satellite Partnership
Russia's state satellite operator, Russian Satellite Communications Company (RSCC), and French-based satellite telecommunications provider Eutelsat Communications have signed an agreement to...
Northrop Unit Delivers Reflector for Alphasat I-XL Spacecraft
Northrop Grumman Corporation strategic business unit Astro Aerospace has delivered its fourth deployable AstroMesh reflector to Astrium for the Alphasat I-XL spacecraft. The spacecraft...
Qatar Airways to Order Airbus Aircraft
Qatar's national carrier, Qatar Airways, is in advanced talks to place an order for 60 Airbus aircraft. The orders will be finalised by June this year, and the airline is reportedly looking...
UK Opens New Satellite Operations Centre
The UK has opened its new national satellite operations base, the Earth observation (EO) hub, a key component of the new International Space Innovation Centre (ISIC) in Harwell, Oxfordshire. ...
Air China and Cathay Pacific Form New Cargo Carrier JV
Air China and Cathay Pacific Airways have established a joint venture cargo carrier, Air China Cargo (ACC), which will begin operations with a fleet of 12 Boeing 747-400 freighters with a...
Australian Regional Airline Acquires Five Saab 340B Aircraft
Australia's independent regional airline Regional Express (Rex) has purchased five Saab 340B aircraft from Saab Aircraft Leasing. Rex chief operating officer Chris Hine said the company...
Air India Floats Tender to Lease Airbus A320
Air India has issued a tender for the lease of 16 Airbus A320 aircraft for a period of five years to increase its capacity. The tender invited the aircraft manufacturers, airlines and lessors...
GE Deploys First Public-Use Navigation Flight Path in Alaska
GE Aviation has deployed the first public-use required navigation performance (RNP) flight procedure at Deadhorse, Alaska, US. The procedure will improve schedule reliability and reduce fuel...
US and Europe Plan New Spaceship
Europe and the US are considering jointly constructing a new spaceship later this decade. The robotic spaceship will be used to transport 7.5t of supplies to the space station, and Europe...
Air Niugini Receives Third Boeing 767
Air Niugini has received its third Boeing 767 airplane. Boeing 767 versions have a range of 5,200nm to 6,590nm (9,400km to 12,200km), and the third Boeing 767 has a seating capacity of...
Transaero Receives Boeing 747-400
Russia's passenger air carrier Transaero Airlines has taken the delivery of new generation Boeing 747-400 wide-body long-haul aircraft. The newly acquired aircraft increases the size of...
Flydubai Secures Funds for B737-800NG
Dubai's low cost airline Flydubai has secured funds worth $80m from the aircraft leasing company MC Aviation Partners (MCAP) for the remaining B737-800NG aircraft the airline is due to receive...
Embraer Delivers 190 Jet to TRIP
Brazilian airline TRIP Linhas Aéreas has taken the delivery of its first Embraer 190 Jet. TRIP Linhas Aéreas currently operates a fleet of nine Embraer 175 jets, and is expected to receive...
Korean Air Places Five A300 Aircraft Order with Airbus
Korean Air has placed an order with Airbus for five A330-200s, taking the total number to 30 aircraft, of which 23 have already been delivered. Airbus chief operating officer customers John...
ESA Expands Satellite Imaging Service
The European Space Agency (ESA) has added 13,000 radar images to its earth-exploring Miravi service, bringing the number of viewing possibilities to approximately 58,000. The Miravi...
Nasa's Dawn Meets Mission to Asteroid Vesta
Nasa's Dawn spacecraft has reached its official approach phase to the asteroid Vesta and will begin using cameras for the first time to aid navigation for its approach. During the...
Qatar Airways Proposes to Acquire 33% Stake in Cargolux
Qatar Airways is expecting to sign a deal to acquire a 33% stake in Cargolux, Europe's all-cargo airline. Qatar Airways chief executive Akbar al-Baker said that the company will sign an...
Southwest Airlines Acquires AirTran Holdings
Texas-based airline Southwest Airlines has completed its acquisition of AirTran Holdings for about $1bn. The acquisition of the former parent company of AirTran Airways will enable Southwest...
Lufthansa Technik Leverages ANSYS Simulation Software
Maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) support services provider Lufthansa Technik is leveraging simulation software from ANSYS to simulate wear and tear of aircraft components, particularly in...
GE Capital Leases Airbus A320 to Vueling
The aircraft leasing and financing unit of GE, GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS), has delivered a new Airbus A320 lease aircraft to Vueling Airlines. The aircraft comes from GECAS's...
Sikorsky Completes Active Rotor Wind Tunnel Tests
The technology development organisation of Sikorsky Aircraft, Sikorsky Innovations, has completed wind tunnel testing of its active rotor system equipped with high authority flaps. The...
Nasa Awards Engineering and Test Services Contracts
Nasa has awarded five contracts worth $658m to Aerospace Corporation for specialised engineering, evaluation and test services. The five contracts will support eight Nasa centres with...
Airbus Secures A350 XWB Main Landing Gear
Airbus has received the first set of main landing gear (MLG) for its A350 XWB. Produced by Messier-Dowty, the MLG set for the A350-900 follows last month's arrival of the nose landing...
Embraer Q1 Profit Quadruples
Embraer has reported a profit of $105m during the first quarter of 2011 compared with the profit of $24m it reported during the same period in 2010. The Brazilian aircraft maker reported a...
Rolls-Royce Opens Aerospace Plant in Virginia
Rolls-Royce has opened an aerospace plant at Crosspointe, the company's new advanced manufacturing and research campus in Prince George County, Virginia, US, to produce parts for civil...
S7 Airlines Receives Boeing 737-800NG
Russia's S7 Airlines has taken delivery of its first new Boeing next-generation 737-800. The aircraft has been received by Globus Airlines, which operates flights under the S7 Airlines...
Yemen Airways Receives Airbus A320
Yemenia, the official carrier of Yemen, has taken delivery of its first Airbus aircraft as part of its plan to replace its entire fleet of single-aisle aircraft with the A320 family, and make...
ILFC to Purchase A320neo Aircraft from Airbus
International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC) has finalised an order for the purchase of 100 A320neo family aircraft from Airbus. ILFC chief executive Henri Courpron said that the order...
India Works on First Civil Aircraft
India is developing a transporter to serve the regional aviation market and is currently conducting a feasibility study for a 70-90-seat civil transport plane. National Aerospace...
April 2011
Top
ATK to Supply Second Stage Motor for Orbital's Taurus Vehicle
ATK will provide the Castor 30XL, an upgraded second-stage motor for Orbital Science's Taurus II commercial launch vehicle, under a $57m contract. The Castor 30XL is a larger...
Iran Builds Ultralight Plane
Iranian scientists have designed and built an ultralight aircraft, the Free Bird, to cater for the country's training, border control, surveillance and recreational needs. The two-seat...
Boeing Delivers 737-900ER to Continental Airlines
Boeing has delivered the first next-generation 737-900ER aircraft with the Boeing Sky interior to United Continental Holdings subsidiary Continental Airlines. The 737-900ER can carry 13...
Bombardier to Supply CRJ900 NextGen Aircraft to Pluna
Bombardier Aerospace has won a $129m follow-on order from Uruguay flag carrier Pluna Lìneas Aéreas Uruguayas to supply three CRJ900 NextGen regional jetliners. The company said...
Goodrich Reports Growth in Q1 2011
Goodrich has reported a net income of $195m for Q1 of 2011, compared with the profit of $111m it reported during the first quarter of 2010. The firm's 2011 first quarter sales grew 12% to...
Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion Receives TSO Approval
Rockwell Collins' new integrated avionics system Pro Line Fusion has received its final technical standard order (TSO) from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The TSO certifies...
Russia to Sink Progress M-09M Space Freighter in the Pacific
Russia's Progress M-09M cargo spacecraft will be sunk into the Pacific on its successful return from the International Space Station. The freighter undocked from the ISS on 22 April 2011...
New Study Further Supports Volcanic Ash Air Shutdown Decision
A new study has further reiterated that concerns about aircraft safety during the Icelandic volcanic ash eruption in 2010 were well founded. According to the new study, conducted at...
Rockwell Collins Receives Approval for Flight Simulator Equipment
Rockwell Collins has received level D approval from the French Civil Aviation Authority for its EP-8000 image generator on an Air France Boeing 777-300 full flight simulator. Rockwell...
Firefly to Use Navigation Data from Lufthansa Systems
Malaysian regional airline and Malaysia Airlines subsidiary Firefly will use the comprehensive navigation data from Lufthansa Systems for its flight management system (FMS). The two...
Space Systems / Loral Delivers Telstar 14R to Telesat
Space Systems / Loral (SS/L) has successfully delivered the Telstar 14R satellite to Telesat for the start of its launch campaign. The satellite, also called Estrela do Sul 2, has been...
Pratt & Whitney to Improve Boeing's CST-100 Design
Boeing has selected Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne to help mature the design of its service module and integrated launch abort propulsion system for the crew space transportation...
Nasa Awards Contracts for Commercial Crew Development Programme
Nasa has awarded four Space Act Agreements in the second round of the agency's commercial crew development (CCDev) programme. Under the deal, each winning company will advance commercial...
Thales Awards Lockheed Software Contract for Iridium NEXT
Thales Alenia Space has awarded a contract to Lockheed Martin to develop, test and support integration of payload application software for the Iridium NEXT satellites. Thales Alenia Space...
SR Technics and Garuda Extend Component Solutions Deal
SR Technics and Garuda Indonesia have entered into a five-year integrated component solutions (ICS) contract. The contract is the extension of an existing agreement for SR Technics to...
ACSS Software Secures Authorisation for TCAS 2000 and TCAS II
ACSS, a joint venture company of L-3 Communications and Thales, has received authorisation from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for Change 7.1 software for its TCAS 2000 and TCAS...
Russian Helicopters Signs New Brazilian Deals
UIC Oboronprom subsidiary C Russian Helicopters has entered into several contracts with Brazilian helicopter operators. Russian Helicopters and Brazilian investment group Qualy Group...
Sukhoi Delivers First Superjet to Armenia Airlines
Russia's state-owned plane maker Sukhoi will deliver its first Sukhoi Superjet 100 to Armenia's national airline Armavia. The Superjet 100 is a family of medium-haul passenger...
Boeing, AVIC Open New Factory in China
Boeing and Aviation Industries Corporation of China (AVIC) have opened a new facility in Tianjin, China, which will double the size of their joint venture, Boeing Tianjin Composites...
Korea Unveils Arirang-5 Satellite
The Korea Aerospace Research Institute in South Korea has unveiled the Arirang-5, Korean Multipurpose Satellite 5 (KOMPSat 5), which is in the final check-up stage before it is launched...
Air Pacific Cancels Boeing 787s Orders
Fiji's Air Pacific airline has cancelled its orders for eight Boeing 787 aircraft, valued at $1.5bn. Air Pacific ordered five 787s in 2006 and three more in 2007. The new mid-size...
Kenya Airways to Acquire Boeing 787 Dreamliners
Kenya Airways has entered into an agreement deal with Boeing for the purchase of nine new 787-8 Dreamliners. The Kenyan carrier signed an agreement with Boeing in 2006 for nine 787-8...
Star Flyer Orders Two A320s
Japanese carrier Star Flyer has ordered two A320s aircraft from Airbus. The Japanese airline currently operates five leased A320s and is planning to add four more to its fleet. The...
Hawker Beechcraft Adds New Aircraft to 400XPR Programme
Hawker Beechcraft Corporation has added a second aircraft to its 400XPR development programme. The test programme will be used primarily to develop and certify various avionics upgrade options....
China to Invest in Aircraft Engine Development
The Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) is to invest 10bn yen ($1.5bn) for the development of aircraft engines. AVIC said that the US, Russia, the UK and France can...
Carmanah and ADB Unveil Visual Navigation Aid for Helipad Operations
Carmanah Technologies, in partnership with ADB Airfield Solutions, has released a wireless helipad light and navigational aid system, the Helipad Kit. The Helipad Kit is a solar...
Boeing Extends Landing Gear Service
Boeing has expanded its landing gear overhaul and exchange programme to cover 777-200LR (longer range), 777 freighter and 777-300 ER (extended range) airplanes. The programme...
GE Aviation to Deliver myEngines Service to Air Canada
GE Aviation has entered into a deal with Air Canada to deliver its myEngines services to the carrier, which is part of the company's OnPoint Digital solutions. Air Canada's GE engine...
Embraer to Begin Legacy 600/650 Production Line in China
Embraer has entered into a deal with the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) to implement a final assembly of Legacy 600/650 production line in China. The Brazilian firm will...
GE Launches TRUEngine for CF6
GE Aviation has launched its CF6 TRUEngine programme, which expands the TRUEngine designation from CFM56 engines to GE's engines beginning with CF6. As part of the launch, GE has...
SES Finalises Arianespace to Launch Astra 2E
Telecommunications satellite operator SES has selected Arianespace for the launch of its Astra 2E satellite. Astra 2E will be launched in the second quarter of 2013, and will be positioned...
Embraer Delivers 190-200 to LOT Polish Airlines
Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer has delivered a 190-200 aircraft to LOT Polish Airlines. The medium-range (2,600km) aircraft has a maximum speed of 890km/h and 112 seats in...
CAV Icing Protection System Approved for Bonanza G36s
CAV Aerospace has received amended supplemental type certification (STC) approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to install the TKS flight into known icing (FIKI) protection...
Embraer Wins Jet Orders from Chinese Airlines
Embraer has secured orders for 35 Embraer 190 jets from two Chinese airlines. Under the deal, China's Hebei Airlines will purchase ten Embraer 190 jets with purchase rights for an...
Swedish Firm Integrates Russian Positioning System
Sweden's Swepos, a national network of permanent satellite reference stations, has started integrating the Russian positioning technology, Glonass, into its operations, which could offer a...
Indra's Pelican Helicopter Receives Airworthiness Certificate
The Indra-developed Pelican unmanned aircraft system (UAS) has received the special airworthiness certificate (CAEE) from the Spanish Ministry of Public Works body, State Aviation Safety Agency,...
ISRO to Launch Three Remote Sensing Satellites
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) plans to launch three satellites, including an advanced remote sensing satellite designed for the study and management of natural resources, on...
SAS to Upgrade Fleet with Boeing 737 NGs and Airbus A320s
Sweden-based airline SAS Group has signed an agreement with GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) to lease five new 737-800 NGs, and has signed an MoU to lease a further 12 Boeing 737-700s from...
Lockheed Martin Ships Juno to Nasa for August Launch
Lockheed Martin has shipped Nasa's Juno spacecraft to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, US. The vehicle will undergo four months of testing and processing in preparation for its launch...
China to Launch Eighth Orbiter for Global Navigation Network
China is preparing to launch an eighth orbiter into space as a part of its indigenous satellite navigation and positioning network, known as the Beidou or Compass system. The satellite...
Qatar Airways Orders Five Boeing 777s
Qatar Airways has ordered five 777 aircraft - three 777 freighters and two 777-300ERs - from Boeing for $1.4bn. Qatar Airways will acquire five new 777 planes, adding to its current fleet of...
VTB Leasing Receives AW139 Helicopter
Finmeccanica unit AgustaWestland has revealed that VTB Leasing has taken delivery of its AW139 medium twin helicopter. The helicopter will be used for corporate and passenger transport in...
UTair Orders 20 ATR 72-500s
The Russian carrier UTair Aviation has signed a $426m deal to purchase 20 ATR 72-500s from the regional turboprop manufacturer ATR. The aircraft has a passenger capacity of 68-74...
Nasa Funds Greener Aircraft Design Projects
Nasa has agreed to provide $16.5m to four industry and academic teams to research greener and quieter designs for aircraft that could enter service between 2030 and 2035. The teams studied...
Norwegian Orders Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 Engines
Scandinavian airline Norwegian has selected Trent 1000 engines from Rolls-Royce to be fitted in nine Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircrafts. The airline has also entered into a $450m...
Boeing Delivers 737-800 to Air Algerie
Boeing has delivered the 50th Boeing jetliner, a next generation 737-800, to the North African carrier Air Algerie. The 737 was the fourth of seven aircraft ordered in 2009. ...
Air Arabia Selects Sharklets for Airbus A320s
Air Arabia has selected a different configuration of wingtip device, called Sharklets, for 28 out of 44 A320 aircraft ordered by the airline. Airbus will commence deliveries of...
Cessna Secures Aircraft Orders
Textron unit Cessna Aircraft Company has secured orders for 30 aircraft at the Sun 'n' Fun International Fly-In & Expo in Lakeland, Florida, US. Cessna secured 16 orders for the new...
Mitsubishi Begins Japanese Passenger Jet Programme
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and its subsidiary, Mitsubishi Aircraft, has begun assembly of Japan's first small passenger jet plane at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries factory in Aichi...
Virgin Atlantic Deploys Twin-Engine Jets
Virgin Atlantic Airways has deployed a twin-engine jet to serve on its transatlantic routes, using an A330-300 aircraft delivered by Airbus. The aircraft is the first to be delivered of the...
Ethiopian Airlines and Boeing Sign Component Service Agreement
Boeing and Ethiopian Airlines have entered into an agreement for the Ethiopian carrier to participate in the 777 component services programme (CSP). CSP is a parts-provisioning programme...
MELCO Signs Deal to Launch Turksat 4A and 4B Satellites on Proton Rocket
Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (MELCO) has signed an agreement with International Launch Services (ILS) to launch Turksat 4A and 4B on ILS Proton rockets. Turksat 4A and 4B...
Lufthansa Selects Pratt & Whitney Engines for Airbus A320neos
Lufthansa has selected Pratt & Whitney PurePower PW1100G engines for its order of 30 aircraft in the Airbus A320neo family aircraft. The order, approved by Lufthansa, still...
Russia Launches Spaceship to ISS
Russia has launched a spaceship carrying three astronauts from the Baikonur Space Centre in central Kazakhstan. The Soyuz TMA-21 Gagarin spacecraft is sending two Russian cosmonauts,...
KLM Cityhopper Orders New Embraer 190 Jets
Embraer has secured a $214m order from KLM's regional subsidiary, KLM Cityhopper, for the delivery of five Embraer 190 jets. The deal is part of options originally signed in August 2007 and...
FAA Orders Stringent Checks on Older Boeing Aircraft
US aviation regulator, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), has ordered airlines to inspect older model Boeing 737 aircraft for cracks following the Southwest Airlines jet that landed with...
Norway Seeks to Divest Stake in SAS
The Norwegian Government has sought parliamentary approval to sell its 14.3% stake in struggling Scandinavian airline SAS. The government is requesting authorisation of the sale of...
UOP Tests Green Jet Fuel on Airbus A320-214
Honeywell subsidiary UOP has revealed that Honeywell green jet fuel, produced using UOP process technology, has successfully powered an Interjet Airbus A320-214 from Mexico City to...
EU Approves SNPE Solid Rocket Propulsion Business Acquisition by SAFRAN
The European Commission has cleared SAFRAN's proposed acquisition of the solid rocket propulsion business of French state-owned SNPE. The business is composed of SNPE's subsidiary...
Boeing Delivers 777 Aircraft to Qatar Airways
Boeing has delivered its 25th 777 extended-range aircraft to Qatar Airways. The airplane is a 777-300ER model, which can accommodate 335 passengers in a two-class configuration, and travel...
Airbus Enters into Biofuel Pact with Spain, Iberia Airlines
The Spanish government, Iberia Airlines and Airbus have signed an agreement to develop a value chain for renewable aviation bio-fuel for use by commercial airlines in Spain. The...
IndiGo Orders Pratt & Whitney Engines for Airbus A320neos
Indian air carrier IndiGo has selected Pratt & Whitney PurePower PW1100G engines to power its new fleet of 150 Airbus A320neo aircraft. Each IndiGo Airbus A320neo will be powered by...
NASA, United Space Extend Space Programme Operations Contract
United Space Alliance, a US-based commercial space contractor, has negotiated six, one-month options with NASA for $436.5m. The contract provides for the continuation of services to support...
Turkish Airlines Orders 15 Next-Generation Boeing 737s
Boeing has received a $1.2bn order for 15 Next-Generation 737s from Istanbul-based carrier Turkish Airlines. The order will be made up of 10 737-800s and five 737-900ERs. The...
Boeing Wins 777-300ER Airplane Order from GE
Boeing has won a $2.8bn order from GE Capital Aviation Services for 10 wide-body 777-300ER airplanes. The 777-300ER airplanes are equipped with twin engines and will be used for...
Satellite Companies Join to Increase Hosted Payloads Awareness
The Hosted Payload Alliance (HPA) will serve as a bridge between government and private industry to foster open communication between potential users and providers of hosted payload capabilities. ...
Porter Airlines Orders Turboprop Plane Pair from Bombardier
Canadian airline Porter Airlines ordered a pair of Q400 NextGen turboprop airliner aircraft from Bombardier for $61m. The Q400 NextGen aircraft are 70-80-seat short-haul planes that Porter...
Cathay Pacific to Expand its Aircraft Fleet
Hong Kong-based airliner Cathay Pacific is planning to add 27 aircraft before the end of 2015 as part of its modernisation and fleet expansion plan. Cathay Pacific has signed an agreement...
Eurocopter Canada Delivers First AS350 B3e
Eurocopter Canada has secured an order for its first AS350 B3e from Slave Lake Helicopters. The new version of the AS350 B3e features an advanced Turbomeca Arriel 2D turbo shaft engine, a...
Bombardier Collaborates with Fokker to Support Dash 8 / Q-Series Aircraft
Bombardier Aerospace has collaborated with Fokker Services for the launch of FLY, a new programme aimed at improving the availability of serviceable components for operators and reducing the...
Nasa Signs Earth and Space Science Studies Contract
Nasa has awarded a cooperative agreement to University Space Research Association in Columbia, Maryland, US, to facilitate experimental, analytical and theoretical research in support of its...
Lufthansa Implements PROS Optimisation System
European airline Deutsche Lufthansa has implemented the PROS origin and destination (O&D) network hybrid optimiser solution, delivered by PROS Holdings. The PROS O&D network...
Aerospace-technology.com Launches Major Aerospace Survey
Aerospace-technology.com is launching a major global aerospace industry survey, and we'd like to hear your opinions on the most important business issues for 2011-12. Participants will...
March 2011
Top
Lufthansa Technik Secures Certification for APS 2300
Lufthansa Technik has received certification from the German Federal Office of Civil Aviation for the addition of the Hamilton Sundstrand APS 2300 to its portfolio. With the certification,...
Airbus Installs First Nose Landing Gear for Tests
The first nose landing gear for Airbus's next-generation A350 XWB has successfully been installed at the jetliner's landing gear integration test facility in Filton, UK. The nose landing...
Mubadala Signs Components Supply Deal for Boeing 787 Dreamliner
Abu Dhabi-based Mubadala Aerospace subsidiary Strata has secured a contract to make aircraft components for Boeing's 787 Dreamliner. The contract is to produce spoilers, the wing flaps...
Abu Dhabi to Launch Yahsat Y1A Satellite
Y1A, Abu Dhabi's first commercial satellite, developed by Yahsat, has been fully fuelled and integrated with the Ariane 5 launch vehicle for launch on 31 March, at the European spaceport in...
AgustaWestland Secures a AW119Ke Helicopter Order
Geotech Aviation has placed an order with Finmeccanica unit AgustaWestland for one AW119Ke helicopter with options for four additional aircraft. The helicopter will be used for...
Israel and Russia Sign Space Cooperation Agreement
The Israeli space agency has signed an agreement with the Russian space agency for cooperation in space-related programmes. The deal will foster collaborations in fields like astrophysical...
Bombardier to Deliver Four 415 Firefighting Aircraft
Bombardier Aerospace has signed a $162m contract with an unnamed buyer for the sale of four 415 amphibious aircraft. The contract includes training and initial spares provisioning and...
Eurocopter to Acquire Vector Aerospace
European Aeronautic Defence and Space group (EADS) subsidiary Eurocopter Holding has entered into an agreement to buy all outstanding shares of Canada's Vector Aerospace Corporation. ...
TRK Helicopters Acquires AS355 NP Helicopter from Eurocopter
Canada-based TRK Helicopters has purchased a new AS355 NP helicopter from Eurocopter Canada. The AS355 NP will be introduced into TRK Helicopter's fleet in April 2011 and will be employed...
Nasa's Stardust Wraps up Operations
Nasa's Stardust spacecraft, built and flown by Lockheed Martin, has sent its last transmission to Earth, shortly after depleting fuel and ceasing operations. During its 12-year period,...
Embraer Signs Credit Deal with China's ABC Leasing
Brazilian aerospace firm Embraer has signed an agreement with Agricultural Bank of China subsidiary ABC Financial Leasing to secure $1.5bn credit for aircraft financing and leasing. ...
India and France to Co-Launch Two Satellites
India and France will co-launch two satellites from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launch pad to study climate change. The satellite for oceanography, to be called SARAL, will...
Bombardier, Comac Enter Commercial Aircraft Deal
Bombardier has signed an agreement with the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) to establish a long-term strategic cooperation on commercial aircraft and develop mutually...
Rockwell Collins Upgrades LPV Technology for Falcon and Beechjet Aircrafts
Rockwell Collins has upgraded its localiser performance with vertical guidance (LPV) technology for operators of Dassault Falcon 50 aircraft and Beechjet 400A/Hawker 400XP aircraft. The...
Avidyne Autopilot to Interface with Aspen Evolution Displays
UK's flight deck and safety systems provider Avidyne Corporation has teamed up with Aspen Avionics of Albuquerque, US to develop an interface between the Aspen Evolution displays EFD1000 and...
Boeing Expands GoldCare to 737 Fleet
Boeing has revealed that it is expanding its GoldCare service to include the Next Generation 737 product line. The company is in advanced discussions with customers regarding the tailoring...
Oman Air Receives First Embraer 175 Jet
Brazilian aircraft maker Embraer has delivered the first of the fleet of Embraer 175 jets to Oman Air. The aircraft will serve Oman's national airline's regional routes operating from...
American Pacific Engine Completes Successful Orbit Insertion
American Pacific Corporation's in-space propulsion subsidiary has revealed its Leros 1b bipropellant engine (Leros 1b) fired for nearly 15 minutes to slow the Mercury surface, space...
AirTran to Merge with Southwest Airlines
The shareholders of AirTrans Holding, the parent company of US-based AirTran Airways, have voted to sell the airline to Southwest Airlines for $1.4bn. The airlines said that more than 98.6%...
Boeing Receives EL AL Order for 737-900ER Quartets
Boeing has received a $343.2m order from Israeli national carrier EL AL for four next-generation 737-900ER aircraft and reserve options for future aircraft. The Boeing 737-900ER is the...
Boeing Wins Performance Package Deal for United 777s
Boeing has entered into a deal with US-based United Continental Holdings to modify its United Airlines 777 fleet, which will result in greater fuel efficiency and emission reductions. ...
Jeppesen Offers Avionics Data for Dynon Avionics
Jeppesen and Dynon Avionics have entered into an agreement to provide Jeppesen NavData and obstacle services for the Dynon Avionics SkyView D700 and D1000 systems. The avionics data...
Bombardier Begins CSeries Aircraft Tests
Bombardier has begun testing and development of the first systems for its CSeries airliner programme at partner and vendor facilities in Canada, the US and Europe, prior to delivery to...
Embraer Wins E Jets Order from Alitalia
Brazilian aircraft maker Embraer has entered into a deal with Italian airline Alitalia to supply 20 E jets. Under the deal Embraer will supply 15 Embraer 175 jets and five Embraer 190...
Globalstar Secures FCC Approval to Operate Satellites in US
Mobile satellite voice and data provider Globalstar has revealed that the International Bureau of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has granted the company authority to operate...
Space Systems / Loral to Build Satellite for SingTel Optus
US-based satellites provider Space Systems / Loral (SS/L) has secured a contract to manufacture a spacecraft for Australian telecommunications service provider, SingTel Optus. The...
Turkish Airlines Orders Rolls-Royce Trent 700 Engines
Turkey’s national carrier, Turkish Airlines, has placed a $200m order for Trent 700 engines with UK power systems provider Rolls-Royce to power three Airbus A330 freighter aircraft. ...
Lockheed Martin Unveils Orion Spacecraft and Simulation Centre
US-based technology firm Lockheed Martin has unveiled the first Orion crew module exploration spacecraft and a space operations simulation centre (SOSC). These two projects are located at...
Korean Air Orders Two Boeing 747-8 Freighters
Korean Air has placed an order worth $639m with Boeing for two new 747-8 freighters. The 747-8 freighter offers a range of 4,390nm (8,130km) and a maximum structural payload capacity of...
Saab Unveils New Aircraft Wing Panel Demonstrator
Sweden-based Saab has developed a new smart fixed-wing aircraft (SFWA) wing panel demonstrator, which it claims can reduce fuel consumption and emissions for aircraft in the future. The...
Boeing’s Jumbo Jet 747-8 Intercontinental Makes First Flight
Boeing's 747-8 intercontinental has successfully completed its maiden flight in front of thousands of spectators, taking off from Paine Field Airport near Boeing's Seattle headquarters. The...
Estonian Air to Replace Saab 340s
Estonian Air has revealed a plan to replace Saab 340 aircraft with bigger turbo-propeller planes, though the company has not indicated their type. Estonia's national carrier, operating...
Thai Airways to Add 37 Aircraft by 2017
Thai Airways has revealed that it has entered into agreements to purchase 37 new planes by 2017. The company aims to increase its fleet from 85 to 105 and replace the old aircraft. ...
Korean Air to Receive B787-9s from 2016
Korean Air Lines Company has revised its order with Boeing to purchase its 787 Dreamliner aircraft, and will start receiving the new planes from 2016. Under the revised deal, Korean Air...
Iran Tests Rocket with Biocapsule
Iran has successfully launched a new rocket, the Kavoshgar-4, equipped with a biocapsule designed to carry living creatures into space. The experiment was carried out by the Iranian...
Topcon Launches GR-5 Satellite Receiver
US-based precision positioning equipment provider Topcon Positioning Systems (TPS) has launched its new GR-5 GNSS receiver, incorporating its Fence Antenna technology and expanded channel support....
Asiana Airlines Orders Rolls-Royce Trent 900 Engines
UK power systems provider Rolls-Royce has won a contract to deliver Trent 900 engines to power six Airbus A380 aircraft for South Korea-based Asiana Airlines. The order also includes...
Thales Delivers Electronic Flight Bag System to Brussels Airlines
Thales and Brussels Airlines have entered into an agreement for the integration of a new electronic flight bag system, TopWings, aboard the carrier's fleet. The system will be located in...
Lufthansa Orders Airbus and Boeing Aircraft
German air carrier Lufthansa has placed orders worth $4bn for 35 new aircraft with Airbus and Boeing. The orders include five B777 freighters and 30 A320 passenger planes. The orders...
Avanti Completes In Orbit Testing of HYLAS 1 Satellite
UK broadband satellite operator Avanti Communications Group has completed in-orbit testing of the HYLAS 1 satellite. The testing process confirmed that HYLAS 1 conformed to specification...
UN Sanctions Libya No-Fly Zone
The UN Security Council has sanctioned a no-fly zone over Libya in order to protect civilians, but has so far rejected sending an occupation force. The resolution imposes a ban on all...
CAE Wins Flight Simulators and Trainers Order
Canada-based simulation and modelling technologies provider CAE has secured contracts worth C$50m (US$50.9m) for four level D full-flight simulators (FFS) and four Simfinity trainers from...
Pratt & Whitney Completes Engine Launch Abort Tests
United Technologies Corporation unit Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne has successfully completed a series of hot-fire tests of the Bantam demonstration engine for an advanced 'pusher' launch...
DigitalGlobe Selects Lockheed Martin to Launch Earth-Imaging Satellite
US-based earth-imagery solutions provider DigitalGlobe has selected Lockheed Martin unit Lockheed Martin Commercial Launch Services to launch its WorldView-3 satellite. The...
MDA Enters into Satellite Servicing Deal with Intelsat
Luxembourg-based fixed satellite services provider Intelsat has entered into an agreement with MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates (MDA) for the servicing of Intelsat's on-orbit satellites...
ATR Delivers First 42-500 Aircraft
Russia's Taimyr Airlines, also known as NordStar Airlines, has taken delivery of its first ATR 42-500 from a firm order for four aircraft and three options ordered in 2010. The Russian...
SES to Launch Communication Satellites with SpaceX
European satellite operator SES has signed an agreement with US space launch company SpaceX to launch its SES-8 communications satellite using the Falcon 9 rocket. The SES-8 will be the...
Arianespace Selected to Launch Arsat Satellite
Argentinean satellite fleet operator Arsat has selected Arianespace to launch Arsat-2 on an Ariane 5 or Soyuz rocket from the Guiana Space Centre by the second half of 2013. The satellite...
Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental Passes Gauntlet Test
Boeing has completed final gauntlet testing on the first 747-8 intercontinental jetliner. Gauntlet testing simulates flight conditions to test systems and ensure flight readiness, which is...
IAE Secures Engine Orders from Turkish Airlines
Turkish Airlines (THY), the national carrier of Turkey, has ordered V2500 SelectOne engines from International Aero Engines (IAE). The new engines will power THY's A321 aircraft and is...
Boeing Delivers First 737-700 with Sky Interior
Boeing has delivered its first next-generation 737-700 with the new Boeing Sky interior to German carrier Airberlin. The design of the Boeing Sky interior is based on that of the...
Iran Commences Telecommunications Satellite Work
Iran has started building its Qaem telecommunications satellite, which will be launched into space in 2017. Study operations and designation process for building the satellite are underway...
UAE to Launch First Satellite by March
The UAE is planning to launch its first satellite, Y1A from France on 30 March 2011. Y1A will serve military, civilian and commercial purposes of the country and is built by the Abu...
Boeing Completes Preliminary Design Review for Inmarsat Satellites
Boeing has completed the preliminary design review (PDR) for the Inmarsat-5 spacecraft and hosted payloads. Boeing is building three Ka-band satellites to add to Inmarsat's current...
Eurocopter Scores New Helicopter Orders
Eurocopter has secured orders for 68 helicopter types from operators in the US, Canada, Europe and Russia at the Heli-Expo 2011 exposition in Orlando, Florida. The orders were received...
IAE Extends Collaboration to 2045
Partners of International Aero Engines (IAE) have revealed that they will extend their collaboration agreement to 2045. IAE is a multinational aircraft engine consortium comprising Pratt...
AWAS Receives Funds from Investors
Ireland-based aircraft lessor AWAS had received an additional $529m from existing investors Terra Firma, the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and other investors that will be used to fund...
Hong Kong Air Show Sees Huge Orders
Hong Kong Airlines has signed an agreement to buy 38 wide-body jets, including Boeing 777 and 787 aircraft, at the 2011 Hong Kong Air Show. The order covers 32 787 Dreamliners and six...
Etihad and Engine Alliance Sign Engine Pact
Etihad Airways has entered into a $1.5bn contract with Engine Alliance to deliver GP7200 engines for its fleet of ten Airbus A380 aircraft. The deal also includes long-term fleet...
Cathay Pacific Orders Boeing 777-300ER Aircraft
Cathay Pacific Airways has ordered ten Boeing 777-300ER aircraft worth $2.8bn from Boeing. The order will meet the Hong Kong-based carrier's fleet requirements first announced in 2005...
UTair Orders Eurocopter EC175 Helicopters
Russia's UTair Aviation has placed an order for 15 EC 175 helicopters with Eurocopter. The twin-engine EC 175 can be employed in a full range of missions, including oil and gas...
Air China to Acquire Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental
Air China has signed an agreement with Boeing for the purchase of five passenger-version 747-8 Intercontinental jetliners. The new fuel-efficient 747-8 Intercontinental jetliners will be...
IAG Places Aircraft Order with Airbus
International Airlines Group (IAG) has ordered eight A330-300 aircraft from Airbus for Iberia's long-haul fleet. The deal is estimated to be worth $1.8bn, with options for eight A330 planes. ...
ILFC Orders 33 Boeing 737-800 Aircraft
Boeing has received a $2.6bn order from American International Group subsidiary International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC) to provide 33 Next-Generation 737-800s. The order is part...
Sikorsky Completes S-76B Aircraft Modifications
Sikorsky Aerospace Services has completed S-76B helicopter modifications for export to Germany's Heliservice International. The helicopter, originally designed for VIP transport missions,...
Glonass-K Satellite to Start Operating in 2011
Russia has plans to start operating its new Glonass-K navigation satellite by the end of the year, Russian Space Systems construction bureau head Yury Urlichich has said. The new...
Airbus Forecasts Asia-Pacific Aircraft Demand
Airbus has forecasted orders for 8,560 new aircraft, worth $1.2tn, from Asia-Pacific airlines over the next 20 years. The region's requirement represents 33% of new aircraft deliveries...
Nasa's Glory Launch Ends in Failure
Nasa's attempt to launch Earth observation satellite Glory from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California on 4 March 2011 has failed to reach orbit. According to telemetry indications,...
Bombardier and China's ICBC Sign Financing Cooperation MoU
Bombardier Aerospace has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with ICBC Financial Leasing to provide its customers with advance payment financing, delivery financing and leasing...
Goodrich Completes Boeing 787 Electric Braking System Tests
Goodrich Corporation has completed all flight tests of the electric brake system for Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The braking system includes DuraCarb carbon heat sink material, which provides...
AgustaWestland Helicopters to Receive Standby Flight Display System
Meggitt Avionics has received a contract from AgustaWestland to supply its secondary flight display system for AW101 medium lift, AW139 medium-sized multirole twin-engined and AB212...
L2 Receives FAA Certificate for Boeing 777 Satellite Upgrade
L2 Consulting Services (L2) has received a supplemental type certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the installation of Inmarsat Swiftbroadband upgrade to the...
Boeing to Equip Inmarsat-5 Satellites with Harris Antennas
Boeing has awarded a contract to Harris to build Ka-band antennas for the constellation of three Inmarsat-5 satellites to be able to provide high-capacity coverage of the entire globe. The...
AVIC to Acquire Cirrus Industries
China Aviation Industry Corporation (AVIC) is to acquire Minnesota-based aircraft manufacturer Cirrus Industries for an undisclosed amount. The deal will provide AVIC access to...
Russia Needs Carrier Rockets to Fulfil Space Launches in 2011
Russia is in need of carrier rockets to accomplish all space launches scheduled for 2011, Roscosmos space agency chief Anatoly Perminov has said. "We have a number of spacecraft that should...
Greenwich Kahala Aviation Plans IPO
Greenwich Kahala Aviation is to raise nearly $207m with an initial public offering (IPO) in order to finance aircraft purchases. The company said it will use the money to buy airplanes,...
China to Develop Global Satellite Navigation System by 2020
China is considering the development of its own global satellite navigation system, which will include 30 satellites and be complete by 2020. Shenzhou spaceships former chief designer Qi...
TAM Orders Boeing 777-300 Aircraft
TAM Linhas Aereas has ordered two additional Boeing 777-300ERs (extended range) with two purchase rights, bringing the total number of 777s on order to 12. The $568m order will help expand...
TAM Airline Orders A320 Aircraft
TAM Airlines has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Airbus for 32 eco-efficient Airbus A320 aircraft, making it the first A320neo customer in Latin America. As per the MoU, TAM...
Bombardier, NetJets Clinch Record Order
NetJets has placed a $2.8bn business aircraft order with Bombardier Aerospace for 50 Global business jets with options for an additional 70 Global aircraft. The total value of the...
TRIP Linhas to Purchase New Embraer 190 Jets
Embraer has signed a new contract worth $172m with TRIP Linhas Aéreas for the sale of four Embraer 190 jets. The Embraer 190 jets will be configured in a single 110-seat class as per...
Yahsat to Launch its First Satellite on 30 March 2011
The launch of Yahsat's first satellite, Y1A, is scheduled to take place on 30th March 2011 from the Arianespace station in Kourou, French Guiana. The multipurpose satellite has been developed...
Airbus Opens A350 XWB Component Manufacturing Facility in China
Airbus has opened the Harbin Hafei Airbus Composite Manufacturing Centre in Harbin, China, to manufacture composite parts for the A350 XWB. The 33,800m² manufacturing centre will...
Garuda Indonesia to Lease Six Boeing 737-800 Aircraft
Garuda Indonesia has signed an agreement with GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) to lease six Boeing 737-800 aircraft and three CFM56-7B engines. Under the agreement, the airline will...
China Will Not Reduce Boeing and Airbus Aircraft Order
Civil Administration of China head Li Jiaxiang said the country would not reduce its order for Boeing and Airbus jets since its indigenous commercial jets were not ready to meet domestic...
AirAsia X to Order Three A330-200 Aircraft
AirAsia X is considering purchasing three Airbus A330-200 aircraft at a cost of 1.5bn ringgit ($491m) to service its expanding routes to Europe. AirAsia X chief executive Azran Osman-Rani said...
Braxton to Supply Software for Boeing Geomobile Satellites
Braxton Technologies has signed a contract with Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems to supply Orbital Analysis Software (OAS) for Boeing 702MP, 702HP and geomobile satellites. The system...
EASA Approves SMA Diesel Engine for Aircraft
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has certified the 230hp SR305-230E diesel engine developed by Societe de Motorisations Aeronautiques (SMA) in Europe. The SR305-230E diesel engine...
GE Aviation to Refurbish Boeing 747-400 Aircraft
GE Aviation is to invest $60m to refurbish a Boeing 747-400 aircraft and transform it into a new flying test bed. The test bed will be used to test the next generation of jet engines,...
South Korean Airlines to Launch New Aircraft in 2011
Major airlines in South Korea are considering introducing a large number of new aircraft in 2011 in order to reduce the average age of aircraft in the country. Korean Air Lines is...
Glonass Satellite Launched by Russia
Russia has launched a Glonass-K satellite for its global communication system from the northern Plesetsk space centre. The Glonass-K satellite was carried into orbit by an upgraded Soyuz...
THAI to Purchase Aircraft for Fleet Expansion
Thai Airways International (THAI) has plans to purchase 75 aircraft including spare engines between 2011-2022, THAI president Piyasvasti Amranand has said. A total cost of about 457bn...
Aircelle to Supply Engine Nacelle for Airbus A320neos
Aircelle has been selected by Airbus to supply the complete integrated nacelle package for the A320neo, which is powered by CFM International's LEAP-X engines. Under the contract, Aircelle...
February 2011
Top
CTRM Begins Initial Production of Boeing 787 Fan Cowl
Composites Technology Research Malaysia (CTRM) has begun initial production of fan cowls for Boeing's 787 Dreamliner at its plant in Batu Berendam, Indonesia. The fan cowl is the middle part...
EU Approves Swedish Aid to Volvo Aero
The European Union (EU) has approved Skr120m ($16.5m) in aid granted by the Swedish Government to Volvo Aero Corporation for the development of an engine component. The grant will be used for...
ATR to Supply Aircraft to Indonesia's Lion Air
ATR, jointly owned by EADS and Finmeccanica, has signed a deal with Indonesian Lion Air to supply 15 ATR-72500s, French Economy Minister Christine Lagarde has said. A Lion Air spokesman said...
Airlines Could Face Losses this Year, Says IATA
Airlines operating flights to the Middle East and North Africa are set to face losses this year due to political unrest and increasing violence. International Air Transport Association...
Boeing Opens Commercial Satellite Services Group
Boeing has established a Commercial Satellite Services group to sell commercial satellite telecommunications services to the US Government and other satellite users. The group, headquartered...
Virgin Blue Unveils New Aircraft
Virgin Blue plans to introduce 18 fuel-efficient ATR72 turboprop aircraft as part of its strategic alliance with Sky West airlines. "The first four ATR Turboprop 68-seater aircraft will...
Pakistan International Airlines Seeks Additional Planes
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is to acquire additional long-range and medium-range aircraft for its fleet, according to PIA managing director Captain Nadeem Yousufzai. "We would like...
Lufthansa, Airbus Discuss $2.5bn Jet Deal
Lufthansa and Airbus are in negotiations for a $2.5bn jet order of 30 single-aisle A320s with new engines, which may be concluded within the next month. If the order is finalised, it will...
Embraer Opens First Aircraft Final-Assembly Plant in US
Embraer has opened its first aircraft final-assembly plant in Florida in preparation for beginning large-scale manufacture of its Phenom executive jet series in the US. The new 743m²...
El Al Buys Boeing 747 Aircraft
El Al Israel Airlines has purchased a Boeing 747-400 from RB Leasing Company for $23m, which also includes the cost to upgrade the plane to El Al's requirement. El Al will take delivery of...
Airbus Plans to Increase Plane Orders in Japan
Airbus Japan CEO Stephane Ginoux has said the company is aiming to capture 20% of Japan's passenger jet market within five years through new orders, up from the current 10%. The company is...
Space Operations to Test First Orbital Manned Commercial Spacecraft by 2012
Space Operations has said it will test launch its first orbital manned commercial spacecraft by 20 February 2012. The company plans to begin regular flights of the two-seat spacecraft by the...
Mahindra to Launch Eight-Seater Utility Aircraft
Mahindra Group could soon launch its GrippsAero GA8 TC 320 Airvan, an eight-seater utility aircraft, in the Indian market. The company has applied for regulatory approvals for the...
Indian Government Stalls Air India Express Aircraft Lease Plan
The Indian aviation ministry has put Air India Express' plan to take on wet lease of four aircraft on hold until it reviews the decision of the country's low-cost carrier board. The ministry...
NASA Announces Discovery Launch Date
NASA has said that Space Shuttle Discovery will launch on 24 February from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, heading for the International Space Station. The STS-133 mission will be...
Boeing to Modernise Saudi Arabian 777-200ER Fleet
Boeing has signed a deal with Saudi Arabian Airlines to modernise its fleet of 777-200ER aircraft, enhancing the passenger experience and environment. Under the contract, Boeing will modify...
Skymark Airlines Orders Four Airbus A380s
Skymark Airlines, a Japanese airline, has signed a contract with Airbus for four A380 aircraft, fixing a memorandum of understanding that was announced last year. Skymark Airlines...
Europe’s ATV Johannes Kepler Launched into Orbit
The European Space Agency's (ESA) second automated transfer vehicle (ATV), Johannes Kepler, has been launched into its targeted low orbit by an Ariane 5 vehicle, which took off from...
Jacobs to Provide Test Evaluation and Support Services to Nasa
Jacobs Technology has been selected by Nasa to provide test evaluation and support services at the agency's White Sands test facility in Las Cruces, New Mexico, US. The test evaluation and...
LAN Airlines Orders Additional Boeing 767s
Chile's LAN Airlines has placed orders for three additional 767-300ER aircraft worth $493m as part of its fleet expansion plans. Boeing Commercial Airplanes sales and marketing...
Qantas to Boost Aircraft Fleet by 2013
Qantas Group has plans to buy ten new planes, and lease 18 aircraft by the end of 2013 in a move to boost its domestic, resources charter and international fleets, Qantas chief executive...
Indian Government Scraps Antrix Deal with Devas
The Indian Government has cancelled a deal between Devas Multimedia and the Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) commercial arm Antrix following allegations that Devas would get...
EIAST Awards Satellite Launch Contract to ISCK
The Dubai-based Emirates Institution for Advanced Science and Technology (EIAST) has awarded a contract to International Space Company Kosmotras (ISCK) in Russia to launch its second remote...
SES Commissions SES-8 Spacecraft for Launch in 2013
SES World Skies has commissioned the SES-8 spacecraft from Orbital Sciences for a launch in the first quarter of 2013 for additional DTH capacity in Asia. The spacecraft will be built...
LightSquared Successfully Completes Post-Launch Testing of Satellite
US-based LightSquared has announced the successful post-launch testing and acceptance of the SkyTerra 1 satellite and space-based network from Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems. Boeing...
Intelsat New Dawn Scheduled for Launch Next Month
The first African private sector communications satellite, Intelsat New Dawn, is scheduled to be launched on 29 March 2011 from Arianespace's launch site in Kourou, French Guiana. Under a...
UPS to Extend AHM Coverage to Boeing's MD-11 Fleet
UPS will extend its airplane health management (AHM) information-driven system designed for Boeing aircraft to the MD-11 Freighter fleet to increase on-time performance. As per the...
Turkish Airlines Cargo Traffic Rises in January
Turkish Airlines has recorded a 23% rise in cargo traffic to 26.1t and a 6.3% increase in passenger traffic to 2.1 million in January. The load factor decreased by 1.5% to 67.3% and...
GE Canada and StandardAero to Develop Aircraft Engine Research Centre
GE Canada and StandardAero are to jointly develop a new $50m aircraft engine research and technology development centre in Winnipeg, Canada. The new centre will develop advanced...
Obama Proposes Freeze on Nasa Budget
Nasa's budget is to be maintained at the 2010 level of $18.7bn until 2016, according to the latest budget unveiled by US President Barack Obama. The budget proposes a five-year freeze...
Japan to Install Humanlike Robot in Space
The Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency, the University of Tokyo and Japanese consulting firm Dentsu are to install a humanlike communications robot at the International Space Station. ...
Jat Airways Seeks New Aircraft
Jat Airways needs a new aircraft by 1 January 2012 to create a more ambitious timetable and to remain in competition, the airline's flight operations department head Vladimir Banjac has...
AirAsia Delays Delivery Schedule of Airbus A320
AirAsia has delayed the delivery schedule of ten Airbus A320 aircraft from its original schedule in 2012 to 2015. The airline has delayed the delivery to switch its order to the...
NOAA Seeks Funding for Joint Polar Satellite System
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has released its fiscal 2012 budget request to US Congress, seeking $1.07bn for funding the Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS). ...
easyJet Tests Nano-Technology Coating
easyJet has become the first commercial airline to trial a nano-technology coating to see if it can reduce drag and increase fuel efficiency. The ultra-thin coating is a polymer that...
A&F Aviation to Start Low-Cost Services
New Japanese airline A&F Aviation has selected Airbus A320 aircraft to start low-cost services from Kansai International Airport, Japan, in the second half of 2011. A&F Aviation...
Indian State Receives Aerospace Investment
Nine Indian firms have submitted investment proposals worth $94.2m to the Karnataka Government to set up manufacturing units in the aerospace / aviation sector. Among them, Mahindra...
ISRO and JPL Partner for Moon Mission
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is planning a joint moon mission with the US-based Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) following approval from the space policy body, Space Commission. ...
Boeing Unveils New 747-8 Intercontinental Passenger Airplane
Boeing has unveiled its new high-capacity passenger aircraft, the 747-8 Intercontinental, in Everett, Washington, US. The new 747-8 Intercontinental features the latest...
Emirates Selects Rolls-Royce for TotalCare Contract
Rolls-Royce has been awarded a $2.2bn TotalCare long-term services contract by Emirates, which covers Trent engines for 70 Airbus A350XWB aircraft. Emirates president Tim Clark said...
DGCA Sets Noise Limit for Aircraft in India
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in India has set a noise limit for aircraft purchased by airlines operating in India. DGCA chief Bharat Bhushan said, "The rule will...
HAL Plans IPO
Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) is holding discussions with India's Ministry of Defence to hold an initial public offering (IPO) in its effort to increase corporate governance. HAL Finance...
AgustaWestland Sells AW139 Helicopters in India
Finmeccanica unit AgustaWestland has sold two more AW139 medium twin helicopters to Adani Group and another corporate customer in India. Adani Group will use the AW139 to perform VIP...
Vistagy and Siemens Extend Partnership
Vistagy and Siemens unit Siemens PLM Software have extended their ongoing partnership agreement to provide an end-to-end composite engineering solution. The solution will be based on...
Bombardier Aerospace Awards Contract to Héroux-Devtek
Héroux-Devtek received a C$175.97m (US$176m) contract from Bombardier Aerospace to manufacture structural detail components that encompass Bombardier's entire portfolio of commercial...
CDI and Boeing Sign Long-Term Agreement
CDI Corporation has signed a three-year long-term agreement (LTA) with Boeing Company. Under the LTA, CDI-Aerospace will provide engineering services capable of providing all Boeing...
Air India to Soon Receive First Boeing Dreamliner
Boeing will deliver the first of 27 Dreamliner aircraft ordered by Air India some time between October and December, following a delay of two years on the original schedule of 2009. Air...
Alliant and EADS to Develop Rocket
Alliant Techsystems and a unit of European Aeronautic Defence and Space (EADS) are joining forces to develop a 300ft rocket to be known as Liberty, which will blast US astronauts and...
Magellan Aerospace Wins Contract from Airbus
Magellan Aerospace has secured a contract from Airbus to supply detail components for A350 XWB passenger jets, which is expected to provide more than $20m in revenue over ten years. ...
SpaceX Rocket to Place Astrobotic's Payload on Moon
Astrobotic Technology has signed a contract with SpaceX to launch Astrobotic's robotic payload to the moon on a Falcon 9 rocket by December 2013. The expedition will search for water and...
Infotech Enterprises to Purchase European Aviation Company
Indian-based engineering services and GIS solutions firm Infotech Enterprises is in advanced talks to acquire a European aerospace services company for about $20m. Infotech...
International Group to Assemble Helicopters in China
International Group has signed an agreement with Eurocopter to begin assembling helicopters at one of its manufacturing plants in Changshu, Jiangsu Province, China. Under the...
BCAS Recommends Installing Hidden Cameras in Aircraft
India's Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has recommended installing hidden cameras in the cabins of all domestic carriers, with controls in the pilot's hand. Pilots will switch on...
Aircastle Delivers First Airbus A330-200 Aircraft to SAA
Aircastle Limited has delivered the first of six new Airbus A330-200 aircraft to South African Airways (SAA) as scheduled. The six new A330-200s will support SAA's fleet modernisation...
Nasa Contractor Considers Space Shuttles for Commercial Flights
Nasa contractor United Space Alliance (USA) is preparing a bid to continue flying the shuttle as a commercial service after the space agency completes its last three planned missions this year. ...
Canadian North Airlines Signs Maintenance Agreements with Aveos
Aveos has signed two new five-year, full-service maintenance agreements with Canadian North Airlines to support the growth of the B737-300 into the 737-300 aircraft type. As per the...
Etihad to Extend Code-Share Agreement with Jet Airways
The UAE's national airline Etihad Airways has sought the Indian Government's permission to extend its code-share agreement with Jet Airways to include additional routes to enhance its...
Air NZ's Airbus A320 to be Equipped with In-Flight Mobile Technology
Air New Zealand's black-liveried Airbus A320 aircraft will be fitted with new in-flight mobile technology to allow the passengers to use their mobile phones during the cruise stage of...
PIA Seeks Approval for Turkish Airlines Agreement
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is waiting for the government approval to sign an agreement with Turkish Airlines (TK) to share passengers on select international routes. The...
Iran to Launch Satellites into Orbit
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has unveiled four recently built satellites, which will be put in orbit in the near future. The four national satellites include Fajr (Dawn),...
TWI Launches Project for Composite Materials Production
Independent research body TWI Wales has launched a new £3.8m ($6.1m) research project that could speed up the production of composite materials used in the aerospace industry. At present,...
JAXA to Collect Space Debris
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), in collaboration with Japanese fishing net company Nitto Seimo, will collect space debris using nets to reduce damage to space shuttles and satellites. ...
Sikorsky Completes Investment in Eclipse
Sikorsky Aircraft, a subsidiary of United Technologies, has completed minority investment in Eclipse Aerospace and entered into a service level agreement (SLA). According to the SLA,...
Comair Orders Boeing Next-Generation 737s
Boeing has received an order for eight next-generation 737-800s with Boeing Sky Interior from South-African airline Comair for $646m. Comair will use its new 737s to update the fleet...
Airbus Delivers Record Corporate Jet Orders in 2010
Airbus delivered a record 15 corporate jets in 2010, at a total value of $1.5bn. These orders included 13 A318 Elites, Airbus corporate jetliners (ACJs) and A320 Prestiges, plus two...
China Permits Tests in Low-Altitude Air Space
China's aviation authorities have allowed private helicopters to fly in low-altitude airspace over the island of Hainan on a trial basis for the first time. Four helicopters flown by...
Russia to Test Launch Booster Rocket in 2012
Russia's space force commander Oleg Ostapenko has said that the country's new generation Angara booster rocket will be ready for a test launch by 2012. Angara rockets are designed to...
Scientists to Produce Clean Fuel for Aircraft Engines
Scientists at Glasgow University in Scotland are working with EADS Innovation Works in an attempt to find a way of storing hydrogen in solid state using nanotechnology, which, when combined...
Air France to Increase Long-Haul Capacity
Air France plans to increase its long-haul flight capacity by over 6% between 2011 and 2013. The carrier will launch five new destinations out of Paris-Charles de Gaulle to New...
American Eurocopter Delivers AS350 B3s to Texas DPS
American Eurocopter, the US affiliate of Eurocopter, has delivered two AS350 B3 helicopters to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) aircraft section in the US. American...
Boeing to Provide 717 Training to Blue1
Boeing Training and Flight Services announced that it has signed a long-term agreement with Finnish carrier Blue1 to provide 717 training capabilities in Stockholm, Sweden in the first quarter...
TUI Places Order with Airbus for A330-300s
European travel group TUI Travel has placed an order for two A330-300 aircraft with Airbus for its French airline subsidiary, Corsairfly. The wide-bodied A330-300 is the latest 235t...
Russia Launches Cargo Ship to Space Station
Russia has launched its 41st cargo delivery mission from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan to the International Space Station (ISS). The spacecraft will attach itself to the open port...
Boeing Tests New Antenna System
Boeing has carried out its first over-the-air ground test of a Ka-band satellite communications (SATCOM) phased-array antenna system. The antenna system will allow the use of wideband...
Thomas Cook Orders A321 Aircraft from Airbus
UK-based travel company Thomas Cook has signed a contract with European plan manufacturer Airbus for 12 new A321 aircraft. The order, which includes an option to buy further A320 aircraft...
Virgin America Moves to Sabre Reservations and Operations System
Virgin America has announced that it has entered into a deal with Sabre Airline Solution - SabreSonic Customer Sales and Service to handle its reservations system. As part of the...
Air France Acquires Stake in Max Aerospace
Air France-KLM has acquired a 26% stake in Mumbai-based Max Aerospace and is to set up a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility for aircraft components in India. The MRO facility...
Cathay Pacific and Cargolux to Appeal Cartel Ruling
Cargolux, which has been fined €79.9m ($109.4m) by the European Commission, has said it has decided to file an appeal against the EC penalty. In November 2010, the European...
BMI to Axe Heathrow-Glasgow Flight Service
BMI is planning to cancel its service from Glasgow, Scotland, to Heathrow Airport in London, England, following sharp rises in passenger fees by the airport. Presently, BMI runs five...
ILFC to Acquire Aircraft
International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC) is considering acquiring narrow-body jets from Airbus and Boeing as it seeks to replenish its stock of aircraft. ILFC is the aircraft...
January 2011
Top
Avolon Secures Debt Facility
Ireland-based Aircraft leasing group Avolon has announced that it has raised capital of $465m. Avolon has received a fully underwritten long-term debt facility that includes warehouse...
Macau Signs Cooperation Agreement with Chinese Civil Aviation Regulator
The Civil Aviation Authority of Macao SAR (AACM) and the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) have signed an agreement to facilitate exchange, share resources and cooperate on...
Boeing Revives Order for 15 737 Aircraft from Alaska Airlines
Boeing has announced receival of an order for 15 next-generation 737 aircraft from Alaska Airlines. The order includes 13 737-900ERs and two 737-800s. The $1.3bn contract...
Lockheed Martin Delivers Replacement CWB to Lynden Air Cargo
Lockheed Martin has delivered the first replacement centre wing box (CWB) assembly for Hercules L-100 to shipping company Lynden Air Cargo. The delivery is the first CWB for the L-100,...
EU Blocks Aegean Acquisition of Olympic Airlines
The European Commission has vetoed the proposed merger of Greek airlines Olympic and Aegean. The commission said, "Together the two carriers control more than 90% of the Greek domestic...
Libya Acquires 2% Stake in Finmeccanica
Italian securities regulator Commissione Nazionale per le Società e la Borsa (Consob) has said that Libyan Investment Authority, the country's sovereign wealth fund, has acquired a 2.01%...
Air France Safety Review Concludes
France's flag carrier Air France has received 35 recommendations on flight safety in a report submitted by the independent safety review team. The safety review states that the carrier...
Eurocopter Sees Increased 2010 Turnover
Eurocopter, a division of European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS), has reported an increased turnover for 2010 with €4.8bn ($6.5bn), an increase of 6% from 2009. ...
BUAV Criticises Air Canada for Transporting Lab Monkeys
UK-based animal rights group, the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection (BUAV), has criticised Air Canada for allegedly transporting lab monkeys in the cargo holds of its planes. ...
FAA and CAAC to Cooperate on C919 Jet Certification
China's aviation regulator, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), is planning to work with the US Federal Aviation Administration to certify Commercial Aircraft Corporation of...
Qatar Airways to Complete Boeing 787 Order
Qatar Airways is not planning to cancel its order for 787 Dreamliners, despite makers Boeing announcing further delays to the schedule last week that push delivery back to the third quarter of...
International Consolidated Airlines Group Launched on LSE
International Consolidated Airlines Group (IAG), which was formed through the merger of British Airways and Iberia Lineas Aereas de Espana, has been valued at net $8.5bn following its...
FAA Recommends Civil Penalties for Pemco and ST Aerospace
US civil aviation regulator, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), has recommended $170,000 in civil penalties against Pemco World Air Services for its failure to conduct pre-employment...
JAXA Launches Cargo Transfer Vehicle
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has launched the H-IIB launch vehicle no 2 (H-IIB F2) with the Kounotori 2, a cargo transfer vehicle from the Tanegashima Space Centre in...
Virgin Blue Launches AFL Plane
Virgin Blue has revealed its new Boeing 737-800 in Australian Football League livery as it takes over from Qantas as the league's official airline. The aircraft, embossed with the AFL...
Progress M-08M Cargo Spacecraft to be Sunk in Pacific
Russia's Progress M-08M cargo spacecraft has been undocked from the International Space Station (ISS) and will be sunk in the southern Pacific, at the "spaceship cemetery" near Christmas Island....
Southwest Airlines Reports Profits in Q4 2010
Southwest Airlines has announced that its net income for the fourth quarter of 2010 was $131m, an increase from $116 in 2009. Net income for the full year was $459m, an increase on $99m in...
United and American File Suit Against O'Hare Airport Expansion
United and American Airlines have filed a lawsuit to block financing of the expansion of Chicago's O'Hare International Airport in the US. The airlines have moved the court to declare that...
Air New Zealand Acquires Stake in Virgin Blue
Air New Zealand has announced its acquisition of 14.9% of the shares in Virgin Blue. Air New Zealand chief executive officer Rob Fyfe said, "The investment in Virgin Blue is part of Air...
FAA Mandates Crew Resource Management Training for Charter Planes
US civil aviation regulator, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), has made a ruling that will require non-scheduled charter airlines and air taxis to train pilots and flight attendants...
Nasa Spacecraft to Establish Contact with Comet Tempel 1
Nasa spacecraft Stardust-NExT will establish contact with comet Tempel 1 on 14 February, allowing scientists to observe changes on a comet's surface after it has orbited around the sun for...
Rolls-Royce and Cathay Pacific Sign Maintenance Contract
Rolls-Royce has received a contract worth $250m from Cathay Pacific for long-term service and support for its Trent 700 engines on eight recently acquired Airbus A330s. Rolls-Royce will...
Virgin America Takes Delivery of A320
Virgin America has taken delivery of an Airbus A320 from commercial aircraft leasing and financing service GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS), a division of GE. The delivery...
American Airlines Orders Boeing 777-300ERs
American Airlines has exercised options for two Boeing 777-300ERs. American Airlines is the first US carrier to order the wide-body model of the twin-engine, twin-aisle, long-haul 777 series. ...
China Clears Boeing’s Aircraft Agreement
Boeing has received final clearance from the Chinese Government on a $19bn aircraft agreement. The approval covers 200 orders of Boeing's 737s and 777s, scheduled for delivery between 2011...
Lufthansa and UFO Union Settle Pay Dispute
German carrier Lufthansa has reached an agreement with the independent UFO flight attendants' trade union over pay talks. The airline will extend the pay accord for 16,000 flight...
LAN and TAM Boards Approve Merger Agreements
The boards of directors of Chile's LAN Airlines and Brazilian carrier TAM have approved binding agreements towards the merger of the two companies. The agreements, drawn according to the...
General Dynamics Wins Nasa Contract
General Dynamics SATCOM Technologies has announced that it received a $40.7m contract from Nasa Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) to build two additional 34m beam waveguide antennas. The...
Delta to Place Orders for 200 Planes
Delta Air Lines plans to place firm orders for up to 200 airplanes, as it seeks to replace its older aircraft. The new planes will replace older models such as Airbus A320, Boeing 757-200...
Boeing 787 Dreamliner Faces Delivery Postponement
Boeing has postponed the delivery date for the first of its new 787 Dreamliners to the third quarter of this year. The move follows an onboard fire that forced the company to halt test...
Virgin America Orders 60 A320s
Virgin America has placed a firm order for 60 new Airbus A320s, which will be delivered between 2013 and 2016. The order includes 30 A320neo aircraft, which come with an eco-efficient...
Air India to Boost Fleet with 20 Leased Aircraft
Air India is to lease 40 planes from Canadian plane manufacturer Bombardier and France's Airbus. The state-owned carrier will approach the two companies to put forward financial details...
Lockheed Martin Takes Equity Stake in Abu Dhabi MRO Centre
US defence contractor Lockheed Martin has acquired an equity stake in Abu Dhabi-based Advanced Military Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Centre (AMMROC). AMMROC is owned by Sikorsky...
LA-Bound Qantas Flight Suffers Engine Malfunction
A Qantas flight en route to Los Angeles from Sydney had to be aborted at take-off after one of its engines failed. The Boeing 747 aircraft, scheduled for a 3.30pm take-off on 15 January, had...
Nasa Unveils Plane Models for 2025
Nasa has revealed passenger plane designs that are quieter and more energy efficient than current models. The three concept designs come from Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and...
US Airline Traffic Sees 5.6% Increase in October
The US Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) said US airlines saw a 5.6% year-on-year increase in traffic for the month of October. US carriers handled...
Indonesian Budget Airline Suspends Operations
Indonesian budget carrier Mandala Airlines has halted its operations because of heavy debt. Mandala's president director, Diono Nurjadin, said the company would file a debt...
Embraer Phenom 300 Gets Certification for Garmin Technology
Aircraft manufacturer Embraer has secured certification for using Garmin's synthetic vision technology (SVT) on its Phenom 300 executive jet. The company received approvals from the...
Northrop to Provide Scalable SIRU for Boeing Satellites
Northrop Grumman Corporation has received a contract to provide its scalable space inertial reference unit (scalable SIRU) as the inertial reference unit for Boeing Space and Intelligence...
Brazil Backs TAM-LAN Merger
The Brazilian Finance Ministry's Price Administration and Competition Bureau (SAE) is likely to endorse the proposal for a merger between Brazilian carrier TAM Airlines and Chile's LAN Airlines. ...
Nasa Climate Monitoring Satellite Set for Launch in February
Nasa's Glory climate monitoring satellite has arrived at the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California from the Orbital Sciences Corporation in Dulles, Virginia, in preparation for launch on...
IndiGo Places Record Order for 180 Airbus A320s
Indian budget carrier IndiGo has signed a memorandum of understanding with Airbus for 180 A320s – 150 A320neos and 30 A320s. This is the largest single firm order number for large jets...
Arianespace to Launch ATV Kepler in February
Europe's automated transfer vehicle (ATV), the Johannes Kepler, is being prepared for Arianespace's year-opening mission on 15 February 2011. The ATV, designed for servicing of the...
Lufthansa Posts Rise in Traffic in 2010
Lufthansa Airlines improved its traffic performance significantly in 2010, handling 90.2 million passengers in total in 2010, a 17.2% increase on the previous year. Passenger growth...
Virgin Blue and Skywest Sign Codesharing Deal
Virgin Blue and Skywest airlines have signed a ten-year strategic leasing alliance. As part of the agreement, both carriers will codeshare across several sectors of each other's...
BAE Cancels Platform Solutions Business Sale
UK defence company BAE Systems has withdrawn plans to sell its North American commercial aerospace division, after putting it up for sale four months ago. BAE has now cancelled the sale, as...
Japan Airlines and American Airlines Partner for Trans-Pacific Flights
A joint business initiative on trans-pacific flying between Japan Airlines and American Airlines will commence on 1 April this year. The carriers have received regulatory approvals from...
Etihad to Increase Global Flight Network in 2011
Etihad Airways will increase its global flight network in 2011 by increasing frequencies on five key European routes and capacity on a range of other routes. The European destinations are...
FAA Issues New Airworthiness Directive
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has released safety mandates that will cover the older Boeing 757 and 737 models, and call for structural inspections of over 1,300 jetliners including...
NTSB to Study Advantage of Air Bags for Small Planes
The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will conduct a study to equip small planes with air bags and shoulder harness seatbelts to save lives during accidents involving private planes. ...
Boeing Sales Rise in 2010
Boeing sold three times the number of commercial airplanes in 2010 that it did in 2009 as the airline industry recovered from the global downturn. The demand for aircraft resulted in 530...
Qantas to Resume A380 US Flights
Qantas Airways is preparing to resume Airbus A380 flights between Australia and Los Angeles from 16 January 2011. The airline grounded the A380 fleet and suspended flights on the...
AIDC to Supply Components to Aircraft Engine Companies
Aerospace Industrial Development Corp (AIDC) will soon begin supplying parts for new airplane engines to be launched by aircraft engine companies including Rolls-Royce, GEAE and Honeywell. ...
Rockwell to Support Comac C919 Aircraft Simulator Programme
Xian Aviation Science and Technology Company (XASC) has awarded a programme to Rockwell to develop components for the Comac C919 aircraft simulator programme. As per the terms of the...
China Conducts Cold Weather Trial on ARJ21-700
China has conducted a cold weather trial of its indigenous ARJ21-700 aircraft in the extreme cold of the Inner Mongolia autonomous region. Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac)...
Boeing Loses Guggenheim's Order for 747-8 Freighters
Guggenheim Aviation Partners has cancelled its order for two of Boeing's new 747-8 jumbo freighters due to a year-and-a-half delay in delivery. Guggenheim, which had originally ordered four...
Gulfstream Aircraft Receives Approval to Operate at Maximum Altitude
Gulfstream Aerospace has received approval from Transport Canada for the long-range Gulfstream G450 and G350 aircraft to fly at their maximum cruise altitude of 45,000ft. Transport...
Nasa Delays Discovery's Early February Launch
Nasa has further delayed the launch of space shuttle Discovery from the early February launch window as work continues on an external tank. The space shuttle programme, in its...
Iranian Airlines Boeing Jet Crashes
An IranAir Boeing 727 carrying more than 100 passengers crashed on 9 January near the city of Orumiyeh in north-western Iran, while making an emergency landing. Landing around 19.45 local...
Vietnam to Receive Japanese Assistance for Space Programme
Vietnam is to receive funding assistance between $420m and $480m from the Japanese Government to carry out its space exploration programme. The funding will be spent on three projects,...
Vietnam Airlines Orders Avionics from Rockwell Collins
Rockwell Collins has contracted Vietnam Airlines to deliver a full suite of avionics, including its MultiScan threat detection system and multimode receiver (MMR) global landing system, for 36...
Rolls-Royce Signs Trent Engine Contract with BA
Rolls-Royce has received a contract from British Airways for Trent 900 and 1000 engines to power up to 61 new wide-body aircraft. The order, originally announced in September 2007, is...
ISRO Plans to Launch GSAT-8 and GSAT-10 Satellites in 2011
ISRO has plans to launch two large communication satellites this year, GSAT-8 and GSAT-10, to overcome the scarcity of transponders after the failure of two consecutive GSLV missions. The...
Asiana Airlines Orders Six Airbus A380s
South Korean Asiana Airlines has placed an order for six Airbus A380s, which it plans to operate with a premium layout on key routes to Europe and the US. The eco-friendly aircraft features...
Ramco Secures Order from MAS GMR Aerospace
Ramco Systems has received an order from MAS GMR Aerospace Engineering (MAS GMR) to provide its airframe maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) suite of aviation software offerings. MAS...
Bombardier to Sell CRJ700 Jets to SkyWest
SkyWest has ordered four CRJ700 NextGen airliners from Bombardier Aerospace under an estimated $148m contract. The CRJ700 aircraft will be flown by SkyWest Airlines under the Delta...
Nigerian Satellite Passes Major Tests
The replaced Nigerian satellite, NigComSat-1R, has passed major performance tests prior to its launch in Q3 2011. The satellite underwent vibration and simulation tests to check its ability...
Turkey Plans Communications Test Satellite Launch in 2012
Turkey will launch its first home-made communications test satellite into orbit in September 2012. The satellite, 3USAT, will provide wireless voice transmission over an amateur band...
Japan to Launch New Satellites by 2015
The Japanese space development strategy headquarters, headed by Prime Minister Naoto Kan, is planning to launch six to seven new satellites to establish its own global positioning system (GPS)...
AeroTurbine Signs Loan Amendment
AerCap Holdings subsidiary AeroTurbine has signed an amendment to its loan facility, increasing the amount available from $328m to $425m. The amendment allows for additional...
CSIR Invites Proposals for Developing Regional Aircraft
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is to seek expressions of interest to develop a 90-seater regional transport aircraft (RTA) for short-haul feeder services to cities...
CIT Aerospace Orders Next-Generation Boeing 737 Aircraft
CIT Aerospace has ordered 38 next-generation Boeing 737 aircraft and is to use the purchase rights for seven additional 737s. The order includes 15 737-900ER (extended range) and 23...
easyJet Buys Additional Airbus A320 Aircraft
easyJet has signed a contract to purchase 15 new Airbus A320 aircraft and convert a previous order for 20 Airbus A319s into the larger A320 model. The new agreement provides the airline...
Russia Imposes Ban on Tu-154B Aircraft
The Russian federal transport overseeing service, Rostransnadzor, has recommended that airlines ban services of Tupolev (Tu) 154B aircraft following an explosion. On 1 January, a...
ISRO May Launch Singapore's First Satellite in February 2011
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is expected to launch Singapore's first satellite, X-Sat, into orbit next month. X-Sat, a refrigerator-sized experimental micro-satellite, will...
Air India to Lease Boeing Aircraft
Air India (AI) has plans to wet lease four Boeing aircraft, along with pilots and cabin crew, for its subsidiary AI Express. AI also plans to dry-lease ten Airbus planes as part of a...
Qantas and Solena to Build Biojet Fuel Plant
Qantas and Solena will soon sign a $300m deal to build a plant in Sydney, Australia, to produce green biojet fuel for its fleet of aircraft. The airline will conduct a feasibility study...
China Eastern to Purchase Airbus A320 Aircraft
China Eastern Airlines is to purchase 50 Airbus A320 aircraft from 2012 to 2015 in order to meet rising demand. The new aircraft will be valued at $3.224bn, though they will be sold to...
AIDC Begins Business Flight Operations
State-owned Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC) has launched its maiden business charter flight as part of an initiative to bring the service to central Taiwan. The...
Elbit Systems to Invest in Pearls of Wisdom
Elbit Systems has signed an agreement to invest in Israeli-based Pearls of Wisdom Advanced Technologies. A total of $18m will be invested in stages by a subsidiary of Elbit Systems over...
December 2010
Top
Countries Agree on Aircraft Export Credits
The governments of Europe, the US, Brazil and Canada have reached an agreement that will restrict subsidised financing for large commercial aircraft. The countries came to the agreement...
Boeing Receives Satellite Development Contract from Mexico
Boeing has received a $1bn contract from Mexico to develop and deliver an end-to-end satellite communications system. The Mexsat system will consist of three satellites, two ground...
Air New Zealand Receives First Boeing 777-300ER
Air New Zealand has received the first of five 777-300ER (extended range) aircraft from Boeing, ordered in August 2007. The airline will use the first three 777-300ERs to operate routes...
Season's Greetings
aerospace-technology.com will be taking a short break over the holiday season. Our full daily news service will return on 4 January 2011. Thank you for your support in 2010 and we wish you...
Bombardier to Manufacture Learjet 85 Wing Structures at Belfast Facility
Bombardier Aerospace will manufacture advanced composite wing skin panels and spar components for the new Learjet 85 business jet at its facility in Belfast, Northern Ireland. ...
UAC Considers Indian An-148 Production
United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) is in talks with Indian firms over the production of the Antonov An-148 regional airliner in its passenger and cargo versions. UAC president Alexei...
India and Russia to Ink Agreement to Launch Satellites
India and Russia will sign an agreement during the visit of the Russian president to launch Russian navigational satellites with the help of Indian booster rockets. The countries will ink...
Qatar Airways Plans IPO in 2012
National carrier Qatar Airways has unveiled plans to launch an initial public offering in early 2012 after achieving profitability. Qatar Airways earlier said that it would offer shares to...
North American Airlines and VT Systems Plan Boeing 757-200 Conversion
North American Airlines and the aerospace division of Vision Technologies Systems have entered into an agreement for the conversion of Boeing 757-200 passenger aircraft to the Combi configuration....
Southwest Airlines to Introduce Boeing 737-800
Southwest Airlines has unveiled plans to introduce Boeing 737-800 aircraft to its fleet network. The company will substitute 20 of its 737-700 orders for 800s, with the first...
NASA Conducts Commercial Rocket Engine Test
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has conducted a test fire of the liquid fuel AJ26 engine at Stennis Space Center in Mississippi, US. The AJ26 engine will power the...
ISRO Postpones Launch of GSLV-F06
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has postponed the launch of GSLV-F06 with an onboard GSAT-5P satellite due to a minor leak in one of the valves of the Russian cryogenic stage. ...
Boeing and Fujitsu Form Alliance in Airline Maintenance Services
Boeing and Fujitsu have formed a strategic alliance to develop a service for greater efficiency in aircraft maintenance operations. The alliance will provide technologies such as...
AVIC International Acquires Teledyne Piston Engine Business
Teledyne Technologies has signed an agreement to sell its general aviation piston engine business to Technify Motor, a subsidiary of AVIC International, for $186m. Under the transaction,...
Nasa Conducts Tanking Test on Discovery Air Space Shuttle
Nasa has conducted a tanking test to evaluate repairs made to space shuttle Discovery's external fuel tank at the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, US. The agency had decided to...
Lufthansa and Fraport Sign Ground Handling Contract
Fraport and Lufthansa have signed a new ground handling agreement for all of the airline's aircraft at its Frankfurt Airport (FRA) for another eight years, starting 1 January 2011. As per...
Avolon Orders Eight A320 Aircraft from Airbus
Avolon has ordered eight A320 aircraft equipped with the new fuel-saving Sharklets option from Airbus. Avolon president and chief commercial officer John Higgins said the initial order...
Bolivia to Purchase Communications Satellite from China
The Bolivian Government has signed a contract with China Great Wall Industries Corporation (Cgwic) to buy a $300m communications satellite. The satellite, called Tupac Katari, is expected to...
GE Secures CFM56 Engines Contract from Lufthansa
German-based carrier Lufthansa has selected the CFM International CFM56-5B engine for the 21 Airbus A320 and two A321 aircraft ordered in September. The company placed a $300m order for...
Iran to Set Up Second Space Launch Pad
Iranian Communications and Information Technology Minister Reza Taqipour has said that Iran has plans to build a second satellite launch pad and is exploring locations for a new space...
Reconnaissance Ventures in MBO
UK-based Reconnaissance Ventures has purchased the business in a management buy-out (MBO) assisted by NatWest and Lombard Aviation. The company directors bought out the minority...
Jazeera Airways Subsidiary Places A320 Aircraft on Lease
Jazeera Airways Group subsidiary Sahaab Aircraft Leasing (Sahaab) has placed an Airbus A320 aircraft on long-term lease with SriLankan Airlines. The $20m deal is for a placement period of...
Qantas to Buy Western Australia Charter Operator
Qantas Group has reached an agreement to purchase Network Aviation for A$30m to tap the fly-in-fly-out (FIFO) resources air charter market for the mining industry in Western Australia. ...
India to Launch GSAT-5P Communication Satellite this Month
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) director S Satish has said that India will launch the advanced GSAT-5P communication satellite on 20 December 2010 for uninterrupted telecom and...
Goodrich to Supply Equipment for Mitsubishi Regional Jet
Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation has awarded a contract to Goodrich Corporation to supply air data sensors, ice detectors and windshield heat controllers for the new Mitsubishi Regional Jet...
Brazil Launches Unmanned Rocket into Space
Brazil has launched a mid-sized unmanned rocket into space, carrying hundreds of kilograms in cargo and experiments in tow. Agencia Espacial Brasilena scientists said the VSB-3 rocket took...
Emivest Aerospace to be Auctioned Next Month
Dubai business jet manufacturer Emivest Aerospace could be sold at an auction next month, after it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in US courts in October. The company,...
Boeing Delivers First 737 with Sky Interior to Norwegian Airline
Boeing has delivered the first next-generation 737-800 with the new Sky interior to Norwegian Air Shuttle. The airplane's inaugural flight has been scheduled to immediately follow...
Austria to Launch First Satellites in 2011
Austria will launch its first of two satellites into space aboard an Indian rocket in late July 2011. The cube-shaped satellites, each measuring just 20cm on each side and weighing 7kg, are...
Odyssey to Become Longest-Serving Mars Orbiter
National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) has announced that Mars Odyssey is to become the longest-serving Mars orbiter. Today, Odyssey will pass...
Boeing Delivers 200th Aircraft to Air France
Boeing has delivered its 200th jetliner, a 777-300ER (extended range), to Air France. The new 777 aircraft, the backbone of the long-haul fleet, will support Air France's planned growth...
GECAS Delivers Boeing 737-800s to Garuda Airlines
GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) has delivered three new Boeing 737-800 aircraft to Garuda Airlines in Indonesia. The three deliveries to Garuda bring the total number of aircraft...
Russia's New Glonass-K Satellite to be Launched Soon
Russia is preparing to launch the new-generation modified version of the Glonass series of navigation satellites Glonass-K on 27 December. The spacecraft has completed all ground...
Marubeni to Set Up Joint Venture for Aircraft Leasing
Japan-based Marubeni Corporation has set up a joint venture with Deucalion in Singapore to lease passenger planes to low-cost carriers. Deucalion is an investment-fund-managed DVB Bank,...
Bombardier Wins Q400 NextGen Aircraft Order from SpiceJet
Bombardier Aerospace has received a firm order for 15 Q400 NextGen turboprop airliners from India-based airliner SpiceJet. SpiceJet has also taken options on an additional 15 airliners. ...
Astronautics Receives FAA Approval for EFIS / EICAS System
Astronautics Corporation of America (Astronautics) has received technical standard order authorisation (TSOA) approval from the Federal Aviation Administration for its 6in×8in...
South Africa Launches National Space Agency
The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) and the National Space Strategy (NSS) have been formally launched in the African nation. SANSA will implement a national space programme over...
Bombardier Receives Business Jet Orders
Bombardier Aerospace has received $155m of firm orders for five mid-size Learjet 85 and two large-cabin Challenger 605 jets from multiple companies of the same group. The business jets will...
General Electric Begins Testing H80 Turboprop in Thrush 510G
General Electric has begun the tests of its new H80 turboprop engine on the Thrush Aircraft 510G. The H80 engine is based on the Walter Engines M601 turboprop. It will produce up to...
SpaceX Launches Commercial Space Capsule
Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) launched its Falcon 9 rocket into orbit on 7 December from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, US, following a one-day delay. ...
BSAT-3b Satellite Begins Service for Japanese Broadcasting Corporation
The Lockheed-built BSAT-3b broadcasting satellite has begun service for Japan's Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation (B-SAT) following successful on-orbit deployment and checkout of...
Air India and Jet Airways to Lease Airbus Planes
National carrier Air India and Jet Airways will lease 35 Airbus planes for $5bn from leasing companies, Airbus said. Air India will lease ten A330 planes and 15 A320s for $3.1bn, while...
Japan Space Probe Fails to Enter Venus' Orbit
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's (JAXA) Venus climate orbiter, Akatsuki, has failed to enter Venus' orbit on its first attempt. An investigation team has been set up by JAXA to study...
Hawker Beechcraft Acquires First Hawker 400XPR Test Aircraft
Hawker Beechcraft has acquired the first test aircraft and begun design engineering on its high performance upgrade for the Hawker 400XP / Beechjet 400A aircraft. The Hawker 400XPR...
Engine Alliance Delivers 100th GP7200 Engine to Airbus
The Engine Alliance has delivered its 100th GP7200 engine to Airbus to the Goodrich facility in Toulouse, France. The GP7200 engine's technology produces the quietest, most fuel...
Paris Court Fines Continental for Concorde Crash
A Paris court has deemed Continental Airlines responsible for the crash of a Concorde supersonic jet ten years ago, and has fined the company €200,000 ($266,556). In July 2000...
Air India Seeks Compensation for Boeing 787 Delay
Air India is looking for $840m in compensation from US aircraft-maker Boeing for the delay in delivering Boeing 787 Dreamliners. Air India chief operating officer Captain Gustav...
Japan Sets Cryogenic Test Date for H-IIB Rocket
Japanese space agency JAXA is preparing to conduct a cryogenic test of its space launch vehicle H-IIB on 16 December this year. The test will confirm the functions of the launch vehicle...
IAE to Provide Engines to Airbus A321-200 Aircraft
International Aero Engines has signed an agreement with Vietnam Aircraft Leasing Company (VALC) to provide 20 V2533-A5 engines to power ten Airbus A321-200 aircraft. As per the $184m...
NASA's SOFIA Airborne Observatory Completes First Science Flight
NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) has completed the first of three science flights. The ten-hour flight was made as part of preparations to demonstrate...
Emirates Launches New Aircraft
Emirates has launched its new Boeing 777-200LR aircraft, which is specifically designed for medium to long-haul flights. The B777-200LR aircraft features eight private suites in First Class,...
ISRO Renews Deal with EADS to Build Commercial Satellites
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has renewed a five-year contract with European space firm EADS Astrium to build commercial satellites to be launched from French space...
Rocket Booster Failure Could Have Caused Russian Satellite Crash
Rocket booster failure may have caused three Russian satellites to crash into the Pacific Ocean near Hawaii, after falling off course ten minutes after take-off. The satellites were the...
NASA to Launch First SpaceX Falcon 9
The launch of the first SpaceX Falcon 9 for the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) programme from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, US, has been delayed until...
Rolls-Royce Wins Trent 700 Engine Order from Hawaiian Airlines
Rolls-Royce has received a contract from Hawaiian Airlines to provide Trent 700 engines for the six Airbus A330 aircraft. The $420m contract also includes a TotalCare long-term...
AD Aerospace to Provide Camera System for EC175 Helicopter
Eurocopter has awarded a contract to AD Aerospace to supply a tail-mounted camera system for its EC175 helicopter. The camera system will use FV-0315 external aerospace cameras, enabling...
Russia to Begin Mi-38 Helicopter Production in 2013
Russia will start production of the Mi-38 utility transport helicopter in 2013, after resolving engine supply problems with its Canadian supplier, Russian helicopters spokesman Roman Kirillov...
Nigerian Space Agency Confirms February Satellite Launches
The National Space Research and Development Agency has announced that Nigeria's two earth-observation satellites will be launched in February 2011. NASRDA director-general Mohammed Seidu...
SAIC Awarded NASA Service Technology Contract
SAIC has been awarded the Enterprise Applications Service Technologies (EAST) contract by NASA to provide a broad range of IT services. The single-award contract has a two-year base period...
Qantas Increases Pressure on Rolls-Royce
Qantas has increased pressure on Rolls-Royce to settle damages related to a QF32 Trent 900 engine failure on one of its Airbus A380 aircraft. The airline said it has filed a claim in the...
IAE Receives V2500 Engine Order from BOC Aviation
IAE International Aero Engines has received a contract from BOC Aviation to supply V2500 engines for the airline's 25 A320 family aircraft, ordered from Airbus. The V2500 SelectOne...
Copa Airlines Orders 22 Next-Generation Boeing 737s
Copa Airlines has ordered 22 Next-Generation Boeing 737-800s, worth $1.7bn. CEO Pedro Heilbron said the order was the largest aircraft order in Copa's history and is an integral part of...
Airbus Plans Fuel-Saving Engine Options for A320
Airbus plans to offer its A320 series of aircraft with an option for new fuel-saving engines to help defend its position in the market. The new engine option, known as the A320neo,...
Cobham to Provide Avionics Suite for Skylander Commuter Aircraft
Cobham is to provide the complete avionics suite for the new Sky Aircraft twin turboprop SK105 Skylander commuter aircraft. Cobham will integrate a full suite of avionics for the SK105's...
TransDigm to Acquire Teleflex Aircraft Unit
TransDigm Group will acquire actuation business Telair International, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Teleflex Incorporated, for $94m. The unit designs and manufactures highly...
Lufthansa to Use Biofuel on Airbus A321 Commercial Flights
Lufthansa is set to become the first airline to use bio-synthetic kerosene on scheduled commercial flights from April 2011. A six-month trial will be conducted by Lufthansa on an Airbus...
Hispasat 1E Arrives for Ariane 5 Mission
The Hispasat 1E telecommunications relay platform has arrived at the European Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, in preparation for Arianespace's next Ariane 5 mission, which is scheduled for...
ANA Presses Boeing on 787 Dreamliner Delay
All Nippon Airways chief executive Shinichiro Ito has expressed his disappointment in Boeing's repeated failure to deliver the first batch of 787 Dreamliner aircraft. Ito has asked Boeing...
Arianespace Launches Intelsat 17 and Hylas1 Satellites
Arianespace has successfully orbited two communications satellites, Intelsat 17 for the international satellite operator Intelsat, and Hylas 1 for Avanti Communications. Intelsat 17, built...
Hangar8 Receives Embraer Lineage 1000
Hangar8 has received the first Lineage 1000 aircraft, costing $52m, from Embraer. The 118ft aircraft is a premium charter jet configured in an executive layout, with five separate cabin zones. ...
Hawaiian Airlines Purchases New A330 Aircraft
Hawaiian Airlines has purchased six new long-range Airbus A330-200 aircraft, increasing its A330 fleet from ten to 16. Hawaiian's president and CEO Mark Dunkerley said the additional A330s...
Boeing Delivers Next-Generation 737 With New Boeing Sky Interior to Jetairfly
Boeing has delivered the first Next-Generation 737-800, with the new passenger-inspired Boeing Sky Interior, to Jetairfly, a European-based airline. The 737 Boeing Sky Interior features...
November 2010
Top
Astrotech Receives NASA Contract
Astrotech Space Operations, a subsidiary of Astrotech Corporation, has received a $35m indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract from NASA. Under the contract, Astrotech...
Boeing Begins Changes to 787 Dreamliner Power Panel
Boeing has begun to make minor design changes to the panels and software that manage power distribution on its 787 Dreamliner. The company is making the changes following an investigation of...
Air Berlin and ICBC Sign Aircraft Package Deal
Air Berlin has signed a deal with ICBC Financial Leasing for 18 narrow-body aircraft equipped with CFM engines. The deal, which includes new and used craft, is worth nearly $700m. It...
Rolls-Royce to Provide Engine Services to Emirates
Rolls-Royce has signed new TotalCare agreements to provide engine services for 50 of Emirates' existing ' wide-bodied aircraft. The $1.2bn TotalCare will see Rolls-Royce provide...
GE Plans R&D Centre at Ohio's Aerospace Hub
GE Aviation has unveiled a plan to develop a new Electrical Power Integrated Systems Research and Development Center (EPISCENTER) at the University of Dayton campus in Ohio, US. The...
AAR to Supply C-130 Cargo Systems for Hercules Aircraft
AAR Cargo Systems has received a purchase order to manufacture and supply C-130 cargo handling systems and spares components for 30 Lockheed C-130 Hercules aircraft. The cargo systems assist...
SpaceX Receives FAA Licence to Re-Enter Spacecraft from Orbit
SpaceX has received the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) licence to re-enter a spacecraft from orbit. SpaceX is planning to launch its Dragon spacecraft into low-Earth orbit aboard...
P&W Completes Hot-Fire Test Series on RS-68A Engine
Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne has successfully completed a series of hot-fire tests on the second and final RS-68A certification test engine. A modified version of the RS-68 engine,...
Goodrich Delivers First Thrust Reverser for Airbus A350 XWB Twinjet
Goodrich has delivered its first thrust reversers for the Airbus A350 XWB twinjet's Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engine, which will be used in the engine ground test programme. In 2005, Airbus...
EU Imposes Ban on Afghan Airlines
The European Union (EU) has imposed a ban on all Afghan airlines from flying into European airspace due to Afghanistan's failure to set up a proper safety regime. The ban follows...
Malaysia Delays Second Space Launch
Malaysia's second space mission is unlikely to take place in the next couple of years, according to National Space Agency director-general Dr Mustafa Subari. "It is ongoing but it won't...
Qantas to Resume Flying Airbus A380s After Engine Explosion
Qantas has said it will resume flights of some A380 aircraft, three weeks after an engine explosion forced one of the airline's A380 planes to make an emergency landing. The airline decided...
Boeing to Acquire Summitt Aeronautics Group
Boeing is to acquire Summit Aeronautics Group, a manufacturer of titanium and hard metal structures for commercial and military aircraft. Boeing has not disclosed the terms and...
Russia to Launch Glonass Satellite in 2013
Russia's Federal Space Agency, Roscosmos, will launch the Glonass-K2 global navigation system in 2013. Roscosmos's Central Research Institute of Machine Building deputy director,...
QinetiQ Awarded Nasa Engineering Contract
QinetiQ North America has been awarded the engineering services contract to design and develop systems for Nasa's Kennedy Space Center in the US. Under the $1.9bn contract, QinetiQ will...
Rolls-Royce Wins Trent XWB Engine Order from Air China
Air China has awarded a contract to Rolls-Royce to supply Trent engines to power its 20 new Airbus aircraft. Under the $1.8bn contract, Rolls-Royce will provide Trent XWB engines for ten...
GE Announces New Engine Deals with Chinese Airlines
General Electric (GE) has announced a series of deals and investments in the Chinese commercial aviation sector at the aviation exhibition held in Zhuhai, China. CFM International, a...
FMS Flight Test Performed on Sukhoi Superjet 100
The flight test of the CMA-9000 flight management system (FMS) has been performed on the Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SSJ100) by Canadian and Russian pilots. During the test, Canadian and Russian...
Thales to Begin Development of Meteosat
The European Space Agency has issued a "preliminary authorisation to proceed" to Thales Alenia Space to commence development of the Meteosat third generation (MTG). The approval marks...
Rolls-Royce Receives V2500 Engine Order
Rolls-Royce has received a share of an order from TAM Airlines to supply V2500 engines to power ten Airbus aircraft. Rolls-Royce has secured an order worth $100m as part of the contract. ...
Iran to Increase Aviation Safety Standards
Iran is considering improving the safety standards of its aviation fleet in order to minimise potential risk to passengers. Iranian Civil Aviation Organisation head Reza Nakhjavani said...
Discovery Launch Not Before 3 December, Says Nasa
Nasa has said that the launch of space shuttle Discovery will not be possible before 3 December due to ongoing repair work. Following a space shuttle programme meeting, Nasa decided...
Goodrich to Provide Landing Gear for A350-1000 Aircraft
Goodrich is to provide the main landing gear for the Airbus A350-1000 variant of the A350 XWB aircraft. The contract is expected to generate over $2bn in original equipment and...
GE Capital to Purchase Comac C919 Aircraft
GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) is to buy up to ten C919 aircraft from Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC). The letter of intent (LOI) comprises five firm purchases and...
KLM to Support Suborbital Flights for SXC
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will support future suborbital flight for Space Experience Curacao (SXC) on the XCOR Lynx suborbital spacecraft. KLM will provide support for the flight through...
Boeing Delivers First 777 Airplane to Ethiopian Airlines
Boeing has delivered the first of five 777-200LR Worldliner aircraft to Ethiopian Airlines under an order signed in 2009. The airline will use the 777-200LRs on a new, non-stop service...
Compensation Claims Over Qantas A380 Engine Scare
Rolls-Royce may face multiple compensation claims in the aftermath of the A380 engine scare, which resulted in Qantas suspending all A380 flights. A spokesperson for Airbus announced that...
CFM56-5B Engine to Power Hainan Airlines New A320 Fleet
Hainan Airlines has selected CFM International's CFM56-5B engine to power 42 new Airbus A320 family aircraft. The $1.2bn agreement includes the engine order, and a long-term service and...
Boeing 737 Completes Performance Improvement Test Flight
A Boeing 737 aircraft has completed its first test flight for certification of a package of 737 performance improvements. Aerodynamic and engine changes included in the package will reduce...
Pratt & Whitney to Provide Engine Services for GMG Airlines
Pratt & Whitney has signed a five-year engine management programme agreement with GMG Airlines for its current fleet of PW4060 and JT8D-200 engines. GMG Airlines managing director...
GE Aviation and HNA Group to form MRO Joint Venture
GE Aviation and HNA Group have signed an agreement to form a joint venture company to provide maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services for GE's CF34-10A and CF34-10E engines. The MRO...
BAE Sells Boeing MD83 Airliners for Avianca
BAE Systems has arranged the sale of five Boeing MD83 airliners on behalf of Colombian flag carrier Avianca. Four of the aircraft have been sold to Jet Midwest Group, a full-service...
Xiamen Airlines Orders Threat Detection System for Boeing 737NGs
Xiamen Airlines has ordered the MultiScan threat detection system and GLU-925 multimode receiver (MMR) from Rockwell Collins for its fleet of 25 Boeing 737NG aircraft. The MultiScan...
Goodrich MEMS Gyroscope Pass Inorbit Test
Goodrich Corporation's micro electromechanical system (MEMS) gyroscopes have successfully passed inorbit testing on the European Space Agency's (ESA) Earth Explorer CryoSat-2 satellite. The...
Airbus to Deliver A380s to Skymark Airlines
Airbus is to deliver four A380 aircraft to Japan's Skymark Airlines under a memorandum of understanding. Skymark will operate the aircraft on major international long-haul routes from Tokyo. ...
Kaman to Acquire Global Aerosystems
Kaman Corporation is set to acquire Global Aerosystems, a provider of aerostructure engineering design analysis and FAA certification services to the aerospace industry. Kaman Aerospace...
Donghai Jet Orders Challenger 300 Aircraft
Bombardier has received a $121m order from China's Dondhai Jet for five super-mid-size Challenger 300 jets. The new Challenger 300 business jets will join a new Challenger 605 jet, which...
China to Open Low-Altitude Airspace for Civilian Aircraft
China is considering opening its airspace below 4,000m to civilian aircraft in an effort to promote the country's general aviation sector. The low-altitude airspace will be divided into...
Gulfstream to Expand Savannah Site
Gulfstream Aerospace is to expand its Savannah facilities as part of a $500m, seven-year plan. Gulfstream president Joe Lombardo said the expansion was necessary to meet the projected increase...
FAA Adopts New Rule to Prevent Aging Aircraft Danger
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has formed a new rule to prevent widespread fatigue damage (WFD) on aging aircraft. The new rule will require aircraft manufacturers and...
Russia Launches US SkyTerra-1 Satellite
Russia has successfully launched the US SkyTerra-1 mobile satellite aboard a Proton-M carrier rocket from the Kazakh Baikonur Space Centre. Developed by Boeing, the 5,390kg SkyTerra 1 will...
Snecma Tests Vinci Rocket Engine with Extended Nozzle
Snecma has successfully ground tested the Vinci rocket engine with its extendible nozzle deployed, under conditions representing an actual flight. The test was part of the preparation to...
Boeing 737 Sky Interior to Receive New Touchscreen ACP
BAE Systems is to supply its new touchscreen attendant control panel (ACP) for Boeing's next-generation 737 Sky interior. The modernised ACP features an intuitive, reconfigurable,...
China Completes Maiden Flight of Amphibious Aircraft
China has successfully completed the maiden flight of its first indigenously developed light amphibious aircraft, the HO300. The HO300 is a multiuse amphibious aircraft, which has been...
SIA to Replace A380 Aircraft Engine
Singapore Airlines (SIA) has decided to replace the engines on three of its 11 A380 aircraft and ground flights in Sydney, Melbourne and London following the engine failure of Qantas flight QF32. ...
TSC Breaks Ground on New Assembly Hangar
The Spaceship Company has broken ground on a new assembly hangar at Mojave Air and Space Port for the production of Virgin Galactic's WhiteKnightTwo and SpaceShipTwo. TSC is a new...
Surrey Repositions Satellite to Reduce Space Debris
Surrey Satellite Technology (SSTL) has repositioned its UK-DMC-1 spacecraft using unspent propellant to reduce the orbital lifetime and the probability of generating space debris. ...
Rolls-Royce Makes Progress with A380 Engine Failure
Rolls-Royce has made progress in understanding the cause of the engine failure that forced a Trent 900 powered Qantas A380 jet to make an emergency landing. The A380 Qantas flight QF32 made...
Boeing Delivers 777-200LR to Aviation Link
Boeing Business Jets is to deliver a VIP 777-200LR (long range) to Aviation Link, an aircraft management firm in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The delivery will bring the total fleet Aviation...
Aerojet Hot-fire Tests AJ26 Flight Engine for Taurus II
Aerojet has hot-fire tested its AJ26 engine at Nasa's Stennis Space Center in Mississippi for the Taurus II launch vehicle programme. The test is the first of three hot-fire engine tests to...
US and India May Unite to Launch Human Space Flight
India and the US may work together to launch a space flight carrying humans to the international space station. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and US President Barack Obama have agreed...
Rolls-Royce Wins $350m Order from Egyptair
Egyptair has awarded a $350m contract to Rolls-Royce to provide TotalCare long-term services for 12 Airbus A330 aircraft. The Trent 700 is the only engine specifically designed for the Airbus...
China Eastern Airlines Orders Rolls-Royce Trent 700 Engines
China Eastern Airlines has ordered Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines worth $1.2bn to power 16 Airbus A330 aircraft. China Eastern plans to bring its new A330s into service from 2011 with the...
Boeing Dreamliner 787 Makes Emergency Landing During Test Flight
A Boeing 787 Dreamliner has made an emergency landing in Texas with smoke in the cabin during a test flight. The jet landed safely and all 42 people aboard exited through emergency...
Embraer's Legacy 650 Completes Long-Range Flight
Embraer's new Legacy 650 executive jet demonstrator has completed a non-stop flight from Dubai, UAE, to London's Farnborough Airport in the UK. The aircraft covered an equivalent...
Lockheed Delivers Key GPS III Test Hardware
Lockheed Martin has completed the bus real-time simulator (BRTS) for the next-generation global positioning system (GPS III) and delivered it to Aerospace Corporation. GPS III will...
Saudi Arabian Airlines Orders 12 Boeing 777-300 Aircraft
Saudi Arabian Airlines has ordered 12 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, with an option for ten more, in a deal valued at $3.3bn. The airline has also placed an order for eight Boeing 787...
TenCate to Supply Carbon Fabric Laminates to Airbus
TenCate Advanced Composites Europe has received a contract to supply TenCate Cetex carbon fabric laminates for use on the new Airbus A350 XWB. Under the contract, TenCate will supply its...
Arianespace to Launch Azerbaijan's First Communications Satellite
The International Relations and Accounting Centre (IR&AC) of Azerbaijan has awarded a contract to Arianespace to launch the country's first communications satellite by the end of 2012. ...
Boeing Launches Italian Earth Observation Satellite
Boeing has successfully launched the last of a series of four SkyMed spacecraft for the Italian constellation of small satellites for Mediterranean basin observation (COSMO). Boeing launched...
Hydrogen Leak Delays Shuttle Discovery's Launch
Nasa has postponed the launch of the Discovery space shuttle to the end of November 2010, after detecting a hydrogen gas leak in the external tank of the spacecraft. The delay will...
CPI Aerostructures Receives Order for G650 Wing Leading Edges
CPI Aerostructures has received new purchase orders from Spirit AeroSystems for wing leading edge assemblies for the Gulfstream G650 aircraft. In March 2008, Spirit and CPI Aero signed...
GKN Aerospace Joins Clean Sky Joint Technology Initiative
GKN Aerospace has decided to participate in two key elements of the European clean sky joint technology initiative. The €1.6bn EU / industry programme aims to develop...
Boeing Projects China Aircraft Fleet to Triple
Boeing has predicted that China will require 4,330 new commercial planes, valued at $480bn, over the next 20 years. The company said that, during the forecast period, China's fleet size...
Air New Zealand to Use EcoPower Engine Wash
Air New Zealand has awarded a one-year contract to Pratt & Whitney for its EcoPower engine wash service to reduce fuel burn. Under the contract, Christchurch Engine Centre, a joint...
Boeing Launches Italian Earth Observation Satellite
Boeing has successfully launched the last in a series of four SkyMed spacecraft for the Italian Constellation of Small Satellites for Mediterranean basin Observation (COSMO). Boeing launched...
SpiceJet to Buy 30 Bombardier Q400 NextGen Aircraft
SpiceJet is to buy 30 Q400 NextGen turboprop aircraft from Bombardier at a cost of $900m, as part of its strategy to enhance regional connectivity in India. SpiceJet CEO Neil Mills said...
Flydubai to Receive Four Boeing 737s
Flydubai has signed a sale and leaseback agreement with Ireland's Avolon leasing group for four Boeing 737 planes worth $320m. Flydubai chief executive officer Ghaith al-Ghaith said the next...
MAS Receives Its First B737-800 from Boeing
Malaysia Airlines (MAS) has received its first B737-800 from Boeing. MAS managing director and chief executive officer Tengku Datuk Seri Azmil Zahruddin told Bernama TV that the airline...
Embraer 190 Jets Join Gulf Air Fleet
Two Embraer 190 jets have been delivered to Gulf Air, under a newly ratified agreement with Jetscape, an aircraft leasing company based in Florida, US. The aircraft, configured in a...
Design Fault Blamed for Grounded Qantas A380s
The emergency landing of a Qantas Airbus A380 in Singapore, which resulted in the grounding of the entire fleet, may have been caused by a design fault according to the airline. Qantas CEO...
Cuban Passenger Flight Crash Kills 68
A passenger plane has crashed in Cuba, killing all 68 passengers and crew on board, making it Cuba's deadliest crash since 1989. The state-run Aerocaribbean aircraft was flying towards...
Aerojet Completes Acceptance Test on Second R-4D Development Engine
Aerojet, in collaboration with Lockheed Martin and Nasa, has successfully completed acceptance testing on the second R-4D development engine. The R-4D is the Aerojet engine that will be used...
Nasa Awards Service Contract to SAIC
Nasa has awarded the Enterprise Applications Service Technologies contract to Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC). SAIC will provide services for the Nasa...
BOC Aviation Orders Eight Boeing 777-300ER Aircraft
BOC Aviation has ordered eight 777-300ER aircraft from Boeing for $2.2bn. BOC Aviation will lease the new 777-300ERs to Thai Airways International (THAI). Thai Airways International...
Eurocopter to Supply AS350 Ecureuil Helicopters to Iraq
Eurocopter is to supply seven AS350 B3 Ecureuil helicopters to the Iraqi Ministry of Agriculture. The country will use the helicopters for crop spraying vast fields of date palm trees, a...
Qantas Grounds A380 Fleet Following Emergency Landing
Australian airline Qantas has pulled its fleet of Airbus A380 airliners from service following an emergency landing at Singapore's Changi Airport. The flight experienced engine trouble...
Jordan Aviation and P&W Sign Engine Management Programme Agreement
Jordan Aviation has signed a three-year engine management programme agreement with Pratt & Whitney (P&W) Global Service Partners (GSP). Under the agreement, P&W GSP will use...
Estonian Air Orders Bombardier CRJ900 NextGen Aircraft
Estonian Air has ordered for three CRJ900 NextGen aircraft from Bombardier worth $123m. The airline has also taken options for two CRJ900 NextGen aircraft and, if it exercises the options,...
Oman Air to Receive CFM Engine Service
Oman Air has signed a rate-per-flight-hour (RPFH) agreement with CFM International for the airline's fleet of CFM56-7B engines to power 15 Boeing next-generation 737 aircraft. Under...
Eutelsat Loses W3B Satellite
Eutelsat Communications has lost its W3B satellite, following an anomaly detected on the satellite's propulsion subsystem after its launch on an Ariane 5 rocket. W3B was due to be positioned...
Boeing to Deliver Next-Generation 737s to Rostechnology
Boeing and State Corporation Rostechnology have finalised an order for 50 next-generation 737 airplanes along with purchase rights for an additional 35. The order, valued at $3.7bn, includes...
China to Complete Own Space Station by 2020
China plans to complete a manned space station by 2020, as a part of its ambitious space exploration programme. China's manned space engineering project intends to launch a space...
Nasa Delivers Magnetometers for Juno Mission to Lockheed
Nasa has delivered magnetometers to Lockheed Martin for the Juno mission to Jupiter. Each of the two vector magnetometers carries a pair of non-magnetic star cameras to determine its...
Ariane 5 Launches Telecommunications Satellites
The fourth Ariane 5 mission of 2010 has successfully launched two telecommunications satellites, W3B and BSAT-3b, into geostationary transfer orbit. The launcher, with a payload lift...
CAE Delivers Two Full-Flight Simulators for A320
CAE has sold two A320 full-flight simulators (FFS) to Sichuan Airlines Group and an undisclosed customer for $25m. The A320 FFS will be delivered to Sichuan Airlines Training Centre in...
Lockheed to Complete GeoEye-2 Satellite for GeoEye
Lockheed Martin will complete the development of the GeoEye-2 satellite and the associated command and control system, under a procurement contract with GeoEye. To date, GeoEye and...
Nasa Schedules Discovery Launch
Nasa has set a new date for the launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery to the International Space Station. The shuttle was due to launch on 1 November, but is now scheduled to launch...
Intelsat 17 Reaches Launch Pad
Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) has delivered the Intelsat 17 satellite, designed and built for Intelsat, to the European Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, in preparation for launch in November 2010....
Air Arabia Receives First Batch of Airbus A320s
Air Arabia has taken delivery of the first of 44 A320 aircraft it had ordered from Airbus. The order for the A320s, of which 34 were placed in 2007 and ten placed in 2008, will make the...
October 2010
Top
Russian Cargo Craft Manoeuvres ISS to Avoid Space Debris
Russian space freighter Progress has successfully used its thrusters to manoeuvre the International Space Station (ISS) to avoid a collision with fragments of space debris. The Russian...
Japan's BSAT-3b Satellite Ready for Lift-Off
Japan's BSAT-3b satellite, designed and built by Lockheed Martin for the Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation (B-SAT), is ready for launch. BSAT-3b features 12 130W Ku-band channels...
ESA Signs in Spaceopal to Operate Galileo System
ESA has signed a contract with Spaceopal that will provide the ground-based services required to operate the Galileo constellation once it is fully operational. Spaceopal is a joint...
COI Ceramics to Develop Aircraft Nozzle for Boeing
ATK affiliate COI Ceramics will develop and demonstrate a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) exhaust nozzle, under a contract from Boeing Research & Technology. The project will form a part...
Nasa Seeks More Commercial Crew Development Concepts
Nasa is looking for more proposals from US industry to further advance commercial crew space transportation concepts. The proposals will also mature the design and development of...
Waha Capital to Acquire Stake in AerCap
Waha Capital is to acquire about 29.8 million shares in AerCap in exchange for $105m, Waha's 50% interest in AerVenture and the transfer of 40% interest in Waha’s 16-aircraft portfolio. ...
Global Observer UAS Completes Initial Flight Tests
The first aircraft developed by AeroVironment under the Global Observer joint capability technology demonstration (JCTD) programme has successfully completed initial flight testing. The...
FAA Clears ITT's ADS-B System for Deployment
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has given clearance to ITT Corporation for the nationwide deployment of automatic dependent surveillance — broadcast (ADS-B). With the rollout of...
Astrium to Acquire Stake in SES ASTRA Subsidiary
Astrium will purchase a 75.1% stake in SES ASTRA's satellite equipment provider and ground system integrator ND SatCom, based in Germany. SES ASTRA President and CEO Ferdinand Kayser said...
Embraer to Deliver 175 to Fuji Dream Airlines
Embraer will provide Japan's Fuji Dream Airlines (FDA) with an Embraer 175, the fifth E-jet in the airline's fleet. The order also includes an option for one additional aircraft of the...
Nasa Selects Launch Service Provider for MAVEN
Nasa has selected United Launch Services (ULS) to launch the Mars atmosphere and volatile evolution spacecraft (MAVEN) for $187m. MAVEN will launch in November 2013 aboard an Atlas V 401...
Russia to Launch Glonass Series in 2011-2013
Russia intends to launch eight Glonass-M satellites into orbit between 2011 and 2013 to ensure the effective operation of its satellite navigation network. The network requires 18...
Bombardier Opens New Learjet 85 Facility in Mexico
Bombardier Aerospace has opened its new Learjet 85 aircraft component manufacturing facility at its site in the Querétaro Aerospace Park in Mexico. The 185,000ft² manufacturing...
Nasa Tests Earth Camera Prototype for Terra Spacecraft
Nasa's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the University of Arizona's College of Optical Sciences have successfully conducted the first test flight of a prototype Earth camera for the Terra spacecraft....
Goodrich Integrates Sensor Payload in ORS-1 Satellite
Goodrich has successfully integrated its electro-optic / infrared (EO/IR) sensor payload with the spacecraft bus for the ORS-1 satellite. ORS-1 is the first satellite in the...
Harrods Aviation to Install Modification Kits for S-76
Sikorsky Aerospace Services (SAS) has contracted Harrods Aviation to install modification kits on Sikorsky S-76 helicopters in Europe. SAS president David Adler said that Sikorsky was...
AerCap Leases First Converted Airbus A320F to West Atlantic
AerCap Holdings has placed the first converted Airbus A320s freighters from its fleet on lease with European cargo operator West Atlantic. The aircraft is part of a passenger to freighter...
ISS Partners Agree on New Standard for Spacecraft Docking
Partners on the International Space Station programme have agreed on a new standard for docking systems, which will also be capable of implementing berthing. The agreement allows a range...
Embraer to Deliver Phenom 300s to NetJets
Embraer will deliver 50 Phenom 300 executive jets to NetJets under a new order that includes options for an additional 75 jets. Under the order, which is expected to be valued at over...
Hylas-1 Satellite Arrives at Spaceport for Launch
The Hylas-1 telecommunications satellite has arrived at Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana for launch into space on 25 November 2010 atop an Ariane 5 launcher. Hylas-1 is now undergoing a...
Lockheed to Serve FAA on National Airspace System Contract
Lockheed Martin has been selected by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to lead the national airspace system integration support contract (NISC) III. NISC-III is a follow-on contract...
Embraer Business Jets to Receive BAE Flight Control Computers
BAE Systems has received a contract from Parker Aerospace to design, produce and support flight control computers for Embraer Legacy 450 and 500 business jets. Under the contract, BAE...
Cessna Launches Citation Ten Jet
Cessna has launched a larger, advanced version of the Citation X business jet, the Citation Ten. The aircraft also marks the debut of the Garmin G5000 avionics suite and a...
Boeing and Air China to Test Commercial Jet Biofuel
Boeing and Air China have decided to jointly test a commercial jet biofuel in China, produced from a locally grown plant, by the middle of 2011. Boeing executive Al Bryant said the...
FAA Approves Enhanced Vision System on BBJ
The Federal Aviation Administration has certified the Rockwell Collins enhanced vision system (EVS) on a Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) and an Air National Guard C-40. The EVS increases...
Gulfstream G650 Gains High-Speed Cruise Projections on Test Flight
The Gulfstream G650 has demonstrated exceptional high-speed cruise capabilities, flying a 5,000nm closed circuit at Mach 0.90 over the Atlantic Ocean in nine hours and 45 minutes. ...
Surrey Satellite to Demo UK Satellite in Space
Surrey Satellite Technology (SSTL) has received a grant to begin the design phase of a UK technology demonstration satellite, TechDemoSat-1. SSTL, and UK industry and academia will fund...
Globalstar Launches Satellites on Soyuz
Globalstar has successfully launched its six satellites into space on a Soyuz rocket facilitated by Starsem venture, from the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Arianespace / Starsem CEO...
Bombardier Launches Global 7000 and 8000 Aircraft
Bombardier Aerospace has launched two large business jets, the Global 7000 and Global 8000 aircraft. The Global 7000 aircraft features a spacious four-zone cabin of 2,637ft³, a...
Rolls-Royce Wins Trent 700 Engine Contract
Rolls-Royce has received an order worth $390m from Thai Airways for Trent 700 engines to power an additional seven Airbus A330 aircraft. The order also includes a TotalCare long-term...
AIDC Wins MRJ Plane Order from Mitsubishi
Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC) has received an order worth NT$5bn ($161.3m) from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries of Japan for Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ) planes. AIDC...
Phenom 100 Jet to Receive New Airborne Awareness Systems
Embraer has certified a new traffic alert and collision avoidance system (TCAS), and a traffic awareness and warning system (TAWS) for its entry-level Phenom 100 executive jet. TCAS II will...
Boeing to Deliver First 787 Dreamliner in 2011
Boeing is expected to deliver the first batch of 787 Dreamliner aircraft to China in the first quarter of 2011. Boeing executive vice-president James Albaugh said the company was working...
Sukhoi to Launch Superjet this Year
Sukhoi Civil Aircraft plans to launch its Superjet passenger plane in 2010, and is negotiating with Lufthansa and Alitalia about potential sales. The superjet aircraft, which will begin...
Emirates Airline Considers Ordering 120 Airbus A380 Aircraft
Emirates Airlines is considering ordering 120 Airbus A380 aircraft when it has sufficient space at its home base in Dubai. Emirates president Tim Clark said the airline, passenger rates of...
Pakistan to Launch Paksat 1R Satellite in 2011
Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) will launch its telecommunication satellite, PakSat 1R, on 14 August 2011. The PakSat 1R satellite will replace the...
Intermountain Healthcare Orders GrandNew Helicopters
AgustaWestland has received an order from Intermountain Healthcare to deliver three GrandNew helicopters, with options for two additional aircraft. Operated by Intermountain Life Flight,...
Ethiopian Airlines Receives Seventh Bombardier Q-400 Aircraft
Ethiopian Airlines has received a seventh Q-400 next-generation turboprop aircraft from Canadian Aircraft manufacturer Bombardier. The Q-400 aircraft will enable the airline to support...
Thai Airways Sues Koito Industries
Thai Airways International has sued Japan's Koito Industries for around $180m for a delay in delivery of aircraft seats. Koito did not supply the seats on time as it failed to...
Cathay Pacific to Replace Economy Seats in Long-Haul Planes
Cathay Pacific Airways has decided to replace economy-class seats in long-haul planes following complaints from passengers about discomfort. Under the plan, the existing coach seats...
Qatar Airways to Receive Airbus A350 in 2013
Qatar Airways will receive the first model of the A350 XWB aircraft from Airbus by the middle of 2013. Nearly 53% of the A350 XWB's parts are made of material that will reduce the weight...
Airbus Opens A350 XWB Landing Gear Systems Test Facility
Airbus has opened an A350 XWB landing gear systems test facility at its site in Filton, UK. The €39m ($54m) facility will include a large bay to house landing gear systems integrated...
NACIL Aircraft Fleet to Receive Insurance Cover
ICICI Lombard General Insurance has won a bid to insure the National Aviation Company of India Limited's (NACIL) aircraft fleet for $9.1bn. The new insurance cover is a measure following...
AerSale Acquires 19 Boeing 747-400 Aircraft
AerSale has acquired a fleet of 19 Boeing 747-400 series passenger aircraft, powered by CF6-80C2B1F engines from Japan Air Lines (JAL). AerSale CEO Nicolas Finazzo said this purchase covers...
South Korea, Japan's Aircraft Demand to Grow
Boeing vice-president for marketing Randy Tinseth said aircraft demand in South Korea and Japan will grow over the next 20 years to $190bn. Tinseth said the demand for a total of 1,210...
Jazeera Airways Leases Four A320 Aircraft
Sahaab Aircraft Leasing, a fully owned subsidiary of Jazeera Airways Group, has placed four A320 aircraft on long-term leases with Airbus. The contract is valued at $155m. This is...
Virgin Galactic Spaceship Completes First Solo Test Flight
Virgin Galactic's suborbital spaceship, Enterprise, has successfully completed its first solo test flight in California, US. During the test the spaceship was carried to an altitude of...
Embraer Undecided on Chinese Plant
Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer said it has still not decided whether to close its manufacturing plant in north China. The company made the announcement after the Estado news...
Aires Receives Bombardier Q400 Aircraft
Colombian airline Aires has received Q400 aircraft from Bombardier to operate in South America. The 78-seater Q400 aircraft has logged more than two million flight hours and over two...
US and EU Airlines Unite to Oppose Aircraft Subsidies
Major US airlines have joined with those in European to oppose aircraft subsidies provided to airlines in other nations to purchase aircraft from Boeing and Airbus. United Continental...
Libyan Airlines to Receive CRJ900 Next-Generation Aircraft from Bombardier
Bombardier Aerospace has received a contract from Libyan African Aviation Holding Company for three CRJ900 next-generation aircraft with an option for an additional three. The CRJ900...
Nasa's WMAP Mission Completes Operations
Nasa's Wilkinson microwave anisotropy probe (WMAP) space mission has concluded its observations of the cosmic microwave background. The spacecraft had been designed to provide a more...
Russia Launches Manned Spaceship
Russia has successfully launched the Soyuz TMA-01M spacecraft carrying a US astronaut and two Russian cosmonauts for the International Space Station (ISS). The Soyuz TMA-01M was launched...
Aircelle Delivers Nacelle Demonstrator for Tests to Snecma
Aircelle has delivered an advanced jet engine nacelle demonstrator to Snecma to evaluate new technologies. The evaluation will provide future enhancements in aircraft operating efficiency...
China's Chang'e II Enters Moon Orbit
The Chang'e II satellite, China's second lunar probe, has successfully entered lunar orbit. The satellite will be manoeuvred into an orbit 15km above the moon by the end of October. The...
Sriwijaya Airline to Buy Ten Boeing 737-800s
Indonesia's Sriwijaya Air is to purchase ten new Boeing 737-800 next-generation aircraft to serve new international and domestic routes. Sriwijaya corporate communications manager Ruth...
Pratt & Whitney's Gas Turbine Components Complete One Million Hours
Pratt & Whitney Power Systems' new and repaired components for the Frame 7FA+e combustion turbine system have exceeded the one-million-hour mark of run time service. The hours...
Astrium to Acquire Sensors Provider
Astrium is to acquire Jena-Optronik, a German provider of space sensors and optical systems. Jena-Optronik develops attitude sensors and space-based optics for a variety of different...
XCOR to Lease Lynx Suborbital Spacecraft to Space Experience Curacao
Space Experience Curacao (SXC) will wet lease a production version of the Lynx suborbital spacecraft from XCOR Aerospace, under a memorandum of understanding (MoU). The MoU is subject to...
AsiaSat to Use ILS Proton for Satellite Launch
Asia Satellite Telecommunications (AsiaSat) will use the International Launch Services Proton launch vehicle to launch AsiaSat 7 into space. AsiaSat 7 is presently being built by Space...
B/E Aerospace to Acquire TSI Group
B/E Aerospace is to acquire aerospace thermal-management products manufacturer TSI Group for $310m, to enhance its commercial-segment product segment. In September, B/E Aerospace said that...
Korean Air and Air China to Receive CAE Full-Flight Simulators
CAE is to sell four 7000 Series full-flight simulators (FFS) and Simfinity training devices worth C$65m (US$63m) to Korean Air and Air China. CAE will supply an Airbus A380 FFS and a...
Airbus to Provide Flight Hour Services to Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines (SIA) has signed a flight hour services - tailored support package (FHS-TSP) contract with Airbus. Under the contract, Airbus will provide full component support, line...
Thales to Begin Construction of New ATM R&D Centre
Thales Australia will soon begin construction of the new Centre for Advanced Studies in ATM (CASIA) at its World Trade Centre in Melbourne, Australia. The CASIA will pioneer innovative...
Pratt & Whitney Canada Opens New Flight Test Operations Facility
Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) has opened the Mirabel Aerospace Centre at Montreal-Mirabel International Airport. P&WC president John Saabas said that it will be one of the largest flight...
Nasa's MAVEN Project Completes Confirmation Review
Nasa's Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) project has passed its Mission Confirmation Review. The completion of the review ensures that the project will produce a...
GECAS Completes Leaseback Deal for A320s with Avianca-TACA
GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) has completed a purchase and leaseback deal with Latin American carrier Avianca-TACA for three Airbus A320 aircraft. The first A320 was delivered to...
Boeing 787 Test Plane Takes First Flight
The sixth and final 787 Dreamliner has taken its maiden flight, lasting 64min. The ZA006 is the second 787 equipped with General Electric GEnx engines. Boeing vice-president and...
Air Arabia Selects CFM56-5B Engines for A320 Fleet
Air Arabia has confirmed orders for CFM56-5B engines to power its fleet of 44 Airbus A320 aircraft. The order, originally announced in July 2010, will more than double the airlines'...
Air Lease to Buy 60 Next-Generation 737s from Boeing
Air Lease Corporation has finalised orders for the purchase of up to 60 next-generation 737-800s from Boeing. The order for deliveries through 2017 was first announced at the Farnborough...
Integral to Upgrade Satellite Control System for Vinasat Fleet
Integral Systems will provide the primary and backup satellite control systems for the Vinasat-2 satellite, under a contract with Lockheed Martin. Lockheed is currently building the satellite...
Eutelsat W3B Satellite Readies for Launch
Eutelsat's W3B Satellite has reached the Guiana Space Centre in preparation for its launch on 28 October 2010. Built by Thales Alenia Space, the 5.4t satellite will be positioned at...
Hamilton Sundstrand Receives Spacesuit Contract from Nasa
Hamilton Sundstrand Space Systems International has received a $728.9m contract from Nasa to provide spacesuit support on the space shuttle and International Space Station. Hamilton...
Raytheon Receives JPSS Contracts
Raytheon has received two contracts for the joint polar satellite system, a successor to the national polar-orbiting operational environmental satellite system (NPOESS) programme. The...
Globalstar Satellites Integration Complete
The integration of all six Globalstar satellites on to their dispenser system has been completed for the Soyuz mission on 19 October 2010. The 700kg class satellites, which are larger and...
Boeing to Deliver Next-Generation 737-800 to Luxair
Boeing will deliver an additional next-generation 737-800 aircraft to Luxair under a finalised order. The airline ordered a 737-800 in June 2010. LuxairGroup president and CEO Adrien Ney...
Eurocopter Flight Tests X3 Hybrid Helicopter Demonstrator
Eurocopter has begun test flights of the X3 demonstrator for its high-speed, long-range hybrid helicopter (H3) concept. The X3 demonstrator is equipped with two turboshaft engines that power...
Congress Approves $19bn Bill for Nasa
Congress has approved a $19bn bill that will enable Nasa to launch an additional shuttle mission and develop a heavy-lift vehicle. The US House passed the Nasa Reauthorisation Act which...
Lockheed Completes External Tank Production for Space Shuttle
Lockheed Martin has completed production of the external tank for the space shuttle with the delivery of the final tank to Nasa. The delivery marks the end of 37 years of the...
PPG Aerospace to Serve on Gulfstream Contract
PPG Aerospace will provide services to support the manufacturing operations for Gulfstream's G450, G550 and G650 programmes. Under the multiyear contract, PPG will provide comprehensive...
Boeing Delivers Another 737-800 to Air Algerie
Boeing has delivered Air Algerie its 11th 737-800 aircraft. Air Algerie, the flag carrier of Algeria, operates a fleet composed primarily of Boeing 737s and some 767s. Boeing will...
Russia to Build World's First Commercial Space Station
A Russian firm and a state-controlled spacecraft manufacturer intend to build and operate the world's first commercial space station. Orbital Technologies chief executive Sergey Kostenko...
China to Launch Chang'e II Satellite
China is set to launch Chang'e II, its second lunar probe, before 3 October 2010. The probe will test key technology for Chang'e III, collect data for future landings of Chang'e III and...
Rockwell Supplies Training Simulator to Corporate Aircraft SA
Rockwell Collins has delivered a virtual avionics procedures trainer (VAPT) system to Corporate Aircraft SA, a dealer of Hawker Beechcraft aircraft, for an unnamed customer. The VAPT will...
September 2010
Top
Caribbean Airlines to Receive ATR 72-600 Aircraft
Caribbean Airlines will receive nine ATR 72-600 aircraft under a new $200m contract. The aircraft are configured with 68 seats and equipped with the new ATR-600 series avionics suite and...
Lockheed Martin to Continue on FAA Contract
Lockheed Martin will continue to serve the Federal Aviation Administration's automated flight service stations (AFSS) contract under a three-year option worth $356m. Under the AFSS...
VT Group Acquires Evergreen Unmanned Systems
VT Group has acquired the Evergreen Unmanned Systems business unit, part of Evergreen International Aviation. Evergreen Unmanned Systems provides support for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS)...
Pratt & Whitney to Provide Engine Management for Air Memphis
Pratt & Whitney is to provide an engine management programme to Air Memphis for its fleet of V2500 engines. The programme provides expert analysis of engine operational data to monitor...
Boeing to Provide 777s to Air China
Boeing is to provide four 777-300ERs to Air China for $1.1bn. Air China, the flag carrier of the People's Republic of China, will use the airplanes to expand its international routes. ...
Embraer and Air France Sign Contract with Alitalia
Embraer and Air France Industries have signed a five-year flight hour pool programme contract with Italian carrier Alitalia to support their fleet of six Embraer 170 jets. Under terms of...
Russian Soyuz TMA-18 Returns with ISS Crew
The Russian Soyuz TMA-18 spacecraft has returned to earth carrying crew from the International Space Station's Expedition 24. The spacecraft undocked from the station's Zvezda module on...
Fokker Delivers 500th Tail Section for Gulfstream Business Jet
Fokker has delivered the 500th tail section for the Gulfstream GV/G550 programme. Fokker carries out assembly of the tail section at its facility in Papendrecht, while the composite...
CAE Wins FFS Orders from Airbus
CAE has won orders to develop full-flight simulators (FFS) for Airbus A350XWB and Boeing 777 aircraft. Under the contracts, CAE will develop two CAE 7000 series FFS for Airbus 350XWB and six...
Ball Aerospace Receives Nasa Contract for JPSS-1
Ball Aerospace has received a sole-source contract from Nasa, on behalf of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for the joint polar satellite system (JPSS-1)...
Boeing Completes Framework on South Carolina 787 Final Assembly Building
Boeing has completed the steel framework for its new 787 Dreamliner final assembly building. Work on the 1.1-million-square-foot structure began in November 2009. 787 final assembly...
Vector Aerospace Receives Engine Repair Approval from Turbomeca
Vector Aerospace Helicopter Services-North America has received Turbomeca Engine Corporation (Turbomeca) approval for full repair and overhaul on the Arriel 2 engine. Under the...
Aerojet Test Fires Orion Launch Abort Component
Aerojet has successfully conducted a static firing of the third nozzle risk reduction motor supporting the Orion jettison motor, a component of the spacecraft's launch abort system (LAS). ...
Aveos to Perform Engine Maintenance for AerCap
Aveos Fleet Performance has signed a five-year agreement with AerCap for engine maintenance. Under the general terms agreement (GTA), Aveos will provide maintenance, repair, overhaul and...
Nasa Awards More Contracts for JPSS
Nasa has awarded two sole source contracts for the common ground system and a scientific instrument on the first joint polar satellite system (JPSS-1). On behalf of the National Oceanic...
Rolls-Royce Trent 700 Engines to Power Lufthansa Group Aircraft
Rolls-Royce's Trent 700 engines will power eight Lufthansa and Swiss Airbus A330 aircraft under a new $560m contract. The order also includes a TotalCare long-term service agreement. ...
Thales Alenia to Build Communication Payloads for Russian Satellites
Thales Alenia Space has signed tri-partite contracts with RSCC and JSC 'ISS – Reshetnev Company' to supply the communication payloads for Express AM8, AT1 and AT2 satellites. The satellites...
Lufthansa Group to Buy Aircraft from Airbus
Lufthansa group plans to acquire 40 aircraft from Airbus, worth about $3.4bn. The aircraft will be used by Lufthansa and two subsidiary airlines, Swiss and Germanwings. The orders include...
Namibian Police Receives New Eurocopter AS350 Helicopter
Namibia’s Police Airwing has received a new AS350 B3 Helicopter from Eurocopter, the second helicopter to join the force. The Namibia Police Airwing, established in 2009, has flown its...
FAA Launches New Programme for Air Traffic Safety
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched a safety programme that will integrate voluntary safety information self-reported by pilots and air traffic controllers. ...
Lockheed Begins Pathfinding Operations on Orion
Lockheed Martin has begun lean assembly pathfinding operations for the Orion spacecraft. The firm is conducting simulated manufacturing and assembly operations with a full-scale Orion mock-up...
Boeing Predicts Growth for African Aircraft Market
Boeing has predicted that air carriers in Africa will witness steady growth over the next 20 years as air travel in the continent continues to grow. The region's economy is expected to grow...
Airbus to Deliver A330-200F Freighters to Malayasia Airlines
Airbus will provide two more A330-200F freighter aircraft to Malaysia Airlines, following the conversion of two existing options. The new contract brings the airline's firm orders for...
ITT to Supply Infrared Instrument for JPSS Spacecraft
ITT will supply the cross-track infrared sounder (CrIS) instrument for the first joint polar satellite system (JPSS-1) to Nasa. ITT has received the $98.6m sole source contract from Nasa,...
Rascom-QAF1R and Nilesat 201 Satellites Enter into Operation
The Rascom-QAF1R and Nilesat 201 telecommunications satellites, both built by Thales Alenia Space, have successfully begun operations. The satellites, launched atop an Ariane 5 ECA rocket on...
Nasa to Receive External Fuel Tank for Final Space Shuttle
Nasa's Kennedy Space Center in Florida is set to receive the external fuel tank that will power the final space shuttle flight on 26 September 2010. ET-122 will support the Endeavour...
XCOR Completes Lynx Supersonic Wind Tunnel Tests
XCOR Aerospace has completed the primary supersonic wind tunnel testing of the Lynx suborbital spacecraft at the Nasa Marshall Space Flight Center. The tests performed on a precision scale...
Embraer Delivers Lineage 1000 Jet to Al Hapbtoor Group
Embraer has delivered a Lineage 1000 executive jet to the Al Habtoor Group of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The aircraft is being managed and operated by Royal Jet of UAE, which will...
Cuba May Connect to Russian Glonass System
Cuba is working together with Russia on a plan to connect it to the Glonass navigation satellite system. Russian Ambassador to Cuba Mikhail Kamynin told RIA Novosti that the countries...
Nasa Awards Launch Services Contract
Nasa launch services (NLS) II contracts have been awarded to four firms to provide launch services for the agency's planetary, Earth-observing, exploration and scientific satellites. ...
Sikorsky X2 Demonstrator Achieves 250kt Speed
Sikorsky Aircraft's X2 Technology demonstrator has successfully achieved a speed of 250kt true air speed in level flight at the Sikorsky Development Flight Center. During a 1.1-hour flight,...
Airbus to Deliver A350 XWBs to Cathay Pacific
Airbus has received a firm order to deliver 30 A350 XWB aircraft to Cathay Pacific Airways. Cathay Pacific will deploy the A350 XWB across its network, specifically on non-stop services...
Hampson Wins Tooling Contract
Hampson Industries has won what it claims is the largest-ever and most-complex single tooling contract for a major commercial aerospace programme. Under the $53m (£34m) contract, the...
Boeing to Produce 38 737s a Month in 2013
Boeing has said its next-generation 737 production rate will increase to 38 airplanes a month in the second quarter of 2013. The company previously announced that it would increase...
EADS Receives Lunar Lander Study Contract from ESA
EADS Astrium has received a contract from the European Space Agency (ESA) to develop a Lunar Lander. The €6.5m contract will involve the next exploration science and technology (NEXT)...
Commercial Spacecraft Could be Possible by 2020
UK scientists believe that a commercial spacecraft may be ready in the next ten years. Engineers have developed a £700m Skylon spaceplane that can travel at five times the speed of sound. ...
Airbus Awards A350XWB Work Package to China's CCAC
Airbus has awarded a contract to CAC Commercial Aircraft Company (CCAC) for the work package of A350 XWB spoilers and droop panels. The A350 XWB spoiler and droop panels use...
Sukhoi Superjet 100 Completes Static Testing
The Sukhoi Superjet 100 has successfully completed the certification on-ground strength testing programme in the Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute (TsAGI). The programme, comprising 58...
Boeing Integrates First 747-8 Intercontinental Forward Fuselage
Boeing has completed the assembly of the 747-8 intercontinental aircraft's forward fuselage. The 27.2m fuselage section, featuring the airplane's signature upper deck, was moved from...
Russia Supplies Rocket Engines to US
Russia's Energomash will deliver four rocket engines for US Atlas rockets under a contract with Lockheed Martin. Four 5t engines in special containers will be loaded on trailers and delivered...
India to Launch Four Satellites in December
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) plans to launch four satellites later this year. Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) director PS Veeraraghavan told the Press Trust of India...
Nasa Extends ISS Sustainment Contract with Boeing
Nasa has extended the International Space Station (ISS) contract for sustaining engineering with Boeing for five years, at a value of $1.24bn. Under the extension, Boeing will provide...
Astrium and ScanEx to Partner for Distribution Rights on SPOT Satellites
Astrium Services has signed a ten-year partnership with ScanEx for the reception and distribution rights on the upcoming SPOT 6 and 7 satellites. As part of the programme, ScanEx, the...
CEA-Leti Completes Sensor Prototype for ESA Space Flights
CEA-Leti has completed the development of a new-generation scalar magnetometer in partnership with CNES for the European Space Agency's (ESA) Swarm space mission. The mission, scheduled...
Astrium to Partner with SpaceX to Market Falcon I
Astrium and Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) have signed a commercial agreement to provide launch services to the European institutional small satellite market. Astrium will partner...
Sirius XM-5 Satellite Arrives at Baikonur for Launch
Sirius XM-5, a telecommunications satellite for Sirius XM radio, has arrived at the Baikonur Space Centre in Kazakhstan for launch in October 2010. The satellite and a range of...
Ball Aerospace to Provide Instrument Suite for JPSS Spacecraft
Ball Aerospace will provide the ozone mapping and profiling suite (OMPS) instrument on the first joint polar satellite system (JPSS) spacecraft. Nasa has awarded the sole source contract to...
Boeing Begins Fatigue Test on 787 Dreamliner Airframe
Boeing has begun fatigue testing on the structural airframe of the 787 Dreamliner. The 787 airframe test rig simulates multiple lifecycles to observe the airplane's response over time. ...
Eumetsat Selects Arianespace for Metop-C Launch
Eumetsat has selected Arianespace for the launch contract of the Metop-C polar orbiting satellite. Arianespace will launch the Metop-C into polar orbit atop a Soyuz launcher from the...
FAA Proposes Pilot Fatigue Rule
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has brought out a proposal to help fight fatigue among commercial pilots by setting new flight times, duty and rest requirements based on fatigue science....
Japan Launches GPS Satellite
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries have launched a new satellite, named Michibiki, to enhance GPS coverage over the country. Michibiki, the...
Russian Space Freighter Docks to ISS
Russian space freighter Progress M-07M has successfully docked at the International Space Station (ISS). The docking was fully automated without any assistance from the ISS crew and the...
Russia Launches Three Satellites
Russia launched three satellites, the Gonets-M satellite and two Cosmos series satellites, into space on 8 September 2010. The satellites were carried to their orbit on a Rokot...
Spain, Norway to Jointly Develop Telecom Satellite
Spain and Norway have signed an agreement to develop a telecom satellite for use by both countries. The project to build a high-capacity satellite, Hisnorsat, will require an investment...
ESA, ELV orders for Arianespace's Vega Launchers
The European Space Agency (ESA) and Arianespace have signed a work order for production of the first Vega launcher. European Launch Vehicle (ELV) and Arianespace have also concluded a...
Canadian Space Agency Delivers Sensor for James Webb
The Canadian Space Agency has delivered a test unit of the fine guidance sensor (FGS) for the James Webb Space Telescope to Nasa's Goddard Space Flight Center. The FGS consists of...
US Selects IFS Applications MRO Suite
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has selected IFS Applications as its supply chain and maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO) solution for the US National Airspace System (NAS). ...
BAE to Acquire OASYS Technology
BAE Systems plans to acquire OASYS Technology, a firm that designs and manufactures electro-optical systems and subassemblies for aerospace, defence, industrial and commercial markets. ...
GlobalStar Satellites Prepare for Launch
Globalstar's six second-generation satellites are being prepared for launch atop a Soyuz 2 rocket from Baikonur Cosmodrome. All six spacecraft are now at the Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, with...
Boeing Begins Assembling 1,000th 767 Aircraft
Boeing has begun assembling its 1,000th 767 aircraft at its facility in Everett, Washington, US. The assembly began with loading of the wing spar, the internal support structure that...
Boeing Offers ISRO Assistance for Manned Spaceflight
Boeing plans to collaborate and offer technological know-how to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for its human space flight programme, which is scheduled for 2016. The project...
AgustaWestland to Deliver AW139s to Weststar
AgustaWestland is to deliver nine AW139 helicopters to Weststar Aviation Services of Malaysia, confirming a previously unannounced order. Weststar will use the helicopters for offshore...
EADS's Electric Aircraft Takes Maiden Flight
Cri-Cri, an-all electric aircraft jointly developed by EADS, Aero Composites Saintonge and the Green Cri-Cri Association, has successfully performed its maiden flight. The Cri-Cri is...
SES and ILS Extend Multilaunch Agreement
International Launch Services (ILS) and SES have decided to extend the SES multilaunch agreement (MLA) to 31 December 2014 and add another ILS Proton mission. The first SES launch under the...
Messenger Spacecraft Completes Orbital Test Flight
Nasa's Mercury surface, space environment, geochemistry and ranging (Messenger) spacecraft has completed a two-week flight test to ensure its readiness for orbital operations. The test...
Boeing 787 Prototypes Undergo Remote Testing
Four of the five Boeing 787 flight test airplanes are conducting remote test operations. ZA001, the first 787, will undergo testing including rejected take-off conditions in Roswell, New...
Airbus Opens New A350XWB Plant in Germany
Airbus has begun production of A350XWB components at a new manufacturing facility in Germany. Measuring almost 32m by 6m, the upper wing shell will be the first German component and also...
China Launches SinoSat-6
China successfully launched the SinoSat-6 satellite for radio and television broadcasts from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in Sichuan Province on 5 September. The satellite was...
Lockheed Completes Review for GeoEye-2 Satellite
Lockheed Martin has completed a system requirements review (SRR) for the GeoEye-2 satellite currently being developed for GeoEye. The next-generation, high-resolution commercial...
Embraer Delivers Lineage 1000 Executive Jet to Omnilife
Embraer has delivered the first Lineage 1000 executive jet to a Mexican customer, Grupo Omnilife. Omnilife will operate the aircraft through its air taxi subsidiary, Omniflys. Powered by...
Russia Places Three Glonass Satellites in Orbit
Russia has successfully put three Global Navigation Satellite System (Glonass) satellites into orbit following the launch of a Proton-M carrier rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome,...
North America to Invest $700bn in Commercial Aircraft Market
Air carriers in North America will take delivery of about 7,200 new airliners over the next 20 years, amounting to a $700bn investment, according to Boeing forecasts. New deliveries in...
Nasa to Continue Contract with Space Alliance
Nasa has extended the space programme operations contract with United Space Alliance to 31 March 2011. Under the $909m extension, Space Alliance will continue flight operations for the...
GOES-15 Weather Satellite Completes On-Orbit Tests
The Boeing-built geostationary operational environmental satellite (GOES-15) has completed on-orbit testing. The satellite has been entered into service by Nasa and the National Oceanic...
Brazilian Airline Seeks Funding to Finance Aircraft
Brazilian airline Trip Linhas Aéreas will seek funds from Brazil's national development bank, BNDES, and international leasing operations to finance the acquisition of ten aircraft in 2011. ...
Singapore Airlines A380s to Receive Honeywell Components
Honeywell is to provide wheels and carbon brake material for Singapore Airlines Airbus A380 aircraft over ten years. Under the agreement, Honeywell will provide wheels and brake materials...
Qantas Airways to Receive Boeing's Landing Gear Exchange Service
Qantas Airways' fleet of 747-400ER jetliners will receive landing gear exchange, repair and overhaul services from Boeing under its new 747-400ER landing gear overhaul and exchange...
ISRO Decides on Scientific Payloads for Chandrayaan-2
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has selected a number of scientific payloads to fly with the Chandrayaan-2 mission. Chandrayaan-2 is designed to comprise an orbiter (satellite)...
Bombardier to Provide Q400 Turboprops to Egypt Airlines
Bombardier will provide two Q400 NextGen turboprop aircraft to Smart Aviation Company of Cairo, Egypt, for about $62m. The contract also includes an option for three additional Q400s, and...
Nasa and ATK Test Five-Segment Solid Rocket Motor
Nasa and ATK Aerospace Systems have successfully completed a full-scale test of a five-segment solid rocket motor. The first-stage development solid rocket motor, the DM-2, is the largest...
Nasa Selects Firms for Experimental Space Vehicle Test Flights
Nasa has selected Armadillo Aerospace and Masten Space Systems to perform test flights of their experimental space vehicles. Under Nasa's commercial reusable suborbital research...
Ball Aerospace to Build WorldView-3 for DigitalGlobe
Ball Aerospace is to build the next-generation commercial remote-sensing satellite, World View-3, for DigitalGlobe. Ball Aerospace will provide its BCP 5000 platform for the satellite,...
Goodrich AW139 Ice Protection System Receives EASA Approval
Goodrich Corporation's rotorblade ice protection system (RIPS) for AgustaWestland AW139 medium twin-engine helicopter has received certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). ...
Arianespace Readies Soyuz Mission to Orbit Globalstar Satellites
Arianespace has readied its Soyuz launch vehicle, which will place six of Globalstar's satellites into orbit from Kazakhstan's Baikonur Cosmodrome in October 2010. The launch campaign for...
Sukhoi Superjet 100 Reaches Italy for Tests
The Sukhoi Superjet 100 has landed at Torino Caselle Airport in Italy for the first time for a series of tests under a flight certification campaign. The aircraft, a third prototype SN...
Gulfstream G650 Achieves Mach 0.995
The new Gulfstream G650 aircraft has achieved a speed of Mach 0.995 during its 1,800-hour flight test programme. The airliner achieved the speed during flutter testing that assesses its...
India and France to Launch New Environment Satellite
India and the French National Space Agency plan to launch a satellite together in order to study changes in the environment. The satellite, Saral, will contain an altimeter, AltiKa, to study...
NASTAR Begins Study on Emergency Detection and Response on Atlas V
The NASTAR Center has begun a research study on commercial human spaceflight and systems development aimed at emergency detection and response using an Atlas V flight profile. The centre...
August 2010
Top
Boeing Delays 787 Dreamliner Delivery to 2011 Q1
Boeing has announced that it will delay the delivery of its first 787 Dreamliner until the middle of the first quarter of 2011. The delivery has been put back again due to a delay in...
PowerJet's SaM146 Engine Receives Russian Type Certificate
PowerJet's SaM146 engine has successfully received Interstate Aviation Committee Aviation Register (IAC AR) type certification. With the IAC AR type certificate, the SaM146, the company's...
Terma to Head Observatory Payload Project for ISS
Terma is to head a European space project to take measurements and make observations from the International Space Station (ISS). In charge of the atmosphere space interactions monitor...
Boeing 747-8F Completes Heaviest-Ever Take-Off
Boeing has successfully achieved the heaviest aircraft take-off in the company's history using a 747-8 freighter aircraft from a desert airfield in California, US. As a part of the ongoing...
China Launches New Mapping Satellite
China has successfully launched a new mapping satellite from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre. Known as Mapping Satellite-1, it was launched atop a Long March 2D carrier rocket and...
Rolls-Royce Yet to Reopen Test Site After Engine Blow-Out
Rolls-Royce is yet to reopen an engine test site that trials jet engines for Boeing's 787 Dreamliner and the Airbus SAS A350 after a $17m turbine blew up on the test bed. Rolls-Royce...
Al Jaber Receives New Airbus 318 Elite Plus
Al Jaber Aviation (AJA) has taken delivery of its first new Airbus A318 Elite Plus to expand its growing business. The Airbus 318 Elite Plus is the first of six Airbus aircraft ordered by...
JAXA Seeks Research Proposals for GOSAT
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is seeking research proposals for its greenhouse gases-observing satellite (GOSAT) project. Satellite Ibuki was launched into space in January...
IAI's Bird Eye 650 UAS Gets Horizon Fuel Cell System
Israel Aerospace Industries' (IAI) Bird Eye 650 unmanned aerial system (UAS) has been successfully fitted with the Horizon Energy Systems (HES) Aeropak fuel cell power system. The fuel...
ESA's Gravity Satellite Faces New Glitch
The European Space Agency's gravity field and steady-state ocean circulation explorer (GOCE) satellite is facing a new software glitch, preventing it from sending its science data back to Earth. ...
Bombardier to Direct Airlines to Conduct Q400 Inspections
Bombardier plans to direct air carriers to inspect their fleet of Q400 aircraft for cracks or corrosion in engine casings, following faults recently found by an airline. Bombardier...
Equadorian Airline Receives New Airbus A320-200
Ecuadorian airline Aerogal has received a new A320-200 from Airbus, the first of three to be delivered in 2010. The aircraft, configured to seat 150 passengers in a two-class configuration,...
Qantas Grounds Five Bombardier Q400s
Australia's Qantas Airlines has grounded five Bombardier Q400 aircraft from the QantasLink fleet, following an inspection of a main landing gear component. Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said...
Russian Vessel Corrects ISS Orbit
The orbit of the International Space Station (ISS) has been successfully corrected. The manoeuvre was carried out by the engines of the Russian cargo vessel, Progress M-06M. The orbit...
SpaceX's Dragon Spacecraft Completes Drop Test
Space Exploration Technologies' (SpaceX) Dragon spacecraft has successfully completed a high-altitude drop test. It marks the last in a series of tests to validate parachute deployment...
Japanese Aerospace Agency Approves Hayabusa Successor
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Japanese Space Activities Commission has authorised the continuation of development work on the successor of the sample-return probe, Hayabusa. A...
Boeing to Open Manufacturing Unit at Illinois Airport
Boeing intends to open a new manufacturing facility at MidAmerica Airport, expanding its St Louis-area operations. The facility will use leased space in an existing building to house assembly...
Indian Low-Cost Carrier to Acquire 150 Aircraft in Three Years
IndiGo, an InterGlobe Enterprises company, has received governmental permission to buy 150 aircraft within the next three years. InterGlobe Enterprises managing director Rahul Bhatia said that...
Russia Readies Ground Facilities for Glonass Launch
Ground facilities at Russia's Baikonur cosmodrome are being prepared for the launch of the Glonass-M satellite from pad 81. The facility is undergoing processing including functioning tests...
Tibet Airlines Orders Three A319s from Airbus
Tibet Airlines has ordered three A319s from Airbus to increase its fleet. The air carrier received approval from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) in March 2010. ...
AIG Firm Seeks Aircraft Leasing Deals in Africa
American International Group's (AIG) aircraft leasing unit, International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC), is in talks with several national and commercial airlines to try and double its...
APL Implements Space Weather Observation System
The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL), together with Boeing and Iridium Communications, has successfully demonstrated a new system to monitor space weather. The...
Nasa to Continue Receiving ASRC Aerospace Services
Nasa's Glenn Research Centre has awarded a one-year contract option to ASRC Aerospace Corporation for engineering and scientific services worth $50m. Under the contract, ASRC will...
FAA Selects Centre of Excellence for Commercial Space Transportation
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has selected New Mexico State University (NMSU) to lead a new Air Transportation Center of Excellence for Commercial Space Transportation. The...
Eurocopter Unveils Simulator for Dauphin
Eurocopter is to introduce the first Full Flight Simulator (FFS) for the Dauphin AS365 N3 in South-East Asia. The FFS, being developed in partnership with Thales, will be operational in...
Iran Delays Indigenous Satellite Launch
Iran has delayed the launch of a satellite that was initially scheduled for the end of August 2010. In July 2010, telecommunications minister Reza Taghipour told AFP that Rasad 1...
Shuttle Endeavour Gets New Docking Technology Payload
The space shuttle Endeavour has received a new docking and navigation technology payload. The Sensor Test for Orion Relative Navigation Risk Mitigation (STORRM) system prototype has...
GoAir Takes Delivery of Another Airbus A320
GoAir has taken delivery of another Airbus A320 aircraft, the ninth of ten A320s ordered by the airline in 2006 for $1.2bn. The aircraft will be deployed on the air carrier's new...
Air Lease Orders IAE V2500 Engines for A320 Fleet
Air Lease Corporation has selected the International Aero Engines (IAE) V2500 engine to power 30 of the 51 Airbus A320 family aircraft it ordered at the 2010 Farnborough Airshow. As per...
Rolls-Royce AE 3007 A2 Engine Receives Certification
Rolls-Royce has received type certification from Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil (ANAC) and European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for the AE 3007A2 engine. All...
Russia Seeks to Launch Arktika Satellites in 2014
The Russian Economic Development Ministry has proposed launching the Arktika satellite system from 2014, according to Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) head Anatoly Perminov. The system,...
Boeing Receives FAA Approval for 787 Pilot Training Courses
Boeing Training & Flight Services has received provisional approval for its 787 Dreamliner pilot training courses from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). With the 787 pilot...
GE Launches New Upgrades for CF34-3A2 Engines
GE has launched a new on-wing engine upgrade programme for certain configurations of the CF34-3A2 engine to allow them to go from hard-time maintenance to an on-condition maintenance...
ATK and Nasa to Ground Test Ares Solid Rocket Motor
ATK and Nasa are to test the second fully developed Ares five-segment solid rocket motor known as development motor-2 (DM-2). During the test, a total of 53 design objectives will be...
Etihad Receives First Airbus A330 Freighter
Launch customer Etihad Airways has received its first A330-200 freighter aircraft from Airbus. Etihad Airways CEO James Hogan said that the arrival of its new A330-200 freighter marked a new...
NTS to Provide Technical Services to Hawker Beechcraft
National Technical Systems (NTS) will provide engineering, testing and technical services to Hawker Beechcraft under a new agreement. NTS will supply its lifecycle product services,...
India Unveils Satellite-Based Navigation System
India has unveiled a satellite-based navigation system, the global position system-aided geo augmented navigation (Gagan) system. Based on a constellation of 24 satellites positioned in...
Honeywell's Embraer Legacy Aircraft Engine Completes Testing
Honeywell's HTF7500E engine, which will power Embraer's new Legacy 450 and Legacy 500 series aircraft, has completed its first engine to test (FETT). Honeywell Aerospace...
SEAKR to Provide Processor for Iridium NEXT Constellation
SEAKR Engineering will provide communication processors for the Iridium NEXT constellation under a contract with Thales Alenia Space. The communication processor will provide MOD/DEMOD for...
Thai Airways Confirms Airbus A330 Order
Thai Airways has finalised the purchase agreement with Airbus for seven A330-300 aircraft, confirming the order announced at the recent Farnborough Air Show. The new aircraft will join...
China's Yaogan X Satellite Lifts Off
China has successfully placed another remote sensing satellite, Yaogan X, into orbit from its Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre in northern Shanxi Province. Yaogan X was sent into space aboard...
DLR Unveils New Ground Station for Tandem-X
German Aerospace Centre DLR has unveiled its first satellite data-receiving station in Inuvik, Canada. DLR will use the ground station to receive data for the German Tandem-X satellite mission....
Nasa and Israeli Space Agency to Cooperate in Space Activities
Nasa and the Israel Space Agency (ISA) have signed a statement of intent to expand cooperation in civil space activities. The agencies will identify new joint activities related to Earth...
Panama to Receive AW139 Helicopters
The Government of Panama has ordered six AW139 medium twin-engine helicopters from AgustaWestland. The contract also includes pilot and maintainer conversion to type training. Of the...
ASRC to Provide Engineering Services to Nasa
ASRC Management Services will provide engineering services to Nasa's Goddard Space Flight Center under a multidisciplinary engineering and technology services II contract worth up to $250m. ...
Boeing Approves Solutia Hydraulic Fluid
Boeing has granted full approval for the use of Skydrol PE-5 hydraulic fluid in all its earlier and current aircraft. Skydrol PE-5 hydraulic fluid is now approved and listed in the...
Colorado Space Grant Consortium and Lockheed Martin to Build CubeSat
Colorado Space Grant Consortium (COSGC) will team up with Lockheed Martin to develop a miniature satellite to be known as Agile Low-cost Laboratory for Space Technology Acceleration and...
ESA Extends Thales Alenia Contract for ExoMars Mission
The European Space Agency (ESA) has extended a contract for the ExoMars mission to Mars worth €98m. The extension will cover all programme activities to March 2011, enabling...
Honeywell Receives FAA Approval for New Flight Management System
Honeywell has received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to begin its flight management system (FMS) software upgrade. The FMS will provide for advanced...