This year’s Asian Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (ABACE) should provide important insight into the extent business aviation can pin its aspirations on emerging markets such as China. As it has in the past, the Shanghai Hawker Pacific Business Aviation Service Centre at Shanghai Hongqiao Airport will host the show, which takes place from April 12 to 14. The slowdown i...
Mexican low-cost carrier Volaris plans to launch a subsidiary airline in Costa Rica to allow it to expand its route network into South America. “We are trying to obtain an AOC [air operator’s certificate] in Costa Rica,”Volaris chief executive Enrique Beltranena tells Flightglobal. “That process is moving well ahead.” The airline embarked on the p...
Leading Austrian operator Tyrolean Jet Services (TJS) received San Marino AOC and has created a new subsidiary TJS San Marino, which is 100% owned by Tyrolean Jet Services Group. The operator's certificate and the new company introduced the first business jet - Gulfstream G650 (T7-AZG). Aeronautical authorities of San Marino have introduced a new aircraft register in partnership with Am...
MC Aviation Partners ("MCAP") announced today that it has commenced the lease of one used Trent-powered Boeing B777-200ER to Russian operator VIM Airlines. VIM Airlines was founded in 2002 and is based in Moscow Domodedovo Airport. It operates a fleet of ten Airbus A319-111 and Boeing B757-200 on regular and charter flights to domestic and international destinations.
Sikorsky's first CH-53K King Stallion has achieved speeds of 120kts as the heavy-lift helicopter development project presses forward with flight envelope expansion and adds a second test aircraft to the mix. The Lockheed Martin-owned rotorcraft manufacturer says its second triple-engine giant achieved flight on 22 January, and the two developmental aircraft have logged 35 flight hours since...
The Singapore Airlines Group has built a portfolio that it hopes appeals to nearly every kind of passenger — luxury, business, economy or budget — and its changing strategy in Asia highlights the growing importance of the region to global carriers. Singapore Airlines seeks to grow its ultra long-haul routes (those longer than 12 hours) during the next few years but it isn’t sl...
Airbus Helicopters has signed a contract with Japan Coast Guard (JCG) for the purchase of an additional H225. JCG, which already operates five H225s, has ordered this additional aircraft as part of its fleet renewal plans. The helicopter is scheduled for delivery by the end of 2018. This H225 will be equipped with the most advanced search and rescue mission systems and operated in security enfo...
Government rules restricting foreign ownership in the Indian defence sector to 49 percent are undermining New Delhi's drive to lure greater investment in manufacturing, a senior executive at European conglomerate Airbus Group said on Monday. Pierre de Bausset, president of Airbus Group India, said his company needed to own a majority share in joint ventures to justify more investment and th...
Bell Helicopter announced that Genel Havacılık A.Ş. is nearing completion of its application to become appointed as a Bell Helicopter Authorized Customer Service Facility (CSF) in Turkey. “Bringing on Genel Havacılık as an authorized CSF reinforces our commitment to enhancing the regional support customers need to continue their operations,” said Jakub Hoda, Bell Helicopte...
It was a proud moment for Darwin pilot Dean Ham as he landed the first passenger jet from the Northern Territory at Australia’s newest airport in Toowoomba, South-East Queensland, on Friday. The historic Airnorth flight preceded the start of direct services from Toowoomba to Melbourneon Monday and Toowoomba to Cairns services on Tuesday. Melbourne becomes the 25th destination for Airno...
Metro Aviation has committed to buy six EC145e e-lite helicopters. The EC145 e-lite is the utility variant developed to provide greater useful load by reducing or simplifying some of the onboard systems. Metro have now sold the first of these to Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta, and will carry out the completion work including air conditioning, HeliSAS and specialty pediatric care equi...
A badger on an airport runway forced a passenger plane to abort its landing. The flight from Gatwick to Newquay was an estimated 300ft (90m) off the ground when the wild animal was spotted. Passenger Pete Atkinson said there was a tense five-minute gap between the aircraft climbing sharply away from the runway and the pilot announcing the badger's presence. The airport said it was a c...
