Aviation news - essential and latest in world aviation news

Specific date? Today`s essential or Yesterday`s essential

Latest essential aviation news

Finmeccanica AW109 Trekker helicopter performs first flight

Boeing Develops Self-Cleaning Lavatory

Boeing engineers and designers have developed a self-cleaning lavatory prototype that uses ultraviolet (UV) light to kill 99.99 percent of germs. The cleaning system can disinfect all surfaces after every use in just three seconds. Boeing believes this self-cleaning technology, combined with touchle...

Airbus Helicopters is taking care of its customers on every flight with HCare

One year following the launch of HCare, Airbus Helicopters continues to improve its HCare Customer Service offer, providing customers with the highest levels of service and support. Customer Service is an essential part of Airbus Helicopters’ offer and represents nearly half of the company&rs...

Singapore Airlines becomes new operator of the A350 XWB

Singapore Airlines has taken delivery of its first A350 XWB in Toulouse, France, becoming the fifth operator of the all-new widebody airliner. With its unrivalled passenger flying experience and operational efficiency, the A350 XWB will form the backbone of Singapore Airlines’ future mid-size widebody fleet. Singapore Airlines’ aircraft is configured in a premium three class layout...

The world's oldest airports

We make a flying visit to the world's 12 oldest continuously operating airports... 12. Albany International Founded: 1928 Annual passengers: 2,393,506 (2013) While an airport was established in Albany, New York, in 1909, with early aviation pioneers such as Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindbergh stopping there, the airport was moved to the current site in 1928. 11....

Airbus’ China A330 Widebody Completion & Delivery Centre construction starts

Airbus has taken additional steps in the expansion of its global footprint and its strategic partnership with China as construction gets underway for the Airbus A330 Completion and Delivery Centre (C&DC) in Tianjin, China. The A330 C&DC will be co-located at the same site as the Airbus Tianjin A320 Family Final Assembly Line and the Airbus Tianjin Delivery Centre. “The ground b...

The rugged and economic H215 ready for the U.S. market

Airbus Helicopters’ H215, the twin-engine, versatile, economic and robust helicopter designed to meet for a wide range of utility missions, will embark on a US-wide demo tour following its appearance on static display at the 2016 Heli Expo international trade show. Beginning on March 4, the H215 will perform demonstration flights in Louisville (Kentucky), Huntsville (Alabama) and then on...

SIA collects first Airbus A350-900 plane on Thursday

The new model is said to be about 20 per cent more fuel efficient than existing models, and could help Singapore Airlines save costs amid heating competition with Gulf carriers. Singapore Airlines (SIA) has successfully completed the first maiden test flight of its first Airbus A350-900 in Toulouse, France - home of aircraft maker Airbus - and is set to pick up the keys on Thursday (Mar 3).&nbs...

Alpha, Bravo, Charlie: how was Nato's phonetic alphabet chosen?

An older version began with Apples and Butter, while soldiers in the First World War preferred Ack and Beer. Sixty years ago today, the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) implemented the final version of the International Radiotelephony Spelling Alphabet – known to most people as the Nato phonetic alphabet, or simply the Alpha, Bravo, Charlie alphabet. What is it for?...

Auckland welcomes world record passenger flight

Welcome aboard Emirates EK448 and congratulations, you're on the world's longest passenger flight. Weary but happy passengers at Auckland International Airport on Wednesday said they found out at the last minute they were on the world's first 16 hour-plus flight, from Dubai. Palmerston North expat New Zealander Cameron White said he got a message from his brot...

Honeywell forecasts 4,300 to 4,800 global helicopter deliveries over next five years

In the face of a slower global economic growth environment and increased volatility in oil and gas-related markets, the helicopter industry is reacting with a cautious outlook for near-term new purchases. In its 18th annual Turbine-Powered Civil Helicopter Purchase Outlook, Honeywell forecasts 4,300 to 4,800 civilian-use helicopters will be delivered from 2016 to 2020, roughly 400 helicopter...

Finmeccanica Stressing Lighter Product Offerings

Finmeccanica Helicopters is stressing the lighter portion of its portfolio of AW models here at Heli-Expo in the wake of continuing softness in the offshore energy market. “We want to show the versatility of our product portfolio and have invested in new products at the right time that have come to market in a timely fashion. There is a general worry about the oil-and-gas down...

The Sukhoi T-4 Heavy Supersonic Bomber was an Experimental Craft, Here are 5 Cool Facts

The Sukhoi T-4 was a Soviet high-speed Reconnaissance, anti-ship and strategic bomber aircraft that did not proceed beyond the prototype stage. The T-4 had intake ramps similar to the XB-70, was made largely from titanium and stainless steel, and featured a quadruple redundant fly-by-wire control system but also employed a mechanical system as a backup. 5. First Flew in 1972 The first T-...

Meet the SR-10 – Russia’s first privately designed trainer aircraft

For the first time in the history of Russian aviation, a private design bureau has created an aircraft that can outperform its state-designed counterparts. The SR-10 light trainer plane is expected to go into production in 2017. he SR-10 light dual-pilot jet trainer aircraft caused a sensation when it first took to the Russian skies in late December 2015. For the first time in Russian aviation,...

Airbus Helicopters updates Executive Committee, puts stronger focus on Customer Support & Services

Ben Bridge (44) has been appointed Executive Vice President Global Business while Matthieu Louvot (41) becomes Executive Vice President Customer Support & Services, in a move aimed at consolidating Airbus Helicopters’ leading position while remaining as close as possible to its customers. Both Global Business and Support & Services functions are now sitting at the company’s Exe...

Upcoming events

SAF Global Summit 2026

Running now
United Kingdom, London

NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition 2026

20/10/2026 - 22/10/2026
United States, Las Vegas

Aviation essential

Essential and most important aviation news

Latest essential aviation news

Upcoming events

Top of the week