EADS, PT Aerospace partner on A330 conversion
Airbus parent EADS and Singapore based ST Aerospace have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop the Airbus A330 passenger-to-freighter (P2F) conversion program. EADS is targeting a 2016 entry into service for the A330-300P2F with the -200P2F coming a year later. The company estimates demand for up to 900 converted freighters over the next 20
JAL ups 787 order
Japan Airlines has placed a firm order for 10 Boeing 787-9s while converting 10 existing orders for 787-8s to the larger -9 version. The deal, announced today, brings JAL’s total Dreamliner order to 45 aircraft, including 25 -8s and 20 -9s. JAL said the 787-9s would be able to seat about 50 more passengers than
JetGo leases Embraer ERJ-135 for FIFO
Start up charter airline JetGo Australia will lease an Embraer ERJ-135 for use in fly-in fly-out (FIFO) services targeting the natural resource and mining sectors, Embraer has announced. Delivery of the 37-seat jet is scheduled for the end of February. JetGo said it would use the jet for charter services from eastern seaboard cities to
Lion Air orders 27 ATR turboprops
Indonesia’s Lion Air will become the world’s largest operator of ATR turboprops with an order for 27 ATR 72-600s. The order, valued at $610 million and announced today at the Singapore Airshow, will bring Lion Air’s ATR fleet to 60 aircraft. The 68 to 74 seat turboprops will be operated by regional subsidiary Wings Air.
Qantas slashes 500 jobs as profits plunge; more cuts likely
Qantas will slash 500 jobs and launch a review of maintenance operations likely to lead to more cuts and the shutting of maintenance facilities after announcing an 83 per cent drop in half yearly profits today. The airline said its underlying pre-tax profits for the six months ending December 31 fell to $202 million, down
Asia-Pac to lead aircraft market, Airbus says
The Asia-Pacific region will overtake North America and Europe as the world’s largest aircraft market with carriers taking delivery of about US$1.3 trillion worth of new planes over the next 20 years, according to a market forecast released by Airbus today during the Singapore Airshow. Airbus predicts the region’s airlines will take delivery of 9370
