Airbus admits design flaws but says A380 safe to fly
Cracks inside A380 wings has led Airbus to acknowledge manufacturing and design flaws but insist that the world’s largest jetliner remains safe to fly. The planemaker confirmed that more cracks had been discovered during compulsory inspections ordered this week by the European Aviation Safety Agency, Reuters reported. The inspections were ordered after cracks were found
Boeing scores Norwegian MAX order
Norwegian Air Shuttle has ordered 100 737 MAX aircraft, giving Boeing its first European customer for its re-engined single aisle jetliner. The deal, valued at US$11.4 billion at list prices, also includes 22 737-800s. The Norwegian currently operates an all Boeing fleet of 68 737-300s and 737-800s. The order brings the budget carrier’s backlog to
Virgin ups capacity
Virgin Australia has announced a series of extra flights across popular corporate, resource sector and leisure routes to meet what the airline describes as rising demand. The additional flights, commencing service next month, include the following: Adelaide-Melbourne: An additional return flight Mondays through Fridays; taking total flights between the two cities up to 10 per
Eurocopter revenues up, eyes market rebound
Driven by growth in its support and services business, Eurocopter posted a 12.5 per cent rise in revenues in 2011 to 5.4 billion euros (AUD$6.7). The growth came despite a slight decrease in deliveries from 527 helicopter in 2010 to 503 last year. Net orders, however, bounced back from 346 to 457, reflecting modest market
TAE buys NAS Services
Australian company TAE has bolstered its maintenance capabilities by purchasing the NAS Services APU, starter generator and electrical component maintenance system from Cobham Aviation Services in Adelaide. Terms of the purchase were not released. In a statement, TAE said existing NAS operational staff and equipment would be retained, with operations transferred from NAS Services’ Parafield
ACCC takes legal action over AirAsia fares
Australia’s consumer watchdog has filed legal action against AirAsia X, claiming the Malaysia based LCC failed to disclose the full price of international flights from Australia. In documents filed in the Federal Court on Tuesday, the ACCC alleges the airline’s website did not include taxes and fees as part of advertised AirAsia X fares to
