Fire at ATC control centre causes MEL delays
A minor fire in the air traffic control centre caused brief delays at Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport on Monday morning. Airservices Australia said the small fire in a computer room at its Melbourne Conrol Centre forced a partial evacuation of ATC staff. The air traffic control tower was not affected and airborne aircraft were controlled and
Lockheed shuffles leadership amid F-35 tensions
Lockheed Martin has replaced the head of its aeronautics division in what is widely seen as a bid to improve frayed relations with the Pentagon over the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. The defence giant named Orlando Carvalho, 54, as executive vice president of aeronautics, replacing Larry Lawson. Carvalho, who had previously been in charge of
Boeing hits milestone as 737 production ramps up
Boeing’s 737 production has ticked over to a higher rate of 38 aircraft per month as the plane maker ramps up to produce 42 of the airliners per month by next year. Citing a healthy backlog and strong demand, Boeing has flagged plans to increase production of several of its models, including the 737, 777
Lion Air doubles down with massive Airbus buy
Indonesian budget carrier Lion Air has made another massive aircraft purchase, ordering 234 A320 Family aircraft from Airbus. The deal, valued at A$23.1 billion at list prices, comes a little more than a year after Lion Air ordered 230 Boeing 737s. The carrier currently operates a fleet of 92 aircraft, almost all from Boeing. The
Virgin takeover of Skywest cleared by FIRB
Virgin’a Australia’s acquisition of Skywest Airlines has been approved by the Foreign Investment Review Board, clearing another hurdle for the deal to go forward. Skywest shareholders last week approved the deal, which would see Virgin purchase 100 per cent of Skywest’s issued share capital. Under the agreement, Skywest would become a part of the Virgin
Boeing picks GE to develop engines for future 777X
Boeing will work with GE to develop engines for its 777X, a future widebody planned to enter service near the end of the decade. The planemaker has released few details about development of the next-generation widebody, though reports have speculated the program could include three variants, the largest of which would seat as many as
