Air New Zealand and the Queenstown Community Strategic Assets Group Inc have withdrawn their cases against Auckland International Airport Limited (AIAL) over its shareholding practices in Queenstown Airport (QAC), following an agreement between the parties. The new deal has seen AIAL cancel an option to increase its share in QAC to between 30 and 35
Eurocopter X3 demonstrator hits 232 knots
Eurocopter’s X3 hybrid helicopter demonstrator has recorded a speed of 232kt (430 km/h) in level flight, surpassing its original target of 220kt but falling short of Sikorsky’s unofficial speed record of 250kt set with their X2 prototype earlier this year. The X3 reached its new speed milestone while on a test flight during May 12,
CTC goes on instructor recruitment drive
UK based CTC Aviation Training is looking to grow its New Zealand flight instructor team by more than a third, in preparation for an expected influx of pilot trainees later this year. “CTC is currently in negotiations with major airlines in Asia, the Middle East and Europe who are all signalling a huge demand for
Qantas introduces frequent flyer changes
Qantas has announced new changes to its Qantas Frequent Flyer scheme, and says that further changes are in the pipeline. Among the changes announced on May 17 is a new ‘Platinum One’ upper membership tier, for members who earn more than triple the required number of status credits in a year for the Platinum frequent
Jetstar takes fare bundling to the Max
Jetstar has changed its fare structure, with its new ‘Starter’ fare with optional add-ons replacing the old Jetstaver/JetFlex/JetPlus levels, and Business fares replacing its StarClass on long haul A330 services. The airline says the new structure will give passengers “more choice, flexibility and lower fares”, but it is likely the changes are designed to help
Second production F-35 arrives at Edwards
The second Lockheed Martin F-35A Joint Strike Fighter has arrived at Edwards Air Force Base, California, touching down on May 13. The F-35A, known as ‘AF-6’, ferried to Edwards AFB from Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base, following the USAF’s formal acceptance of the fighter into its inventory on May 12. The first
