GECAS finalises order for 10 777-300ERs
GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) has finalised an order for 10 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, in a deal worth approximately US$2.8 billion at list prices. Citing a need to meet growing airline demand for long haul passenger aircraft, the recent announcement now brings GECAS’s order to a total of 53 777s, with 41 of those being
Chooks back in action over Afghanistan
Australian Army Chinooks have returned to Afghanistan, with the deployment of two of the heavylift helicopters to Kandahar Air Base. Supporting International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) operations, the CH-47Ds from Townsville’s 5th Aviation Regiment, which form the Rotary Wing Group (RWG) will be embedded with the US Army’s 159th Combat Aviation Brigade, and have already
Qantas has announced plans to cut domestic and international capacity growth, suspensions and cuts to some Japan and NZ services, the early retirement of two 767s, and plans to reduce management staff numbers in response to high jet fuel prices and the recent natural disasters in Japan, New Zealand and Queensland. “We need to act
Heliwest moves to offshore operations
Perth-based Heliwest has moved into the offshore operations business, securing a contract with Roc Oil Company (ROC) to provide service and maintenance crew transfers for the Cliff Head oil rig off the coast of Dongara. Heliwest is operating a BO105LS twin on the ROC contract, with a B212 for crew changes when required. Heliwest CEO
Eurocopter stages takeover bid for Vector Aerospace
EADS subsidiary Eurocopter has launched a C$625 million takeover bid for Canadian helicopter maintenance firm Vector Aerospace Corporation (VAC). VAC’s board of directors has unanimously approved the offer, with shareholders representing 60 per cent of the issued and outstanding common shares entering into “irrevocable lock-up agreements with Eurocopter”. Eurocopter says Vector Aerospace would become its
RNZAF takes delivery of first A109s
The first AgustaWestland A109LUH taining and light utility helicopters for the RNZAF have arrived in New Zealand. The two helicopters, one of which is a non flying airframe which will be used as a source of spares, arrived at RNZAF Base Ohakea mid last week. To be operated by 3 Squadron at Ohakea, the A109s
