ILFC cancels A380 order, opts for A320neo
Lessor ILFC has dropped its order for 10 Airbus A380s, instead signing an MoU for 100 A320neos, plus it has also finalised a firm order for 33 Boeing 737-800s. After deferring its A380 deliveries last year by a year, ILFC’s decision to drop its A380 order has surprised few. The cancellation leaves A380 firm orders
Up to 8000 extra seats per week will be made available to both Australian and Chinese airlines, following the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between both countries. The MOU will enable airlines based in Australia and China to immediately offer up to 18,500 seats per week and from February 2012, 22,500 seats.
No protest from EADS over KC-X tanker decision
EADS North America has confirmed that it will not protest the USAF’s selection of Boeing’s KC767AT in the KC-X competition to begin replacing the service’s ageing fleet of KC-135 aerial refuelling tankers. While EADS “expressed appreciation to the Air Force for running a competition consistent with the rules set out in its Request for Proposal”,
China Southern A380 makes inaugural flight
The first of five Airbus A380s for China Southern Airlines has completed its maiden flight after completion of the final assembly and system tests in Toulouse, France. The aircraft flew from Toulouse to Hamburg, Germany, where the cabin will be installed and it will be painted in full China Southern livery. China Southern Airlines will
747-8I completes initial engine runs
Boeing has announced the successful completion of the first engine runs for its 747-8 Intercontinental, a key milestone in preparing the aircraft for first flight. Engine runs began at 11:57 hours local time on Tuesday, lasting approximately two hours and 45 minutes. During initial engine runs, engines were started and operated at various power settings
Turkish Airlines orders 13 Airbus aircraft
Turkish Airlines has signed a firm order for 10 Airbus A321s and three A330-200F freighters. The new aircraft will join Turkish Airlines’ existing fleet of 75 Airbus aircraft, including four A310 freighters, 50 A320 variants, 11 A330s, one A330-200F and nine A340s.
