EADS re-considers KC-X bid
EADS has confirmed that it is re-assessing its earlier decision to not bid as a prime contractor on the USAF’s long running KC-X tanker replacement program after the Pentagon said it would consider an extension to the bid deadline. In a March 19 statement EADS said it “is assessing this new situation to determine if
787 completes major tests
Boeing has completed ground effect and flutter testing on the 787, moving it closer to achieving Type Inspection Authorisation. “We tested at a variety of altitudes, speeds and fuel loads on ZA001,” explained Boeing’s vice president of sales and marketing Randy TInseth in a blog post. “During the testing, we saw altitudes above 43,000ft, dive
Domestic growth lifts Auckland traffic
Auckland International Airport has released its passenger traffic figures for February, showing a surge in domestic traffic, while international traffic also showed strong growth. Domestic traffic through the airport increased by 10.8 per cent for the month, which was attributed to Jetstar replacing Qantas’s domestic services, while domestic movements increased by 0.5 per cent. International
Boeing to lift widebody production rates
Boeing will bring forward planned production rate increases for the 777 and 747-8 as a result of higher demand and the recovering aircraft market. The adjustments to rates will see 777 output rise from five to seven units per month from mid 2011, six months ahead of schedule. Output on the 747-8 will rise to
Army ‘Foxtrot’ Chinook FMS contract signed
The Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) signed an FMS – Foreign Military Sale – contract with the US Army Security Assistance Command to procure seven new build Boeing CH-47F Chinook helicopters, two simulators and spares during a ceremony at the Australian Embassy in Washington on March 19. Defence Minister John Faulkner approved the purchase of the
Airbus targets Middle East for VIP jets
Airbus expects that the Middle East will require between five and 10 large corporate jets a year, cementing its place as the largest geographic market in the world for airliner based corporate jets. The airframer says that there are currently around 200 aircraft operated by private VIP customers and government agencies in the Middle East,
