Australia’s domestic carriers flew fuller aircraft in September as capacity cuts helped boost load factors, latest figures show. The Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics (BITRE) said capacity, as measured by available seat kilometres, on regular public transport (RPT) services fell 0.8 per cent in September, compared with the prior corresponding period. Meanwhile, the
Airbus to build five new “Beluga” transport aircraft
Airbus says it will build five new “Beluga” transportation aircraft to cater for the planned production rate increases of its aircraft models. The manufacturer said on November 17 the design of the new Belugas, which transport large components between Airbus’s various production sites around the world, would be based on its twin-engine Airbus A330 with
Qantas retro jet begins journey to Australia
Qantas’s retro painted 737 has begun its delivery flight to Australia. The Boeing 737-800, featuring the airline’s iconic ochre livery of the 1970s and early 1980s, took off from Boeing Field in Seattle at 0833 local time on Monday, according to flight monitoring website Flightaware. Operating as QF6024, VH-XZP then made a refuelling stop in
Former project manager praises operational KC-30 capability
The former manager of the transition team to induct the Airbus Defence & Space KC-30A (A330) multi-role tanker transport into RAAF service, AIRCDRE Noel Derwort has welcomed the resulting capability whilst on operations in the Middle East. Moving to the Commander of the Aerospace Operational Support Group (AOSG) in 2011, and now posted as Deputy
Qantas and China Eastern propose joint venture
Qantas and China Eastern will apply to competition authorities for a proposed joint-venture which they say will deepen an existing commercial relationship and hopefully lead to new routes and more onward connections from the Chinese carrier’s Shanghai hub. The two airlines, who already have an existing codesharing arrangement, signed the proposed five-year partnership for flights between Australia
Boeing & Airbus sign deal for HATS EC 135s
Boeing Defence Australia (BDA) and Airbus Helicopters have signed a contract for Airbus to provide 15 Airbus EC 135 T2+ helicopters for the ADF’s AIR 9000 Phase 7 helicopter Aircrew Training System. Announced as the preferred bidder late last year, the Boeing and Thales Australia team signed a contract with the Commonwealth on October 31
