The World of Aviation

The CTOL F-35A variant of Lockheed Martin’s Joint Strike Fighter dropped a weapon for the first time this week. F-35A AF-1 dropped a 2,000lb GBU-31 JDAM over the Lake China weapons range on October 16, with USAF Major Eric Schultz at the controls.

Passenger numbers at Gold Coast Airport increased in September by some 19 per cent.  The figure, compared with September 2011, is driven by 18.5 per cent growth in domestic traffic (441,600 for the month) and a 21 per cent rise in international traffic (to 514,300). Gold Coast Airport operator, Queensland Airports Ltd (QAL), attributed several

The first of six new Airbus A320s has been delivered to Jetstar Asia marking the start of the airline’s fleet renewal program, which by February 2013 will give it one of the youngest fleets in Asia . Five of the six new aircraft will replace older A320s and will bring the fleet size to 17

Airports in the Asia-Pacific region recorded 6.6 per cent growth in passenger traffic during August, contributing to a healthy year-to-date growth rate for the region of 7.8 per cent.  However, airfreight remained flat at 0.4 per cent. According to the report released by the Airports Council International, the highest passenger throughput for the month was

The day after announcing $100,000 to support the development of Edenhope Airport in Western Victoria, the state’s aviation minister has allocated $565,000 to further develop Stawell Airport. Centred around improvements to allow all-weather and night operations, the grant will complete Stawell Airport’s master plan and will significantly improve airborne emergency access and local operations.  A

Singapore Airlines recorded network-wide passenger growth of 6.1 per cent during September.  The airline carried 1.49 million passengers during the month, achieving an average 80.6 per cent load factor despite having added 6.3 per cent more capacity across its network. The airline said the improved performance was the result of strong summer demand particularly on