The World of Aviation

Japan Airlines (JAL) has become the first airline globally to adopt Airbus’ new A350 Virtual Procedure Trainer (VPT) for pilot training. The computer-based system provides an immersive environment for practising critical flight procedures and emergency scenarios. JAL has signed a five-year agreement to use the A350 VPT, with an initial group of 12 pilots set

Airbus SE has announced the start of a share buyback programme to support future employee share ownership plans and equity-based compensation. The aerospace company will repurchase up to 4,254,000 shares in the open market by 31 March 2025. The programme will be executed in multiple tranches, with the first tranche targeting up to 2,127,000 shares

Singapore Airlines (SIA) has unveiled its Early Bird promotion, offering discounted fares to over 90 destinations for travel from January to September 2025. The deals cover flights from seven Australian cities – Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney – as well as connections from Canberra, Gold Coast, Hobart and Launceston through SIA’s partnership

Air India has started building a large-scale maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility in Bengaluru, reinforcing its commitment to developing India’s aviation sector. The 35-acre facility at Bangalore International Airport will serve as a key maintenance hub for Air India’s growing fleet. Air India CEO Campbell Wilson said the project comes at an opportune time

Etihad Airways has announced plans to begin direct flights from Abu Dhabi to Warsaw, Poland and Prague, Czechia starting 2 June 2025. The new routes mark Etihad’s first direct services to both countries, expanding its European network. Etihad will operate four weekly flights to each city using Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, offering 28 Business Class

The Iraqi Ministry of Defence has signed a contract with Airbus Helicopters for 12 H225M multi-role helicopters. The deal, announced on 6 September 2024, will see the new aircraft replace older Mi-17 helicopters in the Iraqi Army Aviation command. Iraqi Defence Minister Thabet al-Abbassi signed the contract in Baghdad, with French Ambassador Patrick Durel in