The World of Aviation

The German Army has taken delivery of the last of four Tiger Support Helicopters specially outftted for use in Afghanistan, where they could be deployed by the end of the year. The helicopters were modified to include a sand filter, additional defence systems, a mission data recorder and enhanced communications equipment, the helicopters manufacturer, Eurocopter,

Airbus-parent EADS and BAE Systems are in talks over a merger that would create a global giant in the aerospace and defence industries. The two companies confirmed the merger talks in a joint statement yesterday, outlining a deal in which UK-based BAE would own 40 per cent of the new company with EADS owning a

Virgin Australia is seeking to pry away half of Qantas’s weekly allocation of seats to Italy. In an application to the International Air Services Commission, which distributes capacity to Australian airlines under international air treaties, Virgin said it was seeking 300 seats per week to support the introduction of code sharing services on existing flights

QantasLink will launch direct flights between Sydney and Gladstone next year as it continues to expand its Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 turboprop network. The Sydney-Gladstone services are scheduled to commence on March 4 2013 and will operate eight times per week, including twice daily on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays. The 2-hour 35-minute route will be

AirAsia will become the first operator of Airbus A320 ‘Sharklets’ when it takes delivery of aircraft equipped with the fuel-saving wingtip devices late this year. Airbus claims the ‘Sharklets’ will result in a fuel savings of close to four per cent on longer flights. The devices will be standard equipment on the upcoming A320neo and

Australian Reef Pilots has leased a new AugustaWestland AW109 helicopter to help guide ships through the Great Barrier Reef. The Mackay based helicopter will be used to meet incoming coal ships and other vessels at Hydrographers Passage and Blossom Bank on the Reef. ARP provides specialist marine pilots who guide ships through the Reef’s passages.