The World of Aviation

The Royal Thai Army will acquire two UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters through the US Foreign Military Sales program, making it the first southeast Asian country to fly the latest version of the workhorse rotorcraft. The UH-60M incorporates a variety of enhancements including a digital glass cockpit, advanced flight control system, a state-of-the-art communications suite, full

Sikorsky Aircraft has won a five-year, US$8.5 billion contract to provide 653 H-60 Black Hawk and Seahawk helicopters to the US Army and Navy. The deal is the eighth multi-year production contract signed for the workhorse helicopter program since 1982. Actual production quantities will be set on a year-to-year basis depending on funding allocations. The

Julia Lines has been named Australia’s first airline customer advocate in a move meant to give passengers a stronger voice in resolving disputes with air carriers. Ms Lines, a former manager of complaint assessments at the Health Care Complaints Commission, will be based in Sydney in a role funded by Australia’s main airlines. The position,

Arkia Israeli Airlines has signed a purchase agreement for four Airbus A321neo jetliners at the Farnborough Airshow. Airbus said the aircraft would be configured in a single all-economy class arrangement seating 220 passengers. Arkia, Israel’s second largest airline, will use the aircraft to expand routes to European and domestic destinations. Engine selection will be announced

China’s Hebei Airlines has purchased five Embraer E-190 passenger jets in a deal that will bring its E-190 fleet to seven aircraft. The agreement, valued at $226 million at list prices, was announced yesterday at the Farnborough Airshow. Embraer said it expected to deliver the planes by the end of 2013. Shijazhuang-based Heibei currently operates

Boeing and Los Angeles-based Air Lease Corporation announced today a firm order for 60 737 MAX 8 and 15 737 MAX 9 airliners, with reconfirmation rights for 25 additional 737 MAXs. The order, with a list-price value of $7.2 billion, represents the first 737 MAX order by a leasing company. “The 737 MAX is an