The World of Aviation

Weak sales of its E-Jet commercial aircraft saw Brazilian planemaker Embraer end the first quarter of the year with its lowest backlog since 2006. The results underscored doubts about long-term demand for regional jets amid soaring fuel costs and a struggling global economy. Embraer said it took in just 12 new orders for commercial jets

Sydney and Delhi Airports have agreed to work together in an effort to convince airlines to launch direct flights between Australia and India, with each airport saying the other represents its largest potential market not already served by direct air travel. “Sydney and Delhi are the largest market for Australia-India air traffic in their respective

A dire shortage of qualified flight instructors in New Zealand has led Hamilton-based CTC Aviation Training to offer aggressive recruitment and retention packages including first home payments. Under the bonus scheme, instructors staying with CTC for three years will get a choice of several paid aviation training options or a $5000 post-tax lump payment. Instructors

Boeing has awarded a 10 year, $1 billion contract to an Abu Dhabi company for the production of carbon-composite parts for its 777 and 787 airliners. The deal with Mubadala Aerospace, the aviation wing of the Abu Dhabi government’s development and investment fund, covers the production of ribs for the tail section of the 777

New Zealand and China have signed an agreement to triple the number of daily flights between the two countries, a move hailed by New Zealand’s tourism and trade industries. The new air services arrangement will allow three daily return services from each country, up from one. With China Southern Airlines and Air New Zealand currently

Boeing has added another entry to the list of biofuel publicity flights, delivering a 787 Dreamliner to All Nippon Airways powered in part by fuel based on cooking oil. Boeing said the delivery flight was the first transpacific biofuel flight and emitted about 10 per cent less carbon dioxide than a traditionally fuelled flight. The