The World of Aviation

Jetstar Japan has received its final regulatory approval, clearing the way for the budget carrier to begin flights in July, well ahead of its original schedule. The Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport issued the airline with its Air Operators Certificate on Friday. Jetstar said it would begin proving flights next month, with commercial

Airbus has started assembly of its first A350 XWB static test airframe at its facility in Toulouse, France. Assembly of the first flying A350 is scheduled to get underway by mid-year. Assembly of the static test airframe, which will be used for structural tests as part of the certification process, began with the joining of

Lockheed Martin has rolled out the first F-35 Joint Strike Fighter destined for the Netherlands. The jet, a conventional takeoff and landing F-35A known as AN-1, will be assigned to Eglin Air Force Base in Florida later this summer, Lockheed said. The Netherlands will use the jet for training and operational tests. The Dutch have

Boeing’s update of its 777 twin-engine widebody could bring to market an “entirely new category” of aircraft sitting between the largest of Airbus’s upcoming A350s and Boeing’s own 747-8 jumbo jet, according to a report by AirInsight, an aerospace analysis website. Boeing is currently developing new versions of its popular 777 jetliners, which are expected

The GA8 Airvan has set a new record as the most produced Australian-made civil type certificated aircraft, manufacturer GippsAERO says. The 175th Airvan recently rolled off the assembly line at GippsAERO’s facility in Morwell, Victoria, breaking a record previously held by the N24 Nomad. The first production GA8 was delivered to Fraser Island Air in

Lockheed Martin has delivered the 4500th F-16 Fighting Falcon, a Block 52 aircraft destined for Morocco. In production since 1975, the F-16 has been selected as a front-line fighter by 26 countries. Lockheed currently has 70 unfilled F-16 orders that will keep its Fort Worth, Texas production line open until at least 2016. That includes