The World of Aviation

For the first time, Airbus Military has directly linked the possibility of future A330 MRTT conversion work for overseas programs being performed in Australia with its bid for the Air 8000 Phase 2 battlefield airlifter (BFA) program. Speaking to media in Sydney today, Airbus Military program manager Valentin Merino said that, while it was offering

Cathay Pacific has reported a 61 per cent drop in annual profits and says tougher times are ahead. The Hong Kong based airline blamed the weaker than expected result on a familiar combination of high fuel prices and global economic instability, factors the carrier says have worsened during the early part of this year. “As

New Zealand Defence Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman officially welcomed the first two of the RNZAF’s new NH90 helicopters at Wellington Airport on March 9 The MH90s will replace UH-1H Iroquois in service. In a statement, Dr Coleman said: “This is a very significant day for the Air Force and the wider NZDF. The NH90 helicopters

For the first time, a Japanese Air Self-Defense Force C-130H Hercules transport aircraft will make a three-day goodwill visit to RAAF Base Richmond from March 14. The visit is aimed at reaffirming commitment between the two services in providing emergency airlift relief in the Asia -Pacific region. Officer Commanding No. 84 Wing Group Captain Don

Qantas has moved to block plans by Virgin Australia to alter its ownership structure and allow greater foreign investment. In a submission to the International Air Services Commission, Qantas called for a “comprehensive, public review” of Virgin’s plans, which were announced last month and would go into effect at the end of March. Virgin proposed

Oil leaks that hit two Qantas A380 flights last year were part of a wider problem with the aircraft’s Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engine, the ATSB has reported. The safety agency said Rolls-Royce, Qantas and Airbus have since taken “proactive safety action” to mitigate the problem, which stems from a loose connection with an external oil