The World of Aviation

Qantas executives are quick to point out the main influences on the airline’s international business are mainly external ones – competing subsidised foreign airlines, rising fuel costs or delays in the delivery of new aircraft. But these and many other risks are often beyond an airline’s control. Conversely, influences on the business such as  quality

Vietnam Airlines will take over majority ownership of Jetstar Pacific in a move that will see the struggling budget carrier get a $25 million cash injection. As part of the long rumoured deal, Qantas will increase its share in the airline from 27 to 30 per cent. Vietnam Airlines will take over the majority stake

Jetstar hopes plastic can buoy its bottom line as it rolls out a pair of announcements aimed at the card carrying public. In what the budget carrier bills as a first for an Australian airline, Jetstar will offer a prepaid multicurrency Mastercard-branded travel card, which Jetstar says will offer frequent overseas travellers a more secure,

The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter has flown its first test mission fitted with external weapons. The load for the test flight from at Edwards Air Force Base in California included a pair of air-to-air AIM-9X missiles mounted on outboard wing stations of an F-35A, in addition to two 2000lb guided bombs and two medium range

Pakistan International Airlines has ordered five Boeing 777-300ERs with options on five more. The deal, valued at US$1.5 billion, comes as part of a fleet modernisation program and will allow Pakistan International to introduce new long haul routes, the Karachi based airline said. Boeing did not say when it planned to begin delivering the aircraft.

The Rolls-Royce engine destined for the Airbus A350 XWB has made its first flight aboard an A380 test aircraft. The Trent XWB development engine, fitted with a range of test sensors, was mounted on the A380’s inner left engine pylon where it replaced one of the A380’s Trent 900 engines. Airbus said the initial five