The World of Aviation

Melbourne Airport has reported a decline in domestic travellers in 2011 as international travel rose strongly on the back of booming Asian tourism. Nearly 6.6 million international passengers travelled through the airport in 2011, an 11 per cent increase over 2010.  Headlining the growth, Chinese passengers were up 23 per cent as China Southern, China

Turboprop maker ATR recorded its best commercial year in 2011, posting firm sales of 157 aircraft and options on 79 more. Claiming to have captured more than 80 per cent of sales for aircraft with 90 seats or less, ATR said the year’s results confirmed “the domination of turboprop aircraft” as a more cost effective

Virgin Australia has launched business class service on most domestic routes as it seeks to lure corporate travelers away from Qantas. The airline’s upscale cabins went into service yesterday, with business class fares starting at $429 one way and $529 from Sydney to Melbourne. An economy saver fare between Australia’s two largest cities starts at

Airbus delivered 534 aircraft and booked 1419 net orders in 2011, cruising past rival Boeing and setting company records in both categories. The European airliner manufacturer’s haul was led by 1226 firm orders for its A320neo, a fuel efficient update of its popular single aisle A320 Family series set to begin deliveries in 2015. Airbus

AirAsia X will launch daily services between Sydney and Kuala Lumpur from April as the budget carrier turns its focus to Australia after abandoning routes to Europe. During an appearance in Sydney, AirAsia X CEO Azran Osman-Rani said the long haul carrier also hopes to expand its daily Melbourne service to twice daily and open

CASA has extended its immediate grounding of some Beechcraft models until required inspections are carried out to include the twin engine Baron. The earlier directives were issued this weekend after a private pilot in Victoria discovered a snapped front elevator cable prior to takeoff. CASA is requiring operators immediately inspect control cables and replace any