The World of Aviation

Boeing has announced the opening of a new 787 vertical fin assembly line at Salt Lake City, Utah, with production slated to begin next month. Operated by Boeing Fabrication, the new assembly line will build vertical tail fin assembles for all 787s to be assembled at Boeing’s South Carolina plant. The Salt Lake facility currently

Archerfield Airport Corporation (AAC) has announced the appointment of Alan Cook as Airport Planning and Policy Manager. Cook, a former RAAF Wing Commander and CASA Regional manager, will be responsible for managing Archerfield Airport’s policy development and compliance and regulatory functions.

BAE Systems Australia and the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) have signed a two year, $150 million Contract Change Proposal covering RAAF Hawk Lead-in Fighter maintenance which will yield significant savings under Defence ‘s Strategic Reform Program (SRP). “Our efforts have resulted in an annual contract saving of greater than 10 per cent,” said BAE Systems

Singapore Airlines (SIA) has finalised an agreement with Airbus to acquire an additional 15 A330-300s, which will be leased for an initial six year term. To be delivered between 2013-15, they will join the airline’s existing 19 strong A330-300 fleet, and will be used on routes within Asia and to Australia and the Middle East.

Virgin Australia domestic passenger numbers fell 1.1 per cent in May compared to May 2010, the airline has reported, with capacity (in ASKs) trimmed by 0.9 per cent, although RPKs (up 3.8 per cent) and load factor (up 3.6 points) both improved for the month. Traffic in RPKs for its Pacific Blue and V Australia

Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare has signed a Global Supply Chain Deed (GSCD) with Northrop Grumman, which sees the US based defence company joins Australia’s Global Supply Chain program. “Northrop Grumman is a big addition to our Global Supply Chain program and I’m pleased they have come on board,” Clare said in a statement.