The World of Aviation

Qantas has announced plans to cut domestic and international capacity growth, suspensions and cuts to some Japan and NZ services, the early retirement of two 767s, and plans to reduce management staff numbers in response to high jet fuel prices and the recent natural disasters in Japan, New Zealand and Queensland. “We need to act

Perth-based Heliwest has moved into the offshore operations business, securing a contract with Roc Oil Company (ROC) to provide service and maintenance crew transfers for the Cliff Head oil rig off the coast of Dongara. Heliwest is operating a BO105LS twin on the ROC contract, with a B212 for crew changes when required. Heliwest CEO

EADS subsidiary Eurocopter has launched a C$625 million takeover bid for Canadian helicopter maintenance firm Vector Aerospace Corporation (VAC). VAC’s board of directors has unanimously approved the offer, with shareholders representing 60 per cent of the issued and outstanding common shares entering into “irrevocable lock-up agreements with Eurocopter”. Eurocopter says Vector Aerospace would become its

The first AgustaWestland A109LUH taining and light utility helicopters for the RNZAF have arrived in New Zealand. The two helicopters, one of which is a non flying airframe which will be used as a source of spares, arrived at RNZAF Base Ohakea mid last week. To be operated by 3 Squadron at Ohakea, the A109s

New Zealand Defence Minister Wayne Mapp has announced Air Vice Marshal Peter Stockwell has been appointed Chief of Air Force, replacing Air Vice Marshal Graham Lintott. “Air Vice Marshal Stockwell has proved himself a highly capable officer during his 38 years of Air Force service,” Defence Minister Wayne Mapp said. ““He is highly experienced in

A RAAF C-17A Globemaster which supported relief efforts in earthquake and tsunami stricken Japan has returned to Australia, after two weeks in-country under Operation Pacific Assist. “Now that the initial crisis response is over and the focus of the mission has changed from search and rescue to reconstruction, there are sufficient resources available in Japan