The World of Aviation

Jetstar launched its new three-times weekly direct service between Cairns and Auckland on April 12, adding more than 55,000 seats a year to the market. “We believe this new international Jetstar route will be a welcome benefit for Queensland tourism during its recovery from recent significant natural disasters,” Jetstar Australia and New Zealand CEO David

Perth Airport has invited five companies to tender for a contract to construct the airport’s first new terminal in over 20 years, after an extensive Expression of Interest selection process was finalised. Designed to primarily service flights for resource sector fly-in/fly-out operations and some interstate services, Perth Airport expects the new terminal to accommodate over

Airbus has announced that A330-300 orders have now surpassed 500, following an order for 15 from Cathay Pacific in March. Cathay Pacific is Airbus’s largest A330 customer and operator, with 46 in service and a further 21 to be delivered. Airbus states that total A330 family orders stand at over 1100.

Boeing has announced its commercial and defence aircraft deliveries for the first quarter of 2011. It delivered a total of 84 737s in the quarter, as well as 13 777s and four 767s. On the military side, the F/A-18E/F and EA-18G led the way with 13 deliveries, while seven new build Chinook helicopters, four F-15s,

Russian carrier UTair has signed a contract for the purchase of 20 ATR 72-500s, in a deal worth US$426 million. UTair, which will fly the aircraft throughout regional Russia and Ukraine, currently operates 14 ATR 42-300s and three ATR 72-200s. The new order will see UTair become the largest operator of ATR aircraft in Europe.

China Eastern is to increase its Melbourne-Shanghai service to a daily schedule from June 20. “We are very pleased that China Eastern has chosen to increase the frequency of its services to Melbourne,” Melbourne Airport CEO Chris Woodruff said.  “With China as our number one long haul market, the new daily service confirms Melbourne as