The World of Aviation

Fatigue testing of A400M test airframe MSN5001 has begun on schedule in Dresden, Airbus Military reports. The test airframe will be subjected to a “punshing regime of loads” around the clock for an initial four week period. Airbus Military says 1665 simulated flights are required for EASA civil type certification for the aircraft, and that

Boeing says it now expects to deliver the first customer 787 in the “third quarter” of this year, after it has finalised assessing the impact on the 787’s certification and production program following last November’s inflight electrical fire on test aircraft ZA002. “This revised timeline for first delivery accommodates the work we believe remains to

Jetstar Asia has announced the its seventh Chinese destination with direct flights from Singapore to Hangzhou (Shanghai) to commence in March. The new service, to be operated by Airbus A320s, is to commence on March 22 initially three times per week, increasing to four flights weekly by the end of that month. Jetstar will become

Qantas has announced further expansion of its WA activities, with a new direct Perth-Exmouth service to launch on March 31, and the basing of an additional 737-800 in Perth for intrastate services. “With the Western Australian government’s review of regulated routes opening Perth-Exmouth up to a second licensed operator, QantasLink will commence B717 services, initially

Virgin America has signed a firm order for 60 Airbus A320s including 30 A320neos, becoming the first customer to sign a contract for the re-engined narrowbody airliner, and at the same time taking total Airbus orders to 10,000 aircraft. Virgin America is the second airline to commit to the A32oneo but the first to sign

Airbus has announced that it booked 644 orders for its commercial aircraft in 2010, a slightly higher figure than the 625 sales for the year Boeing announced earlier this month. The European manufacturer also achieved a company high delivery total of 510 aircraft for the year (Boeing delivered 462), 12 more than in 498, handed