The World of Aviation

US private equity fund the Carlyle Group has reportedly moved to acquire Alliance Airlines and Airwork parent company Contract Aviation Industries and is also interested in acquiring Cobham Aviation Services Australia (formerly National Jet Systems). According to a report in The Australian newspaper, Carlyle has made a $350 million bid for CAI, which was formed

The first Boeing 787 powered by General Electric GEnx-1B engines made its first flight from Everett’s Paine Field on June 16. Aircraft ZA005 took off at approximately 1440 local time and flew for three hours and 48 minutes.  “The airplane handled just like I expected,” said Boeing’s Captain Mike Bryan, who captained the flight. “It

Virgin Blue has completed its move across to a new $10 million computer reservations system, which promises the carrier more functionality. The changeover from its Open Skies system to the Navitaire New Skies system was successfully completed over two days during the Queen’s Birthday long weekend to minimise any downtime. During the 28 hour cutover

Boeing has announced that it will increase output on its 737 line to 35 units per month from early 2012. “Our customers continue to show their preference for the Next Generation 737 by exercising order options as well as by placing new orders,” said Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and CEO Jim Albaugh. “We’ve managed our

Gareth Evans, who has been acting chief financial officer for Qantas, has been permanently appointed to the position, the airline announced on June 16. Evans had been acting in the role following the sudden resignation of Colin Storrie earlier this year. Prior to his appointment as Group CFO, Evans was CFO for Qantas Airlines and

Turkish Airlines has ordered one additional Airbus A330-200. The carrier also has existing orders for A330-300s, A330 Freighters and A320s which were placed in 2009.