The World of Aviation

Malaysia Airlines has placed a firm order with Airbus for 15 A330-300s as well as two A330-200 Freighters, with deliveries to begin in 2011. The order also includes options on 10 passenger aircraft and two additional freighters. Deliveries of the A330-300s will begin in the first half of 2011, while the first freighter for MASKargo

Virgin Blue and Boeing have formally signed an agreement which will see the airline take up to 105 additional Boeing 737NGs. The order is comprised of a firm order for 50 737-800s, with 25 firm delivery options and a further 30 purchase rights, all of which could be converted to smaller 737-700s or larger 737-900s.

The federal government has announced that it will provide $193,000 to help refurbish the runway at Carnarvon Airport in northern WA. Transport Minister Anthony Albanese said that the funding would help to minimise damage to aircraft using the airport and increase passenger and staff safety at the airport. The funds have been given to the

Pacific Blue has lodged an application with the International Air Services Commission (IASC) to increase its services to the Cook Islands. The airline has requested rights to operate two additional services between Australia and the Cook Islands for a period of five years, which would be progressively introduced and fully utilised by April 1 2011.

Emirates Airline and Tourism New South Wales have signed a $2.4 million, three year joint marketing agreement, which comes as the airline celebrates 10 years of service to Sydney. “Given the importance of the Sydney and wider NSW market to Emirates, we hope this partnership will further serve to grow the inbound travel market for

Airservices Australia and Melbourne Airport have launched the construction of a new air traffic control tower and technical services centre, while the airport has also commissioned Australia’s first Category 3 instrument landing system (ILS). Construction of the $17 million, 78m high new control tower is expected to begin immediately, and it will be built adjacent