The World of Aviation

Both Airbus and Boeing announced orders for their single aisle airliners on December 23. Chile’s LAN Airlines placed a firm order for the purchase of 30 Airbus Family A320 aircraft, taking its total Airbus orders to over 100. “This investment ensures the company’s future growth and reaffirms LAN’s commitment to the development of commercial aviation

Regional Express announced on December 24 that it is quiting its Mackay to Townsville route from January 1 2010, and that it has launched a complaint with the ACCC against competitor QantasLink. Rex launched Mackay-Townsville services on October 1 2009, marking its re-entry to the Queensland market. However, the airline claims that in response to

Boeing announced on December 22 that it has acquired Alenia North America’s 50 per cent stake in Charleston, South Carolina, based 787 supplier Global Aeronautica. The acquisition will see Global Aeronautica, which completes subassembly on the centre sections of the 787 before they enter final assembly, become a wholly owned subsidiary of Boeing Charleston. Boeing

Ryanair has pulled out of talks with Boeing over a potential order for up to 200 737-800s, blaming Boeing for not offering attractive delivery conditions, although the carrier is not carrying out its threat to cancel aircraft already ordered. Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary said in a statement issued by the airline on December 18 that

The Australian and International Pilots Association (AIPA) has launched legal action against Qantas over paying pilots employed by its New Zealand subsidiary Jetconnect less than mainline pilots. AIPA says that the strategic legal action is aimed at stopping Qantas from “undermining the spirit and intent of the Fair Work Act” by employing Jetconnect pilots to

The second Boeing 787, ZA002, made its first flight on December 22, taking off from Paine Field, Everett, at 9.09am local time and landing at Boeing Field, Seattle, just over two hours later at 11.10am. Captain Randy Neville was in command for the flight, with 787 chief pilot Captain Mike Carriker in the right hand