The World of Aviation

As expected, preliminary ICAO statistics record that 2009 saw the biggest decline in passenger traffic during the jet age. Compared to 2008, international passenger traffic decreased by 3.9 per cent while domestic travel was down 1.8 per cent, leaving overall passenger traffic down 3.1 per cent as capacity declined by the same amount. All regions

On time performance among Australian domestic carriers was significantly better during November 2009 compared to the same month last year, according to a report recently released by BITRE. For the month, airlines averaged 85.6 per cent on time departures and a cancellation rate of 0.7 per cent across all domestic services, compared with rates of

Qantas has announced that it will deploy the A380 on the Melbourne-Singapore-London route from January 18 shortly after it takes delivery of its sixth of the type. Initially, one to two QF9/10 services per week will be operated by the A380, rising to regular twice weekly services from March 29. From that date, the airline

Tiger Aviation Group, the parent company of Tiger Airways, has lodged documents with Singaporean authorities confirming that it will launch an initial public offering (IPO) to help fund aircraft acquisitions and repay debt. According to various media reports, the company has filed a preliminary prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore which will see part

Japan’s All Nippon Airlines has placed an order with Boeing for five 777-200ERs and five 767-300ERs. The order is valued at US$2bn (A$2.26bn) at list prices, although the airline is likely to have extracted a significant discount. ANA will be the first customer to take delivery of the Boeing 787, which is expected during the

The UK Ministry of Defence has ordered 22 CH-47 Chinooks for the RAF as it seeks to bolster its rotary wing capability. The new helicopters will allow an increase in capability in extreme conditions such as in Afghanistan, however the first 10 aircraft are not due to be delivered until 2013 at the earliest. Analysts