The World of Aviation

An agreement has been reached between the governments of Egypt and the US for the sale of 20 F-16C/D Block 50/52 fighters and associated weapons, systems and other equipment. The sale will see the F-16 production line remain open until at least 2013, while negotiations for new or follow on orders for Greece, Iraq, Oman

The Swiss Air Force took delivery of the last of its 20 Eurocopter EC635 helicopters on December 17 at RUAG Aerospace’s Alpnach facility where all but four of the aircraft were assembled. The helicopters were ordered in April 2006 and will replace the Allouette III in Swiss service, and will be employed on light transport

The fifth generation Sukhoi PAK-FA T-50 fighter has commenced ground and taxi trials at KNAAPO’s facility at Komsomolsk-on-Amur ahead of a planned January first flight, according to reports in the Russian media. The aircraft, ostensibly Russia’s answer to the F-22 Raptor, will incorporate advanced engines allowing it to supercruise, stealth features, internal weapons and other

India is planning to issue a Request For Information (RFI) this year for a new carrier borne fighter to equip a new aircraft carrier scheduled to enter service in 2018. The RFI will not specify the exact number of aircraft required, and it has been reported that Saab and Eurofighter will also be invited to

Pacific Blue will commence twice weekly services between Cairns and Auckland from March 23, parent Virgin Blue announced on December 30. The new services will be the first international flights from Cairns for the Virgin Blue group, and will operate on Tuesdays and Saturdays. To mark the launch Virgin Blue is offering one-way sale fares

The Chinese A320 Family final assembly line at Tianjin met its target of delivering 11 aircraft in 2009, Airbus has announced. The first Chinese assembled Airbus was an A320 handed over to Sichuan Airlines via Dragon Aviation Leasing in June 2009. Since then five further A320s and five A319s assembled at Tianjin have been delivered