The World of Aviation

Thousands of Virgin Blue passengers were left facing massive delays after the airline’s check-in systems at Melbourne Tullamarine Airport failed on December 15. The failure was caused by damage to a Telstra cable at Tullamarine during the day, which was not fixed until 10:30pm, forcing the airline to cancel 48 flights and delaying up to

Boeing’s oft-delayed 787 Dreamliner took off on its first flight at approximately 10:27am local time on December 15 (approximately 5:27am December 16 AEDST) from Paine Field, Everett, to begin a three hour long flight test. The aircraft, ZA001 registered N787BA, was piloted by 787 chief pilot Michael Carriker and engineering pilot Randall Neville, with the

Embraer announced on December 14 that the Phenom 300 light business jet has been awarded FAA certification, with deliveries of the jet to start shortly. The company said that it welcomes the certification of the aircraft, and noted that it has exceeded some performance measures, with range extended to 1971nm with six passengers, and takeoff

British Airways cabin crew have voted overwhelmingly in favour of a 12 day strike from December 22 over controversial new working practices. The strike is being led by the Unite union, and received backing from 92.5 per cent of voters, with an 80 per cent voter turnout. Unite says that it is hopeful of holding

V Australia and Delta Air Lines have signed an agreement to allow reciprocal loyalty points on each others’ services, reciprocal lounge access, and the first codeshare agreement between the carriers. Effective December 15, V Australia and Delta passengers will be able to earn loyalty points on each others’ services, as well as access each others’

Panamanian carrier Copa Airlines has ordered two additional Boeing 737-800s. The airline now has ordered 15 737s this year.