The World of Aviation

Aeromil Pacific has completed delivery of two new Cessna Grand Caravan 208B aircraft to the Queensland Section of the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS). The two Caravans (VH-NQC and VH-NQD) will operate from the RFDS Cairns Airport base and service North Queensland towns and Cape York communities, providing essential transport for primary health care staff

The new Gulfstream G650 aircraft has passed a series of key flight tests after its maiden flight was cut short on November 25. During a recent one hour and 45 minute flight, the aircraft’s handling qualities, engine operability and flaps  were tested, while a number of key avionics, hydraulics, electrical generation, cabin environmental and flight

Airservices Australia’s Aviation Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) officers have been issued with new ‘smart’ personal protective equipment as part of a $2.4 million upgrade to ARFF equipment around Australia. Airservices says that the new equipment is replacing clothing which had been in use for more than 15 years, and complies or exceeds the relevant

Brisbane based freight carrier Pacific Air Express has lodged an application with the International Air Services Commission to operate a weekly cargo service from Brisbane to Port Moresby. PAE says that it plans to operate the service using an Airwork (NZ) Boeing 737-300F which would offer an available payload of 17.5 tonnes, with the capacity

American Airlines and US private equity group Texas Pacific Group have launched a bid for a strategic equity stake in and partnership with Japan Air Lines as part of a wider play by other oneworld airlines – including Qantas – to assist the struggling carrier and fend off a possible bid from Skyteam carrier Delta

Qatar Airways operated its first service to Australia on December 6, with the airline’s inaugural QR030 service arriving at Melbourne Tullamarine Airport at 2225 local time. On board the maiden flight from Doha was the airline’s CEO Akbar Al-Baker, the Australian ambassador to Qatar and the UAE Doug Trappett, and members of the media. “We