Commercial Aviation News

The latest commercial aviation news and analysis about new airlines and airliners entering service, new routes being opened up by the world’s many carriers, their cabin offerings, and many other topics can be found here. From the future of one long-haul aircraft type to the retirement of another, the mix of airliners that the airlines operate is changing.

Airlines continue to grow in number in Asia while Europe sees operators fold in their challenging mature market but new routes between the two continents continue to be opened. Alliances between airlines shift and mergers have seen fewer airlines in North America while carriers in the Far East have proliferated. Despite China’s dominance in manufacturing and a strong export sector, air freight has stagnated on long-haul routes while internet shopping boosts the industry’s short-haul profitability.

Airlines are constantly having to adopt new technologies and tactics to deal with increasing volumes of passengers, security threats and environmental challenges. More and more biofuels are being approved for use and airlines in recent years have used them for revenue earning flights, while also investing in the most efficient engines.

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Norse Atlantic makes historic Antarctic Dreamliner landing

Norse Atlantic Airways has made history by operating the first-ever landing of a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner in Antarctica.

New premium cabins for Boeing BBJ 737

Boeing Business Jets (BBJ) has revealed that it has developed pre-designed cabin layouts for its 737-7 jet.

Government backs British Airways’ green fuel project

British Airways has been awarded a £9m grant from the UK government’s Advanced Fuel Fund (AFF) competition to help develop lower-carbon aviation fuels.

Aeroitalia expands regional presence with Air Connect deal

Aeroitalia has signed a memorandum of understanding to acquire a 93.86% shareholding of Romania’s Air Connect.

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SAS bids farewell to the Boeing 737

SAS Scandinavian Airlines has retired its final Boeing 737 after more than 30 years of service.

Ethiopian Airlines adds to Boeing orderbook

Ethiopian Airlines has ordered an additional 11 Boeing 787-9s and 20 737-8s on the second day of the Dubai Airshow. As well as the firm order, the airline has also added options for a further 15 and 21 of the types, respectively.

Embraer gets go-ahead for London City E195-E2 ops

Embraer’s E195-E2 airliner has been granted steep approach certification for London City Airport, the manufacturer has announced.

Airbus widebodies for Egyptair

The carrier is bolstering its long-haul fleet

Air Baltic boosts Airbus A220 fleet

Airbus chief commercial officer Christian Scherer has described Air Baltic as “an ambassador for the A220” after the airline announced an order for 30 additional -300s, with purchase rights for a further 20 on the first day of the Dubai Airshow.

Riyadh Air unveils second livery

Riyadh Air has digitally unveiled its second livery at the Dubai Airshow ahead of its 2025 launch.

Global Corporate and Business Aviation News

On this page you will find the latest news on airlines expanding their fleets and changes in aircraft types, covering a wide range of commercial airlines, countries and regions, whether it’s the growing regions of Asia and Africa or the more mature markets of Europe and North America.

Airlines are also examining new technologies and greater fuel efficiencies on the ground with electric power for taxiing. When passengers board the aircraft they have their faces recognised by a computer instead of airline staff checking boarding passes. Security threats were once hijacking terrorists, but now conflict zones’ airspaces are to be avoided and virus carrying passengers pose a problem for crew and customers alike.

Airlines across the planet are expanding their fleets and sometimes ordering as many aircraft as they have in service or even up to two to three times more. The aim of many airlines is to have the youngest fleet with the most efficient engines, and that may see a mix of orders and leasing. Aircraft development is seeing more truly international collaboration, from Airbus absorbing the Bombardier C series to Boeing and its joint venture with Brazil’s Embraer. Markets are seeing strategic manoeuvres by major players.

In business aviation, the corporate jet market aimed at the time constrained executive is being teased with supersonic jets that could enter service in the 2020s. This market is also seeing onboard technical improvements so aircraft can be tracked anywhere over land and oceans. The larger the corporate jet, the more valuable the asset to be tracked and secure. Another trend in the market has been more demand for larger business aircraft and that is set to continue well into this decade. These larger aircraft are also adopting new features aimed at passenger wellbeing with lower altitude cabin air pressures and lighting that compliments the body’s natural circadian rhythms.

Keep on top of the latest news from the rest of the aviation industry including airport news, new airport technology and trends and aviation engineering.

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