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.

Capacity increase for MC-21

Russia's Federal Air Transport Agency has approved an increase in capacity for the Yakolev MC-21, Rostec’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) has announced. The new ruling, granted by Rosaviatsia on December 26, will see the permitted number of passengers rise from 175 to 211.

New owners for Edinburgh airport?

Scotland's Busiest airport – Edinburgh, could soon be under new ownership after New York-based Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) hired HSBC and JP Morgan banks to run an auction for its sale.

Japan Airlines A350 engulfed in flames at Tokyo Haneda

A Japan Airlines Airbus A350 was engulfed in flames as it landed at Tokyo/Haneda on Tuesday, January 2.

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LEVEL's huge expansion plans revealed

Barcelona-based low-cost, long haul carrier LEVEL is to obtain its own Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) under plans by owner  – The International Airline Group (IAG) – to expand its operations.

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Boeing given green light to begin MAX 10 flight testing

Boeing has announced that its 737 MAX 10 has been cleared by the FAA to begin certification flight testing

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Incredible Aboriginal A220 Qantas scheme uncovered

An eye-catching Aboriginal-inspired paint scheme adorns QantasLink’s first Airbus A220-300 aircraft.

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US airlines welcome Amsterdam Schiphol verdict

JetBlue and trade group Airlines for America (A4A) have welcomed the news that the Dutch government has temporarily abandoned plans to cut the number of flights at Amsterdam/Schiphol airport next year.

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British Airways launches new African route from Gatwick

British Airways (BA) has celebrated its inaugural service on a new route to Africa from London/Gatwick.

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Russia's stretched Il-96-400M makes maiden flight

Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) carried out the maiden flight of the prototype Ilyushin Il-96-400M, RA-96115, on November 1.

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.

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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