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Airlines United Airlines takes farewell of its Boeing 747
47 years after the very first flight of the Boeing 747 for United Airlines from San Francisco to Honolulu, the airline recreated this event on November 7, 2017 for the very last flight if this type of aircraft. For the carrier and for Boeing, this was a historic farewell journey. The last United Airlines Boeing 747 flight departed under the flight number UA747 from San Francisco to Honolulu with more than 300 passengers, employees and distinguished guests on board.
Start-Ups Investment Firm plans relaunch of World Airways
777 Partners, a US based investment firm, announced today that it has acquired the intellectual property of World Airways, Inc., the US airline known for its worldwide operational capabilities, and is planning to re-launch World Airways (“World”) as a low cost, long haul airline.
Freight EVA Air receives first Boeing 777F
Taiwanese EVA Air took delivery of its first Boeing 777 freighter, registration number B-16781, at the Boeing Everett Delivery Center in Seattle. The carrier flew its newest freighter from Paine Field to Taiwan’s Taoyuan International Airport (TPE). Where the airport welcomed Taiwan’s first Boeing 777 freighter with a water cannon ceremony.
Freight FedEx Express buys up to 50 ATR 72-600F
FedEx Express and ATR have signed a contract for a firm purchase of 30 ATR 72-600 freighters and 20 options. The aircraft will be delivered from 2020 onwards.
Start-Ups Newly founded California Pacific Airlines to commence service in April 2018
The 2011 founded California-based start-up California Pacific Airlines plans to commence operations by April 1, 2018, the regional newspaper Oside News stated.
Start-Ups Cobalt Air launches new routes
Start-Up airline Cobalt Air has announced a new twice-weekly service between Larnaca and Germany’s largest airport Frankfurt/Main. The new route will be served every Wednesday and Friday and commenced on November 1, 2017.
Airlines Qatar Airways acquires 9,61% of Cathay Pacific
Qatar Airways announced on Monday, that it has entered into an agreement to buy a 9,61 percent stake of Cathay Pacific. The price for 378,188,000 shares is HK$5.16 billion ($661 million).
Industry Emirates welcomes the 100th A380 aircraft to its fleet
On November 3, 2017 Airbus delivered the delivery of the 100th A380 to Emirates. Emirates is the world’s largest operator of A380 aircraft. The official ceremony at the manufacturer’s delivery centre in Hamburg was officiated by Chief Executive and Emirates Chairman Sheik Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum. He called the delivery a “tremendous moment for Emirates, Airbus and the many partners involved in the A380 program”.
Airlines Singapore Airlines presents new cabin product for its A380 fleet
Singapore Airlines announced a major overhaul of cabins for its entire A380 fleet. The carrier will receive five new A380 in the next months. All new delivered aircraft will be configured with the new cabin product. The retrofit work for the existing 14 A380 will start in late 2018 and is targeted for completion in 2020.
Industry European customer orders 31 C-Series
A European airline has signed a letter of intent (LOI) to order 31 C-Series aircraft, with options for additional 30 aircraft. The deal will be agreed by the end of this year.
Industry Embraer and American Airlines sign a contract for ten E175s
Embraer and American Airlines signed a firm order for ten E175 jets. American Airlines is exercising its purchase rights from its original contract with Embraer signed in 2013. This new order is in addition to the one placed in April for four aircraft. The contract is valued at USD 457 million, based on current list prices, and will be included in Embraer’s fourth-quarter backlog. Deliveries will begin in 2018 and continue through mid-2019.
Airlines SkyWork Airlines receives unlimited operating license
On October 31, 2017, the Swiss full service carrier SkyWork has announced, that it was granted the full admission to operate again. This permission was temporarily limited by the Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation, due to the airline’s lack of a secure funding basis, which is a requirement to maintain an AOC.
Airlines Air Berlin bids farewell after 39 years of flying
The last Air Berlin flight has touched down at Berlin-Tegel on Friday, marking the end of existence for the German airline. AB6210 (callsign “BER4EVER”), inbound from Munich, landed at 23:45 local time and was said goodbye by the airport fire brigade with a water salute. Over 400 aviation enthusiasts witnessed the final landing from the visitor terrace at Berlin-Tegel Airport.
Airports Singapore Changi Airport to commence new Terminal 4 operations on October 31
On October 24, 2017, the Changi Airport Group (CAG) has conducted its full-dress rehearsal for the newly built terminal 4 in preparation for the beginning of its operations on October 31, 2017.
Airlines Singapore Airlines announces order for 39 Boeing airplanes
Boeing and Singapore Airlines have formally announced a deal for a total of 39 new aircraft, split into 20 Boeing 777-9s and 19 Boeing 787-10s during a ceremony at the White House in presence of the United States President, Donald Trump and the Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee Hsien Loong.
Helicopters Queensland government orders new AW139
The Government of Queensland in Australia has placed an order for two Leonardo AgustaWestland AW139 helicopters. The helicopters will be used for EMS/SAR missions for Queensland Government Air (QGAir).
Industry AirAsia has taken delivery of the first Airbus A320Neo assembled in Tianjin
AirAsia has received the first A320Neo, assembled at the Airbus Assembly Line Asia (FALA) in Tianjin, China. The low cost carrier and Airbus celebrated the arrival with a traditional ceremony. AirAsia already operates A320Neo aircraft from European final assembly lines.
Freight Qatar Airways expands despite crisis
Due to the capped trade links, the state of Qatar has to boost it´s imports. This is reflected in the ongoing growth of the national cargo carrier, Qatar Airways Cargo. Recently, Qatar Airways Cargo welcomed it´s first Boeing 747-8 Freighter and it´s 13th Boeing 777 Freighter, which takes the overall fleet size to 22 aircraft. The Gulf carrier operates an additional fleet of eight Airbus A330 Freighters.
Airlines Air Mauritius Received Its First Airbus A350-900
Air Mauritius has received its first Airbus A350-900 on Friday, October 20, 2017. The airline is now the first carrier in the Indian Ocean that operates this aircraft type. The wide body aircraft will be operated in a two-class-configuration, offering 28 business class seats, as well as 298 economy class seats. The aircraft was welcomed in Mauritius with a traditional water salute. The new A350 will bear the name “Le Morne Brabant”, which is the highest mountain on the island.
Airlines Southwest Airlines has retired Boeing 737 Classic and launched the 737 MAX 8
After more than 32 years on September 29, 2017, Southwestern Airlines send their Boeing 737 Classic on its very last flight from Housten to Dallas’ Love Field. Only two days later, on October 1, 2017, the low-cost carrier launched the new Boeing 737 MAX 8 and became the first airline in North America which offers scheduled flight with this type of aircraft. The low cost carrier will renew its current fleet and complement its existing fleet with Boeing 737 MAX in the next years.