AviTrader Aviation News

©Delta jet engine test cell facility

Delta TechOps leaders and employees officially cut the ribbon, opening the world’s largest jet engine test cell. The test cell, which is the first cell built by a U.S. airline in more than 20 years, is capable of running a mounted, stationary engine at full power with 150,000 pounds of thrust. To compare, the airline’s current test cell has a 68,000 pound thrust capacity and the most powerful jet engine in the world today, the GE90 that powers Delta’s Boeing 777-200LR fleet, is rated up to 115,000 pounds of thrust. Delta is preparing for the future as the new test Read more

Qantas’ earnings drop AU$179 million

Qantas has reported underlying profit before tax of AU$780 million while statutory profit was AU$735 million. Compared with its result of last year, that’s a drop of AU$179 million at the underlying level – and despite a AU$416 million increase in its fuel bill. Qantas Loyalty achieved another record result with profit up 4%. This was driven by the strength of the Frequent Flyer program and its growing list of retail partners, as well as continued revenue growth from new ventures – like health insurance and financial services.

Japan Airlines and Vistara enter Codeshare Partnership

JAL and Vistara sign codeshare agreement ©JAL

Japan Airlines (JAL) and India’s full-service carrier, Vistara, have entered a codeshare partnership that will open up more routes between India and Tokyo. With the signing of this agreement, Vistara becomes the only codeshare partner for Japan Airlines in India. The sales of tickets open on February 26, 2019 on all channels and major GDS systems, for travel from February 28, 2019. As part of the agreement, Japan Airlines will add its ‘JL’ designator code to approximately 32 Vistara-operated flights each day across India covering seven Indian cities, namely Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Pune. JAL and Vistara Read more

West Star Aviation named Authorized Service Center for Embraer Lineage

West Star Aviation’s Chattanooga (CHA) facility has been named an Authorized Service Center for Embraer Lineage 1000 and 1000E, continuing to enhance the Chattanooga location as a one-stop shop for Embraer customers. Additional capabilities include avionics repair and installation, airframe and engine inspections, service bulletin installation and compliance, along with full interior redesign and refurbishment, and exterior paint services. The inclusion of the Lineage models now extends to both Chattanooga (CHA) and East Alton (ALN) facilities. West Star offers Embraer Factory approved Base Services on Phenom 100/300 and Legacy 450, 500, 600, 650 series at three of the full-service MRO Read more

February 21, 2019February 22, 2019

Lufthansa Technik expands further into Hungary

Signing ceremony Lufthansa Technik, Miscolc Holding ©LHT

Lufthansa Technik AG has confirmed its plans to open a new repair and overhaul facility for aircraft engine parts in Miskolc, Hungary. The operational site will extend to 20,000 square meters of production space, greatly benefiting customers of Lufthansa Technik´s Engine Parts & Accessories Repair (EPAR) network. Once fully operational, the facility will employ up to 400 members of staff and will encompass state-of-the-art machinery for procedures such as cleaning, thermal spraying and heat treatment of engine parts, but also an extensive training and qualification program. Construction at the new site is planned to begin in 2021. Training and qualification Read more

Elix Aviation Capital Delivers ATR 42-500 to Hevilift

Elix Aviation Capital has delivered one ATR 42-500, MSN 639, on lease to Hevilift. Through this delivery, Elix further supports Hevilift’s fleet growth. This ATR 42-500 aircraft will be operated in service of the resource industry across challenging remote areas in Papua New Guinea.

Chorus Aviation Capital to Acquire Portfolio of Six Aircraft

Chorus Aviation Capital has acquired a portfolio of six aircraft with leases attached. The portfolio consists of two ATR72-600s on lease to Azul of Brazil, and four Q400s on lease to two other existing customers of Chorus Aviation Capital. With these acquisitions, Chorus’ suite of leased regional aircraft (inclusive of nine transactions pending completion) has reached 40 aircraft, comprising 28 turboprops and 12 regional jets valued at approximately US $850 million.

Brazilian Navy Orders Three Multi-Role H135s from Airbus

The Brazilian Navy has ordered three H135 light twin-engine helicopters to be operated by the 1st General Purpose Helicopter Squadron (HU-1). The aircraft will be dedicated to a wide range of missions such as special operations, transport of troops and freight, naval inspection, search and rescue and medical evacuation. Two of these aircraft will be equipped with aeromedical kits. Other equipment will include a cargo hook, an emergency flotation system, a winch, as well as weather radar. The aircraft, which will replace the current light twin-engine AS355s, could also carry out missions in the frame of the Brazilian Antarctic Programme Read more

Etihad Airways to Increase Flights to London during April

Etihad Airways will increase its flights from Abu Dhabi to London Heathrow, from three to up to four daily services, to meet peak demand during the month of April. Commencing April 5, 2019, the flights will be operated by a two-class Boeing 787-9, featuring Etihad Airways’ next-generation Business and Economy cabins, configured with 299 seats – 28 Business Studios and 271 Economy Smart Seats.

MIAT Mongolian Airlines Extends PBH Contract with AJW Group

AJW Group has extended its power-by-hour (PBH) contract with MIAT Mongolian Airlines. This extension marks the addition of the carrier’s Boeing 737 MAX aircraft to the contract. The existing contract with MIAT Mongolian Airlines includes full PBH support for their Boeing 737 Next-Generation aircraft and the airline’s Boeing 767 aircraft. AJW will be positioning a dedicated main base kit inventory solution locally, specific to MIAT’s MAX aircraft, to meet their immediate operational needs in Mongolia. In addition, the extended programme will give MIAT access to AJW’s stock of Boeing spares, conveniently sited for their global route networks across Europe, Central and Read more