FAA gives Boeing’s troubled 737 MAX all-clear over fix for electrical faults

United Airlines Boeing 737 MAX ©AirTeamImages

The fix for electrical faults on the Boeing 737 MAX that forced over 100 of the jets to be grounded in early April has received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Two bulletins with appropriate fixes which received FAA approval have been sent to affected carriers. “After gaining final approvals from the FAA, we have issued service bulletins for the affected fleet,” Boeing told Reuters news agency. “We are also completing the work as we prepare to resume deliveries.” The FAA’s Administrator, Steve Dickson, advised U.S. lawmakers that the electrical issue would need a “pretty straightforward fix,” and that Read more

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SAS starts direct flights to New York again

SAS Airbus A330 aircraft ©AirTeamImages

SAS is resuming its direct route from Oslo to New York on July 3. The Oslo – New York route will start with two weekly round trips, departing from Oslo on Wednesdays and Saturdays and returning on Thursdays and Sundays. SAS will then continuously review a possible increase in frequency based on demand. The route provides easy access to city breaks in New York and onward travel to the rest of the USA via Newark Liberty International Airport’s many transfer options. On March 13, 2020, the pandemic put a temporary stop to SAS’ direct route between Oslo and New York. Read more

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First Boeing-Saab T-7A Red Hawk advanced trainer joined with its aft section

Boeing T-7A Red Hawk aircraft mechanic examines the surface of the first spliced advanced trainer being produced in St. Louis ©Boeing

The front fuselage of the first Boeing-Saab T-7A Red Hawk advanced trainer was joined perfectly with its aft section in less than 30 minutes — a testament to the digital heritage of the U.S. Air Force’s first “eSeries” aircraft and witness to the benefits of model-based engineering and 3-D design. The digital splice was completed in 95% less time than traditional splices and with substantial quality improvements. The aft fuselage was designed and built by Saab in Linköping, Sweden, under a joint development agreement with Boeing. After making the journey of more than 4,500 miles (7,200 km) to St. Louis, Read more

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Fly Leasing reports first quarter 2021 financial results

FLY is reporting a net loss of US$3.4 million for the first quarter of 2021. This compares to net income of US$38.1 million for the same period in 2020. During the first quarter of 2021, FLY recognized US$5.9 million of costs associated with the pending transaction with Carlyle Aviation. Adjusted net loss was US$1.4 million for the first quarter of 2021, compared to adjusted net income of US$43.6 million for the same period in the previous year. On March 31, 2021, FLY’s total assets were US$3.1 billion, including investment in flight equipment totaling US$2.8 billion. Total cash on March 31, Read more

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SmartLynx Airlines adds five Airbus A330 aircraft for cargo operations

The Airbus A330 aircraft will be modified to zero LOPA by removing passenger seats ©SmartLynx Airlines

SmartLynx Airlines Malta, EU-based specialists in full-service ACMI aircraft leasing solutions, has announced an important addition to its Airbus fleet. Currently operated Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft will be joined by Airbus A330 aircraft type with a goal to become leaders of the long-haul market. The five Airbus A330 aircraft will be modified to zero LOPA by removing passenger seats and preparing aircraft for cargo flights. The planes are planned to be added to SmartLynx Airlines’ fleet during May and June. According to IATA, in April 2021, air cargo demand reached an all-time high and was up 9% compared to Read more

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FL Technics Engine Services to become one-stop-shop for CFM56-family engine repair

©FL Technics Engine Services

Following a successful start of operations late last year, FL Technics Engine Services, subsidiary of FL Technics, MRO organization, has announced the addition of more EASA Part 145 approved services for engine repair and maintenance. In addition to previously available services that include engine external examination, boreblending, engine preservation and storage services, QEC/LRU removal and installation, top case repair, and lease return services, FL Technics Engine Services will now offer its clients the full scope of crucial services for CFM56-family engines, related to fan, hot section, and low-pressure turbine repair. The newly added services will be provided at a brand Read more

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Alaska Air Group orders a combined 17 Embraer E175s for Horizon Air and Sky West

Alaska-Horizon Embraer E175 aircraft ©Embraer

Alaska Air Group has announced that it has converted nine of its April 2016 options to firm purchases for Brazilian planemaker Embraer’s E175 jets under a Capacity Purchase Agreement (CPA) at a list price of US$449.1 million. “We have navigated through the pandemic and we’re on a solid path to recovery. The E175 remains a key part of our strategy,” said Nat Pieper, Alaska Airlines senior vice president of fleet, finance and alliances. “We’re excited about growth in the years ahead, which has always been at the heart of Alaska’s DNA. The E175 is a terrific plane to help us Read more

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AerCap shareholders approve acquisition of GECAS

AerCap Holdings N.V. has released that its shareholders have approved the previously announced acquisition of GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS), a General Electric business, at the Annual General Meeting of shareholders held on May 12. The transaction remains subject to the receipt of necessary regulatory approvals and to the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions. AerCap has its headquarters in Dublin with offices in Shannon, Los Angeles, Singapore, Amsterdam, Shanghai, Abu Dhabi, Seattle, and Toulouse. AerCap is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (AER).

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Qantas Group to adjust planned international flights from end-October 2021 to late December 2021

Qantas Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner ©AirTeamImages

Qantas has released that the Federal Government has revised its anticipated timeline for the completion of Australia’s vaccine rollout to end-2021 and its timeline for significantly reopening its international borders to mid-2022. In light of these two dates, the Qantas Group will adjust its planned international flights from end-October 2021 to late December 2021.  (Trans-Tasman flights are unchanged.) The Group remains optimistic that additional bubbles will open once Australia’s vaccine rollout is complete to countries which, by then, will be in a similar position, but it is difficult to predict which ones at this stage. This planning assumption will allow Read more

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MTU Maintenance delivers 500th CF34-10E engine to Kenya Airways

The virtual hand over ceremony of the 500th overhauled CF34-10E engine ©MTU

MTU Maintenance handed over its of 500th overhauled CF34-10E to customer Kenya Airways in a virtual ceremony on May 11. MTU Maintenance has maintained a number of Kenya Airways’ CF34-10E engines since 2016 and CFM56 engines since 2019. “Despite these unusual times, we are delighted that it was possible to celebrate this success and milestone with Kenya Airways virtually,” says André Sinanian, Managing Director and Senior Vice President, MTU Maintenance Berlin-Brandenburg. “At MTU Maintenance, we take pride in our performance and reliability and are proud our customers return to us time and time again.”

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