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Singapore Special

This year’s Singapore Airshow could be the biggest yet and, once again, gives the island nation a chance to highlight its aerospace capabilities and its strategic significance as an aviation hub, writes Andrzej Jeziorski. Despite continued economic uncertainty in key markets such as Europe and the USA, demand for new aircraft remains strong – as evidenced by the order and delivery tallies just released by manufacturers Airbus and Boeing (see pages 26-27). Asia’s relatively healthy economies and pent-up demand in China and India are now more alluring to aircraft makers than ever, and all key forecasts for the next two decades show the region as the driver of the continued growth of the global aviation industry. This is encouraging news for the organisers of this year’s Singapore Airshow – the biggest event of its kind outside of Europe.

20th Jan 2012 | Read more

Manufacturers A380 faces wing-cracking problems

Still recovering from the consequences of an uncontained engine failure on a Qantas aircraft in November 2010, the Airbus A380 programme now faces an issue with wing cracking, writes Andrzej Jeziorski. Four years after entry into service, the Airbus A380 – the world’s largest airliner – is facing a wave of negative press after reports of cracks found in the wings of aircraft operated by Qantas and Singapore Airlines (SIA).

20th Jan 2012 | Read more

Environment - Leading the green revolution

From biofuels to efficient aircraft design to aircraft recycling – the global aviation industry is trying to be as environmentally friendly as possible. Emma Kelly reports on the industry’s green initiatives.

28th Sep 2011 | Read more

Industry Round-Up - Updates from Airbus, Liebherr, ST Aerospace

AIRBUS has transported the first A350 XWB nose section to its plant in St Nazaire from partner Aerolia’s site in Méaulte, using one of the manufacturer’s Beluga aircraft. The A350 XWB nose section comprises three main sub-assemblies: the cockpit plus upper and lower forward fuselage parts, which incorporate door one and the nose landing gear bay. Making the best use of modern, high-tech materials, the A350 XWB nose section is made of 40 percent composites, 55 percent aluminium/aluminium-lithium and 5 percent titanium. Once assembled and equipped, the nose section will be joined to the forward fuselage (made and equipped in Hamburg) to form the A350 XWB front fuselage.

28th Sep 2011 | Read more

Industry Round-Up Sept 2011

Updates from Fokker Services, AJ Walter, Gulfstream

2nd Sep 2011 | Read more

Boeing comes out swinging

So we finally know the answer. For months now, it appeared that Boeing was unable to commit itself to a concrete strategy on the future of its single-aisle product, while Airbus racked up more than 1,200 orders for its re-engined A320neo in the nine months since the programme’s launch.

2nd Sep 2011 | Read more

Solar Impulse gathers support around Europe

Solar Impulse’s first prototype solar-powered aircraft completed a European promotional tour this year, in the run-up to a planned non-stop, round-the-world flight in 2014, writes Andrzej Jeziorski.

2nd Sep 2011 | Read more

In-Flight Entertainment

Connectivity and personal entertainment and communication devices have not killed off seatback in-flight entertainment and communications systems, as some had predicted. Emma Kelly looks at how IFEC manufacturers are planning for the future.

31st Aug 2011 | Read more

Asia-Pacific ATM goes green

Asia-Pacific ATM goes green A new round of innovative ATM initiatives in the region has been launched, designed to reduce emissions and increase operational efficiency. Emma Kelly examines the latest projects. First there was ASPIRE – the Asia and Pacific Initiative to Reduce Emissions – and now there is INSPIRE – the Indian Ocean Strategic Partnership to Reduce Emissions. Both are collaborative environmental air traffic management (ATM) initiatives with the same goals at their core: to implement “green” ATM processes and technology, and reduce aviation’s environmental footprint.

29th Aug 2011 | Read more

Qantas incident investigation targets R-R’s quality control

The Australian Transportation Safety Board (ATSB) says it is reviewing Rolls-Royce’s quality control system as part of its continuing investigation into the uncontained failure of a Trent 900 engine that severely damaged a Qantas A380 last November.

6th Jun 2011 | Read more

SIA pins hopes on new long-haul LCC

“[SIA’s plan] appears to be a recognition that the flag carrier’s long-standing focus on premium traffic (which must, in turn, mutually subsidise lower-priced leisure travellers) is not, in itself, a formula for the future.” – Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation]

6th Jun 2011 | Read more

Facing up to regulatory challenges

The Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) comprises 17 of the region’s largest carriers, which collectively handle about 285 million passengers and 10 million tonnes of cargo a year. AAPA Director General Andrew Herdman spoke with Asian Aviation’s Andrzej Jeziorski during the Asian Aerospace 2011 show in Hong Kong.

5th Apr 2011 | Read more

Bombardier prepares for CSeries systems testing

The first systems for Bombardier’s CSeries jetliner program are now being developed and tested by partners and vendors in Canada, the USA and Europe, prior to delivery to Bombardier’s Complete Integrated Aircraft Systems Test Area (CIASTA). According to Bombardier, the installation of the systems rigs at the CIASTA is progressing on schedule, and some parts, including the engine accessory gearbox and flight deck controls, have already arrived.

4th Apr 2011 | Read more

Eurocopter announces product line upgrades

urocopter announced “a comprehensive evolution” of its helicopter product line at this year’s Heli-Expo 2011 exhibition in Orlando, Florida in March. The upgrades are intended to offer “enhanced operating capabilities, improved mission effectiveness and increased efficiency across four families in the company’s light, medium and heavy rotary-wing aircraft categories,” as the manufacturer responds to evolving customer needs, Eurocopter says.

4th Apr 2011 | Read more

Aircraft Interiors

The good news for airlines over the past year has been a resurgence in demand for air travel, as the world recovers from economic crisis. The bad news is that margins remains – in the words of IATA chief Giovanni Bisignani – “pathetic”. This means carriers must redouble their efforts to maximise the efficiency of their operations and fill as many seats as they can – especially in their high-yield premium cabins. One vital strategy they have had to pay increasing attention to is their aircraft cabin interiors.

4th Apr 2011 | Read more

Asian Aerospace Show Report

Hong Kong once again played host to the Asian Aerospace International Expo and Congress on 8-10 March. While some exhibitors seemed disappointed that the halls were not busier at a time of recovery for commercial aviation, attendance still reached a record 12,300 delegates and the show had its fair share of major announcements, as Andrzej Jeziorski reports.

1st Apr 2011 | Read more

Boeing again reschedules ‘seven-late-seven’

Following November's Boeing 787 in-flight fire, emergency landing, and subsequent temporary grounding, Boeing has developed a temporary modification for its six test aircraft, which now have resumed test flying. But the manufacturer has also confirmed a seventh delay to the troubled programme, as Ian Goold reports.

28th Feb 2011 | Read more

BRAHMOS – The Winning Edge

Draft Defence Review Asia

1st Feb 2011 | Read more

Air NZ taps viral marketing to raise profile

s an end-of-the-line carrier located in a small country, Air New Zealand might well be expected to be a follower rather than a leader in the industry. But, as the online viral success of its latest television commercials show, innovation does sometimes originate in unexpected places.

28th Jan 2011 | Read more

Emirates surges to record first half

With traffic on the rebound, Emirates has posted a massive 352 percent surge in first-half profit. At the same time, the carrier has committed itself to a dramatic expansion of its fleet.

13th Dec 2010 | Read more

Qantas’s Airbus A380 fleet remains grounded a week after an uncontained engine failure forced one of the aircraft to make an emergency landing in Singapore.

Qantas now has six A380s in service and 14 more on order.

12th Nov 2010 | Read more

Russia’s aerospace revival

The aerospace industry in Russia is being renovated and developed by United Aircraft, which has absorbed many of the country’s Soviet-era design bureaux and factories.

1st Nov 2010 | Read more

General News. September 2010.

A glance at Aviation News. Sept, 2010.

1st Sep 2010 | Read more

Quickstep makes push into US market

Australian composite manufacturer Quickstep is building its business as interest in its novel process grows

1st Jul 2010 | Read more

Airlines tap IT to cut costs, boost efficiency

With the need to cut operating costs, pressure on yields and the growth of low-fare carriers, airlines are being forced to boost the efficiency of every aspect of their business to remain competitive. IT companies are offering the sector innovative products to help them

1st Jul 2010 | Read more

Hong Kong Airlines takes delivery of first Airbus

Hong Kong Airlines formally took delivery of its first Airbus aircraft, an A330-200 at a ceremony on 15 June.

1st Jul 2010 | Read more

Asian Aviation at a glance