The Y-20, the first Chinese-designed medium transport aircraft developed by Xi'an Aircraft Industrial Corp., is likely to enter service with the People's Liberation Army in the next two years, People's Daily reported. The Y-20 will be shown to the public for the first time at the Zhuhai Airshow in Guangdong province next month. A report published by National Defense University in Beijing said China at present lacks the cargo planes to match its rivals in the Asia-Pacific. The report said the … [Read more...] about Y-20 cargo aircraft to enter service in two years
Aircraft Manufacturers
QR's first A350 completes maiden test flight
The first customer A350-900 which will be delivered to Qatar Airways has successfully completed its maiden flight. The flight was the first time an A350 XWB configured for a customer has taken to the sky. Following the successful flight, Qatar’s A350 XWB will continue its production phase before delivery. Qatar Airways will become the first operator of the A350 XWB when it takes delivery of its first aircraft later this year. The airline has 80 A350s on order, including 43 A350-900 and … [Read more...] about QR's first A350 completes maiden test flight
IndiGo signs MoU for 250 A320neo aircraft
IndiGo and its co-founders, Rakesh Gangwal and Rahul Bhatia, group managing director of InterGlobe, have signed an MoU for 250 A320neo Family aircraft. The agreement will become Airbus’ single largest order by number of aircraft. Aditya Ghosh, president of IndiGo said, “This new order reaffirms IndiGo’s commitment to the long-term development of affordable air transportation in India and overseas. The IndiGo team is energised and excited to herald this new phase of our … [Read more...] about IndiGo signs MoU for 250 A320neo aircraft
Garuda orders 50 B737 MAX 8s
Garuda Indonesia has ordered 50 B737 MAX 8s, valued at US$4.9 billion. Boeing said that the carrier will purchase 46 737 MAX 8s and convert existing orders for four 737-800s to 737 MAX 8s. This revitalisation programme is due to the end of the lease term for the airline’s existing 12-year-average B737-800NG aircraft. Garuda will take delivery of its new B737 MAX 8 aircraft in stages, starting from 2017 through to 2023. The MAXs will be powered by CFM International LEAP-1Bs, the … [Read more...] about Garuda orders 50 B737 MAX 8s
HK Airlines takes on contoured containers
Hong Kong Airlines has placed an order for 40 Nordisk AMV main deck cargo containers for its fleet of A330â€200F aircraft. The container, custom designed by Nordisk Aviation Products in partnership with Airbus, has a base dimension of 96 x 125”, and accommodates sideâ€byâ€side loading of unit load devices (ULDs) on the main deck of the A330â€200F as well as the A300â€600 and A310â€300 converted freighters. The AMV is contoured to match the fuselage sidewalls, allowing carriers to … [Read more...] about HK Airlines takes on contoured containers
Qantas to unveil “retro” livery on B737
For the first time in Qantas’ 94 year history, the airline will introduce a "retro" livery on one of its brand new B737 aircraft as a flying tribute to 70 years of its iconic kangaroo logo. The original kangaroo symbol, that was adapted from the Australian one penny coin, was initially painted beneath the cockpit of Qantas’ first Liberator aircraft G-AGKT in 1944 following the airline’s decision to name its Indian Ocean passage the Kangaroo Service. Group executive for … [Read more...] about Qantas to unveil “retro” livery on B737