Boeing and Airbus remain upbeat over India’s aviation growth potential, with Airbus upping its 20-year global market forecast for the country, saying India will need 1,032 new aircraft worth US$138 billion by 2028. Airbus’ last forecast released two years back had said that the country would need 992 aircraft worth $105 billion over the same period. Boeing’s current market outlook (2009-2028) for India is only slightly less optimistic with the US carrier … [Read more...] about Airbus/Boeing upbeat on India potential
Aircraft Manufacturers
Successful maiden flight for Boeing’s new 747-8F
Boeing’s new 747-8 Freighter took to the sky for the first time last week, nearly 41 years to the day that the orginal B747-100 first flew, for the start of the freighter’s 1,600 hour flight test programme. Boeing’s 747 chief pilot Mark Feuerstein and Capt. Tom Imrich took the aircraft through its paces in the blue skies over Boeing’s Washington production headquarters. "It was a real privilege to be at the controls of this great aeroplane on its first … [Read more...] about Successful maiden flight for Boeing’s new 747-8F
First B747-8 Freighter emerges from assembly
Boeing towed the first 747-8 Freighter – destined for launch customer Cargolux – out of its Everett, Washington assembly hangar on Thursday in preparation for painting and flight testing. The 747-8 Freighter is 76.3 metres long, which is 5.6 metres longer than the 747-400 Freighter. The stretch provides customers with 16 per cent more revenue cargo volume compared to its predecessor, which translates to four additional main-deck pallets and three additional lower-hold … [Read more...] about First B747-8 Freighter emerges from assembly
Reinforcements on first Boeing 787
Dreamliner completed Boeing has announced it has completed installing reinforcements within the side-of-body section on the first 787 Dreamliner. The modification entails installing new fittings at 34 stringer locations within the joint where the wing is attached to the fuselage. Installations were completed Thursday. Boeing expects to complete the installations on the static test airframe and the second flight-test airplane in the coming days, it said. … [Read more...] about Reinforcements on first Boeing 787
Airbus’ A330-200 Freighter makes maiden flight
Airbus’ new A330-200 Freighter took to the skies Thursday during a four hour maiden flight over Toulouse. This milestone marks the start of a 180 hour flight-test and certification campaign, and paves the way for first delivery of the type to launch operator, Etihad Crystal Cargo, in the summer of 2010, Airbus said. India’s Flyington Freighters start-upwas to originally have been the launch customer but exchanged slots due to the global recession. The aircraft has already … [Read more...] about Airbus’ A330-200 Freighter makes maiden flight
Air NZ places order for 14 A320s
Air New Zealand said Tuesday that it will consolidate its short-range fleet around Airbus aircraft saying it will buy 14 new Airbus A320 aircraft to replace its current domestic fleet of 15 Boeing 737-300 aircraft. Air New Zealand's general manager for short haul operations, Bruce Parton, told Dow Jones the decision was motivated by technical factors, such as the width and cargo system of Airbus aircraft, as well as price. The first A320 will arrive in January 2011, Air New Zealand said, with … [Read more...] about Air NZ places order for 14 A320s
