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
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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
Boeing announces second 787 assembly line
Boeing has announced that it has chosen its North Charleston, South Carolina facility as the location for a second final assembly site for the 787 Dreamliner program. Boeing said it evaluated criteria that were designed to find the final assembly location within the company that would best support the 787 business plan as the program increases production rates. In addition to serving as a location for final assembly of 787 Dreamliners, the facility also will have the capability to support the … [Read more...] about Boeing announces second 787 assembly line
Airline exec confidence returns
Airline executives expect improved results and a rebound in cargo volumes in the coming year, a "turning point" for a sector closely linked to economic trends, a survey released on Monday showed. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) said confidence had grown markedly among major carriers in Asia, Europe and the Americas. "This does look like a turning point," IATA said of the quarterly business confidence poll. … [Read more...] about Airline exec confidence returns
