Manufacturing of the first A350 XWB for Thai Airways International (THAI) is advancing well according to Airbus, with major components progressing towards the start of final assembly in October 2015. First delivery of Airbus’ latest generation widebody airliner to THAI is scheduled in mid-2016. THAI will acquire a total of 12 A350 XWB aircraft, with four on direct order and eight on lease. The airline will be able to operate these aircraft on long-haul services to Europe and in Asia. … [Read more...] about THAI’s first A350 XWB well underway
Gateways
THAI continues to operate to EU destinations
Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI) announced that it will continue to operate as normal to European destinations. Charamporn Jotikasthira, THAI president, said that the European Union did not list Thai Airways International in the “list of airlines banned within the EU”, despite the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) posting a red flag on Thailand’s Department of Civil Aviation (Thai DCA). In February 2015, the ICAO had issued a Significant Safety Concern … [Read more...] about THAI continues to operate to EU destinations
ICAO officially issues an SSC against Thailand
The International Civil Aviation Authority (ICAO) has formally issued a Serious Safety Concern (SSC) against Thailand after the country’s Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) failed to adequately address regulatory oversight shortcomings identified during a Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) inspection in January. Thailand reportedly only satisfied 21 out the 100 criteria inspected during the USOAP audit with problem areas said to include personnel licensing and training, … [Read more...] about ICAO officially issues an SSC against Thailand
PAL to lease two more B777s next year
Philippine Airlines (PAL) will bolster its fleet of six B777-300(ER)s with the lease – in a deal with Intrepid Aviation – of two more over the next year with the carrier aiming to turn its Manila to Los Angeles and San Francisco operations into an all-B777 operation instead of its current mix which also includes fourengine A340s. Once the carrier has exited A340 operations, it will operate just two types of widebodies – A330-300s (of which it has 15) and B777-300ERs. The A330-300s are … [Read more...] about PAL to lease two more B777s next year
EC lifts ban on remaining Philippine carriers
The European Commission (EC) has removed all Philippine-registered airlines, including Cebu Pacific and Air Asia Philippines, from its newly updated list of carriers banned from operating in EU airspace. The EC had already lifted flight restrictions on Philippine Airlines (PAL) back in 2013 allowing the national carrier to resume flights to destinations in the EU after a 15 year hiatus. Violeta Bulc, EU commissioner for Transport said: “After five years of hard work we are finally able to … [Read more...] about EC lifts ban on remaining Philippine carriers
Korean goes big with 100 Airbus, Boeing orders
Korean Air announced the airline’s intent to purchase up to fifty A321neo aircraft including thirty firm orders and twenty options along with 30 B737 MAXs and two additional B777-300ER aircraft with options for an additional 20 B737 MAXs. “This agreement reflects Korean Air’s ongoing fleet modernisation programme and we are committed to introducing new next-generation aircraft that are environmentally friendly and fuel efficient, while also providing maximum comfort to our passengers,” said … [Read more...] about Korean goes big with 100 Airbus, Boeing orders