The International Air Transport Association (IATA) together with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the Commission of the European Union (EU), has signed a Declaration of Intent to exchange safety data. “Today’s milestone agreement marks the first time the global aviation community has come together to work on a global safety information exchange. Data must drive our actions so that we can focus our joint … [Read more...] about AMERICAS: Global agreement on safety info exchange

Boeing says it will speed up its production plans for its 747 and 777 aircraft “in anticipation of greater demand from commercial airlines in a couple of years.” “We see 2010 as the year of overall economic recovery within the industry and 2011 a year where airlines return to profitability,” Randy Tinseth, vice president of Marketing for Boeing Commercial Airplanes said. “As a result, we anticipate an increase in demand for airplanes in 2012 and beyond.” … [Read more...] about AMERICAS: Boeing boosting 747-8 and 777 production

Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Jim Albaugh believes China will become a significant competitor in civil aircraft manufacturing, but he does not expect COMAC’s C919 – a direct competitor to Boeing 737 – to achieve a major sales presence outside the country. “It will probably be a good airplane. Will that be the airplane that they market outside China? Probably not,” Albaugh said recently, adding: “But the airplane after … [Read more...] about AMERICAS: Boeing expects rising competition

Boeing’s flight-test programme for its new 787 Dreamliner is running behind schedule, though the company insists that launch customer All Nippon Airways will have its first aircraft by 31 December. The company was finally able to get the 787 airborne last December, but the plane is already two-and-a-half years behind schedule and has cost Boeing billions of dollars in penalties. Minor delays and unexpected issues have meant that the crucial in-flight certification process with … [Read more...] about AMERICAS: Dreamliner falling behind in test schedule

Air Canada Cargo is offering new, non-stop seasonal service three times per week to and from Calgary (YYC) and Tokyo-Narita (NRT) from end-March. The new route, operated by a B767-300, is the only non-stop service from the Calgary area to Asia. Air Canada Cargo said it will also be expanding its network to over a dozen new cities over the next few months, including Brussels, Athens, Barcelona and Copenhagen. … [Read more...] about AMERICAS: New Calgary-Tokyo service for Air Canada

Virgin America yesterday announced it will add nine additional A320s (six arriving this year and three scheduled in the 2011 first quarter), bringing its fleet to 37 from 28 currently. With the new, leased aircraft Virgin will launch new daily flights to Orlando International from Los Angeles and San Francisco in August. It also plans to begin daily service from LAX and SFO to Toronto Pearson, its first international destination, as early as June. … [Read more...] about AMERICAS: First international foray for Virgin America