The government of Iraq has signed a deal valued at more than US$1 billion to buy 10 Boeing 787 Dreamliners on behalf of its fledgling flag carrier, Iraqi Airways. The transaction follows 18 months of negotiations over the new, wide-bodied, long-haul aircraft after the two parties signed a memorandum of understanding in 2008. The aircraft will replace the carrier’s current fleet of leased planes and enable it to re-introduce long haul services. The airline, which was grounded … [Read more...] about MIDDLE EAST: Iraqi Airways leapfrogs into the future

et Airways and subsidiary Jetlite have awarded a comprehensive engines maintenance and engineering support contract to ST Aerospace for the support of Jet Airways’ CFM56-7B engines that power the carriers’ fleet of 67 Boeing 737 next generation aircraft. The 10-year contract is worth US$750 million and is set to commence immediately. The Agreement also encompasses the commissioning of an “Engine Hospital Shop” at Jet Airways’ Hangar facility at … [Read more...] about INDIA: Jet Airways awards engine contract to ST Aero J

A low intensity explosive was found in a cargo compartment of Kingfisher flight IT-4731 that arrived in Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala state, from Bangalore on 21 March. According to the police, the crude bomb was found wrapped in a newspaper at the cargo section, while the crew was clearing that section of the plane. The discovery triggered alarms in Bangalore and Thiruvananthapuram, leading to a high-level investigation on how it got past the many layers of security. All passengers and … [Read more...] about INDIA: Crude bomb found on Kingfisher flight

Indian airport security is set to be given a boost with the introduction of biometric ID cards from April 2010 onwards. Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport will be the launch site for these, the Hindustan Times reported, with other airports around the country adopting them soon after. Airport workers, airline representatives and other people engaged in work at this airport will soon receive smart cards to replace the AEPs (Airport Entry Passes) in use now. Issuing the new … [Read more...] about INDIAl Biometrics ID cards for Indian airports

China is set to be the first destination served by India-based air freight carrier Aryan Cargo Express (ACE) when it launches operations in mid-April. The subsidiary of New Delhi-based Aryan Cargo Express & Logistics is waiting to be issued with slots at Hong Kong and airports in mainland China for its three A310 freighters, dry leased from Air India, for services between the Indian cities of Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai and China. ACE will take delivery of two leased MD-11 aircraft … [Read more...] about INDIA: Aryan Cargo ready for China take-off

State-owned Air India is having second thoughts about turning its cargo unit into separate business unit, according to Indian media reports. The loss-making carrier had earlier announced plans to hive off its cargo business into an independent autonomous unit from 1 April this year to cater to the growing cargo market in the country. Based on the recommendations by consultancy firm Accenture, Air India’s parent, the National Aviation Company of India Limited (NACIL), had … [Read more...] about INDIA: Air India may not hive off cargo unit