ATW Photo Gallery-In the News-June 2016

Ethiopian Airlines took delivery of the first of 14 Airbus A350 XWBs on June 28, making it Africa’s first operator of the type. It is also the Addis Ababa-based carrier’s first Airbus aircraft in its 70-year history.

Bombardier delivered the first CSeries aircraft, to Lufthansa subsidiary Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS), at ceremonies in Montreal June 29.

Air Canada has finalized an order for 45 Bombardier CS300s, plus options for 30 additional aircraft.

Embraer has cut metal for its first E175-E2 prototype at its Evora plant in Portugal, producing a wing stud for the third and smallest member of its second generation E-Jet family.

Lufthansa Group low-cost (LCC) subsidiary Eurowings Europe has launched its first flight from Vienna to Alicante June 23.

Moscow-based Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute (TsAGI) has completed flutter tests on the Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SSJ100) extended range aircraft, which has a new wing with improved structure.

Dubai International (DXB) makes an indelible impression even when viewed from outer space with the addition of Concourse D. Concourse D, which is the last major facility that DXB has space for, has boosted the airport’s annual capacity to 90 million passengers.

Dublin-based lessor AWAS has placed a follow-on firm order for 15 A320 family aircraft, comprising three A321ceos and 12 A320ceos.

Memphis-based FedEx Corp. has converted six Boeing 767-300 freighter options to firm orders for delivery to its FedEx Express unit between June 1, 2019 and May 31, 2020.

Boeing acknowledged June 21 that Iran Air has signed a letter of intent to order airliners, confirming the US manufacturer intends to challenge Airbus vigorously in the politically sensitive, but potentially lucrative Middle Eastern market. The company declined to disclose details of the agreement with Iran Air. But the numbers discussed appear to be greater than 100 airliners, including about 70 narrowbodies and an unspecified number of 747-8 intercontinental passenger jets, according to sources familiar with the talks.

Airbus is making its first A350-900 demonstration tour of China, from June 25-July 2, as it attempts to tap further into the booming Chinese airline market. The A350 test aircraft, MSN002, outfitted with a cabin interior, will fly to Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Haikou and Chengdu.

The Russian government is ready to invest up to RUB530 million ($8.3 million) in assembling the revived Let L-410 in the Ural region this year.

The Moscow Region Urban Council has approved the Northern Terminal Complex development project for Moscow Sheremetyevo International Airport (SVO), which is scheduled to be completed by 2018.

At least three passengers at Shanghai Pudong International Airport were injured when a man exploded two apparently homemade bombs on June 12.

Pratt & Whitney executives are defending the PW1100G, insisting the engine startup restrictions and associated software problems that bedeviled the Airbus A320neo’s entry into service (EIS) are now fixed.

FAA has signed a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRDA) with Liteye Systems to evaluate technology developed by a trio of UK companies to identify and disable unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or “drones” operating near airports.

Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency, Rosaviatsia, has restricted Moscow-based Red Wings Airlines’ air operator’s certificate (AOC), prohibiting it from SSJ100 aircraft operations. The decision takes effect from July 1.

Hainan Airlines has taken delivery of its first Boeing 787-9, becoming China’s first operator of both the 787-8 and -9 variants of the Dreamliner family.

The first flight for Russia’s MC-21-300, which was rolled out June 8, is planned for December 2016-February 2017

Paris Orly-based long-haul, low-cost startup French Blue has taken delivery of its first aircraft, a new Airbus A330-300, and is aiming to launch operations on Sept. 10.

Taipei-based China Airlines, which was scheduled to take delivery of its first Airbus A350 XWB in July, has been informed by the European manufacturer its first aircraft will now arrive at the end of September. Photo: Rendering of A350-900 in China Airlines' livery

Star Alliance appointed Jeffrey Goh as CEO as of Jan. 1, 2017, succeeding Mark Schwab who will retire at the end of the year. Pictured: From left: Incoming Star Alliance CEO Jeffrey Goh, CEO Mark Schwab and Star executive board chairman Calin Rovinescu

Bombardier completed a CSeries aircraft demonstration flight carrying senior executives from about 20 Star Alliance member airlines and media representatives. The historic flight of the CSeries aircraft departed Dublin at the conclusion of the 2016 IATA AGM on June 3.