British Airways will buy 18 Airbus A350-1000 aircraft and has signed for 18 options as part of the airline’s ongoing long-haul aircraft fleet renewal strategy. IAG, owner of British Airways and Iberia, has also secured commercial terms and delivery slots that could lead to firm orders for Iberia. Firm orders will only be made when
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has cited concerns over Tiger Australia’s financial viability in announcing it will “not oppose” Virgin Australia’s takeover of the local arm of the Singaporean-based low cost carrier. “Essential to reaching this view was the ACCC’s assessment, made after thorough and extensive testing of the issue, that Tiger Australia would
More than 86 million passengers flew domestically and internationally during 2012, marking another year of record passenger movements in Australia. The 4.5 per cent increase over 2011’s figures was more than three times the growth rate of the US. The number of international passengers grew 5.2 per cent in 2012, with three of the four
Melbourne has moved a step closer to a second international airport with a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between Australia and the Philippines securing the rights for international flights to Avalon. The MoU will allow Australian and Philippine carriers to operate a direct daily service between the Philippines and Avalon Airport. “An international airport
Air New Zealand passengers can look forward to a much-improved transit process at Los Angeles (LAX) after a successful trial led the US customs service approved a new transit system for Air New Zealand passengers arriving from Auckland or from London. On completion of US visa requirements, transiting passengers now receive a token which allows
The RAAF has conducted initial tanking trials between Super Hornets and the KC-30A, leading to the approval of the two aircraft types to undertake air-to-air refuelling within a limited envelope. The approval marks a further move towards Final Operating Capability for the KC-30. According to the latest issue of the Air Force newspaper, some 87 engagements
