Regional Express announced on December 24 that it is quiting its Mackay to Townsville route from January 1 2010, and that it has launched a complaint with the ACCC against competitor QantasLink. Rex launched Mackay-Townsville services on October 1 2009, marking its re-entry to the Queensland market. However, the airline claims that in response to
Boeing announced on December 22 that it has acquired Alenia North America’s 50 per cent stake in Charleston, South Carolina, based 787 supplier Global Aeronautica. The acquisition will see Global Aeronautica, which completes subassembly on the centre sections of the 787 before they enter final assembly, become a wholly owned subsidiary of Boeing Charleston. Boeing
Ryanair has pulled out of talks with Boeing over a potential order for up to 200 737-800s, blaming Boeing for not offering attractive delivery conditions, although the carrier is not carrying out its threat to cancel aircraft already ordered. Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary said in a statement issued by the airline on December 18 that
The second Boeing 787, ZA002, made its first flight on December 22, taking off from Paine Field, Everett, at 9.09am local time and landing at Boeing Field, Seattle, just over two hours later at 11.10am. Captain Randy Neville was in command for the flight, with 787 chief pilot Captain Mike Carriker in the right hand
CFM International has won the race to power the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) C919 150-seat airliner, with its next generation LEAP-X engine selected ahead of the Pratt & Whitney PW1000G geared turbofan. Under an agreement with COMAC, CFM (which is a joint venture between General Electric and Snecma) will provide the LEAP-X1C engine
Cessna delivered its first Model 162 Skycatcher on December 18 at a delivery ceremony held at Yingling Aircraft in Wichita, Kansas. The aircraft, which recently received ASTM compliance which clears it for flights under the Light Sport Aircraft category in the US without the need for FAA certification, was delivered to Rose Pelton, the wife
