NASA, Boeing to Host Media Briefing, Provide Starliner Update

NASA and Boeing will host a media teleconference at 2 p.m. EDT Wednesday, March 29, to provide an update on the Crew Flight Test (CFT) of the CST-100 Starliner spacecraft to the International Space Station. Managers will share a mission status and discuss upcoming milestones ahead of Starliner's first flight with astronauts prior to certifying the spacecraft and systems for regular crew rotation flights to the space station for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. (www.nasa.gov) More...

Pilot Unions Form Coalition to Oppose Single-Pilot Operations, Citing Safety Concerns and Profit-Driven Motives

MONTREAL, CANADA — Pilot unions are strongly opposing single-pilot operations for commercial aircraft, labeling these automation-dependent concepts as profit-driven and posing significant safety risks. The Air Line Pilots Association International, European Cockpit Association, and International Federation of Air Line Pilots' Associations have formed a coalition to counter such initiatives and are committed to protecting the safety of passengers. (www.airlinerwatch.com) More...

A321XLR programme completes second cold-weather testing campaign

This week the A321XLR development flight-test aircraft (“FT3”, MSN11080) dedicated to the cabin returned from its four-day cold-weather ground testing at Iqaluit in northern Canada. A few weeks earlier, one of the other A321XLR test aircraft (“FT2”, MSN11058) made a similar visit to Iqaluit. On that initial occasion the mission was to test the operation of the hydraulics and other systems at extreme cold temperatures – after an overnight soak at minus 40 degrees Centigrade. (www.airbus.com) More...

FAA looks to address potential fuel leaks from Boeing 737’s APU

The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is issuing an Airworthiness Directive (AD), addressing potential damage to the Boeing 737’s Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) fuel line shroud (www.aerotime.aero) More...

Airbus achieves autonomous control of drone from tanker aircraft

Airbus completed the first test flight of its Auto’Mate technology demonstrator, showcasing in-flight autonomous guidance and control of a drone using an A310 MRTT tanker. (www.aerotime.aero) More...

China: Deadly 2022 Plane Crash Still Being Investigated

Experts are still investigating the cause of the crash of a China Eastern Airlines jetliner that killed 132 people one year ago, China's government said Monday. (www.voanews.com) More...

Fake SWA gate times

I have witnessed multiple false gate times for Southwest Airlines in Hawaii in the last week. For example on 3/28/2023 swa3656 shows leaving gate in Lihue before the aircraft arrived at the airport from the previous flight. (flightaware.com) More...

78th Domestic Destination: IndiGo Starts Flying To Dharamshala

IndiGo’s regional footprint in India was boosted further recently with the commencement of its flight between Delhi and the hillside town of Dharamshala in the state of Himachal Pradesh. The airline is just the third in the country to operate flights there, given the mountainous terrain and runway limitations, requiring smaller aircraft. (www.msn.com) More...

Flight Makes Emergency Landing After Man Allegedly Drinks Liter of Vodka, Causes ‘Two Hours of Chaos’

On Monday, an Easyjet flight traveling from Manchester to Antalya was forced to make an emergency landing in Hungary following “two hours of chaos” that involved a particularly rowdy passenger and the alleged drinking of “at least” a liter of vodka, reported The Scottish Sun. According to The Scottish Sun, the unnamed man had purchased the booze duty-free at the airport and reportedly attempted to disguise it from staff by pouring it into a soda bottle. “He started annoying the girl in front, so… (www.msn.com) More...

Delta Air Lines Relaunches Minneapolis Tokyo Flights With The Airbus A330neo

After a three-year pause, Delta Air Lines and Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) celebrated over the weekend by resuming its Tokyo Haneda (HND) connection on Saturday 25th. The connection joins five other Delta flights that now operate to Tokyo Haneda, with two more expected to join the list this year, as noted further in this article. With the Minneapolis / Saint Paul region seeing 17,000 passengers travel directly between MSP and Japan annually, Brian Ryks, CEO of the… (www.msn.com) More...

Strikes Prompt British Airways To Cut Easter Flights

With ongoing negotiations stalled between the UK's busiest airport, London Heathrow (LHR), and airport security, strikes are looming. British Airways has canceled approximately 300 flights over the Easter travel rush to ease congestion at its Terminal five hub. 1,400 airport security have threatened to walk off the job from March 31st as demand negotiations stalled last Thursday. The industrial action comes from the Unite Union, which covers many airport security staff based at London… (www.msn.com) More...

Emirates Launches A380 Service to Bali

Two of the world's most popular tourist destinations will now be connected through an Airbus A380 service. The direct flight between Dubai and Bali with Emirates will start on June 1 and replace a Boeing 777 service. (aeroxplorer.com) More...

Frontier Airlines Announces Nonstop Service from Atlanta to Guatemala City, Santo Domingo, San Diego, Salt Lake City, and Ontario, Calif

Ultra-low fare carrier Frontier Airlines will launch new seasonal nonstop service from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) to Guatemala City, Guatemala (GUA), Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (SDQ), and San Diego (SAN) in May of 2023. Additionally, in May, Frontier will restart seasonal nonstop service from ATL to Ontario, Calif. (ONT), and Salt Lake City (SLC). (www.aviationpros.com) More...

Boeing Anticipates 737 MAX Delivery Resumption as Chinese Airlines Reinstate More Jets in Service

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON — Boeing's 737 MAX is gradually reemerging in China, as more aircraft return to service and the company considers resuming deliveries to Chinese clients. According to Boeing CFO Brian West, Chinese airlines have recommenced operations with around 30 of the 97 grounded jets. (www.airlinerwatch.com) More...

Billionaire Branson sits out Virgin Orbit’s costly flameout

Richard Branson was long a force to be reckoned with in the booming private space business. The British serial entrepreneur beat fellow billionaire Jeff Bezos to the first cosmic tourist trip with his Virgin Galactic venture. Branson’s second space foray, Virgin Orbit, strapped rockets under the wing of a jumbo jet to launch satellites on their flight path, complete with mission monikers like “Start Me Up” that reflect his distinctive blend of business and bravado. (www.seattletimes.com) More...

Russia threatens to destroy Ukraine jets given by Slovakia and Poland.

After Poland and Slovakia have transferred jets to Ukraine to help in the war, Russia has threatened to destroy these aircraft to help themselves advance in the war. (www.bbc.com) More...