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Boeing announced that Ryanair ordered 75 additional Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, as rumors were circulating that a deal for aircraft was nearing completion. Ryanair’s backlog for Boeing 737 MAX jets will grow by 75 units and now will stand at 210 jets, indicated Boeing’s press release. The Irish low-cost carrier has been a firm believer in the aircraft and has kept calling it a “game-changer” despite the groundings following the second fatal crash in March 2019. The newest order is exclusively for the 8-200 version, a variant of the 737 MAX-8 specifically developed for the low-cost market. “Ryanair's board and people are confident that our customers will love these new aircraft. Passengers will enjoy the new interiors, more generous leg room, lower fuel consumption and quieter noise performa...

A French-Italian turboprop aircraft manufacturer ATR announced that it obtained the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification for its newly built regional freighter ATR 72-600F. Having completed its maiden flights in September 2020, the regional freighter is ready to enter the service. On December 3, 2020, ATR received EASA certification for the purpose-built freighter variant of ATR 72-600F. The manufacturer received 30 firm orders from FedEx Express, plus 20 options, placed back in November 2017. The ATR 72-600F is the first ATR aircraft to be directly delivered from the assembly line in Toulouse in a freighter configuration. The first cargo turboprop is scheduled to be delivered to its owner by the end of 2020. According to the manufacturer’s statement, the regional freighte...

EVA Air fired three flight attendants for breaking quarantine rules in Taiwan, the airline confirmed on December 3, 2020.  After their flights arrived in Taiwan, three flight attendants broke off their mandatory five-day quarantine to see friends and family. One of the accused flight attendants shared photos of meetings with friends on social media, accidentally providing evidence of the violation. The airline fired them on November 10, November 17 and December 2, 2020, respectively. Taiwan’s flag air carrier, EVA Air, outlined that it would not tolerate any behavior from its employees that could put the public's health at risk, reported the Taiwan News. However, the airline said it will not impose any fines on the fired staff.  Since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, Taiwan impl...

A group of Air India’s staff plans to bid for equity shares of the country’s flag carrier. To reach the goal, each of Air India’s employees involved in the bidding will need to contribute up to Rs 1 lakh (approximately $1,400). Some of Air India’s employees plan to bid for the acquisition of 51% of the airline’s stake, reported local media on December 3, 2020. If the plan succeeds, the employees will step into a joint venture with the other investor, owning the remaining 49% of Air India’s stake. An internal note mulling a bid seen by the local media affirmed that the staff of the company would try to rope in a financial partner for the new joint venture despite the collective airline’s debt liabilities reaching up to Rs 90,000 crore ($12 billion). “Financially, I know that we do not have...

A Cessna 551 Citation II/SP II transporting U.S. Republican politician Dade Phelan overran the runway of Angelina County Airport, Texas. The skidding aircraft crossed a road and ended its course in a field. The business jet, registered N48DK and operated by Aviation Star S II, carried out an interstate flight from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) to Lufkin-Angelina County Airport (LFK) in Texas on December 2, 2020. Onboard was the Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives Dade Phelan, a pilot, and another unidentified passenger. As it landed at Lufkin airport, the aircraft visibly overran runway number 16. It crossed a road, breaking its undercarriage, and skidded in a field on its belly. Its course was slowed down by a fence. Out of the three occupants, one rece...

FL Technics acquired Wright International, a line maintenance services provider in Canada. For FL Technics and its parent company Avia Solutions Group, this marks an entry to the North American aviation services market. “Our investment in Canada starts an exciting new chapter in the history of FL Technics and Avia Solutions Group as well as for Wright International and its founders, who will continue to lead the day-to-day operations,” said Zilvinas Lapinskas, CEO of FL Technics in a statement. “ “While we are joining a larger network, it is important to note that FL Technics, like Wright International, is an independent MRO provider whose primary focus is delivering impeccable results for its clients,” commented Mario Sturino, President of Wright International. “Today’s agreement is a ve...

Brussels Airport (BRU) has welcomed the first test flights carrying the coronavirus vaccines.  On December 1, 2020, Brucargo confirmed that the first flights with small doses of coronavirus vaccine have passed through Brussels Airport. The test flights are aimed at getting the logistics chain prepared once the vaccine is approved.  “The whole logistics chain is preparing, worldwide,” said Nathan De Valck, head of cargo at the BRU airport.  On December 1, 2020, the cargo company hosted a press delegation and did a demonstration about the handling of the COVID-19 vaccine at the facilities of DHL Express, reports the newspaper Le Soir.  “It was a pleasure to inform the national and international press about our capabilities at Brussels Airport to ensure a safe and efficient transportation of...

In a bipartisan proposal for coronavirus aid of $908 billion, the US Senate has set aside $17 billion for the struggling airline industry.  The $908 billion coronavirus aid package would set aside $45 billion for the transportation sector, according to Reuters. The offices of Senators Mitt Romney and Mark Warner said the plan includes $17 billion for the airlines, $15 billion for transit systems, $4 billion for airports, $8 billion for private buses and $1 billion for passenger railroad Amtrak. The amount would support the sector for four months.  It is expected to be approved in December 2020 and would last the carriers through early 2021.  After that Congress and President-elect Joe Biden would have to decide if new funds should be approved.  The proposal still needs to be approved by t...

Japan’s largest air carrier All Nippon Airlines joins the 25by2025 diversity program by the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA). IATA’s 25by2025 campaign is a voluntary global initiative for IATA member airlines to improve female representation in the sector by 25%, or up to a minimum of 25% by 2025. The IATA-led diversity program is a prime step to creating a more gender balanced aviation industry, according to airlines’ association. "The 25by2025 campaign celebrates diversity and inclusion, aligning with ANA's core values," said Hitomi Yamamoto, Executive Vice President of ANA. "We will continue working to advance diversity within our organization as it makes the entire company stronger. This campaign is an excellent example of the airline industry coming together for socia...

American Airlines (A1G) (AAL) and United Airlines are pausing nonstop flights to Shanghai, China, due to restrictions when arriving in the country.  On December 1, 2020, the airlines confirmed the halting of direct flights to Shanghai and adding Seoul, South Korea on the route. The airlines took the decision due to long waits for COVID-19 testing while entering China and restricted accommodation for the staff. The difficulty of finding hotels and restrictions on movement could interfere with the mandatory crew rest requirements, they also noted.  In December 2020, American Airlines (A1G) (AAL) planned to begin nonstop cargo flights from Los Angeles to Shanghai but will continue to operate the flight with a stop in Seoul. On the way back to Los Angeles it will fly nonstop, reported CNBC.  ...