SR Technics secures FAA certification in Malta

SR Technics, part of the Mubadala Aerospace MRO network, has received certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), for the completion of maintenance, repair and overhaul services on Airbus A320fam and Boeing 737NG aircraft types in Malta. SR Technics is currently the only facility on Malta with this approval, which will enable the dual release for N-registered aircraft. Since the opening in October 2010, the 150-strong Maltese team has serviced around 60 aircraft, under its existing European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) approval. (Source: SR Technics)

Air Malta suffers lease setback after OLT Express Poland stops flying

An Air Malta Airbus A320 leased to Polish airline OLT Express has returned to Malta after the company stopped flying over the weekend. The aircraft is one of two that Air Malta leased to third parties as part of its restructuring programme. The development is a setback for Air Malta since ten pilots that were seconded with OLT Express as part of the lease agreement reached in April will also be returning.

In a statement issued this evening, Air Malta said it had agreed to provide the aircraft to OLT Express up to November 2015. It said it was not owed money by the Polish airline for the aircraft lease and although outstanding aircraft leases would become payable, it had a deposit of half a million dollars, agreed upon in the negotiations, to cover this debt. The airline said it had already started discussions with several airlines to lease this aircraft and interest has been shown. (Source: timesofmalta.com)

Conviasa signs deal for up to 20 E190 jets

Embraer has announced today an agreement with Venezuela’s Conviasa Airlines for the sale of six E190 jets. The deal also includes 14 purchase options for the same aircraft model. The value of the order, at list price, is US$271.2 million, based on January 2012 economic conditions, and could total as much as US$904 million, if all of the options to buy are confirmed. The first deliveries are scheduled to take place by the end of 2012. (Source: Embraer)

Air Malta rebranding the fleet

Photo: Air Malta / View presentation clip

Sevmash SY launches construction of Russia’s fourth Borei-class (Project 955A) ballistic missile submarine

Russian President V. has participated today in a ceremony to launch construction of Russia’s fourth Borei-class (Project 955A) ballistic missile submarine. The ceremony for the boat, the Knyaz Vladimir, was held at Sevmash, Russia’s largest shipyard and sole nuclear submarine maker located in the port city of Severodvinsk on the White Sea.

The Borei class is expected to become the mainstay of the Russian Navy's strategic nuclear deterrent, replacing the aging Project 941 (Typhoon class) and Project 667 class (Delta-3 and Delta-4) boats. Three other Borei class boats are at various stages of development at Sevmash. (Source: RIA Novosti / Photo: Alexei Nikolskiy)

HII christens ninth LPD for the USN as 'Somerset'

Nearly 1,800 guests attended the christening today of Huntington Ingalls Industries' (HHI) ninth amphibious transport dock, Somerset (LPD 25), at the company's Avondale shipyard. LPD 25 is named to honor the courage of the passengers and crew members of United Airlines Flight 93, which crashed on Sept. 11th, 2001, near Shanksville in Somerset County, Pa.

Mrs. Mary Jo Myers, wife of Gen. Richard Myers, USAF (Ret.), former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, smashed a ceremonial bottle across LPD 25's bow at the culmination of the ceremony, officially christening LPD 25 as Somerset. (Source: Huntington Ingalls Industries)

HII receives USN contract for the detail design and construction of LPD 27

U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command has awarded Huntington Ingalls Inc. (HII), a US$1,5 billion fixed-price-incentive modification to previously awarded contract for the procurement of the detail design and construction of Landing Platform Dock ship (LPD 27), it will incorporate the previously purchased long lead time material efforts and the necessary labor and remaining material to efficiently construct the ship. Work is expected to be completed by June 2017. (U.S. Department of Defense)

TM/DCA: Malta Aircraft Register - update 27/7/2012

Transport Malta/Directorate of Civil Aviation has published today the latest update of the Maltese Aircraft Register. 

New addition/s:

• 9H-FLY - Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior (c/n. 28-8116109) registered to Micah International (ex G-BPRN) 
• 9H-FMV - Piper PA-23-250 Aztec (c/n. 27-7754002) registered to Fugro Malta Ltd. (ex G-BKVT) 
• 9H-PTM - Eurocopter AS-350B2 Ecureuil (c/n. 2456) registed to 'Private' (ex I-SILL)

Cancellation/s: none

Lockheed Martin receives USAF contract for 18 F-16s for Iraq

U.S. Air Force has awarded Lockheed Martin a US$199.3 million firm-fixed-price, time-and-material, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to provide the government of Iraq with 18 F-16 C/D Block 52 multi-role fighter aircraft (12 C models and six D models); support equipment; technical orders; integrated logistics support; and contractor logistics support. This award is part of the Foreign Military Sales Program. Work is to be completed by May 30th, 2018. (Source: U.S. Department of Defense)

Qatar Emiri AF signs deal for 24 PC-21 trainers

Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. has announces that the Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF) has awarded a contract to Pilatus for the procurement of a complete PC-21 Training System, consisting of a fleet of 24 PC-21 trainer aircraft, a suite of Ground Based Training System assets and an extensive logistics support and maintenance package. The QEAF selected the PC-21 as their fixed wing basic and advanced training aircraft, after a thorough evaluation both in Switzerland and in Qatar. (Source: Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.)

Air Malta makes operating loss of €29.8 million for the year ended March 31st

Air Malta’s operating loss for the year which ended March 31st, was €29.8 million, an improvement of €4.3 million over that in the previous year, airline chairman Louis Farrugia said this afternoon.

Speaking during the presentation of the airline’s results, Mr Farrugia said the year’s performance was further adversely affected by an increase of 30% in the price of fuel. This significantly increased the company’s fuel costs by €17 million. It also had a €4 million drop in profitability as a result of the imposed reduction in capacity as part of the restructuring agreement.

Mr Farrugia said that the target for the current year was to reduce the loss by 50% to €15 million. The airline had also negotiated a strong hedging agreement to buy 79% of its fuel at €108.75 dollars which is 3% better than the average hedged price obtained by the competition. The airline, he said, would be seeing a futher 10% reduction in capacity next year, resulting in a €16 million drop in revenue.

CEO Peter Davies said the company has implemented a new pricing system. Half its destinations had so far been covered by this system, the rest would be covered by October. Mr Davies said that Air Malta had negotiated new contracts with Lufthansa Technik for the overhaul of engines, with M.I.A. plc, leading to a substantial reduction in costs and it was in the process in the process of negotiating a new catering contract, among others. These would save the airline €8 million.

The company was also planning to increase €10 million in revenue by filling its aircraft more, increasing the yield per seat sold and through pre-and inflight ancillary services. Regarding cargo, which the airlines was criticised about by the Airline Pilots Association, Air Malta was overhauling its strategy and it expected to make €2 million more out of cargo handling in the current year.

Mr Davies said that the way forward for the airline was the continuation of the implementation of its 160+ programmes and projects it had in place as part of the restructuring exercise. He said that the company at the moment had 1,000 employees, who had to be cut down to 800. (Source: timesofmalta.com)

AFM hands over ex P24 to San Diego Maritime Museum

AFM's former Swift Class Patrol Boat P24 was this morning officially handed over to the Maritime Museum of San Diego during a ceremony at Hay Wharf base. 

Operations director Mark J. Gallant extended the appreciation of the chairman of the San Diego Maritime Museum and said that such an initiative between Malta and the U.S. would continue to strengthen a long history of friendship. He said the museum would have a display that paid tribute to the fallen Maltese servicemen who died on board the P23 (the sister vessel of P24) during a tragic accident on Sep. 7th, 1984. 

During this morning’s ceremony, the P24 was towed away as an AFM soldier played the bagpipes and a fog horn salute was sounded from the P61. The Austal Class P24 was aptly chosen to tow its predecessor to the Malta Freeport for eventual shipping to San Diego. (Source: timesofmalta.com)

Merpati inks MoU agreement for 20 C-212 turboprops

Indonesian carrier Merpati Nusantara Airlines has signed an agreement with state-owned aircraft manufacturer Dirgantara Indonesia for 20 C-212 turboprops. The Memorandum of Understanding, inked in Jakarta on July 19th, is for the C-212-400 variant, says a Dirgantara spokesman when contacted. He adds that the "contract should be firmed soon", but that no delivery schedule has been set for the 20 aircraft. (Source: flightglobal.com)

Italian AF to purchase two G550 CAEWs from IAI

As part of the Israel Ministry of Defense's agreement with the government of Italy, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) will manufacture and supply to the Italian Air Force two Gulfstream Aerospace G550 Conformal Airborne Early Warning & Control Systems (CAEW), Ground Support Systems and logistical support package totaling US$750 million. (Source: Israel Aerospace Industries)

EAT Leipzig (DHL) returns back to Malta IAP due to hydraulic problem

An EAT Leipzig (DHL) Boeing 757-200 freighter (D-ALEC), operating flight BCS7921 from Malta IAP to Brussels (Belgium), was forced to turn back to Malta IAP for an emergency landing after the crew reported a left hydraulic system failure shortly after departure. The aircraft circuit near the island of Gozo in order to burn fuel before landing safely on RWY 31 around 1920LT, around 50 minutes after departure. The aircraft was unable to vacate the runway under its own power, it was later towed to apron-8.

SR Technics completes 50th heavy maintenance check for easyJet out of its Malta facility

SR Technics has redelivered the 50th heavy maintenance check on an Airbus A319 aircraft for easyJet out of its Malta facility. In addition to the heavy maintenance checks, the Malta team has also completed eight end-of-lease (EOL) checks for the airline, a further four are planned to be completed by the end of 2012. All work is completed out of SR Technics’ two-bay hangar at Safi Aviation Park. (Source: avitrader.com)

United adds 160 Boeing 737 options to order

United Airlines disclosed that it has 160 options for Boeing 737 MAX 9 and Boeing 737-900ER aircraft on top of its order for 150 of the aircraft, in a regulatory filing last night. The options are split between 100 for the 737 MAX 9 and 60 for the 737-900ER. The aircraft would have CFM Leap-1B and CFM56-7 engines, respectively. (Source: flightglobal.com)

Ethiopian Airlines orders additional B777-200LR

Boeing and Ethiopian Airlines have announced today an order by the airline for one additional Boeing 777-200LR (Longer Range), adding to the airline's fleet of five Boeing 777-200LRs. The order is valued at approximately US$276 million at list price.

Israeli MoD signs contract for 30 M-346 trainers

Alenia Aermacchi has signed a contract with Israeli Ministry of Defence to supply 30 M-346 advanced trainer aircraft. The new aircraft will replace the A-4 Skyhawks currently in service and will make up the new trainer fleet of the Israeli Air Force. Delivery of the first M-346 is expected in the middle of 2014. (Source: Alenia Aermacchi)

U.S. Navy USS Cape St. George in Valletta Port

The United States naval cruiser USS Cape St. George (CG 71) - Ticonderoga class - has sailed into Valletta Port (the Grand Harbour) this morning on a four-day courtesy visit.

The American cruiser is presently berthing alongside at Parlatorio Wharf (alongside Dock no.6) in French Creek, and she's expected to sail from Malta on Monday, July 23rd, at 0845LT.

Korean Air orders two Boeing 777-300ERs

Korean Air has placed an order for two Boeing 777-300ER aircraft in a deal worth US$560 million at list price. Both aircraft are scheduled to be delivered by late 2014, says an airline spokeswoman. The South Korean flag carrier operates a fleet of 14 B773s, and has another four on order. (Source: flightglobal.com)

Rosoboronexport receives U.S. Army contract for ten additional Mi-17 helicopterss

U.S. Army Contracting Command has awarded Rosoboronexport FGUP, Moscow, Russia, a US$171.4 million firm-fixed-price contract.  The award will provide for the modification of an existing contract to procure ten additional Mi-17 helicopters.  Work will be performed in Russia, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31st, 2016. (Source: U.S. Department of Defence)

Royal Navy HMS Echo in Valletta Port

The Royal Navy Echo class survey vessel HMS Echo (H 87) has sailed into Valletta Port (Grand Harbour) this evening on an eight-day courtesy visit.

The British survey vessel is presently berthing alongside at Pinto-3 Wharf, and she's expected to sail from Malta on Friday, July 20th, at 0630LT.

Vintage Russian MiG-21 overshoots runway after landing at Flying Cloud airport in Minnesota

A vintage Russian jet was heavily damaged after overshooting the runway Thursday morning in Minnesota as it attempted to land for a weekend airshow. The pilot, who hasn’t been identified, was landing his 1975 MiG-21 at 10 a.m. CDT at Flying Cloud airport in Eden Prairie, Minn., for this weekend’s Wings of the North AirExpo.

Officials said the jet’s parachute, which helps slow the aircraft, was deployed, but appeared to collapse and detach, causing the plane to overshoot the runway. The nose of the plane came to a rest in a roadside ditch on Flying Cloud Drive near the intersection of Pioneer Trail. No fire started. (Source: stripes.com / Photo: David Jones)

Chorus Aviation orders six Bombardier Q400 NextGens

Bombardier Aerospace has announced today that Halifax, Nova Scotia-based Chorus Aviation Inc., the parent company of Jazz Aviation LP ("Jazz"), has placed a firm order for six Q400 NextGen airliners. The transaction involves the conversion to firm orders of six of the 15 options taken by Jazz with its original order for 15 Q400 NextGen airliners, announced on Apr. 30th, 2010. Jazz will operate the aircraft under the Air Canada Express banner. Based on the list price of the Q400 NextGen aircraft, the order is valued at approximately US$189 million. (Source: Bombardier Aerospace)

UTair orders 20 A321s

Russia's UTair has signed a firm contract with Airbus for 20 A321 aircraft during the Farnborough airshow. This is the largest order for the type received from a carrier in the region and the first time that UTair has ordered Airbus aircraft. UTair's A321s will feature a spacious single-class cabin layout seating 220 passengers. (Source: Airbus)

Synergy Aerospace firms up order for nine A330 Family aircraft

Synergy Aerospace has signed a firm order for nine Airbus A330 Family aircraft, including six A330-200 passenger and three A330-200 Freighter aircraft. The nine A330s will be powered by Rolls-Royce's Trent 700 engines. (Source: Airbus / Rolls-Royce)

United Continental Holdings Inc. orders 150 B737s

Boeing has announced today an order by United Continental Holdings, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary, United Air Lines, Inc., for 150 Boeing 737 airplanes, including 100 of the new B737 MAX 9. United, the world's largest airline by traffic, is the latest carrier to choose the newest member of the B737 family. The deal, worth US$14.7 billion at list prices, also includes 50 Next Generation 737-900ERs (Source: Boeing).

Nordic Aviation Capital buys its first ATR 42-600

Today at the Farnborough Airshow, ATR and the Danish leasing company Nordic Aviation Capital (NAC) signed a contract for the purchase of an ATR 42-600, the first new ATR42-600 that NAC have taken. This contract along with the 12 new ATR 72-600s and ATR 72-500s already ordered by NAC highlight the strong interest of leasing companies in the ATR aircraft family. (Source: ATR)

Lao Airlines signs order for two ATR 72-600s

ATR and the Vientiane-based carrier Lao Airlines have announced at the 2012 Farnborough airshow the signature of a contract for the purchase of two ATR 72-600s valued at US$47 million upon catalogue price. These two new aircraft will be added to Lao Airlines’ current fleet of four ATR 72-500s. The ATR 72-600 will be equipped with a new full-glass cockpit and new Giugiaro-designed cabin interiors, and will be powered by PW 127M engines. Deliveries of these two aircraft will take place late in 2012 and in 2013. (Source: ATR)

TransAsia Airways orders eight firm ATR 72-600s

ATR and Taiwan-based TransAsia Airways have announced today at the 2012 Farnborough Airshow the signature of a contract for eight firm ATR 72-600s, plus an option for one additional ATR 72-600. The deal, including the option, is valued at over US$ 210 million. Deliveries of these new ATR -600s will start in 2014 and extend through 2017. These ATR 72-600s will be configured with 72 seats and will be equipped with a new full glass cockpit featuring state-of the art technologies in the field of navigation. (Source: ATR)

CIT adds ten more A330s to its portfolio

CIT Group Inc. global leader in transportation finance has firmly ordered ten more A330 Family aircraft. This deal includes five A330s ordered previously and a new agreement for five additional A330s with the first commitment for the newly launched, longer-range A330. The deal was announced at the 2012 Farnborough International Air Show. This brings the total number of A330s on order from CIT to 51. (Source: Airbus)

CALC signs MoU for 36 A320 Family aircraft

China Aircraft Leasing Company (CALC), the fast growing Hong Kong based aircraft leasing company has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the 2012 Farnborough International Airshow for 36 current generation A320 Family aircraft. The deal includes eight A321s, the largest member of the A320 Family and operators will be able to select Airbus’ new fuel saving Sharklets. (Source: Airbus)

Interjet converts five SSJ-100 options into firm orders

Superjet International has announced today that its launch western customer Interjet has converted its five Sukhoi Superjet 100 options into firm orders. In January 2011 SuperJet Int'l signed a contract with Interjet for the purchase of 15 SSJ-100 plus five options. All SSJ-100 aircraft will be in a 93 seat configuration, basic version. Based on the aircraft list price, the value of the 20 aircraft order is approximately US$700 million. (Source: Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company)

ALAFCO commits to 20 Boeing 737 MAX 8s

Boeing and Kuwait airplane leasing company ALAFCO have announced a commitment at the 2012 Farnborough Airshow for 20 Boeing 737 MAX 8s valued at US$1.9 billion at current list prices. Boeing looks forward to finalizing the agreement, at which time the order will be posted to the Boeing Orders & Deliveries website. (Source: Boeing)

TM/DCA: Malta Aircraft Register - update 10/7/2012

Transport Malta/Directorate of Civil Aviation has published today the latest update of the Maltese Aircraft Register.

New addition/s: 

• 9H-AMF - Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global 6000 (c/n. 9437) registered to Hyperion Aviation Ltd. (ex C-GITG)
• 9H-PAT - Tecnam P2006T (c/n. 091) registered to Malta School of Flying C. Ltd.

Cancellation/s: none

Indonesia places follow-on order for Super Tucanos

Embraer has received a follow-on order for eight more EMB 314 Super Tucano counterinsurgency aircraft from the Indonesian air force, a top company official says. Indonesia has already ordered a batch of eight such aircraft, the first of which is set to be delivered this year. Deliveries of the first batch should be completed in 2013. That would be followed shortly by the second batch, which is set to be delivered starting 2014. All eight aircraft in the second batch will be delivered in 2014. (Source: flightglobal.com)

GECAS commits to 75 B737 MAX 8s and 25 B738s

Boeing has announced today at the Farnborough International Airshow a commitment by GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS), the commercial aircraft leasing and financing arm of General Electric, to purchase 75 Boeing 737 MAX 8s and 25 Next-Generation B738s. (Source: Boeing)

Ilyushin Finance signs MoU for up to 13 Let 410s

Ilyushin Finance has committed to taking up to 13 new aircraft from Czech-based manufacturer Aircraft Industries. The Russian lessor has signed a memorandum of understanding to order ten firm L-410 UVP-E20 regional turboprops and take options on three more. It envisages receiving the ten firm aircraft in 2013 and 2014, and possibly exercising the options in 2015. (Source: flightglobal.com)

Bhutan’s Drukair confirms order for A319 with Sharklets

Bhutan’s national airline Drukair has signed a firm order for an Airbus A319 aircraft equipped with Sharklet fuel saving wing tip devices to complement its existing fleet of two A319s. The order announced at the UK’s Farnborough International Airshow, follows a memorandum of understanding signed in February. (Airbus)

Royal Thai Army signs LOA to acquire two UH-60M Black Hawks

Sikorsky has announced today that the Royal Thai Army has signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) to acquire two UH-60M Bblack Hawk helicopters through the United States Government’s Foreign Military Sales channel. Upon delivery, Thailand will become the first member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to fly the very latest version of the Black Hawk helicopter operated by the U.S. Army. (Source: Sikorsky Aircraft)

Sikorsky signs five-year contract to build H-60 helicopters for U.S. Army and Navy

The U.S. Army and Navy have signed today a US$8.5 billion contract with Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. to buy a baseline quantity of 653 Black Hawk and Sseahawk helicopters through December 2017. The five-year agreement also allows the Army and Navy to order as many as 263 more aircraft within the same contractual terms. If exercised, the optional purchases could push the contract value as high as US$11.7 billion. Actual production quantities will be determined year-by-year over the life of the program based on funding allocations set by Congress and Pentagon acquisition priorities. (Source: Sikorsky Aircraft)

Hawker Beechcraft Services Chester awarded contract for BAe.146 conversions for U.K.'s RAF

Hawker Beechcraft Global Customer Support has announced today that its factory-owned service center in Chester in the U.K. has secured a multi-million pound program of work converting two BAe 146-200QC aircraft for the U.K. Ministry of Defence under a sub-contract with BAE Systems Regional Aircraft.

The conversion will take the aircraft from commercial to military configuration for use in both passenger and freight roles by the Royal Air Force, including the safe transportation of troops during in-theater operations. The two aircraft were acquired by the MoD in a separate transaction with TNT Airways S.A of Belgium. (Source: Hawker Beechcraft)

China's Hebei Airlines order five more E190s

China’s Hebei Airlines has acquired five more Embaer190s jets to join its E-Jets fleet by the end of 2013, as announced by Embraer. today, during the 2012 Farnborough International Airshow. The total value of the deal, at list price, is USD 226 million. The order has been registered in the Company’s backlog for the second quarter of the year. (Source: Embraer)

Arkia Israel Airlines signs for four A321neo aircraft

Arkia Israeli Airlines has signed today a purchase agreement with Airbus for four A321neos at the Farnborough International Airshow. This order makes the airline a new Airbus customer and the first airline in Israel to order the A320 neo Family. Engine selection will be announced at a later date. The aircraft will be configured in a single all economy class seating 220 passengers. (Source: Airbus)

Flexjet orders three Learjet 70s

Fractional jet ownership company Flexjet has placed orders for at least three Learjet 70 aircraft, which are scheduled for delivery in 2013. Flexjet plans to outfit the aircraft with wi-fi and pop-up touchscreen monitors. The operator's fleet of business jets averages five years of age. (Source: flightglobal.com)

ALC orders 75 Boeing B737 MAXs

Boeing and Air Lease Corporation (ALC) have announced today a firm order by the lessor for 60 Boeing 737 MAX 8 and 15 Boeing 737 MAX 9 airplanes, with reconfirmation rights for 25 additional Boeing 737 MAXs. The order, with a list-price value of US$7.2 billion, represents the first Boeing 737 MAX order by a leasing company. (Source: Boeing)

Undisclosed customer signs deal for 15 CSeries aircraft

Bombardier has announced during the Farnborough air show today that a twelfth customer has signed a conditional order for 15 of its CSeries aircraft. The order for five CS100 and 10 CS300 aircraft is from a customer that the Canadian manufacturer says does not currently wish to be identified. The CSeries is scheduled to enter into service in late 2013. (Source: flightglobal.com)

China Express Airlines confirms order for six CRJ900s

Bombardier Aerospace has announced today that China Express Airlines has converted a previously announced conditional order for six CRJ900 NextGen regional jets to a firm order. The transaction includes options on an additional five CRJ900 NextGen aircraft.

As previously announced, and based on the list price of the CRJ900 NextGen airliner, the firm order contract is valued at approximately US$264 million, and could increase to approximately US$491 million should the five options be converted to firm orders. (Source: Bombardier Aerospace)

A400M officially named as the 'Atlas' at RIAT

Airbus Military's A400M transport aircraft was formally named as the 'Atlas' by its European customer nations during a ceremony today at the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT), which is taking place at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. U.K.'s RAF chief of the air staff Air Chief Marshal Sir S. Dalton was given the responsibility of naming the A400M. (Source: flightglobal.com / Airbus Military)

Navantia launches second LHD for Australia

Minister for Defence Stephen Smith and Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare have announced today the launch of the second Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) 'Adelaide' at the Navantia SY in Spain. The launch represented a major milestone in the shipbuilding process and was attended by the Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral R. Griggs. Australia is acquiring two amphibious ships for the Australian Defence Force.

The Canberra Class LHDs are bigger than Australia’s last aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne (II). When completed they will be more than 230 metres long, 27.5 metres high and weigh around 27,500 tonnes. Each ship can carry a combined armed battlegroup of more than 1100 personnel, 100 armoured vehicles and 12 helicopters and features a 40-bed hospital. (Source: navaltoday.com)

Virgin Australia orders 23 B737 MAX Aircraft

Virgin Australia has announced today an agreement with Boeing to order 23 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, the first in Australia. The fuel-efficient aircraft will join Virgin Australia’s fleet between 2019 and 2021. The agreement includes four additional delivery options, ensuring flexibility to respond to market conditions.

To align with its current capacity plan for the next three years, Virgin Australia has delayed the delivery of some of its Boeing 737NG aircraft to after 2016, leaving 31 scheduled deliveries of B738s between 2013 and 2016. This gives the airline flexibility to develop the appropriate mix of narrow-body and wide-body aircraft. (Source: Virgin Australia)