Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc. unveiled its design for a new high-speed commercial passenger aircraft on Monday, taking a key first step by signing an important supplier partner for the aircraft’s engines, the company announced in a press release. The initial supersonic design is targeting an aircraft capable of Mach 3, or three times the speed of sound, using a delta-wing aircraft. Virgin Galactic said the aircraft would be capable of carrying between nine and 19 passengers and would cruise at…
Qantas has bid farewell to its last Boeing 747-400 as it departed across the Pacific Ocean to Los Angeles before positioning to Mojave Airport, California as its final resting place. The final flight has brought down the curtain on a five-decade partnership between Qantas and the Queen of the Skies,…
The warning signs were there in March when the coronavirus stopped the aviation industry dead in its tracks. The knock-on effects from the global downturn of passenger traffic were already being calculated by airlines across the world, with decisions being made for what life would look like for airlines post-COVID.…
Qatar Airways has decided to keep its fleet of 10 Airbus A380s grounded, citing the aircraft's vast commercial and environmental footprint. “Due to COVID-19’s impact on travel demand, the airline has taken the decision to ground its fleet of Airbus A380s as it is not commercially or environmentally justifiable to…
Another retrojet is joining the ranks, but this one will be one of the harder ones to fly on. Cargo carrier Cargolux Airlines International announced it has created its own retrojet in commemoration of the airline’s 50th anniversary in May. The Boeing 747-400F(ER) that has been painted in retro colors…
South African Airways has sent its Airbus A330-200 and A350-900 to Teruel Airport in Spain for long term storage amid locked horns with staff and management over the furloughing process and calls to liquidate the airline. Teruel Airport is located in Spain outside the town of Teruel and hosts aircraft…
Mesa Air Group, a major regional carrier in the United States, announced Monday that it will provide air cargo services for DHL Express starting this year. Mesa will inaugurate the Boeing 737-400F into its fleet for the flights. The contract will see Mesa operate two cargo aircraft out of Cincinnati/Northern…
Emirates, Boeing's biggest 777X customer with 115 firm orders, expects another delay with deliveries due to the ongoing novel Coronavirus pandemic. The airline no longer expects to receive its first 777X next year, Emirates chief operating officer (COO) Adel Al Redha told Bloomberg on Thursday. After there had previously been…
Singapore Airlines has sent six of its 19 Airbus A380 aircraft to the Asia Pacific Aircraft Storage (ASPA) located at Alice Springs, Australia for long-term storage. The airline aims at preserving its super-jumbos from Singapore’s high humidity environment, which poses corrosion risk for the aircraft. The climate of Alice Springs…
Qantas employees were notified that the company will operate three farewell flights with one of its 747s in Sydney, Brisbane and Canberra in mid-July with tickets available to the public, giving passengers a chance to take one last trip on the jumbo jet. The aircraft will fly over Sydney on…
