Civil Aviation
New Derry to Manchester air link starts this Winter
Irish budget airline Ryanair (FR/RYR) has announced it will launch a new air link between the Northern Irish airport of Derry (LDY/EGAE) and Manchester (MAN/EGCC). Starting the 1st December 2021, the flight will operate three times per week using a Boeing 737-800. Ryanair’s Director of Commercial, Jason Mc Guinness, said: [read more]
News
Goodbye Alitalia, hello Italia Transporto Aero
In the history of airlines ceasing operations, Italian flag carrier Alitalia is perhaps most noticeable for simply the amount of time it’s taken to get to the point that it is finally going. The airline has been given bailout after bailout and has been in the final stages of ‘extraordinary administration’ [read more]
Civil Aviation
Ryanair announces new route from Leeds Bradford
Ryanair (FR/RYR) has today announced a new twice-weekly route from Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA/EGNM) to Poznan, Poland. The new winter route starts on 4th December 2021 and operates until March 2022. Ryanair’s Director of Commercial, Jason Mc Guinness, said: “As Europe’s No.1 airline, Ryanair remains committed to re-building Europe’s aviation [read more]
Civil Aviation
Aer Lingus to launch transatlantic flights from UK next week
Aer Lingus’ UK based subsidiary, Aer Lingus UK (EG/EUK), is set to begin transatlantic operations for the first time next week as it launches its direct service from Manchester Airport (MAN/EGCC) to Barbados. The airline, which is based at Manchester Airport, will see Aer Lingus compete with Virgin Atlantic on [read more]
Civil Aviation
Direct Toronto flights set to resume from Manchester
Air Transat (TS/TSC) is set to resume its weekly direct flight to Toronto, Canada from Manchester next week as it returns to the airport for the first time since the Coronavirus pandemic all but grounded air travel in the UK. The popular route will operate from Terminal One at the [read more]
Civil Aviation
Airbus reports 40 deliveries in September
European airframer Airbus has reported 40 aircraft deliveries to 25 customers in the month of September 2021. The number brings the year to date to 424 aircraft to 74 customers. Some of the recent deliveries include the first Airbus A220 to French national carrier Air France. Airbus has also recently [read more]
News
Refund law not clear enough says regulator
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has said that the law about airline refunds lacks clarity as to who is liable if a flight operates but the passenger can’t travel for legal reasons. The statement was made as the CMA closed its investigation into British Airways and Ryanair over the [read more]
Civil Aviation
British Airways confirms A380 to return to skies this autumn
British Airways (BA/BAW) has confirmed that its Airbus A380 superjumbos will return to the skies in November after being grounded by the Coronavirus pandemic. The Airbus A380 is the sole remaining four-engined airliner type in the British Airways fleet after the global pandemic saw the Boeing 747 Jumbo jet retirement [read more]
News
Jet2 boosts A321neo order
Leading UK holiday airline Jet2 (LS/EXS) has boosted Airbus’ order books by adding an additional 15 A321neo aircraft to its order. The airline had ordered 36 of the single-aisle airliner to replace its ageing Boeing 757 and 737 fleet. This increase brings the total ordered by Jet2 to 51. Jet2’s [read more]
Air Travel
New Routes
All aboard the Ryanair Marrakesh express!
Irish budget airline Ryanair (FR/RYR) has today announced two new routes for Winter 2021/22 including Edinburgh (EDI/EGPH) to Marrakesh and Manchester (MAN/EGCC) to Lviv. The new Edinburgh route will operate twice-weekly from the 18th of October to the Moroccan city and will be perfect for those seeking some winter sunshine [read more]
News
Ryanair to ditch 700 Lisbon flights due to ‘slot blocking’
Ryanair has said that it has been forced to cancel 700 flights to and from Lisbon and cancel three routes from the Portuguese capital completely as it has been unable to obtain the necessary slots to operate the flights in what it claims is “slot hoarding” by the national airline, [read more]
News
US to open borders to vaccinated travellers from UK
The US Government has confirmed that it will allow fully-vaccinated travellers from the UK and Europe to enter the US from 8th November. Announced last month, but without a confirmed date, the new rules will see the US Government relax its current regulations and allow passengers that have had both [read more]
Engineering & MRO
Engineering, Leasing & Finance
Airbus completes first “wing of tomorrow” prototype
Airbus has reached a major milestone in its “Wing of Tomorrow” programme with the completion of the first full-size prototype. The composite wing cover and was produced at the National Composite Centre in Bristol before being assembled by a team at Airbus’ Filton site. The wing cover was then shipped [read more]
Engineering, Leasing & Finance
Airbus targets more efficient flights
Airbus, along with partners Air France, DSNA, and french air navigation provider ANSP is working towards the development of more efficient gate to gate flying as an interim measure ahead of more efficient aircraft. The project is part of the Albatross initiative and will demonstrate the feasibility of implementing more [read more]
Civil Aviation
Aurigny could drop Embraer jets as it ‘simplifies’ fleet
Guernsey based airline Aurigny has said that it could operate all of its routes with efficient ATR turboprop aircraft as part of its fleet simplification process. The airline currently operates a mixed fleet of Embraer regional jets along with Dornier and ATR turboprops but the airline is seeking to cut [read more]
Military Aviation
Airshow News
Where to see the Red Arrows today in Cardiff and Isle of Wight
If you are in Cardiff or the Isle of Wight today then you have the chance to see the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team (RAFAT), The Red Arrows as they streak across the sky with their iconic red white and blue smoke. In Cardiff, the Red Arrows will do a [read more]
Engineering, Leasing & Finance
Britten-Norman eyes export for ex-MOD islanders
Isle of Wight based Britten-Normal has acquired a number of BN2T-4S Islander aircraft that have served with the UK’s Ministry of Defence under a short-term urgent operational requirement. The aircraft have been operating in a surveillance role under the military designation Defender 4000 (D4K) both in the UK and overseas. [read more]
Helicopters
Puma anniversary marked by 10 aircraft flypast
The 50th Anniversary of the RAFs Puma Helicopter fleet is being marked with a fly past around the UK on Wednesday 7th July. The formation is due to depart RAF Benson at 10am before marking its way up the eastern side of England to RAF Scampton. After a short break [read more]
General Aviation
General Aviation
FlightAware agrees sale to Collins Aerospace
The leading flight tracking website, FlightAware is to be sold to Collins Aerospace for an undisclosed amount after the Raytheon Technologies-owned company signed a definitive agreement to purchase the privately-owned business. FlightAware has been a market leader since it was created in 2005 and its flight tracking technology is used by [read more]
Air Safety
Two killed in Goodwood crash
Two men have been killed when the light aircraft they were in came down near Goodwood yesterday evening. The accident occurred just after 4:30pm yesterday and despite the best efforts of the emergency services the two men, 65 and 58, were pronounced dead at the scene. Local Fire & Ambulance [read more]
Air Safety
Impact of stress on flight safety downplayed by pilots according to new study
A new study suggests that General Aviation (GA) pilots downplay the impact of stress on flight safety compared to factors such as inclement weather. The research, conducted by the University of Aberdeen, presented 101 pilots with a series of 12 take-off scenarios across four categories – compromised performance (pilot stressed, [read more]
Air Sports
Air Sports
WCAR Air Race to operate on Carbon Net-Zero fuel
The World Championship Air Race (WCAR) which launches in 2022 has announced the aircraft will operate on a new carbon net-zero aviation fuel. WCAR has partner with Prometheus Fuels to use its Titan Fuel Forge™ technology to create ‘fuel from air’. It does this by reclaiming atmospheric carbon through a [read more]
Air Sports
Wales Airshow cancelled for 2021
Organisers of the Wales Airshow have announced that the 2021 event has been cancelled. The airshow was due to take place in July along Swansea seafront but like many events, has fallen victim to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. Airshow organisers Swansea Council say that the event will now return 2nd [read more]
Air Sports
Red Arrows return to UK & where to see them in 2021
The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team (RAFAT) The Red Arrows returned to their UK home at RAF Scampton earlier this week after gaining their Public Display Authority (PDA) for 2021. The team has been undergoing pre-season training in Greece to perfect their routines and before this years display routines were [read more]
Air Safety
Air Safety
Man pleads guilty to arranging flight that killed Emiliano Sala
A man has pleaded guilty to illegally arranging the flight which killed Emiliano Sala when it crashed near the channel islands in 2019. David Henderson (66) of East Ridings in Yorkshire entered a guilty plea at Cardiff Crown Court to the charge of attempting to discharge a passenger without valid [read more]
Air Safety
Teesside Airport closed after light aircraft crash
Teesside Airport (MME/EGNV) will remain closed until at least Monday morning following a light aircraft accident that has left one person with serious injuries. The incident happened this morning and is believed to have involved one of the based General Aviation aircraft, Grumman American AA-5 Traveler G-BBSA, which crashed just [read more]
Air Safety
Two killed in Goodwood crash
Two men have been killed when the light aircraft they were in came down near Goodwood yesterday evening. The accident occurred just after 4:30pm yesterday and despite the best efforts of the emergency services the two men, 65 and 58, were pronounced dead at the scene. Local Fire & Ambulance [read more]
Space
News
Webb Space Telescope arrives in Guiana ahead of launch
One of the most anticipated new pieces of Space hardware has arrived in French Guiana ahead of its scheduled launch on 18th December. The Webb Space Telescope (WST) is an orbiting infrared telescope that, Jean-Marc Nasr, Head of Airbus Space Systems, “will change the way we see the universe”. About [read more]
News
Virgin Galactic flights grounded after ‘mishap’
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has ground Virgin Galactic flights pending an investigation into a mishap during its recent publicity flight which had, among others, Sir Richard Branson onboard. In a brief statement, the FAA said it was investigating a mishap that occurred over Spaceport America, New Mexico on [read more]
Engineering, Leasing & Finance
Royal Navy extends Airbus contract for Satellite marine surveillance
The Royal Navy (RN) has awarded Airbus a 12month extension on a contract to carry out satellite based maritime surveillance for the Joint Maritime Security Centre (JMSC). The system uses a combination of optical and radar imaging as well as Automatic Identification System (AIS) data to provide reports about vessels [read more]
Wales
Cardiff Airport News
Aer Lingus return to Cardiff Airport with two routes
Aer Lingus Regional, operated by Stobart Air, is returning to Cardiff Airport (CWL/EGFF) for the first time since 2016 reviving two routes to Northern Ireland and Eire. The new route to Belfast City will commence on 28th June and will operate four times per week on Monday, Friday, Saturday, and [read more]
Cardiff Airport News
Welsh First Minister accused of double standards over Spain flights
Wales’ First Minister Mark Drakeford has been accused of double standards after allowing flights between Cardiff Airport and Spain to operate despite Wales still being in full lockdown under his authority. Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies led the calls saying it cannot be right that peoplee can “fly from [read more]
Cardiff Airport News
Your Pictures: The last flight of a British Airways Boeing 747
British Airways Boeing 747-400 G-BYGC left Cardiff Airport today for the short flight to St Athan marking the end of the Boeing 747 in service with British Airways. The aircraft will now be preserved at St Athan by eCube Solutions and is due to be opened to the public in [read more]
Scotland
Military
F-35 jets take part in HMS Queen Elizabeth’s maiden deployment
F-35 fighter jets from RAF Marham have been deployed as part of the Carrier Strike Group 21 (CSG21) which will see them take part in Exercise Strike Warrior in Scotland before deploying on operational duties around the world. They will be based on the Royal Navy’s flagship aircraft carrier HMS [read more]
Civil Aviation
Engine fault forces Loganair’s North Sea flight to turn around
An Aberdeen to Shetland flight was forced to return to Aberdeen International Airport following a potential engine fault Thursday morning. The 06.50 am Loganair flight LM901 (18 February), was travelling to Shetland’s Sumburgh Airport when the crew received an alert of a fault with the right-hand engine. Following the alert, [read more]
Air Safety
Man dies in Scottish gyrocopter crash
Police Scotland has confirmed that the pilot of a gyrocopter has died after his aircraft went down near Avoch at 12:55pm. The pilot was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency services. He was the sole occupant of the gyrocopter. A spokesperson from the Air Accidents Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has [read more]
Northern Ireland
News
Manchester to Belfast City route takes off
The new Manchester (MAN/EGCC) to Belfast City Airport (BHD/EGAC) t route has got underway today when the first of four daily return services took off The Aer Lingus Regional service is operated by Stobart Air using an ATR72-600. Julian Carr, Aviation Director at Manchester Airport, said: “It’s great to see [read more]
Civil Aviation
Loganair increases Belfast City routes
Loganair (LM/LOG) is re-establishing the Belfast City to Glasgow Airport route. The service, which starts on 4th September, will operate twice-daily Monday to Friday and a single flight on a Saturday using an Embraer EMB145 Regional Jet. The routes from Belfast City to Aberdeen and Inverness are due to restart [read more]
Air Safety
Aer Lingus under fire over packed flights
Irish carrier Aer Lingus (EI/EIN) has come under fire after images appeared on social media showing a packed flight from London to Belfast. The images posted on twitter by BBC NI journalist Kelly Bonner show a packed flight with most of the seats taken in breach of social distancing guidelines. [read more]
Channel Islands
Channel Islands
Aurigny Airlines joins the Jerusalema Challenge
Aurigny Airlines is the latest airline to join the Jersulema dance challenge which is sweeping across airlines around the world. You may have seen the video with some of the worlds biggest airlines that we featured recently but now Aurigny has raised the bar for the UK with this brilliant [read more]
Channel Islands
Aurigny to stay grounded until September
Guernsey-based airline Aurigny (GR/AUR) has confirmed its flights will remain grounded until the end of August. The airline says that the disruption to flights is as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and that its grounding until the end of summer is in line with the Coronavirus Exit Strategy produced [read more]
Airshow News
BEA Airbus A319 to fly at Jersey airshow
British Airways has announced that its baby retro jet, the BEA Airbus A319, will fly at the Jersey Airshow this September. The specially painted Airbus A319 G-EUPJ has been painted in the British European Airways (BEA) livery as part of the airlines 100 year anniversary, BA100. BEA was was one [read more]
