European aerospace giant Airbus has reported Q1 revenue of €12.8 billion (bn) in its first set of results for 2024 despite continuing supply chain issues. During the quarter the manufacturer delivered 142 commercial aircraft to airlines around the globe, one of its best performances ever. Orders were also up on the previous years Q1 with gross orders totalling 170 compared to 153 in 2023. “We delivered first quarter 2024 results against the backdrop of an operating environment that shows no sign of improvement. Geopolitical and supply chain tensions continue. In that context, we delivered 142 ..read more

The UK has officially open the UK’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel clearing house at the University of Sheffield, funded by the Department for Transport (DfT). The UK SAF Clearing House will be responsible for the helping companies test and qualify Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) both produced and used in the UK. Aviation fuel must meet strict performance standards before it can be qualified as safe for use in aircraft and the fuel must undergo several stages of testing in accordance with industry recognised standards. The costs of this testing can be a significant barrier to new fuels entering the ..read more

Low-cost carrier Wizz Air is working with British company Firefly Fuels to produce Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) from human sewage in order to have 10% of its flights powered by SAF by 2030. Firefly has developed a process which can convert the human waste into fuel and having signed Memorandum of Understandings (MoU) with companies including Haltermann Carless, Petrofac, Chevron Lummus Global (CLG) and Anglian Water.  In a joint press conference the airline said that Firefly will deliver 525,000 tonnes of SAF over 15 years to its UK operations from 2028. Yvonne Moynihan, Corporate and ..read more

London Heathrow (LHR/EGLL) is facing more disruption this summer as aircraft refuellers employed at AFS plan to strike over pay and conditions. 50 refuellers from AFS will walk out for 72 hours on the 4th May potential causing disruption to around 35 airlines that use Heathrow over the bank holiday weekend. The refuellers, who are members of Unite, say the company is creating a two-tier employment structure with new employees being offered reduced pension and sickness benefits. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “AFS is behaving appallingly by attacking the T&Cs of new member ..read more

I think even those without any interest in aviation matters cannot have failed to hear of airliners being diverted off their course to land and expel a passenger, or two, into the hands of some foreign police force because they had caused serious disruption on board, nearly always due to drunkenness. This is becoming a severe matter both for the travelling public and the airlines, especially when considering that the frequency of such in-flight disruption is far greater than those we hear about when aircraft are diverted. Very often disruptive passengers are dealt with by the police at the des ..read more

Leading regional airline Loganair (LM/LOG) has unveiled a new pathway for aspiring commercial pilots to prepare them for joining a commercial airline. In partnership with CRM Aviation Europe, the Airline Pilot Standard Multi-Crew Cooperation (APS MCC) is focused on teaching new pilots the necessary skills to work as part of a flight deck team, both technical and non-technical allowing them to adapt to an airline environment as a First Officer easily. Graduates of the scheme will be given preference in Loganair’s airline assessment selection and access to a fast-track recruitment process with a ..read more

The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has placed an order for six more Airbus H145 Jupiter Helicopters as it continues its renewal of its rotary aircraft. The new aircraft are set to be deployed to Cyprus where they will undertake emergency response duties and also to Brunei to support UK military training. The UK already operates seven H145s based at the Defence Helicopter Flying School at RAF Shawbury in Shropshire alongside 29 of the smaller H135 Juno helicopters. Airbus Helicopters in the UK Managing Director Lenny Brown said: “We congratulate the MoD on this smart acquisition which simultaneou ..read more

Icelandic low-cost carrier Play will launch a limited flight run between Keflavik, Iceland and Cardiff Airport (CWL/EGFF) in October and November this year. The twice-weekly flight will operate for 6 weeks on Mondays and Fridays between 10th October & 20th November and is a welcome lifeline for the struggling Welsh Government-owned airport, albeit short-lived. Play is launching the flights to coincide with the UEFA Nations League matches between Iceland and Wales. For outgoing passengers, there is the opportunity to connect to Play’s transatlantic destinations including New York Stewart, B ..read more

UK-based Menzies Aviation has reported revenue of $2.2 billion (£1.8bn approx) for the last financial year, a 10.7% increase on the previous one. The increase is partly due to the recovery of the aviation industry from the Global pandemic but also by Menzies Aviation increasing its footprint at existing and new airports worldwide. During the last financial year, Menzies Aviation not only grew its global workforce by 6,000 but also continued its investment in electric ground equipment to 17% of its total equipment levels. Menzies Aviation aims to have at least 25% of its equipment electric by 2 ..read more

Vinci, a subsidiary of Vinci Concessions is set to take a 50.01% stake in Edinburgh Airport (EDI/EGPH) from current owners Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) who will retain the minority share. GIP has owned Edinburgh Airport since 2012 and the new deal with Vinci will be its second partnership with the company since it partnered to run London Gatwick in 2019. Vinci was advised on the deal, worth £1.27 billion, by Paul Austin (Europe) LLP and the agreement is subject to possible adjustments prior to its completion in Summer 2024. Gordon Dewar, chief executive officer of Edinburgh Airport, sa ..read more