Executive jets are impressive creations from a technical point of view. Those in the upper range of the market, like the Gulfstream G650 or the Bombardier Global 6000, can cruise effortlessly at close to the speed of sound. They’re capable of offering nonstop links between pretty much any two cities in the world.  But perhaps equally as impressive is the extent to which the industry has found ways to turn the confined space within the fuselage walls into a place of comfort and luxury, capable of appealing to the tastes of a highly discerning market.  In fact, executive jet interiors ..read more

Archer Aviation and KakaoMobility have signed a partnership agreement that includes the planned purchase of up to 50 electric vehicle takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft by the South Korean firm.  Under the partnership Archer Aviation and KakaoMobility, a mobility as a service (MaaS) platform service company, have agreed a joint participation in the K-UAM Grand Challenge.   K-UAM Grand Challenge is aimed at building public support for eVTOLs through public demonstrations of the aircraft in flight from late 2024.   KakaoMobility, along with its consortium partners LG U ..read more

Air Canada announced that it renewed its partnership as the Official Airline of Team Canada until the 2030 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, including Paris 2024. To mark the celebration, the Canadian flag carrier unveiled a Boeing 777 with a special livery to transport Team Canada Olympians and Paralympians, coaches and support staff to and from the Games. The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games are a big deal, so we're making a big entrance. We’ve renewed our partnership as the Official Airline of @TeamCanada and @cdnparalympics until 2030 and we’re flying Team Canada to Paris 2024 ..read more

The Houthi rebels in Yemen have claimed that they launched missile attacks against a US aircraft carrier in response to US and British strikes overnight.  Yahya Saree, the Houthi military spokesperson, announced on May 31, 2024, that missiles were fired against the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69). The US Navy has not confirmed if the aircraft carrier was targeted in the Houthi attacks as claimed.  In a televised statement, Saree said that 16 people were killed and many more, including civilians, were injured by six US and British strikes overnight ..read more

Qantas and Perth Airport (PER) have announced that they have reached a “historic” 12-year multi-billion dollar agreement that will bring new international and domestic flights to Western Australia and connect it to the rest of the country. Perth Airport will invest around AUD 3 billion ($2 billion) in new terminal facilities and a new parallel runway to generate immediate and ongoing economic growth and job creation. This will form part of a AUD 5 billion ($3.33 billion) capital investment program by Perth Airport which will also deliver two multi-storey car parks, major access roadworks, and ..read more

Etihad Airways announced that it is embarking on a global recruitment campaign to seek eligible people to join its cabin crew team. In line with its growth plans, the airline said it has already recruited more than 1,000 cabin crew this year and is preparing to welcome around 1,000 more by the end of 2024. Etihad’s diverse cabin crew is made up of people from 112 nationalities, all based in Abu Dhabi. Along with a competitive tax-free salary, Etihad cabin crew are provided with fully-furnished modern accommodation, medical insurance, allowances, and have access to discounts on dining, shopping ..read more

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said that it will continue to hold Boeing accountable after reviewing the company’s roadmap to fix its systemic safety and quality-control issues. Following the January 5, 2024, Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX door plug incident, FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker directed the aircraft manufacturer to develop a comprehensive action plan to set a new standard for safety and how the company conducts business. According to Boeing, the roadmap is necessary to reset the safety culture at Boeing, as well as address the findings of the FAA’s special audit and the ..read more

Alaska Airlines has unveiled plans for a new world-class, super-size training facility in Renton, United States (US).   Alaska Airlines purchased the 19-acre property for $85.75 million, which includes a 600,000-square-foot (55,700-square-meter) facility that Boeing purposefully built to house an aviation training facility.  The new facility, which is part of the 173-acre Longacres campus, will act as a centralized training hub for pilots, cabin crew members and more.  Alaska already houses nine full-motion flight simulators in the facility, with plans to add a tenth in the ..read more

The Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) in New Zealand has launched an investigation into an incident involving a Jetstar Airbus A320-232 at Christchurch International Airport (CIC).  Shortly after landing on May 31, 2024, the Jetstar Airbus A320, which had arrived from Auckland Airport (AKL), veered off the runway as the aircraft decelerated.  In a statement issued by Jetstar, the low-cost airline said that the A320, registered VH-VFF, suffered a “steering issue” which caused the aircraft to veer from the runway at “low speed and onto the grass.”  Writer Diana Cl ..read more

One electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft project that has reached a more advanced stage comes from Joby Aviation.  The advanced air mobility startup has already completed several steps in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification process and its prototypes have already flown thousands of miles during flight tests. This includes a successful demonstration flight in New York City in November 2023.  Much like fellow Californian competitor Archer Aviation, Joby has  identified the Middle East as the ideal launch pad for its eVTOL aircraft.  The c ..read more