This week’s top air transport stories include a Wizz Air firm order for 75 more Airbus A321neo family aircraft and the suspension of a DOT review of the proposed joint venture between Allegiant Air and Viva Aerobus.
Wizz Air has a firm order for a further 75 Airbus A321neo family aircraft, which takes the Hungary-based ULCC’s total order for the largest variant of the Airbus single-aisle family to 434 and for the A320 family overall to 565.
International Airlines Group (IAG) converted options for six Boeing 787-10s held by British Airways (BA) into firm orders. The airline group also opted to add a further six 787-10 options to British Airways’ orderbook.
In regulatory news, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) halted its review into the planned joint venture (JV) between ULCCs Las Vegas-based Allegiant Air and Mexico City-based Viva Aerobus, citing “outstanding questions relating to the continued implementation of the U.S.-Mexico air transportation agreement.” The carriers have been seeking antitrust immunity since December 2021 to operate a transborder alliance between the U.S. and Mexico.
The FAA has codified new draft policy supporting mandatory disclosure of “safety-critical” information during large aircraft certification projects, stipulating that any changes to existing designs deemed safety critical are, by definition, major changes.
In airline news, India-based Jet Airways confirmed its air operator’s certificate (AOC) has been reinstated by aviation officials, and the Mumbai-headquartered carrier’s backers stress they are still committed to a relaunch.
British long-haul startup Global Airlines, which is expecting its air operator’s certificate later this year, acquired four Airbus A380s for its initial fleet. The London-based airline plans to operate two versions—a 470-seat and 450-seat version—of the type when it launches services, planned for summer 2024 with first services to London Gatwick to New York JFK.
Hong Kong-based startup Greater Bay Airlines has its sights fixed on expanding its international network as it seeks to develop interline agreements with partner carriers. The airline now flies to six international destinations: Bangkok; Taipei, Taiwan; Osaka and Tokyo Narita, Japan; Seoul; and—most recently—Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
In manufacturer news, Boeing is steadily ramping up 737 program production from 31 to 38 per month, but it may be until 2024 before the company stabilizes pushing out 38 737s per month.
Former Embraer CEO Paulo Cesar de Souza e Silva is re-entering the aerospace industry after being appointed to the board of Rolls-Royce.
In airport news, the airport authority of Hong Kong (AAHK) has invested around HK$9 billion ($1.2 billion) to spruce up its infrastructure as it modernizes and prepares for the full recovery of Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) by the end of 2024. The investment is on top of the HK$141.5 billion that will be spent on the three-runway system (3RS) that will bring the airport handling capacity to 120 million passengers annually.
Telecommunications provider Singtel rolled out a 5G Aviation Testbed at Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 3’s airside to support a Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) trial. The platform is expected to allow companies and stakeholders to adopt new solutions using 5G technologies that would increase productivity across airfield operations. The system has been live since March 2023, and the trial will span for two years.
Teesside International Airport (MME), England, will become home to a new permanent hydrogen refueling station as part of a wider £8 million ($10.1 million) UK government investment.
In sustainability news, a study by the nonprofit International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) concluded that regional turboprops retrofitted with hydrogen fuel-cell propulsion could service 15-20% of the market, reduce emissions by almost 90%, and help develop the hydrogen infrastructure at airports. The study looked at retrofits of turboprops with 42-70 passengers using the ATR 72 and De Havilland Canada Dash 8-300 as the reference aircraft, such as the programs Universal Hydrogen and ZeroAvia are developing.
Air New Zealand is inviting airports to apply to participate in its plan to operate commercial demonstration flights with electric or other alternative-propulsion aircraft beginning in 2026. The carrier aims to select two New Zealand airports that will be at either end of the route used in the program.
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