Aviation

Etihad Pilots Granted Dual Certification for A350 and A380 Operations

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has reached another significant milestone in pilot training and flying operations.

Etihad has qualified its pilots to operate Airbus A350 and A380 aircraft interchangeably, following successful completion of extensive pilot training and gaining stringent regulatory permits. This accomplishment establishes Etihad as one of the world’s leading airlines in achieving this level of diversity in its pilot capabilities.

Pilots on airlines are usually limited to operating one kind of aircraft. However, under specific circumstances—like a highly comparable flight deck, pilot protocols, and the application of specialized training—pilots may be permitted to operate two types of similar aircraft through a specialized program authorized by the Civil Aviation Authority and the aircraft manufacturer. This is referred to as “Mixed Fleet Flying,” or “MFF.”

By obtaining comparable permits over the past decade, Etihad has raised the bar for fleet commonality by allowing its Airbus pilots to fly the A320 and A330, A330 and A340, and its Boeing pilots to fly the 777 and 787. The most recent license to operate the Airbus A350 and A380 will build on this heritage by increasing the effectiveness and flexibility of Etihad’s widebody network.

Aviation

Aeroflot Buys Used Planes for Spare Parts Amid Sanctions

In the face of ongoing Western sanctions that have severely impacted Russia’s aviation industry, Aeroflot, the country’s largest airline, has devised a strategic plan to bolster its fleet’s spare parts inventory.

The airline is set to acquire five Boeing 737-800BCF freighters from Atran Airlines, a move that will allow it to dismantle the aircraft for critical components. The planes, which will be transferred to Aeroflot’s low-cost subsidiary Pobeda, will not be converted into passenger jets but instead will be stripped for valuable parts to support existing operations.

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Aeroflot’s plan to purchase these Boeing 737-800BCF freighters comes as part of a broader strategy to mitigate the effects of Western sanctions, which have crippled the Russian aviation sector. With the sanctions restricting access to essential aircraft parts and spare components, Aeroflot is exploring alternative ways to maintain and repair its fleet.

Instead of converting the freighters from cargo to passenger planes, a process deemed “unreasonably expensive” under current sanctions, the airline intends to focus on extracting high-value components such as engines, landing gear, avionics, and other essential systems.

The deal will be structured in a way that allows Aeroflot to indirectly purchase the freighters through an insurance settlement with the aircraft’s lessor, AerCap.

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The Russian government’s insurance company will reimburse the aircraft’s value, and the planes will then be leased back to local operators. This method circumvents some of the restrictions imposed by international sanctions while ensuring that the airline gains access to the necessary components to support its fleet.

By dismantling the aircraft for spare parts, Aeroflot aims to secure critical resources for the ongoing maintenance of its existing fleet. Components from the Boeing 737-800BCF freighters, such as engines and avionics, are expected to be reused in other aircraft within Aeroflot’s network, ensuring that the airline can keep its operations running smoothly