Cirium, the aviation analytics leader, has launched the aviation industry’s first Airline Routes tool to identify actual flights flown by aircraft type.

10 best airlines in the world for on-time performance 2022.(Opens in a new browser tab)

It uses applied analytics to derive routes flown by airlines based on satellite-based flight tracking and fuses this with advanced fleet data. The new premium Routes tool is part of Ascend Profiles, a visual descriptive analytics tool which enables businesses to quickly view aircraft intelligence by airline or lessor.

Businesses such as aircraft lessors, banks or aircraft manufacturers are empowered to identify the aircraft flown by route for 1,700 airlines and factor development opportunities or risk into their decision-making. By leveraging satellite-based flight tracking data the tool identifies what routes and aircraft airlines actually flew rather than what they planned to fly providing the most accurate flight completion picture.

India is one of the markets in the spotlight currently, as air travel is helping to boost economic growth in the region. Low-cost-carrier, IndiGo recently announced it was looking to grow its international network and further solidify its domestic operations. According to Ascend Profiles, IndiGo has a fleet of 306 aircraft – (273 in service and 33 in storage), plus 501 on order. Of the delivered fleet, 36% are on operating lease.

Boeing Awarded U.S. Army Contract for Next Generation Diagnostic Tool(Opens in a new browser tab)

The Routes tool shows which two-way international routes IndiGo was operating this January which it was not in January 2022. For example, 172 flights were tracked on the newly added route between Indira-Gandhi International Airport in Delhi to Tribhuvan International in Kathmandu. All operated using Airbus A320s.

Additionally, the new tool shows the bi-directional routes for which IndiGo has ramped up operations. The carrier saw the most significant growth on the Singapore – Bengaluru route, where it completed 62 flights, all using A320s, this January versus only one flight, using an A321, last January.

IndiGo also substantially increased its operations this year on the Dubai – Ahmedabad route, completing five times the number of flights in Jan 23 when compared with Jan 22. The Airline Routes tool is part of Ascend Profiles which visualizes aircraft intelligence of airline or lessor profiles and provides quick and accurate insights showing the latest 12-month year-over-year flights flown by an airline’s routes and can be viewed by flights, seats and ASKs. The tool is available as a web-app on desktop, tablet, and mobile.

Four thieves tried to steal a helicopter at Sacramento Executive Airport in the early hours of the morning between 4 am and 6 am in the morning, but only one was able to start. During an attempted theft at an airport in the US state of California, a criminal stole a $7.5 million chopper and crashed it. No one was hurt at the scene.

The gathered evidence, information from witnesses, and security footage, according to Sean Ragan, the FBI’s Special Agent in Charge, point to a suspect in the case.

The motive for the suspect’s desire to steal the helicopter is being investigated by federal officials. It’s possible that someone wants to purchase the plane for a trip. Terrorism might be a possibility if they intended to purchase it for a different illegal purpose or to harm other people’s property.

The blade of a Bell 429 helicopter plummeted to the ground, scattering debris over the immediate region. Other helicopters that were parked nearby also sustained minor damages.

The incident is being looked into by both the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board.

The pilots are the most important aspect of safe flight, and several standards are in place to help them maintain the standard operating procedure. One photo is circulating on the internet that resulted in the grounding of two pilots. The image is of the Spicejet aircraft pilots, who are shown eating snacks while keeping beverages in the cockpit with crucial controls. Now comes the debate regarding the safety considerations and normal standards for consuming meals in the cockpit.

This was captured during the Indian Holi celebrations when they were operating a flight from Delhi to Guwahati last Wednesday. The two had a cup of liquid on the flight deck’s center console, where even a small leak might have jeopardized safety. After a photo of the celebration at 37,000 feet while the plane was traveling at 0.79 mach (975 kmph) went viral, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Tuesday demanded the airline quickly identify and prosecute the crew members. In accordance with the directive, the airline off-rostered (removed from flying duties) the pilots a day later.

Appalling & extremely unprofessional behaviour by @flyspicejet pilots.

If the liquid (resting on the fuel cutoff levers) spills, it can short circuit the electronics affecting a range of systems and compromise the aircraft’s ability to fly safely.@DGCAIndia @JM_Scindia pic.twitter.com/2n7O5daIg1

— Bandit (@BanditOnYour6) March 14, 2023

“Both pilots have been de-registered awaiting an investigation. SpiceJet has stringent regulations concerning food eating in the cockpit, which is followed by all flight crew. Following the completion of the investigation, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken,” a SpiceJet spokeswoman stated. Veteran pilots have raised their alarm about the dangerous celebration. “The coffee cup has been placed on the aircraft’s fuel levers on the center console.

The engine and (auxiliary power unit) fire control switches are located just below. If the coffee spills and falls over the fire panel, it may cause a short circuit, resulting in a false fire alarm. The team must release fire bottles and declare an emergency.

• Saudi Arabian carriers today announced their intent to purchase up to 121 787 Dreamliners in what will be the fifth-largest commercial order by value in Boeing’s history.
• This will support the country’s goal of serving 330 million passengers and attracting 100 million visitors annually by 2030.

SAUDIA to Grow Long-Haul Fleet with up to 49 Boeing 787 Dreamliners

Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA) today announced the national flag carrier will grow its long-haul fleet with the selection of up to 49 787 Dreamliners. SAUDIA is set to purchase 39 787s, with a further 10 options, utilizing the outstanding efficiency, range, and flexibility of the Dreamliner to sustainably grow its global operation. The agreement will include both 787-9 and 787-10 models.

This agreement is part of Saudi Arabia’s wider strategic plan to transform the country into a global aviation hub. In total, Saudi Arabian carriers announced today their intent to purchase up to 121 787 Dreamliners in what will be the fifth-largest commercial order by value in Boeing’s history. This will support the country’s goal of serving 330 million passengers and attracting 100 million visitors annually by 2030.

SAUDIA currently operates more than 50 Boeing airplanes on its long-haul network, including the 777-300ER (Extended Range) and 787-9 and 787-10 Dreamliner. The additional 787s complement SAUDIA’s existing fleet, enabling it to effectively harness the value of the 777 and 787 families.

Since revenue service began in 2011, the 787 family has launched more than 350 new nonstop routes around the world, including about 50 new routes since 2020. The Dreamliner reduces fuel use and emissions by 25% compared to the airplanes it replaces.

Riyadh Air to Launch with All-Boeing Fleet of up to 72 787-9 Dreamliners

Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Riyadh Air announced today that the new Saudi Arabian carrier has chosen the 787 Dreamliner to power its global launch and support its goal of operating one of the most efficient and sustainable fleets in the world.

Owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), Riyadh Air said it will purchase 39 highly efficient 787-9s, with options for an additional 33 787-9s. Based in the capital city, Riyadh Air will play a key role in growing Saudi Arabia’s air transport network.

This agreement is part of Saudi Arabia’s wider strategic plan to transform the country into a global aviation hub. In total, Saudi Arabian carriers today announced their intent to purchase up to 121 787 Dreamliners in what will be the fifth largest commercial order by value in Boeing’s history. This will support the country’s goal of serving 330 million passengers and attracting 100 million visitors annually by 2030.

The 787-9 provides the longest range of the 787 family of airplanes, flying approximately 300 passengers 7,565 nautical miles (14,010 km), with additional cargo capacity. Passengers enjoy a better experience with the largest windows of any jet, air that is more humid and pressurized at a lower cabin altitude for greater comfort, large overhead bins with room for everyone’s bag; soothing LED lighting, and technology that senses and counters turbulence for a smoother ride.

The 787 family is delivering unmatched fuel efficiency to airline operators around the world reducing fuel use and emissions by 25% compared to airplanes they replace.

Japan is renowned for its technological advancement, consistently outpacing other nations. In 2003, the well-known Japanese corporation Mitsubishi plans to launch a regional jet aircraft with a seating capacity of 70 to 90 seats, just like in other nations. An indigenous regional jet for 30 to 90 people is the subject of a five-year, 50 billion ($420 million) research project that was launched by Japan.

The first Mitsubishi Aircraft Regional Jet / SpaceJet JA21MJ, which was based at Grant County International Airport in Moses Lake, is being destroyed. Due to the lack of a successful testing phase. The program is terminated. Most aviation enthusiasts disagreed with the choice to scrap items rather than donate them to the museum.

Mitsubishi Announced The Discontinuation Of SpaceJet program(Opens in a new browser tab)

Let’s find out more about this plane. Several problems have caused the project to be postponed, and MHI keeps delaying its debut. At first, it also received some orders from airlines based in Japan. such as the SpaceJet program. The planned entry was delayed because flight testing took longer than anticipated, and as a result, development was first postponed in October 2020 and then stopped completely in February 2023.

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Two versions of MRJ M90 and M100.

Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation, a division of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, created the Mitsubishi SpaceJet family of regional jet aircraft. The Mitsubishi SpaceJet M90 and Mitsubishi SpaceJet M100 are the two current versions that make up the SpaceJet family.

Up to 90 passengers can board the regional plane Mitsubishi SpaceJet M90. It has a maximum range of 2,200 nautical miles and two Pratt & Whitney PW1217G engines. The Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation has been working on the M90 for a number of years, with the initial goal of delivering the first aircraft to launch client ANA in 2020. The delivery has been delayed, nevertheless, because of a number of problems.

Mitsubishi converted the MRJ production facility into a maintenance hangar after the programme was terminated.(Opens in a new browser tab)

5. Financial setbacks: Despite Mitsubishi Heavy Industries investing billions of dollars in the SpaceJet program, there have been financial difficulties. But because of the holdups and a lack of orders, the program hasn’t brought in enough money to pay for its development expenses.

The corporation was looking for a reliable source of funding to support the manufacture of airplanes. The flying display was performed by the aircraft in 2018 at the Farnborough air show. Due to the delays, the aircraft is also receiving some criticism. For all of the prototypes that were improved gradually, it has finished roughly 9 aircraft. MHI persisted in working on this project. More than a billion dollars were invested. but even so, the airworthiness authorities were never impressed.

6. More than 900 design changes have reportedly been made, many of which necessitate going back to the basic design stage. Examples of these changes include a review of the design load and adjustments to the system design of various systems. During the testing phase, numerous design modifications were made to the wings, landing gear, fuselage, wiring, and avionics. Throughout the testing stage, numerous design modifications were done.

Tokyo, March 7, 2023 – Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Aero Engines, Ltd. (MHIAEL), a group company of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI), has completed expansion work at its aero engine maintenance shop in Komaki City, Aichi Prefecture, to respond to globally expanding demand for maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services. The expanded facility is expected to increase its commercial engine MRO capacity from 5 to 6 units per month to more than 10 units per month by 2026, then ultimately reaching 15 units per month.

LATAM Airbus aircraft A320 suffers heavy damage after flying through storm(Opens in a new browser tab)

The expansion work added floor area of 2,500m² in addition to the pre-existing floor area of approximately 11,600m², resulting in 20% increase of the workspace.In addition to the ongoing MRO business for PW4000 and V2500 engine models respectively powering Boeing B747 and Airbus A320 aircraft, the expanded shop will also perform MRO for the best-selling state-of-the-art PW1100G-JM powering the Airbus A320neo family aircrafts.

The facility expansion also introduces a highly efficient layout to the shop floor.The pre-existing area is now dedicated to all manually performed processes (engine disassembly, assembly, inspection, etc.), while the newly added workspace is used for the large-scale equipment for balancing, grinding, etc., as well as parts kitting process.The facility is expected to achieve capacity of 15 units per month in this new, optimized shop floor.

MHIAEL’s history of aero engine MRO business dates back to 1993 when it started services for PW4000 engine and its modules.To date, MHIAEL accumulates experience to provide service for more than 900 units.Given the incremental increase of production rate of Airbus A320neo family, it is anticipated that number of PW1100G-JM and the MRO demands associated thereto will be doubled in next few years.

Mitsubishi Announced The Discontinuation Of SpaceJet program(Opens in a new browser tab)

MHIAEL ensures to deliver high-quality products for the increasing demands through its robust systems to manage quality and workforce.Adding to those systems, MHIAEL works on MRO technology development as well as introducing Smart Factory.Also, besides the MRO business, MHIAEL continues business of aero engine components manufacturing expanding its capability at two manufacturing facilities in Komaki and Nagasaki.

MHI Group, in anticipation of increased demand for commercial aero engines worldwide through the long term, is expanding its related business and production structures, and expansion of MHIAEL’s Komaki facility is part of this initiative. Going forward, MHI will work in close cooperation with MHIAEL to enhance its technological capabilities and reliability in aero engine development, manufacture and after-sales servicing, to contribute to the advancement of Japan’s aircraft industry.

The proportion of female airline pilots has quietly risen to just over 5% of all pilots worldwide, but visibility has not kept pace. Having motivating role models is crucial in life because it can be hard to imagine “doing something” or “becoming someone” if you have never seen what it looks like.

South Sudan’s 1st Female Commercial Pilot Becomes Captain with Delta Air Lines(Opens in a new browser tab)

The lack of female airline pilot role models in popular culture creates an issue for the aviation sector. Due to the fact that gender roles are frequently represented in popular culture by traditional concepts, they are rarely represented in movies, television shows, or magazines.

On Wednesday, Air India announced that 15% of its 1,825 pilots are female, making it the airline with the highest proportion of female pilots. In honour of International Women’s Day, the Tata Group-owned Air India, Air India Express, and AirAsia India have scheduled more than 90 flights with an all-female crew. These flights have been flying on both domestic and international routes since March 1.

According to the carrier, women constitute over 40 percent of Air India’s workforce, with 275 of its 1,825 pilots being women, representing 15 percent of the cockpit crew strength and making it an airline that has one of the largest numbers of female pilots.