April 28: Boeing announced that seven airlines will be the first to incorporate the new, spacious 737 ‘Boeing Sky Interior’ starting in late 2010, featuring soft, blue-sky-like lighting overhead. The airlines are: FlyDubai, Continental Airlines, Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA, Malaysia…

April 28: In its release of traffic data for March, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) thinks an upturn in aviation’s fortunes may not be too far away. “The global economic crisis continues to reduce demand for international air travel,”…

April 27: The appearance of the US President’s personal Boeing 747 aircraft, ‘Air Force One’, together with an accompanying F-16 flying low over Manhattan’s financial district, sparked fears among New Yorkers of a September 11-style attack, many of whom still…

April 28: Already suffering from the fallout of the global economic crisis, airlines took a battering on the stock markets as the outbreak of swine flu sparks speculation of a worldwide pandemic. With travel restrictions starting to be implemented on…

April 28: People are being advised to check before making travel arrangements overseas, especially to South America where the Foreign Office is recommending only ‘essential’ travel to Mexico in response to the recent outbreak of swine flu. For more information…

In its first quarter results, UPS has confirmed that it has taken an impairment charge on its entire fleet of 44 DC-8 aircraft, including related engines and parts. Earlier than expected retirement of the DC-8s will make UPS’s air fleet…

April 20: Zurich-based Swiss International Air Lines received its first new A330-300, one of nine ordered in September 2007 to expand its medium- to long-haul network. Powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 772B EP engines, the A330-300 has an all-new, three-class layout…

April 22: Air China Cargo and TAECO (Taikoo Aircraft Engineering Co) celebrated the ‘re-delivery’ of the carrier’s first 747-400 Boeing Converted Freighter, the first of three 747-400BCFs it has ordered. The aeroplane has been converted from an Air China 747-400…

April 19: Allegiant Travel Company, parent company of Allegiant Air reported an increase in operating margin and nearly tripling its first-quarter profit compared to 2008. “The first quarter was superb, with an all-time high operating margin,” stated Maurice Gallagher, Jr.,…

Austrian Airlines Group (ÖIAG) has been hit hard by the recession, announcing its traffic figures for the first quarter. The airline carried nearly 16% fewer passengers compared to 2008. In mid-March, the Executive Board recommended its shareholders accept the takeover…