Boeing delivered the first Boeing 747-8 Freighter for AirBridgeCargo Airlines (ABC), part of Volga-Dnepr Group. This 747-8F (VQ-BLQ) is the first of five new planes for the airline. AirBridge Cargo also has options for additional five airplanes. “The introduction of the Boeing 747-8F represents a huge commitment to our customers since we are investing in state of the art equipment to further expand our network,” said Tatyana Arslanova, executive president of AirBridgeCargo Airlines. “We have a firm belief that our established and new customers will greatly benefit from the additional features the airplane will provide such as enhanced payload. With the introduction of the Boeing 747-8F, we’ll have the youngest freighter fleet in the industry while maintaining the highest standards of environmental compliance.” “ABC is a valued customer of Boeing that has built a very successful cargo business with the help of 11 747 Freighters and we’re confident ABC will ...

Norwegian, one of the largest low-cost airlines in Europe, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airbus for 100 A320neo aircraft. The agreement makes Norwegian the latest customer for the A320neo and also a new customer for Airbus. The new aircraft will support Norwegian’s growth and modernisation strategy. Norwegian (the brand name of Norwegian Air Shuttle AS) operates a network across Europe into North Africa and the Middle East, and is rapidly expanding its low cost operations. The new aircraft will feature a single class cabin layout, seating approximately 180 passengers. Norwegian’s engine decision will be announced at a later date. “The A320neo will enable us increasing capacity while decreasing our operating costs,” said Bjørn Kjos, Chief Executive Officer, Norwegian. “With this aircraft we will continue to boost our reputation for offering high quality, low fares service with the most modern and eco-efficient fleet of aircraft in Scandinavia”. Norwegian ...

By Owen Zupp Thumbing through a folder some years back in another futile attempt to organise my filing cabinet, I came across a carefully stored certificate. It had not seen the light of day for some time, but was instantly recognisable by the wings that adorned its upper edge as my ‘First Solo Certificate’. With a rope-like border and instructors’ signatures penned in across its face, one particular feature leapt out at me; the date. Whilst the day and month were just around the corner, the year was another matter. After some quick arithmetic, the significance of the date became more substantial, it was nearly twenty five years since I had gone ‘solo’. Could that be right? A quarter of a century? I pondered the concept for a moment. Twenty five years can mean many things to many people. It can be a landmark of marriage to a couple or ...

Airbus delivered the 5000th A320 built to Lebanon’s national carrier, Middle East Airlines (MEA). The aircraft was delivered from Airbus in Hamburg, Germany and is powered by International Aero Engines V2500 engines. MSN5000 marks a significant milestone for Airbus and the A320 Family going into 2012, as production rises from 38 to 40 per month during the first quarter of the year. MEA operates one of the most modern fleets in the region with four A330-200s, six A321 and including MSN5000, now seven A320 aircraft. “Handing MSN5000 over to MEA is a real pleasure for Airbus. The Lebanese flag carrier has shown great courage maintaining its operations in the face of difficulty,” said Tom Enders, Airbus President and CEO. “It’s only natural that we pay tribute to MEA’s outstanding determination and recognise their unfailing loyalty with this landmark delivery. We look forward to seeing MEA continue to thrive and grow ...

This great video features a Boeing 747-8F freighter, operated by British Airways Cargo, on a flight from Frankfurt (FRA) to Chicago O’Hare (ORD). It includes cockpit footage from take-off and landing with cockpit sound and ATC. It also shows some of the features of this new aircraft, like the position of the RAT, GEnx-2B67 engines, new wing design, Electronic Checklists, Vertical situation display, etc.

This month, Boeing will begin the second segment of the 787 Dream Tour, with four stops planned in the U.S. and Ireland. The January schedule includes the following stops: Jan. 20-23: Wichita, Kan., to visit partner Spirit AeroSystems and Boeing employees. Jan. 23-25: Rockford, Ill., to visit partner Hamilton Sundstrand. Jan. 25-27: Dublin, Ireland, to visit airline customers, leasing companies, financiers and other stakeholders. Jan. 27-30: Huntsville, Ala., to visit Boeing employees. The Dream Tour airplane, ZA003, is outfitted with the 787′s special cabin features, including a welcoming entryway and dynamic LED lighting. The airplane is configured with a luxurious business-class cabin, an overhead crew rest compartment and an economy class section. Additional tour stops are planned through April. This schedule will be announced at a later date. Photo: Boeing

This beautiful shot of Boeing 787 ZA005 test plane is our new featured photo. The Dreamliner (N787FT) was caught on landing at San Bernardino International Airport (KSBD), December 19, 2011 (c) Photographer: KSBD Photo Did you know that your photo could be featured here, too? Just enter the Flightstory Flickr Photo Contest.

Boeing announced that Air France-KLM have ordered 25 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, with options. “By making the 787 a key part of its fleet renewal, Air France-KLM strengthens its position as a worldwide leader,” said Jim Albaugh, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “Reaction to the Dreamliner’s entry into service has been phenomenal and we look forward to seeing passengers of Air France-KLM fly on this revolutionary airplane.” The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner is a slightly larger version of the 787-8 and will carry 250-290 passengers on routes of 8,000 to 8,500 nautical miles (14,800 to 15,750 kilometers). The order increases the number of 787-9s on order to 305 airplanes. The 787 Dreamliner family, including the 787-8 and 787-9, has accumulated a total of 860 orders from 59 customers located all over the world. Source: Boeing Photo: Boeing

How low can you go at famous Princess Juliana International Airport, St. Maarten (SXM)? This Boeing 727 operated by Amerijet set a new record. It almost hit the fence and landed on the overrun zone 150 feet before the threshold!

Boeing announced that the Boeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS) facility in Wichita will close by the end of 2013. The Wichita facility currently employs more than 2,160 employees. “The decision to close our Wichita facility was difficult but ultimately was based on a thorough study of the current and future market environment and our ability to remain competitive while meeting our customers’ needs with the best and most affordable solutions,” said Mark Bass, vice president and general manager for BDS’ Maintenance, Modifications & Upgrades division. “We recognize how this will affect the lives of the highly skilled men and women who work here, so we will do everything possible to assist our employees, their families and our community through this difficult transition.” Boeing Wichita is the base for the company’s Global Transport & Executive Systems business and its B-52 and 767 International Tanker programs. The facility also provides support ...

Airbus has filed a patent for a downward-facing winglet device. The new wing tip device is being described as a wing extension that may be swept and may deform during flight. This flexible wing tip extension provides a drag reduction whilst decreasing the bending moment of the wing, particularly at the wing root. Aircraft performance might benefit during both steady flight and high-lift manoeuvres. Because of its flexible behaviour, the downward-facing winglet may provide a larger span during flight in comparison to when the aircraft is on the ground. The wing tip device allows not to be mounted directly at the tip of the wing, but may for example be mounted spaced apart from the wing tip that might have mounted an additional wingtip fence or winglet. It may be also fully blended with the wing.