By BA Staff B-52H. Photo courtesy US Air Force Boeing will continue to increase the B-52 bomber’s effectiveness and versatility under a new U.S. Air Force contract that calls for the aircraft’s smart weapons capacity to expand by 50 percent. Under the $24.6 million agreement, Boeing will develop a modification to existing weapon launchers so the aircraft can carry smart …

By BA Staff The second Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner completed a successful 4-hour, 18-minute first flight.  The airplane, known as ZB002, departed Paine Field in Everett, Washington State, USA, at 8:06 and landed at 12:24 local time at Seattle’s Boeing Field. As the only 787-9 test airplane to be fitted with elements of the passenger interior, ZB002 will test systems such …

By BA Staff The board of directors of Alaska Air Group has approved a quarterly cash dividend of 20 cents per share to all shareholders of record as of Nov. 19. The dividend will be paid on Dec. 4. Air Group paid a quarterly dividend of 20 cents per share in August, the first time since 1992 that the company …

By BA Staff Boeing has named Ted Colbert chief information officer and vice president of the company’s Information Technology organization. Colbert, who was formerly vice president of the Boeing Information Technology Infrastructure organization, replaces Kim Hammonds, who is leaving the company. Colbert, 39, will report to John Tracy, Boeing chief technology officer and senior vice president of Engineering, Operations & …

By BA Staff The United States Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a final rule on the training of commercial air carrier pilots.   The final rule stems in part from the crash of Colgan Air 3407 in February 2009 near Buffalo, NY, and addresses a Congressional mandate in the Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of …

by Devesh Agarwal Emirates A380. Photo copyright Devesh Agarwal. The Emirates Group, the aviation holding company of the Al Maktoum family which rules Dubai, and the parent of Emirates airline, announced its first half (April to September) results of the fiscal year 2014 (ending March 31, 2014) today. Group The Emirates Group revenues reached AED 42.3 billion (US$ 11.5 billion) …

By BA Staff The average domestic air fare decreased to $378 in the second quarter of 2013, down 3.6 percent from the average fare of $392 in the second quarter of 2012, measured in constant 2013 dollars, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) reported. Huntsville, Ala., had the highest average fare, $547, while Atlantic City, N.J., …

By BA Staff Delta 737NG. Boeing photo. Delta Air Lines will add new daily non-stop flights to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport from San Diego International Airport and Portland International Airport as well as an additional flight from Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, beginning next year. The new service will provide customers with convenient connections to the airline’s growing international network from …

By BA Staff Boeing Air Europa celebrated the Spanish carrier’s 25th direct delivery of a Next-Generation 737-800. Air Europa showcased the latest addition to its fleet at a special event at its base on the Spanish island of Mallorca. Juan Jose Hidalgo, president of Globalia, the parent company of Air Europa said: “Today is a very important day for Air …

By BA StaffQatar Airways announced it will begin flights to Hangzhou, China beginning 20 December 2013. The non-stop service from Doha to Hangzhou, the capital city of Zhejiang Province, will fly four-times-weekly. Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said: “This year we celebrate 10 years of flying to China. The addition of our seventh route in China will …

By BA Staff Alaska Airlines began daily service between Boise, Idaho, and San Diego, from this month, as the carrier celebrates 30 years of service to Boise Airport. To celebrate the new flights, Alaska is offering one-way fares starting from $99* between Boise and San Diego. Joe Sprague, vice president of marketing said: “Alaska Airlines offers more flights from Boise …