Building an aircraft is the ultimately symphony of supply chain operations, bringing together millions of parts to the right place, at the right time, all the time. So please enjoy these videos of one of the world’s most popular aircraft being assembled. Have a great weekend.

Hong Kong based Cathay Pacific Airways has released details of its new premium economy class and economy class seats which will be progressively introduced on its long-haul flights from March 2012 for operational commencement from April 2012 onwards. Unfortunately the carrier is not releasing pictures of the new cabin till next year. With the carrier intending a clear differentiation between …

The growing popularity of web, kiosk and mobile check-in has almost doubled passenger self-service check-in at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (CSIA), Mumbai over the year, up from 36% to 65%. The 2011 SITA/Air Transport World Passenger Self-Service Survey found that the web check-in rate was higher in Mumbai than at any of the other airports included in the survey. 70% …

The ‘making of’ video shows 13 of Ryanair’s hottest cabin crew on location during the calendar photo-shoot in Lanzarote last September for its 2012 Ryanair Cabin Crew Charity Calendar. The video has been made in a 1940’s theme with sepia effects. Ryanair has succeeded in selling 9,000 of targeted 10,000 copies of the calendar, which are available online at www.ryanair.com …

IANS is reporting that a Sukhoi Su-30MKI the frontline air superiority fighter of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed near Pune around 13:15 local (07:45Z) today. Both the pilots bailed out to safety, an officer said. The fighter belongs to a squadron of the Su-30MKI which is based at the Lohegaon Air Force Base to protect amongst others, the economic …

European airframer Airbus S.A.S. delivered its 7,000th aircraft delivered, an A321-231 to US Airways, the airline which operates the largest Airbus fleet in the world. MSN 4957 which was test registered at D-AZAE was delivered with a registration N552UW. By the end of the year, US Airways is expected to operate a fleet of 93 A319s, 72 A320s, 63 A321s …

The Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) party with its five members of parliament (MP) has joined the ruled United Progressive Alliance (UPA). RLD supremo Ajit Singh has given a letter requesting to join the UPA to its chairperson Ms. Sonia Gandhi. Mr. Ajit Singh will be inducted as the new minister of civil aviation on December 18th. Ajit Singh has a …

As of date there are seven airlines operating the Airbus A380 superjumbo. Singapore Airlines QANTAS Emirates airline Lufthansa Air France Korean Air Lines China Southern Airlines This post summarises all the A380 routes operated by these seven operators. See more A380 articles. The launch operator of the A380 was Singapore Airlines. The newest route is SQ25/SQ26 Singapore – Frankfurt – …

If money is no object what could you get your loved ones this Christmas? How about a 24 carat, diamond encrusted iPad 2, with a frame of Ammolite a stone over 75 million years old and containing bones of a Tyrannosaurus Rex dinosaur? Yes, its $5 million but it is unique. Do you know anyone who has a DinoPad? I …

British Airways has a series called Height Cuisine. In this post, view two videos showing how the airline selects wines, cheeses, and teas for service on-board their flights. It is quite amazing to learn that seemingly un-connected thing like sound and pressure affect the taste in one’s mouth. Have an enjoyable and profitable week ahead. If it is going to …

On Wednesday Airbus completed the first flight of its ‘Sharklet’ equipped A320 test-bed aircraft. Two videos on the subject for your Friday viewing pleasure. The first one shows how the new wingtip devices are fit on to the aircraft, and the second covers the first flight itself.

TURBOCHARGING JET AIRWAYS PART 1By Rishul Saraf Jet Airways is a pioneer in Indian aviation. From the earliest stages of India’s economic liberalisation, with a fleet of just four Boeing 737-300 and 737-400, Jet Airways grew to reach a fleet size of over 92 aircraft, by 2008, and become a dominant force in Indian aviation. Since then, due to recession, …

It is not very often that I recommend an article that appears in the print media. The Caravan is one of the oldest publications in India, first launched in 1940. In the December 2011 issue, Praveen Donthi has written a mammoth article going into great detail the history of Mr. Praful Patel and his recent tenure as civil aviation Minister, …

Airbus has completed the first flight of the company’s A320 development aircraft MSN001 F-WWBA fitted with the new ‘Sharklet’ wing-tip devices. Airbus A320 MSN001 F-WWBA takes off for its first flight equipped with “Sharklets” This flight marks the start of the early flight-test campaign to capture data for fine-tuning the flight control laws required for the fly-by-wire controls, as well …

It appears that delivery Air India’s Boeing 787 Dreamliners are delayed, yet again, this time in to 2012. Air India has chosen the General Electric GEnx-1B engine to power its 787 fleet. According to a report from Flightglobal, due to a lack of production aircraft at Boeing, the airframer is unable to complete the final certification requirements of the US …

A little over a month ago, we opined that Kingfisher’s announced withdrawal from the low cost segment would most likely lead to an enforced fleet reduction at the beleagured carrier. It appears our fears are coming true, The airline announced that lessor AerCap Holdings N.V. of the Netherlands will be taking back possession of two aircraft. In a statement spokespersons …

Airbus has commenced the final assembly of the first A380 destined for Thai Airways. The airframe entered the Airbus Final Assembly Line in Toulouse on November 23rd, 2011. Now all the various sections of the airframe will be attached together. Thai will become the ninth operator of the A380 superjumbo when it takes delivery late next year.

Five classic videos from yesteryears, featuring the famous Singapore Girl air hostesses, today called cabin crew, of Singapore Airlines.

In tribute and thanks to my dear friend and spotter guru M. Azizul Islam who is based in London but originally from Bangladesh. One of the most helpful people I have even had the pleasure of meeting in my lifetime. So here is for your enjoyment Aziz-da.

India has the world’s fastest growing airline sector – yes faster than even the Gulf, much of whose traffic is again driven by India. Year on year growth is 17%. Despite this, in its 100th year, the civil aviation sector in India is in near total financial chaos. Air India is a political plaything that has no business being a …