Image copyright Airbus, photographer C. Brinkmann This second-generation of CFRP (Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic) fuselage demonstrator was designed to be very close to the final design of the A350 XWB fuselage as it will be used for certification of design principles and sizing methods. The barrel demonstrator measures 18 metres in length and more than six metres in diameter. Its …

About two weeks ago, Air India announced it was going to extend its low cost operation Air India Express in to the domestic market. Across Twitter, Facebook and other social networking sites I detected a snigger from many fellow aviation bloggers and enthusiasts – Air India, a national carrier going low cost ? How low can Air India fall ? …

Blue Dart Aviation is a dedicated freight only airline in India, and the only operator of the Boeing 757 in India. Aircraft name ‘Vision VIII’ registration VT-BDM is a Boeing 757-200 PCF (passenger converted freighter) and here it is coming to to land on runway 27 at the Bengaluru International Airport in the early morning of June 14th. My friends …

British Airways is reducing the free baggage allowance for its trans-Atlantic economy class passengers. World Traveller (economy class) passengers who take trips to or from the Americas (except Brazil) from October 7th or later will get only one free checked bag instead of the current two, according to the policy change announced Friday, July 31. On the same date sports …

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved the Aero-Instruments 0851HL-AI Pitot Probe as a replacement part on Airbus Airbus A318, A319, A320, A321, A330 and A340 series airplanes airplanes flown worldwide. Each Airbus commercial aircraft has three Pitot Probes, which are the primary air speed sensing components on aircraft and are designed with integrated electrical heaters to prevent icing. …

Two milestones were achieved last week on Thursday July 30th. In Toulouse, Airbus S.A.S. delivered its 1000th A330/A340 family aircraft an A330-343X. MSN1035 test registration F-WWKS was handed over to Thai Airways International at a special ceremony. The aircraft equipped with Rolls Royce Trent 772B-60 engines is registered HS-TEP. Thai increases its in-service A330/A340 fleet to a total of 25 …

Air France has decided to auction 380 seats on each of its two inaugural flights on the Airbus A380 superjumbo, operating from Paris to New York on 20 November and from New York to Paris on 21 November 2009. This exclusive auction sale, the terms of which will be presented at a later date, will take place on the Internet …

Within the weekend the threatened strike action by the Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA) on August 18th has fizzled out. On Friday July 31, the FIA members barring state owned Air India, took India by storm and announced they would suspend all domestic flights on August 18th in protest of the vindictive tax policies on the aviation industry specifically aviation …

On a recent spotting trip I took a rather rare picture of four Kingfisher aircraft, two Airbus A321-200s flanking the two Airbus A330-200s lined up in a row at the Bengaluru International Airport. From left to right all Kingfisher all Airbus : A321-200 VT-KFZ, A330-200 VT-VJK, A330-200 VT-VJP, A321-200 VT-KFS. Come September 15th we in Bangalore will miss this sight …

Caught at Boeing Paine field are two videos of Jet Airways latest Boeing 777-300ER. MSN 36563 is registered VT-JEL. Due to the slowdown in air traffic, this aircraft is most likely destined as the fourth aircraft leased by Jet to Turkish Airlines THY. Powered by General Electric GE90-115B1L engines this aircraft features the uber-luxurious Jet Airways cabin with 8 private …

Continuing the “Smokin Touchdowns” series, today are three pictures for your viewing pleasure. As usual comments (praise or brickbats) are welcome. Without warning, Dr. Vijay Mallya’s private Boeing 727 came in for a touchdown. Just love those clean shiny chrome on the engine nacelles and exhaust. Looking at the clean lines would you believe this plane is 42 years old, …

The next aircraft to enter the Air India fleet will be the ultra long range Boeing 777-200LR. MSN 36306 is registered VT-ALG and will be named after the state of Kerala – “God’s own country”. Equipped with GE GE90-110B1L engines, this plane has a three class configuration with 8 seats in First Class, 35 Business, and 195 economy. Compare this …

The great but under appreciated airport Volvo shuttle bus service of BMTC, Vayu Vajra, has received a new route – 7A. Starting from HSR Layout in the south-eastern part of Bangalore, the route proceeds to Koramangala first block opposite Wipro, NDS etc., on via the ST bed 80 feet road (Maharaja hotel, Halcyon serviced apartments etc.), to Sony World junction …

On July 13th, Air India took delivery of it’s latest Boeing 777-300ER. MSN 36313 was registered at VT-ALO and the aircraft name, which has a special significance, is Karnataka — the home state of Bangalore Aviation. The aircraft is fitted with two General Electric GE90-115BL2 engines and has a three class configuration. 4 First, 35 Business, and 303 Economy. Here …

Flightblogger Jon Ostrower captured this nice video of the Airbus A380 superjumbo performing at the Oshkosh 2009 air show. Nice moves.

Back in April, I sent this picture to Dr. Mallya saying “Kingfisher Rocks” and his passengers have a “rocking” good time. Today it appears the “King of good times” is quite literally on the rocks. In a hard hitting e-mail sent to its 6,000+ employees, Kingfisher Airlines management has admitted to a serious financial crunch and has asked employees to …

It is official. From September 15th, Kingfisher Airlines will restructure international operations from its “home town” Bangalore. The airline’s first international flight Bangalore London Heathrow will be suspended on September 15th. Bangalore Colombo will stop a day later. It is important to understand some of the factors that led to the demise of these flights: Bangalore is the technology capital …

Turkish Airlines has an extensive fleet-renewal programme including up to 35 long-haul jets and it appears that Boeing is benefiting from Turkish THY Airline’s leasing experience with India’s Jet Airways. Turkish Airlines has finalised an order for an additional seven Boeing 777-300ER (Extended Range) airplanes valued at $1.9 billion at current list prices. This order is in addition to the …

Last year 55% of domestic passengers in India flew by a full service carrier and 45% by value carriers. This year the number was inverted — 55% flew by value carriers. The shift has compelled the Full Service Airlines in India, to start re-thinking their business model and announcing plans to introduce ‘single-class, no-frills’ services and deploying considerable capacity to …

Qatar Airways is significantly increasing its flights to key European capitals as part of an aggressive expansion programme. Beginning October 25, the start of the Northern Winter schedules, the Doha-Paris route will increase from the current 11 flights to a double daily flight. Madrid will be increased from the current four a week to a daily effective December 2. Targeting …