India Orders Eight Boeing P-8Is

"The Indian Navy ordered eight Boeing P-8I multimission aircraft on Jan. 2 to replace its eight aging TU-142s, making for the first direct military sales by Boeing to India.

"Clearly, we are pleased that the government of India has selected the P-8Is. India has become the first international customer for P-8s. It is significant for us to partner with this market," said Vivek Lall, vice president and country head, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems.

There are 30 percent offsets that have been committed by Boeing on the deal. Boeing declined to comment on delivery schedules.

"The commonality inherent in our solution will greatly enhance the interoperability and supportability objectives publicly supported by both the U.S. and Indian navies," Lall told Aviation Week." Next

Air New Zealand Flight Leads Drive to Biofuels

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EADS/Airbus Completes Its Aerostructures Strategy

"With GKN Aerospace’s recent acquisition of the Airbus wing component and assemblies manufacturing unit at Filton, UK, EADS/Airbus has accomplished its aerostructures reorganisation strategy. This initiative combines the divestment of non-core activities and sites in order to establish a network of strong suppliers, allowing Airbus to concentrate on its core business as being an aircraft architect and integrator.Filton’s part site sell-off to GKN follows the successful transfer of the Laupheim site in Germany to Diehl/Thales on October 1st 2008. Prior to this, the carve-out process for the former German Airbus sites in Nordenham and Varel and the former EADS site in Augsburg to create the new Premium AEROTEC GmbH was also accomplished. A similar process was undertaken in France, where Meaulte and St. Nazaire Ville are now the foundation of Aerolia. Both Premium AEROTEC and Aerolia commenced full operations on January 1st under EADS ownership, and are well positioned to become major players on the global market, especially regarding Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastics (CFRP) aerostructures. Not only will all companies be significantly involved in the A350 XWB programme, they will also commit to the EADS/Airbus Power 8 targets. Aerolia for example has already decided to extend its enterprise and invest in a new plant in Tunisia. " La suite.

AEROLINEAS ARGENTINAS AND AUSTRAL SUSPEND LANDINGS WITH DESTINATION TO USHUAIA CITY

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Airbus Delivers 12 A380s In 2008

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Biofuel flight a step towards carbon neutral growth

"In another example of the aviation industry’s commitment to a sustainable future, an Air New Zealand aircraft took off today, powered in part by a second-generation biofuel. The Boeing 747-400 test flight will investigate how the new fuel, made from the Jatropha plant, stands up to use at the high altitudes and extreme operating conditions required by aviation.

The flight, which will take two hours, is another in a series of trials taking place at airlines around the world, testing different types of biofuel to determine the viability of using the sustainable alternative to the fossil fuel-based Jet-A1 fuel currently used by commercial aviation. Paul Steele, the executive director of the Air Transport Action Group (ATAG), a representative of organisations from across the aviation industry, said that the flight was a significant step towards the industry vision of carbon neutral growth, “Earlier this year, the leaders of the aviation industry gathered in Geneva to sign a Declaration on Climate Change, committing the industry to a pathway towards carbon neutral growth. “The efforts taking place in New Zealand today and other projects across the aviation sector are designed to make progress towards that goal, providing the aviation industry with a reduced-carbon form of energy and allowing the sustainable future of air transport which is a key generator of economic growth.” " Next.

JET AIRWAYS USHERS IN THE NEW YEAR WITH ATTRACTIVE FARES ON DOMESTIC FLIGHTS WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT

"Jet Airways India’s premier international airline, announces attractive and substantially reduced basic fares on Economy class, on all its domestic flights with immediate effect. With the introduction of these special fares now lower by up to 40%, Jet Airways customers will have one more reason to fly and experience its world-class service, commencing with this holiday season. A Mumbai - Delhi economy class basic fare will now be available for as low as INR 2000; a Mumbai – Kolkata basic fare will be INR 4065; a Bengaluru - Mumbai at INR 1220; and Mumbai – Ahmedabad for an attractive INR 500." La suite.