Business & Military

Airbus announced on Wednesday that it is reducing average production rates for the A320, A330 and A350 by approximately one-third due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Monthly A320 production will drop to an average of 40 units. A330s will be produced at a rate of two per month and A350s at six per month. “We […]

Boeing has announced the initiation of a voluntary layoff (VLO) plan as a means to address financial difficulties caused by the coronavirus pandemic. According to the company, the plan “aims to reduce the need for other workforce actions” by allowing eligible employees who want to leave do so with a pay and benefits package. As […]

At least one American and one Canadian were among eight people killed in the reported explosion and crash of a Westwind business jet that was on a medevac flight from Manila to Haneda, Japan, on Sunday. “The plane caught fire and exploded as it was taking off the [Ninoy Aquino International Airport] Runway 24,” Philippine […]

Textron Aviation announced on Monday that it has successfully completed initial ground engine tests on the prototype of its Cessna SkyCourier twin-engine turboprop. According to the company, initial testing covered verifying fuel systems and engine function along with avionics and electrical systems interfaces. The SkyCourier is powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-65SC engines. “The […]

Emirates has virtually shut down and parked 85 percent of its fleet as airspace and border closures due to the spread of coronavirus strikes at the heart of its business model. Emirates is based in Dubai but the base functions mainly as a legally necessary intermediate stop for intercontinental flights. If it can’t fly globally, […]

On an airliner, engines are a source of noise heard on the ground, but so is airflow over landing gear, flaps and slats. Using massive supercomputers to model airflow, NASA is seeking ways to reduce such noise. This AVweb video explains the project. view on YouTube

Textron Aviation announced on Wednesday that it plans to implement four-week furloughs for “most” of its U.S-based employees as part of the company’s response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Textron also said it will be “adjusting production to align with anticipated market demand.” According to the company, employees will be furloughed from March 23 through […]

Airbus has announced that it will halt production and assembly activities at its facilities in France and Spain for four days due to “the implementation of new measures in France and Spain to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.” According to the company, it is also working to maximize work-from-home options where possible for employees in those […]

Boeing is calling for the U.S. government to provide a minimum of $60 billion in “access to public and private liquidity, including loan guarantees” to help the aerospace manufacturing industry weather the economic impacts of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Boeing’s production facilities remain open with “enhanced cleaning procedures” in place. The company also said it […]

Italy-based Piaggio has put out a call for buyers for its Piaggio Aero Industries branch and subsidiary Piaggio Aviation, which together operate as Piaggio Aerospace. Piaggio Aerospace is currently under extraordinary administration, a procedure designed to protect the “assets, goodwill and employees” of large insolvent companies. Potential buyers will be screened by Extraordinary Commissioner Vincenzo […]