50 SKY SHADES - World aviation news

Aviation essential

Essential and most important aviation news

Latest essential aviation news

Airbus performs world’s first automatic air-to-air refuelling contact with large aircraft receiver

Royal Australian Air Force KC-30A acts as receiver from A310 tanker Airbus Defence and Space has followed its earlier achievement in demonstrating Automatic Air-to-Air (A3R) refuelling of a fighter with another world-first – the same operation performed with a large receiver aircraft. In...

The big To-Do about failing Caribbean airlift

by Cdr. Bud Slabbaert In past three weeks, politicians and industry leaders at a number of summits in the Caribbean have expressed the urgent need for better air connections and more reasonable prices. Sorry folks. That’s an old hat to say the least. There may even be a skeleton in the...


Textron Businesses Will Exhibit a Large Array of Products at the Farnborough International Airshow

Bell Helicopter, Textron Aviation Inc., Textron Aviation Defense LLC, Textron Systems, Textron Airborne Solutions and TRU Simulation + Training, all businesses of Textron Inc., will showcase a vast product portfolio at the Farnborough International Airshow—one of the leading aerospace events in the world. The show takes place July 16-22, and Textron will display...

Airbus to showcase innovative products and services at the Farnborough International Airshow 2018

#WeMakeItFly #FIA18  Airbus SE will present a broad portfolio of innovative products and services at the Farnborough International Airshow 2018 that meet the aerospace industry’s requirements for today and tomorrow. In the flying and static displays, Airbus will showcase its modern and highly efficient range of commercial aircraft able to seat between 100 and more than 600 passeng...

U.S. aerospace and defense industry riding a wave of technology and trade momentum into Farnborough International Airshow 2018

Nearly 300 American exhibitors expected, 250-plus in the new USA Partnership Pavilion in Halls 2, 3 and 4 30 total states represented, including 20 state pavilions Apollo 15 Command Module Pilot Col. Al Worden, USAF-Ret. joins industry to present U.S. flag flown to the Moon to the Royal Air Force...

Airbus introduces the A220-100 and A220-300

Québec-born aircraft join the Airbus family  Airbus has revealed the A220 at a ceremony held at its Henri-Ziegler Delivery Centre, near Toulouse. Witnessed by Airbus employees and members of the global news media, the A220-300 landed directly from the painting at 12:25 am CEST wearing its new Airbus name and colours.  The A220 family comprises two models, the A220-100 an...

Boeing to Showcase the Future of Aerospace at Farnborough International Airshow

New special exhibit will feature Boeing's "The Future Is Built Here" interactive displays 737 MAX 7 and 787 scheduled for flight displays CH-47 Chinook and F-15E Strike Eagle among defense platforms on static display Cargo Village to feature Boeing Global Services exhibit and CargoLogicAir 747-8 Freighter Boeing announced its plans to reveal the exciting future of air and...

First production A330neo visits the Americas in route-proving tour

Globe-trotting flight test exercise demonstrates readiness for airline operations ahead of entry-into-service The first production A330neo aircraft visited South and North America during a worldwide route-proving flight test exercise designed to demonstrate to aviation authorities its compatibility with airports and readiness for airline operations. This jetliner – an A330-900 vers...

Putting a smile on the BelugaXL’s face

Airbus’ next-gen oversize cargo airlifter receives its colours ahead of a history-making first flight this summer Airbus’ first BelugaXL is “all smiles” after rolling out from the paint shop in Toulouse, France, where this next-generation oversize cargo airlifter received its distinctive livery – which features beluga whale-inspired eyes and an enthusiastic grin....

Nearly 37,400 new aircraft valued at US$5.8 trillion required over 20 years

#AirbusGMF Global networks and citizens drive growth of 4.4% a year The world’s passenger fleet will more than double to 48,000 aircraft in 20 years with traffic growing at a resilient 4.4% per year, driving a need for 37,390 new passenger and freighter aircraft according to Airbus’ new Global Market Forecast 2018-2037. Growth drivers include private consumption increasing 2.4 ti...

Summer in Style: Top Destinations in Europe Are Now Serviced by Scheduled Business Jet Flights

JetClass Celebrates Its First Birthday Weekend flights inside Europe are about to become even more attractive – JetClass, a tech enabled airline service, offering seats on business jets, introduces ten new flights connecting the hottest summer destinations to commemorate 1 year anniversary and bring some extra flair into the weekend getaways. The new schedule launches on July 7th and w...

IATA: Passenger Demand Continues Strong Growth in May

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced global passenger traffic results for May showing that demand (measured in revenue passenger kilometers, or RPKs) rose 6.1% compared to the same month in 2017, which was a slight pickup from 6.0% year-over-year growth for April 2018. Capacity climbed 5.9% and load factor rose 0.1 percentage point to 80.1%.  "May was another s...

Airbus extends Technology Research with Chinese partners

A joint lab established to explore the application of nanoscience in aeronautic industry Airbus Beijing Engineering Centre (ABEC), a joint venture between Airbus and China Aviation Industry Corporation (AVIC), opened a new lab on nanocomposite materials jointly with National Centre for Nanoscience and Technology of China. On the same day, the two parties signed a cooperation agreement on engine...

Restrictions on powdered substances in hand luggage on flights to/from the US

In accordance with the order of Transport Security Administration (TSA) the passengers flying to/from the US will be banned from carrying powdered substances exceeding 350 ml in their hand luggage.  Examples of powdered substances are flour, sugar, coffee, spices, powder milk and other similar products. If the passenger is not required such substances during the flight passengers are advis...

Upcoming events

Bahrain International Airshow 2026

18/11/2026 - 20/11/2026
Bahrain, Sakhir

AERO Middle East x Sand & Fun 2026

24/11/2026 - 26/11/2026
Saudi Arabia, Riyadh

Top of the week

From airspace awareness to airspace security: integrated counter-UAS solutions gain momentum

The rapid growth of commercial drone activity is driving the convergence of airspace management and security. By combining operational UTM services with Counter-UAS intelligence, ANRA Technologies pro...

SuprAéro Équipement accelerates transformation to strengthen aerospace supply chain resilience

Eighteen months after the merger of Supraero and Aéro Équipement, SuprAéro Équipement is entering a new stage of growth, reinforcing its organisation and broadening its cap...

Atlantic Flight Academy’s Simnest A320 FNPT II MCC achieves qualification in Türkiye with zero findings

Atlantic Flight Academy has secured qualification approval from the Turkish Directorate General of Civil Aviation for its newly installed Simnest A320 FNPT II MCC simulator, following an evaluati...

DC Aviation Malta enhances premium fleet with third Global 7500 aircraft

DC Aviation Malta has strengthened its ultra-long-range business aviation offering with the arrival of a third Bombardier Global 7500. Operated under the company’s Maltese AOC, the new addition...

Riga Airport seeks strategic investors for new aircraft maintenance centre

RIX Riga Airport has launched a tender process to attract investors for the development of new aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities, advancing its ambitions to become a major avia...

Boeing and Icelease sign deal for up to three 767-300 converted freighters

Boeing and Icelease have signed an agreement for one 767-300 Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF), with options for up to two additional aircraft, as the Icelandic lessor continues to expand its dedicated...

Greece orders up to six Embraer KC-390 Millennium multi-mission aircraft

The Hellenic Ministry of National Defense has signed an agreement for the acquisition of three Embraer KC-390 Millennium multi-mission aircraft, with options for three additional units. The deal was c...

New IADA-ASA partnership enhances aircraft appraisal education across the industry

The International Aircraft Dealers Association (IADA) and the American Society of Appraisers (ASA) have formed a new educational partnership aimed at expanding professional develop...

Rolls-Royce launches transformational jet engine technology programme to drive economic growth and advanced manufacturing

The UK Government and Rolls-Royce have unveiled plans for a joint £2.5 billion, 10-year research and technology programme aimed at advancing next-generation gas turbine technologies fo...

From fryer to flyer: converting used cooking oil into sustainable aviation fuel

Sustainable Aviation Fuel often begins its journey in an unexpected place: the restaurant deep fryer. Through a long-term partnership, Phillips 66 and Restaurant Technologies, Inc....

Emirates expands Premium Economy to Durban with deployment of A350

Emirates will introduce its Airbus A350 on the daily EK775/776 service between Dubai and Durban from 1 March 2027, extending its Premium Economy offering to all three of its South African destina...

De Havilland Canada expands Canadair 515 production following strategic agreement

De Havilland Canada has announced a landmark agreement with the Government of Canada and Export Development Canada (EDC) that will enable the manufacturer to significantly expand p...

Boeing predicts air cargo boom will push global freighter fleet beyond 4,000 aircraft by 2045

Boeing forecasts that global air cargo traffic will double over the next two decades, driving the worldwide freighter fleet beyond 4,000 aircraft by 2045, according to its 2026 World Air Car...

Unifi Aviation brings professional aircraft cleaning and detailing services to Jersey

Unifi Aviation, part of Unifi LLC, has strengthened its presence in Europe with the launch of Unifi Aviation Jersey, bringing premium aircraft detailing and cleaning services to business aviation...

Boeing and Lufthansa Technik extend strategic tailored parts agreement

Boeing and Lufthansa Technik have extended their long-standing Tailored Parts Package agreement, reinforcing a partnership aimed at enhancing parts availability, simplifying supply...

Airbus Corporate Jets research reveals growing government demand for business aviation

  According to Airbus Corporate Jets’ latest industry insight, based on feedback from 280 business aviation financiers and brokers globally, governments and public sector organisations a...

Joby brings future air mobility to Florida with eVTOL air taxi demonstration

Joby Aviation has launched a week-long series of piloted electric air taxi demonstration flights across Florida, with its eVTOL aircraft operating in Tampa, Orlando, and along the Space Coast. Th...

MEBAA Show 2026 highlights growing demand for inflight connectivity as business aviation priorities evolve

As demand for seamless onboard connectivity continues to grow, aircraft owners and operators are placing increasing emphasis on selecting connectivity solutions that align with their operational needs...

Qantas Group strengthens regional network with strategic turboprop fleet investment

  Qantas has announced a major investment in its De Havilland Dash 8 turboprop fleet, reinforcing its long-term commitment to maintaining reliable air links across regional Australia. As part...

Daher highlights growing role of Kodiak and TBM Aircraft in wildfire response operations

From the forests of Canada and the Pacific Northwest to the fire-prone landscapes of Florida, Daher Aircraft’s Kodiak and TBM platforms are playing an increasingly critical role in wildfire resp...

Jet Excellence upgrades Citation X fleet with Gogo Galileo HDX connectivity

Jet Excellence, a leading U.S. charter operator, will retrofit its entire fleet of Cessna Citation X aircraft with the advanced Gogo Galileo HDX connectivity solution. To support the fleet-w...

Embraer and Austrian Airlines strengthen E-Jets fleet support with new component pool agreement

Embraer and Austrian Airlines have signed a Component Pool Program agreement to support the carrier’s fleet of 13 E195 aircraft. Under the agreement, Austrian Airlines will gain access to Embrae...

Boston MedFlight expands critical care air transport fleet with order for three Airbus H145 helicopters

Boston MedFlight, the internationally recognized nonprofit provider of critical care transport services, has signed an agreement with Airbus Helicopters for three new H145 helicopt...

Airbus and Air France-KLM finalize joint venture for A350 component support

Airbus has launched Alpha Component Solutions, a 50:50 joint venture with Air France dedicated to delivering comprehensive A350 component support services. Jointly operated by Airbus and Air Fran...

Archer and ITA Airways drive forward vision for sustainable air taxi travel in Italy

Archer Aviation Inc. and ITA Airways, Italy’s national carrier and a member of the Lufthansa Group, have entered into a strategic partnership to advance the deployment of an all-e...