Airbus Helicopters
Gyula selected as a site for new aerospace enterprise in Hungary. Credit Airbus SAS.
MAB JAL
The officials of Malaysia Airlines Berhad (MAB) and Japan Airlines (JAL) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU). Credit: Japan Airlines
 Air New Zealand
The carrier plans to add eight super-efficient 787-10 airplanes to its growing Dreamliner family. Credit: Air New Zealand Communications.
 WEG Embraer
WEG and Embraer sign scientific and technological cooperation agreement.Credit: WEG.

Airbus Helicopters and Hungary plan manufacturing plant in Gyula

Airbus Helicopters and the Hungarian Government announced plans to establish an aerospace facility in Gyula, a town in Békés County.

Once operational, the site is expected to become a core part of an emerging aeronautics cluster.

The plan was announced by Airbus Helicopters CEO Bruno Even and Hungarian Government’s Commissioner for the national defence industry and defence development and coordination of armament modernisation Gáspár Maróth in Budapest.

Malaysia and Japan Airlines sign MoU for joint business on flights

Japan Airlines (JAL) and Malaysia Airlines Berhad (MAB) signed a memorandum of understanding on a joint business agreement on flights between Malaysia and Japan.

Through this agreement, the airlines aim to enhance the quality of customer service provided by both carriers on flights between Malaysia and Japan.

MAB and JAL filed an application with Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and MAVCOM.

Air New Zealand to buy eight Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners

Air New Zealand made a commitment to purchase eight Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner aircraft worth $2.7bn at list prices.

The carrier has stated that the Boeing 787-10 complements its 787-9 and 777 fleets as the aircraft has been designed to offer greater efficiency and more seats.

The Boeing 787-10 is the largest plane of Boeing’s Dreamliner family. The 224ft airline can serve up to 330 passengers in its standard two-class configuration and nearly 40 more than the 787-9 model.

WEG and Embraer to develop solutions for electric propulsion

WEG and Embraer entered a scientific and technological cooperation agreement to jointly develop new technologies and solutions for electric propulsion in aircraft.

This partnership aims to expedite the knowledge of the technologies required to boost the energy efficiency of aircraft from the use and integration of electric motors in innovative propulsion systems.

The electrification process forms a part of a series of initiatives by the aeronautical industry towards environmental sustainability.

SpaceX launches 60 internet beaming satellites aboard Falcon-9 rocket

SpaceX launched 60 internet beaming satellites aboard a Falcon-9 rocket, which lifted off from Cape Canaveral, Florida, US.

The 500lb satellites are the first batch of the company’s Starlink mega-constellation, through which the firm expects to offer affordable internet coverage to the world.

After the launch, the rocket’s first stage reached a floating platform at sea.

UK plans to upgrade airspace for pollution free aviation

The UK announced plans to upgrade its outdated airspace to make its the aviation sector greener and reduce fuel consumption by 20%.

According to the Department for Transport (DfT), technology will be used to boost the efficiency of flights and speeds, which would enable planes to cut fuel consumption.

This would be the equivalent of 400,000 fewer flights annually, reported the BBC.

Boeing plans first test flight of 777X twin-aisle jet

Boeing unveiled plans to undertake the first test flight of its 777X twin-aisle jet slightly later than it had initially planned.

Citing people familiar with the matter, Boeing reported that despite the delay of the first test flight to late June, the company plans to put the aircraft into service by next year.

Boeing expects the new jet will strengthen its presence in the ‘mini-jumbo’ market. In this market, it competes with Airbus SE’s 365-seat A350-1000.

Nasa releases proposals from 12 firms for commercial economy in LEO

Nasa released short proposals from 12 firms to explore ways of creating a viable commercial economy in low-Earth orbit (LEO).

The space agency selected the companies to complete studies about the commercialisation of LEO and the International Space Station.

The project is aimed at assessing the potential growth of a low-Earth orbit economy and how to stimulate private demand for commercial human spaceflight.

Italian aerospace company Leonardo seeks partnerships

Italian aerospace and defence firm Leonardo is seeking to expand its operations in different areas of business by seeking new partnerships.

At an international event, Leonardo CEO Alessandro Profumo was reported by Reuters as saying that aside from a preliminary bid for the maintenance business of Italian aviation technology company Piaggio Aerospace, it currently does not have any firm deals in place.

The group is also working on a potential partnership in torpedoes.

Nasa contracts Maxar Technologies for lunar power capabilities

Nasa awarded a contract to Maxar Technologies, formerly called SSL, in Westminster, Colorado, US, to develop power, propulsion and communications capabilities for its lunar Gateway.

Carrying a maximum total value of $375m, this firm-fixed-price contract includes an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity portion.

The award begins with a 12-month base period of performance and is followed by a 26-month option, a 14-month option and two 12-month options.

Airbus and SAS to jointly research on hybrid and electric aircraft

Airbus and Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to jointly research eco-system and infrastructure requirements of hybrid and electric aircraft.

The collaboration between the two firms will begin next month and will continue until the end of next year.

According to the MoU, the two firms will collaborate on a joint research project to improve enhance understanding of the operational and infrastructure opportunities, as well as challenges in the introduction of hybrid and fully electric aircraft to airlines’ modus operandi.