terça-feira, 21 de abril de 2026
ORDER - Ethiopian Airlines Converts Options of Six Boeing 787 Dreamliner Airplanes into Firm Orders
WASHINGTON, April 20, 2026 /PRNewswire(opens in a new tab)/ -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Ethiopian Airlines announced today the purchase of six 787 Dreamliner jets as the airline fully exercises commitments from its 2023 landmark order(opens in a new tab). Ethiopian Airlines will use the 787-9 jets to expand its intercontinental network from Addis Ababa and increase cargo capacity as demand for long-haul travel continues to rise.
"Converting the options of six Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner airplanes into a firm order is truly a proud moment for us," said Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO, Mr. Mesfin Tasew. "The order shows Ethiopian Airlines' sustainable growth and preparation for further achievements. By growing our fleet size with ultra-modern airplanes such as the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, we are further maintaining operational excellence and passengers' comfort."
Pictured from left to right at a signing ceremony at Boeing's office in Arlington, Va.: Anbessie Yitbarek, Vice President of Commercial Sales and Marketing for Africa, Boeing; Ato Mesfin Tasew, Group Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines; Mr. Hiro Rodriguez, Executive Director of the Advocacy Center at the U.S. Department of Commerce; Ms. Sarah Whitten, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Origination at the U.S. Export-Import Bank; Ms. Sarah Troutman, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State; H.E. Ahmed Shide, Minister of Finance of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia; H.E. Binalf Andualem, Ambassador of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to the U.S.; Teklewold Atnafu, Advisor to the Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia; Mr. Temesgen Getaye, Treasurer of Ethiopian Airlines; Mr. Abraham Tesfaye, Director of Infrastructure Planning and Development, Ethiopian Airlines.
Ethiopian Airlines operates Africa's largest 787 Dreamliner fleet, flying its 787-8 and 787-9 jets on intercontinental routes from Addis Ababa to high-demand destinations across Europe, Asia and North America as well as key intra-African routes spanning the world's second-largest continent.
"We're proud that Ethiopian Airlines continues to look to the 787 Dreamliner to serve as the backbone of their fleet as they grow and modernize their operations, open new routes and comfortably serve more passengers," said Anbessie Yitbarek, Boeing vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing for Africa.
The 787 Dreamliner's versatility and reduced fuel use enable Ethiopian Airlines to efficiently transport passengers point-to-point across Africa while accommodating cargo in the belly of the airplane for high-demand trade lanes.
Boeing
FLEET - China Express Airlines reallocates funds to acquire C909s
Separately, it may use up to CNY390 million (USD57.2 million) of idle proceeds as working capital for up to 12 months.
CH Aviation
ROUTES / FLEET - Hunnu Air mulls A321LRs, A330s for Europe push
The A321LRs are targeted for delivery from late 2027, although delays could push their arrival into the first quarter of 2028. The A330-200s are also slated to enter service in the first quarter of 2028.
The additional aircraft would enable new routes to Berlin Brandenburg and Budapest. The airline is also evaluating adding an A330-200(P2F) around 2028 to potentially branch out into dedicated freighter services.
However, Tserenkhuu told ch-aviation that no final decisions had been made regarding any leases. He stressed that any fleet additions would depend on market demand, financial sustainability, and broader strategic priorities.
The additional aircraft would enable new routes to Berlin Brandenburg and Budapest. The airline is also evaluating adding an A330-200(P2F) around 2028 to potentially branch out into dedicated freighter services.
However, Tserenkhuu told ch-aviation that no final decisions had been made regarding any leases. He stressed that any fleet additions would depend on market demand, financial sustainability, and broader strategic priorities.
In an exclusive February 2026 interview, Tserenkhuu said the airline was studying the addition of two narrowbodies, most likely A320-200s, in late 2027 or early 2028, requiring at least 180 seats to upgauge from its E190-E2s.
He also reiterated plans to pursue wet-lease partnerships to manage seasonal demand, while the airline works towards obtaining IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certification.
According to ch-aviation data, the Mongolian carrier operates two E190s and two E190-E2s, alongside Cessna (single turboprop) C208s used mainly for domestic charters. It connects its main Ulaanbaatar hub to nine destinations, including Almaty International, Beijing Daxing International, and Tokyo Haneda.
CH Aviation / Photos: Hunnu air
According to ch-aviation data, the Mongolian carrier operates two E190s and two E190-E2s, alongside Cessna (single turboprop) C208s used mainly for domestic charters. It connects its main Ulaanbaatar hub to nine destinations, including Almaty International, Beijing Daxing International, and Tokyo Haneda.
CH Aviation / Photos: Hunnu air
FLEET - Glenorchy Air To Operate New Zealand’s First Tecnam P2012 Traveller
Scenic flight operator to expand fleet and operations, launching new IFR charter services with Tecnam acquisition following recent local authority validation.
CAPUA, Italy / QUEENSTOWN, New Zealand – April 15, 2026 – Tecnam is thrilled to announce that award-winning operator Glenorchy Air will be the launch customer for the Tecnam P2012 Traveller in New Zealand. Following the official validation of the P2012 by the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand (CAA) last month, the acquisition of this state-of-the-art, Continental-powered aircraft marks a major milestone in the Queenstown-based company’s fleet expansion.
The introduction of the P2012 Traveller will allow Glenorchy Air to seamlessly access the IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) charter market and diversify its offerings, while still keeping the aircraft highly deployable on its existing scenic routes.
CAPUA, Italy / QUEENSTOWN, New Zealand – April 15, 2026 – Tecnam is thrilled to announce that award-winning operator Glenorchy Air will be the launch customer for the Tecnam P2012 Traveller in New Zealand. Following the official validation of the P2012 by the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand (CAA) last month, the acquisition of this state-of-the-art, Continental-powered aircraft marks a major milestone in the Queenstown-based company’s fleet expansion.
The introduction of the P2012 Traveller will allow Glenorchy Air to seamlessly access the IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) charter market and diversify its offerings, while still keeping the aircraft highly deployable on its existing scenic routes.
Coinciding with this acquisition, the company is officially launching its new brand, Queenstown Air Charter (www.queenstownaircharter.com), which will offer nationwide VFR and IFR charter services across New Zealand.
James Stokes, CEO of Glenorchy Air, shared his enthusiasm for the new addition: “Glenorchy Air is very excited to debut the Tecnam P2012 in New Zealand and use it to expand our capacity and capability into the 2026/27 summer season and beyond. Our management pilots and I viewed the aircraft at Oshkosh 2025, and we were extremely impressed with its passenger comfort and legroom, cockpit ergonomics, and beautiful Italian styling.”
The P2012 Traveller, specifically the Continental-powered variant, was designed to meet the rigorous demands of regional airlines and charter operators. It offers unparalleled passenger comfort with a spacious cabin, premium seating, and large panoramic windows—perfect for the breathtaking scenic flights over Milford Sound and Mount Cook that Glenorchy Air is renowned for.
Francesco Sferra, Tecnam P2012 & Special Mission Platforms Sales Manager, commented on the milestone: “We are incredibly proud to see the P2012 Traveller making its debut in the spectacular skies of New Zealand. Glenorchy Air’s dedication to providing a premium, award-winning passenger experience aligns perfectly with the DNA of the P2012. Its versatility, twin-engine reliability, and exceptional cabin comfort will make it a tremendous asset for their scenic tours and the exciting launch of Queenstown Air Charter.”
James Stokes, CEO of Glenorchy Air, shared his enthusiasm for the new addition: “Glenorchy Air is very excited to debut the Tecnam P2012 in New Zealand and use it to expand our capacity and capability into the 2026/27 summer season and beyond. Our management pilots and I viewed the aircraft at Oshkosh 2025, and we were extremely impressed with its passenger comfort and legroom, cockpit ergonomics, and beautiful Italian styling.”
The P2012 Traveller, specifically the Continental-powered variant, was designed to meet the rigorous demands of regional airlines and charter operators. It offers unparalleled passenger comfort with a spacious cabin, premium seating, and large panoramic windows—perfect for the breathtaking scenic flights over Milford Sound and Mount Cook that Glenorchy Air is renowned for.
Francesco Sferra, Tecnam P2012 & Special Mission Platforms Sales Manager, commented on the milestone: “We are incredibly proud to see the P2012 Traveller making its debut in the spectacular skies of New Zealand. Glenorchy Air’s dedication to providing a premium, award-winning passenger experience aligns perfectly with the DNA of the P2012. Its versatility, twin-engine reliability, and exceptional cabin comfort will make it a tremendous asset for their scenic tours and the exciting launch of Queenstown Air Charter.”
FLEET - Uganda Airlines resumes in-house widebody operations
On February 20, Uganda Airlines announced that both A330s were temporarily out of service due to unscheduled maintenance. This led to the suspension of its long-haul routes to London Gatwick and Mumbai International. The halting of its Dubai service followed on February 28, after the outbreak of the US/Israeli war on Iran.
On March 7, the airline announced it had made a wet-lease arrangement with Ethiopian Airlines that enabled it to resume its long-haul services. Ethiopian's B787-8, ET-ASI (msn 38758), took over the Gatwick and Mumbai routes, and continued to operate them up to at least April 19, according to ADS-B data.
Uganda Airlines also continues to wet lease an A320-200, OY-RUY (msn 6733), from DAT - Danish Air Transport, which operates regional routes from Entebbe, including to Johannesburg O.R. Tambo, Lagos, Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta, Harare International, Kinshasa N'Djili, and Bujumbura
CH Aviation
Air India Welcomes Its First Retrofitted B787 Featuring New Cabin Interiors And Livery
Air India today unveiled its first retrofitted, twin-aisle B787-8 (registered VT-ANT), marking the successful completion of a nose-to-tail cabin refresh of the first of 26 B787 aircraft.
The aircraft, which received comprehensive interior upgrades at Boeing’s Modification Center in Victorville, California, was subsequently painted in Air India’s striking new livery at AeroPro, an FAA Part-145 certified aircraft paint facility in San Bernardino, California.
Refreshed cabins, upgraded experience
As part of the retrofit, the aircraft interiors were completely reconfigured, transforming it from a two-class layout previously to a modern three-class configuration now with the installation of brand-new seats and inflight entertainment (IFE) system, and bringing the aircraft in line with Air India’s latest widebody product standards, as seen on its new bespoke Boeing 787-9 inducted in January 2026.
The first B787 took close to 12,825 manhours over 45 days for the retrofit, as teams progressed through a tightly choreographed workflow - from stripping out the legacy interiors to reconfiguring the cabins, installing new seats, carpets, wall laminates, overhauling galleys, lavatories, and rigorously testing the new seating and cabin components.
Refurbishing the first aircraft required a total of:
475 metres of fabric for new seats across cabins
167 metres of synthetic leather
169 metres of carpet
646 litres of paint
The aircraft exterior received a complete makeover as well, with a 20‑member specialist team dedicating over 5,700 hours over 18 days to strip the old livery and meticulously apply the new Air India colours.
These custom-styled cabins now feature:
20 luxurious private suites in Business Class in a 1-2-1 layout, each offering privacy sliding doors, direct aisle access, 42-inch of pitch, fully flat 79‑inch bed, 17‑inch 4K QLED HDR touchscreen, multiple charging options, a softly lit cubby, vanity mirror, headphone hook, and a jaali‑inspired feature lamp.
25 Premium Economy seats in a 2-3-2 layout, each offering enhanced privacy, 38‑inch pitch, 7‑inch recline, 6‑way headrest, calf and leg rest, 13.3‑inch 4K QLED HDR screens, Type A and C fast charging ports, and a bottle holder for added convenience.
205 Economy Class seats in a 3-3-3 layout, each ergonomically optimised, offering 31/32‑inch pitch, 5‑inch recline, 11.6‑inch 4K QLED HDR touchscreen, and Type A and C charging ports.
Additional enhancements across cabins encompass new carpets and curtains, new wall laminates, galley overhauls, refresh of all lavatories, replacement or refurbishment of overhead bin panels, installation of a new Cabin Service System, and an updated Crew Application Panel interface.
The cabins feature customised versions of the Elevate Ascent seat in Business Class and RECARO PL3530 and CL3710 seats in Premium Economy and Economy Class, respectively. All seats are equipped with Thales’ state-of-the-art AVANT Up inflight entertainment (IFE) system.
Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Air India, said: “This is a yet another proud milestone in our transformation journey as we welcome this transformed legacy B787 aircraft as a shining beacon of the new Air India. The retrofit of our first widebody aircraft is a visible symbol of the momentum behind Air India’s transformation. With 25 other 787s undergoing this comprehensive refresh, we are rapidly modernising the backbone of our long‑haul fleet and raising the bar for customers flying between India and the world.
segunda-feira, 20 de abril de 2026
AIRLINE HISTORY DEFUNCT - Hello (Switzerland), a defunct airline that operated from 2004 to 2012.
Flyingphotos - Lisboa
Operations: Focused on charter flights to North Africa, Greece, Spain, and Turkey.
History: Founded in 2003 by Moritz Suter (founder of Crossair).
Flyingphotos - Lisboa - Aviajet titles
Flyingphotos - Faro
Flyingphotos - Lisboa
ICAO - FHE
Callsign - FLYHELLO
Country - Switzerland
Founded - 2003
Started Operations - 6 Aug 2004
Ceased operations - 21 Oct 2012
Base / Main Hub - Basle / Mulhouse / Freiburg Euro Airport (BSL / LFSB / MLH)
Fleet:
Airbus A320-200 - 4 McDonnell Douglas MD-90 - 6
Routes:
Cape VerdeEgypt
Morocco
Cyprus
Greece
North Macedonia
Portugal
Spain
Switzerland
Turkey
NEW AIRLINE - Air Gorongosa (formerly Safari Air) is a Mozambique-based airline launched in April 2026, specializing in safe, efficient, and purpose-driven air travel to support tourism, conservation, and community development. Operating from hubs like Beira, it offers scheduled and private charters to Gorongosa National Park and throughout Mozambique
Fleet: Modern turboprop aircraft including the Cessna Grand Caravan and King Air 200.
Destinations: Connects Maputo, Beira, Pemba, and remote areas, including specialized access to Gorongosa National Park airstrips.
Purpose: Supports the Gorongosa Restoration Project, NGO logistics, and medical air services.
Bush-to-Beach Connect: New routes connect Gorongosa directly to coastal destinations like Vilanculos.
Bookings: Private charters and scheduled flights available for travelers seeking easy access to the park.
ROUTES - easyJet (UK) has officially launched its new three-aircraft base in Marrakech, which will offer six new routes for winter 2026/27
Flyingphotos
Prague, New Castle and Zurich to Marrakech, and Nantes-Essaouira, Bordeaux-Agadir and Birmingham- Agadir to follow.
ROUTES - Vanuatu's Belair Airways resumes Tongoa in early 2Q26
NEW AIRLINE - Naked Diablo Airlines is preparing for departure.
The initial routes will operate from London and Manchester to major tourist destinations, including Malaga, Alicante, Ibiza, Palma, Amsterdam, Paris, Nice, and Venice, with expansion planned for the American market in 2028.
domingo, 19 de abril de 2026
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