China showcases commercial jet at Asia air show

China showcased its newest and biggest commercial plane Tuesday — a jetliner with as many as 200 seats that could boost the country’s fledgling aviation industry to compete with Western rivals like Boeing Co. and Airbus. The narrow-body, single-aisle C919 plane is scheduled to take its maiden voyage in 2014 before being delivered to buyers [...]

Relief for airlines as fall in traffic slows

Airlines and their suppliers are reporting tentative signs that a severe industry recession is bottoming out, sending shares higher on Tuesday. Airbus, the world’s largest producer of passenger jets, said airline traffic had possibly seen “the trough of the recession” and could start to rebound from next year. “In 2009 we believe total traffic is [...]

American to cut 921 flight attendants’ jobs

American Airlines is cutting 921 flight attendant jobs as it deals with an ongoing downturn in traffic and lower revenue. The airline said Tuesday that the cuts will take effect Oct. 1. American, the nation’s second-largest airline, said 228 employees will be furloughed — laid off but with rehiring rights — and the company will [...]

Emirates airline sees return of New York A380 flights

The top executive at Dubai-based Emirates airline said Monday that he expects that the carrier’s Airbus 380 flights will return to New York in the first six months of 2010, because passenger demand should be recovering by then. The airline started New York service with the double-deck aircraft in April of last year, but pulled [...]

Boeing sets schedule for 787 1st flight

After repeated delays, Boeing Co. said Thursday its 787 aircraft will be ready for its first test flight by year’s end and its first delivery in the fourth quarter next year. The maiden flight of the next-generation aircraft, built for fuel efficiency with lightweight carbon composite parts, has been delayed five times already. The inaugural [...]

FAA investigating Southwest over parts, repairs

Federal officials say a maintenance company hired by Southwest Airlines used unapproved parts for repairs on some jets. The parts will have to be replaced, but they are not considered an immediate safety threat and regulators will let Southwest keep flying the planes for 10 days while it decides how to fix the problem. Southwest [...]

Hawaiian Airlines plans to add 170 more workers

Hawaiian Airlines has hired 100 employees in recent months and plans to add 170 more by early next year to meet the company’s growth needs as it prepares for the first of its new Airbus A330-200 aircraft. Recent hires have included aircraft mechanics, service representatives, contract agents, ramp agents, maintenance and cleaning personnel. The new [...]