Airbus announced in July 2015 that they plan to build a new completions and delivery center (C&DC) plant worth USD$166 million in Tianjin, China. Two days earlier, Airbus announced that China Aviation Supplies Holding Company (CAS) had placed a firm order for 45 A330s and an MOU covering options on another 30, prompting the so-called framework agreement between Airbus and its Chinese partners-the Tianjin Free Trade Zone Investment Company and the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC). The partners plan to open the A330 C&DC by the end of 2017 and eventually the goal is to outfit two airplanes per month. Read more >>

In February 2015, TransAsia Flight GE235 plunged into the Keelung River after clipping a bridge and a taxi. Details surrounding the incident are just now being released. According to the Aviation Safety Council, a transcript of the cockpit recording features one of the two pilots declaring “Wow, pulled back the wrong side throttle.” Seconds later, the ATR 72 turboprop plane crashed into the shallow river in Taiwan’s capital of Taipei. Read more >>

China Aviation Supplies Holdings has placed an order with Airbus for 45 A330 aircrafts, with possible plans in the future for 30 additional A330 aircrafts. This deal was signed during Chinese Prime Minister Li Kequiang’s visit to Toulouse, in which a ceremony was held where reporters and business leaders participated. This order for 45 A330 aircrafts will cost China $11 billion, plus the possibility of an additional 30 aircraft worth about $250 million each. If the second part of this order is fulfilled, totaling in 75 A330 aircraft, the value of this contract is anticipated to increase to $18 billion. Read more >>

Boeing is planning to lower their 747-8 jumbo aircraft production to only one per month due to the decrease in demand for the aircraft. Planned to begin early 2016, the reduction follows the current decrease in production of the 747 family from and output of 1.5 aircraft to 1.3 aircraft in September. The overall demand shift has been due to more demand for twin-engine aircraft, lowering orders for the four-engine 747 by airlines and air freight companies. Read more >>

The largest airline carrier serving Central and Eastern Europe, Wizz Air, has signed a deal with Airbus at the 51st Le Bourget International Paris Air Show. This deal includes the latest and greatest A321neo Airbus Cabin Flex configuration, which is comprised of 239 seats with an 18-inch comfort standard. Currently operating 61 aircraft with over 380 routes from 22 bases, Wizz Air has signed for the largest single order for the A321neo aircraft with 110 aircraft on order. Wondering how much 110 narrow-body twin-engine jet airliners cost? A petty $14 billion. Read more >>

In order to boost passenger capacity and increase route flexibility, Ethiopian Airlines has finalized an order for six 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft. Boeing had previously announced the order but chose not to identify the buyer. On June 17^th, 2015, at the Paris Air Show Boeing revealed the undisclosed customer would be Ethiopian Airlines. Ethiopian Airlines is currently operating thirteen 787-8 Dreamliners in its fleet. After delivery of the new order, the Addis Ababa-based carrier will operate a total of nineteen 787-8 Dreamliners. Read more >>

On June 16, 2015, Korean Air announced the airline’s intent to purchase 30 737 MAXs and two additional 777-300ER jetliners, with options for an additional 20 737 MAXs. At current list prices the agreement is valued at $3.9 billion. Once the order is finalized, the order will be posted to the Order & Deliveries website. The agreement reflects Korean Air’s commitment to its fleet modernization program. Read more >>

The CSeries’ showing at the Paris Air Show impressed Swiss, which is owned by Lufthansa, to convert 10 of their orders for CS100s into CS300s. Originally, Swiss had ordered 30 of the 100 series aircraft back in 2009. Swiss officials were perhaps persuaded by the price and the diversity the 300 series could bring to their fleet. Read more >>

In June 2015, Delta Airlines announced that they plan to sign an agreement with Boeing to buy 40 new 737-900ERs as well as 20 Embraer E190 aircraft. Back in 2011, Delta ordered 100 of these aircraft and the new purchase will increase the carrier’s existing order to 140. They will replace the old narrow-body aircraft scheduled to retire during 2019. This announcement follows the airline’s conclusion of a tentative agreement with its pilots to enhance their compensation a...

Rolls-Royce and Liebherr-Aerospace have created a 50:50 joint venture to produce a power gearbox for UltraFan engines. Read more >>