INDUSTRY NEWS

Airbus and JetBlue finalize order for 60 aircraft – Airbus has finalized an order with JetBlue Airways for the sale and purchase of 60 A220-300 aircraft, the larger version of the company’s A220 series. Last July, JetBlue and Airbus signed a $5.4B memorandum of understanding for the aircraft. Airbus’ A220 family of aircraft is designed to cater to the 100-150 seat market. Powered by Pratt & Whitney’s new PW1500G geared turbofan engines, the aircraft family is expected to consume 20 percent less fuel per seat compared to previous generation aircraft. JetBlue currently operates a mixed fleet of 193 A320 and A321ceo aircraft from Airbus and has an additional 85 A321neo aircraft on order. The airline’s new A220-300 jets will be manufactured at Airbus’ upcoming assembly facility in Mobile, Alabama. Construction of the facility was scheduled to begin in December near Airbus’ existing A320 assembly facility in Mobile. In a separate development, U.S.-based start-up airline code-named Moxy has placed an order with Airbus for 60 A220-300 aircraft. The new low-cost airline venture is led by JetBlue founder David Neeleman. Production of the A220-300 aircraft for Moxy will be carried out at Airbus’ new U.S.-based assembly facility in Mobile ...

Bradford Space acquires Deep Space Industries – European space systems developer and manufacturer Bradford Space has purchased Deep Space Industries (DSI) for an undisclosed sum. DSI was established in 2012 in order to mine resources of asteroids. The company has also developed a water-based electrothermal propulsion system called Comet. The latest deal has enabled Bradford to expand its presence in the U.S. with an outlet and location for conducting space-related activities. It has also allowed Bradford to assume ownership and support the development of DSI’s Xplorer mission bus which is designed to facilitate low-cost deep space missions ...

New data reveals 15 fatal airlines accidents last year – New data released by the Aviation Safety Network has shown that a total of 15 fatal airliner accidents were reported last year. These accidents resulted in 556 fatalities which was worse than the five-year average of 14 accidents and 480 deaths caused by airline accidents. The number of fatalities recorded last year was also higher than the ten accidents and 44 deaths that occurred in 2017. Of the total accidents that occurred last year, 12 were associated with passenger flights and three with cargo flights. The figures also showed that last year was the third and ninth safest year in terms of the number of fatal accidents and subsequent deaths, respectively. Despite an increase in the number of accidents and deaths, last year was regarded as one of the safest years for commercial aviation.