To further grow flight connectivity operations at the Hong Kong international aviation hub and to modernise its fleet, the Cathay Group has announced its intention to purchase up to 32 Airbus A321neo and A320neo jets. Once placed, the order will shoot the Group’s new aircraft deliveries above 70. The newly purchased aeroplanes will likely be delivered by 2029 and will expand the fleets of Cathay Pacific and HK Express carriers. That will help the Group serve multiple destinations in mainland China and other parts of Asia.

Flag carriers of Turkey and Thailand, namely Turkish Airlines and Thai Airways, have inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to move towards a joint venture operations agreement. The core plan relies on increasing the connectivity between Istanbul and Bangkok, primary hubs for Turkish Airlines and Thai Airways, respectively. This way, travellers from Thailand get better flight links to other regions in Asia, along with Africa and Europe. Similarly, those travelling from Turkey get better access to the Asia-Pacific region and Australia. And, of course, tourism between the two countries will also receive a boost.

For this, Thai Airways will introduce a daily flight to Istanbul from Bangkok in December 2023. Presently, Thailand’s flag carrier and one of the founding members of Star Alliance operates a fleet of 67 aircraft. On the other hand, Turkish Airlines has a much broader reach worldwide as it has 425 aircraft in its fleet.

Budapest-based ultra-low-cost airline Wizz Air has inked a “firm contract” for an additional 75 A321neo family aircraft with Airbus. That takes the order for the largest single-aisle Airbus jet to 434. However, the overall order count goes up to 565 aeroplanes, including units of the A320 family. Wizz Air, which was incorporated 19 years ago and is one of the fastest-growing carriers in Europe, presently has more than 180 aircraft in its fleet. All are Airbus.

Wisk Aero, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Boeing, had a fantastic treat for visitors at the ongoing EAA AirVenture. It staged a public demonstration flight of a fully autonomous, electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) fixed-wing air taxi. Never before had an air mobility brand conducted such a show for the general public. The stint also marked the company’s first public demonstration of its fifth-gen autonomous eVTOL technology demonstrator – Cora.

During the flight, the air taxi transitioned from hover to wing-borne flight four times. Besides that, it performed multiple other manoeuvres, including hover and 360-degree turn in place. You can check out the video here. 

French aircraft manufacturer Daher has confirmed the delivery of its 80th TBM 960 turboprop plane. It was delivered to a private owner. Launched in April last year, the range-topping derivative hit the 80-delivery mark in less than 16 months. And to celebrate the occasion, Daher’s TBM 960 demonstrator aircraft is on display at the company’s exhibit booth (#387-392) at the ongoing EAA AirVenture event in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The unit has the brand’s “Sirocco” paint scheme, which includes black mask highlighting around the cockpit windows.

The TBM 960 is the fifth generation of Daher’s TBM 900-series aircraft family. To date, 488 units of the TBM 900, TBM 910, TBM 930, TBM 940 and TBM 960 have been delivered to their takers. In comparison, the two previous-generation aeroplane families – TBM 700s and TBM 850s – garnered 324 and 338 delivery counts, respectively.

Austria-headquartered Diamond Aircraft has confirmed that it successfully flight-tested its all-electric eDA40 aircraft earlier this month. Piloted by the company’s Head of Flight Test, Sören Pedersen, the maiden flight covered everything from system checks and all basic manoeuvres to the initial performance evaluation. According to the brand, all went as scheduled. The electric aeroplane’s first flight also pushes its case forward for certification.

Diamond Aircraft claims the eDA40 will become the first EASA/FAA Part 23-certified electric aircraft. Besides boasting an electric circuit trainer and an electric motor, the plane has a battery supporting DC fast charging. The aeroplane in question is scheduled to make a public appearance at AERO Friedrichshafen 2024.

Textron Aviation presented its new single-engine turboprop – the Beechcraft Denali – at the EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. This was the first time the public saw the aircraft, which is currently under development, in the flesh. And those planning to attend the event can view the aeroplane in question at booth number 78 until Sunday, July 30, 2023. Earlier this year, Textron Aviation confirmed the Beechcraft Denali will be equipped with the Garmin Emergency Autoland system by default.

Also Read: Two Textron Turboprops To Receive This Upgrade

The plane is powered by a GE Catalyst engine, which produces 1,300shp, enough to achieve cruise speeds of 285 knots. With one pilot and four passengers, the Beechcraft Denali can travel up to 1,600 nautical miles. That means it can fly from Los Angeles to Chicago, New York to Miami or London to Athens without refilling. And it can also use sustainable aviation fuel.