Tue.Jan 07, 2025

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Maldivian introduces first Airbus A330 aircraft to its fleet: pictures

Aerotime

Maldivian, the national airline of the Maldives, has added the first Airbus A330 wide-body aircraft to its fleet. On January 6, 2025, the airline announced the arrival of the Airbus A330-200, calling it a historic milestone. This addition comes during the airlines 25th anniversary, having started in 2000 with just two aircraft. The inauguration event took place at Velana International Airport (MLE) on the same day and was attended by Mohamed Muizzu, President of the Maldives, and Hussain Mohamed

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China Certifies Its First All-Electric General Aviation Aircraft

Simple Flying

China's first Electric Aircraft has officially been certified by the State regulatory body. The RX4E is a light propeller aircraft that seats four people. It was developed by the Liaoning General Aviation Academy (LGAA) for use in areas with limited road infrastructure.

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APAC Airlines Nov 2024: Passenger, cargo markets maintain robust growth

Aerotime

Traffic figures for November 2024 from Asia Pacific airlines demonstrate further growth in both international air passenger and cargo markets, on the back of robust consumer and business demand. The results, released by the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA), reveal that the regions carriers handled 31 million international passengers in November 2024 collectively, a 19.8% increase compared to the same period in 2023.

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JetZero's Blended Wing "Pathfinder" For The US Air Force Advances To Fly By 2027

Simple Flying

On January 3, Air & Space Forces Magazine broke the news that JetZero one of the contenders for the United States Air Forces (USAFs) Next Generation Air Refueling System (NGAS) of aerial refueling is making substantial progress towards a flying prototype. Although JetZero did not respond to Simple Flying inquiries by press time, it is safe to say that USAF and JetZero are teaming up to push forward a Blended Wing Body design similar to the X-48.

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Latvian ministers want airBaltic’s management change, CEO hits back 

Aerotime

A row has erupted between the Latvian government and the countrys largest airline, airBaltic. It follows the recent disclosure that airBaltic has been forced to cancel 4,670 flights for its 2025 summer season, due to maintenance issues affecting the Pratt & Whitney engines that power the airlines A220 fleet. For many months, Pratt & Whitneys GTF engines have been plagued by technical problems arising from the discovery of material impurities in some engine parts.

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Icelandair Adding Miami Flights With New Airbus A321LR

One Mile at a Time

Woot, Icelandair will finally be adding service to my home airport , and Im kind of excited! However, well have to be patient Icelandair adding Reykjavik to Miami route As of January 6, 2026, Icelandair will launch 3x weekly flights between Keflavik (KEF) and Miami (MIA), as reported by AeroRoutes. This new year-round route will operate with the following schedule: FI691 Keflavik to Miami departing 5:15PM arriving 8:55PM FI690 Miami to Keflavik departing 5:15PM arriving 5:55AM (+1 day) The 3,664

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Nepal bans helicopter operations in Everest area due to local protests

Aerotime

Nepalese airlines and air operators have ceased helicopter flight operations around the Everest area due to protests over its environmental impact, and the threat it poses to sherpas and local industries. Helicopters have been a crucial means of transport and emergency response in many of Nepals remote regions, which are often inaccessible by road. Over the past years, helicopters have also been used to help hikers cross challenging terrains in the Sagarmatha National Park, home to Mount Everest

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Ascend Airways UK expands fleet with Boeing 737 MAX 8

Aerotime

Ascend Airways UK, a subsidiary airline of Avia Solutions Group the largest ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) provider, has announced the addition of a Boeing 737 MAX 8 to its fleet. This move strengthens the airlines position in the UK market and supports its strategic growth initiatives as the airline expands into counter cyclical markets to Europe.

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Guide To Alaska Mileage Plan MVP Status: Easy To Earn

One Mile at a Time

While Alaska Airlines isnt one of the big three US airlines, the Seattle-based carrier has quite a robust frequent flyer program, which many people are loyal to. In particular, Alaska Mileage Plan is the only major US frequent flyer program that still awards miles based on how far you fly rather than how much you spend. In this post I want to take a look at Alaska MVP status for 2025, especially in light ofthe (minor) program changesthat have been rolled out.

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2 People Found Dead In JetBlue Airbus A320 Wheel Well In Fort Lauderdale

Simple Flying

In the wheel well of a JetBlue aircraft at Fort Lauderdale, two bodies were found dead on January 6, shortly after the aircraft had completed a direct flight from New York's John F. Kennedy Airport. This is just another instance of raised concerns about aviation security in recent months.

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Mesa Sells 18 Embraer Jets

Airline Geeks

Regional carrier Mesa Airlines will shed more of its fleet in the coming months following a purchase agreement with United.

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JetBlue Flight Delayed After Passenger Opens Emergency Exit

Simple Flying

A JetBlue flight from Boston to Puerto Rico was delayed after a passenger opened the emergency exit of the aircraft. Over the last few years, there has been an increase in reports of passengers attempting to open the main as well as exit doors of aircraft, and JetBlues latest incident has now been added to that list.

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Report: Barclays Predicts Boeing Stock Recovery After Turbulent Year

Airline Geeks

Analysts at the financial institution have recently upgraded Boeing's shares from equal weight to overweight status.

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South Korean Transport Minister Will Resign In Wake Of Jeju Air Crash

Simple Flying

Park Sang-woo, the Minister of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport (, MOLIT) of South Korea, has said that he would resign following the Jeju Air crash that happened on December 29, 2024.

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South Korea Transport Minister Resigns Over Jeju Air Crash

One Mile at a Time

A little over a week ago, we saw a horrifying accident, whereby a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 crashed while landing at Muan International Airport (MWX), killing 179 people. Its the deadliest aviation accident since 2018. With an investigation into the cause of the crash ongoing, its interesting to note that the countrys transport minister has announced his intention to step down South Koreas transport minister feels responsible for accident Today (Tuesday, January 7, 2025), South Koreas Transport Mi

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IMSAFE Checklist Acronym Explained

Pilot Institute

Aviation professionals use IMSAFE as an acronym to help pilots assess their physical and mental fitness before a flight. IMSAFE is used as a self-check to make sure that you, the pilot, are as ready to fly as the aircraft is. Ultimately, the safety of a flight is only as good as its weakest link. With a significant amount of accidents caused by pilot error every year, pilots must ensure they are physically and mentally fit to fly.

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Which Airlines Fly To The Most Destinations? Some May Surprise You

One Mile at a Time

Recently, I wrote a post about the airlines that fly to the most countries. Turkish Airlines wins that title by a long shot, and has a 30+ country lead over the second most global airline. In this post, I want to address a different but related topic which airlines serve the most destinations? As youd expect, this is a very different list. Thats because serving a lot of countries is much easier if youre an airline that has a lot of service in Europe and Africa, given the number of countries the

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5 Fast Facts On The Airbus A400's Firefighter Prototype Kit

Simple Flying

The Airbus A400M Atlas has long been recognized as one of the most versatile military transport aircraft in the world. Recently, its reputation has soared to new heights with the development of a firefighter prototype kit. This innovation turns the A400M into a powerful weapon in the fight against increasingly destructive wildfires. With its advanced capabilities and vast potential, the A400M firefighter kit represents a significant leap forward in aerial firefighting technology.

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Alaska Stations Inspectors at Boeing Facilities

Airline Geeks

Alaska has published a report detailing what the carrier has learned and changed one year after one of its 737 MAXs had a door plug blow out while in flight.

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Icelandair Could Be Eyeing New Airbus A321LR Service To 4 US Cities

Simple Flying

As Iceland's flag carrier is planning to introduce its new Airbus A321LRs on routes to the US, more destinations could be added to its network in the coming months. Icelandair previously announced it would fly the long-range aircraft to Seattle, and is now rumored to be scheduled on four additional routes in 2026.

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GA Getting The Boot At Ashville, NC Airport (KAVL)

AV Web

The Ashville (North Carolina) Regional Airport Authority will demolish general aviation hangars at the airport (KAVL) to make more room for commercial aviation. Airport Authority spokesperson Tina Kinsey told local news outlet AVL Watchdog , Yes, we are taking back leased aeronautical land close to the airport terminal from Signature [Aviation], the Fixed Base Operator (FBO) at AVL.” Kinsey added, Commercial aviation is the key driver of revenue for our airport and is vastly important to o

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New York Governor Kathy Hochul Tallies Over $400K In Private Jet Flights

Simple Flying

The Governor of New York has come under scrutiny for her extensive use of private jets. Kathy Hochul and her campaign reportedly spent over $400,000 on charter flights over the last several years, which critics say seem incongruous with her longstanding position as a climate activist.

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Two Bodies Found in A320 Wheel Well

Airline Geeks

Two bodies were located inside the wheel well of a JetBlue Airbus A320 aircraft on Monday evening, the airline confirmed.

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Up To 14h 10m: The 10 Longest Transatlantic US-Europe Flights In 2025

Simple Flying

In 2025, a typical scheduled passenger flight from the US to Europe will cover 3,704 nautical miles (6,860 km). That finding is based on examining every airline, route, and flight between January and October using Cirium Diio information.

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Atlantic Buys Into AAM Infrastructure Future

AV Web

U.S. FBO network Atlantic Aviation took a step in the direction of supporting advanced air mobility (AAM) today (January 7) by acquiring eVTOL infrastructure company Ferrovial Vertiports from the Ferrovial parent company. Vertiports are areas in urban, suburban, and rural areas specified for eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft to launch, hover, and land.

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New Report Alleges The FAA Doesn't Investigate The Majority Of Whistleblower Complaints

Simple Flying

With everything Boeing has gone through in the last few years, particularly after the Alaska Airlines midair blowout incident a year ago, theres been intense scrutiny of the production practices at the company.

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Icelandair Plans New U.S. Destination

Airline Geeks

Icelandair is slated to expand its North American route network in early 2026 with its brand-new Airbus A321neoLR aircraft.

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ICAO Investigating Potential Data Breach

Simple Flying

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is investigating a possible data breach after tens of thousands of records were reportedly stolen by hackers. The breach has been attributed to a "threat actor known for targeting international organizations.

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Daily Getaways Promotion Discontinued: Not A Huge Loss?

One Mile at a Time

While I cant say that Ill be shedding any tears, a longstanding annual travel promotion will be discontinued as of this year Daily Getaways wont return as of 2025 Since 2010, weve seen the annual Daily Getaways promotion, run by the US Travel Association. This was intended to encourage tourism within the United States. With this, we saw Daily Getaways partner with major hotel groups, rental car companies, theme parks, etc., to offer discounted travel packages.

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Qatar Executive Takes Delivery Of Its Sixth Gulfstream G700

Simple Flying

Qatar Executive, a private jet arm of Qatar Airways Group, expanded its fleet by welcoming two Gulfstream G700 business jets in January 2025. The newest deliveries increase the carrier's fleet to six Gulfstream G700s. The news comes as the airline aims to solidify its leadership in the luxury long-range market and private aviation.

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Grim Discovery For JetBlue FLL Maintenance Crew

AV Web

A routine post-flight maintenance check at Fort Lauderdale International Airport in Florida led to a grim discovery in the wheel wells of a JetBlue Airbus A321. The bodies of two men were found following a flight from New York JFK International Airport. At press time, the identities of the two victims had not been determined, nor how and where they might have gained access to the aircraft.

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Southwest Airlines Reaches Sale-Leaseback Agreement For 36 Of Its Boeing 737-800s

Simple Flying

Southwest Airlines has agreed on a sale-and-leaseback (SLB) deal with Babcock & Brown Aircraft Management (BBAM), with the airline selling off and leasing 36 Boeing 737-800 aircraft from the asset management company.

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10 Airplanes to Fly Before You Die

Plane and Pilot

Aviation is a wonderfully broad and varied experience. Over its history, some really cool hardware has arrived, amazed a few of us, and, in some cases, left the scene. For pilots, memorable experiences are a combination of the where and when along with the what and the whom. All of which makes picking 10 airplanes for your fly-before-you-die list more than just a bit subjective.

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A Deep Dive In The Aircraft Management Services Agreement Between flyExclusive And Volato

Simple Flying

In September last year, there was an interesting shift in the private aviation industry, as FlyExclusive and Volato entered into a strategic agreement together, set to come into effect in the 12 months following. FlyExclusive is one of the largest operators in the sector, and Volato, a fractional jet ownership company, had been growing fast. The deal involves an Aircraft Management Services Agreement (AMS), which would significantly change operational priorities for both companies, allowing them

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Training and Safety Tip: The click

AOPA

There is nothing more satisfying to a flight instructor than "hearing" that metaphorical "click" that signals that a student has begun to think like a pilot.

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A Closer Look At The Costs To Rent A Private Jet

Simple Flying

Have you ever wondered how much a private jet costs? In general, the smaller the jet, the more affordable the price per hour is. The cost of renting can range from $2,000 to $14,000 per flight hour, depending on the aircraft type. This price covers the aircraft, crew, insurance, and fuel. Let's have a look in detail.

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Top 10 mistakes iPad pilots make

iPad Pilot News

Top 10 mistakes iPad pilots make iPad Pilot News Everyone was once a beginner with the iPad (even if some of us don’t like to admit it). And like most things in life, we move from beginner to expert by trial and error. Along the way, many of us made some mistakes with the iPad and aviation apps. But don’t feel bad – most pilots make the same ones at least once.

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