Aviation2Day

FAA Proposes $3.1 Million in Fines Against Boeing  The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has proposed civil penalties totaling $3,139,319 against The Boeing Company for multiple safety violations tied to its 737 production line. The fines stem from issues that occurred between September 2023 and February 2024, including events connected to the January 5, 2024, 737 MAX door plug blowout and interference with FAA safety oversight. Quality System Failures The FAA said it found “hundreds of quality system violations” at Boeing’s 737 factory in Renton, Washington, and at Spirit AeroSystems’ 737 facility in Wichita, Kansas. According to the agency, Boeing failed to comply with its mandated quality control system and even presented two aircraft as airworthy when they were not in conformity with FAA standards. “These lapses undermine the integrity of the aviation safety system,” the FAA said, noting that it exercised its maximum statutory civil penalty authority in the case. Pres...

Spirit Airlines Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection September 11, 2025 — Spirit Airlines has voluntarily filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York, marking its second filing in less than a year. The carrier says the move is part of a comprehensive restructuring effort aimed at ensuring long-term financial stability and operational sustainability. Spirit emphasized that flights, bookings, tickets, credits, and loyalty points remain unaffected during the restructuring process. Employees, including contractors, will continue to receive wages and benefits, while vendors and suppliers will be paid for goods and services delivered after the filing date. The airline outlined a transformation plan focused on four key areas: Redesigning its network by concentrating on profitable key markets while reducing its presence in weaker routes. Optimizing fleet size to better align capacity with demand, lowering debt ...

FAA Issued Safety Alert on Lithium Battery Risks in Aircraft Cabins Washington, D.C., – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a new Safety Alert for Operators (SAFO 25002) warning airlines about the growing risks posed by lithium batteries carried by passengers and crewmembers. The alert highlights the dangers of thermal runaway events and urges operators to strengthen risk management, firefighting procedures, and passenger education. Lithium batteries, found in portable electronic devices (PEDs), power banks, and chargers, are essential for modern travel but have also become a leading cause of in-flight fire incidents. FAA data shows a steady rise in reported cases where lithium batteries overheated, smoked, or ignited, with many events occurring in carry-on baggage or overhead bins—locations that can delay detection and firefighting. Thermal Runaway Risks The FAA stresses that traditional firefighting methods are not enough to stop a lithium battery in thermal ru...

Namibia Moves to Establish New National Airline, Leaves Air Namibia in the Past Namibia is pressing ahead with plans to set up a new flag carrier, but officials have made it clear the project will not bring back the Air Namibia brand. Works and Transport Minister Veikko Nekundi confirmed preparations are advancing, with a more detailed roadmap expected in the coming months. “We are not reviving Air Namibia. We are reviving a national airline,” Nekundi told New Era . He stressed that the new airline will be built from scratch, with sustainability and accountability at its core. The Fall of  Air Namibia Air Namibia was grounded in 2021 after years of financial strain and mounting bailouts that cost taxpayers around NAD8 billion (USD453 million). The government cited mismanagement and poor oversight as the main drivers of its failure. Officials now say those mistakes will not be repeated. Nekundi argued that sound decision-making and proper governance will be essential if the n...

EAST HARTFORD, Conn.,  Pratt & Whitney, a business under RTX, has been awarded a $2.8 billion undefinitized contract action (UCA) to produce Lot 18 of F135 engines, the powerplant for all three variants of the F-35 Lightning II fifth-generation fighter jet. The deal covers engines for the conventional take-off and landing (CTOL), carrier variant (CV), and short take-off/vertical landing (STOVL) aircraft operated by the United States and allied customers. In addition to production engines, the contract also includes spares, spare modules, tooling, program management, and engineering support. Christopher K. Johnson, vice president of Pratt & Whitney’s F135 program, emphasized the engine’s role in ensuring operational success: “The combat-proven F135 engine delivers the power, safety, reliability, and low-observability to ensure operators can accomplish their most critical missions. This contract will enable our team to continue providing this critical capability to help t...

Korean Air has announced its largest-ever aircraft order, committing to purchase 103 Boeing jets in a landmark deal that will modernize its fleet and support the airline’s integration with Asiana Airlines. The agreement includes widebody and single-aisle aircraft designed to boost fuel efficiency and expand the carrier’s global network. The commitment, revealed during the Korea-U.S. Business Roundtable, comprises 20 Boeing 777-9s, 25 Boeing 787-10s, 50 Boeing 737-10s, and 8 Boeing 777-8 Freighters . Once finalized, it will be Boeing’s largest widebody order from an Asian carrier and is expected to support approximately 135,000 jobs across the United States. Modernization Strategy and Merger Plans Walter Cho, chairman and CEO of Korean Air, described the order as a cornerstone of the airline’s modernization efforts: “Acquiring these next-generation aircraft is the core of our fleet modernization strategy, delivering significant gains in fuel efficiency and enhancing the passenger e...

Airbus is facing a significant industrial challenge in the United Kingdom, as more than 3,000 workers at its major sites in Broughton (Wales) and Filton (near Bristol) have voted overwhelmingly in favor of strike action. The move, backed by 90% of Unite union members, comes amid an ongoing dispute over pay and inflation pressures. The strike is scheduled to take place over 10 days in September, beginning with two-day walkouts on September 2–3 and September 10–11. Additional days will follow from mid-September, with the potential for further escalation if no agreement is reached. The affected employees are primarily aircraft fitters and engineers, critical to Airbus’s wing production for its commercial and military aircraft, including the A320, A330, A350, and A400M. Unite has argued that Airbus’s latest pay proposal does not adequately reflect the rising cost of living, with UK inflation standing at 3.8% in July 2025. The union says workers deserve a fairer deal, highlighting their ski...

Air Canada has reached a tentative agreement with nearly 10,000 flight attendants , represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) , bringing an end to a strike that grounded the airline’s mainline operations, stranded more than 130,000 passengers daily , and sparked a national debate over labor rights in aviation. The strike began on August 16, 2025 , when flight attendants walked off the job demanding higher wages and compensation for unpaid ground duties such as boarding, assisting passengers before takeoff, and deplaning. Cabin crew argued these tasks were essential but excluded from paid hours, leading to significant wage losses. CUPE leaders repeatedly emphasized that flight attendants are more than service staff they are trained to handle emergencies, in-flight disruptions, and evacuations. They insisted that fair pay was essential to morale, recognition, and the long-term safety culture of Canadian aviation. Defiance and Fallout The Canada Industrial Relatio...

In a devastating turn of events, an AMREF Flying Doctors air ambulance , a Cessna Citation XLS with a registration 5Y-FDM , crashed into a residential neighborhood in Mwihoko, Kiambu County just outside Nairobi killing six people and injuring others. The twin-engine medical jet departed from Wilson Airport at approximately 2:14–2:17 PM local time on Thursday, bound for Hargeisa in Somaliland. Merely three minutes into the flight, the aircraft lost radio and radar contact with air traffic control. Citation XLS 5Y-FDM. Eyewitnesses described a horrifying scene: “The plane started burning while in the air,” one resident recounted, while another said the aircraft “passed by our building shaking it,” before crashing into a house. The impact and ensuing blaze claimed the lives of all four people aboard and two individuals inside the home. Rescue teams, including those from the Kenya Red Cross, Kenya Defence Forces, National Police, and aviation authorities, rushed to the scene.  AMREF ...

Cathay Pacific  a major international airline based in Hong Kong is doubling down on its commitment to modern, fuel-efficient long-haul travel with a fresh order of 14 Boeing 777-9 passenger jets, boosting its total order book to 35 aircraft. This strategic move cements the Hong Kong-based airline as the largest 777-9 operator in the Asia-Pacific region. The Boeing 777-9, the latest member of the renowned 777 family, is designed to cut fuel consumption and emissions by 20% while reducing noise by 40% compared to the older aircraft it will replace. With a range of 7,295 nautical miles (13,510 km), the aircraft will allow Cathay Pacific to connect Hong Kong to key long-haul destinations worldwide with enhanced efficiency and comfort.   “We plan to expand and renew our fleet with the additional 777-9 aircraft, enabling us to continue our rich history of connecting the world with our Hong Kong hub,” said Ronald Lam, Cathay Group CEO . “This order strengthens our partnership with ...

Airbus SE has announced its financial results for the first half (H1) of 2025, posting solid growth in earnings despite continued supply chain pressures and delayed aircraft deliveries. The aerospace giant reported revenues of €29.6 billion , a 3% increase from the same period last year, while EBIT( Earnings Before Interest and Taxes)  Adjusted surged 58% to €2.2 billion, reflecting improved performance in the Defence and Space division and a favorable financial environment. Net income jumped to €1.53 billion, up 85% year-on-year, with earnings per share of €1.93. “The commercial performance in the first half of 2025 has been strong across the Company,” said Guillaume Faury, Airbus CEO. “While we face persistent engine supply issues, our financials reflect the progress of our transformation, particularly in Defence and Space.”

 On July 26, 2025, an American Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 (Flight 3023) caught fire during its takeoff roll at Denver International Airport, forcing the pilots to abort the departure and evacuate everyone on board. The aircraft was scheduled to fly from Denver to Miami. The incident occurred around 2:45 p.m. local time when crew members heard a loud pop and saw smoke and flames from the left landing gear area. The pilots acted immediately, bringing the aircraft to a stop on the runway and deploying the emergency slides. There were 173 passengers and 6 crew members onboard. All were evacuated successfully. Six passengers suffered minor injuries, mainly from the evacuation slides, and one person was taken to the hospital for further treatment. No fatalities were reported. Firefighters from the Denver Fire Department arrived quickly and managed to extinguish the fire. Investigators from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are examin...

 Ethiopian Airlines Group has taken another giant leap forward in solidifying its leadership position in the global aviation market by commissioning a $150 million expansion of its Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities in Addis Ababa. The expansion, inaugurated between July 22 and 25, 2025, represents one of the most significant infrastructure investments in African aviation maintenance history. Transforming African MRO Capabilities The latest expansion introduces three advanced facilities designed to set new benchmarks for efficiency and technical capabilities: Two-Bay Maintenance Hangar – Equipped to handle both widebody and narrowbody aircraft, expanding Ethiopian’s in-house airframe maintenance capabilities. Component Maintenance Workshop – Adds over 170 FAA-approved component repair capabilities, including landing gear, avionics, and integrated drive generators, pushing the total approved list beyond 1,200 parts. Automated Central Warehouse – A 15,000 m² storag...

Boeing , one of the biggest airplane manufacturers in the world, has just released a report predicting something massive: the aviation industry will need to hire nearly 2.4 million new people over the next 20 years. That’s right millions of jobs are opening up for pilots, aircraft maintenance technicians, and cabin crew (flight attendants) all over the globe. But what’s causing this huge demand? Let’s break it down.

Grounded in Dar es salaam? Here’s Who Can Get Your Aircraft Back in the Sky at Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA) Every hour your aircraft is grounded at Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA) costs money, disrupts schedules, and damages your brand. For airlines operating in Tanzania, waiting for technical support, spare parts, or foreign approvals can quickly turn a minor issue into a multi-day AOG crisis . y ou don’t need to look outside Tanzania for reliable aircraft maintenance . Right at JNIA, certified maintenance providers are offering fast, affordable, and OEM-aligned support — tailored to your fleet and flight frequency. Meet the maintenance providers keeping Tanzania´s aircraft flying These are TCAA-approved, fleet-specialized maintenance organizations (AMOs) currently operating within JNIA, ready to support local and foreign airlines without delay. 1. Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL) Certification: TCAA AMO number TCAA/AI/CA/1.82 Location: Main hangars...

  How to Practically Implement Outsourcing in Aircraft Maintenance: A Step-by-Step Guide with Examples Outsourcing aircraft maintenance is not about giving up control—it's about gaining operational flexibility and technical expertise . But it must be done strategically. Here's a practical, step-by-step framework airlines can follow to outsource effectively: 1. Identify what to source Start by assessing your internal capabilities and limitations. You don’t have to outsource everything at once. Commonly outsourced maintenance activities: Line maintenance at outstations (where you don’t have a base) Heavy checks (C or D checks) that require special hangars and tools Component repair and overhaul Non-routine tasks like NDT (Non-Destructive Testing), avionics upgrades, or composite repairs Example: An airline based in Nairobi (Kenya) operates flights to Dubai, Johannesburg,  and Lusaka- Since it doesn´t have hangar space or technicians at these destinations, it outsources line...

Gulf Air is set to significantly boost its long-haul capabilities following a newly announced agreement with Boeing for the purchase of up to 18 additional 787 Dreamliners . The deal, unveiled in Washington, includes a firm order for 12 aircraft with options for six more, solidifying Gulf Air’s strategy to grow its international network and modernize its all-widebody fleet. The announcement was made in the presence of Bahrain’s Minister of Finance and National Economy, Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Boeing Commercial Airplanes CEO Stephanie Pope, and Gulf Air Group Chairman Khalid Taqi. Gulf Air Group Chairman Khalid Taqi,speaking during the press announcement said, "This agreement marks a transformative step in Gulf Air's strategic growth journey," He also highlighted the importance of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner on their routes, saying "The Boeing 787 Dreamliner has proven its worth on our long-haul routes with excellen...

Port Harcourt, Nigeria — 13th July 2025 An Air Peace flight en route from Lagos to Port Harcourt overshot the runway on Sunday morning upon landing at Port Harcourt International Airport (PHIA), prompting swift emergency response. Fortunately, all 127 passengers on board were safely evacuated, and no injuries or casualties have been reported. The flight, operating under number P47190 and bearing the registration 5N-BQQ, touched down at PHIA at approximately 07:45 local time. During the landing, the aircraft overshot Runway 03, coming to a stop beyond the runway's end. In an official press release issued by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), spokesperson Mrs. Obiageli Orah, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, confirmed the incident and emphasized that the situation was brought under control without any harm to passengers or crew. "We are relieved to report that there were no casualties. Evacuation of the 127 passengers has been completed safely wi...

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) of India has officially released the preliminary report on the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI171 involving a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, registration VT-ANB.  On June 12, 2025, an Air India Boeing 787-8 (registration VT-ANB) operating as Flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick crashed just after takeoff, killing all 241 onboard and 19 on the ground. What happened in the next 30 seconds after rotation has stunned even the most seasoned professionals. This was no stall, no bird strike, and no bad weather. This was a dual engine flameout right after liftoff — triggered by both fuel control switches moving to CUTOFF. 🚨 Sequence of Events: Takeoff to Tragedy in 32 Seconds 08:08:39 UTC : Aircraft lifts off Runway 23 at VR (155 knots). 08:08:42 : Max recorded IAS: 180 knots. 08:08:43–44 : Engine 1 and 2 fuel control switches transition to CUTOFF, one second apart. 08:08:47 : Ram Air Turbine (RAT) deploys. Full electrical loss conf...

Doha, Qatar –  01 July 2025 Qatar Airways and Kenya Airways have signed a strategic partnership agreement aimed at strengthening air travel between Africa and the Middle East. Through a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the two national carriers will collaborate on expanding routes, sharing flights, and jointly developing various airline services that go far beyond passenger transport. What’s the Partnership About? This partnership is designed to achieve three main goals: 1. Expand flight connectivity between Kenya and Qatar Qatar Airways will add a third daily flight between Doha and Nairobi, in codeshare with Kenya Airways. Kenya Airways will launch new direct flights from Mombasa to Doha, which will be sold through Qatar Airways’ global sales network. 2. Make travel easier and more connected for passengers worldwide By codesharing on each other’s networks, both airlines will offer more routes, better connections, and flexible booking options, especially for travelers connec...