In an ambitious leap for space exploration, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has partnered with Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) to launch a mission aimed at studying multiple asteroids within the main belt, marking a new chapter in UAE’s rapidly advancing space program. Announced in October 2023, the Emirates Mission to the Asteroid Belt (EMA) is scheduled to launch aboard an H3 rocket in early 2028, with a journey through deep space that promises both scientific discovery and international cooperation. The mission’s flagship spacecraft, the Mohammed Bin Rashid (MBR) Explorer, named in honor of Dubai’s Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is set to perform close flybys of six main-belt asteroids between 2030 and 2033. The mission will culminate with a planned landing on a seventh asteroid, Justitia, in 2034, where it will deploy a specialized lander for in-depth exploration. A New Era of International Space Collaboration The....
From September 30 to October 4, 2024, Australian and Malaysian air forces conducted joint training missions during Exercise Elangaroo 24. Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) F-35A Lightning IIs flew alongside Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) F/A-18D Hornets and SU-30MKM Flankers in the skies above Malaysia, honing air combat skills and tactical coordination. Wing Commander Paul Simmons, Commanding Officer of No. 77 Squadron, emphasized the exercise’s significance, saying, “Malaysia is one of our most important regional partners, and Exercise Elangaroo ensures we’re ready to contribute with our partners to the collective security of the Indo-Pacific.” Enhanced Cooperation on the Ground and in the Air In addition to the air exercises, aircrew and maintenance personnel from both countries engaged in training activities aimed at strengthening operational collaboration. 140 RAAF aviators and six F-35As deployed to participate in these activities, which were based out of RMAF Base Butterworth in Malaysia and Paya Lebar....
Riyadh Air is delighted to announce a strategic partnership with the FII Institute. This collaboration marks a significant milestone for both organizations, uniting their shared commitment to driving positive global impact. As an international, inclusive platform, the FII Institute fosters collaboration among leading minds to develop innovative solutions for the world's most pressing challenges. By joining forces, Riyadh Air gains exclusive access to the FII Institute's network, including participation in the prestigious annual flagship Conference and other international summits; opportunities to interact with world-renowned leaders, policymakers, investors, and innovators and access to in-depth analysis and insights on global trends, emerging technologies, and pressing challenges. Riyadh Air, the new Saudi Arabia national carrier, envisions a future, where aviation is a means of transportation and a catalyst for positive change. The airline's mission is to redefine the travel experience by offering exceptional service, innovation, and a strong commitment to sustainability. Riyadh Air....
Eve Air Mobility ("Eve") (NYSE: EVEX; EVEXW) is pleased to announce the appointment of Megha Bhatia as its new Chief Commercial Officer (CCO). Based in Melbourne, Bhatia will oversee Eve's global sales, market intelligence, and government relations divisions. Bhatia joins Eve from Jet Support Services, Inc. (JSSI), where she served as Chief Strategy Officer. Her tenure at JSSI was marked by strategic initiatives that drove sales and enabled cross-selling and data integration across business units. Prior to JSSI, Bhatia held a series of leadership roles at Rolls-Royce over a span of more than a decade, holding various leadership positions, culminating in her role as Vice President Sales & Marketing for Business Aviation. Bhatia made significant contributions such as transforming the team performance to achieve record sales and increase the technical and commercial client experiences through process improvements and cross-functional collaboration. "Megha's extensive experience and strategic leadership are going to be....
AirAsia and Airbus have announced a new partnership to advance sustainable aviation in the ASEAN region, aiming to reduce carbon emissions through innovative measures. The two companies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will focus on decentralized production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) using alternative feedstocks and technologies across Southeast Asia. This initiative seeks to expand SAF supply and explore advanced air traffic management (ATM) improvements to cut CO2 emissions. Capital A Chief Sustainability Officer, Yap Mun Ching said, “AirAsia will be a key partner of Airbus in ASEAN to test the feasibility of SAF output developed using alternative feedstock and technologies, as well as ground-breaking ATM initiatives supported by Airbus’ innovation teams. "As a regional carrier based in five ASEAN countries, we bring unparalleled operational experience in the region to complement Airbus’ technological expertise. The partnership establishes a foundation upon which to build joint projects at multiple....
ST Engineering today announced that its Commercial Aerospace business has secured a 15-year exclusive maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) contract with Akasa Air, India’s fastest growing airline, to provide MRO solutions for the LEAP-1B engines that power its Boeing 737 MAX fleet. Under the agreement, ST Engineering will provide Akasa Air with the first Performance Restoration Shop Visit (PRSV) service for their LEAP-1B engines at its aerospace facility in Singapore. This partnership covers Akasa Air's current fleet of 25 Boeing 737 MAX and the 201 aircraft that they will receive over the next eight years. Recently equipped with LEAP-1B engine test capability and ramping up its LEAP engine MRO capacity, ST Engineering will provide seamless MRO services to support airlines like Akasa Air drive long-term growth and operational efficiency. Daniel Saldanha, Vice President, Maintenance and Engineering at Akasa Air, said, “We are thrilled to partner with ST Engineering as our MRO solutions....
At the UP.Summit in Bentonville, Arkansas, Dufour Aerospace and Areion announced the renewal of their partnership, including the purchase of 40 Aero2 tilt-wing drones, with options for an additional 100 units. This deal, originally set by Spright in 2023, marks the largest-ever civilian drone purchase. Areion will leverage Dufour's Aero2 for critical goods transport and logistics, further expanding their U.S. presence. Dufour CEO Sascha Hardegger expressed excitement: "Areion is the right partner to expand our footprint in the U.S. Our Aero2 will soon enter pre-series production with commercial deliveries expected in 2026." The Aero2 drone, on display at UP.Summit, showcases Dufour’s innovative platform. Areion Managing Director Tyler Kennedy added, "We’re proud to continue our commitment to Dufour's vision for unmanned air mobility, both in the U.S. and abroad."
Pegasus Airlines has introduced a groundbreaking innovation to enhance passenger experience with AI-generated multilingual announcements. From October, flights to Spanish, Arabic, and Russian-speaking countries will feature announcements in the local language following the English version. This new feature debuted on the Seville route on 24 September. The project was developed by the Pegasus Innovation Lab, established in Silicon Valley to drive technological advancements in aviation. The system uses AI to clone the voices of Pegasus captains, delivering dynamic announcements that include flight information, weather updates, and the captain's name. “This initiative allows us to offer a personalized flight experience, addressing guests in their native languages,” a Pegasus spokesperson said. The airline continues to expand its digital services while maintaining its commitment to sustainability under the motto "Moving Towards a Sustainable Future."
Qatar Airways is set to acquire a 25% stake in Virgin Australia from private equity firm Bain Capital, in a move that will deepen its strategic partnerships and expand its influence in the global aviation market. The acquisition, subject to regulatory approval from Australia's Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB), follows the two airlines’ codeshare agreement initiated in 2022. Qatar Airways’ investment signals a long-term commitment to the Australian aviation industry. This is not the first significant international acquisition for the Doha-based airline. In August 2024, Qatar Airways announced its 25% stake in South African airline Airlink and continues to hold shares in several other global carriers, including a pending 49% acquisition of Rwanda’s RwandAir. Qatar Airways is also a major stakeholder in International Airlines Group (IAG), the parent company of British Airways, and holds shares in Cathay Pacific and LATAM Airlines. Driving Increased Competition in Australia Virgin Australia sees this....
Turkish Technic, a leading provider of aircraft and component maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services worldwide, has recently signed a multi-year Component Support Agreement with Garuda Indonesia, the flag carrier airline of Indonesia, at the MRO Asia-Pacific event held in Singapore. This new agreement covers the Airbus A330 and Boeing 777 fleets of Garuda Indonesia, allowing the operator to benefit from Turkish Technic’s vast inventory of components and comprehensive solution services. This agreement ensures operational excellence with complete component support for Garuda’s fleet, building on the strong foundation of this new partnership. Regarding the agreement Mikail Akbulut, CEO and Board Member of Turkish Technic, remarked: ‘‘We are excited to expand our collaboration with Garuda Indonesia, reaffirming the strength of our partnership. Our expertise in component support services has been pivotal in securing this agreement. With our warehouses located on 4 continents, we are ready to deploy critical components swiftly, ensuring minimal downtime....
UAE and Japan to Launch Landmark Asteroid Mission in 2028
Australian and Malaysian Jet Fighters Wrap Up Exercise Elangaroo 24
Riyadh Air and FII Institute Forge Strategic Partnership to Drive Global Impact
Eve Air Mobility Announces Megha Bhatia as Chief Commercial Officer
AirAsia and Airbus Partner to Boost Sustainable Aviation
ST Engineering Secures Exclusive Contract with Akasa Air for LEAP-1B Engine Maintenance
Dufour Aerospace and Areion Renew Partnership with Major Aero2 Drone Order
Pegasus Airlines Launches AI-Driven Multilingual Announcement System
Qatar Airways to Acquire 25% Stake in Virgin Australia, Strengthening Global Footprint
Turkish Technic Signs Multi-Year Component Support Deal with Garuda Indonesia
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