Dutch investigators name 4 suspects in #MH17 shootdown

Dutch investigators have named four people they say are responsible for the shooting down of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur in 2014. Three Russians and a Ukrainian have been charged with bringing a missile into the area in eastern Ukraine and with murdering 298 passengers and crew. International arrest warrants have been issued for the four men. Flight MH17, A Boeing 777-200, was shot down by Pro-Russian Rebel forces over the Donetsk region of Ukraine. It was fired… (www.airlive.net) Plus d'info...

Captain Sullenberger tells Congress, Boeing 737 Max crashes "should never have happened"

"These crashes are demonstrable evidence that our current system of aircraft design and certification has failed us. These accidents should never have happened," (www.cbsnews.com) Plus d'info...

PAS19: American Airlines Orders 50 Airbus A321XLRs

American Airlines has found the replacement for its Boeing 757-200 fleet. Today, the airline placed an order for 50 Airbus A321XLR aircraft. The agreement between the Dallas/Ft. Worth-based carrier and Airbus states that 30 of these A321XLR aircraft are from slots originally assigned to AA’s previous A321neo order. The remaining 20 planes will be firm commitments. With this order registered into Airbus’ backlog, American Airlines has 115 Airbus A321neos and A321XLRs on order—more than enough to… (airwaysmag.com) Plus d'info...

PAS19: Indigo Partners Sign Memorandum of Understanding for 50 A321XLRs

Indigo Partners have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Airbus for 50 A321XLR aircraft, which it says it will spread out across their airlines. (airwaysmag.com) Plus d'info...

UAL 378 in Omaha with a fuel leak...

UAL 378, operating LAX-EWR, diverted to OMA with a fuel leak. Appears to be N58101, a 752. Plane landed safely 21:19 CDT but can't get the fuel to stop leaking from the left side. They shut off both engines and the APU with no effect. Captain is opening the doors because the fumes are very strong throughout the plane. Indication is that they are going to bus people to the terminal. UAL Omaha ops has already closed for the evening. (www.liveatc.net) Plus d'info...

PAS19: Delta Air Lines Opts For Five More A220s

Delta Air Lines has placed an additional order for five Airbus A220-100s at the Paris Air Show this week. (airwaysmag.com) Plus d'info...

'Sully' Sullenberger says he struggled to recover Boeing 737 MAX in flight simulation

Washington (CNN)The pilot who orchestrated the dramatic plane landing in the Hudson River 10 years ago told a congressional panel Wednesday that he can "see how crews could have run out of time" during the recent Boeing 737 MAX crashes after he struggled to recover the plane in a simulator running recreations of the doomed flights. "I recently experienced all these warnings in a 737 MAX flight simulator during recreations of the accident flights. Even knowing what was going to… (www.cnn.com) Plus d'info...

Qantas adds Airbus A321XLR to its fleet

Qantas has joined the roster of airlines signing up as launch customers for the extended-range Airbus A321XLR. The airline has inked a deal for up to 36 of the A321XLR jets, due for delivery from mid-2024, by trading up from 26 of its previous orders for the less long-legged A321neo and adding ten more aircaft to the shopping list. Although the order was placed by the Qantas Group, which encompasses current A321 stalwart Jetstar, group CEO Alan Joyce has left the door open to the A321XLRs… (www.ausbt.com.au) Plus d'info...