China Express Airlines became the country’s seventh operator of the Comac ARJ21 regional aircraft programme, after taking delivery of its first example. The aircraft, registered B-650P, is the first of at least 50 examples the privately-owned regional carrier will operate. At the handover ceremony on 10 November, Comac hailed the “important milestone” in the regional jet’s programme, noting that China Express’ massive order represented “a key step in the large-scale…development of domestic commercial aircraft”. In late October, China Express detailed its agreement to take up to 100 domestically-built jets – Comac’s largest single order to date – through 2025. Of these, 50 are orders for the ARJ21, and the remaining 50 are either ARJ21s or the C919 narrowbody, which is still under development. China Express discloses that the remaining 50 aircraft are still subject to negotiations with Comac. In June, the Chongqing-based carrier signed a partnership agreement framework with Comac, covering both the orders, as well as cooperation in other areas like aircraft design, maintenance, as well as market development. Fleet data indicates China Express to have a fleet of 13 in-service Airbus A320s, as well as 38 in-service CRJ900s. The carrier also has one A320neo and three CRJ200s in storage.

Source: Cirium

Boeing aircraft imported to the European Union are to carry a 15% tariff after European regulators imposed their own countermeasures in the long-running transatlantic subsidies dispute. The measures will take effect from 10 November, following the World Trade Organization’s authorisation on 26 October for the EU to place duties worth $4 billion on US exports. Last year the US government was granted similar clearance to introduce $7.5 billion worth of tariffs on EU imports. As part of these measures it put a 10% duty on Airbus aircraft, and subsequently increased this level to 15%. The European response is intended to “strictly mirror” the US tariff, says the European Commission, in line with its intention to retaliate to, rather than escalate, the dispute. European trade commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis says the tariffs on Boeing aircraft are being introduced “regrettably” because insufficient progress has been made on reaching a negotiated settlement. “We have made clear all along that we want to settle this long-running issue,” he says. “We had no other choice but to impose these countermeasures.” While the tariffs were put in place during the term of US president Donald Trump, the dispute has persisted through previous presidential administrations. There is no immediate indication as to whether president-elect Joe Biden’s accession to office will unlock the stalemate. But Dombrovskis says there is an “opportunity to reboot our transatlantic co-operation”. “We call on the US authorities to agree to both sides dropping existing countermeasures with immediate effect, so we can quickly put this behind us,” he adds. “Removing these tariffs is a win-win for both sides, especially with the pandemic wreaking havoc on our economies.” Along with the 15% tariffs on aircraft the EU will impose additional 25% duties on other US products in the industrial and agricultural sectors.

Source: Cirium

Federal Aviation Administration chief Steve Dickson expects his agency will complete its review of the 737 Max “in the coming days” – a signal the FAA may soon clear the Max to fly. “The Federal Aviation Administration is in the final stages of reviewing the proposed changes to the Boeing 737 Max,” says administrator Dickson on 9 November. “We expect that this process will be finished in the coming days.” The agency adds it will only certificate the Max, which has been grounded since March 2019, once “satisfied that Boeing has addressed the safety issues that played a role in the tragic loss of 346 lives aboard Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302.” Boeing did not immediately respond to a request for comment. ”Even though we are near the finish line, I will lift the grounding order only after our safety experts are satisfied that the aircraft meets certification standards,” Dickson adds. “The FAA continues to engage with aviation authorities around the world as they prepare to validate our certification decision. As I have said many times before, the agency will take the time that it needs to thoroughly review the remaining work.” The FAA has worked through final steps to the Max’s certification in recent months. FAA administrator Steve Dickson personally piloted a 737 Max on 30 September, and in early October the agency issued proposed pilot training rules. The agency had accepted public comment about those rules until 2 November. Boeing has repeatedly said it expects regulators will clear the jet to fly before year end.

Source: Cirium