Airbus A320-family operators are set to be instructed to carry out repetitive inspections of windshield components after a main cockpit window on a Chinese A319 blew out in cruise nearly three years ago. About 40min after taking off from Chongqing for Lhasa, the Sichuan Airlines aircraft had been flying at 9,800m (32,100ft) when the first officer’s window began to crack and was then blasted from its cockpit frame. The aircraft, about 2.2nm west of waypoint MIKOS on airway B213, depressurised from its cabin altitude of 6,272ft. Inquiries by the Civil Aviation Administration of China concluded that external water vapour probably infiltrated the windshield’s seal, as a result of damage, and over time affected the insulation of electrical wiring located at the bottom edge. This eventually led to continuous electrical discharge arcing in the lower left windshield corner, resulting in localised high temperatures which caused the glass to fracture, weakening it until it could not withstand the differential air pressure between the cockpit interior and the external atmosphere. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency says such a situation would require “exceptional piloting skill” to maintain control of the aircraft, and would inflict damage to systems and injuries on the crew. Airbus has drawn up a service bulletin containing instructions for repetitive detailed inspection and electrical test measurement of left- and right-hand windshields. EASA is proposing differing inspection and test regimes depending on the specific windshield part numbers involved. Certain windshield require these checks to be undertaken within 750h, 750 cycles or four months, while intervals for other parts depend on the windshield age and utilisation as well as its maintenance history – including whether ‘windshield sensor’ fault messages have been recorded. The Sichuan aircraft involved in the blow-out event (B-6419) on 14 May 2018 was seven years old at the time. No prior fault had been recorded on the right-hand windshield, which was the one originally installed during the A319’s manufacture. Multiple circuit-breakers popped as the windshield failed and several aircraft systems failed. The captain and first officer were both wearing seatbelts, says the CAAC. Of the 128 occupants, the first officer and a member of the cabin crew were the only ones to sustain injuries. The aircraft, which received minor external damage, landed at Chengdu about 35min after the incident.

The innovation-finance arm of American Express is the latest company to invest in Denver-based supersonic aircraft maker Boom Supersonic. Boom says it received an investment of undisclosed sum from American Express Ventures, which has helped fund dozens of start ups in several industries. American Express Ventures joins several firms that have helped fund Boom’s plan to develop Overture, a supersonic airliner that it hopes will enter passenger service by 2029. Harshul Sanghi, the head of American Express Ventures, describes Boom’s ambitions as a nice fit for American Express, which has long aligned itself with the travel industry. Other Boom investors have included US firms Emerson Collective, Y Combinator Continuity, Caffeinated Capital and SV Angel. Last year Boom rolled out a supersonic demonstrator called XB-1, which it intends to start flying this year. The company is meanwhile developing Overture, a supersonic jet that will carry 65-88 passengers and be rolled out in 2025, Boom says. The company has received “pre-orders” from Japan Airlines for 20 Overture jets, and from Virgin Group for 10.

Sky Regional Airlines will cease operations after Air Canada transferred all of its Air Canada Express flying to Jazz Aviation, according to numerous reports in Canadian media. The carrier, which flew 25 Embraer 175 jets for the legacy carrier, will be shuttering on 31 March. “Despite a very successful 10-year relationship, Air Canada has advised us that they have made the difficult decision to terminate our capacity purchase agreement as of March 31, which will result in the transfer of our 25 Embraer aircraft to Air Canada,” the company’s chief executive Russ Payson says according to the reports. “Sadly, as a result, we will be forced to shut down our operations, despite our many adjustments in the face of the various travel restrictions imposed by governments, thus far without any sector-specific support.” Several emails to Sky Regional were not answered. According to the carrier’s website, it employs ”over 650 people in Toronto and Montreal”. On 1 March, Air Canada had said it intended to transfer the operation of 25 E175s from Sky Regional to Jazz Aviation, making Jazz the sole operator of Air Canada Express flights. The Montreal-based carrier said the consolidation was due to the coronavirus-driven crisis in Canada’s air transport industry. The change remains subject to approval by Jazz’s pilot union, the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), Air Canada said. With the shift, the airline will save up to C$400 million ($316 million) over the course of 15 years – C$43 million annually until 2026 and C$18 million annually thereafter. Of the 25 E175s to be transferred, 16 are in service and nine are in storage. Jazz parent Chorus Aviation says that with the acquisition of the jets, it will be phasing out its 20 De Havilland Canada Dash 8-300s.