Back in the swing

The slew of activity at last month's Paris Air Show seems to indicate a recovery of the aviation business is in full swing. Not only did a record Paris Air Show crowd of about 480,000 visitors attend the week-long event, but the total number of large commercial jetliners involved in announcements for firm orders or purchase intentions was more than six times the number from the last Paris event, in 2003.

According to the French publication Les Echos, Airbus announced agreements that totaled 280 orders and intentions to purchase. Similar agreements for Boeing, which does not save purchase agreements to disclose at air shows, called for 148 airplanes.

FULL STORY >>

United, Verizon eye in-flight Wi-Fi

A U.S. regulatory approval could make United Airlines the first U.S.-based carrier to offer wireless in-flight broadband service that could compete against Connexion by Boeing.

United Airlines received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration last month to install air-to-ground wireless Internet access to its fleet in a partnership with Verizon Communications Inc.

FULL STORY >>

IN BRIEF

Northrop tries selling Pentagon on power of technology

Northrop Grumman, known for military platforms such as amphibious assault ships and the B-2 stealth bomber, demonstrated to reporters its interest in selling the Pentagon on the idea of substituting technology for manpower.

According to a C4I News report, the company saw "ways in which we think technology can probably play a greater role" in national defense, said Robert Haffa, corporate director of the Northrop Grumman Analysis Center, during a briefing with reporters last month. C4I News said Northrop Grumman officials made few references to specific defense programs during the briefing.

FULL STORY >>

French and Japanese to research supersonic technologies

Japanese and French aerospace industry groups have agreed to cooperate on researching technologies to build a commercially viable supersonic jet, Japan's trade ministry said last month.

Government officials from both nations signed a three-year research agreement last month. According to various news reports, researchers will study technologies that relate to composite materials, as well as jet engine noise, fuel consumption and other issues that affected the Concorde.

FULL STORY >>