A New Engine War for the F-15EX and F-16

A New Engine War for the F-15EX and F-16

For decades, if you wanted to put an engine in an American F-15 or F-16, you had exactly two phone numbers to call: Pratt & Whitney and GE. That cozy arrangement may be about to end. On August 4 the U.S. Air Force went public with a Request for Information —...
IndiGo and Norse Rip Up Their 787 Deal

IndiGo and Norse Rip Up Their 787 Deal

For a few months, the world’s cheapest big airline flew the world’s trendiest long-haul jet. It did not last. IndiGo — India’s low-cost giant, and the largest airline in the country by a country mile — is tearing up its damp-lease deal with Norway’s Norse...
The Tanker That Flew Home on a Borrowed Tail

The Tanker That Flew Home on a Borrowed Tail

Look closely at the KC-135 that touched down at RAF Mildenhall on the afternoon of August 2 and something does not add up. The fuselage wears the serial 63-8017. The tail wears a different one: 63-8002. This is one airframe stitched together from two — a flying...
WestJet Grounds Its Entire Mainline Fleet

WestJet Grounds Its Entire Mainline Fleet

Just after midnight on Sunday, the busiest travel weekend of the Canadian summer fell silent. Roughly 150 WestJet aircraft that should have been shuttling holidaymakers between Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and a long list of sun destinations stayed exactly where they...