EVERETT, Wash., Feb. 5, 2015 ? Boeing (NYSE:BA) and LATAM Airlines Group celebrated the delivery of the airline's first 787-9 Dreamliner. LATAM Airlines Group is leasing the new airplane from Amsterdam-based lessor AerCap.

5 February 2015 Press Release

A320 ? the region?s signature single aisle aircraft

Avianca Holdings S.A. has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airbus for 100 A320neo Family aircraft. Avianca will base its fleet renewal strategy on the A320neo Family.

?After a thorough technical evaluation, we selected the A320neo Family for its excellent fuel efficiency, reliability and comfort,? said Fabio Villegas Ramirez, Avianca Chief Executive Officer. ?These qualities are essential to further our growth and fleet modernization strategy and improve our passenger experience.?

?Airbus is privileged to work with Avianca on this important agreement,? said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. ?We are proud that Avianca will rely on the A320neo, its unbeatable productivity and fuel efficiency to renew its fleet. The A320neo Family is the ideal aircraft for Avianca?s longest, single-aisle routes and high-altitude airports within their network.?

Avianca has partnered with Airbus on its fleet modernization and expansion programs for years. In 2012, Avianca ordered 51 A320 Family aircraft, including 33 A320neo aircraft. The airline group has combined orders for nearly 200 Airbus aircraft, with nearly 130 currently in operation.

6 February 2015 Press Release

South Korea?s Asiana Airlines has selected Airbus Flight Hour Services (FHS) to provide components support, securing the highest service level for daily A330 operations. This latest selection by Asiana Airlines re-affirms its confidence in Airbus? Flight Hour Services, less than a year after signing an FHS contract for its A380s.

The FHS Components agreement, which will run for 10 years, provides an extensive scope of A330 line replaceable units (LRUs), guaranteed spare parts availability through pool access service, on-site stock at customer main base and selected outstations, as well as repair service to Asiana Airlines.

Mr. Sang-Woo Noh, SVP Purchasing & Legal Affairs at Asiana Airlines said: ?With the experience and professional Flight Hour Services support already being demonstrated by Airbus on our A380 fleet, we are confident that this new Airbus FHS Component contract will likewise ensure the highest A330 operational performance.?

Didier Lux, EVP Customer Services at Airbus said: ?This new agreement is a major step to build on our existing relationship with Asiana Airlines and is proof of its confidence in the Airbus FHS solution. We are extremely proud that another world-class airline has reaffirmed its trust in the quality of our technical and competitive services.?

Asiana Airlines is a major Airbus customer. The carrier currently operates 33 single aisle A320 Family aircraft, 15 twin aisle widebody A330-300s and two double deck A380s. In addition, the carrier has outstanding orders for four more A380s and 30 all-new A350 XWB aircraft for future operation on international and long haul services.

9 February 2015 Press Release

Nepal?s national flag carrier, Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) has taken delivery of the first Airbus A320 aircraft sporting a new striking company livery and equipped with Sharklet fuel saving wing tip devices as the airline moves to an all Airbus jet fleet. Following a handover in Hamburg, the aircraft was welcomed at a ceremony attended by government and airline officials at its home base on arrival in Kathmandu.

With its home base in Kathmandu, the A320 was chosen for NAC?s single aisle fleet for its unrivalled economics, performance and capability demanded by high altitude airports. The aircraft has Required Navigation Performance (RNP) capability built-in, which enables the aircraft to fly precisely along predefined routes using state-of-the-art on-board navigation systems.

?Aviation is our window to the world and the world?s window to explorers, trekkers, cultural and ecological visitors to our ?Naturally? beautiful Nepal,? said Madan Kharel, Managing Director, Nepal Airlines Corporation. ?Our new A320 with Sharklets will help us to expand air services in the region, to increase capacity and to capitalise in the growth of high value tourism by offering our visitors world class comfort and service levels.?

?For a landlocked nation like Nepal, aviation is a lifeline to the rest of the world. Few examples can better illustrate the importance of aviation as a force for economic development,? said John Leahy, Chief Operating Officer Customers. ?We are delighted to welcome Nepal Airlines to our family of A320 operators ? the world?s most flexible, productive and comfortable single aisle aircraft on the market.?

The A320 was also chosen for its unbeatable operating economics and flexibility that enables it to be deployed on a wide variety of regional routes. Nepal Airlines? A320 will seat 8 business and 150 economy class passengers in high comfort with the widest seats available in any single-aisle aircraft. In addition, Sharklet wing tip devices will deliver up to an additional four percent fuel burn savings.

Nepal Airlines currently flies to four international destinations and 25 spectacular domestic locations in the heart of the Himalayas.

MORE Red Flag 2015
Feb 3, 2015 - A McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle, assigned to the Rocketeers of the 336th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Wing, lands at Nellis AFB during Red Flag 15-1 (Photo by Rich Snyder).

Feb 3, 2015 - A Lockheed Martin F-16CM, assigned to the Tigers of the 79th Fighter Squadron, 20th Fighter Wing, departs Nellis AFB during Red Flag 15-1. (Photo by Rich Snyder)

A Boeing EA-18G Growler assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron 129 Vikings arrives back at Nellis AFB during Red Flag 15-1. (Photo by Rich Snyder)

An F-16CM assigned to the 175th Fighter Squadron Lobos, 114th Fighter Wing, South Dakota ANG (photo by Rich Snyder)

Meanwhile in Iran
Iran unveiled a new homemade fighter jet dubbed Saeqeh 2 during a ceremony in Tehran, Tasnim news agency reported Feb. 9.

The plane officially handed over to the Islamic Republic Air force in a ceremony attended by Deputy Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami and Lieutenant Commander of the Iranian Air Force Brigadier General Alireza Barkhor.

Saeqeh 2 is a developed version of the previous Saeqeh fighter and is produced by the country?s Ministry of Defense.

In the new design the aircraft?s combat capabilities have been increased using advanced weapons, Hatami said.

The two -seat jet fighter can be used for close support in tactical missions and training pilots at an advanced stage, he said.

Iran unveiled its first domestically manufactured fighter jet, called the Azarakhsh (Lightning), in 2007. Saeqeh (Thunderbolt), which is a single-seat jet fighter was derived from the American Northrop F-5 and is the second generation of the Iranian Azarakhsh fighter. Iran unveiled its first squadron of Saeqeh fighter jets in an air show in September 2010.
LINK - http://en.trend.az/iran/society/2362222.html

Staying with F-5 types.
FALLON, Nev. (Feb. 5, 2015) An F-5 Tiger II aircraft attached to the Saints of Fighter Squadron Composite (VFC) 13 (Adversary Squadron) taxis after deploying a drag parachute upon landing at Naval Air Station Fallon. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Joseph R. Vincent/Released)

FALLON, Nev. (Feb. 5, 2015) Civilian personnel direct an F-5 Tiger II aircraft attached to the Saints of Fighter Squadron Composite (VFC) 13 to conduct pre-flight checks at Naval Air Station Fallon. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Joseph R. Vincent/Released)

17 (Reserve) Squadron has begun operational testing of the UK?s first F-35B, 100 years after the unit was first established.
The squadron, which was first formed in 1915, will be responsible for all the test and evaluation of the UK?s first F-35 Lightning II.
The aircraft, known as BK-1, is stationed at Edwards Air Force Base in California and will be operated under UK regulations. Personnel from 17 (R) Sqn, which is made up of engineers and pilots from the RAF and Royal Navy, will fly and maintain the jets independently from their US colleagues.
This is an important step towards the UK developing its Joint Strike Fighter capability.
A parade and flypast to mark the centenary and their new role with the F-35 Lightning II will be held at Edwards AFB today. Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshall Sir Andrew Pulford will attend, along with representatives from some of the UK companies involved in the manufacturing of the F-35.

11 February 2015 Press Release

Spring Airlines, an all Airbus A320 Family operator and China?s first low cost airline, has taken delivery of a new A320 at Airbus (Tianjin) Delivery Centre on lease from ICBC Financial Leasing, a leasing company owned by the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China. The newly received aircraft brings the carrier?s total Airbus A320 fleet to 50.

The aircraft, the 210th A320 Family aircraft assembled at the Airbus Tianjin Final Assembly Line, is powered by CFM 56 engines and is configured in an efficient lay-out with 180 economy class seats. Based in Shanghai, Spring Airlines has been an Airbus operator since July 2005.

?We are pleased to expand our all Airbus A320 fleet to 50 as we are going to celebrate our 10th anniversary in July this year. From the first to the 50th, our partnership with Airbus has lasted for 10 years. Airbus is our closest partner,? said Wang Zhenghua, Chairman of Spring Airlines. ?The low cost mode that we initiated in China 10 years ago has proved to be successful and it is becoming more and more popular today. The Airbus A320 plays a key role in the successful development of low cost operations in China with its high reliability, unrivaled economics and comfort in its class.?

"The sustained development and steady growth of Spring Airlines has impressed the industry deeply,? said Eric Chen, Airbus China President. ?We are proud to see that our products have supported the success of our customers. There is great potential for low cost airlines in China as the market demand for cost efficient air traffic is growing. We will provide Spring Airlines with even stronger support in the future including our innovative products and top level service.?

Derived from Spring Tourism Company, Spring Airlines took its maiden flight in 2005 as one of the first private enterprises entering into the airlines business and first positioning itself as a low cost carrier. The slogan of Spring is ?to make flying affordable for everyone.? Competitive pricing, quality service and smart operation make Spring an outstanding airline.

A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer from the 34th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron approaches a USAF KC-135 Stratotanker for refueling, Feb. 10, 2015, over the skies of Syria. The B-1 conducts air strikes against Da'esh in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Perry Aston/Released)


CHICAGO (WLS) --
A big part of World War II history landed at the Museum of Science and Industry Wednesday morning.

The German Stuka dive bomber, one of only two in the world still intact, has been at the museum of science and industry since the late 1940s. Every so often the museum brings the plane in for a little R & R.
LINK - http://abc7chicago.com/entertainment/german-ww2-plane-spruced-up-for-3-d-scan/513624/

U.S. Marines assigned to Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 214, Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., perform pre-launch checks for an AV-8B Harrier aircraft in support of Integrated Training Exercise 2-15 at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms (MCAGCC), Calif., Feb. 7, 2015. MCAGCC conducts relevant live-fire combined arms training, urban operations, and Joint/Coalition level integration training that promotes operational forces readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Heather Cozad Staley/Released)




A crew chief, 148th Fighter Wing, Duluth, Minn. prepares a Block 50, F-16 for take-off during a Sentry Savannah training exercise, Feb 10, 2015, Savannah, Ga. The Sentry Savannah training exercise allows fighter pilots to participate in war simulations that depict what they would face in a real world scenario. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Ralph Kapustka/Released)

Block 50, F-16's, 148th Fighter Wing, Duluth, Minn. stand ready for the next mission during a Sentry Savannah 15-1 training exercise, Feb 11, 2015, Savannah, Ga. Sentry Savannah 15-1 provides traditional Airmen wartime readiness training in an unfamiliar environment in an economical, accelerated time frame. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Ralph Kapustka/Released)

A Block 30, F-16, 113th Wing, DC Air National Guard, taxis to the runway for its next mission during a Sentry Savannah 15-1 training exercise, Feb. 11, 2015, Savannah, Ga. Sentry Savannah 15-1 provides traditional Airmen wartime readiness training in an unfamiliar environment in an economical, accelerated time frame. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Ralph Kapustka/Released)

Saint-Cloud, France, February 12, 2015 ? Dassault Aviation is greatly honored by the Arab Republic of Egypt?s decision to equip its air force with the Rafale. This decision is a continuation of our cooperation that dates back to the 1970s, and has seen the Mirage 5, the Alpha Jet and the Mirage 2000 fly in the colors of Egypt. The Rafale meets the needs of countries that, like Egypt, demand a sovereign air force of the best level.

More from Red Flag 2015

2/11/2015 - Two Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s assigned to 1 (Fighter) Squadron, RAF Lossiemouth, Scotland, prepare to land during Red Flag 15-1 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Feb. 6, 2015.

2/11/2015 - A Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4 fighter assigned to 1 (Fighter) Squadron, RAF Lossiemouth, Scotland, stands ready on the flightline prior to playing part in a Red Flag 15-1 night training sortie at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Feb. 4, 2015. The RAF has participated in Red Flag exercises since the late 1970?s. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joshua Kleinholz)

2/11/2015 - A Royal Air Force pilot assigned to 1 (Fighter) Squadron, RAF Lossiemouth, Scotland, performs pre-flight checks on his Typhoon FGR4 fighter prior to a Red Flag training sortie at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Feb. 2, 2015. During this iteration of Red Flag, Nellis AFB hosted the world?s oldest fighter unit. Britain?s No. 1 Squadron originally established in 1912. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joshua Kleinholz)

2/11/2015 - An F-22 Raptor assigned to the 94th Fighter Squadron, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., taxis to the runway during Red Flag 15-1 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Feb. 6, 2015. Red Flag provided combat training in a degraded and operationally limited environment making the training missions as realistic as possible. (U.S. Air Force photo by
Airman Thomas Spangler)

2/11/2015 - An F-15C Eagle assigned to the 493rd Fighter Squadron, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, taxis to the runway during Red Flag 15-1 at Nellis Air Force Air Force Base, Nev., Feb. 6, 2015. Red Flag provides realistic combat training in a contested, degraded and operationally limited environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Thomas Spangler)

2/11/2015 - F-16 Fighting Flacons assigned to the 134th Fighter Squadron, Burlington Air National Guard Base, Vt., stand ready on the flightline overlooking the Las Vegas ***** prior to playing part in a Red Flag 15-1 night training sortie at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Feb. 4, 2015.

2/11/2015 - An F-15E Strike Eagle assigned to the 335th Fighter Squadron, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., takes off from Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., to take part in a Red Flag 15-1 training sortie over the Nevada Test and Training Range Feb. 4, 2015. Various units from around the Air Force, joint branches and coalition partners converge on Nellis three to four times a year to take part in the exercise, which puts to test the participant force?s air, space, cyber and combat search and rescue capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joshua Kleinholz)

A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor on short finals for landing at Nellis Air Force Base following an Exercise Red Flag 15-1 mission. Red Flag is an advanced aerial combat training exercise held four to six times a year to train pilots from the U.S., NATO and other allied countries for real combat situations. (Royal Australian Air Force photo by LAC Michael Green/Released)

Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, Feb. 13, 2015.

An A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft assigned to the 354th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron taxis on the flight line at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, Feb. 13, 2015. The A-10s deployed as part of a theater security package in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve. The A-10s will conduct flying training deployments and off-station training with NATO allies to further enhance interoperability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Timothy Kim/Released)

A400M performs successful air-to-air refueling test with two F18's

Operation Inherent Resolve
Air-to-air refueling of U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier II,s by a Royal Australian Air Force KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport. (Royal Australian Air Force photo's by Sgt. Shane Gidall/Released)



The 134th Air Refueling Wing, Air National Guard based out of Tennessee is on a training exercise in support of Sentry Savannah, Savannah, Ga., Feb. 13, 2015. The joint service nature of this exercise allows each branch the opportunity to communicate and practice effective war-time operations that mimic real-world scenarios. (U.S. Army photo's by Spc. Tracy McKithern/Released)


ARKIA Israeli Airlines, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airbus for up to four A330-900neo aircraft. The commitment makes ARKIA the first Airbus widebody customer in Israel and the first customer for the type in the region.

U.S. Air Force, Japan Air Self-Defense Force and Royal Australian Air Force aircraft fly in formation during a photo exercise at Cope North 15, Feb. 17, 2015, off the coast of Guam. Through training exercises such as Exercise Cope North 15, the U.S., Japan and Australia air forces develop combat capabilities, enhancing air superiority, electronic warfare, air interdiction, tactical airlift and aerial refueling. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jason Robertson/Released)




UK Russian TV shows RAF close encounter