China’s Chengdu Airlines Opens New ARJ21 Training Centre
Chengdu Airlines and Sichuan Southwest Vocational College of Civil Aviation have established a training centre for airlines that need to train personnel to operate Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) ARJ21 regional jets. The new facility – Chengdu Airlines Southwest…
Maldivian Dash 8 Catches Fire During Takeoff
A Maldivian De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Dash 8-200 caught fire just before takeoff from Hanimaadhoo International Airport, prompting the airline to evacuate all passengers on board. Local media reports that the Maldives national airline’s Dash 8-200, local registration 8Q-IAQ,…
Niugini Aviation Services PAC 750 Significantly Damaged After Skidding Off Mountain Airstrip, No Injuries Reported
A Pacific Aerospace P-750, operated by private charter operator Niugini Aviation Services, sustained major damage when it skidded off a mountain airstrip in a remote part of the Papua New Guinea highlands. Hubert Namani, chief commissioner of PNG’s Accident Investigation…
Maldivian Buying Three ATRs To Replace Dash 8s
Maldivian, the national airline of Maldives, is buying three ATRs to replace some of its ageing turboprops, with the new aircraft to arrive this year. ATR says in a statement that Maldivian has signed a contract to purchase two ATR…
Interview: GAMECO’s Norbert Marx On How The Cargo Boom Created A Window Of Opportunity
Guangzhou Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Company (GAMECO) has shifted its business model towards passenger-to-freighter conversions, in response to operators wanting more cargo aircraft. Norbert Marx, CEO of GAMECO, tells Smart Aviation Asia Pacific that a big focus for the company now…
Nordic Aviation Capital Gets Temporary Financial Relief
US Bankruptcy Court has granted financially troubled Nordic Aviation Capital (NAC) approval to tap into US$170 million of debtor-in-possession (DIP) financing, allowing it to continue operations. The US Bankruptcy Court has issued an interim order to NAC, allowing the company…


