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☆ Iran's President Raisi and Foreign Minister Amirabdollahian killed in helicopter crash, state media says
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-20 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | In Ying-Shan-Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi speaks during a meeting with the cabinet in Tehran, Iran, October 8, 2023. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian died in a helicopter crash, state media reported Monday. Iranian state television reported there was "no sign of life" at the crash site of the helicopter that carried Raisi, Amirabdollahian, and others. "All the passengers of the helicopter carrying the Iranian president and foreign minister were martyred," semi-official news agency Mehr News reported. "The overall outline of Iranian foreign policy is not likely to change significantly."

Persons: Ebrahim Raisi, Hossein Amirabdollahian, Ali Ahmadi, CNBC's, Raisi, Malik Rahmati, Affairs Mohsen Mansouri, Pirhossein Koulivand, Ayatollah Khamenei Organizations: Mehr News, FARS News Agency, Geneva Center for Security, Communication, Affairs, Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps Locations: Tehran, Iran, FARS, Azerbaijan Republic, Iran's, East Azerbaijan's, Tabriz, Turkey, Russia

☆ Spirit Airlines gets rid of change and cancellation fees, joining Frontier
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-20 | by ( Ece Yildirim | In Ecedyildirim | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

A Spirit Airlines aircraft undergoes operations in preparation for departure at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Austin, Texas, on Feb. 12, 2024. Spirit Airlines is doing away with both change and cancellation fees, effective immediately, days after Frontier's similar announcement, part of an overhaul of the country's biggest discount carriers' longtime strategy. Ancillary revenue routinely surpasses those airlines' ticket prices. Most larger rivals such as Delta , American , Alaska and United got rid of change fees during the pandemic except for the cheapest, most restrictive tickets. Along with getting rid of change fees, Frontier also announced Friday that it will start offering bundles that include add-on options such as early boarding and checked baggage that they previously offered a la carte.

Persons: Matt Klein, Joe Biden, Biden Organizations: Spirit Airlines, Austin, Bergstrom International Airport, CNBC, Southwest Airlines, Frontier, Department of Transportation, Spirit Locations: Austin , Texas, Delta, Alaska, United

☆ Ex-Iranian official partly blames US sanctions for the helicopter crash that killed its president
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-20 | by ( Mikhaila Friel | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewIranian President Ebrahim Raisi died in a helicopter crash on Sunday — and the country's former foreign minister believes US sanctions were partly to blame. AdvertisementIran's former foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, said the US sanctions — which prohibit Iran from purchasing US-built planes — could be partly to blame. In a phone interview with state TV on Monday, Zarif said the sanctions prevent Iran from having good aviation facilities. Related storiesThe US has imposed various sanctions against Iran since the seizure of the US Embassy in Tehran in 1979. In 2009, a Bell 212 operated by Cougar Helicopters crashed off the coast of Newfoundland in Canada.

Persons: —, Ebrahim Raisi, Raisi, Ahmad Vahidi, IRNA, ISNA, Mohammad Javad Zarif, Zarif, Farzin Organizations: Service, Business, State TV, Reuters, Bell, Iran International, ISNA News Agency, Washington Institute, The Washington Institute, Bloomberg, Cougar Helicopters, Post, United Arab Emirates, Safety, Iran's, of Foreign Affairs Locations: Iran, US, Iranian, Tehran, Canada, Louisiana, Newfoundland

☆ Saudi Arabia’s biggest-ever plane order isn’t going to Boeing
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-20 | by ( Anna Cooban | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

London CNN —Saudi Arabia’s national airline has placed an order for 105 Airbus airplanes in the largest-ever deal in the country’s aviation history — another win for troubled Boeing’s European rival. Saudia Group’s current fleet comprises 93 Airbus and 51 Boeing aircraft, according to its website. Al-Omar did not specify whether it was the number of airplanes ordered or the total value of the order that made it Saudi Arabia’s biggest-ever aviation deal. When asked by CNN about that, as well as the value of the deal, Saudia Group did not respond, while Airbus declined to comment. Despite having a backlog of orders amounting to more 5,600 commercial jets, worth $529 billion, Boeing cannot make planes quickly enough each year to turn a profit as it’s working to address its quality issues.

Persons: Ibrahim Al, Omar, ”, “ Saudia, ” Al Organizations: London CNN, Saudi Arabia’s, Saudia Group, Saudia, Future Aviation, Airbus, Boeing, CNN, Future Aviation Forum, Saudi, National Tourism Strategy, Max Locations: Saudi, Riyadh

☆ Extreme weather blunts the US military's technological edge
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-19 | by ( Michael Peck | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Read previewMore extreme weather is scrambling the high-tech systems that have given the US military its edge. For example, severe weather can degrade navigation systems such as GPS and sensors on precision-guided munitions. Heavy rain ground aircraft and drones, intense heat exhausts troops, dust storms gum up tank engines, and storms damage ships at sea. The problem is that tactical units on the front lines, or in remote areas, often lack the connectivity to receive weather reports. "NOAA [the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration], the private sector and universities are actively working to improve global weather models," Regens said.

Persons: —, James Regens, Napoleon, Jason Serrit, Regens, Michael Peck Organizations: Service, Business, Royal United Services Institute, Waterloo, Staff, US Air Force, Antiphon Solutions, North America, Pentagon, NOAA, National Oceanic, Administration, Defense, Foreign Policy, Rutgers Univ, Twitter, LinkedIn Locations: British, Iran, Iraqi, California, Oklahoma, Europe, NATO, Forbes

☆ Helicopter Carrying Iran’s President Has Crashed, State Media Reports
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-19 | by ( Farnaz Fassihi | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

ETA helicopter carrying President Ebrahim Raisi crashed on Sunday, according to Iran’s state media and the country’s mission to the United Nations, but has yet to be found by search-and-rescue workers because of heavy fog. State media has yet to report on casualties or confirm the whereabouts or condition of the president. A delegation of ministers traveled with him in a convoy of three helicopters, state media reported, adding that the two other aircraft had reached their destinations. Here are the latest developments: The government canceled a planned cabinet meeting and instead convened an emergency meeting with the country’s crisis management committee, state media reported. Iran’s law stipulates that if the president dies, power is transferred to the first vice president and that an election must be called within six months.

Persons: Ebrahim Raisi, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, IRNA, “, ” Ahmad Vahidi, Raisi, Mohammad Mokhber Organizations: United Nations Locations: Western Azerbaijan, Iran

CNN —A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi crashed while visiting a northern region and his condition is currently unknown, Iranian state news agency IRNA reported Sunday. IRNA also reported, citing locals, the helicopter crashed in the Dizmar Forest area between the villages of Ozi and Pir Davood. Residents in northern Varzeqan, East Azerbaijan Province, said they heard noises from the area, it added. Iran’s interior minister Ahmad Vahidi said one of the helicopters was forced to make a hard landing due to foggy weather conditions. Correction: This story has been updated to correct that the reported incident took place in East Azerbaijan Province of Iran.

Persons: Ebrahim Raisi, IRNA, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, “, ”, ” IRNA, Pir Davood, Ahmad Vahidi, Tasnim Organizations: CNN, IRNA, Red Crescent Relief Forces, Central Headquarters Locations: East Azerbaijan Province, Azerbaijan, Varzaqan, Dizmar, Ozi, Varzeqan, Iran

☆ Jeff Bezos' 3 private jets are worth $140 million and include 2 Gulfstream G650ERs alongside a hangar in Seattle
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-19 | by ( Pete Syme | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The world's second-richest person owns three private jets, according to public records seen by Business Insider and data from JetSpy. AdvertisementThe cabin of a Gulfstream G650ER. The light business jet with 10 seats was manufactured in 2020 and usually costs about $9 million. How Bezos' jets are kept privateProving Bezos' ownership of the jets isn't simple. A Gulfstream G650ER.

Persons: —, Jeff Bezos, — Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Taylor Rains, Bezos, Robert Smith, Poplar, Paul Dauber, Taylor Swift, FlightAware, It's, Jack Sweeney Organizations: Service, Business, Gulfstream, Miami, Seattle, Federal Aviation Administration, TVPX Aircraft Solutions, Getty, FAA, Bezos, Dassault Falcon, Poplar Glen, Boeing Field, BI, Puget Sound Business, Costco, Royce, Forbes Locations: JetSpy, Miami, Cape Town, Dubai, Beijing, Australia, Asia, Bezos, Poplar Glen, Washington, Poplar Glen's, Seattle

☆ Russia is finally getting serious about its war, and it spells trouble for Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-18 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

Much of the war in Ukraine has gone poorly for Russia. But Russian President Vladimir Putin's war machine looks very different today than it did at the start of the conflict. The Russian military continued to suffer from other problems in the first year of fighting, racking up troop and equipment losses while failing to capture significant amounts of Ukrainian territory. AdvertisementThe following month, a top US official and general said, respectively, that the Russian military was "almost completely reconstituted" and had "grown back" to its pre-war strength. The employment of glide bombs to support ground maneuver is the primary example of how Russia's military is successfully learning from its past shortcomings, Barros said.

Persons: —, Vladimir Putin's, Putin, Vladimir Putin, Miguel Diaz, Canel, Maxim Shemetov, George Barros, Russia's, Stringer, They've, Chris Cavoli, Andrei Belousov —, Sergei Shoigu, Barros, It's, Andrei Belousov, VYACHESLAV PROKOFYEV, Oleksandra Novosel, Biden, Sergey Pivovarov, Mick Ryan, Jack Watling Organizations: Service, Business, Cuban, Institute for, Ukraine, REUTERS, Allied, US European Command, Sputnik, Security, Defense, Getty, JSC, UA, PBC, 42nd Separate Mechanized Brigade, Russian, Kharkiv, Royal United Services Institute Locations: Russia, Moscow, Ukraine, Ukraine —, —, Russian, Kharkiv, Kherson, Robotyne, Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia, Soviet, Shevchenkivskyi, Avdiivka, Washington, Russia's Rostov, Australian, Kyiv

☆ Ukraine can still beat Russia. It just comes down to enough Western aid.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-18 | by ( Michael Peck | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

With 14 to 21 well-equipped brigades, Ukraine could eject Russian forces from all Ukrainian territory, according to an American expert. One is Ukraine amassing a sufficiently powerful ground combat force that can defeat the estimated 500,000 Russian troops in Ukraine. With Russian forces solidly dug in behind minefields and fortifications across eastern and southern Ukraine, that Baltic scenario bears similarities to the situation that Ukraine faces today. Given sufficient quantities of munitions, Ukraine could inflict enough losses to decisively attrit Russian forces that have already sustained an estimated 500,000 casualties. He started with a 2023 Estonian Ministry of Defense plan that laid out a roadmap for Ukraine to defeat Russia.

Persons: one's, Michael Bohnert, Bohnert, isn't, Chasiv, — Bohnert, they've, Andrei Belousov, Putin, Michael Peck Organizations: Service, Business, RAND Corp, RAND, US Army, NATO, Russian, Anadolu, Getty, Estonian Ministry of Defense, Atlantic, Storm, Bohnert, Defense, Foreign Policy, Rutgers Univ, Twitter, LinkedIn Locations: Ukraine, American, Russia, Russian, Baltic States, United States, U.S, Chasiv Yar, Estonian, Iraq, Afghanistan, Europe, America, China, Israel, Forbes

☆ I'm a US Army jumpmaster in the frozen Arctic, and the coldest jump I've ever made was -50 degrees Fahrenheit
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-18 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Micah Symmonds, a US Army jumpmaster in the 11th Airborne Division based in Alaska. There's a reason why so many people choose to be in an airborne division for their entire career. Especially being in the 11th Airborne Division, we have a very unique geographical position, so we're able to reach a lot of places in the Indo-Pacific region. And then becoming a jumpmaster, you're a leader in that organization, you really need to show the want and drive. On each jump, you're generally exiting from both parachute doors of an aircraft, and each door will have a jumpmaster.

Persons: Micah Symmonds, It's, I've, Keon Horton, Natalie Doan, They've, Molly Treece, there's, it's Organizations: Service, US Army, 11th Airborne Division, Business, 11th Airborne, U.S . Army, 3rd Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Pacific Multinational Readiness, Donnelly Training, U.S, Army, U.S . Army 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 36th Airlift Squadron, Yokota Air Base, . Air Force, Boeing, Delta Junction Locations: Alaska, Guam, Australia, Thailand, Philippines, Kuwait, jumpmaster, balaclava, Japan, Delta, AK

☆ How Spirit AeroSystems fits into Boeing's rebound plan
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-18 | by ( Erin Black | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

And in an effort to correct manufacturing flaws and get production back on track, it announced it's in talks to buy fuselage maker Spirit AeroSystems — a company that Boeing spun off in 2005. Spirit AeroSystems, which is not to be confused with Spirit Airlines, is one of the biggest aerostructure companies in the world with many locations around the globe. "Spirit provides 100% of the fuselages for the world's second-most popular aircraft, the 737. " Over the past few years, there have been a series of manufacturing flaws that have come out of the Spirit AeroSystems factory on some fuselages that are going to Boeing. Spirit, however, also supplies parts to Airbus and other plane manufacturers, making the deal a little complex.

Persons: Max, Kevin Michaels Organizations: Boeing, Airbus, Spirit Airlines

☆ Boeing shareholders re-elect departing CEO Calhoun to board
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Leslie Josephs | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun speaks briefly with reporters as he arrives for a meeting at the office of Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) on Capitol Hill January 24, 2024 in Washington, DC. Boeing shareholders voted to re-elect the outgoing CEO Dave Calhoun to the board of directors, a preliminary tally on Friday showed, as he sought to reassure investors that the manufacturer is on the path to stability amid its latest safety crisis. Boeing also replaced its board chair and the head of its commercial airplane unit in the shakeup. Boeing's new chairman, Steve Mollenkopf, told shareholders at the company's annual meeting Friday that he has consulted with investors and customers on Calhoun's successor. Proxy advisor Glass Lewis had recommended that shareholders vote against Calhoun and two other board members.

Persons: Dave Calhoun, Sen, Mark Warner, Calhoun, Boeing's, Steve Mollenkopf, Glass Lewis, Max Organizations: Capitol, Boeing, Federal Aviation Administration, Justice Department Locations: Washington , DC

☆ Boeing whistleblower died by suicide, police investigation reveals
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Sara Smart | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Boeing whistleblower John Barnett died by suicide, according to a police report released on Friday, bringing to end an investigation of the shocking death of a longtime employee who raised concerns about the airplane manufacturer’s safety and production standards – and who sued the company, claiming Boeing illegally retaliated against him. Barnett, 62, was found dead in a vehicle on March 9 from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in Charleston, South Carolina. The investigation found that Barnett was shot in the head at close range and the weapon was found in his right hand. “As a quality manager at Boeing, you’re the last line of defense before a defect makes it out to the flying public,” Barnett told the Times. That led the US Justice Department to announce this week that Boeing could face criminal prosecution for its history of safety problems.

Persons: John Barnett, Barnett, Robert Turkewitz, Brian Knowles, Barnett’s, ”, ” Barnett, I’d, Brad Zaback, ” Zaback, Max Organizations: CNN — Boeing, Boeing, Charleston Police Department, Coroner’s Office, Police, CNN, New York Times, Times, US Justice Department Locations: Charleston , South Carolina, Charleston

☆ Chinese EV maker Xpeng aims to deliver its first flying car in 2026
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Arjun Kharpal | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

In this article XPEV9868-HK Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNTXpeng's "Land Aircraft Carrier" vehicle has a flying passenger drone hidden inside the truck. XPENG AEROHTXpeng AeroHT, an affilaite of Xpeng , aims to deliver its flying car to customers in 2026, the Chinese electric vehicle maker's co-president told CNBC on Friday, Last year, Xpeng AeroHT introduced the Land Aircraft Carrier — a large truck with a flying two-seater passenger electric drone inside. The flying car can detach from the truck, and people can then get into the drone and fly it. Xpeng said this year that the flying car is currently going through a certification process with the Chinese aviation regulator. The 2026 timeline is slightly later than the fourth-quarter 2025 delivery target that Xpeng had previously touted.

Persons: Xpeng AeroHT, Brian Gu, Xpeng, Gu, Xiaopeng Organizations: HK, CNBC, Aircraft Locations: Xpeng

☆ A major new aviation bill seeks to end passengers being made to pay to sit with their kids, and to improve safety on planes after the Alaska blowout
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Pete Syme | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The bill says the FAA Administrator will decide within 60 days whether to mandate minimum seat dimensions on planes for safety reasons. Senate Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell said: "Plane manufacturers will see more safety inspectors on factory floors and tougher safety standards from the FAA." "The bipartisan Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization is a big win for travelers, the aviation workforce, and our economy. It will expand critical protections for air travelers, strengthen safety standards, and support pilots, flight attendants, and air traffic controllers," Biden said in a statement. AdvertisementHe added: "Passengers shouldn't have to jump through endless hoops just to get the refunds that they are owed, and corporations shouldn't rip off hardworking Americans through hidden junk fees."

Persons: —, Joe Biden, Maria Cantwell, Biden Organizations: Service, Federal Aviation Administration, National Transportation Safety Board, Business, FAA, Alaska Airlines

☆ She flew a record-breaking US flight – but it was kept secret for years
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Jacopo Prisco | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

There were no women flying, there were no female airline pilots. A historic moment, kept secretRippelmeyer and Captain Emilie Jones before a flight with Air Illinois, where they became the first all-female crew of a scheduled flight in the United States. So that’s what we did.”It was December 30, 1977, and that was the first scheduled flight in the United States with an all-female crew – but it was kept a secret. At least, “since nobody died,” Lippenmeyer says, the two were no longer intentionally kept apart and flew together many more times. “My first 747 flight was to London and then my last 787 flight was to London,” she says.

Persons: CNN — Lynn Rippelmeyer’s, “, ”, Rippelmeyer, Bonnie Tiburzi, Emily Warner, Frontier –, Emilie Jones, Lynn Rippelmeyer Rippelmeyer’s, — Emilie, ” Rippelmeyer, ” Lippenmeyer, Lynn Rippelmeyer, Ozark Air Lines —, Carl Hirschberg, we’d, that’s, doesn’t, ” “, I’m, furloughed, wasn’t, didn’t, ” – Organizations: CNN, TWA, Boeing, Piper, American Airlines, Frontier, Air Illinois, Air, Airlines, Ozark Air Lines, World Airlines, TWA –, People Express, People, London Gatwick, Continental, Central America, United Airlines, Continental Airlines, Aviation Locations: Mississippi, Vermont, United States, Miami, Air Illinois, Air, JFK, ”, Newark, London, Polynesia, California, Texas, Houston, Tegucigalpa, Honduras, Central

☆ United Airlines says FAA cleared it to add new aircraft, routes after safety review
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Leslie Josephs | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

United Airlines said the Federal Aviation Administration has cleared it to add new aircraft and routes months after the regulator stepped up its scrutiny of the carrier following several safety incidents. United said in March that the FAA had stepped up scrutiny of the airline after a spate of incidents earlier this year. That prevented it from launching new routes, including flights to Faro, Portugal, ahead of the busy summer travel season. The clearance from the FAA is welcome news as United and other carriers expect a record peak season this year. "We will continue to see an FAA presence in our operation as they review our work processes, manuals and facilities," it said in its employee memo.

Persons: United Organizations: Airlines, Federal Aviation Administration, FAA, Management, Boeing, Max, Alaska Airlines Locations: Faro, Portugal, Japan, San Francisco, Oregon

☆ The US Navy's only forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan, is leaving Japan after nearly a decade in the Pacific
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Ella Sherman | Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewThe USS Ronald Reagan, the only aircraft carrier in the US Navy forward deployed, or permanently stationed in another country, is leaving Japan after spending nearly a decade in the Pacific. Related storiesIn 2021, USS Ronald Reagan briefly left its forward-deployed position to provide air support during US withdrawal operations in Afghanistan. USS Ronald Reagan traveling through the Straits of Magellan, to San Diego, CA, in a transfer move. US Navy/Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Elizabeth ThompsonThe USS Ronald Reagan already had a history of cooperation with Japan prior to its deployment. "Whether it's aboard USS Ronald Reagan today or USS George Washington in the future, we will continue to strengthen those ties at all levels, on-shore and at-sea."

Persons: —, Ronald Reagan, Ronald Reagan Sailors, Daryle Cardone, Ronald Reagan's, Reagan, Photographer's, Elizabeth Thompson, USS George Washington, George Washington, Greg Newkirk, Anthony Wallace, Gerald R Organizations: Service, US Navy, Business, Nimitz, Carrier Strike, CSG, Fleet, USS, Japan, Self, Defense Force, Navy, Aircraft, Getty, Pacific . Aircraft, US, Pacific Locations: Japan, Yokosuka, China, Afghanistan, Magellan, San Diego , CA, Bremerton , Washington, Israel, Iran, Gaza, Pacific, Russia, North Korea

☆ Ukraine's getting more longe-range missiles that leave the Russians with 'nowhere to hide'
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

The number of missiles isn't publicly known, but ATACMS missiles average about $1.3 million each. These air-dropped missiles can fly at low altitudes to avoid detection and have been used to strike Russian naval headquarters and vehicle-repair depots in the occupied Crimean peninsula. The arrival of Storm Shadow missiles — and, several months later, ATAMCS — presented new challenges for Moscow, but Ukraine has received so few it has had to bee choosy over what to target. Indeed, Kyiv has used the American missiles in recent weeks to strike Russian airfields and troop gatherings. Missiles like ATACMS and Storm Shadow "will enable Ukraine to neutralize Russia's advantages and eventually enable them to regain the initiative," he added.

Persons: —, Ben Hodges, John Hamilton The, Jake Sullivan, Grant Shapps, Ben Stansall, Dan Rice, you've, Rice, ATAMCS —, Serhii, Hodges, Moscow's, Jack Watling, Watling Organizations: Service, US, Business, US Army, Army Tactical Missile System, White, MGM, Tactical Missile Systems, Biden administration's, Republicans, Congress, Kyiv, General Staff, Ukrainian Armed Forces, Storm, Shadow, Farnborough, American University Kyiv, Artillery Rocket Systems, Getty, Missiles, Russian Defense Ministry, Royal United Services Institute Locations: Ukraine, New Mexico, Washington, Kyiv, Ukrainian, Italy, France, Crimean, Russia, Russian, Moscow, Donetsk Oblast, Berlin, Avdiivka, Anadolu, Kharkiv

☆ Boeing supplier Spirit AeroSystems lays off workers, citing lower plane delivery rates
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Ece Yildirim | In Ecedyildirim | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Aerospace supplier Spirit AeroSystems on Thursday said it will lay off some of its workers because of slower delivery rates on commercial aircraft as it struggles with a slowdown at its biggest commercial airplane customer, Boeing . Spirit AeroSystems told staff in a memo, reported earlier by Wichita-based KSN, that it would cut about 400 to 450 hourly employees. "We are committed to implementing this transition in as compassionate a manner as possible," Spirit AeroSystems said in a statement. Last week, Spirit AeroSystems said first-quarter Boeing deliveries decreased 31% from the same period in 2023, and said overall deliveries were down 11.3%. About 70% of Spirit AeroSystems' revenue last year came from Boeing, although the company also makes parts for Boeing's rival Airbus .

Persons: AeroSystems, Max, Dave Calhoun Organizations: Boeing, International Paris Air, Le, Aerospace, Airbus, CNBC Locations: Le Bourget, Paris, France, Wichita

☆ EasyJet shares fall on profit miss, CEO departure
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Karen Gilchrist | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

EasyJet Plc passenger aircraft on the tarmac at London Southend Airport in Southend-on-Sea, UK, on Friday, May 3, 2024. Shares of EasyJet fell more than 7% on Thursday after the low-cost airline posted a slightly larger-than-expected loss in the first half of the fiscal year and announced the forthcoming departure of its CEO. Pre-tax losses came in at £350 million ($443 million) for the six months to March, higher than the £340 million expected by analysts, according to a LSEG poll cited by Reuters. The company also announced that CEO Johan Lundgren will be stepping down in January 2025 after seven years at the helm of the business. EasyJet shares pared losses slightly to trade down 5.9% by 10:53 a.m. London time.

Persons: Johan Lundgren, Kenton Jarvis, EasyJet, Lundgren Organizations: Southend Airport, Reuters, CNBC Locations: Southend, London, Spain, Portugal, Turkey

☆ These wall-climbing, AI-powered robots are finding the flaws in 'D' grade US infrastructure, from commuter bridges to military hardware
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Ian Thomas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

A focus on military hardware, from subs to aircraft carriersGecko robots are increasingly being utilized by the U.S. military. In 2022, the U.S. Air Force awarded Gecko Robotics a contract to help it with the conversion of missile silos. Gecko Robotics technology can collect upwards of 20 million data points in a tenth of the time, Loosararian said. The digital twins being created by Gecko robots also help with the building of future projects, saving not only time but resources and capital. "It's not just about how things work day-to-day but also how do you build smarter things," Loosararian said."

Persons: Baltimore's Francis Scott Key, weren't, Jake Loosararian, CNBC's Julia Boorstin, Loosararian, It's Organizations: Robotics, CNBC, Biden's, U.S ., U.S . Air Force, U.S . Navy, Columbia, Navy, USS Locations: Philadelphia, U.S, New York City, China

☆ Russia can't seem to stop this Ukrainian Cessna-style drone that, compared to missiles, is basically a 'flying brick' with a bomb onboard
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Experts say these aircraft underscore the success of Ukraine's innovative long-range drone program, which Kyiv has employed to go after Russia's military and energy facilities. The Ukrainian drones are in fact slow-flying ultralight planes. And if Ukraine can find a corridor that lacks proper air-defense coverage, then the drone can effectively penetrate right through Russian territory, Hoffmann said. Notably, the Cessna-style drone underscores the success of Ukraine's ever-evolving drone program. The aircraft was converted into a drone - A-22 Flying Fox.

Persons: —, JzjMc83uA4 —, Fabian Hoffmann, it's, Hoffmann, Petersburg —, It's, Gordon Davis Jr, Davis, Ukraine's, …, obdWO5ACNA, Washington, Lance Landrum, Landrum Organizations: Service, Cessna, Business, Kyiv, University of Oslo, US Army, Center for, Fox, US Air Force Locations: Ukraine, Kyiv, Republic of Tatarstan, Russia, Republic of Bashkortostan, Bashkortostan, Russian, Tatarstan, Moscow, St, Ukrainian

☆ This year's biggest air battles are showing the US what it could need most in a missile war with China
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Jake Epstein | Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka, FileThe war has shown how effective air defenses can be at denying air superiority, protecting key areas, and threatening high-value aircraft, as well as the costs when capabilities are degraded. Ukraine's air defenses, like its Soviet-era S-300s and US-supplied Patriots, have defeated enemy missile and drone strikes, hindered Russian air operations, and shot down numerous fighter-bombers and other Russian planes. "Ukraine and NATO might reduce risks with a two-prong strategy of strengthening air defenses and boosting infrastructure resilience." Needing more interceptors for the PacificFrom the fights this year, the US can see how it'll need to employ air defenses in a potential showdown with China. Running out of air defenses before the enemy runs out of air threats spells trouble.

Persons: —, Bradley Martin, Evgeniy, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Firefighters, Archer Macy, Martin, Shaan Shaikh, We've, Amir Cohen TPX, Shaikh, it's, Andy Wong, Thomas Shugart, Shugart, Joshua Smoot, Heath Collins, Navy Carlos Del Toro, Macy, Mark Wright Organizations: Service, Business, US Navy, Ukraine, AP, Patriots, Institute for, Emergency, Ministry, RAND Corporation, NATO, Western, Central Command, Combat, Navy, RAND, Patriot, US, Missile Defense, Center for Strategic, International Studies, REUTERS, China, Pentagon, Defense, Center, New, Air Force, 37th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, Andersen Air Force Base, US Air Force, Aegis, Missile Defense Agency, Former Navy, CSIS, Pacific Missile, AP Air Locations: China, Ukraine, Israel, Navy, Russia, Congress, Avdiivka, Kharkiv, Russian, Kyiv, NATO, Yemen, Gulf of Aden, Iran, Red, Screengrab, French, Ashdod, South Korea, Japan, Guam, Beijing, New American, Gen, Kauai, Hawaii

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