Flight Safety Information - August 6, 2025 No. 156 In This Issue : Incident: Westjet B38M at Kahului on Jul 25th 2025, smoke in cabin : Incident: Alaska B39M at Seattle on Jul 31st 2025, electrical smell in the back : Incident: United B789 over Atlantic on Aug 3rd 2025, spoiler problem : 4 killed in medical transport plane crash on Navajo Nation, tribal authorities say : Qatar Airways Jet Bound for New York Triggers Emergency in USA Skies After Tire Issue and Air Traffic Miscommunication : NCAA suspends two ValueJet pilots for violating safety protocols (Nigeria) : Qatar Airways Pilots Request Longer Runway at New York JFK Airport : DFW Airport records the highest wind gust ever : When it comes to aviation safety, don’t be fooled by technologies branded as ‘smart’ : Cathay Pacific Orders 14 More Boeing 777-9 Passenger Jets : Textron Aviation Captures First Brazil Longitude Order : Cathay Pacific First-Half Profit Rose, Places Boeing Jet Order : Fifth 777-9 takes flight : Calendar of Events Incident: Westjet B38M at Kahului on Jul 25th 2025, smoke in cabin A Westjet Boeing 737-8 MAX, registration C-GIWJ performing flight WS-1853 from Kahului,HI (USA) to Vancouver,BC (Canada) with 173 people on board, was climbing out of Kahului's runway 02 when smoke became visible in the cabin associated with an electrical smell. Cabin crew identified a passenger's vape pen had malfunctioned, secured the pen in a metal container and fully submersed it with water. The Canadian TSB reported the flight crew was advised of the situation and decided to continue the flight to destination for a safe landing. https://avherald.com/h?article=52b4b1a8&opt=0 Incident: Alaska B39M at Seattle on Jul 31st 2025, electrical smell in the back An Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-9 MAX, registration N964AK performing flight AS-1156 from Seattle,WA to San Diego,CA (USA) with 177 people on board, was climbing out of Seattle's runway 34R when the crew stopped the climb at about 7500 feet and decided to return to Seattle declaring emergency and reporting an electrical smell in the back of the aircraft. The aircraft landed safely on runway 34R about 12 minutes after departure, vacated the runway and stopped clear of the runway for an inspection by emergency services before taxiing to the apron. A replacement Boeing 737-900 registration N472AS reached San Diego with a delay of about 2.5 hours. The occurrence aircraft returned to service about 14 hours after landing. https://avherald.com/h?article=52b4aec7&opt=0 Incident: United B789 over Atlantic on Aug 3rd 2025, spoiler problem A United Boeing 787-9, registration N23983 performing flight UA-1122 from Newark,NJ (USA) to Cape Town (South Africa), was enroute at FL330 over the Atlantic Ocean about 250 nm eastsoutheast of Newark when the crew reported they had a spoiler problem and requested to return to Newark. The aircraft dumped fuel on the way back. On approach the crew advised they needed to fly 260 KIAS and would be able to reduce to 185 KIAS later. The aircraft landed safely on Newark's runway 22R at a higher than normal speed (about 180 knots over ground) about 100 minutes after departure. A passenger reported about 30 minutes into the flight there were noticeable vibrations. The captain announced they had lost part of a wing, they worked all the checklists and were returning to Newark. The rotation was cancelled. The aircraft is still on the ground in Newark about 37 hours after landing. https://avherald.com/h?article=52b49d2f&opt=0 4 killed in medical transport plane crash on Navajo Nation, tribal authorities say Four people were killed Tuesday when a medical transport plane crashed on Navajo Nation land in Arizona, according to tribal police. “The small aircraft was enroute to pick up a patient from a nearby hospital, when the crash occurred,” Navajo Nation Police said on Facebook. The accident took place around 12:40 p.m. near Chinle, Arizona, according to police. “We extend our deepest condolences to their family and loved ones during this time,” Navajo Police said. The plane was a Beechcraft 300, the National Transportation Safety Board said. “NTSB investigators are en route to the scene (and) expected to start arriving tonight. Once on site, the investigators will begin the process of documenting the scene and examining the aircraft. The aircraft will then be recovered to a secure facility for further evaluation,” Sarah Taylor Sulick, a spokesperson for the NTSB, told CNN. CNN has reached out to the medical transport company for comment. https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/4-killed-medical-transport-plane-233746369.html ******************* Date: Tuesday 5 August 2025 Time: c. 12:40 Type: Beechcraft B300 Super King Air Owner/operator: CSI Aviation Registration: N534AW MSN: FA-154 Fatalities: Fatalities: 4 / Occupants: 4 Other fatalities: 0 Aircraft damage: Destroyed Category: Accident Location: Chinle Municipal Airport (E91), Chinle, AZ - United States of America Phase: Landing Nature: Ambulance Departure airport: Albuquerque International Airport, NM (ABQ/KABQ) Destination airport: Chinle Municipal Airport, AZ (E91) Investigating agency: NTSB Confidence Rating: Information is only available from news, social media or unofficial sources Narrative: A Beechcraft B300 Super King Air, N534AW, was destroyed when it impacted terrain during a landing attempt at the Chinle Municipal Airport (E91), Chinle, Arizona. There were no survivors. The purpose of the flight was to pick up a patient in a nearby hospital at Chinle. ADS-B coverage stopped as the aircraft was preparing the approach to the airport. The accident site was located on an access road that runs parallel to, and is 950 ft away from the runway. The airport field elevation is 5550 feet msl. The airport features a single runway 18/36 (6902 x 60 feet, asphalt/in good condition). https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/534557 Qatar Airways Jet Bound for New York Triggers Emergency in USA Skies After Tire Issue and Air Traffic Miscommunication A Qatar Airways flight traveling from Doha to New York was forced to declare an emergency while approaching the United States after pilots reported low pressure in one of the main landing gear tires—an issue that could significantly affect braking performance upon arrival. Although the crew had requested JFK’s longest runway in advance through Boston Center, a breakdown in communication between air traffic control sectors meant the request was not passed on to New York Approach or Tower. This led to last-minute confusion as controllers initially directed the aircraft toward a shorter runway, unaware of the potential mechanical complication. Once the error was discovered, the flight was urgently rerouted to the appropriate runway, emergency procedures were activated, and the aircraft landed safely without further incident. The case underscores how critical coordination between U.S. air traffic control regions is in managing inflight technical concerns. A Qatar Airways flight from Doha to New York encountered a tense moment in the skies above the United States when pilots detected low tire pressure during their approach. Flight QR703, operated by a Boeing 777-300ER with registration A7-BAC, requested special landing arrangements at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) but faced a brief breakdown in communication between air traffic control sectors. Tire Pressure Issue Detected Over U.S. Airspace As the long-haul journey from Hamad International Airport neared completion, the flight crew noticed abnormal readings in one of the main landing gear tires. Recognizing the implications for braking performance and runway requirements, the pilots immediately contacted Boston Center, the regional air traffic control facility overseeing that portion of U.S. airspace. The crew specifically asked to land on Runway 4L at JFK—known for its length and suitability for handling aircraft with potential landing complications. Boston Center acknowledged the situation and confirmed the request would be relayed to New York controllers for appropriate coordination as the aircraft progressed toward the New York metropolitan area. Communication Breakdown at Approach However, when QR703 checked in with New York Approach Control, the crew realized that their earlier request had not been transmitted. The controller initially guided them toward Runway 13L, a shorter runway not ideally suited for an aircraft dealing with tire or brake-related issues. The discrepancy prompted the Qatar Airways pilots to repeat the nature of their concern and re-emphasize the need for Runway 4L. The misunderstanding delayed the reassignment, but air traffic controllers swiftly responded once informed. The aircraft was rerouted to the preferred runway, and preparations began to handle the flight as an emergency due to the potential for a compromised landing. Tower Declares Emergency Protocols When the flight transitioned to JFK Tower frequency, controllers there were also unaware of the issue until receiving updated information from the flight crew. Emergency protocols were triggered, and the crew was asked for key details, including the number of people onboard and remaining fuel levels. The aircraft was carrying 354 passengers and 19 crew members, with 17,400 pounds of fuel still available. With those factors confirmed, the landing was treated as a precautionary emergency. Air traffic was cleared to ensure the Qatar Airways flight had unimpeded access to the runway. Tower controllers coordinated closely with the flight crew as the Boeing 777 aligned for final approach. Safe Landing on JFK’s Runway 4L Despite the communication lapse, the landing was executed without further incident. The pilots, maintaining a calm and controlled demeanor, guided the aircraft safely onto Runway 4L. The touchdown was smooth, and the crew alerted the tower that they might exit the runway slowly due to the tire condition. After deceleration, the aircraft turned off at Taxiway Fox. The crew confirmed that they could continue taxiing without any external assistance. Ground teams were prepared but ultimately not needed. The aircraft proceeded under its own power to its designated gate, completing the 12-hour transatlantic journey safely. Investigation Into ATC Miscommunication While the tire pressure anomaly posed no immediate danger, the breakdown in relaying critical information between Boston Center and New York controllers is expected to be reviewed by relevant aviation authorities. Effective communication between air traffic control centers is essential for managing non-routine situations, and this incident highlights the importance of timely information transfer in ensuring aviation safety. A Qatar Airways flight from Doha to New York declared an emergency over U.S. airspace after a low tire pressure warning went uncommunicated between controllers, forcing urgent landing changes at JFK. The pilots had requested a longer runway, but a breakdown in ATC coordination delayed the response until final approach. No injuries were reported, and passengers disembarked normally following arrival. Qatar Airways has not issued an official statement, but the flight crew’s handling of the situation has been recognized as professional and composed under pressure. https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/qatar-airways-jet-bound-for-new-york-triggers-emergency-in-usa-skies-after-tire-issue-and-air-traffic-miscommunication/ NCAA suspends two ValueJet pilots for violating safety protocols (Nigeria) The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has suspended two pilots of domestic carrier, ValueJet, following a serious breach of aviation safety protocols at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. In a statement issued on Tuesday, and signed by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection to the NCAA, Michael Achimugu, the NCAA confirmed receiving reports that the pilot “commenced departure procedures from the designated bay without adhering to the mandatory pre-departure clearance protocols.” “This reckless action endangered the safety of ground personnel and other airport users, contravening established civil aviation regulations and international safety standards,” he stated. The NCAA described the situation as one it views “with utmost seriousness,” prompting swift enforcement action against the flight crew. “Consequently, the Authority has taken immediate enforcement action by suspending the licences of the pilot, Captain Oluranti Ogoyi, and the co-pilot, First Officer Ivan Oloba, with immediate effect,” the statement read. According to the NCAA, the suspension will remain in effect pending the conclusion of a full investigation into the incident. Reassuring stakeholders and the public, the NCAA emphasised its uncompromising stance on flight safety. https://punchng.com/just-in-ncaa-suspends-two-valuejet-pilots-for-violating-safety-protocols/#google_vignette Qatar Airways Pilots Request Longer Runway at New York JFK Airport Qatar Airways pilots have officially asked for a longer runway at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). The plea, now underclose watch by aviation specialists and regulatory bodies alike, highlights rising worries that the airport’s present setup cannot safely handle large jets, especially the Boeing Airlines. The Boeing Airlines, one of the largest passenger jets flying today, needs extra distance for both takeoff and landing. Crews flying these long-haul journeys, which may. board hundreds of travelers at a time, have told authorities that JFK’s existing runway lengths fall short, particularly during bad weather or when the plane is stuffed to the brim. Challenges at JFK Airport: A Growing Concern John F. Kennedy International Airport is a key gateway for international travel, with millions of passengers passing through its terminals each year. However, the airport’s infrastructure, particularly its runways, has faced criticism in recent years for not being fully suited to handle larger, heavier aircraft like the Boeing Airlines. One of the key operational challenges at JFK is that the airport often operates at or near full capacity, especially during peak hours. In these conditions, the available runway space can become congested, and the risk of incidents during takeoff or landing increases. Safety Concerns Raised by Qatar Airways Pilots The safety concerns expressed by Qatar Airways pilots are at the heart of the request for a longer runway. In their formal petition, pilots highlighted that the available runway lengths at JFK are insufficient for ensuring a safety buffer during critical flight phases, especially under adverse weather conditions. Pilots have emphasized that with a longer runway, they would have more time and space to accelerate to takeoff speeds and safely decelerate during landing, thus mitigating risks related to runway overruns and other potentially dangerous incidents. In the aviation industry, runway length is a critical factor in determining an aircraft’s ability to take off and land safely. For larger aircraft like the Boeing Airlines, runway length plays a vital role in ensuring a smooth takeoff and landing procedure, particularly when the aircraft is carrying heavy loads or operating in challenging conditions. Potential Benefits of a Runway Extension at JFK Extending the runway at JFK could have several important benefits, both for Qatar Airways and for the broader aviation industry. The primary benefit would be the enhancement of flight safety. By providing additional space for takeoff and landing, a longer runway would reduce the risk of incidents such as runway excursions, which can occur when an aircraft cannot slow down or stop in time after landing. Beyond the safety benefits, extending the runway would also improve operational efficiency. Longer runways allow aircraft to reach takeoff speeds more quickly, which can help reduce delays, especially when there is high traffic volume at the airport. With additional space, airlines can expedite the turnaround time for flights, which could lead to improved scheduling and more punctual departures. Moreover, an extended runway would allow JFK to accommodate a broader range of aircraft types, including larger wide-body jets like the Boeing Airlines, potentially attracting more international carriers to use the airport. Environmental and Logistical Considerations of a Runway Extension While the proposed runway extension offers clear safety and operational benefits, it also raises significant environmental and logistical challenges. Extending the runway would require a substantial investment in infrastructure, including land acquisition, construction, and the possible relocation of existing facilities. The environmental impact of extending the runway would need to be carefully considered. Such a project could lead to increased noise levels in surrounding communities, as well as greater air pollution and disruptions to local ecosystems. These concerns would need to be addressed in an environmental review, which is required by law for large infrastructure projects. Regulatory and Approval Process for a Runway Extension Additionally, local governments and environmental agencies would be involved in reviewing the potential impact of the extension on the surrounding community and the environment. Public hearings and environmental impact studies would be required to ensure transparency and public participation in the decision-making process. These steps could take several years before any actual construction begins, as regulatory reviews are thorough and often contentious. Stakeholder Perspectives on the Request Various stakeholders have weighed in on the runway extension request. While airport authorities have acknowledged the need for improved safety and efficiency at JFK, they have also expressed concerns about the cost and potential disruption that such a project would cause. Environmental groups, meanwhile, have voiced opposition to the runway extension, citing concerns about its impact on local wildlife and air quality. Qatar Airways pilots have continued to press their case, emphasizing that the safety of passengers and crew should be the top priority. They argue that the potential benefits of an extended runway far outweigh the logistical and financial hurdles associated with the project. The Future of JFK Runway and Safety Enhancements Qatar Airways pilots have asked JFK Airport for a longer runway, and this request has kicked off a critical conversation about safety, infrastructure, and the future of travel at one of the world’s busiest airports. Whatever decision is made will affect not only the airlines flying in and out of JFK but also the passengers who trust the airport for safe, smooth journeys. https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/qatar-airways-pilots-request-longer-runway-at-new-york-jfk-airport/ DFW Airport records the highest wind gust ever This wind gust was due to a microburst A line of thunderstorms that moved across North Texas on Aug. 4 produced the highest wind gust ever recorded at DFW. At 4:39 a.m., the observation at DFW Airport recorded a wind gust of 89 mph. This surpasses the wind gust of 81 mph that led to the crash of Delta Air Lines Flight 191. Both events were due to a microburst. WHAT IS A MICROBURST? A microburst is a localized column of sinking air (downdraft) within a thunderstorm. Microbursts can cause extensive damage at the surface and, in some instances, can be life-threatening. Wind speeds in microbursts can reach up to 100 mph, or even 150 mph. This can cause major damage to homes, structures, power lines and trees. Microbursts are dangerous due to the strong downward winds that can cause wind shear, loss of lift, reduced aircraft performance, and turbulence. The National Weather Service and NBC 5 use advanced weather radar systems like Doppler radar to detect microbursts by analyzing the MARC signatures. They are typically small, less than 2.5 miles in diameter, and last for a short period, usually between 5 and 15 minutes. There are two primary types of microbursts: 1) wet microbursts and 2) dry microbursts. Wet microbursts are accompanied by significant precipitation. Dry microbursts are the most common type. With a dry microburst, all of the precipitation evaporates before the column of descending air reaches the ground. This makes them particularly dangerous because they can be hard to see. WHAT CAUSES A MICROBURST? Microbursts form when a column of cool, dense air descends rapidly from a thunderstorm cloud, often due to evaporation of rain. Jun 25, 2021 Disaster At DFW Airport: Inside The Storm DELTA AIR LINES FLIGHT 191: On August 2, 1985, Delta Air Lines Flight 191 encountered a microburst while on approach to land at DFW. This incident resulted in the deaths of 136 on board the aircraft and one person on the ground. https://www.nbcdfw.com/weather/weather-connection/highest-wind-gust-ever-recorded-at-dfw-airport/3899975/ When it comes to aviation safety, don’t be fooled by technologies branded as ‘smart’ by Sheldon Jacobson, opinion contributor Air travel is remarkably safe, based on several years of performance data. Yet near-misses, including the recent close call between a Delta airplane and an Aero Mexico regional jet in Mexico City, give people pause to question whether current air travel risks are higher than historical trends suggest. In light of such concerns, and given the growth of “smart” technologies, it should be no surprise that such technologies have entered the world of air travel. Smart Landing and Smart Runway technologies claim to enhance air travel safety by supporting pilots during takeoffs and landings, as well as when airplanes traverse the ground space around airports. Airplane movements are under the jurisdiction of air-traffic control. Yet with human beings prone to oversights and errors, mistakes can and do occur. Given their names, does the “smart” label make such products better? Or are such names just used as a marketing tool? The Federal Aviation Administration tracks all air-traffic mistakes and near-mistakes. At airports, they are labeled “runway incursions.” In 2024, there were 1,758 such events, or around 146 per month. This number has been steady for several years, excluding 2020 and 2021, when air travel volume plummeted due to the COVID pandemic. Although this total sounds large, and perhaps alarming to air travelers, air-traffic control oversees around 45,000 flights per day, which means that runway incursions are statistically very rare events. Even so, rare events can lead to accidents. The FAA classifies runway incursions based on their severity and the risks that they entail. Fortunately, most are benign, labelled as Category C and D, which occur when an airplane is out of position but, most critically, ample time is available to avoid any collision. Although such incursions are tracked, their risk in the air system to airplanes and passengers is minimal. Category A and B incursions are more serious, potentially placing airplanes and passengers at risk. The Mexico City near-miss would be classified as a Category A runway incursion. Of the 1,758 runway incursions in 2024, nine were classified as Category A or B, far less than 1 percent of all such events. Of course, if any such incident had resulted in an accident, calls by lawmakers for changes and improvements would have been forthcoming. Smart Landing and Smart Runway technologies provide pilots with additional information in user-friendly ways to reduce the risk of pilot errors, which can be traced to the cause of 80 percent of aviation accidents. Pilot error occurs when a pilot deviates from standard operating procedures or directives from air-traffic control. Smart technologies are designed to alert pilots of such deviations, effectively giving them additional warning time to regain compliance and steer clear of situations that could lead to an accident. If smart technologies can reduce pilot errors, conventional wisdom suggests that they should lead to even safer air travel. Yet how would such enhanced safety be measured? Southwest Airlines recently adopted these technologies on its fleet of Boeing 737 airplanes. It will provide a testbed to evaluate whether the technologies deliver on their promise. However, given the general rarity of runway incursions — and particularly of those that are high risk — teasing out the “signal from the noise” may be challenging verging on impossible. Moreover, since runway incursions are likely to involve two or more airplanes, if only one airplane is using the smart technologies, it may be more difficult to quantify their benefits in the field. We may start to see anecdotal reports of benefits reported by Southwest Airline pilots using the technology. But they will be inadequate on their own to establish their causal benefits. If more airlines adopt this technology for their fleets, systemwide reductions in runway incursions of all types — particularly the benign Category C and D incursions — will provide one way to capture risk reduction benefits. Of course, if the FAA decides to mandate such technologies on all airplanes operating within the nation’s air space, this measure would be more straightforward to capture. Labeling technologies as “smart” does not necessarily make the environment in which they operate better. What is most important is what they achieve compared to the system’s performance without them. The challenge is often to find ways to measure such changes. And when such changes involve rare events, as with airplane near-misses, making such measurements is even more difficult. Sheldon H. Jacobson, Ph.D., is a computer science professor in the Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. https://thehill.com/opinion/technology/5436926-when-it-comes-to-aviation-safety-dont-be-fooled-by-technologies-branded-as-smart/ Cathay Pacific Orders 14 More Boeing 777-9 Passenger Jets - Long-time 777 operator to expand and renew fleet with fuel-efficient 777-9 widebody jets - Order makes Cathay Pacific the largest 777-9 operator in Asia Pacific HONG KONG, Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire(opens in a new tab)/ -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Cathay Pacific today announced the Hong Kong-based carrier is ordering 14 more 777-9 passenger jets, bringing its order book to 35 of the world's largest twin-engine airplane. Designed to reduce fuel use and emissions on average by 20% and noise by 40% compared to the airplanes it replaces, the 777-9 will enable Cathay Pacific to efficiently meet growing air travel demand across key global markets. "We plan to expand and renew our fleet with the additional 777-9 aircraft, enabling us to continue our rich history of connecting the world with our Hong Kong hub," said Ronald Lam, Cathay Group Chief Executive Officer. "Cathay Pacific aims to further strengthen our ongoing partnership with Boeing and leverage the world-class features of the new 777-9 as we strive to become the world's best premium airline." Cathay Pacific has grown its global network with the Boeing 777 family over the past 30 years. The addition of the latest model, the 777-9, will further reduce the airline's operating costs as it modernizes its fleet and expands passenger and cargo operations on long- and ultra long-haul routes. "We are proud to support Cathay Pacific's continued leadership as one of the world's top airlines, and introduce the 777-9 as their future flagship airplane," said Brad McMullen, Boeing senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing. "This latest order demonstrates the value of the 777-9 and further strengthens the airline's tradition of delivering superb comfort, convenience and connectivity to passengers for years to come." With a range of 7,295 nautical miles (13,510 km), the 777-9 will allow Cathay Pacific to connect passengers directly between Hong Kong and its global long-haul destinations. Customers around the world have ordered more than 550 777X airplanes, sustaining thousands of jobs at Boeing's Everett, Wash., site and across the supply chain. A leading global aerospace company and top U.S. exporter, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. Our U.S. and global workforce and supplier base drive innovation, economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing is committed to fostering a culture based on our core values of safety, quality and integrity. https://boeing.mediaroom.com/2025-08-06-Cathay-Pacific-Orders-14-More-Boeing-777-9-Passenger-Jets Textron Aviation Captures First Brazil Longitude Order Delivery of the super-midsize jet is planned in 2026 First Citation Longitude delivered in Brazil On the first day of the LABACE show in Sao Paulo, Textron Aviation announced the first order for a Cessna Citation Longitude super-midsize jet in Brazli. The undisclosed purchaser already operates another Citation and Cessna and Beechcraft turboprops. According to Textron, it held a 40% market share of competitive turbine aircraft deliveries in Latin America during 2024. Nearly 1,000 Citation jets and more than 2,100 Cessna and Beechcraft turboprops now operate in the region. The first Longitude in Brazil will be delivered in 2026 and used for personal and business travel. Capable of carrying up to 12 passengers, the Longitude features a flat-floor cabin with fully berthable seats and a walk-in, accessible-in-flight baggage compartment. The jet can fly 3,500 nm and has a full fuel payload of 1,600 pounds and maximum cruising speed of 483 ktas. At FL410, the Longitude’s cabin altitude is 4,950 feet. Avionics are Garmin’s G5000 system with autothrottles and optional GHD 2100 head-up display. Engines are Honeywell HTF7700L turbofans. “With its class-leading performance, quiet cabin, and range, the Citation Longitude is perfectly suited to meet the needs of our customers in Brazil, one of the most dynamic aviation markets in the world,” said Marcelo Moreira, v-p sales, Latin America. “The Longitude complements the customer’s existing fleet by providing long range, speed and delivering the exceptional comfort and performance expected from a Cessna Citation business jet.” https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2025-08-05/textron-aviation-captures-first-brazil-longitude-order Cathay Pacific First-Half Profit Rose, Places Boeing Jet Order Cathay Group Chair Patrick Healy said travel demand remains robust, though the carrier’s cargo business continues to face uncertainties. Cathay Pacific Airways said it will buy Boeing jets valued at about US$8 billion as the Hong Kong flag carrier posted a slight increase in first-half profit on higher passenger volumes and lower fuel prices. The airline on Wednesday reported net profit of 3.65 billion Hong Kong dollars, equivalent to US$465 million, for the first six months of 2025, up 1.1% from a year earlier. It attributed the increase to higher passenger volumes and lower fuel prices, which offset lower yields as more capacity was added to the market. Revenue for the period rose 9.5% to HK$54.31 billion. Cathay Pacific’s passenger revenue in the first half climbed 14% to HK$34.21 billion, with its passenger load factor improving to 84.8% from 82.4% a year ago. The airline said it will purchase 14 Boeing 777-9 aircraft with a basic price of about US$8.1 billion for delivery by 2034, bringing its order book for the plane to 35. Boeing said the order makes Cathay the biggest operator of its 777-9 jets in Asia-Pacific. Cathay said it has the option to buy an additional seven jets and was granted significant price concessions. Shares of Cathay Pacific fell after the results, ending 9.7% lower for its biggest one-day percentage loss in more than four years. Cathay’s share price looks slightly overvalued, and the negative market reaction was likely due to passenger yields falling more than expected, said Lorraine Tan, director of equity research for Asia at Morningstar. The Hong Kong airline’s passenger yield dropped 12.3% in the first six months of the year. “Given that mainland China outbound travel is increasing, Cathay should be benefiting,” Tan said. However, the carrier’s profits have likely already peaked, she said. “It would be unreasonable to expect earnings to continue to grow at a higher pace” as competition rises, leading to lower passenger yields, Tan said. Cathay Group Chair Patrick Healy said the outlook for travel demand remains robust, though the carrier’s cargo business continues to face uncertainties. The Chinese market was steady despite “a temporary contraction in cargo demand” from the U.S. between April and mid-May amid the rise in tariffs and the removal of the de minimis exemption, the airline said. Demand rebounded following the temporary reduction in tariffs in May, it said. Driven by strong demand to the Americas, the Southeast Asian region performed well at the beginning of the year, which was followed by a production rush ahead of the introduction of U.S. tariff changes in early April, Cathay said. The airline will continue to meet demand where it arises, Healy said. “Uncertainty in the market environment remains and we will stay vigilant and agile.” https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/cathay-pacific-first-half-profit-rose-places-boeing-jet-order/ar-AA1JZkIk?ocid=finance-verthp-feeds Fifth 777-9 takes flight How teammates completed a first for the 777-9 program in nearly five years. 2025-08-05 First Flight Takeoff of 777-9 WH286 Paine Field A fifth 777-9 took off from Paine Field in Everett, Wash., on August 5 at 11:03 a.m. PDT, a sign of progress in the journey of Boeing’s new widebody airplane to certification and eventual entry into commercial service. This marked the first time in nearly five years the team built, prepared and flew a 777-9 airplane. Capt. Ted Grady, 777X chief pilot, and Capt. Mark Brown, 777-9 project pilot, completed an 2-hour, 27-minute flight profile to validate the airplane’s handling and performance. During the flight, Grady and Brown navigated a route over Washington, reaching an altitude of 39,000 feet (11,887 meters) and an airspeed of Mach .84 (511 knots), which is typical for a first flight. Zach Lewis and Joel Conard, systems operators, and Cody Bruinsma and Mike Deutsch, flight analysts, accompanied them. The airplane safely returned to Paine Field at 1:30 p.m. PDT. “The 777-9 flies beautifully, and this airplane performed just as we expected,” said Grady. “We appreciate the hard work of our teams who designed, built and prepared this airplane for flight, and we’re continuing our focus on getting the 777-9 certified and in our customers’ fleets.” Preparing for flight: Since the airplane rolled out of the factory last month, teams worked to fuel the 777-9, conduct engine runs and complete taxi tests. As Engineering ship captain for the airplane, Michael Kellner coordinated across Engineering disciplines to support production team as they completed the airplane and prepared it for flight. “We care for these airplanes; we even view them as our kids,” said Kellner, who joined Boeing as an Engineering intern over 16 years ago. “We’ve invested a lot of hard work to ready this airplane and bring us one step closer to delivering the 777-9. It’s just an immense surge of pride and excitement to see our airplane take flight.” Continuing test: The airplane, which features a production configuration, will undergo a defined series of ground and flight tests. These tests will focus on demonstrating compliance with requirements for resilience against electromagnetic interference and lighting strikes. Catch up quick: The team recently surpassed 4,000 hours of flight testing on the dedicated 777-9 test fleet, subjecting the 777-9 to a variety of tests and conditions to demonstrate the safety and reliability of the airplane’s design. Boeing is working to deliver the first 777-9 in 2026. About the family: The 777X family – the 777-9, the 777-8 Freighter and the 777-8 passenger airplane – are the newest members of Boeing’s market-leading widebody family. Customers have ordered more than 550 777X airplanes. https://www.boeing.com/features/2025/07/high-five--fifth-777-9-takes-flight- CALENDAR OF EVENTS Aircraft Fire Hazards, Protection, and Investigation, 5 to 7 August 2025 Woburn MA 01801 USA. . Asia Pacific Aviation Safety Seminar 2025; 10-11 September 2025; Manila, Philippines . 2025 PROS IOSA SUMMIT - SEPT 10-11 - Denver, CO · ISASI ANNUAL SEMINAR 2025'September 29, 2025 – October 3, 2025, DENVER, COLORADO . 2025 NBAA Single-Pilot Safety Standdown; Monday, Oct. 13 | 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.; Las Vegas, NV . 2025 NBAA National Safety Forum, Tuesday, Oct. 14 – Wednesday, Oct. 15; Las Vegas, NV . Air Medical Transport Conference (AMTC™) - 2025 – October 27-29th (Omaha, Nebraska) . 78TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL AVIATION SAFETY SUMMIT (IASS) - Lisbon, November 4–6 . 29th annual Bombardier Safety Standdown, November 11-13, 2025; Wichita, Kansas · CHC Safety & Quality Summit, 11th – 13th November 2025, Vancouver, BC Canada . 2026 ACSF Safety Symposium; April 7-9, 2026; ERAU Daytona Beach, FL . 2026 NBAA Maintenance Conference; May 5-7, 2026; New Orleans, LA . BASS 2026 - 71st Business Aviation Safety Summit - May 5-6, 2026 | Provo, Utah . The African Aviation Safety & Operations Summit - May 19-20 | Johannesburg, South Africa . Safeskies Australia - Australia’s renowned Aviation Safety Conference - Canberra Australia 20 and 21 May 2026 . 2026 NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) Oct. 20-22, 2026 | Las Vegas, NV Curt Lewis