Portuguese operator Hi Fly has carried out a test flight of the Airbus A380 intended for Global Airlines services, following a cabin refurbishment. The aircraft lifted off from Beja at around 15:20 on 3 April for a flight lasting some 45min. It climbed to around 19,000ft in airspace south of Lisbon. Hi Fly says the flight was “crucial” for testing a number of upgrades to software and functions which were not available when the jet was ferried from Dresden to Beja in mid-January. The aircraft is owned by the UK’s Global Airlines which aims to put it into service on transatlantic routes this year. Hi Fly chief Carlos Mirpuri says the aircraft is “nearly ready for commercial operations” following the test. “This successful shake-up flight is a testament to the ‘can-do’ attitude of our team here in Beja,” he adds, crediting the capabilities of its maintenance partner Mesa.<br/>
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Saudi start-up carrier Riyadh Air has secured its air operator’s certificate, advancing the airline’s progress towards first commercial flights. Riyadh Air obtained the approval from the kingdom’s regulator, the General Authority of Civil Aviation. “Issuance of the AOC confirms the Riyadh Air’s full compliance with Saudi Arabia’s aviation regulations, international standards, and flight safety requirements,” the regulator states. It says it has undertaken a “comprehensive audit” of the carrier’s technical and aircraft systems, operational readiness, and personnel qualifications. The process took 11 months and included some 200h of test flights. Riyadh Air has previously been granted an economic licence. “Obtaining the air operator’s certificate is an important milestone in the company’s journey,” says CE Tony Douglas. “It is the result of the efforts of many employees at Riyadh Air. He says the airline is “ready to begin operations” later this year.<br/>
Vietnamese budget airline VietJet is set to sign a $200m aircraft finance deal with a partner of investment fund KKR at a meeting in Washington next week attended by planemaker Boeing, according to an internal schedule seen by Reuters. The programme, signed by VietJet head and dated March 31, was sent in a letter to the Vietnamese government. The Southeast Asian nation is scrambling to avoid crippling U.S. tariffs announced by the Trump administration on Wednesday to reduce Vietnam's large trade surplus with Washington. VietJet executives would sign the financial agreement with AV Air Finance Company, a partner of KKR, at the Vietnamese embassy in Washington on April 9 with the participation of Vietnam's Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc, according to the schedule. The financing deal is to support the purchase of aircraft, according to the document. At the same event VietJet executives will meet Boeing representatives to discuss cooperation and "affirm commitment to expanding strategic relations," the document said. It is not clear whether the financing deal, if confirmed, is meant to support a possible new order, or whether it would allow the airline to place a deposit for existing purchasing deals. VietJet has agreed to buy 200 Boeing 737 MAX jets in a deal first signed in 2016 and revised afterwards, but no jet has yet been delivered. VietJet is also considering ordering 20 Boeing 787 jets, according to a person with direct knowledge of the discussions.<br/>
Vietnamese budget airline VietJet is set to operate Chinese-made COMAC ARJ21-700 aircraft, also branded as C909, on domestic routes for the first time from mid-April, according to a company statement reviewed by Reuters. The airline plans to operate four flights between the capital Hanoi and Con Dao Island off southern Vietnam on April 15, according to the document dated Sunday. It will also operate four flights between business hub Ho Chi Minh City and Con Dao on the same day, the document shows.<br/>
A passenger on an AirAsia X flight to Sydney allegedly had to be restrained by crew after attempting to open two separate emergency exit doors mid-flight. A 45-year-old Jordanian man, Shadi Taiseer Alsaaydeh, has been charged with two counts of endangering the safety of an aircraft and one count of assaulting cabin crew, and is set to appear before Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday. Police allege the incident, which reportedly took place on board flight D7220 from Kuala Lumpur to Sydney on Saturday, saw Alsaaydeh try to open the rear emergency exit door, then, after being escorted to a seat in the middle of the plane, attempt to open the middle emergency exit door. During this alleged second attempt, police claim that Alsaaydeh assaulted an AirAsia X staff member and had to be restrained by passengers and crew. “The actions of this man could have had tragic consequences, and passengers and airplane staff shouldn’t have to put up with unruly, violent or dangerous behaviour on flights,” said the AFP’s Det Acting Supt Davina Copelin. “The AFP will not hesitate to take action against people who engage in criminal behaviour on airplanes, especially where this behaviour has the potential to endanger the safety of passengers, crew or the flight itself.” In a statement, AirAsia X said “at no time was the safety of guests or crew compromised”.<br/>