Video shows passengers evacuating Delta plane on slides after engine fire

An engine fire broke out on a Delta Air Lines flight as it was preparing to depart Orlando International Airport on Monday morning, prompting passengers to evacuate using emergency slides, federal officials said. The FAA said that Flight 1213, which was headed to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Georgia, was leaving a gate around 11:15 a.m. when an engine caught fire. Video of the episode circulating online showed flames and smoke billowing from the plane’s rear. Passengers could also be seen gliding down the slides from emergency exits. There were no reports of injuries. Delta said there were 282 passengers and 12 crew members on board at the time. “We appreciate our customers’ cooperation and apologize for the experience,” Delta said in a statement. “Nothing is more important than safety and Delta teams will work to get our customers to their final destinations as soon as possible.” The airline added that its crews followed procedures to evacuate passengers from the Airbus A330 after “flames in the tailpipe of one of the aircraft’s two engines were observed.” Photos on social media showed passengers with their belongings walking on the tarmac. The F.A.A. said it would investigate what happened.
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Malaysia may get Boeing 737 Max jets faster as China halts orders, but costs to surge

The return of Boeing 737 Max jets destined for the Chinese market may speed up plane deliveries to Malaysia Airlines, but analysts warn about expanding too quickly, noting how wider costs are poised to spike as parts become more expensive and consumers prepare to take fewer flights. Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), the parent company of Malaysia Airlines, is flying high. It recorded a profit for the third year in a row in 2024 – its longest gaining streak since a major restructuring a decade ago. And having had to cut nearly a fifth of its flight capacity due to the global slowdown, aircraft delivery delays caused by Boeing manufacturing defects, and engine issues from other suppliers, it is eager to expand. The group, which placed an order for 30 Boeing 737 Max jets in March, with options for another 30, said the situation between the US aircraft manufacturer and China could allow it to secure the planes earlier than the slated 2029 to 2030 dates. Two Boeing jets set for use by a Chinese airline have gone back to the United States since Sunday, Reuters reported citing flight data, apparent victims of the snowballing trade war between the world’s largest economies. China has reportedly ordered its airlines not to take further deliveries of Boeing jets in response to US President Donald Trump’s announcement of a 145% tariff on Chinese goods – which Beijing has brushed off as “meaningless”. “MAG is in conversation with Boeing about whether we can take over those slots. So, we will meet our number faster,” MAG managing director Izham Ismail said. “If we are able to snatch this, we will need to go to the capital market to raise money for this.” The deal is crucial for the troubled flag carrier, which plans to phase out older 737 variants that have formed the backbone of its single-aisle fleet for over six decades, and to expand its network.
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Virgin Atlantic’s return to Canada stirs ghosts of airlines past

With Virgin Atlantic returning to Toronto after a 10-year absence, first-time passengers will surely thrill to Canada’s vast expanses as they soar across the ocean from congested London. Perhaps less known to neophytes, they will also be cruising over a vast graveyard, figuratively speaking, of failed transatlantic carriers. Richard Branson’s Virgin last flew to Toronto’s Pearson in 2014 after a brief Vancouver foray from 2012 to 2014. Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, it will begin direct flights between London Heathrow and Toronto Pearson on March 30 and has been making all the right noises about its return to this country. “At Virgin Atlantic we always think there’s a spot for us,” spokesman Simon Hawkins told travelweek.ca. “We know there is a dominant carrier. There’s Air Canada, and there’s also British Airways and Transat. We think there’s space in there for us. We have strong appeal and we offer something unique.” Juha Jarvinen, Virgin Atlantic’s CCO, predicted “huge opportunities to connect friends, relatives and businesses,” while Hawkins declared Virgin is “excited” about building “more of a footprint in Canada,” adding — perhaps with an eye on the ghosts of carriers past — “it’s very early days.” Virgin’s Canadian comeback is to be welcomed, not least because it is an excuse to recall — fondly for some, furiously for others — the upstarts who’ve flown and foundered on the Canada-U. K. route, their contrails lingering mostly among online aviation geeks and collectors of aircraft ephemera.
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FAA expects to roll out modernised NOTAM system in September

The FAA expects to begin operating its modernised Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) system in September, capping a priority project aimed at replacing an ageing technology that has been prone to outages. The FAA said on 21 April that CGI Federal, a contractor hired to provide the new NOTAM system, “is currently on an accelerated schedule to deliver the NOTAM Modernization Service by July 2025”. “The FAA is targeting deployment of the operational service by September 2025… much earlier than originally planned,” the agency adds. It is unclear when the FAA had initially planned to roll out the system. The agency did not immediately respond to a request for comment. September 2025 has been the goal for several years. Former acting FAA administration Billy Nolen cited that timeline when testifying before the US Senate in 2023. Similarly, a 2024 FAA document about the NOTAM modernisation effort cites a roll-out goal of September 2025. “The FAA used a streamlined, innovative vendor challenge to cut through red tape to get this critical work done as fast as possible,” the agency says. Indeed, the agency in early 2024 rolled out a “Challenge Based Acquisition” programme aimed at moving the project faster. The FAA had launched the NOTAM replacement effort in 2023. The FAA NOTAM system has long consisted of two platforms: a legacy technology through which the agency officially issues NOTAMs, and a newer but not-official distribution system.
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Highways in the sky: Air taxis could soon slash NYC airport commutes to 10 minutes

The future of commuting in New York could soon take off. Archer Aviation, in partnership with United Airlines, has announced plans to launch the city's first air taxi network, aiming to transform airport commutes by reducing travel times from up to two hours by car to just 5-15 minutes by air. ​ Flights will connect Manhattan with major airports such as JFK, LaGuardia and Newark, as well as regional hubs like Westchester County Airport, Teterboro Airport and Republic Airport. "The New York region is home to three of the world's preeminent airports, serving upwards of 150m passengers annually. But the drive from Manhattan to any of these airports can be painful, taking one, sometimes two hours," Adam Goldstein, CEO and Founder of Archer, said. "We want to change that by giving residents and visitors the option to complete trips in mere minutes." The electric aircraft, called Midnight, is a piloted vertical takeoff and landing vehicle designed to carry four passengers and a pilot. Midnight can fly up to 100 miles at speeds reaching 150 mph. It uses tilt rotors to lift off and land vertically like a helicopter then shifts into forward flight like a traditional airplane. Unlike traditional helicopters, Midnight has 12 smaller propellers for increased stability and built-in redundancies, allowing it to continue flying even if one engine fails. Its fixed wings also allow for gliding up to 20 miles in the event of power loss-an added layer of safety during potential weather disruptions. Midnight also produces less noise and emissions than a traditional helicopter, Archer Aviation said in a news release. Initially, the air taxi service will operate from existing helipads and airports, with plans to establish dedicated 'vertiports' in the future. While pricing for Archer's air taxi flights hasn't been finalized, a one-way seat on a Blade helicopter from Manhattan to JFK typically costs around $265.
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Etihad Airways grows its footprint in Africa

Etihad Airways is significantly expanding its African network as it doubles its services to Nairobi, Kenya. Arik De, Etihad’s chief revenue and commercial officer, said: “At Etihad, we have long recognised the need to strengthen our presence in Africa. Over the past year, we have been focusing on a holistic approach that enhances our presence by expanding our fleet, increasing frequencies, and forming key partnerships. We’re encouraged by the positive early results and are pleased to announce the expansion of our Nairobi service to 14 weekly flights, as well as the increase of our Seychelles service to six weekly flights in partnership with Air Seychelles. We’re also introducing daily 787 services to Casablanca and Johannesburg. Together with Air Seychelles and our groundbreaking relationship with Ethiopian Airlines, these strategic partnerships form a key foundation as we add four new direct routes to Africa from Abu Dhabi this year, underlining our growing commitment to service the dynamic continent."
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Drones pose increasing risk to airliners near major US airports

A commercial airliner was on final approach to San Francisco’s international airport in November when the crew spotted a drone outside the cockpit window. By then it was too late “to take evasive action,” the pilots reported, and the quadcopter passed by their windshield, not 300 feet away. A month earlier, a jetliner was flying at an altitude of 4,000 feet near Miami’s international airport when its pilots reported a “close encounter” with a drone. In August, a drone came within 50 feet of clipping the left wing of a passenger jet as it departed Newark International Airport. The incidents were all classified as “near midair collisions” — any one of which could have had catastrophic consequences, according to aviation safety experts. They were also not isolated encounters. An Associated Press analysis of an aviation safety database reveals that drones last year accounted for nearly two-thirds of reported near midair collisions involving commercial passenger planes taking off and landing at the country's top 30 busiest airports. That was the highest percentage of such near misses since 2020, when air traffic dropped during the COVID-19 pandemic. The first reports of near misses involving drones were logged in 2014, the AP found. The number of such encounters spiked the following year. Over the last decade, drones accounted for 51% — 122 of 240 — of reported near misses, according to AP's analysis. Passenger jets have long been subject to risks around airports — whether from bird strikes or congested airspace — as was made clear by the January collision between a military helicopter and commercial jet near Washington, D.C., that killed 67 people.
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United Airlines to introduce new business class on Boeing 787-9s

United Airlines (UA) is set to revolutionize its premium cabin experience with the introduction of a new business class product on its upcoming Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner deliveries in May 2025. The aircraft will feature an unprecedented 64 business class seats, establishing a new benchmark for premium capacity among U.S. carriers. This strategic move comes as United prepares to receive 140 new Boeing 787s, which will both expand their fleet and replace aging 767 and 777-200 aircraft. Aviation sources indicate the new premium-heavy configuration will debut in early May, featuring door-equipped suites and advanced amenities like wireless charging, flagged ViewfromtheWing. United’s new 787-9 configuration represents a significant premium capacity increase compared to its current fleet and competitors. The existing United 787-9s offer 48 business class seats, while American Airlines (AA) currently provides 30 business seats on their 787-9s, with plans to increase to 51 on new deliveries. United’s upcoming configuration will offer 25% more business class seats than American’s new layout and double the premium capacity of Delta Air Lines’ Airbus A350-900.
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Israir to begin operating flights to United States

Israir received official approval from the United States Transportation Department (DOT) to operate flights to the United States on Monday—a significant breakthrough in the company’s international expansion efforts. The approval is temporary and serves as a basis for a permanent license, provided the company meets the high standards expected of it. The authorization will allow Israir to proceed to the next stage of approvals—full compliance with the regulatory requirements of the FAA and TSA. A final approval is expected by June 2025, according to the timeline Israir presented to its board of directors. Israir is working to obtain full regulatory approvals in order to offer customers flights on Airbus A330 aircraft, which will be operated by Israir’s air and maintenance crews on the Tel Aviv–New York route. Throughout the Israel-Hamas war, El Al gained near-monopoly status in Israel and has worked to sustain that position as ceasefire deals have allowed foreign carriers to resume flights to the region. El Al believed that even as foreign airlines slowly resume their flights, it would be able to compete by appealing to customers as "the Spirit of Israel," an appeal that Israir may now contest.
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It’s the world’s northernmost airport. And its runway is melting

The frozen expanses of the Arctic are fast becoming some of the world’s hotspots. President Donald Trump’s bid for Greenland, and growing Russian and Chinese interest in opening the sea lanes along Siberia’s northern coast, have put these remote regions in the spotlight. But the Arctic’s newfound popularity is not all about geopolitics. Destinations along the Arctic Circle, from Alaska to Lapland, are reporting record visitor numbers as adventurous travelers seek the thrill of exploring the planet’s ultimate frontiers. A Swedish startup called OceanSky Cruises is even planning to run luxury airship journeys to the North Pole, although there’s no launch date in sight. But while the apex of our planet may remain beyond the reach of the average traveler for quite some time, some airlines can fly incredibly close to it. One of the most extreme pieces of land on this planet, as far as latitude is concerned, is actually quite easy to get to. Svalbard Airport, on Norway’s Svalbard archipelago, is the world’s northernmost airport with scheduled commercial flights. Two airlines, SAS and Norwegian, fly year-round between the airport in Longyearbyen, the main settlement on the islands, and the Norwegian mainland, more than 800 kilometers to the south. The airport regularly welcomes charter flights and private jets too, such is the allure of its unique geographical location. The Arctic is one of the world’s most environmentally fragile regions and the team at Svalbard Airport has already had a first taste of the effects of climate change. When Longyearbyen’s 2,300-meter-long runway was built in the early 1970s, no one expected the permafrost layer it was constructed on to start melting. But that is exactly what’s happening now.
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Turkish Airlines increases Istanbul–Damascus flights amid rising demand

Turkish Airlines announced Monday that it will increase its weekly Istanbul–Damascus flights from seven to 12, starting July 8, responding to growing demand following the resumption of service earlier this year. The flag carrier had suspended flights to Syria in April 2012 due to the civil conflict but resumed operations on January 23, 2025, marking the end of a 13-year hiatus. The inaugural flight TK 846, which carried 349 passengers, was an emotional journey for many Syrians returning home after more than a decade. Initially scheduled three days a week, the Damascus route was soon expanded to daily service due to rising demand. The upcoming increase to 12 weekly flights reflects continued interest, particularly amid sweeping political changes in Syria. The surge in travel follows the December departure of longtime Syrian regime leader Bashar al-Assad to Russia, ending the Baath Party’s rule that began in 1963. In January, a transitional administration led by Ahmad al-Sharaa took control, dismantling key state structures including the constitution, armed factions, and security apparatus.
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Vietnam aviation industry soars back to pre-pandemic levels

As Vietnam emerges from the shadows of the Covid-19 pandemic, the air transport sector has shown remarkable resilience and growth, surpassing pre-pandemic passenger levels. According to data from the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV), the first quarter of 2025 saw a total of 20.7m passengers flying, up 9.2% year-on-year. Domestic travel accounted for over 9m passengers, a rise of 5.4%, while international travel surged to over 11.7m, a robust 12.3% increase. This resurgence in air travel signifies a complete recovery for Vietnam’s aviation industry, which had been heavily impacted during the pandemic. The figures not only reflect a return to pre-Covid activity, but also demonstrate a growth trend, with international passenger numbers increasing by 11% and domestic numbers by 5.8% compared to 2019 levels. During the peak travel season for Tet, from January 14 to February 12, the market saw approximately 7.3m passengers, up 11.7% from the previous year. Similarly, cargo transport totalled 329,000 tonnes, reflecting a 12.4% increase from the same period last year.
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Delhi airport operator pauses runway upgrade after flight delays invite criticism

The operator of Delhi International Airport, one of the world's busiest airports, has paused works to upgrade one of its runways after passengers criticised lengthy flight delays, throwing the spotlight on increasing air traffic congestion in major cities in India. Data from Flightradar24 showed about 400 arrivals and 500 departures were delayed on Sunday - about 60% and 76% of total flights, respectively - which Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) said was in part due to adverse wind patterns. DIAL, which is majority owned by GMR Airports, had shut one of its runways earlier this month to upgrade a system that helps aircraft land safely in low-visibility conditions. The airport has four runways in total. DIAL will now resume operations on the runway in the first week of May after postponing remaining upgrade activities "for a month or so," it said in a post on X early on Monday. The upgrade works had come ahead of the busy summer travel season in India. Passengers on social media complained of flights being delayed for hours on Sunday, both in the ground and in the air, raising concerns about stress on pilots. India's civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu on Monday chaired a meeting attended by government, airport and airline officials to address challenges being faced by Delhi International Airport, according to a government statement.
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NCAA, Lufthansa collaborate for aviation sustainability

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), in collaboration with Lufthansa Airlines, has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to ensuring sustainability in the aviation sector. This firm commitment was made at the Exclusive Discourse Event organized by Lufthansa Airlines at Radisson Blu Anchorage Hotel, Lagos. Director of Air Transport Regulations, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Olayinka Babaoye-Iriobe, who was represented by Evelyn Tanko, Deputy General Manager, (Commercial Agreement & Aviation Environment) stated that the Authority is empowered by the Civil Aviation Act, 2022 to regulate environmental issues and further to reiterate its commitments to the sustainability of the industry, NCAA has domesticated ICAO Annex 16 on Environmental Protection into the National regulations under Part 16 of Nig. CARS which covers requirements for monitoring, reporting, and verification of CO2 Emissions for international aviation, and Part 5 addresses aircraft noise and emission certification. Also speaking at the panel session, the Senior Director (Sales), Lufthansa Sub-Sahara Africa, Rene Koinzack said that the airline has deployed Science- Based Target Initiatives (SBTI) which comprises modern fleet, efficient flight operations, carbon neutral flying, and sustainable aviation fuel, reduction of waste and plastics as part of their effort to sustain the industry.
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Airline passengers set to pay higher charges in the Philippines

Airline passengers are set to pay higher service charges, according to a memorandum issued by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) ahead of the summer season when travel demand usually picks up. In a memorandum circular signed on April 4, CAAP noted that the passenger service charge (PSC) for international flights will rise to P900 (US$15.87) from the current P550 (US$9.70). For domestic flights, passengers will have to pay P350 (US$6.17) if they are departing from international airports; P300 (US$5.29), principal class 1 airports; P200 (US$3.53), principal class 2 airports; and P100 (US$1.76), community airports. PSC for domestic flights is currently at P200 (US$3.53). “Any passenger refusing or failing to pay the required passenger service charge shall be prevented from boarding the aircraft,” the circular said. CAAP Memorandum Circular 019-2025, which covers all airports under the agency, is set to take effect 15 days after publication in two newspapers of general circulation. CAAP is yet to say exactly when these new charges will take effect, but it should be soon.
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Plastic bags for batteries? Korea's airport rule sparks debate

Airport security officers in Korea may soon add another essential item to their toolkit alongside hand-held metal detectors and inspection gloves: plastic bags. Since last month, passengers are required to carry their batteries in bags during flights to by shield the terminals from contact with other items, as part of measures to prevent potential fires from batteries without short-circuit protection. For those who forget to do so, screeners at security checks will provide passengers with plastic bags, according to guidelines the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport issued recently to airport authorities. This measure followed a blaze aboard an Air Busan flight in January. It is believed a battery stored in an overhead bin ignited just before takeoff at Gimhae International Airport, forcing the emergency evacuation of all 176 passengers and crew. The ministry’s directive quickly drew criticism, with the most pressing question: Are plastic bags truly effective in preventing battery fires? “Handing out plastic bags is completely pointless,” Lee Yong-kang, a professor of aviation security at Hanseo University, told The Korea Times. “Unlike the removable batteries in old cellphones, today’s power banks are sealed units, which makes the risk of fires from external short circuits very low,” he said.
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Air India keen to take Boeing planes refused by Chinese airlines

Air India is looking to take Boeing planes rejected by Chinese carriers, people familiar with the matter said, joining the ranks of Asian airlines vying to benefit from the trade war between Washington and Beijing. The Tata Group-owned carrier, which urgently needs aircraft to expedite its revival, plans to approach Boeing about acquiring a number of jets the US planemaker was readying for Chinese airlines before reciprocal tariffs thwarted the handovers, according to the people, who are familiar with discussions at the Indian airline and didn’t want to be identified because the information isn’t public. Air India is also eager to take up slots for future deliveries should they become available, the people said. The carrier has benefited from China’s pullback in the past — through March, it had accepted 41 737 Max jets originally built for Chinese airlines. Their deliveries had been deferred due to issues including safety concerns with lithium batteries in the planes’ cockpit voice recorders. Representatives for Air India and Boeing declined to comment. Malaysia Aviation Group Bhd. too is in talks with Boeing over delivery slots vacated by Chinese carriers, Bernama reported on Sunday. Chinese airlines were told by the government not to accept Boeing aircraft, Bloomberg News reported last week, after Beijing set reciprocal tariffs of up to 125% on US-made goods. About 10 planes were being prepared for delivery at the time, and some 737 Max jets in China already have since been sent back to the US.
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Boeing eases latest 737 MAX headache - a shortage of nuts and bolts

Boeing has secured new stocks of specialized nuts and bolts that hold together its top-selling commercial jet, two industry sources told Reuters, avoiding for now any slowdown in U.S. plane production due to a fire at a key supplier's factory. Boeing had been running low on specific fasteners used to attach the landing gear on its 737 MAX jets because of the February fire, but secured new supplies in recent weeks, albeit at higher prices, one of the sources said. A Boeing spokesperson said the company is taking steps to address fastener shortages but did not provide specifics. "We don’t expect a near-term impact to commercial production," they said. Running out of the fasteners could shut down Boeing's 737 MAX production line, a key revenue source, said the two sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity. As dwindling fastener supplies threaten the broader aerospace industry, some producers of the nuts taking on contracts to provide alternate supply are hiking prices to reflect rising costs of materials and labor, a third senior industry source said. The price of some specialized fasteners, which currently cost hundreds of dollars apiece, could rise by double-digit percentages, one executive said. The supply shortfall comes as the aerospace industry faces threats from U.S. President Donald Trump's fluctuating tariff policy, which could affect the price and delivery times of planes and parts. The shortage has also raised industry concerns about a longer-term supply crunch as Boeing seeks to ramp up 737 MAX production, which was crippled last year by quality concerns and a seven-week strike by factory workers. Output of the jet remains under strict scrutiny by federal regulators. Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg told analysts this year he wants to exceed a regulatory-capped MAX rate of 38 a month in 2025 to hit 42 by year's end - a target that would roughly double the planemaker's January production. Fasteners are components used to attach plane parts together and can include rivets, nuts, bolts and screws. The fasteners range from bolts half an inch long to screws several inches long.
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Boeing investors brace for fallout from Trump tariffs

Investors in Boeing are braced to learn the full impact of Donald Trump’s trade war, amid fears the US planemaker could be hit harder than first expected after jets intended for a Chinese airline were returned to the US. A Boeing 737 Max 8 plane intended for use by a Chinese airline returned to the US on Monday from Boeing’s China finishing centre, according to flight data cited by Reuters. It followed the arrival in the US on Sunday of another 737 Max painted in the livery of China’s Xiamen Airlines at Boeing’s US production hub in Seattle. Boeing’s share price fell by nearly 3% on Monday, in line with a sell-off across Wall Street. US stock markets have been hit with much higher volatility this month as investors have tried to work out the effects of Trump’s tariffs. The aviation industry has been caught up in the trade war. Trump’s tariffs on goods from almost all countries have caused disruption across the world, but trade in goods between the US and China has been most affected, with levies of 145% on US imports and 125% on goods going the other way. A new 737 Max has a market value of about $55m (£41.4m), according to IBA, an aviation consultancy. That makes a 125% tariff prohibitive without significantly changing the business model of the airline business. The return of the Boeing jets underlines the vulnerability to tariffs of the US’s biggest manufacturing exporter. It adds to Boeing’s problems just as it was trying to recover from a mid-air door panel blowout in January 2024 that prompted the company to replace its CE. Kelly Ortberg, who took over Boeing after the safety crisis, will reveal the company’s first-quarter financial results on Wednesday. Analysts expect a significant improvement in sales compared with a year earlier, with revenues forecast to have risen 20% to $19.8bn, although they still expect losses of $466m for the quarter.
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