Gregory Polek has spent his entire career in aviation journalism with AIN, starting as a proofreader and assistant to then-managing editor Mary Mahoney in 1995 after serving an internship with&nbsp;New Jersey Monthly&nbsp;magazine and completing his B.A. degree in English/Writing at New Jersey’s William Paterson College. By 1997 Polek accepted a position as an associate editor, covering the regional airline beat for&nbsp;Aviation International News&nbsp;in place of retiring industry veteran Don Anderson. The assignment took Polek across North America and Europe to profile regional airlines varying in size and mission from the likes of floatplane operators Kenmore Air and Chalk’s Ocean Airways to regional jet operators such as SkyWest and American Eagle. Today, in his dual role as Air Transport Editor and International Airshow Editor, Polek writes, edits, and manages AIN’s commercial aviation content while overseeing each of the company’s daily international air show publications in Paris, Farnborough, Singapore, and Dubai. Most recently Polek has assumed oversight of daily coverage of the Helicopter Association International’s annual Heli-Expo convention.

Senior Editor

Gregory Polek

Singapore Airlines has agreed to place firm orders for 20 Boeing 777-9s and nineteen 787-10s worth $13.8 billion, the airline announced Thursday. The letter of intent includes options for another six of each model, potentially raising the value to some $19 billion. The deal allows SIA to substitute other Dreamliner models for the 787-10s.


The airline said it expects delivery of the Dreamliners in its 2020/2021 fiscal year, which runs from April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021. Plans call for the 777-9s to arrive during its 2021/2022 fiscal year.


SIA has chosen the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 turbofan to power the 787-10s, which it said it plans to operate on medium-range routes. The General Electric GE9X serve as the sole engine type for the 777-9s, which SIA plans to deploy primarily on long-range routes.


The order represents something of a reprieve for Boeing after it lost a competition with Airbus in 2015 to provide a widebody capable of flying between Singapore and the U.S. starting in 2018. SIA ultimately ordered seven A350-900ULRs in part because of the 777X’s later development schedule.


SIA became the launch customer for the 787-10 in 2013, when it placed its first order for 30 of the biggest Dreamliners for delivery starting in 2018. Wednesday’s LOI marks the the SIA Group’s first order for the largest member of new 777X family, scheduled to enter service in 2020.


Along with the 30 previously&nbsp;ordered 787-10s, SIA holds outstanding orders with Airbus for five A380-800s and 57 A350-900s. SIA regional subsidiary SilkAir holds a firm order for 37 Boeing 737 Max 8s, while SIA long-haul, low-fare unit Scoot holds an order eight 787-8/9s and SIA budget carrier Tigerair holds an order with Airbus for 39 A320neos.

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Boeing Wins $13.8 Billion Singapore Order For 777-9s, 787-10s

Deal calls for deliveries to start in 2020

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charles Alcock

Main changes are to the six-passenger aircraft’s canard fans 

Horizon Releases Details of Cavorite X7 VTOL Redesign

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Aircraft features G3000 Prime avionics suite and upgraded cabin features.

TBM 980: Daher Has Unveiled The Latest Member of Its Aircraft Family

Kerry Lynch

News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

Several changes were made in M&A, legal, sales, support, and engineering

Bombardier Reinforces Leadership Team

Charlotte Bailey

Scale model testing to help validate hydrogen-electric business jet design

Beyond Aero Completes First H2 Bizjet Wind Tunnel Tests

Global ops finish December up 4.2%, Argus reports

Frax’s ‘Banner Year’ Helps Global Bizav Ops Finish Strong

Manufacturing facility will be next to its Challenger production plant

Bombardier Launching CA$100M Expansion in Montreal

Hanneke Weitering

Issues regarding financing of aircraft; aviation insurance; tax issues for aircraft operators; new companies and people in the aviation financing and insurance industries.

Series B financing round raised $175 million for full-size demonstrator

JetZero Tops $1 Billion in Funding for Z4 ‘All-wing’ Airliner

New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

News and developments about everything that goes into the cabin of an aircraft, from floor coverings to headliners, with a special emphasis on in-flight entertainment, communications and other electronics for passengers. If it is in the cabin of an aircraft, it’s covered here.

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