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

Airbus won a hotly contested order from Delta Air Lines covering 100 A321neos powered by Pratt &amp; Whitney PW1100G turbofans on Thursday, dealing the Boeing 737 Max 10 program a punishing blow and fueling conjecture over the residual effects of the U.S. manufacturer’s decision to pursue an anti-dumping case against rival airframe maker Bombardier. Schedules call for entry into service in the Airbus Cabin Flex configuration in the first quarter of 2020 and for deliveries to continue into 2023. Delta has chosen a three-class, 197-seat cabin layout and plans to use the new jets to replace its aging MD-90s, Boeing 757s and Airbus 320s. As if to emphasize commitment to U.S. jobs, Airbus said it would build most of the 100 A321neos at its plant in Mobile, Alabama.

 


Although in October Delta CEO Ed Bastian said the airline would give Boeing “every opportunity” to win the deal, industry analysts saw the U.S. company’s pursuit of a trade case that eventually resulted in a preliminary duty assessment of 300-percent on the sale of 75 Bombardier C Series jets to Delta as a potential disqualifier of the 737 Max 10. Whether or not the case proved to influence Delta’s decision in favor of Airbus remains an open question, however.

 


“This is the right transaction at the right time for our customers, our employees and our shareholders,” said Delta CEO Ed Bastian. “Delta, Airbus and Pratt &amp; Whitney share the same commitment to safety, efficiency, innovation and continuously improving the customer experience. This order for the state-of-the-art A321neo with Pratt’s Pure Power next-generation jet engines reflects our long-term commitment to these values for Delta people and all our constituents.”

 


Meanwhile, the deal also comes as a major boost for Pratt &amp; Whitney, whose PW1000G geared turbofan family has suffered considerable “teething pains” in their service entry on the A320neo, in particular. Recently Qatar Airways replaced a 2011 order for 34 Pratt-powered A320neos and 16 A321neos with a contract for mainly A321neos, the engine choice for which could go to rival CFM.

 


The contract accompanies a long-term commitment with Pratt &amp; Whitney for Delta-owned MRO provider Delta TechOps to support the PW1100G and PW1500G engines, which power Delta’s A321neos and would-be Bombardier C Series aircraft, respectively.

 


Delta said the deal will create “significant” job growth within the Delta TechOps workforce. It comes as Delta invests in&nbsp;engine overhaul capabilities at its Atlanta Technical Operations Center, including the first new engine test cell built in the U.S. in more than 20 years.

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.

Airbus Snags 100-aircraft A321neo Order from Delta

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News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

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Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

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News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

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News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

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