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

Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways on Thursday confirmed it has completed fleet renegotiations with Airbus and Boeing following a so-called strategic review that resulted in a decision to slow and/or cut widebody deliveries. The new agreements will see Etihad take delivery “over the coming years” of just five Airbus A350-1000s and six Boeing 777-9s, far fewer than reflected in the firm orders it placed at the 2013 Dubai Air Show. It said it expects to take all 26 Airbus A321neos on order. &nbsp;

 


“The balance of the remaining orders will be defined at a later time through rescheduling, restructuring, or reduction,” said the airline in a statement. “This will enable the airline to further progress its transformation and adjust to its new operating model...and their satisfactory outcome.”

 


In 2013 Etihad placed orders for 40 A350-900s along with 10 A350-1000s. At the time it said planned to take the first -900 in 2020. That same year Etihad ordered 17 Boeing 777-9s and eight 777-8s. Thursday’s statement indicated it would continue to take deliveries of Boeing 787s, although it did not disclose whether or not the original terms remained intact. Etihad, which now flies 29 Dreamliners, ordered thirty 787-10s at the 2013 Dubai show. At the time it had already placed orders for forty-one 787-9s.

 


“Etihad Aviation Group and each of the manufacturers agreed not to disclose details of the agreements and expressed their mutual appreciation for the constructive discussions,” it said.

 


The airline said the restructuring would allow it to concentrate on the phased introduction of new aircraft types and enable “efficient rationalization” of its fleet, as it shifts its focus to its Abu Dhabi hub from a more aggressive, global growth strategy.&nbsp;

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.

Etihad Restructures Airbus, Boeing Widebody Orders

The Abu Dhabi-based airline tempers its ambitions to compete globally with high-powered Gulf neighbors.

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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.

ATR 72 aircraft performs pre-modification flight in Toulouse

Kepplair Starts Converting ATR 72 Into Water Bombers

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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.

Only the piston aircraft segment posted a decline

GAMA: Bizjets, T-props, and Rotorcraft Deliveries Up

Hanneke Weitering

Two captains held the prototype 33 feet above the water for 30 seconds

Regent Flies Electric Seaglider with Crew for First Time

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

Icing approval would open year-round service to northern communities

Horizon Begins Icing Tests for Cavorite X7 eVTOL

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Deal to close this year

Bombardier To Grow Manufacturing Capacity with MHICA Buy

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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.

The two NATO allies will purchase seven of the tanker/transport aircraft

Spain and Poland Agree to Buy A330MRTT Tanker Transports

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.

GE Aerospace has tested the GE9X, Leap 1A, Leap 1B, and more with the 747.

GE Aerospace Flies Boeing 747 To Test New Engine Tech

Charles Alcock

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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