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

The U.S. action to increase tariffs on Airbus aircraft from 10&nbsp;to 15 percent took effect on Wednesday, sending in motion the latest effort by President Donald Trump to punish Europe for what constitutes illegal government subsidies as determined by an October 2019 World Trade Organization ruling. The tariff increase accounts for part of new WTO-sanctioned countermeasures on $7.5 billion worth of European goods imposed in a trade dispute with the European Union, France, Germany, Spain, and the UK.

 


In a statement issued Wednesday, Airbus called on the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)&nbsp;to suspend the tariffs and engage in a negotiated settlement.

 


“With regards to the ongoing WTO dispute on Boeing and Airbus support, Airbus reiterates its call for the USTR to suspend the tariffs it applies on aircraft and to come to the table to find an agreement on government support as the only sensible and sustainable way to end this dispute,” it said. “The evolution of the global Covid-19 pandemic and its impact on the aviation industry reinforces the need to put this outdated case behind us and find a sustainable way forward for our industry.”

 


On Tuesday Trump expressed support for a $60 billion bailout package requested of the federal government by Boeing.&nbsp;“I think we have to protect Boeing,” he said. “Obviously when the airlines aren't doing well then Boeing is not going to be doing well. So we'll be helping Boeing."

 


The tariffs do not apply to Airbus jets assembled in Mobile, Alabama, and the European airframer has already moved to mitigate the potential damage to its U.S. airline business by announcing an increase in production at its Mobile plant from five to seven per month by the end of the year.

 


The U.S. action comes days after the Washington state legislature voted to withdraw tax breaks granted to Boeing to keep 777X wing production in the Puget Sound area. According to Boeing, the repeal puts it in compliance with WTO rules. The WTO has also cited improper subsidies by Washington state to Boeing, and the sides expected an imminent final ruling on what countermeasures the European Union could impose. “[The] repeal by Washington state of its aerospace business and occupation tax rate brings the United States into full WTO compliance by fixing the single finding against the U.S., further emphasizing our commitment to free and fair trade,” said Boeing in a March 12 statement. “We applaud Washington state leaders for their partnership in ensuring full compliance with WTO rulings."

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.

U.S. Tariffs on Airbus Jets Increase to 15 percent

Airbus calls on the USTR to suspend the tariffs on European made aircraft the engage in a negotiated settlement.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charlotte Bailey

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

Curt Epstein

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

Kerry Lynch

Deal to close this year

Bombardier To Grow Manufacturing Capacity with MHICA Buy

David Donald

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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