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

Kuwaiti aircraft lessor Alafco has filed suit against Boeing in federal court in Chicago for failure to return payment on undelivered 737 Max 8 jets. The filing claims rights to the return of $336 million in advance payments for the first 10 of 40 aircraft on order, the first delivery of which Boeing had set for March 2019. All global aviation authorities grounded the 737 Max by March 13, when the U.S. FAA became the last to do so. &nbsp;

 


According to the lawsuit, although Boeing notified Alafco of delivery delays involving “many” of the aircraft, it has not yet given the lessor an estimate of revised delivery months.

 


The filing indicates that Alafco sent a letter to Boeing terminating orders for the aircraft scheduled for the March delivery based on a non-excusable delay. Boeing countered in a December 3 letter that it “respectfully disagrees” with Alafco’s assertion of non-excusable delay rights and refused to return the payment. On March 6 of this year, Alafco canceled the orders for all 40 aircraft after Boeing failed to make “timely” delivery of nine of them.

 


Alafco claims a provision in the contract that limits Boeing’s liability in the event of an excusable delay does not apply, arguing that fault for the grounding of the airplanes lies with the manufacturer.

 


In an emailed response to a query from AIN on Thursday, Boeing said it would not comment on the matter.

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.

Alafco Sues Boeing for Non-delivery of Max Jets

Kuwaiti leasing company Alafco claims Boeing owes it $336 million in advance payment for undelivered 737 Max 8s.

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News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

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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.

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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.

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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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