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

VietJet Air signaled its intention to expand into long-haul markets with the signing at the Singapore Airshow on Thursday of an MOU for 20 Airbus A330-900neos. Appearing at a press briefing at the show, VietJet Air CEO Dinh Viet Phuong told reporters that the airline would convert the MOU to a firm order within the next few weeks, marking its first-ever widebody order and the next step in a plan to expand its sphere of influence well beyond the Asia-Pacific region and into Europe and even the U.S. &nbsp;<o:p></o:p>
VietJet Air expects delivery of its first A330neo in 2026. Dr. Phuong expressed appreciation for Airbus’s ability to offer relatively early production slots. Also appearing in Singapore, Airbus vice president of sales for commercial Benoît de Saint-Exupéry noted the sides reached the terms of the MOU over the last few days at the air show and stressed the need to “move quickly” to ensure no slippage of the 2026 delivery schedule. <o:p></o:p>
Launched in 2011, VietJet Air plans to replace its leased A330-300s with the A330neos, as it executes a plan to add Boeing 737 Max jets slated to fly for its Thai subsidiary. Plans called for delivery of the first Max jets this year following a roughly year-long delay due to production problems at Boeing’s narrowbody plant in Renton, Washington. Most of Vietjet’s fleet consists of A320-family jets, and the airline now flies about 80 of the Airbus narrowbodies.

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 A330neo MOU Cements VietJet’s Long-haul Aspirations

Deal calls for first delivery of the widebodies in 2026

VietJet Air and Airbus signed an MOU covering 20 A330-900s at the Singapore Airshow on Thursday.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charles Alcock

New developments at FBOs including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

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.

A static display of aircraft will return for the 2026 show

EBACE Show to Alternate Between Geneva and Other Cities

Matt Thurber

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Company claims orders have topped 1,000 airplanes valued at more than $700 million

Bye Aerospace Prioritizes eFlyer 2 Electric Trainer Over eFlyer 800

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

Singapore Airshow 2024

More In Aircraft

EBACE Show to Alternate Between Geneva and Other Cities

A static display of aircraft will return for the 2026 show

Bye Aerospace Prioritizes eFlyer 2 Electric Trainer Over eFlyer 800

Company claims orders have topped 1,000 airplanes valued at more than $700 million

What Shape Will the Next Generation of Airliners Take?

Part 3 of a series from new AIN Media Group title Leeham News and Analysis

China's AutoFlight Delivers First CarryAll eVTOL Freighter

Civil Aviation Administration of China granted an airworthiness certificate on July 21

Textron Aviation Upgrades Depend on Customer Input

Denali, SkyCourier among the many aircraft on display at EAA AirVenture

UrbanLink To Operate Beta’s Electric Aircraft in South Florida

Start-up carrier will lease 10 Beta Alia CX300 airplanes

Bombardier Delivers First Challenger 3500 to Costa Rica

Company has had a base in Costa Rica since 2015

Piper Signs Biggest-ever Order, Taps DeltaHawk Diesel

The University of North Dakota is buying up to 188 new Piper aircraft for its pilot training program

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