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

News and issues relating to civil and military unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) of all kinds and sizes, including those used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), combat (unmanned combat air vehicles, or UCAVs), law enforcement, research and other applications. Of particular focus is the FAA's planned integration of UAS into the U.S. national airspace system.

Twin-boom lift-and-cruise design will be available in both all-electric and hybrid-electric versions 

ERC Prepares To Fly Multi-role Romeo Demonstrator Aircraft

Kerry Lynch

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.

Global business aircraft activity up 4.8% YOY in June

Business Aircraft Flight Activity Sees Boost in June

Rival eVTOL developer Joby recently began flying its four-seat air taxi in Dubai

Archer Aviation Launches eVTOL Aircraft Flight Trials in Abu Dhabi

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.

Startups are finding new ways to reintroduce regional air transport.

New Aircraft and Flight Booking Technology Could Reinvent Regional Air Services

Amy Wilder

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.

Oshkosh exhibit to span jets, props, and electric aircraft

Textron Aviation Plans Record AirVenture Static Display

Sarah Rose

New facility accelerates cabin design and testing

Bombardier Opens Montreal Innovation and Design Center

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.

Singapore Airshow 2024

More In Aircraft

ERC Prepares To Fly Multi-role Romeo Demonstrator Aircraft

Twin-boom lift-and-cruise design will be available in both all-electric and hybrid-electric versions

Business Aircraft Flight Activity Sees Boost in June

Global business aircraft activity up 4.8% YOY in June

Archer Aviation Launches eVTOL Aircraft Flight Trials in Abu Dhabi

Rival eVTOL developer Joby recently began flying its four-seat air taxi in Dubai

New Aircraft and Flight Booking Technology Could Reinvent Regional Air Services

Startups are finding new ways to reintroduce regional air transport.

Textron Aviation Plans Record AirVenture Static Display

Oshkosh exhibit to span jets, props, and electric aircraft

Bombardier Opens Montreal Innovation and Design Center

New facility accelerates cabin design and testing

Air One eVTOL Is Poised for Both Uncrewed and Private Pilot Roles

Early use cases include logistics operations with expanded cargo volume

Embraer’s Praetor Deliveries Take Off in 1H2025

OEM increased its midsize bizjet deliveries by 86% year over year in the first six months

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