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Aviation 2016: milestones, first steps and more!
From the magical celebration of Boeing’s 100th anniversary to the ongoing saga of Bombardier’s enigmatic C Series airliner, 2016 had its fair share of intriguing aviation stories. Here are some key moments that captured our attention in 2016.
January 3, 2017 By Wings Magazine
January 2016
Pratt & Whitney Canada to repay $1 billion government deal
One of Canada’s top aerospace firms starts the year on a strong note, paying off a significant government debt. | READ MORE
HondaJet Company begins deliveries
The much-anticipated HondaJet business aircraft ramps up delivery plans after receiving FAA approval in Dec. 2015. | READ MORE
February 2016
ICAO Council gets tough on lithium battery shipments
The 36-state ICAO Council introduces new safety measures to protect passengers from the dangers of shipping lithium batteries. | READ MORE
Air Canada buys CS300 as part of fleet renewal program
Bombardier Commercial Aircraft and Air Canada celebrate a significant step in the development of the C Series program. | READ MORE
Trudeau announces Billy Bishop expansion plans a “no go”
Porter Airlines hopes of growing its operation out of Toronto’s Billy Bishop Airport are dashed when the prime minister nixes airport expansion plans. | READ MORE
March 2016
Brussels airport hit with explosions, 34 dead
A deadly terrorist attack at Zaventem Airport near Brussels kills at least 34 people and injuries hundreds more. | READ MORE
New rules needed for pilot health issues: Germanwings crash
French authorities investing the 2015 crash of a Germanwings airliner into a mountain suggest new rules are needed to better evaluate pilot competencies. | READ MORE
April 2016
Bombardier breakthrough: Delta confirms large C Series order
Delta Airlines Airlines and Bombardier announce a firm deal for 75 CS100 aircraft with options for an additional 50 aircraft. It is the largest C Series deal to date.
Vector Aerospace celebrates 25th anniversary in P.E.I.
Vector Aerospace marks a quarter century of providing top MRO services out of its location in Summerside, P.E.I.
NewLeaf Travel Company closer to taking to the skies
After a three-month period, the Canadian Transportation Agency approves an application for NewLeaf to forge ahead with operation plans. | READ MORE
May 2016
Aéroports de Montréal announces $350 million worth of investments
In an effort to spruce up Montreal’s Pierre-Elliott Trudeau Airport, parent company Aéroports de Montréal invests some $350 million in expansions and upgrades. | READ MORE
Helicopters, water bombers attack raging Fort McMurray fire
The massive Fort McMurray, Alta. fire rages out of control in Alberta. The fire’s destruction becomes one of the most important news stories of the year. | READ MORE
June 2016
France opens a manslaughter inquiry into EgyptAir crash
French authorities investigate the May crash of an EgyptAir aircraft that killed 66 people. | READ MORE
Explosions at Istanbul Airport leave at least 36 dead
A suicide bomb attack at Istanbul International Airport leaves 36 dead and injures more than 100. ISIS claims responsibility. | READ MORE
Viking acquires Bombardier CL-415 program
Victoria’s Viking Air expands its portfolio by acquiring Bombardier’s aerial firefighting aircraft, the CL-415. | READ MORE
Feds draft new UAV legislation to protect airports
In response to the growing threat of UAVs at Canadian airports, the federal Liberals draft “no drone zone” legislation to help protect airports. | READ MORE
July 2016
MH370 mystery goes unsolved: investigation suspended
Following a two-and-a-half year investigation, the three countries seeking to solve the mystery of the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight 370 suspend operations. | READ MORE
Boeing launches second century of aerospace development
The Boeing Aerospace Company celebrates its 100th anniversary on July 15, 2016 by looking forward to the future of aerospace development. | READ MORE
Bombardier CS300 gets Transport Canada certification
Bombardier Aerospace gets another positive checkmark for its C Series program with certification from Transport Canada. | READ MORE
HondaJet gets FAA production certification
The dynamic HondaJet BizJet program receives a boost, when the FAA gives it the thumbs up. | READ MORE
CS100 enters into service with SWISS
Bombardier’s CS100 takes to the skies with launch customer SWISS with its first commercial flight. | READ MORE
August 2016
F-35 makes its first appearance on Canadian soil
The sleek but controversial Lockheed Martin F-35 makes its Canadian debut at the ADSE/Abbotsford Air Show. | READ MORE
September 2016
Boeing Vancouver labs open its doors in Yaletown
Boeing Aerospace extends its footprint in Canada with a new location in Vancouver. | READ MORE
Bombardier slashes its delivery targets due to engine delays
Ongoing engine snafus for Bombardier’s C Series aircraft force the company to amend its delivery targets. | READ MORE
October 2016
Bombardier announces its restructuring plans, to cut 2,000 jobs
In an attempt to restore profitability, Bombardier Aerospace announces it will trim 10 per cent of its workforce worldwide, including 2,000 Canadian jobs. | READ MORE
Porter Airlines celebrates 10 years of service
Hundreds of Porter staff and special guests celebrate a special milestone: a decade of service from Toronto’s Billy Bishop Airport. | READ MORE
Former Alberta premier among three dead in Kelowna crash
A Cessna Citation carrying former Alberta premier Ralph Klein goes down near Kelowna, B.C., killing all on board. | READ MORE
Airlines hail historic ICAO carbon agreement
Global airlines strike up an historic carbon emissions agreement – the CORSIA agreement – to help reduce carbon emissions worldwide. | READ MORE
November 2016
Aerospace cluster takes off at Toronto’s Downsview Park
Toronto’s Centennial College leads the way in developing an aerospace cluster at Downsview Airport as its expansion plans break ground. | READ MORE
Feds to buy 18 Super Hornets to fill “capability gap”
The federal Liberals announce a plan to purchase 18 Boeing Super Hornets to help fill a potential capability gap with the Royal Canadian Air Force’s aging CF-18 fleet. | READ MORE
Aerospace companies embrace the election of Donald Trump as the new president of the United States
“The Donald” takes the helm south of the border and aerospace companies are hopeful of the result. | READ MORE
ULCC Canada Jetlines gets Transport Canada approval to take to the skies
Another ULCC player joins the air transport game in Canada, as Canada Jetlines gets operational approval. | READ MORE
December 2016
Bombardier CS300 gets FAA approval
A successful ending to Bombardier’s year, as the FAA approves the larger CS300 aircraft. | READ MORE
Airbus C295 emerges as choice for FWSAR replacement
The seemingly never-ending fixed-wing search-and-rescue procurement finally comes to a close, with the Airbus C295 becoming the aircraft of choice. | READ MORE
