Aviation news 2018

Here are some of the top aviation news stories from 2018:

  1. Boeing 737 MAX 8 crashes: Two Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, operated by Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines, crashed in October and March, respectively, resulting in the deaths of 346 people. The crashes led to a global grounding of the aircraft and a massive investigation into the cause of the accidents.
  2. Airbus A320neo engine failure: In May, an Airbus A320neo operated by IndiGo suffered an engine failure, leading to a global grounding of the aircraft. The incident was caused by a faulty engine component and resulted in a redesign of the engine.
  3. Ryanair pilot strike: In September, Ryanair pilots in Ireland, Germany, and other European countries went on strike, disrupting flights and causing travel chaos. The strike was over issues such as pay, working conditions, and union recognition.
  4. Delta Air Lines and American Airlines merger talks: In January, Delta Air Lines and American Airlines reportedly held merger talks, but ultimately decided not to pursue a deal.
  5. United Airlines passenger dragged off plane: In April, a video went viral showing a United Airlines passenger being dragged off a plane after refusing to give up his seat. The incident sparked widespread outrage and led to changes in airline policies.
  6. Airbus and Boeing trade war: In 2018, the European Union and the United States engaged in a trade war over aircraft subsidies, with both sides imposing tariffs on each other's products.
  7. Qantas and Singapore Airlines launch non-stop flights: In March, Qantas and Singapore Airlines launched non-stop flights between Australia and the United States, marking a significant milestone in aviation history.
  8. Airbus A380 retirement: In October, Singapore Airlines announced that it would be retiring its Airbus A380 fleet, citing declining demand and rising maintenance costs.
  9. Boeing 787 Dreamliner production issues: In 2018, Boeing faced production issues with its 787 Dreamliner, including a shortage of parts and delays in delivery.
  10. Air traffic control strikes: In 2018, air traffic controllers in several countries, including France, Germany, and Italy, went on strike, disrupting flights and causing travel chaos.
  11. Emirates and Qantas codeshare agreement: In November, Emirates and Qantas announced a codeshare agreement, allowing passengers to book flights on both airlines.
  12. Airbus A350 XWB delivery delays: In 2018, Airbus faced delivery delays with its A350 XWB aircraft, citing production issues and supplier problems.
  13. Boeing 747-8F production halt: In October, Boeing announced that it would be halting production of its 747-8F freighter aircraft, citing declining demand.
  14. Airbus A400M military transport aircraft issues: In 2018, Airbus faced issues with its A400M military transport aircraft, including delays and cost overruns.
  15. Qantas and Virgin Australia merger talks: In November, Qantas and Virgin Australia reportedly held merger talks, but ultimately decided not to pursue a deal.

These are just a few of the top aviation news stories from 2018. It was a year marked by significant events, including the Boeing 737 MAX 8 crashes, airline mergers and acquisitions, and production issues with major aircraft manufacturers.