Aviation News- Week of Aug. 18
First Flight of the New Marine One
The first flight of the new VH-92A acting as Marine One. Lockheed Martin
US President Joe Biden took his first flight aboard the Sikorsky VH-92A Patriot helicopter, the latest model serving as Marine One.
The flight occurred on August 19, 2024, after President Biden arrived at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD) on the Air Force One Boeing VC-25 aircraft. It carried the US president from O’Hare to the parking lot of Chicago’s Soldier Field stadium. Later in the evening, the president was scheduled to address the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
The VH-92A’s journey to becoming Marine One began after the VH-71 Kestrel program was terminated in 2009 due to extensive delays. Subsequently, the Navy’s VXX program was relaunched to find a viable replacement for the aging VH-3D Sea King and VH-60N White Hawk helicopters.
Source: Lockheed Martin
World Aviation Festival announces Wings of Support as official charity partner
Wings of Support was founded in 1998 by KLM pilot Marius den Dulk and remains largely funded by donations from KLM employees. In 2023 alone, Wings of Support raised over €600,000 for 67 projects, benefitting 16,378 children.
Wings of Support focuses on funding initiatives to support disadvantaged children from destinations KLM flies to. Ongoing projects include sponsoring laptops for children in Bali, online teaching support for exams in South Africa, and a new roof for a shelter in Suriname.
A representative for the World Aviation Festival stated: “We’re incredibly happy to have Wings of Support partnering with us this year. Since 1998, Wings of Support have raised funds for over 750 projects across the world. Their charitable initiatives have helped tens of thousands of children, and we’re looking forward to seeing more of their work in the future.”
Cathay Pacific to invest $13 billion to strengthen Hong Kong’s hub status
One of Cathay Pacific's fleet of A350s. Cathay Pacific
The Cathay Group, owners of Cathay Pacific and HK Express, has announced it will invest more than HK$100 billion ($13 billion) between now and 2031 as part of a strategy to strengthen Hong Kong’s international aviation hub status and “strengthen the overall passenger experience”.
According to the carrier, the investment program will include major investments in its fleet (including the recent order for 30 Airbus A330neos), onboard cabin products, lounges, and digital and sustainability leadership as the organization sets its sights on building its customer base and its home base airport at Hong Kong’s Chep Lap Kok International Airport (HKG). The airport is looking to inaugurate a third runway which will propel annual passenger numbers traveling through the airport.
