Gregory Polek
Senior Editor
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 New Jersey Monthly 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 Aviation International News 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.
Latest from Gregory Polek
Safety
American Airlines Begins Trials for Covid Vaccine Transport
Flights between Miami and South America conducted by American Airlines’ cargo operation to simulate Covid vaccine transport began in mid-November.
Aircraft
Southwest Airlines Won't Hurry Return of 737 Max
The Covid pandemic makes for a “pretty casual decision” on the timing of Southwest Airlines’ resumption of 737 Max 8 operations.
Airlines
El Al, Etihad to Broadly Cooperate Under Terms of MOU
Etihad’s plan to start services to Tel Aviv on March 28 heralds a codeshare deal, MRO collaboration and cooperation on cargo services.
Airlines
Norwegian Files for Bankruptcy Protection in Ireland
Following the government of Norway’s decision to withhold further support from the airline, Norwegian Air Shuttle has turned to the courts in Ireland.
Accidents
FAA Lifts Grounding Order for Boeing 737 Max
A new order signed by FAA Administrator Steve Dickson paves the way for the Max’s return to service by year-end.
Airlines
Boeing Sees Big Need for Freighters amid E-commerce Growth
A newly released cargo forecast from Boeing projects more than a 60 percent growth in the freighter fleet by 2040.
Airlines
Boeing Sees Big Demand for Freighters amid E-commerce Expansion
A newly released cargo forecast from Boeing projects more than a 60 percent growth in the freighter fleet by 2040.
Airlines
Korean Air To Absorb Asiana in $1.6 Billion Deal
The combination of the two carriers will create one of the world’s 10 largest airlines.
Engines
Embraer’s OGMA Unit to Support Engines for Airbus A320neos
A contract with Pratt & Whitney covering PW1100G maintenance calls for Portugal’s OGMA to invest €74 million.
Airlines
Emirates Reports First Half-year Loss in 30 Years
Dubai’s flag carrier lost $3.8 billion during the six months ending September 30.
Engines
Rolls-Royce To Test 100 Percent SAF in UltraFan Demonstrator
UK engine maker Rolls-Royce aims to show that its current engines can run safely on pure SAF.
Aircraft
Embraer’s Commercial Unit To Remain a Loss Maker in 2021
Embraer CEO Francisco Gomes Neto calls next year “very challenging” for the company’s commercial aviation business.
Airlines
Industry Groups Say 4.8 million Aviation Jobs at Risk
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) renew calls for government bailouts.
Aircraft
Air Canada Cancels Orders for A220s, 737 Max 8s
Order cancellations involving Boeing and Airbus narrowbodies at Air Canada accompanies delivery deferrals through 2023.
Aircraft
EU Pulls Trigger on Tariffs on Boeing Jets
$4 billion worth of duties on U.S. goods include a 15-percent tariff on Boeing jets.
Aircraft
American Airlines Adds A330-200s to Fleet Cuts
Along with more fleet cuts, American Airlines plans to defer deliveries of eighteen Boeing 737 Maxes originally due for delivery next year.
Airlines
IATA Sounds Alarms over Africa and Middle East
The International Air Transport Association sees traffic recovering to just 30 percent of 2019 levels by the end of this year.
Airlines
ICAO Task Force Set To Issue Covid Testing Protocols
The Council on Aviation Recovery Task Force (CART) expects to issue guidelines on testing for Covid in late October or early November.
Airlines
IATA Applauds French Plan To Offer Covid Tests at Airports
The plan for antigen testing to start at Paris airports as soon as next month drew kudos from IATA.
Airlines
British Airways Fined for Failing To Protect Customer Data
The UK's Information Commissioner’s Office imposed its largest penalty ever against BA for processing personal data without adequate security measures.
Aircraft
EASA Chief Expresses Satisfaction with 737 Max Changes
The Boeing 737 Max could be ready to fly in Europe before the end of the year.
Airlines
United Upbeat on 2021 Despite $1.8 Billion Q3 Loss
Carrying $19 billion in liquidity, United Airlines expects to resume positive cash flow before any other network carrier.
Airlines
Malaysia's Firefly To Launch Jet Operations in 2021
Malaysia Aviation Group had decided to expand Firefly's fleet with jets, possibly Malaysia Airlines Boeing 737-800s.
Aircraft
Airbus Inks Order for A320neos from Greece’s Sky Express
ATR operator Sky Express prepares for a foray into jets with an order from Airbus for four A320neos and a lease deal with ACG Aviation Capital for two.
Aircraft
Boeing Jets Subject to EU Tariffs Approved by WTO
The European Union may impose tariffs of $4 billion a year on U.S. products according to a WTO ruling over Boeing aircraft subsidies.
Airlines
Aviation Groups Protest EU Failure To Act on Quarantines
ACI Europe, Airlines for Europe, and IATA continue to call for a pre-departure Covid testing protocol to replace quarantines.
Aircraft
EASA Certifies Higher-mtow A330-900
At a maximum takeoff weight of 251 tonnes, the new A330-900 variant can fly 650 nautical miles farther.
Aircraft
OEM Studies Show Low Risk of Covid Transmission in Airliners
Boeing, Airbus, and Embraer each have conducted studies that show Covid poses less of a risk in airliners than in other indoor settings.
Aircraft
Boom Rolls Out XB-1 Supersonic Demonstrator
Colorado-based Boom Supersonic staged a “virtual” introduction of the demonstrator for the eventual Overture airliner.
Airlines
AirAsia X Presents Plan To Stave Off Liquidation
Malaysian LCC AirAsia X wants to resume flying “in the coming months” but first needs to restructure its debts.
