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
Airlines
Airline Industry Applauds New EASA Health Guidelines
IATA says that the EASA guidelines align with its call for a “layered approach” to developing health protocols.
Aircraft
Air France-KLM Accelerates Airbus A380 Retirements
Group management had planned to retire the remainder of the Air France-branded A380s by the end of 2022.
Aircraft
Drones Often Lack FAA Approval and Fly Too High, Says Report
A close encounter between a camera drone and the Blue Angels confirms the safety risks of non-compliant drone activity.
Airlines
IATA Calls For ‘Layered Approach’ to Biosecurity
The International Air Transport Association sees more effective alternatives to quarantine requirements.
Aircraft
Airbus Opens A220 Hangar in Mobile
The new A220 production facility in Alabama has begun assembly of the first U.S.-built A220 for JetBlue.
Airports
Aviation Groups Balk at Hiked CBP Airport Services Fees
NBAA and other groups sent a letter to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection to reconsider plans to increase airport fees by as much as 54 percent.
Aircraft
GKN Signs as Key Supplier on Eviation’s Alice Electric Aircraft
Tier 1 supplier GKN Aerospace will provide the wings, empennage, and EWIS for the Alice regional electric aircraft.
Aircraft
Delta to Shed All Its Boeing 777s By Year-end
After parking 650 aircraft since the start of the Covid crisis, Delta Air Lines has decided to extend its fleet retirements to its aging Boeing widebodies.
Aircraft
Brazil’s Azul Suspends E-Jet Deliveries by Four Years
Fifty-nine Embraer E2s will begin arriving at Azul in 2024 rather than 2020.
Aircraft
SpaceJet Program in Distress as Mitsubishi Cuts Funding
MHI has suspended development of the 70-seat M100 and slashed spending on the M90 by more than half.
Aircraft
Brazil’s Gol To Get $412 Million In 737 Max Compensation
Following the grounding of seven Max 8s and non-delivery of another 25, Gol reached a deal with Boeing to cancel orders for 34 airplanes.
Airlines
IATA Condemns UK, Spanish Quarantine Proposals
Nearly 70 percent of all potential international passengers would refuse to return to travel in the presence of quarantines, according to IATA.
Regulations and Government
FAA Amends Oxygen Mask Rule, but Not Without Controversy
Pilots raise concern about a rule amendment that went into effect on March 23 that increases the altitude at which pilots must don oxygen masks.
Aircraft
Boeing Deliveries Slow to a Crawl in April
Cancellations for 108 Boeing airplanes last month accompanied a delivery total of six.
Regulations and Government
Regulators Grapple with Regional Differences in Covid-19 Effects
A globally harmonized approach to restarting air transport comes with challenges borne by differing national priorities and the dynamic nature of Covid-19.
Aircraft
Embraer Ships Five Airliners in Q1 amid Boeing ‘Carveout’
While it prepared for the sale of its commercial aviation division to Boeing, Embraer saw proceeds from airliner deliveries virtually evaporate.
Airlines
Avianca Succumbs to Covid-19, Files for Bankruptcy
Latin America's second-largest airline seeks rescue funding from governments while operating cargo services under Chapter 11.
Engines
Rolls-Royce Suggests Likelihood of More Job Cuts
UK engine maker Rolls-Royce cites a 40-percent decline in engine flying hours during this year’s first four months.
Aircraft
Mitsubishi to Close on CRJ Acquisition on June 1
MHI RJ Aviation Group will control CRJ support and maintain the Canadian jet’s type certificates.
Airlines
South Africa’s Comair Enters Business Rescue Process
Comair said it aims to restructure itself as a sustainable business.
Airlines
Shareholders Approve Norwegian Air Rescue Plan
A near $1 billion private placement unlocks more government aid for Norwegian Air Shuttle.
Aircraft
De Havilland Canada Begins Phased Return to Work
Toronto-based De Havilland Canada said it would take a measured approach to resuming operations.
Engines
GE Aviation To Shrink Workforce by 25 Percent
Some 13,000 GE employees will lose their job as the company "resizes" to address Covid-19-related business distress.
Aircraft
Boeing Passes on CARES Act Funding With $25B Bond
A $25 billion bond offering has ensured enough liquidity to allow Boeing to reject public money.
Aircraft
Boeing Completes First Flight of Second 777X
The first flight of 777X WH002 lasted 2 hours and 58 minutes.
Aircraft
Airbus to Offer Freight Mod for A330, A350 Cabins
An Airbus service bulletin will define the needed engineering work and management of the certification process for EASA.
Aircraft
Analysis: Boeing-Embraer Saga Leaves Sour Taste in Brazil
Embraer faces a reset as Boeing conserves cash.
Aircraft
Boeing to Institute Big Cuts to Workforce and Production
CEO David Calhoun detailed plans for slashing the Boeing workforce by 10 percent and widebody aircraft production in half by 2022.
Airlines
JetBlue Requiring All Passengers To Wear Face Coverings
A passenger face-covering requirement at JetBlue starting May 4 follows national measures in Canada and the UAE.
Aircraft
Boeing Prepares To Restart South Carolina Production
Most Boeing South Carolina employees will return to work on May 3 and 4.
