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
Aircraft
Boeing’s ecoDemonstrator Makes Airshow Debut
The ex-Air China 777-200 flies final test mission from Seattle to Changi via Osaka.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
ST Engineering Displays Expandable Lavatory
Singapore’s engineering giant designed its expandable lav for retrofit or factory line-fit on Airbus and Boeing narrowbodies.
Aircraft
ST Engineering Celebrates A321P2F Milestones
The first test flight of the A321 passenger-to-freighter conversion took place on January 22.
Aircraft
Deharde Revolutionizes Sheet Metal Forming
The German sheet metal specialist offers a lower-cost alternative to roll forming.
Aircraft
Airbus January Orders Surge, Deliveries Sag
The European airframer netted firm orders for 274 airplanes while delivering 31 in January.
Aircraft
Embraer E195-E2 Debuts in Singapore
The Brazilian OEM sees market opportunity for smaller narrowbodies in Asia as airlines prioritize yield over market share.
Aircraft
Boeing Puts Brave Face on Asia-Pac Narrowbody Prospects
The U.S. airframer’s marketing v-p sees opportunity to meet pent-up demand in China in particular.
Aircraft
Despite Costs, Embraer’s Slattery Shows Patience on Boeing JV
The Embraer Commercial CEO awaits the competitive “visibility” airline customers covet.
Airlines
All U.S. Airlines To Halt Service to China
Delta and United joined American Airlines on Friday in reacting to tightening travel restrictions and low load factors.
Airlines
American Airlines Suspends All China Flights
American’s move to cancel all service to mainline China effectively settles a lawsuit brought by the Allied Pilots Association.
Airlines
Pilots’ Union Sues American Airlines To Halt China Flights
American continues to fly some 56 monthly flights between Dallas and Chinese airports.
Aircraft
Spirit Signs New 737 Max Supply Deal
A new supply agreement between Spirit and Boeing anticipates fuselage deliveries reaching 52 per month in late 2022.
Aircraft
E-Jet Pitch Control Problem Prompts NTSB Recommendations
U.S. transportation safety authorities call for closer attention to wire chafing in the E-Jets’ control column.
Aircraft
Amid Big Losses, Boeing To ‘Reassess’ NMA, Cut 787 Rate
Boeing CEO David Calhoun calls for a methodical approach to returning the company to financial health.
Aircraft
Boeing 777X Completes First Flight
The world’s biggest twin-engine airliner took to the air at 10:09 local time on Saturday following postponements on Thursday and Friday.
Accidents
Boeing Moves Target for Max Service Re-entry to Mid-2020
The U.S. manufacturer’s latest re-certification estimate for the Max remains subject to “known schedule risks.”
Aircraft
Bombardier Mulls Exit from A220 Program
The Canadian manufacturer’s retreat from the Airbus narrowbody program would spell its complete exit from the commercial aircraft business.
Accidents
Expert Panel Endorses Max Cert Process, Calls for Upgrades
The special committee formed by Transportation Secretary Chao calls for better assessment of “human-machine interaction.”
Aircraft
Boeing’s 2019 Deliveries Shrink to Less than Half of 2018 Tally
The 737 Max crisis saw the U.S. airframer lose more orders than it gained last year.
Aircraft
Calhoun Assumes Duties as Boeing CEO, Sets 2020 Goals
The former GE executive moves from the Boeing boardroom to the chief executive’s office.
Accidents
U.S. Officials Say Ukrainian 737 Shot Down by Iran
Iranians continue to suggest a technical failure caused the Ukraine International Airlines Boeing to crash.
Aircraft
Airbus Plans Big A320 Rate Hike in Alabama
The European airframer expects to increase A320 production to seven per month by the start of 2021.
Airlines
FAA Notam Prohibits Flights Over Much of Mideast
U.S. aviation authorities react to Iranian missile strikes on Iraqi air bases.
Accidents
Boeing Recommends Sim Training Requirement for Max
The U.S. manufacturer cites its “unstinting commitment” to the Max’s safe return to service as it changes its position on simulator requirements.
Airlines
Shell, World Energy to Partner on SAF for Lufthansa
The German flag carrier will fly three SAF-powered routes from San Francisco.
Aircraft
Airbus Delivers A350 with Touchscreen Displays
China Eastern took delivery of the first commercial widebody to feature touchscreen flight deck displays.
Aircraft
Spirit To Suspend 737 Max Fuselage Production
The Wichita-based Max supplier makes 70 percent of the narrowbody’s fuselage, deliveries of which Boeing has directed it to temporarily halt on January 1.
Aircraft
Max Suppliers Largely Mum on Effects of Production Pause
Smaller companies stand to feel the most serious consequences of Boeing’s narrowbody line closure.
Aircraft
ATR Delivers First 'Green Financed' Aircraft to Braathens
The Swedish regional airline’s replacement of regional jets with ATR 72-600s meets "green" loan principles established by the Loan Market Association.
Aircraft
Air France-KLM Converts MOU on 60 Airbus A220s
The former Bombardier C Series will replace Air France’s A318s and A319s.
