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&nbsp;New Jersey Monthly&nbsp;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&nbsp;Aviation International News&nbsp;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.

Senior Editor

Gregory Polek

British Airways on Thursday said it has begun talks with its unions over proposals for a dedicated short-haul operation at London Gatwick Airport (LGW), confirming a report published in the Wall Street Journal. The carrier, which operates as part of the International Airlines Group, would offer no further comment during the process.

 


The British Airline Pilots Association confirmed that talks over employment terms for the planned new operation have started. “BALPA cautiously welcomes the decision to restart BA short-haul operations at LGW and create a number of much-needed new pilot jobs,” commented acting general secretary Martin Chalk.

 


In April 2020, BA announced plans to cut more than 1,100 pilots from its payroll and make large cuts to its Gatwick operation as part of a wider plan to respond to a serious loss of income resulting from the Covid pandemic. The reduction of Gatwick operations also resulted in large job losses among BA cabin crew, ground staff, and the wider airport workforce. Not all the jobs immediately evaporated because a government-backed furlough program due to expire in October covers some staff.

 


The confirmation of BA’s planned new operation comes a day after Gatwick said that public consultation will start on September 9 over plans to&nbsp;add capacity by allowing routine use of its&nbsp;existing&nbsp;northern runway alongside&nbsp;its main&nbsp;runway.&nbsp;According to a statement issued Wednesday, the airport’s plan calls for repositioning the northern runway’s centerline further north by 12 meters&nbsp;(40 feet) for departing aircraft.

News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

British Airways Proposes Short-haul Unit Based at Gatwick

Talks between BA and its unions over a proposal to launch a new short-haul subsidiary have begun.

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News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

Archer plans demo flight at 2025 World Expo in Osaka

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New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

Britain's new government is under pressure to invest in public infrastructure

How Regional Air Mobility Could Boost the UK's Strained Transport Network

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

Danish charter and scheduled operator could buy up to 15 of the electric seaplanes

Nordic Seaplanes Signs for Elfly's Noemi Electric Amphibious Aircraft

Odys' blown-wing design is being developed for both uncrewed freighter and piloted airliner roles

Fiji Airways Plans To Connect Pacific Islands with Laila VTOL

Scotland-based regional airline aims to achieve zero carbon emissions

Loganair and Heart Team To Decarbonize UK Domestic Flights

UK green start-up airline wants to operate domestic services with zero carbon emissions

Ecojet Plans To Operate Arc Aerosystems' Linx P9 Hybrid Helicopter

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News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

The Boeing electronic flight bag solution will support the low-cost carrier’s 737NG and Max fleet

Ryanair to Use Jeppesen FliteDeck Pro 5.0 EFB 

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

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