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Cobham marks 70 years since Berlin Airlift

In June 1948, the Berlin Blockade was one of the first major international crises of the Cold War, as the Soviet Union had blocked Western Allies' railway, road and canal access to the sectors of Berlin under Western control, so to counter this, the Western Allies organised the Berlin Airlift to carry supplies to the people of West Berlin.

Originally, the operation was carried out by military authorities but it was soon expanded to include 25 British private contractors, in what was codenamed ‘Operation Plainfare’.

Flight Refuelling Ltd [Cobham] was the first civilian company to be engaged and the last to withdraw after its 12 aircraft had ferried in almost seven million gallons of domestic heating oil and diesel fuel.

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The miles flown to supply Berlin from the air between 24 June 1948 and 12 May 1949 equalled almost the distance between the earth and the sun.

The company's effort required the employment of 32 full crews and its commitment was recognised with the formal presentation of a banner marking the delivery of the 100,000th ton of liquid fuel into RAF Gatow.

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Flights increase as summer hots up

Aerospace

Flights increase as summer hots up

18 July 2025

UK air traffic in June increased by 2.5% on the same month last year as NATS, the UK’s major provider of air traffic services, safely handled 237,215 flights, up more than 2,600 on May.

ZeroAvia granted patents for hydrogen-electric engine development

Aerospace

ZeroAvia granted patents for hydrogen-electric engine development

17 July 2025

ZeroAvia today announced it has been awarded nine new patents this year so far, with many critical to the company’s roadmap for scaling hydrogen-electric engines for large regional aircraft.

BBGA co-hosts Isle of Man Aviation Conference

Aerospace

BBGA co-hosts Isle of Man Aviation Conference

17 July 2025

For the first time, the British Business General Aviation Association (BBGA) joined Martyn Fiddler as joint hosts of the 13th Isle of Man Aviation Conference, bringing together 120 business aviation delegates at Douglas’ Villa Marina venue.

Flying to become more accessible for disabled people

Aerospace

Flying to become more accessible for disabled people

16 July 2025

An industry and consumer expert group, tasked by the UK Government to advise on how to make flying more accessible for disabled people, has unveiled its suite of recommendations today.

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ODU RT
Doncasters expands Groton site with new shell line

Aerospace

Doncasters expands Groton site with new shell line

15 July 2025

Doncasters today announced the successful commissioning of a brand-new, fully automated shell line, at its Groton facility in the US - a major milestone within its 2025 Performance Improvement Plan and a key advancement in the company’s long-term manufacturing strategy.

ZeroAvia and Horizon Aircraft to explore hydrogen eVTOL propulsion

Aerospace

ZeroAvia and Horizon Aircraft to explore hydrogen eVTOL propulsion

15 July 2025

ZeroAvia and Horizon Aircraft today announced plans to work together on developing regional hydrogen-electric VTOL air travel.

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