Air Premia-Thai Airways target growing India-US transit demand through South Korea

South Korea’s hybrid carrier Air Premia announced on Thursday that it has entered an interline agreement with Thailand’s flag carrier Thai Airways. The partnership, which takes effect on March 30, will enable joint ticketing and coordinated flight schedules between the two airlines, creating a seamless travel option for passengers moving between Southeast Asia, India and the United States via Incheon International Airport.

No Direct Connection Between Thailand and the U.S.

Under the agreement, Air Premia’s long‑haul services from Incheon to several U.S. gateways – Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Honolulu and a planned service to Washington, D.C. – will be linked with Thai Airways’ extensive regional network. Thai Airways, which operates eight domestic routes and 54 international services from its Bangkok Suvarnabhumi hub, will be able to offer its customers access to Air Premia’s trans‑Pacific flights without the need for separate bookings.

The collaboration targets transit demand from travelers in Thailand, neighboring Southeast Asian nations and India who are heading to the Americas. At present, no airline provides a direct connection between Thailand and the United States. By routing passengers through Incheon, the two carriers hope to fill that gap and capture a share of the growing market for long‑haul travel originating in the region.

Key features of the partnership include:

Joint ticketing – Passengers can purchase a single itinerary that combines legs on both airlines, simplifying check‑in and baggage handling.

Increased frequency – On the Incheon‑Bangkok corridor, both airlines already operate flights, with Thai Airways adding three daily services. The added capacity is intended to provide greater flexibility for connecting travelers.

Extended destination reach – Through Air Premia, Thai Airways customers gain access to U.S. cities, while Air Premia passengers can connect to Thai domestic hubs such as Phuket and Chiang Mai, as well as major Southeast Asian cities including Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Jakarta and Hanoi, and Indian metros like New Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai.

Gravitics wins sole-source contract to build 'aircraft carrier in space'

The U.S. Space Systems Command (SSC) has awarded Gravitics Inc. a firm‑fixed‑price contract worth $30 million to design, build, integrate, and flight‑test a minimum viable product “orbital carrier.”

Aircraft Carrier in Space

Like an aircraft carrier, the Orbital Carrier is designed to pre-position multiple maneuverable space vehicles capable of delivering a rapid response to threats in orbit.

Gravitics says the carrier will provide the U.S. Space Force with unprecedented flexibility and speed for in-space operations, significantly enhancing the nation's space defense posture.

The carrier is designed to rapidly deploy or host satellites and other assets in orbit, serving as a "pre-positioned launch pad in space," Gravitics said in a company press release. Think of it as an aircraft carrier in orbit.

Contract Objectives

The recent contract award will culminate in a demonstration launch of an unclassified Mission Vehicle to a designated orbit.

The contract was awarded to Gravitics as a sole‑source acquisition. Under its terms, Gravitics will develop a delivery rocket capable of transporting the Mission Vehicle from launch to orbit, completing the full “launch‑to‑orbit” cycle in a single flight. No further details about the Mission Vehicle’s payload or specific orbital parameters have been released.

Work will be performed at Gravitics’ facilities in Marysville, Wash., with the final flight demonstration slated for no later than Dec. 31, 2028.

Funding Timeline

At the time of the award, the Department of War is obligating $6.6 million of Fiscal Year 2025 research and development funds to the project. The remaining funds will be drawn from subsequent appropriations as the program progresses through design, manufacturing, integration and test phases.

The SSC, headquartered at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico, oversees the contract.

Two decades later, NASA Inspector General resumes in-person training

The NASA Office of Inspector General (OIG) will hold a five‑day, organization‑wide training and professional‑development event in Savannah, Ga., from June 8 to June 12. According to a Special Notice released by the agency this week, the gathering marks the first time OIG staff have convened in person for a structured, agency‑wide session since May 2005.

The OIG, which operates independently within the agency, is responsible for auditing, reviewing, and investigating NASA programs and operations to detect and prevent fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement, and to advise management on ways to improve efficiency and effectiveness. Its workforce is distributed across all regions of the continental United States, and most of its training and communication have been conducted virtually in recent years.

“The last in‑person training was more than twenty years ago,” the notice read. “Since then, the OIG’s leadership, management and staff have changed substantially. This event will ensure alignment on expectations, mission priorities, and workforce development initiatives across the organization.”

Scope and Agenda

NASA estimates that about 155 OIG employees will attend the Savannah meeting. The agenda includes sessions on:

• ·         Communication skills and stakeholder engagement
• ·         Procurement and acquisition regulations
• ·         Ethics and conflict‑of‑interest standards
• ·         Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) compliance
• ·         The responsible use of artificial intelligence in audits and investigations
• ·         Core OIG functions related to audit methodology and investigative techniques

Each of the OIG’s cost centers will be allocated dedicated time to discuss recent mission changes, operational impacts, and emerging risks. Planners also intend to identify cross‑cutting efficiencies and coordination opportunities, a focus that reflects ongoing budget constraints across the federal government.

“The event will enable direct engagement with OIG leadership and provide a forum for real‑time discussion of the agency’s strategic direction and priorities,” the notice added.

US Marshals Service soliciting bids for new Boeing 737 with a trade-in

The United States Marshals Service (USMS) has released a formal Request for Proposal seeking bids for the acquisition of a new Boeing 737‑700 or 737‑800 to replace an aging aircraft in its Justice Prisoner and Air Transportation System (JPATS). JPATS provides safe, secure, and efficient transfer of federal and non-federal prisoners under the Marshals Service. The solicitation also mandates that offerors submit a purchase offer for an older JPATS‑owned Boeing 737‑400 and associated spare‑parts inventory.

The contract will be handled as unrestricted competition and is slated for a firm‑fixed‑price award. The new aircraft will be purchased while the existing 737‑400 is sold to the winning bidder as part of a mandatory trade‑in. Offerors must submit a complete proposal package no later than April 20.

Evaluation Framework

The government will award the contract to the “responsible offeror whose proposal represents the best value to the Government,” using four weighted factors:

Technical merit and delivery schedule – the most heavily weighted factor, assessing aircraft performance, compliance with technical specifications, and timeliness of delivery.

Aircraft sales experience – evaluating the offeror’s track record in commercial aircraft sales.

Purchase of the existing JPATS 737‑400 and spare parts – a mandatory “go/no‑go” requirement.

Price of the new 737‑700 or 737‑800 – considered after the first three factors, with the government reserving the right to award to a higher‑priced offeror if it delivers a superior overall solution.

Several prospective bidders have raised questions regarding access to the trade‑in aircraft.

Inspection Limitations

“Will offerors be permitted to conduct a physical inspection and records review of the 737‑400 and spare parts prior to proposal submission, or only after conditional award?” asked one company. The Marshals Service responded, saying, “No physical inspection of the spare parts will be permitted. As for inspection of the 737-400 JPATS, it will be permitted if performed prior to the closing date of the solicitation; however, the inspection is limited to a visual inspection. Engine borescope inspections, engine MPA runs, etc., are not permitted. The aircraft will be sold as-is/where-is.”

Trade‑in Offer Requirements

Each company interested in the transaction must provide JPATS with an offer to purchase a JPATS-owned Boeing 737-400 aircraft (as a trade-in) and spare parts.

“If you don’t provide an offer, then it renders the whole proposal non-responsive,” USMS said in contract documents, “As stated in the instructions, the offer can be as little as $1, however JPATS reserves the right to either accept or reject the offeror’s proposal.  This means as long as you put an amount under the purchase of existing aircraft, your whole proposal will be considered.”

DHS allocates $464.5 million for dedicated ICE deportation fleet of 10 aircraft

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has allocated $464.5 million to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to acquire 10 aircraft that will form a dedicated “deportation fleet.” The purchase package, outlined in documents released by the Office of Management and Budget dated March 21, includes eight Boeing 737 jets and two Gulfstream G650 business jets.

The move marks a shift from ICE’s previous reliance on private charter flights and, on occasion, military aircraft to transport non‑citizens slated for removal. The Washington Post first reported in December that ICE had entered a contract with Daedalus Aviation to acquire six Boeing 737s for $140 million. The latest allocation seems to expand that effort to a total of ten planes.

Heightened Oversight from Congress

The procurement has attracted heightened oversight from Congress. In early March, Senator Chris Murphy (D‑Conn.) sent a formal request to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) for a legal opinion on the acquisition, specifically questioning the inclusion of a $70 million Gulfstream G650 that was earmarked for “dual‑purpose” use, including travel by senior DHS officials. Murphy’s letter cited interior specifications supplied by a New York designer—queen‑size bedroom, showers, kitchen, four flat‑screen televisions and a bar—and noted that the aircraft’s 18‑person capacity is insufficient for large‑scale deportation operations. “There is also no clarity as to the source of funds for the luxury plane,” the senator wrote.

DHS has defended the purchase, stating the aircraft will support a range of missions, from high‑level diplomatic travel to the repatriation of non‑citizens, and that consolidating these capabilities under a single fleet will improve operational efficiency.

Deportation Flights in Massachusetts

State officials have also voiced concerns. Following Senator Murphy’s request, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey wrote to Tony Lefebvre, CEO of Signature Aviation, urging the company to terminate its services for ICE at Hanscom Field Airport.

Signature Aviation provides ground handling, fueling, hotel coordination and other logistical support at more than 220 locations worldwide. In her letter, Governor Healey asked the firm to “immediately sever ties with ICE and stop providing services that support deportation flights out of Hanscom, including charter operators, fueling aircraft, and facilitating access to the airfield and tarmac.”

The governor further called on ICE to cease deportation flights from the Massachusetts airfield and appealed to private airlines and aviation service providers to discontinue any involvement in such removals.

NetJets kicks off massive Global 8000 fleet upgrade with first delivery

Bombardier Inc. marked the delivery of the first Global 8000 business jet for NetJets Inc., a leading provider of fractional aircraft ownership and jet card services. The handover took place at Bombardier’s Laurent Beaudoin Completion Centre in Montreal, in front of a gathering that included company employees, industry guests and senior NetJets executives.

The Global 8000, the latest iteration of Bombardier’s long‑range jet family, boasts a range of 8,000 nautical miles (approximately 16.75 hours of flight) and a maximum cruise speed of Mach 0.95 (about 627 mph).

Make Them All 8000s

NetJets has announced plans to acquire a fleet of 24 Global 8000s and upgrade its entire Global 7500 fleet to the new jets. The company also retains options for additional deliveries over the coming years, though the timeline and total quantity remain undisclosed.

“The Global 8000 is redefining the business aviation landscape with its unmatched performance, signature smooth ride and innovative design, and we are thrilled to be providing our longtime, valued partner NetJets with its first Global 8000 aircraft,” said Éric Martel, president and CEO, Bombardier. “With this landmark first delivery, NetJets’ clients will now be able to experience the revolutionary performance attributes and unmatched luxury the Global 8000 delivers – the most impressive business jet in the skies.”

“Our long-standing partnership with Bombardier has been built on a shared vision of excellence and innovation in business aviation," said Patrick Gallagher, president, NetJets Aviation. "The Global 8000 is the ultimate expression of that partnership, and we are proud to be the first to bring this remarkable aircraft to our fleet. The range and features of the Global 8000 aircraft perfectly align with NetJets’ commitment to offering safety, service, and access at an extraordinary level and empowering owners to do more and miss less.”

More Destinations

The Global 8000’s design includes advanced wing features—such as leading‑edge slats—that Bombardier claims enable access to roughly 30 % more airports than competing ultra‑long‑range jets, equating to more than 2,000 potential destinations worldwide. The cabin, according to the manufacturer, offers the longest seated length in its segment, providing additional headroom and space for customized interior layouts.

NetJets, founded in 1964 as Executive Jet Airways, has grown into one of the world’s largest business‑aviation operators, managing a fleet of more than 700 aircraft from multiple manufacturers.

Aging C-5M Galaxy flight deck conditions are 'unsatisfactory,' Air Force says

The 436th Maintenance Squadron (436 MXS) at Dover Air Force Base has opened a bid for a commercial contractor to overhaul the interior of the service’s C‑5M Galaxy strategic airlift aircraft. The move follows an internal assessment that declared the flight‑deck conditions “unsatisfactory” after more than a decade without a comprehensive interior refurbishment.

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Background and Scope

The C‑5M Galaxy, the largest aircraft in the United States Air Force inventory, is a cornerstone of America’s strategic lift capability. Capable of transporting oversized cargo across intercontinental distances, the aircraft enables rapid power projection for missions ranging from humanitarian relief to combat deployments.

The solicitation for the work calls for a “Blanket Purchase Agreement” (BPA) that will cover the procurement, refurbishment and delivery of all cosmetic components of the flight deck, including upholstery, vinyl, tables, seats, mattresses, headliners and flooring covers. The Air Force anticipates awarding the BPA by April 30; work is slated to continue through Sept. 30, 2031.

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What the Refurbishment Entails

The contract documents outline a detailed list of items that must be overhauled or replaced:

• All‑white padded overhead vinyl – roughly 30 cubic feet of two‑inch‑thick material, cut to various dimensions for ceiling panels.
• Six flight‑deck seats – new cushions built to specification, with polyurethane foam cores and sheep‑fleece facing for backrests and headrests.
• Three flight‑deck tables – one‑inch‑thick wooden frames with custom‑designed plastic tops, ranging from 3 feet to 6 ft in length.
• Cargo‑bay insulation – approximately 400 sq ft of temperature‑controlling polyimide/melamine foam to be bonded to the aircraft structure.
• Six crew bunk mattresses – 3‑inch‑thick, 3 ft × 6 ft units meeting current material standards.
• Headliners, flooring covers and ancillary trim – all to conform with the latest C‑5M modification specifications.

The Air Force will supply the contractor with the raw components that need restoration. The selected vendor, however, must provide all management, tools, labor, equipment and replacement materials required to complete the work. Refurbishment will be performed off‑site.

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Why an External Contractor?

The 436 MXS currently lacks the internal capability and inventory to perform a full flight deck overhaul. “Our supply chain is populated with legacy parts that no longer meet the C‑5M’s current material and design requirements,” the solicitation states. “Outsourcing the refurbishment to a qualified commercial provider will streamline the process, ensure quality, and restore pride in the aircraft’s interior for both maintenance and air crews.”