Murdo Morrison
Murdo Morrison FRAeS is head of strategic content at FlightGlobal, responsible for devising and creating marketing partnerships for clients. He also runs the Flight Daily News show daily portfolio and contributes extensively to other FlightGlobal platforms, including writing articles and moderating webinars and conferences. A journalist since 1986, he has edited four UK-based business-to-business titles, including Flight International – the world’s oldest aviation magazine – and regularly appears as an industry commentator on television and radio.
Contact info
NewsCollins looks to retrofits and new programmes in switch from hydraulic to electric reverse-thrust actuators
Collins is turning its sights to electric thrust reverser actuation systems as it prepares to divest its traditional hydraulic actuator business to rival Safran.
AnalysisMade in Germany: after 30-plus years commercial aviation is coming home, but can D328eco win customers’ hearts?
Germany has a new commercial aircraft manufacturer which has now rolled out its first flight-test vehicle, but can Deutsche Aircraft deliver on its promises?
In depthExpanding Gama Aviation spreads its wings
It has been hard keeping up with Gama Aviation in the five years since the pandemic. The multi-faceted aviation services company, founded by Marwan Khalek and his business partner Stephen Wright in 1983, last year exited the stock market after a decade-long stint as a publicly traded company. It also sold its large US maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) business in 2023, two years after acquiring it – and three years after divesting its other stateside interests.
NewsBlackshape looks to new variants as it launches push into US market
As it unveils its latest Prime Xplorer light sport variant at Aero Friedrichshafen this week, Italian aircraft developer Blackshape is poised for further improvements to its line up and a major push into the lucrative US market.
AnalysisTaxi light: German company aims to become Europe’s first AOC-holding on-demand charter service operating twin pistons
Peter Knappertsbusch is determined not to repeat mistakes of the past with his planned European venture, Air Taxi Express. A host of other charter start-ups – going back to the very light jet bubble two decades ago – have foundered because they have opted for platforms that are too expensive, he believes.
In depthElectric dreams: why Saxon Air wants to lead by example when it comes to sustainability and promoting careers
In the rare early March sunshine at Norwich airport, a Pipistrel Velis Electro sits under a canopy being recharged by a power unit that is itself being replenished by solar energy via panels on the roof. The station is part of what Saxon Air chief executive Alex Durand describes as the company’s small but symbolically significant contribution to the industry’s decarbonisation efforts.
AnalysisTowards a new ERA: Why Aura has taken a staged approach to bringing its electric aircraft to market
French advanced air mobility start-up Aura, which is exhibiting at Aero Friedrichshafen this week, has taken a rather different route to market to many of its competitors. The Toulouse-based company’s flagship in-gestation product is the 19-seat hybrid Electric Regional Aircraft, or ERA, which it hopes to fly by early 2027. In the meantime, it has been developing rather more conventional aircraft.
NewsSeat maker Mirus arrives at AIX with largest exhibit yet
Lightweight-seat specialist Mirus is marking its tenth anniversary with its largest Hamburg presence yet.
AnalysisRecaro on a roll as it targets business class leadership, but sluggish supply chain slows revenue recovery
As Recaro Aircraft Seating arrives at AIX, its financial performance reflects the almost contradictory challenges facing leading interiors suppliers three years after the pandemic ended. On the one hand, the German manufacturer’s latest results show a record orderbook worth more than €2 billion ($2.19 billion). Sales in 2024 saw double-digit growth.
NewsF/LIST showcases ultra-thin stone veneer as it makes AIX debut
Cabin furnishings specialist F/List – best known for private aircraft interiors – is making its debut at AIX in Hamburg this week as the Austrian firm looks to boost its presence in the commercial aviation market.
NewsDiehl Aviation stresses its strength as cabin products integrator
From a lavatory for passengers with reduced mobility (PRM) to a crew-rest module for long-range single-aisle aircraft, Diehl Aviation has long used its presence at AIX in Hamburg to showcase its inventive approach to cabin amenities, and this year is no different.
NewsDivested L3Harris training and avionics business emerges as Acron Aviation
Sixteen months after L3Harris announced it was divesting its Commercial Aviation Solutions (CAS) arm, the latter has emerged as Acron Aviation under private equity owner TJC.
AnalysisAustralia’s AAM adventure: how the nation is leading the way in disruptive air travel
Australia’s unique geography of sprawling coastal cities and remote outback communities make it an ideal testbed for advanced air mobility (AAM).
NewsLeonardo close to launching aerostructures joint venture as ‘global champion’
Leonardo is in advanced discussions with a partner to set up an aerostructures joint venture that its chief executive vows will become a “global champion” in the sector.
NewsEmbraer rules out new products until 2030s
Embraer is ruling out launching any new aircraft this decade as it zeroes in on maturing research and development studies and building cash reserves.
NewsDornier Seawings confident of Seastar certification this year
Dornier Seawings is confident its Seastar CD2 will achieve European certification this year after an interrupted effort to revive production of the 1980s-designed nine-seat amphibian that began over a decade ago.
Airline BusinessSAS chief on how Europe wasted golden chance to consolidate its airlines
Covid-19 was a missed chance for Europe to fix its airline sector once and for all, in the view of SAS chief executive Anko van der Werff
NewsSkyborne to open second UK training school, at Bournemouth
Flight school Skyborne is to open a second UK site, at Bournemouth airport, to meet what it calls growing demand from airlines for dedicated ab initio training.
NewsLeonardo close to revealing investment partner for loss-making aerostructures business
Leonardo has identified an “investment partner” for its loss-making aerostructures unit, promising to reveal details on 11 March when it reports progress on its industrial plan.
NewsEmbraer takes backlog to $26.3 billion record
A major deal from Flexjet helped Embraer boost its backlog to a record $26.3 billion at the end of 2024, a 40% year-on-year increase, the Brazilian airframer said today.