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

Chinese airframe maker Comac, Hong Kong-based investment firm Friedmann Pacific Asset Management Limited (FPAM) and China Aircraft Leasing Limited (CALC) entered into a tripartite cooperative framework agreement at the show Tuesday calling for the acquisition of as many as 60 ARJ21 regional jets.

 


Under the terms of the tentative deal, CALC would place a firm order for 30 of the airplanes and take options on another 30. Comac (Chalet D4; Hall 4 Stand C100) values the deal for the 60 airplanes at $2.3 billion based on list prices, making it the biggest contract for the ARJ21 to date. CALC plans to lease them to a new unnamed Indonesian airline in which FPAM plans to invest.

 


Preliminary schedules call for delivery of the first batch of aircraft in the next one to two years, and the remaining aircraft would go to the airlines over the following five years. The deal marks the ARJ21’s entrée into Southeast Asia, and FPAM’s Indonesian airline would become the first foreign airline to operate a fleet consisting solely of ARJ21s.

 


Comac emphasized its intention to establish an “all-rounded services network” in Indonesia, providing technical support, maintenance and customer support for the ARJ21. “Friedmann Pacific, CALC and COMAC are here today to sign a cooperative framework agreement with historical significance,” said Comac general manager He Dongfeng during a Farnborough signing ceremony. “It sets to create a positive and long-term impact on aviation development in Asia Pacific and globally, and on the implementation of the nations’ Belt and Road Initiatives.

 


Friedmann Pacific has been focusing on aviation investment over the years, and has built up a wealth of experience and solid strength in the areas of aircraft leasing, airport investment and operations, aircraft disassembly, and airline operations. CALC is a specialist of aircraft leasing possessing an elite team and global financing capabilities. The three parties share the same industry background, belief in win-win approach and long-term vision. I believe the cooperation will be crowned with success through our joint efforts.”

 


The first ARJ21 last month entered revenue service with launch customer Chengdu Airlines.

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.

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News and developments about everything that goes into the cabin of an aircraft, from floor coverings to headliners, with a special emphasis on in-flight entertainment, communications and other electronics for passengers. If it is in the cabin of an aircraft, it’s covered here.

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News and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

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

Issues regarding financing of aircraft; aviation insurance; tax issues for aircraft operators; new companies and people in the aviation financing and insurance industries.

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.

Boeing has more work to do in clawing back narrowbody market share 

Airbus Dominates Single-aisle Sales as Boeing Wins with Widebodies

Hanneke Weitering

Historic founding documents tour the U.S. on a VIP-configured 737-700

Boeing BBJ ‘Freedom Plane’ Now a Flying Archives Exhibit

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

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Company delivered 158 business jets in 2025, up from 136 in 2024

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President Xi pushes government to accelerate UAS and eVTOL adoption

Airbus Dominates Single-aisle Sales as Boeing Wins with Widebodies

Boeing has more work to do in clawing back narrowbody market share

Boeing BBJ ‘Freedom Plane’ Now a Flying Archives Exhibit

Historic founding documents tour the U.S. on a VIP-configured 737-700

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The nine-seat aircraft will fly for companies, resorts, and airlines

Citation Ascend Enters Service with Enhanced Cabin and Garmin G5000 Avionics

Aircraft received FAA certification in November 2025.

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