The most important event, in my opinion, of the year 2008 is the announced Delta-Northwest merger. The merger has been officially announced in December 2008. Within the next two years Northwest will be fully integrated into Delta, the new Delta will be the largest US airline with a combined fleet of over 1000 aircraft.
Other events in 2008:
-Emirates and Qantas introduce the A380.
-Boeing 787 first flight delayed further because of machinist strike.
-Price of jet fuel drastically increases to 150 USD per barrel in the middle of 2008.
-Alaska retires last MD-80.
-American orders 42 B787's and additional B738's, it also announces A300 retirement.
-Spanair MD-80 crash in Spain.
-Aeroflot B737 crash in Russia.
-Four airlines, SN, CO, TAM and Air India, announce plans to join Star Alliance.
-Egypt Air introduces new livery.
-Tarom orders 3 B737-800's.
-AF/KLM considering buying part of AZ reporting huge losses.
-Air NZ A320 crash in Mediterranean Sea while on flight testing.
-New Jet Blue terminal at JFK.
-KLM receives first Embraer 190 and B777-300ER aircraft.
-United announces B737 retirement and capacity cuts.
-Air France celebrates 75th anniversary, introduces retro color scheme on A320 aircraft.
-KLM and Delta introduce the B737-700 Series aircraft.
-American grounds MD-80 aircraft for technical inspection.
-Aeroflot introduces the A330.
-El Al turns 60 years old.
-B757/767 aircraft: 25 years of airline service.
-B707 aircraft introduced 50 years ago.
-Biofuel test begins.
-B777 Freighter first flight.
-Terminal 5 at LHR opens.
-Iberia retires last MD-87.
-Open Skies begins between Europe and USA.
