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NEWS

Japan's Skymark firms up order for up to six A380s
Japanese low-cost carrier Skymark Airlines has signed a firm agreement to order up to six Airbus A380s, becoming the first Japanese carrier to acquire the superjumbo. The airline inked a deal in Toulouse yesterday to purchase four A380s with two options, says an airline official.
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Delta invests in an image makeover in Asia
Delta Air Lines believes its $2 billion facilities investment will help it compete with the top-tier airlines in Asia, a crucial and fast-growing travel market. Renovated airport lounges, upgraded BusinessElite seats and a new premium economy section will help position Delta as a premium brand, says Vinay Dube, Delta's senior vice president for the Asia Pacific. In recent years, "We haven't had the cash flow to invest," he told reporters in Tokyo. "Now we do."
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For Hawaiian Airlines, "Asia is where the growth is"
Facing increased competition from low-cost carriers on routes to the U.S., Hawaiian Airlines is looking to Asia to maintain its growth. Rather than pursue smaller markets on the U.S. mainland to compete with the likes of Alaska Airlines and Allegiant Air, Hawaiian is launching new routes to Japan, Korea and eventually China. "Our focus on adding the service between Asia and Hawaii is simply explained," says CEO Mark Dunkerley. "Asia is where the growth is."
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United's operations return to normal
United Airlines said flight operations were back to normal Wednesday evening after two days of computer tests that grounded the company's fleet of 96 Boeing 757 jets. United said it took quick action after discovering through an internal maintenance audit that some checks required by the FAA had been performed out of sequence. The computers in question had been recently upgraded and were "fully functional," the company said
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More mergers on the way, says pilots union president
U.S. airlines must continue to consolidate in the face of global competition and rising fuel prices, the new head of the largest pilots union said Wednesday. "I believe we need to be there sooner rather than later because we need to compete globally," said Lee Moak, president of the Air Line Pilots Association. Moak suggested that pilots are willing to be patient as airline companies focus on sustained profitability, but "there is a time and place for confrontation," he added.
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Airbus criticizes Boeing over evacuation tests for new 747
Airbus' chief salesman said Wednesday that authorities should require an evacuation test for the Boeing 747-8 before certifying the plane, which was rolled out last weekend in Seattle. John Leahy said Airbus was required to pass evacuation tests for its all-new A380 model, but that Boeing is effectively two generations away from such testing because its 747-400 was grandfathered under test results on previous models. "I'm sorry, that's wrong," he told journalists at an aerospace luncheon. Boeing said in a statement that the 747-8 "will meet or surpass all certification standards for emergency evacuation."
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TSA hopes software addresses privacy issues
The Transportation Security Administration is taking steps to address travelers' privacy concerns. For example, it is now testing software in its full-body scanners that will display a stick figure instead of detailed images of travelers' bodies. Some observers note that the software does not address possible health risks posed by the scanners.
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Airlines, travel groups oppose PFC increase
New York-area airports are praising an administration proposal to allow a 56% increase in passenger facility charges, arguing that the money is needed to replace aging terminals at LaGuardia and Newark airports. The increase would be "an essential step to making certain we can continue to invest in critical airport improvements that will increase safety and decrease delays," said Christopher Ward, executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. But travelers groups and the Air Transport Association warned that more fees would reduce the demand for air travel. "We believe our passengers are already overburdened," said an ATA spokeswoman. "A typical $300 domestic round-trip ticket includes some $60 in taxes and fees."
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NTSB seeks safety changes for older 737 jets
The National Transportation Safety Board has urged design changes to prevent elevator jams on some 1,500 older model Boeing 737 jets. The NTSB says foreign objects can lodge in the elevator controls, interfering with pilots' ability to maintain the desired position of the plane's nose. Between 2003 and 2009, there were five such cases worldwide, according to investigators. "We will work with the NTSB, FAA and operators as needed to ensure safety continues at the highest levels," Boeing said in a statement.
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Orbitz continues to reel from a dispute with American Airlines
Orbitz Worldwide posted a larger fourth-quarter loss compared with the same period in 2009, as it continues to deal with a distribution disagreement with American Airlines. The online travel agency said the absence of American Airlines' flights is hurting its leisure business. Last month, American Airlines said it reached a deal with Priceline.com to use American's direct connect technology to access fares
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American Airlines benefits from Miami's pricey airport makeover
A 15-year, $6.4 billion renovation project has transformed Miami International Airport from a "rat trap" into a modern, convenient international gateway for Latin America and the Caribbean. Though 46 passenger carriers use MIA, the makeover is seen as particularly important to American Airlines, which accounts for about 70% of the airport's passenger traffic
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EADS reduces final price on Air Force tanker bid
EADS North America confirms that it reduced its price in a last revision to its bid for the $35 billion aerial refueling tanker contract from the Air Force. EADS North America Chairman Ralph Crosby would not disclose the exact price of the final bid but said he hoped the offer would be "just enough to win." Boeing CEO Jim McNerney last week described Boeing's final bid as an "aggressive" attempt to beat its "subsidized" European rival
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Pentagon planning to purchase 80 to 100 new bombers
Pentagon Comptroller Robert Hale says the Defense Department plans to spend about $3.7 billion over five years on 80 to 100 new bomber aircraft. Officials say cost will be a key issue, and the Air Force will need to make better use of existing technologies to keep prices down.
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China’s big three all announce new international service
China’s big three carriers accelerated the pace of their international expansion plans, citing the country's surging economic growth.
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House panel approves latest FAA reauthorization bill
The US House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on Wednesday passed the FAA reauthorization bill introduced last week by Chairman John Mica (R-Fla.), sending it to the House floor for consideration.
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Qantas to boost fleet with 28 aircraft including F-100s, 717s and A320s
Qantas said it will acquire 28 aircraft and extend leases on others as it looks to boost its domestic, resources, charter and international fleets. It will also consider the Boeing 777 as a long-term option. QF said the new fleet will support growth and operational efficiencies across its flying businesses.
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United to retain Economy Plus product and expand it to Continental Airlines
United Continental Holdings ended speculation regarding whether United Airlines would retain its Economy Plus section following its merger with Continental Airlines last year, announcing Thursday that it intends to introduce the product into Continental aircraft beginning next year.
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ATSB investigates Qantas A380 partial power loss
A Qantas Airways A380 experienced a partial power loss during a flight on 15 February after encountering problems with a component in the aircraft's Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engine. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is investigating the incident, which took place near New Delhi during a Singapore-London Heathrow flight. The aircraft's registration is VH-OQC.
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Raytheon reveals first glimpse of next-generation missile
Raytheon has offered the first peek into the company's approach to designing a next generation missile to replace both the AIM-120 AMRAAM and AGM-88 HARM. For the first time, the company has displayed a full-scale mock-up of one of several candidates being considered for the emerging US Air Force requirement for a dual role air dominance missile (DRADM).
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Other News

Pinnacle Airlines Corp., the Memphis-based parent of regionals Pinnacle Airlines, Colgan Air and Mesaba Aviation, reported net income of $12.8 million in 2010, down 69.5% from a $41.9 million profit in 2009. A $4.3 million loss in the December 2010 quarter driven by severe winter weather, reversed from a $5.6 million profit in the 2009 fourth quarter, closed out a busy year in which the company expanded through acquisition.

The European Commission is continuing its effort to bring the bilateral air service agreements between individual member states and Russia in line with EC policies while ending the practice of EU airlines paying Aeroflot for Siberian overflight rights. In its latest step, it has launched infringement proceedings against Cyprus, Ireland, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia and Spain over the matter.

Delta Air Lines, has, in what it called the largest fine "ever assessed against an airline … in a non-safety-related case," US Dept. of Transportation on Thursday assessed a $2 million civil penalty for alleged violations of rules protecting air travelers with disabilities.

Kenya Airways confirmed it intends to raise additional capital “to finance its strategic future growth and expansion plans” and retained CFC Stanbic Bank as its financial adviser. KQ did not say how much it would raise or how.

The Dublin Airport Authority on Thursday said that negotiations with Ryanair ended after the carrier rejected DAA’s offer of more than €60 million ($81.1 million) worth of discounts on airport charges to stimulate increased traffic into its three Irish airports. Instead, DAA said, Ryanair insisted it be paid more than €100 million in discounts, with no guarantee of any additional traffic.

American Airlines will launch daily Boeing 777 New York JFK-Tokyo Haneda service Feb. 18, in codeshare with Japan Airlines. It will be the only airline to fly between NY and HND “in more than 30 years,” the carrier said.

AirTran Airways on Wednesday launched daily Atlanta-Punta Cana service.

JetBlue Airways started daily Airbus A320 New York JFK- Providenciales service, and will launch weekly A320 service to the Caribbean destination from Boston on Feb. 19.

American Eagle Airlines will initiate 13-times-weekly Grand Island, Neb.-Dallas/Ft. Worth service June 9, which it will operate with a mix of 44-seat and 50-seat Embraer jets.

Porter Airlines will operate seasonal four-times-weekly Toronto City-Myrtle Beach service Feb. 17-May 23.

Carpatair will launch twice-weekly Iasi-Rome Fiumicino service April 21, increasing to thrice-weekly July-September. The service will be operated with Fokker 70s and 100s.



AVIATION QUOTE

If you're faced with a forced landing, fly the thing as far into the crash as possible.
— Bob Hoover



ON THIS DATE

February 18th

• In 1832... Octave Chanute (1832-1910), first great historian of aviation, is born in Paris, France. Brought to the US when young, Chanute was a civilian engineer before turning to aviation. In 1894 he published Progress in Flying Machines. The book became a bible for the Wright brothers.

• In 1911... First official government air mail flight is made in India as French pilot Henri Pequet flies 6,500 letters a distance of about five miles (8 km).

• In 1973... Daniel Bouchart and Didier Potelle land 19,568 feet up on the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania in an SA 319 B Alouette II helicopter.

• In 1977... The converted Boeing 747 space shuttle carrier makes its first flight with the shuttle Enterprise on its back, at NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center.



DAILY VIDEO





EDITOR’S CHOICE





HUMOR

Aunt Mary Is An F-16 Pilot

A fifth-grade teacher told her students "I'd like for one of you to tell the class a story with a moral", so little Suzy raised her hand. "OK Suzy" said the teacher, "please tell the class your story".

So little Suzy says "my aunt Mary is an F-16 pilot and she got shot down over Iraq and she had to eject from her plane. All she had with her was a pint of whiskey, a pistol and a knife. She decided to drink the whiskey on the way down so the bottle wouldn't break if she hit the ground hard. Then she landed right in the middle of 20 bad guys. She killed 12 of them with her pistol but then she ran out of ammo, so she killed seven more with her knife but then the blade broke, so she killed the last one with a karate chop that broke his neck."

Horrified, the teacher says "Suzy, that's a terrible story. What kind of moral could it possibly have?"

To which little Suzy replied "stay away from aunt Mary when she's been drinking."



TRIVIA

IATA and ICAO Airpots

Listed is either the IATA or the ICAO code for some airports, add the missing code

1. LEMD
2. EDDF
3. EGLL
4. LFSB
5. ANC
6. YYZ
7. SJU
8. TNCM
9. RJAA
10. SYD

1. LEMD - MAD
2. EDDF - FRA
3. EGLL - LHR
4. LFSB - France somewhere
5. ANC - PANC
6. YYZ - CYYZ
7. SJU - FAIL
8. TNCM - SXM
9. RJAA - HND?
10. SYD - YSSY

1.LEMD = MAD
2.EDDF = FRA
3.EGLL = LHR
4.LFSB =
5.ANC = PANC
6.YYZ = CYYZ
7.SJU
8.TNCM = SXM
9.RJAA =
10. SYD = YSSY

Man, I suck at this . . . but I know WHERE they are, just not sure of the opposing (incorrect) code.

1. LEMD MAD
2. EDDF FRA
3. EGLL LHR
4. LFSB No idea
5. ANC PANC
6. YYZ CYYZ
7. SJU San Juan, but . . . .
8. TNCM ???
9. RJAA ???
10. SYD well Sydney of course, but . . .

9. NRT

UPDATE

Virgin America lands gates at Chicago O'Hare
After three years of fighting for slots at Chicago O'Hare International Airport, Virgin America said Thursday it will launch service to the Windy City on May 25. The discount carrier said five daily flights to Los Angeles and San Francisco should boost annual revenue by 5% to 6%, though CEO David Cush acknowledged that Chicago is "the most competitive market that we will enter." Virgin America gained entry to the Chicago market after the Delta-Northwest merger freed up gates at O'Hare, which was fully leased through 2018.
Link

United, American set to move ahead with O'Hare lawsuit
The clock is winding down on a one-week legal truce over airline efforts to block a controversial expansion plan at Chicago O'Hare International Airport. Executives from United Airlines and American Airlines have been meeting almost daily with Chicago aviation officials, but legal proceedings are set to resume on Tuesday if no agreement is reached. United and American sued to block the city from issuing $1 billion in construction bonds, claiming the city is contractually bound to obtain airline consent before moving ahead with such a plan.
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Airlines say rules on pilot rest will cost billions more than estimated
Airlines say the Federal Aviation Administration seriously underestimated compliance costs when formulating a regulation aimed at preventing pilot fatigue. In announcing the rule last year, the FAA said airlines would spend about $1.25 billion over 10 years to ensure that pilots got proper rest. But American said its costs would be "substantially higher" -- up to $514 million per year. "If AA needs 2,300 more pilots to meet the proposed rules, other certificate holders will need many additional pilots, too," the company said. The Air Transport Association has estimated the rule will cost $19.6 billion over 10 years, and FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt says such concerns will be taken into account before the rule is finalized in August.
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Boeing aims to certify 3 models in 2011
For the first time in its history, Boeing is attempting to certify three different aircraft models at the same time. Boeing hopes to win approval this year for the 747-8I, 747-8F and the 787, an ambitious testing schedule that will require companywide cooperation and additional hiring "to ensure we have the critical skills necessary to execute on our test commitments," says Elizabeth Lund, 747 vice-president and deputy program manager.
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Agency scrutinizes proposal to charge foreign visitors a fee
Raymond Benjamin, secretary-general of the International Civil Aviation Organization, criticized a budget proposal to levy a fee on travelers entering the U.S. "If it's for environmental reasons, that's fine. If it's just to improve a country's finances, that's entirely different," Benjamin said. The $5.50 fee would apply to visitors entering by air or sea.
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Trusted traveler program sparks debate
The U.S. government continues to search for a viable program that will make airport security screening less inconvenient for travelers, the USA TODAY editorial board writes. The board notes that so-called trusted traveler programs, which allow travelers to pay a fee and provide personal details in exchange for the ability to speed through security checkpoints, have had limited success. Meanwhile, Roger Dow, president of the U.S. Travel Association, writes that the majority of travelers support a trusted traveler program. He also notes that the inconvenience of airport security could have economic consequences. "This is the country that put a man on the moon. Let's stop being defeatists when it comes to aviation security and create a better way," Dow writes.
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Column: Network carriers narrow the cost advantage of "value" airlines
Cost-cutting measures by network airlines have helped to narrow the pricing advantage enjoyed by low-cost carriers, also known as "value" airlines. With younger fleets and simplified route maps, low-cost carriers boasted a 16% cost advantage last year over network airlines -- a gap that has now narrowed to 14%. When adjusted for aircraft type and length of flight, "the sharp line that has divided value carriers and network carriers is becoming blurred," says a report from Oliver Wyman. "On a system basis, the network carriers have been operating their businesses more successfully over the past year both in absolute terms and in relation to the value carriers."
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Click Click D'oh wrote:9. NRT

Dammit... I put HND because it was the only Japanese airport I could think of, I knew there was a better answer.

Answers,
1. MAD, Barajas Airport, Madrid, Spain
2. FRA, Frankfort International Airport, Frankfurt, Germany
3. LHR, London-Heathrow, London, UK
4. BSL, Euroairport, Basel-Mulhouse, France/Switzerland
5. PANC, Ted Stevens International Airport, Anchorage, AK
6. CYYZ, Lester B Pearson International, Toronto, Canada
7. TJSJ, Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, San Juan, Puerto Rico
8. SXM, Princess Juliana International Airport, Phillipsburg, St. Maarten, NA
9. NRT, Narita International Airport, Tokyo, Japan
10. YSSY, Sydney Kingsford Smith International, Sydney, Australia