Delta, US Airways agree to DOT conditions for LGA/DCA slot swap The revamped New York LaGuardia/Washington National slot swap proposal submitted by Delta Air Lines and US Airways in May was tentatively approved last week by the US Dept. of Transportation on terms the airlines said they're willing to abide by. Link
Singapore Airlines' new LCC chooses 777-200 Singapore Airlines selected the Boeing 777-200 as the aircraft type to comprise the fleet of its new long-haul, low-cost subsidiary airline scheduled to launch next year. The aircraft will "initially" be acquired from SIA, which did not say how many 777-200s will make up the unnamed LCC's operating fleet. SIA had 35 777-200ER's in its fleet as of March 31, according to Ascend. Link
Hainan Airlines to invest in Turkish cargo carrier ACT Haikou-based Hainan Airlines Group sealed a deal to invest in Istanbul-based cargo carrier ACT Airlines. HNA, which has made clear that it wants to invest abroad, didn't reveal how much money it will put into ACT or how large its holding will be. Link
Ryanair again talks up C919 potential Ryanair has again talked up the potential of the Chinese-built Comac C919 twinjet after entering preliminary discussions with the manufacturer over the type earlier this year. The budget carrier's intent regarding the aircraft remains unclear. Ryanair has been in the market for hundreds more aircraft but has not secured a deal with Boeing, its incumbent supplier, or Airbus. Link
ACARS use doubles in five years despite next generation datalinks Use of the traditional airline datalink ACARS (airborne communications addressing and reporting system) has doubled in five years, reaching a landmark two million messages a day linking 10,000 user aircraft, airline operations centers, air traffic control, and aircraft and engine manufacturers, communications giant SITA said. Link
ANA arranges 787 Narita-Hong Kong charter flight Japan's All Nippon Airways, which is expecting to receive its first Boeing 787 aircraft in September this year, will operate its first revenue flight as a charter service between Tokyo's Narita airport and Hong Kong. Link
Pakistan navy inducts first UAV squadron The Pakistan navy has inducted its first squadron of indigenously-produced Uqab II unmanned air vehicles at Mehran naval station in Karachi. The Uqab II is produced by Global Industrial & Defence Solutions, a conglomerate of seven Pakistani defence companies. Link
American Airlines Plane Undergoes Emergency Landing Safely At DFW Airport AA963 from DFW to Sao Paulo, Brazil was forced to make an emergency landing at DFW Airport 14 minutes into its flight because of an issue with its right engine, an American Airlines spokesman said. Link
Other News
Africa pushes back: Assn. of African Airlines Secretary General Elijah Chingosho last week lashed out at the “invasion” of the continent by European and Gulf carriers, questioning their “preferential treatment” over their African counterparts in obtaining traffic rights. He also accused Middle East aviation companies of “poaching qualified staff in a big way.”
Embraer last week became the latest company to link its name with the Aircraft Fleet Recycling Assn. Its membership was announced at the AFRA Annual Meeting in Washington. "We are delighted that such a prestigious company as Embraer has decided to join us on our journey to develop and promote environmental best practices throughout the field of aircraft dismantling and recycling," said AFRA Executive Director Martin Fraissignes. "AFRA membership further confirms Embraer's commitment to pushing for the best sustainable practices in our industry."
Falko Regional Aircraft purchased BAE Systems Regional Aircraft—along with its portfolio of 143 aircraft. The asset manager is supported by affiliates of funds managed by Fortress Investment Group.
AVIATION QUOTE
He is most free from danger, who, even when safe, is on his guard.
— Publilius Syrus
ON THIS DATE
July 25th
---In 1907... At Issy-les-Moulineaux, Blériot flies 492 feet in his monoplane No.VI, the Libellule [dragonfly]. Built by Louis Peyret, the foreman at his works, it has two sets of wings in tandem. To control vertical movement, the pilot slides to end fro on a wheeled seat.
---In 1909... Louis Blériot of France, who flies his Blériot No.XI monoplane from Les Baraques to Dover, England in 37 minutes, makes the first airplane crossing of the English Channel. The event increases public and government awareness of the possible military aspects of the airplane.
---In 1909... Van den Schkrouff makes the first flight in Russia in a Voisin biplane at Odessa.
---In 1964…President Johnson publicly revealed the existence of a new Air Force reconnaissance aircraft which he called the SR-71 instead of RS-71. The Air Force decided that it was easier to re-number the aircraft SR-71 than to correct the President. Thus we all know the aircraft as the SR-71 to this day. (Q)
---In 2000… Air France Flight 4590, a Concorde (registration F-BTSC) charter departing from De Gaulle airport in Paris bound for New York's JFK Airport crashed just after takeoff into a hotel in Gonesse, France. All 109 people on board died, along with four people on the ground. According to the accident investigation report, the probable cause was the destruction of one of the aircraft's main wheel tires, as a result of passing at high speed over a part lost by a pre-departing Continental Airlines DC-10 during the takeoff run. The piercing of one of the fuel tanks by a piece of the exploding tire ignited the leaking jet fuel and caused a loss of thrust in engine number one and two in quick succession.
Three old pilots were walking across the ramp to their airplanes.
First one says, "Windy, isn't it?"
Second one says, "No, its Thursday."
Third one says, "Yeah, so am I. Lets go get a beer instead.”
TRIVIA
Airline Slogans
1. The Wings of Man.
2. When you’ve got it, flaunt it!
3. World Class. Worldwide.
4. For people who hate to waste money.
5. Up, up and away!
6. The world’s most refreshing airline
7. The airline run by professionals.
8. We never forget you have a choice.
9. The Airline that’s different. And Better.
10. The Pacific’s #1
11. We earn Our Wings Every Day
And let's get one thing straight. There's a big difference between a pilot and an aviator. One is a technician; the other is an artist in love with flight. — E. B. Jeppesen
And let's get one thing straight. There's a big difference between a pilot and an aviator. One is a technician; the other is an artist in love with flight. — E. B. Jeppesen
