NEWSEASA withdraws Pakistan International Airlines maintenance approval
Pakistan International Airlines appears to be heading for renewed conflict with European safety authorities after regulators withdrew the carrier's maintenance approval. The airline's engineering and maintenance division obtained the European Aviation Safety Agency Part 145 clearance in 2004, and had succeeded in retaining the certification through a number of audits. PIA had credited the approval with enabling it to land contracts it would otherwise have lost to competitors. EASA has confirmed, however, that it "suspended" this certification on 6 March, although it has not given details of the reasons.
LinkNorway, Sweden investigate 'mystery' C-130J crash 
Norwegian and Swedish authorities have launched investigations into the cause of a 15 March crash which killed all five crew members on board one of the Royal Norwegian Air Force's Lockheed Martin C-130J tactical transports. A major search and rescue effort was launched shortly after the aircraft disappeared from radar while flying between Evenes air base in northern Norway and Kiruna, Sweden. Bad weather meant wreckage was not spotted by the crew of a Royal Norwegian Air Force Lockheed P-3C Orion surveillance aircraft until early on 17 March.
LinkAir France revamps flight safety analysis procedures
Air France is amending its flight-safety analysis procedures, introducing a new position to quicken its response and assessment of incidents. The carrier undertook an in-depth examination of its operations and decision-making processes in the wake of the mid-Atlantic crash of flight AF447 in June 2009. Investigators have yet to release a final report into the accident but have attributed the loss of the Airbus A330 to a failed stall recovery after an encounter with in-flight icing.
LinkAir Canada says pilots calling in sick constitutes a strike
Air Canada said its pilots are calling in sick to protest the lack of progress in contract negotiations, and filed a complaint with the Canada Industrial Relations Board. "[A]ny concerted activity on the part of employees designed to restrict or limit output is a 'strike,'" the carrier said in a filing to the labor board. The union could face fines if the labor board sides with Air Canada.
LinkSouthwest and United disagree on proposed Houston terminal
Southwest Airlines and United Airlines are engaged in a disagreement over Southwest's proposal to build an international terminal at William P. Hobby Airport in Houston. United is opposing Southwest's planned $75 million to $100 million project because of its $700 million investment in a new terminal at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport, this feature says. Both carriers have warned city officials about abandoning their respective projects in the event of an unfavorable decision.
LinkHairline cracks ground Air New Zealand aircraftAir New Zealand grounded its entire fleet of ATR 72-500 turboprops on 18 March after discovering hairline cracks around the cockpit windows of one aircraft. Two of the carrier's 11 ATR 72-500s were quickly inspected and returned to service within hours, ANZ says.
LinkA4A lays out US aviation policy planThe US airlines’ advocacy association is pursuing a five-step plan to bring about a national aviation policy.
Speaking Monday at the ISTAT Americas 2012 conference in Scottsdale, Ariz., Airlines for America (A4A) president and CEO Nicholas Calio said US airlines have become the most regulated de-regulated industry in America—and rules governing how they operate, along with exorbitant taxes and fees, are having unintended and negative consequences.
LinkAnalyst sees narrowbody bubble marketThe long wait for new narrowbody aircraft types is an indicator of a bubble market, an analyst said today. Speaking Monday at the International Society of Transport Aircraft Trading (ISTAT) Americas 2012 conference in Scottsdale, Ariz., Avitas senior VP Adam Pilarski said this bubble was among the bad indicators for the airline industry market outlook that potentially could lead to a perfect storm situation.
LinkPilot skills can suffer from too much technology, experts sayThe U.S. Senate aviation subcommittee plans to hold a hearing Tuesday over progress in implementing higher standards for pilot training. Some experts say pilots have become too dependent on technology through automated fling. "There is an ongoing degradation of flying skills because, on a daily basis, pilots simply don't have to perform a lot of functions," said William Voss, president and CEO of the Flight Safety Foundation.
LinkBoeing, union negotiate over workers affected by Kan. closureBoeing is in discussions with the machinists union about finding positions for the hourly employees affected by the planned 2013 closure of a company plant in Wichita, Kan. "We're working hard for the union and the families that are being impacted," said Michael Burleigh, a business representative for the Machinists' District 70. "We want to find places for them."
LinkTwo California cities will receive nonstop service to Asia via 787
Two California cities will receive nonstop flights to Asia this year, courtesy of the Boeing 787. All Nippon Airways plans to launch direct flights to Asia from San Jose, Calif., and Japan Airlines will offer direct flights to Asia from San Diego.
LinkChina warns of additional measures against EU ETSChinese officials warned that the country may take additional measures if the European Union does not change its emissions-trading scheme. "If the EU doesn't show any indications of relaxing its stance, it may lead to trade retaliation and other measures. Trade conflicts will become more and more intense," said Zou Jianjun, head of the Institute of Air Transport Services, in a radio broadcast.
LinkBill would require "passenger advocates" at 24 airportsTwo senators plan to introduce legislation that would create "passenger advocates" to assist travelers who believe they were not treated properly by Transportation Security Administration officers. The legislation is sponsored by Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., and Susan Collins, R-Maine. The legislation would require the TSA to have an advocate on duty at 24 major U.S. airports.
LinkFAA will look at updating policy on electronic devicesThe Federal Aviation Administration says it is considering a new round of testing on the effects of personal gadgets such as e-book readers and iPads on airplanes to determine if they are safe for use onboard. "With the advent of new and evolving electronic technology, and because the airlines have not conducted the testing necessary to approve the use of new devices, the FAA is taking a fresh look at the use of personal electronic devices, other than cellphones, on aircraft," said Laura J. Brown, the FAA's deputy assistant administrator for public affairs.
LinkCalifornia air traffic control tower suffers power outageA power outage at John Wayne Airport in Orange County, Calif., caused flight delays on Sunday. The air traffic control tower was running on an emergency generator Sunday after commercial power went out Friday, but the generator went down for more than an hour. The Federal Aviation Administration said about 10 flights were delayed.
LinkIndia To Ask Airlines To Shun EU ETSIndia is poised to ask airlines not to take part in the European Union emissions trading scheme, a senior official said, in what would be an escalation of a row over the EU's unilateral move to charge for carbon emitted by flights in and out of Europe.
LinkLast Independent Kingfisher Director Quits
Kingfisher Airlines was hit with a regulatory challenge after the last of its independent directors resigned amid growing concerns about the struggling Indian carrier's survival.
LinkTNT Agrees To UPS's Raised Cash Offer
United Parcel Service will pay an increased EUR€5.2 billion (USD$6.85 billion) for Dutch peer TNT, they said on Monday, in a deal that will boost the US company's presence in Europe and create a logistics giant with EUR€45 billion in sales.
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