News
SIA orders five A380s and 20 A350s, transfers 787s to Scoot
Singapore Airlines (SIA) is ordering five additional Airbus A380s and 20 more A350s to renew and expand its fleet. The deal with the European airframer is valued at $7.5 billion based on list prices, and deliveries will begin in 2017. In a related move, SIA's low-cost longhaul subsidiary Scoot will take over the parent carrier's existing order for 20 Boeing 787s.
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SIA to drop nonstop USA flights as Airbus buys back A340s
Singapore Airlines will terminate ultra-longhaul nonstop flights to Los Angeles and Newark in late-2013 after Airbus agreed to buy back the carrier's five A340-500s. The deal forms part of SIA's announcement today that it is ordering five additional A380s and 20 A350-900s. The airline says its decision to retire the A340s is in line with its "policy to maintain a young fleet". However industry sources say the nonstop services between Singapore and the USA continued to fall short of revenue expectations, despite the airline switching to an all-business class cabin layout in an effort to boost yields.
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European Court of Justice upholds ruling on delayed passenger compensation
The European Court of Justice has upheld its earlier ruling that passengers whose flights have been subject to long delay are entitled to compensation. The Court ruled that, if passengers reach their final destination three or more hours after the scheduled arrival time, they can claim fixed compensation from the airline, unless the delay is caused by extraordinary circumstances. This puts delayed passengers on a similar footing as passengers whose flights have been cancelled.
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US Air Force funds small satellite platform
The US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has awarded $34 million to Orbital Sciences to develop ESPA Augmented Geostationary Laboratory Equipment (Eagle), a system for boosting to and keeping small payloads functioning at geostationary orbit. The Eagle spacecraft platform is based around the evolved expendable launch vehicle's secondary payload adaptor (ESPA), which is essentially a ring to carry and deploy small rideshare satellites from the United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta IV or Atlas V.
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US Army completes first OH-58F test aircraft
The US Army has finished building the first Bell OH-58F Kiowa Warrior helicopter at its prototype integration facility. The aircraft will now start to be instrumented for its first test flight, which is expected in April. "It truly is a great day for army aviation," says Lt Col Mat Hannah, the service's product manager for the OH-58F. Unlike most other military projects, the army designed and built the new variant of the Kiowa Warrior itself. "It's the first time that the army has been the system integrator for a new mission design series or new aircraft," Hannah says. "That in itself is a huge role. It saves about $37 million in development costs."
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US Army to re-designate Block III Apache as AH-64E
The US Army is re-designating the Boeing AH-64D Block III Apache as the AH-64E. The decision comes as the upgraded attack helicopter is moved into full rate production after a successful operational test phase. The Block III has a significant enough boost in capabilities to warrant the change in designation, says Boeing's Ray Handy, marketing manager and a pilot for the AH-64. The soon-to-be E-model's rotor blades are made of composites and the airfoil is shaped differently, he says. Moreover, the entire drive system has been completely revamped, with the engines and transmission significantly upgraded. "It's a completely new gearbox," Handy says.
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Air Canada, United JV Cleared With Restrictions
Canada's Competition Bureau has reached an agreement with Air Canada and United Airlines that prohibits them from coordinating on 14 trans-border routes but clears the way for a joint venture that excludes those routes.
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Hawaiian Holdings reports 77% Q3 gain
Hawaiian Holdings, parent company of Hawaiian Airlines, has reported third-quarter profits of $45.5 million, a 77% increase over the same period a year ago. The airline plans to focus on service to neighboring islands in response to competitors' direct flights from the mainland to Hawaiian destinations other than Honolulu, according to president and CEO Mark Dunkerley.
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Boeing raises full-year forecast after strong Q3
Stemming from strong sales of commercial airplanes, Boeing's third-quarter earnings exceeded analysts' expectations, which prompted the company to raise its forecast for the entire year. Net income was posted at $1.03 billion, down from $1.1 billion over the same period the previous year.
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US Airways posts strong quarter, exceeding estimates
US Airways Group posted a strong third quarter, with a net profit of $192 million, which translates to 98 cents per share versus 92 cents per share expected. Revenue hit 3.53 billion, up 2.8%.
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Delta Air Lines saw strong Q3 thanks to fuel-hedge gain
Delta Air Lines has reported that it saw its third- quarter profit nearly double, primarily due to its fuel contracts increasing in value. The airline's earnings were up to $1.05 billion, compared with $549 million during the same period last year.
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Boeing boosts 777 production 20%
Boeing has increased production speed of its 777 freighter jet as part of a companywide increase in manufacturing that has also seen a 20% in production of the 787 Dreamliner. The first 777 Freighter is expected to be delivered to Korean Air Lines in February. Boeing recently reported 17% more third-quarter deliveries this year over last year's third quarter.
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Judge in American Airlines-Sabre trial recuses himself
A new judge will preside over an ongoing case between Sabre Holdings and American Airlines after District Judge Don Cosby withdrew. An administrative judge found a possible conflict of interest after it was revealed that American has made donations to a charity organization of which Cosby is board member.
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Other News
Embraer reported third-quarter net income of $65.2 million, up 15% compared to the prior-year period, on revenues of $1.4 billion, up from $1.3 billion in the 2011 September quarter. The Brazilian manufacturer delivered 27 commercial aircraft—comprising seven Embraer E-175s, 17 E-190s and three E-195s—and 13 business jets during the quarter. As a result, its accumulated nine-month revenues were $4.3 billion. In the first nine months, the company delivered 83 aircraft.
Wizz Air (W6) has begun charging €10 ($13) for hand luggage larger than 42x32x25 cm., becoming the first European carrier to charge passengers for onboard bags. Passengers will not be charged if the bags fit under the seat in front of them. W6 said it hopes to make boarding more efficient with the new policy.
PT Garuda Maintenance Facility Aero Asia signed a ConsumableCare agreement with PDQ Airspares in support of its Airbus A320 line and heavy maintenance programs.
CFM International and Lufthansa Technik have signed a cooperation agreement for the support of CFM56 engines. Under the deal, the companies will cooperate on the development of component repairs, overhaul technology and other technical areas.
Lufthansa Technik Airmotive Ireland has inked an agreement with Polish charter carrierEnter Air to provide CFM56-3 and CFM56-7 engine repair, core exchange and long-term engine leasing agreement.
AFI KLM E&M signed a contract with Taimyr Airlines covering the repair and lease of CFM56-7 engines.
WOW air yesterday took control of all Iceland Express flight operations and schedules. No disruption is expected for passengers booked on Iceland Express flights and WOW air will ensure that all obligations to them are fulfilled. The move is not a merger, it is a takeover, with WOW air acquiring the Iceland Express route network, branding and customer base; as well as gaining access to all knowledge and expertise acquired by the company in its years of operation. The united company will fly under the WOW air brand, which will continue to emphasise entertaining service, extra legroom, and always providing the lowest available prices to and from Iceland. This acquisition creates a very powerful Icelandic low-fares airline with new destinations and greater frequency.
Aviation Quote
The essence of leadership . . . was, and is, that every leader from flight commander to group commander should know and fly his airplanes.
— Air Vice-Marshal J. E. 'Johnnie' Johnson, RAF.
On This Date
---In 1930…Using Douglas DC-2 aircraft, TWA, then known as Transcontinental & Western Air, commences the Lindbergh Route, the first scheduled service between New York and Los Angeles. The initial schedule included an overnight stop in Kansas City.
---In 1939... The prototype Handey Page Halifax (serial no. L7244) makes its first flight from RAF Bicester with J.L.B.H. Cordes at the controls.
---In 1944…Japan’s first kamikaze mission sinks the carrier USS St. Lo.
---In 1951…Japan Airlines commences operations.
---In 1955…First flight of the Saab Draken.
---In 1960…First flight of the Boeing Vertol Model 107, predecessor to the CH-46 Sea Knight.
---In 1985…Emirates operates its first revenue flight, from Dubai to Karachi using an Airbus A300 leased from Pakistan International Airlines.
---In 1991…First flight of the Airbus A340.
---In 1994…U.S. Navy Lieutenant Kara Hultgreen, the first female aircraft carrier-based fight pilot, is killed off San Diego, California, in the crash of an F-14 Tomcat fighter she is piloting on final approach to the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72).
---In 1999…Crash in South Dakota of a Learjet 35 killing professional golfer and 1999 U.S. Open winner Payne Stewart and five others.
---In 2007…The Airbus A380 enters service with Singapore Airlines.
---In 2009…CSA Czech Airlines discontinues all long-haul routes from Prague, including New York and Toronto.
Daily Video
Editor’s Choice
Humor
Area 51
You've heard of the Air Force's ultra-high-security, super-secret base in Nevada, known simply as "Area 51?"
Well, late one afternoon, the Air Force folks out at Area 51 were surprised to see a Cessna landing at their "secret" base. They immediately impounded the aircraft and hauled the pilot into an interrogation room.
The pilot's story was that he took off from Vegas, got lost, and spotted the Base just as he was about to run out of fuel. The Air Force started a full FBI background check on the pilot and held him overnight during the investigation.
By the next day, they were finally convinced that the pilot really was lost and wasn't a spy. They gassed up his airplane, gave him a terrifying "you-did-not-see-a-base" briefing, complete with threats of spending the rest of his life in prison, told him Vegas was that-a-way on such-and-such a heading, and sent him on his way.
The next day, to the total disbelief of the Air Force, the same Cessna showed up again. Once again, the MP's surrounded the plane... only this time there were two people in the plane.
The same pilot jumped out and said, "Do anything you want to me, but my wife is in the plane and you have to tell her where I was last night!"
Trivia
General Trivia
1. What was the longest-duration, nonstop passenger flight ever made by an airline using an airplane powered by reciprocating engines?
a. almost 21 hours
b. almost 25 hours
c. almost 29 hours
d. almost 33 hours
2. What gesture of kindness helped Charles Lindbergh to become first to fly nonstop from New York to Paris?
a. Admiral Richard Byrd, a competitor, allowed him to use Roosevelt Field.
b. Amelia Earhart gave him a St. Christopher medal.
c. Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia waived a traffic citation that otherwise would have required his appearance in Manhattan the day after the day of his departure.
d. Local politicians waived a regulation that banned flights over their township before 9 o’clock on Sunday mornings.
3. Who was the first and perhaps only pilot given formal permission by the U.S. Navy to fly any of its aircraft at any time?
a. Gregory “Pappy” Boyington
b. James H. “Jimmy” Doolittle
c. Charles A. Lindbergh
d. Edward V. “Eddie” Rickenbacker
4. True or false; Ejection seats have yet to be incorporated in military helicopters.
5. True or false; Chicago is called the “Windy City” because it is so windy there.
6. True or false; When operating an aircraft in Russia, all altitude assignments are given in meters. When cleared to descend to and maintain 1,500 meters, for example, a pilot is expected to descend to and maintain 1,500 meters above the airport, not above sea level.
