NewsCrashed Superjet's pilot silenced terrain-warning systemIndonesian investigators have determined that the captain of a Sukhoi Superjet 100 inhibited the terrain-collision system, believing its alerts to be erroneous. The terrain-awareness system initially sounded 38s before the aircraft struck the slope of Mount Salak on 9 May this year, killing all 45 occupants who were participating in a demonstration flight. Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Committee found the crew had requested a descent to 6,000ft and to fly a right-hand orbit. This was "approved" by Jakarta air traffic control. But the crew was distracted by "prolonged conversation" which was unrelated to the flight, says the NTSC, and the captain - who was flying - did not continue to change the Superjet's heading during the orbit.
LinkMalaysia Airlines signs MoU for 36 ATR 72-600sMalaysia Airlines (MAS) has signed a memorandum of understanding with ATR to purchase 36 ATR 72-600s that will be operated by its regional subsidiaries Firefly and MASwings. Once confirmed as an order, Firefly will take 20 of the aircraft and MASwings, the remaining 16. Deliveries would commence from the end of the second quarter of 2013. Both carriers already operate the ATR 72-500, with Firefly and MASwings operating a fleet of 12 and 10 respectively. The new aircraft will gradually replace the existing fleet and provide for both carriers' further growth.
LinkAirbus stays firm on A350-800 development schedule Airbus insists it remains committed to the A350-800, despite its much-reduced backlog, and has not drawn up plans to change the programme schedule. Qatar Airways' conversion of its order for 20 has taken the A350-800 demand down to 92 aircraft, half the number which featured in the -800's peak backlog. But Airbus executive vice-president for programmes Tom Williams says: "We're still committed to the -800. We think we need to be present in each [category] of range."
LinkMitsubishi aims to ramp up MRJ's planned production rate Mitsubishi Aircraft is studying how it can ramp up the planned production rate of its regional jets to meet the delivery demands of its customers. The airframer is planning for an initial production of five aircraft monthly, after it delivers its first aircraft in the summer of 2015, says Hiroki Sakurai, deputy general manager of public relations. "Five aircraft delivery per month is our initial plan, however, the market demand is far beyond our expectation. For the aircraft production ramp up, we're still considering how to strengthen the production line to increase our production rate," he adds.
LinkEtihad In Final Talks To Buy Indian Carrier StakeGulf carrier Etihad Airways, seeking to widen operations in India and other Asian markets, is in the final stages of talks to buy part of either Jet Airways or grounded rival Kingfisher Airlines, an Indian government official said on Monday. A deal, which the official said could be announced by next week, would be the first since the government relaxed ownership rules in September to allow foreign airlines to invest up to 49 percent in a domestic carrier.
LinkPegasus Close To Landmark Airbus OrderTurkish low-cost carrier Pegasus Airlines appears close to making its first purchase of Airbus passenger jets with an order for 100 A320-family aircraft, sources familiar with the matter said. The decision to switch suppliers by a fast-growing airline that currently operates only Boeing jets follows a tough contest between the world's two largest plane makers.
LinkVinci Makes Top Bid For Portugal Airport GroupVinci has bid EUR€3 billion (USD$3.95 billion) for control of Portuguese airport operator ANA, the highest offer among the four groups competing in the auction, sources familiar with the transaction said. Portugal is expected to pick the new owner by the end of the year, with price the main criteria, the sources said. The other final bidders were Germany's Fraport, Swiss airport operator Flughafen Zurich and Argentina's Corporacion America, the sources said.
LinkIberia To Negotiate Job Cuts With UnionsSpanish flag carrier Iberia has agreed to negotiate with its unions over a five-year restructuring plan to ensure the airline's future viability. Unions had threatened strike action in protest against plans to cut about 4,500 jobs, or a quarter of its workforce. Iberia, which is part of International Airlines Group along with British Airways, says that the job cuts are needed to guarantee its survival amid rising competition and Spain's recession.
LinkRussia’s ministries to order 130 aircraft from UACSeveral Russian ministries have nearly completed a consolidated order for about 130 aircraft from United Aircraft Corp. (UAC), Vedomosti newspaper reported. The Ministries of Defense, Internal Affairs and other Russian agencies plan to order a mix of Antonov 148s, Sukhoi Superjet 100s, Tupolev 204SMs and Ilyushin 476 cargo planes.
LinkStobart receives approval for Aer Arann takeover UK distribution firm Stobart Group has received approval to acquire sole control of Irish regional airline Aer Arann. “The [Irish] Competition Authority has cleared the proposed transaction whereby Stobart Group Limited would acquire sole control of Aer Arann,” the regulator said in a statement. An investigation into the deal revealed “little or no overlap” between Aer Arann and Stobart’s business activities and no objections were lodged. Carlisle-headquartered Stobart is principally active in road transport, although it also has interests in London Southend and Carlisle airports.
LinkAir France confirms cabin crew surplus Air France is preparing to unveil a voluntary redundancy package, warning it will be “structurally overstaffed” by 500-600 cabin crew by 2014. The French carrier, which is undergoing a Transform 2015 restructuring program, said its excess staff count is proving “more significant and long term” than it originally thought.
LinkLOT Polish Airlines phasing out Boeing 737s, 767s LOT Polish Airlines is phasing out its Boeing 737 classic and 767 aircraft, LOT sales director Tomasz Dakowski said on last week’s Boeing 787 Vienna-Warsaw flight. Dakowski said that by the end of the year, its last three 737-300ERs will be phased out. LOT’s final 767 flight will be completed March 3. One 767 has already undergone redelivery checks and will be transferred back to the lessor.
LinkAt long last, competition comes to US space launches The US Air Force, which purchases space launches on behalf of the entire US government, is drastically changing the way it buys rockets after years of rising costs. A memo from Department of Defense acquisition chief Frank Kendall reportedly supports two approaches to purchasing space launches in an affordable way: pursuing a block buy of 36 cores from incumbent United Launch Alliance (ULA), and opening 14 launches to competitive bids. ULA markets, builds and launches the Delta IV and Atlas V - collectively known as evolved expendable launch vehicles (EELVs) - which have, since their development in the late 1990s, held a firm monopoly on large government launches.
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