NewsBoeing Plans First 787-9 Flight Next WeekBoeing plans to make the first flight of the 787-9 next week, a stretch version of its high-tech Dreamliner, according to two people familiar with the plans. The flight, a key milestone in development of a longer version of the fuel-efficient aircraft, is tentatively planned for the middle or end of next week, although it could be delayed by technical factors and weather, the sources said. The 787-9 is 20 feet longer than the 787-8 model currently in service, and will seat up to 40 more passengers, for a total of 290, making it more economical to operate. It has about 300 nautical miles in additional range.
LinkAMR Bankruptcy Plan Wins Court ApprovalAMR's bid to emerge from bankruptcy won approval from a US bankruptcy judge on Thursday, but implementation still requires resolution of US government moves to block its proposed merger with US Airways. Judge Sean Lane approved the plan at a hearing in US Bankruptcy Court in New York, but denied a clause that would pay Tom Horton, AMR's outgoing chief executive, USD$19.9 million in severance. It was the American Airlines parent's third attempt to convince Lane to approve the deal in the face of opposition to the merger, which is the main component of the plan. At prior hearings, Lane had expressed uncertainty about approving a plan that might change.
LinkANA To Consider Delay Risk When Choosing AircraftJapanese carrier ANA, will consider the risk of delivery delays when choosing between Airbus's A350 and Boeing's yet to be launched 777X for an order up to 30 jets. Boeing has a more than 80 percent market share in Japan and has dominated for decades helped by strong ties to suppliers there. But delays to deliveries of its 787, which is a third built in Japan, and its subsequent grounding because of overheating batteries may have given Airbus an opening, analysts have said. "In the past, aircraft development used to be more on schedule, but lately there have been delays," ANA's president, Shinichiro Ito, said in an interview.
LinkThai moves stricken A330, investigation beginsThai Airways has removed the Airbus A330-300 involved in a landing accident at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi airport on 8 September, which may have been caused by a defective landing gear component. The aircraft, registered HS-TEF, came off runway 19L at Suvarnabhumi upon landing after one of its landing gear bogies collapsed, causing damage to the engines. The stricken aircraft obstructed the runway, restricting the usable length of the runway to 2,000m (6,560ft) and causing delays to a number of flights. Thai had planned to move the aircraft on 10 September, however, poor weather delayed that until the afternoon of 11 September. Airports of Thailand says that the runway returned to full operations only a few hours later. Photographs carried by the Thai media show the aircraft being towed to a nearby hangar on all three landing gear bogies.
LinkRussian Airports To Get Abu Dhabi BoostAbu Dhabi plans to invest USD$5 billion in Russian infrastructure including airports in a venture to be set up with the country's state-backed private equity fund. Moves to improve infrastructure, some of which has changed little since Soviet times, are considered vital by investors to modernize Russia and make its economy more competitive.
LinkEmbraer details E-Jet efficiency improvementsEmbraer executives provided more details on 12 September about new wingtips and other airflow improvements that the company says will generate fuel burn savings of up to 5% on its current generation E-Jets. The new wingtips, which will be installed on the manufacturer's Embraer 175s next year, are longer than wingtips on Embraer's current aircraft and extend from the wing at a shallower angle, resembling the outer wing of Boeing's 787 aircraft. "It's almost a continuation of the wing," says Luis Carlos Affonso, Embraer's chief operating officer of the commercial aviation division, during a meeting with reporters at the company's manufacturing facility in Brazil.
LinkEC175 nears end-of-testing milestoneEurocopter is close to completing flight and ground tests on its in-development EC175 super-medium twin ahead of certification next year. The Marignane-based airframer is confident it will reach the end-of-test milestone by the end of September, says Dominique Maudet, Eurocopter executive vice-president global business and services. "Most of the trials have been done and there are very few tests remaining," says Maudet. "Then it is more a matter of finalising the certification process and completing the paperwork." Entry into service of the 7.5t type has been delayed twice over the last 12 months, with the most recent slippage - pushing certification and first delivery from this year into 2014 - announced at the Paris air show in June.
LinkProton return-to-flight delayed The Proton rocket's return-to-flight launch has been postponed for unspecified "technical reasons," pushed back from 15 September. The launch has not yet been rescheduled. A problem was discovered with the first stage of the vehicle, which houses the six RD-253 engines, according to International Launch Services (ILS), which markets the rocket. "It was determined that further investigation is necessary, requiring the launch vehicle be returned to the processing hall for additional testing. The vehicle and satellite remain in a safe configuration at the launch site," says the statement.
LinkUS Air Force to buy additional RQ-4 Global Hawk Block 30sThe US Air Force has issued a pre-solicitation notice to purchase additional Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk Block 30 unmanned air vehicles (UAV), despite the potential retirement of the existing fleet. The Air Force released a pre-solicitation notice on 12 September, notifying the public of its intent to buy Lot 12 aircraft.
LinkUK holding firm on F-35 procurement planA recent test success aboard a US Marine Corps vessel involving the Lockheed Martin F-35B and expected price reductions for the Joint Strike Fighter mean the UK is holding firm with its procurement plans for the type, says minister for defence equipment, support and technology Philip Dunne. "We intend within the next few months to sign an order for a first squadron of operational aircraft," Dunne says. Previously detailed as being likely to cover 12-14 short take-off and vertical landing strike aircraft, this will be followed by a substantial additional contract to be placed following the conclusion of the Ministry of Defence's 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review process, he adds. The UK is also still considering whether to acquire a fourth example to support initial operational test and evaluation work, he confirms.
LinkJetBlue CEO comments on slot divestiture at DCADave Barger, the CEO of JetBlue Airways, said AMR Corp. should divest all of its slots at Reagan National Airport if the carrier merges with US Airways. Today, US Airways flies 55% of flights at Reagan. “That should be the ceiling,” Barger said. “We feel very strongly.”
LinkDelta deploys Porsches for high-level frequent fliersDelta Air Lines has introduced a service in which Porsches pick up passengers at risk of missing connecting flights. A Delta Porsche driver may pick up a passenger from one gate, take him down to the tarmac, and drive him directly to his next plane. Delta Diamond Medallion travelers fly at least 125,000 miles per year and can experience Porsche rides at the Atlanta airport. Delta is expanding the program to airports in Los Angeles, Minneapolis and New York.
LinkColumn analyzes pilot seniority agreementsLast week, United and Continental pilots came to terms on a pilot seniority agreement. Such agreements often end up in arbitration, and a landmark case in 2009 added pilot longevity to a mix of factors considered for seniority lists.
LinkTSA to implement 3 levels of screening in new processThe Transportation Security Administration is moving away from a “one-size-fits-all” approach to security screening. The agency plans to implement a three-tiered, risk-based system for screening, and will select passengers for expedited, standard or enhanced screening at the time of booking.
LinkHuerta: Sequestration is not sustainableMichael Huerta, administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, said the agency continues to be concerned about the federal budget sequestration. "This fiscal uncertainty challenges our ability to make the investments that we need to support modernization. This is not a sustainable course of action," said Huerta
LinkDOT delays rules on ancillariesThe Department of Transportation announced a delay in a proposed rule addressing the display of ancillaries. The Office of Management and Budget is reviewing the proposed rule, but the DOT said the rule should be published in October.
LinkLAX to open 9 new gates in international terminalThe Los Angeles International Airport plans to open nine new gates at its Tom Bradley International Terminal on Sept. 18. The airport will also open its 150,000-square-foot Great Hall, which offers dining and retail options for passengers.
LinkSeattle airport to install automated gate exitsSeattle-Tacoma International Airport announced plans to install automated gate exits, a $6.4 million system that can sense if passengers change direction or enter from the wrong way. "This new technology supports our No. 1 priority: keeping passengers safe and secure," said Tom Albro, president of the Port of Seattle Commission.
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