CommercialMalaysia releases MH370 satellite dataMalaysia has publicly released the raw data of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370’s ‘handshakes’ with an Inmarsat satellite on 8 March. The data is contained a 47-page transcript of satellite transmission and “handshake” data as recorded by Inmarsat. It was produced by Inmarsat, and contains brief explanatory notes at salient moments during the flight, such as the aircraft’s last ACARS (Aircraft Communications and Reporting Addressing System) transmission. It commences at 16:00:13 GMT (on Saturday 7 March) with a “Log-on/Log-off Acknowledge” event, this would have been just after midnight local time on 8 March.
LinkAsiana joins the A380 clubSouth Korean carrier Asiana Airlines has received its first Airbus A380 aircraft at a ceremony in Toulouse. Asiana's A380s are configured with 495 seats across three classes on the upper and lower decks: 12 first, 66 business and 417 economy class seats. The airline’s first class features suites on the lower deck, with a personal seat pitch of 211cm and a 32in (81.3cm) personal inflight entertainment (IFE) screen. The full-flat seats in business class are in a 1-2-1 staggered layout for easier aisle access. A bar and lounge are available on the front section of the business class, which is located on the upper deck.
LinkCanada Relaxes Use Of Mobile Devices In FlightCanada, following the lead of the United States and the European Union, on Monday relaxed official restrictions on using mobile devices in flight while maintaining a ban on transmitting information. Transport Minister Lisa Raitt said air passengers could now use smartphones, cameras, electronic games, tablets and computers throughout a flight. Under current Canadian rules, such devices must be shut down during takeoff and landing. Passengers, however, will only be able to enjoy the new freedom if the airline they are flying on updates their safety manuals and can guarantee that during takeoff and landings all passengers are able to follow crew instructions.
LinkUkraine Army, Rebels Battle For Control Of Donetsk AirportUkrainian government warplanes carried out airstrikes against pro-Russian rebels who seized Donetsk airport on Monday, triggering a battle in and around the complex in a show of force by both sides after the election of a new president. Black smoke was seen billowing from the area of the airport after repeated explosions and gunfire, while jets roared overhead. A security official also said paratroops had landed in one of the fiercest clashes since violence broke out in Russian-speaking eastern Ukraine two months ago. Loud thuds sounded from the area but after four to five hours Ukrainian soldiers appeared to have pushed back at least some of the separatists towards the town, though it was not clear if the army had recovered control of the airport.
LinkAirlines Not Worried About Cost Of Real-Time Aircraft TrackingMajor airlines are united on the need for real-time tracking of commercial aircraft following the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 and have not raised cost as a concern, a senior official with the ICAO said on Monday. Member countries of the International Civil Aviation Organization's governing council agreed earlier this month on the need for global tracking, although they did not commit to a binding solution or timeline. Instead, the global airline industry group, IATA, agreed to come up with proposals for better tracking by the end of September. IATA said its members would implement measures voluntarily, before any rules were in place.
LinkVenezuela Pays Debts To Six International AirlinesVenezuela said on Monday it had payed debts owed to six international airlines, as the government seeks to avoid more carriers leaving the country due to outstanding payments. The debt comes from the government requiring airlines to sell tickets in the local bolivar currency but Venezuela has been slow to allow them to repatriate the earnings. Compounding the problem is the country's raging inflation, one of the world's highest at around 60 percent per year. Venezuela owes airlines about USD$4 billion, according to an IATA estimate earlier this year. The government paid all the 2013 payments owed to AeroMexico, Insel Air, Tame Ecuador and Aruba Airlines, Finance Minister Rodolfo Marco announced on Twitter.
LinkAir Berlin Considers Splitting In Two - ReportAir Berlin's management is considering splitting the group in two, German magazine Focus reported on Sunday, citing remarks by one of the company's senior managers. Air Berlin could be divided into a unit that offers traditional scheduled flights and another that flies to tourist destinations, the magazine reported, citing senior vice president Detlef Altmann as saying such plans were being "examined".
LinkAmerican's president weighs in on U.S. airlines' regulatory burdenAmerican Airlines President Scott Kirby commented that the airline industry's "regulatory history has not been very good. We're not thought of as an industrial business (by) regulatory." At the moment, he said, the most airlines can wish for is that the government "do no harm." Airlines for America said in response to Department of Transportation's recent proposed rule, "The government does not prescriptively tell other industries (hotels, computer makers, rental car companies) how they should sell their products, and we believe consumers are best served when the companies they do business with are able to tailor products and services to their customers."
LinkSouthwest Airlines creates new position for flight opsSouthwest Airlines created a new position, vice president of operational coordination, as it prepares to expand internationally. Capt. Chuck Magill, former vice president of flight operations, will step into the new position. Southwest Airlines also named Capt. Craig Drew as vice president of flight operations to replace Magill. "There are a lot of changes in the operations in the last couple of years," said Jenna Williamson, a spokeswoman for the carrier.
LinkAirTran Airways to take final bow on Dec. 28AirTran Airways will take its last flight on Dec. 28 from Atlanta to Tampa, Fla. Southwest Airlines acquired AirTran in 2011 for $1.4 billion, and all aircraft will fly under the Southwest name. AirTran was founded in 1993 as ValuJet, and changed its name to AirTran in 1996.
LinkUnited to offer nonstop Chicago-Edinburgh service through Oct. United Airlines announced the beginning of non-stop seasonal service between Chicago and Edinburgh, Scotland. The service operates using Boeing 757-200 aircraft, and will run through October 5 of this year. The airline will offer five weekly flights between the two cities until June 11, after which the service will become daily through September 1. Between September 2 and October 5, the service will decrease to four flights a week. Flights depart Chicago O’Hare International Airport at 6:00 p.m. and arrive at Edinburgh Airport at 7:45 a.m. the next day. From Edinburgh, flights depart at 11:25 a.m. and arrive in Chicago at 1:00 p.m. the same day.
LinkFAA: No college required for air traffic controllers There is growing concern from air traffic controllers over the safety of air travel after the Federal Aviation Administration changed the policy on how it hires controllers. The policy used to require those applying to be controllers to attending a college or university that has a specific program that trains students in air traffic control.
LinkBoeing to acquire U.K. software producerBoeing announced plans to acquire ETS Aviation for an undisclosed amount. Based in the U.K., ETS Aviation provides software that helps achieve fuel efficiency. "Adding these fuel-efficiency tools enhances the edge we provide customers, helping airlines realize greater operating and environmental efficiencies," said Stan Deal, senior vice president of Commercial Aviation Services for Boeing. The deal could close in the second quarter of next year.
LinkElectric taxiing system on schedule for 2017Honeywell said progress continues on its Electric Green Taxiing System (EGTS), which is on track for a 2017 entry into service. Honeywell also said more than 30 airlines have expressed interest in the EGTS, which reduces fuel costs when an aircraft is taxiing. The system is the result of a joint venture between Honeywell Aerospace and Safran.
LinkLAX predicts 21.5 million travelers for summerLos Angeles International Airport is expected to handle 21.5 million travelers over the summer, starting with the Memorial Day holiday this weekend. Los Angeles World Airports, which operates LAX, said the forecast is 4% higher than the same period last year.
LinkBirds-eye views of airport runways reveal intricate designs Almost all airport designs are governed by regulations established by the International Civil Aviation Organization to ensure pilots circling Toledo or Timbuktu remain properly oriented and deliver their passengers safely—Wellington International Airport. Airports are known for rules and regulations, a reputation that applies to the runways as well. Almost all airport designs are governed by regulations established by the International Civil Aviation Organization to ensure pilots circling Toledo or Timbuktu remain properly oriented and deliver passengers and cargo safely.
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