NewsAir Asia QZ8501
Debris confirmed as coming from missing AirAsia A320
Indonesian search and rescue authorities have confirmed that debris located in the Karimata Strait is from the Indonesia AirAsia aircraft missing since 28 December. The debris was located in the strait some 110nm south-west of Pangkalan Bun, a city on the southern coast of Borneo. AirAsia Group chief Tony Fernandes says he is "absolutely devastated" at the confirmation of wreckage from the aircraft, an Airbus A320 which had been operating flight QZ8501 from Surabaya to Singapore.
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Weather conditions key to QZ8501 investigation
AirAsia group chief executive Tony Fernandes pledged full confidence in his crew and fleet and urged against speculating on what brought flight QZ8501 crashing into the sea, as search and rescue teams continue to recover debris and bodies. Speaking to reporters in Surabaya, Fernandes says he has met with Indonesian president Joko Widodo and "talked about some of the information we had on what could have gone wrong.” He declined to disclose more, and says the focus is on recovery efforts and bringing these to a conclusion as soon as possible. “What we are beginning to see is that there was some very unique weather conditions. Let’s wait for investigations to be concluded,” says Fernandes. He adds that the 53-year-old captain in command, Iriyanto, was “extremely experienced”, having accumulated over 20,000 flight hours. He was also a former fighter pilot with the Indonesian Air Force, and originated from Surabaya, so he knew the area “very well”.
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Divers To Search For AirAsia Wreckage
Divers and ships will search for wreckage and the data recorders of AirAsia flight QZ8501 on Wednesday after Indonesian rescuers found several bodies and debris floating in shallow waters off the coast of Borneo. Aviation experts believe the fuselage may be easily found as the aircraft probably only broke up when it hit the water. "The fact that the debris appears fairly contained suggests the aircraft broke up when it hit the water, rather than in the air," Neil Hansford, a former pilot and chairman of consultancy firm Strategic Aviation Solutions said.
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Top airlines by revenue passenger kilometers
Global passenger traffic has increased by 5.8% year-over-year during the first eight months of 2014. Europe increased 29.7%, Asia-Pacific 29.2%, and North America 25%. These regions comprise ~85% of the global market share by passenger traffic. Europe dominates the international market with ~40% of the market share, followed by Asia Pacific with 25%. In the domestic market, the United States and China are leading with a traffic share of 42.7% and 22.3%, respectively. Growth in traffic has been higher in the Middle East and Africa as well as Latin America.
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Alaska Air to waive $25 checked bag fee for mileage plan members in Jan.
For the month of January, Alaska Airlines is offering one free checked bag to members of its Mileage Plan, waiving its $25 fee.
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American Airlines CEO discusses 4% pay raise
American Airlines gave most employees raises of 4% recently. "There are many ways to share success, but when it comes to compensation, we believe it is best to reward the 100,000 hard-working team members of American with industry leading wage rates," said CEO Doug Parker in a letter to employees.
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SpiceJet Asked To Pay USD$31.5 Mln To Airport Operator
India's state-run airport operator has asked SpiceJet to deposit INR2 billion rupees (USD$31.5 million) by December 31, failing which the airline could be put in so-called cash-and-carry mode. SpiceJet has so far given a bank guarantee of INR825 million rupees of the total due, a senior government official, who declined to be named, told reporters in New Delhi. He said the aviation ministry would decide the next course of action in case the airline didn't pay by the deadline.
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UPS, FedEx deliver nearly all packages on time for holidays
UPS and FedEx delivered around 98% of holiday packages on time this year, according to Shipmatrix. Both companies invested millions in infrastructure and worked closely with customers to forecast volumes.
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United Leaves Dog Out in the Rain?
After a woman tweeted Sunday that United Airlines (UAL) had mistreated a dog, many people immediately assumed that United had in fact mistreated a dog. If only life were so simple. If only tweeting would make things clear, when they might be more complicated. So what really happened?
LinkAirports
Fla. airport predicts increase in flights to Cuba
Tampa International Airport expects to see an increase in flights to Cuba after the U.S. normalized relations with Cuba. Tampa, Fla., has the third-largest Cuban population in the U.S. The airport currently offers service to Cuba via charters backed by American Airlines and Jet Blue Airways.
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Aviation Quote
Go-around power please.
— Captain Jim Collins, Air New Zealand 901, last recorded words. 28 November 1979.
On This Date
---In 1908... Wilbur Wright at Auvours, France, makes the first flight over 2 hours. He flies for 2 hours and 20 minutes, covers 77 miles, and wins the Michelin Cup for 1908.
---In 1951... This year, for the first time, air passenger miles flown (10.6 million) have exceeded passenger miles traveled in Pullman cars on the railroad (10.2 million).
---In 1958... This year, for the first time, more passengers (1.2 million) have crossed the North Atlantic by air than by sea.
---In 1967…The Royal Air Force's V-bomber force begins to be dismantled, pending the deployment of the Polaris missile aboard Royal Navy submarines to act as Britain's nuclear deterrent.
---In 1967…The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) begins initial talks to develop guidelines for a re-usable spaceplane.
---In 1968... The world’s first supersonic transport aircraft to fly, the Tupolev Tu-144, takes to the air, powered by four 28,660/38,580-lb. s.t. Kuznetsov NK-144 turbofans.
---In 1985…Singer-songwriter and actor Ricky Nelson and six others die in the crash of a Douglas DC-3 near DeKalb, Texas.
---In 1986…First flight of the IAI Lavi.
---In 2006…Caribbean Airlines is founded.
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Aircraft Names
1. C-9A
2. B-45
3. P-61
4. F-20
5. F-11
6. F-111
7. F3H
8. F-4U
9. A-7H
10. FH-1
11. F-4F
12. KC-10
13. F-94
