NewsCommercial
A350 XWB provides bigger canvas for airlines
When Qatar Airways’ chief executive, Akbar Al Baker, took delivery of his company’s first Airbus A350-900 in Toulouse on 22 December 2014, he did so with a broad smile, happy with the latest addition to the fleet. However, just days before the initial planned handover date, the ceremony was delayed by more than a week. The reason: problems relating to a supplier of Qatar’s buyer-furnished equipment for the aircraft’s cabin. Al Baker – well known as a stickler for detail – was prepared to postpone a major event to ensure the problem was fixed.
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Boeing Beats Airbus In Q1 Net Orders, Deliveries
Boeing beat Airbus in net new aircraft orders and deliveries in the first quarter, according to figures released on Tuesday. The two plane giants showed mixed results in the traditionally slow first quarter for new orders but the gap between them in deliveries widened after Boeing posted record first-quarter deliveries. Airbus said it had booked gross orders of 121 aircraft between January and March, beating Boeing's total of 116.
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Boeing receives patent for sleep support system
You know that moment when you're deep into a long-distance journey and you just cannot get comfortable enough to sleep? And you'd do just about, or pay just about anything for some sort of bed, or sleep support for even a few hours of life-rewewing sleep? Well, Boeing may have a little something for you. GeekWire touches on the company's newest patent (issued March 24), one which would "solve the common problem of trying to sleep hunched over to the side or straight up."
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Boeing thinks smarter to boost 777, 737 appeal
Boeing's best-selling twin-aisle aircraft, the 777, has in recent times been somewhat unfairly overshadowed by its smaller sibling, the 787. The comparative newness of the Dreamliner – and by extension its interior – helping it to steal the headlines. However, that is not to say there has been no evolution of the 777’s interior over the past few years. Far from it, says Larry Schneider, vice-president and chief project engineer for the programme, who insists that Boeing’s big twin remains the “benchmark” of its widebody product line.
LinkAirlines
Aeroflot Among Europe's Top 5 Airlines for Revenue Seat Kilometres
Aeroflot is among the top five European airlines for revenue seat kilometres (RSK) and rate of growth, according to Airline Business magazine's 2014 review of global civil aviation. Aeroflot's RSK for 2014 was 67.12 billion passenger kilometres, 11.4% greater than the previous year. In absolute terms this puts the company in 5th place in Europe, and in 4th place in terms of its growth rate - overtaking leading carriers such as Air France-KLM, Lufthansa, and British Airways.
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Aeromexico Reports March 2015 Traffic Results
Grupo Aeromexico S.A.B. de C.V., the largest airline in Mexico, today reported March 2015 operational results. Grupo Aeromexico transported 1 million 575 thousand passengers in March; a 10.5% year-on-year increase. International passenger numbers increased by 21.8%, while domestic passenger numbers increased by 5.9%.
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Allegiant Reports March 2015 Traffic
Allegiant Travel Company (ALGT) today reported preliminary passenger traffic results for March 2015. "First quarter costs trended better than expected," stated Scott Sheldon, CFO and senior vice president of Allegiant Travel Company.
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Delta CEO considers hub in Shanghai
Richard Anderson, the CEO of Delta Air Lines, said the carrier may consider building an international hub in Shanghai. "As we plan for our long-term future, it becomes more clear every day that China will be a major part of our business," he said in a message to employees.
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IAM cancels attempt to unionize Delta flight attendants
The International Association of Machinists has withdrawn its filing for an election to unionize Delta Air Lines flight attendants. Once the National Mediation Board formally dismisses the union’s application, no filing for a unionization election among the airline’s flight attendants is allowed for one year, according to Atlanta-based Delta.
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FedEx announces acquisition of Europe's TNT Express
FedEx announced on Tuesday that it plans to acquire Europe's TNT Express for $4.8 billion deal. "We believe that this strategic acquisition will add significant value for FedEx share owners, team members and customers around the globe," said Frederick Smith, chairman and CEO of FedEx.
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Hawaiian Airlines carried more passengers in March
Hawaiian Airlines reported a 7% increase in passenger traffic for March on a year-over-year basis. The carrier also posted a 2.7% increase in load factor for the month, bringing its March load factor to 81.2%.
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Lufthansa Says Not Obliged To Report Copilot's Medical Record
Lufthansa said it was not required to inform German aviation authorities about Mame Redacted former depression because he qualified as a pilot before stricter reporting rules went into effect in 2013. The question of what Lufthansa knew about any psychiatric problems may be a factor in its liability in the crash. Germany's Allianz estimates that insurers will end up paying USD$300 million in claims and costs related to the crash.
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NokScoot Cancels Japan, South Korea Charter Flights
Thai long-haul low-cost carrier NokScoot has cancelled all charter flights to Japan and South Korea until April 27, pending a license re-evaluation by the authorities. NokScoot, a joint venture between Nok Airlines and Singapore Airlines subsidiary Scoot, will have to refund more than 20,000 passengers booked on flights during the period, Chairman Patee Sarasin said.
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Southwest Airlines to boost service from Love Field
Southwest Airlines plans to add flights to nine U.S. cities this week from Dallas Love Field. The new flights will boost the number of weekday departures to 166 for Southwest at Love Field.
LinkAirports
Sea-Tac to spend $10 million on Wi-Fi upgrades
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport officials plan to spend $10 million to upgrade the facility's Wi-Fi. The goal is to provide enough bandwidth to support 80 users streaming movies simultaneously near each of the airport's 83 boarding gates, said Dave Wilson, chief aviation technologist for the Port of Seattle.
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Regulatory
EASA ponders commercial single-engine IMC ruling
EASA has recently completed its review of industry comments on the controversial subject of commercial single-engine turbine operations in instrument meteorological conditions (CAT SET-IMC), and expects to publish its Final Opinion “in the third quarter” of this year for rulemaking by the European Commission in 2016. The subject attracted about 150 comments, the majority of which were in favour of CAT SET-IMC, but traditionally conservative states such as Germany and the UK continue to express outright opposition or scepticism.
LinkCorporate
NetJets takes delivery of 100th US-assembled Embraer Phenom
The 100th Phenom to be assembled at Embraer’s facility in Melbourne, Florida, has been handed over to the airframer’s largest customer, NetJets. The fractional ownership company took delivery of the Phenom 300– its 40thexample of the light business jet – on 2 April. The aircraft – registration CS-PHF – will enter service with NetJets' European sister company this month, along with another of the seven-seat types.
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Aviation Quote
Sacrifices must be made.
— Otto Lilienthal, one of the main sources of inspiration for the Wright brothers, this was a favorite phrase. He died August 10, 1896 from injuries sustained two days earlier in a crash of one of his hang gliders. German: "Opfer mussen gebracht werden."
On This Date
---In 1931... Amelia Earhart climbs to a record altitude of 18,415 feet in a Pitcairn autogyro at Willow Grove, near Philadelphia.
---In 1940... The U.S. Navy places a contract with Grumman for two prototypes of the XTBF-1, later named Avenger, a chunky mid-wing monoplane that would become the U.S. Navy’s standard carrier torpedo bomber of World War II.
---In 1946…Etiopian Airlines commences flight operations.
---In 1947…Largest recorded sunspot (7,000) observed.
---In 1954…a de Havilland Comet 1, operating South African Airways Flight 201 from Rome to Cairo and Johannesburg, disintegrates in mid-air over the Mediterranean Sea near Naples following fatigue failure, killing all 14 passengers and seven crew.
---In 1961…USAF Discoverer XXIII placed into polar orbit from Pacific Missile Range but reentry capsule stayed in orbit.
---In 1964…Unmanned Gemini 1 launched.
---In 1966…OAO 1, 1st orbiting astronomical observatory, launched.
---In 1988… Pacific Southwest Airlines shut down operations and was integrated to USAir (now US Airways).
---In 1993…STS-56, Discovery, launches into orbit.
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Editor’s Choice
Trivia
[b] TRIVIA
1. What popular and well-known US general aviation airport has fewer original residents in the community after which the airport is named than can be carried aboard many of the airplanes that land there?
2. WW1 fighter airplanes had open cockpits. What are three reasons that pilots of those airplanes didn’t want glass canopies even though the technology to make them was available?
3. In weather reports, what is the difference between SKC and CLR?
4. What was the fastest (in level flight), operational American fighter of World War II?
5. What is the only U.S. military turbofan airplane that may be flown using all of its thrust reversers in flight?
6. The landing gear of the space shuttle is not extended until immediately before touchdown. What means are used to ensure that the gear extends in time?
