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Airbus promises full transparency in A400M investigation
The head of Airbus Defense & Space’s military aircraft division has committed the company to “full transparency” once the factors behind a fatal A400M crash are known. Four of the company’s flight test personnel were killed when aircraft MSN23 came down shortly after taking off from Seville airport on 9 May, while another two suffered serious injuries. Airbus confirms that the tactical transport – which was scheduled to be delivered to the Turkish air force next month – was making its first flight.
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For the Airbus A350, the Honeymoon is Coming to an End
Qatar Airways, which remains the first and only operator of the Airbus A350XWB, is preparing to introduce new complexities to the aircraft’s operation early next year. Qatar said it will fly the A350 from Doha to the United States in March 2016. Additionally, Lufthansa said it will begin flying the A350 from its Munich hub in late 2016.
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Two CSeries variants going to Paris, CS300 to join flying display
Bombardier confirms both CSeries variants will be featured in the static display at the Paris air show next month, while one of the aircraft – the first CS300 test vehicle – will participate in the flying display. The arrival of both aircraft in Paris will mark an abrupt change from one year ago, when an engine problem forced Bombardier’s CS100 test vehicle to miss a debut appearance at the Farnborough air show. It will also spectacularly herald the arrival of a new management and sales team within Bombardier’s commercial aircraft division.
LinkAirlines
Air Canada Narrows First-Quarter Loss
Air Canada reported a slightly lower first-quarter loss as fuel costs fell and other operating costs improved. Net loss narrowed to CAD$309 million (USD$256 million) in the quarter ended March 31 from CAD$341 million a year earlier. The carrier's operating revenue rose 6 percent to CAD$3.3 billion. Load factor rose to 81.5 percent from 80.3 percent.
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American raises its estimate for jet fuel costs
American Airlines said it expects to pay up to $1.99 a gallon for jet fuel in the second quarter. The fuel forecast is 10 cents higher than the carrier predicted in April.
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Delta Air Lines (DAL) Stock Declines as Oil Prices Rally
Delta Air Lines shares are down 1.26% to $46.22 in afternoon trading on Tuesday as rising oil prices take their toll on the airline sector today. Airline stocks have been tied to the performance of oil in recent sessions as falling crude prices mean cheaper jet fuel for the airline industry.
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EasyJet commits to higher-density A320s
UK budget carrier EasyJet has become the latest airline to commit to a higher-density Airbus A320 layout with the decision to fit 186 seats in the type. Airbus has been developing a revised cabin interior allowing an increase in accommodation from the previous limit of 180. EasyJet had hinted that it was leaning towards the higher-capacity version during the delivery of its 250th Airbus in Hamburg last month.
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EasyJet Swings To A Profit In Weaker Season
EasyJet said it was positioned to continue to grow in the current financial year, after swinging to a profit in its seasonally weaker first-half. The group, which like its rivals traditionally makes a loss over the winter, reported a pretax profit of GBP£7 million (USD$11 million) in the six months ended March 31. easyJet said a lower fuel price and favorable currency movements as well as a strong finish to the ski season contributed to the profit.
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Southwest is in negotiations with ramp agents
Despite plans to hire some 500 new ramp agents in some of its largest markets, Southwest's 8,000 unionized ramp agents, members of Transport Workers Union Local 555, said today they plan to picket the carrier's annual meeting slated for Wednesday in Houston, where the airline's record-breaking profits no doubt will be celebrated by CEO Gary Kelly and his management team.
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Southwest Airlines to modernize its 737 fleet
Southwest Airlines will be upgrading its current and future 737s with a full avionics suite from Honeywell, according to an announcement made on Friday. "The timing of this decision is based on our company's continued focus on fleet modernization including preparing for the introduction of the 737 MAX in 2017 and to equip our aircraft now for future FAA-mandated cockpit requirements," said Craig Drew, vice president of flight operations at Southwest.
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Thai Airways Returns To Profit In Q1
Thai Airways returned to net profit in the first quarter, as a foreign exchange gain and increased tourism traffic wiped out the impact of rising restructuring costs. Excluding the foreign exchange gain, income tax and impairment loss, the flag carrier made a profit of THB4.4 billion baht, versus a loss of THB3.3 billion a year earlier. Operating revenue rose 3.4 percent, while total expenses fell 11.6 percent after fuel costs dropped in line with global oil prices.
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United Airlines rolls out beta version of new website
United Airlines has launched a beta version of a website which is accessible today. Navigating to beta.united.com allows users to test out the new interface. The new website is designed to be fully touch integrated and to mimic the look and feel of United's smartphone application, according to the airline.
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US Airways likely to stop flying this fall
After more than 75 years of flying, the end is near for US Airways. American Airlines plans to shut down the venerable carrier over a 90-day stretch that could begin as soon as July, which would mean a final departure around October. American executives designed the gradual fade-out to avoid the kind of technological glitches and massive flight delays that plagued United Airlines after it abruptly switched to Continental's computer systems in 2012. US Airways flights will slowly disappear and be replaced by American flights in a single reservations system. It's one of the trickiest parts of merging two airlines.
LinkAirports
Cleveland airport serves as a testing ground for new security technology
The Cleveland Hopkins International Airport has been testing a surveillance technology designed to spot travelers going the wrong way through exits.
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Denver airport posts higher revenues, lower costs
Denver International Airport is now reporting lower borrowing costs and higher revenues than airports of similar size -- all while operating out of the state with the 22nd largest population. DIA is the top economic generator in the state with $26.3 billion in earnings per year.
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Military
Czech air force looks to the future with enhanced Gripens
Ten years on from the introduction of its leased fleet of Saab Gripen fighters, the Czech air force’s 211 Sqn has hit its stride with the provision of round-the-clock domestic air defense cover, and additional participation in some NATO activities beyond the nation’s borders. Prague’s original lease agreement – contracted in April 2004 – covered the provision of 14 aircraft and spare parts, with the fleet to deliver a combined annual total of 2,100 flight hours. Sweden would also deliver training for 21 Czech pilots and 69 technicians at its Såtenäs air base under the deal, although a subsequent agreement increased the former total to 36.
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Philippines controls aircraft from USAF AWACS
The Philippine air force (PAF) has demonstrated air-to-air operation of indigenous aircraft from a US Air Force Boeing E-3 Sentry airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft. The demonstration took place during Exercise Balikatan at the former Clark AFB in the Philippines. The annual bi-national event provided the opportunity for five PAF battle managers at a time to direct its aircraft from the Boeing 707-derived Sentry, providing operational experience for Philippines personnel ahead of a potential acquisition of a similar type.
LinkUAV
Northrop to receive $4bn Global Hawk deal as program stabilizes
The US Air Force is on the cusp of awarding Northrop Grumman a contract valued at $4 billion to sustain and modernize the RQ-4 Global Hawk over the next five years as the high-flying unmanned aircraft emerges from the shadow of potential retirement into a normalized defense program. The award would follow a protracted debate in Washington over whether the spying variant of the RQ-4 should be retired in favor of the manned alternative – Lockheed Martin’s U-2 Dragon Lady – which saw Northrop’s Global Hawk Block 30 program dropped from the air force’s budget plan for fiscal 2013.
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Aviation Quote
Insurer: It was pilot error.
Pilot: It was design error.
Insurer: I disagree. The pilot is at fault for trusting the designer.
Anon
On This Date
---In 1927... Colonial Air Transport offers a sightseeing trip from Teterboro, New Jersey, around New York City for just $8, less than the price of a similar trip in a taxi.
---In 1940... The first successful free flight of a true helicopter is made by Igor I. Sikorsky’s single-rotor VS-300.
---In 1961… NASA legislative program for the 87th Congress was submitted (S. 1857 and H.R. 7115), asking for authority to lease property, authority to acquire patent releases, elimination of the CMLC, replacement of semiannual reports to Congress with an annual one, and authority to indemnify contractors against unusually hazardous risks.
---In 1982… Braniff International Airways' president Howard D. Putnam announces the airline has filed for protection under bankruptcy laws, and the airline's fleet of 71 aircraft is grounded.
Daily Video
Editor’s Choice
Trivia
WORLD AIRLINES
1. What is the oldest airline still operating under its original name?
KLM
Northwest Airlines
Deutsche Lufthansa
Qantas
2. What airline carried the most passengers in 2005?
British Airways
American Airlines
United Airlines
Japan Airlines
3. Which of these low-cost airlines is not based in India?
Air Blue
Go Air
SpiceJet
Paramount Airways
4. What colour is associated with EasyJet?
Dark Blue
Purple
Orange
Maroon
5. Which of these is not an international airline?
Continental Airlines
Southwest Airlines
Northwest Airlines
Delta Air Lines
6. Which of these European Airlines is not operating?
SABENA
Air Dolomiti
Eurowings
Luxair
7. Which of these is a French airline?
GB Airways
Air Scotland
Brit Air
Aurigny Air Services
8. MALEV the flag-carrier of what country?
Czech Republic
Lithuania
Iceland
Hungary
9. Which of these is not a Japanese Airline?
Skymark Airlines
All Nippon Airways
Asiana Airlines
Hokkaido International Airlines
10. Which of these is a Mexican Airline?
Aero California
Mesaba Airlines
Frontier Airlines
Chautauqua Airlines
