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Buffett investment signals growing confidence in US airlines
Berkshire Hathaway, led by investor Warren Buffett, is boosting its confidence in the US airline industry, investing $10 billion in the largest US carriers. Buffett's investment includes $2.1 billion in American, $2.2 billion in United and $2.4 billion in Southwest.
LinkAirlines
Aerosucre 727 crash probe missing aircraft weight data
Investigators probing the crash of an Aerosucre Boeing 727-200 freighter during departure have so far been unable to determine the take-off weight of the aircraft. The 727 overran at Puerto Carreno as it attempted to depart the airport in a tailwind, Colombian accident investigation authority GRIAA has found. But it has been unable to locate details of the manifest or the aircraft’s weight and balance during examination of the wreckage.
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Crashed Aerosucre 727 attempted take-off in tailwind
Colombian investigators have determined that the crew of a Boeing 727-200 freighter departed in a tailwind before the aircraft overran and struck a perimeter fence, briefly becoming airborne before crashing in a field. The inquiry into the 20 December accident at Puerto Carreno states that the crew was apparently “unaware” of information regarding the direction and strength of the wind.
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Air Canada grows net profit in 2016
Air Canada's 2016 net profit has almost tripled that of 2015, with the company reporting $650 million. Revenue increased by 5.8% for the year.
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Air France Pilots Vote For Low-Cost Boost Unit
Pilots at Air France have voted to accept in principle the creation of a new low-cost subsidiary at the airline, the SNPL union said. The union reported a 58.1 percent vote to accept the creation of the Boost low cost carrier. The turnout was 73.8 percent.
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Alaska Airlines upgrades IFE, F&B options for passengers
Alaska Airlines is making iMessage, WhatsApp, and Facebook Messenger available on flights equipped with Gogo, while making its entire catalog of streaming content available through March. The airline is upgrading food and beverage options, and 40% of the fleet supports the carrier's new premium class.
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Alaska Airlines will spend $100M to improve its terminals
Alaska Airlines will spend nearly $100 million over the next five years to expand and upgrade the 11 terminals it owns throughout Alaska. The airline is also investing $40 million in a new hangar in Anchorage.
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Asiana taps Atlas Air for trans-Pacific cargo route
Atlas Air has been awarded a contract by Asiana Cargo to operate a trans-Pacific route using one of its Boeing 747-400 freighters. "Asiana takes pride in providing reliable, high-quality service, and we are very pleased to be chosen to manage an important part of its international network," said William Flynn, Atlas Air Worldwide's president and CEO.
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Russian authorities offer to help decrypt MH17 radar data
Russian authorities have stressed that they are willing to assist investigators with decryption of radar data submitted to the criminal probe into the loss of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17. The Dutch national prosecutor had stated that the format of the Russian radar data was not that typically used in Europe for data exchange.
LinkAirports
Calif. airport maintains 2 names
Bob Hope Airport in California changed its name to Hollywood Burbank Airport last year, but the Federal Aviation Administration will continue to recognize the Bob Hope name. "Hollywood is one of the most powerful brand names in the world and adding it to the airport can only benefit the airport," said Leron Gubler of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.
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Airline, airport collaborating on terminal revamp at DFW
American Airlines and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport officials are considering their options to ensure terminal renovations are best suited to address needs. The airport is considering building a new Terminal F and the airline could decide to move some operations there. "We have to think about what's going to happen on the F site and what we and the airport agree should be built on the F site and then roll that all together," said American executive Tim Skipworth.
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Military
Poland speeds acquisition of 16 helicopters
Poland has begun negotiations with three bidders as it looks to acquire 16 helicopters – eight for special forces missions and eight for anti-submarine warfare and maritime search and rescue operations. The defence ministry in Warsaw says it has “invited the bidders” – thought to be Airbus Helicopters, Leonardo Helicopters and Sikorsky – to submit offers for the requirement.
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Israel reviews unused weapons carriage after F-16I crash
The Israeli air force is to change its procedures for performing asymmetric landings with fighters, following an investigation into a fatal accident involving a Lockheed Martin F-16I “Sufa” on 5 October 2016. After conducting an air strike against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip, the two-seat F-16I caught fire while on approach to land at Ramon air base in the south of Israel.
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Trump teases Super Hornet order
As US President Donald Trump stood in front of Boeing’s inaugural 787-10 Dreamliner in South Carolina this week, he turned his attention from the company’s commercial crown jewel to tease a possible military aircraft sale. Trump mentioned a potential F/A-18E/F Super Hornet order as the focus of his speech meandered from boosting American jobs to rebuilding its military.
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Aviation Quote
When I took over my wing [in Vietnam], the big talk wasn't about the MIG's, but about the SAM's ... I'd seen enemy planes before, but those damn SAM's were something else. When I saw my first one, there were a few seconds of sheer panic, because that's a most impressive sight to see that thing coming at you. You feel like a fish about to be harpooned. There's something terribly personal about the SAM; it means to kill you and I'll tell you right now, it rearranges your priorities ... We had been told to keep our eyes on them and not to take any evasive move too soon, because they were heat-seeking and they, too would correct, so I waited until it was almost on me and then I rolled to the right and it went on by. It was awe inspiring ... The truth is you never do get used to the SAM's; I had about two hundred fifty shot at me and the last one was as inspiring as the first. Sure I got cagey, and I was able to wait longer and longer, but I never got overconfident. I mean, if you're one or two seconds too slow, you've had the schnitzel.
- General Robin Olds, USAF.
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