NewsNorwegian performs first transatlantic 737 MAX flightLow-cost carrier (LCC) Norwegian has performed its first commercial transatlantic flights using the Boeing 737 MAX, with two aircraft now in revenue service. The first Norwegian 737 MAX transatlantic sector was operated July 15 by an aircraft named “Sir Freddie Laker,” who is widely recognized as a long-haul, low-cost pioneer. The Skytrain executive started long-haul, low-cost flights between London Gatwick and New York in 1977, with fares starting at £59 ($77).
LinkFedEx to put $1B into US workers' pensionsFedEx will pay out $1 billion to fund US pensions for its workers in 2018, $300 million above the required amount.
LinkUnited's Munoz leading the charge for ATC reformUnited Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz has become a leading voice for air traffic control reform in the US. "We witness the pressing need for this important reform every day as we go about our jobs. We feel the drag this outdated technology places on our operations, taking away from the incredible work you've done to make us safer and more reliable than ever before," he wrote in an internal memo.
LinkUnited defers first four A350sUnited Airlines has deferred its first four Airbus A350-1000 deliveries, as it continues to consider alternatives to the aircraft. The Chicago-based carrier says the deliveries have been moved "out of 2018", in a quarterly earnings statement today. It does not say when the A350s will be delivered.
LinkUnited Airlines posts $818 million 2Q net profitUnited Airlines posted an $818 million net profit for the second quarter of 2017, a 39.1% increase over the Chicago-based airline’s $588 million net income in 2Q 2016. The airline took a devastating public relations hit at the beginning of the second quarter when passenger David Dao was violently dragged off a United Express flight after being involuntarily bumped from his seat April 9. Over the quarter, United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz apologized publicly and repeatedly atoned for the airline’s early response to the incident.
LinkAmerican Airlines vows to further fight human traffickingAmerican Airlines has committed to signing the Tourism Child-Protection Code of Conduct by the group Ending Child Slavery at the Source USA. "American Airlines and our 120,000 team members around the globe are proud to join ECPAT-USA in the fight against human trafficking and child exploitation," said Doug Parker, American's chairman and CEO.
LinkAlaska Airlines pilot returns to flight after donating kidneyAlaska Airlines Capt. Jodi Harskamp has returned to work after donating a kidney to co-worker Jenny Stansel. The pilot donated her kidney four months ago.
LinkDelta backs Trump's plan to modernize US ATCThe chief executive of Delta Air Lines has unambiguously thrown his support behind a plan to remove US air traffic control (ATC) from the hands of the Federal Aviation Administration, unifying the US industry's support for a major overhaul.
LinkIndonesian 737 freighter in Papua runway excursionA Boeing 737-300 Freighter operated by Tri MG Airlines suffered a runway excursion at Wamena on 18 July. In response to queries made by FlightGlobal, a company official confirmed the incident. He says the incident took place at around 11.50 local time, and the aircraft was landing after operating a Timika-Wamena flight. He also confirmed the aircraft's registration as PK-YGG.
LinkAir Cote d'Ivoire receives first ordered A320West African operator Air Cote d'Ivoire has taken delivery of its first ordered Airbus A320 during a ceremony in Toulouse. The carrier has two A320s and three A320neos on order, according to Airbus's backlog data.
LinkWater heater soldering issue led to smoke on TransAsia A320A soldering issue on a circuit board in a water heater led to smoke incident aboard a TransAsia Airways Airbus A320 on 24 July 2016. The aircraft, registered B-22317, was on a flight from Taichung to Macau with 107 people aboard when the incident happened. Shortly after take-off, a water heater in the rear galley emanated smoke with a "burnt odour".
LinkBoeing to boost UK simulator numbers to meet training demandHeightened demand from its airline customers has prompted Boeing to invest in a major expansion to its Flight Services Centre training facility near London Gatwick airport. Opened in 2004, the site in Crawley, West Sussex, will be boosted through the addition of a further four full-flight simulators (FFS), Boeing announced on 13 July. The company has yet to disclose which aircraft types will be supported by the devices, which will be ready for use from next year.
LinkAirbus UK chief departs in senior management rejigAirbus has confirmed that its UK president, Paul Kahn, is stepping down from the post. It has not named a direct replacement for the position, but has appointed Katherine Bennett as senior vice-president of Airbus in the UK.
LinkIran displays Kosar light attack and trainer jet at MAKSIran’s military plans to field a new light attack and training jet called the Kosar within 2.5 years, industry officials tell FlightGlobal on 18 July at the MAKS air show outside Moscow. After a public roll-out last month, Iran Aviation Industries Organization (IAIO) displayed a scale model of the twin-engined, two-seat Kosar jet to an international audience for the first time in the MAKS exhibit halls.
LinkCenter wing box replacement deal supports RAF's HerculesThe UK Royal Air Force will continue operating its remaining Lockheed Martin C-130J tactical transports until 2035, with their service-life extension to be supported by a key structural upgrade program. Announced by the Ministry of Defence on 14 July, a new, £110 million ($143 million) contract will lead to the UK's Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group replacing the centre wing boxes on 14 stretched-fuselage C-130J-30s, designated C4s by the RAF.
LinkG120TP gets UK release to service approvalThe UK's operational introduction of the Grob Aircraft G120TP elementary trainer has moved a step closer, after the Affinity Flying Training Services joint venture secured military release to service approval for the type. Attained on 11 July, the approval "marks the start of the service provision by Affinity to the UK Military Flying Training System [MFTS] programme", says Iain Chalmers, managing director of the Elbit Systems/KBR joint venture company.
LinkIrkut MC-21 gets new orders at MAKS Air Show Russia’s Ilyushin Finance Co. (IFC) signed a letter of intent with VIM Airlines to lease 15 Irkut MC-21-300s on July 18 at the MAKS Air Show in Moscow. The 211-seat aircraft is scheduled to be delivered from 2021-2024. VIM has not yet decided which engine—the Pratt & Whitney PW1400 or PD-14—will be chosen for the aircraft.
LinkAeroflot firms order for 20 SSJ100s Russia’s Aeroflot has firmed orders for 20 Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SSJ100) aircraft July 18 at the MAKS Air Show. The agreement follows an MOU that was signed in January 2015.
LinkLufthansa Group increases 2017 profit forecastThe Lufthansa Group increased its profit forecast for 2017 as first-half preliminary figures showed adjusted earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) more than doubled to €1.04 billion ($1.2 billion) from €529 million in the year-ago period. First-half revenue increased 13% to €17 billion, up from €15 billion a year ago.
LinkCan Heathrow’s third runway be built for $7 billion less?In the never-ending, will-it-ever-happen saga that is London Heathrow’s third runway, new options have come forward that claim the project could be built for a third less than the £18 billion ($23 billion) price tag currently proposed by the airport.
LinkTNT Express still recovering from June cyberattack; revenues hitFedEx’s Netherlands-based subsidiary TNT Express continues to experience residual effects from the June 28 “Petya” cyberattack, with the financial impact of the incident “likely [to] be material,” the company said. “We do not have cyber or other insurance in place that covers this attack,” FedEx said in its annual fiscal year disclosure to the US Securities and Exchange Commission, filed July 17.
LinkRussia’s UEC prepares TV7-117ST engine for test flightsRussia’s United Engine Corp. (UEC) is preparing the turboprop engine TV7-117ST for flight tests, which will be performed with the Il-76LL flying laboratory. The laboratory was presented on the first day of the MAKS Air Show in Moscow. Engine bed tests were started in September 2016.
LinkChorus Aviation Capital to buy E190 leases from KLM, AeromexicoHalifax-based Chorus Aviation Capital (CAC), the leasing arm of Chorus Aviation, will acquire two Embraer E190s with attached leases, the company said June 17, bringing in the first Embraer aircraft to the CAC portfolio. The aircraft, both three years old, will come from KLM Royal Dutch Airlines’ regional subsidiary KLM Cityhopper and from Aeromexico’s regional subsidiary Aeromexico Connect.
LinkDelta to launch LAX-Mexico City route in DecemberDelta Air Lines will launch daily Los Angeles-Mexico City service from Dec. 1, complementing its transborder joint-venture partner Aeromexico’s existing 6X-daily roundtrip service. Atlanta-based Delta plans to operate a 132-seat Airbus A319 on the route in a three-tier configuration of 12 first-class seats, 18 Delta comfort seats and 102 main cabin seats. The flight is subject to government approval.
LinkEthiopian Airlines expands Nigeria operationsEthiopian Airlines plans to launch 3X-weekly Addis Ababa Bole International Airport-Kaduna (Nigeria) services Aug. 1, despite the economic challenges for the Addis Ababa-based carrier. ATW understands Ethiopian will use either a Boeing 787 or 737NG on this route.
LinkThai Airways to expand European servicesThai Airways International will launch 4X-weekly Bangkok Suvarnabhumi-Vienna services Nov. 16, using a Boeing 777-200ER, with 30 seats in business and 262 in economy class. ATW understands the new route will be then served by three Star Alliance member carriers—Austrian Airlines, EVA Air and Thai.
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