NewsLa. airport unveils new cargo facilities for UPS, FedExLouisiana's Lafayette Regional Airport has opened two new cargo facilities for UPS and FedEx. The facilities each feature nine loading docks and parking for two narrow-body commercial twin-jet aircraft.
LinkUnited regional carrier CommutAir to replace turboprops with jetsCommutAir, a regional airline that is 40% owned by United Airlines, has reached an agreement with the larger carrier to speed the retirement of its 21 Bombardier turboprops and acquire 21 more Embraer ERJ145 jets.
LinkHawaiian Airlines signs component support agreement for new A321neo fleetIllinois-based AAR will provide maintenance support for Hawaiian Airlines' A321Neo fleet, launching next year.
LinkTest flight draws outline of new Boeing 787-8In an 18-hour test flight on Wednesday, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner covered 22 states in a flight path that drew the shape of the plane using tracking software called Flightradar24. The image of the flight plan was captured on the live flight tracker website throughout the day.
LinkSouthwest to take delivery of first Boeing 737 Max 8 this monthSouthwest Airlines will receive its first Boeing 737 Max 8 the aircraft this month and expects to retire all of its classic 737s by October. The company reported quarterly revenue passenger miles growth of 5.1% year-over-year, with available seat miles also growing to just over 40.1 billion.
LinkUK lifts electronics restrictions on Jordanian hubProhibitions on electronic devices on UK-bound services from Jordan have been lifted, following a review by UK authorities. Jordan had been among six countries affected by the ban, imposed in March, which prevented passengers from carrying large electronic devices in the aircraft cabin.
LinkBA cabin-crew strike extended to 30 AugustCabin crew employed under British Airways' mixed-fleet contract are planning to renew strike action unless the airline "hammers out" a new agreement on pay and conditions. Trade union Unite says an ongoing strike by its members that had been due to end on 15 August will now be extended until 30 August.
LinkThree missing in MV-22 crash near AustraliaThree of 26 US Marines on board a Bell Boeing MV-22 are still missing after the tiltrotor crashed off the east coast of Australia on 5 August, the III Marine Expeditionary Forces says in a news release. The MV-22 assigned to VMM-265 squadron aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard “entered the water” during routine operations.
LinkGulfstream has JSTARS in its eyesInside Gulfstream’s special mission modification facility in Savannah, Georgia, two green aircraft are bulking up – from sleek private business jets to action-ready military configurations. With their seasick pallor, the G550s have an almost Frankenstein quality as their iconic oval windows are closed up, noses are flung open and tails are stripped away to prepare for more robust missions.
LinkGermania subsidiary Bulgarian Eagle receives AOC Germania Group’s new subsidiary, Bulgarian Eagle, has received its air operator’s certificate (AOC) from Bulgaria’s aviation authorities. Bulgarian Eagle is a new aircraft-crew-maintenance-insurance (ACMI) carrier that was founded in November 2016 to increase Germania’s presence in the wet-lease business segment. According to Germania, one 150-seat Airbus A319 will be based at London’s Gatwick Airport. The first aircraft bearing the Germania livery will initially operate on Germania routes.
LinkAirberlin, JetBlue to partner on US flightsGermany’s airberlin and New York-based low-cost carrier (LCC) JetBlue Airways have reached a cooperation agreement to offer connecting flights to 31 destinations in the US. Beginning Sept. 12, passengers can book flights to the US with oneworld member airberlin, as well as connecting flights operated by JetBlue from New York JFK, Boston, Massachusetts and Orlando, Florida.
LinkCEO: Brussels Airlines brand to stay for now Lufthansa subsidiary Brussels Airlines, which will be integrated into the group’s low-cost carrier (LCC) Eurowings, will keep its brand for the time being. “So far, yes. There is no reason to change it in the short term; however, it is really the market that decides your name,” CEO Bernard Gustin told ATW.
LinkIATA: Best 1H growth rate for air freight in seven yearsGlobal air freight traffic has risen 10.4% during the first half of 2017, making it the strongest half-year performance for the air cargo market sector in seven years, according to IATA’s June Air Freight Market Analysis. Freight capacity for the 1H grew 3.6% compared to the same period in 2016, resulting in a freight load factor of 44.8%. “Demand growth continues to significantly outstrip capacity growth, which is positive for yields,” IATA said.
LinkRussia’s airlines now allowed to charge baggage feesRussia’s air transport regulations have been changed to allow the country’s airlines to add fees for checked baggage. Previously, Russian airlines had to provide a free baggage allowance with all non-refundable flight tickets.
LinkBoeing and largest supplier Spirit AeroSystems reach new accordBoeing and aircraft parts supplier Spirit AeroSystems have reached a tentative agreement on a new commercial agreement through 2022 that removes considerable uncertainty for both parties. Wichita, Kansas-based Spirit AeroSystems is Boeing’s largest supplier on its commercial aircraft programs and Boeing in turn is Spirit’s largest customer.
LinkFAA grants $355 million for airport repairs, soundproofing near LAXFAA continued rolling out its airport improvement program (AIP) grants for 2017, releasing $355.1 million in funds to 147 US airports, the US Department of Transportation (DOT) said. Of the total, $218.7 million is discretionary funds FAA is awarding to 50 airports based on high-priority project needs.
LinkRussian regional airport reports 1H growth in transfer passengersSamara’s Kurumoch International Airport has reported handling 39,400 transfer passengers in the 2017 first half, up 16.6 times over the year-ago half. The most popular transfer routes via Samara were the international routes of Moscow-Almaty, Moscow-Dushanbe, and Yekaterinburg-Gyumri. Domestic routes included Kirov-Orenburg and Yekaterinburg-Krasnodar, the airport said Aug. 2.
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