NewsAmerican Airlines to launch first Boeing 737 Max on NYC-Miami routeAmerican Airlines announced that it will use its first Boeing 737 Max on its route between LaGuardia Airport and Miami International Airport, starting Nov. 29. The plane is reportedly 14% more fuel-efficient than comparable single-aisle aircraft.
LinkHawaiian Airlines pays attention to details to best serve Chinese customersLiwei Kimura, Hawaiian Airlines' regional director and chief representative for greater China, says the carrier works to attract Chinese customers with flower-wearing flight attendants and cabins that make travelers feel like they are in Hawaii the moment they board. Business-class customers enjoy lie-flat seats and entertainment delivered on personal iPads.
LinkAlaska Airlines gives jersey-wearing flyers early boarding privilegesAlaska Airlines is ready for some football. On flights departing Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, the carrier is giving customers wearing the the number 3 jersey of Russell Wilson -- Seattle Seahawks quarterback and Alaska's "chief football officer" -- the opportunity to board early.
LinkUpgraded maritime Jaguar makes first flightIndian state-owned airframer Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) has performed the maiden flight of an upgraded two-seat, maritime-strike Sepecat Jaguar fitted with an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar. HAL was originally scheduled to complete the $520 million upgrade activity, bringing 61 Jaguars to the so-called DARIN III standard, by December 2017.
LinkFirst flight of Elixir two-seat piston-single set for end of August French start-up Elixir Aircraft is preparing its two-seat Elixir piston-single for first flight at the end of August, and hopes to secure European certification for the all-carbonfibre type in the second quarter of 2018.
LinkRussia cracks down on illegal pleasure flightsRussian authorities are trying to crack down on illegal operations offering sightseeing and pleasure flights to customers unaware of the safety risks involved. Thirteen accidents – six of which were fatal, with the loss of 14 people – have occurred in the general aviation sector so far this year, according to the federal air transport regulator Rosaviatsia.
LinkHas London City debut put CSeries on right approach?Increment by increment, Bombardier is chalking up the operational achievements with its CSeries. London City airport may not be the most awkward in the world, but its steep approach profile and short runway still presents a unique challenge to aircraft and pilots alike.
LinkAntonov parent targets 70 deliveries over five yearsAntonov's parent company is forecasting that the Ukrainian airframer will deliver 70 aircraft over the next five years. Defence conglomerate Ukroboronprom has developed a comprehensive marketing plan for Antonov, drawing on independent expertise and analysis, and taking account of Antonov's capabilities and its current array of arrangements with foreign partners.
LinkUnited adding gates in San Francisco to accommodate growthUnited Airlines will start using gates in boarding area A at San Francisco International airport to accommodate its continuing growth. The Chicago-based Star Alliance carrier will begin operating select Airbus A320 family and Boeing 737 family flights from the 12-gate concourse "soon", said Howard Attarian, senior vice-president of flight operations at United, in a newsletter to pilots on 11 August.
LinkPressured Qatar easing visa rules for 80 statesQatari authorities have lifted visa requirements for citizens of 80 countries, as the Gulf state continues to be pressured by a blockade from a number of other Arab nations. The ruling covers 33 countries, whose nationals are eligible for a 180-day waiver, plus a 30-day waiver for a further 47 countries.
LinkA319 crew queries contradictory clearance at MexicoCanadian investigators have disclosed that an Airbus A319 crew experienced a conflict over authorisation while crossing a runway at Mexico City. The Air Canada Rouge aircraft, transporting 136 passengers and five crew members, had been due to operate a service to Toronto on 3 August.
LinkRyanair calls for new measures as drink disturbances rocketIreland-based low-cost carrier (LCC) Ryanair has called for strict limits on the amount of alcohol passengers can be served at UK airports, following a spike in the number of people arrested for drunken behavior at airports or on flights. A BBC report said 387 people had been arrested in the year to February 2017, up from 255 in the previous 12 months.
LinkAzul optimistic post-IPO; touts new aircraftSão Paulo-based Azul Brazilian Airlines views more efficient aircraft joining its fleet—specifically the Airbus A320neo and Embraer E195-E2—and new revenue streams from ancillary fees as keys to what it is characterizing to investors as a “ton of upside” going forward. Buoyed by an initial public offering (IPO) that raised $570 million in April, Azul executives said a more stable Brazilian economy helped it narrow its second quarter 2017 net loss by 71.7% year-over-year (YOY) to BRL33.9 million ($10.3 million) and swing to a BRL21.3 million net profit for the first half of the year compared to a BRL187.1 million net loss in the first six months of 2016.
LinkRussian court declares Aeroflot subsidiary Donavia bankruptA Russian court has declared Aeroflot Airline subsidiary Donavia insolvent following a bankruptcy filing in January when Aeroflot filed on behalf of its two subsidiaries—Orenburg-based Orenair and Rostov-on-Don-based Donavia. Orenair was declared bankrupt in February 2017.
LinkAvianca sees Latin American market improvingAvianca Holdings chairman Germán Efromovich told ATW the Latin American aviation market is improving, despite localized problems.
LinkCEO: Cobalt Air to install onboard Wi-FiCyprus-based airline Cobalt Air is to fit its fleet of Airbus A320-family aircraft with an onboard Wi-Fi system to allow passengers to download content onto their personal electronic devices.
LinkEthiopian upgrades Boeing 767 fleetEthiopian Airlines Group has refurbished its Boeing 767-300ERs with new seating and inflight entertainment systems. The carrier has six 767-300ERs, which it uses on Indian, Middle Eastern and African routes. The aircraft have been fitted with new flat-bed seats in a 2-2-2 configuration in its Cloud Nine business cabin, high-resolution 17-inch screens and in-seat power outlets, together with improved lighting.
LinkScottish regional Loganair to strengthen ties with British AirwaysScottish regional airline Loganair is in discussions with British Airways (BA) on an expanded codeshare agreement. The Glasgow-based operator is about to come to the end of a lengthy franchise agreement with Europe’s largest regional airline, Flybe. It has flown in Exeter-based Flybe’s colors for a decade, but talks on renewing the agreement broke down in 2016 when the two sides were unable to agree on terms.
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