NewsUnited Airlines resumes limited service to, from HoustonThe Houston Airport System is expected to reopen its airports this week, and United Airlines prepared to offer limited service to and from the beleaguered city. The carrier will immediately resume some flights between Houston and some of United's other hubs, adding some regional service on Friday.
LinkAlaska Airlines, Singapore Airlines reach mile-sharing dealAlaska Airlines announced a new partnership with Singapore Airlines. Beginning September 27, members of both Alaska Airlines’ Mileage Plan and Singapore Airlines’ KrisFlyer frequent flyer programs will be able to earn miles on flights operated by either airline.
LinkA glimpse into what happens at airports overnightTravel reporter Harriet Baskas spent the night touring Denver International Airport with United Airlines staff to get a first-hand look at what happens when the last passenger leaves the airport. The 10 p.m.-7:30 a.m. "shift" included a look at the maintenance hangar, how planes get cleaned before the next day's service and pilot preparations at the Flight Operations Center.
LinkAmerican Airlines team inspects a new Boeing 787-9Columnist Scott McCartney tags along as an American Airlines crew vigorously inspects a new Boeing 787-9, checking the engines, kicking the tires and inspecting every single nook and cranny. "We basically touch everything on the airplane that the crew and customers contact," flight attendant Steve Young says.
LinkPilots warned to stay alert for Toronto incursion risksCockpit crew representatives are urging pilots to stay disciplined and alert during ground manoeuvring at Toronto Pearson airport after a series of runway incursions at the hub. Most incursions have taken place during operations involving the closely-spaced parallel runways 06R/24L and 06L/24R, says the International Federation of Air Line Pilots' Associations.
LinkQantas's Singapore-London redux tightens Asia focusQantas’s reversion to operating its Sydney-London services via Singapore says much more about its Asian ambitions than its legacy focus on flying to Europe. From 25 March 2018, the airline will shift its QF1/2 flights from Sydney to London that have operated via Dubai since April 2013 back onto the traditional 'Kangaroo route' via Singapore.
LinkBoeing adds 737 Max 8, 787-9 simulators to Singapore centerBoeing Training and Professional Services has commissioned a 737 Max 8 full-flight simulator at its Singapore campus, which will be joined by a 787-9 simulator in November. The additional two simulators join five others at the facility – two 787-8 sims, two 737NG sims and one 777-300 sim – making it Boeing's largest simulator centre in Asia-Pacific.
LinkQantas to drop Dubai under renewed Emirates pactQantas will switch its Sydney-Dubai-London flights to operate via Singapore from 25 March 2018, under a renewed partnership with Emirates. The two airlines will shortly file for regulatory clearance to extend the partnership for another five years, which Qantas says will deliver it annualised net benefits of more than A$80 million ($63.3 million) from the 2019 fiscal year onwards.
LinkEmbraer hopes for easing of US scope weight limits for E2Embraer is pinning its hopes on an easing of regional jet weight limits during the next round of pilot contract negotiations at the US mainline carriers, as it looks for an in for its E-Jet E2 family. The Brazilian airframer sees a possible raising of the 39,010kg (86,000lb) maximum take-off weight (MTOW) limit under current pilot scope clauses at all the US majors by 2022, said Victor Vieira, manager of market research and forecasting at Embraer, at the Boyd International Aviation Forecast Summit in Las Vegas on 29 August.
LinkRyanair seeks to buy most of Alitalia’s fleetIreland-based LCC Ryanair is bidding to buy around 90 aircraft from cash-strapped Italian carrier Alitalia. Speaking in London on Aug. 31, Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary said his company would be submitting a bid for Alitalia’s aircraft, their crews and engineering staff to the Italian flag carrier’s administrators.
LinkHouston airports slowly reopen; all Southwest HOU flights still suspendedHouston Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and Houston Hobby Airport (HOU) have reopened to handle limited domestic flights after being forced to close Aug. 27 because of severe flooding in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.
LinkO’Leary: EU airlines aim to impose tough terms on UK in Brexit dealSeveral major European airlines are urging the European Union (EU) to play hard ball with the UK in the latter’s negotiations to exit the bloc (Brexit), Irish LCC Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary said Aug. 31.
LinkEasyJet offers passengers hand-luggage check-in for $5UK LCC easyJet is rolling out a new “Hands Free” service, where passengers can pay £4 ($5) to leave their hand luggage at check-in and receive priority boarding. EasyJet is launching the service across its network (excluding London Gatwick) after more than 9,000 passengers chose the option during a four-week trial in France earlier this year.
LinkSwedish regulators downgrade AOC for NextJet regionalSwedish regulators have downgraded regional carrier NextJet to a temporary air operator’s certificate (AOC) because of financial concerns, triggering the airline to recapitalize. NextJet operates a fleet of 14 aircraft—10 Saab 340s and four British Aerospace ATPs—on its own scheduled services and lease for other operators.
LinkRolls-Royce gains Trent XWB-97 engine certificationRolls-Royce has received certification for its Trent XWB-97 engine, the most powerful version of the Trent XWB range of turbofans. The European Aviation Safety Agency granted the certification, which allows the 97,000 lb. thrust engine to enter service on the Airbus A350-1000 that is scheduled to begin operations with Qatar Airways toward the end of this year.
LinkRussia, Greece increase frequencies between Moscow and AthensRussian and Greek aviation authorities have agreed to increase the number of frequencies from 21 to 35 flights per week between Moscow and Athens for designated carriers, according to a letter released by Russian regulators.
LinkBA targets premium passengers with new customer servicesIf it’s possible for an airline to have a split personality, then British Airways (BA) could be a prime candidate for the psychiatrist’s couch.
LinkChanges in candidates, technology reshape pilot trainingThe way flight crew trainees learn is changing as cockpit automation, the pilot’s role and the learning process itself reshape approaches to aviation training.
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