NAS Daily 21 FEB 19

airtrainer 20 Feb 19, 23:25

News

Commercial

Airbus highlights A330neo's flexibility as it seeks Indian orders
Airbus sees a ready-made A330neo market in India, arguing that the aircraft can meet two objectives.
Speaking to reporters during a media briefing at Aero India in Bengaluru, Joost van der Heijden, Airbus's vice-president of marketing for Asia and North America, said that the aircraft was complementary on routes operated with A320-family narrowbodies as it allowed airlines to upgauge to a widebody.
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EU calls on ICAO to agree to long-term aviation climate plan
The European Union (EU) has called on ICAO to agree at its assembly in September to a “long-term goal” to address the aviation industry’s increasing carbon-dioxide emissions.
The plea follows a Feb. 15 announcement by ICAO—a United Nations body—that it has reached agreement on how airlines can use alternative fuels to reduce their offsetting requirements under its shorter-term plan to cap aviation emissions: The Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA).
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Spending law gives FAA $17.5 billion for FY2019
The compromise spending package signed into law by US President Trump allotted $17.5 billion for the FAA’s FY2019 budget, a roughly $550 million drop from FY2018 but $1.3 billion more than the administration’s request.
Passage of the bill on Feb. 15 averted the possibility of another shutdown during the remainder of the fiscal year. Of the $10.4 billion earmarked for the FAA’s operations budget, all but $580 million will come from the Airport & Airway Trust Fund.
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MTU to build additional repair shop in Europe
MTU is planning to open a component repair facility in Europe to support a growing maintenance business.
The company is evaluating three "best-cost" locations for the facility, chief executive Reiner Winkler said during a financial results briefing in Munich today. A decision is to be taken within three months.
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Airbus upbeat on A320neo delivery schedules despite GTF woes
Airbus is optimistic about maintaining its delivery schedules of the A320neo, following the issues that last year troubled the Pratt & Whitney PW1000G-powered version of the narrowbody.
Speaking at a media briefing during Aero India in Bengaluru, Anand Stanley, president and managing director of Airbus India and South Asia, said the airframer would meet its target of delivering one A320neo per week to Indian airlines "irrespective of the engine type and engine issues".
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Rolls-Royce seeks to expand Indian partnerships
Rolls-Royce has indicated its openness to collaborating with more local partners in India, particularly in the manufacturing, MRO and airline sectors.
Speaking to FlightGlobal at Aero India in Bangalore, the UK engine maker's vice-president of customers for the country, Justin Mills, noted that it was working with the airframers to "break into the Indian market", particularly with its larger Trent engines which power widebodies.
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Boeing preparing to pitch 777X to Indian airlines
Boeing intends to begin talks with Indian airlines shortly as it looks to win business for the 777X as a replacement for ageing widebodies.
Speaking to FlightGlobal at Aero India in Bengaluru, Boeing's senior vice-president for Asia-Pacific and India sales Dinesh Keskar said he expected the 777X to replace the 777s operated by Air India and Jet Airways – India's only two widebody operators
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Airlines

Air France-KLM’s 2018 profit more than doubles despite difficult year
The Air France-KLM Group reported a 2018 net profit of €409 million ($468 million), more than doubled from €163 million for 2017, on a 2.5% year-over-year (YOY) increase in revenue to €26.5 billion. However, the group’s full-year operating profit declined by almost €600 million to €1.3 billion in 2018, largely because of industrial action at the French unit earlier in the year and a higher fuel bill.
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Southwest downgrades revenue outlook on US government shutdown
Lingering booking sluggishness linked to the partial US government shutdown means Southwest Airlines will miss out on an estimated $50-$60 million in first-quarter revenue, much higher than previously estimated, the Dallas-based carrier said Feb. 20. The lingering headwinds means Southwest's revised first-quarter unit revenue growth projection is now 3%-4%, down a full point from its January guidance.
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Flybe turns down counter takeover bid from Mesa Air Group
UK regional Flybe has rejected a rival takeover bid from investors led by Mesa Air Group, which seeks to halt the sale of the airline to Virgin Atlantic- and Stobart Group-led consortium Connect Airways.
Flybe said it had received on Feb. 19 a “preliminary and highly conditional contingency proposal” from an investor group led by US-based Mesa and Bateleur Capital, with indicative support from former Stobart CEO Andrew Tinkler
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Cathay Pacific expects to return to profit in 2018 on capacity growth
Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific Airways anticipates a HK$2.3 billion ($293.7 million) net profit for 2018, reversing a HK$1.3 billion loss in the previous year, according to preliminary results.
“In 2018, the passenger business benefited from capacity growth, a focus on customer service and improved revenue management.
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ANA launches Vienna service, eyes more European destinations
Japan’s All Nippon Airways (ANA) has launched a new route to Vienna and sees further growth potential for its European network.
“We definitely believe more European destinations will be required in the future. We have some white spots in Europe, but this depends on the available airport slots,” ANA SVP-Europe and GM-London Akira Nakamura told ATW in Vienna.
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La Compagnie details plans for A321neo service
French all-business class transatlantic airline La Compagnie said it will begin Airbus A321neo service between Paris and the New York area on June 6 after taking delivery of the first of its two new Airbus aircraft in May.
La Compagnie will increase its fleet to three aircraft with delivery of the first A321neo. It currently operates two Boeing 757s.
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AirBaltic accelerates Boeing 737 phase-out
Latvian carrier airBaltic will end Boeing 737 operations in fall 2019, one year earlier than planned, accelerating its transition to an all-Airbus A220-300 fleet.
Riga-based airBaltic currently has a fleet of 34 aircraft: 14 A220-300s, six Boeing 737-300s, two 737-500s and 12 Bombardier Q400s.
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Aero K seeks approval as new South Korean LCC
South Korean LCC Aero K aims to launch operations later this year if it wins approval during the government’s upcoming selection process for startup airlines.
The government is expected to approve at least one new airline from among several LCC applicants, with a decision due by the end of February. In addition to Aero K, the proposed LCCs include Air Premia, Air Philip and Fly Gangwon.
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Silver Airways expands flight network in Florida
Silver Airways is expanding its network within Florida by adding daily nonstop flights between Orlando International airport and Destin-Fort Walton Beach airport starting 16 May.
The new route is aimed at easing connections for the regional carrier’s flights to the Bahamas and other US locations through its codesharing venture with United Airlines, and interline ticketing with American Airlines and Delta Air Lines, which all fly out of Destin-Fort Walton Beach.
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PICTURES: WestJet operates first 787 revenue flight
WestJet's first flight of paying customers on one of the airline’s new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft on 20 February is a prelude to international flights the Calgary-based airline plans to begin in April.
The carrier's first 787 flight from Toronto Pearson airport to Calgary is the beginning of domestic service with those aircraft for crew training and regulatory compliance to prepare for WestJet’s first international flight between Calgary and London Gatwick scheduled on 28 April, according to a press release.
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Airports

Pittsburgh International Airport unveils new terminal design détails
Pittsburgh International Airport has announced a concept design for a new terminal that is scheduled to open in 2023.
The design, revealed Feb. 20, has been approved by Allegheny County Airport Authority’s board and was developed by a joint venture of architectural and engineering firms Gensler and HDR in association with the luis vidal+architects company.
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UK tightens drone restrictions near airports
Anyone caught flying a drone within 5km (3.1 mi.) of an airport runway will face arrest and criminal charges under new UK government legislation, which comes into force in March. The UK Department for Transport announced Feb. 20 that it had extended the no-fly zone around airports by “several kilometers” and banned unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from operating within 5km of runway ends. The enlarged no-fly zone will take effect March 13.
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Sweden's Visby Airport introduces new automated bag drop system
Visby Airport has unveiled a new integrated bag drop system which it believes will make flying from the Swedish gateway easier and more convenient for passengers.
“With this modern, innovative bag drop service, Visby Airport will be an even smoother and more efficient airport," predicts airport director, Gunnar Jonasson.
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Manchester Airport becomes UK’s first 5G connected airport
Manchester Airport has had its 5G capabilities switched on by Vodafone, with other travel locations set to follow suit in the coming weeks.
In a UK first, passengers travelling through Manchester tested the new, super-fast network by downloading a film or TV box set using 5G. The participants downloaded content up to four times quicker than over 4G – providing them with more than enough entertainment for their flight.
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Military

Boeing KC-46A refuels stealth aircraft for first time
The Boeing KC-46A Pegasus air tanker refuelled a Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II for the first time over California.
The tanker connected to the fighter aircraft with its refuelling boom on 22 January, marking the first time the Pegasus has refuelled a stealth aircraft, says the US Air Force. The KC-46A will also have to prove it can refuel the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor and Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit.
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US Air Force testing upgraded rotary launcher for B-52 bomber
The US Air Force started testing an upgraded version of the Boeing B-52 bomber’s Conventional Rotary Launcher on 11 February.
The new rotary launcher is designed to power up more munitions at a time, giving bombardiers the ability to quickly select from a greater variety of smart weapons at short notice.
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AERO INDIA: F16V rechristened ‘F-21’ for New Delhi fighter deal
Lockheed Martin has redesignated the F-16V Block 70 as the F-21 in its offering for India's fighter requirement.
“The F-21 addresses the Indian air force’s unique requirements, and integrates India into the world’s largest fighter aircraft ecosystem with the world’s pre-eminent defence company,” says Lockheed.
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AERO INDIA: Russian Helicopters signs up partners for Ka-226T work
Russian Helicopters has signed a series of agreements with Indian companies to help produce the Kamov Ka-226T in India as part of its deal to supply 200 examples to the Indian army, and will pitch the type for an Indian navy requirement.
Under the Ka-226T deal, 60 examples will be produced in Russia, and 140 in India, says Russian Helicopters.
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Aviation Quote

Only the spirit of attack borne in a brave heart will bring success to any fighter aircraft, no matter how highly developed it may be.

- General Adolf Galland, Luftwaffe.