miamiair/forum/images/avatars/gallery/first/user54/1.pngoffline(netAirspace FAA) 10 Aug 11, 09:50
NEWS
AirAsia, Malaysia Airlines form alliance through major share swap deal AirAsia, AirAsia X and Malaysian Airline System announced they have entered into what is termed a Comprehensive Collaboration Framework, which includes a major share swap and a collaboration agreement to explore opportunities to cooperate on a broad range of areas. Link
Cebu Pacific, Garuda finalize Airbus orders Airbus said Philippines-based Cebu Pacific finalized a firm order for 30 A321neo aircraft, which firms up a previously announced MOU signed in June. Link
Lufthansa Group carriers to impose credit card surcharge in six countries Lufthansa will begin levying a credit card surcharge on tickets issued on or after Nov. 2 for flights departing from airports in Germany, Belgium, Finland, the U.K., the Netherlands and Switzerland. Link
SIA orders eight more Boeing 777-300ERs Singapore Airlines (SIA) will order eight more Boeing 777-300ERs to support growth plans for the coming year. The carrier will operate the aircraft on medium and long-haul routes. The order is valued at $2.3 billion at list prices, said SIA. Link
Cathay orders first 777-200Fs, adds four 777-300ERs Cathay Pacific has ordered four Boeing 777-300ER passenger aircraft and eight Boeing 777-200 freighters as part of the airline's ongoing fleet renewal plan. The 12 aircraft, which will have a list price of Hong Kong dollar (HK$) 25.6 billion ($3.28 billion), are expected to be delivered between 2013 and 2016. Link
Boeing looks to carbon recycling for weight reduction Boeing is nearing the implementation of a carbon fiber recycling effort for its 787 program to reduce waste and use scraps to develop secondary aircraft structures. The airframer is aiming to collect uncured carbon fibre scrap used in the manufacturing process to build items such as brackets and clips and cured material for interior parts and passenger seat backs, which may reduce the weight of a widebody aircraft interior as much as 450 to 900kg (1,000 to 2,000lbs), said Boeing's programme manager of composite recycling Bill Carberry, who also serves as deputy executive for the Aircraft Fleet Recycling Association (AFRA). Link
US Airways aims to block alleged work slowdown by pilots US Airways has requested that a federal court prohibit its pilots from participating in what it claims is a work slowdown. "The current situation is untenable for US Airways, the traveling public, and the pilots who refuse to accede to the threats and intimidation" of those who are behind the alleged job action, according to the airline's filing. Link
Reinstatement of ticket taxes prompts airlines to cut fares Most U.S. airlines reined in the fare increases they implemented in late July when federal taxes and fees were suspended due to the wrangling over funding for the Federal Aviation Administration. The ticket taxes were reinstated early Monday, prompting the airlines' move. Link
Blog: Airlines correctly capitalized on tax situation Airlines were right to take advantage of the situation that led to a suspension of ticket taxes, says blogger Cranky Flier. "For a couple of outliers, that meant giving tax savings to the customer to further their brand proposition," the blogger writes. "But for most, without the ability to add more capacity, it made sense to raise fares to maximize revenue in the short term." Link
Concerns about economy drive down airline stocks Airline shares dropped Monday on concerns that another recession is ahead after Standard & Poor's downgraded the credit rating of the U.S. However, analysts noted the Treasurys rally as they dismissed concerns about the economy. "This is the time when you should be loading up the truck," said Michael Derchin of CRT Capital Group. "There are favored names that are cheap." Link
Slowing economy may affect airline profits A weaker global economy could mean reduced profits for airlines, observers said. They note that strong demand for business travel has offset higher fuel prices this year. If the economy slows again, carriers may need to cut capacity to stay profitable. Link
Inaccurate luggage scales at airports raise concerns The Los Angeles County Weights and Measures bureau recently visited a number of airports to inspect the accuracy of their luggage scales. Their efforts revealed inaccuracies that could result in additional charges for some travelers. Six out of 144 scales checked at Los Angeles International Airport this year were not in compliance. Link
Other News
German air traffic controllers, represented by the GdF union, called off their 6-hr. strike planned for Tuesday after the Deutsche Flugsicherung, the country’s air navigation services provider, agreed to mediation at the last minute. The DFS had tried to prevent the walkout through a court injunction but a judge rejected the appeal and cleared the way for the strike to proceed.
The Emirates Group announced the release of its first comprehensive environmental report, which revealed the airline’s carbon dioxide emissions efficiency was 26% better than the global airline average.
Transaero Airlines reported a net profit of RUB114 million ($3.98 million) for the first half, up 6% on the year-ago period. Revenue jumped 31.4% to RUB32 billion supported by a “significant increase” in operational volumes, it said. It noted the growth rate of revenue was higher than the growth rate of passenger traffic, but did not provide data for RPKs, ASKs or enplanements.
MTU Aero Engines acquired a 75% share in Dallas-based Retan Aerospace, an FAA- and EASA-licensed Part 145 repair station specializing in engine on-wing maintenance and repair, as well as airframe A, B and C checks.
Turkish Technic signed an APS3200 APU repair services contract with Atlasjet, covering APU repair and spare support, slated to be completed by August.
Air One Maintenance & Engineering has heavy maintenance contracts from Air Capital Group for two former American Airlines MD-80s on lease to Venezuela-based Aserca Airlines and one Boeing 737-200 VIP for the Mexican Air Force.
Etihad Airways began operating daily Abu Dhabi-Chicago O'Hare service with a Boeing 777-300ER. It had previously operated three-class Airbus A340-500 and A340-600 aircraft on the route, with 240 and 292 seats, respectively. The new aircraft seats 412.
Tiger Airways will launch thrice-weekly Singapore-Davao Airbus A320 service Nov. 1.
American Eagle plans to launch daily Chicago-Watertown, NY ERJ 140 service Nov. 17.
Ryanair will launch four-times-weekly Bordeaux-Rome Ciampino Boeing 737-800 service Nov. 2.
AVIATION QUOTE
What kind of man would live where there is no daring? I don't believe in taking foolish chances, but nothing can be accomplished without taking any chance at all.
— Charles A. Lindbergh, at a news conference after his trans-Atlantic flight.
ON THIS DATE
August 10th
---In 1840... American Louis Lauriat, whose balloon flies at 21 mph in New Brunswick, makes the first manned balloon flight in Canada.
--- In 1910... Claude Grahame-White attempts to fly the first airmail in the world to be carried on a powered airplane when he takes off from Squires Gate near Blackpool, England heading for Southport. The attempt in his little Blériot monoplane fails and he is forced to land.
---In 1912... Englishman Francis K. McClean becomes the first pilot to fly under bridges spanning the Thames River when he takes off from Harty Ferry, Eastchurch in his Short biplane S. 33.
---In 1947…A Douglas Skystreak hits 640mph, setting a new world airspeed record.
---In 1947…BEA begins the world's first regular cargo-only airline service.
---In 1997…US Airways files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
---In 2006…A plot to denonate several airliners over the Atlantic Ocean is foiled. Tightened security measures in the UK and USA and flight cancellations which happened afterwards caused severe chaos at several London airports.
---In 2010…A de Havilland Canada DHC-3T Turbo Otter crashes near Aleknagik, United States killing former Senator Ted Stevens. Former NASA Administrator and current EADS North America CEO Sean O'Keefe is amongst the survivors.
DAILY VIDEO
EDITOR’S CHOICE
HUMOR
You know you are a freight pilot when
1) On the tarmac, the ground personnel rolls the red carpet AWAY from your plane;
2) The plane you are flying was getting old when you were born;
3) You haven't done a daylight landing for 6 months;
4) The ATC tells you there is smoother air at another FL and you don't care;
5) You call for transportation to the hotel and they can't find you on the airport;
6) Your uniform has not been ironed for two weeks and nobody cares;
7) You fly through a terrible storm and you can hear the thunder (instead of the passengers);
You have to get your own coffee;
9) Nobody is afraid when you use the toilet;
10) Upon approaching, you call ATC and decline your company's name and ATC replies "Who?";
TRIVIA
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And let's get one thing straight. There's a big difference between a pilot and an aviator. One is a technician; the other is an artist in love with flight. — E. B. Jeppesen
You have to get your own coffee; 
Agreed, outstanding!
