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NEWS

Aer Lingus: Ryanair’s stake ‘cannot be maintained in the long term’
Dublin-based carriers Aer Lingus Group (EI) and Ryanair (FR) are once again embroiled in a dispute over EI’s larger pension deficit and the absence of dividend payments.
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Bernstein predicts more 787 delays for Boeing
New York-based Bernstein Research said Boeing will not reach its target for a 787 production rate of 10 a month until 2015. In a client report issued Monday, Bernstein said it had lowered its 787 outlook “due to our concerns of additional program delays.”
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Turkish Airlines: Massive widebody expansion created network instability
Turkish Airlines’ (TK) massive long-haul fleet expansion created instability throughout the network, CEO Temel Kotil said in a recent interview. But, after nearly doubling its long-haul fleet to 36 aircraft from 2010, the carrier synchronized its network, he said.
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Sichuan Airlines inks firm order for 20 C919s
Sichuan Airlines (3U) has placed a firm order for 20 Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China (COMAC) C919s. According to COMAC, the aircraft should receive type certification by 2016, followed shortly thereafter by first delivery.
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US Congress Tackles EU Emissions Plan
A proposed law shielding US airlines from a European effort to make carriers worldwide pay for carbon emissions gained traction on Monday in the House of Representatives and was likely headed for passage.
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Alafco Plans To Double Fleet By 2018
Kuwait's Aviation Lease & Finance Company (Alafco) plans to double its aircraft fleet to 100 by 2018, and is in negotiations with Airbus for a new order, its chairman said on Monday.
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Lufthansa Cargo Staff In Frankfurt To Strike
Staff working for Lufthansa's cargo unit will strike on Tuesday to protest about a recently imposed ban on night flights at Frankfurt, Germany's largest airport.
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Air Pacific yet to pick engines as A330s replace 787 order
Fijian operator Air Pacific has yet to select an engine type for its new Airbus A330-200s, for which it opted after dumping its Boeing 787 order earlier this year. Air Pacific had previously ordered eight 787-9s and the twinjets had been due to be equipped with General Electric GEnx powerplants. The A330s, which are scheduled for delivery in 2013, will replace the carrier's Boeing 747-400 and 767-300ER aircraft, which are fitted with a mix of Pratt & Whitney and General Electric engines.
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First Soyuz launch from French Guiana
The first two Galileo navigation satellites have successfully taken orbit after the 21 October launch. The satellites, launched from Kourou in French Guiana by a Russian Soyuz rocket, are vanguards of a planned 30-strong constellation, meant to lessen European dependence on GPS.
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Alaskan F-22As resume flying but others still grounded
About 40 Lockheed Martin F-22A Raptors have returned to flight status at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER), Alaska, after a four-day grounding. But 30 more F-22As remain parked at another base as concerns linger over mysterious life support system problems that have sometimes proved a critical risk to pilots for more than two years. JBER confirms all 40 F-22As based in Alaska are cleared by local commanders to resume flying on 24 October. The JBER F-22As were grounded since 20 October due to a "temporary pause" triggered by reports of life support system problems at Langley AFB, Virginia.
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Piper ices Altaire jet; begins layoffs
After an internal review of its signature Altaire business jet programme announced last week, Piper today revealed that it will “suspend further development” on the six-seat single-engine jet. "Following an evaluation of Altaire development and light jet forecasts we determined the best course of action for the company going forward is to indefinitely suspend the programme, preserving intellectual property and progress to date," said Piper Interim President and CEO Simon Caldecott, who took over as Piper lead from Geoff Berger in a surprise shake-up on 17 October. Also removed was Randy Groom, Piper executive vice president. Piper’s owner, Imprimis, is a Singapore investment firm funded by the Sultanate of Brunei, a southeast Asian monarchy flush with oil and gas revenues.
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Ocean Sentrys stand guard, but more needed
Replacing 20 old airframes currently in service with 36 new aircraft for maritime patrol always seemed like a stretch for the US Coast Guard. It is not that the original plan to replace the Dassault HU-25 Falcon fleet was gold-plated - if anything, purchasing 36 EADS North America HC-144A Ocean Sentry aircraft likely underestimated the coast guard's requirements. But this is an era where few military aircraft fleets achieve the standard of a one-for-one replacement, and hybrid law enforcement/search-and-rescue civilian agencies have never enjoyed equivalent priority in the annual funding debates.
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Virgin America flight attendants could unionize
Virgin America, a nonunion carrier based in California, faces a petition to unionize its 650 flight attendants from the Transport Workers Union. "To date, our teammates have not chosen to be represented by a third party," a Virgin America spokeswoman said. "Should they ever decide to elect representation, we will, of course, respect their choice."
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Laser assaults on aircraft continue to grow, FAA says
The number of laser assaults on aircraft has grown to 2,733 as of Oct. 13, the Federal Aviation Administration says. Laser strikes for all of 2010 year totaled 2,836 incidents. "Shining a laser at a plane and its pilots is very dangerous," says FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt. "You wouldn't want a pilot incapacitated for any reason."
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ATA praises FAA airspace modifications
The Air Transport Association applauded the improvements implemented by the Federal Aviation Association on the U.S. Northeast airspace, noting that the changes reduced flight delays in that sector. "The industry has long supported the redesign of the most congested airspace in the U.S. These changes will lead to immediate safety and efficiency benefits for airlines and passengers, and are a key component of the larger NextGen air traffic management project," said Tom Hendricks, senior vice president of safety, operations and security at ATA.
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Florida university is helping FAA test NextGen technology
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Fla., is testing NextGen technology through a partnership with aviation companies and the Federal Aviation Administration. "We are helping the FAA solve some of their NextGen research and development issues," said Wade Lester, Embry-Riddle's NextGen program manager.
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Editorial: Obama aviation proposal should be "nonstarter"
The Obama administration should discard its plan to impose additional aviation fees and taxes, says an editorial by the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "The proposal would have a disproportionate impact on regional airline hubs such as Cleveland and ought to be a nonstarter," writes the editorial board. "It's also not fair to use the nation's airlines, several of which continue to struggle in a tough economy, as a deficit-cutting piggy bank."
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Luggage crew detects undeclared gun in checked bag
Police at Los Angeles International Airport temporarily detained a traveler after his gun fell out of a checked bag. The traveler had not declared the firearm, which was noticed by a luggage crew. He was allowed to board a later flight after questioning. The Transportation Security Administration said it does not screen checked bags for guns.
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Airlines are preparing for increased charter flights to Cuba
Major U.S. carriers American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue Airways and United Continental Holdings are preparing for increased charter service into Cuba in light of a loosening of travel restrictions by the Obama administration. The new rules allow certain U.S. citizens -- such as college students or news groups -- to enter Cuba on licensed charter flights. Charter companies predict that the number of passengers to Cuba will rise this year to 400,000 from 250,000 last year.
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Other News

KLM Group and its wholly-owned subsidiary Martinair Holland reached an agreement in principle on the employment conditions of Martinair (MP) cabin crew transferring to KLM, De Unie union said, noting negotiations had been “lengthy and difficult.”

Atlas Air and Polar Air Cargo parent Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings (AAWH) last week finalized a new, five-year collective bargaining agreement with pilots and flight engineers from both subsidiary airlines.

IATA reported that international premium traffic rose 2.3% year-over-year in August, but sharply dropped from July’s 7.5% growth. Economy traffic for August grew 3.8% year-over-year, down from July’s 5.5% growth, the organization said in its latest premium traffic monitor.

The US FAA is proposing a civil penalty of $160,000 against Utah-based SkyWest Airlines for allegedly operating four regional jet aircraft on four revenue passenger flights March 3 after failing to follow its procedures for documenting cargo and baggage, resulting in incorrect weight, balance, cargo and baggage load data.

RAK Airways will launch 2X-weekly Ras al-Khaimah service to Peshawar (Nov. 15) and Lahore (Nov. 12).

Allegiant Air launched 2X-weekly Owensboro, Kan.-Las Vegas service.

British Midland International launched 3X-weekly London-Amritsar Airbus A330-200 service.

NordStar launched Krasnoyarsk Yemelyanovo Boeing 737 service to Samara (2X-weekly) and Rostov on Don (weekly).



AVIATION QUOTE

Navigating by the compass in a sea of clouds over Spain is all very well, it is very dashing, but — you want to remember that below the sea of clouds lies eternity.

— Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, 'Wind, Sand, and Stars,' 1939.



ON THIS DATE

October 25th

---In 1930…Using Douglas DC-2 aircraft, TWA, then known as Transcontinental & Western Air, commences the Lindbergh Route, the first scheduled service between New York and Los Angeles. The initial schedule included an overnight stop in Kansas City.

---In 1939... The prototype Handey Page Halifax (serial no. L7244) makes its first flight from RAF Bicester with J.L.B.H. Cordes at the controls.

---In 1944…Japan’s first kamikaze mission sinks the carrier USS St. Lo.

---In 1951…Japan Airlines commences operations.

---In 1955…First flight of the Saab Draken.

---In 1960…First flight of the Boeing Vertol Model 107, predecessor to the CH-46 Sea Knight.

---In 1985…Emirates operates its first revenue flight, from Dubai to Karachi using an Airbus A300 leased from Pakistan International Airlines.

---In 1991…First flight of the Airbus A340.

---In 1994…U.S. Navy Lieutenant Kara Hultgreen, the first female aircraft carrier-based fight pilot, is killed off San Diego, California, in the crash of an F-14 Tomcat fighter she is piloting on final approach to the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72).

---In 1999…Crash in South Dakota of a Learjet 35 killing professional golfer and 1999 U.S. Open winner Payne Stewart and five others.

---In 2007…The Airbus A380 enters service with Singapore Airlines.

---In 2009…CSA Czech Airlines discontinues all long-haul routes from Prague, including New York and Toronto.



DAILY VIDEO





EDITOR’S CHOICE





HUMOR

Whiskey Galore

A man who spent a long, relaxed day with a few friendly bottles was meandering homeward when he saw a man lying half submerged in a ditch. With the courage of several bottles, and no hesitation, our hero jumped in, dragged the man out and shook him thoroughly.

When the man came to, he said "thank you for rescuing me, I'm not a normal man, I'm really a Genie, and the person who released me hit me after making but one wish; you can have the two remaining wishes".

Our man had no difficulty in accepting his good fortune, and thought long and hard for 0.02 seconds. "I'll have a bottle of whiskey that never runs empty" The Genie waved a hand and a full bottle appeared.

Our man took a big gulp or ten, squinted carefully at the bottle and saw that it was still as full as it was when it first appeared. "Wonderful!!!" he said, "Give me another one of those!!!!!"



TRIVIA

Airports

1. If you flew from Bradley International Airport to Ronald Reagan International Airport, between what cities would you be flying?

Hartford and Washington, DC
Kansas City and Washington, DC
Portland and Sacramento
Salt Lake City and San Jose

2. If you flew from Sheremetyevo International Airport to Orly International Airport, between which countries would you be flying?

Russia and France
Russia and Belgium
Romania and Denmark
Lithuania and France

3. If you flew from O'Hare International Airport to T.F. Green International Airport, between which cities would you be flying?

Chicago and Providence
Chicago and Dallas
Chicago and Atlanta
Memphis and Oakland

4. If you flew from Cairns International Airport to Cochin International Airport, between which countries would you be traveling?

Austria and China
Ireland and Turkey
Australia and India
England and Philippines

5. If you flew from Hartsfield International Airport to Logan International Airport, between which cities would you be flying?

Atlanta and Philadelphia
Atlanta and Boston
Atlanta and Cleveland
Cleveland and Cincinnaati

6. If you landed at Durban International Airport in what country would you find yourself?

Australia
Ireland
New Zealand
South Africa

7. If you landed at General Mitchell International Airport, in which city would you find yourself?

Milwaukee
Raleigh
Santa Fe
Newark

8. If you landed at Cork International Airport, in what country would you find yourself?

England
Ireland
Denmark
Norway

9. If you flew from Will Rogers World Airport to McCarran International Airport, between which cities would you be flying?

Detroit and Houston
Boise and Las Vegas
Cheyenne and Little Rock
Oklahoma City and Las Vegas

10. If you landed at Aeropuerto Internacional Jorge Chavez, in what country would you find yourself?

Brazil
Mexico
Argentina
Peru

1. If you flew from Bradley International Airport to Ronald Reagan International Airport, between what cities would you be flying?
Hartford and Washington, DC

2. If you flew from Sheremetyevo International Airport to Orly International Airport, between which countries would you be flying?
Russia and France

3. If you flew from O'Hare International Airport to T.F. Green International Airport, between which cities would you be flying?
Chicago and Providence

4. If you flew from Cairns International Airport to Cochin International Airport, between which countries would you be traveling?
Australia and India

5. If you flew from Hartsfield International Airport to Logan International Airport, between which cities would you be flying?
Atlanta and Boston

6. If you landed at Durban International Airport in what country would you find yourself?
South Africa

7. If you landed at General Mitchell International Airport, in which city would you find yourself?
Milwaukee

8. If you landed at Cork International Airport, in what country would you find yourself?
Ireland

9. If you flew from Will Rogers World Airport to McCarran International Airport, between which cities would you be flying?
Oklahoma City and Las Vegas

10. If you landed at Aeropuerto Internacional Jorge Chavez, in what country would you find yourself?
Mexico?

mhodgson wrote:10. If you landed at Aeropuerto Internacional Jorge Chavez, in what country would you find yourself?
Mexico?

Peru --> LIM

Apart from this, nothing to add to the answers given.
-HT