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Air Canada Ups Security After Needle Found In Food

Air Canada has increased security precautions after a passenger on a flight bound for Toronto earlier this week discovered a needle in a catered sandwich, the company said on Wednesday.
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WestJet Profit Up, Premium Economy Coming

WestJet Airlines will introduce new 'premium economy' seating across its fleet in a bid to generate more revenue, a departure from the Canadian carrier's roots as a low-cost challenger to Air Canada.
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Slovenia Offers 75 Pct In Adria Airways

Slovenia is inviting bids for 74.87 percent of flag carrier Adria Airways, kicking off a drive to sell state assets promised by Janez Jansa's conservative government, which is struggling to narrow the budget gap.
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Embraer Sees Price Pressure On E-Jets

Embraer is facing rising pressure to lower the price of its regional E-Jets to land new orders, its chief executive said, as a weaker global economy and stiffer competition drag on sales.
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US Airlines Likely To See Slowing Demand
Dahlman Rose downgraded the US airline industry to 'cautious' from 'optimistic,' saying a slowdown in business and leisure travel would make it difficult for the airlines to raise fares in case of a jet fuel spike.
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Boeing completes major join of first Indian C-17

Boeing has joined the forward, centre, aft fuselage and wing assembly of India's first C-17 strategic transport aircraft. The joining took place before an audience of officials from the Indian government and air force, Boeing said in a statement.
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Vueling on track for autumn narrowbody order

Low-cost carrier Vueling has reiterated that it will make a long-anticipated narrowbody order announcement by the end of the summer. Chief executive officer Alex Cruz, speaking to analysts during a second quarter results call on 1 August, said: "Our project continues. We are in phase three of our evaluation."
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Vueling doubles Q2 net profit to €7.7 million

Spanish low-cost carrier (LCC) Vueling (VY) posted a second-quarter net profit of €7.7 million ($9.5 million), more than double the €3.6 million it earned in the same quarter last year. Revenue rose 29.2% to €297 million year-over-year, while the number of passengers flown increased 18.5% to 3.88 million. Load factor was 75.5%, up 2.3%.
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Air Malta unveils new livery
Air Malta has unveiled its new livery after detailing its new corporate vision and brand strategy today. "With our new brand strategy and identity, we are ideally positioned to become the ambassador and guide of choice to the very best Malta can offer," says Air Malta chief executive Peter Davies.
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US Navy details recent MQ-8B crashes
The US Navy has detailed causes of two crashes of the Northrop Grumman MQ-8B Fire Scout that led to an 'operational pause' in flights of the aircraft. Both crashes occurred independently of one another and involved different systems of the rotary-wing, vertical takeoff unmanned air vehicle (VTUAV). The aircraft were subsequently restricted from flight, a ban that was quickly lifted.
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SpiceJet back in black with 1Q $10.2 million profit
After five consecutive quarters of losses, India’s second largest low-cost carrier SpiceJet (SG) posted a profit of INR561.2 million ($10.2 million) for the first quarter ended June 30, compared to a loss of INR719.6 million in the year-ago period. Revenue surged 51% to INR14 billion in the period. India’s financial year runs from April 1 to March 31.
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Republic Airways Holdings reports $20 million 2Q profit

Republic Airways Holdings Inc. (RAH) reported second-quarter net income of $20 million compared to a $14.9 million loss in the year-ago period for business segments Republic Airlines (RW) and Frontier Airlines (F9). The airline said the results were due to F9’s strong performance. “Frontier produced solid year-over-year unit revenue growth and demonstrates the significant value that is being created in our Frontier segment through the network changes and restructuring efforts we accomplished in 2011,” RAH chairman and CEO Bryan Bedford said.
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United Continental ends flight plan with Aer Lingus

United Continental will be ending a two-year trial with Aer Lingus for flights between Madrid and Dulles International Airport. A United spokeswoman said Aer Lingus was notified that United would end the trial in October.
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JetBlue Airways will add level to frequent-flier program

JetBlue Airways plans to introduce a new tier for frequent fliers who travel the most. The "Mosaic" level will be open to fliers who have earned 12,000 to 15,000 base flight points, depending on the number of flight segments. "The ability to skip the security line, check a second bag for free, earn extra bonus points on every dollar spent, or reach a dedicated customer service line, will save time for business travelers with tight schedules and put money back in everyone's wallets," said Dave Canty, JetBlue's director of loyalty, in a statement.
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Analysis: Alaska Airlines is a viable merger partner for American Airlines

We provide fundamental analysis as well as assessments of corporate actions and dividend and earnings quality reports on over 40,000 globally traded equities. We used our online platform to explore if Alaska Air Group Inc. (ALK) and American Airlines (AAMRQ.PK) could tie the knot. American Airlines, whose parent company AMR Corporation is currently under bankruptcy protection, is weighing options for its future. Tom Horton, CEO of American's parent AMR Corp., stated that he is now evaluating "a range of strategic options, including potential mergers."
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Air Canada faces calmer skies after end of contract dispute

After an arbitrator sided with Air Canada in a contract dispute with its pilots, shares of the carrier rose on Tuesday. The arbitration means Air Canada pilots will get a five-year contract that allows Air Canada to form a low-cost carrier. "This is the last union contract to be settled, ending a tumultuous period of labor instability for Air Canada," said Cameron Doerksen, a National Bank Financial analyst.
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Boeing is sending 787 engine to GE for further testing
Boeing is sending a 787 engine that discharged debris and ignited a grass fire in Charleston, S.C., to GE for further testing. "This is an unusual and significant failure, but it was reportedly contained, which is key to making it less of a safety issue," said Nick Cunningham, an analyst at Agency Partners.
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Senate panel votes to exempt U.S. airlines from EU scheme
The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation has approved a bill that would exempt U.S. airlines from participating in the European Union's emissions-trading scheme. Airlines for America said the vote "sends a strong message to the administration and the EU that Congress objects to this unilateral taxation scheme that will not benefit the environment."
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ICAO official is worried about possible trade war over EU ETS
A group of 16 countries is meeting in Washington this week to discuss opposition to the European Union's emissions-trading scheme. Raymond Benjamin, secretary general of the International Civil Aviation Organization, says a stalemate over carbon emissions could lead to international friction. "We are also worried because of any kind of trade war between the ones who are opposing the EU ETS system and the ones who are creating it," he said.
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Huerta passes first hurdle to become FAA chief
The Senate Transportation Committee voted Tuesday to support Michael Huerta for a five-year term as Federal Aviation Administration administrator. Huerta is currently serving as acting administrator. However, a spokesman for Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., said DeMint plans to "have a full debate" on Huerta's nomination when it goes to the Senate for a vote, which could stall the process.
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TSA expands PreCheck to more airlines at O'Hare
The Transportation Security Administration this week expanded its PreCheck program at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport to travelers on Delta Air Lines and US Airways. The program allows travelers who submit to a background check to keep their shoes and belts on as they pass through security checkpoints. Some travelers participating in the program have criticized it, saying they are not always allowed to use designated lines. Karen Pride, a spokeswoman for the Chicago Department of Aviation, described PreCheck as "a great program" and predicted that more passengers will enroll over time "as the word gets out."
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Miami airport opens $180M international arrivals area
International travelers arriving during Tuesday’s afternoon travel peak foundfamiliar bottle necks at immigration and baggage claim areas. But delays on the first full day of operations at Miami International Airport’s new $180 million international arrivals area were at least shorter than in the past.
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Other News

Irkut Corp. has elected United Aircraft Corp. (UAC) SVP Oleg Demchenko as its president and chairman following the early resignation of Alexey Fedorov, UAC said in a statement. Irkut said its board of directors allowed Demchenko to combine the post of its president and chairman with the post of general director, general designer of Yakovlev Design Bureau.

Jazeera Airways Group recorded a half-year net profit of KD3.8 million ($13.5 million), up 21.8% year-over-year, despite continuing unrest in the region. Operating revenue was up 11.8% at KD28.3 million. The Group—made up of Jazeera Airways (J9) and leasing arm Sahaab—gave few individual financial details, although Group CFO Donald Hubbard said J9 contributed 34% of the Group’s KD6.4 million operating profit and Group chairman Marwan Boodai said Sahaab was producing steady revenues and cash flows.

The federal government of Uruguay confirmed to local media that it used money from a $300 million passenger protection fund to aid stranded Pluna Lineas Aereas Uruguayas (PU) passengers after the airline was liquidated earlier this month. The fund was used to buy tickets through July 15 at TAM Airlines, LAN Airlines, GOL, regional carrier BQB Líneas Aereas and others to fly back passengers from destinations in Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Paraguay.

Gogo has enhanced an existing contract with United Airlines (UA), to upgrade 13 Boeing 757 premium service aircraft with its new ATG-4 connectivity solution. Complete installation of the upgraded equipment is slated for early 2013. “These routes have grown to be some of the most popular routes for connectivity related services,” Gogo president and CEO Michael Small said. “By upgrading to ATG-4, Gogo will be able to better address the growing demand for Internet access on these flights.” The enhanced solution is expected to speed Internet access from the current 3.1 Mbps to 9.8 Mbps per aircraft with the addition of a directional antenna, dual modem and EV-DO Rev. B technologies.

Air Canada said it is concluding terms with the following MRO providers to perform scheduled airframe maintenance on its fleet of 205 aircraft: Premier Aviation Overhaul Center and Embraer Aircraft Maintenance Services, for its Embraer fleet; AAR Corp. for its Airbus narrowbody fleet; Bedek Aviation Group for its Boeing 767-300ER fleet; ST Aviation Services for its 777 and Airbus A330-300 fleet.

Aviation Quote

You don't think much of the individual, because you don't think you've hit him and you hope that he will bail out or something; it's the aeroplane you've hit . . . normally it was more of a game if you like, you were outwitting and shooting down another aircraft, you were simply hitting metal.

— Wing commander Pete Malam Brothers, RAF, 16 victories WWII. Imperial War Museum Sound 7462.

On This Date

---In 1909... The first flying machine purchased and put into service by a government is the Wright Flyer. The US Army accepts its first airplane and pays the Wrights $25,000, plus a $5,000 bonus, because the machine exceeded the speed requirement of 40 mph.

---In 1911... The first woman in the United States licensed as a qualified pilot is Harriet Quimby, a drama critic.

---In 1917... Squadron leader E. H. Dunning of the British Royal Naval Air Service becomes the first pilot to land an airplane on the deck of a moving ship when he puts a Sopwith Pup down on HMS Furious.

---In 1964… The Tonkin Gulf Incident occurs. U.S. Navy aircraft are involved in skirmishes in the Gulf of Tonkin. F-8 Crusaders sink a North Vietnamese torpedo boat.

---In 1966…First flight of the Sukhoi Su-17 prototype Su-7IG.

---In 1985…Delta Air Lines 191, a Lockheed L-1011, On a Fort Lauderdale-Dallas/Fort Worth- Los Angeles route, the plane crashed due to severe microburst-induced wind shear. One civilian was killed as the plane crossed a highway. The crash would later become the subject of a television movie. Numerous changes to pilot wind shear training, weather forecasting, and wind shear detection were made as a result of this crash.

---In 2005… Air France Flight 358, an Airbus A340-300 (registration F-GLZQ) overshot the runway at Toronto Pearson International Airport during a thunderstorm. The plane continued for 300 metres before coming to rest at the bottom of a ravine at the end of the runway adjacent to Highway 401. All 297 passengers and 12 crew survived but the plane was completely destroyed by fire. The investigation predominately blamed pilot error when faced with the severe weather conditions.

Daily Video

Editor's Choice

Humor

Skydiving Lesson

One guy asked, "If our chute doesn't open, and the reserve doesn't open, how long do we have until we hit the ground?"

Our jump master looked at him and in perfect deadpan and answered, "The rest of your life."

Trivia

General Trivia

1. The phrase, “have numbers,” is used by pilots to advise ATC that they have the:
a. altimeter setting.
b. runway and approach in use.
c. current ATIS information.
d. runway in use, wind velocity and altimeter setting.

2. The typical price paid by the U.S. government for a new North American P–51D Mustang during World War II was:
a. $6,572.
b. $21,572.
c. $36,572.
d. $51,572.

3. Glenn Miller, famed American jazz musician, arranger, composer and band leader of the swing era, disappeared on December 15, 1944, during a flight from southern England to Paris where he was to entertain troops who had recently liberated the French capital. The airplane in which he disappeared was a:
a. Beech C–45 Expediter.
b. Noorduhn (Nordyne) UC–64 Norseman.
c. Westland Lysander Mk.1.
d. Stinson L–12 Reliant.

4. True or false; The first production airplane manufactured by North American Aviation was the T–6 Texan.

5. True or false; During an episode of Star Trek, Mr. Spock was seen using the iconic Dalton E6B computer to calculate precisely when the Enterprise would smash into a planet.