NewsEASA proposes new EU-wide pilot fatigue rulesThe European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has issued a final proposal to the European Commission (EC) on pilot flight duty time and rest requirements, moving to harmonize various national regulations into one European Union (EU)-wide standard. Pilot unions across Europe have strongly denounced the proposals, which EASA published Monday. They claim the amendments put the commercial interests of airlines before passenger safety.
LinkIreland’s Aer Arann to double in size Irish carrier Aer Arann (RE), which flies as Aer Lingus (EI) Regional, is finalizing a deal for eight new ATR 72-600 aircraft, plus options, and is hoping to hit two million passengers within four years. RE chairman Padraig O'Ceidigh said at the European Regions Airline Assn. General Assembly in Dublin he believes the airline will double in size [in terms of passenger numbers] over the next three to four years. “We are already 37% up compared with last year.”
LinkGE Calls For New Inspections On GEnx EnginesGeneral Electric is calling for a new round of inspections by airlines on its new GEnx engine on Boeing aircraft, with a focus on the section of the engine that failed on a 747-8 freighter in Shanghai last month.
LinkKingfisher Walks A Tightrope On Employee UnrestIndia's Kingfisher Airlines, controlled by drinks baron Vijay Mallya, cancelled all flights until Thursday because of employee unrest and was ordered by the aviation regulator to submit a revival plan before it can fly again.
LinkSouth Africa Offers SAA USD$600 Mln LoanSouth Africa has agreed to guarantee USD$600 million in loans for troubled state airline South African Airways over the next two years, a move that could put further pressure on the government's strained budget.
LinkQatar Air To Join oneworld Alliance - SourcesQatar Airways will become the first Gulf carrier to join the oneworld airline alliance with an agreement due to be announced early next week, according to sources close to the alliance.
LinkNo 787 Delivery Until Engines Fixed – QatarQatar Airways will not take delivery of Boeing's 787 Dreamliner until an engine defect is modified, the Gulf carrier's chief executive said on Tuesday.
LinkUK Parliament opens inquiry into BAE-EADS merger proposalAs the UK Parliament's defence select committee opened a formal inquiry into the proposed merger between British aerospace and defence industry leader BAE Systems and EADS, the Franco-German Airbus parent, the latter's chief executive Tom Enders made a presentation on the deal to members of Germany's Bundestag - which seems to have left parliamentarians in Berlin with more questions than answers.
LinkFrankfurt airport opens new A380-ready pier Frankfurt airport unveils the latest stage of a major expansion programme today which will increase its Airbus A380-handling capabilities. At a cost of €600 million ($775 million), the new Pier A-Plus was built to add capacity to complement Frankfurt's fourth runway. The new facility contains 23 new gates and seven docking positions for widebody aircraft. Of these, four positions are capable of handling A380s, and three the A340-600, both of which are operated by resident operator Lufthansa.
LinkPoland cancels Aerostar UAV purchasePoland's defence ministry has cancelled a contract to purchase Aerostar unmanned air systems from Israeli company Aeronautics, and will also ask for compensation. Signed in 2010 and covering two systems, the $35 million purchase was made in order to deploy the UAS in Afghanistan, where Polish army units are part of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force.
LinkAMR proactively reinspects 8 jets after loose-seat incidentsAmerican Airlines is reinspecting eight Boeing 757 jets after seats came loose during two flights. An American Airlines representative said, "Checks were being conducted overnight, and any aircraft in need of repairs will be held out of service." No one was injured in either incident.
LinkAppeals court questions AA over attempt to stop union voteAmerican Airlines is attempting to stop a union vote among some of its employees. The airline says the vote should not be allowed to proceed because the National Mediation Board didn't use the latest standard when deciding to approve the vote. A district judge previously sided with the airline, but appeals court judges noted that the new standard was introduced after the Communications Workers of America submitted an application to represent the employees.
LinkAir Canada boosts international capacity with 2 Boeing 777sAir Canada has announced a plan to increase the airline's international capacity with the addition of two new 777 jets from Boeing. "The composition of our wide-body fleet is an important element of our key priority of leveraging our network to pursue strategic international growth and strengthen Air Canada's position as a global player," said Calin Rovinescu, president and CEO of Air Canada.
LinkPlastics provide improved Boeing jet interiors, expert saysJim Griffing, president of the Society of Plastics Engineers and engineer at Boeing, detailed the role plastics play in the 787 Dreamliner cabin design. Griffing, speaking at a conference for plastic engineers, mentioned the role plastic technology played in designing a cabin with more overhead storage, improved lighting, and easier boarding and exiting for passengers.
LinkSources: Saudi Arabia bans national airline from complying with EU ETSSources say that Saudi Arabia has joined other nations, including the U.S., in opposing the European Union's emissions-trading scheme. If the reports are true, the affected airline would be state-owned Saudi Arabia Airlines, the country's only airline that flies to Europe.
LinkSupreme Court won't hear appeal on TSA scanningOn Monday, the Supreme Court shot down an appeal by blogger Jonathan Corbett to hear a case alleging that Transportation Security Administration screening tactics violate the Fourth Amendment. The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta formerly claimed it did not have authority to review a TSA order.
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