NewsFirst permanent A380 wing-fix nearly complete Engineers have almost completed work on the first Airbus A380 to undergo the permanent full-life fix for the cracking problem affecting wing-rib brackets. Around half of the 100 Airbus A380s in service are operating with a temporary fix, as individual airframes reach a cycle limit set out by European regulators. But the European Aviation Safety Agency has already effectively approved Airbus's proposed full-life repair, and is finalising the publication of the directive which will mandate the change. This has enabled work to begin on repairing the in-service fleet, as well as those A380s which will enter the final assembly line before Airbus has modified its wing-production process.
LinkEASA in final stage of certificating A380 wing fixEurope's safety regulator has assured that certification for the Airbus A380's reworked wing is on track and near completion. Airbus had originally hoped that it could secure approval for the permanent retrofit last year but subsequently acknowledged that the process would move into early 2013. The fix addresses the rib-bracket cracking problem which emerged in January 2012. Aircraft already in service, as well as those in advanced production on the final assembly line, are being modified through a retrofit which replaces hybrid ribs in each wing, and also involves fitting additional local reinforcement.
LinkBoeing completes functional flight test on 787 battery fixA Boeing 787 flew today for the first time since 11 February and only the second time since the fleet was grounded more than two months ago. The 135min, functional check flight from Paine Field in Washington used a LOT-ordered 787 and included Boeing's improved battery and enclosure designs in the aft and forward electrical equipment bays. But the flight test was limited by design to stop short of validating the design changes required to re-certificate the aircraft.
LinkPolish treasury to recover LOT 787 grounding cost Poland's treasury ministry has insisted that flag-carrier LOT must be compensated for the Boeing 787 grounding, during an extensive parliamentary session in which the cost was estimated at $50,000 daily. Treasury minister Mikolaj Budzanowski, while updating the Sejm on 22 March, suggested the total cost could reach 50 million zloty "or more" - around $15 million - and said this amount "must be returned to the company in the future." LOT had been planning to "exit the forest" of its financial crisis following the introduction of the 787, he said: "They bring real profitability to this company."
LinkEmbraer completes KC-390 critical design review Embraer says that it has successfully completed a critical design review (CDR) for its KC-390 tactical transport and tanker aircraft in conjunction with the Brazilian air force. The review was completed on 22 March, the company says. "We have concluded an important stage of the KC-390 programme and, therefore, we gave an accounting to the FAB [Brazilian air force] of the work done. We will now begin the production phase of the prototypes," says Luiz Carlos Aguiar, president and chief executive officer of Embraer's defence unit.
LinkILFC Gets A Kingfisher Plane Back From IndiaAircraft lessor International Lease Finance said on Monday it had successfully removed one of six aircraft stranded in India by a dispute over the suspension of operations at Kingfisher Airlines. Financiers have warned that failure to resolve the dispute between creditors over the grounded carrier's unpaid bills could starve India of funds needed to develop its aviation industry. ILFC, a subsidiary of US insurer AIG, said it had been able to remove an Airbus A321 passenger jet following a High Court decision in New Delhi on March 15.
LinkLufthansa Personnel Chief To Leave As Cuts BiteLufthansa's board member for personnel is to leave by the end of June and could be replaced by two executives as the German airline pushes through a deep restructuring that involves thousands of job cuts. German weekly magazine Der Spiegel, citing no sources, said Lufthansa would revamp its management board, with Lauer's job to be split in two. "It is true that changes will happen," chief executive Christoph Franz told newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung, confirming that Lauer would leave the company by mid-year.
LinkDe Juniac To Become New Air France-KLM CEOAir France-KLM chairman and chief executive Jean-Cyril Spinetta will hand over the reins of the Franco-Dutch carrier to Air France division head Alexandre de Juniac on July 1. Previously private secretary to former French finance minister Christine Lagarde, Juniac became Chairman and CEO of Air France in 2011. Air France chief financial officer Frederic Gagey will replace him in that role. Juniac led the restructuring of Air France, including the announcement of some 5,000 job cuts to help reduce costs.
LinkPAL Looking to Buy 20 Boeing 777X JetsPhilippine Airlines (PAL) said it is looking at buying 20 Boeing 777X jets as part of a fleet upgrade aimed at challenging its main domestic rival Cebu Air and launching flights to the United States and Europe. The jet, which is still in the development stage, is envisioned to be an improvement on Boeing's existing 777 models intended for long-haul service. PAL, owned by Philippine conglomerate San Miguel and local billionaire Lucio Tan, also sealed deals last year to buy Airbus jets with list prices of close to USD$10 billion.
LinkJetBlue Airways to offer free Wi-Fi on flightsJetBlue Airways has announced a plan to offer free high-speed Wi-Fi for most passengers. "We are going to find a way, if we can, of keeping it free for the long term, and we have some ideas of trying to make that happen," said Robin Hayes, the airline's chief commercial officer.
LinkDelta, United look to attract premium passengersDelta Air Lines and United Airlines are ramping up efforts to attract first-class and business-class passengers. Delta rolled out a program to greet corporate travelers by name, while United retooled its premium cabins on transcontinental flights.
LinkSouthwest Airlines to add more destinations at Dallas Love FieldNext year, airlines serving Dallas Love Field will be able to fly to any city in the country after the Wright amendment is repealed. The amendment limits flights from the airport, and its major carrier of Southwest Airlines, to nearby states. "I can't give you exact numbers, but I would expect we will see a substantial number of not just new destinations but also new flights out of Love Field," said Bob Jordan, Southwest Airlines executive vice president and chief commercial officer.
LinkBoeing beginning tests of 787 battery systemBoeing was set to conduct a final pre-flight ground test on the modified 787 battery system on Sunday. The aircraft manufacturer was to test the system on an aircraft for LOT Polish Airlines at Paine Field in Everett, Wash. Boeing was planning a flight test on the aircraft today.
LinkFAA will allow use of in-flight electronic devices, sources sayThe Federal Aviation Administration will likely loosen restrictions on personal electronic devices during flight by the end of the year, sources say. Travelers would be able to use tablets and other devices in "airplane mode" instead of powering them off, according to sources. However, the use of cellphones will still be prohibited.
LinkSpring snowstorm could affect travel between N.Y. and MidwestA spring snowstorm forecast for New York and New Jersey today could create travel delays from the East Coast to the Midwest. Snow is also forecast for Illinois, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C.
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