CommercialOcean Floor Search For MH370 Cut Short AgainThe search for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 deep in the Indian Ocean was again cut short on Wednesday when technical problems forced an underwater drone to surface without finding anything, officials said. While a massive air and sea search for the missing flight is continuing almost 2,000 km (1,200 miles) off the coast of Perth, hopes have been pinned on the Bluefin-21 autonomous underwater vehicle finding the first concrete sign of the plane in more than six weeks of hunting.
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Jet Airways hints at 737 Max orderJet Airways has hinted at an imminent Boeing 737 Max order, and denied suggestions it has cancelled orders for several 737-800s. Indian media reports citing unnamed sources claim the carrier has cancelled orders for 16 737-800s from an order placed in 2012.
LinkAmerican Eagle changes name to Envoy AirAmerican Eagle changed its name to Envoy Air, but will continue flying planes with the American Eagle livery. "Our name change is driven by our need to differentiate ourselves from the other regional carriers flying as American Eagle," said Pedro Fabregas, Envoy president, in a letter to employees. "Within the next 14 days, a small 'Operated by Envoy Air' decal will be added to all of our aircraft that will remain painted in the American Eagle livery."
LinkAirline stocks take flightExperts predict airline stocks will offer a solid return on investment because of an improvement in fundamentals. Since the end of 2012, the NYSE ARCA Airline Index has soared 80%, compared to a 29% gain for the S&P 500 during the same time. "Airlines are being disciplined. That will lead to pretty strong pricing, and that will lead to earnings growth," said Joseph DeNardi, an airline analyst with Stifel Nicolaus.
LinkAirlines' technology investments improve travel experience for customersMost airlines and airports have invested in business intelligence systems to provide passengers with more information, including flight and baggage status, according to analysts at Sita, and that will only grow. By 2016, nearly four in five airports are expected to provide wait times for security lines, and more than 75% will offer mobile applications to help travelers navigate, Sita researchers said.
LinkAlitalia withdraws aircraft order Airbus Group NV lost an order from Alitalia SpA last month for 12 A350-800s, the smallest variant of its new wide-body jetliner, as the Italian carrier awaits a possible financial lifeline from Etihad Airways PJSC. The order was valued at $4.7 billion in 2008, when the accord with Toulouse, France-based Airbus was announced. The purchase was made in the name of Aircraft Purchase Fleet, an entity created to help fund purchases for Air One, which later merged with state-controlled rival Alitalia. Alitalia, which was bailed out at the end of last year with the support of the Italian government, is in talks with Abu Dhabi carrier Etihad about a possible investment that would help shore up cash reserves. Etihad has been seeking promises of cost cuts before committing to a deal.
LinkDelta to consolidate office space at Memphis airport Delta Air Lines Inc. has filed a $1.3 million building permit to begin consolidating its office space at Memphis International Airport. The Atlanta-based airline, which in 2013 announced plans to dehub Memphis, will demolish and rebuild about 15,000 square feet of office space on the ground level at the southeastern end of B, beneath where all of its gates will be located. Delta's consolidation and dehubbing of the airport has since led the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority to launch its own $114 million consolidation plan.
LinkBoeing: No plans to build 757 Max Despite some recent rumors, including reports posted on financial website Motley Fool, Boeing doesn’t plan to build a 757 Max. Although a mid-sized medium-range jetliner may well be Boeing’s next aircraft, the company doesn’t plan to dust off the 757 fuselage and add new wings and engines. “No,” said Boeing spokesman Wilson Chow, in a refreshingly direct response to the question. “We don’t see a new airplane emerging until well into the next decade,” he wrote in an email. “As we always do, we will continue to evaluate the best low-risk solution for new development programs and production system architecture.”
LinkGovernment partners with aviation industry on enhanced cybersecurity platformThe U.S. government will soon share cybersecurity information with airlines and airports via a new platform dubbed the Air Domain Intelligence Integration Center. The center will make use of analysis from the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security and other agencies.
LinkCabin designers showcase luxury airplane interiorsDesigners of luxury VIP airplane cabins presented their latest innovations at the 2014 Asian Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition. Aeria Luxury Interiors showcased conceptual versions of an interior with a dining suite, master suite and conference room as well as a state-of-the-art entertainment system. Other exhibitors include Lufthansa Technik, Comlux and Fokker Services.
LinkFly Burger serves boutique burgers at Atlanta airportHartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta is serving up gourmet burgers with the Fly Burger Bar Boutique. The restaurant, which opened last month, offers unique burgers such as a Holy Guacamole burger and a Crabby Patty. "Airports are trying to elevate the experience and get away from just having a Chili's," said Anthony Joseph, president of Concessions International. "It brings some pizazz to the experience."
LinkAmerican adjusts N.C. to Europe flight schedule About six weeks before new nonstop flights start between Charlotte and four European cities, American Airlines is cutting back its schedule because of weaker-than-expected bookings. The new flights to Barcelona, Lisbon, Brussels and Manchester were announced in October as daily service running through October or September, depending on the destination. Now, the Brussels and Lisbon service have been reduced to four days a week, an American spokesman confirmed Tuesday. All the flights will end about a month earlier than their originally scheduled final dates.
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