CommercialFAA sets deadline for 787-9 RAT fixThe US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) gives Boeing until 31 December to show that a redesigned component in the ram air turbine of the 787-9 meets airworthiness guidelines, the agency says in a new filing. Boeing is redesigning the generator control unit in the ram air turbine after one device failed to produce electrical power on one recent flight test and on three subsequent tests on the ground. Although the ram air turbine was deemed non-compliant with airworthiness regulations, the FAA approved a time-limited exemption as it awarded a type certificate for the 787-9 on 13 June. Boeing must prove that the redesign meets airworthiness criteria and submit the test data to the FAA by 31 December, the agency says in an 8-page filed dated 12 June, which was posted in the Department of Transportation’s online docket eight days later.
LinkHow can Airbus widen the appeal of the A380?Airbus sensed it could be a long haul, but almost a decade after the world’s largest airliner took to the skies for the first time, A380 sales remain underwhelming. Although, at 324, orders are edging towards acceptability seven years after entry into service, the A380 has yet to become a game-changer in the long-haul market the way the Boeing 747 was in the 1970s and 1980s. One airline, Emirates, has put the A380 at the heart of its fleet strategy. But for other blue-chip carriers, from British Airways to Singapore Airlines, the quadjet remains a niche product, filling a role on the densest trunk routes. Some see Emirates’ faith in the A380 as a good thing for Airbus – the Dubai-based airline has stuck with the type even after cancelling a deal in June for 70 of Toulouse’s other big widebody, the A350.
LinkLast A350 test aircraft departs on maiden flightAirbus’s fifth and final A350 test aircraft has departed Toulouse on its maiden flight, taking the program into the last stage of certification. The Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-powered aircraft, MSN5, took off at around 09:40. Airbus is to use the aircraft for cabin operability tests and route proving, as well as extended operations trials. The airframer had originally expected MSN5 to fly earlier this year but the interior has been undergoing adjustments in preparation for the route work.
LinkSouthwest aims to improve on-time performanceSouthwest is taking steps to improve its on-time performance by allowing time for additional turns at gates and adding more time for flying. The carrier predicts on-time improvements by year-end, according to Steve Hozdulick, the airline's senior director of operational performance. Hozdulick forecasts Southwest's on-time arrivals will improve to between 83% and 85% in 2015.
LinkAmerican plans to boost service from LAXAmerican Airlines said Thursday it’ll add four routes from Los Angeles this fall, including two to western Canada, as it works to strengthen its West Coast hub. American will use regional partner Mesa Airlines to provide a daily flight to Edmonton, Alberta, two daily flights to Vancouver, B.C., and two to San Antonio, all on 76-seat Bombardier CRJ900 jets. The service will be branded as American Eagle. In addition, American will operate a mainline jet once a day to Tampa, Fla. All the flights begin Oct. 2 except for the Tampa service, which launches Nov. 6.
LinkUnion critiques American Airlines plan for regional jets The Envoy Air flight attendants union criticized American Airlines management for contracting with another carrier to fly new regional jets for the airline. The Association of Flight Attendants, which represents the Envoy Air workers, said its flight attendants gave concessions during American's bankruptcy process and were promised a fresh start and new airplanes. "The equipment is being sent to another company which had no connection to the financial restructuring in which we engaged to insure that our company would achieve the profitability it now enjoys – the same profitability which allows it to obtain this new aircraft. For both American Airlines and Envoy Air management to now turn their backs on our award-winning employees by providing no comment as to the future of our airline is unconscionable," the union said.
LinkLos Angeles Airport gets new Oneworld lounge Qantas, British Airways, and Cathay Pacific Airways announced the opening of a new lounge for all oneworld member airlines at Los Angeles International Airport. The facility is located in the Tom Bradley International Terminal and managed principally by Qantas. The lounge is open to first and business-class ticket-holders traveling on flights operated by any oneworld member airline, as well as passengers who hold Emerald or Sapphire status in any oneworld member airline’s frequent flyer program. The lounge can currently accommodate up to 400 passengers, and when it is completed early next year, it will be able to seat a total of 600. The facility is designed with a fireplace and a glass atrium in the center of the facility, and offers passengers several food and beverage options, including a dining area serving multicultural cuisine, food carts serving appetizers including cod tacos with red cabbage slaw and Asian-spiced chicken wings, a cocktail bar, and a hot and cold buffet.
LinkTSA set to raise security fees on airline ticketsThe Transportation Security Administration plans to raise security fees on airfares by charging more for trips with layovers. "Not only did the fee increase, but now, if passengers have layovers of longer than four hours, they are charged the entire fee again," said Roger Dow, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association.
LinkOpinion: TSA subverts Congress with new definition of "round trip"Charles Leocha, the co-founder of Travel United, writes that the Transportation Security Administration is defying Congress by increasing security fees through a new definition of what constitutes a round trip. "Basically, TSA's interpretation of the new law and budget presented an opportunity for TSA to get into travelers' wallets as well as peering and feeling beneath their clothing," he writes.
LinkJetBlue plans to add 2 routes from Reagan National JetBlue will add two new routes from Washington's Reagan National Airport (DCA), saying service to the Florida cities of Fort Myers and West Palm Beach would begin Dec. 18. JetBlue's announcement comes on the same day it launched three other routes from DCA, inaugurating nonstop service to Charleston, S.C.; Hartford, Conn.; and Nassau in the Bahamas. JetBlue is able to add the flights from capacity-controlled DCA thanks to the "slots" it received as part of a deal between American Airlines and the Justice Department. The deal, which cleared the way for American's merger with US Airways, required AA to give up 104 slots (the equivalent of 52 round-trip flights) at DCA.
LinkAirbus COO: We continue to evaluate new engine for A330Airbus is weighing plans to re-engine its A330, but is taking time to evaluate the pros and cons before making a decision. "We have to look at the money we would have to invest and about potential cannibalization of our A350 program," said John Leahy, chief operating officer for Airbus.
LinkLas Vegas airport to offer biometric screening through ClearMcCarran International Airport in Las Vegas plans to introduce biometric screening with kiosks from Clear. For an annual fee, travelers can check in at the Clear kiosks with iris and fingerprint scans. When the kiosks come online in mid-August, McCarran will be the tenth U.S. airport to offer Clear screening.
LinkMoody's upgrades rating for Denver airport bonds Denver International Airport got some good news from the bond market Thursday. Moody's Investors Service, which had previously given the airport's finances a negative outlook, rated them stable and affirmed DIA's A1 rating on senior debt. The rating agency said the change reflects "the airport's monopoly position in the diverse and growing Denver service area." Moody's also cited Denver's geographically central location, the use of DIA as a hub by three major airlines and the expectation that its $4.4 billion debt load will drop once the original debt to build the airport is paid off in 2025.
LinkGroup: Boeing 787 ETOPS Certification FlawedFlyersRights.org, an airline passenger advocacy organization, has released a statement expressing criticism of the FAA’s Extended range Twin Operation (ETOPS) approval for the Boeing 787 and the 787-9 for up to 330 minutes flying time from a primary or alternate airport. It allows the aircraft to be used over routes traditionally reserved for three- and four-engine airplanes. FlyersRights.org’s statement said that “traditionally, ETOPS approval beyond 2 hours is not granted until an aircraft has had at least two years of trouble free operations,” and that “this FAA approval came only one week after the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued a warning that the 787 battery certification was deficient.” There are various levels of ETOPS certification for twin-engine aircraft, starting at 180 minutes, and are based on flying time, not distance, to a suitable airport. A double engine failure beyond gliding distance of land means a water landing, leading to the black aviation humor assertion that ETOPS stands for “Engines Turn Or Passengers Swim.”
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