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Airlines look for long-haul flight replacements as they retire 757s
As more airlines retire their Boeing 757 fleet, many are seeking alternatives, especially for long-range flights. American Airlines is using the Airbus A321 as a replacement, something JetBlue Airways is considering as well. "I think the jury is out and the thing about that airplane is that if it is able to be a 757 replacement, it could be a game-changer in terms of narrowbodies flying across the ocean," said JetBlue's Scott Laurence.
LinkAirlines
AirAsia X takes five more A330neos in firmed order
Long-haul budget carrier AirAsia X has added another five Airbus A330neo jets to its previous commitment for 50, and firmed the entire order. AirAsia X had strongly pressed Airbus to re-engine the A330 and, following the airframer's decision to launch the type, signed up for 50 at the Farnborough air show earlier this year.
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Alaska Airlines plans to bolster customer commitment in 2015
Alaska Airlines will focus on cultivating customer loyalty in 2015. Alaska CEO Brad Tilden says the company will focus on advertising to current customers and bolstering its capacity in Seattle, Wash.
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Arbitration board approves new 5-year contract for American flight attendants
An arbitration board approved a collective bargaining agreement between American Airlines and its flight attendant union. The five-year contract covers more than 24,000 flight attendants working at both American Airlines and US Airways and includes lower pay raises than the tentative agreement. "We respect the arbitrators’ decision and will work with the APFA to implement the new joint contract that provides wage increases and other improvements to the existing contract," American Airlines spokesman Paul Flaningan said.
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American Airlines CEO Against Profit-Sharing
American Airlines chief executive Doug Parker said airlines should stop sharing profits with employees and improve wages instead, despite persistent pressure from his own workers to link part of their pay to the company's performance. In an interview Parker called profit-sharing outdated. Competitors Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and Southwest Airlines still tout the millions of dollars they give to employees each quarter. "They're bankruptcy-era contracts, and we're past those days," Parker said, adding that airlines offered profit-sharing in the last decade to make up for wage cuts. "We should move back to what normal industrial companies do, which is pay people (what) they earn.
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Program to award more bonus miles to some American Airlines passengers
Frequent fliers buying first and business-class tickets on American Airlines and US Airways will receive more bonus miles in 2015 as part of a new promotion.
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American, Delta announce aircraft, lounge upgrades
American Airlines announced it will add power outlets and satellite-based Internet to many of its planes as well as over haul its VIP lounges. Delta One is a new category that will replace Business Elite. Delta One passengers will fly in private suites and will be served fresh meals and selected wines.
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Delta plans to switch regional planes at JFK to new terminal
Delta Air Lines in January will finish the move of its regional jets at John F. Kennedy International Airport to a new terminal. The airline said it will refurbish Terminal 2 and also "improve" the bus operations it uses to move passengers between Terminals 2 and 4. "For the first time, Delta will have world-class facilities, world-class people, world-class products, and a world-class operation in New York," said Glen Hauenstein, the airline's chief revenue officer.
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Boeing confirms Jetlines’ order for five 737 Max 7s
Canadian start-up carrier Jetlines has placed an order with Boeing to purchase five Boeing 737 Max 7 aircraft in a deal worth $438 million at list prices, Boeing announces. In addition, Jetlines, which has plans to begin ultra-low-cost operations in mid-2015, has options to purchase an addition 16 737 Max aircraft, Boeing says. "Boeing is proud to partner with Jetlines as it begins a journey to offer low airfares to passengers across Canada," says Boeing’s vice president of North America sales Brad McMullen in a media release. "The 737 Max 7 is perfectly suited to the airline's needs, and we appreciate the confidence Jetlines has in the airplane."
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SpiceJet Seeks Government Support To Keep Flying
SpiceJet has asked the Indian government and aviation regulators for concessions that would allow the cash-strapped carrier to keep flying. Problems at SpiceJet, which has racked up losses for five consecutive quarters amid fierce competition and high costs, have deepened in recent weeks, with officials at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) saying it must set out a plan for how it will pay dues to various aviation authorities. "They (SpiceJet) have given their problem to us and they have said that in case they have to shut down their operation then the sufferer will be the passenger," Mahesh Sharma told local television channel ET Now, as executives of the low-cost carrier met officials in New Delhi.
LinkAirports
Zurich Airport Part-Closed After Threat
Zurich airport was partially closed on Monday evening after receiving an unspecified threat, a spokeswoman said. The airport closed Check-in 1 and 2 as well as Arrivals 2, and passengers were being redirected to Check-in 3, the spokeswoman said, adding that waiting time was still only about 15 minutes.
LinkMilitary
Israel scrambles fighters as Hamas parades Ababil UAV
Israel’s air force scrambled fighters on 14 December after Hamas militants launched an unmanned air vehicle to fly over a parade in Gaza marking the 27th anniversary of the organization's establishment. Israel was concerned the UAV might be sent into Israeli airspace, either to conduct an attack or to perform reconnaissance. However, the UAV was not shot down as it did not veer towards Israeli territory. Israeli sources subsequently identified the aircraft involved in the parade as an Iranian-made Ababil. Capable of carrying a40kg (88lb) payload – potentially including an explosive charge – the type has a maximum operational radius of 81nm (150km) and a service ceiling of 14,000ft.
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Saab gets funds for Czech Gripen upgrade
Saab has received a contract worth around SKr576 million ($76 million) from Sweden’s Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) for the support and upgrade of 14 Gripen C/Ds operated by the Czech air force. “The new agreement includes hardware modification of the aircraft and upgrade of system functionality that will deliver a continuing increase in capabilities,” says Saab. “Work to develop and adapt new mission software for Czech requirements begins immediately,” it adds, while “aircraft modifications will be implemented in about one year’s time”.
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Aviation Quote
Muhammad Ali: Superman Don't need no seat belt.
Flight Attendant: Superman Don't need no airplane, either.
— quoted by Clifton Fadiman, 'The Little, Brown Book of Anecdotes,' 1985.
On This Date
---In 1951... The first helicopter powered by a gas-turbine engine flies successfully. The Kaman K-225 uses a turbine that makes for a lighter, simpler, more powerful engine compared to a conventional piston engine.
---In 1960…United Airlines Flight 826 (a Douglas DC-8, reg N8031U) and Trans World Airlines Flight 266 (a Lockheed Super Constellation, reg N6907C) collided in midair over Staten Island in New York City, killing all 128 on both planes and six on the ground. The United aircraft, enroute to Idlewild Airport (now JFK) from Chicago O’Hare, was not only going extremely fast for its altitude, but was also 12 miles off-course due to a faulty VOR receiver. The TWA plane, enroute to LaGuardia Airport from Columbus, Ohio, was broadsided by the Super Connie at approximately 5200 feet and went nearly straight down onto Miller Field, killing all 44 on-board. The United aircraft continued on for a couple of miles before crashing in Park Slope, Brooklyn. One passenger of the 84 on-board, an 11-year-old boy named Stephen Baltz, survived the initial impact but succumbed to his injuries later that day. He said of the city’s snowfall out the window just before the crash, “”It looked like a picture out of a fairy book. It was a beautiful sight.” This crash was the first time a black box was used for a crash investigation. Eerily, the doomed United DC-8 was named after Will Rogers, who himself had died in a plane crash in 1935.
---In 1976…First flight of the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft NASA905.
---In 1979... The British Airways Concorde lands in London after flying from New York in less than three hours (2 hours 58 minutes) at an average speed of 1,172 mph.
---In 1994…First flight of the Antonov An-70.
---In 1997…Air Canada Flight 646, a CRJ-200 registered C-FSKI, crashes in a failed go-around in Fredericton, New Brunswick. In poor weather, a missed approach had been called in the final moments of approach. Seconds later, the aircraft would stall, and the right wing struck the ground, bending it four feet. The rest of the aircraft subsequently came down as well, separating the left winglet and breaking the radome and nose gear. The aircraft was then at full thrust, set by the go-around, and the plane went airborne again for about 1,000ft, where they were finally caught by some friendly trees. All on-board miraculously survived.
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