NewsCommercial
ATR 72 prototype tests all-electrical energy management system
European turboprop aircraft manufacturer ATR said a prototype ATR 72 conducted a demonstration flight to test an all-electrical energy management system that aims to optimize electrical power distribution. The flight is the second the ATR 72 demonstration aircraft has flown as part of the European Union’s “Clean Sky Joint Undertaking” program. The first test flight by the ATR 72 prototype, conducted in July 2015, trialed “new and more effective composite insulation materials and new vibro-acoustic sensors integrated into a large panel of the ATR aircraft fuselage,” ATR said in a statement.
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Boeing Plans Layoffs For Aircraft Engineers
Boeing said in a memo to employees that the company is deciding whether to make voluntary layoffs available to workers, according to the document. The company also said it does not intend to replace higher-level employees who leave, except in rare situations. "We do not intend to backfill for people who retire from their executive or management roles unless the position is absolutely vital to carrying out our work statement," said the memo, signed by Mike Delaney, vice president of engineering at Boeing commercial planes.
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Honeywell-United Tech Deal Bigger Than Boeing, Airbus
Honeywell International's proposal to buy rival United Technologies would create an industrial giant bigger than aircraft makers Boeing or Airbus, potentially changing the balance of power between manufacturer and supplier. Pricing power is a key concern of the big aircraft makers, and it is a central issue in the battle between United Technologies and Honeywell. United Technologies on Friday rejected Honeywell's USD$90.7 billion offer, citing customer concerns among other big issues.
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Pratt & Whitney A320neo Engine Suffers New Test Snag
Pratt & Whitney has suffered a fresh problem during testing of new engines for the Airbus A320neo, but flight trials of the airliner are continuing. The problem occurred when an oil pump failed after an engine had been deliberately shut down in flight and left to turn with the natural airflow, a process known as "windmilling" which is designed to ensure an aircraft can fly on only one engine.
LinkAirlines
Emirates to launch first Dubai-New Zealand nonstop service
Emirates Airline will launch daily Dubai-Auckland nonstop flights from March 1, which will shorten travel time by up to three hours by eliminating a stop in Australia. The flights will be operated by a Boeing 777-200LR configured with 266 seats, including eight first-class and 42 business-class seats.
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Gol To Get Cash Injection, Trim Routes
Brazilian airline Gol said it will get a cash injection of up to BRR1 billion reais (USD$251 million) and announced cuts to its routes and aircraft fleet in an effort to trim costs amid weak demand. Takeoffs and landings will be cut by 6 percent this year while service to seven cities is being ended, Gol said in a securities filing. It will also return five aircraft to leasing companies and cut the schedule of planned deliveries of aircraft by end 2017 to 1 from 15.
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Hainan Airlines to open Tel Aviv, Manchester services
China’s’ Hainan Airlines plans to open a route from Beijing to Tel Aviv in April and Manchester in June, according to international director Li Xiang, as it speeds up international expansion as more Chinese citizens opt for outbound travel. The Haikou-based carrier opened Changsha-Los Angeles in January.
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Hong Kong Airlines Celebrates Inaugural Flight to Phnom Penh
Hong Kong Airlines, the internationally-acclaimed full-service airline, celebrated its inaugural thrice-weekly direct service to Phnom Penh, Cambodia on 27 February 2016. To mark the official launch of this new route, Hong Kong Airlines held celebrations at Hong Kong International Airport and Phnom Penh International Airport.
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IAG reports net profit up 51% in 2015
International Airlines Group (IAG)—parent company of Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia and Vueling—reported a 51.5% rise in 2015 net profit to €1.52 billion ($1.66 billion), compared to €1 billion in 2014. Full-year revenue was up 13.3% at €22.8 billion compared to €20.1 billion last time. In capacity, ASKs rose 8.2% to 272.7 billion (of which 3.2% came from the inclusion of the Aer Lingus fleet) and load factor rose 1% to 81.4%, while RASKs rose 5.4% to 7.46 euro cents. Passenger numbers were up 14.2% at 88.3 million compared to 77.3 million last time.
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Iberia finance head to succeed Cruz as Vueling chief
Spanish budget carrier Vueling is to be overseen by Iberia finance chief Javier Sanchez-Prieto, following the departure of Alex Cruz to the top post at British Airways. Vueling’s parent, IAG, disclosed the appointment of Sanchez-Prieto as it presented its full-year results.
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JetBlue starts service to Ecuador's capital from Fla.
JetBlue Airways launched service on Thursday between Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and Quito, Ecuador. "Whether travelers are coming from South Florida, the northeast or the west coast, it's never been easier to visit Ecuador's historic capital city," said Dave Clark, vice president of network planning at JetBlue. Quito International Airport handles more than 5 million passengers annually.
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Lufthansa to base 12 A320s in Munich
Lufthansa will base 12 Airbus A320s with Sharklets at its second Munich hub by the middle of next year as part of its sustainability program. The first Airbus A320 with Sharklets has arrived in Munich; the second is to follow in the next few days. All 12 of the type are replacing older medium-haul aircraft. Lufthansa deploys 50 A319s, A320s and A321s in Munich.
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SAS Scandinavian Airlines crew dispute settled
An on-off strike involving crew operating services on behalf of Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) in Sweden and Finland has been resolved. The services are operated for SAS by UK-based regional carrier Flybe under a subcontract arrangement.
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Southwest Airlines exec comments on Kan. routes
Southwest Airlines executives discussed route planning at a recent luncheon in Wichita, Kan. The carrier plans to launch service from Wichita to St. Louis and Phoenix in April. Southwest began flights at Wichita Eisenhower National Airport in June 2013.
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Spirit Airlines eases baggage fee policy for military personnel
Spirit Airlines has tweaked its baggage policy to waive fees for active duty US military personnel. The ultra low-cost carrier (ULCC) has long made bag fees—both checked and carry-on—a key part of its low-base fare, fee-heavy pricing model. But new president and CEO Bob Fornaro has vowed to improve Florida-based Spirit’s customer-service reputation, and the policy change for military personnel baggage is the first public example of those efforts.
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SWISS upgrades connectivity on 777-300ER fleet
Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) has selected Panasonic Global Communications Services to provide inflight Wi-Fi and 3G phone services on its nine Boeing 777-300ERs, which entered intercontinental services on Feb. 21. SWISS is leveraging Panasonic’s broadband offering, which will allow passengers to email, surf the Internet, use social networks and make calls, Panasonic said in a statement.
LinkAirports
Aden Airport To Reopen In Weeks After Refurbishment
Aden airport is expected to reopen fully for commercial traffic within weeks, a move that would shore up confidence in the ability of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi's government to control the volatile city. The southern port has been gripped by violence since Hadi supporters, backed by Saudi-led coalition forces, seized it from Iranian-allied Houthi forces in July. The airport has operated only sporadically since then, amid constant security fears.
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Ohio airport to upgrade gate infrastructure
Steve Becker was leaning against a brick pillar at a gate at the Akron-Canton Airport waiting for his plane on Thursday. Unfortunately for Becker, mechanical issues had delayed his scheduled 6 a.m. Delta flight back to his hometown of Atlanta to an 11:15 a.m. departure. It was the second visit to the airport for the salesman — both times in the older gates currently occupied by Delta Airlines and American Airlines. That gate area, built in 1962, is showing its age, airport officials said. It’s congested and was built at a time when airplanes were smaller.
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DFW releases first airport app for Apple Watch
Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport said it is offering the first Apple Watch app for an airport. The app includes maps of the airport's terminals and flight information. The app is available in English and several other languages, including Spanish and Chinese.
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London City Airport sold to Canadian-led consortium
Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), majority owners of London City Airport (LCY), has sold the property to a Canadian-led consortium. The purchase price was not disclosed, but was widely reported in the UK financial media to be around £2 billion ($2.8 billion). GIP has agreed to sell its 75% shareholding in LCY to a grouping comprising the Alberta Investment Management Corp.; Ontario Municipal Employees’ Retirement System, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan; and the infrastructure investment arm of the Kuwait Investment Authority, Wren House Infrastructure Management.
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Military
USAF reveals Northrop's B-21 long-range strike bomber
The US Air Force has revealed its bomber for the 21st century, the Northrop Grumman B-21 long-range strike bomber. The official designation comes as the air force for the first time releases an artist's rendering of the still-classified bomber — a flying wing design similar to the Northrop B-2 and the company's concept for the previous Next-Generation Bomber (NGB) project.
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Aviation Quote
Chi Vola Vale,
Chi Non Vola non Vale,
Chi Vale e Non Vola — un Vile
— seen on a office wall at the Italian Airforce Ministery. Translation: He who flies is worthy, He who doesn't fly is unworthy, he who is worthy and doesn't fly is a coward.
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Trivia
Registration Codes – Countries
Tail number is provided, you provide the country
1. EI-CEZ
2. C-CCAN
3. CC-CZZ
4. LV-BFD
5. F-HSEX
6. G-CRAN
7. D-HYTE
8. EC-CIE
9. JA-5564
10. YV-234E
11. HC-BKO
12. HK-3910X
1. EI-CEZ Ireland
2. C-CCAN Canada
3. CC-CZZ Chile
4. LV-BFD Argentina
5. F-HSEX France
6. G-CRAN UK
7. D-HYTE Germany
8. EC-CIE Spain
9. JA-5564 Japan
10. YV-234E Venezuela
11. HC-BKO ???
12. HK-3910X Honduras???
