NewsLufthansa submits formal initial Air Berlin proposalGermany's Lufthansa Group has formally submitted a proposal to acquire parts of Air Berlin to the struggling carrier's administrator. Lufthansa says it has presented a term sheet – a document outlining conditions for investment – which confirms its interest in Air Berlin.
LinkSouthwest plans for new fleet, retires Boeing 737-300s to storageSixty-seven of Southwest's Boeing 737-300 planes are headed for storage in Victorville, Calif., as the airline prepares to unveil its new fleet of Boeing 737 MAX 8 planes. The planes will remain in storage until the airline has finalized transaction plans for each aircraft.
LinkUnited says 787-9 is right jet for Singapore-LA routeUnited Airlines is confident that the economics of the Boeing 787-9 aircraft will make its upcoming Los Angeles-Singapore service work. "Los Angeles has been on the horizon for a while, and we feel the 787-9 is the right aircraft, with the right fuel consumption," says Alison Espley, managing director for Japan and Pacific sales at United Airlines. "The aircraft is what makes it possible."
LinkPump concern spurs urgent A350 equipment directiveAirbus A350 operators have been ordered urgently to address a potential threat to fuel tanks arising from overheat failure of a hydraulic pump. The A350-900 is designed with a hydraulic fluid cooling system located in the fuel tanks.
LinkTrent fan blade failure involved in AirAsia X A330 incidentThe Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) says a fan blade failure was involved in a 25 June incident involving an AirAsia X Airbus A330-300 aircraft. In an update to its investigation, the ATSB says that as 9M-XXE (MSN 1075) climbed to 40,000ft (flight level 400) from 38,000ft, "a fan blade on the number 1 engine failed resulting in engine damage and significant airframe vibration".
LinkFiji Airways to acquire new Twin Otters for subsidiaryFiji Airways has signed an agreement with Viking Air to acquire three DHC-6 Series 400 Twin Otters for its Fiji Link subsidiary, with an option to acquire a fourth aircraft. The new aircraft will replace two of the three older Bombardier DHC-6 Series 300s, thus raising the DHC-6's overall fleet size to four aircraft. Deliveries of the aircraft will take place between October and early 2018, says Fiji Airways.
LinkHawaiian Airlines recognized for on-time flight performanceHawaiian Airlines has earned the top ranking for most on-time flights in an analysis by RewardExpert. More than 94% of the airline's flights were on time last year.
LinkAir Canada to offer Montreal-Tokyo flightAir Canada has announced plans to launch a route between Montreal and Tokyo's Narita International Airport by June 2018. The flight will be offered year-round, with daily flights during the summer.
LinkUPS moves express air base to Tampa airportUPS announced it will move its express air operation from St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport to nearby Tampa International Airport beginning Oct. 16. The company's agreement with the Tampa airport runs until September 2020.
LinkAmerican considers second Dallas-Iowa flightAmerican Airlines will test a second daily flight from Dallas/Forth Worth International Airport to Sioux City, Iowa, this fall. The flight could become part of the airline's permanent schedule.
LinkUpdated terminal revealed at Dallas airportOfficials unveiled the latest renovation project at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport's Terminal E, which includes an expanded parking garage and new food options. The updated terminal also features new flooring and signage.
LinkThai Lion gets serious about international routesLow-cost carrier Thai Lion Air is making a push to bolster its international network, with a strong emphasis on China. FlightGlobal schedules data shows that the Bangkok Don Mueang-based unit of Indonesia's Lion Air Group has already added six international destinations from its base airport in 2017: Chengdu, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Hanoi, Nanchang, and Nanjing.
LinkMRJ test fleet grounded after PW1200G flameout Mitsubishi Aircraft has grounded its MRJ regional jet flight test fleet, following an engine "flameout" on one of its test prototypes on 21 August. The Japanese manufacturer tells FlightGlobal that there was an "uncommanded shut down" of FTA-2's left Pratt & Whitney PW1200G engine during a test flight.
LinkNorthrop growing Global Hawk for MDA laser aircraftNorthrop Grumman plans to modernise its Global Hawk unmanned air vehicle in order to meet the requirements for the US Missile Defense Agency’s (MDA) proposed high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) effort, a programme that would stretch the RQ-4 beyond its current capabilities.
LinkUSAF awards Lockheed and Raytheon cruise missile contractsLockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman have each been awarded a $900 million contract from the US Air Force, covering the development of the long-range stand-off (LRSO) weapon, the service’s replacement for its air-launched nuclear cruise missile inventory.
LinkIsraeli Apache helicopter grounding to continueIsraeli air force Boeing AH-64 Apache attack helicopters will remain grounded following the publication of an interim report into a fatal crash on 7 August. Maj Gen Amikam Norkin, commander of the service, ordered the continuation of the flight ban on 24 August, after investigators submitted their initial findings into the accident.
LinkEmbraer looks worldwide for E175-E2 sales as US scope clause issue persistsEmbraer believes the E175-E2 will be a “global” aircraft and is not dependent on the US market, where the aircraft’s noncompliance with pilot labor contract scope clauses continues to be an issue.
LinkRyanair files competition complaints over airberlin assets Irish LCC Ryanair has filed complaints with Germany’s competition authority and the European Commission (EC) over the handling of airberlin’s assets since it filed for insolvency.
LinkAzerbaijan startup Buta Airways to launch Sept. 1Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) has taken delivery of an Embraer E190 from regional aircraft lessor Nordic Aviation Capital (NAC) for its new LCC subsidiary Buta Airways, which will launch Sept. 1. The aircraft will be operated by the new brand of Azerbaijan Airlines—Buta Airways.
LinkRepublic Airways sets new course in USRepublic Airways Holdings, the second largest regional airline operator in the US, reluctantly opted for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization in 2016.
LinkUK’s Thomas Cook pilots to strike Sept. 8Pilots at UK leisure carrier Thomas Cook Airlines are to strike for 12 hours on Sept. 8 over a pay dispute. The airline said it expects to operate all services as normal. The British Airline Pilots’ Association (BALPA) authorized the strike following a ballot in which 91% of pilots voted to take action; turnout was 88%.
LinkStrong demand boosts AirAsia X’s 2Q profitLong-haul LCC AirAsia X (AAX) achieved strong growth in its second-quarter profit, as it managed to spur healthy demand despite significant capacity expansion.
LinkChina’s Spring Airlines to raise funds for A320 aircraft, simulator China’s Spring Airlines plans to collect CNY4 billion ($600 million) by circulating non-public A shares to purchase 10 A320 aircraft and one A320 simulator.
LinkWOW Air adds new US servicesIceland-based LCC WOW Air will add new US Midwest services next summer from Detroit, Michigan; Cleveland, Ohio; Cincinnati, Ohio; and St. Louis, Missouri to Europe via Keflavik. The 4X-weekly services include: Detroit Metropolitan Airport on April 26; Cleveland Hopkins International on May 4; Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International on May 10; and St. Louis Lambert International on May 17.
LinkOman Air, Gulf Air to codeshareOman’s national carrier Oman Air and Bahrain-based Gulf Air will codeshare between their respective hubs at Muscat and Muharraq. Passengers will be able to choose from a combined daily frequency of six flights between the two airports.
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