NewsJetBlue defends Bombardier in spat with BoeingNew York's JetBlue Airways has rallied behind Bombardier in the Canadian airframer's trade dispute with Boeing, as the airline continues to evaluate the CSeries for its fleet. JetBlue chief executive Robin Hayes is urging the US International Trade Commission (USITC) to reject Boeing's call for tariffs to be imposed on the Bombardier airliner.
LinkBombardier confident 'scope clauses' will not changeBombardier is increasingly confident that so-called scope clauses in US pilot contracts will remain unchanged – a position that, if accurate, bodes well for sales of Bombardier's CRJs and CSeries aircraft, says a top executive. Speaking to reporters on 25 September, the company's vice-president of regional aircraft Kevin Smith predicts market realities, including pilot shortages, increasing wages and strong profits will serve to block any efforts to alter scope clauses.
LinkAir Berlin foresees split of assets between Lufthansa and EasyJetAir Berlin has disclosed that it will continue negotiations with Lufthansa and EasyJet until 12 October as both aim to "take over parts" of the troubled German carrier. Lufthansa has made an offer for subsidiaries LGW and Niki as well as "parts of Air Berlin", says the Oneworld member, which filed for insolvency in August.
LinkVietJet details long-haul plansVietJet Air is mulling the establishment of long-haul operations as part of its next growth phase. Speaking at a panel session at the World Routes conference in Barcelona today, Jay Lingeswara, deputy director at Vietnamese airline, says long-haul "is definitely a key area for [it] as a low-cost carrier".
LinkAeroflot sees 'generational gap' in narrowbody fleetAeroflot is reviewing how it will fill a "generational gap" as it considers how to replace more than 100 narrowbody aircraft that will be phased out over the coming years, says its deputy general director for strategy and alliances, Giorgio Callegari. Speaking to FlightGlobal at the World Routes conference in Barcelona on 24 September, Callegari says the Russian flag carrier has a policy of phasing out aircraft once they reach six years of age
LinkMalaysia Airlines keeps widebody options openMalaysia Airlines has stressed that its options are open vis-à-vis its future widebody fleet. "We would like to reiterate that as of now, we have a firm order of 25 Boeing 737 aircraft with everything else being optional," says the carrier in a statement dated 21 September.
LinkVivaAerobus chief cites issues with A320neo's P&W enginesVivaAerobus has not escaped the reliability problems with Pratt & Whitney PW1100G-powered Airbus A320neos that have blighted the variant's service entry for a number of operators. “The reliability of the engine… it has had some issues, which Pratt is solving,” the Mexican ultra-low-cost carrier's chief executive, Juan Carlos Zuazua, told FlightGlobal at the World Routes event in Barcelona on 24 September.
LinkIAG awaits Air Berlin decision; no Alitalia interest IAG has bid for part of Air Berlin but expects the German airline to go to Lufthansa. Speaking at World Routes in Barcelona, group chief executive Willie Walsh says IAG “did put in a bid for part of Air Berlin”, but he thinks it unlikely that IAG will be selected.
LinkKLM 777 drops metal panel after taking off from OsakaJapanese authorities are investigating an incident in which a "piece of fairing" fell from a KLM Boeing 777-200ER aircraft, damaging a car on the ground below. The incident took place on on Saturday 23 September as the aircraft operated flight KL868 on the Osaka-Amsterdam route, and involved a 1sqm "piece of fairing,", says KLM in a statement.
LinkSkylark 3 soars after operational approvalElbit Systems Skylark 3 unmanned air vehicle has achieved operational status, having recently played an active part during a major exercise staged in northern Israel. Acquired to support brigade commander-level tasks, the Skylark 3 was declared operational following tests performed by the land forces' "Sky Rider", which already uses the smaller Skylark 1 in support of ground forces including artillery units.
LinkFlawed control rod installation led to fatal Apache crashThe faulty installation of a tail rotor flight control rod on a Boeing AH-64 Apache attack helicopter led to a fatal crash at Ramon base, the Israeli air force has concluded. An investigation committee has delivered its final report into the 7 August 2017 accident, which killed one crew member and injured a second. It attributes the mishap to an incorrect installation of the tail rotor component, which resulted in rapid wear and control rod disengagement.
LinkIsrael finalises Seahawk sensor configurationIsrael's air force and navy have identified the intended sensor fit for a planned fleet of second-hand Sikorsky SH-60F Seahawk maritime helicopters. The proposed acquisition of eight ex-US Navy rotorcraft is still in its early stages, but the type is expected to enter use aboard the Israeli navy's future fleet of four Saar-6 corvettes. The USA has already approved the transfer.
LinkIAI waits on German approval for Heron TP dealIsraeli sources expect Berlin's planned introduction of the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) Heron TP unmanned air system to be advanced following German Chancellor Angela Merkel's re-election. Final approval for the deal is required from the German parliament and this is likely to be sought swiftly, following the formation of a new coalition government.
LinkThe hidden complexity of the AW189Inside a cavernous factory in Vergiate, northern Italy, rows of helicopters stand in various stages of final assembly. Surrounded by scaffolding and workbenches, they range from carbonfibre shells – empty save for dangling wiring looms – to aircraft ready for flight. Every few days the airframes advance to the next station of the assembly line, all the while drawing nearer to completion.
LinkDOT grants full permit to Norwegian UKLCC Norwegian has received full approval from the US Department of Transportation (DOT) for its UK subsidiary, Norwegian UK (NUK), to start transatlantic operations. The DOT granted approval on Sept. 22, firming up an earlier tentative agreement after a lengthy and controversial decision-making process.
LinkUK eases restrictions on cabin electronicsThe UK has lifted its restrictions on the carriage of electronic devices on UK-bound flights from Turkey and Tunisia.
LinkQatar Airways places $2.16 billion Boeing orderQatar Airways announced an order for two Boeing 747-8 freighters and four 777-300ERs, valued at $2.16 billion at list prices. Qatar said the order was a sign of the airline’s continued expansion and contribution to the US economy.
LinkBombardier targets ‘challenging’ goal of 30 CSeries deliveries in 2017 Bombardier is pressing to deliver 30 CSeries aircraft this year, but acknowledged it will be difficult to meet the low end of its previously announced target of 30-35 CSeries deliveries in 2017.
LinkAtlas Air files suit against pilots union to end alleged work slowdownAtlas Air and Polar Air Cargo Worldwide filed suit in the US District Court for the District of Columbia Sept. 25, seeking a preliminary injunction against Teamsters (IBT) Local 1224 to stop what the two carriers are calling “an illegal and intentional work slowdown and service interruptions … to gain advantage in pilot contract negotiations [now] underway.” The cargo carriers are subsidiaries of Purchase, New York-based Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings. Atlas has not publicly specified the nature of the slowdowns, but said the interruptions “are causing significant flight delays and harm” to the company and its customers. In its filing, Atlas is accusing the IBT of violating its status quo obligations under the Railway Labor Act by “encouraging the slowdown and failing to prevent and discourage it.”
LinkIAG CEO Willie Walsh confirms airberlin bid International Airlines Group (IAG) CEO Willie Walsh has confirmed his company did initially participate in Alitalia’s administration process and also submitted a bid for some parts of airberlin.
LinkLufthansa names Karl-Ludwig Kley as supervisory board chairmanLufthansa has elected Karl-Ludwig Kley as new supervisory board chairman, effective immediately, following the resignation of former board chairman Wolfgang Mayrhuber Sept. 24. Mayrhuber, who become chairman in 2013, said he deliberately implemented the change six months before the end of his term “in the interest of continuous development and a forward-looking development.”
LinkEthiopian Airlines working on several more African JV airlines African Star Alliance member Ethiopian Airlines is working to establish regional hubs in Chad, Mozambique, Nigeria and Zambia, with several joint venture (JV) airlines in the pipeline.
LinkColombia’s Avianca weathers strike by more than half its pilotsAs a strike by more than half its 1,300 pilots moved into the second week, Colombian flag carrier Avianca has activated what the airline calls an operational mitigation plan. “We have … adjusted our itineraries in the most efficient ways possible with active crews and available physical resources,” Avianca said, advising passengers to check flight status or request refunds if flights are canceled. Last week, all ticket sales for destinations within Colombia were suspended for three days as a measure “intended to mitigate potential damages,” the airline said.
LinkVietjet Air seeks partners, mulls long-haul services Vietnamese LCC Vietjet Air is hoping to expand into long-haul LCC operations, provided it can find the right aircraft and suitable airline partners to provide reciprocal feed.
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