NewsAir France pilot unions call for more strikes June 23-26 Air France said its pilots’ unions have called for strikes on June 23, 24, 25 and 26, part of a long-running dispute between employees and management over pay, and condemned the unions’ move as “incompatible with any concern for the company’s future.”
LinkRyanair, Unite agree to UK cabin crew representation Irish LCC Ryanair has inked its second cabin crew union agreement, recognizing the UK’s Unite the union, where 25% of the airline’s fleet is based. Earlier in June, Ryanair won its first cabin crew agreement with the ANPAC and ANPAV unions in Italy.
LinkLessor SMBC pushes ahead with fleet transition after record profit Ireland-based aircraft lessor SMBC Aviation Capital has posted a $319.4 million full-year profit and aims to transition the majority of its fleet to new-technology aircraft by the mid-2020s.
LinkCathay Pacific eyes possible future LCC Hong Kong flag carrier Cathay Pacific Airways has not ruled out establishing an LCC unit, although such a move would be very unlikely in the short-term, CEO Rupert Hogg said. While many other Asian airline groups have set up their own LCC subsidiaries, Cathay has so far elected not to take such a step.
LinkHainan Airlines discloses more details of assets restructuring plan China’s Hainan Airlines Holding has unveiled further details of its assets restructuring plan, which include circulating 3.4 billion shares to take over stakes owned by parent HNA Group’s with an investment of CNY10.5 billion ($1.6 billion) and circulating non-public A shares to 10 investors to raise no more than CNY7 billion.
LinkToulouse-Blagnac Airport sees more passenger growth from LCCs Toulouse-Blagnac Airport in southwest France is expecting more passenger growth after an “exceptional” 2017 and is counting on its burgeoning short-and medium-haul routes in Europe—and in particular LCCs—to achieve it.
LinkChina’s Spring Airlines to use A320neos on longer routesChina’s Spring Airlines plans to introduce much longer routes when it begins receiving Airbus A320neo family aircraft in the second half of this year. Nonstop flights as far as Australia are planned, the Shanghai-based LCC said. India and the Russian Far East will also be connected to Shanghai nonstop, Spring said.
LinkAmerican Airlines launches nonstop Burlington, Vt.-Chicago serviceLast week, American Airlines launched nonstop service between Chicago and Burlington International Airport in Vermont. The twice-daily service is seasonal.
LinkUS seeks to head off new terrorist threats against air cargoUS security officials have uncovered specific cargo-related terrorist threats against US-bound aircraft, prompting the customs agency to tighten requirements related to air cargo reporting. "[The Department of Homeland Security] has received specific, classified intelligence that certain terrorist organisations seek to exploit vulnerabilities in international air cargo security," the agency says in a new rule made public on 11 June.
LinkJazeera Airways takes first A320neoKuwaiti carrier Jazeera Airways has taken delivery of its first Airbus A320neo, and is putting the twinjet into service on the Dubai route. The airline had disclosed in April that it intended to become the first operator in the Middle East to receive the A320neo.
LinkTara Air Twin Otter damaged in runway excursionA Tara Air Bombardier DHC-6 Series 300 Twin Otter was substantially damaged following a runway excursion at Jumla airport in Nepal on 9 June. The aircraft, registered 9N-AEV (MSN 729), was operating a flight from Nepalgunj to Jumla when the incident occurred at 14:35 local time.
LinkRolls-Royce further broadens Trent 1000 checksRolls-Royce is extending its inspection regime on Trent 1000 engines to include other models of the powerplant which may be affected by the blade durability issue. While the analysis and examinations have focused on the Package C version of the Trent 1000, the manufacturer says it has found a "similar" issue with the intermediate pressure compressor on Package B engines.
LinkSwire launches takeover bid for HAECOSwire Pacific has launched a HK$3 billion ($382 million) bid to buy out minority shareholders' stakes in Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company (HAECO) and delist the MRO company. Swire, which owns 75% of HAECO, has proposed to pay HK$72 ($9.20) per share for the remaining 41.6 billion shares held by minority investors in the company through a deed of arrangement. After the transaction is completed, the minority shares would be cancelled.
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Ilyushin partners with Russian company on large transport UAVIlyushin has teamed up with Russian unmanned air system developer Kronstadt Group to develop a large autonomous aircraft that could deliver cargo to remote areas. The two partners plan to start with developing a demonstrator based on the design of the twin-engine Ilyushin Il-112 military transport.
LinkQatar picks Sniper pod for Rafale fleetQatar's future fleet of Dassault Rafale fighters will be equipped with Lockheed Martin Sniper targeting pods, the US company has announced. "Pod deliveries to the Qatar Emiri Air Force will begin in 2019," says Lockheed. "Integration efforts are ongoing, with flight tests currently in progress."
LinkIsraeli partnership develops Rampage stand-off missileIMI Systems (formerly Israel Military Industries) and Israel Aerospace Industries have jointly developed a new long-range precision strike weapon suitable for use during stand-off-range attacks. Named Rampage, the supersonic weapon is 4.7m (15.4ft) long and has a total weight of 570kg (1,250lb). Its rocket and warhead performance and navigation suite enable the design to be deployed against high-value, well-protected targets with "utmost precision", the companies say.
LinkSerge Dassault's independent legacyFor the vast majority of people working in, reporting on or merely interested in the aerospace industry, Serge Dassault was a seemingly eternal force. That his death at the age of 93 came as he was working in his Paris office will come as little surprise to those aware of his tireless dedication to the company founded by his equally driven father, Marcel.
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