NewsCommercial
Boeing resumes MAX 7 flight tests as 737 production recovery continues
Certification testing of Boeing’s latest MAX variant, the 737-7, has resumed after flight test crews were temporarily seconded to work on current production models as part of wider company efforts to overcome 737 delivery delays. The resumption of 737-7 testing supports Boeing’s view that it is over the worst of the production issues that dogged the 737 this year after deliveries of fuselages and engines fell behind schedule.
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Russia’s Rostec, United Aircraft Corp. merger to take 18 months
The Russian government will transfer 92.31% of its shares in United Aircraft Corp. (UAC) to Rostec, according to a decree signed by President Vladimir Putin signed Oct. 24. The merger should take 18 months, according to the document.
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ATA calls for Brexit backstop to avoid air connectivity 'chaos'
The UK and the European Union must take urgent action to plan for the continuation of air services in the event of a "no deal" Brexit, according to IATA.
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Boeing highlights UK investment as Sheffield plant opens
As Boeing officially opens its first production facility in the UK, the airframer has defended its investment into the country relative to the multi-billion dollar defence contracts it has received.
LinkAirlines
American Airlines bullish on future as 3Q profit drops 48%
American Airlines posted a 2018 third-quarter net profit of $341 million, down 48% from $661 million in the 2017 3Q.
The Dallas/Fort Worth-based airline spent $750 million or 42.6% more on fuel in the quarter compared to a year ago.
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Spirit 3Q net profit up 38% on network reorientation, improved yield
Fort Lauderdale-based ultra-LCC Spirit Airlines reported a 2018 third-quarter net profit of $97.5 million, up 38% from the $60.2 million reported in the same period last year, offsetting higher costs for jet fuel and personnel.
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Norwegian 3Q net profit up 18%; slows down growth
Long-haul LCC Norwegian Air Shuttle warned that high oil prices and a strong dollar would affect the entire aviation industry as it reported a third-quarter net profit of NOK1.3 billion ($156 million), compared to NOK1.1 billion, up 18%, in the year-ago quarter.
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Finnair 3Q profits hit by weather, intra-European competition
Finnair has been forced to downgrade its full-year outlook after the airline’s third-quarter net profit fell 13.9% to €80.5 million ($91.9 million), driven by exceptional weather conditions, a shortage of spare engines, stiff intra-European competition and higher fuel costs.
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LOT cancels flights, fires workers as week-long crew strike continues
Warsaw-based LOT Polish Airlines is canceling flights this week as crew members strike to protest layoffs, demand better pay and working conditions. Nearly 70 flight crew members have been fired for participating in the strike that started Oct. 18.
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South African Airlines to receive another government bailout
South African Airways (SAA) is in line for another government bailout as part of a restructuring initiative aimed at restoring profitability by 2020-21. More cash is also in the works for regional carrier SA Express.
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Qantas revenue boost offsets higher fuel costs
Qantas is confident it can largely recover fuel price increases thanks to strong passenger revenue trends, favorable economic conditions and healthy forward bookings.
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Thai cautious on new routes as it awaits fleet clarity
Thai Airways International is taking a careful approach to growth as it tries to forge a more consolidated group approach, while it awaits for more clarity on its fleet plans.
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Thai frets about reputational damage from grounded 787s
Thai Airways International is concerned about the reputational damage caused by persistent engine issues with its Boeing 787-8 fleet.
Four of the carrier’s eight 787-8s are ground awaiting spare parts for their Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines, says Krittaphon Chantalitanon, vice-president of alliances and commercial strategy at Thai.
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IndiGo eyes capacity surge in Q3 as aircraft deliveries ramp up
IndiGo will grow capacity by 35% year-on-year for the upcoming third quarter, thanks to a ramp up of new aircraft deliveries from Airbus.
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India discusses potential for nonstop flights to Perth
India's Ministry of Civil Aviation has held discussions with Western Australia's tourism minister that could lead to Air India commencing nonstop flights between India and Perth.
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Argentina’s FLYEST enters scheduled market
FLYEST, the Argentinian Bombardier CRJ 200 charter operator, has announced its foray into the scheduled market with flights connecting Buenos Aires Aeroparque downtown airport with Santa Fe.
FLYEST will operate five weekly roundtrips. Both Aerolineas Argentinas and Avianca Argentina are currently serving the route with Embraer 190 and ATR 72 aircraft respectively.
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Cost of developing Flybe routes pushes Stobart Aviation to loss
Costs of £18.1 million ($23.3 million) incurred in developing routes under a Flybe franchise deal drove Stobart Group's aviation division to a £2.7 million EBITDA loss in the six months ended 31 August.
LinkAirports
AI and tunnel vision
New technology for screening staff in Oakland, a planned new biometric tunnel in Dubai, and an upgrade to JFK Terminal 4’s Security Operations Centre come under the spotlight in our security news round-up.
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New aircraft fuel facility opens at Moscow Sherementyevo
Moscow Sheremetyevo International Airport has a third aircraft refuelling facilty after the successful commissioning of a centralised hydrant system serving its North Terminal.
The project was implemented by AERO-Sheremetyevo JSC – a joint venture of LUKOIL-AERO LLC and Sheremetyevo International Airport JSC – as part of Sheremetyevo’s long-term development programme.
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Van Nuys Airport set to become solar power pioneer
Los Angeles World Airport (LAWA) operated Van Nuys Airport is set to become California’s leading general aviation gateway for solar power production after unveiling its first solar panels and revealing plans for a further six projects.
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Off airport check-in facilities open at Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge
Passengers flying with home-based carriers Cathay Pacific, Cathay Dragon, Hong Kong Airlines and HK Express can now check-in for flights from Hong Kong International Airport at the boudary crossing facilities of the new Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge.
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Passenger numbers at Ontario Airport continue to grow
Popularity of Ontario International Airport is reflected in the increase in passengers, cargo and flight carriers at the airport.
Strong growth in passenger volume at Ontario International Airport (ONT) continued in September as the number of air travellers who passed through the airport rose 14 per cent, while passenger numbers increased more than 13 per cent in the first nine months of the year.
LinkMilitary
PICTURES: RTAF H225M fleet rises to eight
The Royal Thai Air Force’s fleet of Airbus Helicopters H225M Caracal heavy-twin rotorcraft has grown to eight, with the delivery of two more examples.
The delivery completes the initial RTAF order for the type. An additional order for four more examples was placed in September.
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Aviation Quote
The emergencies you train for almost never happen. It's the one you can't train for that kills you.
- Ernest K. Gann, advice from the 'old pelican,' 'The Black Watch,' 1989.
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Who Was The Pilot
1. The developer of the Spruce Goose as well as its pilot. Who was it?
John Glenn
Amelia Earhart
Howard Hughes
Charles Lindbergh
2. Who was the pilot of 'The Flyer'?
3. Who was the pilot of Freedom 7?
Gus Grissom
John Glenn
Wally Schirra
Alan Shephard
4. Who was the first pilot to break the sound barrier?
5. Who was the pilot (commander) of Apollo 13?
Tom Hanks
Buzz Aldrin
James Lovell
Neil Armstrong
