NewsDivers recover one recorder from crashed Lion 737Indonesian navy divers have recovered a recorder device from the Lion Air Boeing 737 Max 8 that crashed on 29 October. Based on on-line videos, it is not readily apparent if the device is the flight data or cockpit voice recorder, but it appears to be relatively undamaged. The deputy chief of National Transport Safety Committee Haryo Satmiko declined to comment on the device, stressing that both recorders need to be recovered.
LinkJakarta suspends Lion Air's technical directorIndonesian transport minister Budi Karya Sumadi has ordered the temporary suspension of Lion Air technical director Muhammad Asif, following the fatal crash of one of its Boeing 737 Max 8 jets on 29 October. In addition to the director's suspension, he also ordered the airline to suspend an unspecified number of engineers who gave the jet clearance to operate.
LinkGulf Air, Thai Airways expand codeshareBahraini flag carrier Gulf Air and Thai Airways International (Thai) have expanded their longstanding codeshare arrangement under a new agreement that became effective Oct. 28, the Middle East carrier said Oct. 31. The expanded agreement will extend travel opportunities for Gulf Air passengers to fly beyond Bangkok on Thai to Hong Kong with immediate effect and to Singapore, Tokyo and Melbourne in coming months. It is also intended to broaden the commercial partnership between the two companies.
LinkChina Eastern operating profit drops 42.1% over first nine monthsFaced with rising fuel costs and a weakened Chinese yuan against the US dollar, China Eastern Airlines reported a 42.1% decline in operating profits to CNY5.8 billion ($844 million) for the first nine months of 2018, compared to the same period last year. Net profit for the period was CNY4.2 billion, putting the Shanghai-based airline second behind Air China in earnings among the country’s big three airlines.
LinkVirgin Atlantic names former Finnair exec as EVP-commercialUK long-haul carrier Virgin Atlantic has named Finnair CCO Juha Järvinen as its new EVP-commercial, and appointed non-aviation industry executive Ash Jokhoo as SVP-technology. The appointments are a knock-on effect from a wider leadership transition at Virgin Atlantic, as current EVP commercial and CCO Shai Weiss prepares to take leadership of the airline from CEO Craig Kreeger on Jan. 1.
LinkAir Arabia unveils new rebranding UAE-based LCC Air Arabia has marked its 15th anniversary with a brand refresh. The unveiling of the new corporate identity took place during a launch ceremony at the Air Arabia hangar in Sharjah International Airport. The airline serves more than 150 routes from four hubs spread across the UAE, Morocco and Egypt, with a fleet of 53 Airbus A320-family aircraft, with further expansion planned for 2019.
LinkKorean Air adds new routes, frequencies for winter seasonKorean Air is boosting its network for the winter season with new routes and additional frequencies, although it will also suspend or merge some routes. The South Korean flag carrier launched a flight from Busan, South Korea to Da Nang, Vietnam on Oct. 29. This daily service will operate year-round, the airline told ATW. The carrier will use a 159-seat Boeing 737-900.
LinkAir Canada posts 3Q net income decline, revenue record Air Canada reported an adjusted net income of C$516 million ($393 million) for the third quarter (3Q), down 39% from a restated adjusted net income of C$922 for the year-ago quarter. The Canadian flag carrier’s 3Q unadjusted net income was C$645 million, compared to $1.7 billion a year ago, when the airline received a net income tax recovery of C$793 million.
LinkItaly’s state railway confirms bid for Alitalia Italian railway company Ferrovie dello Stato (FS) has put in a bid for Alitalia, paving the way to create an integrated transport company, Italy’s economic development minister Luigi Di Maio said. He also confirmed several other companies had submitted offers for the troubled Italian flag carrier, which filed for bankruptcy in May 2017.
LinkLatin chiefs criticise Mexico City airport outcomeA Mexican proposal to split Mexico City operations into three airports is not feasible, say Latin American airline chiefs following a public referendum to halt construction of a new airport for the Mexican capital. "It will not be easy for any of us, to serve a city like Mexico City from three different airports," said Avianca chief executive Hernan Rincon on a panel at the ALTA Airline Leaders Forum in Panama City on 30 October. "The ideal scenario will be one airport… it is very unlikely we will fly to three. We would have to decide on one, perhaps two."
LinkAirbus lowers 2018 delivery target on A330, A380 issues Facing mounting issues in two major programs, Airbus has cut the manufacturer’s 2018 delivery target and said the company is working to “resolve certain commercial challenges on the A330ceo and the A380” by the end of the year.
LinkSpirit AeroSystems 'fully recovered' from 737 fuselage lag: CEOSpirit AeroSystems has fully recovered from fuselage production delays that recently rippled from its Wichita manufacturing facility to Boeing's 737 assembly site in Renton, say Spirit's executives. Having recovered, the company is now working to reduce 737 production costs and taking steps to ensure it can meet Boeing's plan to boost 737 production next year.
LinkViking expects CL-515 launch decision in early 2019Viking Air expects to decide in the first quarter of 2019 whether to move forward with development and production of its proposed CL-515, an upgraded version of the CL-215 and CL-415 water bombers. Sidney, British Columbia-based Viking also envisions the CL-515 as a multi-mission aircraft capable of performing firefighting, surveillance, medevac and other missions, says executive vice-president of sales and marketing Robert Mauracher.
LinkAirbus battles A321neo complexity and automation hitchesCustomization complexity on the A321neo as well as a shift to new automation are among the industrial internal difficulties facing Airbus as it battles to reach ambitious full-year delivery targets. Airbus is aiming to deliver 800 aircraft – including 18 A220s – but has encountered further obstacles on its single-aisle lines, on top of the highly-publicized powerplant issues which affected A320neo-family production.
LinkAirbus absorbs A220s to maintain 800-jet delivery targetAirbus has rejigged its A330neo delivery schedule after Rolls-Royce admitted it would fall short on Trent 7000 engine deliveries, but the airframer is still maintaining a target of 800 aircraft deliveries. But this target now includes 18 A220s, whereas Airbus had previously intended to deliver 800 aircraft excluding the A220 contribution.
LinkUS indictment alleges broad Chinese effort to steal turbofan dataThe US Department of Justice has levied new charges against 10 alleged Chinese spies who purportedly sought to steal proprietary corporate information, including information related to commercial aircraft turbofan engines. An indictment filed in US District Court for the Southern District of California comes three weeks after the DOJ revealed it indicted another Chinese national as part of a similar conspiracy that targeted aerospace companies including GE Aviation.
LinkUS regulator approves Bell 407GXiBell has secured US validation for the 407GXi, and in late October handed over the first example of the upgraded light-single to Chilean operator Eagle Copters, which will use the rotorcraft for corporate transportation missions. The Textron-owned company unveiled the 407GXi at the Heli-Expo convention in February, having already secured Canadian certification the previous month for the six-seat type. It is the fourth iteration of the 407 since it was introduced in 1996.
LinkOttawa issues draft RFP for 88 fighter requirementThe Royal Canadian Air Force has issued a draft request for proposal to five potential suppliers to replace its Boeing CF-18A/B Hornet fleet. In a notice posted online 26 October, Ottawa listed five suppliers eligible to replace its fighter fleet with 88 advanced jets: Dassault Aviation, maker of the Rafale; Saab, maker of the JAS 39 Gripen; Airbus Defense, a major partner in the Eurofighter joint venture, which makes the Typhoon; Lockheed Martin, maker of the F-16 and F-35; and Boeing, maker of the F/A-18 Super Hornet and F-15E Strike Eagle. Only these five will be allowed to submit proposals.
LinkA400M contract revision still possible by year-end: AirbusAirbus believes it is "inconceivable" that it will not finalize contract revisions with its A400M launch customers in 2019, and is optimistic that it could still hammer out an agreement by year-end. A previously agreed 30 November deadline to complete the contract talks looks unlikely to be met, with the manufacturer noting that the negotiations have been "advancing slower than planned".
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