NewsAirlines criticize efficiency ranking report The decoupling of air traffic growth from rising carbon dioxide emissions is not happening fast enough and no airline has achieved the highest category for efficiency, according to a new report from a German environmental NGO. But some airlines and industry bodies believe the report is flawed and have accused its authors of using out-of-date information and failing to take into account additional operational efficiency measures implemented by carriers.
LinkEASA certifies Airbus-ENAC cadet program EASA has certified a pilot cadet training program jointly developed by Airbus and Toulouse-based civil aviation university ENAC. The program will be used by partner schools; enabling Airbis to indirectly help its customers find pilots as a global pilot shortage is being increasingly felt. ENAC runs a cadet program for regional turboprop manufacturer ATR, an Airbus company.
LinkWOW to cut fleet and reduce workforceIcelandic LCC WOW Air will cut its aircraft fleet by nearly half and reduce its workforce by about 10%. The move comes as the airline continues negotiations with private equity company Indigo Partners, which seeks to become a major shareholder of the carrier.
LinkJapan startup Euglena opens first biojet refineryJapanese startup Euglena has completed construction of the country’s first demonstration plant for producing renewable jet and diesel fuel. The refinery in Tsurumi, Yokohama, is to begin operation in spring 2019. Euglena has partnered with All Nippon Airways (ANA) to conduct Japan’s first biofuel revenue flight in 2020, when Tokyo hosts the Olympic Summer Games. Other partners include automaker Isuzu, which is to begin using the renewable diesel in shuttle buses this month.
LinkAir Astana unveils leased Embraer ‘Snow Leopard’ E190-E2Kazakhstan carrier Air Astana officially unveiled its first of five leased Embraer E190-E2s from Netherlands-based AerCap signed in 2017, making Air Astana the first operator of the type in Central Asia. The aircraft is configured in a 2-2 layout with 12 seats in business- and 96 in economy-class. Air Astana president Peter Foster said, “There is a significant possibility [we will] open new route to points that are far more distant that we have ever imagined with a small aircraft.”
LinkIATA forecasts 5% increase in global cargo revenue in 2019 IATA is signaling that global cargo revenue is forecast to rise more than 5% year-over-year to $116 billion in 2019, driven in part by a continued robust (albeit slower) global economic outlook as well as the recent substantial fall in oil prices. According to IATA chief economist Brian Pearce, speaking at IATA’s Global Media Day cargo session on Dec. 13, cargo volumes are forecast to grow 3.7% in 2019, a little slower than 2018 considering trade pressures but still positive.
LinkPeach to start integrating Vanilla Air network from MayPeach will start integrating the network of merger target Vanilla Air in May, with the latter’s operations set to end on 26 October 2019. The transition will begin from May 6 when Vanilla will end its daily Osaka Kansai-Amami Oshima route, which will resume as a Peach route from 27 October.
LinkPerth airport to sue Qantas over unpaid airport feesPerth airport has launched court action against the Qantas group over around A$11.3 million ($8.1 million) it owes in unpaid aeronautical charges. The airport says that despite 18 months of negotiations with Qantas, the two parties were unable to reach a new pricing agreement to replace the one that expired on 1 July this year.
LinkUK to detail airspace modernisation strategyUK authorities are set to unveil plans to overhaul the country’s airspace through a modernisation programme intended to take advantage of air traffic management technology. Air navigation service NATS was requested last year to assess the technical feasibility of restructuring the airspace to improve efficiency, capacity and reduce noise.
LinkEmirates adorns A380 with montage of Real Madrid teamEmirates has unveiled an Airbus A380 adorned with a special livery in recognition of the airline’s sponsorship of Real Madrid football club. A large decal featuring action images of some of the club’s leading footballers has been applied to one of its Rolls-Royce Trent 900-powered A380s (A6-EUW).
LinkFirst WestJet Boeing 787-9 breaks coverThe first of 10 Boeing 787-9s for WestJet has emerged from painting, ahead of deliveries commencing early next year. The first three General Electric GEnx-1B-powered 787-9s are due for delivery in January and February 2019, according to Flight Fleets Analyzer. The aircraft will be equipped with a 320-seat layout, including 276 in economy, 28 in premium economy and 16 lie-flat seats.
LinkBoeing delivers first China-completed 737 MaxBoeing marked a key milestone in its relationship with China’s aviation industry today, delivering the first aircraft from its 737 completion and delivery centre in Zhoushan. The hand-over, undertaken in conjunction with joint-venture partner Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), involved a 737 Max 8 for Air China, registration B-1178. The aircraft was built on Boeing’s 737 assembly line in Renton, Washington, but completion was undertaken at the Chinese facility in Zhoushan.
LinkDelta sees more international opportunity in 2019Delta Air Lines is focusing on international opportunities in 2019, as it heeds economic forecasts of a potential slowdown at home. The Atlanta-based carrier plans to grow system capacity by roughly 3% in the new year, but with a greater emphasis on international than in 2018, an investor presentation on 13 December shows.
LinkCanadian investigators urge regulators to address aircraft icingCanada's aviation safety agency is urging regulators to address icing-related risks that may have contributed to the deadly crash of an ATR turboprop in northern Canada one year ago. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB), which investigates aviation accidents, has recommended regulator Transport Canada "take urgent action to ensure" that Canadian airports have adequate deicing equipment.
LinkAzul says not in talks to buy Avianca BrazilAzul says it is not engaged in talks to make a bid for Avianca Brazil, following a Brazilian newspaper report that said the airline was studying a potential offer for its financially troubled competitor. "The company is currently not engaged in any negotiations to make a bid for Avianca Brazil," says Azul in a notice to investors.
LinkNTSB to hold hearing into 2017 MD-83 runway excursionThe US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will hold an investigation hearing on 15 January to determine the cause of a 2017 runway excursion involving a Boeing MD-83 with a jammed elevator. The hearing relates to Ameristar Air Cargo flight 9363, a chartered MD-83 (registration N786TW) that overran a runway following an aborted takeoff from Willow Run airport in Michigan on 8 March last year.
LinkAir Astana issues fleet RFP for new low-cost unitAir Astana has issued Airbus and Boeing with a request for proposals to provide new-generation narrowbodies for nascent low-cost unit FlyArystan. At a media briefing today in Astana today, the Kazakhstan carrier's chief executive Peter Foster said the airline was considering either the A320neo or 737 Max for the new unit, set to begin operations in the first half of 2019. He did not divulge the number of aircraft being sought.
LinkAir Berlin administrator seeks up to €2bn in damages from Etihad A German insolvency court will consider a move by administrators of collapsed carrier Air Berlin to seek damages of up to €2 billion ($2.3 billion) from the carrier's former shareholder Etihad Airways. Regional court Landgericht Berlin says insolvency administrators for Air Berlin have lodged claims for payment of €500 million and a finding for further damages, and puts the provisional total value at up to €2 billion.
LinkJF-17 breaks cover at Myanmar air force partyThe Chengdu/Pakistan Aeronautical Complex JF-17 Thunder has appeared at a celebration to mark the 71st anniversary of Myanmar’s air force. Images and video of the 15 December event on social media show four JF-17s are visible on static display in Myanmar’s distinctive blue camouflage scheme. One image shows a Myanmar officer inspecting a JF-17 cockpit, with a special ‘71’ logo visible on the jet’s fuselage.
LinkPoland firms options for four more M-346 trainersPoland is to acquire four additional M-346 jet trainers from Leonardo having exercised options placed earlier this year and taking its eventual fleet of the type to 16 units. Valued at €130 million ($147 million), the contract also includes a support package as well as the upgrade of its existing inventory to the latest identification friend or foe system standard.
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