NewsCommercial
Brazil government reviews terms of Boeing-Embraer deal
Brazil’s new administration said it supports the proposed Boeing-Embraer tie-up, but is signaling that the tentative terms may have to change before the government gives its required blessing.
National Security Advisor Augusto Heleno told reporters Jan. 7 that government officials continue to review the deal, in part to ensure it is “the best possible for the country,” Reuters reported.
Link
US unresponsive to Sukhoi Iranian sales efforts
Russian regional jet manufacturer Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Co. (SCAC) has said attempts to gain US approval to export its SSJ100 Superjet to Iran have met with no response from the US government, despite placing a request more than a year ago.
Link
Singapore lessor Avation to acquire eight ATR 72-600s
Singapore-based lessor Avation has exercised its options with ATR to acquire eight ATR 72-600 turboprops. All eight aircraft are scheduled for delivery between 2020 to 2022. Total value of the aircraft is approximately $214.4 million at list prices.
Link
PICTURES: Boeing installs GE9X engines on 777X test aircraft
Boeing's first flight-test 777X is powerless no more.
In recent days, the company hung two massive GE Aviation GE9X turbofans from the aircraft's wing, in a milestone bringing Boeing closer to its goal of a 2019 777X first flight.
Link
Superjet awaits US approval for Iranian Superjet sales
Russian airframer Sukhoi’s civil aircraft division claims it has yet to hear from US regulators regarding possible clearance of Superjet 100 sales to Iran.
The Superjet’s manufacture comprises more than 10% US-sourced components, which means that – under US government sanctions criteria – the aircraft type needs approval for sale to Iran.
LinkAirlines
FedEx, UPS holding up as Amazon Air continues to grow
Amazon Air’s expansion does not pose a near-term threat to express giants FedEx and United Parcel Service (UPS), in part because the e-commerce company’s focus is on supporting its internal network rather than delivering packages to customers, a detailed Bernstein analysis concludes.
Link
Norwegian: US sanctions prevent repair of 737 stranded in Iran
Long-haul LCC Norwegian said it has been unable to service a Boeing 737 MAX 8 that landed in Iran more than three weeks ago because US sanctions on the country made it difficult to obtain the required spare part.
The aircraft diverted to Shiraz in western Iran Dec. 14 after developing an engine-related problem during a flight from Dubai to Oslo, the airline said.
Link
Finnair boosts Heathrow capacity 21% for summer 2019
Finnair will increase capacity 21% on its Helsinki-London Heathrow (LHR) route for the summer 2019 season starting from March 31. The oneworld member will add a new, seventh daily frequency to LHR, using an Airbus A320 family aircraft.
Link
Mexico’s Volaris boosts capacity 9.6% in December
Mexico’s Volaris saw domestic revenue passenger miles (RPMs) increase 16.6% in December 2018 on a 9.6% capacity bump, helping the carrier wrap up a generally strong year that saw it benefit from a domestic market shake-out.
Link
Norwegian transported more than 37 million passengers in 2018
LCC Norwegian carried more than 37 million passengers in 2018, a record high.
The Norway-based carrier, which has expanded at a rapid rate in recent years and is increasingly branching out into both long-haul services as well as domestic Argentinian sectors, launched 35 new routes and took delivery of 25 new aircraft in 2018.
Link
PICTURES: Hawaiian operates last 767 flight
Hawaiian Airlines' last Boeing 767 passenger flight is airborne, marking the near completion of a long-running transition by the carrier to a fleet of modern Airbus and Boeing long-haul aircraft.
The carrier's move away from the venerable Boeing widebody began in 2010 when Hawaiian took delivery of its first Airbus A330, and continued as Hawaiian ordered 787s and A321neos.
Link
PICTURE: United first airline to operate all three 787 variants
United Airlines' first Boeing 787-10 has entered revenue service, making the Chicago-based carrier the first to operate all three variants in the 787 family.
The airline debuted the 787-10 on service from Los Angeles to Newark today.
Link
Starlux to take first aircraft, receive AOC in Q4
Taiwanese start-up Starlux Airlines aims to receive its air operator’s certificate in the fourth quarter of the year, and to launch operations thereafter in January 2020.
The carrier tells FlightGlobal that it expects to take delivery of its first aircraft, an Airbus A321, in October. It will have three jets when it launches operations.
Link
SpiceJet 737 Max 8 diverts after engine fault mid-flight
A SpiceJet Boeing 737 Max 8 suffered an engine issue en-route to Delhi on 6 January.
The Indian low-cost carrier says that the aircraft was operating flight SG32 from Hong Kong, when the flight crew noticed a low fuel warning for its number one engine.
The crew diverted the flight to Varanasi where it landed without incident.
Link
Hong Kong Airlines deplores liquidation rumours
Hong Kong Airlines has deplored as “untrue and groundless speculation” recent news reports that it may be close to ceasing operations and seeking liquidation.
“The company has been and is continuing to operate as normal. We remain committed to offering our best service to customers who have chosen to support and fly with us,” the airline says in a 5 January statement.
LinkAirports
Taiwan Taoyuan airport reports 2018 passenger record
Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport handled a record 46.5 million passengers in 2018, up 3.7% compared with 2017 and maintaining its ranking as one of the world’s busiest airports.
Link
Changi-led consortium commits $115 million to new Clark terminal
The North Luzon Airport Consortium (NLAC), which was awarded a 25-year operations and management contract in December for the new terminal at Clark International Airport in the Philippines, has pledged PHP6 billion ($114.6 million) for the fitting out of the facility.
Link
Emirates opens new lounge at Rome Fiumicino airport
Emirates Airline opened a lounge at Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport in late December 2018, its 42nd dedicated lounge.
Dubai-based Emirates said its lounge network represents a total investment of more than $350 million.
LinkMilitary
ANALYSIS: How Gripen became prize Thai fighter
Last year brought twin milestones for the Royal Thai Air Force’s fleet of Saab Gripen C/Ds, with the service having marked a decade since ordering the Swedish-built fighter, and completed its first 10,000 flying hours with the single-engined type.
In late November, FlightGlobal was among a select group of media invited to make a first-of-its-kind visit to Thailand’s Surat Thani air base since the nation introduced its latest combat additions over seven years earlier.
Link
Raytheon UK awarded 11-year Shadow support contract
Raytheon UK has been awarded a £250 million ($315 million) contract to support operations with the Royal Air Force's Beechcraft King Air 350CER-derived Shadow R1 surveillance fleet until 2030.
To come into effect in April 2019, the arrangement has an 11-year term, covering the period until the RAF's expected out-of-service date for the Shadow fleet. Flight Fleets Analyzer shows it has six of the twin-turboprops in current use, with another two to be added to its inventory.
Link
Aviation Quote
The secret of this business is you've got to have a defensive strategy, as well as an offensive strategy.
- Fred Smith, FedEx founder and CEO, The Wall Street Journal, 14 July 2010.
Daily Video
Editor's Choice
Trivia
General Trivia
1. What is a deceleron?
2.When air traffic control advises pilots of other traffic, many pilots advise the controller that the traffic is not in sight using the colloquial and unofficial phrase "no joy." From where does this expression originate?
3. The Waco CG-4A glider was used during World War II (especially during the Normandy invasion) as a cargo and troop carrier. Why was it referred to as a "flying coffin"?
4. Almost all general aviation piston engines have a wet sump, a built-in oil reservoir, instead of an external or separate oil tank. How can you determine by looking at the oil dipstick of a wet-sump engine the minimum oil quantity with which the engine can be operated safely?
5. True or False, James H. "Jimmy" Doolittle was the first solo pilot to perform a blind takeoff and landing using only cockpit instruments and radio aids.
6. True or False, Two Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses took off from Hilo, Hawaii, on August 6, 1946, without anyone on board. Both landed safely at Muroc Dry Lake, California.
