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Boeing defends 737 Max amid wave of groundings
Boeing continues to defend the safety of the 737 Max, issuing a statement saying it has "full confidence" in the type even as multiple civil aviation authorities and airlines outside North America ground the aircraft.
The latest of those authorities is the United Arab Emirates, which grounded the 737 Max late on 12 March, according to reports. UAE carrier Flydubai operates 14 737 Max, Cirium's Fleets Analyzer shows.
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Dow falls as Boeing shares take another hit
The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell on Tuesday, as shares of Boeing continued to struggle.
The 30-stock index traded 57 points lower, with Boeing shaving off more than 150 points.
Boeing shares fell more than 6 percent,eclipsing the 5.3 percent decline from Monday’s session. Boeing fell after several countries, including the U.K., China and Indonesia, grounded all flights involving the 737 MAX model.
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Airlines around the world ground Boeing 737 Max jets after second fatal crash in 5 months
Aviation regulators from China to Britain have grounded Boeing 737 Max 8 planes, joining a growing list of countries suspending the plane’s operation and banning it from their airspace after the second deadly crash of the popular aircraft in less than five months.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency on Tuesday said it “is taking every step necessary to ensure the safety of passengers.” Its decision not only applies to airlines within the European Union but by operators outside of the region flying to or from the region, the regulator said.
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EASA grounds Boeing 737 MAX
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) decided March 12 to suspend all Boeing 737 MAX flight operations in Europe until further notice.
EASA said in a statement issued an Airworthiness Directive (AD) mandating the suspension “as a precautionary measure” and “following the tragic accident of Ethiopian Airlines flight ET302.”
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Trump and US senators weigh in on MAX safety
Several US senators are urging the FAA to follow the lead of countries including China, Germany and France by temporarily grounding all Boeing 737 MAX 8s, following the deadly crash of Ethiopian Airlines flight ET302 on March 10.
In a letter addressed to acting FAA administrator Dan Elwell, Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-California) requested that all Boeing 737 MAX 8 series aircraft be grounded, writing that similarities between the crashes of Ethiopian Airlines flight ET302 and Lion Air Flight 610 have “raised legitimate questions about whether an unknown problem exists, which must be discovered and remedied as soon as possible.”
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MAX crash divides US from rest of world on aviation safety calls
The immediate aftermath of the Ethiopian Airlines’ Boeing 737 MAX crash is stunning. While it is not unprecedented for the aviation authorities and airlines of non-US countries to diverge from FAA on when an aircraft grounding is necessary, it is unusual. And the scale of this divergence is unprecedented.
In less than 60 hours of flight 302’s crash in Addis Ababa on Sunday, the MAX had been grounded pretty much any place where it is operated. By Tuesday evening, Austria, France, Germany, Ireland and the UK were among European countries that had already stopped MAX flights. They are notable because they did so even though EASA had not issued a grounding by that time.
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TSA may get $7.8 billion in funding for fiscal 2020
The Trump Administration is seeking to send $51.7 billion to the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in FY2020, a 5% increase over the previous year’s enacted level, according to estimates released by the Office of Management and Budget on March 11.
That total would include $7.8 billion to fund the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), roughly $400 million more than the agency received in FY2019.
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WCS19: IATA launches industry certification for perishable goods
IATA launched its latest industry certification—the Centre for Excellence for Perishable Logistics (CEIV Fresh)—at the World Cargo Symposium 2019, with Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (HACTL) and Cathay Pacific Services Limited (CPSL), as its first recipients.
CEIV Fresh validates the handling of time and temperature sensitive food and plant products based on the IATA Perishable Cargo Regulations (PCR), and the HACTL and CPSL were among the first to pilot the program with a “whole-of-community” approach.
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Ju-Air banned from operating commercial Ju 52 flights
Swiss regulators have banned Junkers Ju 52 operator Ju-Air from conducting commercial passenger flights with the fleet, although it will be permitted to offer private flights for club members.
The decision by the Swiss federal office for civil aviation follows the fatal accident involving a Ju-Air Ju 52 in August last year.
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Russian authority refrains from taking 737 Max measures
Russia’s civil aviation authority has refrained from any action over the Boeing 737 Max 8, but has pointed out that the sole operator of the type previously enhanced crew training on specific characteristics of the twinjet.
Federal air transport regulator Rosaviatsia says it requested information from Boeing and the US FAA on maintaining “safe operation” with the type, as it “continues to analyse information” on the circumstances of the Ethiopian Airlines crash on 10 March.
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NTSB: Atlas Air 767 crash was preceded by nose-down control inputs
The last control inputs from the flight deck of Atlas Air Boeing 767-300ER that dove into a marshy bay on approach to Houston Intercontinental Airport (IAH) Feb. 23 included maximum thrust and pushing the aircraft’s nose down via a control column, a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) update reveals.
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IATA WCS19: SIA Cargo plans digital transformation
Singapore Airlines (SIA) Cargo is urging the industry to catch up with digitalization, as it also embarks on its own transformation.
Speaking at the IATA World Cargo Symposium 2019 in Singapore, SIA SVP-cargo, Chin Yau Seng said the air cargo industry is very siloed and must “shift many gears up” to digitize itself, or risk falling behind the new generation work force, consumers and shippers.
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Vietnam Airlines moves to Sheremetyevo for Aeroflot codeshare
Vietnam Airlines will move its Moscow flights from Domodedovo to Sheremetyevo International Airport Terminal D from July 2.
The carrier, which operates 3X-weekly Hanoi-Moscow Boeing 787-9 service, must make the airport change to develop codeshare operations with Sheremetyevo-based Aeroflot Airline, as well as expand its cooperation with Russian carriers across several areas of the business.
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Government to work on business strategy for Malaysia Airlines
Malaysia’s Prime Minister said a range of government actions will be considered for Malaysia Airlines Bhd. (MAB), as the airline continues to work on a revised business strategy to address its latest financial challenges.
According to local media reports, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said the government is studying potential next moves regarding MAB, with options including sale, refinancing, or even closure.
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Air Baltic to buy A220 simulator for pilot training
Latvian carrier Air Baltic has ordered an Airbus A220 full-flight simulator for installation at its Riga training centre.
The Level D device, from CAE's 7000XR series, is Air Baltic's first directly purchased simulator and is scheduled for delivery by year-end, says the airline.
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Routes Asia: Airports of Thailand to host in 2020
The Thai city of Chiang Mai will host Routes Asia 2020, and operator Airports of Thailand (AOT) is planning to elevate its airport as the country’s northern hub.
Paninee Chaisrakeo, director of business development and marketing division said Chiang Mai would be able to better tap the Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam market, along with the popular Chinese market, especially from the southwest region.
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Hong Kong International Airport receives recognition for cargo capabilities
HKIA has been recognised by IATA for its capability in the transportation and handling of perishable cargo, through its efficient, dedicated facilities and services provided in a stringent temperature-controlled process at globally assured standards.
The accreditation has been pioneered at HKIA, with Airport Authority Hong Kong (AA) working closely with members of the airport community including Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (HACTL), Cathay Pacific Services Limited (CPSL) and Cathay Pacific.
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Singapore’s Changi Is Changing the Idea of What an Airport Can Be
Already the world’s most recognized airport with 590 awards under its belt, Changi Airport Singapore aims to disrupt the airport experience further when its Jewel project opens on April 17 after around five years in the making.
Jewel is Changi’s new landmark, located in front of Terminal 1 and easily accessible to both local public and passengers arriving or departing from the airport. It is not a new terminal but a massive 137,000 square-meter retail, dining, and leisure attraction designed by Moshe Safdie, the architect who also designed the iconic Marina Bay Sands Singapore.
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PICTURES: US Marine Corps retires final Prowlers
The US Marine Corps (USMC) retired its last Northrop Grumman EA-6B electronic warfare aircraft on 8 March, marking an end to operations with the venerable "Prowler".
Based at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina, the Marines' VMAQ-2 squadron had been its last unit equipped with the twin-engined, four-seat type. The service had introduced the Prowler to operations in 1977 and received a total of 48.
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Poland eyes F-35 for Harpia requirement
Warsaw has prioritised its Harpia fighter programme as part of a new technical modernisation plan for its armed forces, while its aged RAC MiG-29s remain grounded following a 4 March crash.
Poland plans to acquire 32 "fifth-generation" aircraft to replace its remaining MiG-29s and a ground-attack fleet of Sukhoi Su-22s. It is believed to be particularly interested in the Lockheed Martin F-35, although other candidates could include the Boeing F-15 or F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, the Eurofighter consortium's Typhoon and the Saab Gripen E.
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Aviation Quote
Can the magic of flight ever be carried by words? I think not.
- Michael Parfit
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Trivia
Odd Man Out
1.
A. Hawker Hurricane
B. Messerchmidt Bf-109E
C. Republic P-47N
D. Supermarine Spitfire
2.
A. Sikorsky HH-3 Jolly Green Giant
B. Sikorsky CH-53D Sea Stallion
C. Piasecki H-21 “Flying Banana”
D. Sikorsky UH-60 Blackhawk
3.
A. Neptune
B. Guardian
C. Orion
D. Viking
4.
A. Lockheed F-80 Shooting Star
B. North American F-100 Super Saber
C. Republic F-105 Thunderchief
D. Douglas B-66 Sky Warrior
5.
A. Mohawk Airlines
B. Piedmont Airlines
C. Republic Airlines
D. Southern Airways
6.
A. B-25
B. B-52
C. B-47
D. B-50
