NewsCommercial
Honeywell urges last push on ADS-B
Honeywell Aerospace is imploring business jet operators who have not yet installed Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) equipment on their aircraft to do so as a matter of urgency, with compliance deadlines now fast approaching.
In addition to reminding customers of the need to act fast and promoting its ability to support the necessary upgrades, Honeywell will maintain a strong focus on both its in-flight connectivity services and its expanded maintenance program during EBACE.
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Boeing completes software update, tests for 737 Max
Boeing has completed the software update development of the troubled Boeing 737 Max, and is now working the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to schedule its certification test flight.
No timeline has been given, but the aircraft manufacturer says that it has also wrapped up simulator testing, and its engineering test flight for the 737 Max.
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FAA chief tells Congress 737 manuals should have mentioned MCAS
Lawmakers grilled the head of the Federal Aviation Administration on 15 May, hammering acting administrator Dan Elwell with questions about the FAA’s certification and oversight of both Boeing and the troubled 737 Max.
Elwell sat before a House Transportation Committee panel for hours, during which he expressed confidence in the FAA’s certification work.
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NTSB chair addresses aircraft safety at 737 Max hearing
A top US government investigator says aircraft must be designed to be safe in the hands of pilots from different regions of the world and with varying degrees of training, a notion challenging a narrative swirling since two Boeing 737 Max crashes.
“If an aircraft manufacturer is going to sell aircraft all across the globe, it’s important that pilots… in all parts of the globe need to know how to operate them,” US National Transportation Safety Board chair Robert Sumwalt tells lawmakers on 15 May.
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Embraer 1Q results deepen analyst concerns
Brazilian manufacturer Embraer, which is selling off most of its commercial aircraft business to Boeing, missed Wall Street’s expectations for the first quarter of 2019, leaving financial analysts increasingly worried worse could be to come.
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DOT suspends US, Venezuela services on safety, security concerns
US Department of Transportation (DOT) secretary Elaine Chao on May 15 ordered an immediate suspension of all passenger and cargo operations between US and Venezuelan airports, citing “deteriorating conditions” in the country that “threaten the safety and security of passengers, aircraft and crew.” The order follows a May 1 Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) banning most US-certified aircraft operators and pilots from flying below 26,000 ft. over the country. The new order will apply to all US carriers, as well as part 129 foreign carriers holding foreign air carrier permits or exemptions.
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FAA changes regulations for recreational drone operators
The FAA on May 16 announced changes to operating rules for recreational drones, including a requirement that hobbyists obtain prior authorization from the agency before flying their aircraft in controlled airspace near airports. The changes, specified by Congress in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, replace a provision of 2012 reauthorization legislation known as the Special Rule for Model Aircraft, which prohibited the FAA from regulating recreational drones. President Donald Trump signed the new act into law in October.
LinkAirlines
Southwest eyes new gates at its Denver concourse
Southwest Airlines has requested to operate out of all 16 new gates that will be added to its concourse at Denver International airport, as part of an aggressive growth plan at the Mile High City.
Dallas-based Southwest already leases 24 gates on concourse C at Denver, and has expressed interest in the 16 additional gates that are coming as part of an ongoing expansion of the airport.
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Air Canada in talks to acquire Transat AT
Air Canada has entered exclusive negotiations to acquire Transat AT, the parent of Montreal-based leisure carrier Air Transat.
Canada’s largest carrier said on 16 May the proposed transaction is valued at C$520 million ($387 million) or C$13 per Transat share, and will create a "a Montreal-based global travel services company in leisure, tourism and travel distribution operating across Canada and internationally".
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VIDEO: Clearer details emerge of Superjet's fatal bounce sequence
Newly-emerged video images of the Aeroflot Sukhoi Superjet 100 accident at Moscow Sheremetyevo have provided the clearest indication of the increasing severity of the landing bounces which eventually resulted in the destruction of the aircraft.
The images indicate that the aircraft touched down initially some 700m from the threshold of runway 24L after returning to the airport, following a lightning strike, on 5 May.
Link
Thomas Cook confirms 'multiple bids' for airlines
Thomas Cook has received "multiple bids" for its airlines since launching a strategic review of the business in February, it confirmed today in disclosing half-year results.
The travel group says the offers variously span the whole of the airlines business or just parts of it.
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Weaker yields drag Thai Airways to first quarter loss
Thai Airways International posted an operating loss of Bt828 million ($26.2 million) for the first quarter of 2019, as weaker passenger yields reversed its previous corresponding profit of Bt2.72 billion.
Revenue for the quarter ended 31 March fell 6.9% to Bt49.8 billion, led by a 7% fall in passenger revenue to Bt41 billion. Cargo revenue fell 13% to Bt4.65 billion.
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Inter-island Hawaii service performing well for Southwest
Southwest Airlines says its weeks-old inter-island service in Hawaii is performing "extraordinarily well", though the Dallas-based carrier's plan to ramp up flights in the Aloha State remains on hold with the grounding of its Boeing 737 Max fleet.
"Those flights are doing extraordinarily well," Southwest chief executive Gary Kelly told reporters at the airline's annual shareholders meeting in Denver.
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SF Airlines plans transpacific expansion with New York freighter
Fast-growing express carrier SF Airlines has applied to the US Department of Transportation to launch a scheduled freighter service between its Hangzhou hub and New York.
The Chinese carrier hopes to launch the three-times per week service in September 2019 utilising one of its two Boeing 747-400F freighters.
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IAM files charges against Delta over anti-union campaign
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) has filed charges with the US National Mediation Board (NMB) against Delta Air Lines, alleging the Atlanta-based carrier’s anti-union activities violate Delta employees’ right to unionize “free from interference, influence or coercion exercised by the carrier.” News of the lawsuit follows a series of viral social media posts highlighting anti-union communications from the company that generated outrage from social media users and Democratic lawmakers earlier in May. Delta’s anti-union campaign—called “Don’t risk it, Don’t sign it”—was created to prevent flight attendants and ramp employees from joining the IAM.
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SIA Group profits fall 47.5% on higher fuel costs; posts record revenue
The Singapore Airlines (SIA) Group posted record revenue of SGD16.3 billion ($12 billion), up 3.2% year-over-year (YOY) for its 2018-19 fiscal year. However, the group—including LCCs SilkAir and Scoot—saw net profit fall 47.5% YOY to SGD683 million from SGD1.3 billion in financial year 2017/18. SIA points the decline to increased expenditure in 2018, primary because of the rising costs of fuel, which jumped 25%. Operating costs rose 7% YOY to SGD15.3 billion with fuel taking up SGD4.6 billion.
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Austrian Airlines not interested in large twin widebody aircraft
Lufthansa subsidiary Austrian Airlines’ long-haul fleet replacement plan will most likely exclude large twin-widebody aircraft, Austrian CFO Wolfgang Jani told ATW. “It would not be a Boeing 777X; an Airbus A350-900 may also be too big for us,” he said, acknowledging that “all other widebody aircraft options are open to discuss.”
LinkAirports
Step forward for Aéroport de Montréal's "City side" development project
ADM Aéroports de Montréal has awarded the construction management contract for the completion of its major cityside development programme to a consortium consisting of Pomerleau, SNC-Lavalin and Construction Kiewit Cie (PSK).
Under this initial five-year contract, PSK will act as a partner and key collaborator throughout the execution of the work.
Link
Sydney introduces new navigation service for visually impaired
In an Australian airport first, Sydney Airport today launched a partnership with Aira, a service that enables blind and low vision travellers to confidently navigate the airport through a smartphone connection.
The service will provide visually impaired visitors and passengers with instant access to the information they need to explore Sydney Airport’s terminals.
Link
Beijing Daxing International Airport begins test flights
Four flights take-off and land at Beijing Daxing International Airport as trials begin ahead of the opening of the new structure in September 2019.
Beijing News has reported that Beijing Daxing International Airport has begun to carry out test flights in the newly constructed airport.
The four test planes belonged to China Southern Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, Air China and Xiamen Airlines.
Link
Helsinki Airport opens West Pier as part of $1.1 billion upgrade
Finland’s Helsinki Airport has opened the first phase of its new West Pier under a €1 billion ($1.1 billion) investment program that will run to 2022. The new 13,000 sq-m pier includes five jet bridges, a paid-access business lounge, two new restaurants and a child-care room.
LinkMilitary
Putin promises to grow Sukhoi Su-57 fleet
Russian president Vladimir Putin has committed to a significant expansion of the Sukhoi Su-57 fleet operated by the country’s air force.
During a meeting with defence chiefs and industry representatives on 15 May, Putin said the air force required three full regiments equipped with the Su-57 by 2028. At present, Moscow is contracted to buy just 16 examples by 2027, he says.
Link
Boeing pacing to deliver 36 KC-46A tankers in 2019 despite delays
Boeing plans to deliver 36 KC-46A Pegasus in-flight refuelling tankers to the US Air Force in 2019 despite two stoppages earlier in the year when foreign object debris was found inside multiple aircraft.
The company is on contract to deliver 36 aircraft by the end of the year and has thus far delivered 8 aircraft to the USAF.
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Aviation Quote
Though I Fly Through the Valley of Death I Shall Fear No Evil For I am 80,000 feet and Climbing.
- sign over the entrance to the SR-71 operating location on Kadena AB Okinawa.
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