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FAA Proposes Airbus A380 Engine Inspections
The Federal Aviation Administration is proposing engine checks on Engine Alliance equipped Airbus A380s. The action comes following an uncontained engine failure of an Air France Airbus A380 above Greenland in 2017.
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Boeing Christmas Employee Bonuses Cancelled Amid $10bn 737 MAX Crunch
Many of Boeing’s workers are finding little reason to celebrate over the festive season as their usual annual bonuses have been canceled. White collar workers in the US failed to receive their Christmas bonus, and now it seems none of the company’s employees in the UK should expect any bonus payment in February. This comes as Boeing loses its CEO and takes an estimated $10bn hit over the grounding of the 737 MAX.
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Boeing 737 MAX Wiring Is Now Under Scrutiny
As Boeing edges closer to getting the 737 MAX re-certified, a new wiring issue has surfaced that could delay the aircraft being brought back into service even longer. According to the New York Times, a new wiring problem has emerged that goes beyond the MCAS software that is believed to have caused two deadly crashes.
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Boeing 737 MAX Engine Manufacturer To Shift Toward A320neo Engines
With Boeing suspending production of their 737 MAX this month and its immediate future uncertain, the joint venture between General Electric and Safran that manufactures the engines that power the 737 MAX is turning to Airbus to fill the void. This year, the joint venture, CFM, will do more business with Airbus than Boeing.
LinkAirlines
JetBlue Eyes Becoming 1st US Carbon Neutral Operator
JetBlue announced today a major step in its plans to become carbon neutral. In a press release, the airline stated that it will offset its carbon dioxide emissions from all domestic flights starting in July of this year. The airline will also begin to use sustainable aviation fuel on some flights in an effort to become carbon neutral.
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Israeli Cargo Airline 'CAL' Wants To Expand To Passenger Services
Israel’s CAL Cargo Air Lines is eying passenger services. Should the airline’s application, first reported by Globes, be approved CAL will become the nation’s fourth passenger carrier.
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Vistara Will Start Returning Its Ex-Jet Airways Boeing 737s
Vistara’s cunning plan to secure extra slots at Indian airports relied on leasing old Boeing 737s while it awaited delivery of its new Airbus A320neos. Now these Airbus A320neos have started to arrive, Vistara has begun the process of returning its leased Boeing 737s.
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airBaltic's CEO Says People Shouldn't Feel Shame When Flying
Flight shame has been the big word in aviation over the course of the last year. As campaigners like Greta Thunberg take the limelight, flying has started to be seen as something of a dirty habit. However, for many people flying is not fun or a luxury; it’s essential to stay in touch with those they love most. Air Baltic’s CEO, Martin Gauss, talked to Simple Flying about why people should not feel ashamed to fly.
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Alitalia Won't Receive Any More Italian Taxpayer Money
Alitalia will receive no more bailout money from the Italian government. Following its €900m ($1bn) bailout in 2017, it is in the process of receiving a further €400m ($447m) loan from Rome. However, Industry Minister Stefano Patuanelli has been clear that no more state intervention will take place, warning that the carrier could be shut down by mid-2020 if it fails to find a buyer.
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WestJet Boeing 737 Slides Off Runway At Halifax Airport
A WestJet Boeing 737-800 has slid off a runway in icy Halifax. No injuries have been reported but the apparently undamaged aircraft has blocked a runway at the airport.
Flight WS248 was flying into Halifax amid snowy and icy conditions on Sunday. The plucky Boeing 737-800 was pushing north from Toronto on a two-hour journey.
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Wow: Ryanair Notches 96% Load Factor In 2019
On Friday, budget carrier Ryanair released its traffic statistics for the month of December. The numbers speak to a fairly successful month as the airline saw a 9% growth compared to December 2018. What’s equally as impressive is the airline’s rolling annual load factor of 96%. So what are some factors that might explain these successful numbers?
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Philippine Airlines To Launch New Seattle And Los Angeles Flights
Philippine Airlines is further increasing its presence in the United States with extra flights to Los Angeles and new flights to Seattle. Philippine Airlines already flies into Honolulu, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York, making Seattle its fifth destination in the USA.
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After Manchester Inaugural Biman Bangladesh Eyes New York Flights
Biman Bangladesh Airlines announced on Saturday that they were making attempts to resume their Dhaka-New York service. The plan would essentially be a fifth-freedom route between Manchester and New York, making it a Dhaka-Manchester-New York service. The attempt is being made even though the airline acknowledges profit will be marginal.
LinkAirports
Pigs In Bali Indonesia Banned From Eating Airline Food
Herds of pigs used to getting gourmet airline meals for dinner will be enjoying their well-traveled treats no more. Authorities in Bali have outlawed the feeding of airline meals to pigs on the island, as fears grow for the spread of African swine fever.
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Heathrow’s 2020 business plan to focus on lowering airfares
Heathrow Airport has announced that it will submit an Initial Business Plan to the CAA showing how it will deliver expansion and connect all of Britain to global growth.
The airport has said the plan, which been crafted following engagement with consumers, business groups, local communities and airlines, will deliver:
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Future Stewart Partners to maintain New York Stewart International Airport
Future Stewart Partners – a joint venture between Groupe ADP and AvPORTS – has confirmed it will operate and maintain Stewart International Airport’s (SWF) terminal, following the finalisation of an agreement with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ).
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New report highlights the world’s most punctual airports in 2019
An On-Time Performance (OTP) Review has been released by Cirium, identifying the world’s best performing airports and airlines for on-time flight operations in 2019.
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Hamburg Airport Statistics: Stable Traffic Figures in a Difficult Market Environment
Hamburg Airport (IATA: HAM) has released its end of year statistics for 2019.
Describing its passenger figures as stable at a constant high level, it added that 2019 was characterised by a difficult market environment. It noted that increasing cost pressure and a weakening economy had led to the insolvency of established airlines and tour operators.
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Aviation Quote
Harmony comes gradually to a pilot and his plane. The wing does not want so much to fly true as to tug at the hands that guide it; the ship would rather hunt the wind than lay her nose to the horizon far ahead. She has a derelict quality in her character; she toys with freedom and hints at liberation, but yields her own desires gently.
- Beryl Markham, West With The Night,—1942.
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Editor's Choice
Trivia
Given Names
1. McDonnell Douglas F-4C
A. Phantom
B. Phantom II
C. Rhino
D. Marauder
2. Republic F-105
A. Thunder Streak
B. Thunder Jet
C. Thunder Bomber
D. Thunder Chief
3. Lockheed F-104
A. Starfighter
B. Night Fighter
C. Thunder Jet
D. Lightning
4. North American F-100
A. Sabre
B. Saber II
C. Super Saber
D. Super Comet
5. Lockheed P-3C
A. Neptune
B. Poseidon
C. Orion
D. Osiris
6. Convair F-106
A. Delta Dagger
B. Delta Dart
C. Delta Arrow
D. Delta Spear
7. Grumman F-6F
A. Wildcat
B. Hellcat
C. Bearcat
D. Tigercat
8. North American P-61
A. Black Mamba
B. Black Widow
C. Brown Recluse
D. Tarantula
9. Douglas A-20
A. Havoc
B. Invader
C. Marauder
D. Liberator
10. Bell UH-1
A. Huey
B. Cobra
C. Cheyenne
D. Iroquois
