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NEWS

UK court grants BA Christmas strike reprieve
British Airways yesterday obtained an injunction from the UK High Court blocking a 12-day flight attendant strike because of irregularities in the balloting conducted by the Unite union, which countered with a promise that its dispute with the airline "is not settled."
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Southwest's Kelly touts LCC's evolution 'to something more' than no-frills
Southwest Airlines Chairman, President and CEO Gary Kelly said there has been a "very dramatic shift" in domestic US market share over the last year, with "1% moving from the rest of the industry to Southwest."
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French AF447 investigators have recommendations, no answers
In its second interim report on the May 31 loss of the Air France A330-200 over the Atlantic, France's BEA issued its first safety recommendations and concluded that "In the absence of any data from the flight recorders, the main parts of the airplane and any witness testimony on the flight, the precise circumstances of the accident, and therefore its causes, have still not been determined."
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Russia toughening stance on airline nationality
Russia's Ministry of Transport could banish Austrian Airlines from its airspace on Jan. 31 owing to a dispute over the carrier's nationality, with Russian authorities arguing that based on current bilateral agreements with Austria, OS no longer is considered a domestic airline following its acquisition by Lufthansa in September.
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Ryanair walks away from discussions on 200-aircraft order
Irish budget carrier Ryanair has ended talks with Boeing over a potential order for up to 200 737-800s, but is not intending to open discussions with other airframers.
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China gives go-ahead for A380 to operate
The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has given the go-ahead for the Airbus A380 aircraft to be operated in China.
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Airbus and EADS executives cleared of A380 insider trading
All of the Airbus and EADS executives accused of insider trading during a long-running investigation have been cleared by the French stock exchange regulator Autorite des Marches Financiers.
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Documents shed light on Minneapolis fly-by incident
The NTSB on Wednesday released hundreds of pages of documents from the investigation of Northwest Flight 188, which flew beyond its destination airport by more than 100 miles on Oct. 23. Investigators found a series of communication errors and technological glitches that contributed to the confusion around the plane's 77-minute radio silence. Pilot Timothy Cheney said he was "in shock" when he checked his instruments following an inquiry from flight attendant Barbara Logan. "You don't know how sorry I am" for the incident, Cheney told investigators.
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Other News

Aircastle announced the placement of six new A330-200s with South African Airways on long-term lease. Aircraft are powered by Trent 772Bs and will deliver during 2011. The lessor said it now has secured customers for 11 of the 12 A330s it has on order. Two were delivered to Avianca this year, three freighters are headed to an unidentified Asian customer in 2010-11, and the last aircraft is scheduled for delivery in May 2012. Aircastle said it is "actively marketing" that plane. SAA's mainline fleet currently comprises nine A340-600s, six A340-200s, six A340-300s, 11 A319-100s and 17 737-800s.

United Airlines said it expects fourth-quarter consolidated passenger RASM to fall 6.25%-7.25% year-over-year to 11.09-11.21 cents, while mainline PRASM should be down 7.5%-8.5% to 10.12-10.23 cents. CFO Kathryn Mikells said in a note to employees that the consolidated unit revenue performance was some 8 points better than the third quarter drop and more than 10 points improved from the second quarter, although she noted that UA "still have a ways to go before a full recovery." It was $411 million in the red through the first nine months of 2009.

Mikells cited "excellent performance managing costs," as UA expects consolidated CASM excluding profit-sharing and noncash net mark-to-market impacts to decline 7.9%-8.2% to 12.46-12.5 cents, or by 8.7%-9.1% to 11.74-11.79 cents on a mainline basis. Consolidated unit cost excluding fuel and profit-sharing should rise 1%-1.5% to 8.96-9 cents. She said UA expects "to continue to lead the major network carriers in holding down year-over-year mainline nonfuel [CASM]." Consolidated fourth-quarter system capacity is expected to fall 3.3% to 33.67 billion ASMs while mainline ASMs will drop 5.9% to 29.04 billion. Consolidated traffic is expected to change -0.5% to 0.5% year-over-year and mainline RPMs will fall 1.7%-2.7%.

Meanwhile, American Airlines parent AMR Corp. expects both mainline and consolidated fourth-quarter RASM to fall 4.5%-5.5% year-over-year. It now expects fourth-quarter consolidated CASM of 13.63 cents and full-year unit cost of 12.79 cents.

Business travelers are returning slowly to the front of the cabin and typical business fares are rising slightly against 2009 lows but still remain well down from year-ago levels, according to the third-quarter American Express Business Travel Monitor. The BTM shows that the average one-way international fare paid from North America including taxes and fees booked through AEBT increased 2.2% compared to the second quarter, from $1,603 to $1,638, but was down 18.5% compared to an average of $2,010 in the third quarter of 2008. The average domestic airfare tracked by BTM rose 1.4% compared to the second quarter from $212 to $215 but showed a 15.1% decline compared to the year-ago period.

"We may be seeing a glimmer of economic hope as the Business Travel Monitor data shows modest fare increases and travelers moving to the front of the plane again," said Christa Degnan, MD of eXpert insights, AEBT's research practice of Global Advisory Services, which produces the BTM. She also cited "a slight increase in the usage of business class tickets for international travel from last quarter, to 37%, but observed "that this was still down year-over-year from 49% of all international business travel tickets purchased."

Rolls-Royce announced an order from Aviation Capital Group for Trent 1000 engines to power the five 787s ordered by the lessor in 2007. The contract is worth $170 million at list prices.

Austrian Airlines passed a resolution to squeeze out remaining minority shareholders, who will be paid €0.50 ($0.73) per share. Transactions "probably" will take place in the first half of 2010, it said. Lufthansa subsidiary Osterreichische Luftverkehrs Holding currently holds 95.4% of the company.

Andes Lineas Aereas of Argentina leased two used 90-seat CRJ900s, Bombardier announced. Andes currently operates three MD-80s from its Salta base to five destinations.

Air India plans to operate 105 aircraft by March 2011 compared to the 146 currently in the fleet, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel told Parliament, according to The Wall Street Journal. He added that 133 of AI's 192 routes were loss-making during the April-October period and that the loss on unprofitable routes was INR15.23 billion ($325.1 million).

Trans States Airlines will cut 50 baggage handlers and customer service representatives handling its United Express flights at St. Louis, according to an announcement cited by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Layoffs will take effect Feb. 11.

Unite, the union that represents London Heathrow and Aberdeen baggage handlers and check-in staff employed by SAS Ground Services UK, said the workers "will strike next week unless there is movement on resolving a pay dispute." It said a series of strikes would take place Dec. 22-24 (48 hr.), Dec. 26-27 (24 hr.) and Jan. 3-4 (24 hr.). "The stoppages will hit travelers on Turkish [Airlines], Emirates and Thai [Airways] at London Heathrow and KLM, Air France, Wideroe and [Virgin Atlantic Airways] at Aberdeen," the union said.

Ryanair said it will begin displaying third-party advertising on boarding passes early next year. The carrier this year implemented 100% online check-in and said the ads will appear on passes printed by customers. "Ryanair passengers must reference their boarding cards on a number of occasions during a trip, providing repeat exposure for advertisers," it said.

Ryanair transported 5 million passengers in November, up 15% year-over-year, while load factor rose 1 point to 82%.

EasyJet transported 3.4 million passengers in November, up 12.2% from the year-ago month. Load factor rose 0.9 point to 84.8%.

AirTran Airways flew 1.47 billion RPMs in November, a 10.5% lift year-over-year. Capacity rose 9.2% to 1.92 billion ASMs and load factor was up 0.9 point to 76.7%.

WestJet said fourth-quarter unit revenue is expected to fall 11%-13% year-over-year. It flew 1.09 billion RPMs in November, up 3.1%, against a 3.4% lift in capacity to 1.43 billion ASMs. Load factor slipped 0.2 point to 75.9%.

Gol flew 2.46 billion RPKs in November, a 41.1% increase year-over-year, against an 11.9% lift in capacity to 3.07 billion ASKs. Load factor soared 14.8 points to 71.6%.

Pemco World Air Services agreed to acquire the 757 cargo conversion operations and assets of Alcoa--SIE Conversions, a California-based Alcoa company joined with Structural Integrity Engineering. Pemco will acquire ASCC's 757-200 STC, allowing it to add the conversion program to its product line early next year. It currently offers freighter, combi, and quick-change configurations of the 737-300 and 737-400. Financial details were not disclosed.

Lufthansa Technik signed a five-year contract with bmi to handle "all aspects" of MRO for V2500 engines powering the airline's 25 A320 family aircraft. First services are expected to be carried out around the end of the 2010 first quarter. No contract value was given.

Swiss International Air Lines named Zurich Airport Operations Director Rainer Hiltebrand to succeed Gaudenz Ambuhl as COO next May.



AVIATION QUOTE

. . . Your seat pushed you firmly in the back. Even then there is none of the shuddering brazen bellow of the high-powered piston engine . . . Combined with a seemingly uncanny lack of vibration, this gives the impression almost of sailing through space, the engines with their glinting propeller discs utterly remote from the quiet security of this cabin.

— Derek Harvey, first turboprop airliner (Vickers-Armstrong Viscount).



AEROSPACE TERM

Gyration

A term used in plasma studies for the circular motion of an ion or electron around its guiding center.



DAILY VIDEO





EDITOR’S CHOICE





HUMOR

Wish Upon A Star

A guy was walking along the beach in Malibu when he came across this salt encrusted piece of metal. He scratched away at it to remove the salt, to reveal a very old oil lamp. With an embarrassed look around him, the guy gives it a quick rub ... a Genie appeared.

This genie, like all genies, was so happy to be freed of the lamp that he granted the guy three wishes.

"I wish to be a dollar richer than Bill Gates," says the guy.

"You will forever be a dollar richer than Bill Gates. What's your second wish?"

"Genie, I want the most expensive Porsche made: Fire engine red, on board GPS and the finest audio system ever installed in an automobile."

The genie waved his hand and the requested Egomobile appeared.

But what about the third wish .... "Genie," the guy said, "I can't think of anything now. May I save the third wish for later?"

"Gee, this is most unusual. But you're in control, and I can't escape from this lamp until you make a third wish. Call me when you're ready," and whoosh the genie disappeared back into the lamp.

The guy carefully placed the lamp on the passenger seat of his new car, and fastened the seat belt. He turns on the radio and pulled off the beach, heading south along the Pacific Coast Highway.

Soon he was up to 60, then 70, then 80. The Porsche handled perfectly. The guy was so happy that he began to sing along with the familiar commercial on the radio.

"Oh, I wish I was an Oscar-Mayer Wiener..."



TRIVIA

Nose View ID

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4.


5.


6.


7.


8.


9.


10.

2. PBY
3. A-4 (I don't know which letter got that ugly electronics spine)
5. Mosquito
6. F-4U Corsair
7. B-58 Hustler
8. DC-9
9, Skylane RG
10. P-40 Warhawk

Boeing announced orders from AIR AUSTRAL for two 737NGs; US NAVY for C-40A (737-700C); private customer for 777 VIP.

South African Airways agreed to lease six new A330-200s with Trent 700s from Aircastle for delivery in 2011.

ILFC leased three ex-Kras Air 757-200s (26247/26248/26249) with RB211s to I-FLY; ex-Air France A340-300 (049)
with CFM56-5C2Fs to Surinam Airways; and two ex-Air Jamaica A321s (1966/1988) with CFM56s to Air Berlin.

WEBJET leased two 737-300s (24908; ex-British Airways/24465; ex-AirAsia) from AerCo; AerCap manages the aircraft.

US Airways leased third new A330-200 (1076) from Guggenheim Aviation Partners; first two (1041/1069) delivered in 2H09.

AeroMexico leased third new E190LR (248) from Jetscape; BNDES, Brazil financed aircraft for Jetscape as part of deal for 10.

Jetran International purchased two MD-83s (49950; ex-Far Eastern Air Transport/53125; ex-Spanair) from GECAS.

Heavylift International leased second Pemco-converted 737-300F (24711; ex-US Airways) from Aurora Aviation Group.

Moskovia Airlines, Russia leased two ex-Air Europa 737-800s (30467/30468) from SAS; SkyWorks Leasing arranged.

GECAS has leased ex-Kingfisher Airlines A320 (3219) with V2500s to Nile Air; ex-British Airways 737-500 (27354) to Air Midwest, Nigeria; and ex-SWISS A330-200 (294) with PW4000s to Vietnam Airlines.

Mexicana leased ex-SriLankan A320 (406) with V2500s from Aviation Capital Group (ACG).

ASL Aviation Group plans to lease two new 737-700s (TBA) from mid-2010 for operation by Europe Airpost, France.


NEW ROUTES

AirAsia began daily Kuala Lumpur-Kochi, India (A320).

US Airways began daily Charlotte-Rio de Janeiro (767).

WestJet began Vancouver-Kauai, HI (737).

US Airways began daily Charlotte-Honolulu, HI (767).

Vision Airlines plans Jan 8 to begin Gulfport/Biloxi, MS-St. Petersburg (737).

Continental Micronesia plans December 18 to begin twice-weekly Honolulu-/Guam-Nadi, Fiji (737-800).

AirTran Airways plans January 8 to begin Atlanta-/Tampa-Gulfport/Biloxi, MS (717-200).

Singapore Airlines plans March 28 to begin five-times-weekly Singapore-Munich-Manchester (777-300ER).

JetBlue Airways plans in May to begin daily Boston-San Jose, CA and JFK-/Boston-Punta Cana, DR (A320).

Southwest plans May 23 to begin Panama City Beach, FL-Nashville/-Houston Hobby/-BWI/-Orlando (737).

Air Canada plans May 27-September 26, 2010, to operate seasonal St. John's, NL-London Heathrow (A319).

WestJet plans mid-2010 to begin Edmonton-Kamloops/-SFO; Toronto-Puerto Vallarta; Vancouver-Kitchener/-SFO (737).

This looks like a fun little twist!

1. North American AT-6?
2. Consolidated PBY
3. Douglas A-4 Skyhawk
4. Convair F-106 Delta Dart
5. De Havilland Mosquito
6. Chance-Vought F-4U Corsair
7. Convair B-58 Hustler
8. Douglas DC-9
9. Cessna 210
10. Curtiss P-40 Warhawk

ANSWERS:

1. North American AT-6/Harvard/SNJ/Texan
2. Consolidated PBY-5 Catalina
3. McDonnell Douglas A-4M Skyhawk
4. Convair F-106A Delta Dart
5. deHavilland Mosquito
6. Chance-Vought F-4U-5N Corsair
7. Convair B-58A Hustler
8. McDonnell Douglas DC-9
9. Cessna 210 Centurion
10. Curtis P-40M Warhawk