US Airways CEO sees "one big deal left" for airline consolidation Despite a wave of consolidation, there's still room for "one big deal" in the U.S. airline industry, and US Airways plans to be a part of it, CEO Doug Parker said Wednesday. With a cleaned-up balance sheet and its second-best profit ever in 2010, US Airways is well-positioned for a merger, he said. The company boasts a 10% market share, trailing United Continental, Delta and American among legacy carriers. "I believe any of the three of them at the right time could do something with us if we wanted to and they wanted to," Parker noted. Link
No word from Southwest on repair status of damaged plane Boeing engineers are working with Southwest Airlines mechanics to repair the damaged fuselage of a grounded 737 in Yuma, Ariz., but Southwest isn't saying when or if the plane will return to service. A portion of the fuselage has been cut away and sent to the National Transportation Safety Board for analysis, and Southwest has completed safety inspections on dozens of other jets. Link
ATA: Constant vigilance keeps older planes safe Safety experts say the constant pressurization of aircraft can stress metal joints over time, causing tiny cracks that weaken the fuselage. The FAA stepped up inspections of aging aircraft more than 20 years ago, and further rules to combat "widespread fatigue damage" were introduced just last November. Thanks to cooperation among airlines, manufacturers and regulators, incidents blamed on aircraft age remain "extremely rare," says Tom Hendricks, senior vice-president of safety, security and operations at the Air Transport Association. Link
Column: Fuel prices and strong demand push airfares up Every penny increase costs airlines $175 million, according to the Air Transport Association, and fuel costs have topped labor costs as the biggest expense for airlines. Even after months of steadily rising oil prices, however, airfares have not experienced "the huge jump you might expect," Scott McCartney reports. Heavily traveled business routes have risen in price by 20% or more, "yet some of the most intensively competitive routes have dropped in price, despite all those fare increases," McCartney writes. Link
Technology aims to help aircraft land in cloudy conditions Honeywell International is developing technology called Enhanced Visual System/Synthetic Vision System that allows airplanes to land under extremely cloudy conditions. If the technology gains regulatory approval, it might drastically reduce weather-related delays. Link
FAA will review program overseeing older planes FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt on Wednesday told lawmakers he has ordered a review of an agency program that oversees aging commercial aircraft. His directive was prompted by the forced landing of a Southwest Airlines jetliner last week. "Friday's event was very serious," Babbitt said. "I want to make absolutely certain that what we learn from this accident gets incorporated into our requirements for reviewing aging aircraft." Meanwhile, observers say the incident might prompt the FAA to strengthen inspection requirements for older planes. Link
11 air-traffic centers slated for $177 million upgrade The FAA will pay Raytheon $177 million to upgrade display screens at 11 of the nation's busiest air-traffic centers. The Stars upgrade, or Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System, provides processors and displays that help controllers better pinpoint the location of aircraft and storms. Raytheon says the Stars system also aids the transition to satellite-based NextGen technology. Link
Government report criticizes TSA's behavior-profiling program A recent government report criticizes the Transportation Security Administration's behavior-profiling program, noting that it remains unclear whether behavior detection prevents terrorism. The report, by the Government Accountability Office, also states that TSA began using the program, Screening of Passengers By Observational Techniques, before determining whether it was supported by scientific analysis. The GAO recommended that TSA examine airport video of individuals who are later charged with or plead guilty to terrorism-related offenses. TSA is considering using such video. Link
FAA vows to fire a second sleeping air traffic controller The FAA says it will fire an air traffic controller in Knoxville, Tenn., for intentionally taking a five-hour nap while on the job. Seven planes landed safely while the controller slept during the midnight shift on Feb. 19. "The FAA will not tolerate this type of unprofessional and inappropriate behavior," the agency said in a statement, though a union official said staffing levels may be part of the problem. Link
Column: Perfecting the art of the "bump" As U.S. airline capacity continues to shrink in the face of rising fuel prices, more travelers could be affected by overbooking, writes columnist Michelle Higgins. Looking for free travel, some fliers have perfected the art of getting bumped, choosing late-day flights at busy hub airports known for bad weather. If you're one of the many travelers who prefers to arrive on time, Higgins recommends taking note of such tactics -- and doing exactly the opposite. Link
US Airways adds first-class seating in regional jets US Airways Group is striving to increase revenue by offering travelers first-class seating on its regional jets, much like its largest competitors do. The new seating option recognizes "the value of the first-class customer" and would result in "more revenue, and, of course, ultimately, more profitability," said Andrew Nocella, senior vice president of marketing at US Airways. Link
Babbitt addresses aircraft, controller fatigue; SWA 737s undergo repairs US FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt on Wednesday told Congress that the agency is reviewing requirements for inspecting aging aircraft following last Friday's midair fuselage skin rupture on a Southwest Airlines 737-300. Link
UTair inks order for 20 ATR 72-500s Russia's UTair Aviation signed a contract Thursday to purchase 20 ATR 72-500s, valued at $426 million at list prices. The carrier said in a statement that it will use the aircraft to "add seat capacity on existing routes and will develop new routes in both" Russia and the Ukraine. Delivery dates were not announced. The aircraft will bring the number of ATR aircraft operated by UTair and subsidiary UTair Ukraine to 37, which would give it Europe's largest ATR fleet, according to ATR. Link
Beijing hikes domestic jet fuel prices 7.9% per ton The Chinese government raised domestic jet fuel prices to CNY6,840 ($1,044) per ton, up 7.9% from CNY6,340 per ton in February, in response to escalating oil prices. This is the second price hike this year. Link
UPS Airlines mechanics ratify labor contract, ending years of contentious talks UPS Airlines aircraft mechanics, represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, voted to ratify a new labor agreement that will run through Nov. 1, 2013. The contract, which brings more than four years of often contentious back-and-forth to a conclusion, covers more than 1,200 mechanics. Link
Fiji's Air Pacific appears to cancel entire 787 order Fiji's Air Pacific appears to be the carrier behind the cancellation of eight Boeing 787s disclosed in Boeing's order books last month. The airline had ordered five 787-9s in April 2006 and taken purchase rights on another three. Link
A400M contract amendment signed, as test fleet passes 1,400 flight hours Airbus Military's A400M program has received a key boost, with the 7 April signature of a contract amendment on the behalf of its seven European customers. The development comes as flight-testing of the transport has passed 1,400h in almost 450 sorties. Link
Other News
US Airways has not made a decision on whether to install Aircell's Gogo onboard Wi-Fi across its domestic fleet. At present, only the carrier's Airbus A321s are equipped and usage is very low, according to President Scott Kirby, who told reporters at the US Airways media day Wednesday that it averages "below 5%" while "breakeven is north of 20%." However, he also expects that onboard connectivity eventually will become prevalent among US carriers for competitive reasons.
Boeing said Thursday it delivered 104 commercial aircraft in the first quarter, slightly behind the 108 delivered in the 2010 March quarter. Leading the way were 87 737NG deliveries, one more than was delivered in the year-ago quarter.
Bombardier said it has started work at its aircraft production facility in Mirabel to accommodate final assembly of the first flight test CSeries. “This is another step in the five-phased development of the Mirabel plant, which will ultimately double in size to some 860,000 sq. ft.,” Bombardier stated.
SITA is building a community cloud computing infrastructure dedicated to the air transport industry and will launch the first cloud applications and services in June, CEO Francesco Violante revealed at a briefing on Tuesday in London. He refrained from naming the first customers for the ATI Cloud but noted that the interest from airlines and airports “is clear and diverse, cannot be geographically characterized” and that several airlines are already involved in pilot programs.
Michelin Group was selected by COMAC to develop and supply tires for the C919. The tire manufacturer said the contract will require it to increase production capacity in Asia. Michelin said the C919 will use its Air X radial tire.
KfW IPEX-Bank said it will provide loans to Hawaiian Airlines to finance two new Airbus A330-200s to be delivered this month and in March 2012.
GECAS signed a sale/leaseback agreement with Pegasus Airlines covering the delivery of four new Boeing 737-800s slated to arrive this month.
Lufthansa Technik received German Federal Office of Civil Aviation certification to offer MRO services on Hamilton Sundstrand APS2300 APUs.
Fokker Aircraft Services announced it has added re-skinning to its MRO services. It last year installed a new vacuum applicator at its interior shop that enables it to re-skin aircraft interior side panels, luggage bins and ceiling panels "no matter the size or aircraft type," it said.
Dublin Aerospace signed a contract with Ukraine International Airways for the overhaul of five ship sets of Boeing 737 Classic landing gears. Maintenance services have commenced and will be completed over the next two years.
PPG Industries said it received Boeing qualification for its chromate-free exterior decorative primer for new or repainted Boeing aircraft.
AVIATION QUOTE
Hours and hours passed, with nothing to do but keep the compass on its course and the plane on a level keel. This sounds easy enough, but its very simplicity becomes a danger when your head keeps nodding with weariness and utter boredom and your eyes everlastingly try to shut out the confusing rows of figures in front of you, which will insist on getting jumbled together. Tired of trying to sort them out, you relax for a second, then your head drops and you sit up with a jerk, Where are you? What are you doing here? Oh yes, of course, you are somewhere in the middle of the North Atlantic, with hungry waves below you like vultures impatiently waiting for the end.
— Amy Johnson
ON THIS DATE
April 8th
• In 1931... Amelia Earhart climbs to a record altitude of 18,415 feet in a Pitcairn autogyro at Willow Grove, near Philadelphia.
• In 1940... The U.S. Navy places a contract with Grumman for two prototypes of the XTBF-1, later named Avenger, a chunky mid-wing monoplane that would become the U.S. Navy’s standard carrier torpedo bomber of World War II.
DAILY VIDEO
EDITOR’S CHOICE
HUMOR
Rules Of The Air
1. Every takeoff is optional. Every landing is mandatory. 2. If you push the stick forward, the houses get bigger. If you pull the stick back, they get smaller. That is, unless you keep pulling the stick all the way back, then they get bigger again. 3. Flying isn't dangerous. Crashing is what's dangerous. 4. It's always better to be down here wishing you were up there than up there wishing you were down here. 5. The ONLY time you have too much fuel is when you're on fire. 6. The propellor is just a big fan in front of the plane used to keep the pilot cool. When it stops, you can actually watch the pilot start sweating. 7. When in doubt, hold on to your altitude. No-one has ever collided with the sky. 8. A 'good' landing is one from which you can walk away. A 'great' landing is one after which they can use the plane again. 9. Learn from the mistakes of others. You won't live long enough to make all of them yourself. 10. You know you've landed with the wheels up if it takes full power to taxi to the ramp. 11. The probability of survival is inversely proportional to the angle of arrival. Large angle of arrival, small probability of survival and vice versa. 12. Never let an aircraft take you somewhere your brain didn't get to five minutes earlier. 13. Stay out of clouds. The silver lining everyone keeps talking about might be another airplane going in the opposite direction. Reliable sources also report that mountains have been known to hide out in clouds. 14. Always try to keep the number of landings you make equal to the number of take offs you've made. 15. There are three simple rules for making a smooth landing. Unfortunately no one knows what they are. 16. You start with a bag full of luck and an empty bag of experience. The trick is to fill the bag of experience before you empty the bag of luck. 17. Helicopters can't fly; they're just so ugly the earth repels them. 18. If all you can see out of the window is ground that's going round and round and all you can hear is commotion coming from the passenger compartment, things are not at all as they should be. 19. In the ongoing battle between objects made of aluminum going hundreds of miles per hour and the ground going zero miles per hour, the ground has yet to lose. 20. Good judgment comes from experience. Unfortunately, the experience usually comes from bad judgment. 21. It's always a good idea to keep the pointy end going forward as much as possible. 22. Keep looking around. There's always something you've missed. 23. Remember, gravity is not just a good idea. It's the law. And it's not subject to repeal. 24. The three most useless things to a pilot are the altitude above you, runway behind you, and a tenth of a second ago. 25. There are old pilots and there are bold pilots. There are, however, no old bold pilots.
TRIVIA
Aerobats
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And let's get one thing straight. There's a big difference between a pilot and an aviator. One is a technician; the other is an artist in love with flight. — E. B. Jeppesen
