miamiair/forum/images/avatars/gallery/first/user54/1.pngoffline(netAirspace FAA) 19 Oct 11, 08:40
NEWS
Soviet-era aircraft reach the end of the line Two Russian carriers—Ural Airlines (U6) and Kuban Airlines (GW)—announced they will stop using Soviet Union-era aircraft on regular flights. Ekaterinburg-based U6 said Monday it removed a Tupolev Tu-154M from its fleet after its last flight Sunday from Yamburg (Western Siberia) to Ekaterinburg. When the airline was launched in 1993, it had 11 Tu-154Bs; in 1994 it bought four more Tu-154Ms. As of this month, U6 operated three Tu-154Ms that were allowed to fly to Europe. Link
China Eastern places order for 15 A330s In a major blow to Boeing, China Eastern Airlines (MU) has ordered 15 Airbus A330s. The new order became apparent in the same Hong Kong regulatory filing in which MU revealed it was canceling an order for 24 Boeing 787s. Link
LOT expects another 787 delivery delay LOT Polish Airlines is expecting another delivery delay of its first Boeing 787, Polish Press Agency PAP reported. The first delivery, most recently rescheduled for spring 2012, has been pushed back to 2013, more than five years behind the original schedule, PAP reported. Three more 787s were expected to be delivered by the end of next year. Link
EU adopts new consumer rights rules that limit credit card surcharges The European Union’s Council of Ministers formally adopted a new set of rules on consumer rights that could have far-reaching consequences for the airline industry and other companies in the travel sector. Link
ANALYSIS: Old hands face new challenges at Air France-KLM Air France-KLM has turned to the group's founding fathers Jean-Cyril Spinetta and Leo van Wijk to help guide the carrier through troubled waters, with challenges around cost savings, increased competition and financial obligations lieing ahead for the group. The two men were at the helm of Air France and KLM respectively when the companies merged eight years ago and guided the enlarged group through its initial years. Both later moved upstairs, Spinetta becoming Air France-KLM chairman and van Wijk vice-chairman, as well as SkyTeam chairman. Link
Report questions landings at National in sleeping controller case A final report released by the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) into an unresponsive controller incident that closed the Washington National airport control tower for approximately 30 minutes early on the morning of 23 March appears to raise questions as to whether two airlines that landed there during that period violated their own operating rules, a suggestion at least one of the airlines rejects. Unusual conditions preceded the decisions: The lone controller in the tower cab that morning had fallen asleep for an estimated 24 minutes, leaving terminal radar approach controllers at a distant facility and the pilots themselves to figure out how to handle the radio silence. Link
JetBlue's efficient fleet should help Q3 revenue, analysts say JetBlue Airways will report third-quarter results Oct. 26, and analysts predict a solid quarter for the airline. On a year-over-year basis, analysts say JetBlue will post up to 8% revenue growth despite higher fuel costs. The airline's average fleet age is less than 6 years, making it one of the more fuel-efficient fleets for U.S. airlines. Link
Delta Air Lines should post Q3 profit, analysts say Analysts predict that Delta Air Lines will post a profit in the third quarter, with passenger revenue per mile increasing more than 10% on a year-over-year basis for the quarter. The carrier also entered into two new partnerships during the quarter, with Grupo Aeromexico and Virgin Australia Airlines, for additional international markets. Link
American Airlines, union make "significant progress" American Airlines and its pilots union took a recess Monday from contract negotiations. "The company and the [Allied Pilots Association] will continue to build on the momentum of this progress and plan to reconvene midweek after the APA has an opportunity to brief their board" today, said American spokeswoman Missy Cousino. Cousino also said there was progress was made on areas such as work rules and benefits. Link
NextGen committee is asked to provide details on recommendations The NextGen Advisory Committee, led by JetBlue CEO Dave Barger, has been asked by the Federal Aviation Administration for more detailed information on how to begin air-traffic-control modernization. The committee provided "sharper estimates of industry's cost to equip in the areas of communications, navigation and surveillance" in September, but the FAA wants clear timelines and details on how private and government funds will be secured for the upgrade. "Recognizing that we have a very large country and a very complex [ATC] system, what is the appropriate way to frame how we actually act on these [recommendations]?" said the FAA's Michael Huerta. Link
Airlines, customers are "piggy bank for deficit reduction," exec says The new $100 take-off tax and security tax increase proposed by the Obama administration could lead to about 10,000 jobs in the airline industry being cut within a year, members of the industry said. The proposed taxes would also affect small and rural airports, which might not be able to afford the fees and be forced to reduce air service. "We don't think that is shared sacrifice. Now we are the piggy bank for general deficit reduction," said United executive Mark Anderson of airline taxes being used for deficit reduction and "not improvements in the airline industry or to airline security." Link
Security "chat-downs" are introduced at second airport The Transportation Safety Administration is now using "chat-downs" at two airports. After introducing the interview screening at Boston's Logan International Airport, the agency has announced that it has taken it to Detroit's Metropolitan Wayne County Airport. At least 10 arrests have been made since the chat-downs began to spot suspicious behavior. Link
DOT: Orbitz violated price-advertising rules, is fined $60,000 The Department of Transportation says that it has found Orbitz Worldwide in violation of its rules and federal aviation laws against deceptive airline price advertising practices and fined the company $60,000. Certain advertisements on Orbitz's home page in early 2011 didn't disclose information on additional fees and taxes until after a second page, the DOT says. The DOT's rules require advertisements that display air-travel prices to show the full price, including additional airline-imposed fees. Link
Long Beach, Calif., airport grants slots to Delta, JetBlue, US Airways Long Beach Airport in Long Beach, Calif., has granted three daily slots vacated by departing Allegiant Airlines to Delta Airlines, JetBlue Airways and US Airways through a lottery. The carriers will begin service after Allegiant makes its last flight out of Long Beach on Nov. 28, and are set to announce destinations soon. Link
Norwegian airline invests in Dreamliners for "low-cost" routes Norwegian Air Shuttle ordered six Boeing 787 Dreamliners to implement long-haul "low-cost" routes. "And the Dreamliners are the key. You can't fly low-cost with old airplanes," said CEO Bjorn Kjos, who estimates that the Dreamliners cost about 30% less to operate because of the lightweight composites used in construction of the aircraft. Link
Other News
Greek air traffic controllers and staff from the country's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) are participating in the 48-hr. general strike to begin Wednesday, protesting against a sweeping package of austerity measures expected to be passed in the Greek parliament this week. The industrial action will cause severe air traffic disruptions affecting both domestic and international flights in and out of all Greek airports. Greece's controllers and/or CAA employees have already called strikes Oct. 5, Sept. 22, June 28-29, May 11 and Feb. 23.
Qantas (QF) announced Tuesday it will ground two more Boeing 767s because of ongoing industrial disputes with engineers. It will also cut 80 transcontinental flights over the next month, slashing the number of seats available by 20,000. However, the Australian Licensed Engineers Assn. (ALAEA) federal secretary Steve Purvinas has accused of QF of "overstating the situation to exacerbate the dispute. These aircraft are up for sale. While we have restrictions on overtime there is not a blanket ban."
Air Lease Corp. (ALC) concluded lease placements of 12 aircraft. They comprise one new Airbus A330-300 leased to Asiana Airlines, two new Boeing 737-800s leased to Korean Airlines, two new Embraer 190LRs leased to Aeromexico, one 737-800 leased to Air Berlin, two A320-200s leased to Vueling, one A330-200 leased to Avianca, one A330-200 leased to Thomas Cook, one 737-800 leased to GOL and one 737-700 leased to Southwest Airlines.
Arik Air will commence 3X-weekly Lagos-Abu Dhabi Airbus A340-500 service by the end of November.
Aeromexico started 2X-weekly Guadalajara-Las Vegas service and daily Mexico City-Caracas Boeing 737 service.
Porter Airlines will launch 3X-daily Toronto City-Timmins service Jan. 16. It will also operate 2X-weekly Toronto City-Burlington, Vt. service Dec. 15-April 8.
AVIATION QUOTE
No one can realize how substantial the air is, until he feels its supporting power beneath him. It inspires confidence at once.
— Otto Lilienthal.
ON THIS DATE
October 19th
---In 1968... USAF test pilot Major William “Pete” Knight wins the Harmon international aviator’s trophy for “exceptional individual piloting performance”.
---In 1970…Hindustan Aeronautics completes its first license-built MiG-21.
DAILY VIDEO
EDITOR’S CHOICE
HUMOR
Why I Am A Pilot
A 65 year old man went to the doctor for his Class II exam and the doctor was amazed at what good shape the guy was in. The doctor asked, "To what do you attribute your good health?" The old timer said, "I'm a helicopter pilot and that's why I'm in such good shape. I 'm up well before daylight, climb all over the helicopter doing my preflight inspection, flying all day, etc." The doctor said, "Well, I'm sure that helps, but there's got to be more to it. How old was your dad when he died?" The old timer said, "Who said my dad's dead?" The doctor said, "You mean you're 65 years old and your dad's still alive? How old is he?" The old timer said, "He's 84 yrs old and, in fact, he built and flies his own airplane and he went flying with me this morning. That's why he's still alive... he's a pilot too!" The doctor said, "Well, that's great, but I'm sure there's more to it. How about your dad's dad? How old was he when he died?" The old timer said, "Who said my grandpa's dead?" The doctor said, "You mean your dad is 84 years old and his father is still living! How old is he?" The old timer said, "Grandpa is 102 years old and he was a pilot too." The doctor was getting frustrated at this point and said, "I guess he went flying with you this morning too?" The old timer said, "No...Grandpa couldn't go this morning because he just got married and he's on his honeymoon." The doctor said in amazement, "Got married!! Why would a 102-year-old guy want to get married?" The old timer said, "Who said he wanted to?"
TRIVIA
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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
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
