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NEWS

Lufthansa Q3 Operating Profit Down 27 Pct
Lufthansa reported operating profit in the third quarter that missed expectations adding to signs that the industry remains hobbled by fierce competition and stubbornly high oil prices.
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787 Carries First Passengers And Boeing's Hopes
A Boeing 787 Dreamliner flew to Hong Kong from Tokyo carrying its first paying passengers on Wednesday in a flight that could set a new benchmark in air travel.
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ANA Interested In A Stretched 787
All Nippon Airways Executive Vice President Keisuke Okada said the airline would be interested in any stretched version of Boeing's 787 Dreamliner.
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Boeing 3Q earnings up, deliveries down
Boeing has reported third-quarter net income of $1.1 billion, or $1.46 per share, on revenue of $17.7 billion but concedes lower deliveries of 787s and 747-8s. As expected by analysts, the manufacturer also announced the accounting block for the 787 will be 1,100 aircraft, based on 821 firm orders and approximately 200 options. This accounting block is four times higher than its last four aircraft programs and reflects both the higher development costs and greater sales.
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LAN 3Q earnings down 11%; merger on track for early 2012
LAN Airlines reported a third-quarter net income of $94.5 million, down 11% compared to $106.2 million in the year-ago quarter. The Santiago, Chile-based company said the results were driven by “solid traffic growth, reflected in strong yields and load factors in both the passenger and cargo businesses.”
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ANA 787 deliveries on track for 20 by March 2013
All Nippon Airways (ANA) fully expects to take delivery of 20 Boeing 787s by the end of March 2013, the airline’s president and CEO said during inaugural 787 passenger service ceremonies Oct. 26. Two 787s are now with ANA, including the aircraft that conducted Wednesday’s flight from Tokyo, Narita to Hong Kong.
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Azul orders 11 E-195s
Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras has ordered 11 Embraer 195 jets, in an order valued at $497.2 million at list prices, Embraer said. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2013.
The transaction increases Azul’s total E-Jet orders to 52 aircraft. In addition to the 23 E-195s it already flies in a 118-seat single-class configuration, the airline also operates 10 106-seat E-190s, Embraer said.
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Analysts predict Q3 profit for United Continental
Analysts expect United Continental Holdings to report a profit of $2.08 per share for the third quarter. The carrier will report its quarterly earnings Thursday. United Continental faces challenges from high fuel prices, but has trimmed capacity on some routes to keep costs down.
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Delta this month will pay $200 million debt incurred by Northwest
Delta Air Lines plans to repay $200 million in airport bonds this month to the operator of Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. The payment is for a loan taken out by Northwest Airlines in 1992. Delta acquired Northwest Airlines in 2008, and plans to move some positions from Minnesota to its base in Atlanta, which required payment of the debt.
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Airlines should not build up fleets now, analyst says
Some airlines are building up their fleets, but an analyst questions the wisdom of adding aircraft at this time. "This business is about revenue, and once that starts to slow you come under immediate pressure," said airline analyst Chris Tarry. "This is a time for caution, not valor."
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Boeing announces program-accounting parameters for 787
Boeing has announced that it will account for 787 profit over the production of 1,100 jets under the company's program-accounting rules. The rules allow the manufacturer to use average profitability instead of posting losses upon startup of a new program. "Despite a tough initial period for the 787, this program could eventually deliver profitability comparable to other programs" by Boeing, said Douglas Harned, an analyst with Sanford C. Bernstein & Co.
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EU will move forward with trading scheme despite opposition
The European Union says it plans to move forward with implementation of its emissions trading scheme despite opposition from the U.S. Congress. "We do not intend to modify our adopted legislation [but] the commission is of course open to discuss other partners' concerns on how we will implement our legislation," said Isaac Valero-Ladron, spokesman for the EU's climate agency. Airlines in other countries, such as Brazil, China, Japan and Russia, also oppose the EU scheme.
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House bill could lead to trade war, environmental lobby warns
The House of Representatives passed the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme Prohibition Act of 2011 this week, and some environmental lobbyists say the act could lead to a trade war with the EU. The bill must also be approved by the Senate before heading to President Barack Obama for his signature.
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Blog: JetBlue announces Concierge on Call service
JetBlue Airways announced a new program this week called Concierge on Call. The free service is available for JetBlue Getaways travelers, and offers information for travelers such as passport requirements and health-club referrals.
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Boeing delays first 747-8I and 787-9 deliveries
Boeing will push back delivery of the first 747-8 Intercontinental to the first quarter of 2012, and of the 787-9 to early 2014. "The 747-8 remains on track for certification in the fourth quarter," said Boeing. "First delivery is now scheduled for the first quarter of 2012 due to a delay in flight testing and the time required to incorporate all flight-test driven changes." On 12 October, Boeing Business Jets president Steve Taylor said the first 747-8I, destined for a VIP customer, will be delivered at the end of 2011. The company added that it is still committed to "incorporating engineering and design changes identified during flight testing" before the 747-8I's certification.
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BAA soars on Chinese desire for business jets
Aircraft management company Business Aviation Asia (BAA) expects its fleet of privately-owned business jets to increase to 43 by the end of 2012, as the appetite for executive aircraft in its core Chinese market continues to swell. The prediction comes as the Hong Kong-based firm prepares to break ground on a business ­aviation facility at Tianjin airport - 120km (75 miles) southeast of Beijing. BAA has seen a fourfold ­increase in its managed fleet, from six to 24 mainly Chinese-registered aircraft, since operations began in 2007.
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UK withdraws Sea King transports from Afghanistan
The UK has withdrawn its Royal Navy Westland Sea King HC4+ transport helicopters from operations in Afghanistan, as its Commando Helicopter Force personnel prepare to begin training to fly the replacement AgustaWestland AW101 Merlin HC3/3A.
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Other News

All Nippon Airways (ANA) flight 7871, the first Boeing 787 commercial passenger service, landed at Hong Kong Oct. 26 after a 4 hr. and 10 min. flight from Tokyo Narita. The inaugural flight—a special charter—was marked with celebrations of the traditional saki toast at Narita, Chinese dragon dancing at Hong Kong and water hosings by fire tenders on the taxiways of both airports. But there were also many references to the 40-month delivery delay that launch customer ANA endured to get to this point. “Today, finally, we launch the first flight of the 787 Dreamliner. I am delighted and excited to celebrate this long-awaited day,” ANA president and CEO Shinichiro Ito said. Capt. Masami Tsukamoto, who supported 787 pilot training and development at Boeing and co-piloted the inaugural flight with Capt. Yuichi Marui, director of ANA 787 flight operations, remarked, “May 2008 was supposed to be the first delivery and there was a three-and-a-half year delay, so it has been a long journey, but finally we have a 787 in our hands so we are very excited.”

Air India (AI) is understood to be ready to cut its Boeing 787 order for 27 aircraft in half, according to Reuters, citing an Economic Times report.

Qantas workers reject new pay offer, more travel chaos to come: The Transport Workers Union (TWU)—representing Qantas (QF) baggage handlers, caterers and ground staff union—has rejected a new pay offer from QF, setting the scene for more travel disruption.

United Parcel Service (UPS) posted third-quarter consolidated net income of $1.04 billion, up 5% from $991 million year-over-year.

Turkish Technic signed a pool contract with Ariana Afghan Airlines in February 2011 covering two Boeing 737-400 aircraft.

ST Aerospace was selected for new maintenance contracts worth a total of $453 million in the third quarter. The contracts range from three to 18 months in duration. Its aircraft maintenance and modification business group sealed new airframe contracts, its component total support business group was awarded new component contracts, and the engine total support business group was awarded new engine maintenance contracts.

Lufthansa Technik Malta was selected by Brussels Airlines to provide C checks for five Airbus A330s.

AMOS was selected by Eznis Airways to provide its MRO software package. Full implementation is scheduled to go live in December.



AVIATION QUOTE

Did he not clear the runway - that Pan American?

— Flight Engineer William Schreuder, KLM, 27 March 1977, just prior to the worst aviation crash ever, the collision of two B-747's on the ground in the Canary Islands.



ON THIS DATE

October 27th

---In 1909... Mrs. Ralph van Denman flies for four minutes with Wilbur Wright at College Park, Maryland, becoming the U.S.'s 1st female passenger.

---In 1962… U2 was shot down by a SAM over Cuba. The pilot, Rudolph Anderson was killed. The OXCART program goes into high gear. (Q)

---In 1979…First flight of the Panavia Tornado ADV.

---In 1988…First flight of the ATR-72.



DAILY VIDEO





EDITOR’S CHOICE





HUMOR

Phone Etiquette

Having just moved into his new office, a pompous, new Colonel was sitting at his desk when an airman knocked on the door. Conscious of his new position, the Colonel quickly picked up the phone, told the airman to enter, then said into the phone, "Yes General, I'll be seeing him this afternoon and I'll pass along your message. In the meantime, thank you for your good wishes, sir."

Feeling as though he had sufficiently impressed the young enlisted man, he asked, "What do you want?"

"Nothing important, sir," the airman replied, "I'm just here to hook up your telephone."



TRIVIA

General Trivia

The speed of sound at sea level on a standard day is 663 knots (763 mph). What is the speed of sound in space?

The official world record for the longest distance flown in a glider during a single flight is:
a. 1,324.7 nm (1,524.4 sm)
b. 1,624.7 nm (1,869.7 sm)
c. 1,924.7 nm (2,214.9 sm)
d. 2,224.7 nm (2,560.1 sm)

3. Mix and Match
1. Dallas Love Field
2. General Edward Lawrence Logan International Airport
3. La Guardia Airport
4. Lambert – St. Louis International Airport
5. Chicago O’Hare International Airport
6. McCarran International Airport
7. Washington Dulles International Airport
8. William P. Hobby Airport

a. City’s first licensed pilot
b. Mayor
c. Secretary of State
d. State governor
e. State legislator
f. U.S. Army aviator
g. US Navy’s first ace
h. U.S. Senator

1. Dallas Love Field army aviator
2. General Edward Lawrence Logan International Airport State legislator
3. La Guardia Airport mayor
4. Lambert – St. Louis International Airport 1st pilot?
5. Chicago O’Hare International Airport Navy's 1st ace? Only assuming b/c MIDWAY is down the road
6. McCarran International Airport Senator?
7. Washington Dulles International Airport Sec of State
8. William P. Hobby Airport Governor. A full named airport in Texas? Has to be a a government executive

Mix and Match

1. f
2.e
3. b
4. a
5. g
6. h
7. c
8. d

The speed of sound at sea level on a standard day is 663 knots (763 mph). What is the speed of sound in space?

400 Gullibles

The official world record for the longest distance flown in a glider during a single flight is:

c. 1,924.7 nm (2,214.9 sm)

I'll get round to the rest later...