NEWS
China Eastern Cancels 787 Order
China Eastern Airlines has scrapped an order for 24 787 Dreamliners from Boeing, the plane maker said on Thursday.
Link
Mallya May Sell Brewery Stake To Fund Kingfisher
Indian tycoon Vijay Mallya, scrambling to raise funds to rescue his ailing Kingfisher Airlines, is considering the sale of all or part of his stake in his flagship beer business to Dutch brewer Heineken, said people familiar with the situation.
Link
Avianca Closing In On 50-Plane Buy
Avianca Brazil plans to add 50 new planes to its fleet in the next five years, an expansion valued at nearly USD$4 billion that could weigh on Brazilian airline ticket prices in coming years.
Link
Lufthansa 'No Intention' To End JetBlue Stake
Lufthansa has no intention of ending its investment in JetBlue Airways, but the possibility remains that it could do so down the road depending on the capital needs of the German airline, its chief executive said on Thursday.
Link
LAN Sees Solid Passenger Growth, Weak Cargo
Chile's flagship carrier LAN Airlines expects solid growth in its passenger traffic in 2012, but the high price of fuel will pressure costs, chief executive Enrique Cueto said.
Link
USAF vows to discover root cause of Raptor's maladies
A US Air Force Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) panel investigating a series of hypoxia-like incidents afflicting pilots flying the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor has not discovered what is causing the problem, but service officials vow they will find the root cause. "I am convinced there is a root cause," says Maj Gen Charles Lyon, Air Combat Command's (ACC) director of operations. "I want everyone to know--particularly those who operate it and their families--we will not rest until we find that root cause."
Link
F-35 program stable, but costs may rise slightly
The US Department of Defense's mammoth tri-service F-35 Joint Strike Fighter programme is relatively stable, but there could be some small additional cost increases. "I don't anticipate any cost growth-[not] anything near scale that you described," says acting Pentagon procurement Chief Frank Kendall in reply to a question by Senator John McCain on 29 March.
Link
Lockheed's C-130XJ muscles in on Embraer's turf
Lockheed Martin promoted its reduced-cost C-130XJ variant of the venerable Hercules tactical transport at FIDAE. The US company's move might be seen as a direct challenge to Embraer. The Brazilian manufacturer has said previously that it is negotiating with Chile to sell the nation's air force six KC-390 jet-powered airlifters that it is developing.
Link
Taiwan’s EVA Airways accepted into Star Alliance
Taipei-based EVA Airways Corp. (BR) has been accepted into the Star Alliance and expects to become a member by 2013. “This decision underscores the alliance’s long-term strategy of seeking network growth and providing access to new regions, which shows strong economic potential and development,” Star CEO Mark Schwab said at the signing ceremony in Taipei. He said BR is a very good fit for the alliance, with a specific focus on the growing Far East aviation market.
Link
Greek recession keeps Aegean Airlines in the red for 2011
Aegean Airlines reported a net loss of €27.2 million ($36.3 million) in 2011, 17% down from the €23.3 million deficit in 2010 when results were negatively affected by one-off social contribution tax charges of €8 million.
Link
AirTran pilots begin training at Southwest headquarters
Southwest Airlines is beginning to transition AirTran Airways pilots. Dozens of AirTran pilots have begun training at Southwest headquarters in Dallas. Southwest also plans to unveil the first AirTran plane painted in Southwest colors next month.
Link
Lufthansa CEO calls for 'sidelining' EU ETS
The chief executive of Europe's largest airline urged European Union officials to back down from their steadfast insistence on including airlines its Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS), warning that time is running short to avoid a damaging geopolitical standoff over the issue.
Link
JetBlue pilot is charged, carrier will issue refunds
JetBlue will give passengers aboard a Las Vegas-bound flight a one-way refund and a voucher for another flight after one of the carrier's pilots caused a disturbance in the air Tuesday. Capt. Clayton Osbon, 49, a JetBlue pilot since 2000, has been charged with interfering with a flight crew.
Link
Pilots' medical screenings are being re-examined in wake of incident
The pilot incident aboard a JetBlue flight is drawing attention to the medical-screening process for pilots. All pilots must undergo medical screening every six months to one year, depending on the age of the pilot. "Pilots as a rule are extremely stable people," said retired airline Capt. Steve Luckey. "By the time a person becomes a commercial pilot, they've gone through so many filters."
Link
Boeing plans to expand S.C. production facilities
Boeing may buy rights to more land in North Charleston, S.C., to expand its facilities. "Production is 40% up over the next several years, so we need to expand," said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President Jim Albaugh. The aircraft manufacturer also plans to expand operations in Utah, Washington state and Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Link
Airbus urges EU to halt emissions-trading scheme
Airbus testified before the European Commission over the European Union's emissions-trading scheme and its effect on aircraft sales. EADS, the parent company of Airbus, said China had put orders for 55 Airbus planes on hold because of the emissions scheme. "Our suggestion is to suspend ETS [for airlines] until ICAO has found a solution," said Rainer Ohler of Airbus.
Link
Air China Says No Change In Airbus Orders
Air China has not cut or cancelled any Airbus orders and is sticking to the delivery plan for the aircraft, it said on Thursday, adding that it plans to expand capacity.
Link
U.S. could bring case against ETS before U.N. aviation body
The U.S. is considering bringing a case to the United Nations' International Civil Aviation Organization, an official said. "We've had discussions within the U.S. government, but we haven't made a decision yet," said Julie Oettinger, assistant administrator at the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration. Nancy Young, vice president for environmental affairs at Airlines for America said, "From an airline perspective, we would be directly affected. We think some of those measures in fact themselves would be violative of international law," she said in reference to possible EU moves.
Link
Flights Cancelled In Spanish General Strike
Spanish unions said a high turnout for a general strike to protest government budget cuts and reforms on Thursday had almost brought heavy industry to a halt while the government said the day was proceeding normally.
Link
IAG Set To Win EU Approval To Buy bmi
IAG is set to be given the go-ahead by the EU to buy Lufthansa's British airline bmi after offering to give up additional airport slots, a person familiar with the matter said on Thursday.
Link
JAL To Tap Oneworld Partners In IPO
Japan Airlines is planning to tap Australia's Qantas Airways, British Airways' owner IAG and other members of the oneworld alliance as investors in an initial public offering expected to be worth at least USD$6 billion, three people with knowledge of the carrier's strategy said.
Link
Other News
The majority of Slovenia-based Adria Airways supervisors resigned Monday at a board meeting after failing to oust CEO and chairman Klemen Bostjancic.
Aeromexico which has leased three 787-8s from International Lease Finance Corp. and ordered two from Boeing has agreed to lease an additional two new 787-8s from ILFC as part of its previously announced international expansion plan to add 20 new aircraft.
Russia’s Yakutia Airline will take delivery of three Bombardier Q300s this year, to be used on regional routes and replacing its Antonov An-24s.
LAN Airlines has named Santiago, Buenos Aires, Lima, Los Angeles, Madrid and Frankfurt as the first cities it will serve with Boeing 787 aircraft during the initial year of operations with the carrier.
New RoutesFrontier Airlines will increase 3X-weekly Madison, Wis.-Washington Reagan service to daily June 7.
Link
American Airlines and British Airways have Indian government approval to place the AA code on BA flights from London Heathrow to Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad and Mumbai beginning March 29.
Scoot will launch 4X-weekly Singapore-Tianjin Boeing 777 service beginning in the second half of 2012.
Air Baltic will increase seasonal Riga service to Vienna (7X-weekly to 12X-weekly), Zurich (6X-weekly to daily), Munich (7X-weekly to 12X-weekly), Amsterdam (7X-weekly to 12X-weekly), Brussels (7X-weekly to 12X-weekly), Billund (5X-weekly to 7X-weekly) and Moscow Domodedovo (2X-weekly to 7X-weekly).
Link
AVIATION QUOTE
Flexible is much too rigid, in aviation you have to be fluid.
— Verne Jobst
ON THIS DATE
--- In 1928... The Federal Aeronautique Internationale (FAI)–ratified world speed record is pushed through 300 mph for the first time. Flying a specially adapted Macchi M-52bis seaplane, Italian Maj. Mario de Bernardi achieves a speed of 512.69 km/h (318.64 mph). This is an increase of 20.81 mph over his previous record.
---In 1928... A resident of Zehden, Germany, Samuel Schwartz, asks German airline Deutsche Luft Hansa (DLH) for rent for the airspace above his house, citing law that says his rights extend to the “space above and the ground beneath” his property.
---In 1929... Imperial Airways inaugurates a weekly passenger service from England to India, part of which would have to be taken by rail. For £130 single fare, the trip ends in Karachi seven days after leaving England.
---In 1937…The CAC Wirraway, the Australian version of the North American NA-16, makes its maiden flight.
---In 1939... Piloted by Flugkapitän Hans Dieterle, the Heinkel He 100 V8/R (serial no. D-IDGH) seizes the absolute world air speed record from Hermann Wurster, who has flown his Bf 109 to 379 mph. The pilot achieves four legs of a course at Oranienburg to record an average speed of 463.92 mph, adding 70 mph to the previous record.
---In 1961… NASA civilian pilot Joseph A Walker takes X-15 169,600' (51,690 m).
---In 1963…An Itavia Douglas DC-3 (I-TAVI) crashes into a mountain in Sora, Italy while trying to navigate through poor weather. Low ceilings force the aircraft to descend to maintain visual contact, which then becomes lost. All 11 occupants on the aircraft are killed.
---In 1964…Former Astronaut John Glenn bows out of the Ohio senate race after a concussion received while hitting his head in the bathtub leaves him unable to campaign.
---In 1967…Delta Airlines Flight 9877, a training flight for pilots on a Douglas DC-8-51 N802E, crashes in New Orleans, Louisiana after simulating a dual engine failure landing. The aircraft strikes power lines half a mile from the airport and crashes into a residential area. In addition to the 6 on the aircraft, 13 are killed on the ground. The fatalities include 8 girls who burned to death after their motel became engulfed with flames from jet fuel after they huddled in the shower and turned the water on to try to protect themselves.
---In 1982… 3rd space shuttle mission-Columbia 3 lands at White Sands, NM.
---In 1992…An Aeroflot Antonov An-26 (CCCP-26154) crashes in Swarupnagar, India due to fuel exhaustion. Making their way to their destination of Calcutta, the pilots advise ATC of their minimum fuel situation, which controllers do not offer proper guidance nor assistance for. The aircraft strays away from its flight path, becomes lost and is forced to land nearly 30 miles from their destination. There are only 7 crew on the aircraft, and all are able to survive, though the aircraft is written off.
---In 1992…An Aviaco Douglas DC-9-32 (EC-BYH) crashes on landing at Granada Airport in Spain. With an 11-knot tailwind, the aircraft lands hard, bouncing back into the air and landing almost 1,200ft further down the runway. All of the tires burst and the fuselage breaks into two pieces. There are no fatalities among the 99 aboard.
---In 2000…An Avialinii ARR Antonov An-26 (UR-79170) chartered by the Sri Lankan Air Force carrying soldiers injured during fighting with Tigers of Tamil Eelam rebels crashes in Sir Lanka. Reports indicate the aircraft may have reported engine troubles shortly before the crash. All 40 on the aircraft are killed.
---In 2007…Sudan Airways Flight 111, an Airbus A300 flying from Tripoli, Libya to Khartoum, Sudan, is hijacked by a man demanding to go to South Africa. He enters the cockpit an hour and a half into the flight while holding a knife and is convinced to allow the plane to land in Khartoum anyway for fuel. After several hours of negotiations, he surrenders, and all 284 on the aircraft leave safely.
---In 2008…Ten days after filing for bankruptcy protection, Aloha Airlines announces that the next day will be their final day of operations.
---In 2008…Thomas Cook Airlines (Kestrel) is founded at Manchester Airport, UK.
DAILY VIDEO
EDITOR’S CHOICE
HUMOR
In Fighter Pilot Heaven
Everybody's a Captain except God.... He's a Major.
You only come to work when you're going to fly....
You fly three times a day except Friday.
You never run out of gas.
The missions are only one hour long and no briefings are ever required.
You are always on TDY and there are no check rides.
It is always VFR and there are never any ATC delays.
You can fly out of the area and flight down to 50' AGL is approved.
There are no "over G's".
You always fly overhead landing patterns with initial approach at 20', then break left.
You can go cross-country anytime you desire. The farther the better!
There are no ORI's (Operational Readiness Inspections).
There is no SOF (Supervisor of Flying) or mobile tower duty.
There are no Friday meetings, but Friday evening "Stag Bar" is mandatory.
There are no Flight Surgeons.
There are no Wing staff jobs.
You don't need a kitchen pass, and the kitchen and bar are always open.
"Happy Hour" begins at 1400 hours and lasts til 0200 hours.
Supersof is the bartender. The other five are big-bosomed blondes.
Beer is free, but whiskey costs five cents.
The bar serves only Chivas Regal, Jack Daniels, and Beefeaters.
The girls are all friendly and each fighter pilot is allowed three.
There are no fat women and the thin ones look like Sophia Loren.
Country and Western music is free on the juke box.
The craps tables are always HOT and you never lose at blackjack!
You never lose your room key and your buddies never leave you stranded at the club.
The sun always shines and you can put your hat in your leg pocket.
Flight suits are allowed in the Officers Club at all times.
The motor pool always provides a staff car for visiting fighter pilots.
The Base Exchange always has every item you ask for. Most are free.
There are never any cross-wind landings and the runways are always dry.
Control tower flybys for a wheels UP check can be made at 600 knots.
There are never any noise complaints.
Full afterburner climbs over your house are encouraged.
ER's (Efficiency Reports) always contain the statement "Outstanding Officer".
Formal functions requiring Class "A" or formal attire never occur.
"Ace" status is conferred upon all fighter pilots entering Heaven.
There is no Hell.
All air traffic controllers are friendly, and always provide priority handling.
The airplanes never break.
TRIVIA
Google Airports
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
