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NEWS

Southwest, United clash over adding international flights at Houston Hobby

Southwest Airlines (SWA) and United Airlines (UA) squared off Tuesday in front of the Houston City Council over whether SWA should be allowed to launch international service from Houston Hobby (HOU) in 2015.
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EVA Air will acquire seven 777-300ERs

EVA Air has finalized an order for three Boeing 777-300ERs, including purchase rights for four aircraft, the two companies announced. In addition, EVA will lease four -300ERs from GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS). The carrier is undergoing a fleet transformation to enable it toincrease frequencies to mainland China and new destinations in North Asia.
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Trent 1000 Package C testing gets underway
Rolls-Royce has completed the first test run of its upgraded Trent 1000 Package C variant, the company announced Tuesday. The engine—which will be the powerplant for the Boeing 787-9 scheduled to enter service in 2014 for launch customer Air New Zealand (ANZ)—is also destined for 787-8s from later that year. ANZ’s powerplant will produce 74,000 lbs. of thrust.
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US Airport Security Could Detect New Bomb
US security measures could detect a non-metallic bomb like the one in the latest plot by al Qaeda's Yemeni affiliate, but key technology such as body scanners is not deployed at all US airports, Obama administration officials said.
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FAA Is Slow With Safety Complaints - OSC
The US Federal Aviation Administration has not responded quickly or fully enough to internal whistleblowers' charges of safety violations, an investigative government agency said on Tuesday.
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Lufthansa Unlikely To Seek Middle East Tie-Up

Lufthansa is very unlikely to agree to form an alliance with any Middle East airline, the German carrier's chief executive Christoph Franz said at its annual general meeting on Tuesday.
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European Air Traffic Hit By Debt Crisis, Arab Spring
European air traffic fell in the first quarter of 2012 compared to the same period last year, two aviation bodies said, with the decline blamed on Europe's debt crisis and the lingering effects of the Arab Spring unrest.
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Etihad latest to flirt with Boeing’s proposed 777X

Etihad Airways has joined the growing list of potential customers for Boeing's proposed 777X development, as it cuts back further its orders for the rival Airbus A350-1000. The Abu Dhabi airline's chief executive, James Hogan, says that while the carrier is still scheduled to take A350-1000s from 2017, an order is also possible for the enhanced 777 being evaluated by Boeing. Although he confirms talks with Boeing, Hogan would not be drawn further, saying: "We have a good relationship with Airbus and Boeing, but those talks are in the boardroom behind closed doors."
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A400M gets initial certification, as engine problem strands MSN4
Airbus Military says it remains on track to deliver its first A400M transport around the end of this year, despite engine problems that continue to hinder its flight test activities. The manufacturer on 3 May announced its receipt of a restricted type certificate from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). This is expected to be followed around the middle of the year by full civil type certification - a milestone previously targeted for late 2011.
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Australia axes C-130H fleet in sweeping defence cuts

The Royal Australian Air Force's (RAAF's) Lockheed Martin C-130H Hercules aircraft will be retired early as Canberra trims defence spending, and further F-35 buys could also be deferred. Canberra hopes to save A$250 million ($253 million) over the next four years by retiring the C-130H, Australia's department of defence said in a statement about the 2012-2013 defence budget.
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USAF moves closer to solving Raptor oxygen woes, whistle-blower pilots won’t be punished

The US Air Force will not punish two F-22 Raptor pilots who publicly spoke out about problems with the Lockheed Martin-built aircraft's oxygen system, a senior service official tells Congress. Moreover, the USAF is getting close to solving the mystery behinds a series of hypoxia-like events that have plagued the Raptor fleet.
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Overloading caused 2010 crash of NZ skydiver aircraft: commission
The Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand (CAA) has issued a final report about the crash of a Pacific Aerospace Industries FU-24 aircraft at Fox Glacier in 2010 that killed the pilot and eight skydivers. The Transport Accident Investigation Commission, which authored the report, says the crash serves as a "grave reminder to pilots-in-command of every aircraft."
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P&W doubts readiness of key technology for CFM engine
Pratt & Whitney remains doubtful about the maturity of ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) for aircraft engines even as a competitor prepares to mass produce the high-temperature material for commercial engines. "I struggle at [the question of] whether or not CMCs will pay off in the short or medium term," says Paul Adams, P&W's senior vice president of operations and engineering. "Right now I don't see a path forward for large-scale integration of CMCs."
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American Airlines outlines comeback strategy
American Airlines says it plans to increase usage of domestic code-shares and boost international travel to 44% of passenger totals by 2017. AMR Corp., American's parent, filed for bankruptcy protection last year. American said in a memo to employees that it would also use more regional jets to better fit demand in smaller markets as part of its efforts to boost annual revenue by $1 billion within the next five years.
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Column: Delta Air Lines sets its sights high
Delta Air Lines' bold decision to buy an oil refinery shows that the leading airline in the U.S. is not afraid to take chances, writes columnist Ted Reed. "Delta is a great airline, perhaps the best of them, because it worked so hard to get there. Moving beyond that -- to goad labor, challenge Boeing and compete with Big Oil -- defines a company that wants to believe it has no limitations," writes Reed.
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Blog: JetBlue could consolidate into one terminal at JFK
JetBlue Airways could have all of its operations, as well as operations with partner airlines, out of Terminal 5 at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, writes the Cranky Flier. "That would create a monster of an opportunity. Keeping all those flights in the same terminal reduces minimum connecting times and allows airlines to schedule tighter connections," the blogger writes.
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Boeing puts finishing touches on 737 Max design
Boeing is putting the final touches on its design of the 737 Max, which includes fuel-efficient features such as winglets. "As we are closing in on finalizing the configuration of the airplane to ensure that we meet our commitment on schedule, the window is closing fast, so this is pretty much it," said Michael Teal, 737 Max chief project engineer.
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Airbus is developing fix for A380 wing cracks
Airbus Executive Vice President Tom Williams says the aircraft-maker has found a long-term fix for the small cracks found in the Broughton-made wings of many A380 and that there were no safety worries with the cracks. Williams pointed to the choice of material as well as the design as the culprits behind the cracks but cautioned that it would take until the end of the year to fully develop and test the new design with the corrections.
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EU emissions-trading scheme could hurt Europe, Lufthansa exec says
Juergen Weber, the supervisory board chairman of Deutsche Lufthansa, says the European Union's emissions-trading scheme could hurt Europe. "A trade war over the issue of CO2 trade will demote the European aviation industry to the third league" of the airline industry, said Weber.
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Airlines ask FAA to extend deadline on fuel-tank modification
Airlines for America wrote a letter to the Federal Aviation Administration asking to delay deadlines for modifying fuel tanks. "There is simply not enough time to retrofit airplanes" by the deadlines in 2014.
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Airlines scale back programs for unlimited flying
"Lifetime" memberships for unlimited flying have proved too costly for airlines. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the average lifespan for an American is 78.5 years. However, some airlines offer flexible flying packages for a limited amount of time, such as months or years.
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Houston is obligated to consider Hobby airport plan, city attorney says
Houston has to consider a proposal by Southwest Airlines to launch international service at William P. Hobby Airport, according to a legal opinion by the city attorney. If Houston fails to consider the plan, the city could lose funding from the Federal Aviation Administration.
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Berlin Airport Opening Will Be Delayed
The opening of Berlin's new airport, scheduled for June 3, will be delayed due to problems with fire security, German media reported on Tuesday, citing local government sources.
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Air India Cancels Flights As 100 Pilots Go Sick
Air India has cancelled four international flights after about 100 pilots called in sick late on Monday, in a move to mount pressure on the state-run carrier on their demands for exclusivity in flying Boeing's 787.
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Canada's Triple Five Interested In Cyprus Air
Canadian conglomerate Triple Five is interested in acquiring a majority stake in Cyprus Airways, the Cypriot flag carrier said on Tuesday.
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Other News

Etihad (EY) has canceled seven Airbus A350-1000s from an original order of 25 aircraft, Airbus has confirmed. The Abu Dhabi-based carrier canceled six aircraft in January. “There are 12 remaining on the order books for Etihad,” an Airbus said. EY last week acquired a 2.987% stake in Aer Lingus. A year ago, EY reduced its order for 35 Boeing 787s by four aircraft and instead exercised options on three 777s, a move the airline said safeguarded its expansion plans.

Okay Airways (OKA) has applied to the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) to launch a regional airline and plans to place a firm order for 20 AVIC-produced MA60 turboprops, according to OKA EVP Liu Jieyin. If approved, Liu said the new airline will have a new strategic investor. Local industry analysts said approval remains uncertain since CAAC has raised the standard for new domestic carriers.

The Qantas Group (QF) will increase capacity on QF, Jetstar and QantasLink domestic routes in 2012-13 to strengthen its network in the business and leisure markets, the company said in a statement. Changes include upgrading aircraft and adding more frequencies, including extra services during peak times on business routes between Sydney (SYD), Melbourne (MEL) and Brisbane (BNE). It will also reintroduce Boeing 747 services on the SYD-Perth (PER) route, QF said. Adding more Airbus A330 services on the MEL-PER route will increase capacity in the east-west market, according to QF.

Avolon announced it has acquired two new Airbus A321 aircraft, which will be delivered to US Airways later this year.

Skyworld Aviation, working with Nineteen Hundred Aviation, has delivered one BAE Jetstream 31 to Icelandic carrier Eagle Air.

Djibouti Dubai Express Holding Co. (DAALLO Airlines) has purchased one BAe 146-200 from Falko.

GECAS has delivered two leased Airbus A320s to Brussels Airlines, to replace older aircraft in the carrier’s fleet.

Hawaiian Airlines took delivery of its seventh new Airbus A330-200, a 294-seat aircraft to be used primarily for daily Sydney-Honolulu service. Under a strategic growth plan, it will have 22 of the aircraft type in operation by 2015.

Finnair begins flying direct to Chongqing, one of the largest and fastest-growing cities in China. The new route is a logical next step in the carrier's strategy of offering the shortest connections between Asia and Europe via Helsinki. Finnair is the first carrier to open a direct flight route between Europe and Chongqing.

United Airlines, which is planning a major aircraft purchase soon, can cut maintenance costs and reduce schedule disruptions by buying planes mainly from a single manufacturer, the new chief financial officer of the airline's parent United Continental Holdings Inc (UAL) said on Tuesday.

The Boeing KC-46 Tanker program has completed a Preliminary Design Review (PDR) with the U.S. Air Force, a key milestone in the development of the next-generation aerial refueling tanker. The review, which began March 21 and ended April 27, demonstrated that the preliminary design of the KC-46A Tanker meets system requirements and establishes the basis for proceeding with detailed design. Boeing remains on plan to deliver 18 combat-ready KC-46A Tankers by 2017.

The Royal Canadian Air Force formally accepted the 17th Lockheed Martin CC-130J Super Hercules in ceremonies here today, completing the order placed in December 2007. The aircraft will be flown to Canadian Forces Base Trenton later this week. The original contract called for all 17 aircraft to be delivered by the end of 2012. The first CC-130J was accepted in June 2010 and today's acceptance demonstrates the success of the program and the completion of deliveries ahead of schedule.

Cayman Airways has announced the launch of non-stop service from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport to Grand Cayman to commence this June. Effective June 23, 2012 – September 2, 2012, Cayman Airways will operate weekly service from Dallas to Grand Cayman on Sunday and from Grand Cayman to Dallas on Saturday, starting at $399.

AVIATION QUOTE

Electronics were rascals, and they lay awake nights trying to find some way to screw you during the day. You could not reason with them. They had a brain and intestines, but no heart.

— Ernest K. Gann, 'The Black Watch,' 1989.

ON THIS DATE

---In 1926... The first airplane flight over the North Pole is made by Americans Lt. Cdr. Richard E. Byrd and Floyd Bennett in a Fokker F-VII/3m. Their total distance from Spitzbergen, Norway is 1,600 miles (2,575 km).

---In 1932... U.S. Army Air Corps Captain A. F. Hegenberger has become the first pilot in the world to make a “blind” landing using instruments alone, with no back-up co-pilot on board in Dayton, Ohio.

---In 1936... The German airship Hindenburg lands at Lakehurst, New Jersey after its first scheduled transatlantic flight.

---In 1961… Senator Robert S. Kerr, chairman of the Senate Aeronautical and Space Sciences Committee, told a group at the National Radio and Television Convention that President Kennedy accepted the views of NASA and congressional leaders in approving the manned Mercury-Redstone flight of May 5.

---In 1983... The first all-woman flight crew to fly a round trip across the Atlantic is the Air France C-141 crew form the 18th Military Airlift Squadron, McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey.

---In 2004… Southwest Airlines begins service to Philadelphia International Airport.

---In 2005…Kingfisher Airlines commences operations at Bengaluru International Airport.

DAILY VIDEO

EDITOR’S CHOICE

HUMOR

First Class Vs. Economy

A plane is on its way to Houston when a blonde in Economy Class gets up and moves to the First Class section and sits down.

The flight attendant watches her do this and asks to see her ticket. She then tells the blonde that she paid for Economy and that she will have to sit in the back.

The blonde replies, "I'm blonde, I'm beautiful, I'm going to Houston and I'm staying right here!"

The flight attendant goes into the cockpit and tells the copilot that there is a blonde bimbo sitting in First Class that belongs in Economy and won't move back to her seat.

The copilot goes back to the blonde and tries to explain that because she only paid for Economy she will have to leave and return to her seat.
The blonde replies, "I'm blonde, I'm beautiful, I'm going to Houston and I'm staying right here!"

The copilot tells the pilot that he probably should have the police waiting when they land to arrest this blonde woman who won't listen to reason.
The pilot says "You say she's blonde? I'll handle this. I'm married to a blonde. I speak blonde."

He goes back to the blonde, whispers in her ear, and she says "Oh, I'm Sorry, " and she gets up and moves back to her seat in the Economy section.
The flight attendant and copilot are amazed and asked him what he said to make her move without any fuss.

"I told her First Class isn't going to Houston."

TRIVIA

Airline Trivia

1. What airline began as a crop dusting company in Louisiana?
A..American
B. Continental
C. Piedmont
D. Delta

2. What airline was originally headquartered in El Paso, Texas?
A. Southwest
B. Continental
C. American
D. America West

3. Who was the first airline to establish a home page on the internet?
A. United
B. Northwest
C. Delta
D. Southwest

4. What airline was first to ban smoking on all North American flights?
A. Continental
B. American
C. Northwest
D. United

5. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, a Delta airplane takes off every ....
A. 8 minutes
B. 12 seconds
C. 5 minutes
D. 2 minutes

6. What airline was the first to use radio communications?
A. Delta
B. Pan Am
C. United
D. Northwest

7. What airline was the first to have oxygen masks on board?
A. American
B. Northwest
C. Pan Am
D. Alaska

8. Who was the first airline to offer in-flight motion pictures?
A. TWA
B. Pan Am
C. United
D. Northwest

9. What airline was first to offer 'Round the World' service?
A. TWA
B. Pan Am
C. Northwest
D. United

10. Which was the first airline to carry emergency life saving equipment on board?
A. TWA
B. American
C. Pan Am
D. Delta