NEWS
American Eagle CEO: Divestiture likely after AMR Ch. 11 process concludes
Last November’s bankruptcy filing by American Airlines (AA) parent AMR Corp. has largely put the planned divestiture of regional affiliate American Eagle on hold, but Eagle president and CEO Dan Garton believes AMR will return to the issue quickly after it emerges from the Chapter 11 process.
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Flybe Nordic to take on Finnair services
Flybe Nordic, the joint venture between UK regional carrier Flybe (BE) and Finnair (AY), will take on about one-third of the Finnish flag-carrier’s European services to cut costs and improve its financial position.
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EU to China: ‘We don’t want a trade war’
EU has appealed to China to join global emission talks as tensions escalate over the country’s refusal to join the European Union’s Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS). “We don’t want a trade war with anyone. We would support a global solution and would very much like to see a stronger role played by China in those talks. In the event of a global solution in ICAO, the EU is fully ready to review and amend the ETS directive to take account of that global solution," EU director-aviation and international policy Matthew Baldwin said at the China Civil Aviation Forum May 23.
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ADP buys major stake in Turkey’s TAV airport operations
French airport operator Aéroports de Paris (ADP) has bought significant stakes in the Turkish airport operator TAV Airports and airport construction specialist TAV Construction.
The purchase agreement was signed in March with existing shareholders Akfen Holding, Tepe İnşaat Sanayi and Sera Yapı Endüstrisi ve Ticaret. The share transfer was completed May 16. ADP now owns 38% of TAV Havalimanları Holding (TAV Airports) and 49% TAV Yatırım Holding (also known as TAV Investment, which owns unlisted company TAV Construction).
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China To Buy 2,500 Planes Over Five Years - Report
China plans to buy more than 2,500 commercial aircraft from 2011 to 2015, bringing the country's total fleet size to more than 4,500 jets, Xinhua News Agency reported on Wednesday, citing the country's senior aviation regulator.
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No Charge For US Airways Scare Passenger
The passenger who said she had a surgically-implanted device in her body and caused a US Airways jet to divert to Maine will not face criminal charges in the security scare, prosecutors said on Wednesday.
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Malaysian Maps Out USD$798 Mln Funding
Malaysia Airlines said it planned a 10-year, MYR2.5 billion ringgit (USD$798 million) sukuk to shore up its capital base under a three-pronged funding.
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Saudi Arabia signs 102-aircraft military training deal
Saudi Arabia's next-generation military pilot training system will comprise 22 BAE Systems Hawk advanced jet trainers and 55 Pilatus PC-21 turboprops, the UK company has confirmed. Announcing details of a roughly £1.6 billion ($2.5 billion) government-to-government contract on 23 May, BAE said the deal is aimed at "meeting the growing demands of a world-class air force".
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Bangladesh seeks four refurbished C-130Es from USA
Bangladesh has requested a possible $180 million purchase of four ex-US Air Force Lockheed Martin C-130Es in a bid to modernise its tactical transport aircraft fleet. Outlined by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the proposed sale would cover the "regeneration, overhaul, modification and logistics support" of the secondhand Hercules. The package would also include 20 Rolls-Royce T56 engines to be provided as excess defence articles, plus training and other equipment and services associated with the upgrade.
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United Airlines, machinists union reach tentative deal
United Airlines has reached a tentative labor agreement with its pilot ground school instructors, customer service agents, ground handlers and storekeepers. The employee groups are represented by the International Association of Machinists. "Each of these labor agreements moves United and our co-workers forward in fully integrating our work groups," said Mike Bonds, executive vice president of human resources and labor relations at United.
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Aircraft manufacturers pop the idea of a bubble for new aircraft
Some analysts predict a bubble for airline manufacturers, which have ramped up production of aircraft due to demand. Boeing and Airbus have predicted a market of $4 trillion for new aircraft over the next two decades. "It is hard to imagine an asset bubble in the supply side when you are feeding into an industry that is doubling in size every 15 years," said John Leahy, Airbus' chief operating officer.
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Senate committee approves increase in airline security fees
The Senate Appropriations Committee on Tuesday approved a $2.50 increase in airline security fees for passenger tickets. Republican lawmakers oppose the fee increase, which doubles the cost from $5 to $10 on a nonstop round-trip flight. "It's a simple equation: When you add taxes, demand for air travel is dampened, resulting in lost jobs and lost air service," said Airlines for America President and CEO Nicholas E. Calio. "Aviation is already taxed at the highest rate of any industry in the country," said Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas.
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Fla. congressman seeks to privatize airport screening
Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., helped create the Transportation Security Administration a decade ago, but he's now calling for airport screening to be privatized. A law passed this year that Mica supported makes it easier for airports to switch to private screeners. Orlando Sanford International Airport recently submitted an application for private screening to the TSA. "We want to do it ourselves so we know it's done right," said Larry Dale, the airport's president.
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Other News
Lufthansa (LH) on May 22 launched its first scheduled flight with all-new onboard products that include first-, business-, and economy-class seats as well as FlyNet, the first onboard broadband Internet access using a Wi-Fi-enabled laptop or smartphone in every travel class. The aircraft, an Airbus A330-300, operating the Munich (MUC)-Washington Dulles service, is the first of three of the type to be delivered to LH this year; two additional aircraft are dedicated to Swiss International Air Lines.
Russia and Republic of Korea have agreed to remove restrictions on flights between Korean cities and Vladivostok International Airport (VVO). In a memorandum of understanding, the two countries said they would not limit the number of designated airlines and frequency entitlements of both sides.
Gogo announced it has partnered with satellite equipment provider AeroSat to bring a Ku-satellite connectivity service to airlines, for a near-term solution before the Inmarsat Global Xpress Ka-satellite service becomes available. The connectivity service will extend beyond the US to allow carriers to offer the service on international routes.
International Lease Finance Corp. (ILFC) has completed 65 lease transactions and took delivery of 10 new Boeing 737-800s during the first quarter. The transactions include extensions and placements from ILFC’s existing fleet for nearly 200 customers in more than 80 countries, ILFC said.
Bombardier Aerospace has delivered the first of eight Q400 NextGen turboprop airliners ordered by new customer EuroLOT S.A. of Warsaw, Poland. The Polish carrier also holds options on an additional 12 of the aircraft.
Boeing delivered one 767-300 freighter to UPS, the cargo carrier’s 50th of the aircraft type. It has nine more 767 freighters on order.
Silver Airways has taken delivery of two more Saab 340Bplus aircraft, bringing its fleet of Saabs to six. It expects to have 12 of the type in its fleet by September.
Boeing today marked another 787 milestone as the first Dreamliner built in South Carolina completed its first flight. Piloted by Tim Berg and Randy Neville, the airplane successfully conducted a five-hour test flight. More than 5,000 Boeing South Carolina employees watched a live broadcast of the airplane as it took off from Charleston International Airport.
United Airlines and Avianca Bring North and South America Closer Together Through Their Codeshare Agreement. The agreement allows increased access and seamless travel to the United States for Avianca customers as well as United passengers to Colombia. Customers will be able to enjoy travel on both airlines through a unified process: one ticket purchase, a single check-in, baggage checked all the way through to the final destination, and reciprocal accrual and redemption on either of their frequent flyer programs. During this first phase of implementation the codeshare cities include Denver, Chicago, New York/Newark, Houston, Boston, Cleveland, New Orleans, Phoenix, Raleigh-Durham, San Antonio, Seattle, and Tampa in the United States for Avianca; as well as Bogota, Barranquilla, Cali, Cartagena, Medellin, and Pereira in Colombia, for United.
EL AL, the national airline of Israel, today announced the launch of Economy Class Plus, a new class of service offering passengers more legroom, more seat recline and preferred seating in the economy cabin. Economy Class Plus also offers an improved atmosphere, a comfort kit (with eyeshades, socks, earplugs, toothpaste and a toothbrush), a business class pillow and blanket, a wider seat cushion, plus additional relaxing amenities such as a foot rest and a curtain for privacy. Installation of laptop and cell phone electrical outlets at every seat will be completed by year end.
American Airlines today announced the flight numbers and markets for its first group of Boeing 777-300ERs that will enter the airline's fleet starting this December. On Dec. 13, the Dallas/Fort Worth – Sao Paulo route will be the first to feature the newest addition to American's fleet. In February, the aircraft will fly to London Heathrow from both Dallas/Fort Worth and New York JFK.
Dassault's newest aircraft, the twin-engine Falcon 2000S, is already demonstrating performance figures substantially higher than the capabilities announced when the program was launched on the eve of last year's show. To date, the test aircraft has accumulated more than 300 flight hours in over 130 flights and opened up the full flight envelope and demonstrated excellent handling qualities. The last phase of the campaign revealed that low-speed performance will be significantly better than targeted figures, up to 10% for landing distances. Low-speed performance is not only a key factor for safety, but also determines range/payload characteristics when operating out of or into short or constricted airfields.
Delta Air Lines will build on the success of its Economy Comfort seating on long-haul international flights by selling the premium Economy Class product on all flights longer than 750 miles. This expansion puts Economy Comfort on all of Delta's dual-class aircraft and is now available for purchase on all mainline domestic and international flights departing on or after June 7.
AVIATION QUOTE
If you're faced with a forced landing, fly the thing as far into the crash as possible.
— Bob Hoover
ON THIS DATE
---In 1939... The English Imperial Airways Short Seaplane Cabot is successfully refueled in mid-air by a Handley Page bomber modified to carry 891 gallons of aviation fuel.
---In 1958…Martin’s Air Charter (known today as Martinair) is founded at Amsterdam’s Sciphol Airport.
---In 1963…First loss of a Blackbird. A-12 (926) was lost due to instrument failure. Pilot Ken Collins ejected and was unharmed. The crash occurred 14 miles south of Wendover, Utah. The wreckage was recovered in two days. Local residents signed secrecy agreements and the press was told that an F-105 had crashed. (Q)
---In 1972… NASAs first flight of SR-71 (951) renumbered 6006937 and designated as a YF-12C. (Q)
---In 1976... Two Concorde supersonic airliners – one in British Airways colors, the other in those of Air France – land at Washington’s Dulles International Airport. They are the first Concordes to visit the USA.
---In 1982... British Airways retires the Boeing 707; its last scheduled flight is from Cairo to Heathrow.
---In 1988… British Airways takes over British Caledonian.
DAILY VIDEO
EDITOR’S CHOICE
HUMOR
An American In France
An American man is having his coffee, croissants, bread, butter and jam at the breakfast table when a Frenchman sits down next to him.
The American ignores the Frenchman who, nevertheless, starts a conversation. "You American folk eat the whole bread?" asks the Frenchman with a large piece of chewing gum in his mouth.
"Of course!"
The Frenchman blows a bubble with his chewing gum, then remarks, "We don't. In France, we only eat what's inside. We collect the crusts in containers, recycle them, then transform them into croutons, and sell them to the United States."
The Frenchman has a smirk on is face. All the while, the American listens in silence.
"Do ya eat jelly with the bread?" asks the Frenchman.
"Of course!"
The Frenchman cracks his gum between his teeth and chuckles, "We don't. In France, we eat fresh fruit for breakfast and put all peel, seeds and leftovers in containers, recycle them, then transform them into jam, and sell it to the U.S."
"And, what do you Frenchmen do with condoms once you've used them?" asks the American.
"We throw them away, of course," replies the Frenchman, with a dumbfounded look.
The American explains, "WE don't. In the U.S., we put them in a container, recycle them, then melt them down into chewing gum and sell it to France.
TRIVIA
Airport Diagrams
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5.
ShanwickOceanic wrote:I'll take a WAG and say 5 is IAD.
halls120 wrote:ShanwickOceanic wrote:I'll take a WAG and say 5 is IAD.
And #2 is TUL, thanks to the very helpful hint on the lower right hand corner of the map.
That was the only way I got it. I did recognize #5 though.
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