NewsAir France KLM cargo slips
Despite posting a rise in group revenues Air France KLM have reported a first half fall in cargo. Traffic figures at the European carrier were down 6.9 per cent for the last quarter in line with trends at other major carriers.
LinkAer Lingus 1H deficit widened on exceptional items
A series of exceptional items dragged down Aer Lingus (EI) in the 2012 first half, widening the carrier’s deficit compared to the year-ago period. EI’s six-month pre-tax loss widened to €24.5 million ($30.2 million) compared to €13.7 million in 2011.
LinkEmbraer posts 2Q profit of $54.3 million 
Embraer reported second-quarter net income of $54.3 million on revenues of $1.7 billion, down from $204.7 million in net income in the prior-year period. The company said the profit decline was primarily due to the negative impact of deferred income taxes generated by the 11% appreciation of the US dollar against the Brazilian real, which cost the company $132.2 million.
LinkSeoul names BAE Systems for F-16 avionics upgrade 
South Korea has selected the US unit of BAE Systems to upgrade the avionics of 134 Lockheed Martin F-16 C/D aircraft, but will not make a radar supplier decision until 2013. The deal is worth approximately $1 billion, says Seoul's Defence Acquisition Procurement Agency (DAPA). The other contender for the package was Lockheed Martin.
LinkJets departed despite passengers witnessing ground collision
Ryanair passengers who witnessed a ground collision that damaged their Boeing 737-800 and an American Airlines 767-300 failed to prevent the aircraft departing after poor crew communication led the pilots to believe the jets had not made contact. Several passengers on the Ryanair service from Barcelona to Ibiza thought the 737 had struck the 767 as it attempted to manoeuvre behind the American aircraft, which was waiting at a holding point for runway 25L.
LinkEurope attempts to balance accident investigation with judicial imperativesIn the past two years, the EU has altered its laws concerning air accident investigation to help achieve the "balance between safety and accountability" that Tim Brymer, of Clyde and Co, describes. The new rule is gently revolutionary, and an optimist might even hope for a knock-on effect among countries that tend to follow Europe's lead.
LinkAmerican Airlines will launch preferred-seats option on Priceline
Travelers booking American Airlines flights through Priceline.com are now able to pay for seat reservations through the carrier's new preferred-seating program. Preferred Seats allows fliers to reserve a seat in economy for a fee starting at $4 per flight.
LinkBoeing says 104 planes are affected by FAA airworthiness directive
Boeing says a recent airworthiness directive from the Federal Aviation Administration will apply to 104 Boeing 777s. "More specifically, this is directed to 777-200 airplanes (line numbers 1-75) and 777-200 and 777-300 airplanes (line numbers 76-104)," Boeing says. The directive requires ultrasonic inspections to detect possible lap joint fatigue cracks.
LinkBoeing could see slight dip in orders in 2013, CEO saysBoeing forecasts a slight dip in orders next year after receiving strong orders recently for its 737 MAXs. "We still see some opportunities in the mid-teens for wide bodies, but by and large the pressure [will be] down after this year," said Boeing CEO and Chairman James McNerney. At the end of June, Boeing had an order backlog of 3,924 aircraft.
LinkAMR Holds an Ace: Most Aircraft Orders of Any U.S. Airline
As it battles to control its destiny in bankruptcy court, American is starting to play a critical card: the arrival of 543 new aircraft over the next 10 years. American has ordered more aircraft than any other U.S. airline. Deliveries will begin in December, when the first of 10 Boeing widebody (BA) 777-300ERs arrive. It will fly Dallas-Sao Paulo. In 2013, the first of 130 Airbus A319 and A321 narrowbodies will arrive: These will be the first aircraft delivered from American's historic 2011 order, the largest commercial aircraft order ever. Also, deliveries of 125 B737-800s have begun ; some were ordered before 2011.
LinkCoalition urges U.S. to take stronger stance against EU ETSAirlines for America, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and a number of trade groups have called on the U.S. government to challenge the European Union's emissions-trading scheme. "As each day goes by without an EU act to halt or suspend the ETS, the harm to U.S. airlines and aircraft operators and the threat to U.S. sovereignty grow while the U.S. government's credibility is weakened," the groups said in a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.
LinkUS Senate Panel Passes Bill To Block EU Carbon LawA Senate committee passed a bill on Tuesday authorising the transportation secretary to bar US airlines from complying with a European Union law that requires them to pay for carbon emissions on flights to and from Europe. The measure approved by the Senate Commerce Committee will be sent to the full Senate for a vote.
LinkUnited pilots: "We want a contract"
Dozens of United pilots have protested in front of the White House. A United first officer at the event said, "We want a contract, not a strike." "We are focused on reaching a new agreement with our pilots and are currently in negotiations," said Megan McCarthy, a United spokeswoman.
LinkAir cargo Iron Maiden boostAir cargo in South Wales (UK) looks set to rock thanks to the help of Iron Maiden’s front man. Best known as the vocalist behind the multi-platinum selling heavy rock group Bruce Dickinson is also an established aviation entrepreneur and professional pilot. Dickinson is setting up Cardiff Aviation, which will provide specialist technical support services, including heavy aircraft maintenance up to Boeing 767 size.
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