NewsAir India gets final clearance to take delivery of 787sAir India has received the final approval from the government to start taking delivery of its first Boeing 787 aircraft. The country's cabinet committee on economic affairs has given the green light to the civil aviation ministry's proposal for the flag carrier to take delivery of the aircraft, as it has inked a compensation settlement package with Boeing. "The cabinet vote is a key milestone for Air India. We are currently in discussion with the airline and will work with them to identify a timetable for delivery," says Boeing when contacted.
LinkIAG Plans For Spain Euro ExitIAG, the owner of British Airways and Iberia rang the alarm bells on its exposure to Spain, announcing contingency plans for a euro exit by the country.
LinkWorst May Be Over For India's AirlinesFor India's healthier airlines, the worst is behind them as drastic flight cuts by embattled former No.2 Kingfisher Airlines enables the others to raise ticket prices.
LinkJet Airways returns to profit in 1Q
India’s largest airline group, Jet Airways (9W) has returned to the black in the first quarter with a net income of INR52.7 billion ($948.5 million), up 31.4% from the year-ago period. The group comprises Jet Airways and Jetlite, and operates a combined fleet strength of 121 aircraft. Net profits after tax grew to INR247 million against a loss of INR1.6 billion last year.
LinkKenya Air To Shed Staff To Cut Costs
Kenya Airways plans to shed staff through voluntary retirement, redundancies and outsourcing of non-core roles in order to contain rising costs and protect its bottom line, but unions said they would fight the job cuts.
LinkRussian legislators to consider EU ETS amendments this fallRussia’s lower legislative house, the State Duma,will consider adding European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) amendments to its environmental protection law, which were put in place 10 years ago. If the parliament approves the changes, the Russian government will be able to forbid local carriers to take part in the EU ETS.
LinkObama Urged Not To Undermine ICAO EffortsSixteen environmental groups on Friday urged President Barack Obama not to give into pressure by the US airline industry to file an action under the U.N.'s aviation body to block an EU law requiring all foreign airlines to participate in its carbon trading system.
LinkEagle Air grounds services after finding Beech 1900D cracks 
Air New Zealand has grounded its Eagle Air regional operations after hairline cracks were found in the tail area of a Beech 1900D turboprop during routine maintenance. Engineers are now inspecting the carrier's fleet of 19 Beech 1900D aircraft. Of the four aircraft inspected so far, three were found to have similar cracks. An Air New Zealand spokeswoman adds that the cracks were discovered in the tail area near the vertical stabiliser of the aircraft and that there is currently "no information on the cause".
LinkPilot projects bring prospect of UAVs in civil airspace closer Although unmanned air vehicles are entering their second decade of widespread operation with militaries worldwide, the civil arena has yet to completely embrace them. Operating UAVs in US civil airspace requires an extraordinary amount of regulatory co-operation, including a Federal Aviation Administration certificate of authorisation (COA) that precisely defines the timing, routing and operations, and sometimes requires chase aircraft or dedicated air traffic controllers. So far, operators have coped with the issue largely by trying to get around it. Non-military UAV operations have gravitated towards military airspace, as the vehicles need unrestricted airspace to fly in without a COA.
LinkAvion to buy PemcoUS-based MRO provider Pemco World Air Services has reached an agreement in which it will be acquired by Sun Capital Partners affiliate Avion Services Holdings. Pemco, which entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in March, also announced it will terminate a previous agreement to sell its Tampa, Fl. aerospace facility and other assets to Singapore Technologies Engineering unit VT Aerospace.
LinkInternational Consolidated Airlines is considering American stakeInternational Consolidated Airlines Group is considering the purchase of a minority stake in American Airlines. Willie Walsh, CEO of International Consolidated Airlines Group, says he hopes that American Airlines will remain in the OneWorld Alliance.
LinkLower fuel costs should boost Air Canada earnings, analyst says
Lower fuel cost should provide a lift to Air Canada's quarterly earnings, says National Bank Financial Inc. analyst Cameron Doerksen. The carrier is scheduled to report its second-quarter earnings Wednesday. Doerksen predicts that the carrier's quarterly revenue will rise to $3.03 billion
LinkSouthwest is refunding customers billed multiple times in glitch
Southwest Airlines is issuing refunds to customers who bought half-off flights as part of a promotion and were billed multiple times. The sale offered 50% off some flights to celebrate the company's 3 million Facebook fans, but a glitch wound up processing some payments 20 or more times. The airline says affected customers should check with their banks to confirm refunds were received, and it will pay any overdraft fees.
LinkColumn: Unions should approve contracts with American AirlinesColumnist Mitchell Schnurman says unions at American Airlines should approve the latest contract offers from the carrier. "While the offers include deep concessions, it would only make things worse to give up the stock and invite the judge to act, which is what American management will do," he writes.
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