NewsAirbus Wins USD$7 Bln Philippine Air Order
Airbus won a USD$7 billion order to help more than triple Philippine Airlines' fleet, beating Boeing to a deal despite US support for Manila in a diplomatic dispute with China.
LinkAirbus Eyes Orders During Merkel China Visit
Airbus hopes to win orders to sell up to 100 A320 planes to China when German Chancellor Angela Merkel visits the country this week, industry sources said on Monday.
LinkFAA To Study Rules For Gadgets On PlanesThe US will take a look at the rules governing which electronic devices passengers can use during flights to help airlines decide if they should allow wider use of the gadgets, the Federal Aviation Administration said on Monday.
LinkRyanair Courts Rivals To Secure Aer Lingus
Ireland's Ryanair has asked at least six airlines to operate alternative services on some Aer Lingus routes, as it seeks regulatory approval for an USD$850 million takeover of its domestic rival, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday.
LinkCongo's New Airline Braves Riskiest African Skies
Its tarmac littered with dozens of dilapidated planes, the airport in Congo's capital Kinshasa makes clear the dire state of aviation even by Africa's generally low standards.
LinkInactive transponder hid departing 757 from Atlanta radar 
Investigators have determined that a Delta Air Lines Boeing 757-200 was involved in three losses of separation within a few minutes of departing Atlanta, after the crew failed to activate the twinjet's transponder. Despite being instructed to contact departure control after being cleared to an initial waypoint, the pilots did not establish communication with air traffic control until around 8min after take-off from runway 27R.
LinkInquiry details confusion behind 777 airprox with C-17s 
US investigators have detailed the confused co-ordination between air traffic controllers that led to a close encounter between an American Airlines Boeing 777 and a pair of US Air Force Boeing C-17s off the New York coast. The 777 pilots received three resolution advisories from their collision-avoidance system, two ordering a descent and the third demanding a climb, after air traffic control efforts to separate the three aircraft failed.
LinkGulf Air posts improved 1H results
Gulf Air (GF) has posted what it describes as “significant improvements” in its first-half performance compared to the same period last year. For the period ended June 30, GF recorded a 6% increase in revenue and 13% increase in passenger numbers year-over-year. A spokeswoman said the carrier does not provide actual figures until its year-end full results are released.
LinkUTair selects CFM56-5B engine for A321sRussia’s UTair (UT) has chosen CFM International’s CFM56-5B engine for its fleet of 20 Airbus A321 aircraft, part of an aircraft deal announced at the Farnborough Airshow. The engine order is valued at $420 million at list prices; delivery is scheduled to begin in 2013. The carrier also signed a long-term rate-per-flight hour agreement for 40 engines.
LinkANA, JAL lock horns over Haneda slots
Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA) are battling to get rights for new domestic services at Tokyo Haneda (HND). HND’s domestic arrival and departure slots will increase from 320,000 to 340,000 from the end of March 2013. ANA holds 37.4% of HND’s domestic slots and JAL holds 41.3%.
LinkDelta Air Lines focuses on Atlanta hub
Delta Air Lines' hub and headquarters in Atlanta is home to 25,000 employees and has maintained the number over the years at this location. "Some operations have been centralized in Atlanta to improve operations and efficiency," Delta said in a statement. "Continued cost pressures on our business require the most efficient use of our assets and investments."
Link Analysts look favorably on Alaska Airlines
Some airline analysts say Alaska Airlines will continue to grow, as its share price gained 30% in 2011 before slipping 11% this year. "Alaska was the first network airline to earn its cost of capital in the high jet fuel price, sluggish economic environment of 2010 and 2011," wrote analyst Mike Derchin of CRT Capital Group.
LinkTropical Storm Isaac prompts flight cancellations in Fla.Airlines canceled hundreds of Florida flights on Sunday due to Tropical Storm Isaac. The majority of the canceled flights had been scheduled for Miami or Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The storm could gather enough strength to become a Category 2 hurricane and is projected to land between New Orleans and the Florida Panhandle on Wednesday.
LinkBoeing reiterates that 777X will be ready by 2020Ray Conner, the CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, says the aircraft manufacturer will deliver the Boeing 777X by 2020. "We are absolutely committed to the 777X," Conner said in a statement. The Seattle Times reported last week that Boeing was slowing development of the wide-body jet.
LinkAmerican Eagle mechanics vote against contract offer
Unionized mechanics and related employees at American Eagle voted Friday to reject a contract offer from the regional carrier that is owned by AMR. "We recognize these are difficult decisions and respect the rights of our people to voice their opinions in the voting process," said spokesman Bruce Hicks. Fleet-service clerks at American Eagle voted to approve their contract.
LinkDelta reduces SkyMiles credits for unpublished fares
Delta Air Lines plans to reduce the number of frequent-flier miles earned for several categories of unpublished fares. The number of SkyMiles earned will be reduced for consolidator, cruise-package, group, student and tour-package fares. However, bookings through Delta Vacations will still earn full mileage credit, as will government, sports and negotiated corporate fares.
LinkAirlines will relocate to different gates at Seattle airportAirlines at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport will move to different gates in 2013, officials have said. Starting then, Alaska Airlines will occupy the entire "N" gate area as the airport's largest carrier. American Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Frontier Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, United Airlines and Virgin America will also relocate.
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