NewsA320neo 'on track' as milestone approachesOnly a few weeks after MSN6000 rolls off the Airbus A320 final assembly line, the airframer aims to pass a more significant milestone by completing the first re-engined version of the single-aisle type. Airbus has identified a provisional airframe which will be the first to emerge as the A320neo. However, programme chief Klaus Roewe is reluctant to publicise the precise serial number - beyond saying it will be in the "early 6000s" - to avoid inevitable headlines about technical problems should its position be pushed back by a few slots. Not that any such concerns are worrying the development team. "We're precisely on track with the schedule," insists Roewe. "We're passing the milestones at a very high level of quality."
LinkAirbus to raise A330 take-off weight and fuel capacity Airbus is further hiking the maximum take-off weight of the A330, raising it to 242t, and will offer a higher fuel capacity option for the larger A330-300 variant. The airframer had previously disclosed plans to increase the twinjet's take-off weight to 240t. Airbus's latest enhancements will extend the range of the A330-300 by 500nm (930km) over the 235t model, and by 350nm for the 238t A330-200 at full passenger load. It will give operators of the -300 the option of activating the centre wing fuel tank, a standard feature on the longer-range -200 but one which has remained unused on the larger aircraft. This will increase the -300's fuel capacity from 97,500 litres to more than 139,000 litres. The modification will include tank inerting.
LinkShenzhen Airlines joins Star Alliance Shenzhen Airlines has become the 27th member of Star Alliance and the second Chinese carrier in the alliance's network. The carrier's formal membership comes after 16 months of integration work, helped by its sponsor and parent Air China. Shenzhen Airlines, which has bases in Shenzhen and Guangzhou, will add five new Chinese destinations - Juzhou, Linyi, Qinhuangdao, Shijiazhuang and Zhoushan to Star Alliance's network.
LinkIberia works to head off looming strikes Iberia will begin negotiations with the 17 trade unions representing its workforce on 28 and 29 November as the cash-strapped carrier attempts to head off a looming round of co-ordinated strikes. Stoppages could begin on 14 December if there is no agreement between the two sides. Parent company International Airlines Group unveiled the wide-ranging restructuring program on 9 November in a bid to stem losses at Iberia. It includes 4,500 job cuts, around 22% of its workforce, and downsizing its fleet by 25 aircraft.
LinkIberia Unions Agree December Strike DaysWorkers at Iberia have agreed six days of strikes during the December holiday season as a protest against massive job cuts, a union source said on Wednesday.
LinkPentagon to invest in new prototype aircraft designs The US Department of Defense (DOD) will be investing in new prototype aircraft in order to preserve the country's engineering design talents, the Pentagon's top procurement official says. "Helicopters is one of the areas that I'm concerned about preserving our capacity to do new designs," says Frank Kendall, the undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics. "I sent a letter out to the services recently on starting a prototyping programme that DARPA [Defense Advanced Projects Research Agency] will lead that I'd like the services to be involved in."
LinkLondon 'Should Follow New York Airports Model'London should follow the example of New York by allowing its secondary airports to add new runways to better compete with the capital's Heathrow hub, the head of London's Gatwick airport said on Wednesday.
LinkInvestors Seek To Scupper Qantas/Emirates AllianceAustralia's Qantas Airways went on the offensive on Wednesday against a group of investors that includes the airline's former chief executive, accusing them of trying to sabotage a recent alliance with Dubai's Emirates.
LinkUnited, American Pilots To Vote On New DealsPilots at United Airlines and American Airlines are due to vote in coming weeks on new contracts that in some cases offer the first significant salary increases in almost a decade.
LinkMaldives Cancels Major Airport ProjectMaldives has cancelled its biggest foreign investment project, a USD$511 million deal with Indian firm GMR to develop its international airport, raising questions over the future of foreign investment in the islands.
LinkMaldives government voids $511 million Male airport deal The Maldives government has terminated a $511 million contract awarded to Bangalore-based GMR Group in 2010 for the upgrade, expansion and operation of Male International Airport. The government said the agreement was “legally invalid,” a decision GMR is disputing. The Maldivian government said its decision followed nine months of cabinet committee research and was made “on grounds that there were many legal, technical and economic issues regarding the agreement, and that it was legally invalid, and impossible to further continue … the legal teams agree and advise that this agreement, which was governed under the laws of the United Kingdom, was void ab initio, and/or that it was an agreement that could not be implemented further, due to frustration.”
LinkSukhoi Civil Aircraft reports 1H net loss of $100 million Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Co. (SCAC) has reported a first-half net loss of $100.3 million, deepened from a $16.9 million loss in the year-ago period. Revenue fell 72% to $5.64 billion from $20.12 billion. SCAC said the results were expected due to the launch of the Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SSJ100) program. The company said second-half orders have increased from 100 to 179. In July, the manufacturer received a secured long-term loan from Vnesheconombank (VEB) for $1 billion through 2024.
LinkReports: Indian carriers find overseas suitors Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways is reportedly in talks to take a minority stake in India’s Jet Airways, according to a Reuters report. Etihad—which has taken stakes in several carriers including Air Berlin, Air Seychelles and Virgin Australia—is said to be taking advantage of a recent ruling allowing foreign airlines to buy up to 49% equity in Indian carriers.
LinkTurkish Airlines mulls lease options for aircraft funding Turkish Airlines is evaluating several financing alternatives for doubling its fleet to 400 aircraft by 2020. Reuters is reporting that Turkish is in talks with banks about a leasing arrangement worth around $300 to $500 million to help fund its orders from 2014 for each transaction. “In addition to the conventional financing methods, Turkish Airlines is looking for innovative and different alternatives of financing for aircraft,” spokesperson Ali Genc confirmed.
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