NewsAir Berlin A330 makes emergency landing in Phuket after engine fire An Air Berlin Airbus A330-200 was forced to return to Phuket International Airport when a fire broke out in one of its engines shortly after take-off. According to media reports, the A330, with registration D-AXBA, took off from Phuket at approximately 21:30 local time on 20 December and was bound for Abu Dhabi. However, it made an emergency landing an hour later after the crew reported that one of the aircraft's engines was on fire.
LinkAvHerald“Vast majority” of 747 VIP owners will upgrade to -8 variant Boeing is confident that it can convince almost all Boeing 747 VIP customers to buy the -8 variant of the jumbo. There are around 25 of the older variants of the 747 - including the -200, -300, -400 and SP - in service, says Steve Taylor, president of Boeing Business Jets. Most are in the Middle East, with some having been in service for more than 20 years and needing to be replaced gradually over the next few years, he adds.
LinkDubai International set to handle 66m passengers in 2013 Dubai International operator Dubai Airports predicts the rapidly growing hub airport will handle 66 million passengers in 2013, compared with a forecast total of 56.5 million for this year. Dubai Airports says passenger throughput hit just over 4.87 million in November 2012, marking a 10% increase compared with the same month a year earlier. The airport - which serves as the home base for Emirates Airline - has posted double-digit growth in passenger numbers in all but two months of the year so far.
LinkWarning Shots Fired at Airliner At Syrian AirportSyrian rebels fired warning shots at an airliner preparing to take off from Aleppo airport in the first direct attack on a civilian flight since the uprising in Syria began 21 months ago, a rebel commander said on Friday. The commander, who gave his name only as Khaldoun, told Reuters by Skype that snipers from his brigade had hit the wheels of Syrian Airways flight RB201 on Thursday.
LinkGerman Bank Sues Over Kingfisher PlanesGermany's DVB Bank has sued India's aviation regulator and Kingfisher Airlines to have two planes it financed for the troubled carrier deregistered, a possible first step towards recouping its funds. The case underlines the problems that leasing firms and financing companies face in recovering grounded planes from Kingfisher, as airports, banks and tax authorities scramble for the crisis-hit carrier's assets. International Lease Finance (ILFC) is also struggling to take back Kingfisher planes it owns, one of which, an Airbus A320, has been impounded by tax authorities for non-payment of dues by the carrier.
LinkStar Alliance Offers Concessions In EU CaseLufthansa, United Airlines and Air Canada have offered to make slots available to competitors on the Frankfurt to New York route to try to resolve an EU anti-trust enquiry into their transatlantic cooperation deal. The European Commission, which oversees EU competition policy, said in a statement that it would seek feedback from the companies' competitors on whether the concessions are enough to address competition concerns over their Star Alliance tie-up.
LinkAmerican Flight Attendants To Join Merger TalksThe Association of Professional Flight Attendants union, which represents workers at American Airlines, said it had been invited to take part in confidential talks on a potential merger with US Airways. The union said it signed a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) that will permit its involvement in discussions with the two airlines and American's unsecured creditors' committee.
LinkLufthansa, UCH offer slots for antitrust approval Lufthansa and United Continental Holdings may give up airport slots in Frankfurt and New York to call off an antitrust probe of their A Plus-Plus transatlantic venture. Air Canada is also part of the venture. According to a European Commission statement, European Union regulators are seeking comments from competitors and customers on the offer that would allow rivals to launch up to seven weekly flights between Frankfurt and New York JFK or Newark.
LinkTAAG Angola Airlines to strengthen network, cut staff TAAG Angola Airlines is planning to strengthen its network and cut staff as it strives to hit breakeven within three years. TAAG operates a fleet of 13 aircraft, comprising five Boeing 737-700s, three 737-200s, three 777-200ERs and two 777-300ERs. It has a further three 777-300ERs on order, plus three options.
LinkIndia receives first P-8I Neptune aircraft Boeing has delivered the Indian navy's first 737-based P-8I Neptune maritime patrol and anti-submarine aircraft in Seattle. "India will receive this aircraft and two more of its eight contracted P-8Is in 2013," says Boeing. "The programme is progressing on schedule as Boeing assembles the fourth and fifth P-8Is." The P-8I will eventually replace the Tupolev Tu-142 aircraft in India's service.
LinkOman to obtain 12 Typhoons, eight Hawks BAE Systems has secured a deal for 12 Typhoon Tranche 3 fighters and eight Hawk advanced jet trainer aircraft, with deliveries to start in 2017. Oman will be the seventh air force to operate the Typhoon, says BAE. Other operators are the UK, Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria and Saudi Arabia. The Oman contract comprises a provision to include the Euroradar consortium's E-Scan active electronically scanned array radar.
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