News
JAL mulls 767 retention as 787 grounding continues
Japan Airlines (JAL) could delay the retirement of two Boeing 767 aircraft in order to cope with the impact of the grounding of 787s on its fleet. The two aircraft were scheduled to be retired between April 2013 and March 2014, says a spokeswoman. JAL has implemented plans to use replacement aircraft on routes serviced by the 787s until 28 February. However, delaying the retirement of its 767s could indicate that the airline is preparing for a longer disruption to its 787 operations. "Adjustments to flight operations on and after 1 March 2013 will be announced as soon as it has been decided," says JAL. When asked if there will be changes to the airline's 787 induction plans, the spokeswoman says: "JAL is not currently considering changing our orders." JAL has a fleet of seven 787-8s, and another 18 -8s and 20 787-9s on order.
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USAF may be forced to restructure F-35, KC-46 and MQ-9 under sequestration
The Lockheed Martin F-35, Boeing KC-46 tanker and General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper could be restructured if the current budget impasse is not resolved, according to a US Air Force presentation to Congress. If the Congress and the Obama Administration are unable to reach a fiscal agreement before 1 March, US defense outlays will be automatically cut by 10% across the board. "Without substantial reprogramming flexibility, a year-long CR [continuing resolution] and sequestration disrupts modernization programs & delays capability to warfighter and increases cost," the USAF memo says. F-35 quantities would be reduced, the KC-46 contract would be restructured, and the MQ-9 Block 5 would be delayed
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Kingfisher Woes Could Hit Other Airline Funding
India could be "shut out" of the market for aircraft finance if carriers such as troubled Kingfisher Airlines fail to return planes they cannot pay for, a senior banker said on Wednesday. Kingfisher - owned by drinks baron Vijay Mallya - is estimated to owe USD$2.5 billion to banks, staff and suppliers, and its grounded aircraft are central to airports', banks' and tax authorities' scramble for assets. Wolfgang Driese, chief executive of Germany's DVB Bank, which is a major supplier of specialist transport industry loans, said India should step up efforts to show assets can be repossessed when bills go unpaid.
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WestJet Q4 Profit Rises 71 Percent
WestJet Airlines reported a 71 percent rise in fourth-quarter profit as it added new destinations and flew fuller planes. Canada's second-biggest airline also forecast a moderate increase in revenue for the first quarter of 2013 and said the rise in full-year costs would be modest. Earnings rose to CAD$60.9 million (USD$61 million), from CAD$35.6 million a year earlier. Revenue increased 10 percent to CAD$860.6 million. Its load factor rose to 81.9 percent for the quarter from 78.7 percent a year earlier.
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Ryanair To Invest USD$135 Mln In Flybe Ireland
British airline Flybe has agreed to create a new carrier as part of a deal with Ryanair to satisfy regulatory concerns over the Irish carrier's last-ditch bid to take over peer Aer Lingus. The new carrier, Flybe Ireland, would receive EUR€100 million (USD$135 million) and nine aircraft from Ryanair and commit to operating 43 routes for at least three years if Ryanair's Aer Lingus bid succeeds, Flybe said. Ryanair, Europe's largest low-cost carrier, is making its third attempt to take over smaller Irish rival Aer Lingus and has been told by the European Commission it has one last chance to submit measures to prove the merger will not curb competition.
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Aer Lingus Calls Ryanair Bid Far Fetched
Aer Lingus said on Wednesday an attempt by Ryanair to buy the company was likely to fail, and pointed to a jump in profits last year as proof it could flourish on its own. Aer Lingus's shares have climbed from €1.10 at the start of January to €1.28, just short of the €1.30 euros that Ryanair offered for the small airline last month. Ryanair's biggest obstacle is the risk that its proposed EUR€694 million (USD$939 million) takeover could be blocked by European competition authorities and it wants British airline Flybe to take over some Aer Lingus routes to allay their concerns.
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Fastjet, Five Forty Aviation dispute intensifies
Five Forty Aviation has withdrawn the brand license for African low-cost carrier Fastjet. It claims unpaid debts, breech of brand license and questions the airline’s safety standards. Fastjet has rebutted all the allegations, which mark an escalation of earlier claims, and has threatened counter-legal action against Five Forty Aviation. The dispute dates back to the original deal that created FastJet. In June 2012, FastJet—formerly known as Rubicon Diversified Investments—acquired Lonrho Aviation, which owned regional airlines Fly540 Angola, Fly540 Ghana and Fly540 Tanzania. The Fly540 brand was licensed to Lonrho by Five Forty Aviation.
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Airlines contend with big jump in Mumbai airport charges
Indian airport regulator AERA (Airports Economic Regulatory Authority) approved a 154% increase in aeronautical charges for airlines operating to the city’s airport. The new charges went into effect Feb. 1. For the first time, AERA has also allowed a user development fee, to be charged to passengers flying out of the city. The new charges are to partly compensate for the huge investments being made in redeveloping the airport.
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United's January on-time arrival rate hit 10-year high
United Airlines reported its best January operational performance in a decade. The carrier achieved an 82.8% on-time arrival rate for domestic flights, and an 80.5% on-time arrival rate for international flights. CEO Jeff Smisek said in a statement that United "will continue to invest in the tools, training, equipment, inventory and procedures that will allow us to deliver consistent performance for the entire year." United plans to reward many of its front-line employees with a $100 bonus for the month.
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Delta Air Lines to expand service in LAX, Seattle
Delta Air Lines plans to add daily service to San Jose, Calif., from Los Angeles International Airport. Delta also will expand flights to four other cities from LAX. Meanwhile, the carrier received approval from the Department of Transportation for a new route from Seattle to Tokyo. "We would like to thank the DOT for approval of our new service between Seattle and Haneda," said Delta CEO Richard Anderson in a statement. "Delta's new flights will significantly benefit consumers in the region as well as boost the economy and create jobs by opening new doors for commerce with Asia."
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Former Comair chief Gumm will take helm at Pinnacle
Pinnacle Airlines has named former Comair President Ryan Gumm as chief operating officer. Gumm will assume the post of president and CEO once the carrier emerges from bankruptcy. "He brings vast experience in airline operations and will take on a central role in Pinnacle's providing safe and reliable services to its customers," said current president and CEO John Spanjers, who plans to retire.
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Atlanta remains home to world's busiest airport
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport remained the world's busiest airport in 2012 in terms of passengers and operations. The airport set a record for passenger traffic with 95.5 million passengers in 2012.
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TSA demonstrates security program at Fla. airport
The Transportation Security Administration demonstrated a new security program at Tampa International Airport in Florida this week. The "managed inclusion" program includes the use of four detection dogs. The TSA said the program was part of its transition to risk-based security.
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Airport commissioners approve runway plan for LAX
The Board of Airport Commissioners in Los Angeles this week supported a plan to move runways at the city's international airport, including moving one runway 260 feet closer to area homes and businesses.
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Other News
EADS has proposed 12 new board members as part of its organizational revamp. The restructuring follows the breakdown of merger talks with UK defense company BAE Systems last year. After merger talks ended, EADS announced a far-reaching overhaul of its governance and shareholding structure, as Daimler and Lagardere detailed plans to slim their stakes. Existing EADS executives nominated to the board comprise CEO Tom Enders and current board members Hermann-Josef Lamberti, Lakshmi Mittal, John Parker, Michel Pébereau, Vueling chairman Josep Piqué and Jean-Claude Trichet. It has also named Daimler board chairman Manfred Bischoff, Hans-Peter Keitel, Anne Lauvergeon, former Thales chairman and CEO Denis Ranque, and former EADS management board member Ralph Crosby. The elections will be voted on at a forthcoming extraordinary general meeting, which will also include a vote on EADS’ new articles of association on a planned 15% share buy-back.
LOT Polish Airlines has reappointed Sebastian Mikosz as CEO, who had resigned from the position in September 2010. The financially troubled carrier has been challenged with ongoing management changes. Mikosz is the carrier’s 13th CEO. LOT dismissed CEO Marcin Pirog in December 2012. Mikosz said in a statement he is “ready to take on this challenge and to fully devote myself to a new phase of the restructuring process of the Polish carrier.” In his first term, Mikosz dealt with the delayed deliveries of the Boeing 787. LOT, which is the first European Boeing 787 customer, has taken delivery of the first of two of the type. The carrier has been affected by the FAA’s grounding of the aircraft due to issues with the lithium ion battery. Its two 787s remain grounded in Chicago O’Hare and Warsaw. LOT is evaluating compensation from Boeing.
Air Berlin will eliminate several crew bases as part of its cost-cutting program, Turbine 2013. A source from Air Berlin management told ATW that in addition to optimizing network and crew bases in Germany, the carrier will eliminate some of its 15 crew bases. It is expected that affected airports will include Munster/Osnabruck, Paderborn and Dortmund.
AirAsia X has introduced a “quiet zone” for ages 12 and up in the first seven economy class rows on Airbus A330-300 long-haul flights. The ancillary offering will be available on its long-haul service across China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Australia and Nepal for the standard pick-a-seat fee of MYR35 ($11.32) or MYR110 for extra legroom seats. The designated section, rows 7-14, sits directly behind the premium flatbed cabin and will also feature soft, ambient lighting. “This product enhancement allows our guests to have a more pleasant and peaceful journey with minimal noise and less disturbance,” AirAsia X CEO Azran Osman-Rani said. “The airline is not banning kids from traveling, but instead, is enhancing the array of product offerings on board to suit its guests’ individual needs and preferences.” Osman-Rani noted the Malaysian low-cost carrier also offers three infant bassinets in the other two larger economy cabin sections.
Japan Airlines has postponed the launch of 4X-weekly Tokyo Narita-Helsinki Boeing 787 service originally scheduled for Feb. 25. It has made adjustments to its international routes affected by the grounding of the 787 since Jan. 16.
Brussels Airlines will launch 5X-weekly Brussels-Washington Dulles Airbus A330 service June 18. The route is Brussels Airlines’ second transatlantic destination, following the launch of Brussels-New York service in June 2012.
Frontier Airlines launched Trenton Airbus A319 service to Fort Myers (2X-weekly), Fort Lauderdale (3X-weekly), New Orleans (2X-weekly) and Tampa, Fla. (3X-weekly).
Turkish Airlines launched 3X-weekly Istanbul-Douala-Libreville service.
ADDED:
SilkAir has entered into a five-year exclusive pilot training agreement with Boeing, with the aim of supporting the airline’s fleet transition to Boeing aircraft. Under the agreement, Boeing Flight Services will provide flight training at Boeing's Singapore training campus for the airline's new 737 fleet. "SilkAir pilots will soon train with the most experienced 737 instructors," said Leslie Thng, SilkAir CEO. The carrier ordered 23 737-800 NGs and 31 737 MAX 8s in November 2012.
BOC Aviation has taken delivery of its first ‘Sharklet’ equipped A320, which will also be the first of its type for the operator, Jetstar Asia. BOC Aviation says it has now delivered a total of 20 A320 family aircraft to the Qantas group. The company said the Sharklets-equipped A320s were ideally suited to its fleet strategy of acquiring “young and fuel efficient aircraft”.
Aeroflot says it has received permission from Russian aviation authorities to operate its new long-haul 777-300ER. The carrier immediately put the aircraft into service, following the “long-awaited” green light, which was received on February 4, 2013. The aircraft is the first to be delivered of 16 ordered by the airline in 2011. Aeroflot said it was planning to provide services on 777-300ERs, in co-operation with other SkyTeam airlines, on international routes during the Winter Olympic Games being held in Sochi next year and the football World Cup in 2018.
Boeing Shanghai Aviation Services has conducted a door cutting ceremony for the first 737-300 passenger-to-freighter (PTF) conversion at its hangars in Shanghai Pudong Airport. The aircraft was inducted in December from Kenya Airways, Boeing Shanghai’s launch customer for the programme. The modification is to be conducted under a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) developed by Aeronautical Engineers, Inc. (AEI). The conversion is currently scheduled for completion in March 2013. Boeing Shanghai is a joint venture between Boeing, Shanghai Airport Authorities and China Eastern Airlines.
Aviation Quote
Those who hoot with the owls by night, should not fly with the eagles by day.
Anonymous
On This Date
---In 1920... French aviator Sadi Lacointe, piloting a Nieuport-Delage 29V, becomes the first pilot to set a new Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI) world speed record after World War I. He reaches a measured speed of 275.862 km/h (171.141 mph) along 1 km (3,280 ft.) course.
---In 1927... Georgetown University medical school in Washington, D.C., offers the first aviation medicine course in the United States.
---In 1934…The first airmail flight between Australia and New Zealand is made by Charles Ulm in an Avro Ten. The flight time is 14 hours 10 minutes.
---In 1937... The prototype Blackburn B.24 Skua two-seat fighter/dive-bomber makes its maiden flight, piloted by “Dasher” Blake at Brough, Yorkshire; it is Britain’s first dive-bomber.
---In 1958... One of the best British soccer teams, Manchester United, has been virtually wiped out in an air crash. The team was returning from Belgrade after victory against a Yugoslav opponent when their British European Airways (BEA) Airspeed AS.57 Ambassador failed to take off and crashed into a house in Munich, Germany.
---In 1959…After much refueling, a Cessna lands in Las Vegas after 65 days in the air.
---In 1964…First photo of a YF-12 released. Aircraft 934. (Q)
---In 1968… Lockheed ordered to destroy A-12, YF-12 and SR-71 tooling. (Q)
---In 1984…Astronauts aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger become the first to use the Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU) in space during the first untethered space walk. Mission Specialist Bruce McCandless II makes the most distant space walk from a spacecraft at 320 feet.
---In 1999…Stardust - USA Comet Sample Return launched. Stardust rendezvoused with comet P/Wild 2 in January 2004, studied the object, and collected material for analysis on Earth. The return capsule arrived back on Earth on January 15, 2006.
---In 2009…A Manaus Aerotaxi EMB-110 (PT-SEA) crashes into Mancapuru River in Amazonas, Brazil. The aircraft carried more passengers than it was meant to, then lost an engine just after departure, ditching in the river. Four survivors escaped through an emergency exit in the rear of the aircraft, whereas the other 24 aboard drowned.
Daily Video
Editor’s Choice
Humor
WHY I WANT TO BE A PILOT
When I grow up I want to be a pilot because it's a fun job and easy to do. That's why there are so many pilots flying around these days.
Pilots don't need much school. They just have to learn to read numbers so they can read their instruments.
I guess they should be able to read a road map, too.
Pilots should be brave to they won't get scared it it's foggy and they can't see, or if a wing or motor falls off.
Pilots have to have good eyes to see through the clouds, and they can't be afraid of thunder or lightning because they are much closer to them than we are.
The salary pilots make is another thing I like. They make more money than they know what to do with. This is because most people think that flying a plane is dangerous, except pilots don't because they know how easy it is.
I hope I don't get airsick because I get carsick and if I get airsick, I couldn't be a pilot and then I would have to go to work.
— purported to have been written by a fifth grade student at Jefferson School, Beaufort, SC. It was first published in the South Carolina Aviation News.
Trivia
General Trivia
1. What airplane produced by a well-known aircraft manufacturer was rejected by the U.S. Army in 1973 because it could be brought down by bow and arrow?
2. What is the largest, post-World War II, piston-powered, twin-engine airplane designed from scratch and produced exclusively as a general aviation airplane?
3. Why should every dedicated pilot fly at least once to KFFA
4. Several types of liaison airplanes served the U.S. military during World War II. Best known of these were the first five, the L-1, L-2, L-3, L-4, and L-5. Can you identify these utilitarian “L-birds?”
5. Almost everyone has heard of the Lockheed P-38 Lightning, but what is the Lightning II?
6. U.S. military flight-crew positions often have nicknames. What are the official positions of a boomer, a GAFO (pronounced GAY-fo), a raven, a GIB (pronounced gib), and a whizzo?
7. The Pratt & Whitney J58 (JT11D) engines that powered the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird use JP-7 fuel so inert that it could not be ignited with spark or ignition plugs. How was this exotic fuel ignited during engine start?
8. On November 13, 1942, and after having survived in a life raft in the western Pacific for 23 days, Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker, Col. Hans Adamson, and Pvt. John Bartek were found by the pilot of a Vought-Sikorsky Kingfisher, a U.S. Navy seaplane. What was so unusual about the subsequent rescue?
