NewsIAG firms up 18 787 options for BA; indicates possible Iberia order International Airlines Group (IAG) plans to convert 18 Boeing 787 Dreamliner options into firm orders for British Airways, which will use the new aircraft to replace some of its 747-400s between 2017 and 2021. The carrier group has also reached agreement with Boeing to "secure commercial terms and delivery slots" that could lead to a 787 order for Iberia. "Firm orders will only be made when Iberia has restructured and reduced its cost base and is in a position [to] grow profitably," says IAG. Iberia operates only Airbus aircraft, and has a widebody order backlog of six Airbus A330s.
LinkChina Eastern to add 56 new aircraft in 2013 China Eastern Airlines will be inducting 56 new aircraft into its fleet this year, the majority of which will be narrowbodies. These include 22 Airbus A320s, 26 Boeing 737NGs and eight A330s. During the year, it will also dispose of 14 jets, including A320s, 737NGs and five unspecified freighters. In 2014, the airline is scheduled to take delivery of a further 62 aircraft, mostly A320s and 737NGs, but also including four 777-300ERs.
LinkUS Airways Says US Budget Cuts Hurt RevenueUS Airways said on Wednesday that federal budget cuts likely hurt unit revenue in March because of reduced last-minute demand for flights. The carrier said unit revenue, a measure of pricing power and how full planes are, was flat in the month compared with a year earlier. US Airways added that result was lower than expected for March, and cited "reduced close-in demand believed to be driven largely by the sequester." On Tuesday, Delta Air Lines cut its first-quarter forecast for unit revenue, or passenger revenue per available seat mile.
LinkInternational Air Travel Demand Up 3.7 Pct In FebGlobal air travel demand continued to recover in February, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) said on Wednesday. "Demand for air travel continues to rise on economic optimism and improved business confidence," IATA chief executive Tony Tyler said in a statement. "Much of the growth is concentrated on emerging markets. Europe continues to be a laggard." Tyler said February's 3.7 percent growth rate masked the fact that passenger demand had been growing at an annualized rate of 9 percent since October, almost double the rate during the first nine months of 2012.
LinkNew Dubai Airport To Launch On October 27Dubai's new airport, which started cargo operations in 2010, will open its long-delayed passenger terminal on October 27 with two budget airlines launching services there, airport authorities said on Wednesday. European low-cost carrier Wizz Air and Saudi Arabia's nasair will begin passenger operations into Dubai World Central, Dubai Airports said in a statement. Dubai World Central is designed eventually to cater for 160 million passengers, which would make it the world's largest airport on completion. It is supposed ultimately to replace the emirate's current airport, Dubai International - though this will not happen before next decade at the earliest.
LinkSamoa Air Says Pay By Weight 'Fairest' WaySamoa Air, which says it is the world's first carrier to charge passengers by their weight rather than per seat, defends the plan as the fairest way to fly, in some cases actually ending up cheaper than conventional tickets. Samoa Air, which opened in 2012, asks passengers to declare their personal weight during booking, which is then charged per kg (2.2 lb) at a rate dependent on flight length. The customers will also be weighed at the check-in counter. "The industry has this concept that all people throughout the world are the same size," Samoa Air chief Chris Langton said. "Aeroplanes always run on weight, irrespective of seats."
LinkAirlines take aim at the business class with premium servicesPremium business customers are getting more attention from airlines now that consolidation in the industry has largely ended the fight over casual fliers, Shareen Pathak writes. The business traveler "is a high-yield, loyal and extremely knowledgeable traveler," says Jonathan Clarkson, a marketing director at Southwest Airlines. Carriers such as Delta and United are using in-airport advertising and direct communications with passengers to emphasize perks, such as flat seats and express meals, and other loyalty programs.
LinkFAA should consolidate air-traffic radar locations, study saysThe Federal Aviation Administration could save billions of dollars by consolidating air-traffic radar rooms, a Reason Foundation study found. "They can be replaced by a much smaller number of facilities, many of which can be designed from the outset to function in the from-anywhere-to-anywhere paradigm," the report said.
LinkAirline mergers help stabilize industry, experts sayAirline mergers are helping to bring stability to the aviation industry, experts say. "If you look at the U.S. industry versus the rest of the world seven years ago, it literally has done a total flip in that the U.S. region is now the most profitable in the world," said John Thomas, an aviation specialist at L.E.K. Consulting. The profits have enabled airlines to invest in new aircraft, baggage systems and airport lounges.
LinkNTSB to hold hearing on 787 battery fire at Boston airportThe National Transportation Safety Board plans to hold an investigative hearing on April 23 and 24 into the 787 battery fire at Boston's Logan International Airport. The board said the hearing on the Jan. 7 incident will look at "issues relating to the design, testing and certification of the battery system." Boeing is "very close" to flying the 787 with a redesigned battery system, according to CEO Jim McNerney.
LinkTSA to buy credential authentication technology next yearThe Transportation Security Administration is planning to acquire credential authentication technology in 2014. "TSA envisions the CAT system as a flexible system that can be deployed in different configurations depending on the needs and constraints of each checkpoint environment," the TSA said.
LinkIndonesia could order seven additional C295s Indonesia could obtain up to seven additional Airbus Military C295 tactical transport aircraft, which would bring its eventual total of the type to 16 examples. "The air force requires an additional seven aircraft," says Arie Wibowo, vice-president marketing and sales for PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI). "Having 16 will allow them to form a full squadron." Jakarta entered a deal for nine C295s at the Singapore air show in February 2012.
LinkBoeing and USAF will have to recertificate entire F-15SA flight envelopeBoeing and the US Air Force will have to recertificate the new F-15SA's performance over the Eagle's entire flight envelope due to its new fly-by-wire flight control systems. "The entire F-15 flight envelope requires clearance for the F-15SA fly-by-wire system," the USAF says. "The flight test to certify airworthiness will take approximately a year and a half to accomplish." True fly-by-wire is a departure from the traditional F-15 hybrid electronic/mechanical flight control system. Previous incarnations of the jet were equipped with a dual-channel, high-authority, three-axis control augmentation system superimposed on top of a hydro-mechanical system. However, Saudi Arabia's 84 F-15SAs on order will have its two outer wing weapons stations activated, making it necessary to implement a fly-by-wire flight control system.
LinkUS reveals details of F-15SE, F-35A bids for South Korea The US Department of Defense formally notified the US Congress of potential sales of the Boeing F-15SE Silent Eagle and Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter to South Korea on 29 March. The two aircraft are on offer to the Asian nation as part of South Korea's F-X III fighter competition. The Eurofighter Typhoon is a third contender for the 60 aircraft tender. For the potential F-35 sale, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) says that South Korea could order 60 conventional A-model aircraft and associated support equipment for $10.8 billion. There would also be provisions for spares including nine additional Pratt & Whitney F135 afterburning turbofans. The package would also encompass training-including simulators.
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