NewsRegulator Approves Virgin Australia's Tiger TakeoverAustralia's Foreign Investment Review Board has approved Virgin Australia's plan to take control of loss-making rival Tiger Australia, setting up a battle for domestic budget air travel with Qantas Airways' Jetstar unit. Virgin, Australia's number two carrier, in October announced plans to buy 60 percent of Tiger Australia for AUD$35 million (USD$33.7 million) and invest a further AUD$62.5 million to increase the fleet size to 35 aircraft from 11 by 2018.
LinkTeamsters Seek To Represent American Air MechanicsThe Teamsters union has applied to the US National Mediation Board seeking a national election to represent mechanics at American Airlines, which will merge with US Airways to form the world's largest carrier. Earlier this month, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters also filed for elections to represent mechanics at US Airways. American's mechanics are currently represented by the Transport Workers Union of America, while the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers represents mechanics at US Airways.
LinkUS government embraces new Part 23 recommendations Eighteen months of hard graft to reorganise design and certification requirements for light aircraft seems to be paying off for the general aviation community following the US government's decision to adopt the recommendations into its Small Aircraft Revitalization Act (SARA) of 2013. According to the US General Aviation Manufacturers Association, which has been spearheading the reorganisation, SARA plans to implement by the end of 2015 the Federal Aviation Administration's Part 23 Reorganisation Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) recommendations. ARC has sought to create a regulatory environment that will contribute significantly to revitalising the health and safety of new and existing GA aircraft up to 5,700kg (12,600lb) while cutting certification costs. "The lighter segments of GA have suffered in terms of new product innovation as a result of overly prescriptive and rigid rules," says Greg Bowles, GAMA's director of engineering and manufacturing and ARC co-chairman. "The reorganisation is designed to regulate the safety of GA aircraft based on requirements that are proportionate to the complexity and performance of the aircraft, rather than on existing arbitrary divisions based on weight and propulsion. The new rules should slash certification costs and will be relevant for the next 20 years," Bowles adds.
LinkLockheed details T-50 offer to PolandLockheed Martin UK has unveiled some details of an offer submitted for the Polish air force's advanced jet trainer (AJT) system competition tender for the Polish air force. The company on 23 May said its offer of the Korea Aerospace Industries/Lockheed T-50 "would provide significant operational synergies with the current Polish air force [Lockheed] F-16 fleet". According to John Neilson, Lockheed Martin UK's director of communications for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, "the aircraft which will be included in the proposal for Poland would be built outside Poland. This is to be expected for the number now required to meet Poland's need." "When selecting the best training platform to accompany our bid, fleet commonality and the ability to meet Poland's evolving pilot training requirements for the next 20 to 30 years were key considerations," says Tim James, who is part of the Lockheed Martin UK team in Poland.
LinkUSAF weighs up post-F15E fighter options The US Air Force is upgrading its fleet of Boeing F-15E Strike Eagles with the intention of keeping the venerable dual-role strike fighter in service beyond 2035. The service, however, has no idea what might replace those aircraft when the inevitable day comes when the 219 jets currently in the inventory wear out. "There are no plans to replace the F-15E for the foreseeable future," the USAF said late last year. Rebecca Grant, a noted airpower analyst and president of IRIS Independent Research in Washington DC, says that a replacement interdictor aircraft has been an unaddressed problem for a long time. "The F-15E replacement has been a gap in air force strategic planning for a decade," Grant says. "Two decades really."
LinkRyanair details deliveries of new 737 fleet Irish budget carrier Ryanair has detailed the five-year delivery schedule for its new batch of 175 Boeing 737-800s, with the first 11 scheduled to arrive by the end of March 2015. Its fleet at the beginning of the current 2013-14 fiscal year stood at 305 of the type and this will drop to 290 when the 2014-15 year opens, as leased jets are returned and the carrier disposes of older ones. The first 11 of the new order will then enter the fleet, while the carrier will respectively take 35, 50, 50 and 29 aircraft over the following four years. Ryanair will also withdraw 105 other 737s giving it a net fleet of 375 by the end of March 2019.
LinkAMR seeks approval to buy back bondsAMR Corp., the parent company of American Airlines, has asked bankruptcy court for approval to buy back bonds. The three sets of notes were issued before the carrier entered bankruptcy in 2011. "Each month, the Debtors are accruing approximately $6 million of interest expense under the Notes in excess of prevailing interest rates," AMR said in its filing.
LinkUnited offers lie-flat seats on all overseas flights from NYCUnited Airlines announced that it now offers lie-flat seats in first class and business class on all international flights from New York City. United has equipped 182 aircraft with lie-flat seats and personal entertainment systems.
LinkA4A CEO opposes tax increases on air travelAirlines for America opposes a tax increase proposed by the Obama administration on flights. "Our fragile economy and the millions of middle-class Americans who rely on air travel and shipping every day simply cannot afford tax increases that will drive up the cost of flying or limit service options to small communities across the country," said Nicholas E. Calio, president and CEO of A4A.
LinkSlow economic growth in U.S. reflects split in travel sentimentsA strong stock market and improving home prices are encouraging high-income travelers to take extravagant getaways this year. Americans in lower income brackets, meanwhile, are holding back their travel spending amid higher taxes, sluggish income growth and rising travel costs. "Expect luxury travel to continue to rebound -- consistent with luxury across all industries -- while the rest of summer travel will be flat," said Adam Weissenberg, head of Deloitte's travel and hospitality division.
LinkDenver airport begins using NextGen technologyThe Denver International Airport has started using NextGen technology for its arrival and departure procedures. The technology relies on GPS instead of radar, and allows for a more-efficient continuous descent. "It may only be a difference of minutes, but minutes matter when you have 1,700 flights a day (like at DIA)," said Joseph Burns, managing director of technology and flight test for United Airlines.
LinkSouthwest flight attendants volunteer for missionsA group of Southwest Airlines flight attendants donate their time on missions around the world. "Taking the time to share your blessings, talents and time creates a travel experience rewarding and meaningful while providing opportunities to better understand their culture," said Kim Rex, a flight attendant supervisor for Southwest who recently traveled on a mission to Peru.
Link 
