US Senate introduces bipartisan, short-term FAA bill Key US senators yesterday introduced an FAA reauthorization bill that would provide more than $40 billion in funding for agency operations in 2010 and 2011 and set accelerated deadlines for modernizing the US ATC system, but would push contentious questions over long-term funding and how to cover the cost of upgrading ATC to 2011. Link
BA fears 'permanent' fall in premium demand, surging pension deficit British Airways CEO Willie Walsh continued to maintain yesterday that the carrier is in a "fight for survival" and that "just hoping for old high-roller times to return is the road to oblivion" at the company's annual shareholders meeting in London. Link
Norwegian soars to record second-quarter profit Norwegian Air Shuttle reported consolidated net profit of NOK180.2 million ($27.6 million) in the second quarter, an impressive reversal from the NOK62.2 million loss incurred in the year-ago period. Link
Social media's impact: Your mistakes are public -- and they live forever If you disappoint your passengers, "it will be public, and it will live forever," Forrester Research analyst Henry Harteveldt said at the recent SITA IT Summit in Cannes, France. Link
Obama Joins Sens. On F-22 Acquisition Halt The top leaders of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), backed by a White House veto threat, are urging their colleagues to vote against continuing F-22 Raptor procurement. SASC Chairman Carl Levin (D-Mich.) and the committee’s ranking Republican, Sen. John McCain (Ariz.), took to the Senate floor July 13, as they had vowed to do, to urge passage of an amendment to the fiscal 2010 defense authorization bill that would remove a provision to buy seven more Raptors. Levin and McCain last month failed to keep out of the defense bill the measure authorizing $1.75 billion for additional Raptor procurement, in a close committee vote of 13-11. Link
Embraer in engine talks as it studies clean-sheet airliner Embraer is talking to General Electric, Rolls-Royce and Pratt & Whitney about new-generation engines to power a potential clean-sheet airliner design under study which is larger than the E-Jet family, a top Embraer official reveals. Link
Thailand's One-Two-Go selling MD-80s Thai carrier One-Two-Go is looking to sell half its Boeing MD-80 series fleet because it has decided against expanding its operations in the immediate future. Link
TAAG limited to 777 operations in Europe Angolan flag-carrier TAAG will only be allowed to use its three Boeing 777-200ER aircraft on services to Europe following today's revision of the European Union's airline blacklist. Link
Southwest to clarify in-flight broadband plan soon Southwest Airlines is still studying its options for in-flight connectivity solutions, revealing today that it has spoken to Aircell about the firm's Gogo broadband product. Link
Has the countdown to Ariane 6 begun? Key technologies for the European Space Agency's next-generation launcher (NGL) began testing this month as details emerged of the timetable for ESA's decision for a new rocket by 2025. Link
Other News
Ukrainian Mediterranean Airlines and Iran's Mahan Air were added to the EU's list of banned airlines, while Garuda Indonesia, Airfast Indonesia, Mandala Airlines and Premiair were removed from the "blacklist." The latest update, issued yesterday, did not include Yemenia Yemen Airways despite recent controversy following the June 29 A310-300 crash that killed 152 passengers and crew. All airlines from Zambia and Kazakhstan were added to the list with the exception of Air Astana, which will be allowed limited access to EU nations.
TAAG Angola Airlines, already on the list of more than 200 carriers, will be allowed to operate "into Portugal only with certain aircraft and under very strict conditions," the European Commission said, adding that the limited access was granted to acknowledge "progress made by the civil aviation authority of Angola [and TAAG] to resolve progressively any safety deficiencies." All other Angolan airlines remain banned. All Indonesian carriers remain banned apart from the aforementioned four. Complete bans are in place on airlines from Benin, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Swaziland.
European Commission VP-Transport Antonio Tajani has called for a global blacklist, a suggestion that has been rejected by ICAO for now. "We will not accept that airlines fly at different standards when they operate inside and outside Europe," he said yesterday, renewing his call. "It is high time that the international community rethinks its safety policy; those airlines which are unsafe should not be allowed to fly anywhere."
US Airways will cut 600 ground positions at nine airports in response to declining revenue and the falloff of business demand, it said yesterday. Work will be outsourced to contractors at airports served primarily by regional partners operating as US Airways Express. US also said it will ask 400 flight attendants to take voluntary furloughs in order to prevent layoffs. "Today's economy demands we continue to look for ways to control costs," COO Robert Isom wrote in a memo to employees provided to ATWOnline. "And while we had hoped attrition--or the number of employees retiring or choosing to leave positions for new ones--would take care of overstaffing that resulted from our reduced schedule and operating efficiencies, this simply hasn't proven to be the case." He noted that US took "aggressive action" last year, instituting an a la carte program, trimming its flight schedule and improving operational efficiency. In line with the cuts, its lounge at Las Vegas and its Phoenix ticket office will close and staff at its PHX lounge and at Central Load Planning will be reduced.
Japan Airlines' loss for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2010, originally expected to be similar to the ¥63.1 billion ($681.2 million) lost last year, may double if retirees do not approve pension reductions exceeding 50%. According to Bloomberg News, two-thirds of the approximately 9,000 pensioners must agree to the cuts, and a website operated by JAL's retirees said that 2,900 already have registered their disapproval. The carrier assumed a one-time gain of ¥88 billion related to the planned pension reduction in its forecast, according to Bloomberg.
US National Transportation Safety Board is investigating an incident in which a Southwest Airlines 737-300 flying Monday from Nashville to Baltimore made an emergency landing in Charleston, W.Va., owing to "a 1 ft. hole. . .discovered in the top of the fuselage" that caused cabin depressurization. There were no injuries reported. SWA said yesterday it had inspected its more than 180 -300s following the incident and found no similar structural problems.
Austrian Airlines Group will need €1 billion ($1.39 billion) in new capital if its pending acquisition by Lufthansa falls through, Chairman Peter Michaelis told shareholders yesterday at a Vienna meeting. The company has spent two-thirds of the €200 million loan from the Austrian government and is carrying more than €1 billion in debt, Reuters reported. Michaelis added that Lufthansa's board was meeting yesterday to consider the concessions requested by the European Commission. "If all parties concerned really want it, the transaction can be closed" before LH's July 31 deadline, he said. AAG Executive Board Member Peter Malanik was quoted as saying that if the merger does not occur, "the company must be downsized, loss-making routes must be cut and aircraft and staff must be cut. A strategic partner will be needed for the 'plan B' as well." Meanwhile, the EC wants more details from LH regarding competition on flights from Vienna to Frankfurt, Munich, Stuttgart, Cologne, Zurich, Geneva and Brussels.
Separately, Austrian named Director-Sales Strategy & Development Christine Debbah to head its forthcoming Global Sales & Distribution unit, which will be part of the company's new Commercial Passenger division scheduled to launch Sept. 1.
Atlantic Southeast Airlines will furlough 56 pilots beginning Sept. 1 in addition to the previously announced 80, it confirmed yesterday. "The furlough is a result of the recessionary economy that has driven down demand, resulting in our fall schedule to be lower than our original estimate," an ASA spokesperson said. The wholly owned subsidiary of SkyWest Holdings operates as a regional partner for Delta Air Lines. In June, DL said it would reduce its full-year system capacity by 10% compared to 2008.
AirTran Airways said it has completed installation of Gogo inflight Internet in its entire 136-aircraft fleet.
Continental Airlines said it has completed installation of live DirecTV service on 15 aircraft operating in the continental US. It plans to offer the service on its entire 737NG fleet, numbering more than 200 aircraft, by the end of 2010. First class passengers can watch for free while economy passengers must pay $ .
Jetlink Express, a Nairobi-based regional, will take delivery of a BAe 146 this month on wet-lease from Albanian Airlines. Aircraft will be in use for six months to serve Kisumi, replacing a CRJ200 that will be unable to handle that airport's shortened runway during refurbishment. Albanian operates three BAe 146s but can spare one following its recent wet-lease of an MD-82.
Spirit Airlines will launch twice-weekly Fort Lauderdale-Armenia, Colombia, service Nov. 13.
Wizz Air will launch thrice-weekly Budapest-Dusseldorf Weeze service on Sept. 21 and twice-weekly Sofia-Eindhoven on Oct. 25.
AirAsia will launch flights to Singapore from Miri (four-times-weekly on Sept. 9) and Tawau (thrice-weekly on Sept. 10).
ST Aerospace signed a 10-year, $45 million component maintenance-by-the-hr. support agreement with Jeju Air covering the Korean carrier's 737NGs.
Sensis said its Low Cost Ground Surveillance was selected for evaluation by US FAA as part of the agency's LCGS Pilot Program aimed at reducing runway incursions at small- and medium-size airports. Sensis will be deploying its initial system at Long Beach.
AVIATION QUOTE
“Not long ago, when I was a student in college, just flying an airplane seemed a dream. But that dream turned into reality.” — Charles A. Lindbergh, The Spirit of St. Louis, 1953
AEROSPACE TERM
Geodesy
The science which deals mathematically with the size and shape of the Earth, and the Earth's external gravity field, and with surveys of such precision that overall size and shape of the Earth must be taken into consideration. Used for Earth figure, Earth shape, and Iszak ellipsoid.
DAILY VIDEO
HUMOR
Pilots
How can you spot a pilot at a party?
He’ll tell you.
TRIVIA
Who Am I
1. I was born in Russia and emigrated to the United States. I was always tinkering with machines. I developed an aerial vehicle that was the first successful design in its class. With some assistance from fellow émigrés I started my company that began building flying boats. During WW2 I designed the first practical helicopter for the Department of War. My company still exists today as part of the United Technology Group. Who am I?
2. I was born the day after pearl Harbor got bombed by the Japanese. I started my higher education at a Teacher’s college then transferred to the U of Missouri. I joined the US Navy in 1967 and was one of the first graduates of Top Gun. I was also the only Navy ace of the Viet Nam war. Who am I?
3. I was born in 1897, in Atchinson, KS. In December of 1920 I was given a ride that would change my life forever. I was the 16th woman to be issued a pilot’s license. In my second attempt to circle the globe, my airplane disappeared, no remains ever to be found. Who Am I?
4. I was born in 1914, and died in 1998. I started flying at an early age and grew up to be a test pilot for one of the industry’s leading manufacturers. Under the guise of selling airplanes, I barrel rolled a four-engine transport aircraft over Lake Washington. Who am I?
5. I was born in 1922 in Germany. I have had several nicknames, like “Bubi” or “The Black Devil.” As a fighter pilot I left a record that will never be broken; yes, I said never. I shot down 352 enemy airplanes. Who am I?
And let's get one thing straight. There's a big difference between a pilot and an aviator. One is a technician; the other is an artist in love with flight. — E. B. Jeppesen
1. I was born in Russia and emigrated to the United States. I was always tinkering with machines. I developed an aerial vehicle that was the first successful design in its class. With some assistance from fellow émigrés I started my company that began building flying boats. During WW2 I designed the first practical helicopter for the Department of War. My company still exists today as part of the United Technology Group. Who am I?
Igor Sikorsky
2. I was born the day after pearl Harbor got bombed by the Japanese. I started my higher education at a Teacher’s college then transferred to the U of Missouri. I joined the US Navy in 1967 and was one of the first graduates of Top Gun. I was also the only Navy ace of the Viet Nam war. Who am I?
Randy (Duke) Cunningham
3. I was born in 1897, in Atchinson, KS. In December of 1920 I was given a ride that would change my life forever. I was the 16th woman to be issued a pilot’s license. In my second attempt to circle the globe, my airplane disappeared, no remains ever to be found. Who Am I?
Amelia Earhart
4. I was born in 1914, and died in 1998. I started flying at an early age and grew up to be a test pilot for one of the industry’s leading manufacturers. Under the guise of selling airplanes, I barrel rolled a four-engine transport aircraft over Lake Washington. Who am I?
Alvin (Tex) Johnston
5. I was born in 1922 in Germany. I have had several nicknames, like “Bubi” or “The Black Devil.” As a fighter pilot I left a record that will never be broken; yes, I said never. I shot down 352 enemy airplanes. Who am I?
Erich Hartmann
Hire Engineers to drive the vision and execute a plan. Hire MBAs to shuffle the papers and work in sales. Hire Accountants to manage your staff working a viable livable wage, and never have either an Accountant or an MBA run your company. - Steve Jobs
BA fears 'permanent' fall in premium demand, surging pension deficit
British Airways CEO Willie Walsh continued to maintain yesterday that the carrier is in a "fight for survival" and that "just hoping for old high-roller times to return is the road to oblivion" at the company's annual shareholders meeting in London.
Oh well, on to the 777F!
