NewsUK Regulator Proposes Heathrow Charges CapBritain's aviation regulator on Thursday proposed capping the prices charged by Heathrow, drawing a furious response from the country's busiest airport which warned of a long-term hit to investment. London's Heathrow airport had submitted a plan to the UK's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) seeking to raise tariffs for airlines by 4.6 percent above inflation, as measured by the retail prices index (RPI), for the five years from April 2014. Instead the regulator proposed not allowing prices to rise by more than inflation.
LinkEU Countries To Support "Imperfect" Emissions CompromiseEuropean countries expressed support for an "imperfect" compromise to curb global aviation emissions on Wednesday but still face pressure to drop a key demand - to be able to apply the EU's carbon trading scheme to foreign air carriers. Delegates to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) are meeting in Montreal to try to agree on a path toward creating a global market-based mechanism by 2020 that would help limit growing carbon emissions in the sector. Debate at the ICAO's triennial assembly on Wednesday focused on the most contentious aspect of a global deal - a framework to allow national or regional market-based schemes to apply to airlines before 2020.
LinkEuropean Budget Long-haul Has Window Of OpportunityNorwegian Air CEO Bjorn Kjos was on his way to Thailand last month to celebrate the opening of his budget airline base but instead got a lesson in why many low-cost carriers have failed in the long-haul market. As mechanics worked away to fix his brand new Boeing 787 Dreamliner, he watched the hours tick by, knowing he would miss the party in Bangkok. Norwegian's first two 787s broke down more than a dozen times in September, forcing it to lease planes or cancel flights. A full-service long-haul rival, typically part of a big alliance, could have called for back-up from its associates.
LinkRoyal Brunei receives first Boeing 787 aircraftRoyal Brunei Airlines (RBA) took delivery of its first Boeing 787 aircraft on 3 October, becoming the first Southeast Asian operator of the type. The carrier will first deploy the aircraft on Bandar Seri Begawan-Singapore services and other regional routes from 18 October, before moving to the Bandar Seri Begawan-Dubai-London Heathrow route on 1 December. It also plans to extend the 787 operations to Melbourne in the first quarter of 2014, says Boeing.
LinkCanada may boost SAR fleet with former US presidential helicoptersCanada is considering the economic viability of resurrecting a number of mothballed helicopters – originally destined to provide VVIP transportation for the US government – to augment its long-range search and rescue (SAR) fleet. Ottawa acquired nine AgustaWestland AW101 airframes, spare parts and support equipment in 2011, following the cancellation by President Barack Obama of the US Navy's VH-71 Kestrel programme to replace the presidential transport fleet. AgustaWestland had teamed up with Lockheed Martin to build the Kestrels.
LinkNigerian minister confirms survivors in Brasilia crash Six occupants on board an Embraer EMB-120 Brasilia turboprop have survived after the aircraft crashed on take-off from Lagos, during a private charter flight to Akure. The aircraft had departed from the domestic wing of Lagos's Murtala Mohammed airport, says Nigerian aviation minister Stella Adaeze Oduah, with 20 on board including the crew. She says tower controllers immediately activated the crash alarm and emergency teams extinguished the fire at the accident site within 2min.
LinkUnited plans 787 base in Los AngelesUnited Airlines plans to add Boeing 787 pilots to its base at Los Angeles International airport (LAX), as it continues deploying the aircraft on routes to Asia. Subsidiary Continental captains and first officers will fly the aircraft when the base opens, confirms the Chicago-based carrier. A timeline when that will occur has not been set. “Our 2014 international schedule has the 787 flying many routes to Asia,” said Howard Attarian, senior vice-president of flight operations at United, in a September letter to the flight operations group. “In August, we told you that we believe this amount of flying warrants a west coast 787 base to reliably support our network. We have decided that LAX is the right location for this 787 base.”
LinkUnited offers to fly Air Force football team for freeWith the government shutdown threatening to cancel sporting events at service academies, United Airlines offered to fly the Air Force team to its game against Navy free of charge. The carrier posted the offer on its twitter page, saying "@United We hate cancellations, so we're offering to fly @AF_Academy to this year's Air Force-Navy game. Retweet if you agree."
LinkUnited could see boost from ANA's Haneda slotsUnited Continental could see a boost in traffic after its partner ANA Holdings won 11 slots at Haneda airport in Tokyo. Both carriers are members of the Star Alliance. "It's a big win for Star Alliance and a big win for United," said Robert Mann, an aviation consultant.
LinkDelta accepts delivery of Boeing 737-900ERDelta Air Lines has accepted delivery of the first of its 737-900ERs. The carrier has ordered 100 of the next-generation aircraft, which offers improved fuel efficiency. "The longer range of the 737-900ER can connect distant city pairs across continents in a generous two-class configuration," said Tim Bader from Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
LinkRecaro redesigns lightweight airline seatsRecaro, based in Germany, looked at various ways to lighten the load of its new SL3510 airline seat, which weighs a mere 20 pounds. The seat does not have a reclining mechanism or tray tables that move, which allowed a more lightweight design. The seat also is built of "innovative netting" fabric, which reduced the need for bulky foam padding.
LinkDelta flight lands safely at Tenn. airport Delta Airlines says a flight was diverted to Memphis International Airport because of a crack in a window. In a statement, Delta says Flight 557 was going from Detroit to Mexico City on Wednesday when crew members reported a small crack in one of the aircraft's cockpit windows.
LinkFAA, NTSB furloughs may violate ICAO standards, report saysThe government shutdown has prompted furloughs of aviation safety inspectors and accident investigators in the U.S. However, the furloughs may run afoul of obligations required of International Civil Aviation Organization members.
LinkAmerican Airlines expands loyalty programAmerican Airlines is bucking the industry trend by expanding its loyalty program. American offers status matches to frequent fliers at other carriers, and also gives elite fliers generous rewards. "We strive to win and retain the business of high yielding customers every day," said Bridget Blaise-Shamai, the managing director for customer loyalty and insights at the carrier.
LinkIATA: 83.4% load factor for August ties recordStrong travel demand in August boosted the passenger load factor to 83.4% for global airlines, according to the International Air Transport Association. "August was a positive month for passenger travel,” said Tony Tyler, IATA’s director general. The August load factor ties a record set in July 2011.
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