Civil AviationAirlines file plans with FAA to allow PED use throughout flightsThe FAA announced a change in its policy on personal electronic devices today, expanding the use of portable electronic devices (PED) "gate to gate." Airlines for America, the trade group for the major U.S. carriers commended the news, issued the following statement: "A4A commends the PED Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) for its report and recommendations on expanded use of personal electronic devices inflight. A4A and our members will work with the FAA to ensure expanded customer use of electronic devices is implemented safely and expeditiously." Both Delta Air Lines and JetBlue Airways have filed plans with the Federal Aviation Administration to allow the use of personal electronic devices during all phases of flights.
LinkLinkLinkDiscussionCSeries' fly-by-wire has been set to 'direct' during test flightsBombardier confirms that the fly-by-wire system on its first CSeries test aircraft has been set to “direct” mode during the first four test flights. The aircraft has not yet flown with the fly-by-wire system set to “normal” mode, but the company will test more of the aircraft’s systems during subsequent test flights, Bombardier said. The latest test flight, on 30 October, was intended to calibrate the aircraft’s instruments and to ensure their accuracy, the company says. During that 90min flight the aircraft climbed to 12,000ft and reached speeds up to 340kt, according to Bombardier.
LinkAir France-KLM Writes Off Alitalia StakeAir France-KLM has written off the value of its stake in Alitalia, casting doubt over its willingness to invest further in the struggling carrier as a weak economy chips away at its own debt reduction plans. The Franco-Dutch carrier disclosed a EUR€119 million charge for its 25 percent stake in Alitalia, which is seeking a capital increase of EUR€300 million (USD$410 million) to stay afloat amid tough competition from low-cost rivals and high-speed rail. Air France-KLM backs Alitalia's financing move in principle but has not said whether it will take part despite mounting pressure from Italian shareholders, and is widely seen as nervous about its exposure to an airline that has not made a profit in over a decade. "Following... this decision (to raise more capital), Air France-KLM group has fully depreciated its Alitalia shares," the airline said in financial notes released with its third-quarter results.
LinkEmbraer's Q3 Profit Falls 19 PercentEmbraer, the world's third-largest commercial plane maker, posted a 19 percent drop in third-quarter profit on Thursday as it delivered smaller, less profitable aircraft. EBITDA, fell 7 percent to USD$156.4 million, net income fell to USD$52.9 million. The weaker product mix dragged revenue 8 percent lower despite nearly stable production costs.
LinkOff-duty Pilot Charged With Fondling Girl On FlightAn off-duty Delta Air Lines pilot has been charged with fondling a 14-year-old girl seated next to him on a Salt Lake City-bound flight, but he contends he was sleeping at the time, authorities said. Michael Pascal, 45, was returning to his home in Utah on Saturday after piloting an early-morning flight from Salt Lake City to Detroit when the alleged incident occurred. Pascal plans to plead not guilty to a federal charge of abusive sexual contact with a minor, said his lawyer, Rhome Zabriskie. The pilot's initial court appearance is scheduled for Thursday in federal court in Salt Lake City. If convicted, Pascal faces a maximum of two years in federal prison, said Melodie Rydalch, spokeswoman for the Salt Lake City-based US Attorney's Office.
LinkJetBlue likely to convert E-190s to E2: CEOJetBlue Airways will likely convert its existing Embraer 190 orders to the re-engined E-Jet E2, after it deferred deliveries of 24 E-190s to beyond 2020. "The deferral is not linked [to the E2] but coincidentally the timing is very good for the geared turbofan version of the E2," JetBlue chief executive Dave Barger said. JetBlue will take delivery of its 60th E-190 in this quarter and aims to optimise its E-190 fleet at 60 aircraft. The 24 E-190s that were deferred to 2020-2022 were initially planned for delivery in 2014-2018. "Rightsizing at 60 aircraft is perfect," says Barger. "It allows us to continue to build Boston with its shorter range mission flights, and allows us to connect to the Caribbean through San Juan."
LinkCSeries development moves forward, second aircraft nearing completionBombardier’s CS100 programme has moved into the product certification phase and the CS300 program is transitioning from the detailed design phase to the product definition release phase, according to the company’s third quarter report. Released 31 October, the report says four CS100 test aircraft are in various stages of fabrication and development and will join the first flight test vehicle (FTV-1) in flight testing in the coming months. The first CS100 aircraft made its maiden flight on 16 September and has completed four test flights, including the most-recent one on 30 October. The order backlog remains fixed at 177 aircraft, but the test programme will soon provide critical data to airlines about the aircraft's actual performance.
LinkBoeing raises 737 monthly production rate to 47 Boeing today announced that the 737 monthly production rate will rise again to 47 within four years as the re-engined and updated Max version is introduced into service. The announcment increases the monthly output of the single-aisle by nearly 12% compared to the goal of moving to 42 per month early next year, and by nearly half since 2010. “This increase will lay a solid foundation as we bridge into production on the 737 Max,” says Beverly Wyse, Boeing’s vice-president and general manager of the 737 program. The latest increase means that Boeing will be producing 564 737s a year.
LinkAirbus and Boeing spar over seat-width benefitsAirbus is promoting comfort benefits from a broader seat width in a campaign which appears to be a pre-emptive strike on the impending launch of Boeing’s 777X. Competing against the A350-1000, the 777X will be a stretch of the strong-selling 777-300ER, which a number of customers opt to fit with 10-abreast seats in the economy cabin. But the 10-abreast configuration requires 17in (43cm) seats, and Airbus has unveiled research which, it claims, supports its view that a wider seat offers better-quality rest. Airbus is using the research findings to underline the benefit of its standard 18in seat, which the airframer fits to the nine-abreast A350 as well as the eight-abreast A330.
LinkBombardier set to offer higher-density Q400Canadian manufacturer Bombardier is set to launch a high-density configuration for its Q400 turboprop in the first half of next year, according to a source familiar with the matter. Bombardier will offer the new variant in 84- and 86-seat versions that will feature two or three additional rows over the current layout. It is unclear whether the higher capacity will be achieved through slimmer seats or more substantial modifications to the interior. The high capacity version has secured a launch customer, according to the source. The identity of the customer has not been disclosed. Bombardier has not issued any comment on the plan.
LinkHawaiian Airlines to debut "Extra Comfort" seats in 2014Hawaiian Airlines will debut an Extra Comfort section aboard its Airbus A330s in the summer of next year. For an additional fee, passengers can enjoy roomier seats with power outlets in Extra Comfort, as well as priority boarding and other amenities. Hawaiian removed the bulkhead between certain rows to make room for the section instead of reducing the room for economy seats, the carrier said.
LinkColumn: Delta flight attendants deserve credit for boarding processColumnist John Goglia credits Delta Air Lines for helping increase efficiency while boarding by empowering flight attendants to manage the process. "What I mean by this is that on my Delta flights every flight attendant assigned to the coach cabin was in the aisles during boarding assisting passengers in storing their overhead belongings," he writes.
LinkSpirit considers variable fees based on demand The complex world of airlines fees might soon get even more confusing. The fees fliers pay to check a suitcase or pick a more desirable seat might soon become much more complicated and costly. Spirit Airlines is considering tying the fees passengers pay to check a suitcase or pick a more desirable seat to demand. On a peak travel day, for instance, the fees could be much higher. Passengers who booked a Spirit flight for this holiday season can relax however — the changes are months away, if they happen at all. The changes could benefit passengers as well. Someone flying on a slow Tuesday afternoon, for example, might catch a break on price. Spirit did not say how much the fees could change. Spirit's bag fees already vary in price depending on how early customers choose to pay: $30 for the first bag when buying a ticket online or prior to check-in, $35 starting 24 hours before the flight at online check-in or $45 at the airport.
LinkForecast: Optional services will account for 6% of worldwide airlines' 2013 revenuesAccording to a forecast by IdeaWorksCompany, passenger fees and other so-called ancillary revenues are expected to represent 6% of all revenues for airlines worldwide in 2013, with frequent-flier programs accounting for 60% of all ancillary revenues. "These fees have become, for many airlines, the difference between a profit and a loss, and that is not lost on airline executives all over the world," said Jay Sorensen, president of IdeaWorksCompany.
LinkKiosks will speed passport screening for customers at MidwayDuring the first quarter of 2014, Chicago's Midway International Airport is expected to receive an Automated Passport Control program that will expedite passport screening for airline customers. The self-service technology has reduced wait times by 16 minutes at nearby O'Hare airport.
LinkMiami airport receives TSA grant for baggage-screening systemThe Miami International Airport plans to replace its baggage-screening system, funded in part by the Transportation Security Administration. The TSA is giving the Miami-Dade Aviation Department a grant of $101 million for the state-of-the-art system, which is predicted to make screening bags twice as fast.
Link 
