Commercial AviationBoeing Cargo Jet Takes Off After Landing At Wrong AirportA Boeing cargo jet that was stranded overnight at a Kansas airport too small to handle the giant aircraft took off on Thursday and landed a short time later at what had been its intended destination, officials said. The Boeing Dreamlifter bound for McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, Kansas, had inadvertently landed instead at the nearby Colonel James Jabara Airport, according to a statement by Boeing spokesman Doug Alder. The bizarre spectacle made national headlines and drew gawkers to the smaller airport, prompting traffic jams, car crashes, and road closures around the area.
LinkGulf Takes Aviation By Storm - Dubai Airshow WrapPlane makers left Dubai with USD$200 billion in deals after a desert rainstorm forced the abandonment of the last day of its air show - an event that demonstrated their growing reliance on the Gulf to secure support for big jets. A flurry of dealmaking gave Boeing the momentum it needed to launch its latest aircraft, the 777X, with some 250 orders worth USD$100 billion. Rival Airbus secured a boost for the A380 superjumbo after Emirates ordered 50 more, bringing its share of total orders for the world's largest airliner to almost half.
LinkIran Window Shops At Dubai AirshowSenior Iranian aviation executives were at the Dubai Airshow in a discreet campaign to update their aircraft fleets this week, as Iran negotiates with international powers to ease economic sanctions over its nuclear intentions. Under moderate President Hassan Rouhani, there has been increasing hope the talks in Geneva could secure a breakthrough in the decade-long nuclear stand-off, leading to relief from embargoes that have crippled Iran's airlines. But easing the ban on sales of spare parts has been on the agenda of nuclear talks since 2006 and according to Western diplomats remains part of a package of sanctions relief if an agreement is reached on curbing Iran's nuclear activities.
LinkRyanair Plans Flexible Tickets, Learns From EasyJetRyanair plans to introduce flexible tickets for business flyers next year in the latest change to its low-cost business model as chief executive Michael O'Leary admitted he is trying to learn from the success of rival easyJet. The move is the latest in a series of efforts by the airline to attract premium passengers in a big strategy shift announced after the company's first profit warning in a decade. While Ryanair has used its lower cost base to undercut rivals on price, high charges for the likes of extra baggage and changing tickets, in addition to a reputation for poor customer service, has deterred some business travelers from using the airline.
LinkAirbus Jet Appears In Seattle Ad Championing BoeingAn advertisement placed in The Seattle Times on Wednesday by a group hoping to encourage Washington state to keep up its fight to secure the work on the new Boeing 777 included a notable error. At the top of the full-page ad, under the all-caps text "The Future of Washington," is pictured not a Boeing jet, but rather an Airbus A320. The ad, which prominently displays the logo of the Washington Aerospace Partnership, a coalition of business, labor and government groups championing the industry, urges state lawmakers to pass a large-scale roads-and-transit tax package that Boeing executives have said would make the state a more desirable venue for future projects. Airbus officials confirmed the plane depicted in the ad is an A320 but declined further comment.
LinkAirport debt hinders United expansion at Washington Dulles: SmisekThe amount of debt allocated to Washington Dulles International airport hinders United Airlines’ ability to expand its hub at the airport, says chief executive Jeff Smisek. “This hub also disproportionately bears a lot of debt service compared to other airports inside of MWAA [Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority], which is a terrible competitive burden and inappropriate burden on this hub,” he said at the opening of the Chicago-based carrier’s new widebody maintenance hangar at Dulles today. “We’re keenly interested over time in discussing that with MWAA.”
LinkAirbus sees 'strong interest' in lower-weight A330Airbus is seeing "strong interest" in its lower-weight variant of the A330-300 from both Chinese and other carriers, and reiterates that the aircraft is "optimised" for busy regional routes. "The new lower take-off weight version of the A330 is optimised for use on busy short- to medium-range routes, especially in high growth markets," says Airbus. It says that operators of the variant will benefit from "a proven and very reliable aircraft" that besides being able to offer "exceptional operating economics", will also be available in the near term.
LinkGate-to-gate Wi-Fi service now available on SouthwestSouthwest Airlines passengers can now use Wi-Fi service at all points during their flight. The airline allows passengers to use mobile devices from takeoff to landing and offers the service below 10,000 feet through service provider Row44. JetBlue is working on joining the trend as it installs satellite-based Wi-Fi in its terminals.
LinkCustomers can now bid for an upgrade on American AirlinesCustomers can now bid on upgrades to first or business class cabins on some American Airlines flights. The airline's new Plusgrade program is being piloted in several markets and allows passengers to submit bids for upgrades six days before flight. The airline will charge the customer if the bid is accepted, and says the program will not affect elite frequent-fliers' upgrade requests.
LinkAir Canada and Cargojet explore joint ventureCargojet Inc. and Air Canada are working together to reduce costs on its cargo and airline operations. A letter of intent signed by both companies will seek cooperation to in global sales and marketing as well as interline opportunities to sell flights involving multiple airlines. The deal is subject to regulatory approval.
LinkAnalysis: US Airways poised for international growth US Airways announced its third quarter report for fiscal year 2013 on October 23, recording an increase in its passenger revenue. This increment is attributed to its aircrafts' increased flying capacity, which increased 4.1% year over year in the third quarter of fiscal year 2013. US Airways replaced its Boeing 737 airplanes with the new Airbus A321, which has a higher passenger capacity. According to the International Air Transport Association, or IATA, international air passenger capacity rose 5.6% year over year in August 2013. To gain from this growth in passenger capacity, US Airways planned to expand its international operations. The company will launch a new service between its busiest and largest hub at Charlotte next year. Also, it plans to add international flights to four European cities: Barcelona, Lisbon, Brussels, and Manchester, from Charlotte Douglas international airport.
LinkAviation industry opposes doubling TSA security tax on airline customersCongress and the White House want to increase the security fees airline customers pay. Industry groups opposing the measure include: Airlines for America, Air Line Pilots Association, Global Business Travel Association, International Air Transport Association, the Aeronautical Repair Station Association, the Regional Airline Association and the Consumer Travel Alliance. The groups are united in telling Congress and the White House "no" to adding more taxes to airline customers' already-excessive tax burden. The increased fees will not be used to fund aviation, but will instead be diverted to balance the budget. The coalition sent a letter to Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., and Rep. Paul Ryan. R-Wis., opposing the hike. The Consumer Travel Alliance called the proposal a "money grab that will not go towards improving anything that has to do with airport security."
LinkAirbus secures large orders from Etihad, Emirates at Dubai AirshowEuropean aircraft manufacturer Airbus secured 160 orders and commitments from the Dubai Airshow in the United Arab Emirates. Etihad Airways placed an order for 87 aircraft, while Emirates placed an order for 50 Airbus A380s. Air Algérie, Lybian Wings and Qatar Airways Cargo also placed smaller orders.
LinkBoeing forecasts demand for pilots in Middle EastBoeing has forecast demand for more than 100,000 new pilots and maintenance technicians in the Middle East over the next two decades. "We're seeing a significant, urgent need for competent aviation personnel in the Middle East and across the globe due to the growth in airline fleets," said Sherry Carbary, vice president of Boeing Flight Services, in a statement.
LinkUnited to open maintenance hangar at Va. airportJeff Smisek, the CEO of United Airlines, plans to cut the ribbon on a new maintenance hangar today. The 125,000 square-foot hangar at the Dulles International Airport in Dulles, Va., can service two wide-body jets at the same time.
LinkBoeing 777X tail design features small holes to improve airflowBoeing's new 777X is getting a lot of attention for its composite wing with folding tips and its super-efficient engines, but one of the airliner's most innovative features are the tiny holes in its tail that smooth airflow and improve fuel efficiency. The holes help smooth airflow around the tail by improving something called laminar flow, basically making the aeroplane more aerodynamic, which reduces fuel consumption. "Aerodynamic advances such as a hybrid laminar flow control vertical tail," are the few words Boeing used to describe it in a press release announcing the 777X, Boeing's impressive updating of its long-range twin-engine airliner. Boeing is working with NASA to further develop the idea to include "sweeping jet actuators" embedded in the tail of future models. Such advancements in airflow manipulation could bring significant fuel savings.
LinkFAA reviews India's safety rating India has warned the US to expect retaliation if the US aviation regulator, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), downgrades the country’s air safety rankings. Retaliatory action could include a year’s embargo on the delivery of Boeing Co.’s 787 Dreamliner aircraft to Air India Ltd. he FAA has decided to inspect India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in December again for compliance with corrective measures on 33 deficiencies that came to light in a September audit of the Indian regulator. It could possibly downgrade India’s safety rankings to category II from category I after the audit. A category II safety rating means the civil aviation authority does not comply with International Civil Aviation Organization standards and is deficient in one or more areas, such as technical expertise, trained personnel and record-keeping or inspection procedures, according to FAA.
LinkMore charging stations added at airports for power-hungry travelersAirports across the country are installing special charging stations for passengers to charge their mobile devices. Delta Air Lines has added two branded charging stations at each of its gates and other airlines like Virgin America are offering charging stations, USB ports and work tables for travelers.
LinkDelta adds three new locations for its Porsche transfer programPassengers with Delta Diamond Medallion status can now access the airline's Porsche transfer program in three new locations. The airline will now provide those passengers a Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid on the tarmac at airports in Los Angeles, New York and Minneapolis. The program already serves an average of 75 passengers a day at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.
LinkReport: Airlines improved baggage handling in 2012Airlines improved baggage handling in 2012, leading to a 1.8% drop in mishandled bags, according to a SITA Baggage Report. Airlines mishandled 8.83 bags per 1,000 passengers last year, according to the report.
LinkWinter storm watch over Thanksgiving A storm may sweep up the East Coast as temperatures drop next week, bringing cold and rain to travelers on the road for the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday, said Matt Rogers, president of Commodity Weather Group LLC. Computer models show a storm developing by midweek, Rogers said. Rain will fall in the big cities of the Northeast, while some interior areas may have snow. “This could change if the early week cold gets trapped in,” Rogers said in e-mail interview from Bethesda, Maryland. It is “worth watching.”
LinkAirline flight dispatcher says he has the best jobFlight dispatchers Phil Derner Jr. and Mike Karrels give Airplane Geeks the inside scoop about what it's like to work for a major U.S. airline. Karrels says he has "the greatest job in the world." Also on the show, hybrid aircraft, an air traffic controller in Switzerland and more.
LinkMIT team uses surface texture to prevent icingA team of researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology has announced that they have discovered how to use surface texture to prevent icing. The textures can easily be created on aluminum surfaces and the team hopes to develop the technique further to maximize aerodynamic efficiency.
LinkEmbry-Riddle, American Eagle announce pilot pipeline programEmbry-Riddle Aeronautical University and American Eagle Airlines recently announced a program to help students pay for their training and ease them into their professional careers. Students in their second year or higher who make a two-year commitment to the program will receive a $10,000 scholarship. After graduation, they will become first officers at the airline while continuing as instructors at the university to build up their flight hours.
LinkAOPA insists FAA withdraw sleep apnea policyIn a Nov. 20 letter to the FAA administrator, AOPA President Mark Baker insists that the FAA withdraw its new sleep apnea policy or go through the rulemaking process. "We believe this policy inappropriately bypasses the rulemaking process; overlooks potentially more effective and efficient solutions; provides no clear safety benefit; and imposes unjustified costs on the user community," Baker wrote.
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