CommercialFAA, EASA clear Boeing to deliver 787-9, grant certificateBoeing is cleared to deliver the first 787-9 later in June after being certificated for commercial service by the US Federal Aviation Administration and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The award came after the FAA granted temporary exemptions for two components – including the ram air turbine (RAT) – that Boeing deems non-compliant with regulations. The type certificate for the first stretched variant of the 787-8 caps a four-year development effort, plus nine months and 1,500h of flight testing that began last September. Boeing expects the 280-seat 787-9 to become the highest-selling member of the 787, with the longest range at 8,300nm (15,400km) and a cabin stretched by 6m (20ft) compared to the 787-8. Twenty-six identified customers have ordered 413 787-9s, accounting for nearly 40% of the 787 backlog.
LinkMRJ’s fuselage joined with wingsMitsubishi Aircraft has completed the wing-body join of the first MRJ regional jet test aircraft. The mating of the wings with the aircraft’s fuselage took place at the company’s Nagoya Aerospace Works factory, says Mitsubishi in a statement. “The wing-body combination marks another major milestone toward MRJ’s completion,” it says. Following the successful wing join, Mitsubishi will attach an engine pylon from Sprit AeroSystems, and subsequently mount the Pratt & Whitney PW1200G engine it received recently.
LinkFAA To Investigate Controller's 'Kidding' CommentThe US FAA is investigating an air traffic controller's joking remark that caused a Delta jet to abort a landing at Atlanta Airport. Flight 630 from Detroit was approaching a runway last Wednesday when a controller told the pilot: “630, go around,” instructing the plane to circle the airport and attempt another landing, according to audio aired by Atlanta television station WXIA. The controller then quickly said: “I’m kidding Delta 630. Delta 630, you're clear to land,” according to the recording.
LinkAmerican, Union Reach Agreement On US Air WorkersAmerican Airlines and the Machinists' union have reached tentative agreements covering more than 11,000 employed at US Airways as mechanics, maintenance trainers and baggage handlers. The three-year agreements, which provide 3 percent pay increases and improved job security and medical benefits, must be ratified by the employee groups. US Airways, which merged with AMR to form the new American in December, had been in contract talks with the union for about three years, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers said.
LinkQatar Airways A380 Deliveries DelayedDelivery of the first three Airbus A380s to Qatar Airways has been delayed by several weeks due to unresolved cabin issues, the airline's chief executive said. The delivery had originally been expected around the end of May, coinciding with a meeting of global airlines in Qatar's capital Doha, but was pushed back after the airline apparently rejected the aircraft during a routine pre-delivery inspection.
LinkWizz Air Postpones London Listing PlansWizz Air has postponed plans to list its shares on the London Stock Exchange, citing current market volatility in the airline business. The budget carrier said last month it aimed to raise EUR€200 million (USD$272 million) via the listing to strengthen its balance sheet as it seeks to fund more growth. "The outlook for Wizz Air's business remains extremely positive and unaffected by the decision not to proceed with an IPO," the company said. Airline stocks were hammered last week after Lufthansa cut profit targets for the next two years, citing competition from Middle East-based and low-cost rivals.
LinkJetBlue to upgrade A320s with new seats, live TVJetBlue Airways is moving forward with a plan to retrofit its A320s with Pinnacle Seats from B/E Aerospace in 2015. JetBlue will also upgrade its in-flight entertainment on the A320s to its LTV4 inflight live television system. "Legroom and IFE are things where people remember us and book us as a result," said Jamie Perry, director of product development for the carrier.
LinkUnited turns to dynamic pricing for Economy Plus seatsUnited Airlines is turning to dynamic pricing for its Economy Plus cabins to offer customers greater choice. United CEO Jeff Smisek said Economy Plus seats are priced by "specific seat, by specific location on specific aircraft for a specific time of day and specific day of week."
LinkAirlines phase out iconic Boeing 747sThe iconic Boeing 747s, which can seat up to 500 passengers, are being replaced by more fuel-efficient aircraft. Michael Thomas, a Delta Air Lines spokesman, said the 747s are "coming up on an age where it makes sense to replace them."
LinkAmerican Express hires 2 executive chefs for loungesAmerican Express hired two chefs for its culinary team at Centurion Lounge for lounges slated to opened later this year. Christopher Kostow, the head chef at the Restaurant at Meadowood in Napa Valley, Calif., will contribute to the lounge at the San Francisco International Airport. Cedric Vongerichten, the executive chef at Perry St in New York City, will contribute to the lounge at New York's LaGuardia International Airport.
LinkARC celebrates 50th anniversary of standard air ticketsARC is celebrating 50 years since the introduction of standard tickets for airlines in 1964, which helped spread the growth of travel agents. By the end of 1965, around 5,000 travel agents were working in the U.S. In 1964, ARC also reached an Area Settlement Plan to streamline processing with banks.
LinkFla. airport utilizes advanced runway safety measures Keeping airliners safe on the new south runway at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport might seem a tall order, almost as tall as the runway itself. Rising almost six stories above the ground, its east end culminates in a straight drop down. And that is why the 8,000-foot runway will feature EMAS, a special material designed to bog down and stop even the largest jetliners traveling at high speed. EMAS, which stands for Engineered Materials Arresting Systems, is crushable concrete, packed into blocks about 3 feet thick and 4 feet wide. The blocks are layered such that the farther a plane plows over the end of a runway, the more EMAS it encounters. The affect is akin to driving a car into deep, soft sand. Additionally, there will be a 4-foot concrete wall and a special ramp allowing emergency vehicles to get to the area beyond the runway, just in case there is an accident in that area.
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