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Atlas Air, Boeing strike deal to increase order for cargo service freighters
Atlas Air and Boeing on Tuesday announced a deal that would convert nine 767 wide-body passenger planes into converted cargo freighters, up from the four planes planned initially. Atlas in May announced it would provide air cargo services to Amazon.com.
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Airbus announces plan to reduce A380 production
Beginning in 2018, Airbus will reduce its production pace of the A380 to one aircraft per month. The manufacturer currently builds 2.5 A380s per month.
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FAA Issues Samsung Note 7 Guidance
The US FAA has advised airline passengers to power down all Samsung Galaxy Note 7 phones, including those recently replaced. The Federal Aviation Administration statement “urges passengers onboard aircraft to power down, and not use, charge, or stow in checked baggage, any Samsung Galaxy Note7 devices, including recalled and replacement devices”.
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ATR names new CEO; de Castelbajac to step down
Turboprop manufacturer ATR CEO Patrick de Castelbajac has confirmed he is leaving and will be succeeded by senior Airbus Group executive Christian Scherer. De Castelbajac announced his departure Oct. 11 during an evening reception at the European Regions Airline Association (ERA) general assembly in Madrid.
LinkAirlines
American Airlines to connect Sonoma County, Calif., and Phoenix
American Airlines in February will begin offering daily service between California's Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport and Phoenix.
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SuperJet International plots to build on CityJet success
As negotiations take place between Sukhoi and Leonardo about restructuring their financial relationship in the Superjet 100 regional airliner programme, it is business as usual at their global marketing joint venture. SuperJet International (SJI), in which Leonardo holds a 51% stake and Sukhoi the remainder, is responsible for marketing, sales, deliveries and support in Western markets for the fly-by-wire 100-seater.
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Richard Anderson departs Delta, stepping down as board chairman
Richard Anderson has retired as executive chairman of Delta Air Lines’ board of directors, departing from the Atlanta-based airline on which he left an indelible mark over the last nine years. The move comes just over five months after Anderson stepped down as Delta’s CEO, handing the reigns to Ed Bastian, the carrier’s longtime president and number two executive who succeeded Anderson as CEO.
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GOL, Emirates Airline to codeshare
São Paulo-based low-cost carrier GOL and Dubai-based Emirates Airline have announced a new codeshare and frequent flyer program partnership. The codeshare partnership has been filed to ANAC-Brazilian Federal Aviation Agency. The first flights are expected be approved in the coming days and the partnership is expected to become effective by the end of October/early November.
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Kenya Airways Pilots To Strike Next Week
Kenya Airways pilots’ union has called for a strike in protest at the airline’s turnaround strategy and senior management. The Kenya Airline Pilots Association (KALPA) issued a seven-day strike notice on Tuesday demanding changes to Kenya Airways’ management.
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Polar Airlines An-26 makes hard landing in severe weather
A Polar Airlines Antonov An-26-100, en route from Yakutsk to Belaya Gora, made a heavy landing at Belaya Gora Airport on Oct.11. According to the Yakutsk-based carrier, weather conditions at Belaya Gora were severe. None of the 33 people onboard were injured, but the aircraft was damaged.
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Salam Air changes equipment plans
New Omani low-cost carrier (LCC) Salam Air will begin its operational life with Airbus A320s, rather than the previously mooted Boeing 737s, the airline said Oct. 11. Salam Air, which unveiled its brand identity for the first time, said it aimed to start flights by the end of the year.
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Southwest reaches tentative agreement with specialized aircraft-detailing staff
A tentative agreement has been reached between Southwest Airlines and the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association representing its 200-plus aircraft appearance technicians. If ratified, the deal will be in effect into 2021. "This agreement enhances pay and benefits for our employees, and it supports the company's long-term strategic business plan," said Landon Nitschke, vice president of maintenance operations for Southwest.
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Southwest increases RPMs, capacity in Sept.
Southwest has reported a 7.9% increase in revenue passenger miles for September, totaling 9.9 billion for the month. Available seat miles and load factor also increased in September.
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First A320neo delivered to a US operator
Spirit Airlines has become the first US customer to accept delivery of an Airbus A320neo, the manufacturer says. The Pratt & Whitney PW1100G-powered A320neo was handed over to the Miramar, Florida-based low-cost carrier on 7 October, according to Flight Fleets Analyzer.
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SWISS, Zurich Airport optimize flight approaches
Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) plans to implement the iStream concept, a new procedure to optimize the wave of early-morning arrivals at Zurich Airport, following a successful 12-month trial. According to a company statement, the iStream demonstration project, which is being supervised by Single European Sky ATM Research program (SESAR) joint undertaking and co-funded by the European Union, is intended to optimize peak-time airport arrivals.
LinkAirports
Hattiesburg-Laurel airport in Miss. retains American Airlines service
Hattiesburg-Laurel Regional Airport will continue its American Airlines jet service for another two years. After meeting the U.S. Department of Transportation’s subsidy requirements and having made progress in the market, American Airlines rebid and was awarded service to the Pine Belt. With this renewed service comes some changes.
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Heathrow Passenger Numbers Hit New Record
London Heathrow Airport’s September passenger numbers were up 0.4 percent to a record high of 6.8 million. The passenger total for the year to end September was 57.3 million, a rise of 0.7 percent on last year’s figure.
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Abu Dhabi To Upgrade Seychelles Airport
Abu Dhabi Airports has signed an MOU with the Seychelles government to develop the country’s Mahe Airport. The Memorandum of Understanding “enhances our growing international reputation as a world-class airport operator, driving us further towards our vision of becoming the world’s leading airports group”, Abu Dhabi Airports chairman Ali Majed Al Mansoori said.
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Military
Bangladesh orders single C295W transport
Bangladesh has ordered a single Airbus Defense & Space C295W medium transport, which is expected to be delivered in the second half of 2017. The nation has become the ninth to order the C295W, which will become the first multi-engined fixed-wing aircraft to be operated by the aviation branch of the Bangladesh army. It will be used as a transport for troops and cargo, with applications potentially including paratrooping and medical evacuation, and the contract also covers training and support, Airbus says.
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Airbus Helicopters hits out over 'misleading allegations' in Poland
Airbus Helicopters has delivered an angry response to the Polish government and its rivals accusing them of spreading “misleading allegations” over the collapse of a multi-billion dollar order for multirole helicopters. Warsaw at the beginning of October announced that negotiations with the manufacturer had come to an end after the parties failed to agree an offset deal equal to the value of the contract for 50 H225M Caracals.
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How North Korean air power starred in Wonsan
North Korea's inaugural Wonsan Air Festival, staged in the coastal city from 24-25 September, was billed as a non-political event "organized to promote the spirit of international peace and friendship through aviation and air sports". Our picture special – published in Flight International's 11 October issue – shows some of the highlights from the spectacular event, which provided unprecedented access to the Korean People’s Army Air Force inventory and that of national carrier Air Koryo.
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Aviation Quote
I know how to never have another 'Challenger.' I know how to never have another leak, and never to screw up another mirror, and that is to stop and build some shopping centers in the desert.
- J. R. Thompson, NASA deputy administrator.
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Aircraft Names
Manufacturer and designation provided, you provide the name.
1. North American AJ
2. Ryan FR
3. Douglas AD1
4. Douglas A-3
5. Vought OS2U
6. Vought F7U
7. McDonnell F1H
8. McDonnell F3H
9. Douglas A2D
10. Douglas F3D
