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Brazil to launch WTO dispute against Canada
The Brazilian foreign ministry says on 19 December it will launch a formal trade dispute against Canada in the World Trade Organization over claims of improper financial assistance to Bombardier. Brazil’s federal trade chamber (CAMEX) has authorized the foreign ministry to submit the case to the WTO’s dispute settlement process, according to a statement released by the foreign ministry.
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Boeing to cut more commercial jobs in 2017 following 8% 2016 reduction
Boeing anticipates its Commercial Airplanes unit’s workforce will be reduced by 8% by the end of 2016 compared to January, and it is planning additional employee reductions in the unit in 2017, which could include involuntary layoffs. Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and CEO Kevin McAllister and Boeing vice chairman Ray Conner shared the news about job reductions with employees in a Dec. 19 message. McAllister last month succeeded Conner as the head of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
LinkAirlines
Airberlin names Thomas Winkelmann CEO
Airberlin has named Thomas Winkelmann as its new CEO, effective Feb. 1, 2017. He will replace Stefan Pichler.
Winkelmann will become the fourth airberlin CEO since 2011. Pichler has decided to leave the company after two years as CEO, and is returning to Australia.
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Alaska comments on future branding after Virgin merger
Alaska Airlines has closed on the acquisition of Virgin America, though it remains to be seen whether Alaska will maintain the Virgin brand under the unified company. "In the coming months, we'll begin to share our ideas about the future and expect to have a decision about the Virgin America brand in early 2017," said Alaska Airlines in a statement.
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American pioneered loyalty programs for airlines
American Airlines was a pioneer in bringing loyalty programs to fliers. "Few businesses understand their 'occupancy' as well as the airlines -- and this knowledge allowed them to give free travel to people who want to travel," writes Jon Seltzer, a professor at the University of St. Thomas Opus College of Business.
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Cargolux joins Airlines for Europe
Luxembourg-based freight airline Cargolux has joined lobby group Airlines for Europe (A4E) as the group’s first dedicated freighter operator. Cargolux operates an all-Boeing 747 freighter fleet on scheduled and charter services. With this latest addition, A4E said it will add cargo issues to its campaigns and set up a specialist working group.
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China Southern takes first A320neo
China Southern Airlines has taken delivery of its first Airbus A320neo. The Pratt & Whitney PW1127G-powered aircraft, registered B-8545 (MSN 6975), was handed over to the carrier at Hamburg on 13 December, says the carrier's parent China Southern Air Holding.
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Alaska Air and Delta are ending their partnership
Alaska Air Group Inc. and Delta Air Lines are ending a codeshare agreement as competition between the two carriers serving Seattle-Tacoma International Airport intensifies following Alaska Air’s takeover of Virgin America. As of May 1, Delta and Alaska will no longer have a codeshare agreement, and sales of flights under DL- and AS-coded flight numbers flown on Alaska and Delta aircraft will end. Delta and Alaska today codeshare on a small number of flights as Delta's flights out of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport have growth and reduced the need for codeshare flying.
Link
Etihad cuts staff numbers as conditions deteriorate
In an indication that steadily tightening global economic conditions are hitting even the most prominent airlines, Etihad Airways has announced it intends to reduce staff numbers. The Abu Dhabi-based carrier, which has expanded its interests rapidly in recent years, says that a company restructuring will “result in a measured reduction of headcount in some parts of the business.”
Link
Hawaiian Airlines launches Haneda-Kona route
This week, Hawaiian Airlines will launch service connecting Japan's Haneda Airport and the island of Kona, Hawaii. This will be Kona's first international flight since 2010.
Link
Iran Air: Airbus contract finalized; A380s dropped
Iran Air has finalized its aircraft order agreement with Airbus, but has cut 12 A380s from the order for more than 100 aircraft, the airline’s CEO told Iran’s Mehr News Agency. Airbus announced Jan. 28, 2016, that it had signed agreements with Iran Air covering the purchase of 21 A320ceo family aircraft, 24 A320neo family aircraft, 27 A330ceos, 18 A330-900neos, 16 A350-1000s and 12 A380s.
Link
JetBlue maintains individuality as a leading US carrier
JetBlue has bolstered its offerings of free on-board Wi-Fi, television and snacks since launching in 2000, and has grown quickly to become a leading domestic carrier over the past 16 years.
Link
Virgin Atlantic faces work-to-rule over pilot representation
Members of the Professional Pilots’ Union (PPU) have balloted in favor of a work-to-rule policy at UK carrier Virgin Atlantic Airways, as the group seeks to be the only pilot body represented at the airline. The PPU launched in January 2013, after 70% of Virgin Atlantic pilots backed the creation of a new union following a pay dispute in 2011. The PPU said it represents around 70% of pilots at Virgin Atlantic, although other sources indicate that the number could be closer to 50-60%.
LinkAirports
All time yearly traffic high for Dublin Airport with 12 business days to go
This year will go down in the record books for Dublin Airport which yesterday broke the 27 million passenger per annum barrier for the first time. The total is already two million more passengers than it handled in the whole of 2015 and there are still 12 more days of business to go for the gateway, which is closed on Christmas Day.
Link
Amsterdam Schiphol reveals design team for its new pier
Amsterdam Schiphol has selected an AECOM led team to design its new eight-gate pier, which is expected to open in late 2019. Airport operator, Royal Schiphol Group, has commissioned the team to deliver a full design for the new pier and airside facilities in late 2017. It says that it selected the AECOM team as a consequence of its architectural outlook, suggested approach and related price.
Link
Ankara's Esenboğa Airport retains carbon neutral status
Ankara's Esenboğa Airport has renewed its carbon neutral airport certification for another year, reveals operator TAV Airports. In doing so, Esenboğa confirms its status as one of the world's top 27 environmentally-friendly airports based on ACI's Airport Carbon Accreditation program
Link
Military
Unilateral negotiations still in play for F-35 contract
Despite the lingering threat of legal action from Lockheed Martin following a unilaterally negotiated contract for low rate initial production (LRIP) Lot 9 for the F-35, the US Defense Department could still deploy the controversial measure to decide the contract price for Lot 10.
Link
First G550-based AEW delivered to Italy
The first Gulfstream G550 converted to an airborne early warning and control system by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has been delivered to the Italian air force. The contract was signed in 2012 under a bilateral agreement between the Italian and Israeli governments, which also saw Tel Aviv select the Leonardo Aermacchi M-346 advanced trainer.
Link
Indonesia loses fifth C-130 since 2000
The Indonesian air force Lockheed Martin C-130H that crashed in the country’s Papua region was conducting a joint navigation training and logistics mission, and marks Jakarta’s fifth loss of the type since 2000. According to the air force’s Twitter account, among those killed when the aircraft went down in mountainous terrain while flying from Timika to Wamena were new pilots. Media reports indicate that there were 13 aboard the aircraft, as well as cargo comprising foodstuffs and concrete.
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Aviation Quote
You've never been lost until you've been lost at Mach 3.
- Paul F. Crickmore, 'Lockheed SR-71: The Secret Missions Exposed,' 1993.
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Editor's Choice
Trivia
B-727
1. The very first 727 was delivered on October 29, 1963, to which airline?
Delta
Pan Am
Eastern
United
2. The three Pratt & Whitney JT8D turbofan engines used to power the 727 were derived from the J52 turbojet engines, which were used to power which prolific military airplane?
F-106 Delta Dart
A-5 Vigilante
A-6 Intruder
F-4 Phantom
3. The 727-200, the most prolific model of the series, could carry a maximum of how many passengers?
169
129
189
149
4. As the result of a failed coup, a 727 was awarded a medal of honor by the leader of which nation?
Ethiopia
Greece
Morroco
Libya
5. The military variant of the 727, used as a medium-range transport by the Air National Guard, was given what designation?
C-22
C-9
C-40
C-27
6. The 1,000th 727 was delivered in January, 1974, to which airline?
Air Canada
Delta
TWA
Continental
7. On September 25, 1978, a 727 was lost after a mid-air collision with a smaller Cessna aircraft, over which city?
LAS
SAN
IAH
PHX
8. One of the more infamous crashes involving a 727 occurred on July 9, 1982, near New Orleans. Which airline lost an aircraft that day due to wind shear?
Delta
Eastern
Continental
Pan Am
9. The plot of which action movie involves a pivotal scene where a 727 crashes?
Under Siege
Die Hard 2: Die Harder
Mercury Rising
U.S. Marshalls
10. The final 727 was delivered on September 18, 1984, to which package-delivery company?
United parcel Service
Federal Express
United States Postal Service
DHL
