NewsCommercial
CAAC, Boeing partner to alleviate China’s airspace congestion
The Civil Aviation Administration of China’s (CAAC) Air Traffic Management Bureau signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Boeing in an effort to alleviate increasing air traffic congestion in China. According to the MOU, the regulator will cooperate with Boeing to enhance the efficiency and capacity of China’s airspace system as China continues to grow into one of the world’s largest and most complex aviation operating environments.
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BOC Aviation orders two more A320ceos
BOC Aviation has ordered two additional Airbus A320ceos that will be delivered by the end of 2017. The Singapore-based lessor says in a statement that the two aircraft have already been placed with an Asian carrier.
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Why size matters for '797X' project
It has an authority to offer from Boeing, public endorsements from influential airlines and lessors and finally, it seems, a name: the 797X. Boeing strangely has not yet confirmed the project’s designation, but it is reasonable to assume the company will not break with the numbering system that it established in 1956.
LinkAirlines
Eleven Airlines Fined For Cargo Price Fixing
The European Commission has reimposed fines on eleven airlines for participating in a price-fixing cartel on air freight between 1999 and 2006. The EC originally imposed EUR€776 million of fines in 2010, but the decision was annulled by the European Union's General Court in 2015 after an appeal by the airlines.
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Air France to ride out cabin crew strike
Air France expects few disruptions to its flights March 18, despite a strike of almost 30% of its cabin crew members. The national carrier said March 17 that all its long-haul services would operate as normal, together with 98% of its short- and medium-haul flights. The industrial action will continue until March 20.
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Air Serbia to launch third direct destination in Russia
Russian authorities have permitted Belgrade-based Air Serbia to add Krasnodar as a third destination in Russia. Air Serbia can operate up to 7X-weekly services, Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency, Rosaviatsia, said in a statement March 16. The permission is issued “on a temporary basis until the next round of consultations between the aeronautical authorities.”
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Alitalia To Cut 2,000 Jobs, EUR€1 Billion Costs
Alitalia said it will cut staff numbers by about two thousand and reduce costs by EUR€1 billion (USD$1.07 billion) by 2019, after its board approved its latest business plan. The Italian flag carrier said two-thirds of the savings will come from non-staff related costs, but office staff will be reduced by 50 percent, and non-flying positions will be cut by 20 percent. The 2,000 total staff reductions amount to 16 percent of the 12,500 currently employed at the airline.
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Avianca reverses losses with $44 million 2016 net profit
Avianca Holdings posted a net profit of $44.2 million in 2016, reversing a $139.5 net loss the company reported in 2015. “Through steadfast focus on implementing our [business] plan, and the benefit of improved microeconomic tailwinds, 2016 was a strong year for Avianca,” Avianca CEO Hernán Rincón said.
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IAG To Launch Low-cost Long-haul Airline
IAG, owner of British Airways and Iberia, will launch a new low-cost carrier in June, with flights from Barcelona to the US and South America. The new airline, LEVEL, will serve four cities, Los Angeles, Oakland, Buenos Aires, and Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, from June with new Airbus A330s, IAG said in a statement.
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LATAM Airlines Group returns to profit in 2016
Santiago, Chile-based LATAM Airlines Group reported a 2016 net profit of $69.2 million, reversed from a net loss of $219.3 million in 2015. LATAM Airlines Group is parent company to Brazil’s TAM and Chile’s LAN Airlines, and their affiliates.
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Rex Saab 340 lands safely after losing propeller
A Regional Express Saab 340B has landed safely at Sydney airport after its right-hand propeller came off whilst operating a flight from Albury. Pictures on social media show the aircraft, registered VH-NRX, on the ground at Sydney on 17 March, missing the whole propeller assembly on its right-hand General Electric CT7 turboprop engine.
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S7 Airlines to begin St. Petersburg Embraer E170LR service
Russia’s S7 Airlines will start Embraer E170LR service from St. Petersburg to Yaroslavl and Kaluga. Both services will be 2X-weekly and start May 8 and 9. Earlier in March, the carrier announced E170LR service from St. Petersburg to Bryansk and Kaliningrad.
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Chile's Sky launches new livery
Chile's Sky Airline has unveiled a new livery as it updates its branding. The Santiago-based carrier's new colours are dark purple and fluorescent green, with a simpler design on its aircraft tail. Sky has also launched a new website and new uniforms for employees.
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United adds domestic capacity in network expansion
United is acting on its faith in the US economy, adding capacity of 3.5% to 4.5% this year, which equates to tens of thousands of additional seats for passengers. The airline is focusing its domestic expansion on key markets such as Newark, N.J.; Denver and Chicago.
LinkAirports
Indianapolis International Airport's economic power growing
Indianapolis International Airport has "significantly increased its economic power" since 2012, according to the latest economic impact study. The study, which was conducted by the Indiana University Public Policy Institute and measures the economic impact on Marion County, shows the airport is a vital source of commerce on all key areas of economic growth. “It’s pretty common for most people to think of the airport singularly as a place to help facilitate travel,” says Mario Rodriguez, executive director of the Indianapolis Airport Authority (IIA).
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New terminal and operator for Bermuda's LF Wade International Airport
Bermuda's LF Wade International Airport will soon have a new operator after the government's decision to award the Canadian Commercial Corporation and their sub-contractor, Aecon, the concession to finance, construct and operate its planned new passenger terminal. On financial close of the deal, Bermuda Skyport Corporation Limited (Skyport), a special purpose company formed and initially wholly-owned by Aecon Concessions, will take over the airport's operations, maintenance and commercial functions, and manage and co-ordinate the overall delivery of the redevelopment project over a 30-year concession term.
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Military
Israel continues talks over additional F-15s
Negotiations about a possible follow-on purchase of advanced Boeing F-15s for the Israeli air force are continuing, as the nation’s cabinet seeks a possible alternative to acquiring additional Lockheed Martin F-35s. In November 2016, the Israeli government approved the purchase of another 17 F-35Is, bringing to 50 the number of “Adir” strike aircraft planned for its air force.
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Boeing secures $3.4 billion deal for 268 AH-64Es
Boeing has secured a five-year, $3.4 billion deal to provide 268 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters to the US Army and an international customer. Of the 268 aircraft, 244 will be remanufactured and go to the US Army, while 24 newly built rotorcraft will go to the international customer, says Boeing in a statement.
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Royal Navy Lynx HMA8 fleet bows out of service
A final flypast of four Royal Navy Westland Lynx HMA8 helicopters from 815 Naval Air Squadron, based at RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset, will take place on 17 March, before the type is officially decommissioned on 23 March.
LinkRegulatory
Transport Canada adopts new rules for UAVs
Responding to a reported tripling of recreational unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) incidents since 2014, Transport Canada issued new operational rules March 16, effective immediately. The new rules affect operations of recreational UAVs weighing between 250g (.55 lb.) and 35kg (77 lbs.), and include the specification that recreational operators cannot fly UAVs within nine kilometers (5.6 miles) of the center of any airport, heliport, aerodrome or water aerodrome where aircraft take off and land.
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Aviation Quote
The development of air power in its broadest sense, and including the development of all means of combating missiles that travel through the air, whether fired or dropped, is the first essential to our survival in war.
- Viscount Hugh M. Trenchard, 1946
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Trivia
Space Shuttle
1.
What United States president signed an order that officially began the space shuttle project?
A. John F. Kennedy
B. Richard M. Nixon
C. Jimmy Carter
2. What year was the first space shuttle mission launched?
A. 1977
B. 1979
C. 1981
3. What shuttle was used to repair the Hubble Space Telescope in 1993?
A. Challenger
B. Discovery
C. Endeavour
4. How many successful U.S. shuttle missions had taken place before Challenger disintegrated into a ball of fire in 1986?
A. 9
B. 24
C. 99
5. What was the first shuttle to be launched following the Challenger disaster?
A. Atlantis
B. Discovery
C. Endeavour
6. What was the first shuttle to dock with Russia's Mir space station?
A. Atlantis
B. Columbia
C. Enterprise
