NewsFormer ATC professional urges system reformRetired air traffic control professional Alan Clendenin writes that reforming the ATC system is critical to Florida's tourism industry. In this commentary, Clendenin asserts that the current ATC system is outdated. "Despite the political drama and partisan divides, I still believe it's government's role to actually seek solutions and solve problems," he added, while urging Florida's elected officials to support the 21st Century AIRR Act.
LinkAmerican to base 737 Max in MiamiAmerican Airlines will base its first Boeing 737 Max 8 at its Miami International airport hub, with plans to enter new markets and replace other narrowbody flying. The Fort Worth-based carrier will take advantage of the fuel efficiency and range of the latest Boeing narrowbody to "open new markets and improve our performance in certain markets" from Miami, it says in an employee newsletter on 17 August.
LinkBombardier shows off painted Korean CS300 Bombardier has offered a glimpse of the first CSeries twinjet to be delivered to Korean Air. The aircraft is pictured having been painted in the South Korean airline's distinctive colour scheme.
LinkPassenger device source of seat fire on Lufthansa A380Canadian investigators have disclosed that a passenger's electrical power bank was the source of a fire in the cabin of a Lufthansa Airbus A380 operating to Houston. The aircraft – transporting 510 occupants – had been cruising in Canadian airspace, some 260nm north-east of Montreal, when the crew was alerted to "heavy" electrical smoke and fire beneath seat 10C, says Transportation Safety Board of Canada.
LinkAmerican Airlines investing in workers, facilities at N.C. airportDec Lee, American Airlines' hub leader at North Carolina's Charlotte Douglas International Airport, says the carrier is investing in its employees and the airport. The airline has increased workers' pay by up to 20% for some work groups and upgraded break rooms and facilities. Lee spoke about the carrier's strong commitment to Charlotte and creating a world-class airport and customer experience there. "Our employees are going to be working in a much more modern and efficient environment," he said. "We treat them better, they treat our customers better."
LinkCathay's crisis of confidenceIntense competition, the lack of a budget arm, and poor fuel hedges continue to plague the Cathay Pacific Group, leading it to its worst interim loss in at least two decades. On 16 August, Cathay announced an operating loss of HK$1.7 billion($217.3 million) for the first six months of the year, a sharp reversal from its HK$664 million profit a year ago. Its attributable net loss amounted to HK$2.05 billion, a drastic downturn from the HK$353 million gain last year.
LinkIndonesia's N219 conducts maiden flightIndonesian Aerospace (IAe) conducted the first flight of its N219 commuter aircraft on 16 August. In a statement posted on its website, Indonesia's National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (LAPAN) says the aircraft took off at 09.10 local time for a 30-minute flight, reaching an altitude of 8,000ft. It classed this flight as the "first engineering development flight test."
LinkIsrael to declare full capability with Hermes 900 fleetThe Israeli air force expects to achieve full operational capability (FOC) with its Elbit Systems Hermes 900 unmanned air vehicles at the end of August, with the milestone to be declared officially following lengthy work performed by the service's flight-test squadron. Previous such declarations have been made based on the results of tests conducted by manufacturers.
LinkNew Delhi approves Apache acquisition for ArmyNew Delhi's Defence Acquisition Council has approved the acquisition of six AH-64E Apache attack helicopters for the army at a cost of $651 million. The deal still needs final approval from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), and a formal contract could take up to a year.
LinkGlobal 7000 test aircraft suffers in-flight engine flameoutA Bombardier Global 7000 flight-test aircraft made an emergency landing on 15 August when the right GE Passport engine experienced an in-flight flameout, according to an incident report issued by the National Transportation Safety Board of Canada. The ultra-long-range business jet – the second flight-test article with the registration C-GBLB – was flying at 41,000ft when the incident occurred at 17:38 local time,156nm (290km) from the Bombardier flight-test centre at Wichita airport, Kansas.
LinkHow Cirrus made its Vision Jet a realityWhen Cirrus handed over the first SF50 Vision Jet to its proud owner last December, its relief was palpable. The milestone ended a 10-year quest by the airframer – manufacturer of the popular SR-series piston-single –to create the world’s first certificated, single-engined personal jet. It thought the aircraft would create a new era of affordable aviation.
LinkDOT approves American Airlines’ Beijing route extension requestThe US Department of Transportation (DOT) has granted a request from American Airlines for an extension to begin daily Los Angeles-Beijing flights
LinkCuts in capacity, fleet push LATAM to record 2Q operating profit LATAM Airlines Group’s route capacity and fleet management efforts, combined with a 10.6% rise in passenger revenues, helped to push its 2017 second-quarter operating profits to a company record of $48.2 million, compared to $1.3 million for 2Q 2016.
LinkEASA certifies Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 TEN engineUK aero engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce has been granted full-flight certification by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for its Boeing 787 Trent 1000 TEN engine. The Trent 1000 TEN, which will power all Boeing 787 variants, has improved thrust and efficiency because of cross-over technologies from the Airbus A350’s Trent XWB powerplant and Rolls-Royce’s Advance turbofan—a new engine program that was announced in 2014.
LinkAirberlin delays 2Q financial results following bankruptcy filingAirberlin will delay its 2Q results presentation, which had been expected Aug. 18, because of the German carrier’s bankruptcy filing earlier this week. Germany’s second largest carrier filed for insolvency Aug. 15 after Etihad Airways—which has a 29.2% stake in airberlin—withdrew financial support.
LinkCobalt Air looks east for new long-haul routesYoung Cyprus carrier Cobalt Air is planning to move into the long-haul market, taking advantage of its substantial Chinese shareholder base.
LinkBoeing expands Helena site for 777X parts productionBoeing’s Helena, Montana, manufacturing site is set to install new machinery for manufacturing critical titanium parts for 777X production, the US manufacturer said Aug. 17. The new 90,000 sq. ft. expansion of Boeing Helena brings the site’s total footprint to over 257,000 sq. ft.
LinkBritish Airways, Loganair confirm new codeshareBritish Airways (BA) and Scottish regional airline Loganair have concluded a new codeshare agreement, the two carriers have confirmed. The airlines said earlier this month they were working on a codeshare as part of a cooperative agreement that will take the place of Loganair’s current franchise operation on behalf of UK regional airline Flybe.
LinkFrankfurt Airport to build LCC terminal German airport operator Fraport AG has applied for a building permit to construct a new Pier G at Frankfurt Airport to accommodate the growing low-cost segment. Construction is scheduled to begin in mid-2018. Frankfurt is Germany’s biggest airport and the major hub of Star Alliance member Lufthansa.
LinkNew terminal opens at Norway’s Bergen Airport Norway’s Bergen Flesland Airport has opened a new terminal with capacity for up to 10 million passengers a year. The increase in capacity at Bergen comes just months after the opening of an expanded airport in Oslo, the country’s capital. Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg said the new NOK3.7 billion ($470 million) facility is important for the wider region around the Norwegian city.
LinkEdinburgh Airport kicks off $103 million investment programScotland’s Edinburgh Airport (EDI) has started construction work on a terminal building extension, as part of an £80 million ($103 million) investment program. The three-story extension, which is scheduled for completion by summer 2018, will see the airport’s southeast pier extended to add six new boarding gates, air bridges and seating areas.
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