NewsAirberlin frequent flier program files for insolvencyAirberlin’s frequent flier program, topbonus, followed the German carrier in filing for insolvency Aug. 25 after Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways pulled support. “This unfortunate development follows the decision Aug. 15 by airberlin to file for insolvency.
LinkEffort to overhaul US ATC faces looming deadlineEarlier this year the US airline industry appeared poised to succeed in its years-long quest to strip air traffic control (ATC) from the Federal Aviation Administration. After all, an industry-led bill to corporatise ATC enjoyed broad support from lawmakers, the entire airline industry and even President Donald Trump.
LinkItalian authority probes Alitalia A320 tail-strikeItalian investigators have opened an inquiry after an Alitalia Airbus A320 suffered a tail-strike on departure from Milan Malpensa. The aircraft sustained the strike during take-off from runway 35R, says the Italian accident investigation authority ANSV.
LinkMH17 inquiry receives additional Russian radar dataCriminal investigators probing the destruction of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 have received additional radar information from Russian authorities. The Dutch national prosecutor's office had previously expressed irritation that Russian-supplied radar data had not been provided in the internationally-accepted 'Asterix' format developed by Eurocontrol.
LinkQantas to upgrade 12 A380s, emphasis on premium seatsQantas Airways will upgrade the cabins of its 12 Airbus A380 aircraft, increasing premium seating and resulting in a net addition of one seat per jet. Qantas's A380s are equipped with 484 seats, which will rise to 485 after the upgrade, says Qantas. The work will commence in the second quarter of 2019, with all 12 aircraft upgraded by the end of 2020.
LinkQantas calls on Airbus, Boeing to break tyranny of distanceQantas chief executive Alan Joyce has challenged Airbus and Boeing to provide aircraft with superior economics over extreme ranges. In a speech accompanying the company's results for its 2017 financial year, Joyce asked the two big airframers to offer a jet that, by 2022, can fly a full payload on routes such as Sydney-London, Brisbane-Paris, and Melbourne-New York.
LinkQantas full-year profit down 8.5% to A$1.4 billionQantas has posted an underlying profit before tax of A$1.4 billion ($1.1 billion) for its 2017 financial year ended 30 June, down 8.5% from a year earlier, but still the second highest result in the carrier's history. Qantas Group revenue fell 0.9% to A$16.1 billion, according to its results statement. Net passenger revenue fell 1%, with international competition and the ramping up of new routes outweighing better unit revenue at the company's domestic businesses. Consequently, RASK fell 2%.
LinkGE reveals major achievements in hybrid electric propulsionGE Aviation has broken a two-year silence on a major research project in hybrid electric propulsion with a new white paper that discloses several major advances demonstrated in two experiments since 2015 and that confirms the company is in talks with several potential aircraft makers about using the new technology.
LinkBell targets military market with 525 helicopterBell Helicopter is pitching the in-development 525 Relentless to military customers as a 20-passenger troop transport or search and rescue (SAR) platform. Although Bell has previously identified civil SAR and VIP transport missions as alternatives to the depressed oil and gas segment it initially aimed the 525 at, the airframer has so far not pursued military customers.
LinkNew Delhi RFIs call for 234 new naval helicoptersNew Delhi has issued a new request for information for 111 naval utility helicopters (NUH) and 123 naval multi-role helicopters (NMRH). A request for proposal is likely to be issued in the second quarter of 2018 for both acquisitions.
LinkAlaska Airlines to use Boeing 737 on Seattle-Santa Barbara, Calif., routeAlaska Airline announced it will increase its passenger capacity for direct flights between the Santa Barbara, Calif., and Seattle-Tacoma international airports by using a Boeing 737 for the route. The airline will begin using the larger aircraft beginning Aug. 27.
LinkAtlas Air confirms Amazon flight operationAtlas Air has secured an agreement with Amazon to operate 20 freighters for the online retailer. The airline plans to have all 20 aircraft operational by the end of 2018.
LinkJetBlue to offer more Mint service from Boston airportJetBlue Airways is expanding its number of flights out of Boston's Logan International Airport that will offer its business-class Mint service. The service offers special amenities, such as expanded legroom, massaging seats and food options created by Michelin star-rated chef Brad Farmerie.
LinkTSA gets new headquarters in Va.The Transportation Security Administration will move to a new headquarters in Springfield, Va., following a decision made by the General Services Administration. The agency expects to move into the 625,000-square-foot office in 2020.
LinkJetBlue releases ironic office-themed souvenirsJetBlue Airways launched the humorous Office Souvenirs line in an effort to remind travelers to take a vacation. Customers can purchase a human resource-scented candle, or a printer snow globe.
LinkJapanese lessor JIA finalizes MAX orderTokyo-based Japan Investment Adviser (JIA) has finalized an order for 10 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, valued at $1.12 billion at list prices. The order was previously announced as a commitment at the 2017 Paris Air Show in June.
LinkCAE to buy full control of AirAsia training JVCanadian training specialist CAE will pay $100 million to acquire full control over the Asian Aviation Centre of Excellence (AACE), a 50:50 joint venture with LCC AirAsia.
LinkLack of pilots threatens US Essential Air Services programFor many years, US Congress has tried to reduce or cut funding entirely for the federally supported Essential Air Service (EAS) program, which provides scheduled air service to rural communities.
LinkUK adopts guidelines for medical handling of cabin air incidentsUK health authorities have established new medical guidelines for flight crew who show symptoms of being exposed to aircraft-cabin fume events.
LinkBAE postpones Avro RJ freighter conversion project The UK’s BAE Systems Regional Aircraft (BARA) has postponed plans to produce a new freighter conversion of the Avro RJ regional jet. The company announced a year ago that it planned a conversion of the RJ100, the largest of the three-member Avro RJ family. It would have been able to accommodate seven standard LD3 containers, plus one smaller container to slot into the rear fuselage.
LinkCALC sees strong 1H growth on global, fleet expansionChina Aircraft Leasing Group (CALC) reported strong revenue growth in the 2017 first half as the company continues to expand and diversify globally. In the 1H, CALC posted a net profit of HK$248.7 million ($32 million), up 3.6% from 1H 2016. Revenue for the half-year was up 22.5% to HK$1.26 billion.
LinkKLM purchases evacuation trainersKLM Royal Dutch Airlines will buy two Cabin Emergency Evacuation Trainers (CEETs) from UK-based training simulator specialist EDM. Manchester-based EDM will manufacture CEETs to cover the Boeing 737 and 777 fleets operated by the Dutch flag carrier. CEETs are used to train cabin crew in safety and emergency procedures including fire and smoke events, door and exit operation, secure cockpit procedures and emergency equipment usage.
LinkSpirit to add four routes to New OrleansSpirit Airlines is adding four routes to New Orleans this fall, the ultra LCC said Aug. 25. The Fort Lauderdale-based carrier will add daily service to New Orleans from Boston; Newark, New Jersey; and Tampa, Florida, on Nov. 9.
LinkAirBridgeCargo sees 1H volume increase on Asia-Pacific demandRussia’s AirBridgeCargo (ABC), part of Volga-Dnepr Group, carried 335,000 tonnes in the first half of 2017, up 16% year-over-year (YOY), as a result of strong demand across the Asia-Pacific network. “The launch of twice-weekly services to Taipei marked the doubling of the airline’s online network in the region over the last two years to 12 destinations—Tokyo, Seoul, Singapore, Hanoi, Phnom Penh, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing, Zhengzhou and now Taipei,” the carrier said in a statement.
LinkANA opens new domestic lounges at New Chitose AirportJapan’s’ All Nippon Airways (ANA) will open a new ANA Suite Lounge and a renovated ANA Lounge at Sapporo’s New Chitose Airport Sept. 13. Both lounges, for passengers on domestic flights, are designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma. “The overall design concept of the new lounges is ‘Ichigo ichie’ [treasure every encounter as if it were once in a lifetime]. This concept is based on the Japanese saying, with a new interpretation,” he said.
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