NewsAfrican aviation organization names new secretary generalThe African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), the body responsible for implementing intra-African Open Skies, has named former Ethiopian CAA director general Tefera Mekonnen as its next secretary general (SG). Mekonnen, who is currently AFCAC air transport director, was named as the body’s next SG during an AFCAC plenary session held in Livingstone, Zambia on Dec. 3.
LinkMiddle East Airlines to take up to six Airbus A330neos Lebanese SkyTeam member Middle East Airlines (MEA) has announced plans to purchase four Airbus A330-900neos, with options on a further two. MEA confirmed the aircraft purchase during a Lebanon-UK Business and Investment Forum in London on Dec. 12.
LinkCEO: Avianca Colombia to add European routes as demand grows Bogota-based Avianca—which reported load factors of nearly 90% in the third quarter on hub routes to Europe—plans to add a second daily Bogota-London Heathrow service if slots are available. In addition, Avianca Holdings CEO Hernan Rincon told ATW the carrier is considering Zurich as the next destination in Europe because of its location in central Europe. He also said the airline is eyeing Rome and Paris.
LinkUS senators urge FAA to improve contract tower program funding A group of 35 US senators have signed onto a bipartisan letter urging the FAA to implement a provision from the FAA Reauthorization Bill that will enhance funding for air traffic control (ATC) facilities at rural and small airports across the country. The provision, Section 152 of the law, allows airports participating in FAA’s contract tower program to receive Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grants from the small airport fund for use in construction and improvement projects at ATC towers.
LinkLOT keeps an eye on Nordica Aviation Group developments LOT Polish Airlines (LOT) is monitoring developments at Estonia’s Nordic Aviation Group (Nordica), because of “business and operational challenges” that could impact its equity investment. Nordica was established by the Estonian government in September 2015, as the successor to Estonian Air, to guarantee Estonia’s flight connections. Nordica is parent to two subsidiaries: Tallinn-based operating airline Regional Jet and Nordic Aviation Advisory.
LinkCambodia, Kenya sign aviation agreementCambodia has signed an aviation agreement with Kenya, opening the way for flights operating from Africa into the Southeast Asian country. The agreement was signed by secretary of state for Cambodia’s State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA) Mao Havannall and cabinet secretary for Kenya’s Ministry of Transport James Wainaina Macharia on the sidelines of the ICAO Air Services Negotiation Event in Nairobi, Kenya.
LinkLaudaMotion to add nine routes, increase frequencies in 2019Austria-based Ryanair subsidiary LaudaMotion will add nine routes and increase frequencies on existing services in 2019. Starting Feb. 1, 2019, LaudaMotion will launch 5X-weekly Vienna-Kiev (Ukraine) as well as 4X-weekly Vienna-Stuttgart (Germany) services. Stuttgart will become a daily service from summer.
LinkCanada cuts pilot duty times and extends required rest periodsTransport Canada has cut maximum on-duty periods for pilots and tweaked pilot rest requirements in a move regulators describe as more-closely aligning Canadian rules with international standards. Notably, the regulatory changes do away with Canada's previous 14h maximum on-duty period for pilots.
LinkACG moves to repossess jets from Avianca BrazilAviation Capital Group has moved to repossess eight Airbus A320s and one A319 that were leased to embattled carrier Avianca Brazil. The lessor states that the leases were terminated on 12 December, and it has initiated legal proceedings to take the nine aircraft back.
LinkAir France appoints new chief Air France has named Anne Rigail as its new chief executive. Rigail, who has been serving as the French flag carrier's EVP customer, will take up her new position on 17 December. Air France-KLM group chief Ben Smith has been filling the role on an acting basis since September, following the resignation of Franck Terner.
LinkWashington Dulles and American talk new flightsThe operator of Washington Dulles airport and American Airlines are discussing new flights, even as the carrier prepares to expand at nearby Ronald Reagan Washington National airport. Officials for the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) and the Fort Worth, Texas-based carrier have discussed resuming flights to Miami from Dulles, and adding flights to Chicago O'Hare from the DC-area airport, said MWAA vice-president of airline business development Yil Surehan at a board meeting on 12 December.
LinkAirbus unveils ANA A380 with turtle-themed liveryAirbus has shared images of All Nippon Airways' first A380 adorned with a "unique livery" after 21 days in the manufacturer's Hamburg paintshop. The jet, one of three A380s ordered by ANA, will now undergo cabin completion, followed by ground and flight tests, says Airbus.
LinkEmirates receives its last 777-300ER Dubai carrier Emirates has taken delivery of its last on-order Boeing 777-300ER. Registered A6-EQP (MSN 42363), the jet is the 190th 777 delivered to Emirates, which notes that it has taken delivery of one in eight manufactured 777s and is the only airline to have operated all six variants of the type.
LinkMitsubishi's aircraft engine shop assembles first PW1200GMitsubishi Aircraft's Japan-based engine-manufacturing affiliate has completed its first assembly of a Pratt & Whitney PW1200G turbofan, another milestone along Mitsubishi Aircraft's journey toward beginning full-scale MRJ production. The engine, assembled by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Aero Engines (MHIAEL) in a facility outside Nagoya, has since passed P&W's production acceptance examination and will now enter the MRJ flight-testing programme, says P&W in a media release.
LinkFirst flight of Sikorsky-Boeing SB-1 Defiant delayed until 2019The Sikorsky-Boeing SB-1 Defiant’s first flight will not happen before the end of 2018, and will likely be delayed until sometime in early 2019 after “minor” problems were discovered within the aircraft’s testbed. Until a few weeks ago, the SB-1 Defiant demonstration helicopter was on track to achieve first flight this year, says the joint Sikorsky-Boeing team. However, discovery of unnamed issues on the powertrain system test bed, which must be fixed before the aircraft takes to the skies, caused the delay.
Link US Navy and Marine Corps aircraft readiness declined since 2011US Navy and Marine Corps aircraft availability has continued to suffer and decline since 2011 due to old age, poor depot maintenance and parts shortages, among other issues. That’s according to the Government Accountability Office, which said the USN and USMC generally did not meet aircraft availability goals in fiscal years 2011 - 2018 for the seven aircraft it reviewed. Those aircraft include the McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II, Grumman C-2A Greyhound, Northrop Grumman E-2C Hawkeye, E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, Boeing EA-18G Growler, McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 (A-D), and Boeing F/A-18(E and F). Specific aircraft availability data wasn’t published publicly because the services consider it sensitive information, says the GAO.
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