NewsFlights badly disrupted as drones force Gatwick closureLondon Gatwick operations have been severely disrupted by the decision to close the airport as a result of drone activity. NOTAM information for Gatwick states that the airport is “unavailable” owing to drones within the aerodrome traffic zone. The airport was initially closed just after 21:00 on 19 December, after reports of two drones in the area, forcing inbound services operated by airlines including EasyJet, British Airways, Wizz Air, Thomas Cook Airlines, and TUI Airways to enter holding patterns.
LinkTurkish Airlines delays move to Istanbul New AirportTurkish Airlines—originally scheduled to move from its Istanbul Ataturk hub to Istanbul New Airport (INA) by the end of the year—has postponed the change until March 2019, according to local media reports. INA, which had a “soft opening” Oct. 29, was to have what was dubbed a “big bang” launch Dec. 31 following the relocation of Turkish Airlines operations. However, airline and INA officials decided to postpone the move until March, Turkey’s Demirören Haber Ajansi (DHA) news agency reported Dec. 18.
LinkEuropean Commission offers no-deal Brexit contingency plan Contingency proposals put forward by the European Commission would only guarantee the temporary continuation of “basic” point-to-point air transport services between the UK and the European Union (EU), in the event of a no-deal Brexit. The Commission on Dec. 19 proposed a series of contingency measures covering areas where a no-deal Brexit “would create major disruption for citizens and businesses” when the UK leaves the EU on March 29. Air transport is one of those areas.
LinkEmirates, South African Airways to expand strategic partnershipDubai-based Emirates Airline and South African Airways (SAA) are expanding their strategic cooperation, as they work toward bringing more synergies to their respective route networks. The two carriers began their cooperation in 1997. Under the new agreement and pending government approval, SAA will offer seats on flights operated by Emirates on 4X-daily services from Johannesburg O.R.Tambo International Airport to Dubai International, 3X-daily services from Cape Town and one daily flight from Durban.
LinkVirgin Atlantic continues to review Flybe takeoverUK long-haul carrier Virgin Atlantic is continuing to evaluate a possible takeover of UK regional airline Flybe, although a deal has not yet been reached. In November, Exeter-based Flybe said it was seeking a buyer as part of a strategic review, adding that talks had begun with interested parties.
LinkAlitalia buys back ownership of frequent flyer programAlitalia has bought back a 75% stake in its MilleMiglia frequent flyer program (FFP) from Etihad Airways, returning the Italian carrier to 100% ownership of its loyalty scheme. The Italian flag carrier paid €17 million ($19.3 million) for the 75% stake, sources familiar with the situation told ATW, adding that the deal took effect Dec. 18 after several months of negotiations.
LinkAir Austral, Air Madagascar & Kenya Airways finalize partnershipIndian Ocean carriers Air Austral and Air Madagascar have signed a “privileged partnership agreement” with Kenya Airways, firming up an MOU that was formed between the three airlines in July. Reunion-based Air Austral took an equity stake in Air Madagascar late last year, creating a strategic partnership between the two airlines.
LinkBudapest Airport secures $226 million loanHungary’s Budapest Airport has secured a €200 million ($226 million) loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB) to fund a terminal expansion project, as it pushes ahead with a new Asian growth strategy. “The EIB loan, backed by the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI)…will allow Budapest Airport to continue investing in major infrastructural upgrades, in particular a significant expansion of its terminal facilities and related infrastructure,” the EIB said, Dec. 14.
LinkSweden airports want mandatory biofuel requirement Swedish airports operator Swedavia is calling for the country’s new environmental aviation tax to be replaced with a mandatory requirement for fuel suppliers to provide a certain amount of biofuel to airlines. Swedavia issued the call as it announced it would refuel aircraft at five of its airports with an alternative fuel derived from used cooking oil during December. Stockholm Arlanda, Stockholm Bromma, Gothenburg Landvetter, Visby and Lulea airports will use a 28% blend of the biofuel to refuel aircraft over the coming days.
LinkCebu Pacific expects A321neo delivery in Q1 2019Cebu Pacific Air has confirmed that it expects to take delivery of its first Airbus A321neo in the first quarter of 2019, as it received its final A321ceo. The latest delivery completes the Philippine low-cost carrier’s order for seven A321ceos, all of which were delivered in the last 10 months.
LinkAir Kiribati to boost fleet, connectivity with Embraer E-Jets orderThe small Pacific Island nation of Kiribati has ordered two Embraer E190-E2s, which will be used to expand the capabilities of flag carrier Air Kiribati. The deal between Embraer and the Kiribati government also includes purchase rights for another two E190-E2s. The firm orders are scheduled to be delivered in 2019, making Air Kiribati the first in the Asia-Pacific region—excluding China—to receive the type, Embraer said.
LinkEastar Jet takes delivery of its first 737 Max 8Eastar Jet has become the first South Korean carrier to take delivery of a Boeing 737 Max 8. Flight Fleets Analyzer shows that the jet, MSN 60458, is one of two that the leisure carrier is taking through VEB-Leasing, which will join its fleet of 19 737-800s.
LinkAzul finalizes order for 21 E195-E2sAzul has firmed up an order for 21 Embraer E195-E2s, previously announced at the Farnborough air show in July. The deal is valued at $1.4 billion at list prices. Embraer says the order will be included in its fourth quarter backlog.
LinkLanding mode changes snared 777 go-around pilotsGerman investigators’ findings from the Singapore Airlines Boeing 777-300ER excursion at Munich, showing the crew was snared by landing mode logic, indicate parallels with the Emirates 777-300 accident at Dubai five years later. The SIA aircraft was affected by ILS interference as it flared for landing on 1 November 2011, drifting to the left as a result.
LinkBoeing lifts India aircraft forecast to 2,300 jetsBoeing is forecasting that India will require 2,300 new aircraft over the next 20 years, raising the figure from last year's forecast of 2,100 aircraft, and 2016's 1,850 aircraft. The airframer says the 2,300 aircraft set to be delivered by 2037 will have a market value of $320 billion. Of these aircraft, 1,940 are narrowbodies and 350 widebodies. Only 10 regional jets, with 90 or fewer seats, will be required in the Indian market.
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