NAS Daily 16 SEP 19

airtrainer 16 Sep 19, 03:22

News

Commercial

US labor board rules in Boeing’s favor in South Carolina union dispute
The US National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has overturned a previous decision allowing a unit of 178 mechanics and inspectors at Boeing’s South Carolina plant to unionize with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM).
In May 2018, an NLRB regional director issued a decision that found the petitioned-for unit was appropriate under NLRB standards.
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Embraer sticks to schedule on E175-E2 and promises sales soon
Embraer has underlined that it is still holding to a 2021 target for service entry of the E175-E2, despite a lack of orders for the smallest variant of the second-generation E-Jet family.
"The E175-E2 is absolutely on schedule. The [first] aircraft is in final assembly right now and we are planning to hang the two GTF engines on the aircraft tomorrow," said John Slattery, speaking shortly after delivery of the first E195-E2 on 12 September.
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ANALYSIS: Six months on from the Boeing 737 Max grounding
It was on 13 March this year that the US Government ordered the grounding of Boeing's 737 Max aircraft, the final stage in a series of rulings by regulatory agencies around the world halting flights with the type.
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Airlines

Regulator OKs Virgin Australia-Virgin Atlantic partnership
Virgin Australia and Virgin Atlantic have been granted draft approval for their proposed partnership in the Australia-UK market. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) issued its draft approval Sept. 13. Another round of submissions is due Oct. 4 and a final decision is scheduled for November. The ACCC had already granted interim approval July 4 while it considered the application in more detail.
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Anxiety attack forces A319 pilot from flightdeck on approach
The co-pilot of an Airbus A319 on approach to land left the flightdeck after experiencing an anxiety attack, the UK’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has revealed.
The report, published Sept. 12, said the co-pilot “experienced anxiety—which developed into an anxiety attack” during the approach to Glasgow International Airport, Scotland—on Sept. 30, 2018. “He could not continue to operate the aircraft and left the flightdeck,” the report stated.
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Japan Airlines, New Caledonia’s Aircalin to codeshare
Japan Airlines (JAL) has reached a codeshare agreement with Aircalin, giving JAL access to New Caledonia and Aircalin an improved network in Japan.
Under the deal, JAL will place its code on Aircalin’s flights between New Caledonia and Tokyo and Osaka. JAL does not fly to New Caledonia itself. Aircalin will codeshare on JAL flights from its two Japanese gateways to the country’s other major cities.
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Study: A320neo makes Frontier most fuel-efficient US carrier
Frontier Airlines was the most fuel-efficient US carrier in 2017-2018, boosted by large investments in Airbus A320neo aircraft, according to a study released Sept. 12 by the International Council for Clean Transportation (ICCT). Denver-based ultra-LCC Frontier began receiving new A320neo aircraft with more efficient LEAP-1A engines and wingtip devices in October 2016.
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US DOT fines JAL $300,000 for excessive tarmac delay
The United States Department of Transportation (DOT) has fined Japan Airlines (JAL) $300,000 for two incidents in which the airline forced passengers to wait more than 4h on the tarmac before being given an opportunity to deplane.
A consent order released on 12 September says JAL agreed to the fine to avoid litigation, but that the airline disagrees with the Enforcement Office’s determination that penalties for excessive tarmac delays may be assessed on a per-passenger basis.
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PICTURES: Pegasus receives first A321neo
Pegasus Airlines took delivery of its first Airbus A321neo on 11 September, equipped with a 239-seat high-density cabin layout.
The aircraft (registration TC-RBA), which is an A321-200NX version featuring the Airbus Cabin Flex (ACF) door configuration, joins the Turkish carrier’s fleet as part of its 100-strong order for A320-family aircraft placed in 2012.
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Air Macau increases commitment to A321neos
Air Macau is to lease three more Airbus A321neos from late next year, under a fleet-modernisation plan.
The airline is to take the aircraft from AerCap, the Irish-based lessor states, with the first arriving in November 2020.
Air Macau will receive the other two aircraft by October 2021.
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Colombian ATR damaged by hard landing and tail-strike
Preliminary information from Colombian investigators indicate that an ATR 72-600 suddenly sank in the moments before touchdown, leading to hard landing and tail-strike.
The Regional Express Airlines aircraft (HK-5041) suffered structural damage during the accident, which occurred on 7 September as it landed at Manizales in central Colombia.
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Two French carriers to take on Paris-New York route
Two French carriers are intending to open services from Paris Orly to New York next year.
Leisure operator Corsair says it will commence flights on the route to the US gateway from 10 June.
But it is already facing competition from long-haul budget operator French Bee, part of Groupe Dubreuil, which is also to serve New York from June 2020.
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Start-up Great Dane edges into Swedish routes
Start-up regional operator Great Dane Airlines is expanding its fledgling network from Aalborg into its Scandinavian neighbourhood.
It is planning to open services to the Swedish capital Stockholm, serving Arlanda airport, as well as the city of Gothenburg.
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Vietnam Airlines retires last A330 amid fleet transformation
Vietnam Airlines has retired its last A330-200, a type it has operated for the last 13 years.
The airline notes that the type has transported nearly 20 million passengers and operated nearly 96,000 flights. The type served both international and domestic routes.
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Airports

Drone campaign fails to halt Heathrow flights
London Heathrow Airport remained fully operational Sept. 13 despite attempts by climate change activists to disrupt flights by flying small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) within the airport’s exclusion zone.
Twelve people have been arrested “on suspicion of conspiracy to commit a public nuisance,” London police said in a statement. There has been no breach of airport security and all 12 were being held in custody, the police said.
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Pudong’s satellite terminal gears up for 16 Sept opening
Shanghai Pudong International Airport’s new satellite terminal — dubbed the world’s largest — will commence operations on 16 September.
The facility, which spans more than 600,000sqm and has been dubbed the world’s largest satellite terminal, is located south of Pudong’s two airport terminals. It has 90 gates with another 125 remote stands.
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Military

US Army looks for long-range missiles for rotorcraft and UAVs
The US Army is looking to acquire a Long Range Precision Munition (LRPM) for its rotorcraft and unmanned air vehicles (UAVs).
The service wants a missile that is “ready for qualification [and] production, and suitable for integration on currently fielded and future” rotorcrafts and UAVs, it says in a request for information posted online on 10 September.
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PICTURE: US Navy takes first E-2D with refueling probe
The US Navy has received its first Northrop Grumman E-2D Advanced Hawkeye airborne early warning & control (AEW&C) aircraft with an air-to-air refueling probe.
The aircraft joined the navy’s VAW-120 “Greyhawks” fleet replacement squadron, according to the US navy.
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USAF bans passengers, cargo from Boeing KC-46A
The US Air Force (USAF) has banned the Boeing KC-46A Pegasus in-flight refueling tanker from carrying passengers and cargo after it discovered cargo floor restraint devices unlocking during a recent operational test and evaluation flight.
“During several KC-46 test flights in which cargo was being transported, multiple cargo floor restraint locks malfunctioned and came unlocked. Prior to departing for each of these missions, aircrew fully installed, locked and thoroughly inspected each restraint, and performed routine inspections of the restraints in flight,” says the USAF.
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