NAS Daily 17 SEP 19

airtrainer 16 Sep 19, 19:46

News

Commercial

Germany to decide on major aviation tax increases
The German government is nearing a decision on key measures tackling climate change that include a massive increase in the country’s aviation tax for short-haul flights. Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Christian Democratic Party (CDU) proposes a doubling of the ticket tax from the current €7.38 ($8.17) for all short-haul services, according to a party document seen by ATW.
Link

Fourth test MC-21 to feature high-density seating layout
Russian airframer Irkut is to install a high-density seating layout in its fourth flight-test MC-21-300 aircraft.
Irkut says the all-economy cabin of aircraft 004 will have 211 seats. The aircraft will be configured with a 28in seat pitch in the forward part of the cabin and 29in in the aft.
Link

Airlines

Air France, Groupe Dubreuil may team up on Aigle Azur bid
Air France and Groupe Dubreuil may make a joint offer to take over Aigle Azur’s activities, a French minister said, as a commercial court prepares a decision on the bankrupt French leisure carrier’s future. Aigle Azur went into receivership Sept. 2 following operational and management issues linked to its long-haul expansion, leaving 1,150 employees in limbo and thousands of passengers stranded after it stopped flights.
Link

Russia-Czech Republic solve Prague, Seoul route dispute
Russian and Czech aviation authorities have reached an agreement on Zhukovsky-Prague and Prague-Seoul routes, the Czech Transport Ministry said Sept. 13.
According to a ministry statement, capacity on the Zhukovsky-Prague route can be increased from IATA summer season 2020. Czech airlines’ rights to operate Prague-Seoul flights will be permanently confirmed and expanded during the year.
Link

Startup CargoLogic Germany secures AOC
Express-cargo startup CargoLogic Germany (CLG) has secured its air operator’s certificate (AOC) from the German CAA and is ready to begin commercial operations with two converted Boeing 737 freighters.
Leipzig/Halle-based CLG began work toward its formal AOC application in the fourth quarter of 2018.
Link

Qatar to try operating Osaka route again
Oneworld carrier Qatar Airways is to resurrect its Japanese route to Osaka, restarting the service from early summer next year.
The Middle Eastern operator says it will re-open flights to the destination on 6 April, shortly after the beginning of the 2020 summer season.
Link

Airports

Heathrow drone protesters rethink strategy; fail to ground flights
Climate-campaign group Heathrow Pause is “considering escalating” its protest at London Heathrow Airport, after three days of illegal unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) activity within the airport’s exclusion zone failed to keep flights grounded.
Heathrow Pause planned to shut down the airport for at least five days from Sept. 13 by flying small UAVs, or drones, at no higher than head height within the 5 km (3.1 mi.) exclusion zone.
Link

Beijing Daxing airport’s first operator to be China United Airlines
China Eastern LCC China United Airlines will be the sole commercial aircraft operator at Beijing Daxing International Airport for the first few weeks after the opening of the facility, which is scheduled for the end of September.
Flights by other airlines at Daxing International will begin in late October as they introduce winter schedules, China United deputy president Sun Li told reporters.
Link

Shanghai Pudong opens new satellite terminal
After three years of construction, Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) opened its new satellite terminal Sept. 16.
The new terminal, which spans over 622,000 sq m (6.7 million sq. ft.), is separated into two segments—S1 and S2.
Link

Brasilia Airport looks to improve mobility for those leaving the airport
In a bid to increase mobility around Aeroporto de Brasilia, Inframerica is investing over $3.5 million in a new kerb-side management programme.
Inframerica, the administrator of Brasilia Airport, has begun work on its newest project: Praça Pick-up.
Link

Military

VIDEO: LCA Navy makes first arrested landing
India achieved an aviation milestone recently when a Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) LCA Navy fighter caught an arresting hook at a shore-based test facility in Goa.
Footage on social media shows the navalised version of the Tejas fighter approaching and then catching a wire with its tailhook, bringing it to an abrupt halt.
Link

Aviation Quote

I think the Space Shuttle is worth one billion dollars a launch. I think that it is worth two billion dollars for what it does. I think the Shuttle is worth it for the work it does.

- Pete Conrad