Air Transport World

The main technical problems discovered during two years of SSJ100 operations have been localized and are being eliminated.

Boeing has told UK carrier Thomson Airways that its first Boeing 787 will be delayed, although the new timeline for deliveries remains unclear.

Boeing has flown a test 787 aircraft, the first time a Dreamliner has taken to the air since the type was grounded by FAA because of concern about the safety of its lithium ion batteries.

Traffic growth at European airports saw an “alarming decline” in 2012, according to the Airports Council International Europe (ACI Europe).

TP Aerospace Leasing will support one leased Air Niugini Boeing 737NG with its wheels and brakes cycle flat rate program including maintenance, pool access and logistics services. Baltic Ground Services launched operations at the Lamezia Terme airport and has signed an agreement with AirBerlin to provide ground handling services to its Airbus A320s at the airport.

Honeywell won a contract valued at $2.8 billion from Embraer to supply its Primus Epic avionics system for the second generation of E-Jet aircraft.

Singapore Airlines parent SIA Group said its net profit rose 6% year-over-year to S$143 million ($115.4 million) for its fiscal third quarter.

American Eagle pilots have filed a formal objection to the capacity purchase agreement between American Airlines and Republic Airways.

Finnair reported a 2012 full-year net profit of €11.8 million ($15.9 million), reversing an €87.5 million loss in the prior year.

Five Forty Aviation has challenged new African low-cost carrier FastJet’s claim to the Fly540 brand, accusing it of “factual inaccuracies.”

Airbus is still comfortable about using lithium ion batteries on its A350 aircraft, which is under development, but has the option to return to conventional batteries.

Boeing has warned Norwegian Air Shuttle of possible delays in delivery of its first 787 due to problems with lithium-ion batteries and FAA grounding of the aircraft.

A winter storm in the northeast region of North America canceled over 3,500 flights Friday.

US FAA has given Boeing permission to operate 787 test flights to help determine why batteries failed and overheated on two in-service Dreamliners.

The European Union (EU) has committed nearly €4 million ($5.4 million) to help optimize resources at European airports.

Britain’s House of Lords has joined four British airlines in lobbying the UK Treasury to consider abolishing Air Passenger Duty (APD).

Villa Air, which operates as FlyMe, has taken delivery of one ATR 72-600 turboprop, on lease from GECAS. Villa Air operates two ATR 42-500s; it will use the new aircraft to expand services in the Indian Ocean archipelago. Copa Holdings has closed sale-leaseback transactions for four new Boeing 737-800 aircraft with SMBC Aviation Capital. The aircraft deliveries, which are part of Copa Airlines’ current order with Boeing, are scheduled for delivery in 2014.

Russia’s United Aircraft Corp. (UAC) plans to validate the Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SSJ100) certificate in India this year.

The Chinese government has increased airport charges for domestic carriers.

Air Malta will reorganize its senior management structure in a bid to move the airline into the second stage of its restructuring plan.

Australia’s competition watchdog has warned that Virgin Australia’s proposed acquisition of a 60% stake in Tiger Airways Australia could limit competition.

Iberia’s trade unions have rejected the airline’s final offer and have warned of strike action as early as Feb. 18.

Air Canada posted 2012 net income of C$131 million ($131.5 million), reversed from a C$249 million net loss in 2011.

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has awarded the certification for the Rolls-Royce Trent XWB turbofan.

US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) chairman Deborah Hersman said assumptions made by Boeing and FAA to justify certifying 787 batteries “must be reconsidered.”