The French BEA's latest interim report on its investigation into the 2009 crash of Air France Flight 447 indicated that the pilots were inadequately trained and failed to properly identify a stall situation or react promptly to it.
Still reeling from the aftereffects of March's earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis in Japan, All Nippon Airways incurred an ¥8.4 billion ($107.9 million) net loss for its fiscal first quarter ended June 30, widened from an ¥5.2 billion net deficit in the prior-year period.
Investigators are expected to focus on the flammability of cargo carried by an Asiana Airlines Boeing 747-400 freighter that crashed Thursday off the coast of South Korea in the East China Sea, killing both pilots.
Ducommun AeroStructures has been awarded a contract to manufacture fuselage skins for the Bombardier CSeries aircraft. Ducommun will deliver the fuselage skins, composed of advanced aluminum alloys, to Bombardier's China-based supplier and partner Shenyang Aircraft Corp. The initial contract will extend through 2015. Austrian Airlines completed the retrofit of its Airbus A320 family aircraft fleet, adding lighter seats and a new cabin interior.
US Bureau of Transportation Statistics reported that US airlines employed 2.1% more workers in May compared to the same month last year. BTS said only one network airline, Alaska Airlines, decreased employment. Delta Air Lines reported 4.9% more full-time employees for the month compared to May 2010, the largest increase among the network carriers. Continental Airlines, which now includes employees that formerly worked for Continental Micronesia, followed DL with a 2.1% increase.
Jetstar Asia will add five Airbus A320s and two A330s to its Singapore hub by year end, resulting in an additional 40 weekly flights. Among the extra services are flights to new destinations, including three-times-weekly A320 SIN-Ningbo service from Sept. 9 and four-times-weekly A320 SIN-Hanoi service from Dec. 15, as well as the new daily flight to Beijing announced earlier this month ( ATW Daily News, July 14).
American Airlines' blockbuster split order last week for up to 460 aircraft, including 130 A320neos and 100 re-engined 737NGs, appeared to be the carrier's answer to critics who say that its current fleet and business strategy are not sufficient for it to emerge from a long string of unprofitability.
Air China invested CNY86.8 million ($13.5 million) to take a 31% stake in Lhasa-based startup Tibet Airlines, which officially launched operations this week.
Lackluster earnings results reported by airlines worldwide demonstrate how difficult the operating environment for the industry was in the first half of 2011.
American Airlines' blockbuster split order last week for up to 460 aircraft, including 130 A320neos and 100 re-engined 737NGs, appeared to be the carrier's answer to critics who say that its current fleet and business strategy are not sufficient for it to emerge from a long string of unprofitability.
Lufthansa Systems received a US FAA Supplemental Type Certificate for installation of its wireless inflight entertainment system, BoardConnect, onboard an undisclosed customer's Airbus aircraft.
The International Transport Workers’ Federation announced Wednesday that Garuda Indonesia pilots will hold a 24-hr. strike "for pay parity" Thursday. "Unions have accused Garuda management of imposing regulations, intimidating union members and refusing to implement a collective bargaining agreement since 2009," ITF said in a statement. ITF accused the Indonesian government of turning "a deaf ear" to appeals to get involved in the labor dispute between the pilots and the state-owned carrier.
Lufthansa ordered 30 A320neo family aircraft, confirming a commitment announced by the airline’s supervisory board in March ( ATW Daily News, March 17). The order comprises 25 A320neos and five A321neos, which will be powered by Pratt & Whitney PW1100G geared turbofan engines. Airbus noted that LH is its biggest operator of its aircraft worldwide with 365 in service, comprising 254 A320 family aircraft, 38 A330s, 65 A340s and eight A380s.
Boeing Chairman, President and CEO Jim McNerney said the company's decision to re-engine the 737NG instead of developing and producing an all-new aircraft was reached after months of careful consideration leading to the conclusion that there was much less risk in re-engining.
Russian hotel site raises $13.6 million TripAdvisor acquires Where I’ve Been Orbitz for Business launches refundable rate program American, United introduce credit cards loaded with perks TRX adds Lanyon services to Hotel Spend Management How to save a vacation when that ship has sailed World news briefing
American Airlines said it is "very close" to reaching a temporary agreement with Travelport under which Travelport would agree not to boot the carrier from its GDS until Jan. 31. American made the disclosure in a document filed with the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas, where it is suing Travelport, Sabre and Orbitz. The move came as the expiration dates of American's GDS contracts were closing in.
Fraport Cargo Services won a contract from Russia's AirBridgeCargo Airlines to provide freight handling services at Frankfurt. LAN Cargo's Colombian affiliate, Linea Aerea Carguera de Colombia, opened a 65,121 sq. ft., $7 million warehouse facility in Bogota. Southern Air and Saudi Arabian Airlines inked an ACMI agreement under which Southern will operate a Boeing 747 freighter for Saudi beginning this month.
Gogo announced it will launch a new in-air multimedia platform to offer access to online services as well as movies and TV shows. The platform will be available beginning in the fourth quarter to passengers via their Web-enabled devices on any aircraft equipped with Gogo's Wi-Fi Internet service.
Shanghai-based Spring Airlines posted net income of CNY160 million ($24.8 million) in the 2011 first half, down 6.3% from a net profit of CNY170 million in the year-ago period, according to Chairman Wang Zhenghua.
Boeing denied widespread published reports, based in part on comments by the CFO of a key airline customer, that the 787-9's late 2013 EIS has slipped. A Boeing spokesperson told ATW Tuesday that the manufacturer has “reaffirmed its guidance that 787-9 first delivery is scheduled for late 2013.”
