Seventy-five years ago this month, the airplane that laid the foundation for the modern airline industry made its first flight. At a time when the phrase “game-changer” has become a cliche of air show press conferences, it is worth remembering a true game-changer.
American Airlines and JetBlue launched a reciprocal frequent flyer agreement under which American Airlines AAdvantage and JetBlue's TrueBlue customer loyalty program members can earn points on either program, in select markets. Airbaltic has opened an office in Tbilisi, to which it operates flights up to seven times a week.
Austrian Airlines completed its first cabin retrofit on an Airbus A319, the first of its short- and medium-haul A319/320/321 and Boeing 737-600/700/800 fleetto be reconfigured by installing new seats ( ATW Daily News, Oct. 5). By September 2011, all 32 narrowbody aircraft will offer the new cabin features.
Delta Air Lines confirmed three incidents aboard aircraft last weekend that resulted in emergency landings, all without injuries. Two incidents were engine related; the third was caused by a “bleed air” issue, Delta spokesman Anthony Black told ATW.
Brazil's TAM Airlines conducted a 45 min. A320 test flight using fuel partially derived from locally sourced jatropha, the airline and Airbus said Tuesday.
The European Commission on Tuesday updated its list of airlines banned from EU airspace for safety reasons, and as expected all air carriers certified in Afghanistan are now barred owing to "safety deficiencies identified in [the country's] system to oversee civil aviation," the EC said.
Qantas plans to initiate a cautious return to service of its Airbus A380 fleet starting Saturday using strict operational guidelines to limit high thrust takeoffs.
News from Travel Technology Update: A US Airways executive said the carrier is planning to connect directly with travel agencies to distribute its ancillary products. John Gustafson, director of distribution strategy for US Airways, told attendees at the PhoCusWright conference in Scottsdale, Ariz., that he feels "pretty confident that some time in 2011 we will have distribution with agencies and TMCS on a direct basis." But Gustafson described the plan as part of the carrier's strategy, not necessarily the only strategy.
Qantas plans to initiate a cautious return to service of its Airbus A380 fleet starting Saturday using strict operational guidelines to limit high thrust takeoffs. The fleet has been grounded since an uncontained engine failure after take-off from Singapore Nov. 4.
Lufthansa took delivery of its fourth Airbus A380. The carrier now operates 30 departures per week with the A380 on a thrice-weekly Frankfurt-Beijing route, five-times per week FRA-Johannesburg service, and daily flights to FRA–Tokyo Narita.
ICAO announced it has re-elected Roberto Kobeh Gonzalez as council president for a second three-year term. Gonzalez said the priority for the coming triennium is the “implementation of the comprehensive and groundbreaking initiatives” adopted recently by the 37th Session of the ICAO Assembly, all “designed to further improve the safety, the security and the environmental sustainability of international civil aviation.”
Delta Air Lines said it was notified Monday by the National Mediation Board that its TechOps Stores employees rejected representation by the International Assn. of Machinists, making it the eighth workgroup at the carrier to reject unionization ( ATW Daily News, Nov. 22). Of 607 votes cast, 439 were against unionization and 166 were in favor with two write-ins, DL said.
Boeing said Monday it has agreed to acquire Summit Aeronautics Group, a supplier of titanium and hard metal structures for Boeing aircraft including the 787. Terms were not disclosed. Helena, Montana-based Summit, which employs 135, works on 747-8 fail-safe bars, 787 door edge frames and 767 main-landing-gear beams. "After the transaction, Summit will continue its work on these Boeing programs and manufacture other machined parts for the 787," Boeing said in a statement. "Summit also will continue to support existing military programs."
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau by Wednesday is expected to wind up its examination of the Qantas A380 Rolls-Royce Trent 972 engine that suffered the uncontained failure after take-off from Singapore Nov. 4.
Aegean Airlines posted a €24.1 million ($33 million) net profit for the third quarter, just slightly below the €24.3 million it earned in the year-ago period, on a year-over-year 3% decline in revenue to €198.8 million and an 8% fall in passengers carried.
Air China confirmed it has ordered 10 Airbus A330s and 10 A350s and plans to use the aircraft to facilitate international expansion, according to a CA filing with the Shanghai Stock Exchange.
