Transport Canada (TC), prompted by findings in the probe of a 2010 Air Nelson Q300 that landed without its nose gear fully extended, has ordered Dash 8 Classic operators to fix a faulty landing gear lockdown indication system that can mask a gear malfunction. The airworthiness directive (AD), published earlier this month and effective Feb. 27, gives operators 100 days or 600 hr. to inspect landing gear alternate indication phototransistors. Follow-up checks are required at the same interval.
European Commissioner for Transport Siim Kallas—who is considering stepping down before his mandate expires on Oct. 31 to become prime minister of Estonia—believes the highest level of political decision-makers has not yet realized that the fragmentation of the European Union’s airspace is a problem. He also wonders if a “mutiny by passengers” protesting flight delays will be needed for member states and national airspace navigation service providers (ANSP) to accept the need for creating the Single European Sky (SES) air traffic management (ATM) system.
Click here to view the pdf Top Carriers: Chicago O’Hare - New York LaGuardia, February 15-21, 2014, Ranked By Scheduled Seats Top Carriers: Chicago O’Hare - New York LaGuardia, February 15-21, 2014, Ranked By Scheduled Seats
Introducing the Aero 100 Airfare Benchmark Index Designed for anyone with risk on the future level of airfares – for example Airlines, Banks/Credit Card Companies, Corporate Travel Managers, etc. The Aero 100 Airfare Benchmark Index tracks daily airfares within the domestic airline market. The Aero 100 delivers financial risk mitigation and protection against constant fluctuation of airline ticket prices by providing the price settling mechanism for Commodity Futures Contracts.
Air France-KLM Group’s combined maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) unit, bolstered by several new ventures, grew third-party revenues 12% in 2013 to €1.2 billon ($1.7 billion) and is in position to deliver more of the same thanks to a swelling order book.
According to an ongoing investigation, the UPS pilots flying an Airbus A300-600 that slammed into a hill short of Runway 18 at the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth (Ala.) Airport on Aug. 14 had improperly programmed the aircraft’s automation system, and failed to follow standard operating procedures during the early morning approach after a flight from Louisville, Ky. Whether fatigue, training or documentation may have played a role in the pilots’ performance are key elements of an investigative hearing the NTSB held in Washington Feb. 20.
Airbus and China’s COMAC are the latest aircraft manufacturers to collaborate on air traffic management and sustainable aviation, with senior executives signing an agreement to pursue joint projects.
On the back of regional sales at the Singapore Airshow, manufacturer Airbus is putting serious money back into the Asian region with a swathe of support and infrastructure deals valued at some US$70-80 million. With Boeing predicting 12,820 new aircraft and Airbus 10,940 across Asia Pacific over the next 20 years, there is an agreement on the importance of the market. But with—so far—a claimed 80+% market share, Airbus is eager to maintain its lead in the US$1.5+ trillion potential sales bonanza.
Click here to view the pdf Denied Boardings, October - December 2013 Denied Boardings Enplaned Involuntary Per 10,000 Passengers Rank Airline Voluntary
Qatar Airways has acquired a pair of slots at London Heathrow Airport to launch an all-business-class service to its hub at Doha, using an Airbus A319 fitted with 40 lie-flat seats in a 2-2 configuration, despite the unsuccessful history of scheduled all business-class products. The daily service—which will start on May 15—will be Qatar’s sixth daily frequency on the route and London Heathrow’s first all business-class service.
Despite delivering record revenues and profits in 2013, MTU Aero Engines faces a challenging near-term stretch in part due to slow aftermarket growth and aircraft program delays that will hold up the flow of its engines into service.
Air France-KLM is expanding its existing alliance with Gol, investing €100 million ($137 million) in the Brazilian carrier, including $52 million in a 1.5% stake in the carrier. The transaction strengthens Gol’s ties with important Skyteam members, but it does not necessarily mean the airline will become an alliance member in the short term. In fact, Gol itself has indicated that it sees that option as a more medium-term possibility, if at all. Delta bought a 3% stake in the carrier in late 2011 for $100 million.
A new “North American Trusted Traveler” program among Canada, Mexico and the U.S. is winning plaudits from airport lobbyists across the continent, including the Airports Council International- North America and Canadian Airports Council. They spoke the day after the presidents and prime minister of the three countries announced the move at their Toluca, Mexico summit. The program entails “mutual recognition” of the countries’ Nexus, Global Entry, Sentri and Viajero Confiable programs, according to the White House.
Flybe plans to phase out its entire fleet of 14 Embraer 195s from its UK scheduled operation and is seeking 16 additional aircraft, as it shifts to a turboprop-focused fleet off the back of a £150 million ($250 million) capital increase. The moves are the latest steps in the restructuring of Flybe, Europe’s largest regional, which has been through a complete senior management and shareholder overhaul over the last year.
Click here to view the pdf Fuel Watch: Global Jet Fuel Prices (midpoint) As of February 20, 2014, compared with previous week and previous year cts/gal prev. week prev.
Embattled Kuwait Airways has achieved another step in its complex restructuring process with Airbus confirming the Kuwaiti national carrier has ordered 25 aircraft, comprising ten A350-900 and 15 A320neo family aircraft. According to the official KUNA news agency, Kuwait Airways also has taken options for ten more aircraft—five A320neos and five A350s—and has also signed lease contracts for seven A320s and five A330s.
