EADS has formally rebranded as Airbus Group, retaining its Airbus commercial aircraft identity and renaming its other two divisions as Airbus Defence and Space, and Airbus Helicopters. This means the group’s Cassidian, Astrium and Airbus Military defence and space activities have now been united under the Airbus Defence and Space division. Airbus Group is also planning to change its legal status, subject to regulatory and shareholder approvals, although its organizational structure and operations will remain the same.
An Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 787 has made its first flight since suffering structural damage in a fire at London’s Heathrow Airport in July. Boeing test pilots took ET-AOP on a test flight from Heathrow on Dec. 21, flying racetrack patterns over the North Sea at 39,000 ft. The aircraft was due to land at Manston Airport in Kent, U.K., in the afternoon and then return to Heathrow later in the day. It is not clear whether more flights will be required, but Boeing is hopeful of returning the aircraft to passenger operations in the coming weeks.
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) inspector general (IG) is keeping his rhetorical heat on the FAA, particularly its troubled rollout of the NextGen air traffic control system, according to a 2014 look-ahead list of “top management challenges.”
Click here to view the pdf Top Carriers: Nice - Paris Orly, December 15-21, 2013, Ranked By Scheduled Seats Top Carriers: Nice - Paris Orly, December 15-21, 2013, Ranked By Scheduled Seats Daily Each Way
The U.K. Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has begun an investigation into Rolls-Royce’s activities in foreign markets. The company announced on Dec. 23 that a “formal investigation” had been launched by the SFO relating to “bribery and corruption in overseas markets.” The move follows a Dec. 6, 2012 announcement when the aircraft enginemaker revealed it had passed details of an internal review to the SFO about allegations of misconduct in Indonesia and China.
Following Boeing Commercial Airplane’s recent decision to open engineering design centers away from its traditional Seattle base, parent company Boeing has announced plans to restructure its entire Research & Technology organization by establishing research centers in Alabama, California, Missouri, South Carolina and Washington.
Aviation Technical Services (ATS) and the Kansas City Aviation Department (KCAD) have reached an agreement that will see ATS lease the remaining space in the airport’s KCI Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Base, filling a facility that was slowly abandoned in the years after American Airlines absorbed TWA. The deal gives ATS both its first location outside of its home state of Washington and a geographically strategic location in the central U.S. Notably, the maintenance provider’s largest customer, Southwest Airlines, also is the airport’s top airline.
In observance of New Year's Day, Aviation Daily will not publish on Jan. 2. The next issue will be dated Jan. 3. Aviation Week Intelligence Network subscribers can visit www.aviationweek.com/awin for updates.
A proposed FAA directive would give the world’s two Boeing 767-400 operators, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines, 36 months to replace costly hydraulic pump turbine gearboxes with improved designs better able to contain turbine wheel failures.
FRANKFURT — Following American Airlines’ decision to drop an order for Airbus A350-800s in favor of the larger -900 version, Airbus is facing further negotiations with a small, but partially resisting and diverse group of airlines before it can finally drop the smallest of the A350 variants.
MOSCOW — Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) is expected to find new funds to support its major commercial project — the Sukhoi Superjet 100 program — as it plans to sell its stake in Ilyushin Finance Co., the country’s largest aircraft lessor, to the government-owned Vnesheconombank. The deal was discussed by the bank’s supervisory board on Dec. 19.
Alaska Airlines, underscoring its intention to counterpunch advances by code-share partner Delta Air Lines into its Seattle hub, is strategically adding service out of Delta’s Western U.S. backyard, Salt Lake City. Alaska this June will launch service between Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) and seven cities, including three – Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and San Jose, Calif. – with at least half a dozen Delta or Delta regional partner frequencies daily. Other new routes will connect SLC with Boise, Idaho; Portland, Ore.; San Diego and San Francisco.
Fresh from a sizable win for its airline supply chain business, AAR is eyeing an international acquisition that would further boost the segment, CEO David Storch says. Speaking to analysts during a Dec. 19 earnings call, Storch confirmed that Wood Dale, Ill.-based AAR is “looking at a fairly sizable deal that would expand our presence” outside the U.S. The deal would likely be an all-cash transaction, he adds, offering few additional details.
Click here to view the pdf Top Carriers: Bergen - Oslo, December 15-21, 2013, Ranked By Scheduled Seats Top Carriers: Bergen - Oslo, December 15-21, 2013, Ranked By Scheduled Seats Daily Each Way
A key element of ensuring safe integration of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) into U.S. airspace will be equipping UAS operators as if they’re sitting in flight decks, rather than on the ground, says an Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) executive who focuses on the issue. Pilots of manned aircraft benefit from situational awareness triggered by much more than instruments and sensors, says ALPA First Vice President and Alaska Airlines Capt. Sean Cassidy.
The FAA, siding with airlines opposing a mandated fix, has ordered CFM56-3 and -7 operators to inspect accessory gearboxes (AGB) for oil leaks, but stopped short of matching a European directive requiring installing new parts that minimize leak risks.
Emirates is planning to refine and upgrade its Airbus A380 interiors and is still considering a move to an 11-abreast layout in economy class. Speaking following the airline’s latest A380 order announcement at the Dubai air show, Emirates Airline President Tim Clark outlined his plans for the type.
The Asia-Pacific region is so vast and diverse that it often defies definition as an airline industry bloc. However, some broad trends are noticeable in many markets. One example: the low-cost carrier sector is still in the rapid development phase, meaning high growth and increasing pressure for legacy carriers. At the same time, some of the major carriers are struggling with increased competition and sliding demand in their home markets.
After shortlisting 25 proposals from 24 states, the FAA has selected six test sites across the U.S. to conduct civil unmanned aircraft system (UAS) research. Geographic and climatic diversity were key requirements for the selection. The six selected operators are: the University of Alaska, the state of Nevada, New York’s Griffiss International Airport, North Dakota Department of Commerce, Texas A&M University, and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
The FAA has logged four “Category A” runway incursions—the most-dangerous type—at towered airports in the U.S. so far in calendar year 2013, matching calendar 2012’s pace. Category A incidents are considered “serious incidents in which a collision is narrowly avoided,” according to the FAA.
The 2014 outlook for Australia’s airline industry will be shaped by actions Qantas takes in its latest campaign to boost its flagging financial performance. The airline has indicated some significant changes are being considered, including structural changes. The government’s response to the carrier’s plight will also be important, with Qantas pushing for regulatory relief that could raise foreign investment caps.
