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.
Jan. 21-22, 2014—MRO Latin America, Rio de Janerio, Brazil Feb. 4-6—MRO Middle East, Dubai World Trade Center, Dubai, UAE Feb. 10—Air Transport World’s 40th Annual Airline Industry Achievement Awards, Pan Pacific Singapore Hotel, Singapore March 4-5—Defense Technology & Affordability Requirements, Washington, D.C. March 6—57th Annual Laureates Awards, National Building Museum, Washington, D.C. April 8-10—MRO Americas 2014, Phoenix Convention Center, Phoenix, Ariz.
LOS ANGELES – More than 20 U.S. states are sharpening their pencils to bid on assembly of Boeing's 777X follow-on twinjet, now that a second attempt to negotiate a contract extension with Boeing machinists in Puget Sound, Wash., has foundered. Boeing says that on Dec. 12, “in response to a proposal presented yesterday by the union to secure 777X work in the Puget Sound region, Boeing presented a best and final counterproposal. That offer was rejected by the union leadership.”
At Boeing’s request, a judicial panel has agreed to centralize 10 lawsuits related to the July 6 crash of Asiana Airlines Flight 214 to courts in the San Francisco area. “On the basis of papers filed and hearing sessions held, we find that these ten actions involve common questions of fact, and that centralization in the Northern District of California will serve the convenience of the parties and witnesses, and promote the just and efficient conduct of the litigation,” according to the panel’s decision, published on Dec. 13.
Honeywell is detecting “modest improvement” in commercial aftermarket sales as 2013 wraps up, giving the company confidence that the stagnation of the last three years could be supplanted by a steeper uptick in demand. The company is projecting 3%-5% organic growth in total 2014 aftermarket sales, driven by a bump in air transport and regional (ATR) flight hours and continued solid demand for business aviation retrofits, modifications, and upgrades (RMU). Honeywell provided the details during its 2014 outlook presentation to analysts Dec. 17.
The European Union (EU) and Israel are planning to integrate the operation of their national airspaces, despite the EU’s lack of progress in setting up a Functional Airspace Block (FAB) to optimize its own airspace and establishing a Single European Sky (SES). Israel will participate in the Blue-Med FAB as a next step in the implementation of the Open Skies agreement between Israel and the European Union (EU), which was signed in June and will fully liberalize market access between the 28 EU member states and Israel by 2018.
In observance of the year-end holiday season, Aviation Daily will not publish issues from Dec. 24 through Dec. 30. Aviation Week Intelligence Network subscribers can visit www.aviationweek.com/awin during that time for updates.
The French pilots’ union Syndicat National des Pilotes de Ligne (SNPL) has publicly called on the French government to impose a moratorium on the allocation of further traffic rights to Arabian Gulf airlines because, the union alleges, these airlines “do not respect the rules of fair competition.”
A robust air traffic market usually translates into bustling aftermarket activity, but China has been somewhat of an exception—until now. Chinese carriers have begun de-stocking what has been a traditionally over-stocked spares inventory, opening up opportunities for parts suppliers, reports Canaccord Genuity analyst Ken Herbert.
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.
Kellstrom finished consolidating and segregating its business into commercial and defense units, and it expects the first quarter of 2014 to start showing the results of those efforts, as well as its “leaner and meaner side,” says Roscoe Musselwhite, Kellstrom Materials president. Kellstrom purchased AirLiance Materials in May, which subsequently involved not only consolidating and streamlining its commercial parts distribution business, but also all of the operations functions, such as IT migration and vendor code and invoice harmonization.
Click here to view the pdf Top Carriers: Oslo-Trondhelm, December 15-21, 2013, Ranked By Scheduled Seats Top Carriers: Oslo-Trondhelm, December 15-21, 2013, Ranked By Scheduled Seats Daily Each Way
Cathay Pacific Airways has ordered 21 Boeing 777-9Xs as part of the Hong Kong-based carrier’s high-capacity fleet renewal strategy for the next decade. Boeing originally hoped that the deal—worth in excess of $7 billion at current list prices—could have been announced at the recent Dubai Airshow, where the 777X program was launched on the back of 259 orders and commitments worth $95 billion. However a last-minute board decision by Cathay delayed the final agreement until the announcement of the contract this week.
Preliminary investigations into the LAM Mozambique Embraer 190 crash on Nov. 29 have not revealed any evidence of mechanical failure. The aircraft, which was carrying 27 passengers and six crew, crashed during a scheduled flight from Maputo to Luanda on Nov. 29, killing all on board. The wreckage was found on Nov. 30 in a remote part of northern Namibia.
Click here to view the pdf Fuel Watch: Global Jet Fuel Prices (midpoint) As of December 18, 2013, compared with previous week and previous year cts/gal prev. week prev.
