The FAA still cannot reliably determine how many flight standards safety inspectors it needs and where for commercial aviation oversight, which could be causing some staffing shortages, the Transportation Department’s inspector general’s office (DOT IG) says in a new audit report. But the data for the FAA’s staffing model also remains so unreliable that no one can say for sure, the IG adds.
Emirates will cut its schedule by up to 225 weekly flights as it readies for the closure of one of Dubai International’s two runways next year. The biggest user of Dubai International, Emirates will reduce its flight schedule by 15% to accommodate the 80-day closure, planned to begin on May 1, 2014. This will result in a cut of up to 225 flights from its current 1,470 flights per week schedule.
Singapore Airlines (SIA) Cargo is undergoing a management change with Lee Lik Hsin replacing Tan Kai Ping. The Star Alliance carrier says Lee will become CEO of SIA Cargo on Aug. 1 replacing Tan who gets Lee’s current job as SIA senior VP president for corporate planning. SIA Cargo is the airline’s most troubled business unit, posting an operating loss of S$167 million ($132 million) in the fiscal year ending March 31, due to the global downturn in the air cargo market.
Spairliners has leveraged the experience it gained from its initial Airbus A380 component support capabilities—from parts pooling to logistics—to launch similar services for Embraer E-Jet-family aircraft. The company, a joint venture between AFI-KLM and Lufthansa Technik, was set to highlight the work at the Paris air show, announcing that it began its E-Jet component service in late April and has $80 million worth of E-Jet line replaceable unit inventory—from landing gear to engine parts.
Air New Zealand has revealed more details of where it will deploy its Boeing 787-9s, on what will be the first routes for the -9 variant operated by any airline. Initial 787-9 deliveries will be used on long-haul flights from Auckland to Shanghai and Tokyo, and midrange flights to Perth, Papeete, and Honolulu. The first 787-9, which is due for delivery in July, will probably be used on Auckland-Perth flights for a short period, the carrier tells Aviation Week. Then it will likely be switched to a longer route, to either Tokyo or Shanghai.
Air Transportation Modernization Conference September 9-11, 2013 Washington, D.C. Re-Defining NextGen: Setting Priorities • Implementing Capabilities • Delivering Benefits Join industry experts including airlines, government agencies and leading technology providers as they answer: What’s next after sequestration? Learn more and register now at www.aviationweek.com/events/nextgen
The U.S. Justice Department, currently analyzing the proposed American Airlines-US Airways merger for antitrust concerns, should be wary of relying on the market presence of Southwest Airlines to hold down post-merger fares, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) cautions. The GAO’s warning relies on a study published in the May issue of the Transportation Research Board’s journal, and was delivered to Congress by the GAO in June 19 testimony to the Senate’s aviation subcommittee on how the merger might affect markets.
The Defense Department says it plans to take steps to better employ the under-used Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF) as the nation transitions from a wartime mind-set.
For the FAA and all of those interested in transportation policy and appropriations, this week is unusually important. The Transportation Department could see its presidential nominee, Anthony Foxx, voted on and confirmed by senators, while other Capitol Hill action will provide key insight into expected spending for fiscal 2014.
The owners of Heathrow have said that building a new airport to serve the U.K. capital would leave the country worse off. In its report—Heathrow: Best placed for Britain—the airport owners LHR Airports Limited, along with architectural and planning consultants AECOM and Quod, have said that expanding Heathrow is quickest and cheapest way of maintaining a hub airport with connection to growing markets.
Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic say they expect to be able to begin coordinating their pricing and schedules on U.S.-U.K. routes under a transatlantic joint venture within the first three months of 2014, now that Delta closed on its 49% stake in Virgin. But the partnership also could provide some opportunities in the nearer term for vendors.
The Airbus air traffic management unit has secured a major airport as the first customer for an advanced version of its airport surface management system, although the airport’s identity will not be revealed until later this year.
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.
A June 19 article on South African Airways inaccurately detailed the carrier’s Asian network. The Chairman and CEO quoted in a June 18 piece on SkyWest Inc. should have been Jerry Atkin.
