Unmanned aircraft could generate more than $13 billion in economic benefits within three years if the FAA develops regulations allowing their integration into U.S. national airspace by 2015, as directed by Congress, according to a new study by the industry’s trade body. The study by aviation economist Daryl Jenkins, commissioned by the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), forecasts a rapid adoption of small, unmanned aircraft systems (UASs) for precision agriculture and public safety.
Pemco World Air Services this year is on course to double its freighter conversion of Boeing 737-300 and -400 aircraft and soon will announce a program for a new 737 variant, Kevin Casey, president of the Tampa, Fla.-based conversion and maintenance company tells Aviation Week. Casey says he cannot disclose the new conversion variant because third parties’ boards of directors have yet to approve an announcement.
American Airlines wants to add as many as 215 large regional jets to its fleet by 2018 but is concerned that manufacturers will be unable to accommodate an expected surge in orders, an American executive says.
The FAA has approved Boeing’s plan for certifying modifications to the troubled lithium-ion battery system for the 787. “The certification plan is the first step in the process to evaluate the 787’s return to flight and requires Boeing to conduct extensive testing and analysis to demonstrate compliance with the applicable safety regulations and special conditions,” the regulator said in a statement released late March 12.
Industry bodies, while acknowledging that proposed changes to the European Commission’s (EC’s) passenger rights laws address some previous concerns, are claiming that new conditions could impose further hardship on operators. The EC yesterday formally unveiled a series of revisions to a controversial law that requires European airlines to provide care and compensation to passengers affected by delays, diversions and cancellations.
The management board of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) elected Patrick Ky as the new executive director. Ky will take up his position on Sept. 1. The selection was announced with a tweet from European Commission (EC) VP and Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas congratulating Ky with yesterday’s vote.
Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) has drafted an amendment to mitigate planned cuts in the contract tower program. The FAA plans to close up to 189 contract air traffic control towers as part of its effort to meet its required budget cuts under sequestration. Airports and general aviation groups have protested the plan to shut down 75% of the nation’s contract towers, saying the program is slated for far greater cuts than the rest of FAA’s budget at a risk to safety.
Unions representing 93% of Iberia employees have accepted a compromise proposal proffered by mediator Gregorio Tudel on the restructuring plan of the company. The powerful Sepla union representing Iberia pilots and a couple of smaller unions representing ground staff and cabin crew did not support the mediator’s proposal, but a union source tells Aviation Week that the third of three five-day strikes scheduled March 18-22 has been called off because the agreement was accepted by a majority.
The FAA is gauging the interest of aerospace companies in the development of upgrades to the ground-based portions of its wide-area augmentation system (WAAS) in advance of dual-frequency GPS operations for the aviation community later this decade.
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) this week updated its guidance for flying in volcanic ash-contaminated airspace, revamping its recommendations to reflect the latest research conducted by industry groups studying the threat of ash to airliner operations.
Taiwan’s EVA Airways, which has been sending future pilots to the U.S. for training, wants to set up its own flying school in the country, a spokeswoman says. Sacramento County Airports, the Sacramento County, Calif., body in charge of the county’s four airports, says the board of supervisors was meeting yesterday to review a proposal presented by EVA, which wants to lease a building at Sacramento Executive Airport, a general aviation facility 5 km south of the central business district of the City of Sacramento.
AirAsia Philippines and Zest Air, which have just unveiled an alliance and equity tie-up, initially are expected to maintain separate air operator certificates (AOCs) and brands, although the companies are likely to integrate their websites and booking engines and Zest may switch its International Aero Engine V2500-powered Airbus narrowbody fleet to the CFM International-engined A320s operated by the AirAsia group.
Thailand is making a renewed effort to attract investment from maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) providers. The Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) says that any foreign MRO company that invests in Thailand will be exempt from corporate tax for the first eight years of operation as aircraft maintenance is “a priority activity of special importance and benefit to the country.” “Projects in the aircraft maintenance industry are eligible for exemption of import duties on machinery,” the BOI adds.
Boeing and CFM International have taken first blood in a series of single-aisle contests across Asia and Europe by clinching a major order for up to 165 737s from Irish low-cost carrier Ryanair. The Ryanair deal, which is expected to be confirmed March 17 during a visit to the U.S. by Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny, will cover CFM56-7B powered 737-800s for delivery from 2015 to 2017. It is not clear if the agreement includes options for the upcoming 737 MAX, a program publicly criticized by Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary.
The European Commission (EC) opened an in-depth inquiry into a €31.3 million ($40.8 million) capital increase and a €73 million rescue aid package for Cyprus Airways, raising more questions about the airline’s survival chances. The airline is posting heavy losses, and demand is dropping due to the European economic crisis and the near collapse of the country, which is in talks with the EC, the International Monetary Fund and the European Central Bank on a bailout package.
Some countries that have received an FAA rating on their compliance with international aviation safety standards could be forced to reapply for a rating under a new FAA policy that will become effective in early April.
A shortage of skilled labor is severely affecting Hong Kong aircraft maintenance provider Haeco, and this year will cause a second annual decline in airframe maintenance volume. Although group sales and profits rose in 2012, Haeco was unable to fully exploit strong demand for its services at its Hong Kong base. It sold 1.3% fewer worker-hours last year than it did in 2011, says Chairman Christopher Pratt.
