You can now register online for Aviation Week events. Go to www.aviationweek.com/conferences or contact: Lydia Janow, 212-904-3225 or 800-240-7645 ext. 5 (U.S. and Canada only) Sept. 20-21 —Aviation Week MRO IT Conference & Showcase, Hyatt Regency Miami, Miami, Fla. Oct. 9—Aviation Week Aircraft Composite Repair Management Forum, Amsterdam RAI, Amsterdam, The Netherlands Oct. 9—Aviation Week MRO IT Europe, Amsterdam RAI, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
As engines become increasingly reliable and stay longer on-wing, the battle over spare parts is becoming a sensitive sparring ground as manufacturers try to guard a traditional source of income and maintenance-savvy airlines try to cut costs. The stand-off is set to become more intense in the U.S. where Delta Air Lines’ Technical Operations maintenance arm is exploring a raft of new technologies for engine overhaul and repair, some of which is currently performed by the original manufacturers, as part of efforts to cut costs and boost revenue.
Russia may become more lenient on import taxes for larger regional aircraft that are made outside of Russia, which would expand the market for manufacturers and marketers of the Western jets, although there has been no formal acknowledgement of the decision. Russia currently imposes a duty on foreign aircraft with more than 50 seats that amounts to as much as 20% of the value of all of the future payments in the leasing contract. These duties also must be paid in the first three years of operation.
Technology migration to smaller aircraft combined with an aging airline fleet and less-than-optimal internal processes are taxing the FAA’s certification workload even as the agency works to streamline its efforts, a rulemaking advisory committee reports.
Lufthansa’s cabin crew are expected to strike after talks between the work group’s union, UFO, and the airline collapsed, although the collective bargaining unit will withhold a strike decision until after Lufthansa provides a new contract proposal, which is expected next week.
October 9, 2012 Amsterdam, The Netherlands Repair in New Generation Aircraft: Challenges and OpportunitiesLightweight composites will soon rival metals as the primary material for airframes. Are you prepared? This event will highlight the latest developments, challenges and best practices in aircraft composite repair and maintenance technology. It will allow all of the key industry players to discuss best practices and share experiences. Register now! www.aviationweek.com/events/composites
To list an event, send information in calendar format to Donna Thomas at [email protected] (Bold type indicates new calendar listing.) Sept. 9-12—Airports Council International-NA 21st Annual Conference and Exhibition, Calgary, Canada, www.aci-na.org/conferences/ Sept. 11-13—Airline Engineering & Maintenance: Asia Pacific Conference, Crowne Plaza Mutiara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysa, www.airlineengineering-asiapacific.com/
Philippine carrier Cebu Pacific Air has revised peak-hour flight times and dropped a small number of services from its schedule at Ninoy Aquino International Airport as part of a broader initiative to relieve congestion at the capital city’s airport.
Judge Sean Lane’s rejection of American Airlines’ motion to abrogate its pilots union contracts could affect the outcome of the carrier’s flight attendants’ vote on management’s most recent contract offer.
United Parcel Service (UPS) says it still anticipates closing its more than $6 billion takeover of Netherlands-based cargo carrier TNT Express in the fourth quarter despite a delay in the European Commission’s (EC’s) review process. A preliminary investigation flagged concerns about competition within EU member states’ markets for small parcel delivery services, particularly international express services. This prompted a full review, which started in July, but now the EC has “stopped the clock” to obtain more information, an EC spokeswoman says.
Alaska Air Group’s regional division Horizon Air late this month will start equipping its fleet of Bombardier Q400 turboprops with Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) technology and expects the retrofit to be completed by the end of the year.
The number of Airbus A330 and A340 aircraft advertised for sale or lease has surged in recent months, fueled in part by the ongoing fleet modernization at Middle Eastern carriers and financial troubles at Kingfisher Airlines.
HNA Group’s plan to compete with Cathay Pacific is increasingly in doubt, with subsidiary Hong Kong Airlines raising concern about its order for 10 Airbus A380s and delaying Boeing 777F freighter deliveries. Hong Kong Airlines also has dropped its only intercontinental route and is operating under an official restriction against further growth.
Honululu-based Island Air is several months behind on lease payments for all three of its de Havilland Dash 8-100 aircraft and four spare engines, according to the lessor, Willis Lease Finance. In a Securities and Exchange Commission filing on its second quarter earnings, Willis notes that in January 2011 it converted its operating leases with Island Air to finance leases, with a principal amount of $7 million. “They made their payments through April 2012 and are past due for the months of May, June and July,” the company adds.
Hedge Your Exposure To Fluctuating Airfares 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.
Click here to view the pdf Fuel Watch: Global Jet Fuel Prices (midpoint) As of August 15, 2012, compared with previous week and previous year cts/gal prev. week prev.
European travel group Thomas Cook named Christoph Debus as its new head of air travel. Debus will be in charge of Thomas Cook Airlines UK and will be heading the group’s airline board together with Ralf Teckentrup, CEO of Thomas Cook’s German airline division Condor. Debus, who previously worked at Condor, resigned as Air Berlin’s chief commercial officer in 2011.
Click here to view the pdf Top Carriers: Brasilia - Sao Paulo, August 15-21, 2012, Ranked By Scheduled Seats Top Carriers: Brasilia - Sao Paulo, August 15-21, 2012, Ranked By Scheduled Seats Daily Each Way Depts. Share ASKs (000) Share Seats/Dept.
