The Malaysian government’s investment arm, Khazanah, is trying to head off public opposition to the tie-up between AirAsia and Malaysia Airlines (MAS). The chairman of Khazanah, Nor Yusof, who also is MAS chairman, says the airline’s board has endorsed and is confident the collaboration agreement between AirAsia and MAS will benefit both airlines and promote synergies in many areas.
The U.K.’s air passenger duty (APD) is raising the ire of that country’s aviation industry, while Airlines for America (A4A) has filed a lawsuit objecting to Germany’s air transport tax. The U.K. aviation industry has responded with frustration to Chancellor George Osborne’s decision to proceed with a planned increase in the APD, in the country’s latest budget announcement. The industry has lobbied the government in recent months to hold or reduce the APD, arguing that an increase will harm the U.K.’s economic recovery.
Pinnacle Airlines, the U.S. regional carrier in the midst of cost-cutting efforts to avoid a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing or prepare for one, just gave CEO Sean Menke a $250,000 raise and Chief Operating Officer John Spanjers a $125,000 raise on their base salaries. One of the justifications the company gives for the raises is that both men will be taking on some of the responsibilities of departing CFO Edward Christie, who is leaving at the end of the month to take the same position at Spirit Airlines. He apparently will not be replaced, at least for now.
To list an event, send information in calendar format to Ingrid Lee at [email protected] (Bold type indicates new calendar listing.) March 26-29—Airports Council International-NA Public Safety Security Spring Conference, Vancouver, www.aci-na.org/conferences March 26-29—Airports Council International-NA Business Information Technology Conference, Vancouver, www.aci-na.org/conferences March 27-29—Asian Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition, Shanghai Hawker Pacific Business Aviation Service Center, www.abace.aero/2012
The issue of improving the passenger experience at U.S. gateways was at the forefront of the minds of senators on the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security. At a hearing last week to address “Challenges for U.S. air travel in the 21st century” lawmakers were keenest in their questions about reducing visa wait times for foreign visitors and speeding the customs and immigrations procedures at U.S. airports.
FlightSafety International promoted Randy Annett to assistant manager of the company's Cessna Learning Center in Wichita, succeeding John Brasfield, who was promoted to manager of the Cessna Maintenance Training Center, also in Wichita.
An informal understanding between executives at AMR Corp. and US Airways has collapsed after US Airways apparently used a media event to leak details of merger discussions being held with AMR’s unions and major creditors.
Pratt & Whitney says it could offer almost a two-year time advantage to Embraer if it selects a variant of the PW1000G geared turbofan engine for its new-look E-Jet over a competing bid from incumbent General Electric. The Brazilian aircraft maker is developing a radical upgrade of its larger E-Jet family, with the current focus on an all-new wing and extended landing gear. The additional clearance will provide room for larger, higher-bypass-ratio turbofans aimed at providing fuel burn improvements of about 10% or more over the current models.
Click here to view the pdf Nonstop Passengers Per Day Each Ways- Los Angeles - Vancouver Nonstop Passengers Per Day Each Ways- Los Angeles - Vancouver Alaska Air Canada
Oneworld CEO Bruce Ashby expects the new Latam Group to decide which alliance it will pick “in the next few weeks.” That decision is likely to come before the possible admission of Avianca-Taca into the Star Alliance, which is slated to happen in May, Ashby says.
Biofuels is the latest area where aircraft makers are setting aside their competitive commercial instincts to work together to foster the development of the technology. Airbus, Boeing and Embraer executives signed a memorandum of understanding to cooperate to support the development of “drop-in, affordable aviation biofuels,” during the Air Transport Action Group’s environment summit here. Airbus CEO Tom Enders adds that “this is certainly not a closed shop. It is open to others.”
AMR Corp. is warning its unions that it will seek court intervention in its labor negotiations next week if it cannot reach consensual agreements in the coming days. The long-expected announcement by Senior VP of Human Resources Jeff Brundage argues that further delay in revising current labor contracts will hinder AMR’s Chapter 11 reorganization. “Continued delay and distractions are not only counterproductive, but come at real risk to the jobs and livelihoods of thousands of employees,” warns Brundage.
CFM International is hopeful that promising tests of its composite fan case and fan blades for the Leap engine family could yield efficiency improvements for the turbofan. The results of module testing have been “really impressive” and CFM is now examining whether it can simplify the existing designs to yield additional weight savings, says Jean-Paul Ebanga, president and CEO of the engine joint venture. Module testing needed for certification of the technology is nearly complete, he notes.
Embraer has reported a $360.7 million financial provision against earnings to deal with fleet adjustments associated with the Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection proceedings of American Airlines parent, AMR.
The European Commission is expanding its investigation into whether airports in Europe are benefiting from state aid and have accords with airlines that violate EU rules. The move expands an existing review into the relationship between the airport in Charleroi, Belgium, and Ryanair, and adds new reviews linked to airports in Dortmund, Germany, and Angouleme, France.
Although the spotlight will be on Embraer’s engine choice as it refines its next generation regional jet offering, lower profile design decisions also are on the agenda. One issue under study is whether to add electric taxi capability as a baseline option to help reduce fuel burn through the life of the program, says Paulo Cesar de Souze e Silva, Embraer president of commercial aviation. A firm decision has not been made, he stresses. Also under review is the use and design of winglet devices on the new aircraft.
Embraer is looking at various options for placing 39 American Eagle ERJ-135s the carrier is returning as part of parent AMR’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. The Brazilian aircraft maker is on the hook to find new homes for the aircraft under a remarketing agreement. Embraer expects 18 aircraft to be returned this year and 21 in 2013, Paulo Cesar de Souza e Silva, Embraer president for commercial aviation, tells Aviation Week.
