The U.S. Transportation Department (DOT) is directing seven U.S. carriers and nine European carriers to submit DOT data on the EU’s emissions trading system (ETS), in what some see as the first shot across the Atlantic in formally opposing the ETS.
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)Feb. 1-2, 2012—MRO Middle East 2012, Dubai, United Arab EmiratesMarch 7—54th Annual Laureate Awards, WashingtonMarch 13-14—Innovation Supply Chain Showcase, Orlando, Fla.April 3-5—MRO Americas 2012, DallasApril 3-5—MRO Military Conference & Exhibition, DallasNov. 29-Dec. 1—Certification Together-AeroConseil, ToulouseJan. 26-27—Global Space Technology Convention, Singapore
The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is holding oil production steady at 30 million barrels per day, the cartel said in its meeting last week. But behind the numbers lies a more interesting story. OPEC is anticipating that Libyan production, which fell off during that country’s revolution this year, will rise. It also expects Iraqi production to increase. This means it is likely that Saudi Arabia, the largest producer, will notch its output back. The price of the benchmark Brent crude oil fell to $103 per barrel on the news.
Fort Lauderdale-based regional carrier Gulfstream International Airlines rebranded itself as Silver Airways on Dec. 15 and received the first of the six Saab 340B aircraft it recently ordered, even as it is in negotiations with Saab to order more of the turboprops.
Air freight volumes are falling back to pre-recession levels, suggesting that the world’s economies could be headed for a period of stagnation or even recession, new data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development’s (OECD) International Transport Forum show.
Malaysia Airlines (MAS) has unveiled more details about its route rationalization plan, a move to cut unprofitable routes, so it can improve its financial prospects. The airline says that in January and February it will axe seven international routes, including Rome, Buenos Aires, Dubai and both Johannesburg and Cape Town, representing almost 12% of its total passenger capacity. MAS underwent a management shake-up early this year in which company outsider Ahmad Jauhari Yahya was appointed CEO and charged with turning the carrier around.
Boeing Completes FAA Certification For 747-8 IntercontinentalBoeing Completes FAA Certification For 747-8 IntercontinentalBoeing Completes FAA Certification For 747-8 Intercontinental
Chong Phit Lian, the CEO of Singapore-based carrier Jetstar Asia, is leaving early next year, creating a new challenge for Jetstar as it seeks to expand its franchise in Asia. Jetstar Asia says Chong decided to step down and will be vacating the CEO position, effective Feb. 1, but plans to remain on the Jetstar Asia board.
Click here to view the pdf Mishandled Baggage Reports, October 2011 Total Baggage Enplaned Reports Per 1,000 Passengers Rank Airline Reports Passengers
JetBlue has ordered 86 Pratt & Whitney PW1100G geared turbofans to power and provide spares for the 40 Airbus A320NEOs the low-fare carrier is acquiring. A total of seven A320NEO customers have opted for the PW1100G, one fewer than rival CFM International has secured for the Leap-1A (some lessors are buying engines from both). CFM also holds the edge in the number of NEOs it is currently set to power, although many customers have yet to make their engine choice.
Air New Zealand and All Nippon Airways (ANA) will launch a new code-share agreement in March, which means the end of Air NZ’s code-share with Japan Airlines (JAL). The move aligns Air NZ with a fellow Star Alliance member in Japan, instead of Oneworld carrier JAL. This appears to be one of the first results of Air NZ’s review of its international operations, which the carrier said would examine all alliance arrangements.
Lufthansa is finally starting the process of transferring more non-hub flights to its lower-cost subsidiary Germanwings. All European services from Stuttgart, Cologne/Bonn and Hannover are being taken over by the carrier, Lufthansa said Wednesday.
Airline partners Virgin Australia and Air New Zealand have signed an agreement with a biofuel research company to explore production of fuel from biomass in their home countries. The memoranda of understanding (MOUs) apply to a new biofuel process developed by Australia-based company Licella. The airlines have committed to support the development and commercialization of a biomass-derived aviation fuel.
The second round of testing for potential GPS interference from LightSquared’s proposed broadband network shows interference with a “majority” of GPS receivers, the U.S. Departments of Defense and Transportation say. The agencies released a joint statement late Wednesday on the recently completed testing for interference from LightSquared’s proposed operation of high-powered 4G LTE (long term evolution) ground stations in the Mobile Satellite Service band, intended for satellite downlink.
Japan Airlines’ first Boeing 787-8, which the carrier expects to receive in February, has rolled out of Boeing’s paint hangar in Everett, Wash., with an all-white livery and the airline’s traditional stylized crane in red on the tail. JAL will be the second 787 customer to take delivery of the new mid-size, long-distance jet after launch customer All Nippon Airways.
Brazilian regulators have given LAN Airlines and Grupo TAM 90 days to decide with which carrier alliance the merged Latam Airlines will be affiliated. The mandate is part of an approval issued by the Conselho Administrativo de Defesa Economica (CADE) that allows the two airlines to proceed with a merger that will create Latam Airlines, the region’s largest operator and one of the world’s most valuable airlines by market capitalization.
The World Trade Organization’s Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) will consider the U.S.-European Union case on subsidies for large civil aircraft on Dec. 19. Specifically, the DSB will weigh U.S. objections to the EU’s claim that it has withdrawn subsidies, which the EU published on Dec. 1.
