AirAsia X expects to see per-passenger ancillary revenue from its inflight entertainment (IFE) system increase significantly once it starts fielding the wireless Tune Box system. The airline’s IFE-related ancillary revenue currently is limited by the fact that it relies on renting small hand-held devices. Tune Box will enable the airline to stream content on a pay-per-use basis to wireless devices passengers bring on board, meaning it can offer an IFE without a weight penalty on the aircraft.
Cintec North America is offering a water-inflated, explosion-suppression system designed to isolate or shield suspicious objects that may be found at airports. Robert Lloyd-Rees, chief operating officer, says the product has been in wide use by bomb squads in the U.K., the Middle East and Far East. A campaign is under way to raise the product’s visibility for airports in North America.
Japanese operators have started to speak to aircraft manufacturers with a view to replacing tsunami-damaged aircraft, particularly those at Sendai Airport and the Matsushima airbase, industry executives say. The tsunami that devastated northeast Japan in March caused salt water flood damage to military and general aviation aircraft. The Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF), Japan Coast Guard, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and Civil Aviation College lost the most aircraft.
With the closure of the sale of BAE Systems Asset Management to a Fortress Investment Group-baked buyer, the new owner today has relaunched the asset management business as Falko Regional Aircraft. The Hatfield, England-based business is looking to diversify its product portfolio, a move already under way at BAE Systems Regional Aircraft. The business is being headed by Jeremy Barnes, CEO, who led the Fortress Investment Group-baked buy-in team, largely composed of individuals with prior asset management experience.
Negotiators for the Southwest Airlines' and AirTran Airways' pilots unions reached an agreement in principle on integrating their seniority lists, but still need to turn the concepts into final language. The agreement could be an important milestone for Southwest, which acquired AirTran in May because pilot group dissension often frustrates efforts to fully integrate merged carriers and get employees to begin working together as a team.
John Hunter, executive VP of operations of Hollywood, Fla.-based Heico Corp., says replacement material, including rotables, is the third-largest operating cost for airlines behind fuel and labor, whereas it is the No. 1 expense for maintenance, repair and overhaul shops.
Star Alliance member South African Airways has signed a multi-year agreement with global distribution system provider Sabre Travel Network to provide access to the carrier’s full inventory of fares and schedules. “We have an agreement in place that meets the needs of our agency and corporate customers, as well as the airline. The agreement is an extension of our 20-year relationship with South African Airways, and we are especially pleased to make this announcement as we launch Sabre in the South African market,” says Sabre Senior VP-Airline Distribution David Gross.
The U.K.’s Civil Aviation Authority next year plans to issue a new near-term safety plan to tackle the seven biggest risk areas for aviation. A draft proposal is now being circulated for industry comment to reduce loss of control; runway excursion; controlled flight into terrain; runway incursion; airborne conflict; ground-handling incidents; and outbreaks of fire. Comments are due by month’s end. The CAA says its objectives are closely tied to those presented by the European Aviation Safety Agency’s key safety priorities.
The U.S. Transportation Department (DOT) plans to respond by July 20 to a request from Allegiant Air and Spirit Airlines to postpone the implementation of many of the DOT’s new passenger rights rules, the law firm representing the carriers says.
As of yesterday, the prospects of an agreement on FAA reauthorization are looking grim. Last week, Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.) introduced the 21st extension to the bill, which expires this Friday, along with two changes to the Essential Air Service (EAS) program. He adopted the Senate’s language in part, but tacked on a cut to the subsidy to airports.
The U.S. and India have signed a Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement (BASA) to facilitate reciprocal airworthiness certification of civil aviation products imported and exported between the two countries. The agreement, signed by India’s Civil Aviation Secretary Nasim Zaidi and FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt, is expected to benefit the nascent aircraft manufacturing industry in India and spur trade between the two countries.
Sensis Corp. has won a New York state contract to embellish its Aerobahn surface traffic management system with a new decision-enhancing tool to aid ramp controllers with the often complex task of managing aircraft at airport gates.
Indonesia’s Lion Air, the world’s largest customer of Boeing 737-900ERs, has converted some 737-900ERs on order to 737-800s because it is easier to do sale leasebacks on this model.
Empire Aviation Group, a Dubai-based private aviation specialist and operator of one of West Asia’s largest managed fleets of business jets, has announced plans to extend its reach into India, though the initial focus will be on aircraft sales and management. The branch office, to be opened in the country’s financial capital Mumbai, soon, will be EAG’s first operation outside Dubai and is likely to offer the company’s full range of services in the subcontinent.
Kenya Airways’ plan to serve every African capital by 2013 now includes twice-weekly nonstop Boeing 737-700 service between its hub at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi and Ouagadougou Airport in Burkina Faso. New fifth-freedom rights granted by regulators in Burkina Faso and Benin also enable Kenya Airways to offer flights between Ouagadougou and Cotonou, Benin’s largest city.
Precision Conversions is modifying a second Boeing 757-200 for Aviation Capital Group. The 1991 Rolls-Royce RB211-535E4-powered aircraft, last operated by China Southern Airlines, is scheduled for delivery in early October. Precision Conversions says the 757-200PCF will include a weight upgrade package that allows for up to 80,000 lb. (36,287kg) of payload. “This aircraft ... is the 30th 757-200PCF conversion that will be delivered to the market,” says VP-Marketing and Sales Brian McCarthy.
A new Open Skies accord between the U.S. and Macedonia is the first aviation agreement between the countries and the 103rd liberalized accord brokered by the U.S. “By agreeing on an open market for aviation services now, we are setting the stage for travel and trade between the United States and Macedonia to develop in the future,” says U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.
Korean Air is caught in the middle of political tension between Japan and Korea concerning the routing of a Korean Air Airbus A380 over an island group disputed by the two countries. As a retaliatory measure, the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has made a point of banning its officials from flying Korean Air for one month from July 18, according to a transcript of a ministry news conference. The ministry will also not invite Korean Air representatives to any functions it is hosting, either in Japan or Korea.
Two of Chromalloy’s service centers have been awarded Approved Organization Exposition certificates from the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB). “Following a long working relationship with the JCAB officials in Tokyo, Chromalloy completed the rigorous compliance and audit process to receive the Approved Organization Exposition certificates,” said Chromalloy VP-Engineering Bruce Johnson. “With this approval, JCAB has officially recognized the FAA Designated Engineering Representative (DER) repair approval process familiar to FAA repair stations.”
House lawmakers are putting forward the 21st extension of the FAA reauthorization bill, and in the process are making changes to a rural air service provision that was a key point of contention between leaders of the House and Senate transportation committees.
Nashville Airport Authority , Nashville, Tenn., appointed Rob Wigington executive VP and chief operating officer, stepping in for Monty Burgess, who retired in June.
