The Indonesian government’s efforts to improve its aviation safety reputation suffered a setback with the May 7 crash of a Xi'an Aircraft MA60 turboprop belonging to Merpati Nusantara Airlines. MZ8968 crashed Saturday, killing all 21 passengers and six crew members on board. The aircraft hit the ground 600 meters short of the runway at Kaimana Utarom after departing Sorong Airport an hour earlier. It was attempting to land in poor weather, with heavy rain and strong winds.
A new study finds that the long-term savings from global air traffic management (ATM) modernization programs outweigh their costs by a significant margin, and this net benefit would increase if the modernization efforts were accelerated.
Qantas Airways appears set to experience flight delays this week as a consequence of a sudden strike action by maintenance engineers. The Australian Licenced Aircraft Engineers Association (ALAEA) has called on about 1,600 of its members to walk off their jobs. The union made the decision after negotiations with the airline broke down over wages and conditions. Union workers plan to stop work for one hour on May 13, Qantas says in a statement, which predicts the industrial action will result in only minor delays in the morning.
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. The Aero 100 delivers financial risk mitigation and protection against constant fluctuation of airline ticket prices by providing the price settling mechanism for Commodity Futures Contracts.
Rolls-Royce has received Extended Twin-Engine Operations (ETOPS) approval from the FAA for the Boeing 787-powering Trent 1000 turbofan. The authorization covers 330 min. of single-engine operations. Rival General Electric, offering the GEnx, is still working on achieving ETOPS approval; Rolls is ahead, owing to the fact it is providing the engine for lead customer All Nippon Airways.
VivaAerobus is working on a booking application for its Facebook page, says Juan Carlos Zuazua, CEO of the Mexican low-cost carrier. He likens the effort to the booking application launched by Delta Air Lines last September; Malaysia Airlines also launched one in late February.
Andrus Aljas resigned as CEO of Estonian Air on Monday. In a statement, he said that “my five years in Estonian Air have included both periods of growth as well as the recession, bringing extremely challenging times for the entire aviation sector.
At least two potential bidders are interested in state-owned TAP Portugal. Both TAM Brazil and International Airlines Group (IAG)—comprised of British Airways and Iberia—are understood to be preparing offers for the carrier, but the process is likely to drag on for several months.
Commercial airports across the globe are evolving through a dynamic transition period under strong economic and social forces. Whether small, medium or large, they are diversifying to meet the manifold needs of an increasingly sophisticated marketplace.
The Government Accountability Office is expected to detail problems with the Transportation Worker ID Credentialing program today in a hearing before the Senate Transportation Committee.
Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance will support the components on Virgin Atlantic’s new fleet of Airbus A330s, the first of which the carrier received in February. Airbus plans to deliver the other 10 A330s by late 2012. At this time, only line and component maintenance is needed.
The FAA reauthorization bill is coming down to the wire yet again, as the current 18th extension lasts just until the end of the month. Taxes remain one of the outstanding conference issues in the bill, according to the Congressional Research Service. The House bill includes no new taxes, while the Senate bill is proposing a 14.1-cent increase in general aviation jet fuel taxes and a 14.1-cent surcharge on jet fuel bought for “fractionally owned aircraft.”
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood on May 9 unveiled $2 billion in awards for high-speed rail projects, some of which could have long-term implications for U.S. airlines that operate flights on the same routes. For example, the funding includes $795 million to upgrade service on the Northeast Corridor, the Washington-New York-Boston route, where Amtrak’s Acela service already has eaten into airline sales. The Transportation Department (DOT) says the investments will increase speeds from 135 to 160 mph on a 24-mi.
The U.S. Transportation Department (DOT) on May 6 levied $175,000 in fines against five online ticket agents for not telling consumers that certain flights listed on their Internet sites were being operated by a regional carrier on behalf of a major. The violations allegedly occurred in the latter half of 2010, DOT says.
Boeing says that despite a one-month-long production freeze starting May 6 at its Everett site, initial deliveries of 747-8 freighter and passenger models remain on track for mid-year and the last quarter of 2011, respectively.
To list an event, send information in calendar format to Ingrid Lee at [email protected] (Bold type indicates new calendar listing.) May 9-12—Practical Aeronautics Short Course: “Introduction to Aeronautics, A Practical Perspective,” Ohio Aerospace Institute, Cleveland, 970-887-3155, www.practicalaero.com May 9-12—Naval Helicopter Association 2011: Centennial of Naval Aviation Symposium, Town & Country Resort and Conference Center, San Diego, 619-435-7139, www.navalhelicopterassn.org/2011-nha-symposium/
The storm was just too long for Jack Pelton to ride out. For the past decade, the chairman, president and CEO of Cessna Aircraft was a force in business aviation, taking up the industry’s battle in Washington when President Barack Obama and members of Congress singled out corporate jets as a symbol of excess to score political points. And for a time, the amiable salesman could do no wrong, with Cessna accounting for more than half of the profits at parent company Textron in 2006 and 2007.
Air Canada is hopeful a plan to introduce a low-cost division will be successful, but it will only proceed if a new wage structure and fleet plan can be put in place.
