Bombardier says most of the cabin interior trade studies for the CSeries are complete and validation and optimization of the design has started in the full-scale interior rig at the factory.
Budget carrier Norwegian is playing down reports that it might buy into U.S. carriers, should its newly formed Irish arm fail to secure a permit for trans-Atlantic operations. Norwegian Air International (NAI), the long-haul division of Norwegian Air Shuttle, recently secured an Irish air operator’s certificate (AOC) even though it has no operations to or from Ireland.
Challenged in getting FAA endorsement for the Chinese certification of the C919 narrowbody airliner, Comac is raising the possibility of relying instead on the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The Chinese manufacturer is also playing down the immediate prospects for foreign sales of type, emphasizing that the program always aimed at initially supplying the domestic market.
Southwest Airlines is beginning to run up against reliability, parts obsolescence and supply challenges with the attitude display indicator (ADI) on the 737 Classic fleet, says Kent Horton, Southwest’s director of engineering.
Now that Norwegian Air International (NAI) has its Irish operating certificate, the debate over the carrier’s application to serve the U.S. is coming down to interpretations of acceptable labor practices versus what constitutes excessive regulatory meddling under the U.S.-E.U. Open Skies agreement.
Click here to view the pdf Top Carriers: Chicago O’Hare - New York LaGuardia, February 15-21, 2014, Ranked By Scheduled Seats Top Carriers: Chicago O’Hare - New York LaGuardia, February 15-21, 2014, Ranked By Scheduled Seats Daily Each Way Departures Share ASKs (000) Share
SkyWest Airlines is on track to take delivery of its first Embraer E175 next month, earn required certifications, and put the type into service under the United Express brand in May, the regional airline’s executives say. The airline has invested about $3 million in training and certification and $10 million in spare parts, including an engine, to ramp up for the new type, Skywest parent SkyWest Inc. CFO Mike Kraupp told analysts during a recent earnings call.
By Michael Huerta Aviation is a proud American invention. It was 110 years ago that the Wright Brothers completed their first flight at Kitty Hawk. Since then, aviation has grown to be our largest export industry. It accounts for $1.3 trillion in economic activity and 10 million U.S. jobs.
An administrative court in Munich has turned aside all objections against the construction of a third runway for Munich airport in what could become a landmark decision for capacity expansion in the long term. Even so, it will be years at best until the runway will actually be built.
Airbus plans to boost its stake in China’s Harbin Hafei Airbus Composite Manufacturing Center (HMC) to 25% from its current 20% shareholding. HMC, set up in late 2009, is a joint venture between Airbus China (20%), Harbin Aircraft Industry Group (50%), Hafei Aviation Industry (10%), AviChina Industry & Technology (10%) and Harbin Development Zone Infrastructure Development (10%).
European Commissioner for Transport Siim Kallas recognizes that state-owned Gulf carriers and their rapid expansion in Europe are a formidable competitor for Europe’s legacy airlines, but asserts that the growth of Emirates, Etihad and Qatar is positive for the European aviation industry as a whole.
A new plant to be set up on a former Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) shipbuilding site will build wing skins and spars for the Mitsubishi Aircraft MRJ regional jet, while final assembly should be handled at another new factory that the company hopes to build.
Global air traffic demand is surging enough to sustain record production rates at Airbus and Boeing as well as a strengthening mid-life market—particularly among narrowbodies—that may be costing the manufacturers a few orders, Fly Leasing CEO Colm Barrington asserts. While Boeing 737NGs, and -800s in particular, have long been the leasing industry’s darling, the Airbus A320 family has rallied in the last year. Barrington, whose firm specializes in 737s and A320s, says A320 lease rates climbed a bit in 2013 and are up 15% on 2014 renewals.
Airbus has reached an agreement with Pratt & Whitney on engine performance improvements that will lead to further fuel burn reduction of the PW1100G over time. The upgrades to the Pratt & Whitney PW1100G will reduce fuel burn of the Airbus A320neo to around 18% compared to the current model. The performance improvement package for the geared turbofan engine is set to be available by 2019, according to commitments made by the engine consortium. But it could be ready for introduction in 2018.
While Boeing downplays reports of proposed 757 replacement study plans at the recent Singapore Airshow, the manufacturer acknowledges it is seeing “a lot of interest” for a potential new aircraft larger than the 737 but with less range than the 787. While theoretically occupying the seat capacity market niche once dominated by the out-of-production 757, the study aircraft would not be a direct successor to Boeing’s single-aisle twinjet, says Marketing Vice President Randy Tinseth.
The Russian and Chinese aeronautics industries are firming up plans for a joint widebody that would enter service in about 10 years, probably pitched as an Airbus A330 replacement.
Click here to view the pdf Top Carriers: Los Angeles - New York Kennedy, February 15-21, 2014, Ranked By Scheduled Seats Top Carriers: Los Angeles - New York Kennedy, February 15-21, 2014, Ranked By Scheduled Seats Daily Each Way Departures Share ASKs (000) Share
European researchers are entering a busy period as work on technology demonstrators ramps up under the Clean Sky program. Under the Smart Fixed Wing Aircraft program, modification of the Airbus A340-300 laminar-flow wing demonstrator is to begin in June. The outboard wing sections will be replaced with two different natural laminar-flow wing panels.
WestJet has tapped Panasonic Avionics to provide the airline’s next-generation inflight entertainment (IFE) system, including satellite-based Wi-Fi, the carrier reported Feb. 14. The system will feed content, including live television and the internet, to personal electronic devices (PEDs) that 75% of WestJet’s passengers already carry onboard, says WestJet VP Product and Distribution Marshall Wilmot. Tablets also will be available to rent.
Guernsey-based regional airline Aurigny has sought permission to operate to London City Airport in the heart of the UK capital’s financial district. “We’ve applied for a license from Guernsey. We’ll see how that application process goes then firm up our plans,” Aurigny CEO Mark Darby told Aviation Week affiliate Air Transport World. Darby declined to comment on the likely timelines, aircraft type and network for Aurigny at London City.
Bangkok Airways has ordered six ATR 72-600s plus two options, worth almost $200 million, and ATR has struck a deal with L-3 Link Simulation & Training to open a simulator center in Bangkok. The new aircraft will be used for Bangkok Airways’ fleet renewal, replacing some of its eight existing ATR 72-500s. Bangkok Airways has been an ATR operator since its launch in 1994.
