Click here to view the pdf Fuel Watch: Global Jet Fuel Prices (midpoint) As of December 18, 2013, compared with previous week and previous year cts/gal prev. week prev.
British Airways (BA) claims to be the first carrier in Europe to let passengers use their personal electronic devices (PED) throughout all flight phases. Beginning Dec. 19, BA passengers were able to use their handheld electronic devices during taxi, take-off and landing, so long as they are set to flight mode. BA said it secured clearance for the policy change from the U.K. Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) after demonstrating that it complies with all existing safety rules and regulations.
Industry leaders remain hopeful that the long overdue repair station security rule will finally shake free from its White House review in the next few weeks, but they are still calling on newly confirmed Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson to make sure that happens.
Industry trade groups are urging the FAA to put the brakes on a well-intended guidance-streamlining effort that would result in mass cancellation of official agency interpretations that are not housed in one of three online repositories. The FAA’s move, outlined in a Dec. 3 memorandum from Flight Standards Service (FSS) Director John Duncan to all FSS employees, would cancel any guidance not found in the Flight Standards Information System, the Regulatory and Guidance Library, “or elsewhere on www.faa.gov,” effective January 14, 2014.
European antitrust regulators have cleared Swissport’s acquisition of Servisair, subject to the disposal of ground-handling activities at four airports. The ground handling rivals said they had begun exclusive talks in July and notified the European Commission of their plans on Oct. 29.
Etihad Airways has confirmed it is in talks with Alitalia, which will on Friday announce that it has managed to meet its €300 million ($413 million) funding target. “Etihad Airways is in discussions with Alitalia. We have no further comment at this time,” said an Etihad Airways spokesman, following reports that the UAE-based carrier is in advanced talks to buy up to 49% of Alitalia.
Avic has launched full-scale development of its MA700 78-seat turboprop airliner, aiming at a first flight in 2016 and first delivery in 2019. New details show the MA700’s cabin width has shrunk during pre-development, with the manufacturer retreating from a plan for more comfortable seats than are normal for such aircraft. Adoption of a narrower fuselage and shorter wingspan than previously planned partly explain a reduction in what already looked like an aggressive weight target.
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), citing a “redefined” risk assessment, is halving the proposed compliance window for operators of Rolls-Royce-powered Airbus A330s to replace an incorrectly manufactured thrust reverser component. The proposed directive, released Dec. 18, would give affected operators 12 months to replace thrust reverser door cowl hinge sleeves Nos. 3 and 4. The proposal replaces a September draft directive that would have given operators 24 months. EASA says the parts in question were not correctly heat treated.
The first Boeing 747-8F to be powered with the performance improvement package (PIP) version of the GEnx-2B67 has been delivered to Cathay Pacific from the manufacturer’s site in Everett, Wash.
Dodging the sequestration bullet somewhat, the U.S. aerospace industry will turn in 18% stronger profits for 2013 despite slightly slower sales, powered by a civil sector rebound which swelled the U.S. aerospace trade surplus to record levels, the Aerospace Industries Association says in its preliminary report card on the sector.
BUDGET PASSED: The U.S. Senate passed the so-called Ryan-Murray budget framework Dec. 18, sending the compromise to the White House to be signed into law. Senators voted 64-36 in favor of the bill, although several expressed criticism of the framework or their inability to amend it like most bills considered on the floor. The agreement was announced last week by House and Senate Budget committee chairmen Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and Sen.
The new chief executive of Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) does not have much experience with airport issues directly beyond traveling through them as a career-long public affairs professional, but Kevin Burke represents a “dynamic” leader necessary to help the organization gear up for an expected FAA reauthorization bill in 2015, according to the organization’s chairman.
Lawmakers across Capitol Hill are introducing legislation that, if enacted, would ban passengers from talking on mobile telephones during airline flights in the U.S. Related bills have been announced in the House of Representatives and Senate in recent weeks. While their fate remains unclear so early in the legislative process, the sponsors are powerful lawmakers and the issue is sure to play out in and around efforts to craft a FAA reauthorization bill next year.
Click here to view the pdf Top Carriers: Barcelona - Madrid, December 15-21, 2013, Ranked By Scheduled Seats Top Carriers: Barcelona - Madrid, December 15-21, 2013, Ranked By Scheduled Seats Daily Each Way Departures Share ASKs (000) Share Seats/Dept.
Iceland and Denmark are making good progress on a satellite-based surveillance network that will provide the first ATM coverage corridor between Europe and North America, with the first parts expected to be ready for operational use in 2014. Automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) stations have been installed in Iceland by air navigation service provider (ANSP) Isavia, while Danish ANSP Naviair is responsible for installing stations in the Faroe Islands and in several locations in Greenland.
Boeing has named Dennis Muilenburg, the current leader of the company’s defense arm, as vice chairman, president and chief operating officer, paving the way for the 49-year-old executive’s eventual move to potentially succeed Boeing’s chairman, president and CEO Jim McNerney. The leadership reshuffle sees two top executives advance to the level of vice chairmen, the appointment of a company president and chief operating officer and the naming of new leaders for Boeing Defense, Space & Security and Boeing Military Aircraft.
North American airlines increased their passenger numbers at a slower pace than the world average but their 83.1% seat load factor remains the highest of all regions and almost 4 percentage points above the global average, according to preliminary figures for scheduled commercial services for 2013 released by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
Australian regional carrier Brindabella Airlines has gone into receivership and suspended flights indefinitely, a collapse prompted by safety authorities grounding most of its fleet last week for inspections. KordaMentha, the company appointed receiver on Dec. 15, says it is “calling for immediate expressions of interest in the sale of the business,” although it stresses that the carrier will not operate while the sale is conducted. Based in the Australian capital Canberra, Brindabella operates a fleet of 12 turboprops.
London’s Heathrow and Gatwick airports have been identified as possible sites for new runways to boost airport capacity around London. In an interim report, published Dec. 17, the Airports Commission put on ice options for a new-build airport in the Thames Estuary due to the high cost — beginning at £112 billion ($182 billion) — and because it presented “many challenges and uncertainties.”
Luxembourg has moved a step closer to selling its 35% Cargolux stake to China’s Henan Civil Aviation and Investment Co. (HNCA), after the all-cargo carrier’s board approved a commercial tie-up with its would-be owner. “This resolution paves the way for a close and mutually beneficial partnership between Cargolux and the airline’s future Chinese investor,” said Cargolux in a statement.
China Airlines will set up a budget airline with the brand of Singapore Airlines affiliate Tigerair, with the aim of beginning operations at the end of 2014. “The network will cover major destinations in Northeast and Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, Macau, China and Taiwan,” China Airlines says.
