A combination of active reduction measures and a milder winter saw Swedish airport owner-operator Swedavia attained carbon-neutral status in 2011. The state-owned organization, which oversees 11 airports in the Scandinavian nation, has a target of zero CO2 emissions by 2020. Last year’s output of 4,600 tonnes of CO2 was a drop of 44% over 2010, achieved by substituting renewable fuel sources for fuel oil for heating, the organization said. A relatively mild winter also saw lower use of snow removal and ice-clearing airport vehicles.
The European Commission (EC) has published proposals to limit the amount of food-based (so-called “first generation”) biofuels that can be counted towards the renewable energy targets set for the European transport sector, including aviation. The EC plans to cap the percentage of first generation biofuels and bioliquids that can be counted towards the overall 10% target it set for the transport sector in 2009 at the current consumption level of 5% until 2020.
The difficulties of reaching international consensus over the European Union emissions trading scheme (EU ETS) aviation carbon tax should not be underestimated, an airline association chief has warned.
Lufthansa (LH) and Australia-based Algae Tec have signed a collaborative agreement to build facility that would produce algae on a large scale and convert it to aviation biofuels. The site will be in Europe and located adjacent to an industrial CO2 source, the companies said in a statement. LH will arrange 100% funding for the project while Algae Tec will manage it and receive license fees and profits.
Austria’s air navigation services provider Austro Control has begun implementing Free Routes airspace in the Vienna Flight Information Region (FIR), with the official publication of 37 ‘Night DCTs’ (Night Direct Routings).
London’s Stansted Airport (STN) has begun a three-month trial of a new walk-through security arch type body scanner that “instantly detects any potential threats and prohibited items,” the airport said, and uses a generic mannequin-type computer image to highlight for security officers the specific area to search.
Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) are urging the European Commission to put pressure on member states to meet their obligations as the Dec.4 deadline nears for the implementation of Functional Airspace Blocks (FABs)—a key element of the Single European Sky (SES) initiative
The cowling panel of an almost-new Caribbean Airlines (BW) ATR72 became detached during takeoff on flight BW300 bound from Piarco (POS) to for Caracas Friday morning. The aircraft returned to POS “without incident,” under normal power.
Sonny Ramdeo, founder and CEO of Guyana’s EZjet, has resigned following a suit from his former employer Promise Healthcare alleging the embezzlement of funds.
Several international travel associations are questioning the transparency of IATA’s new distribution capability (NDC) project, the focus of last week’s World Passenger Symposium in Abu Dhabi.
US FAA is proposing a $354,500 civil penalty against Phoenix-based US Airways (US) for allegedly operating a Boeing 757 on 916 flights when it was not in compliance with federal aviation regulations.
PT Garuda Maintenance Facility Aero Asia signed a ConsumableCare agreement with PDQ Airspares in support of its Airbus A320 line and heavy maintenance programs. CFM International and Lufthansa Technik have signed a cooperation agreement for the support of CFM56 engines. Under the deal, the companies will cooperate on the development of component repairs, overhaul technology and other technical areas.
Wizz Air (W6) has begun charging €10 ($13) for hand luggage larger than 42x32x25 cm., becoming the first European carrier to charge passengers for onboard bags.
Embraer reported third-quarter net income of $65.2 million, up 15% compared to the prior-year period, on revenues of $1.4 billion, up from $1.3 billion in the 2011 September quarter.
The European Court of Justice has upheld its earlier ruling that passengers whose flights have been subject to long delay are entitled to compensation.
The Aviation Corp. of China (AVIC) and GE Aviation have formally launched a Shanghai-based integrated avionics joint venture (JV) “to develop and market the new generation of avionics systems with an immediate priority on supporting development of China’s first home-grown big passenger jet” the C919.
Monarch Aircraft Engineering has signed a line maintenance technical handling agreement with Lithuanian carrier Avion Express (X9) to provide support for X9’s fleet of Airbus A320 aircraft operating at London Gatwick airport. TAME has extended its contract with Sabena Technics Barfield to include the support of two additional Airbus A319s. This builds on an existing six-year contract between TAME and Barfield for the full support of six A320 family aircraft.
Kingfisher Airlines (IT) on Saturday said it received an order from the Director General of Civil Aviation (DCGA) suspending its scheduled operator’s permit.
Air traffic flow management delays in Europe were down 57.6% in September, compared to the year-ago month, despite several weather- and industrial relations-related disruptions.
Air France (AF) is playing down the expected impact of a staff walkout, which is planned for Oct. 26, in protest against the airline’s restructuring program.
A US federal judge in New York has reserved judgment on whether United Continental Holdings (UCH) bears responsibility for damages caused by the hijacked American Airlines 767 that crashed into the World Trade Center’s north tower on 9/11.
The head of the Assn. of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) has called for the US aviation security system to break free from its mindset of treating every passenger as a potential terrorist.
