Emirates’ has beaten IATA’s fuel efficiency average by 25% with consumption of 4.12 liters per 100 passenger-kilometers. The IATA average is 5.4 liters for 100 pax-kms. The airline also beat out fuel efficiency champions Lufthansa at 4.2 liters per 100PK and Cathay Pacific at 4.84 liters per 100PK.
Embraer and GE Aviation have concluded a series of biofuel test flights in Brazil aboard a CF34-8E-powered E-170. One of the aircraft's two engines was powered by a 50/50 blend of camelina-derived hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids (HEFA) and Jet-A. “This series of tests, and their very positive results, gives us a lot of new information to continue our sustainability program as it relates to future products,” Embraer EVP-engineering and technology Mauro Kern said.
Australian bio-fuel producer Jatenergy has sold 200 tonnes of crude Jatropha oil to Lufthansa for use on the airline’s trial using biofuels on its Hamburg to Frankfurt services, according to BioFuel International. Jatenergy said that the Jatropha is sourced from its plantations in central Java, had been sold at $1,000 per tonne, which equates to around $140 a barrel. The Jatropha was refined by the Finland’s Neste Oil.
Virgin Group chairman Richard Branson has lashed out at the UK government’s controversial air passenger duty (APD) calling it “something of a disgrace.” Branson cited the example of the Caribbean, where air travel is the only way to reach the islands and called for the tax to be lowered and redirected to flights where there were alternatives.
Airbus has become an ambassador of the new Global Restoration Council and Coalition that is led by former Prime Minister of Sweden Göran Persson. The council was launched at the international reforestation summit, Bonn Challenge, which took place in Bonn, Germany Sept. 5 and has an objective to reforest 15% of the degraded forests worldwide by 2020.
The US Departments of Agriculture and Energy and the Navy will invest up to $510 million over the next three years in partnership with the private sector to produce advanced drop-in aviation and marine biofuels to power commercial and military transportation. The initiative, announced by President Barack Obama in August, follows the Blueprint for a Secure Energy Future, the administration’s framework for reducing dependence on foreign oil.
The Transport workers Union (TWU), which represents 3,800 Qantas’ (QF) baggage handlers and ground staff, has instructed its members to walk off the job Tuesday.
The US FAA said it is proposing a $590,000 civil penalty against Seattle-based Alaska Airlines (AS) for allegedly operating a Boeing 737-400 on 2,107 flights without performing required maintenance after chafed wiring, resulting from an improperly installed hose clamp, caused a 2010 flight deck ceiling fire while the plane was parked at the gate at Anchorage International.
US House of Representatives passed Tuesday by unanimous consent legislation extending FAA and surface transportation funding into next year, pushing the issue to the Senate, which must act on the bill before Friday to avert another partial FAA shutdown.
Airlines are pushing back hard against the US Dept. of Transportation's (DOT) proposal to greatly expand regulatory reporting requirements for the industry, including mandating that carriers provide breakdowns of revenue generated by various ancillary charges.
US House of Representatives passed Tuesday by unanimous consent legislation extending FAA and surface transportation funding into next year, pushing the issue to the Senate, which must act on the bill before Friday to avert another partial FAA shutdown.
A J Walter Aviation has been selected by Air Europa to provide PBH support for its Airbus A330 Trent engine component accessories under a five-year agreement, covering two aircraft. The contract includes the location of a main base kit in Madrid.
Delta Air Lines (DL) has launched its first Wi-Fi-equipped regional jet, a Bombardier CRJ700 operated by Delta Connection carrier Atlantic Southeast Airlines, with Gogo’s inflight Internet service.
The US Dept. of Commerce is creating a new committee that will target opportunities to promote and sell NextGen technologies and products to non-US markets.
US Congress appears to be moving this week toward passing a combined surface/air transportation funding extension that would keep FAA fully operational through at least Jan. 31, 2012.
Monarch Aircraft Engineering extended its line maintenance technical handling agreement with Aer Lingus, covering the carrier’s Airbus A320 fleet operating to/from London Gatwick airport. Alsalam Aircraft Co. signed a maintenance contract with Saudi Aramco, covering Boeing 737NG aircraft. Coopesa RL inked a contract with GOL to perform a C check, structural inspection and external paint on a Boeing 737-700.
The French Air Accident Investigation Bureau (BEA) has set up a human factors working group to analyze “all aspects connected to the conduct” of the Air France (AF) Airbus A330-200 that crashed into the Atlantic Ocean in 2009.
An OAG report revealed the airline industry has been amazingly resilient to events such as terrorism, pandemics and natural disasters over the past 30 years, and that most serious events occurred after Sept. 10, 2001, according to its World Crisis Analysis.
US House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure Committee chairman John Mica (R-Fla.) introduced Friday an extension of FAA funding through Dec. 31, though his proposal calls for a 5% cut in the agency's budget level.
US FAA VP-system operations services Nancy Kalinowski said that as the 9/11 anniversary approaches, “everyone’s got their A-game on, watching and being aware.”
The French Air Accident Investigation Bureau (BEA) has set up a human factors working group to analyze “all aspects connected to the conduct” of the Air France (AF) Airbus A330-200 that crashed into the Atlantic Ocean in 2009.
Robin Hood, an Austrian-based regional carrier, ceased all operations due to financial difficulties. The company operated two Saab 340s. China Airlines on Sept. 21 will end its frequent flyer program bilateral cooperation with Air China, and on Sept. 28 will terminate its frequent flyer program bilateral cooperation with Hainan Airlines, including HongKong Airlines and HongKong Express.
An All Nippon Airways (ANA) Boeing 737-700 experienced a violent roll after a first officer apparently mistook the rudder trim switch for the cockpit door switch, causing the aircraft to descend 6,000 ft. Two flight attendants were slightly injured.
