FLEET UPDATE BULLETIN: Rwandair, FirstNation Airways, GEASA Guinea Ecuatorial Airlines, Libyan Airlines, Senegalese Air Force, Dana Air.

The following is a fleet update bulletin for aircraft that are in use, have been in use or will be in use for these listed airlines: FirstNation Airways Nigeria (FRN), Libyan Airlines (LN), Rwandair (WB), GEASA Guinea Ecuatorial, the Senegalese Air Force, Dana Air Nigeria (9J).

• Nigeria's FirstNation Airways (FRN) will take delivery of a A319 (MCN 647 | 5N-FND) on June 28 on lease from the ILFC.
• Rwandair (WB) took delivery of its second B737-700 (MSN 30726 | 9XR-WK) on June 27 on dry lease from the International Lease Finance Corporation.
• Libyan Airlines (LN) took delivery of its first A330-200 (MCN 1424 | 5N-LAS) on June 27. The order is part of a larger deal for four of the aircraft of which the other two are due in Libya in May 2014. Originally, (MCN 1412 | 5A-LAR) was planned to have been delivered first, but will now follow in the coming months.
• GEASA - Guinea Equatorial Airlines SA is set to take delivery of a B767-300 (MSN 30393 | ex HB-JJG) shortly
• The Senegalese Air Force took redelivery of its Fokker F27 (MSN 10591 | 6W-STF) following an overhaul in Bergamo, Italy
• Nigeria's Dana Air (9J) has ferried its McDonnell Douglas MD83 (MSN 53018 | 5N-SAI) to Olbia, Sardinia.

Seems like with these new fleet additions, African Aviation is set for purposeful development in the near future.

 

Source: The African Aviation Tribune

PHOTO: Passengers disembarked after HOLE noticed in American Airlines Boeing 777 wing

There are numerous ways an airplane can be impacted by bird strikes and airlines won’t always notice the damage straight away.

Earlier this week, for example, American Airlines was forced to delay a Frankfurt-bound flight at the last minute after a hole was noticed in the right hand wing of a Boeing 777-200.

The incident was reported by The Aviation Herald and I’ve included a passenger's photo of the damaged aircraft on this page – check out the leading edge of the right hand wing. The bird strike occurred on a previous flight.
 

Air India Resumes Australia Service with Boeing 787 from late-August 2013

After 16 years of service suspension, Air India from 29AUG13 returns to Australia market with Boeing 787 aircraft. Subject to Government Approval, the airline plans to operate 3 weekly Delhi – Melbourne – Sydney – Delhi and 4 weekly in opposite direction, starting 29AUG13. Reservation for Australia service opened on late-Friday 28JUN13 in the GDS (the airline has not yet open reservation on its own website).

Emirates annouces winter '13 Operations change as of 28 June 2013

As per 28JUN13 GDS inventory display, latest changes to Emirates’ Winter 2013/14 operation, effective 01OCT13, as follow. Additional changes remain possible in the coming months.

Dubai – Kuala Lumpur Operational aircraft changes
EK344/345 eff 01JAN14 Boeing 777-300 replaces Airbus A330-200

EK346/347 Airbus A380 configuration changes (No further changes since last report on 31MAY13)
01OCT13 – 26OCT13 / 01JAN14 – 01FEB14 38M
27OCT13 – 31DEC13 / eff 02FEB14 38L

European Union, Tunisia set to conclude latest round of talks on Open Skies agreement.

Negotiations between Tunisia and the European Union (EU) regarding a possible Open Skies agreement are set to come to an end today amid reports that Tunisia's Minister of Transport, Abdelkrim Harouni, believes that national carrier, Tunisair (TU), was no longer in any dangerand could hold its own in an open market. Open skies is an air transport liberalization scheme in which any barriers of entry to participant countries’ airlines are reciprocally lifted as well as regulations on all forms of air transportation – cargo or passenger – within their sovereign borders. 

Nigeria finalizes plans for new carrier "Nigeria One" as Aer Lingus refutes claims of leasing deal with government.

The Nigerian Government , through its Aviation Ministry, has now completed plans to float a new national carrier to be named Nigeria One (not National One as previously reported).                      

Defunct Nigeria Airways B707

U.S. Air Force MC-130P’s pararescue jumper: “it’s a tough job but someone has to do it”

The following shows U.S. Air Force airmen on an MC-130P assigned to the 129th Rescue Wing, Moffett Federal Airfield, California as they conduct Search and Rescue training with Rigging Alternate Method Zodiac (RAMZ), Helicopter Air-to-Air Refueling and Low Level Tactical flying above Northern California on Jun. 18, 2013.
                                             

Emirates outlines African routes to be affected by closure of DXB runway 12L/30R in 2014.

With Dubai International Airport's Northern runway 12L/30R nearing the end of its designed lifespan and therefore requiring rehabilitation and upgrading, Emirates (EK) has outlined its planned service reduction set to come into effect from May 1, 2014 and ending July 20, 2014. The following list contains the affected African flights:

Postcards from the Middle East: Jordanian, U.S. Air Force F-16s and U.S. Marine Corps F-18s train together

 The U.S. Air Force has just released some nice images showing the air power build up in the Middle East.

One of the most interesting images depicts a Jordanian F-16 Fighting Falcon leading another Jordanian F-16, as well as an American F-16 from the 120th Fighter Squadron, Colorado Air National Guard, and two Marine F-18s from VMFA-115 over a training base in Northern Jordan. during Eager Lion exercise.

Amazing Video: Man pulling commercial airplane with his mouth!!!

 

A man was seen on video pulling a large commercial airplane with his mouth.

The strong man from Hungary has managed to pull a 50-ton airliner using only his teeth.

Zsolt Sinka set a new record for the country when he successfully pulled an Airbus A320 39.2 meters in 52 seconds at the Liszt Ferenc Airport in Budapest.

Source: Emirates247

Another Sad Disaster - Private airplane crashes in far western Haiti, 2 reported dead

 
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti - A Haitian official says a small private airplane crashed in the far western corner of the Caribbean nation and two people are dead.

Sylvera Guillaume of Haiti's Civil Protection Office says the plane crashed near the coastal town of Jeremie around midnight. He said Tuesday the two people on board were burned so badly that they couldn't be identified.

A spokeswoman for the United Nations peacekeeping mission says that U.N. police officers are helping the national police force respond.

Source: Montreal Gazzette



 

Amazing Video: Engine failure of Thomas Cook A330 while on take off run!!!

Yesterday was quite eventful for plane spotters at Manchester Airport in the UK. A routine morning of arrivals and departures was dramatically overshadowed by the engine failure of a Thomas Cook Airbus A330-200 during the afternoon.

A couple of YouTube users have already posted their footage of the incident online, which shows the aircraft travelling down runway 23R at a high speed (around 110 knots) when a loud bang is heard. Around 325 passengers were onboard at the time, on their way to Punta Cana in the Dominic Republic.

Graphic Video...Stunt performer, pilot killed in Ohio air show crash

 A woman performing a wing-walking stunt and her pilot were killed on Saturday when their biplane crashed and burst into flames while doing aerobatics at an air show in Ohio, organizers of the event said. See Video after the cut.

Veteran stuntwoman Jane Wicker and her pilot, Charlie Schwenker, died when their Boeing Stearman crashed around 1 p.m. EDT (1700 GMT) at the Vectren Dayton Air Show in Dayton.

Amazing Video / Pictures of monster plane that makes you say 'wow'....lol!

      

 Super Guppy    

Meet the Super Guppy, a huge cargo aircraft owned by NASA. Equipped with four turbo-propeller engines that allow it to reach 230 mph at low altitudes. 

Southwest Airlines cancels numerous flights due technical glitches!

22nd June 2013 - Southwest Airlines flight Operation was suspended for several hours when its Operational control center went down due technical glitches on Friday night, an airline spokeswoman said.

Any flights that were in the air when the glitch occurred at about 11 p.m. ET were OK and could land, but any flight that hadn't departed was grounded, said spokeswoman Michelle Agnew.

Amazing Video: Abandoned Airplane converted to race car!!!

Washington Police officer Jeff Bloch creates the ultimate vehicle. This vehicle is a fusion of an abadoned Cessna 310 airplane and a Toyota van. He calls his car 'Cessnoyota'.

Check out the video below

Video: World's Worst Airport Worker

Watch this worker that definitely got no love for his job. All the best my friend...LMAO!!!

                        


Source: Maktoob

REVEALED: Top 10 Airlines In The World, according to Skytrax World Airline Awards 2013

Emirates tops this year's rankings for the best Airline in 2013. The winner were announced at a special awards ceremony to coincide with the Paris Airshow 2013.

For a full list, check below.

Stunning Pictures from Above - Pilot showcases his second love after flying!

His name is Karim Nafatni, a pilot with UAE-based Air Arabia, and his pictures are amazing!

Just for Laughs: Crazy Woman VOR/DME

Who would ever imagine a VOR/DME - CZI, would actually be named Crazy woman... LMAO! 

 
For those of you who don't know what a VOR/DME is, let me assist with a basic explanation.

Saudia to drop Jeddah - Kano from September.

Saudi Arabia's national carrier, Saudia (SV), will from September 1, 2013 cancel its twice weekly Jeddah – Kano service. The flight operates with a Boeing 747.

Saudia's current Africa Network

  Saudia(SV): Jeddah - Kano schedule

-Ends 01SEP
SV403 JED1830 – 2110KAN 74E 3
SV403 JED1850 – 2130KAN 74E 6
SV402 KAN2310 – 0605+1JED 74E 3
SV402 KAN2330 – 0625+1JED 74E 6

Saudia Cargo, the operation's freight division, will still maintain its services to Lagos.

Source: The African Aviation Tribune

Arik Air signs up for three CRJ1000s, four Q400s from Bombardier.

CRJ900

Nigeria's largest carrier, Arik Air (W3), has signed a firm contract to acquire three CRJ1000 NextGen aircraft and four Q400 NextGen turboprop airliners from Canadian aircraft manufacturer, Bombardier.

VIDEO: Check out this awesome video of tornado over Denver Airport

 

 Hollywood spends millions of dollars creating ‘end of world’ special effects for disaster films, and the end results are normally spectacular.

However, mother nature can do a much better job, as she proved in the United States this week. Check out the video below, which shows a weak tornado forming around the east runways of Denver International Airport on 18th June 2013.

The weather conditions were far from ideal, with all flights either cancelled or re-routed as a result. That’s understandable, of course… you wouldn’t want to fly with those dark clouds around!

According to media reports, the tornado produced winds of nearly 100 miles per hour, and the airport’s safety procedures were immediately activated.
 
Source: The Aviator Writer

Kenya Airways posts net loss of USD92million for latest Financial Year.

Kenya Airways (KQ) has posted a net loss of USD92million (KES7.86billion) for its 2012/13 Financial Year, compared with a profit of USD19.39million (KES1.66 billion) a year earlier, Chief Financial Officer Alex Mbugua has announced. Losses were blamed on "harsh economic and geopolitical conditions" coupled with a global economic slowdown and volatile global oil prices. The company last reported a loss in the fiscal year ended March 2009.

Dreamliner and A380 deals announced at Paris air show

An Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner at the Paris air show

Total orders on day one of the Paris air show topped $30bn (£19bn) as deals were announced for the troubled 787 Dreamliner and the rival A380 superjumbo.

'Biggest ever' Paris air show under way - 17th till 23rd June 2013

The world's largest plane makers Boeing and Airbus rarely miss a chance to try and steal the limelight from each other. 

UAE military jet crashes, pilot killed

UAE military training jet crashed yesterday during a routine training mission, killing the pilot, according to the statement issued by the Armed Forces General Headquarters.

It added that the competent authorities were inspecting the scene of incident to investigate causes of the accident.

Source: Emirates247

Mother Nature at it again - Pilot Aborts Landing After Runway Disappears!!!

Incredible footage of a disappearing runway....LMAO! 

On final approach, past decision height, a visible runway suddenly becomes invisible.

Check out footage below.

    

 P.S. Never test the might of Mother Nature.

VIDEO: Bombardier aircraft crashes into airport hangar during engine test

 

 However, a recent engine test in California was far from non-eventful. In fact, it’s being covered by international media for all the wrong reasons.

During this particular engine test, a Canadair Bombardier Challenger aircraft was placed on a ramp at Chino Airport, with rubber stops in place to prevent the regional jet from moving.

Unfortunately, it rolled over the rubber stops and eventually crashed into a hangar. The photo on this page shows the severity of the incident, and there’s video footage below too.

Pakistan fighter pilot wins battle of sexes, now she's ready for war - Cute isn't she???

 

Ayesha Farooq

 

With an olive green head scarf poking out from her helmet, Ayesha Farooq flashes a cheeky grin when asked if it is lonely being the only war-ready female fighter pilot in the Islamic republic of Pakistan.

Virgin Galactic is getting you ready for your next big adventure!!!

Guess what guys, Virgin Galactic might just be airborne as early as christmas 2013, all things being equal. Branson in a recent trip to Dubai stated that "the first public Virgin Galactic flight would happen Dec. 25". 

Lets get some facts about this mission and what it all entails.

Virgin Atlantic Launches World's First-Ever Glass-Bottomed Plane

As you may have seen in the national press, after nearly 30 years of providing the ultimate long-haul flying experience, Virgin Atlantic and our founder Richard Branson are once again flying in the face of ordinary by announcing the creation of a world first in aircraft innovation. This technological innovation coincides with the start of our first ever domestic service, Little Red.

FLEET UPDATE BULLETIN: Rwandair, Haajara Airline, AeroContractors, SA Express, Afriqiyah, Kush Air, Skyward International, Tunisair.

South Sudan's Kush Air in Juba 

 

The following is a fleet update bulletin for aircraft that are in use, have been in use or will be in use for these listed airlines: Rwandair, Haajara Airline, AeroContractors, SA Express, Afriqiyah, Kush Air, Skyward International, Tunisair.

• Rwandair's second B737-700 (MSN 30726 | 9XR-WK) is due for delivery shortly
• Somalia's Haajara Airline is now leasing a Kenyan Skyward International Aviation Fokker 50 (MSN 20111 | 5Y-MIS)
• Nigeria's AeroContractors (AJ) has taken delivery of a Q400 (MCN 4078 | 5N-BPT)
• SA Express (XZ) has returned its CRJ700 (MSN 10010 | ZS-NLV) to its leaser.
• Libya's Afriqiyah (8U) has begun using its first MD83 (MCN 2068 | EC-LEY) leased from Spain's Swiftair (W3) on flights to London Gatwick.
• South Sudan's Kush Air has taken delivery of its second aircraft leased from Skyward International in Kenya. A Fokker 100 (MSN 13307 | 5Y-SIA) has now been deployed to Juba.
• Tunisair (TU) has wet-leased a B737-300(QC) (MSN 26850 | F-GIXE) from ASL Aviation Group subsidiary, Europe Airpost (5O), for the duration of summer.

Source: AfricanAviationTribune

50th Paris Airshow Set To Open on Monday

The 2013 Paris Air Show–the 50th since the biennial event started in 1909–opens on Monday with its exhibitor count at a 10-year high of 2,200 companies from 44 countries. Much of the pre-show excitement this week has been built on expectations that Airbus might take the opportunity to give its new A350XWB airliner a high-profile public debut.

Passenger plane flew 7 times with a dead man on board

 A plane made seven flights carrying a dead man in its wheel well before crews made the grisly discovery, according to news.com.au.

Airbus Sets A350 Flight Date as Boeing Rivalry Sharpens

 
Airbus SAS’s new A350 plane is scheduled to perform its maiden flight in two days’ time, as the European manufacturer seeks to gain a larger slice of the lucrative wide-body market still dominated by Boeing Co (BA).

Strike grounds 50% of flights at France's main airports

A strike by air traffic controllers have thrown flight schedules into chaos across France on Tuesday, with officials saying nearly 50% of flights have been canceled at the nation's busiest airports.

Airlines and airports have moved to trim their schedules in an effort to cope with a three-day strike by air traffic controllers.

The Civil Aviation Authority said that some 1,800 flights were cut Tuesday in Charles de Gaulle, Orly, Beauvais, Lyon, Nice, Marseille, Toulouse and Bordeaux airports.

Plane Crash!!! Pilot Crashes into Deer on Vinton Airport Runway

 A Vinton pilot is still reeling after he struck a deer while trying to land his small airplane this weekend.

He had barely touched down when a handful of deer ran across the runway.

"It was quite a collision,” said Pilot John Stiegelmeyer.

According the Federal Aviation Administration’s website, there hasn't been a report of a plane hitting a deer at an Iowa airport since October 2006.

First African Air Expo due to be held in Accra from 9 - 11 October 2014

 African Air Expo is aiming to attract a mix of General, Business and Commercial Aviation exhibitors who will come together on a static area of 50 000 sqm. The designated space will accommodate over 100 aircraft ranging in size from single and twin engine models, turbo props, and executive jets through to commercial wide-body aircraft. The show format will reflect the approach taken at Abu Dhabi Air Expo, also organised by Adone Events, which offers chalets and tents located next to the runway enabling manufacturers to present their whole range of aircraft and to facilitate arrange demonstration flights.

Fastjet boss David Lenigas resigns.

David Lenigas has resigned as chairman of struggling Tnzanian LCC, fastjet (FN) with immediate effect and has been replaced by Chief Executive Officer, Ed Winter, on an interim basis, until a permanent successor is found.

While the exact conditions under which Mr Lenigas stepped down are still unknown, he did pay tribute to his management team and the airline as a whole.
    

Airbus creates 3,000 jobs in Filton, Broughton and Europe

About 300 new jobs are being created by plane-maker Airbus at its plants in Flintshire and Bristol.

It is part of a Europe-wide expansion by the aircraft manufacturer which is to hire 3,000 more workers this year.

Bosses say an additional 10,000 people were taken on globally between 2011 and 2012 as its order books continued to grow.

LATEST AVITION JOBS POSTINGS

French speaking Marketing Executive to work with our Client on a permanent basis in Dubai. Contact us today for details: info@oaklandsglobal.co.uk

 

Urgently seeking B777 Captains for a new improved package with our client Saudia - great terms and conditions with monthly NET earnings of up to USD$19,500 possible. Apply today! Please send your CV to Ms Jen Fleming on email IDjfleming@sigmaaviationservices.com ASAP for immediate processing.

WATCH: Heart-warming video of musicians entertaining passengers on delayed flight

It’s the moment that every passenger dreads… their flight has been delayed and there’s a long (and boring) wait until the new departure time.


However, passengers onboard a recent flight in China had a very different story to tell after their flight was delayed by three hours.

A string quartet from The Philadelphia Orchestra happened to be travelling on the flight and treated their fellow passengers to an impromptu concert, while the aircraft was waiting on the tarmac in Beijing.

Shocking photo: What object caused this much damage to Air China's Boeing 757?

 Here’s an interesting photo that been doing the rounds online, apparently taken after an Air China Boeing 757-200 was involved in a recent incident.

According to The Aviation Herald, the aircraft (registration B-2856) was performing flight CA-4307 from Chengdu to Guangzhou on 4th June 2013, when “a large bang was heard from the nose section of the aircraft and the aircraft performance worsened”.

The Boeing 757 was returned to Chengdu for safety reasons and post flight examinations confirmed that the aircraft collided with a foreign object… but what type of object would cause this much damage?

Click for some comic relief!!!

Check out some really cool comics for your relaxation...After the cut.

U.S. Army Taps Contractors To Provide Rotorcraft Demonstrators

The U.S. Army’s Aviation Applied Technology Directorate selected Bell Helicopter Textron, a Boeing-Sikorsky team and AVX Aircraft among contractors invited to participate in the joint multi-role technology demonstrator (JMR-TD) program with new rotorcraft designs, the companies confirmed. They expect the Army will award JMR-TD contracts by September. The first demonstrator flights are planned in 2017.

The JMR effort is part of the Pentagon’s future vertical lift (FVL) program to develop a series of rotorcraft that would replace the Army’s current aging fleet of utility and attack helicopters by 2030. The Army has said that JMR-TD phase 1 will address the technical risk of developing an FVL medium-class, vertical takeoff and landing air vehicle that “greatly surpasses” the performance, reliability and affordability of current helicopters. The service has identified a cruise speed of 230 knots, nearly twice the speed of current helicopters, “as a key discriminating capability,” according to Bell Helicopter.

NIGERIA: New national carrier, "National One", to début soon - Princess Stella

 The Nigerian government is set to venture into the airline sector once more with a new national carrier, "National One" (this is disputed though as other sources have listed the name as "Nigeria 1") to tentatively take to the skies in the near future, Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Oduah, has stated.

In an interview with Nigerian satellite channel Africa Independent Television’s "90 Minutes", Princess Oduah claimed that the modalities of the project were being put in order with a possible launch this year. No further details regarding fleet plans, investors or route network was disclosed however.

ZIMBABWE: An A380 for Air Zimbabwe?

In what could be described as the African aviation news story of the year, (that is, if it is proven to be true), Air Zimbabwe (UM) has now announced that it is in talks with undisclosed firms regarding the possible acquisition of an Airbus A380 for use on its pending resumption of flights to London Gatwick.

Air Zimbabwe, According to a report in Zimbabwe's Financial Gazette, Air Zimbabwe spokesman, Shingai Taruvinga, said a deal for a new A380 was underway, but could not disclose the identity of the owner, rumoured to be France based.

GHANA: Virgin Atlantic axes Heathrow - Accra from late September.

AirlineRoute reports that British carrier Virgin Atlantic (VS) is to abandon its five-times weekly service from London Heathrow to Accra, Ghana with effect from September 23. Should the move be confirmed, it would leave Virgin's Africa network at being just Johannesburg, Cape Town and Lagos following its withdrawal from Nairobi, Kenya last year.




Virgin Atlantic(VS): London Heathrow – Accra

- Effective until 23SEP13.

VS657 LHR2245 – 0500+1ACC 343 12457
VS658 ACC1010 – 1800LHR 343 12356

Source: AfricanAviationTribune

Meet the A350 first flight test crew - the priviledge few!

In this edition, we’ll present the three men in the cockpit: the two pilots and the project test flight engineer. Learn more about 'Three men in the cockpit' and check back in the coming weeks for more on the rest of the First flight crew.

Airbus announces crew for A350 XWB first flight

When the first A350 XWB to fly, known as MSN1, makes its maiden flight, an international crew of six will be on board, comprising two Flight Test Pilots, one Test Flight Engineer and three Flight Test Engineers.

Two test pilots and the project test flight engineer will be located in the cockpit:

Peter Chandler, an Experimental Flight Test Pilot withAirbus since 2000 and Chief Test Pilot since 2011;

Guy Magrin, an Experimental Flight Test Pilot with Airbus since 2003 and Project Pilot for the A350 XWB;

Jet Aviation Basel Named Embraer Authorized Service Center

Embraer named Jet Aviation Basel as an authorized service center for the Embraer Legacy 600 and 650. In this capacity Jet Aviation can provide line and base maintenance for the Embraer Legacy 600 and 650. “We can now provide any kind of maintenance, exterior painting and IFE upgrades, as well as warranty and AOG support to the growing Embraer customer base in Europe, the Middle East and Asia,” said Johannes Turzer, Vice president and General Manager of the maintenance center at Jet Aviation Basel.

Source: AINOnline

Pilot finds snake near jet tyre before take off

He spotted the reptile when making the final routine check of the plane.

A Saudi pilot checking the passenger aircraft before taking off from an airport in the Gulf Kingdom was shocked when he saw a snake crawling near the tyres.

Ncaa grants wetlink airline aoc

A new Nigerian registered airline-WestLink, has been granted Air Operator Certificate(AOC) by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority(NCAA).

The AOC was handed over to the Chairman/Chief Executive of the airline, Captain Ibrahim Mshelia at the weekend by the Director of Airworthiness of NCAA, Mr Benedict Adeyileka who stood in for the acting Director General of the Authority.
Capt Ibrahim(l) receiving the AOC from Dirct.Airworthiness,Adeyileka

FastJet looks to overcome obstacles to African airline growth

CAPE TOWN, June 4 (Reuters) - Dogged by a series of snags in its attempt to create Africa's first continent-wide low-cost airline, FastJet remains confident it can tap a market of 1 billion people after early success in Tanzania.

Protectionism, red tape and poor infrastructure have hampered FastJet since it launched operations six months ago in the world's poorest continent, where people fly once in 15 years on average compared with twice a year for Americans.

"Africa is a bit like Europe in the 70s, all the routes are controlled by governments ... often with a lot of protectionism built in," said Ed Winter, chief executive of FastJet, which is backed by Lonrho and the UK's easyJet.

Boeing Spreads ‘Business Risk’ with Charleston Expansion

Although union contracts guarantee that Boeing 737 airframe assembly will stay in Renton, Washington, plans call for design and assembly of the engine nacelle to move from Goodrich to a new Boeing center in Charleston, South Carolina.

 Boeing sent yet another signal last week that its use of cheaper labor markets in the southeastern U.S. would only accelerate when it announced plans to open a new propulsion engineering center in Charleston, South Carolina, to support the 737 Max. The move comes as part of a wider plan encompassing the establishment of new centers for engineering design and out-of-production airplane support for Boeing Commercial Airplanes in Washington State and Southern California. According to Boeing, the centers will operate “independently but cooperatively” and with the existing Commercial Airplanes engineering design center in Moscow, Russia.

Now performed by Goodrich for the current 737 line, the work in Charleston will involve design and assembly of the engine nacelle inlet for the Max and eventually support future programs, said Nicole Piasecki, vice president and general manager of Boeing Commercial Airplanes’ propulsion systems division.

Million Air Dallas Becomes First To Offer Gulfstream G650 for Charter

Million Air Dallas is now the first operator to have a Gulfstream G650 available for charter. It took delivery of the ultra-long-range jet on May 20. The wide-cabin jet is configured for up to 13 passengers and has a private crew-rest area to take advantage of the aircraft’s 7,000-nm range. In preparation for delivery of the new aircraft, Million Air Dallas built a new charter passenger terminal at Addison Airport, as well as a new 40,000-sq-ft hangar that houses the G650.

Source: ainonline

Namibia: N$67 Million Walvis Bay Airport Upgrade

Walvis Bay Airport terminal building

The Namibia Airports Company (NAC) will soon be upgrading the Walvis Bay Airport at a cost of over N$67 million.

The coastal airport is said to have the potential to become a leader in cargo handling and the servicing of the fishing sector. The NAC's spokesperson, Mia Davids, said the tender to upgrade the airport was re-awarded to New Era Investment at the end of September last year.

Drug trafficking: Aviation security is collective responsibility –Arik MD

 As stakeholders and professionals continue to comment on the arrest of two Arik Air crew members in Heathrow, London, the United Kingdom last week, the management of the airline has described the security of aviation industry as a collective responsibility.

Speaking on the issue yesterday in Lagos, the Managing Director of the airline, Mr. Chris Ndulue, described drug trafficking as a breaking of law, which he said no airline would encourage its workers to indulge in.

To checkmate the nefarious activities among its workers, Ndulue said the management put different security measures in place, but decried that despite the measures, some workers still violated the rules.

Arab aviation summit to take place in Salalah

Muscat: The third edition of the Arab Aviation and Media Summit will be held under the patronage of Maitha bint Saif bin Majid Al Mahrouqi, undersecretary, Ministry of Tourism, fro, June 25 to 27, in Salalah.

Organised by Air Arabia in joint partnership with Oman's Ministry of Tourism, Airbus, CNBC Arabia, and CFM, the Arab Aviation and Media Summit 2013 is themed, "Aviation and tourism: enabler of economic growth," said a press release.

In addition to assessing the impact of aviation and tourism on regional economic growth, the summit, in its third year, will focus on discussing and debating the challenges and opportunities faced by the industry in the wider Arab world.

‘Davao airport accident won’t affect evaluation of Phl aviation’

 MANILA, Philippines - Authorities are confident that the accident at the Davao City International Airport involving an aircraft of Cebu Pacific would not derail government efforts to have the ban lifted on local airlines mounting additional flights to the US and Europe.

Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya, in a text message to The STAR, said the government is confident that the incident would not affect the ongoing evaluation by the US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) and the European Union.

Video: Plane crashes into Virginia apartment building

A small plane crashed into a suburban Washington, D.C. apartment building after experiencing electrical problems, injuring three people.Click here to see video!

Source: http://en-maktoob.news.yahoo.com

Breaking News: Plane hits Washington home

An Eatonville, Wash., fire official says a small plane flying from Oregonto Seattle crashed into a home but the pilot and passenger escaped with only minor injuries and no one was hurt on the ground.

Fire Chief Bob Hudspeth says the two men were headed to a conference when they encountered rough weather over Eatonville and the pilot decided to land at a local airport. Hudspeth says the Cessna 172 landed instead in the yard of a home, then skidded into the front of the house, which was not occupied at the time.

The chief says the house sustained minor damage.

Hudspeth said he didn't know where in Oregon the flight originated. The men were not identified.

Eatonville police and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating.

Eatonville is about 50 miles south of Seattle.

Source: www.emirates247.com

Airline Passengers Might Be Using Wheelchairs to Skip Long Lines at Airports

Are some airline passengers using wheelchairs to get through airline security quicker? That’s what some airport employees are saying.

According to CBS Miami, some passengers might be using wheelchairs, even if they aren’t disabled, to bypass long waits at the airport. There has been a significant increase in the number of wheelchairs being used at airports in South Florida and across the country.

“We’ve handled maybe 100 wheelchairs a year. Now there are some times
where we can handle 100 wheelchairs in a day,” Westchester County Airport Manager, Peter Scherrer told CBS.

Mid-sized airports keeps 300 wheelchairs available and major airports receive about 2,000 special assistance requests a day.

Boeing 787 Dreamliner Set to Enter Service in UK

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner will enter service with its first U.K.-based airline this summer, after Thomson Airways took delivery of the aircraft at Manchester Airport on Friday.


Thomson Airways, the U.K.'s third largest carrier, has eight 787s on order from Boeing and plans on entering the first aircraft into service in July. The aircraft includes Boeing's redesigned lithium-ion battery system, implemented following incidents where the battery system overheated on commercial flights.