Delta’s flight 208 diverts to Cold Bay, Alaska, population 6

Delta Air Lines flight DL 208 with a Boeing 767-300 ER from Tokyo (Narita) to San Francisco yesterday (October 30) was forced to divert and make a safe landing at Cold Bay, Alaska (population 60) in the Aleutian chain of islands . 

The crew diverted due to a possible problem with one of the engines. Passengers and crew members were taken to a small community center where they waited for another aircraft. The long 10,000 foot runway was built by the military during the Aleutian campaign during World War II. 

The 167 passengers and 11 crew members finally made it to their final destination of San Francisco after another aircraft came to their rescue. 

Source: World Airline News

Delhi court rejects bid to halt AirAsia India's registration process

AirAsia Indiacan now go ahead and seek an airline operator's permit from the Indian aviation regulator after a Delhi High Court rejected a motion by the leader of the BJP party, Subramanian Swamy, to halt the process of granting the start-up its regulatory approvals. A second hearing is however scheduled for December 11. 

India's LiveMint reports that in the hearing on Wednesday, Swamy alleged that the government had accelerated the regulatory approval process for AirAsia and other such proposals to start airlines, despite the matter being heard in the court.

Boeing raises 737 monthly production rate to 47

Boeing today announced that the 737 monthly production rate will rise again to 47 within four years as the re-engined and updated Max version is introduced into service.

The announcment increases the monthly output of the single-aisle by nearly 12% compared to the goal of moving to 42 per month early next year, and by nearly half since 2010.

“This increase will lay a solid foundation as we bridge into production on the 737 Max,” says Beverly Wyse, Boeing’s vice-president and general manager of the 737 programme.

The latest increase means that Boeing will be producing 564 737s a year.

The FAA relaxes its rules on electronic devices below 10,000 feet, JetBlue files to be the first airline

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) (Washington) today (October 31) relaxed its rules (finally) on the passenger use of electronic devices below 10,000 feet. The decision to use these devices will still be left to the individual airlines and their ability to prove the use can be safely operated. 

The FAA will no longer prohibit electronic devices such as e-readers and games. Cell phone usage will still be prohibited during the entire flight.

Ghana's Africa World Airlines eyes a Nigerian AOC

Africa World Airlines  is eyeing a Nigerian Air Operators Certificate to allow it to operate domestic flights within the country. 

Ethiopian Airlines Toronto Operation Changes from mid-November 2013

Ethiopian Airlines from 15NOV13 plans to adjust operations on Addis Ababa – Toronto route, where the airline plans to operate nonstop service from Toronto once again. 

Currently ET operates Addis Ababa – Toronto service via Rome as technical stop, in both direction.

ET502 ADD2240 – 0245+1FCO0345+1 – 0730+1YYZ 788 135

ET503 YYZ1120 – 0750+1ADD 788 246

Source: Airline Route

Air France-KLM writes off the value of its 25% share in Alitalia

Air France-KLM Group have written off the value 25 percent stake in Alitalia yesterday (October 30) raising doubt over its willingness to invest further in the struggling carrier according to this report by Reuters.

Air France-KLM posted a 119 million euro charge for its 25 percent stake in Alitalia.


What is the future for Alitalia with Air France and KLM?

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

Source: World Airline News

Boeing targets Jet, Air India Express and Spicejet for B737 MAXs

Boeing has targeted Air India Express, Spicejet and Jet Airways as potential customers for its new B737 MAX aircraft, scheduled to enter commercial operations in 2017.

Speaking to the Economic Times of India, Dinesh Keskar, the Senior Vice President Sales, Asia Pacific and India of Boeing said: "SpiceJet, Jet Airways and Air India Express are the three target customers for the new Boeing 737 MAX planes" given they would already be B737NG operators. He went on to add that "we think this airplane can further enhance (these airlines') profitability".

Air India Express currently operates twenty-one B737-800s, Spicejet thirty-six B737-800s and six B737-900(ER)s, and Jet Airways the most prolific of the lot with six B737-700s, forty-nine B737-800s and four B737-900s.

Source: CH-Aviation

Egyptair to convert A330s into freighters for Cargo division

EgyptAir (MS, Cairo Int'l) will convert some of its seven A330-200s into A330-200(F)s sources close to the airline's operations have disclosed. Once converted, the freighters will be used to expand the network of the Egyptian national carrier's cargo division, EgyptAir Cargo (MSX, Cairo Int'l). 

Currently, the airline's other freighters include two A300-600(F)s, SU-GAS (c/n 561) & SU-GAY (c/n 607) as well as A300B4(F) SU-GAC (c/n 255). Another A300B4 freighter is currently in storage at Cairo's international airport.

Source: CH-Aviation

Hawaiian Airlines Has Agreed to Discontinue Giveaways of “10% Kona Coffee” to Passengers

Hawaiian Airlines is based in Honolulu

Report from the Kona Coffee Farmers Association -On August 21, 2013, Kona Coffee Farmers Association President Cecelia Smith wrote to Hawaiian Airlines President & CEO Mark B. 

Dunkerley requesting that the Hawaiian Airlines to discontinue a giveaway to passengers of deceptively labeled packets of coffee using the “Kona” name, but not disclosing where 90% of the coffee in the packet was grown.

Air India reissues lease tender for nineteen sharkletted A320-200s

Air India has reissued a tender for the lease of nineteen A320-200 (sl)s after a previous attempted failed to garner sufficient responses. According to the new tender which closes on November 19, the aircraft are to be supplied on a dry-lease contract set to run for twelve years. 

Delivery of the first seven aircraft is required by the fourth quarter of this financial year through to March, four are required in the next fiscal year, and the final eight twinjets are due the year after.

Source: CH-Aviation

Qatar Airways says A350 delivery on schedule; plans order in Dubai

Chief Executive of Qatar Airways Akbar Al Baker speaks during the Arabian Travel Market
 at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre in Dubai, May 6, 2013.

 Qatar Airways, the launch customer for Airbus's A350 plane, expects the European planemaker to start delivering the aircraft by the second half of next year, the airline's chief executive said on Tuesday.

The Gulf carrier has ordered 80 A350 jets from Airbus.

Boeing scores big with 200 commitments from China for the B737 MAX

Boeing has secured commitments for around 200 of its B737 MAX aircraft from multiple Chinese customers, said to include leasing firms and airlines.

Quoting anonymous sources close to the USD20.7billion deal, Yahoo Business says the go ahead for the acquisition, the first for the new 737 variant from China, must first be approved by Beijing before any specific customers can be revealed. In June, Boeing stated that 1'650 of the type were active in China with another 700 on order. 

Air China, China Southwest Airlines, Hainan Airlines, China Southern Airlines, China United Airlines, Lucky Air (China), Shanghai Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Xiamen Airlines and Shandong Airlines are the most prolific operators of the B737 in China.

Source: CH-Aviation

Air Zimbabwe courts Nicholas Van Hoogstraten for $15million

Air Zimbabwe has reportedly approached controversial British property mogul, Nicholas Van Hoogstraten, for USD15million to help boost its coffers. According to Africa Confidential, the funds are to be used to enable the Zimbabwean national carrier to resume its Harare Int'l to London Gatwick route, abandoned in early 2012 after creditors moved to seize the airline's B767-200(ER)s. 

In Nigeria, Licenses Issued to Airlines With No Aircraft

The Senate Committee on Aviation investigating the rot in the aviation sector yesterday said it has found out that licenses are issued to airlines that own no aircraft.

Committee chairman Senator Hope Uzodinma (PDP, Imo) said at the resumed hearing yesterday that investigations have revealed that the affected airlines, which he did not mention, are yet to commence operations because they do not own any aircraft six months after obtaining operation licenses.

Jazeera Airways announces 23% YTD net profit

Jazeera Airways announces profit

Jazeera Airways Group recently announced a record year-to-date (YTD) net profit of KD14.1 million.

Jazeera Airways Group chairman, Marwan Boodai, said: “Despite the political unrest in some parts of our network for the last three quarters, we were still able to carry more passengers than last year and at higher average yields resulting in increases in most of our financial KPIs. Our YTD net profit was up 23%, our YTD revenue was up 4.4%, our YTD operating profit was up 13.1%, and our YTD flown passengers figure was up 1.2%”.

United Airlines ratifies labor deal with 28,000 workers

United Airlines (Antonio Perez / September 15, 2011)

United Airlines said Tuesday that 28,000 of its employees serving as fleet service, passenger service, reservation workers and storekeepers have ratified new labor deals.

United Airlines fined $1.1M for stranding passengers on planes during stormy day in Chicago

A Boeing 787 Dreamliner operated by United Airlines takes off at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) 
Photograph by: David McNew 

United Airlines will pay more than $1 million in fines for stranding passengers on 13 planes for more than three hours on the tarmac during a stormy day last year at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, federal officials announced Friday.

New Airline Alert: Kalahari Airways Between Europe and Africa

If you’re trying to cross each and every airline off your travel to-do list, then we have bad news, as there’s another carrier that you’ll need to add it your list. Kalahari Airways is thinking about doing the nonstop thing to here and there, and they’re basing their operations in Botswana. We’re thinking that they might just be the real deal too, as they’ve got some stories about them in the news, it sounds like they have an airplane, and they even have a website—that they might have borrowed from GeoCities.

Qatar Airways joins the Oneworld alliance at midnight tonight Doha time

Qatar Airways (Doha) becomes part of oneworld® alliance at midnight Doha time tonight, adding one of the world’s fastest growing and most highly rated airlines to the world’s fastest growing and most highly rated global airline alliance.

Fares To Johannesburg For $855* (Restrictions Apply)?! South African Airways Announces "November To Remember" Sale

SAA Logo.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Oct. 29, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- South African Airways (SAA), Africa's most awarded airline, launched the incredible "November to Remember" sale, offering fares starting as low as $855* (restrictions apply) for travel on SAA's flights from New York JFK or Washington, DC (Dulles) to Johannesburg, South Africa, for departures between Nov. 10th-30th, 2013. 

WestJet launches nonstop seasonal Calgary-Miami flights

WestJet  yesterday (October 28) launched new nonstop seasonal service between Calgary and Miami, Florida, home to the largest cruise ship port in the world. The first flight leaves Calgary International Airport at 1:30 p.m. MDT and arrives at Miami International Airport at 8:45 p.m. EDT .

Etihad Airways increases Sri Lanka flights

Etihad Airways will increase its Abu Dhabi-Colombo service from seven flights per week to a double daily schedule from February16, 2014.

Operated with an A320 aircraft fitted with 16 Pearl Business Class seats and 120 Coral Economy Class seats, the new service will add over 1,900 seats per week on the Abu Dhabi-Colombo route.

The new flights will also offer a 46 per cent increase in the number of connections to key destinations in the UK, Europe, Africa and the GCC via the airline’s hub in Abu Dhabi.

Jet Airways bets on business class travel again

Jet Airways is reconfiguring its Boeing 737 fleet to add extra business class seats ahead of Tata-Singapore Airlines plans to launch a full service airline. The airline also plans to cut down flights on loss making domestic routes and is stopping all services to Bhubaneswar as a measure to arrest losses. The airline posted its worst ever consolidated loss of Rs 998 crore for second quarter of the current fiscal.

easyJet announces 10 new routes

EasyJet (UK) has announced 10 new routes which will launch as part of its summer 2014 schedule.

Air Serbia launches as Europe's newest airline brand

Air Serbia, the newest name in European aviation, was scheduled to make its inaugural flight from Belgrade to Abu Dhabi on Saturday.

Serbia's new national carrier sprouts out of the demise of that nation's old state carrier, the loss-making JAT Airways. Air Serbia becomes the successor for that now-defunct carrier, assuming the assets and operations of JAT in a transition highlighted by Saturday's inaugural flight.

Augsburg Airways operates its last flight for Lufthansa

Augsburg Airways today (October 26) operated the last Lufthansa Regional flight for Lufthansa. The airline is closing down as a result. Augsburg was the last independent contractor operating for Lufthansa.

The company started operations as Interot Airways in September 1986. It adopted the current name on November 6, 1995.

Source:  WorldAirlines News

United Airlines fined $1.1 million over tarmac delays

The government on Friday announced a record $1.1 million fine against United Airlines for more than a dozen tarmac delays that left passengers stuck in grounded planes for hours, in some cases without working lavatories.

The delays took place at Chicago-O’Hare International Airport on July 13, 2012, when severe thunderstorms and lightning caused several ramp closures.

U. S. Department of Transportation rules prohibit U.S. airlines from allowing domestic flights to remain on the tarmac for more than three hours at U.S. airports without giving passengers an opportunity to leave the plane, but 13 United and United Express flights exceeded the three-hour limit that summer day, the government said.

Korean Air to acquire five 747-8s, six 777-300ERs and one 787

Korean Air  has announced plans to acquire five B747-8s, six B777-300(ER)s and one 787 (variant unspecified) from Boeing. The airline's board has approved the deal valued at KRW3.98trillion (USD3.77billion). 

Deliveries are scheduled to be completed by late 2018. With this order Korea's flag carrier expands its backlog of 747-8 and 777-300(ER)s to 10 each. The order also increases Korean Air's 787 backlog to 11. The 747-8s and 777-300ERs are set to replace the Korean national carrier's fleet of sixteen B747-400s all of which are to be retired come 2017.

Source: CH-Aviation

Qatar Airways inclusion 'disgraces oneworld alliance

Qatar Airways inclusion 'disgraces oneworld alliance'

Qatar Airways’ imminent membership of world aviation grouping the oneworld alliance – which includes global giants such as British Airways and American Airlines – was today branded “a disgrace” by the ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation).

Iraqi Airways to order five CS300s from Bombardier

Iraqi Airways is set to acquire five CS300s from Bombardier, after the Iraqi Ministry of Transport greenlighted the deal. According to Iraqi news agency Aswat Al-Iraq, the five jets, valued at USD200million, will replace five of ten CRJ-900s that currently remain on order from the Canadian manufacturer.

Source: CH-Aviation

Boeing delivers the first Boeing 777-300 ER to Kenya Airways

Boeing (Chicago) has delivered a 777-300 ER (Extended Range) to GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) for lease to Kenya Airways (Nairobi). The pictured 777-36N ER 5Y-KZZ (msn 41818) was handed over on October 24.

Kenya Airways’ 777-300 ER is configured with 400 seats, 28 in Premier World and 372 in Economy, and features USB ports, power sockets and an all-new in-flight entertainment system throughout the cabin. The airplane can fly up to 7,825 nautical miles (14,490 kilometers) and is equipped with GE90-115B engines, the world’s most powerful commercial jet engine.

A Madrid Man Allegedly Created An Imaginary Airline And Sold Tickets Worth $US69,000

A Madrid man has been arrested for allegedly selling tickets for a fake airline, defrauding 67 people of up to €50,000 ($69,000).

According to a press release from Spain’s National Police, Dario Alberto, 43, was arrested for his alleged role in a scam selling fake airline tickets to Paraguay. He supposedly advertised low fares through a website and on the radio, and by handing out pamphlets in the street.

Dubai’s Emirates Airlines on hiring spree

Dubai-based Emirates airline is hiring aggressively, and will be soon hosting open days for jobseekers across many cities in Europe and within the Mena region.

This is good news for candidates who wish to be a part of the fast-growing airline. The airline is among the world’s largest in terms of number of passengers it ferries every year, and has an ambitious growth plan in place that will see it flying 70 million passengers in 2020.

In a statement yesterday, the airline said that it, together with its partners in Dubai, is already progressing on plans to ensure the right infrastructure are in place to support and capitalise on this growth.

Ryanair cuts baggage and boarding pass fees in bid to improve customer service

Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary has made a U-turn on customer service after previous
 outspoken attacks on passengers. Photograph: Steve Parsons/PA

Ryanair has followed up its pledge to "not unnecessarily piss people off" by cutting some of its most excessive charges, including baggage fees and penalties for not printing a boarding pass.

China airlines to buy 200 Boeing 737 Max planes in US$20.7b deal

The 737 Max is more fuel-efficient than earlier models. Photo: Boeing

Boeing has secured commitments for about 200 of its 737 Max aircraft, the upgraded variant of its best-selling short-haul planes, from multiple Chinese customers, two people familiar with the deals said.

Etihad to reportedly go for 25+ B777Xs, 30 more B787s

Etihad Airways is set to place an order worth USD18billion with Boeing for between "twenty-five and thirty" B777Xs as well as an additional thirty B787s to add to its current order of forty-one B787-9s. 

Quoting two unnamed sources close to negotiations, Reuters says Etihad's order could preempt a much anticipated order for 100+ B777Xs from regional rival, Emirates, slated to be announced at next month's Dubai Air Show. As both deals are still being negotiated, their size and delivery slots could change.

Airbus Industrie is also a contender with its A350-900, A350-1000 and A380-800 offerings. LCC flydubai is also expected to place a USD5billion order for fifty narrow body jets at the Dubai Air Show with both the A320neo and the B737 MAX under consideration.

Source:  CH-Aviation

Deer Jet and Starbase Sign Strategic Alliance

Xie Xin, chairman, Deer Jet and Randall Reed, CEO Starbase, signed a strategic alliance for air charter at NBAA 2013.

Chinese charter provider Deer Jet (Booth No. C10450) and Dallas-based charter/management and maintenance provider Starbase signed a historic strategic alliance on October 22 duringNBAA 2013. The alliance will allow Starbase (Booth No. C10450) to operate Deer Jet-owned N-registered aircraft under Starbase’s charter certificate in the U.S. and around the world.

Nigeria's Allied Air gets second B737-400(F) following its conversion

Allied Air has taken redelivery of its second B737-400, N263VT (msn 26300), following its conversion into an B737-400(F) with Aeronautical Engineers, Inc. (AEI) at Jacksonville Cecil Field, FL. Allied Air now has two of a planned fleet of four B737-400SF’s flying in support of its DHL and other customer contracts in West Africa. 

The third aircraft is another high gross weight B737-400 (msn 26081) formerly with Nok Air, built in 1993 and is currently undergoing freighter modification in Jacksonville, Florida. Allied Air operates two B727-200(F)s, and two wet-leased MD-11(F)s on flights throughout West Africa as well as to China, Dubai and Europe.

Source: CH-Aviation

Aeroflot outlines modified fleet renewal plan in 1H 2013 Results

Aeroflot has reshaped its fleet renewal and delivery plan to meet its new operational demands. In the airline's First Half 2013 Financial Year results, the most notable developments revealed are that out of a total of 54 aircraft (sixteen B777-300(ER)s, twenty SSJ 100-95s and two B787-8s) due between now and 2016, ten Superjets will be "transferred to its subsidiaries" while 34 aircraft will be phased out including the fleet of six Il-96s, due to go by late 2014. 

Falcon 5X unveiling opens supplier floodgate

Dassault Aviation’s long-awaited unveiling of the Falcon 5X large-cabin, long-range business jet is being accompanied by a number of Falcon 5X supplier announcements.

French engine manufacturer Snecma (Booth No. N5506) revealed details of the flight-test program for its new 11,450-pound thrust Silvercrest engine for the Falcon 5X. 

The program’s next major milestone calls for Snecma to fly its Gulfstream GII testbed fitted with the engine from Texas to obtain an experimental certification for the Silvercrest, planned by the end of the year. It will then fly the aircraft to Istres in southern France to complete the engine flight-test program.

Gulf Air to Start Dubai Al Maktoum Operation from Dec 2013

Gulf Air starting 09DEC13 will introduce additional service to Dubai, where it’ll operate Bahrain – Dubai Al Maktoum once a day, on board Airbus A320 aircraft. Overall service to Dubai will increase from 51 to 58 weekly as a result.

GF578 BAH1955 – 2210DWC 320 D
GF579 DWC2255 – 2310BAH 320 D

Source: Airline Route

Gulfstream’s Jet Deliveries Double in Third Quarter

Gulfstream G550

Gulfstream Aerospace’s deliveries of completed aircraft more than doubled to 38 (32 large-cabin and six midsize jets) in the third quarter versus 17 large-cabin jets in the same period a year ago, parent company General Dynamics said during its quarterly investor conference call yesterday morning. In the first nine months, Gulfstream (Booth No. N3932) has shipped 103 outfitted airplanes (87 large cabin, 16 midsize), a nearly 81-percent rise from the 57 aircraft (52 large cabin, five midsize) handed over to customers in the same period last year.

#NBAA13: Viking and Wipaire deliver first VIP interior for Twin Otter

Viking Air Limited of Victoria, BC, Canada and Factory Endorsed Service Center partner, Wipaire, Inc. of South Saint Paul, Minnesota, have delivered the first Viking Twin Otter Series 400 equipped with a custom Wipaire executive interior.

The aircraft, belonging to an undisclosed customer, features an executive four-place club seating arrangement with an additional 12 standard seats. The executive interior also includes a custom headliner system, as well as custom fabricated sidewall and PSU panels.

China’s SR Jet orders 10 Piaggio Avanti IIs at NBAA 2013

Piaggio Aero Industries, Italian manufacturer of the P.180 Avanti II twin turboprop, and ACEA (Beijing) Aviation Investment Co., exclusive distributor for the aircraft in Mainland China, signed a contract here at NBAA 2013 yesterday with SR Jet, a division of Beijing-based Sparkle Roll Investment Holdings, for the purchase of two Avanti IIs with options for an additional eight.

The aircraft will be customized for extended range mission capabilities and incorporate an additional tank with a 400-pound capacity, increasing the maximum fuel onboard from 2,826 to 3,226 pounds and extending the maximum range an additional 250-nm, to 1,720 nm with IFR reserves. This will enable the extended range Avanti IIs to fly from Beijing to Hainan or Hanoi, or from Las Vegas to Jacksonville, Fla., Charlotte, N.C., Cancun, Mexico or Toronto.

Delta posts a higher 3Q net profit of $1.2 billion

Delta Air Lines today reported financial results for the 2013 third quarter. Highlights from the quarter include:
Delta’s net profit for the September 2013 quarter was $1.2 billion, or $1.41 per diluted share, excluding special items1. This result is a $444 million improvement year-over-year.
Including $157 million in special items, Delta’s GAAP net income was $1.4 billion, or $1.59 per diluted share.

Indonesia moves to consolidate number of operators in country

Pacific Royale Airways will lose its flight permit this week following a recent Indonesian government decision to revoke the Air Operators Certificates of 41 of the country's scheduled airlines including five charter operators and seven cargo carriers following their failure to satisfy a minimum fleet-size requirement that came into effect in January. 

Pacific Royale failed to resume services one year after it temporarily halted operations in October 2012. AIN News reports that Jakarta aims to reduce the number of operators from 53 to 28 and hopes the exercise will force smaller carriers to merge such that they are capable of sustaining financial shocks while simultaneously simplifying regulatory oversight. 

American Eurocopter Shows Off Custom EC145 at NBAA 13

An EC145 helicopter owned by Ron Pratte of Chandler, AZ is on display at
American Eurocopter's booth at NBAA 13 in Las Vegas, Nevada

American Eurocopter (Booth No. C11606B) selected a unique EC145 to show off at its booth during NBAA 2013. The twin-engine helicopter was outfitted to customer specifications for Chandler, Ariz.-based businessman Ron Pratte. Interior features include a spacious passenger cabin, ideal for carrying business partners and family.

Airline Gifts Prince George Flights For Life To Ibiza For Christening

Jet2.com one of the UK’s biggest budget airlines has offered 3-month-year-old Prince George Of Cambridge, free flights to Ibiza for life.

When most people would consider little knitted booties and silver plated piggy banks as appropriate Christening gifts the Northern airline has offered the Prince a lifetime of free flights to the party isle of Ibiza.

Brazil eyes opening skies over World Cup to foreign airlines

Brazil will decide in December whether to open its skies to foreign airlines during the World Cup, the head of the Brazilian tourism agency Embratur said on Tuesday.

Embratur's Flavio Dino acknowledged Brazil's domestic carriers may not have the capacity to meet demand during the monthlong competition and said companies that currently operate international flights to and from Brazil could be invited to take up the slack.

American Airlines Plane Makes Emergency Landing

An American Airlines plane made a safe emergency landing Tuesday after the pilot reported a fire in the cockpit, a smoking engine and a loss of fuel, Turks & Caicos Islands officials said.

A spokeswoman for American Airlines disputed the report of a fire, saying the jet made the emergency landing due to a "mechanical issue related to one of the engines" and an indication of "low oil."

"There was no fire anywhere," spokeswoman Laura Masvidal said. She said a maintenance team was still evaluating the aircraft.