Air Transport
News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.
Training and Workforce
Boeing Opens Asia-Pacific’s First 737 Max Sim in Singapore
New 787-9 machine to soon follow
Engines
Rolls-Royce Gains EASA Certification for Trent XWB-97
Approval clears latest Trent variant for service entry on Airbus A350-1000 later this year
Aircraft
Avolon Sees Clear Winners, Losers In 737 Max Lineup
Lessor projects Max 8 will cover core demand, while Max 10 cuts into A321's domination
Airlines
ExpressJet Pilot Leaders Agree to Novel Pay Scale Credit Plan
New hires and current ExpressJet/Atlantic Southeast pilots would get to count up to 10 years of experience at other carriers as credit toward pay scales
Airlines
Blocked Airline Funds in Angola Reaching Crisis Proportions
Airline association calls on African Union to intervene while Emirates cuts service to Luanda
Aircraft
Norwegian Unfazed by New Long-haul, Low-cost Competition
Rapidly expanding airline welcomes market stimulus generated by other low-fare entrants
Regulations and Government
Aviation Alliance Cites UK in Opposition to ATC Reform
The Alliance for Aviation Across America disputed claims that privatized ATC systems are run more efficiently.
Accidents
SFO Landing Incident Prompts Focus on Pilot Monitoring, CRM
FAA alert calls event an “extreme example” of incorrect approaches and landings
Aircraft
Mitsubishi Grounds MRJs Following In-flight Engine Failure
August 21 incident forced diversion and emergency landing in Portland, Oregon
Airlines
ANA Schedule Changes Led by Big Boost in Tokyo-L.A. Flights
Other significant frequency increases include service between Tokyo Haneda and Hong Kong
Airlines
Nigeria to Turn Over Management of Arik Air to Ethiopian Airlines
Negotiations between Nigerian government and Ethiopian Airlines calling for re-launch of Arik Air as national carrier
Airlines
India Braces for Next ICAO Audit
Airlines, regulators, airports scramble to allay safety concerns
Airlines
Demand Surges For Hajj Flights from Southeast Asia
Primary Hajj flight beneficiaries Malaysia Airlines and Garuda Indonesia plan more specialized services to cater to pilgrims.
Engines
Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 TEN Gains EASA Certification
The first set of production Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 TEN engines have arrived in Seattle.
Airlines
North Korea Missile Launches Threatening Airliners
Failures upon re-entry into atmosphere create wide fields of debris in well-traveled airways
Aircraft
Indonesia’s N219 Flies for First Time
The N219 program still lacks funding for certification, but has achieved a major milestone.
Airlines
Air Berlin Files for Insolvency after Etihad Rebuff
Lufthansa and German government pledge to support restructuring effort
Airlines
U.S. Regionals Intensify Efforts To Combat Pilot Supply Dilemma
Regional carriers strengthen recruitment efforts and pay strategies to compensate for pilot shortage.
Airlines
China and Mongolia Work To Expand Route Development
The two countries seek to add a seventh cross-border air route and open Mongolian airspace to airlines flying between northwest and northeast China.
Aircraft
Study Projects Newer Cargo Conversions Accelerating in 2020
UK consultancy IBA says market value of new-generation aircraft will suit conversion starting around the turn of the decade.
Aircraft
UTC-Rockwell Collins Talks Underscore Supply-chain Pressures
Analysts think consolidation could provide leverage against OEM pricing pressures
Airlines
CargoLogicAir Launches First Scheduled Freight Service
UK partner of Russia’s AirBridgeCargo took delivery of its third Boeing 747 in May
Aircraft
Swiss C Series Makes First Flight Into London City
Regularly scheduled service from Zurich starts Tuesday
Aircraft
Lessors Still See Strong Market for 250- to 350-seat Widebodies
Optimism among top executives tempers concerns of softening in overall market segment
ATC
FAA's Data Comm Progress Belies Criticism Over NextGen
The core NextGen program is under budget and more than two years ahead of schedule, the FAA says.
Aircraft
Boeing's Bullish India Outlook May Undercount Regional Aircraft
India's Regional Connectivity Scheme aims to improve infrastructure, open underserved areas to airline connectivity.
Airlines
Qatar Airways Drops Proposal to Buy Stake in American Airlines
The announcement by the Doha-based carrier follows American Airlines' decision to discontinue their codesharing partnership.
Airlines
South African Airways Prepares To Launch Turnaround Plan
Key pillars include liquidity, cost containment
Avionics
Boeing Creates New Organization To Develop, Build Avionics
Plans call for staffing the avionics organization with 600 employees by 2019, the manufacturer said.
Aircraft
United Says 737 Max Could Fly Transatlantic, But Not Right Away
Airline has enough 757s in fleet to serve role; no Max 8s on order
