Thai Airways International is striving to overcome its many challenges, drop the legacy from its flag carrier status and become more dynamic in all segments, including low cost.
While US Congress’ long overdue passing of a long-term FAA reauthorization bill was undoubtedly a good thing, this is hardly a moment for celebration. Washington’s dismal display of its lack of understanding of, or regard for, the critical importance of the FAA was politicking at its worse. And while Congress puffed and parlayed through more than four years, 23 temporary extensions and a partial shutdown of FAA, it seemed not to care about the dangerous game it was playing with the world’s most prestigious aviation agency.
FAA proposed requiring US airline pilots to hold an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate, meaning first officers will need 1,500 flight hr. before ascending to a Part 121 cockpit.
The Allied Pilots Assn. (APA) representing 10,000 American Airlines (AA) pilots has asked a US bankruptcy court to require airline management to continue negotiations toward a new labor agreement.
Sabena Technics has completed its first aircraft modification for Singapore-based lessor Phoenix Aircraft Leasing. It carried out cabin modification and livery painting of an Airbus A310 aircraft. MTU Maintenance Hannover was selected by Asiana Airlines to provide maintenance, repair and overhaul services for its CF6-80C2 engines. The five-year maintenance agreement covers the CF6-80C2 engines powering Asiana’s Boeing 767 and 747 fleets.
LAN Airlines on Thursday operated its Cusco-Lima route with Required Navigation Performance (RNP) satellite navigation from takeoff to landing, shortening the route by 30.5 km., saving 67.5 gal. of fuel and emitting 644 kg. less carbon dioxide.
SuperJet International’s (SJI) board of directors has appointed Nazario Cauceglia as CEO of the company, a joint venture between Alenia Aermacchi (51%), a Finmeccanica company and Sukhoi Holding (49%).
Aer Lingus Group (EI) has reported a consolidated net income of €71.2 million ($95.6 million) for 2011, up 65.7% from a €43 million net profit in 2010, marking its second year of profitability.
Indonesia’s state-run Merpati Nusantara Airlines (MZ) has signed a memorandum of understanding for 40 Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China (COMAC) ARJ21-700s, a 100-seat regional aircraft.
Boeing announced Tuesday that China Southern Airlines has agreed to buy 10 777-300ERs, pending Chinese government approval, to meet growing demand in Asia/Pacific and China.
The 11 US passenger airlines that have reported 2011 earnings posted aggregate net income of $390 million for the year, down 86% from a $2.7 billion net profit in 2010, according to Airlines for America (A4A).
Boeing announced Tuesday that China Southern Airlines has agreed to buy 10 777-300ERs, pending Chinese government approval, to meet growing demand in Asia/Pacific and China.
German airport operator Fraport said it was considering legal action after the GdF union urged control tower staff to join walkouts by Frankfurt Airport (FRA) apron workers.
Indonesia’s state-run Merpati Nusantara Airlines (MZ) has signed a memorandum of understanding for 40 Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China (COMAC) ARJ21-700s, a 100-seat regional aircraft.
Turkish Airlines will increase its 2X-daily Istanbul-New York JFK service to 3X-daily May 28-Sept. 16. Southwest Airlines will launch daily Detroit-Las Vegas service Sept. 30. Precision Air will increase 4X-daily Dar es Salaam-Nairobi service to 5X-daily in collaboration with Kenya Airways, which will operate two Embraer E-190 flights.
CFM International owners GE and Safran have formed a joint venture with Japan’s Nippon Carbon Co. to make and sell silicon carbide (SiC) continuous fiber.
Frankfurt Airport (FRA) faces another strike this week by apron workers, represented by the German GdF union, after talks concerning wages failed late Friday.
Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Co. (SCAC), which received its European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) type certificate A-176 Friday, will deliver 10 Sukhoi Superjet 100s to customers in Southeast Asia and Latin America in the second half of this year, SCAC president Vladimir Prisyazhnyuk said.
