Commercial Aviation News

Passengers on European flights may soon be able to use mobile gadgets throughout their journeys, but they will have to wait a while before they can make phone calls, the European Commission's transport chief said on Monday. Following guidance from the European Aviation Safety Agency, it is up to airlines to update their rules so that passengers will no longer have to turn off mobile devices during take-off and landing, provided they are in flight-safety mode.

The step follows a similar change in the United States. "It will be a new reality," EU Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas told reporters. "We expect most airlines to amend procedures so you will be able to keep mobile devices switched on in flight mode." A Commission official added the change was expected in weeks as airlines could start implementing it immediately. The next step would be to enable mobile phone calls, Kallas said, adding there would be an update on that next year.

Until now, passengers have been required to turn off computers, music players and other devices during taxiing, take-off and landing, although some flights offer in-flight Wifi services. Geert Sciot, a spokesman for the Association of European Airlines, said the body welcomed the harmonisation with US rules, but the final word would be with individual airlines. "We welcome it because we have to harmonise and because it's a trend," he said. "Airlines will still have individual policy. Some may decide not to allow it."

(Reuters)

Akbar Al Baker, head of Qatar Airways talking about the business-class seat for their Boeing 787s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raUFRswGQPM

Airwars between the Airbus A350 and the Boeing 787

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ql1R1lxHE6k&feature=youtube_gdata_player

American International Group is in talks to sell its jet-leasing business to AerCap, according to reports. Netherlands-based AerCap, the world's largest independent aircraft lessor, may team up with other bidders for ILFC, the reports said. AIG has not formally terminated its agreement with the Chinese group that agreed last year to buy a majority of ILFC for about USD$4.2 billion, Bloomberg reported.

ILFC and AIG declined to comment on the reports.

Airline Economics magazine reported earlier that AerCap was "very close" to purchasing the ILFC portfolio in a complex deal that would see some of the older aircraft sold to other lessors. It noted the transaction would reverse a deal by AerCap to sell its AeroTurbine aircraft and engine-dismantling business to ILFC in 2011 for USD$228 million. "If the deal goes through, and it is very close we are told, then AerCap will become the dominant force in aviation," the report said.

Chief executive Robert Benmosche said in November that AIG hoped to decide on a sale or an initial public offering of ILFC in the fourth quarter. AIG said in December 2012 that it had reached an agreement to sell a stake of up to 90 percent of California-based ILFC to a consortium of investors, based mainly in China, for USD$4.7 billion. ILFC is one of the biggest aircraft lessors, but has recorded big write-downs in recent years on the value of the older planes in its fleet.

(Reuters)

American wants you to decide...are we keeping the new livery tail or the old one?

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151783576026078&set=a.357237131077.161299.7003656077&type=3&theater

​Long-haul and low-cost operator AirAsia X says it is ordering 25 more Airbus A330-300s. Doing so now takes their firm orders for the type aircraft to more than 50.

British Airways passengers can now use personal electronic equipment during the takeoff and landing phases: something no other European airline currently permits.

Following several US airlines' lead, British Airways has permitted the use of e-readers, cell phones and other gadgets 'gate-to-gate', in other words, throughout all flight stages. That's so long as the electronic devices are maintained in 'flight-safe mode' and no calls are made, or emails and texts sent.

Delta to retire last commercial service Douglas DC-9 aircraft

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/delta-retire-last-commercial-douglas-163000823.html

Egypt Air head confirms new order plans...

EgyptAir plans to place major aircraft orders in the next two months, even as it watches losses mount since the momentous events that unseated former president Hosni Mubarak in early 2011, its CEO said, speaking at the Dubai Airshow on November 19.

Cardiff Airport has secured CityJet, part of the Air France airline group, to operate their Glasgow and Paris (Orly) routes and immediately fill the breach left by Flybe.

CityJet will start serving the routes on 20th January 2014, ensuring there is a seamless transition for these vital services from the Welsh capital. This follows the announcement Flybe made on 4th December that it will be withdrawing these routes with effect from 19th January 2014, as a result of the reorganisation of its business.

Chinese carrier Zhejiang Loong Airlines said on Sunday it had firmed up its order for 20 Airbus A320s. The deal, for 11 A320ceo and nine A320neo, was announced in September at the Beijing Airshow and is worth around USD$1.9 billion at list prices.

(Reuters)

Guess the flag tail American new livery stays!

http://airchive.com/blog/2014/01/02/american-us-airways-employees-spoken-tail-stays/

Air Malta seems to have launched additional flights from the Cardiff Airport

Air Malta, has announced good news for travelers in Wales and the South West by adding an extra four departures as a prelude to their summer 2014 charter season.

This Polar Vortex has cancelled thousands of flights of recent in the Northeast of the US and areas of Canada. Jet Blue has been one of those airlines hit hard by the wintry weather which has caused alot of its passengers to vent everywhere especially those that faced multiple cancellations. At least JB has endeavoured to refund some people in some form.

http://money.cnn.com/2014/01/07/news/companies/jetblue-travelers/index.html

Scrapped Commercial jets vs new orders...

http://news.yahoo.com/airlines-record-jet-shopping-spree-080229355.html?soc_src=mediacontentstory

American Eagle to be renamed, Envoy

http://airchive.com/blog/2014/01/14/american-eagle-change-name-envoy/

jetBlue write-up...

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-01-23/why-jetblue-is-loving-the-single-life

JetBlue Airways adds non-stop service from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Santiago, Dominican Republic (STI), effective May 1.

SouthWest Airlines eyeing overseas markets!

http://travel.yahoo.com/blogs/compass/southwest-airlines-selling-first-international-flights-205416656.html

JetBlue continues to grow from strength to strength. JetBlue posted higher quarterly profits!