Commercial Aviation News

JetBlue readies to retrofit A320s with new seats; studies pivot bins

http://www.runwaygirlnetwork.com/2014/06/15/jetblue-readies-to-retrofit-a320s-with-new-seats-studies-pivot-bins/

Airbus is challenging the next generation of students to stretch their imagination and to re-invent the norms associated with air travel today by launching the fourth edition of its Fly Your Ideas Challenge.

Fly Your Ideas is a biennial, global competition granted UNESCO patronage in 2012. The challenge offers students a unique opportunity to put their classroom learning and research to the test, by working with a team of aviation professionals on real-world challenges, going beyond the aircraft itself. It offers students a chance to apply their creativity in an exceptional learning environment that will equip them in a highly competitive job market. The competition is open to students of all nationalities and all disciplines – from engineering to marketing; science to design.

Speaking at the American Institute for Aeronautics and Astronautics in Atlanta, Georgia, USA today, Charles Champion, Airbus Executive Vice President Engineering, said: “Innovation is at the heart of Airbus. A strong pioneering spirit has made Airbus a leading aircraft manufacturer. Airbus people are driven by a restless desire to find better ways of flying, and this year’s Fly Your Ideas challenge is about delivering just that. Any student with a vision and drive to make their world a better place is invited to enter the competition. We know how to put innovation to work and we will take your ideas seriously.”

The 2014 launch follows the success of Fly Your Ideas’ previous editions which altogether drew entries from more than 11,000 students representing over 600 universities and some 100 countries. The winner from last year, Team Levar, is a group of five design students from the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil, who created an innovative air hockey table inspired air cushion solution for loading and unloading luggage which could reduce the workload of airport baggage handlers.

Registration for Fly Your Ideas 2015 opens in June 2014 and ideas can be submitted from this September. Students must register as team of three to five members at www.airbus-fyi.com. The participants will have the chance to work with Airbus innovators to develop their ideas further all along the competition and the winners will receive €30,000 (approx. US$40,000).

With some 500 patents filed every year and partnerships with prestigious universities around the world, Airbus is a leading aircraft manufacturer and a global innovation catalyst. Airbus believes that an open mind set and collaboration drives greater innovation, which is key to ensuring business performance and securing a bright future for air travel.

Pretty much complete process of the manufacture of one of THAI's Boeing 787-8s.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufSYZAcZS0s

You almost never see an all female crew on a commercial jet, let alone an all black, female crew - until now. Meet Captain Rachelle Jones and first officer Stephanie Grant. They fly for Delta's regional carrier Southeast Atlantic. The flight attendants on their jet are also African American women. This is a first

Hawaiian Airlines said it is prepared to look at the A330neo proposed by Airbus, but indicated it would not make an immediate decision. The airline has previously been seen as reluctant to back away from an order for six future Airbus A350-800, a newer but slow-selling model that Airbus would now prefer to stop developing.

"We have always thought that the A350-800 had the right economics and range for our future growth," a spokeswoman said. "Since that aircraft may not be produced we are evaluating our options. The A330neo may be an alternative to the A350-800, though today we have not had the opportunity for a full assessment of the aircraft or the other alternatives."

Airbus is expected to launch the A330neo at the Farnborough Airshow next week.
Hawaiian Airlines is not expected to be among the launch customers, but industry sources say its willingness to rethink the A350-800 order may be key to the future of both projects.

(Reuters)

AIRLEASE will be the launch customer for the A330neo
Air Lease became the launch customer for the Airbus A330neo with a memorandum of understanding for 25 A330-900neo aircraft. Airbus announced the launch of the revamped twin-aisle jet, which comes with new, more fuel-efficient Rolls-Royce engines. Air Lease had been one of those pushing for Airbus to update the jet and said on Monday it thought the move would extend the life of the A330 family by at least another 20-25 years.
"There is a compelling price difference between the A330neo and any other wide body. I think it was a very smart, astute move on the part of Airbus," Air Lease President John Plueger said. ALC will start receiving its first A330neos in 2018. ALC also announced a firm order for 60 A321neos, for which it would select the engines at a later date. Airbus said the Air Lease order was worth USD$14.1 billion in total at list prices.

(Reuters)

Ryanair app starts the death of paper checkins

http://www.independent.ie/life/trav...he-end-of-paper-boarding-passes-30429618.html

Embraer delivered 29 jets to the commercial aviation market in 2Q 2014.

The quarter’s highlights include the first deliveries of the E175 with aerodynamic improvements to Republic Airways, SkyWest and United Airlines, all from the United States. Thanks to systems optimization, aerodynamic refinements, and the introduction of a new wingtip, the new model reduced fuel consumption by 6.4% compared to the original model, reaching significantly lower operating costs.

The breakdown of the commercial deliveries by Embraer include 16 E175s, 8 E190s and 5 E195s.

The A380 and Heathrow...

FAA lifts ban on U.S Aircraft that restricted them from operating to Israel.

Airbus has terminated an agreement to deliver six A380s to Skymark Airlines after the Japanese discount carrier struggled to raise enough cash to pay instalments on the aircraft. In a briefing in Tokyo before Airbus's announcement, Skymark's CEO and chief investor, Shinichi Nishikubo, said that Airbus had refused to consider changes to the 2011 purchase agreement, including reducing the number of aircraft or offering smaller planes instead and had notified it of the termination in a faxed message on Sunday. "We didn't get the chance to sit down and have a formal discussion," Nishikubo said.

The termination marks a setback for Airbus in Japan after it won its first order from Japan Airlines (JAL) last year which agreed to buy more than 30 A350s. Airbus has struggled to win market share from rival Boeing Co which dominates with around an 80 percent market share helped by strong ties to local aircraft makers such as Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, which make major portions of its jets.

Losses incurred at Skymark as it grapples to win market share from Japan's two dominant carriers, ANA and JAL, meant it was unable to convince lenders to finance the purchase of the six A380s. It had planned to use them for discount business-class only international flights. Skymark is unlikely to recover JPY¥26 billion (USD$255 million) in instalments it has already paid to Airbus, Nishikubo said. He plans to hold talks with Airbus regarding cancellation fees, he added. The Skymark cancellation means that no Japanese carrier will now fly the A380. Both JAL and ANA have said they are not interested in buying the largest class of passenger aircraft.

(Reuters)

Incident: Qantas A388 near Honolulu on May 21st 2014, personal electronic device's battery overheats

By Simon Hradecky, created Monday, Jul 28th 2014 16:24Z, last updated Monday, Jul 28th 2014 16:24Z

A Qantas Airbus A380-800, registration VH-OQK performing flight QF-93 from Melbourne,VI (Australia) to Los Angeles,CA (USA), was enroute near Hawaii (USA) when the battery of a passenger's personal air purifier worn around the neck overheated and emitted smoke. The crew performed the relevant emergency actions and immersed the device in water which effectively dissipated the heat from the device and stopped the smoke. The passenger received superficial burns not needing medical assistance. The aircraft continued to Los Angeles for a safe landing.

The ATSB reported on Jul 28th 2014, that the investigation into the occurrence has been discontinued after the investigation established, that the battery, a non-rechargeable Lithium battery, was within the specifications permitted for carry on items and the crew reacted according to documented procedures, which proved effective. The ATSB reasoned: "Given that the ATSB’s records show that this type of battery failure is quite uncommon and both the crew’s actions and documented procedures were effective in managing the small risks involved, there would be limited safety benefit in investigating the matter further, and as such, the ATSB investigation has been discontinued."

All Nippon Airways said on Thursday that it has ordered USD$16.5 billion worth of Boeing and Airbus aircraft. The airline firmed up a deal for 40 Boeing wide-body jets, including 20 777-9X, 14 787-9 and six 777-300ER aircraft, worth USD$13 billion at list prices. It also confirmed a deal for seven Airbus A320neo and 23 A321neo single-aisle jets worth USD$3.49 billion. These orders, initially placed in March, are part of the Japanese carrier's efforts to update and expand its fleet well into the next decade.

ANA's commitment to Boeing wide body aircraft was significant as rival Japan Airlines in October last year ordered 31 Airbus A350 wide body aircraft worth USD$9.5 billion at list prices. That was JAL's first order for Airbus aircraft, and the European aircraft manufacturer was hoping to lure ANA away from Boeing in a country where airlines have traditionally leaned towards the US plane maker, especially in the wide body market. ANA ultimately opted to stay with Boeing for the wide-body portion of its order and stuck with Airbus aircraft for its narrow-body fleet that it uses on many of its domestic services.

While ANA officials have consistently said their main concern was to get the best aircraft for their requirements, their airline's decision was also closely monitored as a barometer of US-Japan trade and political relations. Japanese companies such as Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Fuji Heavy Industries are important suppliers to Boeing, especially for the 787 Dreamliner. Some industry sources had suggested that their workshare for the 777X could have decreased if ANA had gone for Airbus instead. In June, however, Boeing said Japanese companies would build 21 percent of the 777X – on par with their share of the work on the current 777.

(Reuters)

Qantas re-routes its jets from Iraq
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http://www.9news.com.au/National/2014/08/02/12/52/Qantas-re-routes-jets-away-from-Iraq

Air New Zealand and All Nippon Airways will both introduce flights with the Boeing 787-9 early next month, with Etihad Airways, Scoot, United Airlines and Virgin Atlantic Airways also due to the fly the new stretched variant of the Dreamliner before the end of the year. Star Alliance member airlines Air New Zealand and All Nippon Airways (ANA) are both claiming to be the first carrier to begin passenger operations using the new stretched Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. They will both introduce flights with the aircraft early next month, with Etihad Airways, Scoot, United Airlines and Virgin Atlantic Airways also due to the fly the type before the end of the year.

Air New Zealand are the launch customer for the new 787-9 variant and took delivery of the first production aircraft on July 8, 2014 but are currently completing a period of ground tests and training before the type makes its commercial debut. This has been tentatively set for August 9, 2014 on the Auckland – Sydney route and the type will substitute for smaller Airbus A320s or older 767s on the route until making its scheduled debut on the Auckland – Perth route from October 15, 2014. However, days before Air New Zealand operate their inaugural 787-9 flight, Japanese carrier ANA has confirmed it will operate special flight over Mount Fuji using its first example. The airline will use its experience as launch customer of the smaller 787-8 variant to bring the 787-9 to market earlier and after taking delivery of its first 787-9 on July 27, 2014 will begin flights from August 4, 2014.

"The 787 Dreamliner is a key element in our growth strategy and we are proud to be the first airline to fly both models of the 787 family," said Osamu Shinobe, president and chief executive officer, ANA following the aircraft's delivery flight to Tokyo. "The new 787-9 will build on the exceptional efficiency of the 787-8 and will allow us to meet growing demand that is anticipated ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics. Our customers have expressed their pleasure with the comfort of the 787's innovative cabin features and we are excited to introduce the new 787 variant into our fleet."

ANA plans to use the next generation airliner to fly Japanese and American elementary school children living in Japan on a flight highlighting the next generation of air passengers. The aircraft will fly from Haneda Airport in Tokyo over Mount Fuji, one of Japan's best known landmarks and newest World Heritage Site. ANA’s first 787-9 will be delivered with domestic route specifications and will be equipped with 395 seats, 60 more than the 787-8 when flown on domestic routes. The aircraft will begin service on domestic routes from August onwards and, from the next fiscal year in April, 2015 ANA will start to introduce its international versions of the aircraft. In the international configuration ANA's 787-9s will be fitted with 48 Business Class, 21 Premium Economy and 146 Economy seats.

The Japanese carrier has ordered 80 787s (36 787-8s and 44 787-9s) and already has 28 787-8s in operation. It says fuel savings achieved by its current fleet are sufficient to operate 500 round trips from Tokyo to Frankfurt and are reducing CO2 emissions by 150,000 tonnes a year. The new 787-9 achieves even better fuel economy than the 787-8, according to ANA, recording a 23 per cent improvement versus the older generation 767-300ER. In its domestic configuration it will offer approximately 20 per cent more seating and cargo capacity, resulting in a further reduction in operating costs.

Air New Zealand claimed it would still be the first scheduled operator of the 787-9, by deploying its aircraft ahead of ANA on a commercial flight, highlighting that the ANA flight is a non-revenue charter flight. However, in the past 24 hours it has emerged that ANA will actually introduce the 787-9s into scheduled operation from August 7, 2014 on routes from Tokyo Haneda to Fukuoka, Matsuyama and Osaka Itami. Air New Zealand have still not uploaded its initial 787-9 inventory into the GDS so there remains every chance it could bring forward the aircraft's introduction by a few days. After its initial introduction on flights to Australia, Air New Zealand will deploy the 787-9 on routes to Shanghai, China (from November 30, 2014) and Tokyo, Japan (from November 14, 2014) after accepting its second and third aircraft towards the end of the third quarter and early in the fourth quarter.

United Airlines is due to use its 787-9s to re-introduce non-stop flights between Los Angeles and Melbourne after a five and a half year gap. It will deploy the aircraft on the route from October 26, 2014 but before that will initially use the aircraft on Los Angeles – Houston and Houston – Newark domestic rotations from September 20, 2014 for crew training purposes, as well as Los Angeles - Denver in November and December. As additional aircraft arrive United has also confirmed the 787-9 will replace 787-8s on its Los Angeles – Shanghai route from March 5, 2015, initially on a four times weekly basis but growing to a daily schedules from May 8, 2015. Virgin Atlantic Airways will be the first European operator for the 787-9 and will debut the type on its London Heathrow – Boston route from October 28, 2014 before also using the aircraft on routes from the UK capital to Washington from December 17, 2014 and New York from February 28, 2015.

Etihad Airways will launch scheduled operations with the 787-9 in December, initially with a daily flight between Abu Dhabi and Dusseldorf from December 1, 2014 and training flights between Abu Dhabi and Doha during the remainder of the month. The aircraft will also be used on services from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) capital to Mumbai and Washington from January 1, 2015 and to Brisbane and Moscow from June 1, 2015.Asian long-haul, low-cost carrier, Scoot will also receive its first 787-9 this year with delivery scheduled for November. It has not yet confirmed its proposed operational plans for the aircraft but it will likely make its debut on routes to Australia, Japan and Taiwan by simply substituting for the carrier’s existing 777 fleet.

Man held over 'hoax bomb threat' on passenger plane
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http://news.uk.msn.com/uk/man-held-over-hoax-bomb-threat-on-passenger-plane

Sneak Peak inside Aer Lingus Business Class

http://www.independent.ie/life/trav...e-new-aer-lingus-business-class-30488550.html

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is banning all U.S. airlines from flying over Iraqi airspace, citing what it calls a “hazardous situation" created by the armed conflict in the region. Previously several non U.S. airlines have announced that they will avoid flying over Iraq.

The New Zealand MInister of Transport has approved the proposed alliance between Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines. This is the final approval the two airlines need for their alliance to go ahead.