Commercial Aviation News

EasyJet seems to be considering converting three additional Airbus A320 options. The UK budget airline has been in commercial discussion with a number of entities about fleet upgrades but to buy some more time they may just convert 3 A320 options.

New Regulations for better in-flight Wi-Fi

The latest regulation changes have allowed for greater chance of in-flight internet experience for passengers. The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) authorized new rules that aim to halve the time needed for airlines to gain approval to offer internet/wi-fi services to their passengers. In a statement, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowksi said people are increasingly expecting access to broadband everywhere, whether in leisure time or travelling for work.

The Chinese are coming...forget the Russians!

The Chinese are building a narrow-body commerical aircraft called the Comac C919. Although anticipated entry into service isn't until 2016, you can see what it looks like!

Not commercial news but commercial aviation...This 757 had to abort its final approach into Princess Julianna International at SXM (St.Maarten) because of an occupied runway, you would notice the small twin-engine landing shortly before and obviously couldn't get off the runway in time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=m2IKw_tSa6A

Dublin-based budget carrier Ryanair expects strong demand overall in Europe in 2013. This is because the ending of 2012 saw high demand for the airline in Europe, particularly in the fourth quarter. Ryanair's chief operating officer, Michael Cawley told Reuters that the company saw strong demand in market destinations like Scandinavia, Germany and the UK, particularly coming up to Christmas. The high reserved seating uptake also helped to raise ticket prices well beyond Ryanair’s forecasts for northern Europe.

Boeing's 2012 Q4 profits fall deep.

Fourth quarter earnings for Boeing fell sharply despite a surge in sales. Earnings dipped by 30-percent over the same period for the year before. Net earnings in the period to 31 December 2012 declined to $978 million compared with $1.39 billion in the same period a year ago, resulting in a 3% decline in full-year income to $3.9 billion on a 19% jump in revenues, Boeing says.

Afriqiyah takes delivery of first A320 in new colours

African airline Afriqiyah takes delivery of its first A320 model in the company's new livery. The aircraft was delivered on the 29th of January to it's owners at the Sabha International Airport.

Malaysia Airlines have now formally joined the One World alliance

Malaysia's flag carrier, Malaysia Airlines recently and formally joined the One World alliance. The integration was done formally in Kuala Lumpur and it makes it the twelfth airline member to join that Group (One World).

"Oneworld enables its member airlines to deliver more services and benefits to their customers - particularly frequent flyers - than any airline can on its own," says MAS group chief executive Ahmad Jauhari Yahya. "For Malaysia Airlines, joining the alliance will strengthen its competitiveness, enabling it to offer customers an unrivalled alliance global network served by the highest quality partners from each of the world's key regions."

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Co-Pilot error causes ANA 737 to perform erratic maneuvers

Back in September of 2011, a Boeing 737 from Japan carrier All-Nippon Airways (ANA) took its passengers for quite a wild ride thanks to an inadvertent error by the co-pilot. Apparently the aircraft went close to being inverted briefly as it fell some 1900 meters from its cruising altitude. The flight had some 112 passengers onboard going from Okinawa Island to Tokyo's Haneda International. Allegedly the co-pilot was returning from a bathroom break and upon shutting the cockpit door, he inadvertently knocked over the rudder control switch and the rest was history.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSGBAs412Lw

American, (ex. American Airlines) Boeing 777 in her new livery, not bad.

American first flight under the new livery last night from Dallas Fort Worth to Sao Paulo, Brazil.

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

Boeing faced with alot more problems than 787s

Boeing is now faced with a new problem besides figuring out how to rectify failed lithium-ion batteries on its 787-8 aircraft. Unionized workers at Boeing are planning to strike, if they do not get what they want. In an air of terrible timing for the company, the union has recommended that its members reject Boeing's contract proposal, hoping the company offers something better, or they may strike.

Air Lease order 25 A350s

Air Lease orders 25 A350s of which five of them are for the A350-1000. Additionally, they firmed options for 14 A321 NEO aircraft.

I found this interesting...this FEDEX Cargo MD-10 inbound to O'Hare International in Chicago with it's gear NOT deployed until very late on short final.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDgvWa-EbbE

Ryanair and Flybe team up to make new airline

Irish budget airline Ryanair and British budget carrier Flybe have teamed up to create a single Irish airline called Flybe Ireland. All this will happen IF Ryanair can be successful in taking over Aer Lingus. Ryanair bidded unsuccessfully for the take over of Aer Lingus a few times already, in 2007 and in 2012 and now they are trying again! Nothing is cast in stone as yet. The European Commission stands very much in the way of proceedings. Shareholders must also accept Ryanair's bid.

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Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines get certified

The Rolls-Royce Trent engines for the Airbus A350 XWB programme have been just certified by the EASA. The certification was handed over Chris Young who is the Rolls-Royce's director for the Trent XWB programme. This happened at the European authority's headquarters in Cologne, Germany, on 7 February. So the certification pretty much covers the powerplant for the A350-8 and -9 series, however, the -1000 series will have to get it's own powerplant type certified separately because that variant requires alot more thrust. First flight of the first A350 XWB is scheduled for mid 2013 and the engines have already been delivered to the test aircraft.

Airbus looks good on reaffirmed American order

Airframer Airbus seems to have reattained a large order for A321 NEO aircraft from American. American placed a large order for the aircraft type but then had to withdraw the firm orders because of what was going on with their bankruptcy situation. They have now re-firmed the commitments for 130 Airbus A321 NEO jets.

Interjet comes with second Sukhoi Superjet but first in painted colours...Here is a picture of the new jet in her new colours?

Looks like the European Commission will block any offer that Ryanair makes in trying to take over airline Aer Lingus. "Ryanair...was notified this morning, 12 February, at a state-of-play meeting with the EU Commission that the EU Commission intends to prohibit Ryanair's offer for Aer Lingus," the airline confirms. Also note that the Irish government has a 25% stake in Aer Lingus and already voiced it's opposition publically. Looks like politics is being played out.

Icelandair has increased its firm orders for Boeing 737 MAX aircraft

Icelandair has increased its original order of twelve Boeing 737 MAX aircraft to sixteen. The up-order will now cost the airline around 1.6-billion dollars and they comprise of Boeing 737MAX 8 and MAX 9 aircraft. The -8s will hold 153 passengers while the -9s, 172.