iscover
In a surprise move, Lufthansa CityLine has announced that it is acquiring three Avro RJ85 Avroliners for delivery this year, with options on a further three for delivery in 1995. The order is a significant breakthrough for Avro, as Lufthansa CityLine elected not to order Fokker 70s or 100s, despite Fokker's German ownership via DASA (Daimler-Benz Aerospace), which currently holds a 40% stake in the Dutch manufacturer. The first three RJ85s are expected to enter the fleet by October 1994. This decision marks a strategic shift for the regional carrier as it restructures its fleet to increase jet operations and reduce reliance on turboprops. In recent times, the RJ series has seen a surge in success, with other recent orders coming from SAM of Colombia (eight aircraft), Turkish Airlines, and Air Malta.
Airline Affairs
0 comment
Airways Charges Reduced
The Civil Aviation Authority has dropped charges for airways and firefighting and rescue services by an average 10.4% in real terms from July 1. The CAA says the reductions are expected to save the industry about $56m on what they would have paid had the CAA increased its charges in accordance with the Consumer Price Index. According to CAA chief executive Doug Roser: “This is the fifth year in a row the CAA has been able to reduce its mainstream charges in real terms and follows very substantial reductions in charges of 13% and 16%, which saved the industry $90m in 1992-93 and $109m in 1993-94, respectively”. For a typical Boeing 767 flight from Melbourne to Sydney, the airways charges will be $1572 in this financial year compared with $1862 last year. General aviation has also gained with the charge paid through an excise on avgas reducing by 34% this year. If granted, Qantas will begin a weekly service between Melbourne and Osaka via Cairns. Qantas also plans to introduce three new weekly flights between Melbourne and Los Angeles via Auckland from late October this year. These Boeing 747-400 services will replace the existing codesharing services with Air New Zealand.
Land Of The Giants
For those of us who are somewhat larger than dwarf size (sorry, vertically disadvantaged), there’s good news in store for those who will fly on Ansett’s new international services. Seat pitch in the airline’s 747s will be generous, allowing plenty of legroom. First class will have a pitch of 203cm (80 inches), business class 127cm (50in) and cattle… er, economy class a minimum of 86cm (34in) with some seats at 96cm (38in) pitch. For people such as this 193cm (6ft 4in) writer, that’s great news and will go a long way towards assuring we won’t “arrive in different shape!” Ansett is appropriately promoting its international 747 services as ‘Spaceships’ and the first Japan/Australia and Hong Kong/Australia flights launch in September.
This content is available exclusively to Australian Aviation members.
A monthly membership is only $5.99 or save with our annual plans.
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
Want to see more stories from trusted news sources?
Make Australian Aviation a preferred news source on Google.
Click here to add Australian Aviation as a preferred news source.
