News Desk

Up to 300 Jobs Will Be Lost at Hdh in the Next Six Months Due to Delays to the 787 Ramp Up Process but Also Because of a Greater Degree of Automation in the 787 Composite Fabrication Processes, While Another 100 Are Expected to Disappear in 2009. “it is Our Belief That Boeing is Shifting Operations to Their Sydney Site to Lift Its Saleability,” Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (Amwu) State Secretary Steve Dargavel Said in a Statement. “we Call on the Company to Reconsider, as We Will See Virtually Half the Workforce Lose Their Jobs From the Fishermans Bend Site. It is Clearly a Short Term Profit-driven Management Decision to Put All Their Resources and Efforts Into One Smaller Project – the 787 Dreamliner. ” Dealings Between the Company and the Amwu Have Been Tense Since a Three Week Strike at Fishermans Bend Over an Industrial Relations Issue Ended in May.

“a Joint Company-union Team Will Oversee the Process of Managing the Departure of Around 300 Employees by the End of 2008 and a Further 100 Throughout 2009,” a Boeing Spokesman Told Aa, Adding That There is a “need to Focus Fishermans Bend Attention and Resources on Manufacture of 787 Components – Australia’s Largest Aerospace Program. As Part of a Globally Competitive Aerospace Supply Chain, We Compete With Many Kinds of Businesses, Some State Owned and Supported, and Some Much Larger Than Hawker De Havilland. Our Traditional Strengths Have Included Design and This is What Won Us a Tier One Place on the 787 Program. We Need to Focus on Our Strong Points. ”

Crj 1000 Flies

the Prototype 100 Seater Bombardier Crj1000 ‘nextgen’ Regional Jet Made Its First Flight From the Company’s Mirabel Production Facility on September 3.

The Flight, Which Lasted for Three Hours and 25 Minutes, Saw the Aircraft Reach an Altitude of 30,000 Feet and a Maximum Speed of 260kt (481km/h). The Aircraft Was Piloted by Jacques Thibaudeau and Chuck Ellis and Also Carried Flight Test Engineer Eugene Lardizabal.

“we Put the Gear Up, Operated the Flaps and Slats and Exercised Our New ‘fly-by-wire’ Rudder,” Said Thibaudeau. “all Systems Worked as They Were Designed to Do. The Aircraft Handled Similarly to the Smaller Crj900 Airliner So Flight Crews Will Have No Problem in Transitioning to the 100-seat Crj1000 Nextgen Aircraft. ” the Crj1000 Will Undergo a Few More Flights From Mirabel Before It is Transferred to Bombardier’s Flight Test Centre in Wichita, Where It Will Be Joined With the First Production Crj1000 to Complete the Flight Testing and Certification Program. “the Wichita Flight Test Team, Supported by Our Product Development Team Will Be Following a Disciplined Approach to Flight Testing and Remain on Schedule for Subsequent Milestones Before Our 100-seat Aircraft Enters Commercial Service in the Fourth Quarter of 2009,” Said David Tidd, Director of the Crj1000 Product Development Team.

Bombardier Currently Holds a Total of 63 Commitments, Representing 39 Firm Orders and 24 Options and Conditional Orders for the Crj1000 From Brit Air, Myair. Com and Adria Airways, as Well as One Unidentified Customer.

Pratt Sends Gtf to Airbus

Pratt & Whitney Has Completed Its Own Flight Testing Program for the Purepower Pw1000g Geared Turbofan Engine, With Testing Now to Continue Tests With Airbus on an A340-600 Testbed.

The Pw1000g Has Been Undertaking Flight Tests on P&w’s Own Boeing 747sp Testbed Since July 11, Running for Approximately 43 Hours Over 12 Flights on the Wing, and Experienced “near Double-digit Improvements” in Fuel Burn Compared to Existing Narrow-body Engines. “the First Phase of Our Flight Test Program Included Full Power Takeoffs, Inflight Performance Up to 40,000ft Altitude, Engine Operability Including Inflight Starting, and Engine Operation at Extreme Aircraft Manoeuvres,” Said P&w’s Vp Next Generation Product Family Bob Saia. “the Pw1000g Engine’s Performance Has Met All of Our Pre-flight Performance Targets. ” the Test Program Was Due to Start in September and Was Slated to Run for Two Months, Which Will See the Engine Run for Approximately 75 Hours. The Testing Will Focus on Engine Acoustics Testing, Which Could Not Be Conducted on the 747sp, as Well as Further Performance Tests and Close Collaboration on Optimising the Pylon to Improve Aerodynamics.

Airbus Announced in April That It Would Be Involved in the Testing Program of the Pw1000g (Then Referred to as the Gtf) as Part of What It Said Was “on-going Research Into New Technologies for the Long Term”, but Denied Speculation at the Time That It Was Examining Offering the Gtf as an Engine Option for the A320 Family. Nevertheless, Airbus’s Evp Programs Tom Williams Said in July That It Could Develop a Gtf-powered A320 Within 24 to 30 Months of Making a Decision to Do So, Which Has Widely Been Interpreted as Meaning That the Company is Still Considering the Engine for an Update of Its Narrow-body Family.

The Pw1000g Series So Far Has Been Selected to Power the Mitsubishi Regional Jet and Bombardier’s Cseries (Detailed From P56 of This Issue). Both Are Due to Enter Service in 2013.

Commercial Briefs

the Leadership of the International Association of Machinists (Iam) Union Called for All of Its Boeing Members to Strike From Midnight on September 5 After Last Minute Negotiations With Boeing Broke Down. After the Iam Rejected Boeing’s “final and Best Offer” on September 1, Members Overwhelmingly Voted to Strike From Midnight on September 3. Boeing Had Offered the Nearly 27,000 Iam Represented Workers at Its Washington State, Oregon and Kansas Facilities an 11 Per Cent Wage Increase Over Three Years as Well as a Us$80 (a$98. 1) Per Month Pension Increase for Each Year of Credited Service. Other Incentives and Benefits Were Also Offered, Including a One-off Bonus Should the Deal Be Accepted by Iam Members.

Delays in the Delivery of Galleys and Other Cabin Furnishings to Airliner Manufacturers Have Reportedly Resulted in Delays of Deliveries of Some Airliners as Suppliers Struggle to Keep Up With Airliner Demand and Accelerated Production Rates. V Australia Has Been Forced to Delay Taking Delivery of Its First 777-300er by Almost Two Months to Mid November, While Emirates’ Second Airbus A380 Delivery Has Been Delayed From Early September to Late October.

Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation Announced on September 4 That It Had Entered an Agreement With Boeing Which Will See the American Manufacturer Provide Marketing, Development and Customer Support Assistance for the Mistubishi Regional Jet Program. Mac’s Parent Company, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Has Long Been a Boeing Production Partner, and is Involved With Manufacturing Composite Fuselage Sections for the Boeing 787.

Boeing Has Started Assembly on the First 747-8f, With the First Wing Spar for the Aircraft Having Arrived at the Manufacturer’s Everett Site. Final Assembly is Scheduled to Begin Early Next Year With First Delivery to Launch Customer Cargolux Set for Delivery by the End of 2009.

Boeing Has Achieved Faa Certification for the Carbon Brakes for the Next Generation 737. The First 737-700 With the New Brakes Entered Service in Late July With Delta Air Lines.

Engine Alliance, the P&w/ge Joint Venture Which Builds the Gp7200 Engine for the Airbus A380, Says It is Still Interested in Supplying an Engine for the A350, but is Waiting on Ge to Make a Decision About Developing a Higher Thrust Version of the 787’s Genx for the New Widebody Twin.

Military

Raaf Hornet Centre Barrel Program to Be Cut Short

the Dmo’s Head of Aerospace Systems, Avm Clive Rossiter (Retd), Told a Parliamentary Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Hearing on August 29 That the Raaf’s Air 5376 Phase 3. 2 F/a-18a/b Centre Barrel (Cb) Replacement Program May Be Restricted to Fewer Than 15 Airframes, Fact Confirmed Three Days Later by Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon.

Under Phase 3. 2c of the Comprehensive Upgrade Project, It Was Originally Planned That Up to 49 F/a-18s Would Require Their Key Cb Structures to Be Replaced in Order to Get the Fleet Through to Its Planned 2018-2020 Withdrawal Date. But Following the 2007 Decision to Acquire 24 F/a-18f Super Hornets (Under Air 5349) and the Rudd Government’s Subsequent Ratification of That Decision Earlier This Year, Combined With Work by the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (Dsto) Which Has Reportedly Found the Raaf’s Hornets Are in Better Shape Than Previously Thought, the Dmo Believes It Can Get the Fleet Through to Life-of-type Without the Cost and Disruption to Operations Such a Comprehensive Structural Upgrade Would Bring. The Final Number of Aircraft to Be Upgraded is Expected to Be Decided Upon in the Next Few Weeks.

Instead, It is Believed Additional Blending, Machining, Sleeving and Other Discrete Structural Work Similar to That Performed Under Phase 3. 1 of the Hug Program Will Be Sufficient to Get the Fleet Through.

Three Raaf F/a-18s Have Already Had Their Cb Structures Replaced at L-3 Mas in Canada, and a Further Five Are Currently Undergoing Their Structural Upgrade Work. The Dmo Had Hoped to Establish a Cb Upgrade Program in Australia, but a Shortage of Skilled Labour Combined With Increases in Risk and Costs Meant Such a Step Would Have Been Commercially Unviable for Boeing Australia and Bae Systems, the Companies Responsible for F/a-18 Deep Maintenance.

Fourth F-35 Rolled Out

the Fourth F-35 Lightning Ii Jsf to Be Built, a Stovl F-35b, Rolled Out of Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth Facility on August 16.

F-35b Bf-2 Will Be the Third Flight Test Aircraft After F-35a Aa-1 Which Has Been Flying Since Late 2006, and Bf-1, the First ‘production Optimised’ Test Aircraft, Which First Flew in June. There is Also a Non-flying Ground-test Article, Bg-1, Which is Being Used for Structural Testing.

Lockheed Martin Says It Has a Further Six F-35s in Final Assembly at Fort Worth as Well as Another 14 in Various Stages of Production. One of These is the First Naval F-35c Variant, to Be Dubbed Cf-1, the Centre Fuselage Section of Which Was Completed Recently by Subcontractor Northrop Grumman at Its Palmdale Facility in California.

New Usaf Tanker Rfp Released

the Pentagon Has Released a Draft Request for Proposals (Rfp) in the Usaf’s Ongoing Efforts to Acquire Up to 179 Air Refuelling Tankers to Replace Its 50 Year Old Kc-135e Fleet.

The Rfp, Which Was Released by the Pentagon’s Director of Procurement and Acquisitions Policy, Shay Assad, on August 6, Confirms Extra Credit Will Be Given to the Aircraft Which Can Carry More Freight and Offload More Fuel, Suggesting the Northrop Grumman/eads Kc-30 May Again Prevail Against Boeing’s Smaller and Shorter Ranging Kc-767at. Further, the Compressed Schedule for the New Tender – Which Calls for Initial Proposals by October 1, Final Submissions by Early December, and Aims to Make a Decision by Christmas – Means Boeing Will Find It Difficult to Change Tack and Upsize Its Offering.

Boeing is Reportedly Considering Its Options for the Latest Iteration of the Requirement, Including the Possibility of Offering a Different Aircraft Type, or Even Withdrawing From the Competition Altogether. Analysts Have Predicted That, Instead of the 767-200 Based Kc-767at, Boeing May Instead Offer a Tanker Version of the Longer 767-400 or Even the Much Larger 777f Freighter. Both of These Types Would Provide Greater Fuel Uplift and Offload Than the Smaller Kc-767at, but Would Also Require More Time to Define Their Capabilities and a Much Longer Development Period, Something Boeing May Not Have With the Latest Abridged Tender Process.

Boeing Says It Needs an Extra Four to Six Months to Prepare an Alternative Bid. “I Think the Option We Would Have if We Were Not Given the Six Months, There is a Really High Likelihood That We Would No-bid the Program,” Boeing Ids President and Ceo Jim Albaugh Told the Wall Street Journal in a Mid August Interview. “This is an Airplane That’s Going to Be in the Inventory 40 Years – What We’re Asking for is an Additional Four Months to Have a Meaningful Competition. ” the Source Selection Advisory Committee Plans to Deliberate and Award the Contract by Year’s End.

Fitzgibbon Announces Ap-3c Cap1 Upgrades

Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon Has Used a Visit to Raaf Edinburgh Near Adelaide to Announce a Series of Upgrades to the Raaf’s Ap-3c Orion Maritime Reconnaissance Fleet.

The $68 Million Upgrade, Planned Under the Air 5276 Capability Assurance Program 1 (Cap 1) Program, Will Comprise the Addition of the Flir Systems Aaq-21 Starsafire Iii Electro-optical/infrared Sensor Turret, an Enhanced High-rate Tactical Common Datalink (Tcdl) System, and a New Video Recorder System. The Starsafire Iii and Tcdl Are Believed to Already Be in Limited Use on Ap-3cs Deployed to the Middle East, but Will Be Applied to the Entire Fleet of 18 Aircraft Under the Upgrade.

Cap 1 is the First of Three Elements of the Air 5276 Upgrade Program for the Ap-3cs, and Will Be Followed Early Next Decade by Cap 2’s Enhancements to the Aircraft’s Data Management System (Dms), and the Cap 3 Upgrades of the Radar, Mission Simulator, Acoustic System, Datalinks, and Esm Systems.

The Work Will Be Performed by the Edinburgh Based P-3 Accord Comprising the Dmo, Bae Systems Australia and Australian Aerospace.

Global Hawk Bams Win Upheld

the Us Government Accountability Office (Gao) Has Dismissed a Protest by Lockheed Martin Over Rival Northrop Grumman’s Us Navy Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (Bams) Win Earlier This Year, Confirming the Rq-4n Global Hawk as the Selected System.

The Us Navy Awarded the Contract for Up to 64 Global Hawks in Late April, but Lockheed Martin Protested the Award on the Basis of the Global Hawk’s Higher Acquisition and Life Cycle Costs Over Its Own General Atomics Mariner Development of the R/mq-9b Predator B/reaper.

“the Decision Underscores That the Source Selection Competition for the System Development and Demonstration Contract Followed a Rigorous Process That Adhered to Stringent Federal Acquisition Regulation and Naval Air System Command Processes and Documentation Requirements,” Said Capt Bob Dishman, Program Manager of the Us Navy’s Pma-262 Bams Office. “it Confirms That We Have Identified Northrop’s Rq-4n Global Hawk as the Best-value Platform for the Bams Uas. ” the Raaf is Expected to Follow the Us Navy’s Lead and Select the Global Hawk for Its Own Air 7000 Phase 1 Maritime and Littoral Unmanned Surveillance Requirement to Partially Replace the Ap-3c Orions Late Next Decade, and is Considering Becoming a Partner With the Us Navy in the Aircraft’s System Development and Design (Sdd) Program. To This End, Northrop Grumman and Us Navy Executives Visited Australia in Early September to Brief Adf and Government Officials.

In the Meantime, General Atomics is Reportedly Looking at a Marinised Version of the Predator B Without the Mariner’s Long but Ungainly, High-altitude Optimised Wing Span, for Homeland Security and Customs Style Missions.

Lockmart Grows Aussie Footprint

Lockheed Martin Has Acquired Partner Tenix’s Share in Its Rlm Holdings Radar, Systems Engineering and Integration and Logistics Management Joint-venture.

Focussed on Maintaining and Supporting the Jindalee Operational Radar Network (Jorn), Adelaide Based Rlm Holdings Was Established in 1997 and Employs 250 People in Systems Engineering, Software Development, System Integration, and Test and Support of Large, Complex, Leading-edge Systems.

“the Acquisition of Rlm Expands Lockheed Martin’s Commitment to the Australian Department of Defence and Other Government Customer Communities,” Said Lockheed Martin Chairman, President and Ceo, Bob Stevens in a Statement. “rlm’s Combination of People, Systems Engineering Expertise and Technology Provide Significant Additional Capability and Local Presence for Us in Australia. ”

Military Briefs

the Operational Flight Trainer (Oft) for the Raaf’s Six Forthcoming Boeing 737 Based Wedgetail Aew&c Aircraft Has Been Awarded Level 5 Zero Flight Time Status by Accreditation Agency Simulinc, the Highest Level of Accreditation Under Australian Standards. The Standard Allows Pilots to Undertake Training Using the High Quality Flight Simulator Instead of an Actual Aircraft, and Be Credited With Logbook Hours. The Oft Was Adapted From a 737-700 Simulator and Modified With the Wedgetail’s Unique Specific Requirements, Configuration and Aerodynamics.

A New $51 Million Hangar for the Raaf 33sqn and Its Five New Eads Airbus Kc-30 Tanker Transports Was Officially Opened at Raaf Base Amberley on August 29. To Be Shared by 36sqn’s Four C-17 Transports, the Hangar is an Element of a Massive Upgrade of Amberley’s Facilities as Part of the Kc-30, C-17 and F/a-18f Super Hornet Acquisition Programs.

The Australian Army Has Ordered a Third Batch of an Unspecified Number of Elbit Skylark I Hand-launched Uavs for Ongoing Operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Battery-powered Mini Uavs Can Be Carried in a Soldier’s Backpack and Quickly Assembled and Employed on Autonomous Reconnaissance Missions to Distances of Up to 15km.

The Department of Defence Has Placed an Order for Equipment and Services to Support the Raaf’s Forthcoming F/a-18f Super Hornets. The Us$1. 5bn (a$1. 84bn) Order Includes Aim-9x Captive Air Training Missiles (Catms), an/ale-47, an/alq-214 and an/alr-67(V)3 Ew Systems, as Well as Avionics Software, Engine Spare Parts, Technical Ground Support Equipment, Supply Support, Technical Publications, and Personnel Training and Equipment.

The New Zealand Government Has Revealed That, Seven Years After Being Retired, There Are Now Two Potential Buyers for the Rnzaf’s Former a-4 Skyhawk Fighters. The 17 Aircraft Along With a Similar Number of Mb-339 Macchi Jet Trainers Have Been for Sale Since the Rnzaf Relinquished Its Air Combat Capability, but a Sale Has Been Continually Delayed Due to Arms Export Restrictions Enforced by the Us State Department.

The Us Navy Has Retired the T-2 Buckeye Jet Trainer After a Nearly 50 Year Career. The Final Student Flight Was Conducted on August 15 at Florida’s Pensacola Naval Air Station, and the Type Was Officially Retired on August 22. After Entering Service in 1959, the Buckeye Has Finally Been Fully Replaced by the Boeing T-45 Goshawk, a Carrier Capable Development of the Bae Hawk.

The Us Navy Has Successfully Tested the Latest Version of the Amraam Air-to-air Missile, the Aim-120d. The New Version Builds Upon the Range and Anti-jam Capabilities of the Current Aim-120c7.

Airlines

Pacific Blue Seeks More Rights Pacific Blue Has Lodged Requests With the International Air Services Commission for Rights to Operate Flights to Tonga, Fiji and Papua New Guinea, Which Are Likely to Use Capacity Redeployed From the Australian Domestic Market.

According to Iasc Documents, Pacific Blue Filed an Application on August 28 Seeking an Allocation of 900 Seats a Week on the Papua New Guinea Route, Which Would Allow It to Operate an Initial Four Services From Brisbane to Port Moresby From November 1, With Another Weekly Service to Be Added Before November 1, 2009. The Flights Are Proposed to Be Operated by Boeing 737-800s.

Pac Blue Also Applied on September 2 for an Allocation of 180 Seats Per Week to Tonga and 360 Additional Seats to Fiji for Five Years, With the Allocation Sought From 1 January 2009. The Request for More Capacity to Fiji Comes Only Weeks After the Airline Launched Two Additional Weekly Services From Sydney to Nadi, Which Will Start From October 14.

Pac Blue Has Been Increasing Its Services on Pacific Routes as a Result of Virgin Blue’s Decision to Reallocate Four Boeing 737-800s From Its Australian Domestic Operation, Which Has Had Its Yields Squeezed Due to Excess Capacity on a Number of Leisure Routes.

Qantas Blames Engineers Action for Fall in Otp

Qantas Has Blamed the Industrial Action Taken by Its Engineers in July for a Poor Showing in Its on Time Performance During That Month.

According to Figures Released by the Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics, Qantas Recorded the Lowest on Time Departure Performance of the Four Major Airlines at 62. 8 Per Cent During July, While Its on Time Arrivals Were Similar 63. 6 Per Cent. Qantas Also Had the Second Highest Number of Cancellations, With 6. 7 Per Cent of Flights Cancelled During the Month.

A Qantas Spokesperson Told the ‘sydney Morning Herald’ That the Poor Performance During July Stemmed From the Airline’s Dispute With Engineers Over a New Enterprise Bargaining Agreement, Which Saw Engineers Impose Overtime Bans and Take Limited Strike Action, Resulting in Lower Than Usual Aircraft Availability.

Officially, Tiger Airways Was the Best of the Four Major Airlines for Otp in July, With 85. 7 Per Cent of Departures on Time and 86. 8 Per Cent on Flights Arriving on Time. Virgin Blue Achieved an on Time Departure Rate of 74. 2 Per Cent and Arrivals of 69. 7 Per Cent and a Cancellation Rate of 2. 3 Per Cent, While Jetstar Recorded Rates of 66. 6 Per Cent for Departures and 62. 2 Per Cent for Arrivals and 2. 3 Per Cent for Cancellations.

Of the Regional Airlines, Macair Had the Best on Time Departures and Arrivals Rates, at 82. 8 and 85 Per Cent Respectively, but Also Had the Highest Number of Cancellations at 10. 1 Per Cent. Qantaslink Performed Better Than Its Parent, With 80. 8 Per Cent of Departures on Time, 78. 5 Per Cent on Time Arrivals and One Per Cent of Flights Cancelled. This Was Followed by Regional Express, Which Recorded a Rate of 79. 2 Per Cent Rate for Departures, 74. 3 Per Cent for Arrivals and 0. 9 Per Cent Cancellations. Skywest Was the Worst Performing Regional, With 73. 2 Per Cent Rate for Departures, 71. 3 Per Cent for Arrivals and 0. 3 Per Cent Cancellation Rates.

Virgin Blue Makes Northwest Wa Push Virgin Blue Will Add Flights From Perth to the Northwest Western Australian Towns of Newman and Karratha From October, as Well as Adding More Flights to Broome in Order to Tap Into Demand for Air Travel From Wa’s Booming Resources Sector.

The Airline Will Base Up to Three Embraer E-190s in Perth From October to Operate the Services, the First of Which Will Begin on October 15 When the Airline Launches a Second Daily Service to Broome. Services to Newman and Karratha Will Start From October 21, With Seven and 12 Return Weekly Flights Respectively.

Ceo Brett Godfrey Said That the New Services, Coupled With the Establishment of a New Operating Base, Were a Demonstration of Its Confidence in the Wa Market, and That It Would Help to Bring More Competition to the Intrastate Market Which is Currently Dominated by Qantas. It is Believed That Virgin Blue is Starting the Services With the Support of Some Resources and Mining Companies.

“perth is Now a Key Focus for Virgin Blue’s Future Plans,” Said Godfrey. “we Have a Solid Foundation to Build on Through Virgin Blue’s Comprehensive Schedule From Perth to the East Coast, Serviced by the 737-800 Aircraft. The New E-jet is Ideally Suited to Smaller Regional Routes Like Karratha and Newman, and Both Aircraft Will Be Based in Perth to Provide Convenient Connections Between the West and East Coasts and Wa Regional Destinations. ” Virgin Blue Has Had Mixed Success on the Intrastate Market in Wa, Having Operated Flights From Perth to Broome Since September 2004, but an Attempt to Start Flights From Perth to Kalgoorlie in April 2005 Ended Weeks Before the First Flights Were to Take Place Due to Weak Bookings.

Tiger Expands Its Pawprint

Tiger Airways Says It Plans to Fly to Perth, the Gold Coast, Hobart and Alice Springs From Its New Adelaide Base Next Year, and Will Also Add Frequencies on Some Routes From Its Existing Melbourne Base Later This Year.

From March 1, Tiger Will Operate Daily Flights From Adelaide to Perth, the Gold Coast, Four Times a Week to Hobart, and Three Times a Week to Alice Springs. Tiger Will Also Boost Its Flights to Hobart and Launceston From Melbourne to Double Daily Services From December 15, Will Boost Its Melbourne-maroochydore Flights From Three a Week to a Daily Service From the Same Date, and Will Add Another Weekly Service on the Melbourne-perth Route From February 12.

Tiger Announced on August 5 That Adelaide Would Become Its Second Australian Base From Early Next Year and That It Would Base Its Two Airbus A319s There, and That It Would Add More Flights Between Adelaide and Melbourne From December 15, Rising to a Total of 40 Per Week by March.

“having an Initial Two Aircraft Based at Adelaide Airport Will Increase Our Paw Print in Australia Whilst Ensuring We Keep Our Famous Low, Low Fares,” Said Tiger Airways Australia Managing Director Shelley Roberts. “this Additional Aircraft Capacity Being Based in Adelaide Means That the People of South Australia Will No Longer Be Forced to Pay the High Fares of the Incumbent Airlines and Will Benefit Not Only From Tiger’s Low Fares but Also From More Choice in Terms of Destinations. ” “having the Aircraft Based in Adelaide Creates Employment Opportunities,” Added Phil Baker, Adelaide Airport’s Md. “there Are Already More Than 6000 People Working at the Adelaide Airport Site, Making It the Largest Single Employment Precinct in the State. ” the Airline Says It Will Also Add a Second Daily Flight on the Melbourne-perth Route From November 1. The New Flight Will Depart Melbourne at 1700 and Arrive Into Perth at 1900, Before Departing Half an Hour Later on the Return Flight.

According to Some Media Reports, Tiger Will Also Shortly Commence the Process of Selecting a Third Australian Base.

Capital Jet Improving

Virgin Blue Ceo Brett Godfrey Said That It is Seeing Major Improvements on the Sydney-canberra Route Since Its ‘capital Jet’ Service Launched in February.

“load Factors Were Around 34 Per Cent When We Launched,” Said Godfrey at a Press Conference on August 19. “we’re Currently in the Mid 50s… and We’re Not Unhappy With How It’s Progressing. Yields Have Improved, Loads Have Improved; It Still Has Some Improving to Do but It’s Certainly Better Than It Was in February. ” Sydney-canberra Was the First Route Virgin Blue Launched With Its Embraer E-170s on February 4 With Eight Daily Services, Prompting Qantas to Increase the Number of Jet Services on the Route. As a Result, Seating Capacity on the Route Has Increased by 53 Per Cent in June 2008 Compared to the Same Time the Previous Year, While Passenger Numbers Increased by 16 Per Cent.

Poly Blue Profit Soars, Adds Brisbane

Polynesian Blue, Virgin Blue’s Joint Venture With the Government of Samoa, Has Recorded a 71 Per Cent Increase in Profit Before Tax.

The Carrier Recorded a Profit of Nz$9. 18m (a$7. 48m) for the Year Ending June 30 2008 and, as a Result, Will Pay Back Some of the Loans Advanced to It by Its Shareholders Which Will See the Government of Samoa Receive Nz$1. 623m (a$1. 325m).

“it is a Tremendous Achievement for Any Airline to Be Making Money in the Current Aviation Climate and Polynesian Blue is Well and Truly Performing Like a Seasoned Player in the Global Arena, Generating a Good Profit When Airlines Around the World Are Collapsing Under the Weight of Industry Challenges,” Said Virgin Blue Ceo Brett Godfrey. “the Ongoing Success of Polynesian Blue is Testimony to the Shared Vision and Strategy Behind the Airline, as Well as the Fantastic Frontline Team Responsible for Day to Day Operations. ” the Airline Has Also Announced That It Will Add a Single Weekly Brisbane-apia Service From December 1, Prompted by Strong Numbers of Passengers Originating in Brisbane Who Currently Use the Airline’s Sydney-apia Services. Fares on the Route Will Start at $449.

Polynesian Blue is Also Adding an Additional Weekly Flight From Apia to Auckland From September 25, Bringing Its Total Frequencies on the Route to 12.

Gregg to Leave Qantas

at End of Year Qantas’s Long-serving Chief Financial Officer Peter Gregg Will Leave the Carrier on September 30, and Will Be Succeeded in the Role by His Deputy Colin Storrie.

“peter Has Not Only Been Outstanding in His Contribution to Qantas, He’s Also Been a Very Strong Colleague of Mine and Indeed a Good Friend and I’d Certainly Like to Publicly Acknowledge That and Also to Wish Him Well,” Qantas Ceo Geoff Dixon Said at the Airline’s Annual Results Press Conference on August 21.

Gregg Was Also Conciliatory, Saying in an August 19 Statement, “it Has Been a Privilege to Have Contributed to the Management and Strategic Development of This Great Company. With a New Incoming Ceo, I Believe That Signalling Now My Intention to Step Down From Both My Executive and Non-executive Roles is in the Best Interests of Shareholders and the Company. ” Gregg Has Been Widely Credited for Helping to Improve the Financial Position of the Airline, Including Its Strong Fuel Hedging Strategy, as Well as Driving Key Strategic Decisions. This Success Saw Many Analysts Tip Gregg to Take the Ceo’s Position at Qantas Ahead of Eventual Successor Alan Joyce and Egm John Borghetti. Some Reports, Citing Middle Managers at Qantas, Have Claimed That Gregg Was Asked to Step Aside by Joyce.

Storrie Has Had Over 10 Years’ Experience in Senior Financial Roles at Qantas, Including as Group Financial Controller and Group Treasurer, and Has Served on the Qantas Executive Committee Since October 2005. The 39 Year Old Has Also Previously Held Roles Within the Investment Banking Sector and the New South Wales Government.

Meanwhile Qantas Executive General Manager John Borghetti, the Other Candidate for the Ceo Position, Looks to Be Planning to Continue on at the Airline in His Current Role.

“john Has Indicated to Me and He’s Indicated to Alan That He is Looking Forward to Working With Alan as We Go Forward,” Dixon Said at the Annual Results Press Conference. Dixon Noted That “obviously in a Situation in a Change of a Chief Executive Officer There Are Some Disappointments and John, He’s Just Moving on With His Life Very Well. ”

Qantas Takes First Trent 900, First A380 to Arrive

Qantas Has Taken Delivery of Its First Trent 900 Engine Ahead of the First Airbus A380 Arriving in Late September.

The Engine Was Delivered to Sydney in a Cargo Aircraft on a Specially Designed Wheeled Cradle, and Was Officially Handed Over to Qantas Executive General Manager John Borghetti by Tony Davis, the Ceo of Rolls-royce Australia Services, at a Small Ceremony at Sydney’s Qantas Jet Base on August 19.

“rolls-royce Powers 43 of Our Wide-bodied Aircraft,” Borghetti Told Australian Aviation. “and Not Only Have We Received the First of Our Spare Engines Today, but It Also Marks One Month Until We Pick Up Our First A380 in Hamburg. ” “nearly 30 Years Ago, Probably Not Too Far From Where We Are Standing Today, a Similar Gathering Witnessed the Arrival of the Rolls-royce Rb211 Powered Qantas B747,” Added Davis. “this Aircraft Was to Become, and Still Remains, the Backbone of the Qantas International Long Haul Fleet. We Have Been Working Closely With Qantas for Nearly Three Decades and Have Established a Strong, Close and Trusted Relationship. ” the Airline’s First Airbus A380, Vh-oqa (Msn 014), Had Its First Flight in Qantas Colours on August 19 From Hamburg, and Was Due to Arrive in Sydney via Singapore on the Morning of September 21 After a Formal Handover in Toulouse on September 19.

“this is the First of 20 A380s to Join the Qantas Fleet, With a Total of Three Being Delivered by the End of 2008,” Qantas Egm, John Borghetti Said in a Statement, Adding That Qantas Would Operate Its First A380 Commercial Service From Melbourne to Los Angeles on October 20, and Its First Sydney-los Angeles Service on October 24. “we Will Be Progressively Introducing A380 Services From Sydney to London via Singapore From Early 2009. ” Qantas Had Originally Planned to Take Delivery of the First A380 in August, but the Delayed Handover Has Not Affected the Service Entry Date.

Air Asia X Adds Melbourne

to Growing Australian Network Airasia X Will Serve Melbourne-tullamarine With Four Return Flight From Kuala Lumpur Beginning on November 12.

The Services Will Be Operated by the Airline’s New Airbus A330-300s, Which Will Feature Black Leather Seats With Individual Inflight Entertainment and in-seat Power to Each Seat, as Well as Wireless Internet Access. Airasia X is Also Planning to Ramp Up to Daily Services Between December 18 and January 16 for the Peak Christmas Travel Period, and Will Commence Permanent Daily Services From March 2009.

“the New Flights Servicing Kuala Lumpur and Melbourne Were the Result of a Collaborative Effort Between the Victorian Government, Airasia X and Industry,” Said Airasia X Ceo Azran Osman-rani. “the Resolve and Dedication of Each of These Parties to Bring About the Launch of This New Route is Testimony to the Strength of the Relationships That Have Been Forged and the Benefits This Will Bring to Travellers. ” “the Fact That Melbourne Airport is Curfew Free Gives Airasia X the Flexibility to Operate a Full Outbound and Inbound Service as Required. Melbourne Airport Also Has the Lowest Charges in Australia and a Five-year Pricing Agreement With Cpi Adjustments Only, Which Means No Increases in Real Terms for Five Years,” Said Osman-rani.

“we Expect Average Annual Growth of Visitors From Malaysia to Increase by 5. 5 Per Cent Each Year to Reach 82,000 Visitors by 2017. Airasia X’s Arrival Means Victoria is Even Better Placed Now to Cater to Such Traffic Growth,” Said Victoria’s Tourism and Major Events Minister Tim Holding.

Qantas Adds Capacity on North-west Flights Despite Cutting Back on Some Other Services, Qantas Announced on August 13 That It Would Increase Capacity on a Number of Regional Services to Northern Western Australia.

Among the Changes, One Return Service on Wednesdays From Perth to Paraburdoo Will Be Added From August 5, While Another Will Be Added on October 26. The Airline Will Also Add Two Additional Weekly Services on the Perth-kalgoorlie and Perth-newman Routes Also From October 26.

“the Additional Paraburdoo Services Will Result in an Increase of 345 Seats Each Week on This Route, and an Additional 460 Seats Each Week on the Perth-kalgoorlie Route, Taking the Number of Weekly Services Between Perth and Kalgoorlie to 21,” Said Qantas’s Regional General Manager for Wa Ian Gay. “it Will Also Result in an Increase of 575 Seats Each Week on Our Perth-newman Services. ” in Addition, the Airline Will Operate a Second Weekly Boeing 737-800 Service Between Karratha and Brisbane From October 26, While a Number of Perth-port Hedland Services Will Be Upgraded From Boeing 717-200s to 737-800s From February 2009.

Qantas to Boost South Africa – V Australia to Follow

Qantas Will Add Another Service on the Sydney-johannesburg Route From December 16, Taking the Route to Six Flights Per Week, While V Australia Has Received Approval to Compete on the Sydney-johannesburg Route.

The New Qantas Service Will Operate on Tuesdays Until January 27 When It Will Change to a Saturday Service, and Will Operate at the Same Time as Qantas’s Existing Five Weekly Qf63/64 Services. The Flights Will Be Operated by Four-class Boeing 747-400s.

Qantas and Its Codeshare Partner South African Airways Have Experienced Strong Growth on Their Services Between South Africa and Australia. Last Year, There Was a 13 Per Cent Increase in Inbound Traffic From South Africa, and Strong Demand This Year Has Already Seen South African Airways Add an Additional Weekly Service on the Johannesburg-perth Route.

V Australia Also Looks Likely to Enter the South African Market Next Year, With the International Air Services Commission (Iasc) on August 5 Approving an Allocation of Five Weekly Sydney-johannesburg Services for the Airline. While It Has Indicated That It Would Utilise the Services by October 2009 in Its Iasc Filing, V Australia Has Not Yet Publicly Announced When It Plans to Start Services.

Skytrax – Singapore Best Airline

Virgin Blue and Qantas Also Winners Singapore Airlines Has Taken Out the Airline of the Year Award at the Annual Passenger Voted Skytrax World Airline Awards, With Virgin Blue and Qantas Also Faring Well.

“for the Third Time in 10 Years, Singapore Airlines Has Been Named World’s Best Airline, Winning the 2008 Airline of the Year Title in the Latest World Airline Awards,” Said Edward Plaisted, Ceo of Skytrax. Sia Came in Ahead of Cathay Pacific and Qantas to Take the Coveted Award, While Asian and Middle Eastern Carriers Dominated the Remainder of the Top 10. Sia Also Took Out the Best Airline Asia and Best Business Class Awards.

Qantas Also Scored Well, Taking Out the Best Airline Australasia, While It Also Made It Into the Top 10 Best Airlines for the Sixth Year in a Row. Virgin Blue Took Out the Award for Best Low Cost Airline in Australia/pacific, the Best Cabin Crew Australia/pacific Awards Behind Air New Zealand, and Was Runner Up in the World’s Best Low Cost Airline Behind Easyjet. Virgin Blue Ceo Brett Godfrey Credited the Strong Result to the Airline’s Shift to a ‘new World Carrier’ Business Model.

Other Award Winners Included Cathay Pacific Which Scored the Award for Best First Class, While Emirates Picked Up the Award for Best Inflight Entertainment.

Jetstar, Which Last Year Took Out the Awards for Best Low Cost Airline Both Worldwide and in Australia/pacific and Best Cabin Crew in Australia/pacific, Had to Settle for Third Place on the Worldwide Lcc Rankings and Second Behind Virgin Blue in Australia/pacific. Its Singaporean Affiliate Jetstar Asia Fared Better, Taking Out the Award for Best Low Cost Carrier Asia, Ahead of Airasia and Tiger Airways.

The Skytrax Awards Were Voted on by Over 15 Million Passenger Worldwide, Measuring 35 Different Aspects of Passenger Satisfaction Over a Period From August 2007 to June 2008. As the Survey is Not Sponsored by Any Airlines, It is Widely Regarded as the Best Independent Measure of Passenger Satisfaction.

Aa, Ba and Iberia to Cooperate on North Atlantic Oneworld Alliance Partners American Airlines, British Airways and Iberia Have Signed an Agreement to Increase Their Cooperation on Flights Between the Us and Europe, a Move Which Competitor Virgin Atlantic Claims Will Push Up Ticket Prices.

“we Believe Our Proposed Cooperation is an Important Step Towards Ensuring That We Can Compete Effectively With Rival Alliances and Manage Through the Challenges of Record Fuel Prices and Growing Economic Concerns,” Gerard Arpey, Chairman and Chief Executive of American Airlines Parent Company, Amr Corp Said. “in Addition, We Believe We Will Be More Effective Competitors With Greater Ability to Invest in Our Products and Services. As a Result, This Business Agreement Will Create Positive Outcomes for Our Customers, Shareholders, Employees and the Communities We Serve. ” “customers Will Benefit the Most From This Relationship as They Will Have Better Connections to More Destinations Around the World,” Added Fernando Conte, Iberia Chairman and Ceo. “it Will Increase Competition as the Three Global Airline Alliances Will Play Under the Same Rules. We Are Taking a Very Important Step Towards Consolidation Which is Necessary in Today’s Aviation Industry. ” but Virgin Atlantic President Sir Richard Branson, Who Has Had a Long and Tense History With British Airways, Claims That the Proposed Alliance Relationship Will Not Deliver More Competition, and Will Inevitably Lead to Higher Ticket Prices, Particularly Due to the Alliance’s Dominance of the Slot Constrained London Heathrow Airport. “make No Mistake – if This Monster Monopoly is Approved It Will Be Third Time Unlucky for Consumers,” Sir Richard Said. “it Will Still Be Bad for Passengers, Bad for Competition, and Bad for the Uk and Us Aviation Industry. ” Sir Richard Has Called on the Eu and Usa to Not Grant Antitrust Immunity, Although This Seems Unlikely Given That One of the Objectives of the Eu/usa Open Skies Agreement Has Been to Allow for Closer Cooperation Between Carriers From Both Sides of the Atlantic.

Virgin Blue Continues Pacific Push

Virgin Blue Will Launch a Number of New Flights From Sydney to Port Vila, Nadi and Auckland From October, as the Airline Continues to Redeploy Capacity From the Domestic Market.

From October 14, the Carrier Will Offer Nine Weekly Services on the Sydney-auckland Route, and Will Also Add Two Weekly Services to Nadi, Making It a Daily Service. It Will Also Commence Two Weekly Sydney-port Vila Flights From October 16.

“we Have Been Watching the Key Sydney-auckland Route for Some Time as a Logical Expansion to Our Trans-tasman Operations and We Are Looking Forward to Adding More Flights and Affordable Fares From Sydney to Vila and Nadi,” Said Virgin Blue Ceo Brett Godfrey. “we Are Confident These New Routes Will Do Very Well for Us and Do Very Well for Tourism in General. ” Virgin Blue Flagged Back in July That It Would Redeploy Up to Four Boeing 737-800s on International Routes as It Slowed Its Domestic Capacity Growth to Deal With Higher Fuel Prices. As Part of This Effort, It Also Recently Launched Pacific Blue Services Between Melbourne and Auckland, Which Will Commence From September 22.

Pacific Blue Has Also Applied to the International Air Services Commission for Access to Papua New Guinea Through the Allocation of 1800 Seats Between Brisbane and Port Moresby From November 1.

Virgin Blue to Add E-jets to Mildura Virgin Blue Will Start Daily Flights From Melbourne to Mildura From October 13.

Using an Embraer E-170, the Hour-long Daily Flight Will Depart Melbourne at 1040, With the Return Flight Departing Mildura at 1210. To Launch the Route, the Airline Offered 200 $2 Fares From August 5, With Regular Fares Starting From $109 One Way.

“mildura Was Chosen Out of a Shortlist of Half a Dozen Potential New Ports, Primarily Because It Was ‘ripe for the Picking’ in Terms of Not Having an Existing Jet Aircraft Operation,” Said Virgin Blue Ceo Brett Godfrey.

“in the Current Aviation Climate, We Are Particularly Prudent About Venturing Into New Markets,” He Added, “however, We Are Hopeful the People of Mildura Will Embrace Virgin Blue and Reap the Benefits That Our Other Regional Destinations Have Experienced Through Having Increased Competition and a Modern, Efficient Jet Aircraft Operation Servicing the Community. ” the New Services Are a Major Boost for Mildura, After Qantaslink Recently Announced It Would Shut Its Engineering Base There. The E-170s Will Go Head-to-head With 26 Qantaslink Q300 Services to Melbourne Each Week.

Airline Briefs

Cathay Pacific It Will Boost Flights to Sydney, Perth and Brisbane From Later This Year, Despite Cutting Back on Its Services to North America. From October 26, Cathay Will Add Two Additional Weekly Services on the Hong Kong-perth Route to Bring It Up to a Daily Service; Brisbane Will Move to 10 Flights Per Week; and Sydney Will Receive Four Flights Each Day.

Australia Has Signed an Mou With Bangladesh Which Could Open the Way for Up to Five Direct Passenger Flights Each Week and Up to Seven Cargo Services. Some 28,000 Passengers Fly Between Australia and Bangladesh Each Year, and Passenger Numbers Have Been Growing at Approximately 12 Per Cent Per Annum.

Qantas Has Increased Its Network in the Us After Signing an Expanded Codeshare Agreement With Alaskan Airlines and Horizon Air. Under the New Agreement, Qantas Will Place Its Code on Selected Horizon Air Flights From Los Angeles to Flagstaff, Arizona; Boise, Idaho; Reno, Nevada; and on Alaskan Airlines Flights Between Honolulu, Anchorage and Seattle.

Tiger Airways’ Korean Affiliate Incheon Tiger Airways Will Reportedly Indefinitely Delay the Start of Its Licensing Process as a Result of Objections From Other Korean Carriers. Incheon Tiger Was to Have Started Operations by Early 2009 and Was to Have Been Run by Former Tiger Airways Australia Managing Director Chris Ward.

United Airlines Will Operate Daily Nonstop Services From Los Angeles to Melbourne Between December 17 and February 1.

Jetstar Has Applied to the Iasc to Allow Japan Airlines to Allow It Codeshare on Its New Flights on the Osaka-gold Coast-sydney and Gold Coast-tokyo (Narita) Routes. Jetstar Will Begin Flying Osaka-gold Coast-sydney From October 1, While Gold Coast-tokyo Commences From December 18.

The Iasc Has Approved a Request by Ozjet to Allow It to Operate Three Return Services Weekly on the Perth-denpasar Route for Two Years. Ozjet Already Operates Three Flights on the Route Through a Charter Arrangement With Indojet Asia.

Environment

Air Traffic Simulator Could Help Reduce Emissions a New Air Traffic Simulator Developed by Researchers in Canberra Has Shown That Up to 500kg of Fuel Per 747 Sydney-melbourne Flight Could Be Saved Through Smarter Air Traffic Control Systems.

The Development of the Simulator Was Done by Unsw Researcher Sameer Alam at the Australian Defence Force Academy, and Has Been Financially Supported by the Australian Research Council and Airservices Australia, and is Now Being Trialled in Association With Eurocontrol.

“our System is the First in the World to Integrate Air Traffic Modelling With Data and Computations on Aircraft Noise and Emissions,” Said Alam. “it Can Simulate Existing and Advanced Air Traffic Control Procedures Showing the Resulting Emission and Noise Patterns. In the Future We Expect That Air Traffic Controllers Would Use the System to Evaluate and Modify Flightpaths to Reduce Noise and Emissions. ” Airservices is Currently Using the Atoms Simulator to Study the Environmental Impact of Air Traffic Procedures Around Sydney Airport, and Atoms is Also the Primary Simulator in a Research Study Funded by the Eurocontrol Experimental Centre in Paris.

“our Next Big Challenge is to Translate the Innovative Air Traffic Procedures Which Emerged From the Simulation Into a Form That is Acceptable for Operations,” He Added. “introducing Such New Concepts Into an Operational Environment is Challenging Given the Complexity and Dynamics of Any Air Traffic System. ”

Airports

Baillieu Backs International Airport for Avalon Victorian Liberal Leader Ted Baillieu Backed Calls for Avalon Airport Southwest of Melbourne to Become the State’s Second International Airport at the Victorian Liberal Party’s 147th State Council in Geelong on August 23.

“a New International Terminal at Avalon Will See Up to Two Million Passengers Per Annum Through the Airport, 400 Extra Jobs and Hundreds of Millions of Dollars in Tourism and Other Benefits to the Region,” Baillieu Said. “the (Labor) Brumby Government Abandoned Avalon and It Has Made It Almost Impossible to Develop a Sustainable International Airport Under Its Current Planning Regime. ” Avalon Airport’s Owner, Linfox Corporation, Failed Earlier This Year to Gain Planning Permission From the Federal Government to Build an International Terminal at the Airport. Airasia X Had Planned to Operate Its Flights to the Airport Near Geelong, but the Failure of the Airport to Get Approval for a New Terminal Forced the Airline to Take Its Operations to Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport.

Baillieu Was Backed in His Calls by Victorian Nationals Leader, Peter Ryan, Who Said That the Decision Not to Allow International Flights From Avalon Was a Major Missed Opportunity for Geelong and the Wider Western Victorian Region.

Auckland Airport Profit Rises Auckland International Airport Limited Has Recorded a Modest Rise of 3. 3 Per Cent in Its Net Profit for the Year of Nz$113m (a$92m), but Expects the Next Year to Be Relatively Flat Due to Challenging Economic Conditions.

The Profit Figure Received a Boost From High Passenger Numbers Through New Zealand’s Biggest Airport of 2. 5 Per Cent, Largely Driven by a 13. 2 Per Cent Increase in Domestic Passenger Numbers. This Lifted Revenue by Nine Per Cent on the Previous Year to Nz$351m (a$286m).

While Pleased With the Result, Outgoing Aial Ceo Don Huse Said That the Airport Would Likely Experience a More Challenging Year Ahead, and Issued Lower Profit Guidance for the Next Financial Year of Between Nz$100-110m (a$81-89m). “While the Airport is Very Well Positioned to Take Advantage of Long Term Passenger Growth Conditions, Easing Global Macro-economic Conditions in the Short Term, the High Cost of Debt and a Slowing Domestic Economy Are Together Expected to Moderate the Rate of Passenger Growth and Related Business Activity,” He Said. “although Growth in Domestic Passenger Volumes Has Been Pleasing, We Expect That International Passenger Growth Will Remain Below the Long Term Average Over the Next 12 Months. As Market and Economic Cycles Inevitably Recover, Growth Opportunities Can Be Expected in Coming Years. ” Huse and Cfo Robert Sinclair Are Leaving Aial, With Simon Moutter Appointed to Take Over as Ceo of the Airport.

Minister Approves Runway Works

at Sydney Transport Minister Anthony Albanese Has Approved a Major Development Plan for Overrun Safety Works to Be Conducted on Sydney Airport’s 07/25 East-west Runway Which Will Allow It to Stay Open for the Eight Months Needed to Conduct the Work.

“all Three Runways at Sydney Airport Will Remain Open While Essential Safety Upgrades Are Made to the Western End of Its East-west Runway – Work Which Will Ensure the Runway Meets International Safety Standards,” Minister Albanese Said in a Statement. “i Have Imposed 22 Stringent Conditions on the Construction Project, Which Include Requiring Sydney Airport to Install a Jet Blaster Barrier Across the Western End of the East-west Runway to Protect the Worksite. ” the Works Will Build an Enlarged, 8100 Square Metre Concrete Land Bridge to Provide a Cleared Safety Area Measuring 90 Metres by 90 Metres at the End of the 07 End of the Runway to Assist in Decelerating an Aircraft Which Has Overrun the Threshold. The Works Will Take Place 22 Hours, Seven Days a Week From Mid October for Eight Months, at a Total Cost of $85 Million.

The Minister Was Thanked for His Support by Sydney Airports Corporation Limited Ceo Russell Balding, Who Said That the Works Would Allow Operations From the Runway to the Icao Required Safety Standards. “I Want to Make It Absolutely Clear That Sydney Airport Has No Interest in Seeing One of Its Runways Not in Full Operation,” He Said. “There is No One More Interested in Seeing the Runway Safety Area Constructed and the Airport Quickly Returned to Normal Operations Than Sydney Airport Itself. ”

Wa Govt Looks at Southwest Region Airport

the Wa State Government and Local Councils in the State’s Southwest Have Appointed Consultants to Investigate the Need for an Airport in the Region.

Tourism Wa Announced That the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation and Tourism Futures International Had Been Appointed to Look Into the Need for an Rpt Airport in the Region. “capa and Tfi Will Join Together to Assess Whether the Region is Capable of Supporting Regular Passenger Air Services, and What This Means for Infrastructure and Route Development,” Said Tourism Wa Executive Director Aviation Development Rick Thomas.

There Have Long Been Calls for the Construction of a Second Major Airport in the Southwest to Allow for More Tourists From Interstate to Access the Region, Which Includes the Holiday City of Busselton and the Margaret River Beach and Wine Region. “there is a Real Correlation Between a Destination Having Direct Air Services and Its Ability to Build on the Existing Tourism Market,” Thomas Added. “increased Demand Can Lead to Better Yields for Accommodation and Tour Providers in Regional Areas. ”

Airport Briefs

Sydney Airport Recorded Its Busiest International Arrivals Day Ever on July 13 as 20,398 Passengers Passed Through the International Terminal, Mostly Pilgrims Attending World Youth Day. The Total Number of Passengers for July Was 2. 926 Million, Up 6. 0 Per Cent on Last Year. International Passengers Totalled 958,962 – Up 7. 5 Per Cent on Last Year – Making July 2008 the Fourth Busiest Month on Record for International Passengers.

Sydney’s Hoxton Park Airport Will Now Remain Open Until December 15 Instead of the Previous Closure Date of October 27. It is Believed That Difficulty Relocating Some Tenants to Camden Airport Has Forced Sydney Metropolitan Airports to Keep Hoxton Park Open Longer.

Baa Plc Has Been Ordered by the Uk Competition Commission to Sell Off Two of the Airports It Owns in the London Area and One of Its Airports in Scotland. A Recent Report by the Uk Civil Aviation Authority Found That Baa’s Ownership of London’s Gatwick, Heathrow and Stansted Airports Was Anticompetitive.

General Aviation Casa to Streamline Paperwork for Small Charter

Operators Single Engine Piston Charter Operators Will No Longer Have to Apply to Casa to Have a New Aircraft Added to Their Air Operator’s Certificate (Aoc), Provided It is Within the Same Category as Their Existing Aircraft.

Casa Will Add a Generic Statement to the Operator’s Aoc From the Next Renewal Which Will Allow New Single Engine Aircraft to Be Added Without Having to Apply to the Regulator. The Statement Reads “the Following Australian Registered Aircraft Are Authorised to Conduct Charter Operations in Australian Territory Single Engine Piston Powered Land Aeroplanes Not Exceeding 5700kg Maximum Takeoff Weight Other Than Amateur Built or Kit-built Aeroplanes, Unless Permitted by the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988 or the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (Casrs) 1988. ” the Exception Will Be for Amphibious and Floatplane Operators, Who Will Still Be Required to Have Their Aircraft Added to Their Aoc by Casa.

Gippsland Hoses Down Stretched Airvan Speculation

Gippsland Aeronautics Has Denied Reports That the Manufacturer is Actively Planning a Stretched Version of the Six-seat Ga-8 Airvan.

In an August Report on Flightglobal. Com, Gippsland Aeronautics Co-founder and Director George Morgan Was Quoted as Saying That the Aircraft Could Be Stretched to Accommodate Up to 10 Seats.

But Ga Spokesman John Willis Told Aa That, While the Company Could in Future Stretch the Airvan, It Was Currently Focused on Other Developments for the Utility Aircraft. It Soon Plans to Reveal a Turbocharged Version of the Airvan, and is Also Planning the Development of a Turboprop Version, Which Could Be Powered by the Rolls-royce B-17f2 Engine.

Since 2000 the Airvan Has Proved Extremely Popular, With a Number Operating Around the World on a Number of Different Missions With 122 Delivered So Far.

Gippsland Aeronautics Has Also Recently Committed to Producing a New Version of the N24 Nomad Twin Utility Aircraft.

Rolls to Increase Ga, Helicopter Turboprops

Rolls-royce Unveiled the New Multi-fuel 350-400shp (260-300kw) Rr500 Turboprop Engine Aimed at the General Aviation Market at the Eaa Airventure Oshkosh Airshow on July 29.

Rr Says the Rr500 is Aimed at the Light Single and Twin-engined Aircraft Segment Which Has Traditionally Used Piston Engines. The New Engine, Based on the Core of the Rr300 and to Be Built on the Same Indianapolis, Indiana Production Line, Will Feature an Electronic Engine Monitoring System and an Extended Time Between Overhauls.

“we Fully Expect the Rr500 to Follow a Similarly Accelerated Development Schedule as the Rr300, and Are Planning for Faa Certification of the Rr500 in Less Than Three Years,” Said Rolls-royce Helicopter Engines President Ken Roberts.

Rr Has Already Opened Discussions With Mooney Which Could Pave the Way for the Rr500 to Be Offered as an Alternative for the Manufacturer’s High Performance Piston Aircraft. “the Rugged Mooney Airframe is Uniquely Suited to Accept the Power of the Rolls-royce Engine and We’re Very Excited About Working With Rolls-royce to Examine the Possibility of Bringing a Jet-a Powered Mooney Turboprop to the Market in the Future,” Said Mooney’s President and Ceo Dennis Ferguson.

Rolls-royce Has Also Supplied Its Model 250 B-17 Engine for a Conversion of the Piston-powered Cessna 340, Conducted by O&n Aircraft Modifications. The ‘turbine 340′ Made Its Successful First Flight in Early July and Will Begin Extensive Flight Testing Next Month to Complete Its Faa Supplemental Type Certification.

Rr Also Stated on July 28 That It Had Signed an Mou With Rotorway International to Discuss the Possibility of Using the Rr300 on Its Line of Exec Helicopters. The Rr300 Was Launched in 2007 and is the Powerplant for the Robinson Helicopters R66.

General Aviation Briefs Perth Looks Set to Host the Final Stage of the Red Bull Air Race for Another Three Years After New South Wales Pulled Out of the Bidding for the Event. Perth First Hosted the Event in 2006 as Part of a Three Year Agreement, and Sources Told the Australian That the City Has Secured the Event Until 2011.

The Us Faa Has Approved Garmin’s Synthetic Vision Technology on Its Garmin G1000 Integrated Flight Deck Avionics Suite for Us on Mooney Acclaims and Ovations. Mooney Will Soon Begin Installing Svt G1000 Avionics Packages in Production Aircraft Shortly.

Business Aviation

Grob Files for Insovlency

Swiss Composite Aircraft Manufacturer Grob Aerospace Has Filed for Insolvency After Delays to Its G180 Spn Light Business Jet Program Led to Funding Problems.

“this Unfortunate Situation Has Arisen as a Consequence of Recent Delays in the Spn Program, Resulting in the Increased Requirement for Cash to See the Program Through to Certification,” Said Grob Ceo Niall Olver in a Statement Posted on the Company’s Website on August 19. “under the Circumstances, Our Current Loan Provider Has Elected to Discontinue Their Support. ” Grob Entered the Light Business Jet Market in 2005 by Launching the Spn, Which Offers Seating for Up to Nine Passengers. That Program Has Encountered a Number of Hurdles, Including the Crash of the Second Prototype in 2006 Which Killed Grob’s Chief Test Pilot Gerard Guillaumaud Which Forced a Rescheduling of the Aircraft’s Flight Test Program.

Despite Being Forced Into Insolvency, Olver Said That the Company Was Looking at a Number of Alternatives. “given the Significant Support We Have Enjoyed to Date, I Remain Confident That This Disruption Can Be Overcome,” He Said. “i Am Sure That 37 Years of Pioneering Composite Aircraft Manufacturing Will Survive. The Company Spirit, the Support We Have Received From Employees, Suppliers, Customers, Fellow Stakeholders and the Media Demonstrates a Significant Interest in Grob Remaining in Business as a Civil and Military Training Aircraft Manufacturer. ” the Insolvency Could Have a Knock-on Effect for Canadian Manufacturer Bombardier, Which Had Engaged Grob to Build the First Three Prototype Structures for the New Learjet 85 Business Jet. The Two Manufacturers Are Believed to Have Been Involved in Joint Conceptual Design Development on the Learjet at the Time of Grob’s Announcement, but According to a Report in Canadian Newspaper the Gazette, Grob’s Administrator Has Given Bombardier Assurances That It Will Continue Operating While the Company’s Capital Structure is Overhauled.

Olver, Who is Also Ceo of Execujet Aviation Group Which Remains the Sole Distributor of the Spn, Issued a Statement on August 21 Clarifying That Grob’s Insolvency Would in No Way Impact on Execujet.

Faa Reviews Eclipse 500 Certification

the Us Federal Aviation Administration Has Ordered a Special Review of the Certification Process of the Eclipse 500 Very Light Jet Following Problems With Early Production Aircraft.

The Faa Has Appointed a Seven Member Special Certification Review Team Headed by Former Boeing Safety Executive Jerry Mack. The Team Will Examine a Number of Issues Relating to the 500, Including Aircraft Safety, Certification of Aircraft Trim, Flaps, Screen Blanking, and Stall Speeds. These Issues Were the Subject of Service Difficulty Reports That Have Been Filed by Operators Since the Aircraft Was Certificated on September 30 2006. The Team Will Look at Whether or Not Any of These Issues Were Raised During the Certification Process and if Any of the Issues Are Currently a Threat to Safety.

Despite the Review, Eclipse Aviation Ceo Roel Piper Claims That There Are No Issues With the Aircraft’s Certification. “Without a Doubt, This Special Review Will Uncover What We Already Know – That the Eclipse 500 Marks the Safest New Airplane Introduction Into Service in 20 Years,” He Said. “Customer Safety Has Always Been a Priority at Eclipse, and We Look Forward to This Investigation Dispelling Any Inaccuracies About the Certification of This Airplane for Once and for All. ” the Eclipse 500 Has Been Under Scrutiny From June This Year When Both Engines on One of the Aircraft Went Into an Uncommanded Thrust Setting Following a Windshear Escape Manoeuvre as It Was Landing at Chicago-midway. That Incident Prompted the Faa to Issue an Emergency Airworthiness Directive on June 12, Ordering That the Aircraft’s Throttle Quadrant Assembly Undergo Inspections.

Due in Part to the Certification Revue, the Company Has Been Forced to Lay Off 650 Employees From Its Facilities in Albuquerque and Albany in Order to “achieve Financial Stability as Soon as Possible”, According to Ceo Roel Pieper.

Legacy 450 and 500 Advancing Embraer’s Mid-light Legacy 450 and Midsize Legacy 500 Programs Have Concluded Their Preliminary Design Phase and the Manufacturer is Now in the Joint Definition Phase of the Two Aircraft’s Development.

Since July, Embraer Has Been Working With a Number of Suppliers, Including Bmw Designworks, Honeywell, Rockwell Collins, Goodrich and B/e Aerospace to Refine and Validate the Aircraft Configuration, Mostly Through the Use of Mock-ups and Catia V5 Software.

“we Have Selected Industry Leaders to Supply the Legacy 450 and Legacy 500 Programs,” Said Maurício Almeida, Embraer’s Vp Legacy 450/500 Programs. “by Incorporating the Latest Technologies and the Expertise of Our Engineering Teams, These Aircraft Will Be Best-in-breed Jets, Delivering Premium Comfort, Outstanding Performance, and Low Operating Costs. ” Embraer Launched the Legacy 450 and Legacy 500 at the European Business Aircraft Conference and Exhibition (Ebace) in Geneva Earlier This Year, and They Are Planned to Enter Service in the Second Half of 2012 and 2013 Respectively. Both Aircraft Will Be Powered by Two Honeywell Htf7500e Engines.

Business Aviation Briefs

Cessna Delivered the 100th Citation Mustang on August 20 at a Ceremony at the Company’s Kansas Manufacturing Facility. The Mustang Went to Thai Businessman, Supap Puranitee, Who Ordered the Aircraft in 2002. Since It Entered Service in April 2007, the Mustang Fleet Has Accumulated More Than 17,000 Flying Hours, and the Order Book Has Surpassed 500. Cessna Plans to Build 100 Mustangs This Year, With Production Aimed to Rise to 150 in 2009.

The First Production Cessna Citation Cj4 Completed Its First Flight on August 19, Just Over Three Months Since the Prototype Cj4 Made Its First Flight. Cessna Currently Plans to Receive Faa and Easa Certification for the Cj4 Before the End of the Year, With First Delivery Due in 2010.

Gulfstream Celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the First Flight of the Gulfstream I, the First Specifically Designed Business Aircraft, on August 14. The Gi Was Certificated on May 21 1959, and Over 200 Were Produced Over 10 Years With Approximately One-third Still in Service Today.

Boeing Has Completed Work on the First Bbj3 –  Based on the Airframe of the 737-900er – Providing 35 Per Cent More Space Than the 737-800 Based Bbj2. The Aircraft Has Been Delivered to Decrane Aircraft in Delaware Where It Will Have Its Auxiliary Fuel Tanks and Heads-up Displays Fitted, and Will Then Undergo a Two Month Certification Program Before Its Interior Fit-out, Ahead of Delivery in 2009.

Embraer Flew the Second Phenom 300 on August 5 From the Company’s Test Runway at Gavião Peixoto. The Phenom 300 is Expected to Enter Service in the Second Half of 2009.

Cargo

Boeing Forecasts Strong Cargo Market

Despite Recent Softness in the Market, Boeing Predicts in Its Latest Current Market Outlook That the Air Cargo Market Will Continue to Grow Steadily Over the Next 20 Years, Generating a Need for 863 New-build Freighter Aircraft.

The Cmo Predicts That the Global Freighter Fleet Will Grow to 3358 Aircraft by 2027, of Which 2495 Will Be Conversions of Existing Passenger Aircraft. Of the Total Fleet, 65 Per Cent Will Be Widebody Freighters With a Capacity of Between 36 and 73 Tonnes, Compared to 61 Per Cent in Last Year’s Cmo.

“We Expect Several Trends to Continue – Dedicated Freighters Will Continue to Provide an Increasing Proportion of Air Cargo Capacity, Going to Nearly 54 Per Cent; and the Industry Will Continue to Move to Larger Airplanes,” Said Jim Edgar, Boeing’s Regional Director, Cargo Marketing for Asia. “Additionally, Freighters Will Continue to Comprise About 10 Per Cent of the World Jetliner Fleet During the Forecast Period. ” in Addition to the Cmo, Which Was Released Before the Farnborough Airshow in July, Boeing Plans to Release Its More Detailed World Air Cargo Forecast at the 2008 International Air Cargo Forum and Exposition in Kuala Lumpur in November.

Finance

Macquarie Airports Limited Has Delivered a Net Loss of $274 Million for the Half Year Ending June 30, but Has Predicted That the Fund Will Better Its Performance in the Second Half. The Loss Compares to a Profit for the Same Time Last Year of $939 Million, and Was Dragged Down by a $70 Million Write-down on the Value of Its Holding in Japan Airport Terminal and Also a $76 Million Charge Relating to the Restructuring of Macquarie Airports Group.

Australian Based Aircraft Lessor Investec Global Aircraft Fund Has Acquired a Boeing 777-300er, Raising the Value of Assets Under Its Management to More Than Us$300m (a$368m). The 777, Which Has Been Leased for 12 Years to Taiwanese Carrier Eva Airways, Joins Two Airbus A321s Leased to Qantas (and Subleased to Jetstar) and Two Boeing 737-800s Currently Leased to India’s Jet Airways.

Cathay Pacific Recorded a Loss of Hk$663m (a$104. 11m) for the First Half of 2008, as the Higher Cost of Fuel Savaged the Airline’s Bottom Line. The Loss Represented a Massive Drop Compared to the First Half 2007 Result of Hk$2. 58bn (a$405m), Despite a 22. 6 Per Cent Increase in Turnover to Hk$42bn (a$6. 6bn). The Overall Passenger Load Factor Rose by 1. 9 Percentage Points to 80 Per Cent, While Yield Was Up by 4. 1 Per Cent.

Maintenance, Support & Training

Gate Gourmet Has Completed the Acquisition of Inflight Logistic Services, Which Provides Catering, Cleaning, Inflight Entertainment Management and Other Provisioning Services to Airlines Including Jetstar, Virgin Blue, Regional Express and Pacific Blue From Six Locations in Australia.

Skywest Airlines Has Reached an Agreement With Perth’s Kent Street Senior High School to Provide Opportunities for Students Involved in the School’s Aviation Program to Conduct Structured Workplace Learning at the Airline and Promote Career Opportunities With Skywest.

Virgin Blue Has Signed a Six Year Agreement With Ge Aviation for Its Onpoint Solution to Provide Maintenance and Overhaul on All of the Carrier’s Cfm56-7b Engines. The Agreement is Valued at Us$300m (a$368m).

Air Safety

Oxygen Cylinder Prime Suspect on Qf30

the Atsb’s Preliminary Report Into the Qf30 Depressurisation Incident on July 27 Confirms the Ongoing Investigation is Focusing on the Likely Failure of One of the Aircraft’s Oxygen Cylinders as the Cause of the Fuselage Rupture to Boeing 747-400 Vh-ojk.

According to an Attachment to the Preliminary Report, It Appears That the Aircraft’s Number Four Oxygen Cylinder Failed, Rupturing the Aircraft’s Fuselage and Propelling the Cylinder Up Through the Cabin Floor Before Impacting the R2 Door Handle, Resulting in the Cylinder Valve Breaking Off. The Cylinder Then Continued Travelling Upwards, Impacting the Overhead Storage Bin Above the R2 Door, Before Falling Down Back Through the Hole in the Cabin Floor and Out of the Aircraft Through the Hole in the Fuselage.

The Atsb’s Examination of the Aircraft Has Concluded That There Were No Signs That the Cylinder’s Failure Was Linked to Another Explosion in the Cargo Hold. “close Examination of All Exposed Connections, Fittings and Lines Showed No Evidence of Heating, Sooting or Discolouration That Might Have Suggested Localised Combustion Had Occurred Within or in Proximity to the Cylinder and Its Connections,” the Report States.

The Atsb is Now Focusing Its Investigation on How the Cylinder May Have Failed, and Will Examine the Design, Manufacturing and Prescribed Maintenance Procedures. Given That the Cylinder on Ojk Was Not Recovered, the Atsb Will Examine Other Cylinders Produced in the Same Batch as the One Which Failed for Any Signs of Systematic Problems, as Well as Other Pressure Cylinder Failures.

Qantas Welcomed the Release of the Report, With Ceo Geoff Dixon Saying in a Statement That Its Own Investigations Agreed With the Atsb’s Preliminary Conclusions. “we Will Continue to Assist the Atsb to Ensure That Factors That May Have Contributed to the Incident Are Understood and That Any Corrective Actions Ultimately Identified Are Implemented,” He Said in a Statement.

Dixon Noted That Repair Works on the Aircraft Would Start Soon and Be Carried Out by Lufthansa Technik in Manila in Consultation With Engineers From Qantas and Boeing. The Repairs Would Cost Less Than $10 Million, and Should See Ojk Back in Service During November.

People

Casa Ceo Bruce Byron Has Confirmed He Will Not Have His Contract Extended Beyond Its Expiration in November This Year. A New Ceo is Now Being Recruited by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Through an Executive Search Firm.

Qantas Group General Manager Flight Operations and Chief Pilot, Captain Chris Manning, is Due to Retire From the Airline on September 8. He Will Be Succeeded by Captain Peter Wilson.

Events

The Sydney Aviation Model & Memorabilia Show Will Be Held on November 1 and 2 at the Passenger Terminal at Bankstown Airport. For More Information on the Show, See the Show Website at Www. Freewebs. Com/sydneyaviationmodelshow.

Captions

Bombardier’s 100-seat Crj1000 Made Its First Flight on September 3. The Flight From Mirabel in Montreal Lasted Three Hours and 25 Minutes, Flying at Altitudes of Up to 30,000 Feet and Speeds of 280kts. Bombardier is Holding Firm Orders for 39 of the Stretched Version of the Crj900, With Entry Into Service to Occur During the Fourth Quarter of 2009.

The Second Test Flight 777f Flew for the First Time From Boeing’s Everett Facility on August 9. The Aircraft, Painted in Air France Cargo Colours, Will Join Its Sister-ship on a 350 Hour Flight Test Program Before Being Delivered to Air France Cargo in October.

An Raaf Hawk 127 From Williamtown’s 76sqn Was Forced to Make an Emergency Landing at Coffs Harbour on the Nsw North Coast on August 13 After Reportedly Striking High Tension Wires on a Low Level Training Flight. Images of the Aircraft Show Two Large Gashes on Its Port Outer Leading Edge. A Second Hawk Checked the Damage in Flight and Escorted the Damaged Aircraft to Coffs Harbour Before Returning to Williamtown.