News Desk

Embraer Overall Deliveries Up, Airliner Deliveries Down

Embraer Has Reported It Delivered 244 Aircraft in 2009, 40 More Than in 2008 on the Back of Increased Business Jet Deliveries. Airliner Deliveries for the Year Were Down 25 Per Cent. Commercial Airlines Comprised Exactly Half of the Delivery Total, With 122 Airliners Delivered in 2009 Comprising Seven Erj-145s, 22 E-170s, 11 E-175s, 62 E-190s and 20 E-195s. This Compares to the 162 Airliners Embraer Delivered in 2008. Deliveries of the Phenom 100 Very Light Jet Boosted Business Aircraft Deliveries to 115, Comprising No Fewer Than 93 Phenom 100s, Plus a Single Phenom 300, 18 Legacy 600s and Three Lineage 1000s. Military/government Customers Took Delivery of One Erj-135, Four Phenom 100s and Two E-190s. At December 31 Embraer Says the Value of Its Order Backlog Stood at Us$16.6bn (a$17.9bn), Including 265 E-jet Family Aircraft.

Leap-x to Power C919

Cfm International Has Won the Race to Power the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) C919 150-seat Airliner, With Its Next Generation Leap-x Engine Selected Ahead of the Pratt & Whitney Pw1000g Geared Turbofan. Under an Agreement With Comac, Cfm (Which is a Joint Venture Between General Electric and Snecma) Will Provide the Leap-x1c Engine and Its Integrated Propulsion Solution, Which Includes Nacelles and Thrust Reversers, for the C919. “we Are Very Pleased to Work With Cfm on Our New C919,” Said Zhang Qingwei, Chairman of Comac. “the Leading Edge Technology Incorporated in the Engine, Coupled With All of the Benefits of a Completely Integrated Propulsion System, Will Enable Us to Build a Very Competitive Airplane for the Global Market.” Comac Has Forecast Demand for More Than 2000 C919s for the 20 Years After the Aircraft Enters Service. Currently, the Aircraft is Set to Make Its First Delivery in 2016.

747-8f Starts Gauntlet Testing

Boeing Has Confirmed the First 747-8 Freighter Started Gauntlet Tests on January 21, Raising the Prospect That the Aircraft’s First Flight Will Take Place Within Weeks. The Gauntlet Tests Simulate Flying Conditions in an Attempt to Test and Validate All Systems as Part of Preparing for First Flight. Following a Successful Gauntlet, It is Expected the Aircraft Will Undergo Taxi and High Speed Rejected Takeoff Tests Before It is Cleared to Make Its First Flight. Officially, Boeing Has Only Said That the Aircraft Will Fly in the First Quarter of 2010, Although Some Reports Claim That the Flight Will Take Place in Late January or Early February, Pending a Successful Outcome From the Gauntlet and Taxi Tests. Boeing Currently Holds Orders for 108 747-8s, Including 76 Freighters.

Atr Turnover Up in 2009

Atr Has Announced That Despite the Economic Downturn During 2009, the Manufacturer Was Able to Increase Its Turnover by Eight Per Cent to a New Record of Us$1.4bn (a$1.5bn). “reaching a New Annual Turnover Record in 2009 is the Result of the Commitment and the Strong Efforts Done in Order to Cope With the Current Adverse Global Environment,” Declared Stéphane Mayer, Atr Chief Executive. “the Consolidation of Our Delivery Rate Over 50 Aircraft a Year, Which is a Historical Level for Atr, Underlines the Ability of Our Product to Keep on Interesting Both Customers and Investors.” for the Year Atr Delivered 55 Aircraft, an Increase of One Aircraft on 2008, and Booked 40 New Aircraft Orders and Options for 17, With the Majority of Orders Coming From Europe and Asia. The Manufacturer Also Celebrated the First Flight of the Upgraded Atr 72-600 Pre-series Aircraft, While the Smaller Atr 42-600 Began Ground Tests. Mayer Noted That the Next Year Will Continue to Pose Challenges for the Company, and It Will Focus on Stabilising Last Year’s Good Results. “our Growth in the Last Years is Due to Long Term Reasons. Even if the Current Crisis Has Slightly Delayed Some Initial Goals, We Are Ready to Continue Our Strong Progression Once the Economy Will Recover,” He Said.

Jetstar Goes With Iae

Jetstar Has Signed an Agreement With International Aero Engines Which Will See V2500 Selectone Engines Power a New Fleet of 50 Airbus A320 Family Aircraft It Has on Order and 40 Options, as Well as a Support Agreement for the Engines. Bruce Buchanan, Ceo of Jetstar Said, “v2500 Power is the Backbone of Our Narrowbody Fleet Operation and This New Deal, Growing the Relationship to Include Comprehensive Aftermarket Coverage, Seals Our Long-standing Partnership.” the Agreement Together is Worth Us$3.5bn (a$3.9bn), Including $1.5bn (a$1.67bn) for the Engine Acquisition and Us$2bn (a$2.2bn) for the Long Term Service Agreement. Jetstar and Jetstar Asia’s Existing Fleet of A320s and A321s Are Powered by V2500s.

Boeing Flags Changes to 777, 737

Boeing Has Flagged an Increase in Development Activity on the 777 and 737 With Key Management Changes Which Will Also Put an Increased Focus on Program Execution Following the Troubles Experienced in the 787 and 747-8 Programs. “our Priorities for 2010 and Beyond Are Clear,” Said Boeing Commercial Airplanes Ceo Jim Albaugh. “we Must Execute on Our 787 and 747-8 Development Programs; We Must Continue to Perform on Our Ongoing Production Programs; and in This Increasingly Competitive World, We Must Develop a Clear Vision and Roadmap for Both the Single-aisle and Twin-aisle Marketplaces.” Under the Management Changes, Howard Chambers, Who Was Most Recently the Vice President and Deputy Program Manager for the 787, Will Lead a New Program Management Function. In This Role, Chambers Will Be Responsible for the Development of Program Management Skills and Drive Enterprise-wide Best Practices Throughout Bca. Former 787 Program Head and More Recently Vice President of Business Strategy and Marketing, Mike Bair Will Lead the Newly Created Advanced 737 Product Development Team Which Will Take Responsibility for Planning the Future of Boeing’s Single Aisle Offering, While Lars Anderson Has Been Appointed to Head Up an Advanced 777 Product Development Team. Anderson, Who Served in a Number of Roles Including Program Manager of the 777, Actually Retired From Boeing in 2007, and Will Lead the Team as a Consultant. The Appointments of Bair and Anderson Have Increased Speculation That Boeing is Examining Its Options for Its Two Main Airliners, Which Could Include a Re-engining of the 737 and a Largely Composite Version of the Successful 777, With Some Indications That Management Are Actively Considering Major Developments to Them. Boeing Ceo and Chairman Jim Mcnerney Said During a January 27 Conference Call That the Company Would Allocate More Funds to Research and Development on the Two Aircraft in 2011. Interestingly, Mcnerney Also Left the Door Open for a Potential Re-engining of the 737, Noting That a Study Into It is Currently “under Active Consideration From a Product Requirement Standpoint”.

Boeing Profit Falls

the Boeing Company Has Recorded Net Income for 2009 of Us$1.3bn (a$1.4bn), a Fall of 51 Per Cent as Delays and Associated Costs of the 787 and 747-8 Programs Outweighed Stronger Revenues From Its Defence Businesses. The Fall in Income Came as Revenue Increased by 12 Per Cent to a Record Us$68.3bn (a$76bn), Driven Primarily by Higher Deliveries and Growth in the Defence, Space & Security Unit of the Company. By Segment, Commercial Airplanes Dropped to a Net Loss of Us$583m (a$648.6m), Despite Revenue Growing by 20 Per Cent to Us$34bn (a$38.7bn). This Was Primarily Attributable to a Us$2.7bn (a$3bn) Charge to the 787 Program as the First Three Flight Test Aircraft Were Reclassified From Program Inventory to Research and Development as These Aircraft Will No Longer Be Delivered to Commercial Customers. In Addition, Higher Costs and Difficult Market Conditions Saw the Company Take a Us$1.4bn (a$1.6bn) Charge on the 747-8 Program. In 2009, Boeing Recorded 263 New Commercial Aircraft Orders but Only 142 Net Orders After Cancellations Were Taken Into Account. The 737 Was Again Boeing’s Best Seller, Logging 178 Net Orders for the Year, With the 777 Logging 19 Net Orders. And While the Slow Selling 747-8 and 767 Programs Logged Just Two Net Orders Each, the Delayed 787 Lost 59 Orders From Its Previous Year’s Tally. Boeing Currently Has a Backlog of 2076 737s, 281 777s, 108 747-8s, 59 767s, and 851 787s, for a Total of 3375 Commercial Aircraft. Boeing Also Took a Sizeable Chunk Out of That Backlog Last Year After Delivering 481 New Aircraft, Comprising 372 737s, 88 777s, the Final Eight 747-400fs, and 13 767s, in Line With Its Predicted Target of 480-485 Deliveries. By Contrast, Boeing Defense, Space & Security Recorded a Two Per Cent Increase in Net Income From Operations to Us$3.2bn (a$3.6bn), as Revenue Increased by Five Per Cent to Us$33.7bn (a$37.5bn). The Company Noted That This Reflected a Strong Performance From Its Military Aircraft and Global Services & Support Businesses, but Was Moderated by Additional Costs for the Raaf’s Wedgetail Aew&c Project. “we Put a Strong Finish on 2009 by Getting the 787 in the Air and Generating Solid Core Operating Performance Across the Company,” Said Jim Mcnerney, Boeing Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. “focus Areas for 2010 Are to Continue Our Strong Operational Performance, Certify and Deliver the 787 and 747-8, and Further Reposition Our Defense, Space and Security Business. While the Challenges Ahead Are Significant, I Believe We Have the People and the Resources We Need to Be Successful and to Begin Consistently Delivering on This Company’s Great Potential.”

Commercial Briefs

the Fourth and Final Modified Boeing 747-400 Dreamlifter Completed Its First Flight on January 15 in Taiwan. The Dreamlifter, Which Will Be Used by Boeing to Transport Large Structures for the 787 Dreamliner Program, Was Modified by Evergreen Aviation Technologies Corp in Taipei.

Sales

Airbus A320: Lan Airlines Has Ordered 30 Airbus A320 Family Aircraft. Airbus A330: China Eastern Airlines Has Ordered 16 A330s for Delivery Between 2011 and 2014, but as Yet Has Not Specified Whether They Will Be -200 or -300 Variants. Virgin Atlantic Has Signed a Contract With Airbus for Six A330-300s and a Lease Deal for a Further Four A330-300s With Lessor Aercap, Confirming an Announcement Made Last June. The Order Was Finalised on December 30. Meanwhile, Airbus Has Confirmed in Its Latest Order and Delivery Tally That Virgin Atlantic Has Cancelled Its Final Six Remaining Orders for the A340-600. Boeing 737: Ethiopian Airlines Has Ordered 10 737-800s, Valued at Us$767m (a$851m) Based on List Prices. Reunion Based Carrier Air Austral Has Ordered Two Boeing 737-800s, Which Will Replace Two Existing 737 Classics in Its Fleet. Boeing 767: All Nippon Airlines Has Ordered Five 767-300ers. Boeing 777: All Nippon Airlines Has Ordered Five 777-200ers.

Military

Rnzaf Loses Pilot in Red Checkers Crash a Highly Experienced Rnzaf Pilot Died After His Ct-4e Airtrainer Crashed on January 14 During a Red Checkers Aerobatics Display Team Training Flight Near the Raumai Weapons Range. Sqnldr Nick Cree, 32, Was a Flight Commander at the Central Flying School at Rnzaf Ohakea, and Was Practising Manoeuvres With the Red Checkers Team When the Crash Occurred. A Nearby Spraying Helicopter Quickly Responded by Dousing the Ensuing Fire and Also Directed Emergency Services to the Site of the Crash. The Rnzaf Has Not Said What the Likely Cause of the Crash Was, and Two Investigations Now Underway Are Expected to Take at Least One Month.

F-35 Lift Fan Engaged in Flight

the First F-35b Development Aircraft, Bf-1, Successfully Engaged Its Vertical Lift Fan in Flight During a Flight From Nas Patuxent River Near Washington Dc on January 7. The Lift Fan Was Engaged While the Aircraft Remained in Forward Flight Between 210 and 180kt (385 and 330km/h) and Remained Engaged for a Total of 14 Minutes, According to Reports. The Test Flight is One of a Series of ‘step Down’ Flights Which Will Culminate in the Aircraft Performing a Vertical Landing, Currently Planned for the End of This Month. The Aircraft Was Piloted by Former Raf Harrier Pilot, Graham Tomlinson.

Last Japanese Kc-767 Delivered Boeing Delivered

the Last of Four Kc-767 Tankers for the Japan Air Self Defence Force on January 8, a Significant Milestone for the Delayed Program, With Boeing Partner Itochu Corp Handing Over the Aircraft to Japanese Ministry of Defence Officials. The First Japanese Kc-767 Was Handed Over in February 2008, Two Years Late Due to Development Issues, the Second in March 2008 and the Third in March 2009. Ioc Was Achieved in March 2009, While the Kc-767 Fleet Continues to Undergo Operational Evaluation by the Jasdf, Which Should Conclude Early This Year, According to Boeing. The Aircraft Are Operated by the 1st Airlift Wing at Komaki Air Base. Meanwhile, Flight Testing of Three of the Four Kc-767s on Order for the Italian Air Force Continues. Deliveries of Italy’s Four Tankers (the Fourth is Currently Undergoing Its Tanker Conversion Process) Have Been Delayed Over Four Years, in Part Due to a Wing Flutter Issue. As Well as a Boom, Italy’s Tankers, Unlike Japan’s, Are Also Fitted With Hose and Drogue Wingtip Pods and a Centreline Refuelling Point. Australia Passed Over the Kc-767 in Preference to the A330 Mrtt (Kc-30) in April 2004.

Boeing Restructures Defence Division

Boeing Has Announced a Significant Restructure in Its Defence Businesses, With Its Integrated Defense Systems (Ids) Division to Be Renamed as Boeing Defense, Space & Security. Ceo of the Renamed Unit, Dennis Muilenburg, Says the Changes Will Better Position Boeing for Growth in an Evolving Defence and Security Market. “boeing Anticipated Flattening Defence Budgets and Shifting Customer Priorities for the Past Few Years and Has Been Taking Aggressive Steps to Position the Company for Profitable Growth in a Challenging Economy,” Muilenburg Said in a Statement. “with These Latest Strategic Moves, We Can Extend Our Core Programs Even as We Enhance Boeing-wide Capabilities Designed to Capture Business in Promising Markets in the United States and Around the World, Including Cyber-security, Energy, Intelligence, C4isr and Logistics.” the Current Three Main Operating Units – Boeing Military Aircraft (Bma), Network and Space Systems (N&ss), and Global Services & Support (Gs&s) – Have Been Retained, Although There Will Be Some Structural and Management Changes Within These Divisions.

Jsf Faces Another Scathing Report

the Troubled F-35 Jsf Program Has Received Another Scathing Report, This Time From the Pentagon’s Director, Operational Test & Evaluation (Dot&e). The Report Comes Hot on the Heels of an Independent Jet Report From 2009 Which Identified Several Cost and Schedule Threats to the Program, and a Late 2009 Us Navy Report Which Questioned Many of the Program’s Life Cycle and in-service Support Costs Claims. The Dot&e Report Raises a Number of Concerns About the F-35 Program, Including the Fact That the Test Aircraft to Be Used in Ot&e Will Not Be Production Representative, That the Modelling and Simulation Used Extensively by the Program is Still at an Immature Stage and is Being Performed by Unaccredited Labs, and That Even With an Increase in Development Funding and Additional Test Aircraft, the Initial Ot&e (Iot&e) May Not Be Finished Until 2016, 18 Months Later Than Currently Planned. Other Concerns Outlined in the Report Include Clutch Heating Problems Discovered in the Stovl Variant’s Hover Pit Testing, Increased Approach Speeds for the F-35c Carrier Variant, Thermal Management Issues, and the Potential Vulnerability of the Jsf to Battle Damage Following the Deletion of Safety Check Valves and Engine Bay Fire Extinguishers to Save Weight. Aviation Week’s Ares Blog Has Stressed That It is the Dot&e Office’s Job to Be Pessimistic and Critical of New Programs, and Lockheed Martin Has Been Quick to Point Out That the Report Pre-dates Several Recent Development Milestones Including the First Flight of Af-1 in November, the Ferry of Bf-1 and Bf-2 to Patuxent River, and the Subsequent Engaging of the Stovl Lift Fan in Flight.

India Looks at Kc-767

India Has Requested Information From Boeing on the Kc-767 Tanker After the Indian Finance Ministry Cancelled an Order for Six Airbus A330 Based Mrtt Tankers Last Month. The Request is for Six Kc-767s Potentially Valued at Us$1.5bn (a$1.62bn), With Indian Defence Officials Telling Local Media That They “urgently Need Refuellers” and That They Intend to “speed Up the Acquisition Process”. The Kc-767 is in Service With Japan and is Due to Enter Service With Italy This Year After a Delayed Development Process.

Raf Bans Passengers From Vc10s

the Royal Air Force Has Banned Passengers From Its Fleet of 15 Vc10 Tanker Transports Due to Airworthiness Issues. “there Are Some Areas Where Further Investigation Must Be Done to Ensure That Our Airworthiness Arrangements Are at Least as Effective as for Civilian Aviation,” a Raf Spokesman Said in a Statement, Adding That the Measure Had Been Introduced on January 15. The Raf Has Been Particularly Wary of Airworthiness Issues on Its Ageing Aircraft Since the Loss of a Nimrod Reconnaissance Aircraft Over Afghanistan Due to a Fuel Leak in 2006. The 15 Aircraft Are Operated by 101 Squadron Based at Brize Norton, With at Least One Aircraft Permanently Deployed to Raf Mount Pleasant in the Falkland Islands. They Are Due to Be Replaced From 2011 to 2015 by a Fleet of 14 Leased Airbus A330 Tankers Operated by the Airtanker Consortium.

Us Army Cancels Fire Scout

the Us Army Has Notified Congress of Its Intention to Cancel Its Requirement for an Unmanned Rotary Winged Aircraft, Which Was to Be Met by the Northrop Grumman Mq-8b Fire Scout, Effectively Ending Its Class Iv Uas Requirement Which Was Left Over From the Now Defunct Future Combat System (Fcs) Overhaul of Us Army Vehicles and Systems.the Fire Scout is an Unmanned Development of the Schweizer 333 Airframe Which Has Been in Protracted Development for the Us Army and Navy for Almost a Decade. The Navy Appears to Remain Committed to the Aircraft for Its New Littoral Combat Ship (Lcs) Class Following a Successful Operational Evaluation in Late 2009. The Fire Scout is Also in Contention for a Us Marine Corps Requirement for an Unmanned Vertical Lift Vehicle.

Boeing Signs Long Term Support Agreement for Wedgetail

Boeing Has Been Awarded a Five Year, $800m in-service Support Contract to Support the Raaf’s Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control (Aew&c) Program. Under the Contract, Boeing Defense, Space & Security Will Provide Acquisition, Program Management, Integration and Engineering Services, While Boeing Defence Australia Will Support the Program With Engineering, Maintenance and Supply Chain Management for the Raaf’s Fleet of Six Wedgetails. Northrop Grumman Will Provide Support for the Wedgetail’s Mesa Radar. Minister for Defence Personnel, Material and Science Greg Combet Said at the Signing Ceremony for the Contract on January 19 That the Contract Will Create Up to 100 Jobs in the Newcastle Region, as Well as Retaining More Than 100 Jobs in Amberley. “the Contract Links Contractor Profits Directly to Contractor Performance, Thereby Promoting Greater Efficiency and Delivering Real Cost Savings,” He Added. Boeing Delivered the First Two Wedgetails to the Raaf on November 26 Last Year.

Military Briefs

the United Arab Emirates Has Ordered Six Boeing C-17 Transports. The Order, Confirming an Initial Announcement Made in 2009 for Four, Makes the Uae the Second Middle Eastern Country to Acquire the Aircraft After Qatar, Which Has Two C-17s on Strength. the Indonesian Navy Has Announced That It Will Retire 21 of Its 28 Gaf Nomad Maritime Surveillance Aircraft as Part of a Modernisation of Its Maritime Patrol Fleet. Six Will Be Retained for Training Duties Alongside Three Cn-235s, While Three Other Cn-235s Are on Order. Uk Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth Has Announced the Raf’s Fleet of 11 Nimrod Mr2 Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft Will Be Retired by March 2010 as a Cost Savings Measures, Two Years Earlier Than Planned. The Mr2 Will Be Replaced in the Interim by Royal Navy Ships and Merlin Helicopters Before the Upgraded Nimrod Mra4 Achieves Operational Capability in 2012. the Commonwealth Has Signed a Three Year Contract With Boeing to Support the Raaf’s 24 F/a-18f Super Hornets in Service. The Contract is Valued at About $20 Million Per Year and Will Provide 74 Jobs at Raaf Amberley, Most of Whom Will Be Boeing Defence Australia Employees.

Airlines

2009 Worst Year for Airlines

as Expected, Preliminary Icao Statistics Record That 2009 Saw the Biggest Decline in Passenger Traffic During the Jet Age. Compared to 2008, International Passenger Traffic Decreased by 3.9 Per Cent While Domestic Travel Was Down 1.8 Per Cent, Leaving Overall Passenger Traffic Down 3.1 Per Cent as Capacity Declined by the Same Amount. All Regions Experienced Declines in Passenger Volumes, With the Exception of the Middle East, Where Carriers Saw a 10 Per Cent Increase in Traffic. Air Cargo Volumes Were Hit Harder, Registering a 15 Per Cent Fall on the Previous Year as World Trade Slowed Due to the Economic Crisis. This Was Primarily Led by Asia Pacific Cargo Carriers, Which Carry Over One-third of Global Air Cargo, Where Volumes Fell 14 Per Cent. Despite the Falls, Signs of Economic Recovery in Some Regions Point Towards a Moderate Recovery in Passenger Traffic During 2010, With Icao Forecasting Growth of 3.3 Per Cent, Which is Expected to Continue Into 2011 Before It Jumps Up to 5.5 Per Cent the Year After.

Viva Macau to Increase Mel Flts, Suspend Syd

Viva Macau Will Increase Its Frequency of Services From Macau to Melbourne From Once to Twice Weekly and Temporarily Suspend Its Sydney Flights From March 28. “while It is Disappointing to Suspend Flights to Sydney, We Will Maintain Peak Season Flights and Will Actively Monitor the Route for Re-commencement of Year-round Services,” Said Viva Macau Ceo Dr Reg Mcdonald. Sydney Services Are Due to Resume From Next December. “viva Macau’s Decision Highlights the Strength of the Melbourne Market and the Airport’s Partnership Approach in Bringing More Direct Flights to Our State,” Melbourne Airport Ceo Chris Woodruff Said.

Kiwi Designer for New Air Nz Uniforms

New Zealand Fashion Designer Trelise Cooper Has Been Engaged to a Develop a New Uniform for Air New Zealand Staff to Be Introduced in 2011 When the Airline’s New 777-300ers Enter Service. “we Will Introduce a Uniform to Coincide With Our New Long Haul Product and Interiors Early Next Year Which Will Provide Customers With a Number of World First Experiences Not Currently Available on Any Other Carrier,” Said Ed Sims, Air New Zealand Group General Manager International Airline. “we Have Also Been Working Closely With Trelise to Ensure the Uniform Colour Palette Works in Harmony With Our Soon to Be Unveiled New Aircraft Interiors.” Air New Zealand Says Some 90,000 Garments Will Be Made for 5000 Staff, Including Cabin Crew, Customer Service Staff and Pilots. The Airline Says of the Uniforms That “colour Highlights of ‘twilight’ Pink for Cabin Crew, ‘godzone’ Green for Ground Staff and Sky Blue for Ground and Inflight Managers Will Be Underpinned by Black Formal Items Such as Suits and Coats.”

Asian Traffic Weaker Over 2009

the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines Has Released Its 2009 Year End Data, Showing That Member Airlines Carried 5.7 Per Cent Less Passengers Than 2008, Although Capacity Cuts Helped to Lessen the Impact on Load Factors. For the Year, Member Airlines Carried 132.9m Passengers, While Revenue Passenger Kilometres Reduced by 6.5 Per Cent, Driven by Weakness in Longhaul Markets. As a Result, Airlines Cut Capacity by 6.1 Per Cent, Which Saw Load Factor Fall by Only 0.4 Percentage Points to 74.6 Per Cent. Cargo Fared Worse, With Freight Tonne Kilometres Down by 11 Per Cent for the Year. Again, as Airlines Cut Capacity to Meet Lower Levels of Demand, Load Factor Remained Steady at 66.1 Per Cent. Aapa Director General Andrew Herdman Said That Asian Carriers Are Expected to Pose Significant Losses for the 2009 Calendar Year. “we Have Been Through Downturns Before, but None as Severe as We’ve Experienced in the Past Two Years,” He Said. “as a Result of the Global Recession, Demand for Passenger Travel and Air Cargo Shipments Both Recorded Sharp Falls. The Business Impact on Airlines Was Even More Dramatic as the Collapse in Corporate Travel and Intense Price Competition in a Shrinking Market Saw Airline Revenues Falling by 20-25 Per Cent.” Nevertheless, Herdman Noted That Traffic Trends Over Recent Months Showed That the Global Economic Recovery Was Starting to Push Up Passenger and Cargo Traffic. “asia Pacific Airlines Remain Focused on Conserving Cash, Rebuilding Damaged Balance Sheets, and Carefully Managing Capacity to Match Demand as They Work Towards Restoring Profitability,” He Said. “whilst We Remain Hopeful About Future Prospects, the Outlook for 2010 Very Much Depends on the Sustainability of What Still Appears to Be a Rather Fragile Global Economic Recovery.”

Qantaslink Ups Capacity in Nsw

Qantaslink Has Announced That It Will Increase Capacity on a Number of Regional New South Wales Routes From March as It Takes Delivery of Its 19th Bombardier Q400. On the Sydney to Wagga Wagga and Coffs Harbour Routes, a Number of Services Will Be Upgraded to Be Operated by the 74 Seat Q400s in Place of the 50 Seat Q300s. As a Result, the Airline Will Also Add Five Additional Weekly Services Each on the Sydney to Port Macquarie, Tamworth and Armidale Routes, Which Will Be Operated by Q300s. Qantaslink Announced Last Year That a Number of Regional Services in Victoria and Tasmania Were to Be Operated by Q400s From February as a Result of New Aircraft Arriving.

jal Enters Bankruptcy Protection

Up to 15,000 Employees of Japan Air Lines Face an Uncertain Future After the Ailing Carrier Was Placed Into Bankruptcy Protection on January 19 as Part of Ongoing Efforts to Restructure the Loss-making Carrier. The Japanese Carrier Entered Bankruptcy With Listed Debts of Jpy2.3 Trillion (a$27.4bn), but Will Keep Operating With the Support of a Jpy1 Trillion (a$12bn) Line of Credit From the State-sponsored Enterprise Turnaround Initiative Corporation of Japan. Most Shareholders Are Expected to See a Significant Loss in Value, While It is Understood That Large Amounts of Debt Will Be Forgiven. Jal is Expected to Use the Bankruptcy Filing to Slim Down Significantly, With Mass Redundancies and Network Reductions Expected to Take Place Within the Next Year. However, the Airline and the Oneworld Alliance Have Said That There Will Be No Immediate Changes to Services as a Result of the Bankruptcy. Meanwhile, Media Reports From Japan Claim That Jal Has Chosen a Proposal From Us Carrier Delta Air Lines for an Equity and Operational Alliance Which Could See It Exit the Oneworld Alliance in Favour of the Delta-led Skyteam Alliance. American Airlines and Oneworld Have Also Proposed an Assistance Package for Jal, Which Could Include Qantas Assisting Jal to Establish Its Own Low Cost Carrier. Despite the Reports, Jal Has Not Yet Announced Which Proposal It Intends to Accept.

Sia Loads Higher in December: Singapore Airlines Saw Its Network-wide Passenger Load Factor Increase to a Healthy 84.3 Per Cent During December, Albeit Largely Driven by Cuts in Capacity. For the Month, the Airline’s Capacity in Available Seat Kilometres Was Down 9.2 Per Cent on the Same Time Last Year, Helping Boost Load Factor by 4.4 Percentage Points. The Number of Passengers Carried Was Down by 4.7 Per Cent, While Passenger Kilometres Decreased by 4.3 Per Cent. The Airline Said That the Reduction in Capacity Came From Cuts in Frequencies on a Number of Routes, as Well as the Termination of Services to Amritsar and Vancouver via Incheon. Positively, It Noted That the Increase in Load Factors, Which Occurred on All Markets Except South West Pacific (Which Was 0.1 Percentage Points Lower at 89.7 Per Cent), Reflected the Recovery Trend in the Global Economy. Sia Cargo Also Fared Better, With Its Load Factor Increasing by 8.2 Percentage Points to 63.4 Per Cent as Freight Carried Increased by 4.8 Per Cent. Freight Capacity During the Month Was Down 7.9 Per Cent.

Virgin Blue to Christmas, Cocos Islands

Virgin Blue Has Announced That It Will Commence Three Times Weekly Services From Perth to the Indian Ocean Territories of Christmas and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands on April 1. The Airline Will Operate the Services With a 104-seat Embraer E-190, Which It Says Will Allow It to Upload More Freight and Reduce Flying Time Compared to the Current Services Operated by a Cobham Aviation Services Australia Bae 146. The Services Are Subsidised by the Federal Government, Although Virgin Blue is Expecting to Grow the Amount of Tourism Traffic on the Route. “being Literally Only a Few Hours From Perth, Christmas and Cocos Islands Are Hands Down Two of the Best, Unspoilt and Truly Unique Island Holiday Destinations Our Region Has to Offer,” Said Ceo Brett Godfrey. “as With Other Markets We’ve Entered We’re Confident Our New Services Will Further Stimulate Tourism to These Most Remarkable Jewels in the Indian Ocean and Also Help to Strengthen Relations With the Mainland.” Services to the Indian Ocean Territories Have Been Operated by Cobham/national Jet Systems for a Number of Years Under a Government Contract. In 2009, the Now Defunct Skyairworld Was Awarded the Contract to Operate the Services With an E-190, but the Airline Collapsed Before It Operated Any Services, and Cobham Continued to Operate Flights on an Interim Basis.

More Embraers for Virgin Blue?

Virgin Blue Ceo Brett Godfrey Has Said That the Airline Has Been Involved in Talks With Embraer as It Looks to Place an Order for Up to 50 Aircraft Later This Year. “we Are in the Market for Planes,” Godfrey Told Reporters on the Sidelines of a Conference in Singapore. “we’ve Got a Whole Bunch of Airplanes Coming Out of Lease Over the Next Two to Three Years and We Are Looking to Take Some More, Including From Embraer.” Godfrey Added That the Airline Was Looking to Replace 30-50 of the 68 Aircraft in Its Fleet as They Come Off Lease Over the Next Few Years. In a Previous Interview With Australian Aviation, Godfrey Said That as Well as Additional Boeing 737s, the Airline Could Also Look at Ordering Twin-aisle Aircraft for Medium Haul Routes as Well as Turboprops to Serve Some Regional Routes. It is Expected That an Order Will Be Placed Before Godfrey Steps Down as the Airline’s Ceo in December.

New Standards for Resource Flights

Australian Resource Companies Including Bhp Billiton and Rio Tinto Have Adopted New Standards for Flight Safety Developed by the Australian Office of the Flight Safety Foundation. Under the Basic Aviation Risk (Bar) Standard Program, a Single Set of Standards and Associated Audits Have Been Developed Across the Resources Industry, Which is Aimed at Increasing Safety in Resource Flying. “a Major Weakness of the Old ‘company-specific’ Standards Was They Tended to Be Prescriptive and Reactive to Incidents. The Bar Standard Program, on the Other Hand, is Based on Leading Aviation Industry Risk Management Principals – Analysing Possible Points of Failure, and Preparing for Them,” Said Fsf Global Ceo Bill Voss. The Bar Standard Program Was Developed in Conjunction With Bhp Billiton, Lihir Gold, Minerals and Metals Group (Mmg) and Rio Tinto. It Has Also Been Endorsed by the Minerals Council of Australia, Which Represents Resource Companies That Produce More Than 85 Per Cent of Australia’s Annual Mineral Output. It is Expected That in Time These Companies Will Require Contract Operators to Meet Bar Standards Instead of Company-specific Requirements.

Jetstar to Roll Out Sms Boarding Passes From Feb

Jetstar Will Introduce Sms Boarding Passes for Domestic Australian and New Zealand Passengers During the First Quarter of the Year, Ceo Bruce Buchanan Told a Conference in Singapore on January 28. The Boarding Pass Technology Will Be Trialled First on Sydney-avalon Flights From Late February, With a Staged Rollout to Follow on Other Domestic Services in Australia and New Zealand Throughout 2010. Developed by Melbourne Based Company Sissit Group, Passengers Will Have the Option When Booking to Receive Their Unique Boarding Code Through a Standard Text Message. The Message Will Then Be ‘read’ by a Specialised Scanner at the Airport Before Issuing a Paper Boarding Pass. In Addition, Buchanan Said That the Airline Had Already Started Automatic Web Check-in Earlier This Month. “automatic Check-in for the Airline’s Australian and New Zealand Domestic Services Allows Passengers at the Time of Booking to Choose to Check-in and Have Their Boarding Passes Automatically Sent to Them via Email 24-48 Hours Before Flight Departure,” Mr Buchanan Said.

Jetstar Chooses Singapore for Asian Hub

Jetstar Announced on January 28 That It Has Chosen Singapore’s Changi Airport to Be Its Asian Hub, Which Will See It Operate a Variety of Services Through Asia and on to Europe From the City-state. Under a Three Year Agreement Between Jetstar, Jetstar Asia, and Changi Airport Group (Cag), the Two Airlines Have Committed to Increase the Number of Existing Flights and Offer More Destinations From Singapore. It is Expected That the Two Carriers Will Add a Number of A320 Services Throughout Asia, While Longhaul Services With A330-200s Are Also on the Cards. Welcoming Cag’s Partnership With Jetstar, Cag Chief Executive Officer, Mr Lee Seow Hiang, Said, “we Are Honoured That Jetstar Has Chosen Changi Airport to Be Its Largest Hub in Asia. We Are Committed to Supporting Jetstar’s Growth at Changi by Helping It to Grow Traffic and to Keep Costs Low. By Hubbing at Changi, Jetstar Will Gain From Inter-lining Opportunities With the Many Airlines That Fly Here, Including Its Parent, Qantas, Which Already Uses Changi as an Asia Hub.” “singapore is of High Strategic Importance to Jetstar and Equally of Great Importance to the Qantas Group,” Said Jetstar Ceo Bruce Buchanan. “this Agreement Provides Further Leverage to Us Now Seeking the Full Benefits of a Burgeoning Hub Operation in Singapore.”

Airline Briefs

Local Airlines Air New Zealand and Regional Express (Rex) Have Been Recognised by Industry Magazine Air Transport World’s Industry Achievement Awards for 2010, With Air New Zealand Being Named Airline of the Year, and Rex Regional Airline of the Year. Air New Zealand Plans to Boost Capacity Between the East Coast of Australia and the Ski Resort Town of Queenstown for the Upcoming Ski Season, Taking Direct Weekly Services to 13. The Airline Has Announced That for the Peak July and August Timeframe, Weekly Return Services From Sydney Will Increase From Five to Six, Melbourne From Two to Three and Brisbane From Three to Four. Flights From Auckland to Queenstown Will Also Be Increased to Four Daily. Qantas’s First Class Suite on the A380 Has Been Awarded a Good Design Award by the Chicago Athaneum. It is the Second Good Design Award Qantas Has Won, With the Marc Newson Designed Skybed Business Class Suite Having Won the Award in 2004. Air New Zealand Will Commence Direct Services Between Sydney and Rarotonga in the Cook Islands From July Using 223 Seat Boeing 767-300s. The Flights Will Operate Once a Week Initially for a Four Month Trial Period, With the Future of the Service to Be Assessed After That. in a Sign of Improving Conditions for the Mining and Regional Airline Industries, Perth Based Skywest Has Announced It Will Resume Flights From Kalgoorlie to Melbourne on February 5 After Only Withdrawing From the Route Late Last Year. The New Weekly Flight Will Depart Kalgoorlie for Melbourne on Fridays at 1030, While the Return Leg Will Depart Melbourne on Sundays at 1600.

Airports

Auckland Takes Stake in Cairns, Mackay Airports

Auckland International Airport Ltd Has Bought a 24.55 Per Cent Stake in North Queensland Airports, Operators of Cairns and Mackay Airports, From Westpac Bank for a$132.8m (Nz$166m). Auckland Airport Ceo Simon Moutter Said in a January 11 Statement, “new Zealand Has Underperformed Against Australia in Gaining a Share of Asian Tourism, So We Have Decided to Take a Position in the Australian Market in an Effort to Get Better Connected and Lift Our Market Share. While Our Primary Focus Remains Direct Asian Connections With Auckland, an Important Stepping-stone is to Strengthen Connections With Other Strategically Located Airports.” Moutter Continued, “cairns Airport Fits the Bill in Terms of Its Location, Scale, Focus on Asian Tourism, and Market Diversification Opportunities. Mackay Offers Additional Diversified Exposure to the Booming Australian Resources Sector.” Cairns and Mackay Airports Were Privatised by the Queensland State Government in 2008, With the $530 Million Sale of Cairns Airport, Australia’s Seventh Busiest, Finalised on December 23 That Year. Soon After Settling the Transaction, Aial Announced That It Plans to Raise Nz$126.4m (a$99.6m) in a Pro Rata Entitlement Offer. According to the Company, Eligible Shareholders Will Be Entitled to Subscribe to One New Share for Every 16 Shares Held on February 1 at Nz$1.65 (a$1.30) Each, and the Float Will Be Conducted in Four Parts Aimed at Both Institutional and Retail Investors. The Funds Raised Will Be Used to Pay Down Debt Associated With the Acquisition of the Stake in the Two Airports.

Maroochydore to Become Sunshine Coast

Maroochydore/sunshine Coast Airport is Officially Changing Its Name to Sunshine Coast Airport. The Name Change Was Approved by Casa’s Office of Airspace Regulation, and Will Take Effect From June 3. “the Name of the Airport Now Better Describes the Destination of the Aircraft and Harmonises With the Sunshine Coast Region and Removes the Confusion Often Experienced by Passengers Travelling to the Sunshine Coast With Destinations Other Than Maroochydore,” Said Airport General Manager Peter Pallot. “the Timing of This News Complements the Finalisation of the New Look at the Airport. the Completion of the Terminal Redevelopment as Part of the Airport’s Master Plan Will Ensure the Airport Keeps Pace With the Growing Demand for Services to the Sunshine Coast.” From June 3 This Year, the Airport’s Icao Designator Will Change From Ybmc to Ybsu. “airservices Australia’s Early Advice of This Name Change is to Allow the Aviation Industry Time to Plan for Any Needed System Changes and Other Documentation to Reflect the Official Use of Sunshine Coast Airport,” Pallot Added.

Gold Coast Opens New Terminal

Transport Minister Anthony Albanese and Queensland Deputy Premier Paul Lucas Opened the $100 Million Terminal Redevelopment at Gold Coast Airport on January 25. At 30,000sqm, the New Terminal is Almost Double the Size of the Previous One and Was Completed Two Months Ahead of Schedule. The Terminal Has Been Specifically Designed to Meet the Needs of Low Cost Airlines, With Jetstar, Virgin Blue, Tiger Airways and Airasia Making Up the Majority of Movements to and From the Gold Coast. Minister Albanese Said That He Hoped That the New Terminal Would Increase Tourism in the Region. “tourism Numbers Are Good for Jobs and Good for Economic Activity, Particularly in Regional Australia,” He Said. “more and More This Airport Has the Potential to Be a Gateway to Take Pressure Off the Capital City Airports and That’s Why the Rudd Government’s Very Pleased to See This Infrastructure Being Developed Here.”

Qal Reports Strong 2009

Queensland Airports Limited, Which Owns and Operates Gold Coast, Townsville and Mount Isa Airports, Has Reported That During 2009 Cumulative Passenger Traffic Increased by 6.24 Per Cent Compared to the Previous Year. For the Year, More Than 6.6 Million Passengers Passed Through the Three Airports. The Growth Was Assisted Primarily by the Gold Coast, Which Saw a 91 Per Cent Increase in International Traffic Due to New Services From Carriers Including Airasia X, Jetstar and Pacific Blue, While Townsville Also Saw a Steady Growth in Numbers of 2.38 Per Cent. These Helped to Moderate a 14.65 Per Cent Fall at Mount Isa, Largely as a Result of a Slowdown in the Mining Industry. “2009 Was Certainly a Tough Year for Many Airports, With Many Recording Little or Even Negative Growth as the Impact of the Gfc Was Felt Across the World,” Said Managing Director Dennis Chant. “to Record a Growth in Such a Year is a Very Positive Result for the Qal Group.” Chant Added That Qal is Undertaking a Number of Capital Works This Year on the Three Airports, With the Redeveloped Terminal at Gold Coast Now Open, While Other Terminal Works Will Be Undertaken at Townsville and Mount Isa.

Melbourne Passenger Numbers Increase

Melbourne Airport Has Recorded a Five Per Cent Growth in Passenger Numbers for the Second Quarter of the Current Financial Year, Aided Primarily by a Strong Rise in International Passenger Numbers. For the Three Months Ending December 31, International Passenger Numbers Were Up by 14 Per Cent, Aided by New Services From Qatar Airways as Well as Additional Capacity From Other Operators. As a Result, for the First Time in a Calendar Year the Airport Has Passed the Five Million Passenger Mark. The Airport Also Saw Its Domestic Passenger Numbers Rise by Three Per Cent. Melbourne is Expecting a Strong Year Ahead, With Viva Macau Increasing Its Services to the Victorian Capital, While V Australia Will Commence Services to Johannesburg in March. Qantas Also Launched a Weekly A380 Service From Melbourne to London on January 18 Which Will Double in March, Alongside an Extra A380 Service on the Melbourne-los Angeles Route.

Business Aviation

First Phenom 300 Delivered

Embraer Delivered the First Phenom 300 Light Jet to a Customer on December 29. The Aircraft Was Delivered to Executive Flight Services on Behalf of an Undisclosed Customer. “as the First Faa Part 135 Operator to Take Delivery of the Phenom 300, Executive Flight Services Will Be Managing an Aircraft That Has Met All Design Specifications and Improved on Its Targets in Terms of Runway Takeoff Length, Range, Speed, and Landing Distance, Making It the Ideal Tool for Corporate Use in This Category,” Said Ernest Edwards, Embraer Vice President, Marketing and Sales, Usa, Mexico and the Caribbean – Executive Jets. Meanwhile, Embraer Has Announced That the First Parts of the Midsize Legacy 500 Have Been Manufactured, While Design Work on Both the Legacy 500 and Midlight Legacy 450 is Progressing. The Legacy 500 is Due for Certification in 2012, Followed a Year Later by the 450.

Certification, First Deliveries for King Air 350i

Deliveries of the New King Air 350i Began in December Following the Awarding of Us and European Type Certification, Hawker Beechcraft Announced on January 13. The 350i Features Rockwell Collins’s New Venue Cabin Management System, With a 15.3in (39cm) Swing-out Monitor in the Forward Entertainment Cabinet and Optional Screens at Each Passenger Seat, and Introduces the Beechcraft ‘flexcabin’, Where Owners Can Reconfigure or Remove Aft Club Seating Components to Meet Requirements of Specific Flights. Other Features of the New Interior Include an All-new Headliner, Seat Tailoring and Tables, Electrochromic Window Darkeners, Led Lighting, Increased Legroom and Optional Seat Warmers. Finally, Cabin Noise Has Been Cut by 4 Dba to an Average of 78 Dba. Local Hawker Beechcraft Distributor Hawker Pacific Says It Hopes to Bring a Demonstrator King Air 350i to Australia in the First Half of 2010.

Business Aviation Briefs

Pilatus Announced on January 26 That It Delivered 100 Pc-12ngs During 2009, Setting a New Record for Pc-12 Deliveries During a Single Year.

General Aviation

Casa Ups Gaap Limit, to Use Faa D

Casa Has Announced That It Will Lift the Cap on the Number of Aircraft Allowed in the Circuit From Six to Eight Per Active Runway at the Six General Aviation Aerodrome Procedure (Gaap) Airports, While It Has Also Confirmed That Faa Class D Procedures Will Replace Gaap From June 3 2010. From January 18, the Limit Increased at Archerfield, Bankstown, Camden, Moorabbin, Parafield and Jandakot Airports, and Will Be an Interim Measure Until Faa Class D Procedures Are Adopted at Gaap Aerodromes Around the Country. “after Comprehensive Consultation With Gaap Airport Users and Operators It Has Been Decided Lifting the Cap on Circuit Operations to Eight is Acceptable,” Said Casa Ceo John Mccormick. “once Us Federal Aviation Administration Class D Airspace Procedures Are in Place the Cap Will No Longer Be Required.” Mccormick Added That Casa Will Undertake a Major Communication and Education Campaign to Ensure All Pilots Understand the New Class D Procedures Before They Take Place.

Piper Launches Pipersport Lsa

Piper Aircraft Corporation Announced at the Sebring Us Sport Aviation Expo 2010 on January 21 That the Company Will Follow Cessna’s Foray Into the Light Sport Aircraft (Lsa) Segment With Its Own Pipersport. The Pipersport Will Actually Be a Czech Sport Aircraft Sportcruiser, With the Two Companies Entering Into a Licensing Agreement to Produce and Sell the Aircraft. As a Result, Piper Says the First Pipersport Will Be Ready for Delivery in April This Year. “the Pipersport is an Amazing Entry-level Aircraft That Will Bring New Customers Into Piper and Lead the Way for Those Customers to Step Up Into More Sophisticated and Higher Performance Aircraft Within Our Line Over Time,” Said Piper Ceo Kevin Gould. Powered by a 100hp Rotax 912 Engine Capable of Running on Premium Unleaded or 100ll Fuel, the Aircraft Will Feature a 1200 Feet Per Minute Rate of Climb, Maximum Cruising Speed of 138 Miles Per Hour and a Range of 600nm. Three Models Will Be Offered With Varying Levels of Avionics and Interior Layouts, Starting With the Basic Pipersport at Us$119,000 (a$130,797), the Training Focused Lt at Us$129,900 (a$142,777) and the Top of the Line Ltd at Us$139,900 (a$153,768). All Models Will Feature a Ballistic Recovery Parachute System. As With Other Ga Manufacturers, Piper Notes That the Lsa Market Has Been Booming and, in the Us Now Represents a Major Entry Point Into General Aviation.

Unsw Buys Diamonds

Hawker Pacific Has Announced It Has Signed an Agreement With the University of New South Wales (Unsw) to Provide Seven Diamond Aircraft for Its Aviation Department. Under the Agreement, Hawker Pacific Will Supply Six New Da-40s and One Da42l360 Twin Engine Aircraft as Well as a Five Year Support Package for Unsw Aviation. The Aircraft Are Expected to Be Delivered in the First Quarter of 2010 and Will Be Housed at Unsw Aviation’s Facilities at Bankstown Airport.

Skycatcher Customers Facing Delays

Cessna Has Told Customers Holding Delivery Positions for Its Model 162 Skycatcher That They Face Delays of Six to 10 Months for Delivery, Although Local Dealer Aeromil Pacific Has Announced That the First Australian Skycatcher Will Be Delivered During the Second Half of This Year. According to Avweb.com, the Company is Slowing Delivery Due to Design Changes Resulting From the Flight Test Program. Two Aircraft Crashed During the Flight Test Program as a Result of Spin Trials, Which Has Resulted in a Need to Increase the Surface Area of the Rudder and the Aileron and Elevator Travel on Each Aircraft. Currently, This is Being Done on Completed Aircraft at the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation’s Factory in China, Which is Creating the Delays. Cessna Delivered the First Skycatcher in December to Rose Pelton, the Wife of the Company’s Ceo and Chairman Jack Pelton. Despite the Delay, Aeromil Pacific Says That the First 162 for an Australian Customer Will Be Delivered During the Second Half of the Year. The Dealer Also Reports That It Has a Limited Number of Delivery Slots Still Available for Skycatchers.

Indian Company Buys Gippsland Aeronautics, Aerostaff

Indian Conglomerate Mahindra & Mahindra Has Announced That It Has Purchased Controlling Stakes in Gippsland Aeronautics and Aerostaff Australia to Better Position Itself for the Defence Offsets Market in Australia. According to Media Reports, the Indian Company Has Paid Nearly $38 Million to Take Majority Holdings in the Two Companies in Association With Kotak Private Equity to Increase Its Presence in the Aerospace Sector. “m&m’s Move Into the Aerospace Segment is Deliberate, Bold and Timely, and is Supported by a Renewed Demand for Economical Air Transportation Around the World,” Said the Company’s Managing Director Anand Mahindra. “our Investment in Component Capability Addresses the Growing Needs of Both the Civil and Defence Markets.” Aerostaff Australia is a Component Manufacturer of Precision Close-tolerance Aircraft Components and Assemblies for Large Aerospace Oems, While Gippsland Aeronautics Manufactures the Ga8 Airvan Utility Aircraft, and Also Has Plans to Restart Manufacturing the Former Gaf Nomad Twin Turboprop. However, the Company Was Forced to Restructure During 2009 as a Result of the Global Financial Crisis and Was Known to Have Been Seeking an Equity Infusion to See It Through the Challenging Times.

Ga Briefs

Regional Express (Rex) Subsidiary Pel-air Has Signed a Contract With the Victorian State Government for Fixed Wing Patient Transport Services, Confirming July 2009’s Announcement of Pel-air’s Selection as Conditional Preferred Tenderer. Under the 10 Year Contract, Which Begins in Mid 2010, Pel-air Will Supply King Air Turboprops for the Transfer of Medical Patients to and From Regional Victoria.

Air Safety

Weather, Fuel Planning Focus for Norfolk Investigation

the Atsb Has Released a Preliminary Report Into the Ditching of a Pel-air Iai Westwind Off Norfolk Island on November 18 2009. According to the Report, the Pilot in Charge of the Westwind Departed From Apia, Samoa, on an Aeromedical Flight to Melbourne With a Planned Refuelling Stop at Norfolk Island. At the Time, the Forecast Conditions at Norfolk Did Not Require Additional Holding Fuel to Be Carried, and So the Crew Elected Only to Fill the Aircraft’s Main Tanks, Leaving No Fuel in Its Wingtip Tanks. During the Flight, the Crew Received Reports From Auckland Oceanic and the Norfolk Island Unicom Operator Indicating That Conditions at the Airport Had Significantly Deteriorated Below Landing Minima. During Four Attempted Landings, the Crew Were Not Able to Visually Acquire the Runway Before Ditching the Aircraft Approximately 3nm West of the Island. All Occupants Were Rescued by a Vessel From the Island Approximately 90 Minutes Later. The Atsb Noted That Since the Accident Pel-air Has Commenced a Program to Check and Revalidate a Number of Its Westwind Pilots’ Understandings of a Number of Its Policies and Procedures. The Investigation is Continuing, and is Focusing on Further Analysis of the Meteorological Flight Information and Its Effect on Decision Making by the Crew, Fuel Planning, Operational Requirements of the Flight, Crew Resource Management, and Aeromedical Flight Classification and Dispatch.

Atc & Airspace

Airservices Completes Upper Ads-b Rollout

Airservices Australia Announced on December 21 That It Has Completed Its Rollout of Ads-b (Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast) Ground Stations, Effectively Giving Radar-like Coverage Across Australia. The Nationwide Ads-b Network, as Well as a Digital Communications Backbone to Support It, Became Fully Operational From Midnight on December 18. “the Successful Delivery of These Programs Represents the Culmination of Years of Planning to Deliver Australia’s Next Generation, Satellite Based Air Traffic Surveillance System,” Said Airservices Ceo Greg Russell. Ads-b Technology Broadcasts an Aircraft’s Callsign, Position, Altitude, Velocity and Other Data, Twice Every Second, Improving the Accuracy of Information Used by Air Traffic Controllers and Other Aircraft. As a Result, Controllers Are Able to Reduce Aircraft Separations and Improve Safety and Improve the Efficiency of the Airways.

Security

Terminal Evacuation Sparked by Drink Containers

the Evacuation of the Qantas Domestic Terminal at Perth Airport on January 25 Was Sparked by Concern Over What Was Later Identified as Four Drink Containers Filled With “an Innocuous Substance.” the Terminal Was Evacuated for 45 Minutes After a Man Who Had Travelled From Dubai to Perth and Was Catching an Onward Flight to Sydney on Qantas Was Found With the Four Bottles of Liquid During Security Screening. The Man Was Detained by Australian Federal Police on His Arrival in Sydney and Later Released Without Charge. The Incident Came After Michael Carmody, the Former Head of Security for the Now Defunct Federal Airports Corporation, Warned That Australian Domestic Airports Were Particularly Vulnerable to a Terrorist Attack. He Said That in Particular the Lack of Personal Verification of the Identity of Passengers Was a Gaping Hole Which Could Be Exploited by Would-be Terrorists, While He Also Called for Increased Use of Profiling and Technology in Security Assessment of Airline Passengers.

Finance

Hong Kong Company Takes Over Allco’s Aviation Assets

Hong Kong Aviation Company Announced on January 19 That It Plans to Grow Its Business Significantly Over the Short Term After Completing the Acquisition of Failed Lessor Allco’s Aviation Business. The Transaction Has Seen Hkac, Which is a Joint Venture Between Hainan Airlines’s Parent Company Hna Group and Private Equity Firm Bravia Capital, Take on an Asset Portfolio Worth $3bn, While the Existing Allco Aviation Management Team Has Been Retained. The Company Will Keep Its Headquarters in Hong Kong, and Establish Offices in Sydney, New York and London. “we Have a Long Term View to Deploy Significant Capital in the Asia-pacific Region and Australia Features Prominently,” Said Hkac Chairman Adam Tan. “as Part of This We Look Forward to Consolidating the Existing Lease Management Business and Building Out the Allco Platform in Order to Achieve Our Goal of Establishing Ourselves as a Leader in the Global Aircraft Leasing Marketplace.”

People

Bac Airports Pty Ltd, Which Owns Bankstown and Camden Airports, Has Announced That Long Serving Ceo Kim Ellis Will Leave the Company at the End of His Contract in June 2010. The Company Says That It Has Engaged Heidrick & Struggles to Undertake an International Search for a Successor to Ellis, With an Appointment Expected to Be Made in Sufficient Time to Allow for a Smooth Handover. British Airways Has Announced the Appointment of Nicole Backo as Its New Sydney Based Regional Commercial Manager in Charge of Southwest Pacific Operations. Backo Succeeds Sam Heine, Who is Taking on the Role of Manager of Strategic Supplier Partnerships at Hrg Australia, a Ba Industry Partner. She is Now Responsible for British Airways’s Operations in Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia and the South Pacific Islands. Hawker Beechcraft Corporation Has Appointed Justin Firestone as Its New President of Asia Pacific Sales, Based in the Company’s Hong Kong Regional Headquarters. Prior to Joining Hbc, Firestone Was Founder & Ceo of Asia Jet in 2008 and Has a Strong Background in Executive Jet Operations and Fractional Ownership Schemes.

Captions:

6000th Aircraft Airbus Delivered Its 6000th Aircraft on January 19, an A380 to Emirates Which is That Carrier’s Eighth of the Type. To Commemorate the Milestone, More Than 200 Guests Attended a Special Delivery Ceremony at Airbus’s Hamburg Delivery Centre. The Aircraft Also Features a Special Inscription Alongside the Emirates Livery Noting That It is the 6000th Aircraft to Be Produced by the European Manufacturer. The Latest Delivery Brings to 25 the Number of A380s Delivered. Emirates Has a Further 50 of the Giant Aircraft on Order, With All Powered by Engine Alliance Gp7200s. (Emirates)

Wedgetail Support Maureen Dougherty and Air Vice-marshal Chris Deeble Sign the Contract for Wedgetail Support.

Qantas’s Sixth Airbus A380, Vh-oqf Charles Kingsford Smith (Msn029) Landed at Sydney Airport at Approximately 8:45am on January 13 After Its Delivery Flight From Toulouse via Singapore as Qf6028. The First A380 to Be Delivered in 2010, Vh-oqf Was Handed Over to Qantas in Toulouse on January 8. Airbus Says It Plans to Deliver at Least 20 A380s in 2010.