News Desk

As a result, approximately 350 jobs will be lost when the former Hawker de Havilland facility closes, although 300 staff will be offered new jobs at Fisherman’s Bend. Those staff unable to relocate will be offered redundancy packages, including job placement and counselling services.

“We very much regret the impact on our staff, but the reality is that we need to improve our capability by consolidating our footprint. In such a global and competitive business, we need a sharper focus to succeed,” said Ross.

Components currently produced at Bankstown, including 777 rudders, elevators and cove lip doors, 747-8 wing leading edges, 737 ailerons, C-130 flaps, Bombardier CH300 tail cones, and Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile fins, will transition to Fisherman’s Bend over the next 30 months. Airbus A380 wingtip and A330 component manufacture work will remain at Bankstown until those contracts conclude.

Boeing’s decision will conclude 70 years of contribution by the Sydney factory to the local aerospace industry, reports Eric Allen.

After the outbreak of World War 2 aircraft manufacturing in Australia was given a high priority. Following the opening of Bankstown aerodrome in 1940 de Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd established its factory there in 1942. During the following year the first Mosquito flew and later in the decade Vampires emerged from the production line. A variety of aircraft were built at the Bankstown site, but eventually production of aircraft ceased and the focus was on component manufacture.

During the 1960s the name was changed to Hawker de Havilland following absorption into Hawker Siddeley. In the 1980s complete aircraft again emerged with the final assembly of PC-9/As for the RAAF.

Boeing acquired Hawker de Havilland from Tenix in 2000.

Third 787 Flies

The third Boeing 787 to fly, test aircraft ZA004, made its first flight on February 24 from Paine Field, Everett, landing three hours later at Boeing Field in Seattle.

“Airplane No 4 operated flawlessly today,” Captain Heather Ross, who is ZA004’s chief pilot, said after landing.

“We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us but I can’t imagine a better start to the flight test program for this airplane. ” During the flight the aircraft reached an altitude of 30,000ft and a speed of 255kt.

Boeing says ZA004, which is registered N7874, will be used for aerodynamics, high speed, propulsion, flight loads, community noise and ETOPS testing.

It flew before ZA003 “because the data ZA004 is collecting is needed more quickly both for certification and development of the 787-9,” according to Boeing.

ZA004 is fully instrumented, whereas ZA003 is fitted with a partial passenger interior.

Earlier, the 787 flight test program was briefly delayedafter the first aircraft, ZA001, was forced to divert to Moses Lake, Washington State, on February 19 after it encountered an uncommanded loss of thrust in one of its Rolls Royce Trent 1000 engines.

Engineers from Rolls-Royce and Boeing identified that the uncommanded loss of thrust was related to pressure sensing equipment within the engine. A replacement part was dispatched to the grounded aircraft, which was then fitted the next day, allowing for an engine run that afternoon.

The aircraft was then cleared to fly, returning to Boeing Field on February 22.

ATR 42-600 first flight

The first ATR 42-600 made its first flight at Toulouse on March 4, kicking off a 75 hour flight test campaign ahead of the type’s expected entry into service in 2011.

The two hour maiden flight saw the aircraft undergo tests of the engines, avionics, hydraulics and electrical systems, as well as blade balancing.

The flight of the smaller ATR 42-600 comes after the larger ATR 72-600 made its first flight in July 2009.

Compared to the previous -500 models, the upgraded -600 features a new integrated avionics suite from Thales, upgraded Pratt & Whitney PW127M engines and an upgraded cabin interior.

So far, ATR has recorded orders for five ATR 42-600s and 54 ATR 72-600s.

Republic Order For 40 Boosts Cseries

Bombardier’s CSeries program has received a significant boost with a firm order from Republic Airways Holdings for 40 CS300s and 40 options, worth over US$6. 3bn (A$7. 0bn) at list prices if all options are exercised.

Republic says a new unified brand for its Midwest Airlines and Frontier Airlines operations, to be unveiled later this year, will fly the 138-seat CS300s.

Republic also owns a number of airlines that operate regional services for major US airlines under the AmericanConnection, Continental Express, Delta Connection, United Express and US Airways Express brands, and becomes the first North American customer for the CSeries, which is planned to enter service in 2013.

With this order Bombardier’s new Pratt & Whitney PW1000G geared turbofan powered narrowbody airliner program has now booked 90 firm orders (Lufthansa has ordered 30 CS100s, Lease Corporation International Group 17 CS300s and three CS100s), plus 90 options.

First New Build Twin Otter Flies

The first new build Viking Air Series 400 Twin Otter made its first flight from the company’s Calgary production facility on February 16.

The aircraft, MSN845 registered C-FMJO, made a brief 10 minute test flight which saw it then land at Calgary International Airport.

Type certification from Transport Canada is expected soon, which will open the way for delivery of the first aircraft to launch customer Zimex Aviation in Switzerland. Ten aircraft are currently in various stages of final assembly, and Viking says that it aims to reach a production goal of one and a half aircraft every month.

Locally, Perth based business aviation operator AvWest has been identified as a customer for the Series 400, while other orders have come from operators around the world.

Compared to the De Havilland Canada built series 300 Twin Otter, the 400 features a Honeywell Primus Apex digital avionics suite and Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-34 turboprops, with the first prototype (modified from a DHC‑6‑300) previously making its first flight in October 2008.

New CEO, DEFERRED A380 orders for ILFC

Long time CEO of International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC) Steven Udvar-Hazy stepped down from the lessor on February 5, after parent American International Group (AIG) decided not to sell the company.

Udvar-Hazy co-founded ILFC in 1973 with Leslie and Lou Gonda. In 1990 the company was acquired by AIG, but Udvar-Hazy stayed on as its chairman and CEO, and most recently was part of a consortium which aimed to buy out the company from its distressed parent. However, with AIG choosing to retain ILFC, some reports claim that Udvar- Hazy’s position ultimately became untenable, with AIG replacing him as chairman of the company in favour of former Northwest Airlines CEO Doug Steenland in December.

AIG has announced that ILFC president and chief operating officer John Plueger will take over as CEO of the lessor.

Soon after Udvar-Hazy’s departure, ILFC delayed delivery of the 10 Airbus A380s it has on order by one year. The lessor was scheduled to take five of the aircraft in 2013, followed by three the next year and two the year after that, but regulatory filings by the company say that it will delay delivery of each of the aircraft by one year. ILFC did not cite a specific reason for the delay, but it is thought that a lack of customers as well as funding challenges due to the restructuring of AIG could be behind the decision.

Last year there was strong speculation that the lessor could cancel its order after Udvar- Hazy reportedly expressed concerns about the market for the A380 and the high costs to reconfigure it to different airline needs. ILFC had an option to cancel its A380 order from the start of January up to June 30, and the company says that this has been extended for a further six months.

Bombardier Orders, Deliveries Down

Bombardier Aerospace has reported that it delivered 302 aircraft for its fiscal reporting year ending January 31, and received net orders for only 11 aircraft over the year, compared to orders for 367 in the previous year.

For the 12 month period, the Canadian manufacturer delivered 121 commercial aircraft, comprising 60 CRJ series and 61 Q series aircraft, as well as 176 business aircraft.

The company also delivered five amphibious CL-415s.

Net orders were adversely impacted by major cancellations for business jets, which finished the year with net cancellations for 85 aircraft.

Orders for commercial jets were 23 per cent lower at 88, comprising 22 CRJs, 16 Q400s and 50 CSeries. The company also took orders for eight amphibian aircraft.

“The global economic crisis which began in 2008 continued to impact the civil aviation industry throughout 2009 as conditions remained challenging,” said Guy Hachey, president and chief operating officer, Bombardier Aerospace. “While indicators of market stabilisation have started to emerge, we remain cautious as economic uncertainty still prevails. ” Bombardier has announced that it plans to reduce its output over the next year, with business jet deliveries expected to be 15 per cent lower, while commercial aircraft deliveries will be down by approximately 20 per cent.

Fokker 100 to be reborn?

Long held plans to put the Fokker 100 back into production have gained a boost, with the Dutch government providing a loan to fund the development of a prototype new generation version of the aircraft.

NG Aircraft, which is a successor to the Rekoff company which has been planning to restart production of the Fokker 100, says that the Dutch SenterNovem agency will provide it with a €20m (A$30m) loan to develop a demonstration ‘next generation’ aircraft from an existing Fokker 100 airframe. The aircraft is expected to feature an updated wing with winglets, new engines and systems. The company is aiming to complete assembly of the aircraft by 2015.

The Dutch government is still required to obtain clearance from the European Union for the loan, which is expected by June, after which the first details of the modification work will be released.

According to reports from the Netherlands, three regional airlines have expressed interest in a reborn Fokker 100, although this it unlikely to include KLM, which is in the process of replacing its Fokker fleet with Embraer E-Jets.

QANTAS A380 production update

Oliver Gigacz reports Qantas’s next and seventh Airbus A380, MSN047, is currently scheduled to be delivered in the fourth quarter this year.

MSN047 first flew in August last year, but at Qantas’s request was put into long term storage in Toulouse.

At the time of publication MSN047 was completed and ready to fly to Hamburg for outfitting and painting. Delivery is scheduled for November.

The airline’s eighth A380, MSN050, was also put into long term storage in Toulouse.

MSN050, like MSN047, made its first flight in August last year, and at the time of publication is scheduled to be delivered in December.

MSN055, which will be Qantas’s ninth A380, arrived in Toulouse for final assembly in December 2009. It will stay in final assembly until late May.

In early July MSN055 will be transferred to Hamburg for outfitting and painting before being delivered in December.

Arriving in Toulouse with MSN055 in December was MSN062, the airline’s 10th A380. At the time of publication MSN062 was just entering final assembly and is on track to be delivered in February 2011.

Parts of Qantas’s 11th and 12th A380s (MSN063 and MSN074) have been noted in production in Germany.

They will arrive in Toulouse for assembly around October.

By the end of 2011 Qantas will have 12 A380s in its fleet, with a further eight to be delivered between 2012 and 2014.

Military

Minor Project Changes Reflected In Updated Dcp

The Commonwealth has revealed few changes in its first planned six monthly update of the 2009 Defence Capability Plan (DCP).

Many of the changes in the updated version reflect projects that have matured to first pass approval since the original version was publishedin July 2009, including the seven new CH‑47F Chinooks to be acquired under Air 9000 5C (refer Rotor Torque) and the Phase 8 Naval Combat Helicopter acquisition (refer Rotor Torque), the first 14 F-35A JSFs to be acquired under Air 6000 Phase 2A/2B, and the Air 5428 fixed wing Pilot Training Scheme.

Other changes to aviation related projects include: • Air 8000 Phase 1, the previously announced plan to acquire two additional C-130J Hercules as part replacements for the ageing C-130H fleet and Caribou tactical airlifter. The timing of this phase has been pushed back by about two years, ostensibly to better align with the Phase 2 Battle Field Airlifter (BFA) decision which is due to be made in 2012-13 to 2014-15, with service entry in the 2015 to 2017 period. Previously planned to enter service before the BFA, the Phase 1 C-130Js are now planned to follow the BFA by about 12 months.

• Air 5416 Phase 4B2, the project to equip the RAAF’s C-130J fleet with LAIRCM (Large Aircraft Infra Red Countermeasures) systems has seen its planned service entry deferred by about two years from 2012 to 2014 “to align with the anticipated availability of technology. ” • Air 9000 SCAP2 was the second element of Navy’s Seahawk Capability Assurance Program which was designed to address Seahawk obsolescence issues including replacement of the main mission computer and display generator unit.

But with first pass approval of the Phase 8 Naval Combat helicopter coming on February 25 and that aircraft expected to enter service from 2014, SCAP2 has been cancelled as the aircraft’s existing systems have been deemed as suitable.

• JP2070 Phase 4 was tasked with assessing whether the AP-3C needed a new lightweight torpedo to supplement the Mk46 torpedo currently in service. The EuroTorp MU90 was originally selected to fulfil this role with a planned IOC of 2011, but this project has now been cancelled as the Mk46 has been deemed as adequate until the planned replacement for the AP-3C, the Boeing P-8A, enters service from 2017.

“Changes made to the Public Defence Capability Plan 2009 are the result of decisions taken by government since July 2009, up to 31 December 2009,” Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science, Greg Combet said. “The DCP will continue to be adjusted over time due to various factors that emerge as the capability development process progresses, including changing strategic priorities and economic circumstances, the maturity of projects and the evolution of technology in the options under consideration, and operational experience. ”

Raaf Accepts First Super Hornets

The RAAF has begun officially accepting the first of its 24 Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornets, with A44‑203 handed over at a ceremony at NAS Lemoore in California on February 18.

A44-203 was signed over to the DMO by representatives of the US Defense Contract Management Agency in the presence of RAAF and US Navy officials. A44-202 and A44-203 were subsequently signed over on February 23.

Aircrews and maintenance personnel from the RAAF’s 1SQN have been training on the Super Hornet at Lemoore for over a year and are preparing to bring the first four or five jets home to Australia in late March.

At the time of writing delivery plans were still being finalised, but it is understood the Super Hornets could land at Canberra on March 23 at the end of their trans-Pacific ferry, to coincide with the visit to the national capital by US President Barack Obama. The aircraft would then complete their delivery by ferrying from Canberra to RAAF Amberley the following day.

In other Super Hornet news, Raytheon Australia has won a contract to provide training support services to the RAAF’s 24 F/A-18Fs at Amberley.

Under the contract, Raytheon will provide “maintenance, logistics, and training services to support the Super Hornet flight simulators, visual environment maintenance trainers and electronic classrooms,” according to a statement by Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science, Greg Combet. “The signing of the Super Hornet Training Support Services Contract is worth approximately $21. 5 million over three years,and secures about 25 jobs at RAAF Base Amberley for that period,” the statement adds.

Raytheon will draw upon staff and experience with systems from the RAAF’s current classic Hornet Aircrew Training System (HACTS) simulators located at RAAF Williamtown and Tindal, and the F-111 simulator at Amberley.

Upgrade For Raaf C-130js Approved

Federal cabinet’s National Security Committee has approved the upgrade of the RAAF’s fleet of 12 C-130J Hercules in service with 37SQN at Richmond, but a statement from Defence Minister Senator John Faulkner makes no mention of plans to acquire a further two of the aircraft.

The $45 million upgrade will see the aircraft receive the latest Block 7. 0 software load and other enhancements specified by the International C-130J User’s Group (JUG) designed to address obsolescence issues and enable the aircraft to comply with global air traffic management standards.

“The Block 7. 0 upgrade will enable Australia’s fleet of C-130Js to meet new global air traffic management requirements and continue to operate in global airspace,” said Minister Faulkner in a February 25 statement. “Importantly, there is likely to be significant opportunity for Australian industry to be involved in the national installation and support of the upgrade. Funding for these elements will be considered by government following successful testing of the first modification kit on an Australian C-130J. ”

Tenders Called For F-111g Destruction

The Commonwealth has called for tenders for the destruction of the RAAF’s retired F-111Gs which are currently in open storage at Amberley.

The tender specifies the destruction of 13 F-111G airframes and 70 TF30 engines.

It is understood the G models must be destroyed under US International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITARS) rules, as in their former lives as USAF FB‑111A bombers they were armed with nuclear Short Range Attack Missiles (SRAMs) and bombs.

Fortunately, one F-111G, A8-272 ‘Boneyard Wrangler’, has been retained and is being prepared for display at the RAAF Museum at Point Cook near Melbourne.

The RAAF acquired 15 former USAF F-111Gs in 1993 to bolster its F-111 training stocks. One aircraft crashed with the loss of its crew in Malaysia in 1999, and the remaining 14 were retired in 2007.

EADS confirms deal reached on A400M

EADS has confirmed that it has reached an ‘in principle’ deal with development partner nations on future funding for the troubled A400M airlifter program, although it has stressed that some details still need to be worked out.

The announcement will see partner governments contribute an additional €3. 5bn (A$5. 25bn) to the program, €2bn ($A3bn) of which will be sunk directly into development, with the remaining €1. 5bn (A$2. 25bn) repayable if additional export orders are booked. The payments will be made through to 2014, bolstering EADS’s cash flow in the interim.

Reports indicate EADS will likely have to take another earning charge on the program, likely to be in the region of €1. 8bn (A$2. 7bn).

Military briefs

• The RAAF temporarily grounded its F-111C fleet in February after an engine fire warning during a display at the Singapore Airshow necessitated an emergency landing. An inspection reportedly discovered fire damage to the jet’s left engine.

Airlines

Borghetti To Be New Vb Ceo

Former Qantas executive general manager John Borghetti has been appointed the new CEO of Virgin Blue effective May 8, succeeding the retiring Brett Godfrey.

“We are delighted to have John join us,” Virgin Blue Holdings Limited chairman Neil Chatfield said in announcing the appointment on March 2. “He is a highly regarded executive with deep aviation experience and insights, proven strategic capabilities, and strong marketing credentials.

Nobody knows the market better and he is passionate about the aviation business. ” The highly respected Borghetti, 54, left Qantas in May 2008 after he was passed over for the Qantas CEO role in preference to Alan Joyce. His 36 year career saw him work in a range of commercial, sales and marketing positions, culminating in six years as executive general manager Qantas, in charge of network operations, scheduling and pricing, sales and marketing, crew, customer service, product and brand.

“It’s a great business with a great team and great culture – you can feel the energy in the people and the brand,” Borghetti said in a statement.

“The company is in good shape and is exceptionally well placed to build on its strengths and embrace revenue growth opportunities ahead. I look forward to working with the team to create an even more competitive environment for air travellers – domestic and international. ” Observers suggest the biggest challenge for Borghetti will be to grow the airline’s yield premium while ensuring its cost base continues to be contained, otherwise it will lose its key competitive advantage.

It is expected that with his expertise Virgin Blue will further its attack against Qantas and grow the middle ground between Jetstar and the top end of the premium market that Qantas currently dominates.

Borghetti was appointed after the VB board conducted a global search for a successor to Godfrey, with “the leading candidate internally,” Chatfield told a March 2 press conference, likely to be CFO Keith Neate, having “signalled to me early on he didn’t want to take the role”.

Godfrey, who will spend the time leading up to the changeover introducing Borghetti to Virgin Blue staff and investors, will finish up as CEO on May 7. Said Borghetti of his predecessor, “Brett’s left some pretty big shoes to fill, Brett has done an outstanding job. ” With his move to Virgin Blue, Borghetti will step down from his current directorships of Piper Aircraft and Investec Global Aircraft Fund.

Qantas First Half Profit Falls

Qantas has recorded a first half profit before tax (PBT) for the half year ended December 31 2009 of $90 million, down from the $288 million result it posted for the first half of the previous financial year, on revenue of $6. 9 billion.

“The current half year experienced the full impact of the economic downturn in the first quarter, with signs of recovery becoming evident by the end of the second quarter,” the airline said. “By comparison the comparative first half year reflected buoyant economic conditions offset by extremely high fuel prices. ” The airline said key factors behind the profit result included weaker domestic and international demand and lower fuel surcharges leading to a 14. 9 per cent fall in yield and a 13 per cent or $832 million fall in group net passenger revenue; lower capacity and a 2. 7 point increase in seat load factors; net fuel savings of $468 million due to lower fuel costs; and an 11 per cent fall in non fuel operating expenses (with manpower costs down by 11 per cent and aircraft operating costs down 10 per cent, mainly due to reduced maintenance costs).

According to Qantas CEO Alan Joyce, “the tough decisions made last year, par-ticularly in terms of capacity management and cost initiatives, have yielded results. ” Qantas said its “underlying” PBT – which excludes gains and losses on derivatives not relating to the half, and nonrecurring aircraft impairments – was $267 million, with Joyce saying the company’s future internal and external reporting will include a greater emphasis on underlying PBT, “as it reflects the operational performance of the business that can be more accurately forecast. ” By segment, Qantas mainline recorded an underlying EBIT (earnings before interest and tax) of $60 million (down from $98 million), with capacity (in ASKs) down 9. 6 per cent, revenue down by $1. 04 billion, and ‘Q Future’ program savings of $202 million. Jetstar’s underlying EBIT was $121 million, up 181 per cent or $78 million on the previous year, with Jetstar’s ‘controllable’ (excluding fuel and currency) cost per ASK down by 6. 1 per cent. Jetstar yields fell 10. 9 per cent, but revenues increased 18. 1 per cent to $1. 13bn, on the back of a 33 per cent rise in operating capacity. Qantas Frequent Flyer contributed an underlying EBIT of $157 million, and Qantas Freight $17 million.

Vb Posts Strong First Half Results, Progresses 737 Buy

Virgin Blue Holdings on February 24 reported a net profit after tax of $62. 5 million for the six months ending December 31 2009 (compared to a $101. 4 million loss in the first half of the previous financial year), and further detailed plans to acquire up to 50 new Boeing 737s for extra domestic capacity.

Highlights of the result include: underlying profit before tax of $75. 6 million, up 34 per cent; revenue up 12. 2 per cent to $1. 51 billion; cost per available seat kilometre, excluding fuel, down 4. 5 per cent; and group ASKs up 24. 7 per cent to 16. 4 billion.

“Any way you cut it, to continue to achieve cost reductions while we continue to grow our business and position it to rapidly and fully exploit any improvement in economic conditions demonstrates the remarkable commitment of each and every one of our team members and the resilience of our model,” said CEO Brett Godfrey.

Nevertheless, Godfrey added that the operating environment and pace of the global recovery were uncertain, while increased price competition will put pressure on yields for the remainder of the year.

“However, we do not intend to shy away from remaining competitive, and we plan to vigorously defend our core domestic markets. In that regard we are intending to secure additional short term domestic capacity and have reached an in principle agreement with Boeing for an order of up to 50 aircraft. These aircraft will come equipped with the upgraded Boeing Sky Interiors as well as performance improvements that will deliver significant fuel and maintenance efficiencies. ” The short haul business of Virgin Blue and Pacific Blue recorded a profit before tax of $108 million (up 126 per cent) on revenues of $1. 26 billion (up 3. 5 per cent). Australian domestic yield grew 2. 7 per cent, with 4. 9 per cent of domestic capacity redeployed to short haul international routes (short haul international yields were down by 4. 3 per cent).

Domestic load factor increased 1. 3 points to 82. 9 per cent.

V Australia posted a loss before tax of $39 million, but the company says V is meeting expectations with a noticeable improvement expected in the second half, with guidance that V would be profitable within 18 months of launch remaining “valid”.

V Australia is also expected to benefit from its joint venture on Pacific routes with Delta Air Lines, which received ACCC approval last year. Currently, the two airlines are awaiting approval from the US Department of Transport before beginning their joint operations, which will see them coordinate on schedules, fares, product and networks between the US and South West Pacific.

In its outlook, the company says that it expects to record a full year profit before tax, excluding ineffective cash flow hedges and non designated derivatives, of between $80-$110 million, although it still expects that seasonality and competition will keep yields down.

Domestic Traffic Static During 2009

New data from BITRE shows that the number of passengers who travelled domestically in 2009 was the same as the previous year despite a marginal rise during the month of December.

Year end statistics show that a total of 50. 46 million passengers travelled domestically for the 2009 calendar year, the same as in 2008, demonstrating strong resilience during the global financial crisis. RPKs for the year increased by 0. 2 per cent while ASKs were down by 2. 1 per cent, which resulted in a 1. 8 per cent increase in load factor to 79. 7 per cent. The number of aircraft trips decreased by 1. 9 per cent for the year.

For the year, the biggest increase in traffic was on the Adelaide-Gold Coast route which saw a 32. 3 per cent increase in passenger traffic, followed by Melbourne-Mildura (19 per cent) and Cairns- Townsville (13. 6 per cent).

The biggest decreases were felt on Kalgoorlie-Perth (20. 1 per cent), Cairns-Melbourne (19. 1 per cent) and Darwin- Melbourne (11. 5 per cent).

New China-aust Air Service Agreement

The Australian and Chinese governments have signed a new air services agreement which will increase the number of seats available between the two countries by 70 per cent from the end of this year, as well as giving Australian carriers onward rights from Chinese cities.

Under the new agreement, up to 10,500 seats per week will be available between Australia’s main gateway cities and China, with a further 4000 from November. The agreement also contains a special arrangement which quarantines 2000 seats for Chinese airlines to operate services to and from Queensland, while both Australian and Chinese carriers will be able to operate onward services from the respective countries. Transport Minister Anthony Albanese hailed the new agreement, adding that the two countries have committed to commencing further negotiations leading to an open skies agreement.

The agreement is likely to benefit Qantas by allowing it to operate services from Shanghai onwards to London, while it may allow V Australia to begin services to China, although there have been no indications that the carrier is intending to do so.

Air Nz Sees Profit Soar

Air New Zealand has doubled its profit for the first half of the financial year, but is expecting a weaker second half due to the effects of currency hedges.

The airline recorded a net profit of NZ$56m (A$43. 5m), compared to NZ$24m (A$18. 6m) for the previous corresponding period. Revenues declined over the six months by 15 per cent to NZ$2. 1bn (A$1. 6bn) as the airline cut capacity and fares to stimulate demand, resulting in an increase in load factor of three percentage points to 81. 6 per cent.

“We worked hard to adapt the business to reflect the lower revenue base. As a result, we achieved an 11 per cent reduction in non fuel operating costs, with all operating costs reduced,” said CEO Rob Fyfe.

He added that the company had a busy year ahead of it.

“The next 12 months will be one of the most defining in Air New Zealand’s history. Our competitors will be scrambling to catch up as we introduce a world first long haul experience, continue to evolve our trans-Tasman and Pacific Island operation and introduce more capacity into our domestic jet operation with the arrival of new A320 aircraft. ” In its outlook though, the company warned that if current exchange rates continue, it faces a currency hedging loss of approximately NZ$20m (A$15. 5m) during the second half. It also noted that yields and average fares remain “significantly lower” than in previous periods, although overall it expects the business to remain profitable during the second half.

Extra Etihad Aus Access

Abu Dhabi based Etihad Airways has been awarded seven extra frequencies per week to Australia’s gateway cities following negotiations between the UAE and Australian governments in Canberra.

The new capacity grants will allow Etihad to operate an additional seven weekly services to gateway destinations of Melbourne, Sydney, Perth and Brisbane. The airline has also been granted seven additional weekly frequencies on the provision that the services operate via regional cities, such as Cairns and Darwin. The new slots will become effective from March 2011.

Etihad currently flies from Abu Dhabi to Sydney 11 times per week, Melbourne seven times per week and Brisbane three times per week, has a codeshare agreement with Qantas, and interlines with Virgin Blue. The carrier could choose to use the additional slots to boost existing frequencies or to add new services, with Etihad previously signalling that it is interested in serving the Perth market.

While the negotiations have been fruitful for Etihad, Dubai based rival Emirates has confirmed that it has not secured any additional rights from the current round of talks, although it intends to press for more frequencies during the next round of negotiations in February 2011.

Strategic A320 Lands In Perth, Confirms Bali Services

Strategic Airlines has confirmed that it plans to start services on the Perth- Denpasar route from mid year, as well as lead a push into the lucrative WA resource charter market, with the arrival of its Perth based A320.

The A320 is configured in a 180-seat, all economy layout and is initially being used on the Perth-Derby (Curtin) route, replacing a Fokker 100 wet leased from Alliance Airlines.

The airline is also planning to add another A320 to its Perth base, and has noted that it is currently in talks with the travel industry to commence services to Denpasar from June, and was also keen to tap in on the potentially lucrative charter market.

“We are pursuing charter contracts within the mining sector and believe there is huge opportunity for the type of services we can offer – not only in mining, but in the broader corporate and consumer WA sectors that will reap the flow-on effects of mining growth,” said Damien Vasta, head of commercial for Strategic Airlines.

Vasta added that with the increase in mining activity within WA there has been an increase in enquiries for the A320 to operate into mining airfields. Strategic intends to apply to CASA to operate the aircraft into Code 3C airfields, which it says would allow it to serve a number of fly-in/fly-out markets.

The company also said that it is considering introducing services from the east coast to key mining centres in northwest WA to meet the needs to resource companies.

Vipa, Aipa Join Forces

The Virgin International Pilots Association (VIPA), which represents pilots from the Virgin Blue group of airlines, has joined forces with the Australian and International Pilots Association (AIPA) to increase union membership of V Australia pilots ahead of the negotiation of a new V Australia collective agreement.

The move will effectively bring together the two major unions for the Qantas and Virgin Blue groups. The two parties have announced that they will work together in negotiations for the new collective agreement.

“It is clear that pilots are best served by unified pilot associations that work together to resist the deskilling of pilots’ work and the negative effects of an increasingly globalised economy where pilots continue to bear the brunt of continuous cost cutting by airline employers,” the two unions said in a joint statement.

Regional Express Profit Down

Regional Express Holdings has recorded an 8. 6 per cent fall in profit for the first half of the 2010 financial year as revenues fell across its operations.

The airline group, which includes Pel-Air, Air-Link and the Australian Airline Pilot Academy, recorded a net profit of $9. 6 million for the six months ending December 31. Total revenues were $117. 8 million, which was down 13. 3 per cent, while passenger revenue was down 10. 9 per cent to $98. 8 million. Passenger numbers were down by 8. 8 per cent to 641,552, while load factor was down by five percentage points to 63. 1 per cent.

The decline in revenue came across its divisions, with only the charter and Defence operations of Pel-Air recording positive revenue growth over the six months. The company also noted that its medevac operations were negatively affected by upgrades to the avionics of its fleet of IAI Westwinds, as well as the loss of one of the aircraft after it was ditched into water off Norfolk Island in November last year.

Despite the fall in first half profit, the company noted that its outlook for the following six months is largely positive, and it expects full year profit after tax to come in line with its FY09 profit of $23 million.

In particular, it is expecting to benefit from the recent start of subsidised services in northern Queensland, new contract opportunities for Pel-Air, and the completion of the AAPA’s new academy in Wagga in April.

Tiger Leaps To Third Quarter Profit

Tiger Airways Holdings has recorded a S$14. 1m (A$11. 3m) net profit for the quarter ending December 31, with CEO Tony Davis noting that its Australian operations have now been profitable for two quarters.

The profit, which was a turnaround from the S$7. 7m (A$6. 2m) loss reported during the previous corresponding period, came on the back of a 29 per cent growth in revenue to S$139. 5m (A$111. 5m) as passenger numbers increased by 54 per cent. Total unit costs were down by 16 per cent to 3. 78 Singaporean cents per kilometre, while load factor increased by five percentage points to 88 per cent.

“The result demonstrates that we have the right model in the right markets,” said Davis. “In fact, Tiger AirwaysAustralia has been profitable for two successive quarters, proving that our Australian business has exited the start-up phase at a faster pace compared to the Singapore business, and is well positioned for growth going forward. ” The company was restrained in its outlook, choosing not to issue a profit guidance, but noted that its focus will continue to be on cost reduction as it looks to an improving Asian travel market. It also said that it would also examine opportunities to add new bases to its network.

Skywest’s Profit Soars

Skywest has recorded a net profit after tax of S$7m (A$5. 8m) for the six months ending December 31 2009, marking a major turnaround from a loss of S$2. 8m (A$2. 2m) for the comparable half year.

The profit came on the back of a 10 per cent increase in revenue to S$107m (A$87m), and was boosted by an increase in resource charter work, which now accounts for approximately 60 per cent of the company’s revenue. This helped to offset a decrease in passenger traffic on its scheduled services of 6. 6 per cent, although capacity cuts in these services saw load factor increase by 2. 78 percentage points to 55. 7 per cent.

The airline says that it is continuing to target the resource industry to drive its growth forward, and is also looking at growing its scheduled services.

It has foreshadowed plans to introduce Airbus A320s into its fleet to complement its existing Fokker 50s and 100s, and has also floated possible routes from the northwest to the east coast to meet demand from resource clients.

Aeropelican To Operate Snowy Mountains Services

Aeropelican has announced that it will commence nonstop flights between Sydney and Cooma’s Snowy Mountains Airport from June 11.

The services will be operated by 19-seat BAe Jetstream 32s, with three return services Sunday to Friday and two return flights on Saturdays during winter. Aeropelican says that it plans to operate yearround services between Sydney and Cooma/Snowy Mountains, and is expected to soon release its proposed schedule for services after October 1.

Sydney-Cooma services were last operated by Regional Express (Rex), which announced the suspension of its seasonal services on the route in early 2008, citing the pilot shortage it was experiencing at the time.

Pac Blue gets Fiji rights

The International Air Services Commission has approved an application by Virgin Blue which would allow it to transfer 360 seats of capacity from V Australia to Pacific Blue on the Fiji route.

The approval clears the way for Pacific Blue to operate one weekly 737 service on the Sydney-Nadi route in place of a V Australia 777-300ER, while also granting it the option to add a third weekly service on the Melbourne-Nadi route.

Under the changes in capacity, V Australia will maintain its 777 services six days per week.

In 2009, Pacific Blue transferred 360 seats of capacity to V Australia to operate daily frequencies on the Sydney-Nadi route. That allocation included 180 seats intended to start a third weekly Melbourne-Nadi service, which is now expected to be announced shortly.

Jetstar is the only other Australian carrier with an allocation to fly between Australia and Fiji, and was due to begin four times weekly services on Sydney- Nadi from March 29. Qantas codeshares on Air Pacific’s services between the two cities.

New Bilateral Agreement With Turkey Signed

Turkey and Australia have signed a new bilateral air services agreement, effectively opening the way for direct flights between the two countries for the first time.

The arrangements will immediately allow carriers to launch up to five times weekly services between the two countries, as well as allowing for codeshare arrangements with other airlines through an intermediate stop.

Qantas Launches New East Coast- Karratha Services

Qantas has announced that it will start nonstop services from Sydney and Melbourne to the northwest WA resource hub of Karratha from May.

Nonstop services from both Melbourne and Sydney will be operated once weekly, adding to the once weekly Brisbane-Karratha service the airline has operated since November 2007. The flights will be operated by Boeing 737-800s, with the Melbourne services starting on May 3 and Sydney from June 17.

The new services have been made possible by the opening last year of an extension to the runway at Karratha Airport, which is now 2280m long and capable of taking aircraft up to a Boeing 767-300. Skywest and Strategic Airlines have also indicated that they are examining nonstop services from northwest centres such as Karratha to the east coast to support the mining, gas and oil industries.

Qantas Ups Japanese Capacity

Qantas has announced that it will increase capacity on the Sydney-Tokyo route from July due to buoyant demand from leisure travellers and an expected increase in business traffic.

Qantas currently operates daily services on the route with an Airbus A330-300, but from July 5 it will introduce twoclass Boeing 747-400s on six of the services, while the remaining service will be operated by an A330-200. The net effect will be an increase of 1256 seats on the route each week. Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said that the market was expected to grow considerably. “The growth comes on the back of increased travel to Japan by Australians, particularly in the leisure and VFR (visiting family and friends) markets,” he said.

The increase in capacity comes after years of Qantas reducing its services to Japan, now only operating services from Sydney and three times weekly services from Perth.

By contrast, Jetstar’s Japanese services have grown significantly, with the low cost subsidiary operating a number of services to Osaka and Tokyo from ports including Sydney, Cairns and the Gold Coast.

Qantas Group Makes Queensland Changes

QantasLink has announced that it will add additional frequencies on its services from Brisbane to Mackay and Rockhampton, while Jetstar will also make changes to its services on the same routes, including withdrawing from Rockhampton.

From April 6, QantasLink will operate an additional eight services per week between Mackay and Brisbane, taking the total number of return services to 24 per week. It will also increase by six per week the number of services between Rockhampton and Brisbane. All the new services will be operated by 74-seat Bombardier Q400s.

At the same time, Jetstar has announced that it will make changes to its schedules on the two routes, adding seven weekly return services on the Mackay-Brisbane route from May 10. The carrier will also withdraw its services on the Rockhampton-Brisbane route from May 9. Passengers booked on the Jetstar service after May 10 will be offered the option to transfer to QantasLink services.

Jetstar CEO Bruce Buchanan said that the withdrawal was due to the airline and the airport not being able to reach a new pricing agreement. “While it is regrettable we could not reach an agreement with Rockhampton Airport at this stage, the door remains open for the return of Jetstar services if we can achieve a competitive pricing structure with the airport. ” Meanwhile, QantasLink will upgrade a number of other regional services in Queensland from April 6, adding two additional 74-seat Q400 services on the Bundaberg-Brisbane route, as well as upgrading two services from 50-seat Q300s to Q400s, adding 392 seats each week. In addition, the carrier will introduce two additional return services on Emerald-Brisbane and five on Gladstone-Brisbane, which will be operated with Q400s.

QantasLink currently has 10 of its Q400s based in Queensland, and operates to 22 destinations across the state.

Airline briefs

• Pacific Blue will commence twice weekly services between Brisbane and Queenstown from June 25 to September 12. Pacific Blue also operates services from Sydney and Auckland to Queenstown, which the airline says saw strong loads due to good snow conditions during the 2009 ski season.

• QantasLink is reinstating its Sydney to Mount Hotham flights from June 25 to September 12, with an average three times per week service over the two and a half month period. The flights will operate on selected Thursdays, Fridays, Sundays and Mondays during the ski season, with additional services also operated during periods of peak demand.

• Indian carrier Kingfisher Airlines has signed a memorandum of understanding which will pave the way for it to join the oneworld alliance. Qantas, which is a oneworld member, currently has a strong relationship with Jet Airways on Indian routes, which is currently moving towards the competing Star Alliance, and it is not known if this relationship will be affected by Kingfisher joining oneworld.

• Virgin Blue has announced that it will operate servicesare absolutely determined to reduce our impact on climate change and are proud to lead the way on aviation’s environmental initiatives. ”

Airports

Govt Opens New Rasp Round

The federal government has opened applications for the fourth round of its Regional Aerodrome Safety Program (RASP) which will provide $7 million to undertake safety and access upgrades at aerodromes supporting remote and regional communities.

The funding will be available to communities for projects including repairing or sealing runway surfaces, installing safety equipment such as navaids or runway lighting and other infrastructure, such as animal fencing. To date, $13. 6 million has been disbursed to upgrade 116 aerodromes and airstrips around Australia.

In its Aviation White Paper, the government has foreshadowed that the RASP will be merged with the Regional Air Services Subsidy Scheme, Remote Aerodrome Inspection Program and the Remote Aviation Infrastructure Fund into a from Sydney to Ayers Rock from August 2. The daily flights will be operated with a 104-seat Embraer E-190.

Environment Ba Enters Biofuels Partnership

British Airways has entered a partnership with US company Solena Group to establish a commercial biomass derived jet fuel facility which will provide the airline with sustainable jet fuel from 2014.

To be situated in east London, the facility will convert 500,000 tonnes of waste per year into 73 million litres of jet fuel, which offers a 95 per cent reduction in lifecycle emissions compared to petroleum jet fuel. The fuel will be used to power BA flights from nearby London City Airport, effectively making its operations there carbon neutral.

“This unique partnership with Solena will pave the way for realising our ambitious goal of reducing net carbon emissions by 50 per cent by 2050,” Willie Walsh, British Airways chief executive, said.

“We believe it will lead to the production of a real sustainable alternative to jet kerosene. We single scheme, which will help to remove some of the crossover between the programs.

Airport briefs

• The federal government will contribute $5. 5 million towards the upgrade of the terminal at Gladstone Airport. The upgrade will expand the arrival and departure halls, provide space for additional security screening facilities and construct passenger facilities in the departure hall beyond the security screen point, as part of the council’s broader development plans. Construction was expected to begin in March.

• Westralia Airports Corporation, which operates Perth Airport, has received approval for a Major Development Plan, clearing the way for work to start on its new intrastate terminal, Terminal WA. The $136 million terminal, which will be located adjacent to the current international terminal, will cater for charter and regional flights operating within Western Australia, particularly the daily services that fly workers to and from remote mining locations.

When it opens in 2012, the terminal will have 20 aircraft parking bays and a processing capacity of up to 1800 passengers per hour at its peak.

General Aviation

Ga Hours Up, Regionals Down During 2008

The number of hours flown by general aviation (GA) operators during 2008 increased, while regional airlines saw a significant fall, according to the Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics (BITRE)’s 2008 General Aviation Activity Survey.

According to the report, GA operators flew 1. 9 million hours, which was an increase of 1. 4 per cent compared to 2007, driven primarily by increases in training, private flying and aerial work. Agriculture provided the largest increase in activity, with a rise of 25. 9 per cent reflecting more favourable growing conditions. Decreases in GA activity were felt in test and ferry, charter and business aviation.

By contrast to the small growth in GA, hours flown by regional airline operators were down by 11. 3, marking the biggest decrease since 2002. The survey also noted that the average age of aircraft used on regional airline services decreased to 17. 7 years compared to 19. 3 in 2007, which is attributed to an increase in the number of newer jets operating on some regional services. This also reflected a greater trend for regional services to be operated by mainline carriers rather than regional affiliates.

The survey also noted that sport aviation has been growing, with figures provided to BITRE by the Recreational Aviation Association of Australia (RA-Aus) showing a 13 per cent increase in ultralight flying hours. The analysis also notes that the total number of ultralight flying hours has doubled since 2001. In addition, the number of gliders registered with the Gliding Federation of Australia increased by 5. 2 per cent, although gliding hours decreased by 50. 5 per cent.

Ga Shipments Down 40 Per Cent In 2009

As expected, the General Aviation Manufacturer’s Association(GAMA) has confirmed that total shipments for GA and business aircraft saw a major decline during 2009 as the global economic crisis savaged demand for piston aircraft and business jets.

Total unit shipments were down by 42. 6 per cent compared to 2008, with only 2276 aircraft delivered over the year.

The biggest fall was in the piston market, which registered a 54. 5 per cent fall in deliveries, followed by business jets (-33. 7 per cent) and turboprops (-17. 6 per cent). As a result of the lower shipments and some discounting, total industry billings declined by 21. 4 per cent to US$19. 5bn (A$21. 7bn), although it was still the third highest year on record.

“The worldwide economic crisis, which included major constraints on credit, cutbacks in flying hours, and downsizing and divestiture of business jet fleets, forced manufacturers to take difficult steps in 2009,” said GAMA chairman Rob Wilson. “General aviation manufacturers had no choice but to cut production and announce painful layoffs and furloughs. ” However, Wilson pointed to some signs that the market is improving with used aircraft inventories now declining and inquiries for new orders beginning to grow again, while the market is also starting to move more towards outside of North America.

“While these positive factors give us reason for optimism, we know that a full recovery will take time.

Our manufacturers continue to plan and invest for future growth and we are confident that our industry will remain a powerful engine for economic recovery and quality job creation around the world,” he said.

Business

First Australian G1000 Tbm 850 Delivered

Daher-Socata has handed over the first TBM 850 turboprop featuring a Garmin G1000 glass cockpit to an Australian customer.

The 2010 model TBM 850 was delivered on March 1 to Capstone Financial Services, which decided to purchase the aircraft after meeting with representatives at the 2009 Avalon Airshow. As with all TBMs produced from 2008 onwards, the aircraft is fitted with a Garmin G1000 glass avionics suite.

business briefs

• The first Citation CJ4 to be built on the type’s new assembly line at Cessna’s Wichita, Kansas, plant, made its first flight on February 17. Meanwhile, Cessna has also confirmed that CJ4 performance will be better than early projections, with a maximum cruise speed of over 450kt (up from 435kt) and a maximum range of over 2000nm.

Security

Govt Beefs Up Aviation Security

The federal government has announced a $200 million package aimed at upgrading aviation security in line with the recently released Aviation White Paper and heightened security since the attempted terrorist attack on a Delta Air Lines service on Christmas Day.

Announced in a joint statement from Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, Transport Minister Anthony Albanese and Minister for Home Affairs Brendan O’Connor, the package is aimed to further strengthen Australia’s “world class aviation security regime” by increasing passenger and baggage screening at a number of airports, increasing the presence of Australian Federal Police at airports, and the adoption of new technologies in passenger screening and profiling.

A key part of the package will see the government provide $28. 5 million to increase the number of passengers subjectto explosive trace detection at domestic and international airports, as well as assisting the industry to introduce new generation screening technologies, such as body scanners, at airports around Australia. The body scanners will be progressively introduced at international airports by early 2011, while there will also be a trial in partnership with the US and UK on improving detection of liquid based explosives as part of a separate $18. 2 million package aimed at increasing international cooperation on aviation security.

The government has also announced that it will provide $32 million to bring forward security screening at a number of regional airports currently served by turboprop aircraft where passenger screening does not currently operate, such as Longreach, Barcaldine and Blackall. This is in line with its intention to introduce passenger and baggage screening to such airports as outlined in the Aviation White Paper.

Additional funds will also be allocated to increase the number of firearms and explosive detection dogs at major international airports, as well as an increased presence by the AFP at airports.

The government will also provide $24. 9 million for new technology as part of Customs’s Enhanced Passenger Assessment and Clearance Program to enable the service to share data and intelligence more efficiently with other border protection and law enforcement agencies, as well as an increase in risk profiling to identify possible national security risks.

Cargo security will also be strengthened with $54. 2 million allocated to assist industry to install cargo x-ray and explosive trace testing at selected locations, as well as the establishment of a regulated shipper scheme.

Air Safety

Casa, Atsb Sign New Agreement

CASA CEO John McCormick and the ATSB’s chief commissioner Martin Dolan have signed a memorandum of understanding which provides a framework for greater cooperation between the two bodies and clarifies their roles in improving air safety.

The MoU focuses on maximising the effective use of the findings of accident investigations and clarifying the complementary roles of each organisation in improving air safety. It also covers issues such as the roles of CASA and the ATSB in accident investigations, assistance during investigations, safety education and statistical data collection and analysis.

Casa Proposes Cabin Crew Ratio Change

CASA has issued a Notice of Proposed Rule Making proposing to change the cabin crew to passenger seat ratio to bring Australia in line with international standards.

Key parts of the proposal include changing the ratio of cabin crew to passenger seats from 1:36 to 1:50 for passenger aircraft with more than 36 and fewer than 216 seats in charter and RPT operations, provided the aircraft has been certified to operate with such a ratio.

However, operators would be required to submit a Safety Risk Management Plan which “includes the identification, treatment and monitoring of the risks associated with the operator’s proposal to operate with a cabin crew ratio of one cabin crew member for every 50 passenger seats or part of that number. ” In addition, there would be provision for any aircraft operating at a 1:50 ratio to operate with one fewer cabin crew member in the event of illness or injury during a duty period, subject to strict conditions and reporting to CASA. The NPRM also proposes to lift the number of seats installed requiring a cabin crew member to be carried from 15 to 19.

Virgin Blue and Jetstar have already been operating domestic flights with a 1:50 cabin crew ratio under a CAR208 Direction, and CASA says that there has been no identified reduction in the level of safety.

The NPRM is out for public comment until April 6.

Jetstar makes changes after goaround mishap

Jetstar says that a serious incident at Melbourne Airport in 2007 which was initially not reported to the ATSB has seen it change its procedures for handling go-arounds and training of its A320 crews.

On March 5 the ATSB released its final report on the incident which occurred on July 21 2007 at Melbourne Airport. While the aircraft – A320 VH-VQT operating JQ156 from Christchurch – was on final to land at Melbourne, the pilot in command (PIC) was unable to establish visual reference due to thickfog, forcing the crew to initiate a go-around. However, go-around procedures were not completed correctly, with the throttles not fully advanced to the TOGA (takeoff/ go-around detent), and in the process the crew failed to realise that the aircraft was continuing to descend until it was within 38ft of the ground.

“The intent by the PIC to carry out a TOGA tap procedure ought normally to have meant that the thrust levers were momentarily moved from the CL (climb) detent to the TO/GA detent, and then back again,” the ATSB report reads. “However, in this instance, their movement to slightly beyond the FLX/MCT (flexible-maximum continuous thrust) detent meant that the aircraft’s automated systems did not make the mode transitions that were anticipated by the flightcrew. In particular, the vertical navigation mode did not transition from ‘glideslope’ to ‘speed-reference-system’.

“Approximately 48 seconds elapsed from the time that the PIC performed what was intended as a TOGA tap, with the intention of initiating a go-around, until the PIC again advanced the thrust levers; this time to the full extent necessary to reach the TO/ GA detent, and hence engage the speed-reference-system vertical mode. ” Continued the report, “neither the PIC nor the copilot confirmed the aircraft’s flight mode and, in the first eight seconds of that period, the aircraft gained airspeed and continued to descend to within 38ft of the ground. ” The crew subsequently made a second approach to land at Melbourne, but the fog again forced a missed approach, and the A320 diverted to and landed safely at Avalon airport.

The incident was reported internally, and five days later Jetstar reported it to the ATSB. A subsequent internal investigation found that the aircraft’s Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System had been activated, although this was not reported to the ATSB. Following media reports a few weeks later, the ATSB sought additional information from Jetstar and subsequently started an investigation.

The investigation subsequently found that a change in standard operating procedure by Jetstar for go-arounds “resulted in the flightcrew being unaware of the flight mode status of the aircraft during the first part of the first missed approach. ” It also found that, “Flightcrew undergoing initial endorsement training with the third party training provider were not trained to the procedures and systems used by the operator”, and that Jetstar “did not comply with the incident reporting requirements of its safety management system, which was part of its operations manual, or with the reporting requirements of the Transport Safety Investigation Act 2003. ” Jetstar subsequently adopted Airbus’s standard procedures for go-arounds, and confirmed to the ATSB that it was conducting a review of its third party training procedures.

After consultations with Jetstar about the incident, Airbus also revised its goaround procedure for the A320 to, according to the ATSB, “emphasise the critical nature of the actions by flight crew during a go-around. ”

People

Qf Cfo Storrie Steps Down

Qantas chief financial officer Colin Storrie resigned from the company and its board from March 5 for personal and health reasons.

“Colin Storrie has contributed greatly to Qantas maintaining a strong financial position during his time as CFO and before that as deputy CFO,” said chairman Leigh Clifford. “During his time as CFO, Qantas was able to remain in profit as it weathered the global financial crisis.

We are sad to see him go. ” As an interim replacement, the airline has appointed Gareth Evans as its acting group executive finance until a permanent replacement is appointed. Evans is currently the CFO of Qantas airline operations.

Storrie was appointed to the role of CFO in 2008 following the resignation of Peter Gregg as part of an executive reshuffle following the appointment of Alan Joyce as the company’s chief executive.

Prior to taking on the role, Storrie held a number of other high level financial positions with the company, and had been a member of the executive committee since 2005.

Vale max hawkins

One time Australian Aviation ‘Defence Update’ columnist Max Hawkins passed away in Sydney on February 16, aged 83.

Hawkins was a well known and respected defence writer, editing the Defence Industry Newsletter and the Australian Defence Report for many years, and wrote the ‘Defence Update’ column in Australian Aviation from the early 1980s through to the late 1990s.

Well known as the founding president of the National Press Club from 1971 to 1977, Hawkins was the Brisbane Telegraph’s federal political correspondent from 1964 to 1986.

The team at AA passes on its condolences to Max’s family and many friends.

people briefs

Archerfield Airport Corporation has appointed former RAAF GPCAPT Corrie Metz the new general manager of Archerfield Airport.