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 Acquired Hawker De Havilland From Tenix in 2000.

Atr 42-600 Commences Flight Testing the First Atr 42-600 Made Its First Flight at Toulouse on March 4, Beginning 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 Engine, Avionics, Hydraulics and Electrical Systems Tests, 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.

Airframers to Boost Production Rates

Airbus Has Announced That It Will Increase the Production Rate of Its A320 Family, While Boeing Has Indicated That It is Examining Possibly Raising Output on Its 737ng and 777 Lines.

From December Airbus Will Lift Its Production Rate for the A320 Family to 36 Per Month, an Additional Two Aircraft Each Month. The Company Says That the Decision Has Followed Continued Strong Demand for the Aircraft, as Well as the Improving Economic Conditions.

“thanks to Our Proactive Order Book Management We Have Been Able to Keep Production Stable During the Year of the Downturn, but Now It is Definitely Time to Think Ahead,” Said Tom Williams, Airbus’s Executive Vice President Programs. “aviation is a Long Term Growth Industry. With Our Prudent Decision We Will Be Ready When the Market Recovers. ” Boeing Appears Set to Follow Suit, With Ceo Jim Albaugh Telling a Jp Morgan Conference in the Usa That His Company Could Make a Decision by the Middle of the Year, Although He Did Not Elaborate How Many Additional Aircraft Would Be Produced. “we Are Sold Out in 2011,” Said Albaugh. “we Are Over Committed in 2012. We Think We’re Coming Back Into a Positive Cycle in the Marketplace. ” Albaugh Added That the Company Will Make a Decision in April on a Possible Increase in 777 Output, Which Would Take Place in 2011. “we Need to Feel Very, Very Confident That We Can Go to the Six or Seven Airplanes (a Month), Whatever We Might Decide to Do and We Need to Be Able to Stay There for Years to Come,” He Said.

787 Testing Moves to Victorville the Second Boeing 787, Za002, Has Been Transferred to Victorville, California, for Three Weeks of Testing, Which Will Include Ground Effect Testing, Marking the First Time the 787 Has Been Based Outside of Washington State.

“victorville’s Airfield is the Former George Air Force Base,” Said Randy Neville, Chief Pilot for Za002. “there is Ample Ramp Space for Parking and Plenty of on-site Facilities. There is a Long Runway and Plenty of Level, Clear Land Along the Approach to the Runway. We Can Operate There Without Disrupting Air Traffic Control or Other Commercial Aircraft. ” More Than 150 Boeing Employees Will Be Stationed at Victorville for the Trials to Support and Monitor the Aircraft.

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 Based on the Fokker 100 Prototype’s Airframe. The Aircraft is Expected to Feature an Updated Wing With Winglets, New Engines and Systems. The Company is Aiming to Assemble the Demonstrator 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.

Second 747-8, Fourth 787 Join Flight Test Program March 14 Was a Busy Day for Boeing’s 787 and 747-8 Programs, With the First Flights of the Fourth 787 (Za003) and the Second 747-8f (Rc522) Occurring Within the Space of a Few Hours of Each Other From Everett, Washington’s Paine Field.

Captains Ray Craig and Mike Bryan Were at the Controls of 787 Za003 for Its Three Hour, Six Minute First Flight, Which Took Off From Paine Field at 1055am Local Time and Landed at Boeing Field, Seattle, at 201pm.

Za003 is Fitted With a Partial Passenger Interior, and Will Be Used to Demonstrate That the 787’s Interior Meets Certification Requirements. It Will Also Be Used for Systems, Noise, Flightdeck Operations, Avionics, Electromagnetic Effect, High Intensity Radio Frequency Response and Etops Testing.

Za003 is the Last of Four Rolls-royce Trent 1000 Powered 787 Flight Test Aircraft to Fly. Two Further General Electric Genx Powered 787s (Za005 and Za006) Will Also Join the Flight Test Program.

To Date All Four Flying 787s Have Accumulated 294 Flying Hours on 98 Flight Tests. Za001 Has Flown 58 Times, Za002 38 Times, and Za004 and Now Za003 Once Each.

Then 747-8f Rc522 Successfully Completed Its First Flight on the Afternoon on March 14, Taking Off From Paine Field at 357pm for a Two-and-a-half-hour Flight That Also Landed at Boeing Field.

Rc522, With Captain Kirk Vining, Copilot Rick Braun and Systems Operator Joel Conard on Board, Reached an Altitude of 27,000ft and an Airspeed of 240kt on the Flight.

During Flight Test, Which Will Mainly Be Conducted From Palmdale, California, Rc522 Will Focus on Community Noise, Environmental Control Systems and Extended Operation Performance Standards Testing.

On March 11 Boeing Had Announced That the 747-8 Freighter Had Achieved Initial Airworthiness, Allowing Test Flights to Operate With Engineers on Board, and Clearing the Way for the Second Two Test 747-8s to Fly.

China to Order 218 Aircraft This Year Chinese Airlines Appear to Be Preparing to Order Up to 218 New Aircraft This Year to Meet Surging Demand, According to the Head of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (Caac).

According to State Media Agency Xinhua, Caac Director Li Jiaxiang Said the Orders Will Range From Regional Jets Up to Very Large Airliners to Meet Major Increases in Traffic. Caac Currently Predicts That Air Traffic Will More Than Triple to 700 Million Passengers by 2020.

787 Completes Major Tests Boeing Has Completed Ground Effect and Flutter Testing on the 787, Moving It Closer to Achieving Type Inspection Authorisation.

“we Tested at a Variety of Altitudes, Speeds and Fuel Loads on Za001,” Explained Boeing’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing Randy Tinseth in a Blog Post. “during the Testing, We Saw Altitudes Above 43,000ft, Dive Speeds as High as Mach 0. 97, and Calibrated Airspeeds as High as 405kt.

“the Technical Team Has Made an Initial Assessment of the Data and We Couldn’t Be More Pleased With the Performance of the 787. The Damping Was as Predicted and the Pilots Report That the Airplane Responded as Expected. ” Tinseth Added That the Test Data Has Been Submitted to the Faa for Validation as Part of the Type Inspection Authorisation, Which Will Later See Faa Officials Join Boeing Test Engineers for Certification Testing on the Aircraft.

To Date the 787 Test Fleet Has Flown 118 Test Flights, Accumulating 357 Flight Hours.

Boeing to Lift Widebody Production Rates Boeing Will Bring Forward Planned Production Rate Increases for the 777 and 747-8 as a Result of Higher Demand and the Recovering Aircraft Market.

The Adjustments to Rates Will See 777 Output Rise From Five to Seven Units Per Month From Mid 2011, Six Months Ahead of Schedule. Output on the 747-8 Will Rise to Two Per Month (From 1. 5) From Mid 2012, Instead of 2013 as Originally Planned. Boeing Says That Its Suppliers Will Be Ready to Handle the Increases.

“our Customers Recognise the Great Capability and Value of the 777 and 747-8,” Said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and Ceo Jim Albaugh. “market Improvement and Our Conservatively Managed Approach to Production Have Put Us in a Position Where We See It Necessary to Raise Aircraft Output. Increasing Our Rate is the Right Thing to Do to Support Our Customers. ” Boeing’s Head of Marketing Randy Tinseth Noted That the Increases Were Consistent With the Company’s Forecasts on Demand, Following the Recent Flat Period for New Aircraft Sales. “we See 2010 as the Year of Overall Economic Recovery Within the Industry and 2011 a Year Where Airlines Return to Profitability. As a Result, We Anticipate an Increase in Demand for Airplanes in 2012 and Beyond. ”

Third 747-8f Flies the 747-8 Flight Test Program Has Passed Another Milestone With the First Flight of the Third and Final 747-8f Flight Test Aircraft, Rc521, on March 18.

Crewed by Pilots Captains Paul Stemer and Keith Otsuka, Plus Systems Operator Ralph Chaffin, Rc 521 Took Off From Paine Field in Everett at 327 Pm for a Two-and-a-half-hour Flight Before Landing at Boeing Field in Seattle. The Aircraft Reached an Altitude of 30,000ft and an Airspeed of 245kt.

Rc521’s Flight Test Duties Will Include Fuel-mileage Testing, Part of the Three Aircraft, 3700 Flight Hour Test and Certification Program.

Boeing Says the First 747-8 Freighter Delivery is Planned for the Fourth Quarter of This Year.

April for A320 Re-engining Decision Airbus’s Board is Aiming for a Late April Decision on a Possible Re-engining of the A320, According to Chief Operating Officer – Customers John Leahy.

“if We Do It, It Will Be Just an Engine Option,” Leahy Told ‘aviation Week’ Following a Meeting of the International Society of Transport Aircraft Traders in Orlando, Florida. He is Also Reported as Saying That There Are Currently 14-15 Engineers Working on Technical Studies for Offering a New Generation Engine on the A320, Which is Expected to Be Launched at the Farnborough Airshow in June.

If a Re-engining is Approved, It is Expected That Cfm Will Offer the Leap-x Engine, While Pratt & Whitney’s Pw1000g Geared Turbofan is Also Expected to Be a Strong Candidate. However, Airbus is Understood to Favour P&w Launching a New Engine Through Iae as a Successor to the V2500, Which is a Joint Venture Between P&w, Rolls-royce, Mtu and Japan Aero Engines. Recent Reports Though Point to a Disagreement Between Pratt and Rolls Over Whether to Use Geared Turbofan or Three Shaft Architecture Technology on a New Engine. As Such, Pratt Has Indicted That It Could Go It Alone and Offer the Pw1000g Itself Rather Than Through Iae.

Boeing is Also Expected to Make a Decision This Year on a Possible Re-engining of the 737ng Series, Which is Likely to Focus on the Leap-x, Although Pratt Says That It Could Be Technically Feasible to Also Offer a Version of the Pw1000g.

Air Berlin Trims 787 Order German Leisure Carrier Air Berlin Says That It Has Cut Its Order for Boeing 787s From 25 to 15 and Halved the Number of Options to Five.

At List Prices, the Cancellation is Worth Approximately Us$1. 7bn (a$1. 85bn), and Will Now See Air Berlin’s First Aircraft Delivered in November 2015. Air Berlin Has Also Pushed Back Delivery of Nine 737-800s Originally Due for Delivery Over This and Next Year to 2015.

The Adjustment Reduces Boeing’s 787 Order Backlog to 866 From 57 Customers.

Emirates Warns Airbus on A350 Delays Emirates President Tim Clark Has Sounded a Warning to Airbus, Threatening to Order Other Aircraft if It Delays the Entry Into Service Date for the A350 as Happened With the A380.

“we Have Clearly Told Airbus That We Will Not Accept Again What They Did to Us With the A380,” Said Clark at the Itb Tourism Exchange in Berlin, Adding That It Was the Airline’s View That Airbus Should Have Built in “more Margin in Terms of Time and Performance Parameters” and That Margins Were Already Being Eaten Into.

He Added That Unlike the A380 Situation, the Airline Would Easily Look at Alternative Aircraft to the 70 A350s It Has on Firm Order. “all I Have to Do is Pick Up the Phone and Order More Boeing 777s. ” Emirates Intends to Use the A350s to Replace a Number of Aircraft in Its Fleet, Including Its Early 777-200s and -300s as Well as A330-200s and A340-300s. Clark Has Previously Said That It Would Retain Some of These Aircraft Longer if Needed, Although Emirates Intends to Maintain an Average Fleet Age of Less Than 10 Years.

787 Undergoes “ultimate-load” Boeing Has Completed Ultimate-load Wing Up-bending Testing on the 787 Static Test Unit.

The Testing Saw Loads Applied to Replicate 150 Per Cent of the Most Extreme Forces the 787 is Ever Expected to Experience While in Service, With the Wings Flexed Upwards by Approximately 7. 6 Metres.

“the Initial Results of the Ultimate-load Test Are Positive,” a March 28 Boeing Statement Said. “more Extensive Analysis and Review Are Required Before the Test Can Be Deemed a Success. ” the Two Hour Test Saw Thousands of Data Points Collected Each Second for Real Time and Subsequent Analysis. Data Will Be More Thoroughly Analysed in Coming Weeks, Boeing Said.

747-8 Hits Design Turbulence

Boeing Has Confirmed a Report From ‘flightblogger’ That It is Working on a Design Fix for the 747-8 Following Unexpected Buffeting Experienced During Test Flying, Potentially Putting Pressure on the Delayed Airliner’s Expected Certification and Delivery Dates.

The Issue Surfaced on the First Flight of the First 747-8 Freighter on February 10, and Occurred When the Aircraft’s Flaps Were Extended to Maximum Deflection at 30 Degrees While the Landing Gear Was Down. The Reportedly “very Apparent” Buffeting Was Traced Back to Disruptive Airflow Caused by the Aircraft’s Outboard Landing Gear Doors.

Boeing is Understood to Be Examining Different Solutions to the Issue, Such as Reducing the Maximum Deflection of the Double Slotted Flaps to 27 Degrees. Sources Claim That an Alternative Solution Involving Adding Vortex Generators to the Inboard Flaps to Redirect Airflow Has Been Ruled Out Due to Complications It Would Create With the Overwing Emergency Exit Slides.

Us Claims Win in Subsidies Row

the Us and Boeing Have Claimed Victory in Its Battle Over Subsidies Given by European Governments to Airbus After the Wto Handed Down Its Final Ruling on the Long Running Dispute.

Boeing Issued a Statement on March 23 Lauding the Decision as “good News” for the Us Aerospace Industry, While Also Attacking Its Rival. “government Subsidies Have Been Used to Support the Creation of Every Airbus Product, Including the A330/a340, Which Received More Than Us$5bn (a$5. 45bn) in Development Aid, and the A380, Which Received Us$4bn (a$4. 36bn) in Subsidies. Those and Other European Government Subsidies to Airbus Have Significantly Distorted the Global Market for Large Commercial Airplanes, Causing Adverse Effect to Boeing and Costing America Tens of Thousands of High-tech Jobs,” the Company Said.

Airbus Responded by Issuing Its Own Statement, Which Said That It Had Learned That 70 Per Cent of the Claims Made by the Us Against the Eu Were Rejected by the Wto Panel, While It Also Reaffirmed Reimbursable Launch Aid as a Legal Method of Financing Aircraft Research and Development. It Added That the Ruling in No Way Affects Future Funding for Research and Development on the A350, and That Us Requests to Include That Program “were Specifically Rejected. ” “these Results Are in Stark Contrast to Boeing’s Enthusiastic Expectations Announced Only Last Night in a Statement by the Company,” Said the Company. “airbus, the Eu and the Member States Will Closely Analyse Today’s Ruling in Advance of a Possible Review by the Wto Appellate Body. ” Airbus Also Hit Back at Boeing’s Rhetoric, Noting That a Counterclaim Filed by It and the Eu Over Subsidies Given to Boeing Through Defence Contracts and Various Tax Concessions is Expected to Be Reported on in June. “boeing’s Recent Wto Enthusiasm is Unlikely to Survive Wto Confirmation That the B787 is the Most Highly Subsidised Aircraft Program in the History of Aviation,” It Said.

Lan Brings Forward 787 Deliveries

Boeing and Lan Airlines Have Reached an Agreement Which Will See the South American Airline Bring Forward Delivery of Its First 787-8s Three Years Earlier Than Originally Scheduled.

The Airline Will Now Receive Its First 787 in the First Half of 2011 Rather Than 2014, With Nine Additional Deliveries All Brought Forward. In Total, Lan is Expected to Take Delivery of 32 787s, of Which 26 Will Be Owned and Six Will Be Leased.

Lan Now Joins All Nippon Airlines, Royal Air Maroc, Japan Air Lines, Air India, China Southern, Ethiopian, Qatar and Continental as the Airlines Expected to Take Delivery of Their First 787s During 2011.

Construction Begins on Cseries Fuselage Facility Bombardier Has Announced That Its Supplier Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (Sac) Has Commenced Construction on the Facility Which Will Produce Cseries Fuselage Sections, Following a Stone Laying Ceremony in Shenyang, China.

“this Ceremony Marks a New Milestone in the Strategic Cooperation Between Shenyang, Avic, China and Bombardier,” Said Bombardier President and Ceo Pierre Beaudoin. “bombardier Believes in the China Aviation Industry and is Encouraged to See the Further Development of the Shenyang National Aviation and High Technology Industrial Base as a Center of Design and Manufacturing Excellence. ” the 21000sq M Facility Will Produce Fuselage Sections for the Cseries, Which Has Garnered Orders From Lufthansa, Republic Airline Holdings and Lease Corporation International. It is Planned to Enter Service in 2013.

Ssj Completes Cold Soak Tests Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Corporation Has Announced That the Superjet 100 Has Completed Cold Soak Trials in Yakutsk.

One of the Test Aircraft, Msn 95004, Undertook a Number of Tests to Ensure Its Ability to Start in Cold Conditions. As Such, the Test Aircraft Was Subjected to Temperatures as Low as -41 Degrees Celcius While Seven Test Flights Were Conducted. The Aircraft Has Now Returned to Zhukovsky to Resume Certification Type Testing Alongside the Three Other Test Aircraft.

The First Ssj100 is Expected to Be Certified in the Middle of the Year, With First Delivery to Launch Customer Aeroflot Towards the End of 2010.

Work Begins on Charleston 787 Facility Work is Underway on Boeing’s 787 Final Assembly Line and Delivery Centre at Its Charleston, South Carolina Site, With the Placing of the First Steel Column on Monday.

“this New Facility Will Expand Our Production Capability and Strengthen the 787 Program as We Work Toward Rate,” Said Marco Cavazzoni, Vice President and General Manager of 787 Final Assembly and Delivery, Charleston, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “and That Reflects Our Commitment to Our Customers, Our Team and Our South Carolina Community. ” the 92,903 Square Metre Facility Will Start Assembling 787s in July 2011, With the First Charleston Built Aircraft to Be Delivered in the First Quarter of 2012. This Will Be in Addition to Boeing’s Existing 787 Line at Everett, and Together the Facilities Will Produce Up to 10 787s Each Month.

787 Passes Wing and Fuselage Load Tests Boeing Has Announced That Following Analysis of Test Results That the 787 Dreamliner Has Passed Its Recent Wing and Fuselage Ultimate Load Testing Conducted on the Static Test Airframe.

“successfully Completing This Test is a Critical Step in the Certification of the 787. This is Further Validation That the 787 Performs as Expected, Even in the Most Extreme Circumstances,” Said Scott Fancher, Vice President and General Manager of the 787 Program for Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

Fancher Added That Passing the Milestones is a Significant Step Towards the Certification of the Aircraft. The First 787 Delivery is Due to Launch Customer All Nippon Airlines During the Fourth Quarter of the Year.

Boeing Facing Lawsuit Over Dreamlifter Contract Evergreen International Airlines Has Launched a Us$175m (a$189m) Lawsuit Against Boeing After the Aircraft Manufacturer Contracted Atlas Air to Operate Its Four 747 Dreamlifter Aircraft.

Evergreen Has Filed the Suit in the Federal Court in Seattle, Alleging Bad Faith and Breach of Contract, After Boeing Gave Notice to Oregon Based Evergreen That It Would Switch the Contract to Operate the Oversize Transport Aircraft to Atlas Air. Evergreen Alleges That the Only Reason for the Switch of Contract Was for Boeing to Avoid Paying Compensation for Delays to the 747-8 Freighter, for Which Atlas is a Major Customer. Boeing Uses Its Fleet of Four 747 Dreamlifters to Transport Sections of the 787 From Manufacturing Facilities in Italy, Japan and Within the Us.

Embraer Reshuffles Management Team Speculation is Mounting That Embraer is Looking at Developing an Aircraft Larger Than the E-195 After the Brazilian Manufacturer Announced a Reshuffle of Its Executive Management Team.

The Biggest Change is the Appointment of Mauro Kern, Who Was Previously the Company’s Executive Vice President, Airline Market, to the New Role of Executive Vice President, New Programs, Airline Market. Kern’s Previous Position Has Been Taken on by Paulo César Silva. In Addition, Embraer Has Appointed Artur Coutinho as Chief Operating Officer, With Direct Responsibility for Industrial Operations, Procurement, Technology, Organisational Development and Human Resources.

Embraer Said in a Statement That the Appointments Would “enhance Its Ability to Assure Full Customer Satisfaction and Expand Its Business Dynamics, While Reinforcing the Strength and Productivity of Its Internal Operations. ” However, With the Appointment of Kern to His New Position, a Number of Analysts Believe That It May Signal a Move by Embraer Into Larger Aircraft, Possibly Following Rival Bombardier Into the 100-150 Seat Market.

Commercial Briefs

Giant Lessor International Lease Finance Corporation (Ilfc) Has Delayed Delivery of the 10 Airbus A380s It Has on Order by One Year. The Company 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.

Fokker Services Has Delivered a Vip Configured Fokker 100 Featuring an Auxiliary Fuel Tank System (Afts), Which Helps to Significantly Boost the Aircraft’s Range. The Afts, Which Consists of Four Auxiliary Tanks Installed in the Forward Cargo Compartment of the Aircraft, Extends the Range of the Aircraft Out to Approximately 2700nm, Dependent on Configuration. As Such, Fokker Services is Aiming the Retrofit at Vip Configured Fokker 100s.

Sales

United Has Signed a Firm Order for Its 25 A350-900 Xwb Aircraft, Formalising a Commitment Originally Announced in December 2009. Powered by Rolls-royce Trent Xwb Engines, Deliveries Will Begin in 2016 and Run Through 2019.

Turkish Airlines Has Finalised an Order for 10 Boeing 737-900ers and 10 737-800s. The Order Was Previously Listed on Boeing’s Orders and Deliveries Website as an Unidentified Customer. Turkish Airlines Currently Operates a Fleet of 58 737ngs, as Well as 47 Airbus A320 Family Aircraft.

Hawaiian Airlines Has Ordered One Additional Airbus A330-200, Taking Its Commitments for the Type to 10, Comprised of Seven Ordered and Three Leased Aircraft. Hawaiian Also Has Options on a Further Five A330s, While It Has Also Ordered Six A350-800s, Which Will Be Delivered From 2017.

Tajikistan Based Carrier Somon Air Has Ordered Two Boeing 737-900ers, Valued at Us$163m (a$181m) at List Prices. Somon is Tajikistan’s First Private Full Service Airline and Operates Two 737-800s From Dushanbe to Cities in Russia, Germany, Turkey and the Uae.

Malaysia Airlines Has Placed a Firm Order With Airbus for 15 A330-300s as Well as Two A330-200 Freighters, With Deliveries to Begin in 2011. The Order Also Includes Options on 10 Passenger Aircraft and Two Additional Freighters. Deliveries of the A330-300s Will Begin in the First Half of 2011, While the First Freighter for Maskargo Will Arrive From September 2011.

Hong Kong Airlines Has Confirmed an Order for Six Airbus A330-200s, Firming Up a Memorandum of Understanding Announced at the Singapore Air Show Earlier This Year.

The New Aircraft Will Be Powered by Pratt & Whitney Pw4000 Engines, and Brings the Number of A330s on Order for the Carrier to 23.

Military

Northrop Grumman Won’t Bid on Kc-x, Boeing to Offer ‘newgen Tanker’ the Usaf Kc-x Tanker Contest Appears to Now Be a One Horse Race With the March 8 Decision by Northrop Grumman to Not Bid Its Airbus A330 Based Solution It Was Partnering With Eads North America for the Program, Leaving Only Boeing With Its Recently Revealed 767 Based Newgen Tanker the Only Expected Bidder.

Northrop Grumman Ceo Wes Bush Said the Company Would Not Submit a Bid Because the Source Selection Methodology Defined in the Rfp “clearly Favours Boeing’s Smaller…tanker. ” “in the Previous Competition, Northrop Grumman Was Selected by the Air Force as Offering the Most Capable Tanker for the Warfighter at the Best Value for the Taxpayer,” He Said in a Statement. “however, the Northrop Grumman and Eads Team is Very Disappointed That the Revised Source Selection Methodology Now Dramatically Favours Boeing’s Smaller Refuelling Tanker. We Agree That the Fundamental Military Requirements for the New Tanker Have Not Changed Since the Last Competition, but the Department’s New Evaluation Methodology Now Clearly Favours the Smaller Tanker. ” the Revised Source Selection is Centred Around the Usaf’s Requirement That Development Risk Be Shared Between the Service and Industry, and That No Additional Credit Would Be Available for the A330’s Larger Offload and Greater Payload Capabilities.

“we Continue to Believe That Northrop Grumman’s Tanker Represents the Best Value for the Military and Taxpayer – a Belief Supported by the Selection of the A330 Tanker Design Over the Boeing Design in the Last Five Consecutive Tanker Competitions Around the Globe,” Bush Added. “regrettably, This Means That the Us Air Force Will Be Operating a Less Capable Tanker Than Many of Our Allies in This Vital Mission Area. ” Earlier, Boeing Announced It Would Submit a Kc-x Proposal Based on the Smaller 767-200 Airframe, Dubbed ‘newgen Tanker’. It Would Feature a Fly-by-wire Controlled Refuelling Boom, Under Wing and Centreline Hose and Drogue Refuelling Points, a Cargo Door for Freight on the Main Deck, Winglets, and a New Flightdeck Featuring Four 787 Style Large Screen Displays.

Boeing Has Provided Few Other Specific Details About the Newgen Thus Far, but Says It Will Deliver Its Kc-x Proposal by May 10.

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).

Boeing Expands Army Support Contract Boeing Defence Australia Has Signed a $44 Million Contract With the Adf to Increase the Scope of Its Army Aviation Training and Training Support (Aatts) Scheme.

The Original Contract, Signed in 2007, Called for Boeing to Provide Army Black Hawk and Kiowa Pilot, Aircrew and Technician Training, as Well as Operational Fleet Maintenance and Support Services at Oakey. The Scope Increase Will See Boeing Also Take on the Initial Army Pilot Helicopter Qualification Course on the Kiowa, 85 Per Cent of Black Hawk Pilot Training, and Ch-47d Chinook Helicopter Instructor and Technician Training.

Boeing to Convert Qf-16 Drones the Usaf Has Awarded Boeing a Us$69. 7m (a$76m) Contract for the Initial Engineering, Manufacturing and Development of Qf-16 Full Scale Aerial Targets.

The Usaf Requirement Calls for Up to 126 F-16s to Be Converted to Qf-16 Drones, With the Aircraft Being Drawn From Retired F-16a Stocks. The First Qf-16 is Due to Enter Service From 2014, Replacing a Dwindling Supply of Qf-4s Used as Manned Fighters or Unmanned Drones to Support Us Flight Test, Evaluation and Weapons Programs.

Boeing Says Qf-16 Design and Development Will Take Place in St Louis, While Ground and Flight Testing and Production Will Be Completed at the Boeing’s at Cecil Field, Florida.

Boeing Has Teamed With Bae Systems on the Qf-16 Program.

Jsf Costs Up, Ioc Delayed Pentagon Officials Revealed to the Us Senate Armed Services Committee (Sasc) on March 11 That the Faltering Jsf Program is Heading Towards a Nunn-mccurdy Cost Breach in April, Which Will Lead to a Mandatory Review of the Program, and an Evaluation of Alternatives, as Costs Rise and Service Entry is Delayed.

Of Key Interest to Sasc Members Was the Growing Cost of the Program, With Pentagon Acquisition Head Ashton Carter Telling the Committee That the Cost Per Aircraft Had Grown by More Than 50 Per Cent Since 2002, and by 17 Per Cent Since 2007, Bringing the Program Right Up Against the Nunn-mccurdy Trigger Threshold.

The Nunn-mccurdy Process, Named After the Law’s Two Sponsoring Legislators, Would See Pentagon and Program Officials Brought Before Congress to Not Only Justify the Program’s Existence in Light of Alternative Capabilities, but to Also Assure Them That Costs and Schedule Are Under Control.

According to a Report From Michael Sullivan of the Government Accountability Office (Gao) Which Was Presented to the Sasc, the Cost of an F-35a in 2002 Was Projected to Be About Us$50m (a$55m), but That Blew Out to Us$69m (a$75m) in 2007 and is Now at More Than Us$80m (a$87m) in 2002 Dollars, or More Than Us$112m (a$122m) in Today’s Dollars Based on Projected Production Numbers (of 2443 Jets for the Three Us Services) Averaged Out Over the Life of the Program.

Carter Noted, “the Jsf Program Has Fallen Short on Performance Over the Past Several Years,” and That He Expected the Usaf to Notify Congress of the Nunn-mccurdy Break “within Days”, but Added That He Was Confident Steps Taken by Defense Secretary Robert Gates in February and by Himself in Early March Had Pre-empted Much of the Program Restructuring That May Be Required.

Nevertheless a 13 Month Development Delay is Also Seeing the Usaf and Usn Delay Their Ioc (Initial Operating Capability) Dates. Carter Told the Sasc That Usaf and Us Navy Officials Had Reassessed Their Definitions of What Ioc Meant to Them in the Wake of Last Month’s Program Restructure. As a Consequence, Both the Usaf and Us Navy Have Postponed Their Iocs to 2016, While the Us Marine Corps is Holding Fast to Its 2012 Milestone, Despite Operational Testing Not Being Due to Commence Until January 2015.

Until February’s Program Review by Us Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, the Usaf Had Been Predicting a 2013 Ioc, With the Us Navy Due to Follow in 2014. Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Gary Roughead Told the Sasc That He Didn’t Expect the Amended Ioc to Affect the F-35c’s First Scheduled Carrier Deployment in Late 2016. “i’m Going to Watch It Like a Hawk,” He Said. “i’m Going to Pay Very, Very Close Attention to It. But We’re Setting Up to Still Be Able to Deploy Onboard the (Uss) ‘carl Vinson’ in December of 16. ” in Response to These Latest Developments, Australian Defence Minister John Faulkner Released a Statement That “confirmed That the Government Remains Confident the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is the Right Choice for the Australian Defence Force’s Next Generation Air Combat Capability, and Will Enable the Australian Defence Force to Maintain Its Strategic Air Combat Capability Advantage Out to 2030. ” Senator Faulkner Noted, “the Jsf Program Office Advises That No Significant Implications Are Expected for the Jsf Partner Countries as a Result of the Nunn-mccurdy Breach Due to the Restructuring Action Which Has Already Been Taken in the Us.

“the Adoption of a More Conservative Budgeting Approach by the Us Department of Defense for the Jsf Program – Particularly for Early Aircraft Where Cost Risk is Highest – is a Sound Management Approach for Such a Large and Complex Project.

“australian Defence Planning Has Always Adopted a Cautious Approach to Jsf Cost Estimates by Factoring in Significant Amounts of Contingency Funds to Deal With Cost Risks. ” Meanwhile on March 16 the Pentagon Announced Its Nomination of Current Head of Naval Air Systems Command Vice Admiral David Venlet to Head the Jsf Program Office, Succeeding Marine Corps Major General David Heinz, Who Was Removed From the Role by Secretary Gates on February 1. Venlet’s Appointment Requires Formal Approval From the Us Senate.

Eads Won’t Go It Alone on Kc-x “soap Opera” Eads Has Confirmed It Won’t Go It Alone in Bidding for the Usaf’s Kc-x Tanker Replacement After Partner Northrop Grumman’s Decision Not to Bid for the Program, Effectively Making the Process a One-horse Race for Boeing’s 767 Based ‘newgen Tanker’.

Eads Ceo Louis Gallois Told European Media on March 10 That He Doesn’t “see Any Opportunity to Come Back Alone or With Others” on the Process, While Eads North America Ceo Sean O’keefe Later Told ‘aviation Week’ That His Company’s Abilities Are Not Sufficiently Mature to Justify Bidding for the Us$35bn (a$38. 2bn), 179 Aircraft Deal Without Its Partner. “we’re Developing All of Those Capabilities,” O’keefe Said. “we Do Not Have Anything Near That in Place That Would Rival That Capacity. We Could Not Bring That to the Equation Alone. ” “our Partners at Northrop Grumman Were Very Concerned With the Fixed Price Contract,” He Added. “we Were Not as Concerned. ” Under the Partnership, Eads Subsidiary Airbus Would Have Supplied ‘green’ A330-200 Airframes to the Joint Venture Operation in the Us State of Alabama Where Northrop Grumman Would Lead on the Tanker Conversion Work, the Riskiest Part of the Process.

Republican Senator John Mccain, Who Stymied Boeing’s Bid for a Sole Source Lease-buy Deal on Kc-x in 2004 After Allegations of Impropriety Involving a Former Boeing Executive, Told Us Media That He Was “not Worried About Boeing, the Only Competitor Left for the Contract,” but Added That He Promised He “will Monitor It Very Closely. ” Boeing Ceo Jim Albaugh Summed Up the Kc-x Process Thus “it’s the Longest Running Soap Opera Since Days of Our Lives. I’m Not Sure That We’ve Seen the Last Episode. ”

Us Navy Classic Hornets Grounded the Us Navy Has Grounded 104 F/a-18a-d ‘classic’ Hornets After Airframe Cracks Were Discovered During an Inspection.

The Grounding Affects 77 Hornets Currently in Flight Status, While the Remainder Are Currently Undergoing Maintenance Periods. Of the 77 Aircraft, 28 Are Currently Forward Deployed Aboard Aircraft Carriers or in Japan, Five Belong to the Blue Angels Demonstration Team, and 44 Are in Service With Fleet Replacement Squadrons.

The Cracking is Reported as Taking Place at the “aft Wing Shear Attach Fitting”, Where Part of a Hornet’s Wing is Attached to the Fuselage. Hornet Units Have Been Ordered to Perform a Magnetic Field Inspection on Jets Included in the Grounding. If They Don’t Find Cracks, Their Aircraft Are Free to Go Back on Unrestricted Flight Status, Although Follow-up Inspections Will Be Required Every 100 Hours.

It is Unclear Whether Any Raaf or Other International Classic Hornet Operators Have Been Affected by This Grounding.

India and Russia Sign New Arms Deals a Visit to India by Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin Has Seen India Order an Additional 29 Mig-29k Carrier Borne Fighters and Finally Sign Off on a New Deal to Refurbish the Former Russian Aircraft Carrier Admiral Gorshkov for the Indian Navy.

The Additional Mig-29s Come on Top of 16 Aircraft Which Were Ordered in 2005 and Deliveries of Which Commenced Last Year, and Are for Operations Aboard the Carrier Which Will Be Named Ins Vikramaditya When It Enters Indian Service in Late 2012. The Refurbishment Has Been a Stop-start Affair and Has Resulted in Several Cost Increases Since It Began in 2004, With the Final Agreed Cost Reported to Be Us$2. 34bn (a$2. 55bn).

Russia and India Were Also Expected to Sign a Deal on Co-development of the Fifth Generation Pak-fa Fighter, With India to Develop a Two-seat Version of the Aircraft With Unique Avionics and Weapons.

Uk Launches Mfts Bid the Uk Government and Its Industry Partner Ascent Flight Training (a Joint Venture Between Lockheed Martin and Vt) Have Released an Rfi for the Uk’s Multi-service Military Flying Training System (Mfts) Program.

The Rfi Seeks a 25 Year Flying Training Solution Covering Fixed Wing, Rotary Wing and Rear Crew Training Requirements, With a Reported Preference for a Single Contractor. The Contractor Will Provide “fully Supported and Maintained Aircraft That Will Be Used to Provide Elementary, Basic and Multi-engine Pilot Training for the Uk Armed Forces, Incorporating All Aircrew Disciplines”, the Rfi States. Ascent Will Provide Training Facilities, Ground Instruction, Course Syllabus and Other Facilities Under the Deal.

Two Elements of the Mfts, Fast Jet Training on the New Hawk 128 (Pictured), and the Observer Training on the King Air, Have Already Been Let to Bae Systems and Fr Aviation Respectively.

First A400m Arrives in Toulouse the First A400m Prototype, Msn1, Has Arrived in Toulouse for Further Flight Testing After Being Ferried From Seville in Spain.

The Ferry Flight Was the 10th for the Aircraft Since Its First Flight on December 11, and It Has Completed 39 Flight Test Hours to Date. During Initial Testing, Msn1 Has Achieved Its Maximum Operating Speed of 300kt and Maximum Mach Number of 0. 72, and Has Flown at an Altitude of 30,000ft.

The Second Flight Test Aircraft, Msn2, is Due to Fly by the End of April, While Msn3 is Currently Undergoing Final Production Tests Before Engine Installation, and is Due to Fly Mid Year.

New F-22s to Cost Us$227 Million

Each if Line Restarted a Report by the Rand Corporation Says if an Order for 75 New Build F-22s Were Placed by the Usaf After the Current Production Run Winds Down, the Aircraft Would Cost Us$227m (a$248m) Each After Taking Into Account Production Re-start Costs.

The Report, Entitled ‘ending F-22a Production Costs and Industrial Base Implications of Alternative Options’ Was Commissioned by the Usaf Prior to the Obama Administration’s Decision Last Year to Terminate the Line.

Current F-22 Production is Expected to End Late Next Year Once the 187th and Final Jet is Delivered to the Usaf.

Army ‘foxtrot’ Chinook Fms Contract Signed the Defence Materiel Organisation (Dmo) Signed an Fms – Foreign Military Sale – Contract With the Us Army Security Assistance Command to Procure Seven New Build Boeing Ch-47f Chinook Helicopters, Two Simulators and Spares During a Ceremony at the Australian Embassy in Washington on March 19.

Defence Minister John Faulkner Approved the Purchase of the Chinooks, Under Project Air 9000 Phase 5c, on February 25 to Replace the Army’s Existing Six Ch-47ds Chinooks Operated by C Squadron, 5 Avn Regt, Based at Townsville.

The ‘foxtrots’ Will Include Minor Australian Specific Mission Equipment Enhancements Including Crashworthy Crew and Passenger Seating, Fitment of Door-mounted Miniguns and Underfloor Ballistic Protection. Largely, the Chinooks Will Be Common to the Us Army Fleet to Leverage Engineering and Other Support Benefits.

The First Two Ch-47fs Are Planned to Enter Service in 2014, With All Seven Expected to Be in Service by 2017.

F-35b Completes First Vertical Landing

F-35b Development Aircraft Bf-1 Performed the Jsf’s First Vertical Landing on March 18 at Nas Patuxent River Near Washington.

Pilot Graham Tomlinson (a Former Raf Harrier Pilot) Put the Aircraft Down on a Pax River Ramp Smoothly After Slowing to a Hover, as Can Be Viewed Here. The Vertical Landing Came Just One Day After the Aircraft’s First Free Hover About 150ft Above the Runway for About Two Minutes.

The Milestone Landing Flight Had Begun With an 80kt Very Short Takeoff, With the Lightly Loaded Aircraft Rotating Just Six to Eight Seconds After Brake Release. The Vertical Landing Encountered Little of the Predicted Ground Effect Turbulence That Was Expected, With Tomlinson Telling Media Afterwards That He “felt Very Light Cobblestones, Far Lower Than in Other (Stovl) Aircraft. The Loads, Thermal, Air Data and Control Law Guys Were All Smiling. Today’s Vertical Landing Onto a 95ft Square Pad Showed That We Have the Thrust and the Control to Manoeuvre Accurately Both in Free Air and in the Descent Through Ground Effect. ” “having the F-35b Perform Its First Vertical Landing Underscores the Reality of the Marine Corps Achieving Its Goal of an All Stovl Force,” Said Lt Gen George Trautman, the Us Marine Corps’s Deputy Commandant for Aviation. “being Able to Operate and Land Virtually Anywhere, the Stovl Jsf is a Unique Fixed Wing Aircraft That Can Deploy, Co-locate, Train and Fight With Marine Ground Forces While Operating From a Wider Range of Bases Ashore and Afloat Than Any Other Tacair Platform. ” After the March 17 Hover Test, Bf-1 Made a Slow Landing at 60kt, and Following a Quick Turnaround, Performed a Short Takeoff in Less Than 1000ft of Runway at 100kt.

The Vertical Landing Milestone is a Key Test and Proving Point for the Program, and Comes Between Two Years and 10 Months Later Than Previous Schedules.

Boeing Receives Aeo Certification for Raaf Super Hornets Boeing Defence Australia (Bda) Has Been Granted Accreditation by the Commonwealth as an Authorised Engineering Organisation (Aeo) for the Raaf’s F/a-18f Super Hornet Fleet.

The Accreditation Authorises Bda to Provide Engineering Support to the Raaf’s 24 F/a-18fs Through a Combination of Local and Us Based Engineering Services and Capabilities.

“aeo Certification is a Significant Achievement, as It Acknowledges Boeing Defence Australia’s Compliance With the Raaf Technical Airworthiness Regulatory Framework and Will Enable the Company to Provide Critical Engineering Services to the Australian Defence Force,” Murray Brabook, Bda’s Director of Platform Maintenance Said in a Statement. “becoming an Aeo is an Important Component of Boeing Defence Australia’s Super Hornet Support Capabilities, and is the Result of Excellent Teamwork and Collaboration Between Boeing and the Commonwealth. ” the First Five Raaf Super Hornets Commenced Their Delivery Flight From California on March 19, and Are Due to Arrive at Amberley Late This Week.

Pentagon Nominates New Jsf Program Head the Us Dod Has Nominated Vice Admiral David Venlet to Replace Maj Gen David Heinz as the Head of the Jsf Program Office (Jpo).

A Former F-14 Radar Intercept Officer (Rio) and Pilot, a-4 Adversary Pilot and Test Pilot, Venlet is a Distinguished Flying Cross Recipient After Shooting Down a Libyan Su-22 in the 1980s. He is a Member of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots and the Current Head of the Us Navy’s Naval Air Systems Command (Navair).

Maj Gen Heinz Was Removed From the Position in Early February Due to Program Cost and Schedule Blowouts, and Because Us Defense Secretary Robert Gates Wanted to Upgrade the Position to That of a 3-star Officer.

Vice Admiral Venlet’s Nomination is Subject to a Hearing Before the Senate Armed Services Committee (Sasc) and Requires Approval of the Full Senate.

Airbus Military Awarded Civil Certification for Mrtt

Airbus Military Has Been Granted a Civil Supplemental Type Certificate (Stc) From the European Aviation Safety Agency (Easa) for the A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (Mrtt) Aircraft.

This Certification Covers the Comprehensive Military Specific Modifications Made to the A330 Aircraft, and is the First Civil Certification Ever Extended by Easa to a Tanker Transport Aircraft Developed in Europe. Key Modifications to the Airframe Include the Airbus Developed Aerial Refuelling Boom System (Arbs), Wingtip Refuelling Pods, and the Refuelling Operator’s Console Installed in the Cockpit.

Airbus Military Says Over 60 Flight Tests Were Undertaken for the Stc Process, Out of More Than 170 Flight Tests Flown to Date.

“receiving This Supplemental Type Certificate Gives Us Great Satisfaction. After Many Years of Hard Work, It Confirms the Readiness and Quality of Our Product Which Complies With the Stringent Civil Certification Requirements,” Airbus Military Senior Vp Miguel Morell Said in a Statement. “the Next Step is Receiving the Military Certification Prior to Delivery of the Aircraft to the First Operator, in This Instance the Raaf. ” the Raaf is Scheduled to Receive Its First Two Kc-30a Mrtts Later This Year, Although Industry Rumours Persist That This May Be Further Delayed Due to Ongoing Developmental Issues With the Arbs Boom.

Eads Re-considers Kc-x Bid Eads Has Confirmed That It is Re-assessing Its Earlier Decision to Not Bid as a Prime Contractor on the Usaf’s Long Running Kc-x Tanker Replacement Program After the Pentagon Said It Would Consider an Extension to the Bid Deadline.

In a March 19 Eads Said It “is Assessing This New Situation to Determine if the Company Can Feasibly Submit a Responsive Proposal to the Department’s Request for Proposal (Rfp),” but Added That It Still Had “underlying Concerns That the Rfp Clearly Favours a Smaller, Less Capable Aircraft, and That the Additional Combat Capability Offered by Our System May Not Be Fully Valued. ” the Pentagon Said It Would Welcome a Bid From Eads, With Spokesman Geoff Morell Telling Us Media That “consistent With Our Commitment to Conduct a Fair and Open Competition, the Department Invites Proposals From All Qualified Contractors and, if Necessary, We Would Consider a Reasonable Extension to the Rfp Deadline. ” Eads Has Reportedly Requested a 90 Day Extension to the Rfp Submission Deadline in Order to Prepare Its Airbus A330 Based Proposal, Which Would Be an Evolution of the Raaf’s Kc-30.

Rhinos Arrive the Raaf’s First Five of 24 Boeing F/a-18f Super Hornets Touched Down at Their Home Base of Raaf Amberley on March 26 Following Their Trans Pacific Ferry Flight.

The Five 1sqn Jets, Accompanied by an Omega Aerial Refueling Services Kdc-10 Tanker and Followed by a Raaf C-17 Airlifter, Had Departed Naval Air Station Lemoore in California on March 18, Stopping Off at Honolulu, Hawaii; Pago Pago, American Samoa; and Auckland, New Zealand; on Their Way to Australia. Flying Into Amberley the F/a-18fs Were Met by the Aircraft They Are Replacing in Raaf Service, F-111cs From 6sqn, for a Formation Flight Over Southeast Queensland. They Touched Down at Amberley at Just After 1. 30pm.

“the Super Hornets’ Arrival Marks a New Chapter for Air Force,” Minister for Defence, Senator John Faulkner, Said of the New Fighters, Dubbed ‘rhinos’ by Their Crews.

“australia’s 24 Super Hornets Will Be the Bridging Air Combat Capability During the Transition to the Joint Strike Fighter Force and Will Maintain Our Regional Air Superiority as Our F-111s Are Withdrawn,” the Minister Said.

“the Men and Women of Boeing Are Honoured to Provide the Next Generation in Air Combat Capability to the Royal Australian Air Force and Proud to Deliver It on Time and on Budget for All Australians,” Said Dennis Muilenburg, President and Ceo of Boeing Defense, Space & Security. “the Arrival of These Super Hornets Marks a New Chapter in a Partnership Between Boeing and Australia That Has Endured for More Than 80 Years. ” “the on-schedule Arrival of the New Australian Super Hornets Marks the Beginning of a New Generation of Air Power for the Raaf,” Said Gpcapt Steve Roberton, Officer Commanding the Super Hornet Wing. “the Multirole Super Hornet is an Advanced, Networked Weapons System That Provides a Major Leap in Capability for the Raaf. ” Australian Aviation’s May Edition Will Feature Extensive Coverage on the Super Hornet’s Entry Into Raaf Service.

Army Chinooks Return to Afghanistan Two Army C Squadron Ch-47d Chinooks Have Returned to Afghanistan, Bolstering the International Security Assistance Force’s Heavy Lifting Capabilities for the Approaching Summer.

The Chinooks Arrived by Raaf C-17s in Early and Mid March and Are Embedded With the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade Based at Kandahar Airfield, Southern Afghanistan, for an Eight Month Deployment Over the Afghan Summer.

“Every Year When We First Arrive in Afghanistan We Have a Significant Job to Do,” Commanding Officer of the Detachment, Ltcol David Lynch. “Once the First Aircraft Arrives It’s All Hands on Deck to Get It Up and Running and Test Flown for Serviceability So We Can Commence Operations. ” the Deployment is the Fifth Chinook Detachment by C Squadron to Afghanistan Since the Army’s Ch-47s First Began Operating There in March 2006.

Gao Predicts More Trouble for Jsf

Program the Jsf Program Has Been on the End of Another Scathing Report, This Time From the Us Government Accountability Office (Gao) Which Has Been Reviewing the Program on an Annual Basis Since 2005.

The Gao’s Latest Report, Submitted to the Senate Armed Services Committee (Sasc) on March 19, Points Out a Number of Cost Increases and Development Risks That Have Emerged in the Past Year.

“since Last Year’s Report, the Jsf Program Office Estimates That Total Acquisition Costs Increased by More Than (Us)$23 Billion (a$25bn), Primarily Because of Higher Estimated Procurement Costs,” the Report Reads. “two-thirds of Budgeted Funding for Jsf Development Has Been Spent, but Only About One-half of the Work Has Been Completed. The Contractor is on Its Third, Soon to Be Fourth, Manufacturing Schedule, but Test Aircraft in Manufacturing Are Still Behind, the Continuing Impacts of Late Designs, Delayed Delivery of Parts, and Manufacturing Inefficiencies. ” the Report Also Raised Concerns Over Whether Us Defense Secretary Robert Gates’s February ‘midcourse Risk Reduction Plan’ Would Be Sufficient Enough to Pull the Program Back on Track. “the Midcourse Plan Carries the Risk of Design and Performance Problems Not Being Discovered Until Late in the Operational Testing and Production Phases, When It is Significantly More Costly to Address Such Problems,” It Said. “we Believe That Jsf Costs Will Likely Be Much Higher Than Reported. In Addition, Some Assumptions Are Overly Optimistic and Not Well Documented. Three Independent Defence Offices Separately Concluded That Program Cost Estimates Are Understated by as Much as (Us) $38 Billion (a$41bn) and That the Development Schedule is Likely to Slip From 12 to 27 Months. ” Other Areas of Risk Identified by the Gao Include the Addition of Us$1. 6bn (a$1. 74bn) to the Program Costs for the Ge/rolls-royce F136 Alternate Engine Development; Increased Costs and Poor Performance of the Primary P&w F135 Engine Development Program; the Lack of Accreditation of the Software Test Labs Used to Minimise Flight Testing; the Slipping of Software Capabilities to Later Blocks; a Need to Strengthen and Redesign the F-35c’s Keel Structure for Shipboard Landings and Catapult Launches; an Over-reliance on Orders From Foreign Customers for the Production Ramp Up Phase in 2013 to 2017; and Projections That the Operating Cost of the F-35 Will Be Substantially Higher Than Those of Current Generation F-16 and F/a-18 Aircraft, Not Less as Was a Prime Goal of the Program.

On Top of the Gao Report, a Former Director of Weapons Testing and Evaluation for the Bush Administration Has Said in an Interview in the National Journal’s Congress Daily on March 22 That the Usaf and Us Navy Should Buy More Proven a-10s, F-16s and F/a-18e/fs Instead and Kill Off the Jsf Program. But Thomas Christie Added That “it’s Not Going to Happen,” Saying That “the Kind of Politics That Wastes Taxpayers’ Dollars Would Win Out”.

Raaf C-130s Log 20,000 Hours in Meao

the Raaf’s C-130 Hercules Transport Commitment to Operations in the Middle East (Meao) Has Logged Its 20,000th Operational Hour Since the Deployment Began in February 2003.

The Milestone Was Achieved by a C-130j of 37sqn in Early March During an Aeromedical Evacuation (Ame) Flight in Afghanistan. The 20,000 Hours Have Been Achieved in 11,300 Sorties, With More Than 140,000 Personnel and 31,000 Tonnes of Cargo Carried by the Aircraft in That Time.

The Raaf Initially Commenced Its Meao Deployments With C-130hs Based in Qatar, Before the C-130js Were Equipped With Ewsp Kits and Were Able to Be Deployed From 2005. Now Based in the Uae, the C-130js Have Assumed Sole Responsibility for the Mission Since 2008, With the Three Aircraft Currently Flying a Total of About 150 Hours a Week.

Pac to Offer 750 Xstol to Usaf With L-3 New Zealand Based Pacific Aerospace Has Teamed With L-3 Platform Integration to Offer Its Rugged P-750 Xstol Aircraft to the Usaf for That Service’s Light Mobility Aircraft (Lima) Competition.

“our Team Combines the Versatility and Power of the P-750 Xstol With L-3’s Military Systems Integration Experience, Training and Integrated Logistics Support Capability,” Said James Burkhardt, President of L-3 Platform Integration.

The Successful Lima Aircraft Will Be Used in Afghanistan Initially by the Usaf and Then by the Afghan Air Force for Carrying Passengers and Cargo and Other Utility Work, as Well as Surveillance, Agricultural Projects and Fire Fighting.

Quickstep Signs Jsf Manufacturing Licence Agreement

Perth Based Quickstep Holdings Has Signed a Manufacturing Licence Agreement (Mla) With Northrop Grumman for the Manufacture of Up to $700 Million Worth of Components for the Jsf Program.

The Mla Follows an Mou Signed Late Last Year, and Provides Export Approval to Northrop Grumman to Start Transferring to Quickstep Technical Information Necessary for the Manufacture of 21 Different Composite Components to Be Produced Under the Mou.

Once the Technical Information is Received, Quickstep Can Start Planning Costs and Schedules Prior to Signing a Long Term Agreement With Northrop Grumman for the Manufacture of the Components From 2012.

Hifire Flies High! The Joint Defence Science and Technology Organisation (Dsto) and Us Air Force Research Laboratory (Afrl) Hifire Hypersonic Project Achieved Another Milestone on March 22 With the Successful Completion of a Second Flight at More Than Mach 5.

The Flight Was Conducted at the Woomera Test Range in Sa, and Saw the Small Aircraft Launched Atop a Sounding Rocket to an Altitude of More Than 200km, Before Detaching and Achieving the Hypersonic Speeds as It Dived Back Through the Atmosphere. The Program Supports Boeing’s X-51 ‘waverider’ Scramjet Project and the Pentagon’s Global ‘quick Strike’ Program.

“today’s Flight Represents a Significant Scientific Milestone, Enabling Scientists to Collect Fundamental Data Critical to the Design and Development of an Engine Capable of Sustained Hypersonic Flight,” Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science, Greg Combet, Said in a Statement. “the Flight Was the Second in a Series of Up to 10 Planned Flight Experiments Under a Joint Research Program Between Dsto and the Usaf. ” Scramjets Have No Moving Parts, Instead Using a Specially Shaped Ramp and Intake System Which is Most Efficient at Speeds Above Mach 3 and Which Compresses Incoming Air, Before It is Mixed With Fuel and Expelled Out the Back.

Pentagon Offers to Extend Kc-x Bid Deadline the Pentagon Has Offered to Extend the Bid Deadline for the Usaf’s Drawn Out Kc-x Tanker Replacement Program by 60 Days From May 10 to July 9 in Order to Give Eads Time to Prepare a Stand-alone Proposal for the Contract.

Eads Had Asked for 90 Days in Order to Prepare a Bid Based on Its A330 Airliner Without Former Bid Partner Northrop Grumman, and the Extension is Only Contingent on Eads Informing the Pentagon of Its Intention to Bid. Northrop Grumman Decided Earlier This Year to Not Bid for Kc-x as a Prime Contractor, Claiming the Usaf’s Rfp Was Too Heavily Weighted in Favour of Boeing’s Smaller Kc-767 Offering.

“since the Department of Defense Indicated Their Interest in Eads’s Participation as Prime Contractor in the Kc-x Tanker Competition, the Company Has Carefully Assessed the Many Requirements Necessary to Participate,” Eads Spokesman Guy Hicks Said in a Statement. “we Have Firmly Indicated That a 90 Day Extension Would Be the Minimum Time Necessary to Prepare a Responsible Proposal for This (Us)$40 Billion Program. We Will Consider the Department’s Decision to Offer a 60 Day Extension. ” the Extended Bid Deadline is Not Expected to Affect the Project’s Schedule, as the Pentagon Says It Will Compress Other Areas of the Schedule in Order to Stay on Track.

Predictably, Boeing Expressed Its Disappointment With the Extension Offer. “we Are Deeply Disappointed With Eads-airbus Efforts to Further Delay This Vital Warfighting Program and Tilt the Us Procurement Process in Its Favour. Eads-airbus Has Been Fully Engaged in the Competition for Four Years and Was Always Expected to Provide the Vast Majority of Its Team’s Work Content,” a Company Statement Read. “boeing Remains Fully Prepared to Submit a Competitive Proposal by the May 10 Deadline Originally Set by the Air Force. However, This Latest Development, Along With the World Trade Organisation’s Recent Final Ruling That Airbus Has Been Heavily and Illegally Subsidised for Decades, Requires Boeing to Review All of Our Options for Going Forward While We Wait for a Final Determination on a Deadline Extension. ” Just What Boeing’s “options” May Be is Unknown at This Stage – Some Observers Have Speculated the Company May Elect to Resurrect Its 777 Based Proposal, or It May Further Refine Its Latest Kc-767ng Offering, or Perhaps Formally Protest the Extension Through the Us Government Accountability Office (Gao) or Us Congress.

Raaf Re-establishes 460sqn

the Raaf Has Formally Re-formed 460sqn as a Subordinate Unit Within the Defence Imagery and Geospatial Organisation.

Falling Under Aerospace Operational Support Group (Aosg), 460sqn Will Provide Geospatial Imagery Analyst (Gia) Support to the Adf With Intelligence Sources Such as Imagery and Geospatial Information to Support Operations.

The Squadron Has a Long and Proud History, Operating Under the Raf’s Bomber Command in the European Theatre in Ww2. Flying 6264 Operational Sorties, 460sqn Was Widely Regarded as the Most Effective Raaf Bomber Unit of That Conflict Despite Suffering Heavy Losses of Personnel (978 Airmen Killed in Action) and Aircraft (188).

The Unit’s Most Famous Aircraft, Lancaster ‘g for George’, Takes Pride of Place on Display at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.

Indian Combat Helicopter’s First Flight India’s Hindustan Aeronautics (Hal) Light Combat Helicopter (Lch) Prototype Made Its First Flight on March 29, Performing a Series of Low Speed, Low Altitude Checks During Its 20 Minute Sortie From the Company’s Bangalore Helicopter Complex.

The 5. 5 Tonne Lch is a Tandem Two-seat Attack Helicopter, Derived From Hal’s Advanced Light Helicopter, Powered by Twin Hal/turbomeca Shakti 1200shp (900kw) Turboshaft Engines. It Features Stealth Characteristics, Crashworthy Wheeled Landing Gear, a Glass Cockpit With Multifunction Displays, and a Target Acquisition and Designation System With Flir, Laser Rangefinder and Designator. Mounted on the Nose is a M621 Gun Mounted in a Nexter Thl 20 Turret Which is Operated by a Helmet Mounted Sight.

The Lch Prototype, the First of Three, Was Due to Fly in October 2008 but Was Delayed Due to Developmental Issues With the Program. Hal Will Carry Out an Extensive Flight Test Program Ultimately Leading to an Initial Operational Clearance by December 2011.

Hal Currently Has 65 Firm Orders for the Indian Air Force and 114 for the Indian Army, With the First Helicopter Anticipated to Enter Service in 2012-13.

Dsm for Long Tan Raaf Iroquois Pilot the Raaf Iroquois Captain Who Defied Orders to Fly in Urgently Needed Ammunition to Besieged Soldiers of D Company, 6 Battalion, During What Became Known as the Battle of Long Tan During the Vietnam War, is to Be Awarded the Distinguished Service Medal (Dsm).

The Honours and Awards Tribunal Recommended in October Last Year That Fltlt Cliff Dohle, Who Passed Away in February 2009, Have His Mentioned in Despatches Award Upgraded to a Dsm and That D Company Should Receive the Unit Citation for Gallantry for Their Actions During the Battle of Long Tan in Vietnam on August 18 1966.

Governor-general Quentin Bryce Recently Approved the Awards, With a Date for an Investiture Ceremony to Be Announced Soon.

First F-35 With Mission System Flies the Sixth F-35 Jsf Development Aircraft Made Its First Flight From Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth Facility on April 7.

The Aircraft, an F-35b Dubbed Bf-4, is the First of the Planned 20 Development Aircraft to Be Fitted With a Mission System and Sensor Suite, and Block 0. 5 Flight Software. Sensors Fitted Include an Apg-81 Aesa Radar, Electronic Warfare Suite, and the Pilot’s Vsi Helmet Mounted Display. Still to Be Installed Are the Electro-optical (Eo) Targeting System and 360-deg Eo Distributed Aperture System.

The Aircraft, Which Flew 13 Months Later Than Scheduled, Reached an Altitude of 15,500ft During Its 51 Minute Flight.

Second at-6 Flies With New Engine the Second Hawker Beechcraft at-6 Texan Ii Production Representative Test Vehicle (Prtv) Has Made Its First Flight Fitted With a New Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&wc) Pt6a-68d Engine With 1600shp (1195kw).

The Aircraft is a Structurally Strengthened Version of the Popular T-6b Advanced Trainer, Developed Specifically to Meet a Growing Requirement in the Us and Other Nations for a Light Attack and Armed Reconnaissance (Laar) Aircraft. The First Prtv Was Equipped With the T-6b’s Standard Pt6 Engine and a Mission Suite Based on That of the Upgraded a-10c, and Has Been Conducting Integration Test Work Since Flying in Mid 2009.

The Us Air National Guard is Scheduled to Conduct an Evaluation of the at-6 and Embraer’s Emb-314 Super Tucano Later This Year for the Usaf’s Laar Requirement.

Us Nuclear Posture Review Sees Cuts Planned the Obama Administration Released Its Nuclear Posture Review (Npr) on April 6 Which is Designed to Reduce the Number and Types of Nuclear Weapons in the Us Arsenal.

The Review Will See the Us Continue to Strengthen Its Conventional Capabilities and Reduce the Role of Its Nuclear Weapons in Deterring Non-nuclear Attacks, With the Administration Saying It Would Only Consider the Use of Nuclear Weapons in Extreme Circumstances to Defend the Us’s Vital Interests or Those of a Key Ally. It Added That the Us Will Not Use or Threaten to Use Nuclear Weapons Against Non-nuclear States That Are Signatories to the Non-proliferation Treaty (Npt) and Which Are in Compliance With Npt Obligations.

Whilst the Npr Pledges to Maintain the Us’s ‘nuclear Triad’ of Icbms, Slbms, and Land Based Bombers, It Also Says Icbm and Slbm Multiple Independent Re-entry Vehicle (Mirv) Warheads and Nuclear Tipped Tomahawk Cruise Missiles (Tlam-n) Will Be Phased Out, and No New Nuclear Weapons Will Be Developed, With Current Stocks to Be Refurbished or Enhanced.

Tactical Nuclear Free-fall Bombs Such as the B-61 Carried by Forward-deployed Fighters in Europe, and Us or Forward Deployed B-52h and B-2 Bombers Will Continue to Be Maintained in Service.

Lockmart Rolls Out First Usaf Hc-130j Lockheed Martin Has Rolled Out the First Hc-130j Combat Rescue Tanker for the Usaf From Its Marietta Facility in Georgia.

The Aircraft is the First of 115 Special Operations Equipped C-130js for the Usaf, Comprising 78 Hc-130js for Air Combat Command (Acc), and 37 Mc-130js for Air Force Special Operations Command (Afsoc). The First Aircraft Will Be Presented to the Usaf on April 19 and After Flight Testing, is Due to Enter Service in 2012.

Interestingly, April 7 Marks the 55th Anniversary of the First Flight of the First a Model C-130 Hercules.

Predator Uav Family Logs 1 Million

Flight Hours the General Atomics Predator Family of Unmanned Aerial Systems Logged Its One Millionth Flight Hour During Operations Over the Easter Weekend.

Comprising the Predator a, the I-gnat, the Er/sky Warrior and Predator B/reaper Uavs, the Milestone Was Recorded in Just Under 80,000 Missions, 85 Per Cent of Which Have Been Flown on Operations.

Ga-asi Estimates That at Any Time of the Day, More Than 40 Predator Uavs Are Airborne Worldwide, the Majority of Which Would Be in the Afghanistan, Middle East and Horn of Africa Regions. The Predator Family is Currently Being Built at a Rate of Eight Aircraft and Seven Ground Stations Per Month, and Are Logging Almost 30,000 Flight Hours Per Month.

Military Briefs

Boeing Defence Australia (Bda) Started the First Maintenance Training Program to Be Conducted Under the Five-year in-service Support (Iss) Contract for the Raaf’s Six Boeing 737-based Wedgetail Aew&c Aircraft on February 15. The 147 Day Program Started With 32 Students From the Raaf’s 2sqn at Williamtown, and Will Comprise Classroom and Computer-based Lessons, Operational Flight Trainer (Oft) Simulator Sessions, and Flight Line Training.

the North African Country of Tunisia Has Ordered Two Lockheed Martin C-130j-30 Hercules for Delivery From 2013. Tunisia Already Operates a Small Fleet of C-130b and C-130h Hercules It Acquired in the 1980s, and Will Become the 12th Customer for the C-130j.

Hawker Beechcraft Has Delivered the 500th Beechcraft T-6 Military Trainer to the Us Military, a T-6b for the Us Navy Which Will Be Based at Nas Whiting Field in Florida. Raytheon Australia is Expected to Offer the Enhanced T-6c as Part of Its Solution for the Raaf’s Air 5428 Flying Training Program Requirement.

Boeing Defence Australia (Bda) Says It Has Responded to the Australian Army’s Tender for Deeper Maintenance of Its Six Ch-47d Chinook Helicopters. The Six Year Contract Will Commence in September at Townsville, and Requires the Delivery of Deeper Maintenance Support Services to the Chinook Fleet. For the Australian Contract, Bda Has Teamed With Vector Aerospace With Which It is Also Aligned in the Uk for Through Life Support Services to the Raf’s 46 Strong Ch-47 Fleet.

C-5m Super Galaxy Has Been Rated as “effective, Suitable, and Mission Capable” by the Usaf Operational Test and Evaluation Center. The C-5m Upgrade Sees the Tf39 Engines of the C-5b Replaced With Substantially More Powerful, Efficient and Reliable Ge Cf6 Engines, and a Comprehensive Avionics Upgrade Performed.

Hawker Beechcraft Has Delivered the 500th Beechcraft T-6 Military Trainer to the Us Military, a T-6b for the Us Navy Which Will Be Based at Nas Whiting Field in Florida. The T-6 is Based on the Pilatus Pc-9 and Was Selected for the Us Joint Primary Aircraft Training System (Jpats) Role in 1996, With Deliveries Commencing in 2000.

Eads North America Has Delivered the 100th Uh-72a Lakota (Ec145) to the Us Army During a Ceremony Held at the Aircraft’s Production Facility in Columbus, Mississippi. The Uh-72as Are Not Certified for Use in War Zones, and Are Instead Employed on Utility Missions With National Guard Units.

India Has Ordered 12 Agustawestland Aw101 Helicopters for Vip Government Transport Duties in a Contract Valued at €560m (a$841m). The Contract Also Includes a Five Year Logistics Package and Initial Aircrew and Technical Training.

a General Electric F414-ge-400 Engine for the Raaf’s Boeing F/a-18f Super Hornets Was Tested in a New Engine Test Cell at Raaf Amberley for the First Time on March 8. The ‘un-installed Engine Test Cell’ is Managed by Tasman Aviation Enterprises.

an Unmanned Boeing A160t Hummingbird Has Successfully Demonstrated Its Ability to Meet the Us Marine Corp’s Vertical Unmanned Resupply Capability Requirement During a Demonstration in Utah on March 9-11.

the Us Navy Completed the First Captive Carriage Test of the Agm-154 Joint Standoff Weapon (Jsow) C-1 on an F/a-18f Super Hornet Nas China Lake on March 4. The Jsow C-1 Combines the Proven Gps Guided Jsow Glide Weapon With a New Datalink Allowing Updated Targeting Information to Be Relayed to the Weapon in Flight to Attack Moving Targets Such as Ships. In the Captive Test the Weapon Successfully Entered the Link 16 Network.

After a Protracted Development Program, the Uk Mod Has Declared the Bae Systems Nimrod Mra4 Maritime Surveillance Aircraft ‘ready to Train’ on After the First of Nine Production Aircraft, Airframe Pa04, Was Accepted by the Raf. The Raf is Not Expected to Declare the Mra4 Operational for Another Two Years.

the Republic of Singapore Air Force (Rsaf) Has Formally Established 149sqn, Its First Locally Based Boeing F-15sg Unit, at Paya Lebar Air Base in the Island Nation’s East. The Rsaf Already Has an F-15sg Detachment Established With the Usaf’s 428th Fighter Squadron Which Operates F-15es at Mountain Home Afb in the Us State of Idaho, Where Conversion Training for Rsaf Pilots is Conducted With Few Airspace Restrictions.

Airlines

United Formalises A350 Order United Has Signed a Firm Order for Its 25 A350-900 Xwb Aircraft, Formalising a Commitment Originally Announced in December 2009.

”with This Order We Are Investing in United’s Future, Gaining a Widebody Aircraft That Will Help Us Reduce Operating Costs While Still Providing State-of-the-art Comfort to Our Customers,” Said John Tague, President of United Airlines. “the A350 Xwb Will Also Help Us Reduce Fuel Burn and Our Overall Environmental Footprint in Comparison to Older Technology Aircraft. ” Deliveries Will Begin in 2016 and Run Through 2019.

The A350 Xwb Signing Follows United’s Formalising of Its Order With Boeing for 25 787-8s in Late February.

Virgin Launches Sydney-ayers Rock

Virgin Blue Has Announced That It Will Operate Services From Sydney to Ayers Rock From August 2.

The Daily Flights Will Be Operated With a 104-seat Embraer E-190, With Launch Fares Starting From $149 One Way. Regular Fares Will Start From $199.

“the Timing is Right for Us to Launch a New Route as We Take Delivery of a New E-jet Later This Year and We Looked at a Number of Options Before Deciding Ayers Rock (Uluru) Was the Ideal Destination to Commit Our New Resources to,” Said Ceo Brett Godfrey in a Statement. “the Decision Reflects Our View Regarding the Importance of Ayers Rock (Uluru) to the Tourism Industry and Indeed to Visitors From Our Own Backyard, as Well as From All Over the World, Who Flock to the Rock Each Year to Marvel at the Natural Landmark. ” Virgin Blue Says That It Has Worked With the Ayers Rock Airport Authority to Ensure That It Can Handle the Additional Passengers, and as a Result It Will Upgrade Check-in Counters and Build Additional Baggage Belts.

Qantas Group Makes Changes to Mackay, Rockhampton Services 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. ”

Pac Blue Gets Fiji Rights the International Air Services Commission (Iasc) 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 Grants 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 Will Begin Four Times Weekly Services on Sydney-nadi From March 29. Qantas Codeshares on Air Pacific’s Services Between the Two Cities.

Pac Blue to Fly Brisbane-queenstown Pacific Blue Has Announced That It Will Commence Twice Weekly Services Between Brisbane and Queenstown From June 25 to September 12.

“we Know That Many Queensland Skiers Currently Fly via Christchurch to Get to Queenstown So We’re Sure They’ll Be Delighted to Be Able to Get Across the Ditch in a Single Hop,” Said Virgin Blue Group Ceo Brett Godfrey.

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.

Jetstar Adds New Fare Product

Jetstar Has Announced That It Will Expand Its Fare Product Offering on Long Haul Flights With the Launch of Jetplus Fares.

The New Fare Product, Which Will Only Be Available on International Services Operated by Its Fleet of Airbus A330-200s, Will Include Bundling of a Portable Video on Demand Unit, Meal and Drinks Package and a Comfort Pack as Well as No Fees for Name or Date Changes, Except for Any Fare Difference.

“the Introduction of Our New Jetplus Fare Product on Selected Jetstar International Flights is in Direct Response to What Some of Our Customers Have Been Asking for a Great Low Fare With the Choice of Including a Meal and Drinks Package, All Entertainment and Amenities,” Said Jetstar Executive Manager Commercial David Koczkar.

The New Product Aligns Jetstar’s Fare Offerings Closer to Airlines Such as Air Canada, Which Offers Various Fare Levels With Each Reflecting a Particular Level of Service and Has Helped It to Be Able to Meet a Number of Markets on a Single Flight.

Global Passenger and Freight Volumes Increasing According to Statistics Released by the Airports Council International, Passenger and Freight Traffic Rebounded Strongly During January.

Aci Says That Total Passenger Traffic for the Month Was Up by 5. 4 Per Cent. This Was Aided by Strong Growth in International Passenger Numbers, Which Increased by 5. 8 Per Cent, Driven by Double Digit Increases in the Asia Pacific, Africa and Middle East Regions. Domestic Passenger Traffic Increased by 5. 2 Per Cent as Travel Increased Strongly in Asia Pacific, Europe and Latin America.

International Freight Traffic Leapt During the Month by 33. 7 Per Cent, Due to Major Rebounds in the Asia Pacific and Middle East Markets Which Has Been Attributed to Stabilising World Production Markets as the Economy Recovers. Domestic Air Freight Increased by 10. 6 Per Cent, Resulting Overall Air Freight Tonnage Growth of 24. 7 Per Cent.

Public Service Travel Regulations Tightened the Department of Finance and Deregulation Has Sent Out an Advisory to All Federal Government Departments About New Requirements for Official Travel, Ahead of the Announcement of the Winner of a Travel Management Tender Later This Year.

Under the New Policies, Public Servants Will Have to Ensure That Other Alternatives to Travel, Such as Phone or Videoconferencing, Have Been Considered, While They Will Also Be Forced to Purchase the Lowest Practical Fare, Without Considering Airline Loyalty Schemes, a Preference or Jets or Whether It is a Full Service Carrier or Not. Those Staff Travelling on a Fare Other Than the Lowest Practical Fare Will Have to Document Their Reasons for Doing So.

The Changes Come as Virgin Blue and Qantas Await the Outcome of a Tender Called Last Year by the Same Department for Three Whole-of-government Travel Contracts. Virgin Blue Ceo Brett Godfrey Recently Told Media That He Expects That the Airline Will Gain Even if It is Not Directly Awarded a Contract as It Offers Low Fares on a Number of Routes.

Skywest Passenger Numbers Up in Feb Skywest Has Released Its Operating Statistics for February, Showing an Increase in Passengers on Its Regular Public Transport (Rpt) Services, Although Charter Services Were Down Slightly Compared to the Same Time Last Year.

For the Month, the Airline Recorded a 14. 3 Per Cent Increase in Rpt Passengers Carried, Which Went Up to 25,000. This Helped to Increase Rpks by 30. 3 Per Cent, Which Was Marginally Higher Than the 30. 1 Per Cent Increase in Capacity, Resulting in a 0. 08 Percentage Point Increase in Load Factor to 49. 4 Per Cent. For the Financial Year to Date, Rpt Load Factor Has Increased by 2. 7 Percentage Points to 54. 3 Per Cent.

The Airline’s Statistics Also Show That There Was a 6. 7 Per Cent Fall in the Number of Charter Services It Operated During the Month, With 210 Flights Operated. As a Result, Charter Capacity, in Terms of Available Seat Kilometres, Decreased by 2. 1 Per Cent. Despite the Fall in February, Charter Capacity for the Financial Year to Date is Up by 10. 8 Per Cent.

Domestic Fares Fall Bitre’s Domestic Air Fares Index for March Has Shown Declines Across Most Fare Categories Compared to the Same Time Last Year.

The Biggest Decline Was in the Best Discount Category, With the Index Falling to 62. 3 Compared to 90. 4 the Year Before. The Restricted Economy Index Declined by 5. 5 Points to 93. 6, While the Full Economy Index Increased by 1. 1 Points to 91. The Business Fare Index Saw a Minor Decline of 0. 7 Points.

The Fall in Fares Appears to Show That Domestic Yields Still Appear to Be Under Pressure, Although the Business Market Seems to Have Stabilised. Increasing Competition Between Low Cost Carriers Jetstar and Tiger Airways at the Discount End is Likely to See Discount Fares Continue Their Restrained Growth.

Air Nz Best at Managing Reputation Company Ceos and Members of the Media in New Zealand Have Voted the National Airline as the Best at Managing Its Reputation According to a Survey by Senate Communications.

“air New Zealand is Top of Mind as a Company That Deals Well With Situations That Threaten Its Reputation. Survey Participants Said Air New Zealand’s Public Handling of the Perpignan Air Crash Was a Perfect Example of How to Manage a Crisis,” Said Neil Green, Managing Partner of Senate Communications.

“its Response Was More Than Just Text-book – It Acted in Ways That Showed It Really Cared About Its Relationships and Its Impact on People. ” the Perignon Crash Refers to the Crash of an Air New Zealand A320 Off the Cost of France in November 2008 During a Test Flight Shortly Before the Aircraft Was Due to Be Handed Back to the Airline. Four Air New Zealand Personnel and One New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority Official on Board the Aircraft for the Test Flights Were Killed in the Crash.

Air Nz to Increase Domestic Capacity

Air New Zealand Has Announced That It Will Add Capacity to Its Domestic Network From January Next Year Due to Growing Demand and an Expected Surge in Traffic Due to the Rubgy World Cup.

The Airline Said in a Statement Lodged With the Australian Securities Exchange That It Plans to Increase Domestic Capacity by 10. 5 Per Cent From January 2011, Which It Says Has Seen the Highest Load Factor on Record.

“we Will Be Increasing This Again Later in the Year to 26 Per Cent Additional Capacity for the Duration of the World Cup, in Response to the Forecast Demand From Both Kiwis and Overseas Travellers,” the Airline’s General Manager Domestic Airline John Whittaker Said.

The Capacity Increase Will Come in Part From the Arrival of Its First New Domestic Configuration A320s, Which Seat 171 Passengers Compared to 133 on the Current Domestic Fleet of Boeing 737-300s. In Addition, the Airline Will Extend the Lease on One of Its 737s by an Additional Eight Months.

Cathay Pacific Flies to Profit

Cathay Pacific Has Released Its 2009 Financial Figures, Showing That the Consolidated Group Earned a Profit of Hk$4. 7bn (a$66. 1m), Reversing a Loss From the Year Before.

The Profit Came Despite a 22. 6 Per Cent Fall in Turnover to Hk$67bn (a$9. 4bn) Due to Lower Demand and Yields on Both Passenger and Cargo Services, Although Costs Were Contained Due to Lower Fuel Prices. Nevertheless, the Core Airline Business Was Able to Record an Operating Profit of Hk$285m (a$40m), Compared to a Loss of Hk$1. 44bn (a$202m) Last Year, While the Group Also Benefited From the Hk$1. 9bn (a$267m) Sale of Shares in Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company Limited (Haeco).

Despite Signs of a Recovery During the End of 2009, Chairman Christopher Pratt Said in a Letter to Shareholders That the Company Remains Cautious About the Year Ahead, Noting That Premium Travel Remains Below Pre-downturn Levels. “there Are Concerns That the Adverse Changes Which We Have Seen in the Pattern of Passenger and Freight Demand Could Be Structural Rather Than Cyclical. In Addition, the Cost of Fuel, Which Rose Steadily From the Middle of 2009, Remains Stubbornly High and Threatens to Undermine Profitability. ”

Lufthansa Sees Black in 2009 the Lufthansa Group Has Defied a Major Fall in Revenue to Record a €130m (a$195. 3m) Operating Profit for 2009.

The Group Saw a Decline in Revenues of 10 Per Cent to €22. 2bn (a$33. 3bn) as Weaker Traffic and Yields Affected Its Airline (Including Its Subsidiaries Swiss, Austrian Airlines and Bmi) and Cargo Operations Which Saw Them Record Consolidated Losses. However, This Was Counteracted by Stronger Results From Lufthansa Technik, Lsg Skychefs and Its It Services Division.

“despite the Highly Challenging Conditions, We Cannot Be Satisfied With Our Operating Profit, but It Remains Nevertheless a Remarkable Performance,” Commented Lufthansa Chairman and Ceo Wolfgang Mayrhuber.

Mayrhuber Added That the Group Was Expecting an Improvement in Revenues for 2010 and Maintained Its Goal of Recording a Higher Operating Profit. “the Timing of a Strong Recovery of Demand and the Development of the Oil Price Pose Risks That Could Result in Scenarios That Either Foster or Hinder the Realisation of This Aim,” He Said.

Strategic to Fly to Bali From June

Strategic Airlines Will Launch Perth-denpasar Services From June 12, Joining Jetstar, Airasia, Pacific Blue and Garuda Indonesia 0n the Route.

The Airline Will Initially Operate Twice Weekly Services, With an Additional Service From July 4. Tickets for the Services Went on Sale on March 12, With Fares Starting From $99 One Way. The Services Will Be Flown by an Airbus A320.

Strategic’s Head of Commercial Damien Vasta Said That the Airline Would Be Aiming to Offer a Unique Product to Travellers. “we Will Offer Perth Travellers the Option to Fly to Bali With a Full-service Product at Affordable Prices – a Combination That Has Not Been Available Until Now,” He Said.

Vasta Added That the Airline Was Looking Forward to Expanding Its Wa Services, Which Also Includes Its Three Times Weekly Perth-derby (Curtin) Services. The Carrier is Also Seeking Fly-in/fly-out Contracts With Major Mining Companies.

Strong Start Prompts Iata to Cut Forecast Losses Iata Has Halved Its Forecast Net Loss for the Global Airline Industry This Year to Us$2. 8bn (a$3. 06bn), Noting That Strong Demand at the Start of the Year and Flat Capacity Has Led to Some Gain in Yields, Albeit Driven by Asia Pacific and Latin America.

“we Are Seeing a Definite Two-speed Industry. Asia and Latin America Are Driving the Recovery. The Weakest International Markets Are North Atlantic and Intra-europe Which Have Continuously Contracted Since Mid 2008,” Said Giovanni Bisignani, Iata’s Director General and Ceo.

The Organisation Now Expects Passenger Demand to Grow by 5. 6 Per Cent This Year Instead of Its Previous Forecast of 4. 5 Per Cent, While Cargo Demand is Expected to Grow at 12 Per Cent Compared to a Previous Forecast of Seven Per Cent. As a Result, It is Expected That Revenues Will Rise to Us$522bn (a$570. 5bn), a Us$43bn (a$47bn) Improvement on 2009.

“we Can Be Optimistic but With Due Caution,” Remarked Bisignani. “important Risks Remain. Oil is a Wildcard, Over-capacity is Still a Danger, and Costs Must Be Kept Under Control – Throughout the Value Chain and With Labour. ” by Region, Asia Pacific Carriers Are Expected to Lead the Way, Posting Profits of Us$900m (a$984m), Driven by Strong Growth in China Which Will Increase Demand for Both Cargo and Passenger Services. This Will Be Followed by Us$800m (a$874m) in Profits From Latin America and Us$100m (a$109m) From African Carriers. Us and European Carriers Will See Losses Due to the Slow Rate of Economic Growth and Higher Unemployment, While the Middle East Will Also See Losses Due to Weak Yields on Long Haul Services.

Qantaslink Applies for Cairns-port Moresby Services Qantas Has Lodged an Application With the International Air Services Commission (Iasc) Seeking an Allocation for Qantaslink to Operate Services From Cairns to Port Moresby From July 2010.

The Brief Application Notes That the Airline Seeks an Allocation of 888 Seats Per Week to Operate 12 Weekly Services on the Route Using the 74-seat Bombardier Q400. Qantas Has Requested the Allocation for Five Years, With the Capacity to Be Fully Used by December 31.

If the Services Are Approved, It Would Put Qantas in Competition With Air Niugini and Airlines Png Between Cairns and Port Moresby. Qantas Currently Codeshares on the Air Niugini Services, and It Has Not Indicated if It Plans to Continue This Codeshare Arrangement Once Its Own Services Start.

Marginal Fall in Loads for Qantas Qantas Has Released Its Latest Operating Statistics for January, Showing That Group Load Factor Declined by 0. 6 Percentage Points to 81. 2 Per Cent as Domestic Loads on Both Qantas and Jetstar Services Declined.

Qantas Domestic Services Saw a 4. 8 Per Cent Fall in Passengers Carried During the Month, While Capacity Was Down by 1. 4 Per Cent, Which Resulted in Revenue Seat Factor Falling by 2. 6 Percentage Points to 78. 4 Per Cent. Qantaslink Also Saw Its Load Factor Decline, Down by 2. 3 Points to 62. 2 Per Cent as Passenger Volumes Fell by 0. 6 Per Cent and Capacity Grew by One Per Cent. Jetstar’s Domestic Load Factor Was Also Down Three Points to 81. 8 Per Cent, Driven by a 6. 8 Per Cent Increase in Capacity, While Passenger Volumes Increased by 0. 4 Per Cent.

International Services Appeared to Fare Better, With Qantas Recording a 1. 1 Point Increase in Load Factor to 84. 5 Per Cent, but This Was Driven by a 10. 3 Per Cent Fall in Capacity, as Passenger Volumes Fell by 16. 4 Per Cent. Jetstar International Saw a 78. 4 Per Cent Increase in Passenger Numbers, Which Appeared to Be Directly Related to a 27. 1 Per Cent Increase in Capacity, Resulting in a 0. 5 Point Increase in Revenue Seat Factor to 78. 5 Per Cent.

The Company Also Gave an Update on Yields, Showing That Yield Excluding Foreign Exchange for the Financial Year to January 2010 Was Down 6. 1 Per Cent Compared to the Same Period in the Prior Year. However, It Noted That Qantas’s International Yields Have Been Improving Month on Month Between December and January.

Air Nz to Change Tasman, Pacific Product

Air New Zealand Has Announced a Number of Changes Which Will More Closely Align Its Trans-tasman and Pacific Services With Its Domestic Product, Including Removing Business Class on a Number of Services.

The Changes Will See Air Nz Standardise Its Airbus A320s Used on Trans-tasman and Pacific Services to an All-economy 171-seat Configuration, Dropping Business Class. At the Same Time, the Airline Will Cut the Price of Its Lead-in Fares, Introduce a New Four Tiered Fare Category System, and Introduce New Kiosks and Streamline Check-in Procedures to Reduce the Average Airport Waiting Time by 45 Minutes.

“for More Than a Year We Have Had a Team Gaining a Better Understanding of What Customers Want in These Highly Competitive Markets and the Innovative Changes We Are Going to Introduce Are Based on What They Have Been Telling Us,” Said Group General Manager Short Haul Airline Bruce Parton.

Parton Added That the Airline Had Seen Major Falls in Demand for Business Class Seats on Services From Wellington and Christchurch Which Led to the Decision to Standardise the Domestic and Short Haul International A320 Products. “business Class Will Still Be Available Out of Auckland on Widebody Aircraft Flights at Prime Times That Meet the Needs of Corporate Travellers and Those Business Premier Customers Connecting With Our Long Haul Services,” He Said.

The Four Tier Fare System Will See a Basic ‘seat’ Fare Include 7kg of Carryon, Free Coffee Tea and Water, and Limited Inflight Entertainment Options.

The ‘seat Plus Bag’ Option Adds One Checked Bag, While the ‘works’ Fare Level Adds to That a Meal and Free Drinks and the Ability to Make Seat Allocation Requests. Finally the ‘works Deluxe’ Fare Adds a Guaranteed Empty Seat Next to the Passenger – a New Take on the Premium Economy Concept – Plus Premium Check-in, Lounge Access and Expanded Inflight Entertainment Options.

Christchurch Will Be the First Market to See the Changes From Late August, While It Will Be Rolled Out Across the Short Haul Network From Late November. The First Fares on the New Product From Christchurch Will Be Released During April, With Network-wide Sales to Start in September.

Pal Starts Manila-brisbane Services Philippine Airlines Started Its First Services Between Manila and Brisbane on March 18, Making It the Third Australian Gateway for the Carrier.

The Twice Weekly Services Are Operated by a 302-seat Airbus A330-300 in Two Class Configuration. The Carrier Has Also Introduced the Higher Capacity 777-300er on Sydney and Melbourne Services During February.

Sia Still Angling for Australia-us Access Singapore Airlines is Expected to Renew Its Push for Access to Flights to the Us From Australia, Citing the Recent Announcement That Jetstar Will Make a Major Push Into Its Home Market.

”it’s Just a Matter of Principle. I Don’t Think the Australian Government Can Say That Singapore Has Not Provided Australian Carriers Maximum Access,” the Airline’s Regional Vice President Subhas Menon Told ‘the Age’.

”we Hope That It Will Not Be Too Long Into the Future Before Singapore Will Be Allowed to Fly Under Fifth-freedom Rights Out of Australia and the Us. ” Singapore Airlines Has Long Been Pushing for Access to the Once Lucrative Trans-pacific Route but Has Been Blocked by the Australian Government. This Position Does Not Appear Set to Change, With the Recent Aviation White Paper Noting That It Would Only Open Up the Pacific Route in Return for Allowing Australian Carriers to Access Similarly Profitable Routes Elsewhere. Nevertheless, It Maintains That Australia is Committed to Pursuing More Liberal Air Services Agreements.

Qantas Leads Otp in February Qantas Recorded the Highest Rate of on Time Departures Among the Four Major Domestic Carriers During February, According to the Latest Domestic Airline on Time Performance Report From Bitre.

During the Month, Qantas Recorded an 87. 4 Per Cent on Time Departure Rate, Followed by Virgin Blue (85. 8 Per Cent), Jetstar (83. 6 Per Cent) and Tiger Airways (78. 2 Per Cent). Of the Regional Airlines, Skywest Recorded the Highest Rate of on Time Departures at 88. 5 Per Cent, Followed by Regional Express (79. 3 Per Cent) and Qantaslink (79. 2 Per Cent).

Across the Domestic Network There Was a Cancellation Rate of 0. 9 Per Cent, With Jetstar Recording the Highest Rate of Cancelled Services at 1. 6 Per Cent. Regional Express Only Cancelled Six Services During the Month, Leaving It With the Lowest Cancellation Rate at 0. 1 Per Cent.

United Adds Trans-pacific Frequencies

United Airlines Will Operate Additional Services on the Sydney-los Angeles Route Over the December-january Peak Season.

From December 1 to January 9 the Airline Will Operate a Second Daily Service Between Sydney and Los Angeles, While From January 10-31 It Will Operate Three Additional Services Each Week.

United is Seen by Some Analysts as the Weakest of the Four Airlines Servicing the Sydney-los Angeles Route, Particularly Since Fellow Us Carrier Delta Air Lines Entered the Market Last Year. However, the Level of Competition on the Route is Expected to Reduce Over the Next Year, Particularly if V Australia and Delta Receive Approval to Cooperate on Their Services.

V Australia Adds to Johannesburg Schedule V Australia Will Add a Third Weekly Melbourne-johannesburg Service to Its Schedule From December, the Carrier Announced as Its First Inbound Service Arrived in Melbourne on March 17.

The New Service Will Commence on December 16 After the Carrier Takes Its Fifth Boeing 777-300er. The Airline Says It Will Be Focusing on Attracting Business Traffic on the New Service, as Well as Taking Advantage of the Strong Leisure Market.

There is a Very Strong Existing Vfr (Visiting Friends and Relatives) Market Between South Africa and Australia and We Are Confident We Can Further Stimulate This Through Affordable Fares, While at the Same Time Promoting Australia as a Highly Desirable Leisure Destination for South African Tourists,” Virgin Blue Group Ceo Brett Godfrey Said.

V Australia Currently Has Authorisation to Operate Up to Five Weekly Services Between Australia and South Africa, Indicating That the Airline Could Still Launch More Services to Johannesburg in the Future. Qantas and South African Airways Also Operate Flights to South Africa, From Sydney and Perth Respectively.

Jetstar Adds More Singapore-hong Kong Services Jetstar Asia Will Add More Singapore-hong Kong Services From May 14 as Part of Its Growing Operations.

The Airline Will Operate Two Additional Services With 180-seat A320 on Friday and Saturday, Aimed at Weekend Leisure as Well as Business Travellers.

The Services Are Part of a Wider Push Into the China/pearl River Delta Region by the Airline. “china is a Major Focus for Us and Whilst New Routes Are Being Investigated, Increasing Our Presence on Existing Strong Markets Like Singapore-hong Kong is an Important Part of Our Chinese and Pan Asian Strategy,” Said Jetstar Asia Ceo Chong Phit Lian.

Alliance to Open Cairns Base Alliance Airlines Has Announced That It Will Base Two Fokker 100s in Cairns From May as Part of a Greater Push Into Northern Australia and the Immediate International Region.

“we Are a National Company and We Are a Significant Part of the Resources Industry Infrastructure in Australia, and Cairns is the Perfect Base for Our Next Phase of Growth, Providing Modern Facilities for Both Domestic and Regional International Flight Operations,” Said Managing Director Scott Mcmillan.

From May 3, the Airline Will Double Its Charter Services Through Cairns From Five to Ten Per Week, With a View to Exploring Further Growth Opportunities Through Northern Queensland and Papua New Guinea Due to the Increasing Activity in the Resources Sector. The Company Will Also Employ Up to 20 Employees, Including 14 Cabin Crew and Three Engineers, to Support the New Base.

Alliance Airlines Flies a Fleet of 11 Fokker 100s and Six Fokker 50 Turboprops From Bases in Brisbane, Townsville, Adelaide and Perth, Predominately Servicing Resource Charter Contracts. Its Major Clients Include Bhp Billiton, Gemco and Mmg.

New Md for Tiger Airways Australia

Tiger Airways Has Announced That Crawford Rix Has Been Appointed as the Managing Director of Its Australian Operations, Taking Over From Shelley Roberts Who Has Held the Position Since Mid 2008.

Rix is Currently the Managing Director of Uk Low Cost Carrier Bmibaby, and Has Had Extensive Experience With a Number of Carriers in the Uk. Tiger Says That Rix is Serving His Notice Period With Bmibaby and It Will Announce His Joining Date Once It Has Been Determined.

In Announcing the New Appointment, Tiger Airways Ceo Tony Davis Thanked Roberts for Her Contribution to the Low Cost Carrier. “shelley Has Established Tiger Airways Australia as a Major National Airline, and Led It From Infancy to Profitability,” He Said. “after Completing Her Hand-over to Crawford, She Intends to Take a Well Deserved Break. We Would Like to Thank Her and Wish Her Continued Success in Her Future Endeavours”.

Viva Macau

Grounded by Financial Woes Authorities in Macau Have Revoked the Air Operator’s Certificate of Viva Macau After the Airline Suspended Services Over the Weekend Due to Its Poor Financial Position.

The Airline Did Not Operate Services From March 26 After It Failed to Pay for Fuel, Leaving Thousands of Passengers Stranded in Macau and Elsewhere. The Airline Has Since Stopped Taking Bookings, but Says It Has Been in Contact With Stranded Passengers to Offer Refunds.

“Viva Macau Airlines Has Been in Active Contact With Passengers and Providing Refunds in Accordance With Our Conditions of Carriage,” the Airline Said in a Statement.

“viva Macau Had Been Extremely Uncooperative. It Did Not Provide the Necessary Information When the Government Tried to Assist Stranded Passengers, Such as the Name List of Passengers, Which Resulted in the Slow Progress in Helping the Affected Passengers,” the Macau Government Reported in a Statement.

“Viva Macau Had Taken Steps, Including Prepayment (for Fuel) of All Weekend Flights Last Friday Afternoon. Our Shareholders Also Offered Credit Guarantees to the Supplier,” Viva Macau’s Statement Reads. “Unfortunately, No Agreement Could Be Reached and Therefore Flights Were Stopped Unexpectedly. ” at the Time of Its Grounding, Viva Macau Operated a Fleet of Three Boeing 767s on Flights From Macau to Melbourne, Hanoi, Jakarta, Tokyo and Sapporo.

Noisy Freighters to Be Banned

the Federal Government Has Moved to Ban Older “marginally Noise-compliant” Aircraft, Such as Boeing 727 Freighters, From Major Airports From July 1.

In Accordance With the Aviation White Paper, the Ban Will Be Phased in Over Two Stages. From July 1, Hushkitted Aircraft Will Not Be Permitted to Operate New Services From Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Hobart, Darwin, Cairns, Gold Coast, Essendon, Newcastle, Avalon and Canberra Airports. Then, From September 1 All Existing Services Will Cease at Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Perth.

“marginally Compliant Aircraft Are Predominantly Used in the Air Freight Industry and Have Been an Ongoing Source of Concern for Residents Around Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth Airports,” Said Transport Minister Anthony Albanese.

“these Aircraft Were Certified to Operate Following Modifications to Meet Aircraft Noise Standards Issued in the 1970s. Most Have Been Fitted With ‘hushkits’ Which Entitles Them to a ‘marginally Compliant’ Rating Under the 1977 Regulation. ” the Changes Will Impact Mostly on Boeing 727 Freighters Operated by Tasman Cargo Airlines (Which Operates Trans Tasman Services for Dhl) and Heavylift Cargo Airlines, as Well as Incoming Charter Operations. Under the New Regulations, Flights by Antonov an-124s Would Also Be Banned, Which Could Have Major Impacts on the Outsize Freight Industry, as Would Non Cfm56 Re-engined Dc-8s.

“the New Regulation Also Makes Provision for a Marginally Compliant Aircraft to Operate in Cases of Emergency and, in Limited Cases, Where a Flight is in the Public Interest,” the Minister’s Statement Reads.

Eight More Fokker 100s for Alliance

Alliance Airlines Has Signed a Letter of Intent to Acquire Eight Additional Fokker 100 Jets as the Airline Seeks to Significantly Expand Its Operations Through the Asia Pacific Region.

“the Fokker 100 Has Proved to Be Reliable, Robust and Extremely Popular Among the Contract Customers We Serve, Making It Both a Natural and Ideal Choice for Us as We Increase Our Operations for Existing Clients and Look to Expand Into New Markets,” Said Managing Director Scott Mcmillan.

He Added That the Additional Aircraft Would Allow It to Quickly Add Capacity for New Contracts and Ad Hoc Charters, While It Already Has an Extensive Inventory of Spares and Established Maintenance Operations for the Type. Alliance Already Operates 11 Fokker 100s, in Addition to Six Fokker 50 Turboprops.

The Announcement Comes After Alliance Said on March 17 That It Will Establish a Fifth Base at Cairns From May. Alliance Currently Operates Bases at Brisbane, Townsville, Perth and Adelaide, Predominately Serving the Resources Industry.

Tiger Returns to Darwin-melbourne

Route Tiger Airways Has Announced That It Will Return to the Darwin-melbourne Route From June 18, Flying Six Weekly Services.

Tiger Previously Cancelled Its Darwin-melbourne and Singapore-darwin Services in October 2008, Citing High Airport Charges. This Came as Jetstar Began Ramping Up Services to Darwin in an Effort to Make It a Regional Hub for Services Into Southeast Asia.

The Return to Darwin Comes After Tiger Also Launched Services on the Melbourne-brisbane, Brisbane-rockhampton and Brisbane-adelaide Routes on March 28.

Asian Traffic Continues to Grow in February the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (Aapa) Says That a Strong Increase in Passenger and Freight Traffic During February 2010 Was a Sign That the Global Economic Recovery Has Gained Momentum.

For the Month, the Number of Passengers Carried by Aapa Members Increased by 16. 9 Per Cent, Raising Rpks by 14 Per Cent. Capacity Increased by 2. 4 Per Cent, Which Resulted in Passenger Load Factor Increasing From 71. 1 Per Cent to 79. 2 Per Cent.

Freight Traffic Showed a Greater Resurgence, With Freight Tonne Kilometres Up by 29. 8 Per Cent, While Capacity Was Up by 10. 2 Per Cent. Freight Load Factor Rose by 10. 3 Percentage Points to 68. 5 Per Cent.

Aapa Director General Andrew Herdman Said That the Figures for February Showed a Continued Recovery in Passenger and Freight Traffic Which Was Evident From the Last Quarter of 2009. “the Recovery in Both Passenger Travel and Air Cargo Demand is Certainly Welcome, but Will Need to Be Coupled With Careful Management of Costs and Available Capacity, if Airlines Are to Succeed in Restoring Profitability Following Two Years of Heavy Financial Losses,” He Said.

Lost Baggage Falls Sita’s 2010 Baggage Report Has Shown a 23. 8 Per Cent Fall in Mishandled Passenger Baggage Last Year, Saving the Airline Industry Us$460m (a$494m).

“some of the Decline Can Be Attributed to Fewer Passengers Travelling Last Year but the 2. 9 Per Cent Decline in Passenger Numbers is Still Far Smaller Than the 23. 8 Per Cent Decline in Mishandled Baggage,” Said Sita Ceo Francesco Violante. “improvements in Baggage Handling Systems and Passengers Checking in Fewer Bags to Avoid Extra Fees Have Also Contributed to the Overall Decline. ” the Report Showed That the Biggest Source of Mishandled Baggage Was During Aircraft Transfers, Which Accounted for 52 Per Cent of Missing Baggage Claims. A Further 13 Per Cent Were Attributed to Ticketing Error, Bag Switching and Security, While Only Three Per Cent of Missing Bags Were Attributed to Tagging Errors.

Qantaslink Gets Png Allocation

the International Air Services Commission (Iasc) Has Granted Qantas an Allocation of 888 Seats Per Week on the Papua New Guinea Route, Which Will Allow Qantaslink to Operate 12 Services Per Week Between Cairns and Port Moresby.

Qantaslink is Planning to Start Services on the Route Utilising 74-seat Bombardier Q400s From July. Air Niugini and Airlines Png Also Fly on the Route, Which is Expected to See Major Growth Over the Next Few Years Due to a Major Boost in Resource Projects in Papua New Guinea.

Regionals Face Sting

in Sydney Airport Parking Charges the Regional Aviation Association of Australia (Raaa) Has Hit Out at What It Claims is a Proposed 6000 Per Cent Increase in Parking Charges for Aircraft in the General Aviation Parking Area at Sydney Airport, Labelling It as “brutal, Monopolistic Behaviour”.

“regional Airline and General Aviation Operators Rely on Access to Sydney Airport to Provide Their Vital Passenger, Freight and Aero-medical Services to Regional Australia,” Said Raaa Ceo, Paul Tyrrell. “operators Are Willing to Enter Into Parking Negotiations in Good Faith but the Offer on the Table is Excessive and Inflammatory. The Increases Are of Such a Magnitude They Seem Designed to Exclude Some Operators From the Airport. ” the Organisation Added That the Proposed Increase Showed That the Federal Government is Being Light Handed in Its Regulation of Aircraft Parking Charges, and Ultimately Could See a Number of Regional Airlines Cut Their Services to the Airport.

Mas Adds Additional Perth Service Malaysia Airlines (Mas) Added an Additional Weekly Service on the Kuala Lumpur-perth Route in Late March, Bringing the Number of Services Per Week to 10.

The Additional Service, Which Will Be Operated on a Saturday, Will Give Passengers Additional Connectivity to a Number of Destinations Through the Airline’s Kuala Lumpur Hub, and Will Cater for Greater Demand. “on This Particular Route We Have an Average Load Factor of 75 Per Cent. It is Especially Popular With European Leisure Travellers After Their Stopover in Malaysia,” Said Mas General Manager, Network and Revenue Management, Dr Amin Khan.

Mas Operates 47 Weekly Services to Australia, Serving Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane.

the Blue’s Big Boeing Buy Virgin Blue and Boeing Have Formally Signed an Agreement Which Will See the Airline Take Up to 105 Additional Boeing 737ngs.

The Order Comprises of a Firm Order for 50 737-800s, With 25 Firm Delivery Options and a Further 30 Purchase Rights, All of Which Could Be Converted to Smaller 737-700s or Larger 737-900s. The Aircraft Will Be Delivered From 2011 to 2017 and Will Replace a Significant Part of the Current Virgin Blue Fleet, as Well as Catering for Future Growth.

“securing This Agreement Now Places Virgin Blue in a Strong Position to Prepare for Steady Future Growth as Domestic and Short Haul Markets Recover,” Said Virgin Blue Ceo Brett Godfrey. “it Will Also Ensure a Turnover of Aircraft to Maintain the Youngest Fleet of Modern Aircraft Which is Crucial for Maintaining Our Commitment to on-time Performance and the Lowest Cost Base Possible. ” Godfrey Added That the New Aircraft Purchase Was on “attractive Commercial Terms”, With Net Pricing Improved From the Airline’s First Purchase From Boeing in 2001 When It Took Advantage of the Post September 11 Market to Place a Major Order for 737ngs.

“we Expect to Finalise Our Funding Arrangements for These Aircraft Shortly,” Godfrey Noted.

While the 737 Order Has Long Been Foreshadowed, Virgin Blue is Also Expected to Order a Number of Other Aircraft in the Near Future to Allow the Airline to Expand Its Share of the Domestic Australian Market. The Airline Has Also Been Rumoured to Be Close to an Order for 777-200lrs Which V Australia Could Operate on Nonstop Services From Sydney to New York and Perth to London. The Vb Group is Also Known to Have Looked at a Range of Other Aircraft, Including Atr Turboprops and Airbus A330s as Part of a Wide Ranging Fleet Plan.

New Record for International Travel in January International Passenger Traffic During January Was the Highest Ever Recorded in a Calendar Month, Making It the Fifth Month in a Row to Record Month-on-month Growth Greater Than Nine Per Cent, According to Bitre.

For the Month, There Were 2. 475 Million International Passengers, Which Was an Increase of 10 Per Cent Compared to the Same Time Last Year. This Was Aided in Part by an Increase of 6. 2 Per Cent in Available Seats, Particularly as a Result of a Growing Number of Services Being Operated by Low Cost Carriers, Which Collectively Accounted for 18 Per Cent of Traffic. Seat Utilisation Increased From 78. 6 to 81. 1 Per Cent.

Interestingly, the Qantas Group’s Total Share of the International Passenger Market Decreased by 2. 2 Percentage Points to 26. 4 Per Cent, Which Was Driven Mainly by a Decline in Passengers on Qantas Services. Singapore Airlines, Air New Zealand and Cathay Pacific Lost Market Share, While Emirates, Pacific Blue, Malaysia Airlines and Airasia X All Gained. Significantly, January Marked the First Time That Airasia X Ranked in the Top 10 International Airlines, Holding a Market Share of 2. 7 Per Cent.

Pac Blue Seeks More Rights to Cook Islands Pacific Blue Has Lodged an Application With the International Air Services Commission (Iasc) to Increase Its Services to the Cook Islands.

The Airline Has Requested Rights to Operate Two Additional Services Between Australia and the Cook Islands for a Period of Five Years, Which Would Be Progressively Introduced and Fully Utilised by April 1 2011. The Services Would Be Operated by the Airline’s Boeing 737-800s.

Pacific Blue Currently Operates Three Weekly Services to Rarotonga From Auckland Under Its Australian Designation, and It is Expected That the Additional Frequency Would Be Operated in the Same Manner. Pacific Blue is Currently the Only Australian Carrier to Fly to Rarotonga.

Emirates Teams With Tourism Nsw Emirates Airline and Tourism New South Wales Have Signed a $2. 4 Million, Three Year Joint Marketing Agreement, Which Comes as the Airline Celebrates 10 Years of Service to Sydney.

“given the Importance of the Sydney and Wider Nsw Market to Emirates, We Hope This Partnership Will Further Serve to Grow the Inbound Travel Market for Sydney and Nsw From Emirates’s Destinations Worldwide,” Said Emirates Vice President Australia Stephen Pearse.

The Agreement Will See the Two Organisations Coordinate Their Marketing of Destinations in New South Wales to Markets in the Middle East and Europe. It Will Include Promotions on Sydney, as Well as Newcastle, Albury, Coffs Harbour and Newcastle Which Emirates Serves Through Connecting Codeshare Flights on Virgin Blue.

Emirates Announced in Late March That in 10 Years of Serving Sydney, the Airline Has Carried Over Two Million Passengers. This is Set to Further Increase, With the Airline Currently Operating Three Daily Services to Dubai, Including One Operated by the A380. Emirates Also Operates Flights to Auckland and Christchurch via Sydney.

Virgin Blue Engineers to Take Industrial Action Engineers at Virgin Blue Have Voted to Take on Work Bans and Also Possible Strikes After Talks Between the Airline and the Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association (Alaea) Broke Down.

According to a Report in the Age, the Engineers Could Start Industrial Action With Three Days’ Notice, Which Could Range From Overtime Bans Up to Two Day Strikes, Which Could Seriously Disrupt the Airline’s Schedules. “at the Moment Our Members Are Asked to and Expected to Work Copious Amounts of Overtime to Keep That Airline Flying,” Said the Union’s Federal Secretary Steve Purvinas.

The Dispute Between the Airline and the Union Centres Around Changes to the Scope of the Engineers’ Work, Which Now Sees Baggage Handlers Marshall Aircraft and Talk to Pilots About Defects. Virgin Blue Says That Talks With Alaea Are Continuing.

Viva Macau Starts Winding Down Viva Macau Appears to Have Been Resigned to Bankruptcy, With the Company Posting a Notice on Its Website That It is “seeking Legal Advice for an Orderly and Responsible Winding Down of the Business. ” the Airline’s Aoc Was Revoked by the Macau Civil Aviation Authority on March 28 After It Failed to Reach an Agreement With Its Fuel Supplier at Its Home Port. The Airline Had Not Operated Any Flights Since March 26.

According to Some Reports, Viva Macau Was Hoping to Regain Its Aoc and Restart Flying on April 2, but Awas, Which Owns the Three Boeing 767s Leased by Viva Macau, Has Already Applied to Deregister the Aircraft, Effectively Leaving the Airline With No Possibility of Trading Out of Its Financial Hardship.

Us Airways, United in Fresh Merger Talks? Us Airways and United Airlines Are Reportedly in Deep Discussions Over a Possible Merger According to Media Reports From the Us, Although Any Formal Announcement is Likely to Be Some Weeks Off.

According to an Article in the New York Times Citing “people Briefed in the Matter”, the Two Airlines Are Working on Setting a Management Structure, as Well as Industrial Relations Issues. Nevertheless, Spokespeople for Both Airlines Have Declined to Comment on the Reports.

Us Airways and United Proposed a Merger in 2000 Which Was Thwarted After Objections From the Us Department of Justice. This Was Followed by Months of Negotiations in 2008 Which Also Came to Naught. United Has Also Previously Pursued Merger Negotiations With Fellow Star Alliance Partner Continental Airlines, Although These Have Also Come to Nothing So Far.

Jetstar Carries One Million Nz Passengers

Jetstar Has Carried Its One Millionth Domestic New Zealand Passenger Since It Replaced Qantas’s Domestic New Zealand Services in June 2009.

“one Million Passengers Have Flown With Jetstar Across Our New Zealand Routes Between Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington and Queenstown. That’s Equivalent to One Kiwi in Four Choosing to Fly With Jetstar in Just 10 Months of Operation,” Said Jetstar Ceo Bruce.

“of Our One Million Jetstar Domestic Passengers, Around 900,000 Kiwis Have Been Able to Get to Their Destination for Under Nz$100 (a$76), While More Than a Third Has Flown for Under Nz$50 (a$38) and Nearly 15 Per Cent for Under Nz$30 (a$23),” He Added.

Jetstar Currently Flies Up to 84 Weekly Services Between Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington and Queenstown With a Fleet of Six 177-seat Airbus A320s.

Virgin Blue and Virgin America in New Agreement Virgin Blue and Virgin America Have Signed an Agreement Which Will Allow Access From Each Carrier’s Loyalty Programs, as Well as a Cabin Crew Exchange Program Between the Two Carriers.

As a Result, Velocity Members Will Be Able to Earn and Redeem Points on Virgin America Services, While Members of That Airline’s Elevate Program Will Be Able to Do Likewise on Virgin Blue and V Australia Services.

“the New Agreement is Another Example of Our Virgin Airlines Working Closer Together for the Benefit of Our Guests,” Said Virgin Blue Ceo Brett Godfrey. “our Aim is to Encourage More Travellers From Throughout the Us and From Our Part of the World to Plan Their Trans-pacific Travel With Our Growing Airline Family. ” the Two Airlines Have Also Launched a Crew Exchange Program Which Will Commence in October This Year, Allowing Cabin Crew From Virgin Blue to Undertake a One Year Exchange to Work With Virgin America and Vice Versa. “the Goal of the Program is to Give Each Airline’s Teammates the Chance to Experience Work and Life at Another Virgin-branded Carrier,” the Two Carriers Said in a Statement.

Virgin Blue and Virgin American Already Cooperate by Interlining Passengers From V Australia’s Services to Los Angeles Through Onto the Va Network, Which is Primarily Focused on Us Transcontinental Services.

Airasia X Goes Premium Airasia X Has Started Reconfiguring Its Fleet of Airbus A330-300s and A340-300s With New Seating in Both Its Premium and Economy Cabins.

Under the Reconfiguration, the Low Cost Carrier is Retrofitting Flatbed Seats to Its Premium Cabin, Featuring a 152cm (60in) Pitch, Width of 51cm and a Full 196cm Length When Fully Reclined. The Seats Feature Universal Power Sockets, Adjustable Headrests and Built-in Personal Utilities Such as Tray Table, Drink Holder, Reading Light and Privacy Screen. Premium Passengers Will Also Enjoy Complementary Meals, Priority Boarding and Check-in, Baggage Allowance and a Comfort Kit.

“we Concede That the Old Seats Were Neither Suitable Nor Comfortable for Long Haul Flights. But True to Airasia Tradition, We Change and Adapt,” Said Airasia X’s Ceo Azran Osman-rani.

In Addition, the Carrier Was Revamped Its Economy Seats, Which Now Feature a 31in (79cm) Pitch, Adjustable Headrest and Can Be Reclined, Rather Than the Fixed Shell Seats Currently Used by the Carrier.

The Changes Will Reduce the Number of Premium Seats on Its A330s From 28 to 12, Although Economy Seats Increase to 365, While the A340s Will Feature 18 Flatbed Seats and 309 in Economy. The Full Refurbishment is Expected to Be Completed by June This Year.

Qantas Loads Up in February the Qantas Group Saw an Increase in Revenue Seat Factor During February, Primarily Driven by Stronger Domestic Traffic.

Overall, the Group Posted a Seat Factor of 79. 4, Up One Percentage Point on the Same Time Last Year. Passenger Numbers Increased by 14. 2 Per Cent, Which Lifted Revenue Passenger Kilometres by 3. 8 Per Cent. Total Group Capacity Was Up by 2. 5 Per Cent.

Qantas Branded Domestic Services Saw a Healthy Five Per Cent Increase in Passenger Numbers, While a One Per Cent Trim in Capacity Resulted in a Five Point Increase in Load Factor to 79. 1 Per Cent. Qantaslink Also Saw a Five Per Cent Increase in Passengers Carried, Although Its Load Factor Declined by 0. 9 Points to 63. 3 Per Cent. By Contrast, Qantas’s International Services Continued to Show Weakness, With Passenger Numbers Down 16. 6 Per Cent, Although a 7. 1 Per Cent Cut in Capacity Saw Load Factor Fall by Only 1. 7 Points to 80. 1 Per Cent.

Jetstar Also Recorded a Strong Month, With Passenger Volumes Up 13. 7 Per Cent, While Capacity Was Up by 10. 3 Per Cent, Resulting in a 3. 8 Percentage Point Increase in Seat Factor to 82. 7 Per Cent. Jetstar International Services Also Saw a Healthy 5. 3 Point Increase in Load Factor to 79. 7 Per Cent, but Recent Media Reports Claim That There is a Data Issue With Its International Figures as They May Have Been Distorted by the Inclusion of Its Domestic New Zealand Services.

Airline Briefs

Skywest and Citic Pacific Mining Have Signed an Agreement to Operate a Scheduled Charter Service Between Perth and Karratha. While the Services Will Be Primarily Used to Transport Citic Pacific Employees, 10 Per Cent of the Seats on the Flights Will Be Available to the Public. The Agreement, Which Skywest Anticipates Additional Revenue of $10. 4 Million From, Will Run for One Year, With a Term Extension Also Available.

Cabin Crew at British Airways Will Hold a Three Day Strike From March 20 and a Four Day Strike From March 27, Which Are Expected to Cost the Airline Up to £140m. Ba Said That It Has Put in Place Contingency Plans, Including Training Staff From Other Areas of the Company to Fill in as Cabin Crew During the Strikes, and That It Will Wet Lease 23 Aircraft From Charter Companies to Help Run Flights From Heathrow Over the Seven Days.

Airports

New Canberra Airport Terminal 2nd Stage Approved Transport Minister Anthony Albanese Has Approved a Major Development Plan for the Western Concourse Extension at Canberra Airport.

The Western Concourse Extenstion is the Second of the Two-phase $350 Million New Multi-level Passenger Terminal Project. The Existing Terminal Will Be Demolished in Stages to Make Room for the New Facility, With the Project Being Undertaken in Two Stages – the First Due for Completion Mid Year is the Southern Concourse Terminal Extension, While the Second Stage Western Concourse Extension is Due for Completion in 2012.

The New Terminal Will Be Up to 40,000 Square Metres in Size, With Up to 22 Additional Check-in Counters, Eight Aerobridges and Facilities for International Passenger Processing.

Canberra Airport Currently Handles Three Million Passengers Per Year, a Figure That is Expected to More Than Double to 6. 3 Million by 2029.

Terminal Wa Gets Nod 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.

While the Approval Clears the Way for Construction to Commence, Wac is Understood to Be Finding It Difficult to Convince Potential Operators to Use the New Terminal, Which Will Not Feature Aerobridges. Virgin Blue Has Publicly Stated That It Will Remain at the Current Domestic Terminal After 2012, and as Such It is Expected That Codeshare Partner Skywest Will Do the Same. That Only Leaves the Charter Carriers, Such as Alliance Airlines, Cobham, Network Aviation and Skippers Aviation as Potential Clients, Although Many Already Have Their Own Facilities.

Launceston Seeks More Jetstar and Tiger Flights With New Terminal Launceston Airport Has Unveiled Its $20 Million Redevelopment of Its Passenger Terminal, Which Could See an Increase in Services From Jetstar and Tiger Due to a Pricing Dispute at Hobart Airport.

The Upgraded Terminal, Which Was Opened on March 12 by Tasmanian Premier David Bartlett, Has Double the Floor Space of the Previous Facility, and Features New Baggage Carousels and New Retail Outlets. The Arrivals and Departures Areas Have Also Been Moved to Opposite Ends of the Terminal, Which Improves Passenger Efficiency.

Speaking at the Opening, Australia Pacific Airports Corporation Ceo Chris Woodruff Said That the Additional Capacity Would Allow Launceston to Accept More Flights From Jetstar and Tiger, Which Are Facing a $4 Increase in Passenger Charges at Hobart Airport and Are Threatening to Limit Their Services There. “they Will Absolutely Come Here if They Get a Bit Angry With Hobart Airport, and We Are Ready to Welcome Them With the Opening Today of Our New Terminal,” He Said.

“we’ve Got Double the Capacity That We Had a Few Days Ago, So We Stand Ready, Willing and Able to Take Any Airline That Wants to Leave Hobart and Come and Serve the Greater Community Up in the North of the Island. ”

Accc Survey Finds Brisbane Airport Best Performing, Sydney Worst

the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (Accc) Has Finalised Its 2008/09 Annual Airport Service Monitoring Report, Which Ranked Brisbane Airport as the Best Performing in the Country, While Sydney Came in for Major Criticism.

The Report, Which Highlights a Range of Indicators Including Quality of Service, Prices, Costs, Profits and Investment Levels, Ranked Brisbane With the Highest Level of Service Quality, Achieving an Overall Level of ‘good’. It Was Followed by Adelaide, Perth and Melbourne, While Sydney Came in Last Position, a Place It Has Held Since the 2005-06 Report.

“airport Users, Including Passengers and Airlines, Rated Sydney Airport Last Amongst the Monitored Airports for the Fourth Consecutive Year and It Appears That Investment in the International Terminal Has Been Slow,” Said Accc Chairman Graeme Samuel. “and While Sydney Airport Was the Only Airport to Report a Fall in Passenger Numbers, Its Revenue and Profit Margins Still Increased. Sydney Airport Also Recorded the Highest Average Prices at $13. 63 Per Passenger, Compared to the Lowest of $7. 96 at Melbourne Airport. ” Sydney Airport Hit Back at Samuel’s Comments, Labelling the Report “out of Date” as It Does Not Cover Past June 2009, and as Such Did Not Take Into Account a Number of Milestones Reached in Its $500 Million Upgrade of Its International Terminal. In Addition, It Said That Changes to Drop Off and Parking Arrangements at T1 and T2 Had Improved Results in One of Its Own Customer Service Surveys.

Jandakot Master Plan Approved

Jandakot Airport Has Received Approval for Its 2009 Master Plan, Which Sets Out Investments of $60 Million in New Infrastructure for the Airport.

The New Plan Approval Includes the Addition of a Fourth Runway and Associated Taxiways, Safety Improvements to Training Areas, General Aviation Facilities and Multi-use Hangars. It Also Contains Commitments That All Commercial Developments on the Airport Will Comply With State Planning Policies, as Well as the Establishment of a Community Aviation Consultation Group.

Jandakot is the Busiest Airport in Australia, and is Home to a Number of Flying Schools, the Wa Police Air Wing and the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

Domestic Growth Lifts Auckland Traffic Auckland International Airport Has Released Its Passenger Traffic Figures for February, Showing a Surge in Domestic Traffic, While International Traffic Also Showed Strong Growth.

Domestic Traffic Through the Airport Increased by 10. 8 Per Cent for the Month, Which Was Attributed to Jetstar Replacing Qantas’s Domestic Services, While Domestic Movements Increased by 0. 5 Per Cent. International Passenger Traffic Increased by 4. 6 Per Cent (Excluding Transit Passengers), Which Was Aided by Strong Growth on Trans-tasman Routes, Particularly to Sydney and the Gold Coast.

Traffic at Brisbane Soars Brisbane Airport Has Recorded Growth of 4. 2 Per Cent in Total Passenger Numbers During February, Which It Says Points Towards a Stronger Year Ahead.

The Airport Recorded a 4. 9 Per Cent Growth in Domestic Passengers, Taking It Past the One Million Passenger Mark for the Month. International Traffic Also Showed Solid Growth of 2. 2 Per Cent, Primarily Boosted by Strong Arrivals From Asia.

“around the Middle of the Month, International Traffic Was Boosted by Visitor Arrivals for Chinese New Year, With Several Charter Services Operating to Cater for the Additional Demand,” Explained the Airport’s Managing Director Julieanne Alroe. “chinese and Hong Kong Visitor Arrivals Were Each Up 21 Per Cent on the Previous February. Other Markets Growing Significantly Over the Month Included Australian Resident Departures (Up 7 Per Cent), and Visitors From America (+13 Per Cent), India (+9 Per Cent) and Singapore (+32 Per Cent). ” Alroe Added That the Airport Was Expecting a Strong March, Particularly With Tiger Airways Launching Services to Melbourne, Rockhampton and Adelaide, While Philippine Airlines Has Also Recently Commence Services to Manilla. In Addition, During April, Qantaslink Will Boost a Number of Services as It Takes on Additional Bombardier Q400s.

Qal Passenger Numbers Up in February Queensland Airports Limited Has Recorded Strong Growth Over the Three Airports It Operates During February, With Overall Passenger Volumes Up 18 Per Cent.

The Biggest Growth Was Experienced at Mount Isa Airport, Which Saw an Increase of 28. 1 Per Cent to 14,530 Passengers, Which Was Attributed to Increasing Activity in the Resources Industry. Gold Coast Once Again Benefited From a Strong International Market, With Volumes Up 18. 7 Per Cent. Townsville Saw a 14. 6 Per Cent Increase in Passenger Numbers.

“we Are Pleased With the Passenger Results for February, Traditionally a Quieter Time of Year for Travel. It is Very Positive to See Growth in Each of the Airports in the Qal Group,” Said Qal Managing Director Dennis Chant.

Runway Safety Area at Sydney Opened Operations From Sydney Airport’s East-west Runway Will Be Fully Restored From April 1 After the Completion of Work on Its Runway End Safety Area (Resa).

The Resa is a 90×90m Cleared Paved Area at the Western End of the Runway and is Designed to Support the Weight of a Fully Laden Airbus A380 as Well as Emergency and Rescue Vehicles in the Event of an Aircraft Runway Overrun. The Area is the Last of Six to Be Built at Sydney Airport, and Brings It Into Line With Icao Safety Standards.

The Project Cost Approximately $100 Million, and Was Approved by the Federal Government in August 2008 With 22 Conditions. Transport Minister Anthony Albanese Said the Airport Has Complied With All the Requirements, Including Informing the Community About the Impact the Construction Would Have on Aircraft Operations and Noise.

Carnarvon Airport Receives Funds for Upgrade the Federal Government Has Announced That It Will Provide $193,000 to Help Refurbish the Runway at Carnarvon Airport in Northern Wa.

Transport Minister Anthony Albanese Said That the Funding Would Help to Minimise Damage to Aircraft Using the Airport and Increase Passenger and Staff Safety. The Funds Have Been Given to the Shire of Carnarvon From the Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program.

Skywest is Currently the Only Carrier Operating Scheduled Flights to Carnarvon, With Services to Perth and Geraldton Operated by Fokker 50 Turboprops.

Airport Briefs

the District Council of Coober Pedy Has Received $30,000 in Federal Funds to Upgrade the Carpark at Coober Pedy Airport. The Funds Will Allow the Airport to Construct a 36 Space Carpark as Well as Designated Disabled Parking Close to the Terminal.

Brisbane Airport Has Been Voted by Passengers as the 18th Best Airport in the World at the 2010 Skytrax World Airport Awards. Singapore’s Changi Airport Took Out the Title of the World’s Best Airport, Rising From Third Place in 2009.

Environment

Australasian Carriers Launch Sustainable Fuel Study

the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Users Group (Safug), Which Includes Air New Zealand, Virgin Blue and Qantas, Together With Boeing and the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (Dsto), Has Commissioned a Study Aiming to Accelerate the Development and Commercialisation of Sustainable Aviation Fuel in the Region.

The ‘roadmap’ Study Will Start on March 23 and Be Carried Out by the Csiro. It Will Build on International Developments in Biofuels Research, With Particular Application to Australia and New Zealand, Looking Specifically at Addressing the Barriers Around Scaling Up and Commercialising Biofuel Technologies.

The Study Comes After a Number of Biofuel Test Flights During 2009, as Well as Recent Advances in the Synthesis of a Number of Different Materials Into Aviation Jet Fuel. Nevertheless, Many Interested Parties Believe That Commercially Sustainable Biofuels Are Still a Number of Years Off.

General Aviation

Glass Cockpits No Safer – Ntsb the Us National Transportation Safety Bureau (Ntsb) Has Adopted a Study Which Shows That Single Engine Aircraft With Glass Cockpits Had a Safety Record No Better Than Those With Conventional Instruments.

The Study, Which Was Initiated Over a Year Ago, Looked at the Accident Rates of Over 8000 Small Piston Powered Aeroplanes Manufactured Between 2002 and 2006. It Found That Those Equipped With Glass Cockpits Had a Higher Fatal Accident Rate Than Similar Aircraft With Conventional Instruments. In Particular, the Ntsb Noted That With the Complexity of Glass Cockpits That “pilots Are Not Always Provided With All of the Information They Need… to Adequately Understand the Unique Operational and Functional Details of the Primary Flight Instruments in Their Airplanes. ” “as We Discussed Today, Training is Clearly One of the Key Components to Reducing the Accident Rate of Light Planes Equipped With Glass Cockpits, and This Study Clearly Demonstrates the Life and Death Importance of Appropriate Training on These Complex Systems,” Ntsb Chairman Deborah Hersman Said on March 9. “we Know That While Many Pilots Have Thousands of Hours of Experience With Conventional Flight Instruments, That Alone is Just Not Enough to Prepare Them to Safely Operate Airplanes Equipped With These Glass Cockpit Features. ” Based on the Study, the Ntsb Made Six Recommendations to the Faa, Including Enhancing Knowledge and Training Requirements, Requiring Manufacturers to Provide Pilots With Better Information to Manage Systems Failures, and Integrating Training Elements of Using Electronic Primary Flight Displays Into Existing Training Streams.

A Presentation on the Study is Available From the Ntsb Website, With the Full Report to Be Published in Coming Weeks.

Fta Completes Chinese Helicopter Course Flight Training Adelaide (Fta) Has Completed the First Helicopter Pilot Training Course on Behalf of the Rescue and Salvage Bureau Section of the People’s Republic of China Ministry of Transport.

Eight Cadets Were Involved in the Year Long Program at Fta’s Parafield Facilities. The Course Included an English Language Module, Ground School Theory Training and 140 Hours Flying in Fta’s Fleet of Schweizer 300cbi Helicopters. As a Result the Cadets Have Earned Helicopter Cpls From Casa, the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department and the Civil Aviation Administration of China.

Fta is Currently Training the Second Course From the Crs as Well as Cadets From the Hong Kong Government Flying Service at Parafield.

Brindabella Closes Flying School

Brindabella Airlines Has Announced That It Will Close Its Brindabella Flight Training Business, a Move Which Will Leave Canberra Without a Flying School.

“in Recent Years the Business Has Become Less and Less Commercially Viable at Canberra Airport and There is No Alternative Airfield in Canberra to Which We Can Move,” Brindabella Airlines Ceo Jeff Boyd Said. “once We Close This Business, There Will Be No Flight Training in the Act. ” Boyd Added That the Decision to Close the Flying School Was a, “reflection of a Larger Problem Affecting the Aviation Industry, Which is a Failure at the Government and Policy Level to Have Any Concern for the Industry in Light of Very Negative Changes Over the Past 15 Years. ” Brindabella Flight Training Will Close at the End of April for the Majority of Its Students, While Some Instructors Will Be Retained Until the End of September to Finalise Training for a Small Number of Full Time Students.

Four Students Get Airservices Scholarships the Royal Federation of Aero Clubs of Australia (Rfaca) Has Chosen Four Students From Around Australia to Receive $6000 Scholarships From Airservices Australia to Aid With Their Flying Training.

The Four Winners Are Joanna Cantly and Vanessa O’brien From Darling Downs Aero Club in Toowoomba, Lauren Mengel of Alice Springs Aero Club and Sam Regan of Rockhampton Aero Club. The Winners Will Receive the Funds to Assist With the Costs of Obtaining a Commercial or Private Pilots’ Licence.

To Enter, Potential Pilots Take an Introductory Flight With an Rfaca Member Where Their Suitability to Receive Formal Training is Assessed. The Winners Are Then Selected From the Top 10 Per Cent of Scholarship Applicants. Airservices Also Awards Scholarships Through the Australian Women Pilots’ Association (Awpa), the Recreational Aviation Association of Australia (Raaa) and Aopa.

Hawker Pacific Delivers Six Diamonds to Unsw Hawker Pacific Has Delivered Six Diamond Da40 Cs Aircraft to Unsw Aviation, Fulfilling Most of an Order Placed Earlier This Year.

The Four-seat, Single Engine Da40 Css Are Equipped With a Garmin G1000 Avionics Suite and Powered by a Lycoming Io-360-m1a Avgas Engine. A Twin Engine Da42 L360 Will Also Be Delivered to Unsw During the Second Quarter of the Year to Complete Its Order.

“the Aim of the Unsw Aviation Flying Operations Unit is to Provide Our Students With One of the World’s Best Training Environments,” Said Professor Jason Middleton, Head of Unsw Aviation. “we Believe the Selection of These Aeroplanes is Consistent With This Aim and Are Confident Our Students and Instructors Will Appreciate the Performance, Safety and Design Features They Offer. ”

Avicopter Ac313 Flies China’s Avicopter, Part of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (Avic) Group, Flew Its Ac313 Prototype Heavy Lift Helicopter for the First Time on March 18 From Its Jingdezhen, Jiangxi Province, Facility.

The 13. 8 Tonne Ac313 Flew for About Half an Hour in Company With a Chase Changhe Z-8 and As350 Squirrel, Televised Live on China Central Television.

Able to Carry Up to 27 Passengers Over a Range of 485nm (900km), the Ac313 is Powered by Triple Pratt & Whitney Canada Pt6b-67as and Has Been Designed to Service the Transport, Cargo, Sar, Ems, Firefighting and Offshore Exploration Roles.

The Ac313 is a Development of the Harbin Z-8, in Turn an Evolution of the Aerospatiale Sa 321 Super Frelon, and is the Largest Helicopter Manufactured in China. Avicopter Says the Ac313 Will Fill a Gap in the Country’s Helicopter Product Line and Will Compete With the Agustawestland Aw101, Sikorsky S-92, Mil Mi-38 and Mi-17.

Flying Dragon Special Aviation Will Take Delivery of the First of Five Leased Ac313s Following Certification From the Civil Aviation Administration of China, Expected in 2011. Avic Will Then Seek Both Easa and Faa Certification.

First Bell 429 Enters Service the First Customer Delivered Bell 429, N911ed, Began Ems Operations in Late March With Mercy One Air Ambulance in Des Moines, Iowa.

The 429 Performed Its First Medical Mission on March 29 When It Was Tasked to Respond to a Car Accident Involving a Police Vehicle Late in the Afternoon. A Male Police Officer Was Airlifted Onboard the 429 to the Iowa Methodist Medical Center.

Since Making Its First Flight on February 27 2007, Bell’s New Twin Has Accumulated Around 2500 Flight Test Hours, With Bell Recently Completing Flight Test Certification Work on a Skid Mounted Floatation System, the Helicopter’s 1360kg External Cargo Hook, Front and Rear Equipment Mountings and 270kg Retractable Human External Cargo (Hec) Rescue Hoist. Results From the Tests Are Now Being Documented for Faa Certification Approval.

A Retractable Landing Gear Version of the 429 is Still on the Drawing Board as Bell Says It’s Still Receiving Interest From Customers Requiring the Ability to Ground Taxi.

Production of the 429 is Gathering Pace With Between Two to Three Helicopters Currently Being Produced Per Month. Bell is Working Towards a Production Rate of Four to Five Per Month Before the End of the Year.

1100th Ipanema Delivered Embraer Delivered the 1100th Ipanema Agricultural Aircraft to a Brazilian Operator at a Ceremony at the Company’s Botucatu Plant on April 7.

“the Delivery of the 1100th Aircraft is a Great Milestone for Us, Because It Shows the Reliability, Solidity and Tradition of the Ipanema in the Domestic Market,” Said Almir Miguel Borges, Embraer’s Vice President – Botucatu Plant. “there Have Been Nearly 40 Years of Uninterrupted Production, Guided by Continuous Research to Improve the Aircraft and Always Focused on the Needs of Our Customers and of the Brazilian Agricultural Aviation Market. ” the Ipanema Has Been Primarily Sold in Brazil, Where It is Mainly Used for Crop Dusting of Soy and Sugar Crops. It is Also the First Factory Built Aircraft Which is Certified to Fly With Hydrogenated Ethanol, Which is Widely Used in Brazil.

Airvan to Fly Around the World

Two Pilots From Bendigo Will Take on a Round-the-world Flight in a Gippsland Aeronautics Ga8-tc to Commemorate the Centenary of Powered Flight in Australia, as Well as to Raise Funds and Awareness to Fight Malaria.

Ken Evers, 33, and Tim Pryse 51, Will Depart From Bendigo Aerodrome on May 8 Bound for Norfolk Island on the First Leg of a Journey Across the Pacific Through to Arizona and New Orleans. From There They Will Travel to Jamaica and Barbados Before Heading South to Brazil, Then Due East Across the Atlantic to Africa, on to India, Vietnam, the Philippines, Png and Back to Australia.

The Pilots Hope to Raise $1 Million in the Fight Against Malaria by Inviting Donations Online to Two Nominated Charities – Mission Aviation Fellowship and the Australian Foundation for the Peoples of Asia and Pacific.

For Further Details About Ken’s and Tim’s Epic Journey and an Opportunity to Donate Online to Maf, Go to Www. Millionsagainstmalaria. Com.

General Aviation Briefs

the Prince of Wales Has Extended His Patronage of the Royal Flying Doctor Service (Rfds) Friends in the United Kingdom for a Further Five Years. The Uk Based Charity Was Formed in 2003 to Mark the 75th Anniversary of the Rfds, and Raises Funds to Assist With the Replacement of Rfds Aircraft. The Prince of Wales Has Been Patron Since Its Establishment.

Cargo

Boeing Delivers First 777fs to Southern Air Us Based Cargo Operator Southern Air Has Taken Delivery of Its First Two Boeing 777 Freighters, With the Aircraft to Be Operated on Behalf of Thai Airways.

The 777fs Will Be Based in Bangkok to Operate Dedicated Freighter Services Throughout Southeast Asia, Making Them the First 777 Freighters in the Region. The Delivery is Also the First of Type to a Wet Lease Operator.

Emirates Skycargo Brings Back V8s an Emirates Skycargo Boeing 747-400f Has Operated a Charter to Bring Back V8 Supercars From Bahrain, Marking the First Special Charter to and From Australia by the Dubai Based Cargo Carrier.

The First of Two Flights Flew Into Melbourne’s Avalon Airport on the Evening of March 2, Carrying 16 Supercars. That Aircraft Then on-loaded a Number of World Superbikes for Transport to Turin, Italy, Following the Recent Phillip Island Leg of the Superbikes Series. A Second Flight Carrying 15 Other Cars and Equipment Arrived in Brisbane From Bahrain on March 2.

Jal Cargo to Cut Dedicated Freighters Japan Air Lines Cargo Has Announced That It Will Cease Operating Dedicated Freighter Aircraft Cargo as Jal Restructures Itself in an Effort to Increase Its Profitability.

Jal Cargo Currently Operates a Fleet of Seven Boeing 747-400fs and Three 767-300fs, and Will Gradually Retire the Aircraft Over the Coming Year, and Will Instead Concentrate on Marketing Belly Space on Jal’s Passenger Services. These Currently Operate on All Freighter Routes, With the Exception of Anchorage.

The Cargo Carrier Has Been Suffering Financially, With Revenue Tonne Kilometres Falling by 20 Per Cent During the Fourth Quarter of 2009 Despite a Recovery in Traffic by Other Asian Cargo Carriers. Jal Also Recently Ended Talks to Merge the Carrier With Nippon Cargo Airlines, but Both Carriers Will Continue Their Existing Business Relationship.

Maintenance, Support & Training

Alg to Bring in Overseas Aircraft Engineers Aviation Labour Group (Alg) Has Announced That It Has Reached Agreement With the Federal Government Which Will Allow It to Bring in Overseas Skilled Aircraft Maintenance Engineers to Work in Australia.

Alg Had Been Awarded a Three-year on-hire Labour Agreement Which Authorises the Company to Directly Employ the Workers It Recruits, and to Place Them on Assignment With Other Employers. “this New Agreement is an Important Milestone for the Industry Because It Enables Us to Meet the Industry Skills Shortage of Aircraft Maintenance Engineers Identified by the Federal Government’s Migration Occupations in Demand List (Modl),” Said Alg’s Managing Director Commercial Mark Dowdall.

“the Authorisation Clears the Way for Us to Establish Our Own Pool of Skilled Employees for Hire and Relieving the Aviation Companies of the Administrative Burden Involved in Directly Employing Temporary Resident Workers – Something We Have Found Employers Are Happy to Hand Over Without Losing Skills,” He Added.

Alg Operates Labour on-hire and Recruitment Services in Australia and New Zealand, With Offices in Brisbane, Christchurch and Melbourne.

Turbomeca Australasia Opens New Bankstown Facility Turbomeca Australasia Officially Opened Its New Support Facility at Bankstown Airport During a Ceremony on March 12.

The New 2500 Square Metre Facility Comprises Workshops, a Repair Hall for Mtr390 and Rtm322 Engines as Used on the Army’s Arh Tiger and Mrh 90 Helicopters Respectively, and an Rtm322 Engine Production Line.

“our New Killara Building at Turbomeca Australasia is Part of a Global Expansion of Resources Occurring Within Turbomeca to Meet Customer Demand,” Said Pierre Fabre, Chairman and Ceo of Turbomeca. “the Recent Signature With Rolls-royce Turbomeca and Australian Aerospace to Provide Through-life Support (Tls) for the Australian Army’s New Fleet of Mrh90 Helicopters Has Accelerated Turbomeca Australasia’s Growth in Manpower and Assets. ” the New Facility is Also the First Qualified Repair Centre Approved for Mtr390-2c in the World, and Will Provide Deeper Maintenance Services for Army’s Tiger Engines. The Facility Also Supports the Microturbo Apu and Air Turbine Starter on the Raaf’s Hawk 127s, and Will Soon Start Supporting the Sapphire 100 Apu on the Mrh 90.

“turbomeca Now Employs 130 People at Bankstown Airport Where It is the Only Company in Australasia Assembling New Helicopter Engines,” Nsw Minister for State and Regional Development Ian Macdonald Said.

Jhas to Support Menzies’s Gse John Holland Aviation Services (Jhas) Has Signed a Five Year Contract to Provide Fleet Management Services for Over 1200 Units of Ground Support Equipment (Gse) Across Australia and New Zealand for Menzies Aviation.

The Agreement Will See Menzies’s Existing Gse Fleet Transition Into the Jhas Maintenance System Over the Next Three Months. This Includes a Monitoring System That Will Provide a Detailed Breakdown of Each Unit’s Operating Cost, Allowing Menzies to Optimise Replacement, Modernisation and Rationalisation of Its Gse Assets.

Boeing Completes First 787 Maintenance Course a Group of 10 Maintenance Engineers From All Nippon Airlines as Well as Two Regulators From the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau Have Completed the First Maintenance Training Course for the Boeing 787.

The Engineers Spent Over a Month Learning How to Maintain the 787, Including 20 Days of Theoretical Training, Two Days of Engine Runs and Taxi Testing, Five Days of Practical Training and Five Days of Troubleshooting Exercises.

Business Aviation

Mt Propeller Has Received an Faa Supplemental Type Certificate (Stc) for the Retrofit of a New Five Bladed Propeller to the Pilatus Pc-12. The Five Bladed, Scimitar Shaped Composite Prop Reduces Ground Roll Distance by Approximately 15 Per Cent and Takeoff Distance by Five Per Cent, and Yields , an Up to a 5kt Increase in Cruise Speed. In Addition, It Weighs Less Than the Original Hartzell Prop, While Cabin Noise is Reduced by 3-4db.

Citation Cj4 Receives Type Certification Cessna Has Announced That the Citation Cj4 Has Received Faa Type Certification, Clearing the Way for the First Deliveries of the Type to Commence Later This Year.

The Cj4, Which is the Largest of the Cj Series, Has Been Certified for Single Pilot Operation and Shares a Common Type Rating With Other Cjs. The Final Results of Flight Testing Have Validated Significant Performance Enhancements Including a Takeoff Distance of 946m at Maximum Takeoff Weight, a Direct Climb to 45,000ft in Just 28 Minutes, a Maximum Speed of 453kt, a Range of 2002nm With Two Crew and Five Passengers, and a Landing Distance of 823m at Maximum Landing Weight.

Hawker Pacific Opens Shanghai Facility

Hawker Pacific and the Shanghai Airport Authority Have Officially Opened a New Joint Venture Fixed Base Operation at at Shanghai’s Hongquiao Airport.

The 3100sq M Full Service Fbo Operation Offers a Large Lounge, Five Offices, Theatre and Conference Facilities for Customers as Well as a Rest and Service Area for Crew. Initially, Fbo Services Will Include Customs and Immigration and Aircraft Hangarage, While Hawkers Will Also Open a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Facility for International and Chinese Business Aircraft Operators.

Hawker Pacific Ceo Alan Smith Said That the New Operation and Joint Venture Was an Important Milestone for the Company. “strategically, It is a Perfect Fit With Our Requirements to Grow Our Fbo, Mro and Aircraft Management Services Businesses Throughout Asia, Regarded as Being the Power Base for Economic and Aviation Growth Over the Next Decade. This Has Always Been an Integral Plank in Our Strategy. ” Hawker Pacific Also Operates Fbo Facilities at Singapore, Subang in Malaysia, Manilla in the Philippines and at Four Locations in Australia.

Second G250 Joins Flight Testing

Gulfstream Aerospace Has Announced That a Second G250 Has Entered Flight Testing, With the Aircraft Making Its First Flight From Israel’s Ben Gurion International Airport on March 24.

“we Are Very Pleased With the Progress That We’ve Made,” Said Pres Henne, Senior Vice President, Programs, Engineering and Test, Gulfstream. “both Aircraft Have Performed Wonderfully. We Have a Lot of Work Ahead, but We Are Excited About Where We Are. ” the Super Midsize G250 is Being Designed and Built in Conjunction With Israel Aerospace Industries. The Aircraft is Currently Scheduled to Achieve Type Certification in 2011.

Pzl Swidnik to Produce Pc-12 Sections Polish Company Pzl Swidnik and Pilatus Have Signed a 10 Year Agreement Which Will See Pzl Assemble Pc-12 Fuselages and Wing Cells From the Second Half of 2011.

Under the Arrangement, Pilatus Will Continue to Produce Detail Parts in Stans for Assembly at Pzl’s Facilities in Lublin, Southeast of Warsaw. The Swiss Airframer Added That the Arrangement Does Not Affect is Current Agreement With Ogma (Indústria Aeronáutica De Portugal), and Will Provide for Additional Production of Pc-12s to Meet Future Demand.

Pzl Swidnik Was Recently Taken Over by Agustawestland, and Produces Helicopters as Well as Aerostructures for a Number of Clients Around the World.

Business Aviation Briefs

Hawker Pacific Singapore Has Been Accredited as the First Authorised Support Centre in Southeast Asia for the Hawker 4000 Business Jet. The Accreditation Now Means That Hawker Pacific Offers Total Support for All Hawker Beechcraft Business Aircraft.

Finance

A400m, A380 Drag Eads to Loss

Eads Has Recorded a Net Loss of €763m (a$1. 15bn) for the 2009 Financial Year as the European Aerospace and Defence Conglomerate Was Again Dragged Down by the A400m and A380 Programs, as Well as Currency Losses.

The Company’s Revenues Declined by €500m (a$751m) to €42. 8bn (a$64. 3bn), Which Was Buoyed by Higher Aircraft Deliveries From Airbus and a 12 Per Cent Increase in Revenue From Astrium, but Dragged Down by Lower Revenue Recognition in the A400m Program, Price Deterioration on Commercial Aircraft Deliveries and Negative Foreign Exchange Impacts. The Company Also Noted That the A380 “continued to Weigh Significantly on the Underlying Performance”. This Led to a €1. 1bn (a$1. 65bn) Decline in Earnings Before Interest and Tax (Ebit) Before One-off Items to €2. 2bn (a$3. 3bn).

“in 2009, the Commercial Business Environment Was Difficult – but We Anticipated Many of the Challenges Ahead of Us and Overcame Them. This Illustrates the Strength Eads Has Developed Over Its First 10 Years,” Said Eads Ceo Louis Gallois.

Looking Ahead, the Company Expects Revenues and Ebit This Year to Come in at the Same Level as the Year Prior, With Airbus Expected to Deliver a Similar Number of Aircraft While Eurocopter Will Deliver Six Per Cent Fewer Helicopters Over the Year.

Despite the Large Financial Costs Taken by the Company, Gallois Welcomed the Recent Announcement of a Settlement With Customer Nations on the A400m Airlifter Program. “thanks to the Agreement Between the Customer Nations and Eads This Program is Now Back on Track,” He Said. “although the Group Has to Take an Additional Significant Provision, This Stabilises the Program. Apart From the A400m, We Remain Fully Focused on Improved Program Management Including Further Ramp-up of the A380, the Development of the A350 and the Saudi Border Surveillance Program. ”

Embraer Posts Weaker Earnings

Brazilian Manufacturer Embraer Has Posted a Fall in Net Profit for the 2009 Fiscal Year as a Result of Lower Margins and a Reduction in Commercial Aircraft Deliveries.

Net Profit for the Year Reached Us$248. 5m (a$269. 7m), Which Was Down 36 Per Cent, as Earnings Before Interest and Tax Decreased by 37. 5 Per Cent to Us$335. 6m (a$364. 3m). Net Sales Were Also Down to Us$5. 47bn (a$5. 94bn) From Us$6. 34bn (a$6. 88bn) the Previous Year.

The Company’s Commercial Aviation Division Was Affected Throughout the Year by the Global Financial Crisis, With a Shortfall in Deliveries of 40 Aircraft Compared With the Previous Year, Which Significantly Impacted Revenues. For the Year, the Company Delivered 122 Commercial Aircraft, Comprised of Seven Erj-145s, 22 E-170s, 11 E-175s, 62 E-190s and 20 E-195s, While It Only Took Orders for 28 New Aircraft.

By Comparison, the Company’s Executive Aviation Business Performed Well in the Circumstances, Recording an Increase in Net Sales Revenue to Us$874m (a$949m) as Deliveries Jumped From 36 in 2008 to 115. This Was Comprised of 93 Phenom 100s, One Phenom 300, 18 Legacy 600s and Three Lineage 100s.

Despite the Overall Weak Year, the Company Noted That There Were Indications During the Fourth Quarter That There May Be a Recovering Market for Both Commercial and Executive Aircraft, and as Such It Was Expecting to Take More Orders During 2010 Which Would Push Net Sales to Us$5bn (a$5. 4bn).

Security

Government Tightens Air Cargo Security

Parliament Has Passed New Laws Which Will Strengthen Screening Arrangements for Air Cargo, in Line With the Aviation White Paper Released Last Year.

Under the Changes Parcels and Other Freight Will Be Security Checked and Certified Earlier in the Supply Chain, Before They Are Consolidated. This Will Replace the Practice of Aircraft Operators Conducting Security Checks Once Freight Items Are Consolidated, Meaning That Operators May Have to Certify Goods Packed by Others Earlier in the Supply Chain.

“it is Common Sense to Check and Certify Individual Parcels and Articles Rather Than Large Consolidated Shipments at the Airport,” Said Transport Minister Anthony Albanese. “the New Laws Will Make Sure All Cargo Transported by Aircraft is Cleared and Then Handled by Agents With Appropriate Security Clearance. ” the Minister Added That the Government Will Now Undertake Consultation With the Industry on Installing X-ray Equipment at Freight Depots, With $54. 2 Million Allocated to Installing It.

Air Safety

Jetstar Makes Changes After Go-around 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.

The Atsb Released Its Final Report on the Incident – Which Occurred on July 21 2007 at Melbourne Airport – on March 5. 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 Thick Fog, 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 Landing 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 Go-around Procedure for the A320 to, According to the Atsb, “emphasise the Critical Nature of the Actions by Flightcrew During a Go-around. ”

Faa Issues Ad for 737ngs the Faa Has Issued an Emergency Airworthiness Directive (Ad) to Operators and Owners of Boeing 737ngs to Inspect the Aircraft’s Elevator Tab Control Mechanisms Following an Incident on a Ryanair 737-800.

The Faa Says the Ad Originated From a Reported “failure of Aft Attach Lugs on the Left Elevator Tab Control Mechanism, Which Resulted in Severe Elevator Vibration… Subsequent Investigation Revealed Extensive Damage to the Elevator Tab Control System. Severe Vibration in This Attach Point is Suspected of Allowing Rapid Wear of the Joint, and Resulted in Failure of the Attach Lugs. This Condition, if Not Corrected, Could Result in a Loss of Aircraft Control and Structural Integrity. ” the Ad Came After Boeing Issued an Alert Service Bulletin on March 12 Which Describes Procedures for a Detailed Inspection to Detect Discrepancies of the Inboard and Outboard Aft Attach Lugs of the Elevator Tab Control Mechanism, With 12 or 30 Days to Comply Depending on the Specific Aircraft. The Ad Also Requires Reporting the Inspection Results to Boeing.

Both Qantas and Virgin Blue Operate Substantial Fleets of 737ngs, but Neither Has Said if They Expect Their Schedules to Be Affected by the Required Inspections to Their Aircraft.

Airnorth Emb-120 Crashes on Takeoff

an Airnorth Embraer Emb-120 Brasilia Crashed Shortly After Taking Off From Darwin Airport on March 22, Killing the Two Pilots Onboard.

According to Various Media Reports, the Aircraft Took Off on a Training Flight Shortly After 10am, Before It Was Seen Crashing Into Bush Near Raaf Darwin. Northern Territory Police Have Advised That the Two Pilots, the Only People on Board the Aircraft, Had Been Killed.

“It’s a Tragedy to Advise That During a Routine Training Flight This Morning One of Our Embraer Brasilias Had an Accident at the End of the Runway,” Abc News Reported Airnorth’s David Gooch as Saying.

“It Has Crashed Onto Raaf Ground in This Accident and Unfortunately Two Pilots Have Lost Their Lives. ” It is Expected That the Atsb Will Commence an Investigation Once the Site Has Been Declared Safe.

Airnorth Emb-120 Crashes on Takeoff an Airnorth Embraer Emb-120 Brasilia Crashed Shortly After Taking Off From Darwin Airport on March 22, Killing the Two Pilots.

The Aircraft, Vh-anb Msn 116, Took Off on a Training Flight Shortly After 10am, Before It Was Seen Crashing Into Bush Near Raaf Darwin. Pilots Shane Whitbread and Greg Seymon Were They Only Occupants of the Flight.

“at Around 10. 20 This Morning an Airnorth Twin Engine Turboprop Aircraft on a Routine Training Flight Encountered Difficulties on Takeoff and Crash Landed at Darwin Airport,” Airnorth Ceo Michael Bridge Confirmed in a Statement. “tragically, the Two Pilots – the Only Occupants of the Plane – Have Perished in the Accident. ” the Atsb Has Launched an Investigation Into the Crash, Confirming on March 24 It Had Retrieved the Aircraft’s Flight Data and Cockpit Voice Recorders.

“embraer Will Provide Full Technical Assistance to the Investigative Authorities, Led by the Australian Transport Safety Board,” Manufacturer Embraer Said in a Statement. “for This Purpose, a Team of Specialists is Being Dispatched to Darwin, Australia. ” “this is a Heartbreaking Time for Their Families, Friends, Colleagues and All of Us at Airnorth,” Said Bridge. “the Airnorth Family Has Never Had to Face a Tragedy Like This Before. ” Airnorth’s Regular Airline Services Continued to Operate as Normal.

Tyres Burst on Qantas A380 a Qantas A380 Operating a Service From Singapore to Sydney on March 31 Sustained Damage to Two Tyres While Landing at Sydney Airport on March 31.

According to Reports Quoting Witnesses to the Landing of the Qf32 Service, Vh-oqc’s Nosewheels Burst as They Touched Down on Runway 16r, With Some Reports of Flames Coming From the Undercarriage of the Aircraft. The Aircraft Was Left Disabled on the Runway for a Number of Hours, While the 244 Passengers on Board Were Taken Off After Two Hours and Bussed to the Terminal.

A Qantas Spokeswoman Told Media on April 1 That the Airline Had Not Yet Ascertained What Caused the Tyres to Blow, and That It Was a Rare Incident Which Has Not Occurred on Any of the Airline’s Other A380s.

Atc & Airspace

Temporary Control Tower for Clipsal 500 Airservices Australia Has Installed a Temporary Air Traffic Control Tower Trackside for the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide to Provide Traffic Separation During the Four Day Event.

Staffed by Airservices Controllers From the Adelaide Airport Control Tower, the Event Tower Will Manage Hundreds of Helicopter Movements and High-speed Flying Displays by the Raaf Roulettes and an Fa-18 Hornet. Overall, Nearly 1000 Race-related Aircraft Movements Are Expected to Be Handled by the Temporary Control Tower.

Airservices Says That the Temporary Atc Tower is Required Due to the Proximity of the Event to Adelaide International Airport and Will Ensure Separation Between Clipsal 500 Aerial Activities and Regular Services Into Adelaide Airport Are Maintained at All Times and That Passenger and Cargo Services Are Unaffected.

Airservices to Trial Remote Tower Operations

Airservices Australia Will Trial Remotely Operated Air Traffic Control Tower Technology Later This Year After Signing an Agreement With Saab and Swedish Airways Provider Luftfartsverket (Lfv) at the Atc Global Conference.

The Technology Was Developed by Saab With Lfv as an Operational Partner and Launched in 2009, and Allows Air Traffic at One or More Remote Small or Medium-sized Airports to Be Managed and Controlled Remotely From a Single, Larger Air Traffic Services Centre.

“this New Trial Will Allow Us to Examine the Possible Application of Remote Tower Technology in the Australian Environment,” Said Airservices Ceo Greg Russell. “in Particular, Whether the System Has the Potential to Assist Us Meet Demand for Services in Areas Including the Remote Northwest of the Country.

Airservices Says That the Trial Will Not Have an Impact Upon Existing Atc Arrangements, While Any Decision on the Roll-out of the Technology in Australia Would Require Thorough Industry Consultation, a Rigorous Safety Review, and Regulatory Approval From Casa.

Tower, Ils Upgrades for Melbourne

Airservices Australia and Melbourne Airport Have Launched the Construction of a New Air Traffic Control Tower and Technical Services Centre, While the Airport Has Also Commissioned Australia’s First Category 3 Instrument Landing System (Ils).

Construction of the $17 Million, 78m High New Control Tower is Expected to Begin Immediately, and It Will Be Built Adjacent to the Existing Tower. It Will Feature State-of-the-art Technology and Will Be Ready for Service in 2012. Airservices is Also Establishing a New Air Traffic Services Centre at the Airport Which Will Be Completed by 2011 to House Engineers, Technicians and Equipment.

The Cat 3 Ils System Meanwhile Will Allow a Number of Aircraft to Land in Foggy Conditions at the Airport Where Visibility is Down to as Low as 75m, Down From at Least 800m Previously. It is Supported by Other Improvements Including a Laser Based Runway Visual Range System to Measure Fog Density, Improved Taxiway Lighting for Low Visibility Conditions, and the Introduction of Runway ‘stop Bars’ to Control Aircraft Movements and Enhance Safety.

“we Invested Over $10 Million in Additional Infrastructure,” Said Melbourne Airport’s Executive General Manager Simon Gandy. “the Entire Project Practically Ensures a 100 Per Cent Arrival and Departure Capability in Foggy Conditions for All Approved Operators. This Whole-of-industry Initiative is Fantastic for the State and Testament to the Partnership Between Airservices Australia, Airlines and Airport Operator. ”

People

Robert White, the First Pilot to Exceed Mach 4, Mach 5 and Mach 6, and Still the Fastest Pilot to Ever Fly a Powered Aircraft, Has Died at His Home in Orlando, Florida, Aged 82. In 1961, White, Then a Usaf Test Pilot, Took the Rockwell X-15 Rocket Plane Beyond the Milestone Speeds in the Skies Around Edwards Afb in Southern California. White Had Been a Fighter Pilot in Ww2 on the P-51 Mustang, and After His Test Pilot Stint, Went on to Fly More Than 70 Combat Missions Over Vietnam in the F-105 Thunderchief. He Retired From the Usaf in 1981 as a Major General.

Garuda Appoints New Local Manager Garuda Indonesia Has Appointed Bagus Y Siregar as Its Senior General Manager South West Pacific, Based in Sydney. Siregar Previously Held a Number of General Manager Positions Within Garuda. He Has Been With the Airline for 23 Years.

Lan Appoints New Senior Sales Manager Lan Airlines Has Appointed Monica Perez as Its New Senior Sales Manager for Australia and New Zealand, Effective May 3.

Perez Has Been With Lan for Seven Years and Was Previously a Senior Business Development Manager With the Airline in Brazil. Her New Role Will See Her Based in Sydney, Succeeding Karl Hecht Who Has Been Appointed to a New Role in the Usa.