News Desk

Boeing has begun ‘change incorporation’ work on customer 787s ahead of final certification and delivery of the delayed twinjet.

Flying in to Boeing’s Global Services & Support (GSS) site in San Antonio, Texas, on March 4, Aircraft #23 (bound for delivery to Japan Air Lines) is the first 787 which will undergo change incorporation work there, which will include installing electronic and mechanical equipment, completing software upgrades, testing functional systems, and removing and reworking wiring or equipment that needs to be updated to conform with type certification standards.

After completing flight test activities, refurbishment of three of the six 787 test aircraft will also take place in San Antonio. In all, six 787s are slated to complete change incorporation and refurbishment work in San Antonio through to 2013, but Boeing has left open the possibility of accommodating more 787s on the production line as flight testing is completed.

Boeing will hire 450 temporary employees to join the currently 1500-strong workforce at San Antonio while change incorporation is completed.

Meanwhile, 787 ZA004 made the type’s 1000th flight on February 23. By mid March the seven strong 787 test fleet had flown 3129 hours on 1076 flights.

Aussies to travel more, in more style, with more connectivity

Airbus has published a survey which shows that Australian travellers expect to take more overseas flights at greater levels of inflight connectivity in the future.

The survey of over 1000 people found that three out of four Australians think that people will fly more in the future, while many respondents indicated that improvements in cabin design for more enhanced privacy were major positives that are expected. Many also indicated that they expect that there will be greater digital connectivity, including access to social networking, the ability to download music and movies, and a greater ability to surf the web while in flight. Interestingly, the survey also found that despite the growth in low cost carriers over recent years, passengers expect that they will be able to choose differing levels of luxury for their air travel in future.

“By 2050, we’ll expect seamless access to a plethora of technology and applications,” said futurologist Robin Mannings.

“And ‘flexibility’ will become the new mantra for air travel, with us as passengers choosing levels of speed or luxury in cruise ships of the sky. ” The survey also found varying reasons for taking air travel by different demographics, with the majority of respondents aged 16-24 identifying seeing the world as their primary driver for travelling in the future.

By comparison, the majority of 25-34 year olds see aviation’s role in bringing greater flexupibility between home and the workplace as most important, while those aged 35-44 cite the need to stay in touch with family and friends increasingly spread across the globe.

The survey is part of wider global efforts by Airbus to engage with passengers to gauge their visions of air travel in the future, as it looks to develop new aircraft which are more sustainable and suited to passenger preferences.

TEXAS PAINT FOR charleston 787s

Boeing has selected Texas based Leading Edge Aviation Services to paint all 787s assembled at its South Carolina final assembly and delivery facility.

Specialising in commercial and military aircraft painting, Leading Edge will apply each South Carolina assembled Dreamliner’s final paint scheme and customer livery at its Amarillo, Texas, facility.

Boeing South Carolina final assembly and delivery VP and general manager, Marco Cavazzoni, said lack of suitable paint subcontractors in the South Carolina area saw the company look further afield.

“This paint process is the ing more sustainable cabin design solutions for commercial aircraft. It is now one of 84 teams vying for the major prize, which will be announced at the Paris Airshow in June.

“Competitions like FYI bring out the best in young creative minds and entries were judged on the innovative ways at looking at known challenges. Not all the ideas will necessarily find their way into the aviation sector or into tomorrow’s aircraft, but all good ideas can contribute to making aviation greener,” said Dale King of Airbus.

UQ has a strong background in the competition, with the ‘Team COz’ group winning the inaugural FYI competition in 2009 with a proposal to study the potential use of bio-composite materials in aviation interiors. As a result, Airbus has been working with the students involved in the project to explore its viability and possible application.

Commercial briefs

• International Airlines Group (IAG) subsidiary Iberia has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Airbus for eight A330-300s, which will become the airline’s first widebody twins.

IAG was formed in January after the merger of Iberia and British Airways.

• Brazil’s TAM has signed a MOU for 22 Airbus A320neos and 10 other A320 Family aircraft, while it has also signed on for two additional Boeing 777-300ERs.

Military

BOEING WINS KC-X tanker decision

Boeing has been awarded a contract by the Pentagon for the USAF’s long-delayed KC-X tanker program.

Boeing’s KC767AT (Advanced Tanker) was selected ahead of the EADS North America bid with its A330 MRTT based KC-45. The new Sales only difference customers will experience in 787 Dreamliner deliveries from South Carolina,” Cavazzoni said. “Airplanes built and delivered from both Everett, Washington, and North Charleston, SC, will be identical, as both sites use common quality management and production systems and meet the same US Federal Aviation Administration requirements. ” All South Carolina assembled 787s will make a 1200km flight from North Charleston to Amarillo for painting, after which the aircraft will return to South Carolina for final delivery to customers from around the world. Production in the new South Carolina 787 facility is on schedule to begin during mid 2011, with first deliveries scheduled for 2012.

UQ team into second round of Airbus competition

A team from the University of Queensland has won its way into the second round of the Airbus Fly Your Ideas (FYI) competition, putting it in the running to take out the E30,000 (A$46,700) prize which is aimed at promoting innovation to reduce the environmental impact of the aviation industry.

The UQ ‘St Lucia’ team is one of five Australian entrants to the FYI competition, with the team focusing on provid-aircraft will be known as the KC-46A in USAF service.

Boeing’s win surprised many analysts who had predicted an EADS win based on its aircraft being larger and more mature than Boeing’s design, and also because it was previously awarded the contract in 2008 before that was overturned on a technicality by the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) after a protest by Boeing.

But Boeing has made improvements to its design since then which appear to have better met the requirements, and Pentagon officials said Boeing’s bid came in more than one per cent lower than that of EADS.

“We’re honoured to be given the opportunity to build the Air Force’s next tanker and provide a vital capability to the men and women of our armed forces,” said Jim McNerney, Boeing chairman, president and CEO. “Our team is ready now to apply our 60 years of tanker experience to develop and build an airplane that will serve the nation for decades to come. ” The latest contract award is the third attempt to fulfil the KC-X requirement since 2002.

The first, a complex 20 year sole-sourced lease arrangement with Boeing was thrown out in 2004 after inappropriate dealings and favouritism by Boeing and USAF officials were discovered, and the second after Boeing’s appeal in 2008 was upheld after credit outside the requirements terms was given to the then EADS/Northrop Grumman bid. Northrop Grumman elected not to team for the latest KC-X round.

The first 18 KC-46As are due to be delivered by 2017, by which time the KC-135s they are expected to replace will be at least 55 years old, and it is expected 179 aircraft will be ordered. The USAF is also expected to launch follow-up programs later this decade for the evolving KC-Y program to replace the remaining KC-135s, and the KC-Z program in the 2020s to replace the KC-10.

EADS North America has confirmed that it will not protest the USAF’s selection of Boeing’s KC767AT. While the company “expressed appreciation to the Air Force for running a competition consistent with the rules set out in its Request for Proposal”, EADS North America chairman Ralph Crosby said the company was “disappointed that our men and women in uniform are not getting the most capable tanker available”.

“We will not take any action that could further delay the already overdue replacement of the Air Force’s ageing tanker fleet,” Crosby said.

“The bid that we submitted was substantially lower than was submitted in the last competition. Our bid reflected a sound business case and offered a reasonable return to our shareholders. ” EADS North America CEO Sean O’Keefe said the company had “competed fiercely” for the contract, but now looked forward to “future opportunities” and “continued growth” in the defence market. “This experience has strengthened our position in the US marketplace,” he said.

A400M industrial goahead

Airbus Military has approved the industrial launch of its A400M airlifter, signalling the start of series production.

A total of four series aircraft will be produced by Airbus in 2012, with the production rate to be gradually increased to 2. 5 aircraft per month by 2015. That follows a thorough review of all aspects of the program which Airbus believes has demonstrated that all readiness criteria is fulfilled.

In further news for the company, A400M program head Rafael Tentor will be replaced from April 1 by current president and chief executive of EADS Sogerma, Cédric Gautier. Gautier will take over A400M program certification, delivery and entry into service of the aircraft for launch customers, with Tentor becoming head of Airbus Military aircraft programs, replacing Javier Matallanos.

Airbus Military currently holds 174 orders for the A400M from eight customers.

Civil certification is due by the end of the year, with the first delivery planned for the French air force by 2012 /2013.

AP-3C sim gets Level 5 accreditation

The RAAF’s AP-3C Orion Advanced Flight Simulator (AFS) has been awarded Level 5 accreditation by Simulinc, the highest available under ADF regulations.

The AP-3C AFS was developed by a team from Thales in Australia and the UK and provides full flight performance, flightdeck and tactical training capabilities for the RAAF. With the awarding of Level 5 accreditation, pilot and flight engineer students are now able to undertake training on the simulator in place of an actual aircraft, freeing up the fleet to focus on operational duties. Future AP-3Cupgrades can also be incorporated into the simulator.

The accreditation followed a comprehensive development program involving collaboration between teams from Thales Australia, the RAAF and the Defence Materiel Organisation.

Raaf Trials New Hawk Scheme

The RAAF has begun trialling a new camouflage pattern for one of its Hawk 127 lead-in fighters, in a bid to reduce the risk of mid-air collision by increasing aircraft visibility.

78WG’s decision to trial a darker, two-tone gloss paint scheme for Hawk A27-30 arose out of an “assessment of operations risk” during operations out of RAAF Pearce last year. Though the aircraft’s paint scheme has yet to be formally assessed, CO 76SQN WGCDR Chris Hake told Air Force News that overall visibility was improved against the Hawk’s usual operational backdrop. “The existing Hawk paint colour uses the same paint colours as the F/A-18; however, the Hawk is much smaller than the Hornet and it’s safe to say that the grey camouflage is very effective,” WGCDR Hake said.

“If the trial paint scheme shows that we have met the requirement to increase the visibility of the Hawk then Air Force may choose to repaint the fleet in the new scheme, starting with the Pearce based Hawks. ” WGCDR Hake said feedback from both airborne and ground based observers had so far been positive, with A27‑30’s darker colours contrasting well against a blue sky background, far better than with the Hawk’ existing scheme.

First production P-8A begins final assembly

Boeing has begun final assembly of the first US Navy P-8A Poseidon production aircraft at the company’s Renton factory in Washington.

The first of six low rate initial production (LRIP) aircraft, the start of final assembly follows Spirit AeroSystems’ delivery of the P-8A fuselage via rail car to Boeing on March 7.

“Our team has built seven P-8A test aircraft to date and the process improvements and efficiencies we’ve incorporated will continue to help reduce costs as the program moves forward,” Boeing vice president and P-8 program manager Chuck Dabundo said.

Militar y briefs

• Raytheon has delivered the 250th APG-79 active electronically scanned array radar to Boeing. The APG- 79 radar is fitted on US Navy F/A‑18E/F Block 2 Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler aircraft, as well as Australia’s new F/A‑18F Super Hornets.

Qantas profita bility on the rise

Despite the impacts of QF32 and a struggling international operation, Qantas has posted a strong improvement in profitability for the first half of the 2010-11 financial year, announcing a $417 million underlying profit before tax, up 56 per cent, on revenues of $7. 59 billion, up 10 per cent.

Profit after tax was $239 million, up almost 300 per cent.

“All of the segments within the Qantas Group showed an improvement and profitability – significant improvement and profitability year-on-year – and all of the segments in the Qantas Group are profitable,” CEO Alan Joyce said in announcing the result.

The result was driven by the strong rebound in profitability for Qantas branded operations, and another record profit contribution from Jetstar.

“We now see that Jetstar and Qantas are the most profitable carriers operating in the domestic market. We’re also seeing the biggest improvement in profitability for the Qantas Airlines component of the group, and Jetstar and Frequent Flyer showed record profits for this period yet again. ” By segment, Qantas Airlines contributed $165 million in underlying EBIT (earnings before interest and tax) for the half, a 175 per cent increase on the same half in 2009-10, despite Qantas revealing that the QF32 A380 engine failure incident last November cost the business $55 million (with a forecast $25 million cost to the business in the second half of the year), and Qantas CFO Gareth Evans confirming the QF32 incident meant the key Qantas long haul services to the US and UK were unprofitable.

Jetstar’s record profit for the half as EBIT was $143 million, while Jetstar Asia contributed a record S$17 million.

But most profitable of all was the Qantas Frequent Flyer business, which generated underlying EBIT of $189 million.

Across the airline group yields improved by seven per cent, while the company says the QFutures cost-cutting program delivered $173 million in savings for the half.

Qantas says its outlook is improving, with forward bookings suggesting further improvements in yield. Fuel costs are expected to be up $2 billion in the second half but are being ameliorated by higher fares and surcharges, while the impacts of the Queensland floods and Cyclone Yasi are estimated to impact underlying profitability by up $70 million in the second half.

Qantas and Jetstar will increase capacity by 11 per cent in the second half compared to the year ago period.

V Australia takes off to Abu Dhabi

Virgin Blue Group’s V Australia has become the first Australian carrier to operate in the Middle East for 20 years, after its inaugural flight to Abu Dhabi departed Sydney on February 24.

The initially three times weekly Abu Dhabi service comes as part of the codesharing alliance agreement between Virgin Blue and Etihad, which sees both airlines offer 27 weekly services between Abu Dhabi and Australia.

Virgin Blue CEO and managing director John Borghetti said the new flights will enable Australian passengers to “fly one-stop to more than 14 destinations in Europe and the United Kingdom”.

Borghetti also noted greater opportunities for “Virgin Blue and Etihad customers to earn frequent flyer points and status credits”, due to both airlines’ codeshare agreement.

“IATA recently forecasted the Middle East as the top region for international passenger demand growth in the world at 9. 4 per cent over the next three years,” Borghetti said.

Commented Etihad Airways CEO James Hogan, “Already, the response to our network partnership has been very positive. Forward bookings are strong and we are seeing increased strength in the market with the capability of round-the-world connectivity. ” “Etihad deploys more than 15 per cent of its entire global network seat kilometres to Australia and we are committed to driving long term, incremental inbound tourism growth to this market, and to offering greater choice and competition for inbound and outbound travellers. ” Australian Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates Doug Trappett and VB ambassador Ian Thorpe joined Borghetti and Hogan onboard V Australia’s first Sydney-Abu Dhabi service, with Thorpe looking to continue his training for the 2012 Olympics in the UAE.

Qantas announces fleet expansion, boosts Network

Qantas has announced the acquisition of new aircraft across its Qantas domestic, Jetstar and Network businesses.

The new aircraft, for delivery through to the end of fiscal year 2012-13, comprise: five leased 737-800s, and the extension of leases on a further two 737‑800s, for Qantas; 10 leased A320s for Jetstar, and the exnewtension of leases on 11 A320s; an additional leased A330-200 for Jetstar; two additional leased 717s for QantasLink; and the purchase of 10 Fokker 100s for Network Aviation.

The Fokker 100s for the newly acquired Network business represent a significant expansion for the Perth based resource charter airline.

“Our intention from day one has been to grow Network, and today’s announcement will increase its F100 fleet five-fold,” Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said.

The 737s and A320s will be predominantly used for domestic services to “maintain its [the Qantas Group’s] profit maximising 65 per cent domestic market share”, according to Joyce.

Air NZ’s profit jump

Air New Zealand has posted normalised earnings before tax of NZ$112 million (A$82 million) for the first half of the current financial year, up 33 per cent on the same half in the 2009-10 financial year.

The result (NZ$96 million after tax) (A$71 million) includes a NZ$18 million (A$13 million) gain on equity swaps relating to Air NZ’s recent investment in Virgin Blue. Statutory profit before tax was NZ$115 million (A$85 million), up NZ$31 million (A$23 million) on the same period in 2009.

“Overall Air New Zealand has had a strong six months.

Passenger numbers, cargo volumes and yields have all increased year on year, with an increase in revenues of nine per cent. This has been offset by costs relating to increased capacity, increasing fuel prices and losses from foreign exchange hedges,” Air New Zealand chairman John Palmer said.

“Air New Zealand continued to invest throughout the worst of the global financial crisis and is now in a far stronger competitive position as a result of our innovation, people and strategic alliances. We now have a solid platform to progress and build value from these investments. ” The airline has a net cash position of NZ$940 million (A$690 million), while the board has declared a fully imputed interim dividend of three cents per share.

Air New Zealand CEO Rob Fyfe said the last six months had been an “exciting period” for the airline, as it continued with new initiatives to strengthen its market position.

“Bookings on our Tasman and Pacific Island services have increased 15 per cent since the introduction of the Seats to Suit product, performing far better than we expected. The trans-Tasman is an extremely competitive and important market for us and together with our alliance with Virgin Blue we are in a very strong market position,” Fyfe said.

“Domestic passengernumbers are also up eight percent on the same period last year and we are adding capacity to meet that increased demand as our new domestic A320 fleet arrives.

“Overall passenger load factors increased by 2. 6 percentage points over the same period last year, group yield has increased by 3. 0 per cent, we have added 2. 7 per cent capacity and seen an increase of 6. 0 per cent in demand. ” “Cargo revenue has recovered, up 13 per cent compared to last year. Volumes were up 6 per cent on a small capacity increase and a strong 10 per cent increase in yields.

Improvements were achieved in all markets with the Pacific and Asian routes being the primary contributors. ” The airline says a key management focus will be assistance and recovery from the recent and devastating Christchurch earthquake, as the airline works with tourism partners to mitigate the economic effects.

Qantas , VB increase fuel surcharges

Qantas has announced a second increase in its international fuel surcharges, while Virgin Blue is increasing V Australia’s fuel surcharge and lifting Pacific Blue and domestic fares in response to continual rises in jet fuel prices.

Qantas’s surcharge increase, applied to tickets issued on or after March 17, have been put down to a “range of factors”, according to Qantas CEO Alan Joyce, who pointed out ongoing political instability in the Middle East as a key reason for the jump in oil and jet fuel prices. “This prompted, last month, our first increase in international fuel surcharges since January 2008, as well as modest increases in domestic, regional and Tasman fares of up to five per cent,” Joyce said.

“This increased cost to our capital intensive business is something we, and other airlines, have to manage very carefully via hedging activities as well as surcharge and fare increases,” Joyce said.

Joyce remained adamant that the surcharge increases would “still not recover the full impact of these latest oil and fuel price rises”, noting that the Qantas Group stood to deal with a rise in fuel costs of $2 billion by the second half of FY11.

For tickets issued on or after March 17, the new fuel surcharges (one way ex-Australia) will be: UK and Europe, $190 (up from $145); mainland USA, Canada, South America, South Africa and India, $150 (up from $115); Asia, Pacific, Honolulu, $105 (up from $75).

Qantas announced its fuel surcharge increase on international fares in February, and then later in that month announced it was increasing domestic, regional and trans-Tasman fares by up to five per cent. Jetstar will also make adjustments to fares and ancillary revenue (such as baggage charges) as it addresses the impact of higher fuel prices on its own domestic and international operations.

Meanwhile, Virgin Blue too has announced a second round of fuel surcharge and ticket price increases. For tickets sold from March 21, the fuel surcharge on V Australia flights to the USA increases from $114 to $165 each way, and flight to Abu Dhabi and Europe will increase from $220 to $240 each way. International short haul Pacific Blue and Polynesian Blue will rise up to $20 each way, and domestic tickets will rise by between $6 and $20 per sector.

“The increases announced today go some way to addressing the latest rises in global fuel prices; however they will not recover the full cost. In making these changes, we have been very conscious of balancing our commitment to providing competitive fares with the operational costs of our business,” CEO John Borghetti said.

VB maintenance base for Sydney

Virgin Blue has announced plans to build a widebody capable aircraft maintenance hangar and engineering base at Sydney Airport.

Planning on the new facility is well underway, according to Virgin Blue Group of Airlines CEO John Borghetti, with the hangar able to accommodate up to four narrowbody aircraft, or two narrowbody aircraft and one widebody aircraft.

“This new strategic asset will provide us with line and base maintenance capability for widebody and narrowbody aircraft at our largest and busiest airport, supporting our expanding fleet operations,” Borghetti said.

“Having a dedicated maintenance base here in Sydney, complementing those we already have in Brisbane and Melbourne, will create significant benefits to our business in terms of optimising scheduling and network operations and also generating potential revenue opportunities by offering use of the facility to partner airlines. ” The airline noted in a statement it “welcomes the support role provided by the NSW government in establishing the new engineering maintenance facility in Sydney”.

Some 15 to 20 VB group aircraft overnight in Sydney each night.

Qf, Aa Expand Codeshare Ahead Of Dfw Flights

American Airlines and Qantas have announced an expansion of their codeshare agreement covering major cities throughout North America and Australia.

The expanded deal will now see Qantas codeshare with American Airlines flights to 28 new destinations from Dallas/ Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), AA’s largest hub. Conversely, American will begin codesharing on Qantas services between Sydney and DFW, as well as domestic services from Brisbane to Adelaide, Canberra, Cairns, Melbourne and Perth. The expansion precedes the planned May 16launch of direct Qantas services from Sydney to DFW, aiming to give Qantas passengers much expanded access to a wide range of major cities across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

New destinations will include Chicago, Houston, Las Vegas, Miami, Nashville and New York (Newark), as well as Calgary, Toronto and Vancouver.

“The new codeshares will help maximise the benefits of the new DFW service for passengers and underpin the enhancement of the Qantas- American Airlines relationship.

This is an important step for Qantas as we prepare to begin flying to Dallas/Fort Worth and seek to deepen our relationship with American Airlines,” Qantas Airlines Commercial group executive Rob Gurney said.

“With the addition of 28 new codeshare cities, Qantas’s network out of DFW will total 54 destinations when we commence services in May, providing unprecedented choice and convenience for Australians visiting the USA. Similarly, the Australian tourism industry will have the opportunity to tap into a huge market of potential US visitors. ” The recent developments follow Qantas and AA’s desire to seek regulatory approval for closer collaboration from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and US authorities.

Strate gic announces Brisbane-Gladstone service

Strategic Airlines has announced new Brisbane- Gladstone flights, with a 20 weekly flight schedule to launch on April 18.

Strategic will operate twice daily Airbus A320 return flights Monday to Friday. Flights will depart Brisbane Airport at 6:10am and 2:45pm before arriving in Gladstone at 7:15am and 3:50pm respectively, while Gladstone to Brisbane flights will depart Gladstone Airport at 8:25am and 4:35pm before arriving in Brisbane at 9:30am and 5:40pm respectively.

Stategic’s move into the Gladstone market comes after the Townsville Bulletin reported on February 15 that the airline will halve the number of its direct flights between Townsville and Bali from April this year, due to a drop off in demand.

The Townsville-Bali service started in September 2010.

Qantas deploys 747 on Sydney-Perth

Pre-empting the new competitive challenge from Virgin Blue’s forthcoming Airbus A330s, Qantas has announced it will deploy “internationally configured” widebody aircraft, including Boeing 747-400s, on its transcontinental services between Perth and Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, in the process adding more than 4300 seats a week.

On the Sydney-Perth route two-class Skybed equipped 747-400s will operate six return flights a week, while international configuration Airbus A330s will operate six (up from three) return services weekly; between Brisbane and Perth Qantas will introduce domestic configured A330‑200s, which will operate seven return weekly services, while six return weekly services will be upgraded to widebody 767‑300s; while the Melbourne-Perth weekly schedule will feature2100 additional seats and three return international configuration A330 services.

The changes take effect “over coming months”.

“Our competitors can simply not match the service that Qantas offers, particularly the Skybeds, which provide increased comfort on the longer routes between the eastern states and Perth,” stated Qantas CEO Alan Joyce. “Today’s announcement increases widebody aircraft used across the Perth to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane routes to more than 90 per cent and increases total capacity by 15 per cent. ” In the airline’s two class configuration, Qantas’s 747‑400s seat 412 passengers, with 56 business class Skybeds and 356 economy class seats.

Qantas says its domestic A330s will be “will be reconfigured to provide more space and comfort for passengers in the business cabin”, which will see the seven abreast business class configuration on its latest domestic A330s changed to a more popular six abreast, 2+2+2 arrangement.

Strong 2010 Asia Pacific Growth

The Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) has released preliminary figures showing a strong rebound in traffic demand for 2010.

The rebound was bolstered by solid economic growth in Asia and an overall improvement in global economic conditions, which saw Asia Pacific airliners carry 185 million international passengers in 2010, up 13 per cent over 2009.

Passenger traffic measured in revenue passenger kilometre terms (RPK) grew by 9. 8 per cent, reflecting greater demand on regional routes. Capacity growth in 2010 remained a tame 4. 1 per cent, increasing the average international passenger load factor to 78. 5 per cent.

Asia Pacific international air cargo also bounced back strongly last year with a 24. 2 per cent increase in freight tonne kilometre terms (FTK). That followed previous declines of 10 per cent and 7 per cent in 2009 and 2008 respectively. A record high cargo load factor of 70 per cent, along with a 15. 5 per cent expansion in capacity, saw a modest 4 . 9 per cent increase in the average international cargo load factor for 2010.

AAPA director general Andrew Herdman said results for 2010 were very encouraging, given the financial difficulties experienced by airlines in the aftermath of the global financial crisis in 2008/09. “Reported monthly growth rates have naturally moderated as the recovery phase is completed, but encouragingly both passenger and cargo traffic volumes have now surpassed their prerecession peaks,” Herdman said.

“Asia Pacific carriers enjoyed a year of solid growth, with robust demand for both leisure and business travel, and the strong rebound in international trade, led by dynamic growth of the Asia Pacific region. ” Herdman said he was confident 2011 would also bring “expectations of further sustained growth in traffic demand”.

“Indeed, the prevailing shift of political influence and commercial dynamism towards Asia should result in players from the region playing an increasingly important role in shaping the future of the air transport industry. Beyond achieving further commercial success in 2011, the region’s airlines are committed to concerted action and taking leadership on global regulatory issues,” he said.

Qantaslink Increases Qld Capacity

QantasLink will add almost 5000 extra seats per week to its regional Queensland network with the deployment of another Bombardier Q400 from April 6.

The towns of Barcaldine, Blackall, Bundaberg, Emerald, Gladstone, Hervey Bay, Longreach, Mackay, Moranbah, Rockhampton and Roma are all set to benefit from the additional services to and from Brisbane.

The arrival of another 74-seat Q400 will see QantasLink operate a total of 12 of the type in Queensland, on top of the 10 Dash 8-200/300 variants dedicated to Queensland flying.

The Qantas subsidiary currently operates to 21 regional destinations across Queensland.

Rex announces halfyear results , COO

Regional Express Holdings Limited (Rex) has announced a group profit before tax of $12. 2 million for the half year ended December 31 2010, a reduction of 5. 4 per cent on the same period last year.

The company said overall revenue grew 2. 9 per cent to $121. 2 million from the same period last year, passengers carried dropped 1. 4 per cent to 632,777, and ASKs increased four per cent to 389 million.

The airline also announced the appointment of GM flight operations and chief pilot Chris Hine to the newly created position of chief operating officer, and that board member David Miller was retiring as a director, both with effect from March 1.

Air Nz To China Daily A 20 per cent growth in international visitor numbers from China will see Air New Zealand add two more direct flights each week between Auckland, Beijing and Shanghai.

Subject to government and landing slot approval, the airline will add an extra Tuesday Auckland-Beijing return service from December 6, and an additional Sunday Auckland- Shanghai return service over New Zealand’s peak summer season from December 11 through to March 18 2012.

Air New Zealand currently operates two return Beijing services per week on Wednesday and Saturday, with three return Shanghai flights a week on Monday, Thursday and Friday. The newly announced services will see Air New Zealand offer more than 4250 seats per week between New Zealand and China.

Airline briefs

• The federal government has signed an inaugural Memorandum of Understanding on air travel with Belgium. Both Australian and Belgian airlines will now be able to offer up to seven passenger flights a week to and from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, unlimited capacity for all services to and from other Australian airports, and up to seven weekly cargo flights. • Strategic Airlines operated its inaugural twice weekly Brisbane- Phuket service on February 24. Operated by Strategic’s 274-seat two class Airbus A330- 200, the flights depart Brisbane on Thursdays and Sundays.

Earlier, Strategic commenced its first A330-200 Melbourne- Phuket service on February 22.

Strategic is operating the Melbourne to Phuket service twice weekly on Tuesdays and Fridays.

• A recovering Japanese tourist market has prompted Air New Zealand to put its Boeing 747- 400 aircraft on the Tokyo route for the first time in half a decade.

Air New Zealand will boost capacity by 25 per cent over next summer on scheduled services between Tokyo’s Narita Airport and New Zealand, through the use of 379-seat Boeing 747-400s. The airline currently operates 304-seat Boeing 777- 200ERs daily between New Zealand and Tokyo. Boeing 767-300s are also being used between New Zealand and Osaka-Kansai five times a week.

• Cobham Aviation Services Australia has exercised an option to purchase two BAe 146s it has had on lease from BAE Systems.

The aircraft, a BAe 146-100 and a -300, form part of Cobham’s fleet of 17 BAe 146s and Avro RJs that it uses on mining fly-in/ fly-out operations and for Australian air Express freight flights.

Environment Qantas teams up on biofuel

Qantas has announced a new joint venture with US based renewable energy company Solazyme, as it aims to investigate opportunities for algae based biofuels.

The arrangement will see Qantas and Solazyme work closely together over the next 12 months to develop a business case for the introduction of Solazyme’s algal-derived ‘Solajet’ biofuel technology in Australia. The move comes as part of Qantas Group’s strategy to help accelerate the commercialisation of ‘drop-in’ alternative jet fuels as a way of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It follows the airline’s similar arrangement with Solena Group for waste based sustainable fuel.

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said both joint venture agreements matched the airline’s long term environmental strategy, citing the need to develop sustainable jet fuels as “vitally important for the global aviation industry and for the Qantas Group”.

“The costs and environmental impacts associated with traditional jet fuel mean it is imperative that we push hard now for the commercialisation of alternative fuel sources,” Joyce said.

“Through this alliance, we intend to use Solazyme’s technology platform to help provide the Australian market with renewable aviation biofuel,” said Jonathan Wolfson, CEO of Solazyme. “We also believe this alliance is a helpful step towards the commercialisation of Solajet. ”

Airports

Minister rebuffs Bankstown masterplan

Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese has rejected Bankstown Airport’s 2010 draft masterplan, citing insufficient services, Grove noted “The minister contends that the inclusion of a proposal for 32 scheduled passenger movements per day is a significant change to the airport’s operations.

We disagree with the minister’s contention, as the proposal is an extension of the standing approvals from the master plan 2005, for 12 daily movements by Code 3C aircraft. To date a commercial operator has not sought to take up this opportunity.

“The refused 2010 draft masterplan clearly states that passenger services is a mid to long term objective likely to start at 16 movement per day progressing to a maximum of 32 movements per day in aircraft smaller than code 3C.

Following the consultation process we revised the number of passengers based on smaller aircraft type and demonstrated that if passenger services were to be implemented the impact of this activity would be satisfactorily accommodated within the current airport facilities. ” Grove noted the proposed RPT movements would comprise only 2. 5 per cent of total annual airport movements.

Airports to talk more with communities

The federal government has released guidelines which will lead to a number of airports around Australia forming community consultation groups and planning coordination forums, in line with policies announced as part of the Aviation White Paper.

“The boards will be independent and will engage with local residents and the broader community on issues such as noise, disability access, environmental concerns, ground transport linkages and future developments,” said Minister Albanese.

At capital city airports, the planning coordination forums will bring together airport leaseholders, state and local governments, to ensure that there is a consistent planningapproach, and also to address ground transport and other airport interface issues. The 11 smaller leasehold airports will establish community aviation consultation groups. A number of airports have already started the process, with some required to implement the groups as part of their masterplanning process.

Bankstown tightens circuit times

Bankstown Airport is placing new restrictions on aircraft circuit times in an effort to settle local resident noise concerns in the area.

Sydney Metro Airport Bankstown CEO Colin Grove advised that the new “noise abatement procedures” which took effect from March 7, “bringing forward the finishing time for circuits from 11pm to 10pm Monday to Friday”.

However, until the end of daylight saving the finishing time was brought forward to 10:30pm until AEST resumes.

“The measures include a later starting time for helicopter circuit activity on Sundays from what was previously 6am to a friendlier time of 9am. Together with the changes to circuit operations we have also implemented tighter operating procedures to reduce the amount of noise generated from aviation operators based adjacent to residential areas,” Grove said.

Grove noted that the training time adjustments were agreed upon after consultation with the local aviation industry.

General Aviation GAMA reports on disappointing 2010 Worldwide shipments of general aviation aircraft in 2010 declined for the third year in a row to 2015 units, down 11. 4 per cent on 2009’s total of 2274, reports the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA).

Billings in fact rose by 1. 2 percent to $19. 7 billion, driven by deliveries of long range, large cabin aircraft, but overall business jet deliveries were 763, down 12. 3 per cent on 2009.

In the piston aircraft segment a total of 889 units were shipped in 2010, compared to 963 units in 2009, a 7. 7 per cent decline.

The turboprop sector was down 17. 7 per cent, shipping 363 units in 2010, compared to 441 units the previous year.

All three aircraft types were highlighted as “areas of concern” by GAMA chairman (and CEO of Dassault Falcon) John Rosanvallon, who also noted there has been a “sluggish used market and the lack of third-party financing, especially for the middle and light end of the business jet segment, as well as turboprops and piston engine powered airplanes”.

Speaking at GAMA’s ‘State of the Industry’ press conference, Rosanvallon reported that the global economic downturn continued to negatively impact general aviation manufacturers in 2010, but that signs of recovery had started to emerge. “Our industry experienced another challenging year that required many manufacturers to continue to make careful decisions about production schedules, employment and product development,” Rosanvallon said.

“However, despite the pain caused by the downturn, we are now seeing strong GDP growth on a global level and corporate profits are up. This bodes well for general aviation’s future as shipments have traditionally lagged an economic recovery by one to two years. ” Rosanvallon also underscored other indicators pointing to a turnaround, including market recovery outside the principal North American and European sectors, an overall increase in flying hours and “two critical US tax provisions” now in place to help the aviation industry.

Cirrus’s New Chinese Owner

Cirrus Industries Inc has agreed to a takeover by China Aviation Industry General Aircraft Co Ltd (CAIGA), which it says will allow it to more rapidly develop its new aircraft programs.

Terms of the transaction have not been disclosed, but it is expected that the acquisition will be completed by mid- 2011. The acquisition is still subject to approval from the US and Chinese governments.

“This transaction will have a positive impact on our business and our customers because we share a common vision with CAIGA to grow our general aviation enterprise worldwide,” said Cirrus president and CEO Brent Wouters. “CAIGA brings new resources that will allow us to expedite our aircraft development programs and accelerate our global expansion. ” Minnesota based Cirrus last year delivered more aircraft than any other GA manufacturer, according to the General Aviation Manufacturers Association.

Currently, it is producing the SR22 piston and is also in the process of developing the SF-50 Vision very light jet.

The Cirrus deal is the latest in a round of other acquisitions for CAIGA, which recently acquired the assets of Epic Air and is also in talks to acquire engine manufacturer Teledyne.

CAIGA is also understood to be the frontrunner to take over Emivest Aerospace, which has taken over production of the SJ30 business jet.

Piper’s Strong 2010

Piper Aircraft has reported significant increases in billings and deliveries during 2010, highlighted by the company’s solid performance in the pilot training sector.

Piper delivered 160 new aircraft in 2010, an increase of more than 75 per cent from 90 aircraft in 2009, with 53 aircraft delivered in the fourth quarter alone. The new deliveries generated more than $120 million in billings during 2010, up nearly 38 per cent from $86 million in 2009, with international exports accounting for more than half of the company’s volume by deliveries and dollars – a first for Piper in recent history.

Ga Briefs

• International light aircraft pilot register Earthrounders has recognised GippsAero’s GA8 TC Airvan, after the aircraft successfully circumnavigated the globe last year for charity. Piloted by Ken Evers and Tim Pryse, the Airvan had undertaken the flight to raise funds for malaria awareness, and so has become the first Australian designed and manufactured aircraft to be recognised by Earthrounders.

Business

Embraer 2010 Standout

The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) has named Embraer as the stand out company in the executive aviation market for 2010.

The Brazilian manufacturer delivered 145 executive jets during last year, an increase of 23 aircraft over 2009. This was the highest, in absolute terms, among all manufacturers in the executive jet category.

Embraer’s 2010 market share reached 19 per cent of executive jets delivered worldwide.

Embraer executive VP executive jets, Luís Carlos Affonso, said the company held “a strong commitment to business aviation”, with a focus on customer expectations. “With this in mind, we have launched “Piper Aircraft is very pleased with 2010 progress and performance in terms of market penetration, deliveries and dollar volume. The increases reflected our aggressive efforts towards globalizing the profile of the company,” Piper CEO Geoffrey Berger said.

“In a very challenging year for our overall industry, Piper demonstrated measurable improvement in all meaningful categories. ” Deliveries in 2010 consisted of 25 Meridian turboprops and 135 single and twin engine aircraft.

Lake Eyre Sightseeing Bonanza

Air tour operators have geared up for another strong season for flights to Lake Eyre and beyond, following the third successive year of heavy rain in the region.

The inflows from outback rivers including the Diamantina and Georgina to the north and Cooper Creek to the east have ensured large areas of the lake are covered with water, attracting prolific birdlife.

With more than 60 per cent of the lake already covered by mid-March, WrightsAir forecast “a great year” for the aerial sightseeing operators.

Desert-Air Safaris principal Dick Lang said the inland catchment also had gained from floods in pastoral areas to the west of Lake Eyre for the first time in several years, while exceptional rainfalls of more than 500mm at Bedourie, north of Birdsville in March, had sent floods down the Georgina River to join the Diamantina as it flowed into Goyders Lagoon and down the Warburton River into Lake Eyre.

Lang said there was “major coverage’’ of the salt lake for the third time in three years and Cooper Creek, a kilometre wide at Innamincka, was thronging with birdlife.

His Adelaide-based Bush Pilots outfit has scheduled three, two-day sightseeing flights a week from April through to September, using two Chieftains and a King Air, while a Cessna 337 is available for small parties.

Lang, who has two other full time pilots and a further two on standby, flew more than 50 services to Lake Eyre and surrounding areas last year.

At isolated William Creek, just west of Lake Eyre, Trevor Wright, owner of WrightsAir, said he had scheduled four flights a day over the lake.

The operator has seven aircraft based at the tiny outback community, including a seven-passenger GA-8 Airvan – with a second available – and a mix of Cessna 172s, 210s and 207s to fly one-hour and two-hour sightseeing trips, as well as more extensive outback air tours.

Last year heavy rains inundated the William Creek airstrip and disrupted some services, but the new sealed airstrip has overcome the problem this year.

WrightsAir also operated up to three aircraft from Marree last year and will have at least one stationed there this winter.

Among other operators targeting Lake Eyre and the flooded Channel Country are Heron Airlines, operating from Sydney via Broken Hill, Air Central West from Longreach, and Outback Airtours from Charleville, while Adelaide based Fokker 50s of Alliance Airlines have been chartered by Australian Air Holidays for at least two weekend tours via Coober Pedy.

(Chris Milne) six new jet models over the past six years, in order to offer quality products and services that flexibly meet the needs of each type of customer. ” The solid spate of results follow Embraer’s entry level Phenom 100 becoming the world’s most delivered executive jet, with 100 units delivered during 2010. 26 Phenom 300s were delivered, topping the market’s light jet category, while the Legacy family of jets made 11 deliveries. Finally, the E-Jet based Lineage 1000 jet made a total of eight deliveries.

iPad for PC-12 customers

Pilatus has stepped into the world of app savvy fliers after the launch of its new iPad software program in February for its PC-12 NG customers.

New PC-12 NG owners will receive an Apple iPad containing interactive content customised to each owner’s individual aircraft, delivery documents, owner’s manuals and a variety of other aviation apps.

Each iPad comes pre-loaded with a Pilots Information Manual (PIM), an introduction to the company and the PC-12 NG, customised content documenting the manufacture, assembly and completion of each owner’s particular aircraft, as well as useful aviation apps such as Fore Flight and My Radar Pro.

Embraer opens Florida plant

Embraer has celebrated the opening of its first US aircraft final assembly plant, as the company prepares for large scale manufacture of its Phenom executive jet series in the US.

Based at Melbourne International Airport in Florida, the new 7432m2 hangar and paintshop facility will be used for production of the Phenom 100 entry level executive jet.

Embraer had originally announced Melbourne as its chosen location for a new 13,935m2, US$50 millionstate-of-the-art facility in May 2008. In December of that year, the company broke ground on the first phase of the construction – the production hangar and paint shop which has now been completed.

In addition to the final assembly plant, a second construction phase for Embraer’s Customer Centre has already begun, giving customers the ability to custom design interiors of their Phenom, Legacy and Lineage executive jets with the use of high-end 3D visualisation technology.

Final completion is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2011.

Cargo

cargo briefs

• Boeing has celebrated the second anniversary of the 777 freighter’s entry into service by highlighting the type’s strong in-service performance. According to the manufacturer, the global fleet of 39 777 freighters currently in service with nine airlines has amassed approximately 120,000 flying hours and has a daily utilisation of 11. 34 hours. Schedule reliability has also been high at 99. 37 per cent.

Support

Rfds Upgrades Alice Base

The Royal Flying Doctor Service has upgraded patient care at Alice Springs airport with a new $3. 1 million aeromedical facility.

The investment includes an upgraded and air conditioned medical room for patients awaiting flights and a resuscitation bay for critical patients.

Central Australia increased from three to four aircraft.

The full fleet for Central Operations, including its Adelaide and Port Augusta bases, stands at 11 PC-12 aircraft.

The organisation is proposing to establish a new medical and administrative base at Adelaide Airport.

(Chris Milne)

support briefs

• Qantas has ordered a second CAE 7000 Series Level D full flight simulator. The additional A380 sim will be delivered to the Qantas Training Centre in Sydney in 2012.

Qantas already has one CAE built A380 sim in service, and has two 787 full flight sims on order with CAE as well.

People

Bowmaker Appointed A4i Ceo

Former Qantas and international airline executive, Geoffrey Bowmaker, has been appointed as the inaugural CEO of the Australian Association of Aviation and Aerospace Industries (A4I).

Bowmaker, who has spent The new facility incorporates a separate engineering hangar to handle the RFDS fleet of four aircraft based at Alice Springs.

At the same time, the organisation has dedicated a new Pilatus PC-12 to replace a 15-year-old aerial ambulance.

The new $6 million aircraft, fitted with intensive care equipment, is one of five acquired from Pilatus by RFDS Central Operations in a $30 million replacement program, which is now complete.

John Lynch, chief executive of Adelaide based Central Operations, said the new airport medical facility would improve patient care and operating efficiency.

Pilots and medical staff also had gained new work rooms at the airport, he said.

The organisation had experienced increased demand for emergency evacuations as well as growth in the numbers of patients being transferred from Alice Springs to Adelaide for high level treatment.

In the past five years, the number of its aeromedical flights through Alice Springs had increased by more than 20 per cent, reaching 2502 patients in 2009-10, Lynch added.

The additional work saw the fleet of PC-12s for almost 40 years working in the aviation sector in Australia and overseas, has held leadership roles with Qantas and the national airlines of Fiji, Tonga, Nauru and Namibia.

A4I chairman Mark Ross announced the appointment as he marked the official commencement of the organisation’s active operations. Ross said that the company board was “delighted” to welcome Bowmaker to A4I, as he takes on “the day-today management and growth of the association”. “He is a most capable and experienced executive who will actively take A4I into its next stage of development,” Ross said.

Founded last year, A4I is a not-for-profit industry association which aims to provide a policy voice for the industry and promote Australian aviation and aerospace organisations internationally.

Pearson appointed GM of Safeskies Safeskies

Australia has announced the appointment of Ray Pearson as general manager, as part of the board’s ongoing restructure of the safety organisation.

Pearson, an experienced career pilot with over 8000 flying hours on a variety of aircraft, has been in the new role since February 1.

New Sacf Chair

Federal minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Anthony Albanese, has announced the appointment of Peter Fitzgerald as the new chair of the Sydney Airport Community Forum (SACF).

The appointment of Fitzgerald follows the resignation of Barry Cotter.