News Desk

The Boeing 787 was awarded certification from both the US FAA and Europe’s EASA in a ceremony at Everett on August 26.

FAA administrator Randy Babbitt presented the type certificate to 787 chief pilot Mike Carriker and 787 VP and chief project engineer Mike Sinnett, and the amended production certificate to VP of 787 final assembly and delivery John Cornish, and Barb O’Dell, VP quality for the 787. EASA executive director Patrick Goudou handed over the European type certificate.

“Certification is a milestone that validates what we have promised the world since we started talking about this airplane,” Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Jim Albaugh said. “This airplane embodies the hopes and dreams of everyone fortunate enough to work on it. Their dreams are now coming true. ” With certification awarded, Boeing later announced that the first customer 787 was due to be handed over to launch customer ANA on September 26 at Everett following an expected contractual handover on September 25.

ANA’s first 787 was then due to land in Tokyo at the end of its delivery flight on September 28.

Meanwhile, Boeing was due to deliver its first 747-8 Freighter to launch customer Cargolux on September 19, with a second aircraft due to follow two days later on September 21.

ATR delivers first -600 series ATR 72

ATR has begun deliveries of its updated -600 series development of the ATR 72, handing over two to launch customer Royal Air Maroc (RAM) in a ceremony at Toulouse on August 19.

The ATR 72-600 received EASA type certification in May this year, while flight testing of the smaller ATR 42‑600 is ongoing, with ATR expecting certification to be granted by the end of the year, ahead of service entry in 2012.

To date, 180 -600 series ATRs have so far been ordered, including four for Perth based carrier Skywest to operate on behalf of Virgin Australia. The -600 features improved performance from PW127M series engines, an advanced glass cockpit with Thales avionics, and a new passenger interior.

Commercial Briefs

• Bombardier Aerospace has announced the retirement of Bombardier Commercial Aircraft president, Gary Scott, effective from October 1. Scott, who first joined the company as New Commercial Aircraft Program president in 2004, is retiring to “devote more time to his family who need him at this time. ” • Boeing Aerostructures Australia (BAA) managing director John Duddy has been appointed chairman the Australian Association of Aviation and Aerospace Industries (AAAAI), replacing former BAA managing director and AAAAI founding member Mark Ross. Duddy, until recently vice president and managing director of Brisbane based Boeing Defence Australia (BDA), has been with the Boeing Company for almost 30 years.

Military

Fighter capability gap decision next year – Smith

Defence Minister Stephen Smith has said that he is committed to “an exhaustive risk assessment on schedule” of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter by the end of this year, saying that any decision to acquire additional Super Hornets to fill a potential capability gap should the JSF be further delayed would be taken next year.

While reiterating that additional Super Hornets for the RAAF would be the “obvious option” if an air combat capability gap emerged, Smith told the Australia Network’s Newsline program on August 18 that he was “confident that the Joint Strike Fighter project will get up”, particularly given Australia’s selection of the F-35A CTOL variant.

“Our pre-planning had a lot of …padding in for cost and for schedule. We’re now starting to run up against schedule. We’re still expecting to receive our first two planes in the United States in 2014-15 for training purposes. We’ve committed ourselves to 14. Our Defence White Paper and our Defence Capability Plan talks in terms of around or up to 100, but beyond 14 the government will make a judgment and a decision as time and as events unfold,” Smith said.

Consequently, Smith did not rule out a further Super Hornet purchase, if his planned risk assessment of the F-35’s schedule justifies such action to be taken by next year. “I’ll make a judgment and recommend to government as to whether we need to exercise any other options to ensure there’s no gap in our air combat capability, moving as we have historically from F-111s to classic Hornets, to Super Hornets and to Joint Strike Fighters,” Smith said.

“What I can guarantee is I will ensure that there is no gap in our air combat capability and I’ve made it clear both in the United States when I was there recently, on my return here and in the Parliament . . . that the obvious option to ensure there’s no gap in capability is further Super Hornets,” he added.

“Now, we haven’t had to make that decision yet, we haven’t concluded a view on that, but I’m not going to leave it to the last minute to ensure there’s no gap in capability and that’s why we’ll make the decision next year. ”

F-35 returns to flight test

The F-35 fleet was cleared to return to flight during mid August, following a two and a half week grounding.

The F-35 fleet was grounded on August 4 following the failure of an Integrated Power Pack (IPP) on development aircraft AF-4 at Edwards AFB. The JSF Program Of- fice says a valve in the IPP did not function properly.

“Monitoring of valve position is a mitigating action to allow monitored operations,” JPO spokesman Joe DellaVedova said in a statement. “A permanent resolution is in work.

The F-35’s Integrated Power Package is a turbo-machine that provides power to start the engine and generates cooling for the aircraft. The government and contractor engineering teams determined the program could resume developmental test flight operations while the investigation continues. This assessment was made after reviewing data from ground and flight tests which showed, with revised test monitoring procedures governing the IPP, the aircraft can be flown safely. ” Eighteen instrumented F-35s were initially cleared to fly in mid August, while the first two production F-35As – which had been delivered to Eglin AFB for training – were then cleared to return to flight on August 26. A few days later they werejoined by production F-35As AF‑10 and AF-11, which arrived at Eglin on August 31.

RAAF Hornets exercise with TNI-AU F-16s

Eight RAAF F/A-18 Hornets and six Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) F-16s took part in the bilateral Elang Ausindo 2011 exercise, which began on September 5.

The RAAF deployed eight F/A-18A Hornets, two C-130 Hercules and one C-17A Globemaster to Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport, to exercise with the six TNI-AU F-16s plus two C-130s.

The RAAF contingent was led by Commander Air Combat Group, AIRCDRE Mel Hupfield, while the TNI-AU’s Colonel Emir Panji Dermawan headed the Indonesian force.

RAAF Orions mark 20,000 hRs in MEAO

The RAAF’s 92 Wing detachment of two AP-3C Orions reached the milestone of 20,000 mission hours in support of ISR operations over the Middle East on August 15.

Deploying to the Middle East in 2003, the RAAF Edinburgh based Orion detachment has focused on maritime missions over the Arabian Gulf and overland missions over Iraq and Afghanistan.

“Our intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions were initially focused on maritime missions in the Arabian Gulf region and soon expanded to overland missions in support of the stabilisation of Iraq,” RAAF Air Component Commander GPCAPT Paul Nicholas said.

“Today, our commitment extends from Afghanistan in support of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) to the Indian Ocean off East Africa in support of maritime security and counter-piracy operations. ” Approximately 2800 personnel have been posted through the detachment since 2003.

32SQN King Airs clock 30,000 hours

32SQN RAAF’s eight King Air 350s have achieved 30,000 flying hours since the beginning of operations in 2003.

The aircraft, which are based at RAAF East Sale and are leased from and supported by Hawker Pacific, have been used by 32SQN and the School of Air Warfare predominantly for RAAF navigator/ACO and Navy observer courses.

Under the agreement, Hawker Pacific provides all elements of support required by the RAAF, including aircraft supply, special mission modifications, design engineering, maintenance, project management and spares provision.

The partnership has also seen the development of a ‘Hybrid Airworthiness’ solution, born out of a need to meet both military and civilian airworthiness management regulations.

Hawker Pacific also supports the King Airs operated by the RAAF’s 38SQN at Townsville.

Kanimbla to be decommissioned

The Navy’s second LPA amphibious ship, HMAS Kanimbla, is to be decommissioned, following the early decommissioning of sister ship HMAS Manoora in May.

According to Defence Materiel Minister Jason Clare, an assessment into Kanimbla’s materiel state and a cost and risk assessment deemed that, “the most cost effective and lowest risk option is to decommission HMAS Kanimbla,” as required remediation work would cost in the vicinity of $35 million.

“HMAS Kanimbla would not on that basis be available for operations until at least mid-2012,” Clare said. “HMAS Kanimbla was scheduled in any event to be decommissioned at the end of 2014. ” Both Kanimbla and Manoora were placed on operational pause in September 2010 due to seaworthiness concerns.

To cover sealift capability gaps until the Navy’s two new LHDs are delivered, Defence is acquiring the former RFA Largs Bay, which is due to commission into RAN service as the HMAS Choules in Fremantle in December.

Fifth RAAF C-17 flies

The fifth Boeing C-17A Globemaster for the RAAF made its first flight from Boeing’s Long Beach, California, facility on August 25.

The aircraft, to be designated A41-210 in RAAF service, was scheduled to be delivered to 36SQN at RAAF Amberley in late September to join its four stablemates.

The fifth C-17 was ordered earlier this year instead of an additional two C-130J Hercules transports under Project Air 8000 Phase 1. A41-210 was already on the Long Beach production line, intended for delivery to the US Air Force.

Airlines

Ex VB COO to head Tiger Australia

Former chief operating officer of Virgin Blue, Andrew David, has been appointed chief executive officer of Tiger Airways Australia, with effect from October 17.

David was COO at Virgin Blue between February 2005 and November 2010, and was at one point considered a contender to be appointed CEO of the airline following Brett Godfrey’s retirement, before the appointment of John Borghetti. Prior to joining Virgin Blue, David worked at Air New Zealand, where his roles included GM Pacific airline (in charge of domestic and Pacific island 737 and A320 operations), VP group strategy and planning, chief information officer, and operations business performance manager.

“We are pleased to welcome Andrew David as the new CEO of Tiger Airways Australia,” Tiger Airways Holdings acting CEO Chin Yau Seng said. “He brings a wealth of airline business experience and a proven leadership track record. ” David’s appointment to Tiger Australia follows the announcement that current CEO Tony Davis is to leave the airline on November 1. Davis, who was previously CEO of Tiger Airways Holdings, was appointed to the role in early July following Tiger Australia’s grounding, replacing Crawford Rix. Davis was in turn replaced as CEO of the parent company in an acting capacity by Chin Yau Seng, who has been appointed to that role permanently from November 1.

The appointment of a new CEO follows Tiger’s resumption of flights between Melbourne and Perth from September 7, Melbourne and the Gold Coast on August 31, Melbourne to Brisbane on August 18, and Melbourne and Sydney on August 12, after the airline was handed back its AOC by CASA on August 11.

Qantas engineers launch work stoppages

Qantas engineers have been taking industrial action since August 25, with a series of daily one hour stoppages across the airline’s bases due to continue through until December 16.

Some 1600 engineers are taking turns in refusing to work for the first hour of their shifts, with the Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association (ALAEA) offering Qantas union- aligned ‘strike breakers’ to avoid any expected disruptions to the airline’s flight schedule.

“We’ve been negotiating with the airline for job security terms for nearly 12 months. Any progress that had been made has now been eliminated with Qantas announcing its intention to shrink Qantas in favour of new companies based in Asia,” ALAEA federal secretary Steven Purvinas said in a statement.

Qantas, meanwhile, has refused to accept the union’s “blatantly cynical offer” of strike breakers on overtime wages.

“No Australian company would accept this. What incentive would the union have to reach an agreement with workers earning significantly more money while on strike?” Qantas group executive government and corporate affairs Olivia Wirth said.

“We want to reach a fair and reasonable negotiated outcome with our workers but we cannot accept demands of a guarantee that no changes be made to outdated maintenance work practices, and that no productivity enhancements be introduced. ” Virgin Australia has since offered to take on 200 Qantas engineers expected to be affected by the restructure, with CEO John Borghetti reportedly in talks with unions to discuss the idea.

“We are keen to ensure that as many as possible of the highly skilled staff being displaced by Qantas are provided the opportunity to be considered for suitable roles at our airline,” News Ltd reportedVirgin Australia group executive Richard Tanner saying in “confi dential correspondence”.

“We are willing to liaise directly with Qantas and the aviation unions to help as many of the redundant Qantas staff as possible. ”

Accc Proposes To Authorise Qantasamerican Jba

Th e Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has issued a draft decision to approve the Joint Business Agreement (JBA) between Qantas and American Airlines.

Under the proposed JBA, both airlines will be allowed to “coordinate operations on services between Australia/ New Zealand and the United States” on trans-Pacifi c routes, as well as on services which support those routes.

“Th e ACCC considers that the JBA is likely to result in new and improved products and services, including improved schedules and connectivity,” ACCC chairman Rod Sims said in a statement.

“Th e ACCC does not consider that the JBA will have any anti-competitive eff ects, as Qantas and American Airlines do not currently provide any overlapping direct services between Australia and the United States,” he added.

Th e ACCC’s decision follows “interim authorisation” granted to both airlines in June, which allowed Qantas and American Airlines to undertake a coordinated “sales and marketing campaign” in Australia and the United States.

Joyce Rejects Qantas International Losses “Conspiracy”

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce has rejected as a conspiracy and a “ludicrous suggestion” claims that Qantas was subsidising Jetstar to make its low cost carrier’s profi t fi gures look good at the expense of its mainline operations.

In parliament on August 23 independent Senator Nick Xenophon said the airline’s assertion its international operations were losing money needed “forensic examination”.

“Th e reality is that Qantas has long been used to subsidise Jetstar in order to make Jetstar look profi table and Qantas look like a burden, and when there’s a profi t to be made Jetstar makes it,” Senator Xenophon claimed.

Said the Senator, “It would be foolish to take management’s word Qantas International is losing money. ” Instead he suggested that Qantas, to avoid the restrictions of the Qantas Sale Act, could have “a strategy of private equity selloff by stealth”, with Qantas “moving assets out of Qantas and into an airline you own, but isn’t controlled by the Act. ” Th e Senator’s comments came as reports emerged that the Qantas pilots union AIPA had commissioned consultancy fi rm PPB Advisory to examine the company’s fi nancial reports to investigate the airline’s assertion its international division was losing money.

According to reports, PPB’s preliminary analysis questions how Qantas Frequent Flyer costs are allocated, and which segment of the company absorbed an unallocated loss of $123 million shown in Qantas’s FY2010 results.

“It seems clear from the fi – nancial analysis and other anecdotal evidence that we [Qantas mainline] are carrying some of the costs of Jetstar,” AIPA vice-president Richard Woodward was quoted as saying.

At a press conference for the airline’s annual results announcement (see feature p22 this issue), Joyce responded to the claims by saying, “Th ere’s no convincing some people. Th ey just have a view and whatever we say they won’t be convinced. ” Joyce said he was “going to add this conspiracy theory to a long list of conspiracy theories. ” Qantas says losses in its international operations require it to drop services, defer A380 deliveries, retire early some 747s and make redundant up to 1000 staff .

Rex Boss Optimistic Despite Profit Slip

Regional Express executive chairman Lim Kim Hai says he is optimistic about the airline’s outlook despite it reporting an eight per cent decline in profi t before tax for the 2011 fi nancial year to $24. 1 million.

For the year ended June 30, which Lim described as “extremely challenging” due to “spiralling” fuel costs and the impact of weather events such as Queensland fl oods and cyclones and June’s volcanic ash cloud, Rex’s revenue increased 4. 7 per cent to $239 million, although net profi t after tax fell 28. 5 per cent to $17. 6 million due to “the discontinuation of tax incentives in the prior FY”.

“In spite of these sobering results, I am actually more optimistic and confi dent of the outlook and potential of the Rex Group than I haveever been for the past nine years,” Lim said, noting that the “deep restructuring” of subsidiary Pel-Air is almost complete, and the Australian Airline Pilot Academy subsidiary is “poised to take off ” after securing a key pilot training contract from the UAE.

“While the economic turmoil in the USA and Europe is as threatening as ever, at Rex we approach the new financial year with a certain amount of confidence, serenity and even excitement,” Lim said. “However, the Rex board does not believe that it is in a position to make an accurate profit forecast at this stage but believes that all its subsidiaries will be profitable this financial year. ”

Fair Work dismisses AIPA Jetconnect “deception” case

Fair Work Australia has dismissed an Australian and International Airline Pilots Association (AIPA) application to have pilots employed by Qantas’s New Zealand based Jetconnect subsidiary brought under Australian industrial laws and arrangements.

Jetconnect employs 100 New Zealand based pilots who operate Qantas’s trans- Tasman 737 operations, most of whom, according to Qantas, are covered by a three year collective agreement negotiated with the New Zealand Airline Pilots Association.

“The Jetconnect pilots reside in and are based in New Zealand and their employment is subject to New Zealand employment laws. It is also questionable as to whether Jetconnect would be regarded, for the purposes of the WR [Workplace Relations] Act … as being an Australian employer,” Fair Work Australia found.

“It is a New Zealand registered company with its head office and management based in Auckland. Although there was extensive evidence and argument in the present proceedings regarding the relationship between Qantas and its subsidiary company, in our view this does not satisfy the requirement … of the definition of ‘Australian employer’ in … the WR Act that it is relevantly carrying on business in Australia. ” “The decision by Fair Work Australia is a comprehensive dismissal of the pilots union’s claim that the establishment of Jetconnect was to avoid Australia’s industrial laws or disadvantage Qantas pilots,” claimed Qantas group executive government and corporate affairs Olivia Wirth.

“New Zealanders living and working in New Zealand for a New Zealand company should be subject to New Zealand’s industrial laws and agreements and not to Australia’s industrial laws. ” But AIPA said in a statement that in the two-to-one “split decision” the “FWA bench ruled that it was unable to prevent the Qantas Group from using the hollow company to employ pilots and crew flying into and out of Australia on lower New Zealand wages and conditions. ” “AIPA has said from the start that Jetconnect is nothing short of a sham operation and Senior Deputy Drake’s [dissenting] assessment confirms that view,” AIPA president Capt Barry Jackson said.

“Qantas management have been cynically using this hollow shell of a company to avoid awarding employees Australian wages and conditions on what are ostensibly Qantas flights.

“The whole Jetconnect operation has been nothing short of a deception. When passengers purchase a Qantas ticket and then board a plane with a flying roo on the tail, they are entitled to expect that their pilots and crew are fullyfledged Qantas employees. ”

Virgin Australia to codeshare with Virgin Atlantic

Virgin Australia will codeshare on Virgin Atlantic’s Sydney-Hong Kong services from early 2012.

Under the agreement, Virgin Australia’s long haul carrier V Australia will codeshare on Virgin Atlantic’s daily Airbus A340-600 operated Sydney- Hong Kong service (but not Virgin Atlantic’s onward Hong Kong-London services), with eligible Virgin Australia passengers to receive frequent flyer program benefits and lounge access, including to Virgin Atlantic’s Hong Kong Clubhouse.

“This agreement complements our existing global alliance strategy, providing a new codeshare destination for our guests and further strengthening our new frequent flyer program launched today,” Virgin Australia CEO John Borghetti said.

“Hong Kong is a very important market for Australia given it is an international business hub, a popular leisure destination, and has a large Australian expatriate community. ” Virgin Atlantic services to Hong Kong depart from Sydney International Airport at 2. 25pm each day.

Virgin long haul crews vote in favour of EBAs

Virgin Australia’s long haul pilots and cabin crew have voted overwhelmingly in favour of their respective Enterprise Bargaining Agreements (EBAs), after reaching a decision on August 22.

Eighty-five per cent of pilots and 93 per cent of cabin crew supported the new EBAs, with the Australian Federation of Air Pilots (AFAP) pleased with the high voter turnout for pilots after negotiations originally began in March 2010.

“One hundred and forty-six pilots were eligible to vote and 144 voted. This is an extremely high voter turnout and showed the high level of interest this pilot group had in this, their first collective agreement,” the AFAP said in a statement.

“This agreement furthers the relationship between the pilots and their management and we expect further improvements as Virgin Australia grows,” noted AFAP executive director Terry O’Connell.

“The Virgin long haul pilots have earned this improvement in their conditions and salaries, some of which will increase over 25 per cent immediately.

Annual increases of four per cent upwards will keep the pilots’ salaries in line with inflation. This pilot group now sits in the mid-range of pilot terms and conditions pending delivery China Southern’s first Airbus A380 lands after a recent pre-delivery check flight. (Airbus) pg06-in Australia,” he added.

According to Virgin Australia, the EBAs will operate for three years.

“Engagement with our staff is a priority for our business.

We are looking forward to Fair Work Australia approving the EBAs. This outcome is the result of a very good and fair process for Virgin Australia, the unions and our staff,” Virgin Australia group executive people Richard Tanner said.

Meanwhile, the AFAP will now begin renegotiating the enterprise agreement covering Virgin’s domestic pilots operating Airbus A330s, Boeing 737s and Embraer E-Jets, before its expiry in November.

Virgin Australia relaunches frequent flyer program

Virgin Australia has revealed the first stage of its relaunched Velocity frequent flyer program with a number of new features, in a bid to become a more viable alternative to Qantas’s long standing Frequent Flyer program.

“In reviewing the Velocity program, we were keen to make it easier for frequent flyers to earn points and status credits and use them in a way that suits them. The changes that go live today do just that and more – providing unique benefits that make it truly world class,” Virgin Australia CEO John Borghetti said.

“Members also want to be able to earn and redeem points and enjoy status privileges wherever they fly. With our international alliances in place, I’m pleased to say that our program provides global coverage, allowing members to travel on more than 600 services internationally with some of the best airlines in the world. ” Features of the new program, which the airline said was based on “months of research and feedback from frequent flyers”, now includes: Enhanced flight rewards with more options to redeem points for seats; improved points earn rates and status earning methods; “transformed” status privileges and benefits for travellers and their families; over 380 program partners including credit cards and retail partners; and a new Platinum level of membership, featuring guaranteed ‘Reward Seats’ for international travel, complimentary fare upgrades and a 100 per cent points bonus on spending with Virgin Australia group of airlines and/or a travel partner.

“We introduced the Platinum tier to recognise those members who travel with us frequently and to reward their loyalty with the ultimate travel experience and extra benefits,” Borghetti said.

As part of the relaunch, Virgin is offering to “status match” frequent flyer members’ status of other programs to upgrade them to the equivalent Velocity status level.

Parliamentary inquiry into FIFO

The federal House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Australia has launched an inquiry into the experience of fly-in/flyout (FIFO) and drive-in/ drive-out (DIDO) workers.

Tasked by Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government Simon Crean, the inquiry is expected to look into a number of areas related to FIFO and DIDO workers, including: The extent and projected growth of FIFO/DIDO work practices; the impact of FIFO/ DIDO on individuals, communities and companies; long term strategies for economic diversification in towns with large FIFO/DIDO workforces; and provision of services, infrastructure and housing availability for FIFO/DIDO employees.

“The Committee recognises that the use of fly-in/fly-out and drive-in/drive-out workforces in the mining sector raises a number of significant challenges and opportunities for individuals and their families, communities and employers. We are interested in exploring all of those issues and hope to also hear from mining companies who are utilising FIFO/DIDO for their employees,” Committee chair Tony Windsor said.

Cathay to introduce premium economy

Cathay Pacific will introduce premium economy from the second quarter of next year.

Promised by CEO John Slosar to be “a real upgrade” ovethe airline’s standard economy class, premium economy will be progressively introduced on all of Cathay’s long and ultra long haul routes, as well as medium haul routes to Australia, the Middle East and a host of other destinations by late next year.

“The seat will be more like a regional business class seat. We’ll have great recline and plenty of leg space,” Slosar promised.

“We’ll have an improved service as well. The meal service will be improved and little extras will leave anyone who chooses Cathay Pacific’s premium economy feeling they really got value for their money. That’s the most important part, I think. ” Slosar said Cathay’s premium economy would be progressively introduced across its fleet in 2012, coinciding with the installation of new business class seats.

Virgin Australia business goes west

All Virgin Australia flights from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane to Perth will be offered with its new business class product from September 28.

The airline already offers business class seating on its two Airbus A330-200s, which operate between Sydney and Perth, and has been progressively refitting its 737s with an eight-seat, 38in (97cm) pitch, four abreast business class cabin, since its relaunch as Virgin Australia in May.

Business class amenities include complimentary newspapers, a dedicated cabin crew member, Digiplayer XT portable inflight entertainment system, comfort kit, and a range of food and beverage options.

Qantas marks eighth year of RNP flights to Queenstown

Qantas has marked eight years of operating Boeing 737‑800 RNP (Required Navigation Performance) flights into New Zealand’s Queenstown Airport, with over 25 million passengers carried since the airline’s introduction of the GPS based precision approach technology in 2004.

“RNP is a win-win for airlines looking to reduce fuel consumption and emissions, passengers who might otherwise have been diverted in bad weather and governments wanting to increase airspace efficiency,” Qantas technical pilot, technology development, Captain Alex Passerini said.

“Along with the USA, Canada and China, the Australia/ New Zealand region is leading the way in pioneering this important technology – and Queenstown has now been doing so for eight years.

We are recognised as a global leader in RNP flying – around 50 per cent of our B737‑800 flights currently utilise RNP,” Passerini continued.

“We are now planning to introduce the technology to a number of our Boeing 767 aircraft, which operate high frequency domestic services across Australia. ”

Cathay’s direct Adelaide-Hong Kong summer services

Cathay Pacific has announced three of its seven weekly Hong Kong-Adelaide services will operate nonstop during the Australian summer season from November 24.

The new direct flights will operate on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays, departing Adelaide at 7. 45am and arriving in Hong Kong at 2. 30pm, while return flights will depart Hong Kong at 7. 20pm and arrive in Adelaide at 6. 25am the next day. Currently all of the airline’s Adelaide services are triangulated with Melbourne.

Cathay operates two class Airbus A330s on the route.

Qantas begins $250 milli on 747-400 refit

Qantas has begun its $250 million cabin refurbishment program for nine of its Boeing 747-400s, with each aircraft to be fitted with new, Airbus A380 style seats and inflight entertainment systems by the end of next year.

The 747 refit project will see seats, electrical wiring, fittings, galleys and inflight entertainment stripped from the aircraft and replaced with new cabin fittings, A380 style seating, Panasonic inflight entertainment and various other features, including a self-service snack bar in economy class. Each 747 will be configured with 364 seats, with 58 lie-flat Skybed business class seats, 36 for premium economy and 270 for economy.

“Since Qantas introduced the A380 in October 2008, there has been unprecedented demand for seats on these aircraft. This refurbishment program will give more passengers the opportunity to fly to more destinations with a premium flying experience,” Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said during a visit to Avalon Airport’s Qantas heavy maintenance facility on September 2.

“The project was awarded to Avalon after a competitive tender process and after beating strong competition from overseas,” he added.

Each aircraft interior refurbishment will take six weeks to complete, with the first reconfigured 747-400 to commence services between Brisbane and Los Angeles in October, operating three return services per week. The remaining eight aircraft will subsequently be introduced across Qantas’s international network by the end of 2012.

The nine 747-400s to be refurbished at Avalon comprise its six GE CF6 powered 747‑400ERs and its three youngest RR RB211 powered 747-400s. become a part of the everyday operating fabric of our organisation, not just something we recognise once a year,” Emirates divisional senior vice president flight operations, Captain Alan Stealey, said.

Blue Angels perform with biofuel mix

The US Navy’s F/A-18 Hornet flight demonstration squadron, the Blue Angels, have performed for the first time powered by a 50/50 blend of biofuel and jet fuel.

All six of the Blue Angels’ Hornets were powered by a camelina based biofuel blend during their display routine at this year’s Naval Air Station Patxuent River Air Expo show on September 3-4, as the Navy moves ahead with plans to field a non-fossil fuel powered carrier strike group by 2016.

Airports

Productivity Commission releases airport services draft report

The Productivity Commission has released its draft report into the economic regulation of airport services, recommending that the ACCC be given more regulatory powers Qantas is also reconfiguring its A380s into a new three class arrangement, but that work will be undertaken by Lufthansa Technik in the Philippines.

SIA ups Adelaide summer flight schedule

Singapore Airlines has announced that it will increase flights to Adelaide, flying twice daily three times per week over the Australian summer season.

The new services will be operated by 777-200s and will depart Adelaide every Monday, Tuesday and Sunday between December 9 and January 31.

Meanwhile, Singapore Airlines is dropping the A380 from its Melbourne services from mid January, with its daily SQ227/228 to be operated by 777-300s instead.

Airline Briefs

• China Southern Airlines will increase its current three times weekly flight schedule between Guangzhou and Auckland to a daily service from November 1.

• Malaysia Airlines was due to deploy its new A330-300s on services to Adelaide and Melbourne from late September.

The two class A330-300s feature lie-flat seats in business class and AVOD inflight entertainment for economy.

Environment

GE joins Virgin in Aussie biofuel initiative

General Electric has joined Virgin Australia and other industry partners in efforts to develop a sustainable aviation biofuel.

Following on from Virgin’s decision to join the initiative in July, GE will also partner with the Renewable Oil Corporation (ROC), Dynamotive Energy Systems Corporation (DYMTF) and the Future Farm Industries Co-operative ready for refitting A Qantas engineer explains to Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu and Qantas CEO Alan Joyce the work involved in refitting Qantas 747s with interiors common with the airline’s A380s. (Qantas) Research Centre (FFI CRC) to experiment with the use of fast pyrolysis technology developed by DYMTF to farm and process a eucalypt tree as a source of biofuel.

The consortium is currently finalising plans for an operational demonstration unit by 2012, intended to utilise biofuels for testing, certification and public trials.

Emirates’s INSPIRE FLT reduce CO2 emissions

Emirates Airlines was able to save over 6250 litres of fuel and reduce CO2 emissions by 16 tonnes when two Boeing 777 flights to and from Australia took part in the Indian Ocean Strategic Partnership to Reduce Emissions (INSPIRE) program over mid July.

The airline worked with air navigation service providers, including Airservices Australia, and airports in the region so that Emirates flights UAE425 (Perth to Dubai) and UAE434 (Dubai to Brisbane) experienced minimal ground delays, expedient taxi to takeoff, gradual climb and unrestricted descent paths, and could fly optimum routes based on existing meteorological and airspace conditions.

“These flights illustrate that Emirates’ long term strategy to address the environmental concerns of our customers, our partners and our industry has over airport price structures.

While categorising airport aeronautical charges as “generally satisfactory”, presiding commissioner Wendy Craik said the report held concerns over a ‘take it or leave it’ approach made by airports in price negotiations with airlines and operators. However, the report maintained that commercial negotiation was still the preferred option for all parties concerned, as opposed to reverting back to the previous regulated price setting.

“The presence of a credible threat of sanction for any airport that abused its market power is fundamental to the effectiveness of the lighthanded approach. Yet Australian governments have never initiated a pricing review of any airport that the…ACCC has suggested might be misusing its market power,” the Commission said in a statement.

“The Commission is proposing that the ACCC be afforded the power to direct an airport to ‘show cause’ why its conduct should not be subject to a ‘forensic’ price investigation and, if it is dissatisfied with the response, to recommend that the government activate such an investigation,” it added.

“To underpin this, the Commission proposes that price monitoring continue for all of the airports that are currently monitored. ” Aside from increased regulatory power by the ACCC, a number of key points were highlighted by the draft report, including the following: • Under light-handed regulation, airports have continued to invest to meet the growth in air travel, without the bottlenecks that have beset other infrastructure areas (since the removal of pricecaps); • commercial agreements with airlines are becoming more sophisticated and now can often include: service level obligations; price paths subject to variation in agreed circumstances; consultation on capital investment; and dispute resolution; • successive Australian governments have not acted on the regulator’sconcerns that some airports might potentially be misusing their market power; • further action, such as deemed declaration and mandatory codes of conduct, would fundamentally alter the nature of commercial negotiation and are not warranted; • access charges paid by competitors to on-airport car parking are not so high as to impede competition, but conditions of access are less transparent. Concerns that airports ‘inefficiently delayed’ investment in car parks are difficult to substantiate; • access to airport precincts in most major cities is congested, owing to inadequate arterial roads and insufficient mass transit services – sometimes because government contracts place anti-competitive restrictions on rival services; and • a raft of reforms, including new consultative forums, to better integrate airport transport planning across jurisdictions, has been introduced.

A review of the efficacy of these changes should be undertaken in 2015.

Members of the public and industry groups are being urged to comment on the draft report before a final submission is made to the federal government in December.

Tiger tames Melbourne domestic pax growth in July

Melbourne Airport has reported a mixed result for passenger growth in July, with international arrivals growing strongly but domestic numbers declining with the grounding of Tiger Airways.

A total of 581,564 international passengers were recorded for the month, a 12 per cent increase or 62,491 more passengers when compared to July 2010. However, domestic traffic was down by three per cent compared to July 2010, with 57,844 fewer arrivals taking the number to 1,816,704 passengers.

“Last week, we welcomed back Tiger Airways services at Melbourne Airport. As the Australian home of Tiger Airways, we look forward to continue working with Tiger as they reintroduce and strengthen their Australian services,” Melbourne Airport CEO Chris Woodruff said in August. “However, there is no doubt that Tiger’s suspension impacted our domestic passenger figures during July. ” Asia remained a key market for the airport, as passengers from the Philippines (up 30. 8 per cent), Japan (27. 1 per cent growth) and China (19. 2 per cent growth) drove the strong international results for July.

“The importance of Asia as a key market for Melbourne was also reaffirmed with recent announcements from Jetstar and China Southern regarding additional services between Melbourne and China,” Woodruff said.

Darwin Masterplan Approved

The federal government has approved a revised development plan for Darwin Airport, aiming to give passengers a smoother transition between domestic and international flights.

More check-in desks, boarding gates and gate lounge seating are proposed in the airport’s revised expansion plan, as well as improved access for disabled passengers to cater for an expected growth in passenger numbers to 2. 9 million by 2016.

“The planned terminal expansion will see a 55 per cent increase in floor area upon its completion, which is scheduled for the end of 2013,” federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Anthony Albanese said in a statement.

“The current design is geared to the low cost carrier model and will allow for the continued growth of the Jetstar hub as well as flexibility to accommodate new airline operators in the future,” he added.

Brisbane Airport becomes a suburb

The Brisbane suburb of Eagle Farm has been renamed ‘Brisbane Airport’, in a bid to provide better recognition and consistency for the airport precinct.

The 2700 hectare airport precinct is home to over 360 businesses supported by over 17,000 staff, making the case for better brand alignment, according to Brisbane Airport CEO and managing director, Julieanne Alroe. “Despite the location being widely recognised as ‘Brisbane Airport’ since the opening of the site 20 years ago, there remained some inconsistencies and confusion around issues such as official locality guides, maps and postal related services,” Alroe said.

“As such, Brisbane Airport warrants this formal recognition as an independent suburb, more importantly, as the airport community and tourism numbers grow, it will assist with navigation to the airport and further support our request for a post office on site to service this growing population. ”

Airport briefs

• Construction of Sydney Airport’s new $47 million eight story car park began in August, with an additional 2300 parking spaces to be available at the international terminal by next year.

Cargo

Emirates SkyCargo begins first Australian service

Emirates Airline’s freight subsidiary, Emirates SkyCargo, began operating its first dedicated weekly freight service to Australia from September 12, utilising its new fleet of Boeing 777 Freighters on the route.

The new freighter service, flight EK9920, operates Dubai- Singapore-Sydney-Hong Kong-Dubai on a weekly basis, arriving at Sydney Airport every Monday at 6. 30pm.

“The addition of a dedicated freighter service is a major milestone in Emirates Sky- Cargo’s growth in Australia, and offers new possibilities for expansion into other areas of air cargo transport,” said Greg Johnson, Emirates’s cargo manager Australia.

“With the high Australian dollar driving up imports, this new flight will also provide us with much needed additional capacity into the market. ”

Security

Body scanner trial moves to Melbourne

A trial of new body imaging technology is now underway at Melbourne Airport, following a “highly successful three week trial” at Sydney Airport, according to Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Anthony Albanese.

The body scanner trial, which saw over 4000 scans conducted at Sydney, uses low energy millimeter-waves to detect metal and non-metal items under clothing, presented on a generic human outline.

“Around 13 million people fly out of Australia’s international airports each year and the trial is part of the government’s commitment to protecting the travelling public and our safe aviation record,” Albanese said.

The trial at Melbourne tookplace between September 5 and 30, and was only offered to passengers on a voluntary basis.

ATC & Airspace

Airservices signs new 10 year FIS deal

Airservices Australia has announced the signing of a new, 10 year contract with AeroPearl to continue operating its Flight Inspection Service (FIS), in a deal worth over $100 million.

Under the new contract, which takes effect from January 1 2013, Brisbane based AeroPearl willoperate two new Beechcraft King Air B350s, replacing its existing two B200s. They will be equipped with specialist measuring equipment from Germany’s Aerodata to “check the accuracy of over 500 pieces of critical air navigational equipment on a three year rotational basis,” according to Airservices, including instrument landing systems, distance measuring equipment, VHF omni-directional radio range positioning systems and non-directional beacons.

In addition, the King Airs will also provide “airborne engineering measurements for commissioning of surveillance facilities used to separateair traffic across Australia, on approach and on the ground at major airports. ”

People

People briefs

• Lufthansa has appointed Marlene Sanau as its new general manager for Australia, replacing Kai Peters.

• Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) has announced the appointment of Rachel Crowley to head of Corporate Relations, following the departure of Jim Carden in July.