News Desk

Luxembourg Based Freight Airline Cargolux Became the First Customer to Take Delivery of the 747-8f, With the Airline’s First Example Handed Over at Boeing’s Everett Facilities on October 12, Three Weeks Later Than Originally Expected.

“this is a Great Day for the Boeing Company and for Cargolux,” Said Jim Albaugh, President and Ceo, Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

“the 747-8 Freighter is Truly the Queen of the Skies for the 21st Century, and Will Continue the Promise of the 747 for Decades to Come. ” After Its Handover the Aircraft, Registered Lc-vcb, Departed Everett for the Short Hop to Seattle-tacoma Airport Where It Took on a Load of Revenue Cargo, Before Departing for Luxembourg.

Cargolux Had Earlier Announced That It Would “reject” Delivery of the First Two 747‑8fs Planned for September 19 and 21, Due to “unresolved Contractual Issues With Boeing”.

While Neither Party Commented Publicly on the Exact Nature of the Dispute, Reports Have Suggested That Fuel Efficiency Issues May Have Been to Blame.

“the Performance Problems Were Well Known and They Were Supposed to Be Addressed by Boeing and Ge,” Consultancy Firm Avitas’s Senior Vice President Adam Pilarski Told Reuters.

The 747-8f Program Then Suffered a Further Blow With the News Atlas Air Has Cancelled Delivery of Its First Three of 12 747-8fs It Had on Order, Due to “delays and Performance Considerations”.

Atlas Originally Ordered 12 747-8fs in September 2006, While Cargolux Placed Its Launch Order for 10 in September 2005, and Later Ordered an Additional Three.

Record Year for Atr

in Late September Atr Said It Has Received 145 Firm Aircraft Orders for the Year to Date, a New Annual Record Sales Figure Despite There Being Three Months of the Year Remaining.

“this Sales Record, and the Year is Not Yet Over, Once Again Underlines the Relevance of Our Product to Meet the Requirements of Regional Transport, Which Continues to Expand Worldwide. In Terms of Savings, Ecology, Performance and Comfort, Atr Aircraft, and the Newest -600 Series in Particular, Have Become the Benchmark for Regional Airlines Worldwide,” Claimed Atr Ceo Filippo Bagnato.

Atr Says the 145 Orders It Has Booked for the Year to Date Represent Over 80 Per Cent of Orders for Regional Aircraft in the 50 to 90-seat Range for the Year. Among the 145 Sales Are Firm Orders for Eight Atr 72s (Four -500s and Four -600s) for Skywest/virgin Australia (With Five Options).

Atr’s Backlog Now Stands at 275 Aircraft Worth Us$6. 2 Billion at List Prices.

Airbus Predicts Demand for Over 27,800 Aircraft by 2030

Airbus’s Latest Global Market Forecast Predicts Worldwide Demand for 27,800 Airliners (Above 100-seats) Worth$3. 5 Trillion Over the Next 20 Years, More Than a Third of Which (34 Per Cent) Will Be Needed in the Asia Pacific.

That Demand Will See the Global Airliner Fleet More Than Double From 15,000 Today to 31,500 by 2020, With Only 10,500 of the 27,800 New Aircraft Required for Replacement of Older Aircraft, and the Remainder Needed for Forecast Airline Traffic and Freight Growth.

Airbus Forecasts Demand for 1781 Aircraft in the 400+ Seat Very Large Aircraft Category, Worth Us$600 Billion; 6900 New 250-400 Seat Widebody Aircraft (Including Freighters) Worth Us$1. 5 Trillion; and Nearly 19,200 Single Aisle Airliners Worth Us$1. 4 Trillion.

“the Aviation Sector is an Essential Element for Today’s Global Economy Which is Why More People Than Ever Need and Want to Fly,” Airbus Coo Customers John Leahy Said.

A350 Xwb Wing Lower Cover Delivered to Broughton

Airbus Has Announced That the First A350 Xwb Wing Lower Cover Has Been Transported From Its Manufacturing Site in Illescas, Spain, to Broughton, Uk, for Assembly.

The Carbon Fibre Wing Lower Cover for Aircraft Msn001 is Approximately 32 Metres Long by Six Metres Wide and Will Now Be Fitted to the Xwb’s Wing in Broughton. Once This is Complete, the Wing Will Be Transferred to Bremen Where a Number of Moving Parts Are to Be Installed, Before the Completed Subassembly is Then Transported to Toulouse for Final Assembly.

Air France Klm Splits Airbus-boeing Order

Air France Klm Has Announced Plans to Order Up to 110 Airbusa350s and Boeing 787s.

Pending Contract Finalisations, Air France Klm Will Order 25 and Place Options on 35 A350-900s, Plus Sign a Firm Order for 25 and Option 25 787-9s. The 787-9s Will Begin Entering Service With Klm From 2016, the A350s With Air France From 2018. Both Airlines Will in Time Operate Both Aircraft Types, With Provisional Plans to Have 43 A350s and 30 787s in Service by 2024.

Engine Selection for the 787- 9s Will Be Made at a Later Date, While the A350s Will Be Powered by the Rolls-royce Trent Xwb (the Sole Powerplant Offered on the Airbus Widebody Twin).

747-8 Receives Icao ‘heavy’ Designation

the International Civil Aviation Organization (Icao) Has Cleared Boeing’s New 747-8 to Operate at the Same Separation Distances as Its Earlier 747-400, After the Aircraft Was Classed as ‘heavy’ for Wake Turbulence Considerations.

An Icao Team of Wake Vortices Experts From the Us Faa, European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation (Eurocontrol) and Easa Analysed Both Simulated and Flight Test Data for the 747–8, Which Was Assessed for “landing, Departure, Climb/descent and Cruise Operation” Wake Vortex Effects on Other Commercial Aircraft, Including a Former Korean Air 747-400 Used During the Accreditation Process. Th E Safety Case Supports the Assertion That the Boeing 747-8 is Safely Categorized as Heavy.

Consequently, the Wake Turbulence Separation Minima Specifi Ed … for Heavy Aircraft Should Be Applied,” Icao Said in a Statement.

Boeing 747 Program Engineering Vice President Todd Zarfos Said Achieving the Icao Heavy Designation Was an “important Accomplishment for the 747-8 Program”, Which Will Allow the Aircraft “to Operate in the Same Markets and Routes They Use for the 747-400.

“we Did Extensive Testing to Show That Even Though the 747-8 is Longer, Heavier and Has a Bigger Wing Span Than the 747-400, It Does Not Create Greater Wake Vortex Eff Ects.

Th at Means That Airports Will Be Able to Operate More Effi Ciently and Not Have to Slow Down Operations to Accommodate This Airplane,” Zarfos Said.

Lufthansa Board Approves Additional Airbus Orders

Lufthansa Will Order Seven More Airbus Airliners – Two Additional A380s, Four A320s and One A330-300 – and Has Signed for Fi Ve Embraer E-195s.

Th E Lufthansa Group is the Largest Airbus Operator in the World With 368 Airbus Airliners Comprising 258 A320 Family, 37 A330s, 65 A340s, and Eight A380s.

Commercial Briefs

• Boeing Delivered a Total of 127 Commercial Aircraft in the Quarter to September 30, Comprising 100 737s, 21 777s, Fi Ve 767s and the Fi Rst 787 to Japan’s Ana. Th E Third Quarter Deliveries Take Boeing’s Annual Delivery Tally to 349 Commercial Aircraft, Including 281 737s, 53 777s, 14 767s and One 787.

• Embraer Has Delivered the 800th E-jet, With the Milestone Aircraft Handed Over to Chinese Lessor Cdb Leasing Co on September 20. Th E Aircraft, an E-190, Will Be Operated by China Southern Airlines, Becoming the Third of Type in Its Fl Eet. An Additional Four E-190s Are Expected to Enter Service With China Southern by the End of This Year.

Military Raaf Kc-30a Completes First Flight in Service

Th E Airbus Military Kc-30a Multi-role Tanker Transport (Mrtt) Completed Its Fi Rst Fl Ight in Raaf Service on September 16, After Undertaking a Two Hour 45 Minute Sortie From Raaf Amberley.

Kc-30a A39-002 Departed Amberley at Approximately 10:40am, Fl Ying Over Roma and the Sunshine Coast Before Returning Later That Afternoon.

Eight Personnel Were Onboard to Check Aircraft Systems and Crew Operating Procedures.

Two Kc-30s Have Been Delivered to Amberley Based 33sqn So Far, a Further Two Are Due to Arrive by the End of This Year, and the Fi Fth and Fi Nal Tanker is Currently Undergoing Conversion With Qantas Defence Services at Brisbane Airport for Delivery to the Raaf in 2012.

Th E Kc-30s Will Be Used for an Extensive Operational Test and Evaluation (Ot&e) Fl Ying Program Leading to Ioc, Which is Expected in Late 2012.

New Review for Mrh 90

Th E Adf’s Delayed Mrh 90 Helicopter is Undergoing a Second ‘diagnostic Review’, Which Began in Late September.

Th E Announcement Follows the Completion of a Fi Rst Diagnostic Review Earlier This Year, Which in April Recommended a Second Review Be Conducted to Assess the Eff Ectiveness of the Remediation Plan for the Program Developed in Partnership With Prime Contractor Australian Aerospace. Th E Second Review, Which Will Determine if Any Further Action is Needed, Will Be Headed by Acting Deputy Ceo of the Defence Materiel Organisation, Harry Dunstall, and Was Due to Report Back by the End of October.

Th E Mrh 90 Program Has Faced a Number of Issues, Including a High Profi Le Engine Failure, Transmission Oil Cooler Fan Failures, and Poor Spares Availability.

Just 13 of the 46 Mrh 90s on Order Under Phases 2, 4 and 6 of Air 9000 Have Been Delivered and Being Used for Testing and Initial Crew Training.

Defence Suspending Deliveries of the Helicopters Late Last Year While Issues With the Program Are Resolved.

Pel-air Wins New Adf Support Contract

Regional Express Owned Pel-air Aviation Has Been Awarded a New Three Year $47 Million Contract to Provide Jet Support to the Austral-ian Defence Force, With Effect From October 1.

“we Are Excited at the Opportunity to Continue the Working Relationship With the Adf That Has Been Fostered Over the Last 15 Years. We Believe That Our Track Record Will Stand Us in Good Stead for the Other Major Adf Project – Jp66 – Which Pel-air Tendered for,” Said Coo Danny Foster.

Pel-air Has Been Providing Jet Support Services to the Adf Since 1996, Using Westwind and Learjet Business Jets for Target Towing and Target Emulation Taskings.

Omega Buys Ex Raaf 707s

Us Based Commercial Air-to-air Refuelling Company Omega Air Inc Has Bought Three Former Raaf Boeing 707 Tanker Transports.

The Three Aircraft, All Ex Qantas 707-338cs Which Were Converted to Tankers in the Early 1990s and Have Been in Open Storage at Richmond Since the Fleet Was Retired From Raaf Service in June 2008, Were Transferred to the Us Register on June 1 and 2 This Year According to the Faa’s Registry.

Recent Maintenance Activity and Engine Runs at Richmond Suggest at Least One of the 707s is Being Prepared to Be Flown Out, With Sources Suggesting Test Flights Could Commence as Soon as This Month.

The Aircraft, A20-623, A20‑624 and A20-629, Have Been Registered N623rh, N624rh and N629rh Respectively, With N624rh Being the Aircraft Noted Performing Engine Runs in Late September.

Omega Was Also Believed to Have Previously Shown Interest in the Raaf’s 707 Simulator, but It is Not Known Whether Its Sale Has Progressed.

Boeing Wins New C-17 Support Contract

Boeing Has Been Awarded a New Performance Based Logistics (Pbl) Contract With the Us Department of Defense to Support Usaf and International C-17s From 2012 Through to 2021.

Under the C-17 Globemaster Iii Integrated Sustainment Program (Gisp), Boeing Will Continue to Be Responsible for C-17 Heavy Maintenance (at Charleston, South Carolina, and Altus, Oklahoma) and Spare Parts Management.

“c-17 Gisp is a Proven Successful System-level Pbl Program. Since 1998, in Partnership With the Air Force, Boeing Has Provided the Highest Mission-capable Rate in Air Force Airlift – Over 85 Per Cent – and One of the Lowest Costs Per Flying Hour,” Said Gus Urzua, Boeing Vice President and C-17 Gisp Program Manager.

“this Award Marks the Beginning of the Air Force’s 10 Year Sole Source Sustainment Strategy, and the Program Remains Committed to Continuing to Deliver the Best Value Sustainment Solution for Our Us Air Force and International Customers. ” the 10 Year Contract Has a Capped Value of Us11. 7 Billion.

Kc-46 Completes Baseline Review

the Boeing Kc-46 Tanker Program Successfully Completed Its Integrated Baseline Review (Ibr) With the Usaf on August 24.

The Ibr Was Attended by Senior Usaf Program Officials, and Validated the Program’s Technical Scope and Set Milestones for the Design and Development Phase.

“we Remain on Plan With the Kc-46 Development Program From a Technical, Schedule and Cost Perspective,” Said Maureen Dougherty, Boeing Vice President and Kc-46 Tanker Program Manager. “the Ibr Process Reinforces That We Have the Right Technical Baseline, Management Approach and Staffing Levels in Place to Execute This Contract. We’re Well Positioned to Deliver Our First 18 Combatready Tankers in 78 Months. ” Milestones Moving Forward Include the a Preliminary Design Review (Pdr) in the First Quarter of 2012, a Critical Design Review (Cdr) in the Third Quarter of 2013, and the Kc-46 Tanker’s First Flight in Early 2015.

Based on the 767 Airliner, the Usaf Will Order 179 Kc‑46as to Replace Kc‑135s in Service From 2017.

Bae Uk to Cut Jobs

Bae Systems in the Uk Has Confirmed It Will Cut Up to 3000 Jobs Because Economic Austerity Measures Across Europe Have Affected Eurofighter Production and Other Programs.

In a Statement, the Company Said the Job Losses Were in Response to “changes in Key Programs and the Need to Maintain Competitiveness. ” “some of Our Major Programs Have Seen Significant Changes,” Company Ceo Ian King Said.

“the Four Partner Nations in the Typhoon Program Have Agreed to Slow Production Rates to Help Ease Their Budget Pressures. Whilst This Will Help Extend Our Production Schedule and Ensure the Production Line Stays Open Until We Receive Anticipated Export Contracts, It Does Reduce the Workload at a Number of Our Sites.

“pressure on the Us Defence Budget and Top Level Program Changes Mean the Anticipated Increase in F-35 Production Rates Will Be Slower Than Originally Planned, Again Impacting on Our Expected Workload,” He Added. “to Ensure We Remain Competitive, Both in the Uk and Internationally, We Need to Reduce the Overall Costs of Our Businesses in Line With Our Reduced Workload. ” the Job Losses Would Be Drawn Mainly From the Company’s Brough, Yorkshire, Facility, as Well as Its Warton, Preston and Samlesbury Sites.

F-22 Returns to Flight

the Usaf’s Fleet of About 160 Lockheed Martin F‑22a Raptor Fighters Has Returned to the Skies Following a More Than Four Month Fleet-wide Grounding.

The Fleet Was Grounded in May Following the Discovery of Contamination in the Onboard Oxygen Generation Systems (Obogs) on Several Aircraft.

The Contamination Has Been Unofficially Linked to Several Instances of Pilots Becoming Unwell or Passing Out in Flight, and Possibly One Fatal Crash.

The Cause of the Contamination is Yet to Be Determined, but Closer Monitoring and More Regular Inspections of the Obogs Will Be Conducted.

The Aircraft Will Recommence Flight Test and Training Duties So the Crews Can Regain Their Flightqualifications, Before Returning to Active Duty in the Coming Weeks, While Deliveries of F-22s From Lockheed Martin’s Marietta, Georgia, Plant Will Resume.

F-35 Completes Static Testing

Lockheed Martin Has Announced the Completion of Static Structural Testing for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, One of Five Key Milestones for the Program for 2011 Set by the Joint Program Office (Jpo).

Engineering Teams From Lockheed Martin, Bae Systems, Northrop Grumman and the Jpo Conducted Structural Tests Over the Past Two Years, During Which a System of Pads, Hydraulic Actuators and Air Pressurisation Mechanisms and Reaction Channels Were Used to Apply External Loads to Test Articles to Simulate the Aircraft’s Full Flight Envelope.

Engineers Tested the F-35 Airframe to 115 Per Cent of Requirements, With No Deformation Observed. Loads Were Then Increased to 150 Per Cent of Requirements in the Final Phase of Structural Testing, Again Without Rupturing or Structural Failure.

Military Briefs

• Boeing’s Defense, Space & Security Delivered 28 Military and Combat Aircraft in the Third Quarter to September 30, Comprising 13 F/a-18e/f and Ea-18gs, Six Ch-47f and Mh-47g Chinooks, Four C-17s, Three F-15s and Two 737 Aew&c Aircraft. The Third Quarter Deliveries Take Boeing’s Annual Delivery Tally to Date to 85 Military Aircraft, Including 38 F/a-18e/f and Ea-18gs, 22 Ch-47f and Mg-47g Chinooks, 11 C-17s, 11 F-15s, Two 737 Aew&cs and One 767 Tanker.

• the Raf’s Airbus Military A330 Mrtt Future Strategic Transport Aircraft (Fsta) Has Obtained Military Certification From Spain’s Instituto Nacional De Tecnología Aerospacial (Inta), Following Civil Certification by Easa Earlier in July.

• Iraq Has Made the Initial Payments for 18 Lockheed Martin F-16c Fighters, the First Step in Rebuilding That Country’s Fast Jet Combat Capability After Almost a Decade of War. The Aircraft Will Be Block 50/52 Variants, and the Sale is Valued at About Us$3 Billion.

• the Us Air Force Has Designated the Bombardier Global Express Xrs the E-11a, After Acquiring an Example of the Type to Be Used as an Overhead Communications- Relay Platform in Southwest Asia, Equipped With a Northrop Grumman Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (Bacn), Which Allows Various Battlefield Communications Systems to Share Data.

• the Radar Modernisation Program (Rmp) to Upgrade the Usaf’s Fleet of About 220 F-15e Strike Eagles With the an/apg-82(V)1 Aesa Radar Has Been Given Approval to Enter Low Rate Initial Production (Lrip). Designed by Raytheon, the Apg-82(V)1 Shares Many Common Components and Design With the Apg-79 Aesa as Used in the F/a-18e/f Block Ii Super Hornet, and the Apg-63(V)3 Installed in the Singaporean F-15sg and a Small Number of Usaf F-15cs.

Airlines

Qantas Management and Staff Threatened

Qantas Has Revealed That Ceo Alan Joyce and Other Airline Management and Staff Have Received Threats and Intimidating Notes in Recent Months.

Speaking to Media in Sydney on October 5, Joyce Said the Threats Go Back to May, and That the Airline Had Gone Public Only After a Media Outlet Broke the Story and an Email He Wrote to Staff About the Matter on October 4 Was Leaked.

“we’ve Had This for Some Time,” He Said. “the Reason Why We Went Public on It is as a Consequence of the Dispute We Had the Week Before Last.

We Actually Had Some Bullying and Intimidation… We Had Some Damage of Staff Property, We Had Notes That Were Left at Managers’ Houses – People With Small Kids, and These Were Very Abusive Notes That Were Very Clearly Aimed at People That Were Management Contingency During the Industrial Action. ” Joyce Added That the Email to All 30,000 of Qantas’s Employees Was to Not Only Tell Them That Bullying and Intimidation Was Not Acceptable, but to Also Provide Support to Potential Victims Who Were Yet to Come Forward. “we Decided That the Best Way to Approach This Was to Give People the Help and Assistance They Need,” He Said.

“because Our Worry Was That Some People Are Not Communicating All of the Issues to Us, So We Put a Note Out Telling People About the Security [phone] Numbers and the Whistle Blower Numbers, So We Can Address Any Issue That’s Occurred. ” Some Representatives of Unions Currently in Dispute With the Airline, Including Transport Workers’ Union (Twu) Secretary Tony Sheldon and Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association (Alaea) Secretary Steve Purvinas Have Suggested the Threats Were a Publicity Stunt by the Airline, With Sheldon Suggesting Police Should Check the Computer Hard Drives of Qantas’s Pr Team.

“i Don’t Think It’s Been Helpful for Some of the Union Leaders to Claim This is All a Pr Stunt,” Said Joyce, Responding to the Unions’ Suggestions.

“this is Not a Pr Stunt. There Are Actually People Who Have Been Intimidated, There Have Been Cases That Have Gone to the Police, and the Police Are Investigating It. And I Have to Say That I Think These Union Leaders Should Be Taking It Seriously, and Those Union Leaders That Are Trying to Deflect It and Nearly Be Apologetic for It is Just Appalling. It Just Emphasises Why We Need Union Leaders to Be Strong and to Say This Behaviour, No Matter Where It Comes From, is Unacceptable. ” Joyce Wouldn’t Elaborate on the Specific Nature of the Threats, Saying Only That Police Were Investigating.

Qantas Industrial Issues – “significant Differences” Still to Be Overcome

During the Briefing to Media on October 5, Qantas Ceo Alan Joyce Said There Were Still Significant Differences to Be Overcome With Baggage Handler, Engineer and Pilot Unions.

While Conceding All Parties Were Close on Pay and Conditions Negotiations, He Said the Long Term Viability of the Airline Was at Stake and He Would Not Move on Certain Issues.

“there’s Still Some Significant Differences With the Unions,” He Said. “if It Comes Down to Pay and Conditions, We’re Always Going to Get Close on Those. The Biggest Issue That We Have is This Veto on Change – the Unions’ Requirements to Manage the Business. They Would Like to Have Control and to Manage This Organisation and to Veto Any Change the Company Has to Make.

“to Me, We Are Talking About the Survival of Qantas International in the Longer Term, and Those Demands Are Something That Are Vital to the Survival of the Company,” Joyce Added.

“i Will Never Give in to Those Demands, and I’ve Been Very Clear on It, and Very Clear That These Items Cannot Be Conceded Because the Company [will Be] in All Sorts of Trouble. ” Joyce Added That He Hoped the October 5 Revelations of Threats Being Made to Himself and Other Qantas Staff and Management Would Not Affect Negotiations Going Forward.

“we’ve Had Nearly 100 Meetings Now With the Unions, That’s the Way to Handle the Issues. They Can Take Their Industrial Action, We Can Make Our Contingency Plans in Place, That’s the Way It Works. I Hope (It Doesn’t Push a Resolution Further Away). I Hope the Union Leaders Have a Better Tactic and That They’re Not Using This as an Acceptable Tactic. ”

Qantas and Airbus Sign Huge A320 Order

Qantas and Airbus Have Signed Contracts for the Largest Single Commercial Aircraft Order in Australian History.

The Order, Comprising 32 A320s and 78 A320neos Was Signed by Qantas Ceo Alan Joyce and Airbus Coo Customers John Leahy on October 6.

Of the 110 Aircraft, 11 Have Been Allocated to the New Qantas Premium Airline Which Will Be Established in Kuala Lumpur or Singapore – Possibly the First Time the A320 Will Be Seen in Qantas Mainline Colours – While the Other 99 Will Go to Jetstar to Accommodate Growth and to Replace Aircraft Coming Off Lease.

“the Reasons We’ve Chosen the Neo, is the Economic Advantage and the Impact on Costs That Are Driven by Fuel, Maintenance and Safety, and Aircraft Being Delivered This Decade,” Buchanan Told Media on October 6. “simplicity of Transformation Into the Neo Which is a Largely Common Aircraft to Our Existing Fleet Makes the Decision Relatively Easy. In Terms of Routing, the Good Thing About the Neo is That It Can Do Anything the A320 Can Do Today, and Extends That Range With Both the Sharklets and the Engines. That Will Allow Routes Like Melbourne or Sydney to Bali and Routes Like Singapore to Beijing or Shanghai to Be Operated by Narrow Bodies, and Also Extends the Range of the Operation to Make Routes Like Singapore or Kuala Lumpur to the Australian East Coast a Reality as Well. ” “of the 99 (for Jetstar), There’s a Series of Aircraft That Are Slated for Japan, and a Small Number of Aircraft That Are Slated for Growth Aircraft in Our Existing Business,” He Added. “and Then There’s a Series of Aircraft That Are Slated at the Moment for the Rollover of Existing Aircraft, but We Do Have the Flexibility of Being Able to Use Those for Growth or for Rollover Coverage. ” While the Orders Have Been Booked for A320s, Buchanan Added That There is Scope to Convert Some of These to A321s, and That the Airline Was Conducting a Study Into the Use of the Larger Capacity Aircraft on Pan-asian Routes. Interestingly, Buchanan Confirmed That the Order Had Been Placed After Consultations With Airasia. The Two Airlines Announced in 2009 That They Would Team Up in Specifying a New Narrowbody Airliner, and He and Airbus’s John Leahy Confirmed That the Neo Was Designed in Part as a Response to the Two Airlines’ Requirements.

Qantas is Yet to Make an Engine Decision for Its Neos. The Cfm Leap-x and the P&w Purepower Pw1100g Are Both on Offer for the New Variant.

Qantas Reaches Pay Agreement With Cabin Crew

While the Airline Continues to Battle Its Engineers, Baggage Handlers and Pilots Unions Over Wages and Work Conditions, Qantas Has Reached an Inprinciple Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (Eba) With Its Short Haul Cabin Crew Union.

The Agreement Reached With the Flight Attendants Association of Australia Domestic/regional Division (Faaa) Waste Be Put to a Vote to Around 2150 Customer Service Managers and Flight Attendants Between October 28 and November 18.

“our Cabin Crew Play a Very Important Role in Providing Safety and Customer Service to Our Passengers During Every Single Flight,” Qantas Group Executive Operations Lyell Strambi Said. “we Are Pleased That We Have Been Able to Negotiate a New Agreement for Our Cabin Crew Which Will Provide Improved Pay and Conditions and Also Provide the Airline With Greater Flexibility. ” as Part of the Eba, Cabin Crew Members Will Receive a Three Per Cent Pay Increase Each Year for the Next Three Years, a $500 Lump Sum Payment Each Year for Three Years, and Improved Flexibility for Rostering, While Customer Service Managers Will Receive an Additional Increment in Their Classifications.

Qantas and Virgin Share Rio Tinto Contract

Qantas and Virgin Australia Have Both Signed Contracts With Resources Giant Rio Tinto to Provide Air Travel Services for Its Workforce.

Following the Release of an Rfp for Air Travel Services in February This Year, Qantas Has Signed a Three Year Contract With Rio Tinto for Its Australian and International Operations, Particularly in Resource Rich Western Australia Through Its Subsidiary, Network Aviation. Qantas Has Been a Preferred Tenderer to Rio for More Than a Decade.

For Virgin Australia, the Deal is the First Time It Has Secured Such a Contract With Rio.

“this is an Outstanding Achievement for Our Airline and We Look Forward to Providing Rio Tinto With the Best Possible Service,” Virgin Australia General Manager of Sales Justin Montgomery Said. “we Are Committed to Expanding Our Network to Further Support Rio Tinto in Their Air Travel Program Objectives and We Will Continue to Look at Opportunities as Part of the Relationship. ”

Qantas to Go Daily to Dallas

Qantas Has Announced It Will Increase the Frequency of Its Services to Dallas/fort Worth (Dfw) From Four Times Per Week to Daily From Next July.

The Increase to Seven Services a Week Will Be an Incremental One, With a Rise to Six Services Per Week From January 15 2012.

“this Announcement is All About Putting Our Gateway Strategy Into Action and Building a Stronger Qantas International for Our Customers,” Group Executive Qantas Airlines Commercial Rob Gurney Said.

“as the Only Direct Service From Australia Beyond the Us West Coast, It Gives Australians Access to the Country’s Fourth-largest Metropolitan Economy and to Texas’s Unique Tourism Experiences. ” Dfw is One of Oneworld Partner American Airlines’ Main Us Hubs, and Has Opened Up One Stop Services for Qantas Passengers to Numerous Us Cities. “earlier This Year We Expanded Our Codeshare Arrangement With American Airlines to Include 59 Destinations Out of Dfw and Our Jba With American Will Further Strengthen Our Relationship,” Said Gurney. “and as a Perfectly Located Hub Airport Less Than Four Hours From Every Major Us City, Dfw Offers Outstanding Onward Connections for Business and Leisure Travellers. ” the Service Uses Boeing 747-400er Equipment, and Requires the Aircraft to Fly the Return Service via Brisbane Due to Range/payload Restrictions Against the Prevailing Winds.

New Uniforms Coming for Qantas

Qantas Has Announced It Has Commenced Work on Developing a New Uniform for Its Cabin Crew and Ground Staff.

Qantas Ceo Alan Joyce Told Media on October 5 That the Old Uniform Was Due for a “refresh”, and Said It Would See a New, Distinctly Australian Look Designed for Qantas’s Customer Service Employees.

“we Are Talking to a Range of Australian Designers Over the Next Few Months and We Will Confirm the Selected Designer Early Next Year,” Joyce Said.

“qantas Has Always Supported Australian Design and Excellence and We Look Forward to Working With Another Leading Australian Talent to Develop the Next Instalment of the Qantas Uniform. The Qantas Uniform Represents Part of the Qantas Brand Identity and Will Reflect the Exciting Changes in Progress for the Airline.

The Current Peter Morrisseydesigned Uniform Was Introduced in 2003 and Updated in 2008, While the New Uniform Will Be Designed With the Close Involvement of Employees.

“we Will Invite Feedback From Our Employees Which Will Be Incorporated Into a Brief for the Designer,” Joyce Added.

China Southern Adds Perth to Network

China Southern Airlines Has Celebrated the Launch of Its Services to Perth With a Special Introductory Return Fare to Guangzhou.

The Airline Will Operate Between Perth and Guangzhou on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday Mornings Using Airbus A330‑300 Equipment Fitted With New First and Business Class Products From November 9.

Perth is China Southern’s Fourth Australian Destination After Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

Rex to Start Newcastle Services

Regional Express (Rex) Has Announced It Was to Commence Services Between Newcastle and Sydney, and Newcastle and Ballina/byron Bay, From October 30.

The Airline is Operating Three Daily Return Services Between Sydney and Newcastle on Weekdays and Two Return Services on Weekends, for a Total of 38 Flights Per Week on the Sector. In Addition, a Daily Return Service Operates Between Newcastle and Ballina/byron Bay.

Rex Says It is Offering Introductory $99 One Way Fares on Its Website Until February 2012.

March Takeoff for Qantas Santiago Services

Qantas Will Begin Its New Sydney-santiago Services From March 26 Next Year, With Flights on Sale From Late September, the Airline Has Announced.

The Thrice Weekly Qf27/ Qf28 Return Service Will Depart Sydney for the Chilean Capital Each Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, and Will Be Operated by 747-400s Reconfigured With A380 Standard Three Class Cabins.

“as a Major Commerce and Aviation Centre, Santiago Offers the Ideal Entry Point to the Region for Australians,” Group Executive Qantas Airlines Commercial Rob Gurney Said.

“by Codesharing With Lan on Our New Direct Flights, We Will Extend Our Existing Codeshare Relationship on Lan’s Daily Sydney- Auckland-santiago Service. ” Qantas Revealed Plans to Service Santiago, Instead of Buenos Aires in Argentina, as Its South American Gateway as Part of Several Changes Announced for Its International Operations in September. Qantas’s Final Buenos Aires Service Will Operate on March 24.

Final Accc Authorisation for Qantas-aa Alliance

The Accc (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission) Has Granted Formal Approval for Qantas and American Airlines’ Planned Joint Business Agreement (Jba), Which Will See the Two Airlines Expand Their Codesharing and Coordination of Services Between Australia/ New Zealand and the Us.

“the Accc Does Not Consider That the Jba Will Have Any Anti-competitive Effects, as Qantas and American Airlines Do Not Currently Provide Any Overlapping Direct Services on the Trans-pacific Routes,” Accc Chairman Rod Sims Said.

“this Jba is Likely to Result in New and Improved Products and Services Which Will Benefit Passengers, Including Improved Schedules and Connectivity. ” According to Group Executive Qantas Airlines Commercial, Rob Gurney,“with Approval or Our Joint Business Agreement, Qantas and American Airlines Can Now Work Closely Together on Strategic Initiatives That Will Benefit Our Customers on Both Continents. ” Gurney Said That “customers Can Expect to Benefit From Better Flight Schedules, Expanded Codesharing, More Coordinated Services, and Greater Access to a Wider Variety of Fares. ” the Accc Has Also Previously Authorised the Alliance Agreement Between Virgin Australia and Delta, and Issued a Draft Decision to Approve the Qantas- Aa Alliance in August Month.

Qantaslink Expands in Qld With 717s

Qantaslink Will Increase Its Services in Regional Queensland, Announcing Plans to Base Two Newly Acquired Boeing 717s in Brisbane From Early 2012, and Adding Townsville-moranbah Services to Its Network.

Qantas’s Regional Arm Has Yet to Announce on What Services the 115-seat 717s Will Operate in Queensland, but the New Townsville to Moranbah Service Will Operate Twice Weekly Using Q400s, While Qantaslink Will Also Increase Services Between Brisbane and Moranbah From October 17 to Better Serve the Bowen Basin Coalfields.

The Recent Delivery of a New 74-seat Q400 Will Allow Qantaslink to Increase Frequencies to Emerald by Two Per Week to 38, While Flights Between Cairns and Weipa Will Be Increased by Two New Weekly Services. The Airline Will Also Upgrade to Q300 Equipment on Roma and Charleville Services, While a Qantas Regional Lounge Will Be Opened at Emerald for Qantas Club and Platinum and Gold Qantas Frequent Flyer Members.

“qantaslink Has Continued to Respond to Regional Queensland Communities Who Rely on Air Services by Introducing a New Schedule That Connects Them With Brisbane and Beyond,” Said Kumar.

“these New Services Will Also Support Queensland’s Booming Resource Sector Which Will Benefit Through the Link These Services Will Provide to Key Mining Centres Across the State. ” Qantaslink Currently Has a Fleet of 25 Q400s, 16 Q300s, 11 717s and Five Dash 8 Q200s.

Jetstar Adds Sydney- Queenstown

Jetstar is to Add a Twice Weekly Sydney-queenstown Service to Its Network From December 23, Plus Increase the Frequency of Its Existing Melbourne-queenstown Flights From Two to Three Times Weekly. Flight Jq223 Will Depart Sydney for Queenstown on Mondays and Fridays at 9. 50am While the Return Jq224 Flight Will Depart Queenstown for Sydney, Also at 9. 50am on Mondays and Fridays.

The New Flights Will Replace Jetstar’s Twice Weekly Gold Coast-queenstown Flights, Which Will Cease From November 8.

Virgin Australia and Delta to Codeshare From November

Virgin Australia and Delta Airlines Will Begin Codesharing on Each Other’s Trans-pacific Services Between Los Angeles and the East Coast of Australia From November 16.

Delta Will Add Its Code to Virgin Australia Long Haul Subsidiary V Australia’s Flights Between Los Angeles and Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, While V Australia Will Add Its Code to Delta Services Between Los Angeles and Sydney. In Addition, From November V Australia Flights Into Los Angeles International Airport (Lax) Will Operate From Delta’s Terminal 5, Allowing More Efficient Connections Within the Same Terminal Through to the Rest of Delta’s Network.

(Currently V Australia Flights Operate Into Lax’s Tom Bradley International Terminal and Depart From Terminal 3, Used by V Australia Interline Partner Alaska Airlines, as Well as Virgin America. ) “since Receiving Us Government Approval in June, Delta and Virgin Australia Have Moved Quickly to Deliver the Consumer Benefits That Are Enabled by Our Joint Venture,” Virgin Australia Group Executive Merren Mcarthur Said.

“the Next Milestone Will Be the Expansion of the Existing Domestic Codeshare on Each Airline’s Domestic Network, Further Improving Connectivity of Our Services and Giving Virgin Australia Guests Access to 250 Destinations Across the United States, Canada and Mexico. ”

Qantas Rolls Out Q Streaming

Qantas Was Due to Begin Trialling Streaming Inflight Entertainment to Apple Ipad Tablet Computers on a Single 767-300 in Domestic Service From October.

The World First Six Week Q Streaming Trial Will Run From Late October Through to Early December and Will Allow Passengers to View Content Such as Movies Streamed to the Ipads on Demand. Each Ipad Will Be Fitted With a Tracking Device to Prevent Possible Theft or a Passenger Accidently Taking One on Departure From the Aircraft.

Later in the Trial Passengers Travelling on the Q Streaming Equipped Aircraft Will Also Be Able to Watch Qantas Ife on Their Own Laptop Computer, Smartphone, Tablet or Other Wifi Enabled Device.

Qantas Says After the Trial It Will Assess “opportunities for the Application” of Q Streaming Across Its International and Domestic Fleets.

Airline Briefs

• Dublin Based Lessor Ansett Worldwide Aviation Services (Awas) Has Finalised the Acquisition of a Qantas Operated A330-200 From Another Unnamed Lessor.

• V Australia Has Won Best in Region (Asia and Australasia), Best Food and Beverage and Best Ife User Interface at the 2011 Airline Passenger Experience Association (Apex) Passenger Choice Awards in Seattle, Washington, Taking Out Three of the 14 Possible Categories. Airline Partners Virgin America and Virgin Atlantic Also Shared Success at the Apex Awards, Winning the Best in Region – America, Best Inflight Video, Best Ground Experience and Best in Region – Europe Categories.

Airports

New Ceo for Adelaide

Adelaide Airport Ltd Has Promoted Its Chief Financial Officer Mark Young to Managing Director, Replacing Phil Baker, Who Led the Company From Its Successful Acquisition From the Commonwealth Government in 1998, Reports Chris Milne.

Young, Who Had Previous Finance Executive Experience With Food Company San Remo and Engineering Contractor Macmahon Holdings, Joined Aal in 2001.

Chairman David Munt Said Young Had Played a Key Role in Aal’s Expansion, Including the Leadership of Last Year’s $405 Million Capital Raising. He Takes Over the Chief Executive’s Role on November 1 and Baker Will Leave on December 31 After a Transition Period.

Hobart Gets $20m Runway Upgrade the Federal Government Has Welcomed the Announcement That Hobart Airport’s Runway Will Undergo a $20 Million Upgrade.

Airport Owner Tasmanian Gateway Consortium’s Runway Overlay Project Will Also See “significant Upgrades” to the Airport’s Lighting System.

“today’s Announcement by Hobart International Airport of a $20 Million Upgrade to Its Runway is Welcome News for Tourism and the Local Economy,” Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Anthony Albanese Said.

“passengers at Hobart International Airport Are Also Expected to Increase From 1. 9 Million Each Year to 2. 8 Million by 2020 Which Shows the Need for Effective Planning and Management of Our Airports. ”

General Aviation

Cirrus Delivers 5000th Aircraft

Cirrus Has Celebrated the Delivery of Its 5000th Aircraft Since Production of Its Piston Single Engine Light Aircraft Line Began in 1999.

The 5000th Aircraft, Sr22 N5000j, Features a Special Commemorative Paint Scheme, and Was Presented to Newowner Joe Wisenhunt at the Recent 2011 Aopa Summit.

“we Are Truly Excited and Humbled to Be Delivering the 5000th Cirrus Aircraft,” Said Dale Klapmeier, Ceo of Cirrus Aircraft. “when We Started, We Dreamed of Building Airplanes That Made People’s Lives Easier and Better. Five Thousand Aircraft Later, We’re Proud of This Achievement and We Will Continue to Improve Upon That Dream. ” Cirrus Says Its Sr22 Model Has Been the World’s Best Selling Piston Single “for Nine Years in a Row”.

Gippsaero Built C-nm5 Light Aircraft Flies

The Gippsaero Built Prototype of the Indian Designed C-nm5 Five-seat Light Aircraft Completed Its Maiden Flight From Gippsaero’s Latrobe Valley, Victoria, Base on September 1.

The All-metal, Fixed Gear, Lycoming Io-540 Powered C-nm5s Basic Handling Characteristics Were Evaluated During the 45 Minute Flight, With Subsequent Flights Evaluating Stability and Control in Different Flight Regimes.

The Aircraft Was Designed by India’s Csir-national Aerospace Laboratories and Mahindra Aerospace, Which Has Owned Gippsaero Since 2009, Over a Three Year Period.

“the Successful First Flight of the C-nm5 Prototype is a Great Milestone for the Mahindra Aerospace Family. Beyond the Technology, the Event Reflects Our Commitment to Invest in Gippsaero and Becoming More Globally Competitive Together.

I Have Been Impressed by the Effectiveness of the Working Relationship That Has Developed Between Our Indian and Australian Teams, and of the Close Cultural Relations Between Our Two Countries,” Mahindra Aerospace Ceo Arvind Mehra Said.

“gippsaero is Proud to Have Produced the Prototype of the C-nm5 in Partnership With Our Parent Company Mahindra Aerospace,” Said Gippsaero Ceo Dr Terry Miles. “the Construction of a Working Prototype in 10 Months is an Outstanding Achievement for Our Team, and a Testament to the Manufacturing Skills That We Have Nurtured Within Our Organisation Here in Regional Victoria. ” Meanwhile, Gippsaero Has Begun Construction on a New 1200m2 Assembly Hall to Accommodate the Assembly of Its Upcoming Ga10 Airvan, to Be Completed by the End of This Month.

Business

Cessna Launches New Midsize Latitude

Cessna Has Launched the New 10-seat Citation Latitude Midsize Business Jet, Which Will Sit Between the Citation Xls+ and Citation Sovereign in Its Product Line-up.

Planned to Fly in Mid 2014 Ahead of Service Entry in 2015, the Latitude Will Seat Two Crew and Up to Eight Passengers in a New 1. 95m Wide by 1. 83m High, Flat Floor Main Cabin. It Will Have a Max Cruising Speed of 442kt, a Range of 2000nm, and is Priced at Us$14. 9 Million.

“the Citation Latitude is a Game-changer for the Midsize Segment, Offering the Payload, Speed and Range the Market Requires With an Unmatched Cabin Experience at This Price Point,” Said Brad Thress, Senior Vice President Cessna Business Jets.

The New Jet’s Garmin G5000 Integrated Avionics System Equipped Flightdeck Will Feature Three 36cm Primary and Multifunction Displays and Four Touch Screen Panels, While the Aircraft Will Also Feature Cessna’s Clairity “intelligent Cabin Technology Solution”, Which, According to Cessna, Can “integrate Cabin Electrical Systems and Data and Communication Sharing Through a Fibre Optic Backbone”.

Cessna Announced the Latitude on October 10 at the Nbaa Convention in Las Vegas, Where a Cabin Mockup of the New Jet Was on Display.

The Latitude is Cessna’s Second New Product Launch in Two Weeks, Following the Launch of the Citation M2 in September – See Next Item.

Cessna Launches Citation M2

Cessna Has Launched the Citation M2, a New Light Jet to Sit Between the Citation Mustang and Citation Cj Series in Its Extensive Business Jet Line-up.

In Effect a Replacement for the Out of Production Cj1+, on Which It is Based, the M2 Seats Six in the Main Cabin, Features a Garmin Prodigy G3000 Glass Avionics System With Three 36cm Displays, and Twin Williams International Fj44-1ap-21 Turbofans Featuring Fadec and Generating 1965lb of Thrust. Cessna Says the Us$4. 195 Million M2 Will Have a 400kt Max Cruise Speed, a Range of 1300nm (2408km), Be Able to Operate From 991m Long Runways, and Climb to 41,000ft in 24 Minutes.

“operator Feedback and Owner Insight Have Indicated a Market for a Citation With the Size, Speed and Range of the Citation M2,” Said Scott Ernest, Cessna President and Ceo. “we Expect to See Customers New to the Citation Family, Mustang Owners Looking for a Logical Next Step or Cj1+ Operators Who Want a New, More Advanced Citation. ” the M2’s Cabin Will Be 1. 47m Wide, 3. 3m Long and Have a Height of 1. 45m With a Dropped Aisle.

First Flight is Planned for the First Half of 2012, Us Faa Certification is Slatedfor the First Half of 2013, With Deliveries Following in the Second Half of 2013.

Hawker 800xpr Gains Easa Certification, Begins Deliveries

Hawker Beechcraft Has Announced That the European Aviation Safety Authority (Easa) Has Granted Type Certification to the Hawker 800xpr, and That Customer Deliveries of the Aircraft Have Commenced.

The Easa Certification of the Xpr Upgrade Follows That of the Us Federal Aviation Administration (Faa) in August. The Upgrade Comprises the Incorporation of New Honeywell Tfe731- 50r Engines Which Replace the Former Tfe731-5brs, and Aerodynamic Improvements Including Winglets.

The New Engines Provide Improved Performance and Reliability, as Well as a Seven Per Cent Reduction in Fuel Consumption and a 32 Per Cent Reduction in Honeywell’s Minimum Maintenance Service Plan (Msp) Costs.

Hawker Beechcraft is Also Offering New Optional Avionics, Custom Interior and Paint Designs as Part of the Upgrade.

Business Briefs

• Bombardier Has Announced That Hollywood Actor John Travolta Will Become a Brand Ambassador for the Company’s Learjet, Challenger and Global Business Jet Ranges, While Embraer Has Announced That Jackie Chan Will Be an Ambassador for Its Executive Jet Line. Travolta is Also a Qantas Ambassador, and Currently Owns and Flies a Vintage Boeing 707-138b Painted in Qantas Colours.

Support

13,600 New Pilots Needed – Boeing

Boeing Has Forecast Demand for Over 400,000 New Pilots and Technicians in the Asia Pacific Region Over the Next 20 Years Through to 2030, of Which 13,600 New Pilots and 15,600 New Technicians Will Be Required in Oceania – Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific.

The 2011 Boeing Pilot & Technician Outlook Forecasts That China Alone Will Need 72,700 Pilots and 108,300 Technicians Over the Next 20 Years.

“the Demand for Aviation Personnel is Evident Today.

In Asia We’re Already Beginning to See Some Delays and Operational Disruptions Due to a Shortage of Pilots,” Boeing Flight Services Chief Customer Officer Roei Ganzarski Said.

“as an Industry We Must Make a Concentrated Effort to Get Younger Generations Excited About Careers in Aviation. We Are Competing for Talent With Alluring Hi-tech Companies and We Need to Do a Better Job Showcasing Our Industry as a Global, Technological, Multifaceted Environment Where Individuals From All Backgrounds and Disciplines Can Make a Significant Impact. ”

Air Safety

Atsb Releases Report Into Jetstar A330 Cockpit Fire

the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (Atsb) Has Released Its Investigation Report Into an Inflight Fire in the Cockpit of a Jetstar A330-200 Over the Western Pacific in June 2009.

The Fire, Which Started in a Windscreen Heating System, Was Observed by Pilots While Flying 427km Sw of Guam on June 10 2009. The Fire Was Extinguished by the Crew and the Aircraft Diverted to Guam.

The Atsb Report Found That the Fire Had Initiated From an Electrical Connection to the Windscreen Heating System, and Concluded That the Overheat Failure Was Related to the Use of a Polysulfide Sealant (Pr1829) Within the Body of the Electrical Connector Terminal Block.

A Subsequent Safety Action by Airbus Has Seen All A330 Windscreens That Had Been Produced With the Pr1829 Sealant to Be Replaced.

Atc & Airspace

Accc Clears New Airservices Long Term Pricing Agreement

the Accc (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission) Has Cleared Airservices Australia’s Revised Long Term Pricing Agreement for Air Traffic Control Services, Clearing the New Pricing Regime to Take Effect From October 1.

The Accc Had Rejected Airservices’ Earlier Pricing Proposal on the Grounds That the Air Traffic Control Service Provide Would Over-recover Its Costs.

“airservices Has Now Proposed Lower Prices Than Were in Its Previous Proposal, Which the Accc Believes Will Not Lead It to Overrecover Its Costs,” Accc Chairman Rod Sims Said.

People

Embraer, Bombardier Announce Bizjet Sales Appointments

Embraer and Bombardier Have Both Announced Changes to Their Asia Pacific Sales Teams for Corporate Jets.

With the Departure of David Dixon, Regional Vice President, Sales, Asia Pacific, From the Company, Bombardier Has Appointed Christophe Degoumois as Vice President for China, Asia Pacific, Australia, Central and Eastern Europe and Russia.

Under Degoumois, Bombardier Has Appointed Michael Han as Regional Vice President, China, While It Has Yet to Appoint a Regional Vice President for Asia Pacific and Australia, With an Announcement to Be Made “at a Later Date”.

Meanwhile, Embraer Has Appointed Christophe Chicandard, Formerly Bombardier Sales Director Business Aircraft – South East Asia & Pacific, as a Sales Director, Responsible for Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific Islands, the Philippines, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. Chicandard Reports to José Eduardo Costas, Vice President, Marketing and Sales, Asia Pacific – Embraer Executive Jets, and Joined Embraer in September.

Ghd Appoints Aviation Consultants

Consultancy Firm Ghd Has Announced the Appointment of David Race and Ian Henderson, Joining the Company as Principal Aviation Consultant and Senior Aviation Consultant Respectively.