News Desk

Airbus has again pushed back delivery of its composite built A350 while closing the struggling A340 program.

With rising fuel prices a central concern for airlines, the A340 had been unable to compete with the more fuel efficient Boeing 777. Since its launch in 1993, the A340 had picked up just 377 orders, compared with 1345 for the 777.

The task of chipping away at the 777’s dominance now falls to the A350, but Airbus has announced that delivery of the A350-900 would be pushed back six months to early 2014. Delivery of the larger A350-1000 had already been delayed to 2017.

The A350-800 delay will cost Airbus an estimated E200 million, parent company EADS said.

Despite the charge, EADS reported better than expected profits in the third quarter as demand for new aircraft from Asian and Middle Eastern airlines remained strong.

Airbus, which accounts for two-thirds of EADS’s sales, had delivered 418 aircraft this year through to the end of October.

Airbus has a backlog of 373 orders for the A350‑900, 119 for the A350-800, and 75 for the A350-1000.

787 Enters Service

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner has begun its commercial rollout with launch customer All Nippon Airlines (ANA).

ANA completed the first commercial service by a 787 on October 26, operating a charter from Tokyo Narita to Hong Kong.

The flight – appropriately designated flight 7871 – was conducted by JA801A (ZA101), the eighth 787 built and the first delivered to ANA. It took off at 1240 local time and landed at 1552, and all 264 seats – 252 economy and 12 business – were full of revenue passengers as well as ANA and Boeing officials, and invited media.

“We have been through hard times in the development of the Boeing 787,” said ANA president and CEO, Shinichiro Ito at a press conference before the flight. “But we believe ANA has acquired great growth in being the first airline to fly the airplane. ” Scheduled services then began on November 1 between Tokyo-Haneda and Okayama.

Five days later, ANA pilots were forced to deploy JA801A’s landing gear using a manual backup system after sensors indicated the main landing gear had not properly extended. The flight subsequently landed safely in Okayama on a second attempt.

Boeing refines MAX

Boeing says it has chosen a 173cm diameter fan for the engines of its revamped 737 MAX passenger jet as it seeks to boost fuel efficiency and stave off a challenge from the Airbus A320neo.

The US planemaker says it has now received more than 600 order commitments from eight airlines for the 737 MAX, up from 496 orders from five airlines in August.

The MAX is scheduled to begin delivery in 2017, two years after Airbus says it will begin delivering its A320neo.

Boeing hopes the new plane

will help it capture half of what it estimates as a $2 trillion market for narrowbody jets over the next two decades.

The company claims the new jet’s LEAP-1B engines will burn 10-12 per cent less fuel than current 737s. It also claims the MAX will be 16 per cent more fuel efficient than the Airbus A320 and four per cent more efficient than the next generation A320neo.

Boeing Commercial Airplanes CEO Jim Albaugh has said that the choice of a 173cm fan diameter most likely wouldn’t necessitate the redesign of the 737’s front gear.

Boeing had narrowed its options to 168cm and 173cm fan diameters earlier this year. The current 737 has a 155cm fan.

Larger fans generally translate into better fuel efficiency.

At a conference in Boston, Albaugh said Boeing has sought to keep changes to the 737 line to a minimum after abandoning plans to develop an all-new single aisle jet. He said other modifications to the 737 MAX will include changes to the wings and tail and “one control surface that we want to make fly-bywire,” Bloomberg reported.

Albaugh said the company would put the resources it saved by streamlining the 737 redesign into upgrading the twin aisle 777 and developing stretched versions of the 787.

The design of the 737 MAX should be finalised by 2013, with first flight scheduled for 2016, Boeing says.

Emirates places record 777 order

Dubai based Emirates Airline has placed a record order for 50 Boeing 777-300ERs, in a deal worth US$18 billion at list prices, making it the largest in Boeing history by dollar value.

Announced on November 13 at the Dubai Airshow, it includes options for 20 additional 777s valued at US$8 billion.

Fast growing Emirates is already the largest operator of the 777, with 95 in its fleet and a backlog of 40 from previous orders. Emirates said it expects to begin receiving the latest 365-seat 777-300ERs in 2015.

Powered by General Electric GE90 engines, the 777‑300ER has become the most popular version of Boeing’s most profitable program. In November the company began production on its 1000th 777 (also for Emirates), and says it is increasing production of the twin engine jet by 19 per cent for the next 18 months to catch up with demand.

Boeing said the Emirates order makes 2011 the best selling year for the 777, with 182 orders surpassing 2005’s 154 orders.

First 787 completes change incorporation

The first Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner to undergo change incorporation work has left Boeing’s facility in San Antonio, Texas, and should be delivered to Japan Air Lines soon.

During change incorporation, aircraft built prior to final certification are updated to reflect production specifications. Boeing said work on the 787s includes installing electronic and mechanical equipment, completing software upgrades and removing and reworking wiring.

A total of six early build 787s are scheduled to go through change incorporation, which is expected to continue through 2013.

Qatar , Airbus make up with $6. 5bn deal

Qatar Airways has announced an order for 50 Airbus A320neos and five A380s after a rollercoaster series of events at the Dubai Airshow.

The announcement came hours after Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker saidthe deal had fallen through, reportedly over a dispute over who would be the first airline to take delivery of the next generation neo.

“Every deal sometimes gets stuck, especially when the lawyers throw the spanner in the works,” Al Baker said after the deal had been put back on track, Reuters reported.

The deal, valued at US$6. 5 billion, includes options for 30 A320neos on top of the 50 firm orders. It also sees Qatar double its fleet of A380 superjumbo jets from five to 10, with options for three more.

The single aisle A320neo, an update of the popular Airbus A320, features new engines and drag reducing wingtip ‘sharklets’ that Airbus says will substantially improve fuel efficiency. The jet is scheduled to begin delivery in 2015.

Despite the public drama, the order is an important win for Airbus after rival Boeing dominated the opening days of the airshow by scoring a record $18 billion order from Emirates Airline for 50 777-300ERs.

Al Baker has at times been outspoken in his criticism of both Boeing and Airbus, and as he announced the deal with the European planemaker he took a swipe at Airbus’s newly delayed A350 program. Airbus announced a new round of delays for the plane earlier in November, and its design has also drawn criticism from Emirates.

“I will wait and see what they come up with,” Al Baker said, according to Reuters. “Either they prove us wrong about what we feel about their airplane or we prove them wrong about what they feel about it. ”

China Southern joins A380 operator ranks, MAS next

China Southern has become the latest airline to take delivery of the Airbus A380, with its first of five handed over at the manufacturer’s Toulouse Delivery Centre on October 13.

The aircraft is fitted to seat 506 passengers, with eight first class suites, 70 lie-flat business class seats and 428 economy class seats. It will initially be used on domestic flights between Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, before being deployed on international routes.

With its first delivery China Southern becomes the seventh A380 operator.

Meanwhile, Malaysia Airlines’ first A380 made its inaugural flight on October 20 after completion of final assembly at Airbus’s Toulouse plant.

The Trent 900 powered aircraft, the first of six on order for the airline, will undergo cabin fitout and painting in Hamburg before being delivered to MAS in the second quarter of 2012.

737 production ramp up begins

Boeing says it has begun ramping up the 737 production rate to 35 per month, up from the current rate of 31. 5, with the commencement of assembly of the wing spar for the first aircraft to be assembled at the new rate.

Boeing says it is able to increase the rate through more efficient work practices, capital investments including a new wing system installation line, and making its Renton site’s “footprint more efficient by moving some production areas, expanding others and decommissioning outdated equipment”.

Commercial briefs

• China Eastern has cancelled an order for 24 Boeing 787s, and will instead order 45 Boeing 737s. China’s second largest airline says it will also order 15 Airbus A330s and trade back to Airbus four A340-300s.

• Rolls-Royce has delivered its 1000th Trent 700 engine.

The engine, which powers the Airbus A330, has become thelargest selling member of the Trent series of engines, with more than 1400 in service or on order, Rolls-Royce says. The engine was introduced in 1995.

Military

Australian F-35 review underway

Australia’s risk assessment review of its acquisition of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) for the RAAF is underway, Defence has confirmed, after Lockheed Martin revealed a team from the Department of Defence was visiting its Fort Worth plant.

“A Scheduled Compliance Risk Assessment Method (SCRAM) team is here in response to the Defence Minister’s undertaking last July to conduct a review of the Australian F-35 program,” Keith Knotts, Lockheed Martin’s F-35 business development manager for Australia and Canada, told Australian media in Fort Worth in late October. “They will be here to assess the program’s health. ” In July Defence Minister Stephen Smith revealed plans to review the F-35 program schedule ahead of Australia formally committing to buy its first batch of 14 of a required 100 F-35s, to ensure there was no capability gap arising from F-35 delivery delays and the retirement of the RAAF’s ageing F/A-18A/B classic Hornet fleet.

“In parallel with the US government’s current review of the JSF program’s progress, Defence’s New Air Combat Capability (NACC) project continues to independently monitor the program using a schedule management process known as the . . . SCRAM,” a Defence spokesperson confirmed to Australian Aviation.

“SCRAM is a technique that the Defence Materiel Organisation has used to assess risk in some projects. The NACC project’s risk assessment, and any recommendations, will be part of the overall submission to government in early 2012, and will inform further decisions on JSF in late 2012. ” Minister Smith has said that, should there be any risk of a capability gap between the F-35’s introduction into service and the retirement of the classic Hornets, acquiring more Super Hornets for the RAAF is “the obvious option. ” “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 told The Australia Network in August.

Current planning sees the first 14 RAAF F-35s come from Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) batches 6 (two jets), LRIP 8 (four) and LRIP 9 (eight). The first two aircraft would be handed over to the RAAF in 2014, with the 14 jets delivered to Australia in 2017 (after a period of training in the US).

battlefield airlifter pricing info sought

The federal government has requested pricing and availability information for both the Alenia C-27J and Airbus Military C295 as it considers the acquisition of a new battlefield airlifter (BFA) for the RAAF to replace the tactical airlift capability left vacant by the retirement of the Caribou.

In a statement released on October 19, Minister for Defence Stephen Smith and Defence Materiel Minister Jason Clare said a formal request was being sent for C-27J information because production of 38 C-27Js for the US Air National Guard was coming to an end. “Due to the pending closure of the production line for US Air National Guard aircraft the Government has authorised Defence to issue a non-binding/no-commitment Letter of Request seeking price and availability information on the C-27J,” the statement reads.

The letter of request was submitted to the US government, which suggests the C-27J would be acquired through the US Foreign Military Sales process.

This would give Australia an opportunity to tie into the US’s sustainment and upgrade program for its fleet, as well as giving greater economies of scale for both operators.

Interestingly, a similar cost and availability request has also been made to Airbus for the C295, perhaps indicating a competition will be held between the two aircraft for Air 8000 Phase 2. Defence has confirmed to AA that it has requested pricing and availability for the Airbus Military C295 tactical airlifter as well, but it is curious as to why the ministerial statement singles out the C-27J.

Instead, the October 19 announcement on the C-27J briefly notes, “Future government consideration of this project will involve consideration of other aircraft which could meet Australia’s need. This includes the Airbus Military C295 aircraft. ” The RAAF is known to have long favoured the better performance, more rugged structure, and larger cargo hold of the C-27J over the narrower, lower but longer (and cheaper) C295, and has pushed for a sole-source selection in the past. “The information from the Letter of Request will inform government consideration of capability, cost and schedule issues associated with this project as well as consideration of the acquisition strategy, including whether a broader tender process will be pursued,” the ministerial statement said.

The statement has also for the first time officially acknowledged that Defence is developing options to retain the C-130H fleet – of which about eight aircraft are operational out of a fleet of 12 – beyond its planned retirement in 2013 out to 2016.

Smith confirms Growler interest

Defence Minister Stephen Smith has confirmed the federal government is considering the acquisition of an electronic attack capability through the modification of up to 12 of the RAAF’s Boeing F/A-18F+ Super Hornets.

Speaking to Sky News on October 19, Smith said “we are now starting the process of looking very closely and carefully at whether this is a capability that Australia should acquire. ” The Growler is replacing the EA-6B Prowler in US Navy service and on its first operational tour earlier this year saw action over Afghanistan and Libya. When fitted with ALQ- 99 jammer pods, the EA-18G has the ability to either ‘close down’ an entire area over a wide electronic spectrum, or alternatively can target specific spectrums such as those used by mobile phone networks or radio bands. Even without the jammer pods, through its comprehensive receiver suite the Growler can impart additional electronic situational awareness via datalinks to other aircraft such as Super and classic Hornets, Wedgetail AEW&C, or even naval vessels.

But the ALQ-99 pod is in high demand and is nearing obsolescence, with a reported nine different pod types required to cover the entire spectrum, of which up to five, but more realistically three can be carried by a Growler at any one time. The ADF is known to be interested in the development of the Next Generation Jammer (NGJ) pod in the US, which should result in more compact and reconfigurable packaging of the jamming antennae into a single streamlined pod.

Despite 12 of the RAAF’s 24 Super Hornets being pre-wired and having other preparatory work done on the production line in anticipation of a possible Growler conversion, the acquisition of the equipment for six complete systems and the associated modification work is believed to exceed $400 million.

JSF completes first sea trials

Two F-35B JSFs completed an 18 day sea trial period aboard the USS Wasp on October 21, the first time the F-35 has operated from a ship.

The trials, which comprised a total of 72 vertical landings and 72 short takeoffs under various but generally benign conditions, saw the two jets – BF-2 and BF-4 – log 28 hours of flight time. Crew members also completed deck and hangar handling trials; the sound, power and thermal impact of the aircraft; and completed basic maintenance duties on the aircraft.

“Wasp Air Department personnel and the JSF team started working together from day one,” said LTCMDR Michael Curcio, Wasp’s assistant air officer and JSF program officer. “Starting initially with the leadership interacting to set the vision for the ship trials, we worked a top-down approach to gradually bring in more people from each respective team. This ensured that, from planning to execution, every detail was tended to and no stone was left unturned. Ultimately, this group was well ahead of the power curve at every juncture. ” The trials – dubbed DT-1 – are the first of three scheduled sea based developmental tests for the F-35B STOVL variant.

F-35 weapons load training device delivered

Lockheed Martin has handed over the first F-35 JSF weapons load training device to the F-35 Integrated Training Centre (ITC) at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.

Configured to represent all three variants of the F-35, the training device will allow maintenance students to learnhow to load weapons and fuel tanks onto the aircraft.

“Designed to be identical to the F-35 aircraft, the weapons load training simulators enable training to take place without removing aircraft from the fl ight schedule,” Lockheed Martin said in a statement. “As part of F-35 maintainer training, the systems will complement classroom academics and additional hands-on experience. ” Th e weapons load training device is one of up to fi ve to be delivered to the ITC.

Third Raaf Kc-30 Handed Over

Th e Royal Australian Air Force has received the third of its fi ve Airbus Military KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport aircraft on order.

Th e aircraft was the third of four converted from commercial Airbus A330 airliner to KC-30 tanker confi guration by Qantas Defence Services at Brisbane Airport, and joins two others operated by 33SQN at RAAF Base Amberley.

Th e KC-30 is now undergoing an extensive operational test and evaluation program leading to IOC, which is scheduled for late 2012.

Th e fourth KC-30 to be delivered – which was the fi rst aircraft to be converted, at Airbus Military’s Spanish facilities – will be handed over in December. Th e fi fth, which is now undergoing its tanker conversion with Qantas, will be handed over next year.

Ex Raaf 707s Fly Out

Two former RAAF Boeing 707 tanker transports have departed Richmond where they have been laid up for over three years, bound for a new home in the US with Omega Air Services.

Th e aircraft – N624RH which was formerly A20-624, and N629RH which was A20-629 – departed Richmond about 20 minutes apart on October 23 bound for the US via Pago Pago and Hawaii. A third 707 – N623RH, formerly A20- 623 – departed Richmond on October 25 after a delaminated rudder trim tab was repaired.

All three are former Qantas 707-338Cs which were acquired by the RAAF in the 1980s, and all three were placed on the US register in June this year.

Th e aircraft are initially bound for diff erent locations in the US. N624RH – the fi nal RAAF 707 to be retired – fl ew to Brunswick in Georgia where it will receive a major check before entering service with Omega early next year. For the short term, it will retain its wingtip mounted hose and drogue refuelling pods, but it is planned to convert this to Omega’s twin point fuselage mounted hose and drogue system at a later date. N629RH fl ew to Omega’s San Antonio home base in Texas, where it will also receive a major service and will be equipped with the twin point system, and is expected to enter service with Omega in late 2012.

N623RH will initially be placed in storage at Victorville in California for about two years, but is scheduled to be the fi rst of the three aircraft to be re-engined with P&W JT8D-200 engines – common to the McDonnell Douglas MD-80 airliner – which provide 20 per cent more thrust, are Stage 4 noise compliant, and consume 30 per cent less fuel than the current P&W TF33s. It is not known whether the other jets will be re-engined. Omega has also acquired the RAAF’s former 707 simulator which is located at Richmond. The sim was scheduled to be removed from the 285SQN simulator building with the assistance of CAE Australia in November, and transported by ship to the US before being installed at the Pan Am training facility in Las Vegas. It is expected the sim will be installed and certified by March next year.

The RAAF retired the last of its 707s from service on June 30 2008. On that day, the operating squadron 33SQN ceased operations at Richmond, and stood up the following day at Amberley to prepare for the delivery of the first Airbus KC-30A MRTTs. But the MRTT delivery has been delayed by more than two and a half years, with the first example arriving in June this year.

During the interim period, the RAAF has been forced to use USAF tankers or to lease Omega’s 707 and KDC-10 tankers for major exercises and deployments, and for the Super Hornet delivery flights.

Omega lost one of its two 707s in a fiery crash on takeoff at NAS Pt Mugu near Los Angeles in May this year.

Omega personnel arrived at Richmond in June this year for an initial survey, and were followed in September by maintenance and flightcrews to begin working and training on the 707s. Simulator training was conducted on the former RAAF sim, and flight tests and an FAA inspection were conducted in the week prior to departure. Anecdotal reports suggest the aircraft were in relatively good condition considering they were only placed in preservation storage designed to last six months, with few new parts and just one engine change between the three being required to make them airworthy.

Ferra to build Rhino rudder pedals

Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare has credited Boeing with keeping production of rudder pedals for the F/A-18F Super Hornet in Australia after a previous Australian manufacturer – Production Parts – went into receivership in August.

Under a new contract, Brisbane based Ferra Engineering will produce the remaining pedal kits previously contracted to Production Parts. Ferra will manufacture an additional 123 kits as part of the Super Hornet program, Clare said.

X-47B makes first cruise flight

Northrop Grumman’s X-47B UCAS demonstrator completed its first flight in the cruise configuration with its undercarriage raised.

The September 30 flight “gave us our first clean look at the aerodynamic cruise performance of the X-47B air system…and it is proving out all of our predictions,” said Janis Pamiljans, VP and Navy UCAS program manager for Northrop Grumman’s Aerospace Systems division.

“Reaching this critical test point demonstrates the growing maturity of the air system, and its readiness to move to the next phase of flight testing. ” Northrop Grumman says X‑47B program flight testing was due to transition to Patuxent River in late 2011 to begin shore based carrier suitability testing in 2012, ahead of aircraft carrier launches and recoveries in 2013.

Airlines Strate gic relaunches as Air Australia

Green and gold will replace red, white and blue as the Brisbane based Strategic Airways refashions itself as a budget carrier serving popular leisure routes.

Air Australia, as the carrier is now known, will initially serve select domestic routes and tourist hot-spots including Hawaii, Bali and Phuket,Thailand. The airline says it has also been granted rights to operate flights to China and the US, and is in the process of doubling its number of pilots.

“We understand the challenges of the industry and we understand the market,” company CEO Michael James said. “We also believe that there is mounting nostalgia in the consumer market and in the industry for an airline which offers genuine value and makes it readily possible for families and Australians of all ages to have the chance to fly. ” The company’s first green and gold A320, VH-YQC, entered service in early November and the red, white and blue Strategic Airlines brand was retired in mid November.

Strategic was founded in 1991 as a broker providing wet leased aircraft to other operators in Europe and Asia.

One arm of the company held a major Defence contract to ferry Australian troops and equipment to the Middle East between 2005 and last year, when it lost the $90 million deal to rival Adagold.

Strategic Airlines launched in 2009 as a full service carrier.

It was reported to have lost $2. 1m in financial year 2008- 2009 and $9. 3m in 2009-2010, but executives played down those losses, saying they were due to startup costs associated with the expansion of its fleet.

Tiger cleared to add flights

Tiger Airways has received regulatory approval to boost its Australian flights, days after the budget carrier announced deep losses in the last financial quarter.

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) on November 15 cleared Tiger to increase its daily flights from 22 to 32, still well below the pace of Tiger’s operations before CASA grounded the airline over safety concerns in July.

The six week suspension cost Tiger US$20. 7 million, leading to a US$38 million loss in the quarter that ended in September, the airline said.

CEO Chin Yau Seng said the airline needed to boost its flights if it hoped to break even.

Tiger says it would use the additional flights to bolster core routes from its Melbourne hub rather than resuming service on routes it cancelled after the grounding. It was to add two additional daily return services between Melbourne and Sydney and one each between Melbourne and Perth, Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

Virgin Australia’s business on sale

Virgin Australia has started selling business class seats on most of its domestic flights as it expands its service and seeks to capitalise on the turmoil engulfing Qantas.

The airline says business class travel will be available from January 18. The airline in November began selling business class tickets for flights between Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

A business class ticket on a mid week flight between Melbourne and Sydney in late January costs $559 one-way, according to a search of the company’s online booking system. An economy class Saver fare for the same flight runs at $79. Business class tickets start at $359 for flights between Brisbane and Newcastle.

Virgin’s business class features leather seats, Luke Mangan designed menus, a “premium” selection of wines, beers and spirits, and access to the airline’s lounges and priority check-in and boarding, the company says.

Virgin says it will also begin offering complimentary tea, coffee and water to economy class passengers from January 18, as well as free wine and beer on weekday flights between 4pm and 7pm.

The airline has moved aggressively since Qantas briefly grounded its fleet in late October, adding flights and offering discounted fares to stranded Qantas customers. Analysts say Virgin is well placed to take advantage of any lasting damage suffered by Qantas as a result of its ongoing dispute with unions.

Virgin has also announced plans to add some 1600 additional seats on routes to popular domestic holiday destinations during December and January.

Hong Kong next for Qantas A380s

Hong Kong will be the next destination for Qantas’s Airbus A380 fleet, with the airline announcing plans to operate the double decker four times a week between Sydney and the key Asian financial hub.

The airline says QF127 Sydney-Hong Kong will be operated by A380s on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, with same days returns as QF128 from Hong Kong to Sydney, from January 15.

Qantas says the delivery of its 11th and 12th A380s this year will allow it to operate the aircraft to Hong Kong, plus increase Melbourne- Singapore-London services from six times weekly to daily, and Melbourne-Los Angeles A380 flights from four flights per week to daily.

Singapore Airlines has detailed its plans to launch a budget long haul carrier next year in a move that will mean new competition for Qantas owned Jetstar.

The unusually named new airline, called ‘Scoot,’ is slated to launch in mid 2012 with a fleet of four Boeing 777-200s transferred from Singapore Airlines. Scoot will initially focus on routes in Australasia and China with plans to expand into India, Europe and North America. Fares will be as much as 40 per cent below premium airlines, with amenities such as meals, baggage and inflight entertainment costing extra.

The move by Singapore Airlines is seen as a belated response to growing pressure from budget operators like AirAsia and Jetstar, which have taken over a growing portion of the air travel market in recent years. Like Jetstar and AirAsiaX, Scoot would be one of the few budget carriers to operate longer routes.

Scoot also represents a major marketing departure from Singapore Airlines’ traditionally staid image. Scoot CEO Campbell Wilson said the new airline’s unconventional name “conveys spontaneity, movement, informality and a touch of quirkiness – all attributes we intend thiscompany to be known for. ” But what Wilson referred to as the new company’s “Scootitude” has already come in for a fair bit of online ridicule, with AirAsia boss Tony Fernandes tweeting that Singapore Airlines “has no creativity” and is “a confused puppy as an airline. ” In addition to its well-regarded flagship brand, Singapore Airlines already operates SilkAir, a mid cost regional carrier, and owns a 33 per cent stake in the budget operator Tiger Airways. Analysts say the new airline could cannibalise some business from Singapore Airlines’ other carriers, but that it is important for the company to establish itself in the growing budget sector.

Singapore Airlines “joined the short haul low cost party too late,” the CAPA – Centre for Aviation wrote in an analysis of the Scoot launch.

“The long haul low cost trend, however, has just begun, making SIA’s bet with Scoot risky but potentially more rewarding. Other carriers throughout Asia and the world will be closely monitoring Scoot’s developments. ”

China Southern’s Perth service touches down

Fast growing China Southern Airways has continued its aggressive push into Australia, beginning direct flights between Guangzhou and Perth on November 9.

Already the world’s sixth largest airline, China Southern says it plans to increase weekly flights to Australia to 110 by 2015. The push is part of a larger strategy to develop Guangzhou as a major international travel hub, and could see China Southern emerge as a strong competitor for lucrative routes between Australia and Europe and North America, further challenging Qantas’s marketshare.

The Guangzhou-Perth services bring to 32 the airline’s weekly flights to Australia. The services are scheduled to arrive in Perth at 6:30am Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, and will depart at 5:50pm offering ongoing service to Beijing.

Leading a delegation of company executives on the maiden flight to Perth, China Southern president Si Xiamin said Australia was a key part of the airline’s plans.

“China Southern is unswervingly pushing forward in the process of internationalisation,” he said.

Jetstar launches iPad IFE

Passengers on select Jetstar flights can now hire an iPad to pass the time.

The Apple tablet will be available on flights longer than two hours for a fee of between $10-$15, the airline said.

The service will be rolled out across the Australian domestic, trans-Tasman and short haul international routes during November and December.

The devices will come preloaded with a selection of new release movies, TV shows and music as well as a selection of games, e-magazines and e-books, Jetstar said.

The company said it plans to later expand the service into its Asia network.

Virgin Australia has announced a codeshare agreement with Hawaiian Airlines, while a planned alliance with Singapore Airlines cleared a key regulatory hurdle.

The alliance between Virgin and Singapore Airlines received the approval of the Competition Commission of Singapore and now awaits final approval by the ACCC. The alliance will see the two airlines codeshare on each other’s services, coordinate schedules and offer passengers reciprocal lounge access and frequent flyer points.

Virgin’s deal with Hawaiian Airlines builds on an interline agreement the two airlines first introduced in 2006.

Jetstar Japan pilots wanted

Jetstar has announced plans to recruit up to 100 pilots over the next 12 to 18 months to join its new Jetstar Japan operation.

Jetstar says it will give “preference” to A320 rated crew for the new positions, as Jetstar Japan, which will begin operations in late 2012, plans to operate up to 24 A320s “within its first few years of operation”.

Earlier Jetstar announced the appointment of Miyuki Suzuki as CEO of Jetstar Japan, which is a joint venture between the Qantas Group, Japan Air Lines and Mitsubishi.

virgin’s ATR era begins

Virgin Australia’s first ATR 72 RPT flight departed Brisbane for Gladstone on October 17, signalling the start of the airline’s new regional turboprop operations.

Virgin Australia flight DJ 1711 departed Brisbane for Gladstone at 10. 30am. The airline is using the 68-seat ATRs, which are operated by Skywest on Virgin Australia’s behalf, for the new twice daily Brisbane-Gladstone service (three times weekly from January 16), while ATR flights on the Canberra-Sydney route began on October 19.

“Virgin Australia needed an aircraft type which would provide an economic entry into new regional routes, and costeffective expansion of a range of existing markets,” Filippo Bagnato, ATR CEO said. “The ATR 72 is that aircraft, offering both the lowest cost and the greenest option in the regional segment, while delivering a spacious, quiet cabin environment for passengers. We aredelighted that Virgin Australia and Skywest have selected our aircraft for the next step in Virgin’s growth strategy. ” To date four ATR 72‑500s and four ATR 72-600s have been ordered for Virgin Australia, with options on a further five -600s.

Rex receives PART 42 approval

Regional Express (Rex) has become the first carrier approved under revamped aviation safety regulations.

The new Part 42 regulations separate the responsibility for managing continuing airworthiness from the actual conduct of maintenance, and require RPT operators to establish a continuing airworthiness management organisation, according to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).

Rex praised the new regulatory regime, saying it allowed operators to develop mechanisms for safety compliance appropriate for their operating environment, rather than a “one-size-fits-all” approach.

Air NZ announces ATR -600

buy Air New Zealand has announced plans to order up to 12 new ATR 72-600 turboprops for use on NZ regional routes from late 2012.

The airline says it is buying seven -600 series ATRs and taking purchase options on a further five, with the first due for delivery in October 2012. A second -600 will arive in December 2012, two in 2013, and one each in the following three years. The aircraft covered by purchase options would be delivered between 2014 and 2016.

Air New Zealand already operates ATR 72-500s, first delivered from 1999, plus 23 Bombardier Q300s, in its regional fleet.

“The new ATR 72-600 aircraft will give us the means to up-gauge Q300 operated routes that will require more capacity in the coming years,” said Air New Zealand group general manager Australasia airline Bruce Parton. “In turn, this will release Q300 aircraft to upgauge on some Beech 1900D operated routes, enabling us to look at startup routes. So there is benefit in bringing in the larger turboprops and cascading growth down throughout our regional operation. ” The -600s will be configured to seat 68 in Air New Zealand service, and their advanced cockpit technology will allow them to take advantage of RNP approaches and departures across New Zealand.

“It is likely that the new fleet will be Auckland based, providing us with an excellent spread of regional aircraft including bases in Christchurch, Nelson and Hamilton,” Parton said. “This will give us a solid platform for regional growth, particularly into and out of Auckland. ”

Qantas launches ‘Platinum One’

Qantas has launched its new, most exclusive Qantas Frequent Flyer program level, ‘Platinum One’, which it says will “only be available for a select group of the airline’s most loyal customers”.

Features of the new level include a ‘Platinum One Special Service Team’, which will “monitor, support and enhance [Platinum One member’s] travel experience; assistance with accessing reward flights and upgrades; earlier confirmation of upgrade requests; complimentary membership of Qantas Frequent Flyer’s epiQure food and wine club; and gifts and experiences, from tickets to Qantas sponsored events to ‘flights’ in a Qantas flight simulator.

Platinum One was introduced from November 7.

The airline has also made changes to how Frequent Flyer members register and are notified of flight upgrades.

Air Paci fic orders A330-200s

Air Pacific has signed a firm order with Airbus for three A330-200s to refresh its long haul fleet.

The A330s, which will be delivered in 2013, will replace the airline’s two 747-400s, and will operate from the Fijian airline’s Nadi base toLos Angeles, Hong Kong, Australia, and New Zealand.

“The A330 is the most versatile and fuel efficient aircraft in its category today, and it is clearly the best aircraft for modernising our fleet, optimising our network, and ensuring future growth opportunities as we position Air Pacific to be the preferred airline in the South Pacific,” said Dave Pflieger, managing director and CEO of Air Pacific. “We are confident that our customers and visitors to Fiji will be excited about the outstanding comfort and capability of these outstanding new aircraft. ” This is not the first time Air Pacific has selected the A330, with its board in December 2002 approving plans to acquire two A330-300s and two options, but that deal was never confirmed. Then earlier this year, Air Pacific cancelled an order for eight Boeing 787-9s.

The news follows Air Pacific taking delivery of a new leased 737-800, which will allow the airline to replace its 767-300ER and operate a near double daily service between Nadi and Sydney.

The leased 737, DQ-FJM, has been christened Mamanuca Islands and is configured to seat 162 in economy (‘Pacific Voyager’) and eight in business class (‘Tabua Class’). Its delivery will allow Air Pacific to retire its 767 from next January, redeploy 747‑400 capacity onto the Nadi-Hong Kong route, and from January operate three 747-400 and 10 737-800 return services between Nadi and Sydney per week, up from the current daily 747 schedule.

airline briefs

• Airnorth has announced a twice weekly service between Darwin and Townsville. The flights, due to begin on February 17, will leave Darwin at 7am Monday and Friday and arrive in Townsville at 10:05am.

The return flight will leave Townsville at 11:05am and reach Darwin at 1:20pm.

• Air Pacific and American Airlines have announced a codeshare agreement, pending US government approval of the deal. The arrangement will see American codeshare on Air Pacific’s Los Angeles-Nadi, Honolulu-Nadi, and Nadi-Suva services, while Air Pacific will place its code on services to nearly 20 US destinations from American’s Los Angeles hub.

Environment

Air France operates “world’s greenest commercial flight”

An Air France Airbus A321 has flown a scheduled flight between Toulouse and Paris/ Orly which was able to cut CO2 emissions in half, due to a combination of “optimised” air traffic management (ATM) procedures including continuous descent approach, and the use of biofuels.

Flight AF6129 used a 50:50 biofuel/jet fuel mix in both engines, which, together with the optimised ATM and flying a continuous descent approach, reduced CO2 emissions to 54 grams per passenger per kilometre, according to Airbus.

“This is not just a biofuel flight but the first flight that really puts into practice elements in the Airbus roadmap – biofuels, optimised ATM, green navigation,” said Andrea Debbane, head of environmental affairs at Airbus.

Airports BAC’s small profit increase

The Brisbane Airport Corporation has reported steady growth for the 2010-11 financial year, even as flooding and the high Australian dollar hurt the travel industry.

Domestic passengers increased by six per cent to 15. 8 million, while international passengers rose by 3. 6 per cent to 4. 2 million. The company said the passenger numbers were a record for the airport “despite challenging times. ” Pre-tax profits grew from $142 million to $148 million, the company reported.

Adelaide Edges Ahead

Adelaide Airport has edged its revenue and profit ahead for 2010-2011, despite the impact on air travel of Chile’s volcanic ash cloud and natural disasters in Australia and Japan.

The company has reported total revenue growth to $152. 9 million from $147. 5 million in the previous year.

Net profit moved up from $15. 3 million to $16. 3 million, although the result was helped by a lower tax provision. Before tax, the profit slipped almost $700,000 to $21. 1 million.

Chairman David Munt said AAL had successfully negotiated an “unexpectedly turbulent year” and despite the impact of natural disasters, particularly the volcanic ash cloud, total passenger activity had grown 3. 4 percent to 7. 4 million passengers.

This had assisted AAL to retain a solid financial position, with cash reserves of $89. 4 million, up from $73. 1 million at the end of the previous financial year, to reinvest in infrastructure including the present construction of a multi-storey car park and expansion of the T1 terminal.

The balance sheet in AAL’s annual report shows that total assets grew $9. 7 million to $957. 7 million.

In aviation activities, domestic passenger numbers increased by 2. 9 per cent to 6. 22 million, although growth was curbed by a poor June result because of the volcanic ash disruptions, while international passengers were marginally ahead at 592,600. Regional growth was the standout, rebounding 11. 6 per cent to 586,100 as fly-in/fly-out traffic for the mining and exploration industry lifted strongly.

All this boosted aeronautical revenue from $81. 8 million to $84. 2 million.

Property development on the airport’s surplus land help to lift property revenue from $32. 8 million to $34. 1 million, while commercial trading revenue rose from $30. 3 million to $31. 8 million.

Outgoing managing director Phil Baker said AAL was confident of future growth, despite the problems encountered by Tiger (and Qantas, after reporting date). While this made it harder to predict domestic growth, international growth should continue, with Virgin Australia increasing services to Bali, Malaysia Airlines adding to its Adelaide-Kuala Lumpur schedule, and Cathay Pacific expanding non-stop capacity to Hong Kong, he said.

In addition, AAL was continuing its efforts to lure other overseas airlines to Adelaide, with the federal government’s regional package – making it easier for overseas airlines to gain traffic rights – as an incentive.

Talks continued with carriers based in China, the United Arab Emirates, Thailand, Vietnam and the US to gain direct services. However, so far no deals had materialised.

AAL expected regional activity to continue its healthy growth, spurred by more mining industry work, Baker added.

Munt said the airport continued to make an important contribution to the South Australian economy.

More than 8000 people were directly employed by airport activities, including 5200 within the airport precinct.

Airport briefs

• A $1. 6 million instrument landing system has been officially commissioned at Wagga Wagga Airport. The ILS went into service in December 2010 following a seven month construction and testing phase.

The system was funded largely by the federal government, with contributions from Airservices Australia, Wagga Wagga City Council and Regional Express.

General Aviation

Mixed picture for GA deliveries

Worldwide deliveries of new general aviation aircraft continued to recover somewhat in the third quarter, but remain down from last year.

According to figures released by the Washington based General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), 436 new aircraft were delivered during the most recent quarter, up from 419 in the second quarter and 372 in the first quarter. For the year, deliveries are down 9. 8 per cent from the first nine months of 2010, while industry billings have fallen 10. 2 per cent, from US$13. 5 billion to US$12. 1 billion.

Deliveries of piston-powered aircraft have fallen 8. 8 per cent, turboprops are down 5. 9 per cent and business jets have dropped 13 per cent, according to the group.

GAMA president and CEO Pete Bunce said the industry faces fragile economic conditions in its traditional markets in the US and Europe, and he continued his aggressive push-back against per-flight user fees proposed by the Obama administration.

“This is not the time for new, undue government burdens to be imposed on general aviation,” he said.

“Misguided tax policies that single out our industry, unquestionably endanger jobs. ”

Piper suspends Altaire development

Piper Aircraft has announced it is indefinitely suspending further development of the Piper Altaire business jet following a review.

Formerly dubbed the PiperJet, the company says the review into the Altaire program allowed it to “align the company’s business goals with the light jet market outlook, investment strategies and overall economic forecasts. ” “Following an evaluation of Altaire development and light jet forecasts we determined the best course of action for the company going forward is to indefinitely suspend the program, preserving intellectual property and progress to date,” Piper’s interim president and CEO Simon Caldecott said.

“Unfortunately and regrettably, this will have serious consequences for many talented Piper employees and for our Piper Altaire customers. ” Caldecott said that while the Altaire program was on schedule and budget, and was meeting performance targets, its development costs had risen “above the point that were recoverable under foreseeable light jet market projections.

“Clearly, the market for light jets is not recovering sufficiently and quickly enough to allow us to continue developing the program under the economic circumstances we face,” he added. “However, going forward as a company, we will step up product improvements for our turboprop and piston-powered product lines. ” The company said it will refund the deposits of Altaire position holders, or their deposits can be applied towards other new Piper aircraft. Piper employs about 850 people, 150 of which are expected to be laid off as the Altair program draws down.

600th Tbm Rolled Out

DAHER SOCATA has rolled out the 600th TBM high performance turboprop single during a ceremony at its Tarbes, France, production facility on October 20. The milestone TBM 850 will be delivered to a US customer.

The original TBM 700 was certified in 1990, while the 300th TBM came off the assembly line in June 2004. Today’s more powerful TBM 850 was introduced in 2006. SOCATA says the TBM 850 remain’s the world’s fastest turboprop single, “with a maximum cruise speed of 320 KTAS at 26,000 ft”.

RFDS Central patient numbers increase

The Adelaide based Central Operations of the Royal Flying Doctor Service increased its patient numbers and its flying hours by more than five per cent in 2010-11.

The organisation’s annual report shows that income also grew significantly, up from $46. 2 million to $50. 1 million for the year.

It booked a surplus after all expenses of $18. 4 million, as it faces costs estimated at $46 million over the next five years for four more replacement aircraft and other capital works.

The higher income figure included capital grants of $11. 9 million from the state and federal governments, as Central Operations completed its present $30 million reequipment program, bringing five new Pilatus PC-12 aerial ambulances into service.

With that completed, and $3. 1 million spent on upgrading the Alice Springs base, chairman David Hills said Central Operations was turning its attention to redeveloping its visitor centre in Alice Springs and developing plans to consolidate aviation and administration activities in a new facility at Adelaide Airport.

This plan was still in its infancy, he said, but the RFDS had begun discussions with AAL over a suitable site. Th e organisation’s 11 aircraft fl ew a total of more than 14,000 hours and 5. 3 million kilometres, attending to about 50,500 patients during the year.

Gippsaero Appoints Chinese Agent

GippsAero has announced a deal to market its GA8 Airvan in China.

Th e agreement with Jinggong Aviation will see the establishment of a new dealership in Xi’an, China, and will help GippsAero appeal to China’s growing general aviation market, the company said.

Th e company will also work with Jinggong to market its upcoming 10-seat turboprop and 18-seat twin turboprop planes in China.

Piper Reports Increased Deliveries

Piper Aircraft has reported an increase in deliveries and revenue this year, defying a generally downward trend across the industry.

Revenues through the end of the third quarter grew to US$92. 5 million, up from US$77. 6 million last year, a 19 per cent increase, the Florida based light aircraft maker said.

Piper said the growth was driven by stronger deliveries of its M-Class single engine business planes, which rose from 17 in the September quarter of 2010 to 21 this September quarter. In all it delivered 32 aircraft for the quarter.

Th rough to September 30 the company reported delivering 93 new aircraft and said it had its strongest backlog of orders in four years.

Business

First Australian King Air 250 Delivered

Hawker Pacifi c has delivered the fi rst Australian King Air 250.

Th e Pratt & Whitney PT6A-52 powered turboprop will be used to transport “key personnel between remote project sites,” Hawker Pacifi c said, declining to identify its corporate customer.

Th e King Air 250 is the latest iteration of Hawker Beechcraft’s evergreen King Air twin.

Th e upgraded aircraft features a quieter cabin, as well as engine induction modifi cations and composite winglets and propellers that lead to improved airfi eld performance, the company says. Hawker Beechcraft claims a 12m reduction in takeoff distance over the B200GT, as well as slight improvements in high speed cruise, climb performance and range.

Execujet’s Bumper Month

Passengers booking charter fl ights from Sydney and Melbourne to Rugby World Cup matches in New Zealand in October delivered ExecuJet Australasia its highest earning month on record, the company says.

With hotels booked full in Auckland, many international fans chose to stay in Australia and fl y across for the games, ExecuJet says.

While providing few specifi cs, ExecuJet off ered as an example the story of “an international company that booked a Falcon 900C for the three weeks of the event for the dual purpose of attending their local offi ces and to fl y in and out of New Zealand. ” the Regional Aviation Association of Australia, and Chris Manning, chairman of the Australian Aviation Forum and former chief pilot of Qantas.

Lm Moves Into Commercial Aviation Simulation

Lockheed Martin has announced the purchase of a Dutch commercial aviation simulation company, Sim- Industries. Th e terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Lockheed said the acquisition would help it expand its existing military simulation business into civil aviation.

Founded in 2004, Sim- Industries has established itself as a leader in single aisle commercial aircraft simulators for the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320, the company said in a statement. It is also fi nalising development of a twin aisle simulator for the Airbus A330.

New Name Aerospace Industries Assn

Th e Australian Association of Aviation and Aerospace Industries (AAAAI) has celebrated its fi rst year by announcing a new name and a new agenda.

Now called Aviation Aerospace Australia, the organisation says it “will provide a more succinct brand for the national peak body, which now boasts almost 50 members. ” “We have been listening to current and prospective members about what they need from their national peak association,” said chief executive offi cer Geoff Bowmaker.

“Skill issues and international advocacy and promotion are the priority areas that the industry wants addressed, and we have redrafted the association’s objectives to refl ect that. ” Bowmaker added that Aviation Aerospace Australia would also coordinate and aggregate industry focused research, monitor and address the skill needs of the industry, and support the professional development of future business leaders within the sector. ■ flyINg THE flAg Cessna is using this specially marked Citation Mustang, dubbed American Patriot, to operate fl ights for the nonprofi t Veterans Airlift Command, which provides free transport for wounded US military veterans and their families. (Cessna)

Support

Hall Of Fame Seeks Nominations

Organisers of the Australian Aviation Hall of Fame are seeking nominations for the hall’s inaugural class of inductees.

Th e fi rst class of Hall of Famers will be announced at an induction dinner at Wagga Wagga in September next year. Organisers say they’re looking for nominees who have made an outstanding contribution to aviation, either recently or in the more distant past, and expect to include about a dozen people in the fi rst class of inductees.

Nomination forms are available at the organisation’s website.

Lawrence Hargrave, the fl ight pioneer who lifted himself 16 feet off the ground using a series of box kites outside Sydney on November 12 1894, was announced as the original Hall of Famer when the organisation’s website was launched in September. Sir Charles Kingsford Smith, Bert Hinkler and Lorres Bonney are other well known names under consideration for the inaugural class, according to the site.

Th e group hopes to open a physical hall of fame in Wagga Wagga by 2015. In the meantime, it is seeking sponsorship and developing the website as a virtual hall.

Th e AAHOF was the brainchild of Paul Tyrrell, CEO of