News Desk

The wing will form part of a static test airframe currently under construction. At 32 metres long and six
metres wide, it is the largest single aviation part made from carbon fibre composite materials, Airbus says. Airbus announced
in July that it would push back expected first deliveries of the A350 to late 2014 due to a problem with wing drilling. (Airbus)

boeing has opened a third assembly line for its 787 dreamliner as it struggles to ramp up production of the delayed aircraft.

Boeing has described the new assembly line as a temporary measure as it seeks to increase 787 production from 3. 5 aircraft per month to 10 per month by the end of next year.

The new line is located atwashington, which is also home to the main 787 assembly line. Boeing’s massive new facility in north charleston, south carolina rolled out its . Rst 787 in april.

It is believed that the temporary assembly line will likely turn out the . Rst of the larger 787-9 model, which is due to enter service with air new zealand in 2014.

Meanwhile, boeing has said it feels under no pressure to launch a stretched version of the 787. Boeing has . Agged plans to develop a larger version, to be known as the 787-10, but told bloomberg the stretch likely wouldn’t enter service until the end of the decade.

First sharklet to go to airasia airasia

will become the . Rst operator of airbus a320 sharklets when it takes delivery of aircraft equipped with the fuel-saving wingtip devices late this year.

Airbus claims the sharklets will result in a fuel savings of close to four per cent on longer . Ights. The devices will be standard equipment on the upcoming a320neo and are optional on current generation a320s.

Airasia’s sharklets will be . Tted onto previously ordered a320s scheduled for delivery from december 2012.

The budget carrier has ordered a total of 375 a320 aircraft, of which 103 have so far been delivered. The airline said it is in negotiations with airbus for the purchase of 100 more a320neos in addition to the 200 it already has on order. The re-engined a320neo is scheduled to begin shipping in 2015.

Airbus releases latest 20-year forecast

airbus has released an updated global market forecast predicting a need for 28,200 commercial aircraftworth nearly us$4 trillion over the next 20 years.

The prediction is a slight upward revision from last year, when airbus predicted a need for 27,800 aircraft over the next two decades. The forecast includes passenger and freighter aircraft of 100 seats or more, with passenger jets accounting for the vast majority of demand.

Airbus says passenger traf- . C demand will increase at an average annual rate of 4. 7 per cent and that by 2031 the world’s passenger . Eet will have expanded by 110 per cent, from 15,550 aircraft today to more than 32,550. The global freighter . Eet is tabbed to increase from 1,600 to 3,000 aircraft over the same period.

Airbus said the asia paci. C region would account for 35 per cent of new aircraft orders.

Boeing predicts massive demand for pilots, technicians

boeing says the asia paci. C region will need to train hundreds of thousands of new pilots and maintainers over the next 20 years to meet the demands of airline . Eet modernisation and the growth of air travel.

The company’s pilot & technician outlook is the latest study to raise concerns about a shortfall of trained aviation personnel as growth in asian air travel continues to outstrip the rest of the world.

“This great need for aviation personnel is a global issue, but it’s hitting the asia paci. C region particularly hard,” said bob bellitto, global sales director, boeing flight services.

“some airlines are already experiencing delays and operational interruptions because they don’t have enough quali. Ed pilots. ” boeing’s study predicts the region will need 185,600 new pilots and 243,500 technicians through 2030 – nearly double the numbers required by the next fastest-growing region, europe. China will account for almost 40 per cent of that demand while the oceania region, which includes australia, will need 12,900 pilots and 17,100 technicians.

“as an industry, we have to get the next generation excited about working in the . Eld of aviation,” bellitto said.

“we are competing for talent with alluring hi-tech, software and mobile companies and start-ups. We’re working hard to showcase our industry as a truly global, technological, multi-faceted environment where individuals from all backgrounds and disciplines can make a signi. Cant impact. ”

Three airlines get first dreamliners

ethiopian and lan airlines and air india have all received their . Rst boeing 787 dreamliners, becoming the . Rst airlines outside japan to . Y the carbon composite jet.

Ethiopian took delivery of its . Rst 787 on august 14, following by south american carrier lan on august 31 and air india on september 6.

Meanwhile, united airlines’s . Rst 787 has taken its maiden production . Ights as boeing prepares to deliver the aircraft at the end of september.

Boeing has sought to streamline the 787 delivery process by cutting down on the number of test . Ights. Early production 787s were . Own as many as eight times prior to delivery, well above the one or two test . Ights typically . Own by established jetliners like boeing’s 737 and 777.

The 787 is already more than three years behind schedule.

Faa looks at relaxing rules on electronic devices

The us federal aviation administration has launched a study looking at whether airlines can safely allow more widespread use of personal electronic devices during . Ights.

Under current faa rules, airlines must determine that electronic devices do not cause dangerous radio frequency interference in order to approve them for use during . Ight. Most airlines ban the use of any electronics during takeo. And landing.

Acting faa administrator michael huerta said the sixmonth study would not consider allowing mobile phone calls during . Ight but would review the use of other devices such as ipods, tablets and laptops.

Chinese airbus deal signals shift in eu carbon tax row

chinese aircraft leasing company icbc has signed an order for 50 airbus a320s during a visit to china by german chancellor angela merkel.

The deal is the . Rst airbus order from a chinese operator since a dispute erupted earlier this year between china and the european union over the eu’s carbon pricing scheme.

China had reportedly held up orders for $14 billion worth of airbus aircraft in protest over the eu carbon policy, which is says oversteps sovereignty by imposing a carbon tax on emissions made outside eu territory. The united states has also opposed the eu policy.

The order by icbc includes 30 a320s and 20 a320neos. It is valued at $4 billion at list prices.

Briefs

• philippine airlines has signed a deal with airbus to buy 54 jetliners as part of a major . Eet modernisation and expansion program. The order, which includes 44 single-aisle a321s and 10 widebody a330-300s, will more than double pal’s current . Eet of 39 aircraft – and airline o¢cials said they were in talks with airbus and boeing for the purchase of as many as 46 additional planes, including 16 more long-haul widebodies.

Military

Eads & bae in merger talks

airbus parent eads and bae systems are in talks over a merger that would create a global giant in the aerospace and defence industries.

The two companies con- . Rmed the merger talks in a joint statement on september £12, outlining a deal in which uk-based bae would own 40 per cent of the new company with eads owning a majority 60 per cent stake.

“The potential combination would create a world class international aerospace, defence and security group with substantial centres of manufacturing and technology excellence in france, germany, spain, the uk and the usa,” the statement said.

Under the proposed merger, which remains subject to board and shareholder approvals, special “golden shares” would be issued to the governments of france, germany and the uk, replacing britain’s stake in bae and the current franco-german stakeholder arrangement in eads.

Bae and eads would remain separately listed entities but would operate as one group under a dual-listed company structure, the statement said.

The two companies have collaborated on a number of projects, including the euro. Ghter and mbda missile system.

F-35a hits training milestone

usaf o¢cials from outside the f-35 program have commenced their operational utility evaluation, a precursor step in beginning pilot and maintainer training with the aircraft.

Two pilots from the 33rd fighter wing at eglin afb along with two usaf test pilots will conduct the review, which is expected to last approximately 65 days. Since february’s military flight release, 11 experienced pilots checked out in basic f-35a operations in order to be prepared to be the military’s . Rst cadre for the f-35.

“we’ve been preparing for this event since the arrival of our . Rst aircraft in july last year,” said col andrew toth, 33rd fighter wing commander.

“so far, the men and women of the 33rd fighter wing have proven we can successfully execute safe and e. Ective . Ying operations in addition to academic training. ” The oue milestone for the air force will be a precursor to training other services and allies. The wing is responsible for f-35 pilot and maintainer training.

Initially, 59 aircraft and three . Ying squadrons, one for each service and platform variant, will be established at eglin.

Australia’s biggest titanium facility starts construction

works for australia’s biggest titanium manufacturing facility have commenced at bae systems’ edinburgh park site, with the facility to produce components for the joint strike fighter program.

Bae systems australia chief executive david allott said the investment would deliver long-term bene. Ts and address a signi. Cant capabilwwwity gap in advanced manufacturing in australia. “also, the investment may lead to new opportunities in defence and other sectors like commercial aviation,” he said.

Site works are expected to be . Nished in late july 2013 with manufacturing of the joint strike fighter components expected to begin early in 2014.

FIRST LHD HULL ON ITS

eads has appointed bernhard gewert to take over its defence and security division from the departing stefan zoller.

Eads said zoller was leaving to “pursue new professional challenges,” but reports suggested his exit stemmed from cassidian’s failure to win export deals for the euro. Ghter typhoon.

Zoller has led cassidian since 2005. In a statement, eads ceo tom enders said zoller had “signi. Cantly” improved cassidian’s pro. Tability and “laid the foundation for future business growth by furthering the internationalisation of cassidian. ” gewert has been cassidian’s coo since 2011 and previously led its air systems and defence electronics units.

Quickstep gets first c-130j work

sydney-based carbon composite manufacturer quickstep has received its . Rst purchase order under a contract with lockheed martin to supply composite wing . Aps for the c-130j super hercules airlifter.

The order, covering preliminary work such as planning, tooling and training activities, is expected to be valued at between $1. 4 and $1. 6 million, quickstep said in a statement.

The company said the initial contract together with the recent grant of an export licence paved the way for . Nalising a long-term agreement with lockheed expected to generate revenues of $75 to $100 million over . Ve years.

Quickstep expects to begin delivery of the wing . Aps in the . Rst quarter of 2014. The company also makes parts for the f-35 joint strike fighter.

First lhd hull on its way to australia

The hull of australia’s . Rst landing helicopter dock, hmas canberra, departed spain on its way to melbourne on august 20.

Carried by heavy lift vessel the blue marlin, the hull is expected to take 40 to 50 days to reach australia, where assembly of the vessel’s superstructure will take place at bae systems’s williamstown shipyard.

Preparation for the arrival of the . Rst hull included a multi-million dollar upgrade to nelson pier, where the ship will be docked, which involved the construction of a 12. 8m diameter cement mooring ‘dolphin’ 35m north of nelson pier. The mooring dolphin is required due to the ship’s size.

Australia has ordered two of the lhds, the largest ships ever built for the royal australian navy.

The second lhd, hmas adelaide, is expected to reach australia early next year.

Experimental flyer fails in hypersonic attempt

The x-51a waverider – designed to reach a speed of mach 6, or roughly 5,800km/h – crashed into the paci. C ocean on august£14 after a control . N failed prior to engine ignition, the air force has con. Rmed.

The 4. 3m x-51a is a testbed for the experimental scramjet engine. Unlike conventional jet engines that compress air using moving turbines prior to burning, the scramjet has no moving parts and pushes air through at supersonic velocity, allowing it to achieve hypersonic speeds.

However, the engine can’t operate much below hypersonic speed or in thicker low-altitude air, meaning it has to be dropped from a b-52 bomber and brought up to speed by an auxiliary rocket.

The test was the third for the x-51a. A successful . Rst test in may 2010 set a record for hypersonic . Ight of 140 seconds, but the second test last june ended in disappointment when the scramjet failed before reaching mach 5.

Military briefs

• the sultanate of oman formally accepted its . Rst of three c-130j super hercules at a ceremony held at lockheed martin’s marietta facility on august 30.

• embraer has delivered the first of ‘several’ emb-145 airborne early warning and control aircraft to the indian air force.

Airlines

Joyce predicts int’l profit by 2015

qantas’s sweeping alliance with emirates will help return the flying kangaroo’s international operationsto pro. T by 2015, ceo alan joyce has predicted.

“This is a big step in the right direction for qantas international,” mr joyce told the abc’s inside business.

“we see a path through to this business breaking even by . Nancial year 2015. We do want to make sure qantas international goes back to pro. Ts. ” but while the 10-year tie-up with emirates has received generally positive reviews, it has not served to turn around qantas’s business overnight.

A day after the deal was announced, ratings agency standard & poor’s downgraded qantas’s debt rating from bbb to bbb-minus, the lowest grade above junk status.

S&p attributed the downgrade to qantas’s eroding marketshare and “structural pressures” a. Ecting its international operations. The downgrade did not appear to be a re. Ection of the emirates deal.

Even with the downgrade, qantas remains one of only two airlines in the world to hold investment-grade status from two ratings agencies, with moody’s also giving qantas its lowest investment grade rating.

Air nz flags strong growth, strengthened virgin alliance

air new zealand expects to double its earnings in the current . Nancial year and sees signi. Cant opportunities to expand its alliance with virgin australia, airline executives said as they unveiled the carrier’s annual . Nancial results.

The airline reported a net pro. T of nz$71 million (a$55m) for the year ending june 30, down from nz$81m a year earlier but better than analysts had expected. Normalised pre-tax earnings were up 21 per cent to nz$91m.

The carrier said improvements in domestic passenger yield and a rise in passenger and cargo loads helped its bottom line, though continued weakness in demand from europe and japan held down international passenger numbers.

Chairman john palmer said the airline was positioned to resume strong growth after weathering the effects of the global . Nancial crisis and the impact of the christchurch earthquake and japanese tsunami.

“despite the uncertain global economy, assuming our current forecast of market demand and fuel prices at current elevated levels, we expect to deliver a more than 100 per cent improvement in normalised earnings before taxation in the 2013 . Nancial year,” palmer said.

Domestic yields drop, but qantas stops saying by how much

as its fare war with virgin australia heats up, qantas has decided to stop releasing casualty . Gures.

That’s the gist of the flying kangaroo’s move to break with a decade-long tradition of releasing monthly statistics on its yield, or the amount of pro. T it makes per passenger.

Qantas said the change would bring it in line with other carriers, but it comes as australia’s two top airlines ramp up domestic capacity in a battle likely to damage both companies’ bottom lines.

Qantas and jetstar have announced plans to increase capacity by 11 per cent through december, while virgin australia is upping its capacity by nine per cent. Tiger airways is also ramping its operations as it continues to bounce back from last year’s grounding. In its july tra¢c numbers, qantas acknowledged that its domestic yield was down “due to increased capacity in the domestic market,” but didn’t say by how much. The airline said its international yields were up due to its withdrawal from money-losing routes, but again didn’t provide speci. Cs.

Qantas’s domestic passenger numbers were also down, dropping 1. 4 per cent in july from a year earlier. Jetstar saw a 1. 6 per cent increase while qantas- link was up 2. 9 per cent.

Qantas 767s to get new interiors, ipads

qantas will refurbish 16 of its 23 boeing 767 aircraft with new interiors and ipad-based entertainment systems while phasing out the remaining seven.

The surviving jets, used mostly on east coast domestic routes, will get new-look cabins featuring a ‘contemporary design,’ leather seat covers in business class and new carpets, lighting, curtains and dividers.

The aircraft will also get qantas’s qstreaming in. Ight entertainment system, which was trialled earlier this year.

The system provides some 200 hours of wireless content to airline-provided ipads.

Qantas domestic chief lyell strambi said the airline is “looking at ways to evolve this technology platform even further with our partner panasonic to bring new standards of in. Ight entertainment to our customers. ” The . Rst of the overhauled 767s is scheduled to enter service in october. Qantas also expects to add a new airbus a330 and two new boeing 737-800s to its domestic . Eet this year.

Qantas had expected to replaced its 767s with more fuel e¢cient 787 dreamliners by 2010 when it ordered the 787s in 2005. But long delays in the 787 program have left qantas – like many other boeing customers – scrambling to keep older aircraft in service longer than expected. Delivery of the . Rst qantas group 787, which will be handed over to jetstarunder current plans, is now expected sometime next year.

Qantas suspends two pilots after cockpit stoush

qantas has stood down two pilots after the pair reportedly got into a heated argument in the cockpit of a boeing 747 on the tarmac in dallas.

According to reports, the captain and second of- . Cer came to loggerheads over takeo. Calculations as the jet waited out a thunderstorm ahead of a . Ight to sydney via brisbane on august 14.

Qantas con. Rmed that the two pilots were being withheld from service pending an investigation.

The . Ight, qf8, arrived in brisbane some 18 hours late after being held in dallas overnight. Qantas said the . Ight was held up because of delays caused by the storm, not because of the argument between the pilots. The incident came less than a month after a qantas captain was removed from operational duties after testing positive for alcohol prior to a . Ight from sydney to brisbane.

Qantas fined $15,400 for bullying engineer

a sydney court has . Ned qantas for breaching workplace laws by bullying an engineer into withdrawing a claim for entitlements.

In its ruling, the federal magistrates court said qantas and qantas manager peter cawthorne had unlawfully pressured engineer luke murray into dropping a claim for entitlements following a 2010 posting in japan.

Mr murray claimed he was owed about $10,000 for excess hours and more onerous shift work during the posting, but qantas responded to his claim by suspending all overseas postings for engineers until mr murray withdrew his claim.

The court ruled that qantas broke the law by subjecting mr murray to adverse action by suspending overseas postings.

It also ruled that mr cawthorne violated the fair work act by attempting to coerce mr murray into not exercising his workplace rights. It was the . Rst time a court has made such a . Nding under the act.

“The reaction to mr murray’s attempt to secure himself his entitlements was strong, and it should be made clear to other corporations and individuals that it was wrong and should not occur elsewhere,” federal magistrate kenneth raphael said.

Under the ruling, qantas was . Ned $13,200 and mr cawthorne $2,200. Qantas, which had appealed the case to the full bench of the federal court in 2011, said it would accept the ruling.

Record profit, more dire warnings for rex

regional express pulled in record pro. Ts last . Nancial year but has warned of tougher times ahead as it deals with the cost of the carbon tax.

Rex reported a net pro. T of $25. 5 million for the year ending june 30, up 45 per cent, on the back of an increase in . Y-in/. Y-out services for the mining sector. Pre-tax profits reached $35. 1 million but the airline said it expected pro. Ts to dip by 15-25 per cent in the current . Nancial year due to an estimated $4-5 million bill from the carbon tax and other recent federal policy changes.

The carrier has warned that increasing costs could force it to cut some marginal rural routes.

Rex chairman lim kim hai, a voluble critic of the carbon tax, renewed his criticism in a statement accompanying the airline’s . Nancial results.

“even as the world is entering a period of severe economic hardship that could be worse than the global financial crisis of 2008, the government has slapped on regional aviation the triple whammy of carbon tax, additional security charges and removal of the enroute rebate scheme,” he said. The government has defended its policies.

Nevertheless, mr lim said he felt “humbled and blessed” at the airline’s record pro. Ts even as qantas and many of the world’s largest airlines face . Nancial losses.

Rex said it would issue a dividend of nine cents per share, up from 7. 1 cents the previous year.

Sia to roll out inflight wireless

singapore airlines will roll out a $50 million program bringing in. Ight internet and mobile data services to its long-haul network.

The services are available aboard 14 aircraft and will be extended across the airline’s . Eet of a380, a340 and 777 aircraft over the next two years.

Promotional prices for in- . Ight wifi run from us$10 for 10 megabytes of data to us$25 for 30 megabytes.

Sia said it would also offer discounted roaming rates for in. Ight text messaging and gprs data services.

Sia’s sydney lounge to get a makeover

singapore airlines’ silver- kris lounge at sydney airport will receive a makeover as the . Rst step in a $15 million upgrade of the carrier’s worldwide airport lounges.

Th e update comes as sia seeks to keep ahead of growing competition from airlines based in the middle east and elsewhere in asia.

Th e carrier has not released details of the updated lounge design, due to open in sydney in mid-2013, but said it would o. Er an “inviting and exclusive contemporary space” based on input from frequent . Yers. Th e refresh is being led by singapore-based architectural and interior design . Rm ong&ong.

Th e airline’s melbourne airport lounge will also receive a more modest update including increased seating capacity and a new dining area. Th at work is scheduled for completion by the end of november.

Tiger settles with sa govt over closure of adelaide base

tiger airlines has won a major . Nancial concession from the south australian state government, after closing its adelaide base last august and ending services to the city.

Th e move breached a commercial agreement with the sa government, under which tiger received a $2. 25 million incentive grant in 2009 to establish its sa base.

After its grounding by casa last year, tiger closed the base and did not resume any adelaide services when it returned to the air.

Th e government began action to recoup the funds but has settled for a “reasonable” $1. 4 million repayment by tiger, leaving an $850,000 shortfall.

Th e singapore-owned airline’s payout will be reduced by another settlement – payment by the government of a $500,000 gst incentive from the sa tourism commission incentive, which had been withheld.

With that settlement in place, tiger announced it will return to adelaide with twicedaily . Ights from melbourne starting in november.

Adelaide will become tiger’s sixth destination in australia as it continues to claw back from last year’s safety-related grounding.

“tiger airways is continuing with its australian expansion as planned and our return to adelaide is an important milestone on this journey,” tiger australia ceo andrew david said.

ETIHAD’S VIRGIN

qantaslink will launch direct . Ights between sydney and gladstone next year as it continues to expand its bombardier dash 8-q400 turboprop network.

The sydney-gladstone services

are scheduled to commence on march 4 2013 and will operate eight times per week, including twice daily on mondays, Th ursdays and fridays. Th e 2-hour 35-minute route will be among the longest operated by qantaslink’s 74-seat q400s. Th e carrier expects to receive its 28th q400 next year.

Qantaslink also . Agged several other capacity increases on rural nsw routes, including: – an upgrade of its eight weekly sydney-dubbo services from 50-seat q300 to 74-seat q400 aircraft.

– an upgrade of three weekly sydney-port macquarie . Ights from q300s to q400s.

– an upgrade of sunday sydney-wagga wagga and saturday sydney-albury services from q300s to q400s.

Etihad’s virgin stake hits 10% cap

etihad airways has doubled its stake in alliance partner virgin australia to 10 per cent, buying 221 million shares on the open market in the six weeks since it received clearance from the federal regulator.

“our small equity stake re. Ects the strong working relationship of both airlines and again demonstrates our enduring commitment to the australian market,” etihad ceo james hogan said in a statement. “we support the management strategy of virgin australia and will continue to work closely with them on ways to improve our business. ” abu dhabi-based etihad and virgin australia currently operate 24 codeshare . Ights per week and cooperate on frequent . Yer bene . Ts and joint marketing.

Qantas flags free wifi, more miranda

australian supermodel miranda kerr will star innew advertising push for qantas club airport lounges.

Kerr is meant to lure a younger generation of . Yers away from qantas’s more youthful rival, virgin australia, which is upgrading its own airport lounges after making an aggressive entrance into the corporate travel market last year.

Qantas says the campaign is “designed to engage with current members, attract new members and highlight the many bene. Ts of qantas clubs for both business and leisure travelers. ”£ Th e advertisements – which will appear in airport terminals, on billboards and online – will reportedly cost in the neighbourhood of $1 million and comes amid qantas’s largest marketing push in years.

Meanwhile, qantas has announced plans to o. Er free wifi internet access at its terminals in sydney, melbourne, brisbane and perth, replacing paid access from october.

Free wifi is already available at qantas club lounges.

Virgin tries to give qantas the boot on italy

virgin australia is seeking to pry away half of qantas’s weekly allocation of seats to italy.

In an application to the international air services commission, which distributes capacity to australian airlines under international air treaties, virgin said it was seeking 300 seats per week to support the introduction of codesharing services on existing . Ights to italy operated by alliance partners singapore airlines and etihad.

Qantas’s allocation of 600 seats per week to italy is up for renewal. Th e iasc said it would now seek submissions from both airlines to support their applications for the seats.

Qantas has used its allocation for codeshare services operated by cathay paci. C but has announced plans to end its codesharing deal with cathay assuming its alliance with emirates receives regulatory approval.

Etihad ups its brisbane ante etihad airways will launch daily . Ights to brisbane early next year as international carriers continue to tighten the screw on qantas’s struggling overseas network.

Etihad’s announcement came just after china southern said it would ramp up to daily brisbane . Ights, part of a dramatic increase in that carrier’s australian footprint.

Etihad, which operates in an alliance with qantas rival virgin australia, said it would increase its brisbane . Ights from three times a week to daily from february 1 next year. Th e services, aboard an airbus a330, operate from abu dhabi via singapore.

“going daily to brisbane and singapore puts etihad airways in a stronger competitive position and will increase the airline’s brand footprint exponentially in these markets,” etihad ceo james hogan said during a two-day stop in australia.

Th e additional brisbane . Ights will bring etihad’s weekly abu dhabi to australia services to 28. Etihad has codesharing rights on an additional 14 . Ights operated by virgin australia.

Govt ups accident compensation cap

Th e federal government has introduced legislation that would increase the payout available to air accident victims – and the mandatory insurance domestic airlines are required to carry.

Th e aviation legislation amendment increases the cap on payments to passengers injured on domestic . Ights from $500,000 to $750,000.

Federal transport minister anthony albanese said the change would bring australia into line with international practices and represents the . Rst time australia’s cap has been raised since 1994.

Th e bill brings the cap“into the 21st century to re. Ect current costs, rather than those of nearly two decades ago,” he said.

“while australia has a proud aviation safety record, it is important we continue to strengthen protections for people . Ying domestically,” mr albanese continued.

“together, these important reforms will ensure that airlines move quickly to a fair settlement with victims and their families in the event of an air accident. ” albanese said the increased cap would have only a modest impact on insurance premiums, which he said represented two to three per cent of total costs for small operators and less for larger airlines.

Air pacific shows off fiji airways brand

fijian national carrier air paci. C has unveiled the brandmark that will be used when the airline relaunches itself as fiji airways next year.

Th e brandmark is built around a ‘masi symbol’ designed by fijian artist makereta matemosi.

“at the centre of the new masi symbol is a distinctive teteva motif, which symbolises the airline, its values, and the spirit of fiji,” the airline said.

“as an integral part of the new fiji airways brand, this teteva was designed to represent spirituality, consideration of others, fijian hospitality and the connection that fiji airways will o. Er between fiji’s 333 islands and the rest of the world. ” Th e carrier is set to relaunch its brand early next year when it takes delivery of the . Rst of three airbus a330s scheduled to arrive during 2013.

Th e rebrand is part of a larger overhaul that saw air paci. C report a pro. T this year after two years of signi. Cant losses.

Qantas, which owns 46 per cent of the airline, has been locked in contentious talks with the fijian government over selling its share.

Air paci. C was known as fiji airways from its launch in 1958 until 1970.

Airports

Sydney sees revenue, passenger growth

sydney airport has reported revenue and passenger growth over the . Rst half of 2012 thanks to a trickle of new international services.

Revenue for the six months ending in june rose 6. 6 per cent to $503. 6 million while passenger tra¢ c ticked up 1. 6 per cent to 17. 7 million, the airport said. Sydney airport ltd, which owns 85 per cent of the airport, reported pro. Ts of $88. 6 million for the halfyear, up from a $273. 5 million loss in the . Rst half of 2011.

Th e . Rst six months of 2012 saw airasia x commence daily . Ights from kuala lumpur and budget carrier scoot begin . Ights from singapore. While domestic growth continued to lag, airport ceo kerrie mather said tiger airways’ establishment of a sydney base and expected capacity increases from qantas and bad elf ipad and iphone gps units, university aviation text books and more calculator & handheld systems & services 0417 385 463 sales@handheldsystems. Com. Au www. Handheldsystems. Com. Au virgin australia would drive numbers higher in the second half of the year.

Revenues from parking and ground transport fees rose eight per cent to $56. 4 million, the airport said.

Bne expansion officially opened

a visit by federal transport minister anthony albanese has prompted brisbane airport to declare its $350 million domestic terminal upgrade o¢ cially open – though the largest part of the upgrade opened in january and other parts are still under construction.

SYDNEY AIRPORT

Th e upgrade includes a ninestory car park billed as the largest in the southern hemisphere when it opened at the beginning of the year, an elevated walkway linking car park and terminal, and an expansion of the central area terminal that is home to jetstar and tiger airways. Th e work also included an expansion of the northern terminal apron, a recon. Guration of the road network in front of the terminal and the construction of a new forecourt area and central taxi rank.

A new passenger pick-up car park that will o. Er 20 minutes of free parking to drivers waiting for arriving passengers is still under construction and was scheduled to open in mid-september.

Th e current pick-up and dropo . Zone in front of the terminal will be reserved for drop-o. S, though drivers picking up passenger with mobility problems can still use the drop-o. Zone.

Th e new pick-up car park is an estimated seven to 15 minute walk from the terminal.

Following his visit, mr.

Albanese said he was most impressed with the nine-story piece of “kinetic art” gracing one side of the car park.

“Th e terminal upgrade will ensure that the sunshine state continues to reap the social and economic bene. Ts that come with the huge increase in air travel,” he added.

MELBOURNE AIRPORT

sydney airport has completed the $25 million installation of runway stop bars at 47 locations across its three runways.

Th e stop bars – a series of inset red lights across the width of the taxiway at each runway entry point as well as elevated lights on each side of the taxiway – are meant to minimise the risk of runway incursions.

When an aircraft or vehicle is cleared to enter the runway, the stop bar lights are extinguished and green ‘lead-on’ lights illuminate, providing a path to the runway.

Pilots and air. Eld drivers will also continue to receive verbal clearance to enter the runway, but airport o¢ cials say the stop bars add another layer of safety.

Melbourne airport flags new flyover, transport hub

melbourne airport has released plans to build a new elevated . Yover meant to relieve tra¢ c congestion while fun-neling vehicles toward a new multi-purpose transport hub.

The plans, which are at the concept stage, mean passengers could no longer be dropped o. At the airport’s main entrance and would instead face a longer walk from the transport hub to the terminals.

The hub, as envisioned, would include taxi ranks, skybus and public bus stops, and a stop for the airport rail link if that project moves forward.

“The project is still very much in its early stages of design and planning and is also several years from completion, but it’s the kind of major project that is necessary for us to meet the future demand for access to melbourne airport,” airport ceo chris woodru. Said.

The single direction elevated roadway, designed to separate vehicles and pedestrians and avoid congestion caused by pedestrian crossings, would likely cost “several hundred million dollars” and would be completed in stages, mr woodru. Said.

The . Yover would be part of the airport’s next master plan, which is due to be opened for public comment early next year.

The airport is also due to start construction of its new terminal four – expected to house budget carriers – early in 2013.

Mr woodru. Said the airport would spend an estimated $1 billion on infrastructure upgrades over the next . Ve years on the expectation that passenger numbers will double to 60 million a year over the next two decades.

Future fund to take airport stakes

The federal government’s future fund will pay $2 billion to take over a collection of infrastructure assets that includes stakes in a number of australian airports.

The $77 billion investment fund, set up to help cover the cost of public sector pensions, will buy out the assets of the australian infrastructure fund (aix), which includes stakes in perth airport, the body that controls melbourne and launceston airports, queensland airports and northern territory airports.

Queensland airports includes gold coast, townsville and mount isa airports, while northern territory airports includes darwin, alice springs and tennant creek airports.

Aix also holds stakes in athens, dusseldorf and hamburg aiports.

The acquisition is pending the completion of due diligence and approval by aix’s board.

Sovereign wealth and pensions funds have increasingly sought refuge in infrastructure investments as stock markets remain volatile due to the european . Nancial crisis.

General aviation

Gippsaero signs deal for us airvan assembly

gippsaero has signed a deal with washington state company soloy aviation that will see the latter assemble and maintain ga8 airvans ordered by north american customers.

The deal is part of a push by gippsaero to expand its presence in the north american market. Since many of the airvan’s components are produced in the us – including its engine, propeller and avionics – gippsaero said it made economic sense to ship the remaining pieces from australia and assemble the aircraft on us soil.

“soloy is a welcome addition to the growing north american strategy as they have unparalleled capabilities to assemble, service and support ga8 airvans in the region,” gippsaero ceo terry miles said. £“we are strategically implementing airvan maintenance centres to penetrate the market and ensure the airvan is a viable aircraft for operators in the united states. ” victoria-based gipps- aero is a fully-owned subsidiary of indian conglomerate The mahindra group.

New pilot training program in bundaberg

bundaberg’s cquniversity australia and the australian flight academy (afa) have teamed up to launch a new commercial pilot training program as part of cq university’s undergraduate aviation programs.

The program, which includes about 200 hours of . Ight time, will be combined with cquniversity’s current diploma of aviation Theory in a 52-week course. It includes training up to a commercial pilot licencewith a multi-engine command instrument rating .

Afa, based at bundaberg regional airport, will provide the . Ight training component of the course.

Cquniversity also offers two-year and three-year aviation degrees that include recreational . Ight training.

Fta adds da42s to order tally

flight training adelaide has purchased two more diamond da42-l360 aircraft as it prepares to accept additional students from cathay paci . C, qantaslink and virgin australia, the school said.

Th e aircraft, ordered from hawker paci. C, will join a . Eet of seven da42-l360s and four da40-cs aircraft.

Th e academy is expecting delivery of four more da40s at the end of 2012 and has options on 18 additional aircraft over the next two years.

Th e two additional da42s are scheduled for delivery in the . Rst quarter of 2013.

Griffith partners with cathay pacific on cadet program

gri¢ th university has entered into an agreement with cathay paci. C that will give its aviation students an opportunity to secure a position in cathay’s advanced entry cadet program.

Th e airline-sponsored 32- week course will commence when successful students obtain their commercial pilots licence and have met required hours under hong kong licensing regulations.

Th e gri¢ th bachelor of aviation will provide students with airline management, commercial, economic and operational skills. Australian students enrolled in the program will also have access to australian government fee-help.

It is expected that demand for available places (up to 120 in year one) will be highly competitive, gri¢ th said.

Aeromil opens sunshine coast flight academy

australian cessna distributer aeromil has opened its new . Ight academy at the sunshine coast airport.

Th e academy, known as flight options, is designed to support aeromil customers by providing a “new approach to . Ight training” tailored to customer needs.

“for example, in the rural sector where aircraft play an important part of business and family life, we have worked with a customer in regional queensland to . Nd the right aircraft and put together a pilot training and on-going support program,” said flight options managing director steve padgett.

Th e academy will also o. Er courses for private pilot and commercial pilot licences, instrument and instructor ratings and aircraft endorsements. Its facilities include new simulator rooms with category b simulators and garmin g1000 training equipment, while students will . Y new glass cockpit cessna aircraft equipped with garmin g300 technology.

Advanced business and corporate aviation training will utilise flight safety level d full motion citation mustang simulators.

Business aviation

Gulfstream g650, g280 get type certification

gulfstream’s ultra-long range g650 and super-midsize g280 business jets both received type certi. Cation from the faa in early september.

Advertised as the world’s fastest non-military jet, the g650 is expected to begin deliveries by the end of the year.

Gulfstream has received more than 200 orders for the aircraft.

Th e g650 received provisional type certi. Cation in november 2011. It set a number of speed milestones during testing, reaching its top speed of mach 0. 925 during a transcontinental . Ight from burbank, california to savannah, georgia in february 2011.

Th e g650 completed its . Rst trans-atlantic . Ight this may.

Meanwhile, gulfstream’s new g280 received type certi. Cation from the faa and the civil aviation authority of israel, clearing the way for . Rst delivery by the end of the year.

A joint venture between gulfstream and israel aerospace industries, the g280 o. Ers a range of 3,600nm (6,667km) at mach 0. 80 and is advertised as the only midsized aircraft that can reliably . Y between london and new york. Th e aircraft is available in three con. Gurations seating between eight and ten.

Gulfstream said it expects to deliver the . Rst g280 later this year to an unnamed us-based customer.

Myjet to upgrade bendigo facility

bendigo-based business charter operator myjet will build a new hangar as part of a $1. 5 million investment at bendigo airport.

Th e investment is expected to create six new jobs and comes on the heels of a $5 million upgrade of the airport’s critical infrastructure, including its main north-south runway.

Myjet was founded to reduce commuting times to melbourne but also operates charter services elsewhere in australia, according to its website.

“businesses in the region can now . Y interstate without having to drive to melbourne to board a commercial . Ight.

Th ese services will help make bendigo a more attractive place to invest and do business,” victorian aviation minister gordon rich-phillips said in a statement. “myjet’s new hangar will also help build capacity and is the latest of recently announced development projects for bendigo. ”

Atc & airspace

Avm staib appointed airservices ceo

Th e adf’s most senior female o¢ cer has been appointed to head airservices as the air tra¢ c control provider rolls out a . Ve-year, $1 billion spending program. Air vice-marshal margaret staib will take over as airservices ceo on october 15, replacing acting chief andrew clark.

Th e adf’s senior logistician, avm staib serves as commander joint logistics and played a key role in implementing a $2. 4 billion logistics reform program.

“it was the unanimous view of the selection panel that air vice-marshal staib has the background and experience to excel as the ceo of airservices australia,” said airservices chairman air chief marshal angus houston (ret’d) said

Airservices alters ads-b approval process

airservices will provide enhanced separation services to all aircraft . Tted with automatic dependant surveillance broadcast (ads-b£out) technology operating outside of radar coverage.

Th e move follows changes to the approval process that previously required individual aircraft operators to apply to receive an ads-b service, and brings the process into line with that required for almost all other avionics and aircraft systems.

Ads-b is a satellite-based technology enabling aircraft to be accurately tracked by air tra¢ c controllers and other pilots without the need for conventional radar. All . Ights at or above 29,000ft are required to be . Tted with ads-b equipment by december 12 2013.

Although the change in the approval process means individual aircraft approvals will no longer be required, operators must ensure that ads-b transmissions comply with civil aviation orders and that . Ightcrews are adequately trained to operate the ads-b equipment, airservices said.

“whilst responsibility for ensuring aircraft meet the casa regulations when operating in australian airspace rests with the operators, airservices will retain the capability to suspend ads-b services for any aircraft known to be not complying,” said greg dunstone, airservices ads-b program manager.

Upgrade for perth’s ils begins

Th e instrument landing system for perth airport’s main runway is receiving an upgrade.

Th e work will include the replacement of the localiser antenna arrays at each end of runway 03/21.

Airsevices’ indicative dates for the upgrade saw rwy 21’s localiser out of action during work hours only from august£22 to september£4; rwy 21’s ils inoperative for upgrade work from september £5 to october£5; then rwy 03’s localiser out of action during work hours from september£24 to october£5; and rwy 03’s ils£inoperative from october£8 to november£8.

Th e ils on the rwy24 end of perth’s shorter cross runway is not being upgraded at this point and so is unaffected by the upgrade work.

People

Cathay names new gm for sw pacific

cathay paci. C has named dominic perret its new general manager for the southwest paci. C.

Perret was formerly the airline’s manager of corporate sales based in hong kong. He replaces dane cheng, who takes over as general manager for china.