First Superjet Heading to Indonesian Airline

The first Sukhoi Superjet 100 built for an Indonesian airline is undergoing final fittings and is expected to be delivered by year-end.

The aircraft, with tail number MSN 95022, has landed at the Ulyanovsk airport for interior works and livery painting before heading to the airline Sky Aviation, Interfax reported Monday.

The Jakarta-based regional airline, which has ordered 12 of the Russian planes, lost 14 employees when a Superjet slammed into an Indonesian mountain during a demonstration flight on May 9. Pilot error has been blamed for the crash, which killed all 45 people on board.

Another Indonesian airline, Kartika Airlines, has an outstanding order for 30 Superjets.

The Russian government hopes the plane will help resurrect the country's aviation industry, which has deteriorated since Soviet times.

The first Superjet to be delivered to a foreign customer went to Armavia, but Armenia's national airline returned it in August, saying it had failed to meet technical requirements.

Another newly built Superjet landed at the Venice airport in early October for a final fitting before being delivered to the low-cost Mexican airline Interjet.

The SSJ100 is a narrow-body passenger aircraft developed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau in the Komsomolsk-on-Amur-based Sukhoi Civil Aircraft aviation plant. The aircraft is capable of carrying up to 95 passengers on medium-range routes of up to 4,500 kilometers.

Read more: http://www.themoscowtimes.com/business/article/first-superjet-heading-to-indonesian-airline/470656.html#ixzz2BAw0pW3F
The Moscow Times

Has United Made Its 787 Less Safe?

When United Airlines took possession of its first Boeing 787 Dreamliner in September, it was big news. A U.S.-built state-of-the-art aircraft was delivered to its first U.S. customer.

Courtesy United Airlines

What didn't make news was that the airline paid Boeing [BA  70.05    -0.74  (-1.05%)   ] to remove a piece of cockpit safety equipment.

Pilots told CNBC that a secondary cockpit barrier which comes as standard equipment on the new 787 is gone. 

The barrier is a folding metal gate which drapes across the aisle to prevent a rush on the cockpit when a pilot steps out to use the restroom. It is not a mandatory piece of equipment, and federal rules say a flight attendant with a cart can provide equal security blocking the aisle. 

The Air Line Pilots Association has written United [UAL  19.73    0.25  (+1.28%)   ] management expressing dismay that the airline spent money to have the barrier removed. "If safety is a top priority, then stop stripping United planes of the one safety measure that guarantees that the cockpit is protected."

"What are you telling your passengers?" asked Jon Russell, a United pilot for 26 years and an ALPA representative. "What are you telling your employees?"

Is it a weight issue? Boeing won't comment on how much the secondary barrier weighs, but Captain Russell said they're installed on the 757s and 767s he flies. "They weigh about 10 pounds." 

(Read More: Dreamliner Arrives, but Is It Enough For United?)

He and other pilots believe it's a money issue. The airline is integrating two separate fleets of aircraft from United and Continental. Pilots say nearly all United planes have been retrofited with secondary barriers, but the Continental aircraft have not. It saves money in the long run to remove equipment from United aircraft than add it to Continental's, and the 787 is currently being flown only by Continental pilots.

"Flight security has various components, with secondary barriers being just one, that we use in different combinations," United said in a statement.

"This security matrix can vary from one type of aircraft to another. While we don’t discuss details of which security measures are used for a particular aircraft or a particular flight, we are thorough in carrying out our security responsibilities for every flight. The safety and security of our employees and customers are our top priorities."

"I thought they were joking," said Ellen Saracini about hearing the barrier had been removed. Saracini is the widow of Captain Victor Saracini, who died on 9/11 as terrorists stormed the cockpit and flew his plane into the World Trade Center. She has worked to improve cockpit safety, supporting rules which let pilots carry weapons. 

"For Boeing to have installed these barriers as standard equipment in an airplane and for United Airlines to pay extra to remove these barriers ... I just don't understand what they were thinking of," she said.

Saracini sent United CEO Jeff Smisek a letter expressing her outrage. "It is incomprehensible for me to believe that this is what is happening," she wrote. She has not gotten a reply. 

Boeing will not comment on whether other customers have asked for the secondary barrier to be removed from the 787. "We do not comment publicly on the airplane configurations of our customers, including what options they choose to equip their airplanes," spokesman Tom Brabant said.

(Read More: Is the Boeing 787 Dreamliner Truly a Game Changer?)

United is scheduled to take delivery of a total of 50 Dreamliners, and it's expected the secondary barriers will be removed on all of them. A flight attendant with a cart will provide the second line of defense.

"We've seen video of people hopping over that (cart), boom, boom, boom, lickety split they're in the cockpit," Captain Russell said. Without the second metal gate, "I can't say that it's going to be unsafe, but obviously it's going to be less safe."  

—By CNBC's Jane Wells

Hurricane Sandy grounds thousands of flights

Hurricane Sandy grounded thousands of flights in the U.S. northeast Monday and upended travel plans across the globe, stranding passengers from Hong Kong to Europe. The massive storm threatens to bring a near halt to air travel for at least two days in a key region for both domestic and international flights.

NEW YORK —
Hurricane Sandy grounded thousands of flights in the U.S. northeast Monday and upended travel plans across the globe, stranding passengers from Hong Kong to Europe. The massive storm threatens to bring a near halt to air travel for at least two days in a key region for both domestic and international flights.
Major carriers such as American Airlines, JetBlue and Delta planned to cancel all flights into and out of three area airports in New York, the nation's busiest airspace. According to the flight-tracking service FlightAware, nearly 7,500 flights had been canceled for Sunday and Monday. Both Philadelphia International Airport and Newark International Airport, a hub for United Airlines, each had more than 1,200 cancellations for the two days.
Delays rippled across the U.S., affecting travelers in cities such as San Francisco to Chicago, and disruptions spread to Europe and Asia, where airlines canceled or delayed flights to New York and Washington from cities that are major travel hubs including Berlin, Paris, Tokyo and Hong Kong.
Travelers such as businessman Alan Shrem, who was trying to return home to Boca Raton, Florida after attending trade fairs in Hong Kong and China's Guangzhou, were facing long waits for a new flight.
Shrem said he was "edgy" and "exasperated" after learning his Monday morning Cathay Pacific flight to JFK was canceled.
He learned he could be stuck in Hong Kong for nearly a week because the next available seat was Nov. 4. Cathay ticketing counter staff at the airport put him on a waiting list for seats that could become available earlier, but he didn't hold out much hope.
"I don't know what number I am, I could be 300. They don't even tell you. They just say: Yeah, it's a pretty big waiting list," said Shrem, throwing up his hands.
Shrem, whose company produces signed sports memorabilia, was one of a handful of travelers trying to rebook their flights at Hong Kong's airport. Cathay urged people whose flights had been canceled not to come to the airport. In the meantime, he'll have to fork out $400 a night to continue staying at a nearby hotel. The airline won't pay for accommodation for stranded passengers if delays are weather related.
"It's insane. It's crazy. It's going to wind up costing me thousands and thousands of dollars by being stranded here because of the weather," Shrem said.
Sandy, a Category 1 hurricane with sustained winds of 75 mph (120 kph) as of early Monday, was blamed for 65 deaths in the Caribbean before it began churning up the Eastern Seaboard. Forecasters say the hurricane is about 425 miles (685 kilometers) southeast of New York City and the center of the storm is expected to be near the mid-Atlantic coast on Monday night, colliding with a wintry storm moving in from the west and cold air streaming down from the Arctic. Experts say the rare hybrid storm that results will cause havoc over 800 miles from the East Coast to the Great Lakes.
At New York's LaGuardia on Sunday, crowds filled the American Airlines terminal near midday, with families sitting on the floor waiting for a flight out - any flight out. A few travelers were sitting at a bar having a beer, watching football. Others nervously paced before flight information boards showing canceled flights, hoping their flight wouldn't be added to that list. It was almost double the normal crowd. Travelers were calm, but anxious.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which runs five airports in the area, said it expects all carriers to cease operations Sunday night. It advised passengers to check with their carriers before heading to the airport.
Passengers on Sunday were reporting multi-hour wait times at airline call centers.
Eileen Merberg, 50, was booked on a United flight from her home in Rochester, N.Y. to New Orleans, connecting at Washington D.C.'s Dulles airport.
First, the airline sent her an automated message via email saying that her Washington flight was canceled and that she had been rebooked on a flight through Newark. About an hour later that flight was canceled. Another email informed her she was rebooked through Chicago.
By that point, she already had told the higher education conference that she was scheduled to speak at that she wouldn't be coming. She tried to cancel her flight but United's phone lines were jammed. First she waited 62 minutes before her phone battery died. After recharging, she then spent 45 minutes on hold before a recording told her it would be at least another hour before a customer service employee would be available.
"Then I hung up," Merberg said.
A spokesman for United Airlines parent United Continental Holdings Inc. said the carrier has suspended an unspecified number of flights to New York and Washington-area airports beginning Sunday evening with plans to resume Tuesday as conditions permit.
JetBlue Airways Corp., which flies out of JFK, said it has canceled more than 1,000 flights from Sunday through Wednesday morning.
American Airlines and American Eagle canceled 140 flights Sunday and canceled another 1,431 flights Monday through Wednesday due to Hurricane Sandy, the company said.
US Airways said it had suspended all operations at the three New York airports Sunday evening and Monday and at Philadelphia and Washington on Monday.
Disruptions on the East Coast of the U.S. also impact international carriers. Air France has canceled four Monday flights into JFK and two departures. Lufthansa canceled three flights to the Northeast and one flight out of Newark.
A total of eight flights out of Tokyo's Narita International Airport to New York, Newark and Washington were canceled Monday.
Hong Kong's Cathay canceled its two daily flights to New York for Monday and Tuesday and Air India said its daily flights to Newark and JFK had halted since Sunday.
South Korean flag carrier Korean Air delayed a flight scheduled to leave Incheon International Airport for JFK on Monday by 22 hours. Asiana Airlines delayed its JFK flight from Seoul by 26 hours.
---
AP Business Writer Kelvin Chan in Hong Kong contributed.

Rolls-Royce and University of Birmingham announce £60m High Temperature Research Centre

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Rt. Hon George Osborne MP announced today (8th October) that Rolls-Royce, the global power systems company and the University of Birmingham and will be establishing a new £60m High Temperature Research Centre. The centre will help develop future generations of aero engines, making greener, more efficient air travel possible. Bringing together a leading global company with an internationally-recognised research group this new centre builds on a longstanding successful collaboration between the two organisations.
The new centre will be a unique casting, design, simulation and advanced manufacturing research facility. Focussed initially on the key manufacturing areas of investment casting, design for manufacture and systems simulation, the centre will then draw in additional research competencies related to these areas through wider industry and academic involvement.
Professor David Eastwood, Vice-Chancellor, University of Birmingham said: "Drawing on the University of Birmingham’s outstanding research base this new facility will create a step-change in research capability in the UK which will directly benefit the manufacturing sector of the economy and enhance the economic competitiveness of the region. We are delighted to be strengthening our long-standing partnership with Rolls-Royce, one of the UK’s flagship companies."
Dr. Hamid Mughal, Rolls-Royce, Executive Vice President, Manufacturing Engineering and Technology said; "We are delighted to be extending our advanced manufacturing and design research capabilities with the proposed development of the High Temperature Research Centre. This type of industrial and academic collaboration plays a crucial role in enabling high quality product and process innovation. High temperature metallurgy and the related advanced manufacturing processes will give our customers more efficient products and we are very pleased to strengthen our strategic partnership with the University of Birmingham in this key area of research."
Professor Paul Bowen, Head of the School of Metallurgy and Materials, University of Birmingham said: "This investment underscores the global influence of the University of Birmingham’s metallurgical research and will build on the University of Birmingham’s recent investment in infrastructure and staff. This new centre will build on a track-record of excellence in casting, materials, engineering and manufacturing research at Birmingham."
The new centre will deliver world-class fundamental and applied research programmes focussed around delivering underpinning casting and related materials research, radical manufacturing process improvements and predictive manufacturing process modelling, and the development of research into ICT tools to enhance product quality and production efficiency.
This new facility will be funded by a £40million investment by Rolls-Royce matched by a £20million investment from the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), through the UK Research Partnerships Investment Fund. This major new public and private capital investment will provide a significant economic stimulus for the UK and new high skilled jobs. There is an expectation that an additional £10million of private sector revenues through research programmes from the wider industrial base interacting will be possible over the first 5 years of operation.

1. Rolls-Royce is a world-leading provider of power systems and services for use on land, at sea and in the air, and has established a strong position in global markets - civil aerospace, defence aerospace, marine and energy.
2. As a result of this strategy, Rolls-Royce has a broad customer base comprising more than 500 airlines, 4,000 corporate and utility aircraft and helicopter operators, 160 armed forces, more than 4,000 marine customers, including 70 navies, and energy customers in more than 80 countries.
3. Annual underlying revenue was £11.3 billion in 2011, of which more than half came from the provision of services. The firm and announced order book stood at £60.1 billion at 30 June 2012, providing visibility of future levels of activity.
4. Rolls-Royce employs over 40,000 people in offices, manufacturing and service facilities in over 50 countries. Over 11,000 of these employees are engineers.
5. In 2011, Rolls-Royce invested £908 million on research and development, two thirds of which had the objective of further improving the environmental performance of its products, in particular reducing emissions.
6. Rolls-Royce supports a global network of 28 University Technology Centres, which connect the company’s engineers with the forefront of scientific research.
7. The Group has a strong commitment to apprentice and graduate recruitment and to further developing employee skills.

http://www.rolls-royce.com/investors/news/2012/121008_high_temperature.jsp 

Sandy a nightmare for fliers as airlines ground 13,800 flights

--The number of flight cancellations resulting from Hurricane Sandy is now pushing 14,000, according to the FlightAware flight-tracking service.
And that number —13,785 as of 4:30 p.m. ET — still seems likely to grow over the next day as Sandy moves onshore and heads inland.
FLIGHT TRACKER: Is your flight on time?
AIRLINES RELAX CHANGE RULES: Sandy: Airline-by-airline list of weather waivers
LIST : Sandy causes virtual shutdown of nearly two dozen airports
So far, FlightAware says Sandy forced the cancellation of 1,300 flights on Sunday and 7,670 so far today (Oct. 29). Tuesday's total currently stands at 4,815 a figure that FlightAware CEO Daniel Baker says "is expected to grow depending on the outcome of the storm, possibly becoming as high as today's number."
Once Tuesday's final cancellation tally is included, it seems to be almost a foregone conclusion that Sandy's toll on flight schedules will top the 14,000 Hurricane Irene-related flight cancellations that were reported over a four-day period in August 2011.
- PREVIOUS UPDATE (from Sunday night): Hurricane Sandy is still more than 24 hours away from making landfall in the U.S. Northeast, but already travelers from from Hawaii to Europe and Asia are feeling the storm's wrath.
Airlines have preemptively canceled nearly 7,000 flights in advance of the storm, affecting not only big U.S. airlines like United and Southwest but also international carriers such as Qatar Airways and Lufthansa.
Flight operations will grind to a trickle — if not an outright halt — tomorrow (Oct. 29) at major airports like New York JFK, Newark Liberty, Philadelphia and Washington Dulles as Sandy nears.
The thousands of preemptively grounded flights include many domestic routes, everything from New York-Los Angeles transcontinental flights to short hops connecting cities such as Washington and Harrisburg, Pa., or Philadelphia and Ithaca, N.Y. Even Hawaiian Airlines' New York-Honolulu nonstop flight has succumbed to the weather.
Also on the chopping block are many high-profile long-haul international routes, such as Qatar Airways' New York and Washington flights, Asiana's Seoul-New York flight and a number of German carrier Lufthansa's flights to the U.S. Northeast.
FLIGHT TRACKER: Is your flight on time?
AIRLINES WAIVE CHANGE FEES: Sandy: Airline-by-airline list of weather waivers
FlightAware CEO Daniel Baker says his company has tracked 1,251 Sandy-related cancellations today and 5,559 tomorrow.

That total of 6,810 cancellations doesn't even include Tuesday, which is likely to see thousands of more cancellations as current forecasts call for the worst of Sandy's effects to linger well into the day.
Once Tuesday's cancellation tally is included, it's possible the total could soar past 10,000 and possibly approach the 14,000 Hurricane Irene-related flight cancellations that were reported over a four-day period in August 2011.
Even by early Sunday afternoon, the nation's two biggest airlines had announced they would suspend flight operations at many of their East Coast airports, including several of their busiest hubs.
United, the nation's biggest carrier, says it will halt all flights at several airports — including at its Newark and Washington Dulles hubs — beginning late tonight and extending at least through mid-day Tuesday.
"Based on the forecast, today (Sunday) we will likely suspend operations scheduled for tonight and tomorrow at several airports in the region," United spokesman Rahsaan Johnson tells Today in the Sky. "Conditions are likely to keep us from operating with an acceptable margin of safety."
"Some of the cancellations begin this evening — as opposed to tomorrow — because we want to ensure we get airplanes out of the path of the storm to minimize disruption for customers outside the region," Rahsaan adds. "We don't want to inconvenience customers flying from, say, Los Angeles to San Francisco, because their airplane is stuck on the East Coast."
Delta, the USA's No. 2 carrier, announced similar plans, saying via Twitter that it would cancel all of its Monday flight at Philadelphia and the three New York City-area airports. That includes two of Delta's hubs — both its domestic hub at New York LaGuardia and its international hub at New York JFK.
American, the third-biggest U.S. airline, also had canceled more than 1,000 flights that had been scheduled to operate during the next three days.
"American Airlines and (regional affiliate) American Eagle canceled 140 flights today (Oct. 28), and pre-canceled an additional 1,431 flights for Oct. 29 through Oct. 31 due to Hurricane Sandy," AA spokesman Kent Powell tells USA TODAY's Charisse Jones. "The aftermath of Hurricane Sandy may force some additional delays and cancellations of scheduled flights to the region."
Another major carrier — US Airways — says it is halting all flights at its Philadelphia and Washington Reagan National hubs on Monday. That carrier is also suspending all of its New York-area flights at least through Tuesday morning.
New York-based JetBlue says it will halt all flights by midnight tonight at its main hub at JFK. The carrier says it's making the move so it can "shelter its aircraft in other cities" that are away from Sandy's path. Among the places where JetBlue plans to "shelter" its aircraft: Buffalo, Orlando, Pittsburgh, Barranquilla (Colombia) and even Roswell, N.M. -- a destination JetBlue doesn't normally serve.
The wave of cancellations announced today come even though Sandy is not expected to make landfall until sometime tomorrow (Oct. 29). But Sandy's effects are forecast to be wide-reaching, with tropical storm-forced winds expected to extend from New England to Virginia by Monday evening. That's all but certain to create havoc at major airports that struggle with delays even in relatively mild weather events.
FlightAware, the flight-tracking agency warned that widespread flight disruptions were likely to increase.

"Although most air traffic control towers will close when the wind reaches 60-70 knots, the big factor that will result in early flight disruptions is mass transit shutdowns and the availability of airline and airport staff due to their need to prepare for the storm," FlightAware CEO Daniel Baker says in a statement, noting that New York's mass transit agency plans to halt train service around 7 p.m. this evening.
United Airlines became the first carrier to publicly announce it would begin paring flights ahead of Sandy.
United announced this morning (Oct. 28) it already has started canceling "selected flights to and from mid-Atlantic and northeast airports beginning Sunday evening."
Starting on Monday, United says it will "limit or suspend service" to nearly 30 airports in the region, including at two of its busiest hubs: Newark Liberty and Washington Dulles. United adds that it "expects to resume service on Tuesday with selected cancellations, weather permitting."
FlightAware says it appears United's flights will remain suspended at those airports at least through Tuesday afternoon.
FlightAware CEO Baker predicts other airlines will follow a similar course.
Sandy is expected to make landfall sometime Monday, but the storm's is currently forecast to bring hurricane or tropical storm conditions to a large swatch of the region for up to 72 hours, according to forecasts.

Besides the airlines, Amtrak has already canceled a number of trains, including all of Monday's runs on the popular Northeast Corridor routes between Washington, New York and Boston.
Back to skies, every big U.S. airline -- including American, Delta, JetBlue, Spirit, United and US Airways -- has issued flexible travel policies that allow fee-free changes (with varying restrictions) for many passengers ticketed to fly to the Northeast and mid-Atlantic during the next few days.
Many customers appear to be taking the airlines up on their offers, though that's prompted a number of complaints via Twitter, Facebook and other social media channels about long hold times on airline reservations lines.
At United, spokesman Rahsaan Johnson tells Today in the Sky that "call volumes are up, which leads to longer wait times, but we've got employees deployed in all our call centers and our at-home agents working."

He suggests customers should first try changing their tickets online.
"Those travelers whose flights are cancelled and who no longer need to travel can delay calling us and apply for a refund after the storm has passed," Johnson adds to Today in the Sky. "That can help to reduce overall volume and wait times for customers who do need to rebook."
Nearly every major U.S. airline has at least one hub or "focus city" among the airports expect to see extreme conditions from Sandy. Several airlines have two, such as United (Newark and Washington Dulles), US Airways (Philadelphia and Washington National) and JetBlue (New York JFK and Boston).
Even a moderate disruption of those airports could affect thousands of flights and tens of thousands of passengers. An outright suspension of flights at a combination of those airports would wreak havoc that could spread throughout the U.S. aviation grid and create a backlog of stranded fliers that takes days to clear.
Even parts of the nation outside Sandy's reach are likely to see flight delays. A flight from Phoenix to Honolulu, for example, could become delayed or canceled if the flight or crew scheduled to fly it gets marooned because of disruptions in the East resulting from Sandy.



http://www.usatoday.com/story/todayinthesky/2012/10/26/sandy-airline-flights/1660875/?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=t.co

Rolls-Royce opens new Apprentice Academy

Rolls-Royce, the global power systems company, today opened a new, state-of-the-art Apprentice Academy, at its Learning and Career Development Centre in Derby. The facility will provide capacity for Rolls-Royce to double the number of apprentices it trains. The additional apprentices will find work in the supply chain, providing an additional source of skilled labour to the UK engineering and manufacturing industry.
The facility, which spans three floors, includes a 1,200 square metre workshop area featuring the latest machines, which enables apprentices to be trained on the same equipment they will be using in the workplace.
The Rt Hon George Osborne MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer, officially opened the Rolls-Royce Apprentice Academy. He was accompanied by Colin Smith, Rolls-Royce, Director of Engineering and Technology, at a ceremony attended by employees, apprentices, suppliers and representatives of local education establishments. The Chancellor toured the new Academy and met apprentices who are currently learning about the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 aero engine, which powers the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The Chancellor also spoke with supply chain companies who will benefit from the training provided at the Academy.
George Osborne MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer, said: “Excellence in engineering is what countries like Britain need if we are to win the global race that we are in. Apprenticeships and the new engineering qualifications that we are announcing today help us achieve that, by giving young people the skills that they want and that businesses and the economy need.
"I am pleased to take part in the opening of the new Rolls-Royce Apprentice Academy which will also benefit suppliers in small and medium sized manufacturing."
Colin Smith, Rolls-Royce, Director of Engineering and Technology, said: "We are delighted to welcome the Chancellor to Rolls-Royce to celebrate the opening of our new Apprentice Academy. We set the highest standards, both in educating our people and in delivering the most efficient products in the industry for our customers. What we do is exciting and it’s great that this new Academy will offer access to state-of-the-art facilities and training to a wider range of young people who are beginning their careers in engineering."
Rolls-Royce has been training apprentices for over 100 years, and the Grou's apprenticeship programme is an industry leader; awarded Beacon Status by the Learning & Skills Improvement Service and OFSTED graded the programme as outstanding in all areas. 98% of our apprentices successfully complete their training compared with a 74% national average and many go on to senior roles within the organisation; 20% of our current senior managers in the UK started their careers as Rolls-Royce apprentices.

1. Rolls-Royce is a world-leading provider of power systems and services for use on land, at sea and in the air, and has established a strong position in global markets - civil aerospace, defence aerospace, marine and energy.
2. As a result of this strategy, Rolls-Royce has a broad customer base comprising more than 500 airlines, 4,000 corporate and utility aircraft and helicopter operators, 160 armed forces, more than 4,000 marine customers, including 70 navies, and energy customers in more than 80 countries.
3. Annual underlying revenue was £11.3 billion in 2011, of which more than half came from the provision of services. The firm and announced order book stood at £60.1 billion at 30 June 2012, providing visibility of future levels of activity.
4. Rolls-Royce employs over 40,000 people in offices, manufacturing and service facilities in over 50 countries. Over 11,000 of these employees are engineers.
5. In 2011, Rolls-Royce invested £908 million on research and development, two thirds of which had the objective of further improving the environmental performance of its products, in particular reducing emissions.
6. Rolls-Royce supports a global network of 28 University Technology Centres, which connect the company’s engineers with the forefront of scientific research.
7. The Group has a strong commitment to apprentice and graduate recruitment and to further developing employee skills.

U.S. Airlines Cancel 4,700 Flights Ahead of Hurricane Sandy

U.S. airlines have canceled more than 4,700 flights due to depart Sunday and Monday, ahead of the expected landfall early Tuesday of Hurricane Sandy.

Airlines canceled 1,030 domestic and international services on Sunday and a further 3,680 due to depart Monday, with east coast airports expected to decide later Sunday whether or not to close.

Airports from Washington, D.C. up to Boston were implementing contingency plans, with the ability of staff to reach work and control towers to remain open in high winds among the key concerns.

Most air traffic control towers close when winds reach 60 to 70 knots, but many of the early disruptions are because of mass transit shutdowns that have affected the availability of airline and airport staff, FlightAware said. New York is shutting down its transit system beginning at 7 p.m. local time on Sunday.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg ordered mandatory evacuations for low-lying zones in the city, and announced that public transit will be suspended beginning 7 p.m. Sunday evening. 

Newark Liberty International Airport accounted for almost a quarter of the U.S. cancellations, with 1,080 services to and from the United Airlines' hub scrubbed over the next two days.

United is suspending operations on Monday and early Tuesday at Newark and Dulles International Airport, as well as 24 others including Boston, Philadelphia and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

The Federal Aviation Administration said the average delay on Sunday is one hour for flights to New York's LaGuardia Airport, 88 minutes for flights to Newark, and two hours for flights to Philadelphia.

United has canceled about 1,100 flights over Sunday and Monday. JetBlue Airways, JBLU -0.37% the largest operator at JFK, has canceled 610 flights, and Delta Air Lines, DAL 0.00% the largest carrier at LaGuardia, has canceled 150, according to FlightAware.com.

US Airways Group Inc. LCC -0.16% is expected to announce cancellations later Sunday. FlightAware said it expects cancellations for Monday and Tuesday "to rise considerably."

Forecasters fear Hurricane Sandy will cause flooding, partly because tides are already high with a full moon. That could affect airports, such as JFK and LaGuardia, which is only four feet above high tide, FlightAware said.

So far, airlines have canceled 520 flights on Tuesday, according to FlightAware.com.

Most carriers are allowing affected customers to rebook their travel without change fees, or say they will issue refunds for canceled flights.

Overseas airlines also started canceling services to the east coast Sunday to avoid aircraft and crew becoming stranded.

British Airways, IAG.MC +3.99% the largest trans-Atlantic operator, dropped four of the 12 daily flights operated in partnership with American Airlines, with the last due to arrive in New York at 6 p.m. eastern. It also canceled the first flight Monday from New York JFK to London Heathrow, though the rest of the day's services were due to depart as planned.

Cathay Pacific 0293.HK +0.83% canceled its Hong Kong-New York service for Monday, and cautioned disruption could extend to Tuesday because of public transport problems for passengers and airport staff. Emirates also canceled its Monday flights to JFK from Dubai.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203880704578084841411879024.html?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=t.co&mod=googlenews_wsj 

Rolls-Royce congratulates ANA and Boeing on a year of Dreamliner service with exceptional engine performance

Rolls-Royce, the global power systems company, has congratulated Japan's All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Boeing on one year of 787 Dreamliner revenue service. Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines have powered more than 9,000 flights, achieving outstanding reliability.

The Trent 1000 has delivered a despatch reliability of more than 99.9 per cent, meaning less than one in 1000 flights has experienced a delayed departure due to an engine issue. It has also delivered 100 per cent in-flight reliability.

John Griffiths, Trent 1000 Programme Director, Rolls-Royce, said: "Last year, ANA won two Flightstats On-time Performance Service Awards and we are proud to have helped maintain the airline's reputation for on-time service during the 787 Dreamliner's entry into service.  We congratulate ANA on the smooth introduction of its Dreamliners and look forward to continuing to work closely with the airline as the fleet continues to grow."

Trent 1000 in-service reliability has been achieved in a busy service environment, with ANA's Dreamliners averaging around 50 flights a day, a timetable requiring rapid turnaround times and high reliability.

Hiroyuki Ito, ANA's Senior Executive Vice-President – Engineering and Maintenance, said:"The Trent 1000 has provided excellent performance in service on the 787 Dreamliner. We are proud of our smooth entry into service and this has been achieved through close co-operation with both Boeing and Rolls-Royce. We look forward to the Trent 1000 continuing its record for reliability as our fleet continues to grow." 

The Trent 1000 powered the Boeing 787 Dreamliner's first flight in December 2009 and entered service with ANA on October 26, 2011. ANA currently has 15 Dreamliners in service and 51 on order.

The engine, the quietest and most efficient available on the 787 Dreamliner, has been selected in 8 of the last 10 engine competitions for this aircraft and now has a total of 24 customers.

Rolls-Royce is committed to continual improvement of the Trent engine family and the Trent 1000-TEN (Thrust, Efficiency and New technology), which will deliver a reduction in specific fuel consumption (SFC) of up to three per cent, compared with the Trent 1000s in service today. It will be certified to 76,000lb of thrust, but with the capability to deliver 78,000lb,

1. Rolls-Royce is a world-leading provider of power systems and services for use on land, at sea and in the air, and has established a strong position in global markets - civil aerospace, defence aerospace, marine and energy.
2. As a result of this strategy, Rolls-Royce has a broad customer base comprising more than 500 airlines, 4,000 corporate and utility aircraft and helicopter operators, 160 armed forces, more than 4,000 marine customers, including 70 navies, and energy customers in more than 80 countries.
3. Annual underlying revenue was £11.3 billion in 2011, of which more than half came from the provision of services. The firm and announced order book stood at £60.1 billion at 30 June 2012, providing visibility of future levels of activity.
4. Rolls-Royce employs over 40,000 people in offices, manufacturing and service facilities in over 50 countries. Over 11,000 of these employees are engineers.
5. In 2011, Rolls-Royce invested £908 million on research and development, two thirds of which had the objective of further improving the environmental performance of its products, in particular reducing emissions.
6. Rolls-Royce supports a global network of 28 University Technology Centres, which connect the company's engineers with the forefront of scientific research.
7. The Group has a strong commitment to apprentice and graduate recruitment and to further developing employee skills.

Medan Sambut Kuala Namu

Oleh: Deddi Gunawan Hutajulu. Ada poin menarik dari percepatan pembangunan Kuala Namu. Apa itu? Pembangunan bandara baru itu seperti mengulangi kisah Jakarta membangun Cengkareng, Monas, dan Istora Senayan di masa lalu supaya Indonesia tampak semarak di mata dunia. Atau, Palembang membangun Jakabaring sehingga PON dihelat di sana dan dunia mengenal Palembang.

 

Paling tidak, di 2014 yang ditargetkan bakal rampung, Sumut akan punya bandara yang membanggakan dengan luas hampir sepuluh kali bandara Polonia yang cuma 144 hektar.

Jelas, pembangunan Bandara Kuala Namu tidak sekadar memaklumkan pendapat Kepala Bappeda Provinsi Sumatera Utara Riadil Akhir Lubis, yang menyebut Polonia itu seperti bandara kampung, pasar malam (kompas.com, 30/8).

Bukan pula karena Polonia sudah tua dan "tak mampu lagi menampung banyaknya penumpang," kata mantan Sekda Provsu RE Nainggolan (waspada 28/7/2011). Lebih dari itu, bandara seluas 1.365 hektar dengan terminal penumpang seluas 86,000 meter kuadrat yang disebut-sebut sanggup memboyong 8,1 juta penumpang per tahun itu tentulah akan menjadi "mercusuar raksasa" yang membuat daerah kita ini jadi terpandang, membanggakan, modern di waktu selanjutnya.

Mendirikan "mercusuar raksasa" bukan perkara gampang. Selain biayanya mahal, juga orang Sumut terlalu banyak pertimbangan kalau mau bangun sesuatu, kalau tidak mau disebut gemar hitung-hitungan dengan untung. Tak heran selama ini nyaris tak ada pembangunan projek "mercusuar" di Sumut. Kuala Namu barang kali unsur "ketidaksengajaan" atau "keterpaksaan" yang tak terelakkan lagi.

Sebab, andai Polonia masih kuat, barang kali takkan terpikir membangun Kuana Namu. Tapi percayalah, dengan segala potensi yang ada di dalamnya, Kuala Namu kelak akan jadi pemantik kebesaran Sumut di mata warga dunia.

Juga amat dimungkinkan anak-anak daerah ini terpacu lebih cerdas, lebih pintar, dan lebih mau setelah mereka punya kesempatan melihat bumi dari atas.

Kita sebut "mercusuar raksasa" sebab diwartakan, Kuala Namu akan punya dua landasan pacu dan tempat parkir pesawat seluas 30 hektar berkapasitas maksimal 33 pesawat. Terminal kargonya seluas 13.000 meter persegi dengan kapasitas parkir tiga pesawat tiap hari. Terminal itu diprediksi sanggup mengangkut 65.000 ton kargo per tahun.

Tak sampai di situ, untuk melancarkan operasional, bandara ini dilengkapi dengan parkir pesawat berkapasitas sebanyak 1.400 roda empat termasuk taxi. Kehebatan lain, akses ke Kualanamu akan ada sepuluh pintu masuk. Didukung pula dengan pembangunan akses jalan tol Medan-Kualanamu sepanjang kurang lebih 60 kilometer, jalan arteri non tol 17,8 kilometer, dan dilengkapi kereta api khusus bandara (http://www.pu.go.id/main/view_pdf/7886).

Bersamaan dengan itu dibangun pula Fly Over (jembatan layang) Jamin Ginting sepanjang 1.472 meter. Pembangunan Fly Over tersebut dimaksudkan untuk mengatasi kemacetan arus lalu lintas di jalan Nasution kota Medan. Seiring dengan itu pengerjaan sarana fisik jalur kereta api Aras Kabu-Bandara Kuala Namu sedang digenjot berbarengan dengan pembangunan terminal city chek in yang mengambil tempat di stasiun besar kereta api Medan.

Lantas, dengan gambaran kebesaran "mercusuar raksasa" itu bagaimana Medan menyambutnya? Selaku ibukota Sumut, Medan tentu punya tanggung jawab dan andil besar.

Salah satunya, menyukseskan pembangunan terminal city chek in. Pastikan rampung sesuai tenggat waktu yang ditentukan dengan kualitas bangunan yang bermutu.

Kemudian, Medan berhadapan dengan masalah kemacetan. Maka, kerja keras Walikota Medan untuk mengurai kemacetan. Itu jadi tantangan! Ya, itu pun mesti diikuti gayung bersambut dari budaya partisipasif masyarakat sadar tertib lalu lintas.

Selanjutnya, masalah parkir. Banyak sekali tempat yang tidak tersedia parkirannya menambah beban kemacetan. Maka, ide menyediakan parker di gedung berlantai atas patut dipertimbangkan.

Begitu juga dengan rencana pengadaan TransMedan sebagai fider moda transportasi ke Kuala Namu harus dipertimbangkan secara matang. Soalnya, baru-baru ini terjadi aksi mogok angkut oleh sejumlah sopir angkot yang menilai kehadiran transportasi massal jenis baru itu sama sekali tak berpihak pada mereka dan para penumpang yang dominan wong cilik.

Di sisi lain, pembangunan Sky Bridge yang mengambil tempat di sisi Lapangan merdeka serta Fly Over di Jamin Ginting mesti bisa dijamin kuat, bermutu, dan berdaya tahan lama.

Sebab, banyak bangunan di Medan didirikan asal jadi tanpa mempertimbangkan mutu.

Begitu juga dengan penetapan jarak berangkat kereta api sekali 30 menit harus disertai dengan kebijakan yang tegas dan disertai dengan penyediaan kereta api yang lebih memadai.

Fasilitas pengaturan lalu lintas kereta api, seperti kualitas jalur rel dan palang pintu buatlah semoderen mungkin.

Jangan yang konvensional. Sebab, kereta api adalah sarana transportasi massal yang paling aman dan paling diminati banyak orang.

http://www.analisadaily.com/news/read/2012/10/24/83264/medan_sambut_kuala_namu/#.UJUxtCK1tiF 

Bandara Kualanamu, Pintu Gerbang Wisata dan Ekonomi Sumut !

Oleh : Jan Roi A Sinaga. Kunjungan para wisatawan di Indonesia masih dominan di belahan Timur dan Tengah Indonesia, dimana Bali masih menjadi pusat destinasi wisata para pelancong, baik dari dalam maupun luar negeri. Selain itu ada Papua dengan Raja Ampat nya, NTT dengan pulau komodonya, Sulawesi dengan taman laut Bunaken-nya. Padahal, jika dilihat dari potensi wisata dan keindahan panorama alam yang disajikan, Sumatera merupakan salah satu destinasi wisata yang sangat baik dan indah, khususnya Sumatera Utara. Ya, Sumatera Utara memiliki banyak tempat wisata yang sangat menarik, bahkan sudah sangat terkenal hingga keluar negeri.

Sebut saja Danau Toba, danau vulkanik yang sangat indah tersebut sejak dulu sudah banyak dikunjungi oleh para turis lokal maupun manca negara. Selain menyimpan keindahan panorama yang disajikan, masih banyak tempat wisata daerah yang sangat menakjubkan seperti batu gantung, air terjun Sipiso-piso. Selain itu, tempat wisata di Sumatera Utara yang juga ramai dikunjungi wisatawan adalah Taman Nasional Gunung Leuser di Langkat, dataran tinggi puncak Berastagi, serta suasana pantai di Pantai Cermin.

Semua tempat wisata di Sumatera Utara tersebut terbilang sangat komplit dibandingkan dengan daerah lain di Indonesia, namun yang menjadi kendala saat ini untuk mengundang minat para wisatawan lebih banyak lagi berkunjung ke Sumatera Utara adalah sarana dan prasarana yang kurang lengkap, ditambah lagi pengelolaan yang kurang baik sehingga banyak lokasi wisata yang sepertinya sudah minim pengunjung.

Sumber Penghasilan

Jika pariwisata di Sumatera Utara terkelola dengan baik serta ditunjang dengan akomodasi yang baik pula, bukan tidak mungkin bahwa Sumatera Utara kembali masuk menjadi destinasi wisata di Indonesia. Jelas saja hal ini akan membuat pariwisata Sumatera Utara kembali menggeliat, dan dampaknya juga akan dirasakan oleh masyarakat sekitar daerah wisata, dimana masyarakat akan mendapatkan keuntungan secara ekonomi dan lapangan pekerjaan, baik itu dengan membuka pusat penjualan kerajinan khas daerah, maupun lokasi wisata kulinernya. Memang sektor pariwisata sangat menjanjikan bagi kesejahteraan penduduknya, tetapi juga kemajuan pariwisata di Sumatera Utara akan menambah penghasilan daerah Sumatera Utara menjadi lebih meningkat. Hal inilah yang seharusnya digagas oleh pemprovsu guna memperbaiki kualitas pariwisata di Sumatera Utara.

Wisata di Sumatera Utara ini sangat lengkap, bahkan bisa mewakili seluruh destinasi wisata di Indonesia, mulai dari gunung, pantai, danau, air terjun, kuliner, bahkan masih banyak lagi wisata yang kita miliki dengan nilai lebih dari daerah lain. Namun karena pengelolaan wisata yang kurang baik, akhirnya Sumatera Utara jauh tertinggal dari daerah-daerah lain di Indonesia. Untuk itu sangat diharapkan keseriusan para pemerintah dalam membangun kembali citra pariwisata Sumatera Utara dimata nasional maupun internasional. Karena dengan pengelolaan yang baik, pariwisata Sumatera Utara sangat menguntungkan berbagai aspek, dan pariwisata Sumatera Utara bisa saja menjadi sumber penghasilan utama bagi masyarakat sekitar lokasi wisata.

Bandara Kualanamu, Sangat Membantu

Harapan baru akan kebangkitan potensi wisata Sumatera Utara kembali mencuat seiring akan selesainya Bandara Internasional Kuala Namu. Dimana banyak kalangan menggantungkan harapan bahwa Bandara Kualanamu menjadi pintu gerbang utama untuk meningkatkan aspek pariwisata Sumatera Utara. Memang, peresmian Bandara Kualanamu masih belum pasti kapan dilakukan, namun setidaknya warga Sumatera Utara sudah memiliki secercah harapan bagi kemajuan sektor pariwisata melalui bandara internasional tersebut.

Memang, yang menjadi kendala utama disamping pengelolaan yang kurang maksimal dalam perkembangan wisata Sumatera Utara adalah masalah akomodasi yang tidak baik, dengan arti hanya berpusat di kota Medan sebagai ibukota Provinsi Sumatera Utara. Artinya, seakan-akan Sumatera Utara hanya Kota Medan, dan untuk bepergian ke daerah wisata di Sumatera Utara, para wisatawan terkadang bingung untuk melaksanakan perjalanan kemana dan dengan menggunakan apa.

Namun, setelah beroperasinya Bandara Kualanamu nantinya, diharapkan para wisatawan lebih mudah lagi dalam mencapai destinasi wisatanya, hal ini juga didukung karena posisi Bandara Kualanamu sangat strategis dengan jalur transportasi menuju daerah wisata di Sumatera Utara, seperti jalan lintas Sumatera menuju Danau Toba dan sekitarnya, jalan lintas menuju kota Medan, Langkat, dan Tanah Karo yang memiliki objek wisata yang sangat menarik.

Dengan mengandalkan akomodasi yang baik dan diawali dari pembangunan Bandara Kualanamu, maka bisa dipastikan kunjungan para wisatawan ke Sumatera Utara akan semakin meningkat dari tahun ke tahun.

Untuk itu, sudah selayaknya segenap unsur masyarakat beserta pemerintah Sumatera Utara bahu membahu dalam meningkatkan potensi wisata di Sumatera Utara karena saling menguntungkan, baik bagi daerah, negara, maupun masyarakat sendiri. ***

Penulis adalah Alumni UNIMED. Pemerhati Publik

 

source: http://www.analisadaily.com/news/read/2012/10/31/84434/bandara_kualanamu_pintu_gerbang_wisata_dan_ekonomi_sumut/#.UJUxtCK1tiF 

Kuala Namu dan Pengetahuan Aviasi Masyarakat Sekitar Bandara

Oleh : M. Sutan A. Aziz F. Nasution. Beberapa tahun yang lalu, pengelola Bandara Soekarno Hatta, Jakarta, bandara tersibuk dan terbesar di Indonesia sempat heboh dengan ancaman dari beberapa maskapai penerbangan asing yang hendak menghentikan penerbangannya ke bandara itu karena menganggap pihak pengelola bandara tidak memperhatikan aturan keselamatan penerbangan yang membuat mereka merasa tidak aman untuk mendarat dan terbang dari bandara tersebut.

Alasan yang diungkapkan oleh pihak maskapai penerbangan asing itu disebabkan oleh kurang terpenuhinya standar operasional bandara yang seharusnya menjadi kebanggaan bangsa Indonesia. Hal ini antara lain disebabkan oleh seringnya warga sekitar bandara membawa ternaknya untuk memakan rumput yang berada tidak jauh dari runway bandara. Selain itu, sering pula anak-anak bermain layang-layang sehingga semakin menambah kekhawatiran pihak operator maskapai asing tersebut.

Pihak pengelola bandara berdalih telah memperingatkan warga sekitar. Akan tetapi, rakyat di sekitar bandara merasa acuh tak acuh atas peringatan yang diberikan dan menganggap pihak pengelola bandara juga tidak pernah bersilaturrahmi dan berdialog dengan warga. Warga pun menganggap mereka sama sekali tidak mendapat manfaat dari adanya bandara itu karena tak pernah menggunakan jasa angkutan udara.

Minimnya Sosialisasi

Permasalahan tersebut tentu saja tidak bisa dianggap sepele. Ada sebuah masalah yang cukup mengakar yang menimbulkan dampak-dampak negatif yang timbul karenanya. Pada masyarakat, misalnya, keinginan dan kepentingan mereka mungkin selama ini tidak terakomodir oleh pihak pengelola bandara sebagai representasi dari bandara yang berada di sekitar mereka. Hal ini bisa pula murni disebabkan ketidakpahaman mereka akan aturan keselamatan di dunia penerbangan karena minimnya sosialisasi. Pada pihak pengelola bandara pula, mungkin selama ini belum mampu berdialog dalam memberikan pemahaman atas aturan keselamatan penerbangan disamping belum memiliki ketegasan terhadap siapa saja yang melanggar aturan yang ada.

Dari kasus tersebut tentunya dapat diambil benang merah atas segera beroperasinya Bandara Kuala Namu kelak. Bandara Kuala Namu sebagai bandara pengganti Bandara Polonia dan dirancang jauh lebih modern dari bandara sebelumnya memberikan peluang yang besar bagi Provinsi Sumatera Utara. Salah satu bentuk nyata dari peluang tersebut adalah ramainya aktivitas penerbangan yang tiba serta berangkat melalui bandara ini menuju ke berbagai kota di dalam maupun luar negeri. Konsekuensi dari ramainya jalur udara tersebut, tentu mengakibatkan berjumlahnya jumlah operator penerbangan yang hadir meramaikan dan beragamnya armada yang digunakan oleh pihak operator penerbangan masing-masing.

Daerah Kuala Namu sebagaimana telah banyak diketahui dahulunya merupakan daerah perkebunan sawit dimana sebagian besar penduduknya hidup dalam mata pencaharian sebagai nelayan. Oleh sebab itu, tak heran jika penulis yakin pengetahuan tentang aviasi (dunia penerbangan) kurang atau bahkan sama sekali tak mereka ketahui. Padahal, seperti diketahui bahwa transportasi udara merupakan transportasi dengan tingkat regulasi terbanyak dan terumit diantara transportasi lainnya. Regulasi tersebut tidak hanya berlaku di dalam kawasan bandara semata, melainkan juga daerah di sekitar bandara yang tak pelak melibatkan masyarakat di sekitar Bandara Kuala Namu pula.

Menarik jika kemudian timbul pertanyaan apakah bandara baru yang konon bakal beroperasi beberapa bulan ke depan (Maret 2013) telah mampu menyosialisasikan tentang dunia aviasi ini kepada masyarakat sekitar? Apakah Bandara Kuala Namu tersebut tampil beda dengan sosialisasinya yang baik kepada masyarakat sekitar atau dengan kata lain tidak mau mengulangi kesalahan yang serupa seperti pada Bandara Soekarno Hatta beberapa tahun yang lalu.

Penulis sendiri tidak tahu apakah jawabannya ya atau tidak. Yang pasti disini penulis berharap agar pihak pengelola bandara mampu memberikan pengetahuan kepada masyarakat sekitar tentang aviasi (dunia penerbangan) secara jelas, sehingga masyarakat benar-benar paham. Jika jawaban pertanyaan sebelumnya dapat djawab "Ya", maka hal itu sangatlah melegakan menandakan Bandara Kuala Namu benar-benar telah dipersiapkan dengan perencanaan yang matang. Akan tetapi, jika jawabannya tidak, maka sinyal negatif rasanya menimpa bandara kebanggaan masyarakat Sumut itu terutama ketika telah beroperasi kelak.

Jika saja pengoperasian bandara yang benar-benar baru ini (bukan seperti di kota lain yang hanya merenovasi atau memperluas bandara) mengalami masalah akibat ketidakpahaman masyarakat dengan standar regulasi penerbangan, maka bukan tidak mustahil point-point positif yang digadang-gadang pada bandara ini (seperi bandara termodern dan tercanggih fasilitas sarana prasarananya se Indonesia) akan pupus dan menimbulkan ketidakpercayaan terutama dari pihak asing.

Apabila ketidakpercayaan itu terjadi, tentu saja pupus pula harapan masyarakat Sumut untuk dapat melihat bandaranya diramaikan oleh "pemain baru" dengan hadirnya operator penerbangan yang datang dari berbagai negara asing. Pupus pula harapan agar Bandara Kuala Namu dapat "menginternasionalisasikan" Sumut, terutama dalam sektor perdagangan dan transportasi udara (sebagai hub bagian barat dalam MP3EI). Jika saja semua itu terjadi, maka dapat dianggap Bandara Kuala Namu hanyalah bandara baru pengganti bandara lama yang bersifat menggantikan dalam ukuran yang jauh kebih besar, namun tidak memiliki dampak apapun pada pertumbuhan sektor lain.

Oleh sebab itulah, maka pengoperasian bandara ini harus mampu menjawab tantangan, terutama tantangan atas kekurangan serta kesalahan yang pernah terjadi pada Bandara Polonia maupun bandara lainnya di seantero negeri ini agar kelak tidak terulang saat pengoperasian bandara ini. Perlu pula untuk berpikir jauh dengan tidak pernah menganggap bahwa kesuksesan suatu bandara hanya sebatas fasilitas infrastuktur dan sarana prasarananya semata. Akan tetapi, lebih dari sekedar itu, kesuksesan itu dapat digapai jika saja mampu mengedukasi masyarakat di sekitarnya dan dianggap bermanfaat pula keberadaannya bagi mereka, sehingga timbul rasa memiliki dari semua pihak. ***

Tarif KA Medan-Kualanamu Beratkan Masyarakat

Medan, (Analisa). Rencana PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) Divre I Sumut-NAD yang memberikan tarif ongkos dari Stasiun Besar Kereta Api (KA) Medan menuju Bandara Internasional Kualanamu, Deliserdang sebesar Rp 75.000 dinilai pengamat ekonomi memberatkan masyarakat Sumut. Pengamat menilai bahwa PT KAI besar pasak dari tiang.

"Kalau mereka membeli gerbong dari Korea Selatan (Korsel) dengan kondisi rel yang standar Sumut, jelas harga itu sangat mahal. Hampir sama tarifnya dengan tarif ke Rantauprapat yakni Rp 95.000," ucap Pengamat Ekonomi dari USU, Jhon Tafbu Ritonga, Senin (29/10).

Jhon melihat bahwa PT KAI telah melakukan investasi bagaikan kata pepatah "besar pasak dari tiang". Mestinya gerbong kereta harus sesuai dengan kondisi stasiun, rel dan kualitas tata kelola PT KAI. Ia menginginkan di era keterbukaan seperti saat ini, sudah seharusnya PT KAI umumkan kepada publik tentang perhitungan unit cost tarif Rp 75.000 tersebut.

"Di USU saja kita sudah menetapkan besarnya uang kuliah sesuai dengan standar pelayanan yang diberikan kepada masyarakat. Tidak boleh lagi suka-suka menetapkan besarnya SPP atau uang kuliah serta tidak boleh lagi ada pungutan lain seperti uang pembangunan dan lainnya," ucapnya.

Lebih lanjut ditambahkannya bahwa tarif tersebut bisa dimaklumi, jika PT KAI bisa menjelaskan mahalnya tarif tersebut. Misalnya pada gerbong yang ada memakai alat yang hebat, seperti sudah pakai TV, layaknya kita naik Garuda dengan boeingnya, atau fasilitas lainnya sudah memakai alat-alat digital, tempat duduknya juga sudah seperti di VIP Garuda, dan lainnya.

"Jangan hanya gerbongnya saja yang bagus, tapi relnya tidak memadai. Sama saja itu besar pasak dari tiang," ucapnya.

Sebelumnya, Humas PT KAI Divre I Sumut-NAD, Hasri kepada Analisa menjelaskan bahwa tarif tersebut belum adanya ketetapan. "Kita rencanakan tarifnya mulai dari Rp 60.000 hingga Rp 75.000 untuk sekali jalan," ucapnya.

Tarif tersebut diberlakukan mengingat untuk jarak Stasiun Medan-Bandara Kualanamu dengan jarak 27,7 km, kemudian jarak Stasiun Medan- Stasiun Araskabu 22,9 km, jarak Stasiun Araskabu-Bandara Kualanamu 4,8 km.

Waktu yang ditempuh dari Stasiun Medan-Kualanamu juga 30 menit dan nantinya frekuensi KA Medan- Kualanamu selama pulang pergi sebanyak 26 kali dalam sehari.

"Harga ini juga mahal karena fasilitasnya juga pakai AC, kemudian kapasitas 1 KA berjumlah 172 tempat duduk dan Headway satu jam," ucap Hasri.

Uji Coba

Saat ini kata Hasri keretanya masih dipesan dari Korea yang nantinya datang dan bisa beroperasi pada Juni 2013 mendatang. "Jika nantinya Bandara Kualanamu sudah beroperasi Maret 2013, maka terlebih dahulu kita memakai kereta dari PT INKA," ucapnya.

Pantauan Analisa, Kamis (1/11), dua set kereta dengan sepuluh gerbong yang dipakai menuju Kualanamu nantinya sudah tersedia di stasiun PT KAI Medan. Kedua kereta ini dipesan dari PT INKA yang berada di Bogor untuk dilakukan uji coba.

source: http://www.analisadaily.com/news/read/2012/11/02/85013/tarif_ka_medankualanamu_beratkan_masyarakat/#.UJUxuCK1tiF 

United Airlines plans first 787 Dreamliner flight Sunday

United Airlines on Friday said it is moving ahead with its planned inaugural flight of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner on Sunday.

United also said it has completed the Federal Aviation Administration certification process required to place the 787 into passenger service.

The Dreamliner is the jet that United will use on its planned Denver-to-Tokyo flights, which begin in March.

Japan’s All Nippon Airways Co. was the first airline to fly 787s last year.

Chicago-based United, a unit of United Continental Holdings Inc. (NYSE: UAL), said its first Dreamliner flight will depart Houston for Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport at 6:20 a.m. MST Sunday.

Fans of air travel have been clamoring for a seat on that flight.

The Dreamliner had been in Houston since Sept. 28 to undergo a month-long certification program that involved testing the aircraft during more than 100 flight hours to domestic and international locations.

Earlier this week, United said it received its second Dreamliner from Chicago-based Boeing Co. (NYSE: BA) after delivery was delayed for a few days. Although the airline had expected future Dreamliners to be delayed, as well, Boeing told Reuters future deliveries would be on time.

United has 50 Dreamliners on order and is scheduled to receive its first five this year.
United said in August that it will fly Dreamliners in and out of Denver International Airport on domestic routes, starting with Denver-Houston flights on Dec. 5, before taking the planes overseas.

source: http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/news/2012/11/02/united-airlines-first-787-dreamliner.html 

Boeing Celebrates 500th Delivery of 737 with Boeing Sky Interior

Copa Airlines to operate the Next-Generation 737-800

 

SEATTLE, Nov. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing's (NYSE: BA) popular passenger-inspired 737 Boeing Sky Interior today marked its 500th delivery and its second anniversary in service.

The Next-Generation 737-800 was delivered to Newport Beach, Calif.-based leasing company Aviation Capital Group (ACG). Panama-based Copa Airlines will lease and operate the new airplane. 

"Our customers and their passengers tell us the 737 Boeing Sky Interior has a 'wow' factor that no other single-aisle jetliner can match," said Beverly Wyse, 737 vice president and general manager. "It adds even more value to an airplane that is already delivering the best economics, reliability and fuel efficiency in its market segment." 

Since the Boeing Sky Interior's first delivery in October 2010, 65 airlines and leasing companies have ordered the new interior. 

"Being part of this significant milestone for the 737 Boeing Sky Interior is a fantastic opportunity," said Pedro Heilbron, CEO of Copa Airlines. "With its continuous innovations, the Next-Generation 737-800 not only benefits Copa with its unmatched operating costs, but the Boeing Sky Interior also provides a welcoming and unique flying experience. Copa is proud to continue to offer this state-of-the-art technology and first rate passenger experience to our valued customers."

Copa Airlines operates a fleet of 83 airplanes. The airline has chosen the Boeing Sky Interior on all of their delivered airplanes since they were the first airline in Latin America to take delivery of the new interior in March 2011.

"We are delighted to have the 737 Boeing Sky Interior in our portfolio," said R. Stephen Hannahs, Group Managing Director and CEO of ACG. "Providing our airline customers with innovative products, like the 737 Boeing Sky Interior, is an integral part of ACG's corporate strategy."  

Two operators with Boeing Sky Interiors recently conducted passenger surveys that reinforced a substantial, noticeable preference for the new interior. Norwegian Air Shuttle found that more than 60 percent of respondents rate the Boeing Sky Interior more comfortable than the standard interior. The same percentage of passengers 'felt happier'. Transavia, a Netherlands-based airline, also recently revealed its findings. 

"In our passenger surveys we have measured a significant improvement in the overall cabin experience by the new Boeing Sky Interior," said Bram Graber, managing director of transavia.com. "Also, our crew appreciates their new working environment. The BSI is smartly designed and we are very satisfied with the introduction in our fleet."

The 737 Boeing Sky Interior features new modern sculpted sidewalls and window reveals, LED lighting that enhances the sense of spaciousness and larger pivoting overhead stowage bins.

More than 90 percent of Boeing's backlog of more than 2,800 Next-Generation 737s will be delivered with the Boeing Sky Interior. The Boeing Sky Interior will be standard on the 737 MAX.

Contact:
Linda Lee
737 Program Communications
Boeing Commercial Airplanes
+1 206-766-2905
linda.a.lee@boeing.com

Photo and caption are available here: http://boeing.mediaroom.com

 

SOURCE Boeing

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