THAI launches biofuels flight and first biofuels passenger flight in Asia

THAILAND-Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI) is set to be the first airline in Asia to fly a commercial passenger flight using biofuels, to support the Company’s Travel Green initiative as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program.
 Mr. Piyasvasti Amranand, President of THAI, said that under the Environmental and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy, or “Travel Green,” THAI has developed an important project on sustainability, in line with His Majesty the King’s vision on renewable energy. In raising environmental awareness and the effects of global warming THAI, as the national carrier, has opted to operate a commercial flight using biofuel renewable energy as one way to help in the reduction of carbon dioxide. THAI hopes that its support and participation in using biofuels will encourage other carriers in the region to choose biofuel renewable energy over fossil fuels.

To reach sustained production of biofuels for aviation in Thailand, THAI will bring together organizations and businesses such as petroleum producers, research firms, educational institutions, aircraft and engine manufacturers, and different government bodies affiliated with the aviation industry to take part in the development. This project called “Sustainable Biofuels Development for Aviation Industry” aims to create both demand and supply, through clear national policies on biofuels, which can help to generate revenue in the agricultural sector. An important outcome is the potential for greater cooperation among the different aviation bodies at the national level for sound support and policies on sustained development of biofuels.

In order to boost awareness and support use of aviation biofuels in Thailand, THAI is operating its “THAI First Flight with Biofuels” TG8421 on 21 December 2011. This inaugural biofuels flight departs from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport at 14.00 hours on Boeing 777-200 aircraft, carrying members of the press and representatives from organizations and government functions that support the biofuels project, such as PTT Public Company Limited, Aeronautical Radio of Thailand Limited, Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited, Rolls Royce, and Boeing.

On 22 December 2011, THAI’s flight TG104 from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, will be the “The First Passenger Biofuels Flight in Asia”. Revenue from this flight will go towards the development of renewable energy in Thailand.  In an effort to promote environmental awareness among youths, THAI is flying 100 students and teachers on flight TG104 called the “Pah Nong Tong Fah”.

Mr. Saran Rangkasiri, Executive Vice President for the Oil Business Unit, PTT Public Company Limited, said that PTT pioneered the use of renewable energy in Thailand and continuously supports the development of environmentally conscious quality products. PTT has provided support by obtaining eight tons of aviation biofuels, valued at 2.5 million baht, which was imported from Sky NRG, a leading aviation biofuels agent in the Netherlands. Sky NRG also arranges aviation biofuels for KLM and Finnair for flights flown within Europe.

Biofuels have been tested by international airlines, including Air New Zealand, Continental Airlines, and KLM, which showed it has the same quality as Jet A-1 traditional petroleum-based fossil fuel. The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM International) has certified that biofuels combined with Jet A-1 fuel, at a maximum ratio of 50:50, can be used in place of pure Jet A-1 fuel in accordance with the ASTM D7566 standard. In order that THAI’s special flight may be “Travel Green,” PTT MCC Biochem Co. Ltd. and PTT Polymer Marketing Co. Ltd. cooperated with plastic producers to manufacture laminated paper cups made from 100% recycled glass that will be introduced for the first time to the business sector in Thailand. This cooperation is an important step for the country to build global confidence and is a sign of readiness to become the “Bio hub of Asia,” complementing PTT’s vision and businesses in the energy sector while maintaining Corporate Social Responsibility for the long term.

Mr. Ralph L. “Skip” Boyce, President of Boeing Southeast Asia, Boeing International Corporation, said that this flight which is part of THAI’s “Sustainable Biofuels Development for Aviation Industry” project is an initiative that brings together different players in the industry; from aircraft to engine manufacturers, research companies, fuel producers, education institutions, government bodies, and the media. As an aircraft manufacturer, Boeing does more than just bring newer, more efficient products to its customers, such as the significantly more fuel efficient 787 which THAI will operate in the future. Working together with leading researchers and industries, Boeing is pioneering ways to develop biofuels and is committed to working with industry partners to find the means to a quieter, cleaner, and more cost effective flight experience for airline customers and their passengers.

Wing Commander Prajak Sajjasophon, Managing Director of Aeronautical Radio of Thailand Public Company Limited, said that AEROTHAI supports THAI’s biofuels efforts through air traffic control, flight operations plan and design, so that the first biofuels flight runs as smoothly and efficiently as possible. Best practices and expertise in aeronautical radio are implemented based AEROTHAI’s experience with the “THAI Aspire Flight” which was conducted as a “perfect flight” to reduce global warming. During that flight, the best technology, processes, new flight operations techniques, and carbon dioxide emissions reduction were used to reflect THAI’s “Travel Green” concept.  The following special procedures are used for “THAI’s First Flight with Biofuels,” as follows:

1. Use of “surface optimization,” which is optimum ground handling at the airline that is implemented to decrease delays and reduce fuel waste during takeoff.
2. Use of “continuous climb,” which involves gradual and steady climb, instead of change of height level.
3. Flying “direct routes” or by flying a direct flight path that is within closest proximity.
4. Use of “continuous descent operation” (CDO), which is gradual descent at a regular pace while landing at the airport. This makes the flight more effective, modern, comfortable, energy efficient, and environmentally friendly.

Flight Lieutenant Anirut Thanombutr, Managing Director of Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited, said that Airports of Thailand (AOT) administers six primary airports in Thailand, with cares for the environment and society. With regards to reduction of carbon dioxide emissions the AOT has implemented “Green Buildings” in its passenger terminal building at Suvarnabhumi Airport, using natural light and energy originating from heated water transformed into electricity for cooling purposes. This effectively reduces the use of electricity.  AOT plans to implement “green building” at other airports, such as Phuket International Airport.  AOT has also put into action “Clean & Renewable Energy” whereby ground handling vehicles and airport shuttles are electrically powered to avoid air pollution.  In addition, AOT uses “Hybrid Synergy Airport Limousines”.  “Fixed Electrical Ground Power Supply” system is also used to reduce “Aircraft Auxiliary Unit” in the airport parking bay area, which normally releases a substantial amount of carbon dioxide emission.  Furthermore, some stations use solar-powered energy to generate electricity for equipment and communication tools that is used to measure noise pollution.

THAI is cooperating with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in working towards reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 5% by the year 2020, and equivalent to zero carbon dioxide emissions by the year 2057.  Currently, the aviation industry releases 2 percent of carbon dioxide in the world, which is not much when compared to other industries.  However, if carbon dioxide emissions are not reduced by 5 percent per year, it will result in a carbon dioxide increase in the environment by 3 percent, or up to 20 million tons per year.

THAI is proud be the first airline in Asia to operate the commercial passenger domestic flight using biofuels, based on the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy that focuses on “Travel Green”.

In-flight Wi-Fi access for Qantas customers

Qantas has announced its passengers will soon be able to access the internet in-flight using their personal electronic devices as the airline commences an in-flight connectivity pilot.

Qantas Chief Executive Alan Joyce said the carrier will deploy internet capability on six of its A380s on selected flights between Sydney and Los Angeles and Melbourne and Los Angeles.

“From February next year our customers travelling between Australia and Los Angeles will have the opportunity to participate in our in-flight connectivity trial and communicate online from the 35,000 feet,” Mr Joyce said.

“Our customers will be able to access the Internet via their Wi-Fi enabled personal electronic devices, such as iPhones, iPads and BlackBerrys, on Qantas for the first time.”

The trial will initially be available to first and business class passengers and will form part of Qantas’ ongoing strategic evaluation of connectivity options.

Next month Qantas will also conduct a trial delivering over 200 hours of in-flight entertainment to passengers via iPads provided in each seat of a dedicated B767-300 aircraft.

Customers travelling on the dedicated B767 will also be able to watch Qantas's in-flight entertainment on their laptop computer, smartphone, tablet or other wi-fi enabled device.

"Q Streaming utilises cutting edge wireless technology that enables customers to connect to the Qantas on demand IFE system, with their wi-fi devices," Mr Joyce said.

"We are excited and proud to be the first airline worldwide to pilot this ground-breaking technology."

Following the trail, the airline will evaluate opportunities for the application of Q Streaming across both the domestic and international fleet.

JetBlue and Singapore Airlines launch new interline agreement

JetBlue Airways and Singapore Airlines yesterday announced the launch of a new interline agreement that will offer customers new travel options from JetBlue destinations in the United States to Europe, Singapore and beyond.

Singapore Airlines offers the convenience of all-business class service each day from Newark to its hub at Changi International Airport in Singapore – the world's longest nonstop commercial flight - with connections throughout Southeast Asia. In addition, the airline also flies daily from New York/JFK to Singapore via Frankfurt. Beginning January 16, 2012, Singapore Airlines will deploy the A380 superjumbo on its daily service to JetBlue's home at New York/JFK.

At Singapore Changi Airport, customers have access to an extensive network of flight connections to destinations including Bali, Bangkok, Jakarta, Ho Chi Minh City, Kuala Lumpur, and Manila, among many others. Singapore Airlines operates a modern passenger fleet of more than 100 aircraft and its network, including Singapore Airlines Cargo and SilkAir destinations, covers a total of 103 cities in 39 countries.

JetBlue is the largest domestic airline at New York/JFK, offering more than 150 daily flights that feature all-leather seating, the most legroom in coach of any U.S. airline*, free in-flight entertainment at every seatback, and unlimited free snacks and drinks. It offers non-stop service to dozens of top destinations including Boston, Chicago, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington, D.C and from Newark to Boston, Orlando and Ft. Lauderdale.

Through this partnership, customers will now be able to book a single combined ticket for JetBlue and Singapore Airlines-operated flights with one stop check-in and baggage transfer between the two airlines. Customers may purchase JetBlue-Singapore Airlines travel via travel agents, online, or through Singapore Airlines' reservations call center.

"Singapore Airlines is one the world's leading airlines, and a pioneer in many ways," said Scott Resnick, JetBlue's director of airline partnerships. "We're happy to have our customers connect seamlessly on to their comfortable flights to Europe and Asia Pacific, where everything from the entertainment to the in-flight meals is carefully selected, providing a great complement to JetBlue's award-winning service!"

"JetBlue has for years been a passenger favourite for travel within the region," said C.W. Foo, Regional Vice President – Americas for Singapore Airlines. "This new partnership provides a seamless link for passengers in dozens of interior U.S. points to connect to our unique brand of Asian hospitality when travelling abroad."

AirAsia boosts frequency to Pelembang, Sumatra

AirAsia has upped frequency on its Kuala Lumpur to Palembang route, from three weekly flights to daily services.

Flight AK1302 will depart the Malaysian capital at 1655 and arrive in Palembang, Indonesia, at 1725 on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. The AK1303 return service departs Sumatra at 1755 and lands at 2020.

AirAsia Regional Head of Commercial, Kathleen Tan said; “The launch of the additional flight frequencies further reflect our commitment to grow tourism across the ASEAN region and help spur economic growth.  We will continue to aggressively promote the region of Sumatra, where Palembang is located, as a top tourism destination in Indonesia.”

Cathay Pacific opens lounge in San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO-Cathay Pacific Airways has opened a new lounge in San Francisco, making it the carrier’s first passenger lounge in the United States.

The first and business class lounge, located on Level 4 of the International Terminal Building at San Francisco International Airport, carries the same design and feel of the CX lounges at Hong Kong International Airport.

As with its Hong Kong counterparts, this lounge will feature white marble, black granite and bamboo wood furnishings coupled with floor-to-ceiling windows for plenty of natural light.

Other features include the airline’s signature Noodle Bar, the Cathay Solus Chairs, first revealed at the carrier’s newest lounge in Hong Kong, three shower suites, seven workstations and wireless internet access throughout.

First and business class passengers on Cathay Pacific or another oneworld carrier are able to utilise the lounge, alongside silver card or above Marco Polo members, Cargo Clan Elite members and oneworld Sapphire members or above.

In addition to this new lounge, Cathay Pacific has been refurbishing several of its existing lounges. As reported earlier, The Wing at HKIA is currently undergoing a makeover, scheduled for completion some time next year, although exact dates have not been revealed. So far, only the first phase of the project is complete; the current phase began in May and the final stage will commence in the first quarter of 2012. The carrier also completed revamping its lounge at Frankfurt airport, now boasting the same ambiance as the lounges in Hong Kong.

Da Nang welcomes first AirAsia flight

VIETNAM-The first AirAsia flight between Malaysia’s capital Kuala Lumpur and Da Nang City on Vietnam’s central coast touched down at Da Nang International Airport on the Dec. 16 morning with more than 100 passengers on board.
The Kuala Lumpur-Da Nang service is the low-cost carrier’s third route connecting Vietnam after Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

The new service marked another milestone in the central coast region’s surge toward a real international tourism destination.

AirAsia operates four weekly flights to Da Nang on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, using Airbus A320 aircraft.

The airline says it has sold out 10,000 seats for the new service in eight days for promotional fares.

In 2009, Singapore-based SilkAir became the first foreign carrier to operate in Vietnam's third largest city. Now, Da Nang is also accessible via Kuala Lumpur, AirAsia’s headquarters.

Da Nang and Hoi An and Hue nearby house international hotel brands, new golf courses designed by some of the game’s biggest names, as well as three UNESCO World Heritage sites – Hoi An Ancient Town; Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam; and My Son, a complex of ruins left over from the Cham civilization.

ANA expands 787 routes

All Nippon Airways (ANA) will begin operating the Boeing 787 on a further three domestic routes starting January.

ANA announced Tuesday it plans Dreamliner services on Tokyo Haneda (HND)-Itami (Osaka) and HHND-Yamaguchi Ube routes from Jan. 23, and between HND-Matsuyama from Mar. 1.

ANA, the launch customer for the 787, began flying the Dreamliner on HND-Okayama and HND-Hiroshima routes in November and will launch its first international 787 service on Jan. 21 when flights start between HND and Frankfurt.

The carrier was scheduled to receive a third 787 this month, but announced that would be delayed because of productivity issues at Boeing. (ATW Daily News, Dec. 21). ANA expects to take delivery of 20 787s by end of March, 2013.

The carrier also announced Tuesday that all its 787s to be delivered in 2012 will be painted with a special design that features the number “787” in large blue font at the front of the aircraft. (ATW Editors’ Blog, Dec. 27).

Malaysia Airlines tutup sejumlah destinasi

Kuala Lumpur (ANTARA News) - Maskapai Malaysia Airlines Jumat pekan lalu telah mengumumkan akan menutup empat rute penerbangan ke  Asia atau seminggu setelah mengumumkan penangguhan sejumlah destinasi globalnya dalam upaya meraih lagi keuntungan.

Maskapai yang beberapa tahun belakangan berjuang keluar dari masa kelabu, mengumumkan satu rancangan bisnis pekan lalu berisi upayanya untuk menjadi maskapai menguntungkan pada  2013 yang diantaranya termasuk pengurangan destinasi namun tak menyebutkan rute yang dikurangi itu.

Perusahaan penerbangan Malaysia itu telah menunda operasi rute Kota Kinabalu ke Osaka dan Haneda di Jepang, serta ke Perth dan Seoul.

Maskapai ini menyatakan penangguhan tersebut akan efektif antara Januari dan Februari tahun depan.

"Penangguhan ini sampai pemberitahuan lebih lanjut dan ini adalah bagian dari konsolidasi jaringan regional kami dengan melibatkan operasi penerbangan tunggal," kata Ahmad Jauhari Yahya, CEO Malaysia Airlines, seperti dikutip AFP.

Pekan lalu maskapai ini mengumumkan bahwa rute-rute ke Roma, Johannesburg, Cape Town, Buenos Aires, Karachi, Dubai, kota Dammam di Saudi Arabia, dan Surabaya akan dihentikan Januari depan.

Rencananya maskapai ini akan memusatkan perhatian ke destinasi-destinasi utama di Asia yang prospek bisnisnya bagus.

Pada kuartal ketiga tahun ini, maskapai tersebut merugi untuk ketiga kali secara berturut-turut sebagai dampak dari naiknya BBM dan meningkatknya kompetisi.(*)

AirAsia spreads wings to Danang

HCMC - AirAsia has just flown to the central coastal city of Danang as the third international airport in Vietnam that the leading low-cost carrier in Asia services.

AirAsia told the Daily last week that its Airbus A320 aircraft with some 168 passengers on board from Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur landed in Danang Airport last Friday, commencing four weekly flights to Vietnam’s third largest international airport after Tan Son Nhat and Noi Bai.

The air carrier flew to Danang one day after a new passenger terminal there was opened to both domestic and international services.

In this winter schedule, AirAsia performs flights between Kuala Lumpur and Danang on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Its plane departs the Malaysian city at 7:35 a.m. and arrives at Danang Airport at 9:15 a.m., and then leaves Danang at 9:45 a.m. on those days.

At present, AirAsia and its member airlines conduct daily services from Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok to HCMC and Hanoi and vice versa. Indonesia AirAsia currently has four weekly services between Jakarta and HCMC on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
AirAsia is the newest air carrier to launch services to Danang. Also last week, Asiana Airlines started to fly between Korea and this airport, with planned weekly frequency on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Singapore-based airline SilkAir has weekly flights to Danang. National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines operates two weekly chartered services between Danang and China’s Guangzhou in addition to its 26 domestic daily flights.

Permintaan Avtur Meningkat

SURABAYA, KOMPAS.com - Liburan panjang akhir tahun, meningkatkan permintaan avtur di Bandara Internasional Juanda Surabaya. Hal ini dipicu banyak warga menggunakan pesawat udara untuk melakukan perjalanan liburan akhir tahun.

Menurut Assistant Customer Relation External Relation PT Pertamina Pemasaran dan Niaga Region Jawa Timur, Bali, dan Nusra, Rustam Aji di Surabaya, Senin (26/12/2011), penjualan avtur meningkat menjadi 1.000 kiloliter per hari, padahal dalam situasi normal rata-rata hanya 850 kiloliter per hari.

Selain Surabaya, Denpasar (Bali) juga mengalami peningkatan permintaan avtur, menjadi 1.600 kiloliter per hari. Padahal pada situasi normal hanya 1.360 kiloliter.

Dia menambahkan, semakin tingginya angka penjualan disebabkan sejumlah maskapai penerbangan menerapkan penambahan frekuensi penerbangan. Penambahan jadwal penerbangan terutama jalur Surabaya-Denpasar.

Beberapa maskapai penerbangan, selain menambah jadwal juga mengubah ukuran pesawat lebih besar daripada biasanya. Perubahan ukuran badan pesawat, untuk mengantisipasi melonjaknya penumpang.

Berkaitan dengan hal itu, menurut Rustam, Pertamina telah mempersiapkan armada memadai seperti bridger dan dan tanker . Langkah ini untuk menyalurkan dari terminal BBM menuju Depot Pengisian Bahan Bakar Pesawat Udara (DPPU).

Upaya lain adalah menjaga kesiapan sarana dan fasilitas operasi di DPPU, dengan tujuan menghindari kemungkinan ada persoalan dalam penyaluran avtur ke masing-masing maskapai penerbangan.

Bombardier handed £188m Southern contract

Workers said they hoped the deal would help to keep Bombardier in Derby

Derby trainmaker Bombardier has been awarded a £188m contract.

The deal, to build 130 carriages for rail company Southern, was part-funded with an £80m government subsidy.

The Department for Transport had been criticised for choosing German rival Siemens over Bombardier as preferred bidder for the £1.4bn Thameslink rail contract.

It is hoped the new contract will help secure the Canadian-owned company's future in Derby.

Bombardier announced 1,400 job cuts after losing out on the Thameslink deal in June.
'Crucial order'
 
Transport Secretary Justine Greening said: "This deal for more than 100 new carriages is great news for rail passengers and brilliant news for Bombardier and Derby.

"It lands Bombardier with a crucial train order and I look forward to Bombardier workers in Derby being among the winners of this important deal.

"This deal, helped along by my department, shows my determination to invest in Britain's railways."

Paul Roberts, from Bombardier, said: "We are delighted to be awarded this contract by Southern.

"This is a significant project which emphasises the performance of Bombardier's products in the UK.

"The new trains will be manufactured in the UK, with initial production commencing in the latter half of 2012."

The firm did not say what impact the deal would have on jobs.
'Looming deal'
 
Bob Crow, general secretary of rail union RMT, said: "The Southern carriages order is both welcome and deserved and shows that Bombardier in Derby is geared up to deliver top-quality engineering.

"However the award of this contract does not let the government off the hook on either the unsigned Thameslink contract or the looming Crossrail deal.

"That's the work we need to secure the long-term future of train building in the UK."
Southern runs services in south London, Surrey, Sussex and Kent.

The new carriages will go into service from December 2013.

Ekspansi - AirAsia Buka Rute Kuala Lumpur–Da Nang

DA NANG – Masyarakat Indonesia kini semakin mudah untuk bisa menikmati pesona salah satu kota tujuan pariwisata di Asia Tenggara, yakni Da Nang,Vietnam.

Maskapai penerbangan AirAsia telah menawarkan penerbangan langsung ke kota ketiga terbesar di Vietnam itu sejak 16 Desember lalu. Maskapai ini melayani rute baru dengan empat penerbangan mingguan yang berangkat dari Terminal LCC, Kuala Lumpur, ke Bandara Internasional Da Nang setiap Senin, Rabu, Jumat dan Minggu. Perjalanan periode untuk rute ini adalah 16 Desember 2011 hingga 27 Oktober 2012.

Rute tersebut merupakan layanan baru dari Kuala Lumpur yang menjadi tujuan ketiga AirAsia di Vietnam setelah Hanoi dan Ho Chi Minh City dan merupakan tujuan ketujuh maskapai di Indocina yang mencakup Siem Reap,Phnom Penh (Kamboja), Vientiane (Laos),dan Yangon (Myanmar).

 ”Kami sangat senang menambahkan tujuan lain yang besar ke jaringan kami yang luas.Da Nang merupakan salah satu permata tersembunyi Asia Tenggara dan memiliki begitu banyak untuk menawarkan,” kata Presiden Direktur AirAsia Indonesia Dharmadi kepada SINDO.

Menurutnya, selain dari sektor pariwisata, Kota Da Nang berfungsi sebagai titik pertemuan lebih pendek bagi usaha kecil menengah (UKM) lokal untuk perdagangan dalam negeri seperti yang terletak di pusat Vietnam.

Dharmadi menambahkan, Da Nang memiliki banyak pilihan akomodasi untuk wisatawan. Dari backpacker lodges hingga hotel bintang lima dan resor internasional, semua tersedia kota wisata ini. ”Untuk pengaturannya, para tamu dapat log onke airasiago.com,”ujar dia.

Sementara, AirAsia juga memberikan kemudahan bagi pelancong dari beberapa wilayah di Indonesia untuk terbang ke Da Nang melalui Kuala Lumpur. Di antaranya, berangkat dari Provinsi Jawa Tengah dan DIY.

Mereka bisa melancong ke Vietnam melalui rute Semarang– Kuala Lumpur dari Bandara Internasional A Yani atau Solo-Kuala Lumpur dari Bandara Internasional Adisumarmo. Bagi warga DIY dan sekitarnya, bisa melalui rute Yogyakarta- Kuala Lumpur dari Bandara Internasional Adisutjipto.

Menurut Marketing Communication Executive PT Indonesia AirAsia Baskoro Adiwiyono, rute yang dibuka berperan besar dalam konektivitas rute AirAsia bagi penumpang yang terbang dari Kota Solo, Semarang, maupun Yogyakarta dan sekitarnya menuju ke Da Nang.

Air China Mengatur Ulang Jadwal Penerbangannya ke Paris untuk Mendukung Kehadiran Internasionalnya

BEIJING, 28 Desember 2011 (ANTARA/PRNewswire-Asia-AsiaNet) --

     Mulai tanggal 10 Maret 2012, Air China akan membuka rotasi Shanghai-Paris yaitu CA833/4 dan mengubah layanan CA933/4 dari Shanghai-Beijing-Paris menjadi layanan langsung Beijing-Paris. Pesawat berbadan luas B777-300ER akan digunakan pada rute ini untuk menggantikan A340 yang asli.

     (Logo: http://www.prnasia.com/xprn/sa/2008/12/26/200812261146.jpg )
     (Foto: http://www.prnasia.com/sa/2011/12/28/2011122813161665477.jpg )

     Kantor Air China di Paris baru-baru ini mengundang hampir dua ratus tamu dari pemerintahan serta sektor penerbangan sipil, industri, perdagangan dan perjalanan, termasuk Menteri Transportasi Prancis, Thierry Mariani, dan Duta Besar China di Paris Bapak Kong Quan dan istrinya untuk hadir pada gala besar yang bertujuan menghasilkan publisitas yang tepat untuk memulai kembali hubungan langsung antara Shanghai dan Paris serta perubahan jenis pesawat pada rute Beijing-Paris.

     Sejak bergabung dengan Star Alliance, jaringan maskapai penerbangan terbesar di dunia, pada tahun 2007, Air China telah memperkuat kehadirannya di pasar internasional. Jaringan rute yang luas menjangkau 1.160 tujuan di 181 negara di seluruh dunia dengan mudah. Apa yang telah Air China lakukan berkenaan dengan pasar Beijing-Paris merupakan salah satu langkah yang maskapai ini lakukan dalam mendukung kehadiran internasionalnya. 

Pada tahun 2012, Air China akan menciptakan terobosan ke pasar luar negeri. Sebagai contoh Eropa. Peresmian penerbangan ke Dusseldorf, Athena, dan Milan pada tahun 2011 akan diikuti oleh rotasi Beijing-Kopenhagen pada tahun 2012, yang akan menambah jumlah tujuan Air China ke Eropa menjadi 13. Saat ini, Air China adalah maskapai penerbangan terbesar yang melayani pasar China-Eropa.

     SUMBER: Air China

1 Miliar Dollar AS untuk Kembangkan Sukhoi Superjet 100

NOVO-OGARYOVO, KOMPAS.com — Dewan pengawas bank pembangunan nasional Rusia, Vnescheconombank (VEB), menyetujui pinjaman sebesar 1 miliar dollar AS (lebih dari Rp 9 triliun) kepada perusahaan produsen pesawat Sukhoi, Kamis (29/12/2011). Dana sebesar itu akan digunakan untuk mengembangkan pesawat penumpang jarak menengah Sukhoi Superjet 100.

"Telah diputuskan untuk memberi dukungan dana sebesar 1 miliar dollar AS kepada Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company (SCAC), termasuk untuk restrukturisasi utang perusahaan itu kepada beberapa bank, untuk membuat model keuangan dalam aktivitas masa depan perusahaan tersebut menjadi lebih nyaman," tutur Kepala VEB, Vladimir Dmitriyev.

Dana sebesar itu secara spesifik akan digunakan untuk membiayai kegiatan riset dan pengembangan guna meningkatkan daya jelajah pesawat Sukhoi Superjet 100. Pesawat ini dikembangkan oleh Sukhoi—yang selama ini dikenal dengan produk-produk pesawat tempurnya—bekerja sama dengan perusahaan penerbangan AS dan Eropa.

Pesawat ini mampu membawa 87-98 penumpang dengan daya jelajah sekitar 4.500 kilometer. Maskapai penerbangan Indonesia, Sky Aviation, telah menandatangani kontrak pembelian 12 unit Sukhoi Superjet 100 dan menjadi operator pertama pesawat itu di kawasan Asia Pasifik.

Emirates to launch A380 flights to Melbourne and Tokyo

Emirates has celebrated the addition of the 20th Airbus A380 to its fleet by announcing plans to use the aircraft on flights to Melbourne, Australia and Tokyo, Japan.

Melbourne has been part of the Middle Eastern carrier's network since 1996 and will host a non-stop A380 service from Dubai as of 1 October 2012.

Travellers will also be able to connect to onward flights to Auckland in New Zealand from the Australian city.

Emirates will deploy the Airbus superjumbo on a daily route from its hub to Tokyo from 1 July 2012, marking the tenth year of operations between Dubai and Japan and the airline's third year of flying to Narita airport in the Japanese capital.

The announcement highlights the carrier's commitment to the Far East and Australasia, said Richard Jewsbury, senior vice president of commercial operations in the regions.

'Emirates not only offers a world-class inflight experience but a superior global network,' he added.

'The announcement of enhanced services into Melbourne and Tokyo comes as we introduce flights from Dubai to Dublin, our 29th European destination.'

Saudi plane makes emergency landing at Karachi airport

Karachi, Dec 25 (PTI) A Saudi chartered plane with 72 people on board made an emergency landing here today after developing a nose wheel problem, forcing closure of the city airport for all domestic and international flights.
The aircraft was flying from Tabuk in Saudi Arabia to Quetta, the capital of Pakistan''s Balochistan province.

It was diverted to Karachi after the pilot alerted authorities about the nose wheel problem, Civil Aviation Authority spokesman Pervez George said.

After two attempts, the plane landed at Karachi airport shortly before 10 am local time.

The aircraft''s nose wheel failed to deploy and it remained on the airport''s main runway hours after the landing.
Footage on television showed the plane standing on the runway.

Officials told the media that the problem had been compounded as the aircraft came down on the main runway, following which the airport was closed to all domestic and international flights.

They did not say how long the airport would remain closed.

Several flights were cancelled and some were diverted to other airports.

Breaking! Russian flight makes emergency landing in Karachi

The plane landed in Karachi because its wheels were not unfolding. The pilot informed the control room and diverted the plane to Karachi immediately.

According to Civil Aviation Authority, all emergency arrangements had been made at the airport before the landing. All the passengers of the plane remained unhurt.

Cathay jet makes emergency landing in Moscow

Hong Kong: Cathay Pacific Airways says one of its jets was forced to make an emergency landing in Moscow after smoke was detected in the cockpit. 

The Hong Kong-based airline said the Boeing 747-400 was about four hours into its flight from London to Hong Kong when the pilot was forced to land in Moscow on Saturday morning. 


Cathay said none of the 197 passengers or 21 crew were injured. The airline did not say what caused the smoke. Hong Kong broadcaster RTHK said passengers on board reported that people sitting near the cockpit were moved farther away because of the smoke. 

The incident is similar to one earlier this month at Shanghai's airport, when a Cathay 747 preparing to take off was evacuated because of smoke in the cabin. 

Dua Pendaratan Darurat dalam Dua Hari

KARACHI, KOMPAS.com - Dua insiden pendaratan darurat pesawat penumpang komersial terjadi dalam dua hari berturut-turut di Moskwa, Rusia, Sabtu (24/12/2011), dan di Karachi, Pakistan, Minggu (25/12/2011). Tak ada korban jiwa maupun luka dalam dua insiden tersebut.

Insiden pertama melibatkan pesawat penumpang Boeing 747-400 milik maskapai penerbangan Cathay Pacific. Menurut pernyataan resmi maskapai tersebut, sekitar empat jam dan 10 menit setelah pesawat tinggal landas dari London, Inggris, Jumat malam, pilot mendeteksi asap di dalam kokpit.

"Kapten pilot memutuskan mengalihkan penerbangan ke Moskwa karena mendeteksi asap di dalam kabin," demikian pernyataan Cathay Pacific. Pesawat dengan tujuan Hong Kong itu membawa 197 penumpang dan 21 awak.

Ini adalah insiden kedua munculnya asap dalam kabin di pesawat Cathay Pacific, setelah awal bulan ini sebuah pesawat lain mengalami hal yang sama dan membatalkan proses tinggal landas di Bandara Internasional Pudong, Shanghai, China.

Tanpa roda

Insiden kedua terjadi hari Minggu, setelah sebuah pesawat MD-83 milik perusahan carter dari Arab Saudi melakukan pendaratan tanpa roda (belly landing) di Bandara Karachi, Pakistan. Pesawat yang berisi 72 orang itu terbang dari kota Tabuk, bagian utara Arab Saudi, menuju Quetta di Pakistan.

Di tengah jalan, pilot mengetahui salah satu roda depan pesawat macet. Pilot pun memutuskan berbelok ke Pakistan dan mendaratkan pesawat tanpa roda. Juru bicara Otoritas Penerbangan Sipil Pakistan Perves George mengatakan, seluruh penumpang dan awak selamat dalam insiden itu.

Airbus Corporate Foundation and ‘Luftfahrt ohne Grenzen’ send humanitarian goods to Thailand on THAI A330 delivery flight

Medicine, blankets and clothing for flood victims arrived this morning in Bangkok

The Airbus Corporate Foundation and ‘Luftfahrt ohne Grenzen’ (LOG or ‘Wings of Help’) have transported some 12 tonnes of humanitarian goods to Bangkok aboard the delivery flight of Thai Airways International (THAI)’s newest A330-300 from Toulouse, France. The aircraft, which landed this morning in Bangkok, is the first to be delivered out of an order for seven A330-300s placed last year and joins an existing fleet of 20 A330s already operated by the airline. 

Frankfurt based ‘Luftfahrt ohne Grenzen’, the German counterpart of ‘Aviation sans Frontières’, has been a regular partner of the Airbus Corporate Foundation for more than two years now. The organisation supports Airbus humanitarian ferry flights from Germany to countries in need, which have been affected by natural disasters. 

THAI President, Mr. Piyasvasti Amranand, said, “It was logical for THAI to collaborate with Airbus Corporate Foundation to deliver the humanitarian goods to Thailand using our latest aircraft. As we receive the first of an order of seven A330-300 aircraft, it seems only natural to use the first aircraft’s delivery flight to carry much needed relief cargo.” 

 “Thailand suffered severe floods this summer. Over 12.8 million people are still affected and in need of medicine, clothing and blankets,” said Andrea Debbane, Executive Director of the Airbus Corporate Foundation: “The Airbus Corporate Foundation, ‘Luftfahrt ohne Grenzen’ and THAI identified this flight as one more opportunity to transport humanitarian goods to people in need. We would like to thank both our partners and all the donor NGOs involved in this project”. 

Donor NGOs include Apotheker helfen e.V. (“Pharmacists are helping), Humedica, Fraport AG, Coppenrath GmbH and Intermedica GmbH. 

In recent years, Airbus has built up a global network of airlines and relief organisations to support international humanitarian help. Delivery flights of new to be delivered aircraft have been used on numerous occasions to transport goods to destinations in need all over the world. 

The Airbus Corporate Foundation was created to facilitate charitable activities worldwide within an international network of employees and partners. The Airbus Corporate Foundation started its operation on 1st December, 2008 with Airbus president and CEO Tom Enders being appointed Chairman of its Board of Directors. The organisation focuses its support on the three themes: humanitarian and community support, youth development and the environment. 

Since its launch in December 2008, the Airbus Corporate Foundation has facilitated over 20 relief flights to numerous destinations all over the globe.

source: airbus.com

Usia Pesawat Garuda Masih Kalah dengan Singapore Airlines

MedanBisnis - Tangerang. PT Garuda Indonesia (Tbk) mengklaim memiliki pesawat-pesawat dengan usia yang termuda di kawasan ASEAN. Meskipun capaian itu masih di bawah Singapore Airlines, maskapai nasional milik Singapura.

Usia pesawat Garuda kalau kita bandingkan di region ini termasuk paling muda. Yang bisa mengalahkan kita hanya Singapore Airlines, bahkan Malaysia Airlines saja umur pesawatnya diatas umur pesawat-pesawat kita, kata Direktur Utama Garuda Emirsyah Satar, di acara kunjungan Ferrari Owners Club Indonesia di Garuda City, Cengkareng, Minggu (18/12)
Emirsyah mengatakan saat ini jumlah pesawat Garuda sudah mencapai 90 unit, ditargetkan akan mencapai 154 unit di tahun 2014. Ia menegaskan untuk standar kesalamatan, Garuda telah mengantongi standar internasional diantaranya dari Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) di bawah Departemen Transportasi Amerika Serikat.

Pertumbuhan garuda 37% melebihi pertumbuhan pasar dan siap membuka rute baru ke India, Taipe, Maret ke Haneda via Tokyo, katanya.
Rencananya secara bertahap Garuda akan terus mendatangkan pesawat-pesawat baru sebagai upaya realisasi program quantum leap yang dilaksanakan sejak 2005.

Pada tahun 2009, Garuda Indonesia mendatangkan enam pesawat, yaitu 3 pesawat A330-200 dan 3 pesawat Boeing 737-800 Next Generations (NG), sementara pada tahun 2010 Garuda mendatangkan sebanyak 24 pesawat baru terdiri dari 23 pesawat Boeing 737-800 NG dan satu pesawat A330-200.

Pada tahun 2011 ini, Garuda mendatangkan 11 pesawat baru terdiri dari 9 Boeing 737- 800 NG dan dua buah pesawat A330-200. Satu pesawat Boeing 737-800 NG telah tiba pada Januari lalu, sementara satu pesawat A330-200 akan diterbangkan secara bertahap hingga akhir tahun 2011.
Hingga tahun 2015, direncanakan Garuda Indonesia akan memiliki sebanyak 153 pesawat yang terdiri dari Boeing 737-800NG, Airbus 330-200, dan Boeing 777-300ER..................

Pesawat Jatuh di Jalan Raya, Lima Penumpang Tewas

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID,JAKARTA--U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) telah mengkonfirmasi lima orang tewas dalam kecelakaan pesawat kecil, Selasa pagi (20/12) waktu setempat, setelah pesawat itu jatuh di jalan raya New Jersey State.

Perusahaan penanaman modal perbankan New York, Greenhill & Co., mengkonfirmasi dua direktur pelaksananya --Jeffrey Buckalew (45) dan Rakesh Chawla (36)-- serta dua anak dan istri Buckalew berada di pesawat yang jatuh di jalan raya Interstate 287.

Jalan raya tersebut adalah jalan yang digunakan banyak pengemudi dan melingkari pinggir barat dan utara daerah New York City.

Semua korban jiwa berasal dari pesawat yang jatuh dan tak seorang pun di darat cedera, kata polisi sebagaimana dikutip Xinhua, Rabu pagi.

Pesawat itu lepas-landas dari bandar udara Teterboro di New Jersey dan sedang dalam penerbangan ke negara bagian Georgia, kata juru bicara FAA Jim Peters.

Peters mengatakan pilot pesawat tersebut meminta izin untuk naik lebih tinggi lagi sebelum pesawat itu hilang dari radar.

Beberapa saksi mata mengatakan pesawat bermesin tunggal tersebut tampak pecah saat menukik ke jalur tengah yang dipenuhi pohon dan meledak di Interstate 287 di Harding, New Jersey.

Perusahaan sangat berduka sehubungan dengan kematian tragis dua rekan seniornya dan anggota keluarga Jeff, kata Greenhill & Co di dalam satu pernyataan tertulis.

Runway Bukan Penyebab Sriwijaya Tergelincir

VIVAnews - PT Angkasa Pura I (Persero) Bandara Internasional Adisucipto Yogyakarta membantah tergelincirnya pesawat Sriwijaya Air Boeing 737 300 Selasa 20 Desember lalu, disebabkan landasan pacu atau runway yang terlalu pendek untuk kategori bandara internasional.

Kasus tergelincirnya pesawat Sriwijaya Air itu yang berhak menjawab adalah Komite Nasional Keselamatan Transportasi (KNKT), kata Agus Tugi Arto, Manajer Operasi PT. Angkasa Pura I Adisucipto, kepada VIVAnews.com, Kamis 22 Desember 2011.

Ia menuturkan ukuran landasan pacu Bandara Adisucipto sudah layak digunakan untuk pemberangkatan dan kedatangan pesawat kecil maupun besar. Panjangnya sudah layak, panjang landasan 2.250 meter, ujarnya.

Menurut Agus, Pesawat Sriwijaya Air yang tergelincir dua hari lalu itu termasuk pesawat kecil. Artinya, ukuran landasan pacu Bandara Adisucipto yang hanya 2.250 meter itu bukan penyebab masalah.

Lion Air 737 ER seri 900 saja yang besar dan memuat penumpang 230 orang, tidak apa-apa, katanya.

Investigasi telah dilakukan tim KNKT untuk mengetahui insiden ini. Namun, hingga kini KNKT belum bersedia memberi keterangan.

Menurut General Manager PT Angkasa Pura I Bandara Adisucipto Yogyakarta, Agus Adrianto, kondisi fisik pesawat Sriwijaya Air tersebut cukup parah...................

Garuda Cabut Pelayanan Visa di Pesawat

TRIBUNNEWS.COM, JAKARTA -Maskapai penerbangan Garuda Indonesia mencabut imigration on board (pelayanan visa di pesawat) pada rute penerbangan Amsterdam-Dubai-Jakarta mulai tanggal 23 Desember 2011. Padahal fasilitas ini telah menjadi merek dagang perusahaan Indonesia tersebut.

Garuda menyediakan fasilitas imigration on board supaya pelanggan tidak perlu mengantri terlalu lama di Cengkareng pada saat tiba di Jakarta, sekitar jam 8 pagi. Namun setelah mengevaluasi penerbangan Amsterdam-Dubai-Jakarta, pihak Garuda menyimpulkan antrian di imigrasi Cengkareng masih belum ada atau sedikit sekali.

Dengan demikian pihak Garuda merasa tidak tepat jika tetap menyediakan fasilitas itu untuk penerbangan dari Amsterdam.
Antrian panjang

Menurut Kepala Regional Garuda Amsterdam-Dubai
Kokoh Ritonga, kepada Radio Nederland Rabu (21/12/2011) Kepala Regional Garuda Amsterdam-Dubai mengatakan masih ada penerbangan internasional Garuda lainnya yang tiba di Jakarta pada saat jam sibuk, di mana kalau tidak memberikan fasilitas imigration on board, antrian akan panjang.

Alasan Garuda mencabut imigration on board antara lain masih terbatasnya tenaga kerja. Untuk bisa melaksanakan pelayanan tersebut harus ada petugas dari imigrasi sendiri dan alat-alat yang diperlukan.

Jadi kita harus memilih mana yang lebih memerlukan. Akhirnya direksi kita memutuskan bahwa prioritas diberikan kepada penerbangan internasional yang tiba di Jakarta pada saat peak hour, kata Kokoh Ritonga.

Kepala regional Garuda Amsterdam-Dubai-Jakarta juga mengakui pengaruh dari langkah ini pasti ada. Tapi ia yakin pelanggan memilih terbang dengan Garuda bukan hanya semata-mata karena faktor imigration on board. Dari survei yang kita laksanakan ada beberapa karakter produk yang menjadi faktor orang memilih Garuda, dan faktornya tidak hanya imigration on board.

Sebagai contoh, Kokoh Ritonga menyebut selain harga dan kualitas pelayanan, juga jadwal penerbangan yang menjadi faktor mengapa penumpang memilih naik Garuda. Maskapai penerbangan Indonesia tersebut hanya transit di Dubai paling lama satu jam. Jadi total penerbangan Amsterdam-Jakarta paling pendek dibandingkan maskapai-maskapai lain.

Salah satu dampak dicabutnya fasilitas imigration on board, menurut Kokoh Ritonga adalah penurunan minat terhadap produk Garuda untuk waktu tertentu. Tapi dengan adanya kelebihan-kelebihan di bidang lain, kita harapkan akan kembali normal.
Sayang sekali

Sementara itu, Sie dari biro perjalanan Sie Tours and Travel di kota Amstelveen sangat menyayangkan keputusan Garuda ini.

Menurut saya ini adalah suatu ekstra pelayanan untuk penumpang. Apalagi sekarang airline-airline lainnya sedang menurunkan harga. Saya sudah ngomong dengan penumpang-penumpang kami. Mereka merasa sangat sayang sekali.

Menurut Sie, cukup banyak orang Belanda, orang Indonesia berwarga negara Belanda atau orang Belanda keturunan Indonesia, yang naik Garuda ke Indonesia. Alasan utama mengapa mereka memilih Garuda adalah karena fasilitas imigration on board.

Sie mengkhawatirkan jumlah penumpang Belanda ke Indonesia pasti akan berkurang akibat pencabutan fasilitas ini. Nilai tambah Garuda kini tinggal harga dan pajak bandara yang masih termasuk murah jika dibandingkan maskapai penerbangan lainnya.

CN-235 MPA ketiga Korean National Guard diserahkan

Bandung (ANTARA News) - Korean National Guard menerima pesawat CN-235 Maritme Patrol Aircraft  ketiga dari hanggar produksi PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI), di Bandung, Jumat. Total pesanan pesawat intai maritim menengah dari Korea Selatan itu sebanyak empat unit dengan total nilai kontrak sekitar 94 juta dolar Amerika Serikat.

"Sebelum pesawat CN-235 MPA yang ketiga ini diterbangkan ke Korea Selatan, pesawat telah menjalani serangkaian pengujian sesuai prosedur yang berlaku serta telah menjalani uji penerimaan," kata Direktur Aircraft Integration PTDI, Budiman Saleh.

Korea Selatan sebetulnya memiliki sendiri industri pesawat terbang yang cukup mumpuni di kelas dunia. Namun telah beberapa kali negara itu mempercayakan keperluan pesawat terbangnya kepada PT Dirgantara Indonesia. Ini menjadi bukti keampuhan produk dalam negeri Indonesia dengan harga bersaing di tingkat internasional.

Korea Selatan sejak 1994 tercatat telah menggunakan dua skuadron pesawat CN-235 untuk memperkuat angkatan udaranya.

"Kepercayaan ini tentu harus dipelihara terus agar PTDI memperoleh kontrak-kontrak berikutnya, bukan hanya dari Pemerintah Korea Selatan, melainkan juga dari pelanggan-pelanggan lain yang memang membutuhkan pesawat sekelas CN-235," ujarnya.

Saleh menjelaskan, pesawat CN-235 MPA untuk Korean National Guard pertama dan ke dua telah diserahkan pada Mei 2011, sedangkan untuk pesawat yang keempat akan diserahkan pada kuartal pertama tahun 2012. Kontrak jual beli pesawat KCG ini ditandatangani pada Desember 2008 lalu.

Spesifikasi khusus CN-235 MPA antara lain dilengkapi instrumen radar khusus, forward looking infra red (FLIR-penjejak berbasis infra merah tinjauan bawah), ESM, instrumen identification friend or foe (IFF-pengenal wahana kawan atau musuh), navigasi taktik, sistem komputer taktis, kamera pengintai udara, dan beberapa yang lain. Dua mesin CT7-9C yang masing-masing berkekuatan 1.750 daya kuda dipasang di kedua pilon mesin di bentang sayapnya.

Secara fisik, CN-235 MPA ini berukuran lebih panjang dan memiliki struktur lebih kuat ketimbang seri sipil CN-235. Di bagian hidung di bawah jendela kokpit, terdapat tonjolan berisikan berbagai instrumen khusus itu. Struktur pesawat terbang juga diperkuat karena operasionalisasi CN-235 MPA lebih dominan di wilayah maritim yang berpotensi korosif terhadap metal penyusun pesawat terbang itu.

Secara khusus, Saleh bersyukur dan gembira bahwa restrukturisasi bisnis di lingkungan PTDI terus berjalan. Program restrukturisasi bisnis tersebut bertujuan untuk meningkatkan nilai ekonomi perusahaan.

Melalui upaya restrukturisasi itu PTDI terus mengembangkan dan mempertahankan lini CN-235, kelompok Aircraft Services, dan kelompok Manufacturing Services.

Selain itu PTDI juga terus mencari mitra strategis untuk lini N250, NC-212, Helikopter, dan kelompok Engineering Services, sementara lini usaha pertahanan keamanan dan Advanced Technology Education Center (ATEC) diupayakan agar mampu mandiri. (ANT).

Akhirnya, Sriwijaya Air Dievakuasi ke "Taxi Way"

SLEMAN, KOMPAS.com — Badan pesawat Sriwijaya Air nomor penerbangan SJ-230 PKCKN yang tergelincir di ujung timur landasan pacu (run way) Bandara Internasional Adisutjipto, Yogyakarta, pada Selasa (20/12/2011) lalu, berhasil dipindahkan ke taxi way bandara setempat, Sabtu (24/12/2011) pagi.
Badan pesawat yang telah berwarna putih tersebut dipindahkan dengan cara ditarik menggunakan dua alat berat setelah selama tiga hari tim Teknisi PT Sriwijaya Air berupaya memperbaiki dan memasang roda depan dan belakang kanan yang patah akibat musibah tersebut. Berdasarkan pantauan di lokasi, badan pesawat saat kejadian tergelincir, kemudian terperosok sehingga posisinya berada sekitar 50 meter di sisi kiri ujung timur run way menghadap ke timur. Kini badan pesawat sudah menghadap ke barat.
 
Sebelumnya, Komandan Pangkalan Udara Adisutjipto Yogyakarta Marsekal Pertama Abdul Muis mengatakan, pemindahan pesawat Sriwijaya Air yang tergelincir di ujung timur run way pada Selasa lalu itu diupayakan dilakukan pada Jumat (23/12/2011) malam.
 
Seperti diberitakan, Sriwijaya Air tergelincir dan terperosok di sisi timur landasan pacu Bandara Adisutjipto, Selasa sore sekitar pukul 17.10. Pesawat jenis Boeing 737-300 tersebut membawa 118 penumpang dewasa, tujuh anak-anak, dan empat bayi. Pesawat tersebut berangkat dari Jakarta sekitar pukul 13.45 dari Jakarta.
 
"Namun, karena saat itu bandara ditutup akibat cuaca buruk dan jarak pandang hanya 500 meter, pendaratan dialihkan ke Surabaya. Kemudian mengisi bahan bakar di Surabaya, dan berangkat lagi menuju Yogyakarta," ujarnya.
 
Sebenarnya, pesawat Sriwijaya Air direkomendasikan mendarat di Adisutjipto pukul 17.05. Namun karena ada pesawat Garuda yang juga bersiap mendarat saat itu, maka Sriwijaya Air baru mendarat pada pukul 17.13.
 
Saat pendaratan itulah pesawat Sriwijaya tidak terkendali. Pesawat tidak bisa direm sehingga terus melaju ke sisi timur landasan, tergelincir di sisi kiri landasan, dan baru bisa berhenti saat masuk di area rumput.

15 Menit Terbang, Batavia Air Mendadak Balik

Seorang pramugari menjelaskan bahwa pesawat mengalami kerusakan pengatur tekanan udara.

VIVAnews - Pesawat Batavia Air dengan nomor penerbangan Y6-301 terpaksa kembali lagi ke Bandara Soekarno-Hatta, setelah sempat mengudara selama 15 menit

Menurut informasi, pesawat rute Jakarta-Solo terpaksa kembali ke Jakarta setelah mengalami kerusakan tekanan udara. Menurut pantauan VIVAnews.com, saat sudah mengudara sekitar 10 hingga 15 menit, pilot mengumumkan bahwa pesawat Boeing 737-300 itu harus kembali lagi ke bandara karena "mengalami kerusakan" tanpa menjelaskan lebih lanjut.

Belakangan, setelah mendarat, seorang pramugari menjelaskan bahwa pesawat mengalami kerusakan pengatur tekanan udara, sehingga sesuai prosedur penyelamatan, pesawat harus kembali. Pihak Batavia mengumumkan perlu sekitar 30 menit untuk menyiapkan pesawat pengganti.

Kendati memahami situasi itu, banyak penumpang kecewa, karena pesawat sudah satu jam terlambat dari jadwal. Seharusnya pesawat ke Solo itu berangkat pukul 12.40, namun baru bergerak pukul 13.40 WIB.

Pesawat pun tidak langsung lepas landas melainkan harus menunggu sekitar 10-15 menit. Sementara itu, pihak Batavia menyediakan makan siang dan minuman kepada penumpang yang harus menunggu pesawat pengganti.

Dikonfirmasi, PR Manajer Batavia Air, Eli Simanjuntak membenarkan kejadian tersebut. "Tadi pesawat mengalami masalah teknis. Demi keselamatan penumpang, kami tidak mau ambil risiko," kata Eli kepada VIVAnews.com, Jumat sore.

Saat ini, dia menambahkan, sudah disiapkan pesawat pengganti. "Sudah koordinasi dengan bandara, disiapkan  pesawat pengganti," kata dia. Kapan diberangkatkan? "Sesegera mungkin, segera boarding."

Boeing guns for more MAX orders next year

(Reuters) - Boeing Co (BA.N) vowed to turn the tables on Airbus next year by winning well over 1,000 orders for its narrowbody 737 jets, following the first landmark order from Southwest Airlines (LUV.N) on Tuesday.

Buoyed by a $19 billion firm order for 150 revamped 737 MAX and other jets from the world's largest low-cost carrier, the head of Boeing's commercial division sketched out plans to make 2012 Boeing's year, just as Airbus made headlines in 2011.

European planemaker Airbus (EAD.PA) looks set to win the order race for 2011 by a wide margin after agreeing to refresh its 150-seat passenger jet as the A320neo, with fuel-saving engines.

Boeing has been clawing back share after deciding to revamp its competing 737, but until now it has not had firm signatures on its orders while it has scrambled to finalize the design.
"We will have 1,300 to 1,400 firm orders by this time next year, certainly," Boeing Commercial Airplanes Chief Executive Jim Albaugh told the Reuters Manufacturing and Transportation Summit on Tuesday by telephone from Dallas.

The Southwest order makes it the first airline to place a firm order for 737 MAX. It also makes the carrier the first operator of the MAX, which will feature a new fuel-efficient engine and is set to enter service in 2017.

"I think next year from an order standpoint again assuming that we don't have a total meltdown in the economy and the financing is still available, next year looks like it's going to be a very good year as well," Albaugh said.

Boeing's order forecast implies that the scales will tip sharply back in Boeing's favour in 2012, barring a fresh surge in demand to the benefit of both manufacturers. But Albaugh said the giant aviation companies would roughly share the largest market segment over time.
"I have full expectation that we will split the market on the MAX and the neo," he said.

Albaugh said Boeing would keep aircraft available for AMR Corp's (AMR.N) American Airlines, whose decision to defect to Airbus for part of a record order in the summer helped Boeing make up its mind to upgrade the 737 rather than wait for a newer design.

AMR filed for bankruptcy last month, raising questions over how quickly it would be able to confirm its order for 737 MAX passenger jets while in Chapter 11.

Albaugh used uncommonly direct language when he put his European archrivals on notice that Boeing would aim to keep up record sales momentum for its 365-seat, long-range 777 mini-jumbo aircraft to exploit a gap left by what he sees as uncertainty over the direction of the future Airbus A350.

Questions over the performance of the larger A350 variants will translate into a "sustained market for the 777," Albaugh said.

Airbus beefed up the design of the A350-1000 in June and said the aircraft would deliver significant improvements compared with the 777 when it hits the market in 2017. But some customers such as Qatar Airways have suggested the changes were not ambitious enough.
"As long as there's disarray in Toulouse, we're going to continue to watch, we're going to continue to keep our powder dry and we're going to continue to talk to our customers about what eventually they're going to need," Albaugh said.

Albaugh said demand for airplanes is robust in general despite economic pressures that threaten travel demand. This is partly because high fuel costs, which are a top expense for airlines, have forced carriers to reassess their fleets.

"We see playing out here the need to replace the older equipment because of rising fuel prices," Albaugh said.

"Rising fuel prices to an extent don't hurt us," he said. But as fuel prices go too high, it starts affecting the world GDP (gross domestic product) and the world GDP really drives air traffic. So it's a big watch item for us and we are concerned about it, but the market is holding up very well."

Albaugh also said the company was on track to meet its production rate target for the 787 Dreamliner, its brand-new, long-delayed, carbon-composite aircraft. The company aims to produce 10 787s per month by the end of 2013. But many aviation industry experts believe that target is too ambitious.

(For more on the Reuters Manufacturing and Transportation Summit, see: )

(For summit blog: blogs.reuters.com/summits/)

Kuwait transfers 8 Boeing 787 orders to Saudi Arabia

Boeing Co stated on Thursday that it has lost 8 orders with regard to 787 Dreamliners in the week which ended Nov. 9 but gained 8 after the move associated with orders in one customer to another, leaving an order book for 787s essentially the same.Boeing had stated on Sunday that Kuwait-based leasing organization ALAFCO experienced altered purchases for that 8 Dreamliners to Saudi Arabian Airlines.

Boeing, which competes for commercial airplane orders with Airbus, has more than 850 Dreamliner purchases orders from more than fifty customers on its book.Boeing’s light-weight, carbon-composite Dreamliner is more than 3 years behind it's original routine because of issues with the supply chain as well as labor.The organization stopped check flights for that plane following an electrical fire on-board among its check planes forced an emergency landing on Tuesday.

The company is actually investigating the incident and it has said that it is simply too earlier to inform if it might affect intends to help to make its first-delivery of the 787 through the middle of the quarter of 2011.Boeing said it also took 3 orders for 737 narrow-bodies from an unknown customer or customers.The organization is seeing a rebound in orders and it has taken orders for a net complete associated with 483 industrial planes so far this season, compared with over 250 in all of 2009.Boeing shares had been down 2.8 % at $65.16 at the end of trading on NYSE on Thursday.

source:  http://www.businesstoday-eg.com/business/middle-east/kuwait-transfers-8-boeing-787-orders-to-saudi-arabia.html

Race is on for sales of Boeing's MAX vs Airbus Neo

(Reuters) - Boeing Co (BA.N) started a year later than its European rival Airbus (EAD.PA) in a race to overhaul the $2 trillion narrowbody aircraft market, and is fighting hard to restore balance to their tense duopoly.

With Boeing's announcement this week that it has a launch customer -- Southwest Airlines (LUV.N) -- for its upcoming 737 MAX, the two planemakers have officially squared off in the competition to make the best -- and best-selling -- narrowbody aircraft: the upcoming MAX vs the upcoming Airbus a320neo.

The two airplane families feature new engines in their current designs. Both planemakers boast superior efficiency, and with Boeing's announcement on Tuesday of the list prices and a better understanding of the capabilities of the three models of its 737 MAX, the company will have an easier time converting its 948 commitments from customers to firm orders.
"We are in a position to start firming up the 948 commitments we have so far and continue to meet Airbus in different campaigns around the world," Boeing Commercial Airplanes Chief Executive Jim Albaugh told Reuters on Tuesday.

"We got off to a little later start than they did, but I think we've done very well in the four months since we launched the airplane," he said.

Speaking at the Reuters Global Manufacturing and Transportation Summit, Albaugh said Boeing has done enough work on the airplane's configuration to make performance guarantees.

Airbus has taken 1,450 orders and commitments including some 1,200 firm orders for its a320neo family, compared with 948 for the 737 MAX, which includes a single firm order for 150 planes from Southwest. Boeing says its remaining order commitments soon will appear as firm orders on its books.

"Right now, the stage is set for 50/50. You look at the numbers," said Teal Group aerospace analyst Richard Aboulafia. "You look at loyalty and so far there's been a very high level of loyalty displayed by customers on both sides."

Airbus orders include 200 aircraft from AirAsia (AIRA.KL), and all-Airbus customer, while Boeing signed up its loyal Asian customer Lion Air of Indonesia for 201 737 MAX aircraft. The difference of just one airplane illustrates the fierce rivalry between the two Asian low-cost carriers as well as their entrepreneur owners.

"I think you're going to see a tremendous run-up in orders of the next six to 12 months," Aboulafia said.

IT COMES DOWN TO ENGINES

The 737 MAX, due to enter service in 2017, will be powered by CFM International engines and promises to reduce burn and carbon dioxide emissions by 10 to 12 percent current single-aisle airplanes. CFM International is a joint venture between General Electric Co (GE.N) and Safran (SAF.PA).

Boeing says the plane also will have lower operating costs.

The neo is due to enter service in 2016, featuring engine options from Pratt & Whitney, a unit of U.S. manufacturer United Technologies Corp (UTX.N), or CFM International. Airbus maintains its aircraft is more cost efficient.

List prices for the MAX range from $78 million to $101.7 million. This compares with $84 million to $106 million for the three neo models.

"Either people are taking two different roads to the same result. Or someone's right and someone's wrong," Aboulafia said.

"The only difference is that Airbus is hedged because they've got a choice of both engines," he said.

Neal Dihora, an aerospace analyst at Morningstar, said Airbus still has a marketing advantage over Boeing simply because it started selling its plane earlier. Airbus unveiled its neo plans in December.

"Airbus is winning this contest because they're showing that they have a product and the ability to actually get these fuel savings into the market place as opposed to just in the design phase," Dihora said.

Boeing has yet to publicize the specs for its upgraded 737, but Albaugh said it is appropriate to view the aircraft as a replacement for the 737 Next Generation.

The current 737 models are the domestic workhorses for many airline customers, seating between 110 and 220 people for short- and medium-haul flights. The largest model of the MAX, the -900, can serve as a replacement for the discontinued 757 on most routes, Albaugh said.

"The 900 is an airplane that in our view can do over 95 percent of the missions that the 757 did," he said.

"In terms of a one-for-one replacement of the 57, it's not one for one, but it's pretty close," Albaugh added.

HOW BOEING ARRIVED AT ITS DECISION TO RE-ENGINE

Until its surprise decision to re-engine the 737 last summer, Boeing had made it clear that it preferred to build an all-new small airplane to take the place of its 737 NG.

The company took the heat from analysts as it dragged out a decision over whether to redesign or re-engine. And it stood by as Airbus notched more than a 1,000 orders for its neo and made inroads into U.S. markets.

In July, Boeing finally bit the bullet and said it would re-engine the aircraft, a move many outsiders perceived as a reaction to interest by American Airlines (AMR.N), a loyal Boeing customer, in buying the neo.

American, which is restructuring under Chapter 11, split its giant order for 460 single-aisle jets worth up to $40 billion between Boeing and Airbus.

In the Reuters interview, Albaugh said there were more considerations than American and that Boeing arrived at its decision on its own terms after consultation with customers.

"Everybody liked the idea of a new airplane. But they wanted an airplane with certainty on a precise date, and they also wanted to understand what the guarantees of that airplane might be," Albaugh said.

He said Boeing was confident it could build the plane and provide 20 percent improvement in efficiency.

"But what we weren't confident of was what the nonrecurring costs would have been for development," he said.

"I was also concerned about the schedule risks associated with that airplane," he said, "so I think we wound up in a good spot."

Albaugh said he believes the MAX has such a pronounced cost-savings advantage over the neo that it will quickly catch up in sales with the neo.

"Right now on the NG (Next Generation), we have more firm orders than they have on the 320 classic," Albaugh said. "And I have I have full expectation that we will split the market on the MAX and the neo as well."

(For summit blog: blogs.reuters.com/summits/)

Pilot Sriwijaya Air Dilarang Terbang, Pilot bersama awak pesawat diberi psikoterapi.

VIVAnews - Maskapai penerbangan Sriwijaya Air melarang pilot Tanto Indarto menerbangkan pesawat sementara waktu, menyusul insiden tergelincirnya pesawat Sriwijaya Air di Bandara Adisutjipto Yogyakarta, Selasa 20 Desember 2011.

"Pilot kami grounded agar sewaktu-waktu dibutuhkan KNKT (Komite Nasional Keselamatan Transportasi) untuk dimintai keterangan dapat segera memberikan keterangan yang dibutuhkan," kata Direktur Safety Sriwijaya Air, Toto Subandoro di Yogyakarta, Kamis, 22 Desember 2011.

Selain itu, dia menambahkan, pilot Tanto juga bisa memulihkan kondisi psikologisnya pasca kejadian dengan terapi. Tak hanya pilot, awak pesawat jurusan 234 dari Surabaya tujuan Yogyakarta juga akan mendapat psikoterapi. 

Saat ini, KNKT tengah menyelidiki penyebab tergelincirnya pesawat dengan memeriksa sejumlah barang bukti. Salah satu tim investigasi KNKT, Chaerudin, mengatakan pihaknya akan membawa kotak hitam (black box) pesawat ke Jakarta untuk diteliti.

"Sejak 2009, Indonesia sudah bisa untuk membuka dan meneliti black box, sehingga tidak perlu dikirim ke luar negeri," katanya.

Selain itu, KNKT meneliti lokasi pesawat yang tergelincir, kondisi landasan, dan beberapa bagian pesawat. Namun, KNKT belum bisa memberi kesimpulan mengenai penyebab kecelakaan dan masih menunggu hasil investigasi. “Investigasi belum semuanya dan masih dalam proses, termasuk data dari awak pesawat,” ujarnya.

Hingga Kamis, 22 Desember 2011, pesawat Sriwijaya Air yang tergelincir masih berada di lokasi kecelakaan, yaitu di areal persawahan sebelah timur Bandara Adisutjipto, Yogyakarta dan masih menunggu proses evakuasi. Badan pesawat tampak sudah dicat putih, sehingga logo Sriwijaya Air tertutupi cat.

General Manager PT Angkasa Pura I Bandara Adisutjipto, Agus Adrianto, menambahkan, pesawat akan dipindahkan ke taxiway yang baru selesai dibangun, sehingga tidak mengganggu lalu lintas bandara.

Akibat insiden ini, lima penumpang dibawa ke rumah sakit karena luka-luka.

Corrected: Boeing 787 delivery delay hits ANA schedule

(Reuters) - All Nippon Airways (9202.T), the first operator of Boeing Co's (BA.N) 787 Dreamliner, said it will postpone the start of Dreamliner service on some international routes because of a delay in receiving another Dreamliner.

In a statement posted on its website on Thursday, the Japanese carrier blamed a "productivity reason" at Boeing for the delay. The airline said it would delay Dreamliner service between Tokyo and Beijing and between Tokyo and Frankfurt.

The Beijing route was scheduled to start in December, but has been rescheduled for January.

"ANA regrets to take the precaution of amending international flight plans. ANA will continue urgent negotiations with Boeing to deliver the 787 as early and as close to the original schedule as possible," the company said.

Boeing, through a spokeswoman, said it was working with ANA to deliver the airplane as quickly as possible but would not comment on the cause of the delay.

The 787 Dreamliner is a light-weight, carbon-composite airplane that is fuel efficient. The airplane was three years behind its development schedule but finally entered service this year.

Boeing aims to ramp up monthly production on the airplane to 10 by the end of 2013 from the current pace of 2.5. Some experts believe the target rate is too ambitious.
Boeing has more than 800 orders for the airplane on its books.

The latest Dreamliner snag contrasts news from Boeing's top rival Airbus (EAD.PA), which said on Friday it topped its 2011 target for superjumbo deliveries when it handed over two A380s in rapid succession, reaching 26 deliveries for the year.

Shares of Boeing were up 51 cents at $71.12 on the New York Stock Exchange at mid-afternoon.

(This December 16 story has been corrected to delete the reference saying Boeing attributed the delay to wiring issue. The error also occurred in initial  story)

Airbus sees at least 30 A380 deliveries in 2012

(Reuters) - Airbus will deliver at least 30 A380 superjumbos in 2012 after meeting its target for at least 25 in 2011, chief operating officer Fabrice Bregier said in remarks published on Friday.

Bregier was speaking to a closed meeting of analysts in London after the European planemaker delivered its 24th A380 for 2011 to Australia's Qantas (QAN.AX) late on Thursday.

Airbus had previously predicted more than 25 A380 deliveries in 2012. Airlines pay on delivery for most of the value of the aircraft, which sells for $375 million at list prices before discounts typically available to customers.

The A380, which went severely off schedule and financial target due to production problems in 2005 and 2006, is expected to make an operating profit before R&D in 2015, based on a euro at $1.35, Bregier said, according to a slide presentation.

He said Airbus had reduced airframe production costs on the world's largest airliner to a level equivalent to 65 on an index where 100 represents the costs in 2009, according to a copy of the presentation issued online. EADS said it would issue a recording of this and other speeches after the two-day event.

The index is expected to fall to 62 in 2012 and 61 in 2013.

Bregier is expected to become chief executive of the world's largest commercial planemaker when key mandates come up for renewal in 2012, with the current chief executive Tom Enders stepping up to run parent EADS (EAD.PA).

Bregier said another aircraft that has seen significant production problems, the Airbus A400M military airlifter, would receive its safety certification in the second quarter of 2012.

The first European troop and heavy cargo transporter is in the assembly line and will be delivered to the French Air Force in March 2013 as agreed with purchasing nations, Airbus said. The aircraft is around four years late due to engine problems.

CORRECTED-Airbus expands order record, Boeing set to rebound

(Reuters) - Airbus is on course to end 2011 with well over 1,600 orders, pushing Boeing (BA.N) to the lowest market share of their 40-year rivalry, but Boeing has stored up momentum for a comeback as both companies put fresh vigour into their most-sold jets.

Although Boeing took a year longer than Airbus to revamp a key model to meet demand for lower fuel costs, both enjoy strong demand as Asian growth and the replacement of old aircraft in the United States blot out the euro crisis, at least for now.

The dominant jetmakers track each other more closely in deliveries, which drive revenues and are considered a gauge of competition. Airbus is expected to remain ahead for the ninth year running as it meets a record goal for 520-530 deliveries.

Airbus has 1,529 firm orders so far this year, including an eight-plane deal announced since its November data.

The number already represents a new record for the European planemaker, which outsold Boeing for most of the past decade, sparking trade friction between Europe and the United States.

This year's lead is particularly pronounced because of demand for the revamped version of its 150-seat A320 jetliner.

The jazzed-up A320neo aims to provide 12-15 percent in fuel savings due to new engines. Boeing has responded with the 737 MAX, a refresh of its most popular model that also involves new engines. Armed with data, both companies say their offering is better.

Underlying Airbus orders are higher still at 1,609 including a previously announced 80-plane deal with Republic Airways that did not immediately enter the order book.

That leaves 174 provisional A320neo orders still to be confirmed, many of which may trickle through in coming days judging by a pattern of chasing deadlines in previous years.
They include provisional orders for a total of 63 airplanes from Mexico's Volaris and Colombian AviancaTaca.

The industry will also be watching to see whether U.S. lessor Air Lease Corp (AL.N) completes a draft order for 36 A320neo planes this year after its influential founder Stephen Udvar-Hazy expressed skepticism even while ordering the jet.

The California-based company has said it is negotiating with Airbus over its future A350, providing some potential leverage.

2012 REBOUND

Boeing, by contrast, has 894 orders so far this year. Business is up since 2010, but Boeing slumped behind Airbus in the 2011 race as it hesitated over whether to match the A320neo or build a more ambitious new aircraft at the expense of near-term sales. It chose the first option by launching the 737 MAX.

"For nine months as Boeing hesitated, they left the A320neo almost alone on the market," Louis Gallois, chief executive of Airbus parent EADS (EAD.PA), told analysts in remarks released this week.

Boeing has effectively ceded 2011 in volume terms to its arch-rival, but may spring further orders before the end of the year.

The only real suspense is over whether Boeing will achieve a 40 percent market share in 2011, the lower end of a 40-60 band that many analysts regard as the framework for a stable duopoly.

Currently it has a volume share of 37 percent and would need to sell over 180 aircraft by end-year to get back to 40 percent, with the target moving away from it as Airbus closes more deals.

The picture for Boeing may not be as bleak as a single year's figure would suggest. On average the rivals remain close.

Boeing has almost 800 provisional contracts for the 737 MAX waiting to be completed, including 462 for which the names of the buyers have not yet been disclosed.

Some may come through in coming days, but the bulk are expected to slip beyond the New Year, giving the company a head start for what many analysts expect to be a bounce-back in 2012.

The company also stuck close to its rival in value terms after a record slew of more than 200 orders for its 777 mini-jumbo.

The $300 million 1990s long-range jet is enjoying a second honeymoon with airlines after Airbus failed to allay criticism of its competing A350-1000, due out in 2017. While Airbus has been in the driving seat for narrowbodies this year, analysts say Boeing is still setting the pace for many larger jets.

The two companies are preparing for a major battle over a $16 billion order expected to cover approximately 180 aircraft from United Airlines (UAL.N) in the first quarter, including possibly 130 of the latest generation of revamped 150-seaters.

The aircraft makers are also expected to push hard over the holiday season to complete aircraft deliveries for 2011.

Airbus has already said it will beat a previous record of 510 deliveries and is expected to reach its goal of 520-530, though this implies its second-busiest December schedule after 2009.

Steady deliveries are seen as the lifeblood for both planemakers in 2012 as doubts gather over the economy and the ability of airlines to pay for their aircraft. Barring global recession, the industry insists for now financing is secure.

(Reporting by Tim Hepher; Editing by Matt Driskill)

ANA announces first 787 Dreamliner routes to USA Seattle and San Jose to become Boeing 787 destinations

TOKYO December 21, 2011- ANA, Japan's largest airline and the launch customer  for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, today announces the first destinations it will fly to in the  USA using the revolutionary aircraft. ANA plans to begin operating services from  Tokyo's Narita airport to Seattle and San Jose from fiscal year 2012 onwards. Flying long-haul services to these two key West Coast destinations will enable ANA  to maximize the Dreamliner's efficiency and performance. The Dreamliner uses 20  percent less fuel than similar-sized aircraft, making it the first mid-sized airplane capable  of flying long-range routes, and offers new standards of passenger comfort because  of its composite structure and interior design.  Shinichiro Ito, President and CEO of ANA Group, commented: "We are very pleased to   announce the launch of further international Dreamliner services to these two new  destinations on the west coast of the United States. We will make full use of the efficiencies   of the 787 as well as capitalizing on our close relationship with United and Continental  Airlines to enhance the competitiveness of our joint ventures with these two Star Alliance  partners." "Seattle is an important international business hub and home to companies such as Microsoft,  Amazon and, of course, Boeing itself while San Jose is in the heart of Silicon Valley.  Passenger demand to fly to both destinations is high, not only from Japan but from many  Asian cities. The launch of these new services will make ANA the only Japanese airline  to operate the two routes, as well as the only carrier to operate the Narita-San Jose route."
About ANA Group All Nippon Airways (ANA) is the ninth largest airline in the world by revenues and the  largest in Japan by passenger numbers. Founded in 1952, it flies today to 78 domestic  and international cities in a fleet of 228 aircraft serving a network of 163 routes.  ANA has 33,000 employees and operates about 1,000 flights a day. In 2010, it carried  43 million passengers and generated revenues of $16bn. ANA has been a core member  of Star Alliance since 1999 and more than 20 million members belong to its Frequent  Flyer Program (ANA Mileage Club). ANA is the launch customer for the world's  newest and most advanced passenger aircraft, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

Boeing Delivers 200th Boeing Sky Interior

Norwegian Air Shuttle to operate Next-Generation 737-800

SEATTLE, Dec. 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing's (NYSE: BA) popular passenger-inspired 737 Boeing Sky Interior marked its 200th milestone with yesterday's delivery to Scandinavian customer, Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA.

"The superior passenger experience of this exciting new interior has been well received by our customers and the traveling public," said Beverly Wyse, 737 vice president and general manager. "Airlines, like Norwegian Air Shuttle, tell us that they draw value from the many practical improvements we have made in the new design."

Since the first 737 Boeing Sky Interior was delivered in October 2010, 65 airlines and leasing companies have ordered the new interior. Norwegian Air Shuttle was one of the launch customers and the first airline in Europe to introduce the innovative Boeing Sky Interior to its passengers. Yesterday's delivery is the airline's 18th Next-Generation 737-800 with the new interior, making it the largest operating fleet.

"We couldn't be more pleased about being part of this important milestone for the 737," said Bjorn Kjos, chief executive officer of Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA. "With its continuous innovations and best product offerings, the Next-Generation 737 not only benefits Norwegian with its unmatched operating costs, but it also offers more comfort to our customers with the unmatched Boeing Sky Interior and benefits the community at large because of its environmental performance."

Norwegian Air Shuttle, based in Oslo, is the third largest low-fare airline in Europe and the second largest airline in Scandinavia. Norwegian operates 48 Next-Generation 737-800s in its fleet.

Drawing from years of research, the 737 Boeing Sky Interior features new modern sculpted sidewalls and window reveals that draw passengers' eyes to the airplane's windows. LED (light emitting diode) lighting allows the airline to put any color into the cabin.

The new design offers larger pivoting overhead stowage bins that add to the openness of the cabin. The bins give more passengers room to store a carry-on roll-aboard near their own seat, adding both extra convenience and extra legroom.

Other features that passengers appreciate are an intuitive placement of switches and call buttons. Boeing redesigned reading-light switches so passengers can find them more easily and avoid accidentally pressing the flight-attendant call button.

Approximately 85 percent of Boeing's backlog of more than 2,300 Next-Generation 737s will be delivered with the Boeing Sky Interior. Customers of the 737 MAX also will benefit from the Boeing Sky Interior.

Source: boeing.com

Lion Air dan Garuda Bakal Tambah Pilot

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Perusahaan penerbangan PT Lion Mentari Airlines akan menambah jumlah pilotnya untuk mengimbangi kenaikan armadanya. "Kami menargetkan akan menambah 200 orang pilot setiap tahun untuk mengimbangi pertambahan armada," kata Edward Sirait, Direktur Umum Lion, Jumat (16/12/2011).

Saat ini, Lion telah memiliki 600 orang pilot. Seperti diketahui, November lalu Lion Air baru saja memesan 230 unit pesawat Boeing 737 Maxs produksi Boeing Co. Rencananya, pesawat ini akan mulai didatangkan tahun 2017.

Edward mengatakan, hingga pemberlakuan ASEAN Open Sky tahun 2015 nanti, Lion memprediksi kebutuhan karyawan baru akan mencapai 22.000 orang, termasuk engineer dan pilot. Selain menambah armada, tahun depan Lion juga berniat memindahkan sekolah pilot Wings Flying School (WFS) yang saat ini berlokasi di Cirebon ke Kalimantan atau Sulawesi. Pemindahan lokasi ini dikarenakan trafik penerbangan di Jawa sudah padat.

Alhasil, tempat latihan calon pilot pun terbatas. Saat ini, WFS dapat mencetak sekitar 100 orang pilot dalam setahun. Setelah dipindahkan, Lion berharap WFS bisa mencetak 300 orang pilot dalam setahun.

Selain Lion, PT Garuda Indonesia Tbk (GIAA) juga tengah berencana menambah pilot. Menurut Emirsyah Satar, Direktur Utama Garuda, pihaknya akan merekrut sekitar 400 pilot hingga 2015. Di saat itu, Garuda berniat mengoperasikan 154 unit pesawat. Saat ini Garuda telah memiliki 1.000 orang pilot.

Kebutuhan pilot yang tinggi juga diakui oleh Bobby Mamahit, KepalaBadan Pengembangan Sumber Daya Manusia Kementerian Perhubungan. Menurutnya, kebutuhan pilot di Indonesia mencapai 800 orang per tahun. Sementara Sekolah Tinggi Penerbangan Indonesia Curug hanya mampu menghasilkan 120 orang pilot per tahun.

Walau ditambah dengan sekolah penerbangan swasta yang bisa mencetak 300 orang pilot per tahun, kebutuhan pilot belum tercukupi. "Karena itu, kami akan menjadikan Bandara Polonia, Medan sebagai basis sekolah penerbangan baru setelah Curug," kata Bobby.

source: kompas.com

Boeing: FAA certifies 787 with Package B engines

Boeing has obtained US FAA certification of the 787 with Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 Package B engines, capping a seven month flight test programme for the enhanced 70,000lb thrust turbofan.

Package B upgrades include a modified low-pressure turbine design, relocation of the intermediate pressure compressor bleed off-take ports and improved aerodynamics for the fan outlet guide vanes.

Launch customer All Nippon Airways, will be the first to receive the engines, which Flightglobal has reported will bring specific fuel consumption to within 1% of the original specification.

European Aviation Safety Agency regulators approved the Package B version of the engine earlier this month.

source: flightglobal.com