Boeing Reports Fourth-Quarter Deliveries

CHICAGO, Jan. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA) announced today deliveries across its commercial and defense operations for the fourth quarter of 2011.

Major program deliveries during the fourth quarter were as follows:

Major Programs	4th Quarter 2011			Year-to-Date 2011
Commercial Airplanes Programs
737 Next Generation		91			372
747		9			9
767		6			20
777		20			73
787		2			3
Total		128			477
Defense, Space & Security Programs
AEW&C		1			3
Chinook (New Builds)		10			32
C-17		2			13
F-15		4			15
F/A-18E/F and EA-18G		11			49
Satellites (Government & Commercial)		2			4
767 Tanker (International)		2			3
						Source: Boeing.com

Rolls-Royce gears up for Singapore production

In a cavernous white room, about the size of an Olympic swimming pool, an aircraft engine is being tested.

At full throttle, it will suck in a squash court full of air every second.

The seven-tonne cylindrical Trent 900 engine, which powers the biggest passenger plane in the world - the Airbus A380, hangs in mid-air at the heart of the Rolls-Royce Seletar facility in Singapore.

When engines like this one start rolling off the production line in a few months' time, it will take 14 days to put one together from start to finish.

Compare that with the more than 20 days it takes the quintessential British manufacturer's main UK facility in Derby to put together the same engine.

That lure of increased productivity is central to Rolls-Royce's decision to start manufacturing here.

 

 

Trainees are being taught specialised skills

 

"The decision to invest in Singapore is about growth," says Jonathan Asherson, director for South East Asia at Rolls-Royce plc, the marque's aerospace arm.

"We are going to deliver double the amount of engines by the end of this decade than we do now.
"To cater for that growth we need to invest, and the investments we make need to be near our customers, and in this case to the highest-growing region for us."

Government support
 
Almost half of Rolls-Royce's new orders for aircraft engines last year came from airlines in this region.

And the company expects orders from Asia to keep rolling in consistently for the foreseeable future.

Continue reading the main story

“Start Quote

This is not about transplanting activity from one place to another”

End Quote Jonathan Asherson Director South East Asia, Rolls-Royce

The facility in Singapore, worth 700m Singapore dollars ($562m; £355m), is not only Rolls-Royce's first such capital investment on this scale in Asia, it is also the only one outside the UK.

Once fully operational, it will assemble and test about 250 engines a year. In seven or eight years, it is expected to be producing about half of Rolls-Royce's global output.

The decision to choose Singapore as a regional manufacturing hub was made easy by a few factors.
For one, major government support came in the form of tax incentives, as well as training and innovation grants.

Rolls-Royce has had a presence in Singapore for 50 years, through joint ventures and servicing for one of its biggest customers to date, Singapore Airlines.

However, the biggest pull was the promise of a steady supply of highly skilled labour, through partnerships with local universities and polytechnics.

Productivity boost
 
Authorities, as well as the education sector, are working together to cater for Rolls-Royce's labour needs, by giving workers such as Kenneth Koh, 26, the education required.

"When I heard that Rolls-Royce was setting up a start-up facility in Singapore it was one of the major reasons why I decided to do aerospace engineering," he says.

Mr Koh has been working as a technical author at the company for eight months.
He writes instructions for the processes that make the fan blades for the Trent 900.

Rolls-Royce has begun training workers such as him in droves in these kinds of specialised skills.
That is what accounts for the efficiency and speed in Singapore, compared with Derby, according to Leithen Francis from Aviation Week.

Also, in Singapore all manufacturing and assembly will be in one building, as opposed to across five different facilities in the UK.

"Work practices will be different and much more specialised in Singapore," he says.
"They have fewer tasks, which they get really good at, so Rolls-Royce is expecting huge increases in productivity."

But Rolls-Royce's Mr Asherson says this does not mean jobs will be leaving Derby.

Continue reading the main story

Rolls-Royce facilities

• UK: 21,000 employees
• Germany: 3,000 employees
• North America: 8,500 employees
• Singapore: 1,600 employees
• Rest of world: 4,900 employees

Source: Rolls-Royce plc

"This is not about transplanting activity from one place to another," he says.

"The UK remains our main centre and we do service and manufacturing in the UK more than in any other place in the world."

However, some of the functions and services once only performed in the UK will now also be done in Singapore.

Failure investigation
 
One of them is assessing what has gone wrong when things do not go as planned with their engines.
The most notable incident for Rolls-Royce in recent times is the Qantas mid-air engine failure in November 2010. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau found in its investigation that a fault in a pipe 5mm in diameter caused the engine fire.

It was a stark reminder that there is little room for error when it comes to the reliability of an aircraft engine. It takes only one of the 18,000 pieces in an engine to malfunction for lives to be at risk.

 

 

The Seletar campus will turn out about 250 engines a year when it is fully operational by 2015

 

Teo Mei Shi is part of a new "failure investigation" laboratory set up in Singapore, tasked with figuring out what went wrong when an engine malfunctions in any way.

"I was sent to Derby in the UK for a year of training on how to carry out the failure investigation process - learning equipments, procedures and techniques," she says.

The Trent 900 in the Qantas flight was sent to Derby for failure investigation.

However, Teo is hoping that once their lab is fully functional, if there are any incidents in this region that work will fall to her team.

"Indirectly, we can help to save lives. We find the root cause then we pass our finding on to another department which finds solutions."

The Qantas plane turned around after the engine failure and landed safely back in Singapore.

Although confidence looked to be shaken in the immediate aftermath, Rolls-Royce is quick to point out that customers have not been deterred.

"Since that incident there have been three orders for that aircraft type and those orders have come to Rolls Royce," Mr Asherson says.

Dual advantage
 
His confidence seems to come from the success Rolls-Royce has had in recent years.

It is now the second-largest maker of engines for large commercial planes behind General Electric, according to market research firm Ascend. In Asia, it has captured half the market.

Continue reading the main story

Western-made aircraft engine market share

• CFM International (a joint venture between GE and Snecma) 34%
• General Electric 22%
• Pratt and Whitney 19%
• Rolls-Royce 9%

Source: Ascend
--

However, it is fourth in the rankings when all commercial planes, wide and narrow body, are considered.

But it is now also a point of pride for the tiny island of Singapore, as it competes with bigger manufacturing neighbours such as China and India.

The investment from Rolls-Royce means a major boost of 15% for Singapore's aerospace industry.
By 2015 the Seletar campus will account for 0.5% of the country's gross domestic product or some 1.66bn Singapore dollars.

And this British manufacturer gets to call itself a truly global engine-maker.

source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-16789111 

Cathay Pacific To Purchase Six Airbus A350-900 Aircraft - Quick Facts

(RTTNews) - Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. (CPCAY.PK: News ,CPCAF.PK: News ), or CPAS, said it inked purchase agreement with Airbus S.A.S., pursuant to which CPAS has agreed to buy six Airbus A350-900 aircraft. CPAS is expecting to take delivery of the Airbus Aircraft from 2016 to 2017.

CPAS noted that the aircraft basic price comprises the airframe price, price of specification change notices and engine price. The aircraft basic price of the Airbus Aircraft is around $1.628 billion.

CPAS said with regard to the Airbus Aircraft, Airbus has granted to it significant price concessions which may be used towards the payment for the Airbus Aircraft. According to CPAS, the price concessions were determined after arm's length negotiations between the parties and consequently, the actual consideration for the Airbus Aircraft is lower than the aircraft basic price mentioned above.

CPAS stated that the consideration for the purchase of each of the Airbus Aircraft is payable in cash in eight instalments, with the first seven instalments to be paid prior to delivery of each aircraft and the balance, being a substantial portion of the consideration, to be paid upon delivery of the aircraft.

source: http://www.rttnews.com/1801619/cathay-pacific-to-purchase-six-airbus-a350-900-aircraft-quick-facts.aspx?type=qf 

Cathay Pacific Agrees To Buy 6 Aircraft From Airbus For Basic Price Of $1.63 Bln

(RTTNews) - Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. (CPCAY.PK: News ,CPCAF.PK: News ) Friday said it has entered into a purchase agreement with Airbus S.A.S., a unit of European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company, or EADS NV (EADSY.PK), to purchase six Airbus A350-900 aircraft for a basic price of around $1.628 billion.

The price comprises the airframe price, price of specification change notices, and engine price. Cathay Pacific said Airbus has granted it significant price concessions and the actual consideration is lower than the basic price.

Cathay Pacific has applied to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange for a waiver from strict compliance of rules in respect of disclosure of the actual consideration of the aircraft, as it may lead to a loss of the concessions and will have a negative impact on the company's cost for the transaction.

The purchase price is payable in cash in eight instalments. The first seven instalments are to be paid before delivery of each aircraft and the balance upon delivery of the aircraft. Cathay Pacific expects to take delivery of these aircraft from 2016 to 2017.

The transaction will be funded through commercial bank loans, other debt instruments of the airline and cash generated from the company's business operations.

The new aircraft will replenish and expand the airline's fleet capacity and will mostly serve long-haul destinations in Europe.

The stock is curretly trading at HK$14.62, up 1.53 percent, on 1.63 million shares.

source: http://www.rttnews.com/1801623/cathay-pacific-agrees-to-buy-6-aircraft-from-airbus-for-basic-price-of-1-63-bln.aspx?type=qf 

Cathay Agrees to Buy 6 Airbus Planes

HONG KONG—Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. said Friday it agreed to buy six Airbus aircraft with a total catalog price of US$1.63 billion as part of its expansion plans, despite a weakening global economy.
The Hong Kong-based blue-chip airline, which is controlled by conglomerate Swire Pacific Ltd., said in a statement it ordered six A350-900 wide-body long-haul aircraft, which will mainly serve destinations in Europe. They are scheduled for delivery between 2016 and 2017.
The deal underscores the carrier's confidence in Asia's aviation market despite the problems the sector now faces, including high fuel costs and fragile consumer confidence because of concerns about the global economy.
Cathay Pacific has been investing heavily to increase its capacity and services as it competes with other carriers in the region. Last year it announced plans to buy 14 Boeing 777-300 extended range passenger aircraft and eight Boeing 777-200 freighters as well as 15 Airbus A330s and two Airbus A350-900s.
The airline didn't disclose the actual cost of the deal announced Friday, but it said Airbus, a unit of European Aeronautic Defence & Space Co., had granted it "significant price concessions." Airlines usually receive discounts from manufacturers for large aircraft orders.
Before the latest deal, Cathay Pacific had more than 90 aircraft on order for delivery through 2019, with a list price of around 180 billion Hong Kong dollars (US$23.2 billion), including 36 Airbus A350-900s be delivered from 2016 to 2019. It also has two A350-900 on 12-year operating leases.
The company said it would fund the transaction with commercial bank loans, other debt instruments and internal cash resources.

source: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204616504577172220488488452.html 

Air Malta’s first Airbus A319 put available for lease

Air Malta’s Airbus A319 9H-AEG, the first aircraft to form part of the 2004 fleet renewal, has been placed in the international aircraft leasing and sales media since last November for dry (without crew) or wet (with crew) lease with immediate availability. 

The plane, which has 141 seats, is advertised as having logged 24,600 flying hours and 11,800 flight cycles (flights) in its eight years of service, meaning an average daily use of about 8.5 hours. This could mean 12 hours a day in summer and six hours during the winter schedule. Air Malta leases the plane from US leasing giant ILFC, a subsidiary of well-known AIG (American International Group), as part of a deal made in 2002.

However, contrary to the high-density layout A320 that went to Chile again this winter for a two-month period, this aircraft seems to remain parked in Malta or just kept active with low use (actually, Air Malta could surely operate its winter schedule workload with just six planes). In the winters of 2005 and 2007, 9H-AEG was leased out to now defunct Canadian charter/leisure airline Skyservice, for incoming flights to ski resorts in the Rocky Mountains and flights between Canada and Cuba.

Emerging markets – a chance for young second-hand jets

One opportunity for leasing could certainly be Russia, since the Russian government has passed an order that basically means the end of the line for a number of Soviet jet models, particularly the Tupolev 134. The larger Tu-154s, even of the M-version from the last Soviet decade and early 1990s, are also on their way out. UT Air, one of the big domestic carriers, will be in need of fleet modernisation very soon. Capacity-wise, the A319 is positioned right in between the two Soviet thunderbirds.

Thanks to its long range (Air Malta’s A319s: 4,800kms), the A319 has proved to be popular in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), where airlines appreciate such a range (4,800km is like Moscow-Irkutsk) and since it loses quite a bit of value in its early years making it a relatively affordable high-tech second-hand plane to buy.

As an example, S7 Airlines (formerly Siberia Airlines, formerly Aeroflot Novosibirsk), a member of OneWorld Alliance, have been taking up a number of A319s of roughly the same age as Air Malta’s from Northwest Airlines surplus via a set-up vehicle registered in the Bermudas (for tax reasons). For A320 and B737-800 aircraft they are getting brand-new ones. State-owned Rossiya, which took over Pulkovo of St Petersburg, also took up a number of ex-Northwest jets, but additionally sourced some A319s from other sources too (such as Frontier).

Aeroflot, today a very high standard airline, relies on only new-from-factory aircraft. Other carriers can certainly be considered, but if what is being considered is not the complete disposal of a lease but a temporary one, it is also necessary to check the solvency of the carrier one is considering leasing to.

Troubled German low-cost/leisure airline Air Berlin has also been able to offload some A319s – for example, two jets built in 2008 have gone to Air Namibia on long-term lease. While this may not have been the first choice, given their route profiles, they have replaced Boeing 737s from the deep 1980s that are reaching the end of an economic life. Other Air Berlin A319s have been leased to Bosnia, or are currently parked, with the prospect of moving to the PRC.

With its excellent performance also at hot and/or high elevation airports, the A319 could also be interesting for operations in the Andes or Africa, where the rising cost of fuel, and higher operational flexibility (instrumentation, payload/range), makes younger aircraft more attractive despite higher capital costs.

The similarly sized Boeing 737-700s seem to be remaining with Air Berlin – also as the result of cost-saving measures – with just three planes going to Yakutia Airlines (Yakutia is a Russian province in north-east Siberia, and Yakutsk, its capital, is 4,800km east of Moscow), however after their lease to Air Berlin had expired anyway. The B737-700, especially with winglets, is regarded as offering lower trip costs and longer range than the A319, even operating flights of over 5,000km with Copa, a highly profitable Latin American carrier operating a mix of Embraer 190s and Boeing 737-700/800s.

The number of stored or available for lease B737-700s is much lower than that of the directly competing A319s.

While placing the A319 on a lease contract is more challenging than a high-density seating layout A320, it is better than having the airplane just parked and paying the leasing bill to America, and for the A319s (quite contrary to the financially more attractive A320s) one might maybe not be taking a residual value/buy/resale deal option at the end of the lease so one also has not that much a plus on ‘saving it’.

One will not fetch the same leasing revenue as with an equally old A320 or Boeing 737. But the remarketing is not as difficult as that of the Avro RJ70/85s. If one cannot place the plane, then surely one can deploy it on some Malta routes during summer, though flying and flying profitably are two different points. Generally speaking, Air Malta should already – over the last five or six years – have been more (pro-) active in the fields of route development and strategy.

As already said Air Malta’s core operations are within a 700-2,300km range frame, with Moscow at 3,000kms the longest sector, and no special performance airports except for the odd Isle of Man charter which surely is not the point. The A319s have the potential for longer range routes to Arabia or Africa (even places like Brazzaville or Entebbe can theoretically be reached), but at present one cannot risk such things, and the Gulf market is a no-chance one today given competition. While certainly traditional markets remain top, one should at least keep one’s eyes open also on emerging markets. One has already been successful with an A320 placed to a low-cost airline in Mexico.

source: http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=138597

Cathay Pacific says to buy 6 Airbus aircraft

Jan 20 (Reuters) - Hong Kong's dominant carrier Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd said on Friday that it has signed a deal to buy six Airbus A350-900 aircraft with a basic price of $1.628 billion for delivery between 2016 and 2017.

The company said in a stock exchange filing that it would pay for the aircraft in cash in eight installments, to be funded by loans, other debt instruments and internal cash.

The Airbus aircraft would replenish and expand the company's fleet capacity and will principally serve long-haul destinations in Europe, the statement said.

source: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/20/cathay-idUSL3E7JI0IM20120120 

Airbus says 'solution found' to A380 wing cracks

Airbus says it has found a solution to cracks which appeared on parts inside the wings of some A380 Superjumbos.

It acknowledged manufacturing and design flaws but insisted the world's largest airliner is safe to fly.

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) ordered inspections last week after two types of cracks were discovered on a bracket.

Airbus, which makes wings at Broughton, Flintshire, would not comment further until inspections were complete.

Inspections were ordered on almost a third of the Superjumbo fleet, with aircraft owned by Singapore Airlines, Emirates and Air France affected.

Airbus confirmed reports it had discovered more examples of the cracks during the latest wing inspections, but declined to give further details before Friday's deadline for completing a first phase of checks.

Tom Williams, Airbus' executive vice president of programmes, said the cracks were caused by a combination of the choice of aluminium alloy for certain wing brackets as well as stresses imposed at two stages of the manufacturing process.

"The A380 is safe to fly," he added.

source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-16724982 

Delta, WestJet will codeshare starting Jan. 23

Delta Air Lines (DL) and WestJet (WS) said Tuesday they will expand their cooperation agreement with increased codesharing starting with Jan. 23 flights.

Calgary-based WS has been following a strategy of network growth via codesharing. It last year inked accords with both American Airlines and DL (ATW Daily News, March 1, 2011). Atlanta-based DL and WS began interlining in 2011, allowing passengers switching between the two carriers to purchase connecting flights on one ticket, receive boarding passes for all segments and check bags through to a final destination.

Under the new codesharing accord, DL will place its code on WS flights to over 15 cities while WS's code will be added to DL flights to five US markets.

"Our codeshare partnership with WestJet means an array of expanded travel options in the US and Canada for our customers, with easy access to the airline's extensive Canadian network and transborder service between Canada and the United States," DL VP-alliances Charlie Pappas said.

source: http://atwonline.com/airports-routes/news/delta-westjet-will-codeshare-starting-jan-23-0117 

Lufthansa to balance operations between two Moscow airports

Lufthansa (LH), the largest foreign carrier in Russia, will transfer its Dusseldorf (DUS) and Hamburg (HAM) flights from Moscow Domodedovo (DME) to Moscow Vnukovo (VKO) beginning June 3, according to a VKO statement.
In November 2011, LH revealed plans to add VKO to its network (ATW Daily News, Nov. 23). From March 25, LH will operate two out of six scheduled daily flights from Frankfurt (FRA), and from June 3 it will add 12 flights per week from Berlin.
The carrier had previously said that flights from DUS, HAM and Munich, as well as four frequencies from FRA, would remain at DME. However, LH regional director-Russia and the CIS Ronald Schultz told ATW the carrier decided to balance its operations in Moscow after the November announcement.
When LH launches VKO service, it will operate seven daily frequencies from Germany to Moscow to each of the airports. Some FRA and all Munich (MUC) flights are expected to remain in DME. According to Schultz, it is not unusual for German carriers to operate out of two hubs in FRA and MUC.
This move could help Russia’s third largest carrier, UTair (UT), to become a future Star Alliance member, as Star members are consolidating at VKO. Turkish Airlines (TK) recently announced it will transfer all Moscow flights from Istanbul (IST), Ankara (ANK) and Antalya (AYT) from Sheremetyevo (SVO) and DME to VKO (ATW Daily News, Jan. 9).

source: http://atwonline.com/airports-routes/news/lufthansa-balance-operations-between-two-moscow-airports-0113 

ANA begins first 787 long-haul service

All Nippon Airlines (ANA), launch customer for the Boeing 787, operated the first scheduled Boeing 787 long-haul service Jan. 21 from Tokyo Haneda (HND) to Frankfurt (FRA). ATW joined the inaugural flight from Europe to Japan.

Following a traditional Kagami-wari (sake barrel breaking) ceremony, ANA flight NH204 pushed back from the gate with 148 passengers and one infant onboard. The inflight entertainment (IFE) system calculated the route to be 5,821 miles via Northern Europe and Siberia, well below the 787’s top nautical mile range of 8,200. After 10 hr., 56 min., the aircraft touched down at HND, 10 min. ahead of schedule.

The 787’s long-haul configuration provides 46 business-class seats and 112 economy-class seats. The inaugural flight was long enough for passengers to appreciate the aircraft’s onboard technologies, such as its 6,000 ft. cabin air pressure system and improved humidity levels, which makes a noticeable difference in comfort.

ANA, which launched its first 787 flight in October 2011 (ATW, Dec. 1, 2011), now has five 787s in operation, with one dedicated for the 3X-weekly HND–FRA service.

ANA SVP and GM-Europe, Middle East and Africa Suichi Fujimura told ATW that FRA was selected as the first 787 destination in Europe after ANA was unable to secure slots at London Heathrow.
The HND–FRA service will become daily from Feb. 1. The four additional flights, which currently use 777-200ERs, will be replaced by 787s in March.

According to the ANA Group’s FY 2012 plan, the carrier is scheduled to receive 20 787s before March 31, 2013. The carrier should receive all 55 it has on order by 2017 (ATW Daily News, Dec. 21, 2011).

By the end of this year, ANA is planning to open new international routes, including HND-San Jose, Calif. and HND-Seattle, Wash., and domestic routes from HND to Itami, Yamaguchi Ube and Matsuyama.

source: http://atwonline.com/airports-routes/news/ana-begins-first-787-long-haul-service-0123 

SAA flies non-stop to Beijing

The first of SAA’s new nonstop flights to Beijing is due to take off from Johannesburg’s OR Tambo Airport on January 31, and many people in the travel and tourism trade are confident that it will become one of our national carrier’s most strongly supported routes as two-way trade and tourism continue to grow. 

Beijing already attracts large numbers of South African corporate travellers and a growing number of tourists, particularly since the last Olympic Games were held there, causing more modern international hotels to open and making the city easier for foreign visitors to find their way around. And growing numbers of Chinese tourists are arriving here this week as they celebrate the Chinese New Year – this is the start of the Year of the Dragon.

Wally Gaynor, the chief executive of Club Travel, whose organisation works with Chinese travel agents to bring tourists to this country and facilitates the arrival and transfer of large numbers of Chinese workers on projects in neighbouring countries, was confident that SAA’s new route would be a big success. 

“There is a huge volume of air traffic between this country and China,” he said. 

“Most of the travellers from this country are on business, but having the first direct flight to mainland China from this country should increase the number of tourists. 

“SAA is starting the new service with three flights a week, but I am sure demand will cause them to introduce a daily service very quickly.” 

However, the managing director of another travel agency, pointed out that many South African corporate travellers entered China by way of Hong Kong, to which both SAA and Cathay Pacific Airlines have daily flights from Johannesburg, or by way of Dubai with Emirates. And although there was heavy demand, it might take some time for SAA to make the route profitable in a competitive environment. 

SAA is starting the route with an Airbus A340-600 with business class and economy class seats. Dileseng Koetle, the head of corporate affairs, said the first passengers were “a good mix of corporate and leisure travellers. However, business traffic predominates, given China’s growing economic presence in Africa. We do, however, expect large groups of Chinese tourists during their holiday seasons, such as the Chinese New Year and Golden Week.” 

She said the launch of the new service was in line with South Africa’s strategy to expand its network to Asia, the fastest growing market in the world. “China and South Africa established a comprehensive strategic partnership in August last year. Introducing direct flights to China will promote tourism and trade, not only to South Africa but also to all the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and other African countries.” 

Koetle said the new flight route would also “create a bridge between South Africa and China, connecting three of the Brics (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) countries, and promoting trade between them.” 

It had not affected bookings for SAA’s well supported daily flights to Hong Kong. 

“On the contrary, it will help us to serve and expand the market even better. The Hong Kong and Beijing flights serve different catchment areas, since China is a huge country with a large population.

“The Beijing flight will serve the northern, central and western areas of China, while Hong Kong serves the southern China and Pearl River delta areas, as well as providing connections to other important markets such as Japan, Korea and the Philippines.” 

Discussing a suggestion by Marthinus van Schalkwyk, the Minister of Tourism, that SAA should also fly to Shanghai, Koetle said SAA was in talks with its partners in the international Star Alliance about the possibility of codeshare services. 

Michael Tatalias, the director of the Southern African Tourism Service Association (SATSA), the umbrella body representing the entire tourism industry, said it would be important for SAA to time its arrivals and departures for connecting flights between Beijing and other cities in China by local airlines. 

He said the new flight was certain to be used by travellers on South African government business. But he pointed out that many South African corporate travellers, who had been visiting China for years, were regular customers with other airlines such as Emirates, which offered a stopover in Dubai en route, and the comfort of flying on a giant Airbus A380. 

Sally George, the market development manager of Singapore Airlines in South Africa, said it regularly carried corporate travellers from Cape Town and Johannesburg to Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou by way of Singapore. 

In addition to its own connecting flights to these three important business destinations, passengers could catch other connections to Chinese cities offered by a sister airline, Silk Air. 

source: http://www.iol.co.za/business/international/saa-flies-non-stop-to-beijing-1.1217548

Cebu Pacific offers seat sale to the Philippines

The Philippines’ largest national flag carrier, Cebu Pacific takes inspiration from the new Philippine Department of Tourism “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” campaign.
 
The carrier offers SGD 39 seats from Singapore to Cebu and Clark, and SGD 45 seats from Singapore to Manila, inclusive of taxes and surcharges.

The seat sale is from January 20 to 22, 2012 or until seats last, for travel from June 1 to December 15, 2012.

All of CEB’s 34 Philippine destinations are also up for grabs for PHP 1, exclusive of taxes and surcharges, allowing foreign and local tourists to maximize inter-island travels.

“It has always been fun for us at Cebu Pacific to give away seats at CEB’s trademark lowest fare, because more local and foreign tourists get the chance to explore the Philippines. With this unbeatable travel deal, passengers can spend their airfare savings on more adventures,” said CEB VP for Marketing and Distribution Candice Iyog.

CEB offers the most number of flights between Manila and Singapore up to five times daily. It also operates daily flights each from Singapore to Clark, north of the Philippines, and to Cebu, strategically located at the center of the country.

With up to seven daily flights between the Philippines and Singapore, CEB is the biggest airline providing linkages to the two countries. Passengers get to choose between the most number of flight options to visit some of Asia's top beach, diving, golfing and shopping destinations. This includes the island paradise of Boracay, the Puerto Princesa Underground River (named one of the world's new seven Wonders of Nature), and the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, a World Heritage Site.

“CEB continues to boost leisure and business travel between Singapore and Manila with its trademark lowest fares, and a series of exciting consumer initiatives in the next few months. This seat sale is a wonderful opportunity to discover the Philippine islands and the unique hospitality of its people,” said Iyog.

CEB also offers PHP 1 seats to the Philippines, exclusive of taxes and surcharges, from the rest of its 17 international destinations, namely: Bangkok, Beijing, Brunei, Busan, Guangzhou, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Hong Kong, Incheon, Jakarta, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, Macau, Osaka, Shanghai, Taipei or Xiamen.
The airline first introduced PHP 1 fares in 2007, and it has become one of its most popular seat sales. The seat sale fare is exclusive of government tax and fuel surcharge.

Iyog added, “This 1st quarter, we will celebrate our maiden Manila-Hanoi, Manila-Xiamen, Cebu-Kalibo and Kalibo-Hong Kong flights. We are excited to share CEB’s fun airline culture to more passengers to these key cities in the Philippines and Asia.”

This promotion is only available via www.cebupacificair.com or through travel agents using the Amadeus global distribution system. Travelers can also select seats in advance and avail of CEB’s free web check-in service for their travel convenience.

CEB currently operates 10 Airbus A319, 19 Airbus A320 and 8 ATR-72 500 aircraft. Its fleet of 37 aircraft – with an average age of 3.6 years – is one of the most modern aircraft fleets in the world. Between 2012 and 2021, Cebu Pacific will take delivery of 23 Airbus A320 and 30 Airbus A321neo aircraft orders, and 2 Airbus A320 aircraft on operating lease agreements.

source: http://ftnnews.com/other-news/15354-cebu-pacific-offers-seat-sale-to-the-philippines.html 

Virgin Australia will deploy A330s on Melbourne-Perth route

Virgin Australia (DJ) will deploy Airbus A330s on the Melbourne (MEL)-Perth (PER) route to tap the resources boom in Western Australia and attempt to capture more of the business market from Qantas (QF). According to the airline, the move will add 20,000 seats a year.

In a significant ramp-up in the intensifying competition between the two airlines, DJ will take delivery from Airbus of two new 278-seat A330s in May and put them into service on the MEL-PER route from May 14. The A330s will replace 168-seat Boeing 737s.

Last year, DJ deployed its first two A330s on the Sydney (SYD)-PER route, which heralded the roll-out of the airline’s new up-market image and introduction of business class (ATW Daily News, May 4, 2011).

DJ CEO John Borghetti is aiming to see 20% of the airline’s revenue come from Australia’s corporate and government market by June 2013.

As of June 2011 that figure stood at 13%, up one-third over the prior year; however, insiders suggest the number is now closer to 15% after QF’s recent industrial woes. For the past 10 years, QF has faced no business class competition since the collapse of Ansett.

source: http://atwonline.com/airports-routes/news/virgin-australia-will-deploy-a330s-melbourne-perth-route-0118 

Air China adjusts international routes

In a move designed to strengthen and optimize its international network, Air China (CA) on March 10 will resume service to Paris CDG from Shanghai Pudong using a Boeing 777-300ER. It will also remove Shanghai from its Shanghai-Beijing Capital (PEK)-CDG service and begin direct PEK-CDG after replacing an Airbus A340 with a 777-300ER on the route.

“What Air China has done with respect to the Beijing - Paris market is just one of the moves that the carrier is making to shore up its international presence. In 2012, Air China will make further inroads into the overseas market,” CA said.

The Star Alliance carrier will launch PEK-Copenhagen service in 2012, bringing its European destinations to 13.

source: http://atwonline.com/airports-routes/news/air-china-adjusts-international-routes-1229 

Vladivostok Avia transfers Moscow flights to Sheremetyevo

Vladivostok Avia (XF) on Feb. 1 will transfer all Moscow flights from Vnukovo (VKO) airport to Sheremetyevo (SVO) Terminal B as a part of its integration strategy with Aeroflot (SU).

In November, Russian state corporation Rostechnology completed the asset transfer of five regional carriers to SU (ATW Daily News, Nov 22). Terminal B is a former base for low-cost carrier Avianova (AO), which stopped operations last year (ATW Daily News, Oct. 4). After the carrier closed, only one airline, Belorussian Belavia Airlines (B2), operated at Terminal B. However, B2 said that from Jan. 25 it will launch flights from Moscow Domodedovo (DME), leaving Terminal 1 empty through Feb. 1.

SVO representatives said that Terminal B will eventually be demolished, making way for a new 40-45 million passenger complex. According to airport representatives, construction will begin after a decision is reached on the third runway construction.

source: http://atwonline.com/airports-routes/news/vladivostok-avia-transfers-moscow-flights-sheremetyevo-0118 

Turkish switches Moscow flights to Vnukovo, targets 38 million passengers in 2012

Turkish Airlines (TK) will switch four daily Istanbul (IST) flights and one daily Antalya flight from Moscow Sheremetyevo to Vnukovo Airport (VKO) from March 25.

Star Alliance member Lufthansa has also announced the launch of flights to Vnukovo (ATW Daily News Nov. 23).

TK will launch 3X-weekly Boeing 737-800 IST Ataturk–Novosibirsk (OVB) service March 14, making OVB TK’s eighth Russian destination.

CEO Temel Kotil recently told ATW that TK is targeting 38 million passengers for 2012 and $8 billion. TK continues to increase its European traffic and grow its “important markets like Russia or Ukraine,” he said.

Despite the weak economic outlook in Europe, Kotil remains confident. “Actually everybody is worrying about poor income. Our income is mostly in euro currency and that hurt us as well. Other carriers [are] cutting service, that helps us to balance. Like in 2006 or 2008, many airlines had problems. When others (airlines) reduce[d] services, we also made a profit. There will be no crises for us.”

During the first 11 months of 2011, passengers carried rose 11.7% on the year-ago period to 30 million (ATW Daily News, Dec. 19, 2011). Kotil said ASKs should grow in 2012 by 20%, as well 20% in terms of passenger numbers, “but we have to work hard in 2012.”

source: http://atwonline.com/airports-routes/news/turkish-switches-moscow-flights-vnukovo-targets-38-million-passengers-2012-0106 

Brussels Airlines begins service to the US

Brussels Airlines (SN) plans to launch its “first own connection” to the US since its founding in 2002, following the demise of its predecessor Sabena in late 2001. The route, daily Brussels (BRU)-New York (JFK) will begin June 1.

The route will be operated with Airbus A330-300 or A330-200 aircraft, equipped with new business and economy-class cabins. The carrier will announce more details on the new cabin soon, it said. The service will be run as a daily morning flight to JFK Terminal 1 and as an overnight service back to BRU.

“We are especially pleased that we will be able to serve New York, the main long-haul destination for the Belgian travel market, ourselves from next spring,” SN CO CEO Bernard Gustin said. “Not only are we investing in our own air connection to the States, but thanks to a completely new cabin we are also offering our passengers a state of the art product more than ever before.”

source: http://atwonline.com/airports-routes/news/brussels-airlines-begins-service-us-0105 

Ryanair to open base in Cyprus

Ryanair (FR), Europe’s largest low-cost carrier, will open a base at Paphos International, Cyprus, in April with two Boeing 737-800s operating more than 80 weekly flights on 14 routes. It will be FR’s 50th base.

In December, FR announced it will open its 49th base at Palma Airport in March with four based aircraft operating 47 routes, of which 17 are new (ATW Daily News, Nov. 2, 2011). It will cut back its presence in Alicante because it says that airport operator AENA is mandating the use of unnecessary air bridges that will require it to pay fees of some €2 million ($2.5 million) per year.

FR said the Cyprus base represents an investment of $140 million and will initially deliver some 600,000 passengers per year and sustain over 600 jobs.

The routes are to Chania, Frankfurt Hahn, Kaunas, Krakow, London, Memmingen, Milan, Oslo, Patras, Pisa, Rome Ciampino, Stockholm, Treviso and Thessaloniki in Greece.

FR also announced it will expand its base at Girona  (GRO) this summer, growing the number of based aircraft from four to nine and adding 19 new routes to Aarhus, Bydgoszcz, Cagliari, Cork, Doncaster, Dusseldorf, Gdansk, Ibiza, Knock, Krakow, Madrid, Malmo, Nador, Perugia, Poitiers, Skelleftea, Stockholm, Thessaloniki and Turku. This will bring its network at the Spanish airport to 59 routes.

FR said its traffic at GRO will grow to 3 million passengers per year. The carrier flew 76.4 million passengers in 2011, up 5% from 72.7 million in 2010.

source: http://atwonline.com/airports-routes/news/ryanair-open-base-cyprus-0110 

New LCC AirAsia Japan receives AOC, will launch in August

AirAsia Japan, the joint venture between AirAsia and All Nippon Airways (ANA) has received its Air Operators’ Certificate (AOC) from the Civil Aviation Bureau of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

The new low-cost carrier, which will begin operations from August, will be based at Tokyo Narita. International services are scheduled to launch Oct. 1. From 2013, it plans to offer Airbus A330 services to Thailand, Indonesia and Singapore (ATW Daily News, Nov. 8, 2011).

ANA Group CEO Shinichiro Ito said, “This is a start of a new age in Japanese aviation history with a full-fledged low-cost carrier beginning operations in the largest aviation market in this country this year for the first time. We aim to generate new demand in this industry together as a whole. ANA believes that AirAsia Japan will make air transport more accessible and provide a convenient and efficient travel option for a wide range of people.”

source:  http://atwonline.com/airline-finance-data/news/new-lcc-airasia-japan-receives-aoc-will-launch-august-0202

Thai to operate first A380 on regional routes

Thai Airways International (TG) will deploy its first Airbus A380 on regional routes, most likely Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (BKK)-Hong Kong (HKG).

Speaking to ATW during a visit to Toulouse to view the carrier’s first A380 on the final assembly line, TG executives said the carrier will operate between BKK and Frankfurt (FRA) only “after we receive the second aircraft delivery around November 2012. Upon receiving additional aircraft, Thai will operate to London [Heathrow (LHR)] and then Paris [Charles de Gaulle].”

According to insiders, daily BKK-FRA service will commence in January 2013 and BKK-LHR service will begin in spring 2013.

TG has six A380s on firm order and plans to take delivery of the first three aircraft next year and three in 2013 (ATW Daily News, Feb. 9, 2010).

The carrier will configure the A380s in a three-class layout with 507 seats: 435 in economy, 60 in business and 12 in first class.

TG’s first A380 entered the final assembly line in Toulouse at the end of November. Front, central, and aft fuselages, wings, horizontal and vertical tail plane have been assembled. This past weekend the aircraft was moved from the electrical installation bay to the hydraulic systems and powerplant  installation station, where it will be fitted with Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines.

source: http://atwonline.com/airports-routes/news/thai-operate-first-a380-regional-routes-1220 

ANA announces first US 787 routes to Seattle, San Jose in FY 2012

All Nippon Airways (ANA), launch customer for the Boeing 787, announced that Seattle, Wash., and San Jose, Calif., will be the aircraft’s first US destinations from fiscal year 2012 (ATW Daily News, Oct. 28).

ANA Group president and CEO Shinichiro Ito said, “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.”

He said that Seattle is an “important international business hub” and  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,” he said.

ANA said Tuesday that its third Dreamliner won't be delivered this month as scheduled because of a Boeing "productivity" issue. As a result, the carrier will push the launch of Tokyo Haneda-Beijing 787 service from this month to mid-January.

ANA launched 787 flights, beginning with a Tokyo-Hong Kong special charter, in October following a 40-month-delayed first delivery (ATW Daily News, Dec. 21).

source: http://atwonline.com/airports-routes/news/ana-announces-first-us-787-routes-seattle-san-jose-fy-2012-1221 

Malaysia expands ASEAN network

Malaysia Airlines (MH) is increasing its weekly frequencies to several ASEAN destinations as well as to Beijing (PEK) and Taipei from March 25.

The changes are in line with MH’s business plan rolled out in December to streamline operations, focus on growth and cut losses (ATW Daily News, Dec. 12, 2011).

MH’s 2X-daily Kuala Lumpur (KL)-Manila service will increase to 3X daily with the addition of another daily 737-800 flight. The KL-Phnom Penh return route will increase from 9X-weekly frequencies to 11 and then to 15X-weekly, effective May 1.

MH is also adding two flights between KL and Jakarta, resulting in 42 weekly services. Connectivity between KL and Medan will double to 2X daily. The carrier is adding a flight to Bangkok on Sunday, increasing to 4X daily, and is doubling its Boeing 777-200ER operations to PEK to 2X-daily. It will increase its 3X-weekly KL–Taipei–Los Angeles (LAX) service to 4X weekly and change the routing to KL-Tokyo Narita-LAX.

MH will also increase frequency on the Kuala Lumpur–Taipei route to daily, with the addition of thrice-weekly 737-800 flights.

The carrier’s return-to-profitability plan targets a net loss of MYR165 million ($55 million) in 2012, which would be a substantial improvement over MH's net loss of MYR527 million for just the 2011 second quarter (ATW Daily News, Aug. 24), and estimates a potential 2013 net profit of MYR1.18 billion-MYR1.51 billion.

source: http://atwonline.com/airports-routes/news/malaysia-expands-asean-network-0112 

JAL announces route 2012 plans

Japan Airlines (JAL) has outlined its plans for routes, fleet and flight frequency for the first half of fiscal year 2012 year ending March 31, 2013, as the Boeing 787 is introduced into service  (ATW Daily News, Dec. 15, 2011).

According to JAL, it will launch the first 4X-weekly 787 nonstop service between Tokyo Narita (NRT) and Boston April 22, increasing to daily from June 1.

JAL plans to deploy the 787 on five existing 777 and 767 routes in JAL's international network from the end of March. Routes include NRT-Delhi, NRT-Moscow, Tokyo Haneda (HND)-Beijing, NRT-Singapore (SIN) and HND-SIN.

JAL said it will increase flight frequencies on its NRT-SIN route from 7X-weekly to 14X-weekly from Oct. 28.

On the domestic side, JAL plans to reinstate daily Fukuoka-Hanamaki service from March 25, as well as 2X-daily Niigata-Sapporo service from July 13. The carrier will also schedule an increase in flight frequencies on nine other routes from HND, Osaka Itami, Osaka Kansai, Sapporo and Chubu, and will suspend its Chubu-Ishigaki route from March 25.

source: http://atwonline.com/airports-routes/news/jal-announces-route-2012-plans-0119 

Southwest to cut flights to six airports served by AirTran

Southwest Airlines (SWA) said it will continue to operate to 22 airports now served by AirTran Airways, over time converting flights to/from those destinations to the SWA brand. However, it will cease services to six airports in AirTran's network after Aug. 12.

SWA, which acquired rival AirTran last year, said last week that it expects FAA to grant the carriers a single operating certificate by the end of March (ATW Daily News, Jan. 20). Effective Aug. 12, AirTran will cease serving Allentown, Pa. (ABE), Lexington, Ky. (LEX), Harrisburg, Pa. (MDT), Sarasota, Fla. (SRQ), Huntsville, Ala. (HSV) and White Plains, N.Y. (HPN).

All told (taking into account cities jointly served by the carriers), SWA plans to fly to 53 of the 69 airports to which Orlando-based AirTran operated when it was acquired by its Dallas-based rival in May 2011.

The AirTran airports that will eventually join SWA's network include Washington National (DCA), Memphis (MEM), Montego Bay (MBJ), Aruba (AUA), San Juan, P.R. (SJU), Bermuda (BDA), Flint, Mich. (FNT), Rochester, N.Y. (ROC), Pensacola, Fla. (PNS), Charlotte (CLT), Dayton, Ohio (DAY), Richmond, Va. (RIC), Key West, Fla. (EYW), Akron-Canton, Ohio (CAK), Wichita, Kan. (ICT), Des Moines, Iowa (DSM), Branson, Mo. (BKG), Portland, Maine (PWM), Grand Rapids, Mich. (GRR), Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (PUJ), Cancun (CUN) and Nassau, Bahamas (NAS). "AirTran service and employees at these airports are planned to convert to Southwest gradually over the course of AirTran's integration into Southwest," SWA stated.

Meanwhile, AirTran will begin serving Mexico City (MEX) May 24 and San Jose Cabo (SJD) June 3; those destinations will also convert to SWA eventually.

SWA said Seattle-Tacoma (SEA) will become the first airport now served by both carriers to convert to full SWA services; from Aug. 12, 41 daily flights branded as SWA will fly to/from SEA. The transition there won't be overly difficult because AirTran currently serves the market with one daily flight from SEA to Milwaukee (MKE) and seasonal service to both Atlanta (ATL) and Baltimore (BWI).

In addition, both carriers will add new flights from Aug. 12. SWA will fly thrice daily from ATL to both Norfolk, Va. (ORF) and Louisville (SDF), as well as twice daily between New York LaGuardia (LGA) and St. Louis (STL) and twice daily between STL and San Antonio (SAT). AirTran will launch two daily flights between CAK and Chicago Midway (MDW) from Aug. 12.

source: http://atwonline.com/airports-routes/news/southwest-cut-flights-six-airports-served-airtran-0123 

Incident: Indigo A320 at Indore on Jan 22nd 2012, rejected takeoff

An Indigo Airbus A320-200, flight 6E-252 from Indore to Raipur (India) with 123 people on board, was accelerating for takeoff when the crew spotted a large bird approaching the aircraft from the right and rejected takeoff at high speed, but could not prevent the bird to hit the engine. The aircraft slowed safely, a tyre however deflated due to brakes overheating.

An engine received damage to the fan blades as result of the bird strike.

A replacement aircraft reached Raipur with a delay of 6.5 hours.

source: http://avherald.com/h?article=449afb47&opt=0

Vueling to add six aircraft, several new routes in 2012

Vueling Airlines (VY) will add five Airbus A320s and one A319 this year to support its organic growth as it launches 44 new routes and at least three new bases, CEO Alex Cruz said. The carrier is also proceeding with plans to order “at least” 50 new aircraft.

The Barcelona El Prat (BCN) low-cost carrier, has an all-leased Airbus A320 fleet; the potential purchase tender has been in the pipeline since early last year.

“We announced last year we would go through a re-fleeting exercise this year. This is the first time ever in Vueling’s history. We have issued documentation to vendors and we are expecting their responses now and doing vendor visits,” Cruz told ATW.

He said the company was talking to “all manufacturers with an open mind to the models,” such as the A320 family, Boeing 737 family and Bombardier C Series, noting that “[737]MAX or [A320]neo is not our worry now—we want to make the right financial decision.” Cruz said he hopes to place the order before the summer and confirmed the company has already started the first few rounds of pre-delivery payment financing.

Cruz did not detail the exact size of the order but said it would be for “at least” 50 narrowbodies, to substitute its entire leased fleet plus growth.

The six new aircraft will also add 23 new routes to its base at BCN, lifting its network there to 70 direct routes. Its BCN-based fleet will grow by five aircraft to 28 aircraft (plus one back-up aircraft) this summer, representing a capacity growth of around 20%. It will open a base at Palma de Mallorca (PMI) with one aircraft; one of its two new international bases will be announced in March.

“We are showing that Vueling is growing organically in its market each year with about six aircraft,” Cruz noted. This summer the carrier will have 48 aircraft. Cruz reiterated an earlier outlook that the company expects to report a profit for 2011 (ATW Daily News, Nov. 24, 2011).

“The fact that we are looking at a  profitable 2011 against the background of a great deal of competition and increased fuel prices allows us to begin to think that there is a possibility that we do have a sustainable model,” Cruz said.

source: http://atwonline.com/aircraft-engines-components/news/vueling-add-six-aircraft-several-new-routes-2012-0121 

AirAsia X is Sydney bound

Kuala Lumpur-based AirAsia X has announced it will fly to Sydney Australia from April 1.
Sydney is AirAsia X’s fourth Australian destination after Gold Coast, Melbourne and Perth.
The airline’s attempts over the past four years to operate the route have been thwarted by Malaysia Airlines’ objections but have been swept aside after the two airlines’ landmark share swap deal last year (ATW Daily News, Aug. 10, 2011).

D7 said it will suspend services to the UK and France from March 31, citing the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme and the UK’s passenger duty taxes (ATW Daily News, Jan. 13).

D7 will operate an Airbus A330-300 on the route with a configuration of 12 premium flatbed seats and 365 economy seats.

source: http://atwonline.com/airports-routes/news/airasia-x-sydney-bound-0121 

Qantas Not Required To Check A380 Wings -Spokeswoman

MELBOURNE –  Qantas Airways Ltd. (QAN.AU) said Monday it doesn't have to inspect for cracks on the wings of its Airbus A380 wings, after the airline was excluded from an air-worthiness directive issued by Europe's air-safety agency.

A Qantas spokeswoman told Dow Jones Newswires that while the airline hadn't been advised to carry out any inspections, the company would carefully monitor the outcome of those that are made by other carriers.

Airbus confirmed Thursday the discovery of cracks in L-shaped brackets that attach the wings' metal skin to structural ribs inside. Then on Friday, the European Aviation Safety Agency published an air-worthiness directive on Friday calling for prompt, detailed inspection of the wings of 20 A380 super jumbos, the world's largest passenger aircraft.
The agency said the inspections would have to be carried out on aircraft that had completed more than 1,300 flights within six weeks of January 24, 2012, and on ones that had completed more than 1,800 flights within four days of January 20,2012.

"EASA and Airbus are working closely together to ensure the continuing safe operations of the A380 aircraft type," the agency said, adding that it and Airbus had established a repair scheme if cracks were found during inspections.

Qantas flies 11 A380s in its fleet. One was involved in an emergency in November 2010, when an engine manufactured by Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC (RR.LN) failed over Batam island in Indonesia, shortly after the plane took off from Singapore. Repairs on that A380 are expected to be completed in Singapore by March. Qantas shares at 0049 GMT were up 0.8% at A$1.54.

source: http://www.foxbusiness.com/news/2012/01/22/qantas-not-required-to-check-a380-wings-spokeswoman/ 

Cebu Pacific plans international expansion

The Philippine flag carrier Cebu Pacific has released plans to update its fleet and launch services outside of Asia, including Australia, the Middle East, part of Europe and the US.

Aiming for the third quarter of 2013, the carrier said in an online statement that it will lease up to eight Airbus A330-300 aircraft, an aircraft fit to carry out the carrier’s long term plans, according to Cebu Pacific chief executive Lance Gokongwei.

“We are exploring serving cities where large Filipino communities reside --- Europe, Middle East, Oceania and the USA. Data indicates that more than half of Filipinos deployed in these regions take multiple stops and connecting flights because no home carrier can fly them there non-stop,” he explained.

Since commencing flights in 1996, Cebu has focused on building its short-haul flights for Filipinos.

Mr Gokongwei said it is an “exciting time” for the company to consider growth and offering low fares to a number of destinations could drive “significant increase on demand for air travel to regions outside of Asia”.

“As CEB develops long-haul routes and opens new destinations for a Philippine flag carrier, we will be creating an important enabler for increased trade, tourism and foreign investment,” he added.

Cebu Pacific currently operates flights to up to 34 destination including Manila, Cebu, Clark as well as Ho Chi Minh, Siem and Singapore.

source: http://www.etravelblackboard.com/article/128085/cebu-pacific-plans-international-expansion 

Kiwis (Air New Zealand) fly non-stop to Bali

Air New Zealand has just launched its new twice weekly service between Auckland and Denpasar offering Kiwis a non- stop service to the popular destination. The Boeing 767-300 service will operate seasonally over the high season of June to October, however if demand presents itself, it will operate throughout the year. Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Rob Fyfe said the new service will make the popular destination even more accessible for Kiwis. “Our flight time of eight and a half hours is a significant improvement on the indirect services offered by competitors that can involve long layovers and a total journey time of at least 14 and sometimes more than 24 hours,” Mr Fyfe said. “We’ll be offering our flexible and popular ‘Seats to Suit’ fare structure on the Bali route with great pricing and arrival and departure times to be announced closer to the on-sale date of 23 February.” The inaugural flight will depart on Wednesday June 20, subject to government and regulatory approvals. The Boeing 767-300 has 24 Business Class and 204 Economy Class seats. In addition to its newest international route Bali, Air New Zealand also services island destinations including Fiji, Tonga, Cook Islands, Samoa, New Caledonia, Tahiti, Vanuatu, Norfolk Island, Niue and Honolulu. The Airline last operated services between Auckland to Bali in the 1990s using a Boeing 767-200 aircraft.

Emirates adds A380 to Melbourne route

Emirates today announced in a commitment to the Australian market it will begin operating and A380 daily service from Dubai into Melbourne and onto Auckland, giving passengers more opportunity to travel on the state-of-the-art aircraft.

The service will not only offer Victorian travellers a short-haul flight across the Tasman to Auckland, but open up a number of European destinations beyond Dubai serviced by the A380 including London Heathrow, Manchester, Paris and Rome.

Emirates Australasia Vice President Barry Brown said the airline looked forward to offering Victorian travellers the experience of this revolutionary aircraft and the best service in the sky on a state-of-the-art Emirates A380.

In 2009 Emirates introduced the A380 to the Australian market with a Dubai-Sydney-Auckland route, with this new route via Melbourne the second service demonstrating Emirate’s strong investment in and commitment to Australia.

Servicing the existing direct Dubai-Melbourne-Auckland route (EK406/407), Emirates also has two other daily services to Melbourne – EK408/409 via Kuala Lumpur and EK404/405 via Singapore.

“Emirates not only offers a world-class in-flight experience to travellers but a superior global route network.  The announcement of enhanced services into Melbourne comes as we receive delivery of our 20th A380 in our fleet and also introduce flights to Dublin from January - our 29th European destination,” Mr Brown concluded. 

source: http://www.etravelblackboard.com/article/126847/emirates-adds-a380-to-melbourne-route 

Airbus steps towards A350 construction

Making major steps towards the completion of the A350, Airbus has delivered the first major airframe section of the aircraft to the Final Assembly Line in Toulouse, France. Delivered from Airbus in Saint-Nazaire, the section of the aircraft was sent over during the holiday period. The 21 metre long ‘front fuselage’ section will become a part of the A350s test airframe with final assembly of the front fuselage expected to take place during the first quarter this year and a test aircraft predicted to be complete by the second quarter of this year.
				source: http://www.etravelblackboard.com/article/126986/airbus-steps-towards-a350-construction

A380 cracks no issue: QF

Minor cracks located in the wing of a Qantas A380 and a small number of Singapore Airlines’ superjumbo aircraft are nothing to be concerned about, the Australian flag carrier said.

Fractures less than a centimetre long found in the wing of the Qantas A380 being repaired in Singapore require “no immediate action” according to the carrier’s spokesperson, as they pose no threat to passenger and flight safety, Nine News reported.

Although they were found in the same A380 that was forced to make an emergency landing in November last year, the carrier said the cracks were unrelated.

Inspecting the rest of its fleet for similar damages, the carrier added that looking at future safety Airbus is examining the addition of new annual requirements to avoid future damages.
"Formal guidance is being developed by Airbus that is likely to require A380 operators to inspect wing ribs for this type of cracking every four years," Qantas said in a statement to media.

Singapore Airlines also confirmed to media that they had found small cracks in its A380s during the second half of 2011.

source: http://www.etravelblackboard.com/article/127106/a380-cracks-no-issue-qf 

QF launches A380 Sydney to Hong Kong

Qantas has launched its fourth A380 destination in the network to service Australia and Hong Kong with the inaugural flight between Sydney and Hong Kong return touching down in Sydney this morning.

The Sydney – Hong Kong A380 service (QF127) will operate on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, offering customers luxurious and spacious First Class suites, fully-flat Skybed sleeper seats in Business, extra-wide seats in Premium Economy and award-winning Economy seats.

The growth in Qantas’s fleet late last year with the eleventh and twelfth A380 has provided the capacity to support Hong Kong Services as well as an additional service between Melbourne and London (via Singapore) and Melbourne to Los Angeles.

source: http://www.etravelblackboard.com/article/127409/qf-launches-a380-sydney-to-hong-kong 

More cracks found in Airbus A380

ust two weeks after tiny cracks were first reported in the wings of the double-decker aircraft, Airbus has reported that it has discovered more cracks in the wings of two A380 superjumbo aircraft.


Despite the cracks Airbus is adamant that the world’s largest jetliner remains safe to fly, Reuters reported.

"Airbus confirms that some additional cracks have been found on a limited number of non-critical brackets inside the wings of some A380s," the planemaker revealed in a statement.

"Airbus emphasizes that these cracks do not affect the safe operation of the aircraft." The statement read.

According to an Airbus spokesperson the cracks were found in two aircraft during a routine two year inspection, but did not reveal who the aircraft operators are.

The European Aviation Safety Authority (EASA) is in talks with Airbus regarding the situation with regulators from other countries expected to follow EASA's lead.

source: http://www.etravelblackboard.com/article/127659/more-cracks-found-in-airbus-a380

Venezuela inks deal to buy Airbus planes from UAE

Venezuela's state carrier will buy four used Airbus A340-500 planes for $240m from the United Arab Emirates, President Hugo Chavez said on Sunday.

The Venezuelan leader announced the deal was with a UAE state airline but gave no more details during a televised meeting with cabinet members.

He also confirmed a previously known deal for Brazilian aircraft maker Embraer to supply up to 20 commercial planes for government-owned carrier Conviasa to increase Caribbean routes.

"Then the long-haul planes are four Airbus 340-500 planes, which are five years old and offered by a state airline in the United Arab Emirates for $60m each," he said, signing approval during his weekly "Hello, President!" program

source: http://www.arabianbusiness.com/venezuela-inks-deal-buy-airbus-planes-from-uae-441845.html