Airline Business articles from November 2002

Airline Business archives from November 2002

Events diary.(Calendar)
November 1, 2002... 2002novemBER 4-7 Flight Safety Foundation 55th Air Safety Seminar Dublin, Ireland Contact Ahlam Wahdan Tel +1 703 739 6700 ext 102 Fax +1 703 739 6708 e-mail wahdan@flightsafety.org 4-10 China International...

First signs of light pierce Argentina's darkness.(economic troubles affect airline industry, especially Aerolineas Argentinas )(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... Argentina's economic winter has been almost as hard on its airlines as on its governments. Conditions are still bleak - traffic for the year to date is down 20% and airport charges are up 266% - mainly thanks to the sharp devaluation of the...

Chile attracts four foreign carriers.(Alpine Air Express, AeroContinente, Spanair and Air Nostrum)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... The challenge of LanChile's near-monopoly and the attraction of South America's strongest economy are drawing four foreign carriers to Chile's domestic market. Leading the group is US cargo carrier Alpine Air Express. Its Chilean...

Air Canada mulls more spin-offs.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... Convinced that the traditional full service model is "broken", Air Canada has unveiled plans for yet another niche airline - Elite, an all business-class brand it may launch by mid-2003. Air Canada plans to convert Airbus A-319s into...

In brief.(airline acquisitions and service changes and aiport expansions )(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... Mesaba grabs Big Sky Mesaba Aviation, which flies as a Northwest Airlink feeder, has taken over the long-troubled turboprop operator Big Sky Airlines for $3.5 million. Mesaba insists that Big Sky's fleet of 15 19-seater turboprops will be...

In brief.(Southwest Airlines Co. resumes growth plan)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... Southwest treads carefully Southwest Airlines plans to "cautiously resume growth plans", accelerating to the fourth quarter of this year the delivery of one Boeing 737-700 that had been set for 2003 and two set for 2004, bringing its total...

In brief.(Canadian and Mexican airline competition )(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... Canadian competition probe An independent expert appointed by the Canadian government has found a lack of competition among the country's airlines. She suggests cabotage and relaxed foreign ownership. But transport minister David...

Losses continue to build at US majors.(airlines)
November 1, 2002... Signs of optimism are still hard to find among US majors, as third quarter figures fail to show much improvement in what should be the best period of the year. As US airlines left the third quarter and entered winter, the spectre of a...

Nationals ride loan roller-coaster.(Vanguard Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Midway Airlines and National Airlines deals with bankruptcy and loans denied by the Air Transportation Stabilization Board)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... The bottom rung of the US industry, the so-called national carriers that fall below the majors, remains a curiosity. Vanguard Airlines, which ceased flying and sought bankruptcy protection in the summer, now seeks a new investor after the...

Chance of aid hangs in the balance.(security measures for the airline industry )
November 1, 2002... Time is running out for the new aid package desperately sought by the US majors. The outgoing Congress that crafted the $15 billion assistance package after 11 September will have completed its term by year-end and could adjourn sooner. ...

Fuelling the cost equation.(fuel costs impacts airline profits )
November 1, 2002... If forecasts are correct, rising fuel prices are likely to add further gloom over the next year to an industry already struggling to reduce costs, says Chris Tarry. It is a fact of airline life that swings in the fuel price can have a...

DHL makes moves in Hong Kong.(acquires part of Hong Kong International Airport and Air Hong Kong)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... DHL is to expand its Asian operations with deals to develop an express cargo terminal at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) and to acquire 30% of Air Hong Kong. The express freight company announced early in October that DHL Worldwide...

JAL/JAS deal clears hurdle.(merger of Japan Airlines and Japan Air System formalized as joint holding company begins trading)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... The merger of Japan Airlines (JAL) and Japan Air System (JAS) was formalised at the beginning of October with the start of trading in a new joint holding company. Japan Airlines System Corp began trading on the Tokyo stock exchange on 2...

david knibb seattle.(Singapore Airlines considers launch of domestic Australian airline )
November 1, 2002... SIA mulls entry into Australian market Singapore Airlines (SIA) has confirmed its interest in launching a domestic Australian airline, but its timing could depend on the terminal access dispute between Virgin Blue and Sydney airport. ...

China's State Council blesses mergers.(Air China, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines receive approval to acquire six airlines )
November 1, 2002... China's sweeping airline consolidation has moved an important step forward with final State Council approval for the parent companies of Air China, China Eastern Airlines and China Southern Airlines to acquire six other carriers. The...

Hogan works on restoring ailing Gulf Air's fortunes.(airline's chief executive James Hogan cites service as first priority )
November 1, 2002... New chief executive James Hogan says it will take "two years to rectify" Gulf Air's financial woes, with breakeven planned for year three, and has made service his first priority. At his first meeting with the media since arriving at Gulf...

Fleets.(airlines make aircraft purchases)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... PIAapproves 777 purchase The board of Pakistan International Airlines has approved the acquisition of three new Boeing 777-200ERs, with deliveries to begin from February 2004. The aircraft will be powered by General Electric GE90 engines,...

In brief.
November 1, 2002... Paradise postponed Indonesia's Air Paradise International delayed its planned 27 October launch following the 12 October car bomb blast that struck Bali killing nearly 200 people and injuring a further 300. Air Paradise plans to fly from...

Qantas capital raising falls short.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... Qantas Airways missed the A$200 million ($110 million) target for its retail offering by A$80 million, and it would have been worse except for underwriters who were committed and did come up with A$100 million. Unlike its earlier...

In brief.(JMC, Honeywell, Lufthansa and Pinnacle Airlines make personnel appointments)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... Lufthansa's supervisory board has extended the contract of chief financial officer Dr Karl-Ludwig Kley (51), which was due to expire on 31 August 2003, for a further five years ensuring continuity on the executive board. Barry Eccleston,...

Hard times.(US airline industry forecasts and analysis )
November 1, 2002... The current downturn has already exposed some fundamental weaknesses in the traditional airline model and this time around the industry may not be able to count on any quick return to growth to help paper over the cracks In a previous...

Ten new states set to join EUair market in 2003.(European Common Aviation Area)
November 1, 2002... Ten European countries are expected to sign up to join the European Common Aviation Area (ECAA) next year, ahead of receiving full membership of the European Union (EU). The Czech Republic, Hungary, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland,...

SN Brussels to add mainline aircraft.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... SN Brussels Airlines, the regional airline formed out of the collapse of Belgian flag carrier Sabena, is to start operating mainline aircraft for the first time. The carrier is to lease three 132-seat Airbus A319s from next April. The...

Air Lib focuses on low-cost arm and African strategy.
November 1, 2002... French carrier Air Lib is rapidly expanding its low-cost operations and bidding for new routes into Africa as the loss-making airline seeks to define a strategy that will ensure its survival. Air Lib, which was established out of the...

EasyJet goes for Airbus.(for fleet supply )
November 1, 2002... EasyJet has finally announced a winner in its long-awaited fleet competition, turning its back on the Boeing 737 workhorse in favour of a massive order for 120 Airbus A319s plus 120 options. The decision, which follows months of intense...

In brief.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... NATS agreement on fees The UK's civil aviation authority (CAA) has given the go-ahead for air traffic control provider NATS to raise its charges by 8% more than planned. A CAA director resigned over the decision, arguing that NATs should...

In brief.(European airline happenings)
November 1, 2002... Swiss codeshares with Iberia Swiss has sealed its first codeshare deal with a European-based oneworld carrier. It will codeshare with Iberia on their respective flights from the Spanish cities of Madrid and Barcelona, to Zurich and Geneva...

Qualiflyer to bow out of frequent flyer frame.(Swissair's Qualiflyer is closing down)
November 1, 2002... Qualiflyer, Europe's pioneering alliance frequent flyer programme (FFP), is in the process of closing down and transferring thousands of members to new programmes being created by each of its three remaining airline customers. At its...

Regional.(analysis and forecasting of low-cost carriers)
November 1, 2002... low-down The European regional sector survived the economic downturn better than many expected, but now faces a number of challenges - not least from the low-cost sector "I am often asked what it's like to live with the low-cost...

Reworking the.(David Siegel promotes change at US Airways)
November 1, 2002... basics David Siegel plans to use the bankruptcy process to overcome the structural flaws that have long stymied change at US Airways For David Siegel, timing is everything. His entry to the top ranks of US airline leadership in March...

Network opportunities.
November 1, 2002... Airline Business invites airport marketeers and airline route planners to the third meeting of its US forum Network Airline Business is pleased to announce that the third annual Network route-planning event will be returning to Florida,...

Feedback.(airline industry forecasts )
November 1, 2002... Please send feedback to: The Editor, Airline Business, Quadrant House, The Quadrant, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5AS, UK Fax: +44 (20) 8652 8914 e-mail: airline.business@rbi.co.uk In their analysis of developments in the German low-cost airline...

ICAO extends Global Time insurance deadline again.(International Civil Aviation Organization )(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... ICAO needs yet more time to gain the state support necessary to launch its Global Time aviation war risk insurance scheme. At the recent ICAO Council Meeting, it agreed to extend the deadline for signing up more states to 14 February 2003. ...

Kenya promotes East African unity.(Kenya Airways looking for carrier consolidation )(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... With a strong emphasis on creating a more profitable airline network, Kenya Airways is promoting the concept of consolidation among East African carriers. The call for an East African airline concept from Kenya's chief executive Brian...

In brief.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... Japan alters private plan Faced with strong opposition from within the country and IATA, the Japanese government has amended its plans to privatise Japan's Narita, Kansai and the yet-to-be built Central Japan Airport near Nagoya so that...

Star carriers make IT plan.(Air Canada, Lufthansa, United Airlines contemplate common information technology platform )(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... Three major Star Alliance members are considering forming a common IT platform to combine their inventory, departure management and pricing systems. Air Canada, Lufthansa and United Airlines have jointly issued a request for information to...

Crunch time for single skies.(how the accession of Eurocontrol by the European Commission affects the industry )
November 1, 2002... Plans to fundamentally reform Europe's air navigation system could still fail, despite the accession of the European Commission to Eurocontrol "Notwithstanding serious difficulties, the European Commission (EC) has succeeded in joining...

Special report.(a look at the air cargo market )(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... Cargo Cargo has traditionally acted as a leading indicator for air transport markets. This time too it declined earlier than the passenger business and now also appears to be recovering faster, with Asia-Pacific leading the way. However,...

Awaiting.(air cargo services and their airports in Europe )
November 1, 2002... the As Europe's main hubs get increasingly crowded, the continent's all-cargo airports sense that their day is coming After a year in which air cargo volumes saw unprecedented falls at many world airports (see table on page 54),...

Portal.(air cargo carriers forming an alternative to Global Freight Exchange)
November 1, 2002... power Carriers have been reluctant to join cargo e-booking platform GF-X. Now three airlines have got together to offer an alternative Things have been looking up in recent months for Global Freight Exchange (GF-X), founded in 2000 as...

both.(British Airways uses franchise carriers)
November 1, 2002... win British Airways is finding that using franchise carriers at its London hubs is proving a mutually advantageous example of industry strategy British Airways has been engaged in some highly public soul-searching about its future...

Fresh perspective.(British Mediterranean Airways, franchisor of British Airways)
November 1, 2002... Five years into its franchise relationship with British Airways, BMed is enjoying rapid growth and unprecedented profitability. Now a British Airways franchise, British Mediterranean Airways (BMed) began its life not only as an independent...

Man of the people.(David Siegel appointment to US Airways)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2002... Before being named president and chief executive of US Airways and its parent US Airways Group in early March, David Siegel, 41 years old, headed Avis Rental Car Corporation. Earlier he was a key planner for both Continental Airlines and for...

Eastern.
November 1, 2002... sunrise Is cargo about to lead the airline sector back from the nightmare of the past 18 months? Despite mixed economic news, recent strong growth in Asia gives some hope for a cargo bounce back Last year was a nightmare for air cargo...

Still their.(airline consultants)
November 1, 2002... oyster? The world has changed for airline practices at all of the global consultancies, but firms are reacting to the changed landscape in different ways The current period has been one of hard times and structural adjustment for the...

China Airlines gains final clearance to buy stake in mainland carrier.
November 1, 2002... In October, after a year of unexplained delays, Taiwan's government finally approved a groundbreaking plan by state-controlled China Airlines (CAL) to take a 25% stake in Shanghai-based China Cargo Airlines. Formed in 1998, the all-cargo...

Executive appointments.(TUI, American Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, Northwest Airlines)
November 1, 2002... Hapag-Lloyd Express Kurth leads Hapag-Lloyd Express German leisure group TUIhas given the job of launching its first venture into the low-cost sector to its most experienced airline manager Wolfgang Kurth. He has been named chief...

Consulting the airline industry; The following listing represents a sample of selected global management consulting firms that maintain practices active in the air transport sector, and on which information was made available.(Directory)
November 1, 2002... Accenture Global headquarters: New York Offices: 110 in 47 countries 2001 revenue: $11.4 billion Founded: 1989 as Andersen Consulting Ownership: Joint partnership/pub traded Telephone: +1 917-452-4400 Web...

AVIONICS; ACSS on track for T2CAS certification.(Brief Article)
November 26, 2002... ACSS, a joint Thales Avionics and L-3 Communications company, hopes to achieve US Federal Aviation Administration approval for its terrain and traffic collision avoidance system (T2CAS) by the end of January as it passes the halfway point in...

FLEET RENEWAL; Aeroflot signs contract for 18 Airbus A320s.(Brief Article)
November 26, 2002... Aeroflot has firmed up its short-haul fleet renewal plans by signing a firm contract for the delivery of 18 Airbus A320 family aircraft directly from the manufacturer and through leasing company GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS). Separately,...

safety; Australian authority to consult more.(Civil Aviation Safety Authority )(Brief Article)
November 26, 2002... The Australian government has made the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) more accountable to industry and government following industry protests over enforcement practices and policies. The reforms, to take effect from July, will force...

FLIGHT TESTS; First A340 outing for new CFM56.(CFM International's engine)(Brief Article)
November 26, 2002... CFM International's advanced CFM56-5C/P engine for the Airbus A340-300 Enhanced flew for the first time on 19 November on an A340, marking the start of a 50h flight-test effort. Certification of the -5C/P, designed to cut fuel consumption...

relocation PAUL DUFFY / MOSCOW; Airline plea prompts Ilyushin Il-76 factory move request; Design bureau wants aircraft built in Russia so that carriers can avoid import taxes.(Brief Article)
November 26, 2002... Ilyushin has sought approval from the Russian government to transfer Il-76MF/TF production from the TAPO plant in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, to the Russian VASO factory in Voronezh to allow Russian airlines to avoid import taxes. According to...

TRAINING DAVID LEARMOUNT / LONDON; Decent pilots or your money back; Training organisation CTC McAlpine offers airline customers no-risk guarantee on supply of type-rated flightcrew.
November 26, 2002... "Sponsored" ab initio airline pilot training has been given new life by a UK training organisation that numbers EasyJet and JMC Airlines among early customers for its graduates. CTC McAlpine is "guaranteeing" airlines their money back if any of...

HEALTH David Learmount / LONDON; Airlines warned on sick passengers.(Brief Article)
November 26, 2002... Aviation medical company MedAire has warned that airlines have shown little sign of reacting to the growing problem of serious passenger illness on board aircraft. The main factor, says MedAire president Joan Sullivan Garrett, is that more...

policy GRAHAM WARWICK / WASHINGTON DC; Action urged to save US industry; Aerospace needs more federal money, more committees and less taxation to avert crisis, says presidential commission.(Commission on the Future of the US Aerospace Industry)
November 26, 2002... The USaerospace sector faces serious challenges and needs urgent government policy action, says the final report of the presidential commission tasked with recommending ways to maintain a robust industry. Threats to the sector's health include...

ALLIANCE ALEXANDER CAMPBELL & JUSTIN WASTNAGE / LONDON; American and BA pursue approval for codesharing ; Meanwhile, Brussels tells EU states to call time on US bilaterals or face court action.(open skies agreements)
November 26, 2002... American Airlines and British Airways have tried again to link their operations by applying for approval from the US Department of Transportation (DoT) to codeshare on services beyond their US and UK gateways. Their last attempt to cement...

finances; Bombardier in delivery challenge.(aircraft orders)(Brief Article)
November 26, 2002... Bombardier's regional jet deliveries picked up during the third quarter, having been slowed by the strike earlier this year. But the Canadian manufacturer must still deliver 71 CRJs, 10 Q-series turboprops and up to 35 business jets by the end...

ACQUISITION ANDREW DOYLE / SINGAPORE; Lufthansa Systems opens bidding for Lido sell-off ; Following Honeywell's withdrawal, talks are under way with at least two potential buyers.
November 26, 2002... Lufthansa Systems is in talks with at least two potential buyers for its Singapore-based Lido Aeronet subsidiary after Honeywell decided not to bid for the aeronautical software and data provider. Bidders in the running include Boeing...

acquisition; Sale advances TRW merger.(Blackstone Group to buy TRW Automotive from Northrop Grumman)(Brief Article)
November 26, 2002... Northrop Grumman has agreed to sell TRW's $10 billion automotive components business to a private investment company, completing a key step in its plan to acquire TRW's defence and space business. The Blackstone Group's agreement to purchase...

partnership; Delta suffers setback in three-way alliance.(codesharing with Northwest Airlines, Continental Airlines)(Brief Article)
November 26, 2002... Delta Air Lines' plans to launch a three-way codeshare with Continental Airlines and Northwest Airlines, and adding the carriers to its SkyTeam alliance, have been set back by delays in securing government approval. Delta persuaded its...

legislation; US carriers to receive war-risk insurance.(Brief Article)
November 26, 2002... The US government is to provide war-risk insurance to US carriers until at least 31 August 2003, as part of new security legislation passed by Congress last week. The bill is meant to give US airlines a year to work out a long-term plan...

people.(aerospace industry appointments)(Brief Article)
November 26, 2002... n The USGeneral Aviation Manufacturers Association has elected Bill Boisture, president of Gulfstream Aerospace, as its chairman for 2003. Clay Jones, chairman of Rockwell Collins, was elected vice-chairman. David Wang, former chairman of...

contracts.(military aircraft industry contract news briefs)(Brief Article)
November 26, 2002... n Raytheon is to build 436AIM-9XSidewinder air-to-air missiles, plus training rounds and support equipment, for the USAir Force and Navy under the third low-rate initial production contract, worth $96.2 million. Rolls-Royce has received a $44...

Unmanned systems Graham Warwick / Washington DC; Bell remodels Eagle Eyefor Deepwater success; Manufacturer anticipates Coast Guard contract under $11bn re-equipment programme.
November 26, 2002... Bell is redesigning its Eagle Eye tilt-rotor unmanned air vehicle (UAV) for production, in anticipation of a final contract for 69 aircraft for the US Coast Guard's Deepwater re-equipment programme. The drive train will run in a ground rig at...

Air Defence ARIE EGOZI / Tel Aviv; Rafael's Derby rides on Humvee.(air-to-air missile to be adapted to ground vehicles)(Brief Article)
November 26, 2002... Rafael is to use its Derby air-to-air missile as the basis of a mobile surface-to-air weapon system, similar to the US Marine Corps' Complementary Low-Altitude Weapons System, which combines the RaytheonAIM-120 AMRAAM with a Humvee all-terrain...

simulators; TTS to take control of UK RAF training systems.(Brief Article)
November 26, 2002... Thales Training & Simulation (TTS) will take over the management of most of the UK Royal Air Force's synthetic training systems on 1 January. The company signed a contract worth around pound sterling100 million ($158 million) in October to run...

bombers Paul Lewis / WHITEMAN AFB ; Ageing aircraft prove their worth; Operational success in Afghanistan may lead to a significant boost in funding for the US Air Force's strike force.(Brief Article)
November 26, 2002... The US Air Force's bomber force is enjoying a new sense of purpose after spearheading the airborne offensive against Talibanandal-Qaeda forces in Afghanistan over the last year. With no replacement system in sight, the air force is hoping...

landings; X-31 Vector successfully makes first ESTOL approaches.(Brief Article)
November 26, 2002... The X-31 VECTOR aircraft has performed the first extremely short take-off and landing (ESTOL) approaches to a virtual runway 5,000ft (1,525m)above ground at the NAS Patuxent River, Maryland. Such approaches are being explored for aircraft...

Light strike aircraft; Budget problems hit Colombian procurement.(Brief Article)
November 26, 2002... Colombia has suspended its replacement tactical combat aircraft competition, officially because of budget problems, but amid allegations of misconduct and pressure from the USgovernment. Defence minister Martha Lucia Ramirez says the...

FIGHTER PROCUREMENT RYZSARD JAXA-MALAKOWSKI / WARSAW; Prague restarts fighter quest after axeing Gripen ; Ministry looks at secondhand aircraft while studying air defence tie-up with Slovakia.(Brief Article)
November 26, 2002... The Czech defence ministry is evaluating offers of new and used aircraft, having formally abandoned its plan to acquire 24 Saab/BAESystems Gripens in mid-November. The defence ministry has also stepped up its evaluation of a proposal to...

in brief.(Brief Article)
November 26, 2002... BA609 slips The first flight of the Bell/Agusta BA609 civil tiltrotor is now targeted for early next year as system check-out of the lead aircraft nears completion, in readiness for the start of powered ground runs in December using an...

AIRCRAFT ORDER; USCAP orders Airvan for surveillance mission.(Civil Air Patrol contract for nine GAB Airvan planes)
November 26, 2002... Gippsland Aeronautics has been contracted to supply the US Civil Air Patrol (CAP) with the first of up to nine GA8 Airvan aircraft following a successful flight evaluation in Colorado. The initial deal for the CAP, a civilian auxiliary unit...

OUTSOURCING Justin Wastnage / London; BAE rationalises shuttle fleet in move to cut costs; Manufacturer to concentrate on BAe 125 and 146 to make operation revenue-neutral.
November 26, 2002... BAE Systems is to outsource some of its employee shuttle services as it rationalises its fleet. The move is part of a cost-cutting drive at BAE Systems Corporate Air Travel, the manufacturer's wholly owned flight department subsidiary. The...

AIRCRAFT CERTIFICATION KATE SARSFIELD / LONDON; Diamond diesel near to approval; Manufacturer receives more than 60 orders for four-seat DA40TDI, and targets Russia as key market.(first diesel single-engine aircraft)(Brief Article)
November 26, 2002... Diamond Aircraft expects to clinch European Joint Aviation Authorities certification at the end of the week for its DA40TDI light single-engined aircraft, which will mark the first-ever approval of a diesel-fuelled engine on a new certificated...

FRACTIONAL OWNERSHIP; Owners return aircraft to base in new scheme.(Norther Jet Management offers fractional-ownership program for corporate aircraft)(Brief Article)
November 26, 2002... US business aircraft management and charter company Northern Jet Management has launched a fractional-ownership programme aimed primarily at the business community. Called The Company Jet, the scheme is an extension of Northern Jet's existing...

in brief.(Brief Article)
November 26, 2002... GAMA MEMBERS The US General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) has formally added four non-US manufacturers to its membership. The inclusion of Bombardier Aerospace of Canada, Dassault Falcon Jet of France, Embraer of Brazil and...

CO-OPERATION; Chengdu in Tiger talks.(plan production of Grumman AG-5B Tiger aircraft)
November 26, 2002... Tiger Aircraft is in talks with Chengdu Aircraft on assembling the former Grumman AG-5B Tiger four-seat light aircraft in China. But reports that Chengdu has signed an agreement covering production of 200 aircraft are dismissed by the...

POLICY JUSTIN WASTNAGE / BARCELONA; Europe's bilateral thinker; Loyola de Palacio is determined to negotiate with the USA on creation of a common transatlantic aviation area.(De Palacio denies charges of favoritism toward air infrastructure)
November 26, 2002... "Where is the discrimination against air transport?" asks Loyola de Palacio. As the Commissioner in charge of the European Commission's (EC) transport and energy policy, de Palacio has a host of competing priorities and many in the aviation...

Straight & Level roger.bacon@flightinternational.com.
November 26, 2002... Hover bovver Monty Orangeball reports that recent attendees at the AIAA Powered Lift Conference (apparently mistaken by one hapless delegate for a nearby Viagra symposium) heard from a speaker that not all the noise coming from a Harrier...

in brief.(includes multiple records)(Brief Article)
November 26, 2002... KOREAN satellite South Korea's science and technology ministry is funding a national communications and meteorological satellite in 2003. The estimated $240 million project was approved in 2000, with launch scheduled for 2008. Meanwhile,...

insurance TIM FURNISS / LONDON; 'Money back' deal delivers lifeline; New package could set trend by relating premiums to in-orbit performance rather than platform/launch vehicle history.(SES Americon satellite insurance deal includes rebates )(Brief Article)
November 26, 2002... SES Americom has won a $1.3 billion-plus insurance package with Marsh-Space covering six communications satellites, in what could herald reduced rates and a new type of deal for satellite operators. SES Americom will be awarded rebates if...

RESEARCH; Avionics delivery puts ESA's Smart on first step to moon.(craft to orbit the moon)(Brief Article)
November 26, 2002... The Swedish Space Corporation (SSC), the prime contractor for the European Space Agency's (ESA) Small Missions for Advanced Research and Technology (Smart 1), has delivered the onboard avionics, computer and peripheral devices for the craft to...

FUNDING; Russia seeks aid for Soyuz CRVs/ferries.(asks International Space Station partners for funds)(Brief Article)
November 26, 2002... Russia's Rosaviakosmos space agency is asking International Space Station (ISS) partners, particularly NASA, for funding to help pay for the production of future Soyuz TMA ferry and emergency crew return vehicles (CRV). The additional...