Airline Business articles from September 2003

Airline Business archives from September 2003

aircraft development Guy Norris / Los Angeles; 7E7 decision looms as plans focus on two-model family; Boeing prepares to firm up configuration as it targets board approval by year-end.(Brief Article)
September 16, 2003... Boeing is finalising its projected 7E7 family plan around two main configurations as it prepares to reach the firm concept milestone at the end of this month in order to obtain board authority around year-end. Under the refined plan, Boeing...

alliance Emma Kelly / Perth; ANZ/Qantas shares fall after 'no alliance' ruling; Carriers will appeal against decision that their proposed plan is highly anti-competitive.(Air New Zealandand Qantas to appeal to the Australian Competition Tribunal following rejection of their planned alliance by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission )
September 16, 2003... Air New Zealand (ANZ) and Qantas were last week preparing to appeal to the Australian Competition Tribunal following rejection of their planned alliance by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). The ACCC's decision resulted...

Deliveries; Three more airlines take up membership of the A320 family club.(Airbus is starting deliveries to EasyJet, Royal Brunei Airlines, and TAME)(Brief Article)
September 16, 2003... Airbus is delivering the first aircraft to three new A320 family operators - EasyJet, Royal Brunei Airlines (RBA) and TAME. Ecuador's TAME recently received the first of two new International Aero Engines V2500-powered A320s on operating lease...

FReight Vladimir Karnozov / Moscow; Atlant Soyuz set to move into outsize cargo with An-124s; Airline will receive one newly built aircraft imminently, with five to follow from air force.(Brief Article)
September 16, 2003... Atlant Soyuz Airlines is poised to add Antonov An-124 freighters to its fleet following deals to acquire a fleet of ex-Russian air force aircraft as well as one new-build example. Delivery of a newly built An-124-100 Ruslan to the...

Delivery; ANZ begins fleet replacement.(Air New Zealand)(Brief Article)
September 16, 2003... Air New Zealand has started to replace Boeing 737s and 767s with Airbus A320s on trans-Tasman routes. The carrier is also extending its no-frills Express product on across the Tasman from 29 October, which is likely to start a price war as...

fleet restructuring Jackson Flores / Rio de Janeiro; Varig reinstates capacity with aircraft leases.(Brief Article)
September 16, 2003... Brazilian carrier Varig is replacing the capacity that it had stripped out over the last 18 months with lease deals for additional aircraft. Varig has endured heavy fleet reductions in recent times as it suffered record losses, reducing...

InFlight entertainment Mary Kirby / Seattle; Suppliers urged to revenue-share; Airlines show renewed interest in acquiring equipment, but insist it must be a "revenue-generating opportunity".(airlines are showing interest in new inflight entertainment)
September 16, 2003... Cash-strapped airlines are showing renewed interest in adopting new inflight entertainment (IFE) equipment and enhancing air-to-ground communications, but, rather than acquiring them outright, are asking suppliers to share revenues generated...

systems mary kirby / seattle; Matsushita turns on its EX2 platform for A380.(Brief Article)
September 16, 2003... Matsushita has unveiled its new inflight entertainment (IFE) platform for the Airbus A380, dubbed the EX2 system. Flight International first reported on Matsushita's plans to develop the new A380 system under the manufacturer's "Project Kayak"...

marketplace.(Brief Article)
September 16, 2003... Japan Airlines (JAL) has firmed up a deal to acquire seven General Electric CF6-80C2B7F-powered Boeing 767-300ERs through an operating lease arrangement with Mitsubishi. The lease deal is seen by industry observers as a "stopgap" measure aimed...

start-up ; NEBA hopes association will help its expansion.(Northeast Bolivian Airlines )(Brief Article)
September 16, 2003... Charter carrier Northeast Bolivian Airlines (NEBA) is hoping an association with a large Bolivian airline to establish a regional airline will speed its expansion, as it prepares for its future ambitions by tappingfurther the region's promising...

Navigation Emma Kelly / perth; Australia gears up to install nationwide ADS-B system; Airservices to issue tenders for deployment which will be most extensive to date.( automatic dependent surveillance broadcast )
September 16, 2003... Airservices Australia's board has approved a project to install automatic dependent surveillance broadcast (ADS-B) ground stations throughout the country in what will be the most extensive deployment of the technology to date. The...

Production Leithen Francis / Singapore; Shanghai Airlines order will boost Boeing 757.(Brief Article)
September 16, 2003... Boeing's mission to save the Boeing 757 production line from closure has begun to reap rewards with Shanghai Airlines placing a $410 million deal for five 757-200s for delivery in 2004 and 2005. The first new order to be placed for the 200...

re-engining; Volga-Dnepr places the first order for upgraded Il-76.(Brief Article)
September 16, 2003... Volga-Dnepr Airlines has placed the first order for the Aviadvigatel PS-90-powered version of the Ilyushin Il-76TD, the -90VD, with the Tashkent production plant TAPO. The first Il-76 to be completed in -90VD configuration is being...

Security Aaron Karp / Washington DC; USA faces aviation security shortfalls as funds dry up.(Brief Article)
September 16, 2003... US officials are complaining of shortfalls in funding for aviation security, and many are warning that critical projects may be under-funded. With money beginning to be spent on security for other modes of transport, and the continuing drain on...

workshop.(Brief Article)
September 16, 2003... n Austrian Airlines and Lufthansa Technik (LHT) have signed a five-year maintenance and support sharing agreement valued at g65 million ($72 million). The deal will see Austrian perform annual C-checks on Lufthansa's Airbus A330-200s and...

regional carrier Justin Wastnage / Valencia; Air Nostrum cuts costs.(Brief Article)
September 16, 2003... Spanish regional carrier Air Nostrum aims to cut costs for 2004 by around 3% as it completes a series of contracts and continues its fleet renewal programme. The Iberia franchise partner ordered 29 Bombardier Dash 8 Q300s and 21 CRJ200s in...

deliveries; AvCraft ships its first 328JET.(Brief Article)
September 16, 2003... AvCraft Aviation, new owner of the ex-Fairchild Dornier 328JET programme, has delivered its first aircraft, with Chinese regional carrier Hainan Airlines taking the first of eight on order. Before its collapse in 2002, Fairchild Dornier...

simulation graham warwick / washington DC; Mi-8M simulator venture gives E&S its first sale in Russia.
September 16, 2003... Visual system supplier Evans & Sutherland (E&S) has teamed with leading players in Russia's simulation industry to pursue the market for new and upgraded training devices for Russian-built aircraft. The US company has signed agreements with...

Production Brendan Sobie / Singapore; D'Long seeks funds to restart 728 ; Ex-Fairchild Dornier programme's new owner looks for airframe suppliers and government finance for 75-seat twinjet.(Brief Article)
September 16, 2003... New Fairchild Dornier 728 owner D'Long has launched competitions to select new airframe suppliers as the company seeks to restart production with a mix of private and public funds. Deliveries of the 75-seat, General Electric CF34-powered...

share offer; Virgin Blue deal paves way for IPO by 2004.(Brief Article)
September 16, 2003... Virgin Blue Airlines owners Virgin Group and Patrick Air Services have agreed a restructured shareholder deal that will pave the way for an initial public offering (IPO) of the Australian low-cost carrier. Logistics group Patrick is no...

fractionals Kate Sarsfield / London; FAA lays down new rules as UK dispute continues ; Part 91 Subpart K approved amid row over US-registered companies operating in UK.
September 16, 2003... The US Federal Aviation Administration has signed off Part 91 Subpart K, the new rules covering the regulation of fractional operations, with publication in the federal register expected this week. The move comes as the USA and UK attempt to...

FIXED-BASE OPERATOR; Signature looks east as it extends into Europe.(Signature Flight Support Corp.)(Brief Article)
September 16, 2003... BBA Aviation Services, UK owner of the world's largest fixed-base operator (FBO) chain Signature Flight Support, is in negotiations to acquire a Europe-based FBO as it actively pursues expansion on the continent. The move comes as...

in brief.(brief items)(Brief Article)
September 16, 2003... EVS APPROVAL Max-Viz has received US approval for its EVS-1000 on a Dassault Falcon 50. The aircraft will be operated by Seattle, Washington-based Mariner Air. EXECUTIVE FLEET Executive Jet Management's US charter fleet of...

in brief.(brief items)(Brief Article)
September 16, 2003... HEADS DOWN Gulfstream has introduced a co-pilot's head-down display option for its enhanced vision system (EVS) on the GV, and for retrofit on the GIV-SP, which routes the forward-looking infrared sensor image to the pilot's head-up...

strategy Stewart Penney / London; Saab jobs 'in government's hands'; Manufacturer sheds 272 staff from Aerospace division; chief executive Svensson says future joint ventures are key.(Company Profile)
September 16, 2003... Further redundancies at Saab will depend on Swedish government decisions on which future programmes the country will participate in, says the company's new president and chief executive ke Svensson. Svensson says Saab is also more likely to...

low-cost carriers Alexander Campbell / london; No-frills threaten charter business.(Brief Article)
September 16, 2003... Airline economists are warning that Europe's charter airlines will continue to lose out as no-frills airlines increase their presence on short-haul routes. An industry report published last week reveals that European charter traffic is...

countermeasures; Market set to double in 10 years.(Brief Article)
September 16, 2003... Analysts expect the countermeasures market to double over the next 10 years, with much of the growth being driven by the demand to equip civil aircraft, as airlines and governments spend over $3 billion to defend against missile attack. ...

CHARTER Justin Wastnage / London; Bookajet opens first non-UK base ; Charter operator focuses marketing push on frequent business travellers who are inconvenienced by airport checks.
September 16, 2003... Charter broker and operator Bookajet.com is to open its first base outside the UK as it embarks on a drive to make business aviation more accessible in Europe. The Farnborough-based company adds a sixth aircraft to its fleet this week as it...

procurement; Malaysia eyes trainer lease deal.(Brief Article)
September 16, 2003... Malaysia is evaluating the lease of 17 ex-Royal New Zealand Air Force Aermacchi MB339CD trainers as it lacks the defence funding for a purchase. The purchase of 18 Sukhoi Su-30 fighters for $900 million and 10 Mil Mi-171 helicopters for...

Development graham Warwick / WashingtonDC; Boeing begins enhanced Super Hornet deliveries; Improved forward fuselage paves way for Block 2 avionics upgrade to increase capability.
September 16, 2003... Boeing has begun delivering F/A-18E/F Super Hornets with redesigned forward fuselages to the US Navy. The enhanced forward fuselage has fewer parts, reduces production cost and paves the way for the Block 2 avionics upgrade that will...

Unmanned Systems ; India to buy more UAVs from IAI in $250m deal.(unmanned air vehicles from Israel Aircraft Industries )(Brief Article)
September 16, 2003... India plans to buy additional unmanned air vehicles (UAV) from Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI). The potential value of the planned deals is estimated at $250 million. Israeli sources saythe new deals were discussed during Israeli prime...

Communications; Lockheed Martin reveals team for joint airborne radio contest.(Brief Article)
September 16, 2003... Lockheed Martin has unveiled its team for the US Department of Defense's airborne joint tactical radio system (JTRS) competition, just days before bids for the initial pre-development contracts are due to be submitted. The software-programmable...

Sensors Stewart Penney / London; General Atomics plans long-range, lighter SAR; Manufacturer is also developing a roll-on/roll-off system for UH-60 Black Hawks.
September 16, 2003... General Atomics is developing longer-range and smaller, lighter versions of its APY-8 Lynx synthetic aperture radar (SAR). A maritime surveillance version of the sensor is also in development. The Ku-band, 100mm (4in) resolution Lynx is in...

Air defence; Russian companies offer hypersonic missile.(Brief Article)
September 16, 2003... Russian state arms exporter Rosoboronexport, the TochMash design bureau and the Podolsk electromechanical factory are offering the Sosna short-range air-defence system comprising hypersonic Sosna-R missiles and the 30mm twin-barrel 2A38M...

Attack helicopters CHRISTINA MACKENZIE / PARIS; Spain selects upgraded Tiger HAD; First of 24 helicopters with hot-and-high uprated engines and higher gross weight set to be delivered in 2007/8.(Eurocopter Spain )
September 16, 2003... Spain has selected the Eurocopter Tiger HAD to meet its long-running combat support helicopter requirement. Madrid will buy 24 machines, which will be built in Spain and delivered from 2007/8. Prime contractor Eurocopter Spain hopes to...

contracts.(Brief Article)(Industry Overview)
September 16, 2003... n Jordan has requested eight additional Sikorsky UH-60L Black Hawks in a US foreign military sales deal valued at $22 million. US Congress has been notified of the potential $298 million sale of 30 modernised target acquisition and designation...

Sensors; Plextek reveals lightweight radar.(Brief Article)
September 16, 2003... Plextek has unveiled an electronically scanned radar small enough to be man-portable and suitable for area protection or airfield ground movement monitoring. During the show, the prototype BlightER was monitoring a motorway near the UK...

Weapons Stewart Penney / London; Three bidders await RFP on Joint Common Missile; Selection scheduled for early 2004, leading to four-year development programme.(Brief Article)
September 16, 2003... Bidders in the US Joint Common Missile (JCM) competition expect a request for proposals to be released this month. A selection is expected early next year, leading to a four-year system development and demonstration (SDD) programme. A...

Upgrades; Concepts unveiled for UKRoyal Navy Merlin CSP.(Brief Article)
September 16, 2003... Lockheed Martin UK has revealed a series of concepts for the UK Royal Navy AgustaWestland Merlin HM1 capability sustainment programme (CSP). The Merlin prime contractor received an [pounds sterling]18 million ($29 million) contract earlier this...

Air Defence ; Radio work foundation for GBADS bid.(Ground Based Air Defence System )(Brief Article)
September 16, 2003... AMS and Westland Helicopters are seeking to build on their Bowman digital communications programme work as part of a Lockheed Martin-led bid for the UK's Ground Based Air Defence System (GBADS) programme. Lockheed Martin's Team Athena and...

RECOVERY; Apex in early exit from observation.(Brief Article)
September 16, 2003... Apex Aircraft, French manufacturer of the Cap and Robin light aircraft line, has emerged from a court-imposed period of observation two weeks earlier than planned after it was cleared from receivership on 1 July (Flight International, 10-16...

manufacturing Brendan Sobie / Singapore; Bell 430 parts to be made in China; Helicopter company shifts component construction from Canada in a cost-cutting move aimed at boosting Asia sales.
September 16, 2003... Bell is shifting production of major Bell 430 components from Canada to China in a bid to lower costs and boost sales in the Chinese market. Industry sources say China's Hafei Aviation Industry has been contracted to build the entire 430...

TRAINING ; Wuhan in bid to woo foreign flying students.(Wuhan Helicopter will add fixed-wing trainers)(Brief Article)
September 16, 2003... China's Wuhan Helicopter is planning to add fixed-wing trainers in a bid to attract more foreign students to its fledgling training centre. Chief executive Zhang Dinghe says Wuhan is in talks to buy one or two second-hand Shijiazhuang...

Air Transport Nicholas Ionides & Brendan Sobie / Singapore; Regional jet orders set to unlock Chinese market; Deals for locally developed ARJ21s and built ERJ-145s expected at Aviation Expo China.
September 16, 2003... Regional jet deals are expected to dominate the Aviation Expo China exhibition in Beijing this week, with launch orders due for the Chinese-developed ARJ21 and possibly the locally produced Embraer ERJ-145. Industry sources say AVIC I...

Air transport Gerald Butt / Sharjah; Air Arabia plans rapid expansion.(Brief Article)
September 16, 2003... Gulf low-fares start-up Air Arabia will begin flying at the end of October with two leased Airbus A320s, and has ambitious expansion plans as it brings budget services to the region for the first time. The airline, based at Sharjah in the...

air transport Mary Kirby / Seattle; AirCell security system set to be tested by 2004.(Brief Article)
September 16, 2003... US inflight telephony specialist AirCell expects to trial its airborne security voice and data system on board two major US airlines by early next year. AirCell has been working with the US federal government for 18 months to determine a...

BUSINESS ; Alitalia bids to strengthen links withAir France.(Brief Article)
September 16, 2003... Alitalia hopes to strengthen ties with Air France by signing agreements on shared services. But the airline's management regards improving its financial position as a higher priority. Alitalia sources say the airline will soon sign...

Briefing.(aviation industry news briefs)
September 16, 2003... Lockheed Martin tours intra-theatre C-27Js DEMONSTRATION Alenia/Lockheed Martin is demonstrating the C-27J tactical transport in the USA as the US Army finalises a requirement for up to 40 intra-theatre airlifters. Procurement has not been...

Air Transport Graham Warwick / WashingtonDC; USA plans DIRCM sales in Middle East; Meanwhile, Israel funds Flight Guard system certification.(directional infrared countermeasures)
September 16, 2003... Several head-of-state aircraft in the Middle East will be equipped with anti-missile defences if the USCongress approves sales of Northrop Grumman AAQ-24(V) Nemesis directional infrared countermeasures (DIRCM) systems for installation on large...

DSEI2003 STEWARTPENNEY/LONDON; Lockheed Martin recruits MFTS contest partners ; R-R and VTAerospace join bid to become systems integrators for UK training programme.(Military Flying Training System)
September 16, 2003... Lockheed Martin has recruited Rolls-Royce and VTAerospace as partners in a bid to become the integrator for the UK's Military Flying Training System (MFTS). The training systems integrator will run the overall programme. MFTS will be a...

air transport Hilka Birns / Cape Town; SAA ponders early A319 deliveries.(South African Airways)(Brief Article)
September 16, 2003... South African Airways (SAA) is discussing the acceleration of its Airbus A319 order, as it closes on a powerplant selection for its Airbus narrowbodies. SAA and Airbus confirm discussions are under way to bring the start of deliveries...

DEFENCE Brendan Sobie / Singapore; Budget crunch constricts Singapore competitions ; Lack of cash forces navy to re-examine helicopter requirement but fighter is safe.
September 16, 2003... Singapore has further delayed competitions to select new fighters and naval helicopters as it tries to balance defence requirements against a tightening budget. Next month, manufacturers expect Singapore to issue a request for a best and...

Air transport ; Relatives of 9/11 victims win right to sue airlines.(a New York judge grants families of 9/11/01 victims the right to pursue legal actions)(Brief Article)
September 16, 2003... A New York judge has granted the families of ground victims of the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks the right to pursue civil action against American Airlines, United Airlines, Boeing and World Trade Center owners the Port Authority of New...

in brief.(Scandinavian Airlines acquires Maersk Air's 49% share in Estonian Air)(Brief Article)
September 16, 2003... SAS purchase Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) has paid SKr180 million ($21.8 million) for Maersk Air's 49% share in Estonian Air. SAS will acquire Maersk Air Maintenance Estonia and may buy Estonian bank Cresco's 17% holding in Estonian Air....

General aviation; Taiwanese coastguard to augment air capability.(Taiwan's coastguard may form an aerial patrol squadron with a fleet of helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft and unmanned air vehicles)(Brief Article)
September 16, 2003... Taiwan's coastguard may form an aerial patrol squadron with a fleet of helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft and unmanned air vehicles (UAVs). The agency requires the aircraft to improve its offshore patrol capability, which is now limited to...

in brief.
September 16, 2003... Launch log International Launch Services will launch Hispasat's Amazonas and SES Americom's AMC-15 communications satellites on Russian Proton/Breeze M boosters from Baikonur in 2004, followed by Malaysia's Measat 3 in 2005. Arianespace...

Space shuttle GRAHAM WARWICK / WASHINGTON DC & TIM FURNISS / LONDON; Return to flight plan to be safety-driven, says NASA; Revised external tank fitting to eliminate foam shedding on take-off is a key measure.
September 16, 2003... NASA says returning the Space Shuttle to flight "will be safety-driven not schedule-driven". Although the return to flight (RTF) plan unveiled last week establishes 11 March to 6 April 2004 as the first window for a daylight launch to the...

air traffic control; GPS tracking offered for small airports.(Orbtech Holdings)(Brief Article)
September 16, 2003... A South African company is to market technology to allow low-cost air traffic tracking at small airports where radar systems are not cost-effective. The system would provide air traffic controllers with detailed graphical information on...

unmanned systems; Aurora begins Goldeneye UAV flights at Virginia headquarters.(unmanned aerial vehicle)(Aurora Flight Sciences)(Brief Article)
September 16, 2003... Aurora Flight Sciences has begun flight testing its Goldeneye ducted-fan vertical take-off and landing unmanned air vehicle (UAV). The initial 70kg (150lb) Goldeneye-100 completed its first vertical take-off and hover on 8 September at the...

powerplants Guy Norris / Cleveland; DARPA plans to test modified F100 for RASCAL launcher first stage.(Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, responsive access small cargo affordable launch)(Brief Article)
September 16, 2003... The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is to test a modified Pratt & Whitney F100 engine later this year - the powerplant selected for the Mach 4 reusable first stage of the RASCAL (responsive access small cargo affordable...

Propulsion Guy Norris / Cleveland ; DoD has designs on SED scramjet ; Proposed programme with NASA and Pratt & Whitney may use demonstrator for quick reaction hypersonic missile.(supersonic combustion ramjet)(Brief Article)
September 16, 2003... The US Department of Defense, NASA and Pratt & Whitney may develop a dedicated supersonic combustion ramjet (scramjet) for the single-engined hypersonic demonstrator (SED), and may use the vehicle as the basis for a quick reaction hypersonic...

Get it right.(the UK's Military Flying Training System has potentials, but certain things must be avoided)
September 16, 2003... The UK's Military Flying Training System could provide high-quality training for the next 25 years, but there are pitfalls to be avoided The UK's MilitaryFlying Training System (MFTS) programme is beginning to heat up with Lockheed...

procurement; UKfunds CVF future carrier assessment phase.(Future Aircraft Carrier programme)(Brief Article)
September 16, 2003... The UKMinistry of Defence has signed contracts worth [pounds sterling]50 million ($83 million) with BAE Systems and Thales UK to complete the assessment phase of the Future Aircraft Carrier (CVF)programme. The MoD selected BAE as CVFprime...

vertical; markets.(China's civil helicopter market is starting to open to Western firms)(Industry Overview)
September 16, 2003... The civil helicopter market in China is starting to open up to Western companies, but the process is likely to be a long one and competition is already intense By Brendan Sobie / Singapore Western helicopter manufacturers are racing to...

Bigger is ; better.(an overview of China's aviation makret)(Industry Overview)
September 16, 2003... In a nine-page special to coincide with Aviation Expo China in Beijing from 17-20 September, we begin by looking at China's aviation market, which has seen more change in a short period than any other country Nicholas Ionides / Singapore...

local; heroes.(Chinese manufacturers focus on regional jet growth over the next decade)
September 16, 2003... Chinese manufacturers are relying on regional jet growth over the next decade to mirror the sector's success in the USA in the 1990s Brendan sobie / singapore China's aircraft manufacturers and their Western partners are banking on...

Letters.(Letter to the Editor)
September 16, 2003... Spaceflight What Columbia report omits The Columbia Accident Investigation Board's report (Flight International, 2-8 September) makes me shudder. If only the Shuttle managers had taken the trouble to look at Columbia's wing in orbit....

Straight & Level roger.bacon@flightinternational.com.
September 16, 2003... Back to the drawing board Customer satisfaction is what it's all about! says Birdseed Airways senior Concorde replacement strategy advisor Wg Cdr Blitherington "Tony" Taildragger. "It's all very well putting your highest paying passengers...