Russian bank Sberbank orders 12 Boeing 737-800s destined for Transaero

Russia’s Sberbank signaled its commitment to the commercial aircraft leasing business with an order for 12 Boeing 737-800s to be operated by Transaero.
                                                                      
Sberbank is the largest bank in Russia, accounting for 28.9% of aggregate Russian banking assets as of Jan. 1, 2013. Sberbank chairman and CEO Herman Gref, in Washington DC for a signing ceremony with Boeing, told reporters that the 737-800 deal marked a “landmark” step for the bank in the aircraft leasing business. “The next deal will be a big deal—30 to 50 aircraft,” he said. “We see that the Russian market has a very deep potential for Boeing products.”

Gref said Sberbank Leasing, the bank’s leasing arm, plans to buy more than 100 aircraft over the next 10 years to place with Russian airlines, adding, “Most of these airplanes will be Boeing 737s, the most useful plane for the Russian market.”

He said Sberbank is in discussions with Aeroflot and several other Russian airlines regarding potential aircraft leasing deals.

The 12 737-800s for Transaero, valued at more than $1 billion at list prices, “will help lay the groundwork for developing an environment for finance and operational leasing of imported aircraft in Russia,” Boeing said in a statement. The aircraft are slated for delivery in 2015 and 2016.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Boeing International president Shep Hill said Sberbank being involved in aircraft leasing provides “flexibility” for Russian airlines looking to finance aircraft. “We think it’s another tool that can be used by the airlines,” he said, adding that Boeing projects demand for 1,000 commercial aircraft in Russia over the next 20 years.

(Aaron Karp - ATW News)

787 flight tests continue as LaHood says Boeing has "good plan" for battery fix

Boeing Co has a "good plan" to fix the battery problem that has grounded its 787 Dreamliner jets since January, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said on Friday.

 

LaHood said he wants to ensure the Dreamliner is safe before allowing the planes back in the air, and no decision had been made on commercial flights.

"They're doing the tests now, and we've agreed with the tests that they're doing. And when they complete the tests, they'll give us the information and we'll make a decision," LaHood said at the U.S. Export-Import Bank's annual conference in Washington.

The statements came as Boeing was close to completing tests of a revamped lithium-ion battery system designed to prevent the overheating or fire that occurred on two jets in January, prompting regulators to ban all 50 of the jets in service from flying.

Boeing may make a test flight on Friday to gather data for the Federal Aviation Administration to show the new battery system is safe and performs as designed.

The certification flight is part of a series of tests to show whether measures Boeing has devised to fix the battery problems work as intended. A preparation flight on March 25 "went according to plan," Boeing said.

It's still unknown what caused the two batteries to overheat, and the National Transportation Safety Board is investigating. But Boeing came up with measures it says make the battery safe. It put more insulation in the battery, encased the battery in a steel box, changed the circuitry of the battery charger and added a titanium venting tube to expel heat and fumes outside the plane.

Once Boeing completes its testing, the Federal Aviation Administration and other global regulators will review the test data and decide whether to certify the fix and return the plane to service.

Airlines have been barred from using the plane since it was grounded in January, and Boeing has been barred from delivering 787s, though it continues to build the plane. The delay has been costing the company an estimated $50 million a week.

 (Reuters)

Southwest Airlines adds second ex Air Berlin 737-700 to its fleet

Southwest Airlines has now added a second ex Air Berlin bird to its fleet, 737-76N (32582/1013) D-ABBT. The aircraft is another former Aloha Airlines machine (N744AL) "Kila" delivered on November 30, 2001 (Midway Airlines N318ML - NTU) ex Boeing N1795B.

The aircraft is scheduled to enter service with Southwest Airlines as N7812G in June.

(Michael Carter - APF Editor)

ANA prepares for 787 service re-entry as pilots resume training

All Nippon Airways (ANA) is planning to put its Boeing 787 pilots through simulator training in April, to prepare them for the resumption of 787 operations.

"We're preparing for after Boeing's service bulletin is approved. Once it's approved by the US FAA (Federal Aviation Administration), it means the Boeing modification plan is also approved," says an ANA spokesman.

The operator, which has 17 787-8s in its fleet, would only say it expects the resumption of simulator training to happen sometime in April.

ANA has about 200 787 pilots and two 787 simulators. The training is necessary to prepare the pilots to fly the jets again.

ANA also recently said that it will start selling tickets for domestic routes operated using 787s from 1 June. Tickets, however, will not be offered for key trans-Pacific routes such as Tokyo Narita to Seattle and San Jose.

The carrier has given no indication as to when it feels the 787 grounding could be lifted.

Boeing is meanwhile working to certify a new battery containment system for the 787 that aims to reduce the risk of the batteries overheating, and to eliminate the risk of the batteries starting a fire. The US FAA's certification is necessary to allow the aircraft type to return to flight.

Besides the 17 -8s in its fleet, ANA also has orders for 19 more of the type, and for 30 787-9s.

(Mavis Toh - Flight Global News)

China Eastern will introduce 56 new aircraft to fleet in 2013

China Eastern Airlines will be inducting 56 new aircraft into its fleet this year, the majority of which will be narrowbodies.

These include 22 Airbus A320s, 26 Boeing 737NGs and eight A330s. During the year, it will also dispose of 14 jets, including A320s, 737NGs and five unspecified freighters.

In 2014, the airline is scheduled to take delivery of a further 62 aircraft, mostly A320s and 737NGs, but also including four 777-300ERs.

These aircraft numbers could change, however, subject to future market conditions, the carrier said in a recent presentation to investors.

Last week, the Shanghai-based airline reported a 39% dip in its 2012 net profit to CNY2.81 billion ($452 million). It said that the global economic downturn, high fuel prices and strong competition among carriers on domestic routes have affected its business.

In the second half of 2013, the carrier, together with Qantas Airways, is also set to launch Jetstar Hong Kong. The low-cost carrier will begin operations with three A320s, with plans to grow to a fleet of 18 aircraft by 2015.

Flightglobal Pro data shows that China Eastern operates a fleet of 255 aircraft and has a further 117 on order.

(Mavis Toh - Flight Global News)

FAA to commence tower closers on April 7

FAA said it will begin closing 149 contract air traffic control towers April 7 to comply with mandatory budget cuts.

John Wayne Orange County Airport (SNA/KSNA) tower.

(Photo by Michael Carter)

The towers scheduled for closure are run by certified FAA contractors at smaller US airports that mostly handle general and business aviation traffic, though a small percentage of commercial flights will be affected. FAA pointed out that it scaled back from its original proposal to close 189 contract towers to comply with budget sequestration, which mandates more than $620 million in agency spending be reduced over the next six months.

“We heard from communities across the country about the importance of their towers and these were very tough decisions,” US transportation secretary Ray LaHood said in a statement.

“Unfortunately, we are faced with a series of difficult choices that we have to make to reach the required cuts under sequestration.”

The closures will occur on a phased basis over a four-week period. To comply with the sequestration cuts, FAA also plans to begin furloughing most of its employees—including air traffic controllers—for one day every two weeks starting next month, which it has warned will lead to flight delays.

(Aaron Karp - ATW News)

New Boeing Delivery Center opens at Everett

Boeing has opened its new expanded Everett Delivery Center (EDC) for the 747-8, 767, 777 and 787.

The 180,000 sq. ft. facility triples the amount of office, conference and delivery operations space as the old EDC and is designed to increase operational efficiencies.

(Photo by Boeing)

                              
The building features three floors dedicated to customers and the delivery experience. Amenities include a customer lounge, a Tully’s cafe, over 20 conference rooms, four contract signing rooms and 35 offices to support resident customers and on-site delivery teams.

“Last year we delivered a record 183 airplanes and this new facility will help us continue to increase deliveries,” EDC VP Tom Maxwell said. “The expanded space will also allow us to keep pace with customer demands.”

(Linda Blachly - ATW News)

Qatar Airways considers 777X

Qatar Airways and Boeing are in talks regarding the 777X, CEO Akbar Al Baker told ATW.

“We could be interested in that aircraft,” he said. “It will have few more passengers compared to the 777-300ER, but much less fuel burn. Nevertheless, this would be a big investment and we have to analyze if this [investment] covers the current 777.”

The Boeing 777X is the next-generation 777.

Al Baker sees the Airbus A350-1000 as the competitor for the 777X. “We need the A350 for growth and replacement of our A330 fleet. Also, the [A350] aircraft will be available four to five years earlier than the 777X,” he said. “I couldn’t wait. The 777X may be ready by the end of the decade. That’s why we go for the A350,” which should be available earlier.

The fast-expanding Arab carrier had previously ordered 80 aircraft spread across the three-model range—20 A350-800s, 40 -900s and 20 -1000s. Qatar’s amended order comprises 43 -900s and 37 -1000s.

In other fleet news, Qatar is expecting delivery of its first A380 this month.

Al Baker plans to launch another 12 new routes this year, “but this depends on the 787 issue.” All five Qatar Airways 787 are grounded. “To us, the aircraft was performing perfectly. But I’m not talking about the technical performance, [such as] fuel burning.” The grounding of the 787s delayed opening of new destinations. Because of the grounding, “utilization of other aircraft has gone higher,” he said.

Al Baker said increased seat capacity on several aircraft has led to improved economical performance. “The Boeing 777LR is a very heavy aircraft, but it gives us the unlimited range where we want to go. Qatar operates nine 259-seat 777-200LRs.

“We [are] reconfiguring our four A340-600s by adding additional 60 seats and removing first class,” he said. The A340-600 offers 306 seats.

(Kurt Hofmannm - ATWOnline News)

International Airlines Group (IAG) converts 18 787 options to orders

International Airlines Group (IAG) has converted 18 Boeing 787 options into firm orders for British Airways. The original order, placed in 2007, was for 24 firm 787s, with 18 options. The Rolls-Royce Trent 1000-powered 787s will replace some of British Airways’ 747-400 aircraft between 2017 and 2021.

According to IAG, Iberia has reached agreement with Boeing to “secure commercial terms and delivery slots for a possible 787 order. Firm orders will only be made when Iberia has restructured and reduced its cost base and is in a position grow profitably,” IAG said in a statement.

British Airways has 118 widebody long-haul aircraft in its fleet with 42 aircraft on order (not including the 18 787 options it has agreed to firm), comprising 12 Airbus A380s, 24 787s and six 777-300ERs.

Iberia’s fleet comprises 31 widebody long-haul aircraft with six A330s on order.

The firming of the 18 787 options is subject to approval by IAG shareholders.

(Kathryn M. Young - ATWOline News)

Pilatus to unveil twinjet at EBACE 2013

Pilatus is proceeding with plans to unveil its twinjet project in May at EBACE, the Stans, Switzerland-based aircraft manufacturer announced today in conjunction with the release of its 2012 financial results.

 “The PC-24 project–the new business jet by Pilatus–is making good progress,” it said. “Last year, the board of directors gave the definite green light to the biggest, fastest and most complex aircraft that Pilatus has ever built.

On May 21, the aircraft will be presented to the general public at EBACE.” The PC-24 program was initially expected to be revealed at EBACE last year, but that was postponed until “EBACE 2013.”

Pilatus has been tight-lipped about the new jet, but AIN understands it will have capacity for eight passengers and, like the company’s PC-12 turboprop single, a large cargo door.

  Meanwhile, the company reported $624.7 million in revenue and $40 million in before-tax profit last year, both of which were short of the numbers from 2011.

However, Pilatus’s backlog has ballooned from $342 million to $2.56 billion in just one year, thanks to military trainer orders from India, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. On the civil side, Pilatus delivered 62 PC-12 NGs last year, one fewer than in 2011, and expects a “cloudy” 2013 for general aviation.

(Aviation International News)

Several United Airlines Labor groups reject contract

United Airlines fleet service, passenger service and storekeeper employees rejected tentative labor agreements reached with airline management in February.

The inability of United to secure a unified labor contract with more than 28,000 workers from several work groups representing legacy United and Continental Airlines employees marked another setback for the carrier, which has struggled with labor and technology integration issues since the fall 2010 merger of United and Continental. Integration problems contributed to a large net loss incurred by United in 2012.

The International Association of Machinists (IAM) said in a statement the workers “emphatically rejected the tentative agreements reached with United Airlines” in voting conducted across the US. The union said it is notifying the US National Mediation Board “of our request to enter into federally mediated negotiations … Negotiations will resume based on the directives of the National Mediation Board.”

United said in a statement, “We believe these tentative agreements are in the best interests of [the employees] and the company. We will work with the IAM and National Mediation Board to determine our next steps.”

Of the various United work groups, only its pilots have ratified a joint labor agreement covering both legacy United and Continental employees.

(Aaron Karp - ATW News)

Austrian Airlines phases out last 737

Austrian Airlines Group has phased out its final Boeing 737-800 as part of its restructuring process to eliminate the brand Lauda Air. The Lufthansa subsidiary has operated several 737 variants for 28 years. All were ordered by Lauda Air, which was integrated into Austrian Airlines in 2001.

CEO Jaan Albrecht told ATW in Vienna, “Now we have a medium-haul fleet of 29 Airbus A320 family aircraft, which will operate a bit more than 10 hours per day. Within several months, Lufthansa will also phase out its remaining 737-300/500 fleet.”

Austrian is undergoing a strict restructuring program, which includes a fleet reduction. “We expect to save €17 million ($21.8 million) annually, thanks to the phase-out of the 737,” Albrecht said. The two 737-600s, two -700s and seven -800s have flown a total of 300,000 hours for Austrian. “We transferred 120 pilots from the 737 to the A320 fleet,” he said.

The next step will be to replace nine Fokker 70s and 14 Fokker 100s within three to four years. The Lufthansa Group will decide on a replacement aircraft, which includes regional aircraft orders.

Albrecht said the type decision could include the Bombardier CSeries Regional Jet, which Lufthansa subsidiary Swiss International Air Lines ordered in 2011.

“It is important to continue our restructuring program to produce sustainable earnings again—not only to replace the regional fleet, but also to be able to add an additional Boeing 777 next year,” he said. The 777 should operate on existing routes from Vienna to replace the 767-300ERs.

“Compared to the 767, the 777 brings 20% to 25% of additional capacity on a route, which could be used for new routes such as North America or Asia,” he said.

Austrian’s current long-haul fleet includes four 777-200ERs and six 767-300ERs. The 767s will remain in the fleet for the next seven to eight years. The 767 replacement is planned for 2019/2020, Albrecht said.

Austrian also operates 12 Bombardier Dash-8 Q400s.

(Kurt Hoffmann - ATW News)

Gulfstream performs customer acceptacne flight

 Short final to Rwy 30.

Gulfstream G550 (c/n 5405) N545GA smokes the mains on Rwy 30 at Long Beach Airport (LGB/KLGB) as it returns from a customer acceptance flight on April 2, 2013.

 

(Photos by Michael Carter)

Dallas Stars depart Long Beach Airport

 Taxies on "Delta" towards a Rwy 30 departure.

The Dallas Stars depart Long Beach Airport (LGB/KLGB) on SwiftAir 767-277 (22694/32) N767MW April 2, 2013 following a game with the "Mighty Ducks."

 

(Photos by Michael Carter)

Sad news out of Alaska as three die in State Trooper helicpter crash

The Alaska State Troopers helicopter flight that ended in the death of three people near Talkeetna was supposed to be little more than a five-minute trip.

Troopers officials on Monday identified the pilot as longtime trooper rescue pilot Mel Nading, 55, of Anchorage. Nading had flown countless missions since becoming the agency's primary helicopter pilot in 2000, troopers said. He was attempting to deliver an injured snowmachiner to nearby medics when the aircraft crashed Saturday night in the lakeside trees.

Also killed in the crash were Talkeetna-based trooper Tage Toll, a former Kansas state highway patrolman, and snowmachiner Carl Ober, 56, of Talkeetna.

The remains of the three men were flown to Palmer on Sunday night, where an ever-expanding procession of police cars escorted them to the state medical examiner's office in Anchorage, trooper spokeswoman Megan Peters said.

Coming less than two weeks after a state-trained village public safety officer was shot to death in the Bristol Bay region, the crash underscores another risk Alaska law enforcement faces: routinely flying missions in all conditions across the state.

"Every day our people are put in harm's way and face it head-on without a second thought that today they may not come home," said Public Safety Commissioner Joe Masters. "They are brave and service-minded individuals and Alaska is much safer because of them."

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating and has assigned a meteorologist to review weather conditions in the area, said regional chief Clint Johnson.

Masters said troopers would not speculate about the cause of the accident. Troopers said no power lines were in the area of the wreckage.

The trouble began at about 7:35 p.m., when troopers learned snowmachiner Ober had crashed near Larson Lake, 7 miles east of Talkeetna. (Masters said he believes Ober reported the crash and asked for help on his cellphone.)

Ober appeared to have broken ribs. He couldn't make it home and didn't have the right clothing to spend the night in the woods, Masters said.

Nading flew from Anchorage to Talkeetna, where he picked up Toll, 40, and began a search. With Toll acting as a spotter, the pair found the snowmachiner and landed at about 10 p.m.

Ober was hurt but able to walk, troopers said.

The pilot or Toll asked for medics to meet them at the Sunshine Tesoro, where Nading would drop off the injured snowmachiner. That was the last anyone heard from the helicopter, troopers said.

The flight was en route to the gas station at 11:17 p.m., according to troopers. It never arrived.

It was unclear Monday how far the helicopter traveled before crashing.

Troopers described the area around the lake as fairly flat, wooded with birch trees.

Searchers found the wreckage at the south end of Larson Lake at 9:33 a.m. the next day, Easter Sunday, according to troopers. The aircraft was on a hill, said Johnson, the NTSB investigator.

Two para-rescue jumpers were lowered to the wreckage, and wildlife troopers arrived by snowmachine shortly after, troopers said.

The helicopter had burned. Heat and flames delayed the recovery of the bodies, Peters said.
"We believe that the remains of all three have been recovered, but the state medical examiner will have to confirm that," she said.

Nading was hired to work for the Alaska State Troopers in December 2000, primarily to pilot the Eurocopter AS350 B3 Astar known as "Helo-1."

"In the time with us he's flown over 3,000 hours in Helo-1, saved hundreds of lives," said Trooper Col. Keith Mallard.

Nading was generally the helicopter's only pilot.

The pilot's family members declined to be interviewed Monday.

Toll joined the troopers 10 years ago, Mallard said. "He'd worked both in the Alaska Wildlife Trooper ranks as well as the Alaska State Trooper ranks."

An investigator from Chicago arrived in Anchorage Monday to lead the probe into the crash. NTSB investigators do not work on investigations that involve pilots whom they know personally, Johnson said, and Nading routinely flew all four Alaska-based investigators to crash sites.

"We all know him pretty closely," Johnson said.

Two structural engineers for the NTSB will aid in the investigation, he said, as well as a representative from Eurocopter and from the company that manufactured the helicopter's engine. 

(Kyle Hopkins - Anchorage Daily News) 

Read more here: http://www.adn.com/2013/04/01/2848303/investigation-begins-into-KYLE HOPKINS helicopter.html#storylink=cpy

New G550 arrives at Long Beach

G550 (c/n 5422) N842GA arrived at Long Beach Airport (LGB/KLGB) from Savannah-Hilton Head International Airport (SAV/KSAV) as "GLF44" at 17:11 pst on April 1, 2013.

 

(Photo by Doug Kerr)

Southwest Airlines adds ex Air Berlin / Aloha Airlines 737-700 to fleet

Southwest Airlines has added an ex Air Berlin 737-700 (D-ABBS) to its fleet, the aircraft arriving at Piane Field (PAE/KPAE) on March 13. Boeing 737-76N (28654/986) was originally destined for Midway Airlines as N316ML but was not taken up instead being delivered to Aloha Airlines as N743AL "Pa'ao" on February 5, 2002.

The aircraft is scheduled to enter service with Southwest Airlines in May as N7811F.

(Michael Carter - APF Editor)

Etihad Airways commences Abu Dhabi - Washington Dulles service

Etihad Airways has started daily Abu Dhabi-Washington Dulles flights, adding a fourth North American destination to its network.
                                                                      
Etihad started service to North America in 2006 with flights to New York JFK. It also operates to Chicago O’Hare and Toronto. The Abu Dhabi-Washington Dulles flights are being operated with an Airbus A340-500, configured with 240 seats in a three-class layout.

Etihad president and CEO James Hogan, in Washington DC for the route launch, told reporters the Abu Dhabi-based carrier is eyeing further destinations in the Americas. “Our expansion continues at a fast rate,” he said. “We enter South America in June with service to Sao Paulo. We certainly have it on the radar to announce a new US destination next year.” Etihad now serves 86 destinations worldwide.

Hogan also expressed confidence in the grounded Boeing 787 and said Etihad continues to plan to receive its first 787-9 in the 2014 fourth quarter. With 41 787-9s on order, Etihad is the largest customer for the -9 variant.

“The 787 is a great product and the right aircraft for us,” Hogan said. “I’ve met with Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and CEO Ray Conner in the last four weeks and I’m satisfied with the resolution of the lithium ion battery issue … We’ve been very involved behind the scenes with Boeing.”

Hogan said Etihad is “absolutely” confident in the Dreamliner. “I’ve been around a long time and I’ve never seen an aircraft enter service without some issues,” he commented. “With any new product, you expect some issues.”

Regarding the carrier’s continuing expansion, Hogan stressed that Etihad will only launch new service if it makes financial sense. “We wouldn’t enter the Washington market unless there was a business case,” he said. “There was no pressure from the owner the United Arab Emirates, and there never has been, to operate a flight as a public utility.”

(Aaron Karp - ATW News)

Samoa Air charges by the pound

Some airlines are beginning to charge obese customers for extra seats, but Samoa Air appears to be the first to adopt a "pay as you weigh" pricing plan.

The airline's price-per-kilogram will vary depending on the flight, from as little as $1 per kilogram to as much as $4.16, reports the Sydney Morning Herald.

In a radio interview this week, according to the paper, Samoa Air chief executive Chris Langton defended the new policy. "This is the fairest way of traveling," Langton said. "There are no extra fees in terms of excess baggage or anything—it is just a kilo is a kilo is a kilo."

Passengers now must type in their weight and the weight of their baggage into the online booking section of the airline's website.

"When you get into the Pacific, standard weight is substantially higher," Langton continued. "That's a health issue in some areas."

He said the new policy is intended, in part, to raise awareness of Samoa's weight problem.

The Pacific island nation has one of the most obese populations in the world. According to a 2007 World Health Organization survey, more than 80 percent of Samoans age 15 and older are considered obese, making it the sixth fattest nation in the world. Nauru, in the South Pacific, topped the list, with 94.5 percent of its 9,322 inhabitants obese.

(Photo Samoa Air)

Samoa Air operates a fleet of small BN2A Islander and Cessna 172 planes, some with as few as eight seats.

"Airlines don't run on seats, they run on weight, and particularly the smaller the aircraft you are in, the less variance you can accept in terms of the difference in weight between passengers," Langton said. "Anyone who travels at times has felt they have been paying for half of the passenger next to them."

He may be right. According to a 2010 survey conducted by Skyscanner.net, 76 percent of travelers said airlines should charge overweight passengers more if they needed an extra seat.

Last month in the Journal of Revenue and Pricing Management, Bharat Bhatta, a Norwegian economist, recommended that airlines adopt a "pay as you weigh" program.

"To the degree that passengers lose weight and therefore reduce fares, the savings that result are net benefits to the passengers," Bhatta wrote.

(Dylan Stableford - Yahoo News)

Possible International Airlines Group (IAG) A350 order for British Airways

International Airlines Group could order Airbus's new A350 long-range aircraft for its British Airways arm as soon as this week, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday.

The exact number of aircraft to be ordered and the potential value of the contract were still under discussion with the talks mainly for the A350-1000, the largest aircraft in the A350 range, the WSJ said, citing two people familiar with the talks.

The financial daily cited one of the people as saying the order could also include the smaller A350-900.

If a deal is agreed, it would be a win for Airbus over Boeing which is trying to sell British Airways the next version of its popular 777 wide-body, the paper reported.

However, the Journal said British Airways, which already has a large fleet of Boeing 777s, could still order the revamped 777X.

British Airways mainly operates Boeing aircraft on long-haul routes with its current Airbus planes, mainly from the A320 family, used for short-haul.

The company also has 12 Airbus A380 super-jumbos on order.

Airbus was not available for comment. An IAG spokeswoman declined to comment.

(Reuters)