Hi All,
Most of you I'm sure have noticed that I have have not made any updates since lastweek and the reason being I have been down and out!
Today is the first day since Sunday afternoon that I have been up and about as I have had a nasty virus that has just kicked my butt. Still fighting a terrible cough and feeling very tired and worn out but otherwise much better if that is a plus.
I hope to make some updates this weekend.
Thanks as always for taking some time to visit Aero Pacific Flightlines.
Cheers
Michael Carter
Editor
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Southwest Airlines posts profit for 40th straight year
Southwest Airlines 737-8H4 (36992/4126) N8317M captured arriving at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX/KLAX) on January 18, 2013.
(Photo by Michael Carter)
Southwest Airlines posted 2012 net income of $421 million, marking its 40th consecutive year of profitability.
The net profit more than doubled net income of $178 million in 2011. The profit increase was achieved even though Southwest’s fourth-quarter net income declined 48.7% year-over-year to $78 million. Chairman, president and CEO Gary Kelly noted that finishing in the black for 40 years consecutively is “a record unmatched in the airline industry.”
He added in a statement, “As we enter 2013, bookings and revenue trends, thus far, suggest a year-over-year improvement in January 2013 passenger unit revenues in the 2%-3% range. While the effect of US tax increases on the domestic economy remains uncertain, bookings for the remainder of first quarter, thus far, are strong.”
The Dallas-based low-cost carrier’s 2012 revenue rose 9.1% year-over-year to $17.09 billion while expenses increased 10% to $16.47 billion. Operating income fell 10.1% to $623 million. Net income was helped by $4 million in net favorable special items, which compared to $152 million in net unfavorable special items in 2011.
Kelly said “significant optimization efforts are planned in 2013 for the AirTran network,” which should boost revenue performance. Southwest and AirTran received a single operating certificate in 2012.
Southwest’s full-year traffic rose 5.4% year-over-year to 102.87 billion RPMs on a 6.3% increase in capacity to 128.14 billion ASMs, producing a load factor of 80.3%, down 0.6 point. Passenger yield lifted 3.4% to 15.64 cents.
(Aaron Karp - ATWOnline News)
Alaska Air reports a profitable 2012
Alaska Air Group, parent of Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air, reported a 2012 net income for 2012 of $316 million, up 29% from a $245 million net profit in the year-ago period. The company said this is its ninth consecutive year of adjusted profits and the third year in a row the company has exceeded its goal of a 10% return on invested capital.
Revenue rose 8% to $4.66 billion while expenses increased 7% to $4.13 billion, producing an operating profit of $532 million, up 18% from $449 million in the prior-year.
Fourth-quarter net income was $44 million, down 31% from the $64 million net profit for the year-ago quarter.
Full-year traffic rose 8.1% to 24.4 billion RPMs on a 6.3% increase in capacity to 28.1 billion ASMs, producing a load factor of 86.6%, up 1.4 points. Yield rose 1.4% to 13.45 cents as RASM increased 2.3% to 13.62 cents and CASM ex-fuel was 7.56 cents, down 0.5%.
In October 2012, the carrier placed an aircraft order for 50 Boeing 737, including 37 737 MAX aircraft.
During the fourth quarter, Alaska Airlines began service from San Diego to Orlando, Portland to Lihue, Bellingham to Maui, and Anchorage to Kona, bringing the total new routes for the year to 21.
Revenue rose 8% to $4.66 billion while expenses increased 7% to $4.13 billion, producing an operating profit of $532 million, up 18% from $449 million in the prior-year.
Fourth-quarter net income was $44 million, down 31% from the $64 million net profit for the year-ago quarter.
Full-year traffic rose 8.1% to 24.4 billion RPMs on a 6.3% increase in capacity to 28.1 billion ASMs, producing a load factor of 86.6%, up 1.4 points. Yield rose 1.4% to 13.45 cents as RASM increased 2.3% to 13.62 cents and CASM ex-fuel was 7.56 cents, down 0.5%.
In October 2012, the carrier placed an aircraft order for 50 Boeing 737, including 37 737 MAX aircraft.
During the fourth quarter, Alaska Airlines began service from San Diego to Orlando, Portland to Lihue, Bellingham to Maui, and Anchorage to Kona, bringing the total new routes for the year to 21.
(Kathryn M. Young - ATWOnline News)
United reports heavy 2012 loses
United Airlines parent United Continental Holdings (UCH) incurred a 2012 net loss of $763 million on heavy interest expenses and merger-related costs.
The net deficit was improved over a $977 net loss in 2011. The company was profitable on an operating basis, posting $39 million in operating income, but that was down 97.9% year-over-year. “2012 was the toughest year of our merger integration” with the former Continental Airlines, UCH chairman, president and CEO Jeff Smisek told analysts and reporters.
The carrier’s six Boeing 787s remain grounded after FAA’s emergency directive last week, but Smisek said the airline continues “to have confidence” in the aircraft and expects to take delivery of two more 787s this year. He added that neither Boeing nor FAA has provided guidance on when the grounding may be lifted.
“The aircraft is a terrific aircraft … and I have no doubt customers will flock back to it once we get it back up in the air,” Smisek said. “Once this particular issue is solved, it’s solved. It’s just a matter of how much time it takes.”
He conceded United suffered from a poor operational and revenue performance in 2012, but said it has turned the corner and expects more reliable operations in 2013. He added United has achieved an 84% on-time domestic arrival rate so far in 2013; the carrier sunk to a below-80% on-time performance in the middle part of 2012. “We are significantly better today than we were last summer,” he said.
UCH will reduce its management and administrative staff by 6% starting next month, Smisek said, noting the move is necessary because the company is “absolutely not satisfied” with last year’s performance. The staff will be reduced by around 600 employees.
United plans to cut capacity 0.5% year-over-year in 2013 in response to what it expects to be sluggish global economic growth.
The company’s 2012 revenue was flat year-over-year at $37.15 billion while expenses rose 5.2% to 37.11 billion. Mainline traffic decreased 1.3% to 179.42 billion RPMs on a 1.4% cut in capacity to 216.33 billion ASMs. Load factor was down 0.1 point to 82.9%. Passenger yield increased just 0.6% to 14.38 cents.
The net deficit was improved over a $977 net loss in 2011. The company was profitable on an operating basis, posting $39 million in operating income, but that was down 97.9% year-over-year. “2012 was the toughest year of our merger integration” with the former Continental Airlines, UCH chairman, president and CEO Jeff Smisek told analysts and reporters.
The carrier’s six Boeing 787s remain grounded after FAA’s emergency directive last week, but Smisek said the airline continues “to have confidence” in the aircraft and expects to take delivery of two more 787s this year. He added that neither Boeing nor FAA has provided guidance on when the grounding may be lifted.
“The aircraft is a terrific aircraft … and I have no doubt customers will flock back to it once we get it back up in the air,” Smisek said. “Once this particular issue is solved, it’s solved. It’s just a matter of how much time it takes.”
He conceded United suffered from a poor operational and revenue performance in 2012, but said it has turned the corner and expects more reliable operations in 2013. He added United has achieved an 84% on-time domestic arrival rate so far in 2013; the carrier sunk to a below-80% on-time performance in the middle part of 2012. “We are significantly better today than we were last summer,” he said.
UCH will reduce its management and administrative staff by 6% starting next month, Smisek said, noting the move is necessary because the company is “absolutely not satisfied” with last year’s performance. The staff will be reduced by around 600 employees.
United plans to cut capacity 0.5% year-over-year in 2013 in response to what it expects to be sluggish global economic growth.
The company’s 2012 revenue was flat year-over-year at $37.15 billion while expenses rose 5.2% to 37.11 billion. Mainline traffic decreased 1.3% to 179.42 billion RPMs on a 1.4% cut in capacity to 216.33 billion ASMs. Load factor was down 0.1 point to 82.9%. Passenger yield increased just 0.6% to 14.38 cents.
(Aaron Karp - ATWOnline News)
Is the NTSB chairman jumping the gun?
The Japan Airlines Boeing 787 lithium ion battery that caught fire in Boston Jan. 7 experienced “a thermal runaway” and “short circuits,” the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported.
NTSB chairman Deborah Hersman, briefing reporters in Washington DC on Thursday, said no cause for the fire has been determined, and indicated NTSB may still need some time to find the root cause.
She described thermal runaway as “uncontrolled chemical reactions” within the battery’s cells. The battery is used to start the aircraft’s auxiliary power unit (APU). “The APU battery was spilling molten electrolytes,” she said.
Hersman expressed serious concern about the JAL 787 fire and what she characterized as the All Nippon Airways 787 “smoke event” that occurred Jan. 16. The ANA incident, which led to an emergency landing, is also linked to a damaged lithium ion battery.
Having two battery failures causing fire and/or smoke aboard a new aircraft type within such a short period “is an unprecedented event. We are very concerned,” she commented. “This is a very serious air safety concern.”
Hersman said, “The expectation in aviation is never to experience a fire aboard an aircraft … The significance of these two events cannot be overstated … These events should not happen as far as the design of the aircraft. There are multiple systems that are in place to prevent [a battery failure from escalating to a serious event]. Those systems did not work.”
She emphasized that FAA, not NTSB, will decide if and when to lift the worldwide grounding of Dreamliners. But she indicated NTSB’s investigation into the JAL 787 fire may take some time.
“We have to understand why this battery failure resulted in a fire when there were so many protections designed into the system,” she said. “There’s a lot more work to do … We are conducting a forensic investigation … It is really very hard at this point to tell how long the investigation will take. What I can tell you is that we have all hands on deck … This is not something we’re expecting will be resolved overnight … We are prepared to do the methodical work that gets to the root cause of this. We have not yet identified the sequence of events that initiated the short circuits or the thermal runaway.”
NTSB chairman Deborah Hersman, briefing reporters in Washington DC on Thursday, said no cause for the fire has been determined, and indicated NTSB may still need some time to find the root cause.
She described thermal runaway as “uncontrolled chemical reactions” within the battery’s cells. The battery is used to start the aircraft’s auxiliary power unit (APU). “The APU battery was spilling molten electrolytes,” she said.
Hersman expressed serious concern about the JAL 787 fire and what she characterized as the All Nippon Airways 787 “smoke event” that occurred Jan. 16. The ANA incident, which led to an emergency landing, is also linked to a damaged lithium ion battery.
Having two battery failures causing fire and/or smoke aboard a new aircraft type within such a short period “is an unprecedented event. We are very concerned,” she commented. “This is a very serious air safety concern.”
Hersman said, “The expectation in aviation is never to experience a fire aboard an aircraft … The significance of these two events cannot be overstated … These events should not happen as far as the design of the aircraft. There are multiple systems that are in place to prevent [a battery failure from escalating to a serious event]. Those systems did not work.”
She emphasized that FAA, not NTSB, will decide if and when to lift the worldwide grounding of Dreamliners. But she indicated NTSB’s investigation into the JAL 787 fire may take some time.
“We have to understand why this battery failure resulted in a fire when there were so many protections designed into the system,” she said. “There’s a lot more work to do … We are conducting a forensic investigation … It is really very hard at this point to tell how long the investigation will take. What I can tell you is that we have all hands on deck … This is not something we’re expecting will be resolved overnight … We are prepared to do the methodical work that gets to the root cause of this. We have not yet identified the sequence of events that initiated the short circuits or the thermal runaway.”
(Aaron Karp - ATWOnline News)
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Indian Air Force (IAF) takes delivery of its first C-17A
Rolls for takeoff.
Rotates from Rwy 30.
Performs a fly-by down Rwy 30.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) took delivery of its first C-17A (F-253) CB-8001 today at Long Beach Airport (LGB/KLGB). This is the first of 10 aircraft ordered by the IAF who are currently in talks with Boeing for possibly another 6 aircraft.
(Photos by Michael Carter)
5th new G650 arrives at Long Beach
Short final
to Rwy 30
at LGB.
Taxies to parking at the Gulfstream service center.
G650 (c/n 6037) N637GA arrived at Long Beach Airport (LGB/KLGB) today following a flight from Savannah-Hilton Head International Airport (SAV/KSAV) as "GLF48".
(Photos by Michael Carter)
G550 N412GA arrives at LGB
Short final to Rwy 30.
Taxies to parking at the Gulfstream service center.
G550 (c/n 5412) N412GA "GLF24", arrived at Long Beach Airport (LGB/KLGB) today following a flight from Savannah-Hilton Head International Airport (SAV/KSAV).
(Photos by Michael Carter)
Friday, January 18, 2013
Two Airliners touch at Miami International
Authorities Thursday night were at Miami International Airport investigating a collision between two commercial jets near the gates. No one was injured, but hundreds of passengers onboard one jet were stranded and left in search of a new flight.
The planes sustained damage — one on its wingtip, the other to its tail section, said MIA spokesman Marc Henderson. Several other flights were delayed before authorities moved the planes. Authorities are investigating the cause of the collision.
“Neither plane will be flying tonight,” Henderson said.
About 5:45 p.m., between Concourses J and H, an Aerolineas Argentinas Airbus arrived with 240 passengers onboard, and struck an Air France 777-300 plane readying at the gate to fly to Paris with some 350 passengers onboard.
Both planes were quickly surrounded by rescue units and airport workers on the tarmac.
The passengers arriving from Argentina were allowed off the plane. The passengers on the Air France flight were forced to pick up their luggage and stand in line for hours to reschedule their flights.
Hundreds of passengers were in four lines at the Air France counters. Some shouted at Air France employees, others argued among themselves.
“The first altercation I saw was a group of guys that got fed up with people cutting in front of them,” said Alex Legion, 24, a professional basketball player from Hungary. “The second altercation I saw was when people from business class started to cut the economy line and a lady and a guy got into an argument.”
For passenger Veronica Ramudo, 29, it would have been her first trip to Paris. About two hours after the crash, she had to rescheduled her first trip to Paris for the last week of May.
The Doral Academy teacher said she was walking to her seat 49-F when she felt “like an earthquake was happening.” With one hand, she held her bag and with the other she held on to a chair.
When she reached her seat, an announcement was made in three languages that another plane had hit the Air France flight.
“My husband is coming to pick me up,” Ramudo said. “He will be happy to see me.”
A group of four biology graduate students, a mother and an ecology professor from La Universidad de Valencia in Valencia, Spain had just boarded the Air France flight when the crash occurred.
The group had spent five days at the International Biogeography Society conference at Florida International University and spent a few other days exploring the Everglades and the Florida Keys.
"The plane shook a bit but the hit wasn't strong enough to make it lose stability," Aina Taberner, 29, a student in Valencia said in Spanish, as she stood in line hoping to make “reasonable travel arrangements” to get back home.
“We waited for about 30 minutes before we were asked to get off the plane," said the group’s professor Jose Antonio Gil-Delgado. And he said it took them about an hour to pick up their luggage.
“The plane hadn't even moved from the gate,” Jose Mora, a student, said in Spanish. "No one panicked. The damage was minimal."
The crash, Mora said, was part of their “unique” Miami adventure.
“This is not a very common occurrence,” MIA spokesman Henderson said. “I can’t recall the last time we had planes collide.”
Last month, two commercial aircraft were damaged at Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport when the wingtip of one clipped the tail section of the other, which was parked and out of service.
The planes sustained damage — one on its wingtip, the other to its tail section, said MIA spokesman Marc Henderson. Several other flights were delayed before authorities moved the planes. Authorities are investigating the cause of the collision.
“Neither plane will be flying tonight,” Henderson said.
About 5:45 p.m., between Concourses J and H, an Aerolineas Argentinas Airbus arrived with 240 passengers onboard, and struck an Air France 777-300 plane readying at the gate to fly to Paris with some 350 passengers onboard.
Both planes were quickly surrounded by rescue units and airport workers on the tarmac.
The passengers arriving from Argentina were allowed off the plane. The passengers on the Air France flight were forced to pick up their luggage and stand in line for hours to reschedule their flights.
Hundreds of passengers were in four lines at the Air France counters. Some shouted at Air France employees, others argued among themselves.
“The first altercation I saw was a group of guys that got fed up with people cutting in front of them,” said Alex Legion, 24, a professional basketball player from Hungary. “The second altercation I saw was when people from business class started to cut the economy line and a lady and a guy got into an argument.”
For passenger Veronica Ramudo, 29, it would have been her first trip to Paris. About two hours after the crash, she had to rescheduled her first trip to Paris for the last week of May.
The Doral Academy teacher said she was walking to her seat 49-F when she felt “like an earthquake was happening.” With one hand, she held her bag and with the other she held on to a chair.
When she reached her seat, an announcement was made in three languages that another plane had hit the Air France flight.
“My husband is coming to pick me up,” Ramudo said. “He will be happy to see me.”
A group of four biology graduate students, a mother and an ecology professor from La Universidad de Valencia in Valencia, Spain had just boarded the Air France flight when the crash occurred.
The group had spent five days at the International Biogeography Society conference at Florida International University and spent a few other days exploring the Everglades and the Florida Keys.
"The plane shook a bit but the hit wasn't strong enough to make it lose stability," Aina Taberner, 29, a student in Valencia said in Spanish, as she stood in line hoping to make “reasonable travel arrangements” to get back home.
“We waited for about 30 minutes before we were asked to get off the plane," said the group’s professor Jose Antonio Gil-Delgado. And he said it took them about an hour to pick up their luggage.
“The plane hadn't even moved from the gate,” Jose Mora, a student, said in Spanish. "No one panicked. The damage was minimal."
The crash, Mora said, was part of their “unique” Miami adventure.
“This is not a very common occurrence,” MIA spokesman Henderson said. “I can’t recall the last time we had planes collide.”
Last month, two commercial aircraft were damaged at Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport when the wingtip of one clipped the tail section of the other, which was parked and out of service.
(Andrea Torres and Luisa Yanez - The Miami Herald)
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Breaking News - FAA grounds Boeing 787
Federal officials say they are temporarily grounding Boeing's 787 Dreamliners until the risk of possible battery fires is addressed.
The agency said it will work with Boeing and U.S. air carriers to develop a plan allowing 787s to "resume operations as quickly and safely as possible." United Airlines is the only U.S. carrier with 787s. It has six.
Only days ago, FAA Administrator Michael Huerta and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood declared the plane safe.
The Federal Aviation Administration said Wednesday it will issue an emergency safety order requiring U.S. airlines to temporarily cease operating the 787, Boeing's newest and most technologically advanced plane.
(Photo by Michael Carter)
The agency said it will work with Boeing and U.S. air carriers to develop a plan allowing 787s to "resume operations as quickly and safely as possible." United Airlines is the only U.S. carrier with 787s. It has six.
Only days ago, FAA Administrator Michael Huerta and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood declared the plane safe.
But after an emergency landing in Japan early Wednesday, two Japanese airlines voluntarily grounded their 787s.
The FAA order applies only to U.S. carriers, but aviation authorities in other countries usually follow the lead of the country where the manufacturer is based. Fifty Dreamliners have been delivered in the U.S. and around the world.
(Associated Press)
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Dunes west of LAX to receive restoration
Coastal panel approves permit to restore dunes.
The California Coastal Commission on Thursday approved a development permit that will allow for restoration work to occur in a former residential area west of Los Angeles International Airport.
The permit allows Los Angeles World Airports to pull up roads, retaining walls, foundations, streetlights and other structures that have sat untouched for years on the LAX dunes along Vista del Mar. As the airport grew in the 1960s and '70s, it bought up and knocked down homes in the old Surfridge neighborhood, but left much of the infrastructure in place.
The work will occur within a 48-acre area just south of Rindge Avenue and Napoleon and Waterview streets in Playa del Rey. Within that tract, streets that are most visible to nearby homes and motorists along Vista del Mar will be removed, while some roads will remain for LAWA maintenance purposes. About 6 acres of native vegetation will be planted, and invasive plants will be removed.
The coastal panel approved the plan at its meeting in Pismo Beach.
The California Coastal Commission on Thursday approved a development permit that will allow for restoration work to occur in a former residential area west of Los Angeles International Airport.
The permit allows Los Angeles World Airports to pull up roads, retaining walls, foundations, streetlights and other structures that have sat untouched for years on the LAX dunes along Vista del Mar. As the airport grew in the 1960s and '70s, it bought up and knocked down homes in the old Surfridge neighborhood, but left much of the infrastructure in place.
The work will occur within a 48-acre area just south of Rindge Avenue and Napoleon and Waterview streets in Playa del Rey. Within that tract, streets that are most visible to nearby homes and motorists along Vista del Mar will be removed, while some roads will remain for LAWA maintenance purposes. About 6 acres of native vegetation will be planted, and invasive plants will be removed.
The coastal panel approved the plan at its meeting in Pismo Beach.
(Kristin S. Agostoni - The Daily Breeze)
Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nipon Airways (ANA) ground 787 fleets
Japan's two leading airlines grounded their fleets of Boeing 787s on Wednesday after one of the Dreamliner passenger jets made an emergency landing, heightening safety concerns over a plane many see as the future of commercial aviation.
SMOKE ON BOARD
Flight 692 left Yamaguchi Airport shortly after 8 a.m. local time (6:00 p.m. EST Tuesday), but made an emergency landing in Takamatsu at 8:45 a.m. after smoke appeared in the cockpit, an Osaka airport authority spokesman said.
Boeing spokesman Marc Birtel told Reuters: "We've seen the reports, we're aware of the events and are working with our customer."
The Teal Group's Aboulafi said regulators could ground all 50 of the 787 planes now in service, while airlines may make the decision themselves. "They may want to protect their own brand images," he said.
Last August, Qantas cancelled orders for 35 787-9 aircraft to cut costs after posting a full-year net loss for the first time in 17 years. It still has options and purchase rights for 50 of the planes from 2016. The Jetstar order is for 787-8s, the smaller variant of the wide-body, twin-engine jet.
India's aviation regulator said it was reviewing the Dreamliner's safety. State-owned Air India has six of the aircraft in service and more on order.
Shares of Dreamliner suppliers in Japan came under pressure on Wednesday, with Fuji Heavy Industries, GS Yuasa Corp -- which makes the plane's batteries -- Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, IHI and Toray Industries Inc down between 1.6 percent and 4.2 percent, while the benchmark Nikkei dropped 1.5 percent. ANA shares slipped 0.5 percent.
All Nippon Airways Co said it was grounding all 17 of its 787s and Japan Airlines Co said it was suspending all flights scheduled for departure on Wednesday. The two carriers operate around half of the 50 Dreamliners delivered by Boeing to date.
"I think you're nearing the tipping point where they need to regard this as a serious crisis," said Richard Aboulafia, a senior analyst with the Teal Group in Fairfax, Virginia. "This is going to change people's perception of the aircraft if they don't act quickly."
ANA said instruments on domestic flight 692 to Haneda Airport near Tokyo from Yamaguchi in western Japan indicated a battery error, triggering emergency warnings to the pilots. The carrier said the battery was the same type as one that caused a fire on another Dreamliner at a U.S. airport last week.
All 129 passengers and eight crew were evacuated safely via the plane's inflatable chutes. At a news conference, ANA said a smell was detected in the cockpit and the cabin, and pilots received emergency warning of smoke in the forward electronic compartment.
The incident follows a series of mishaps for the new Dreamliner. The sophisticated plane, the world's first mainly carbon-composite airliner, has suffered fuel leaks, a battery fire, wiring problem, brake computer glitch and cracked cockpit window in recent days alone.
SMOKE ON BOARD
Flight 692 left Yamaguchi Airport shortly after 8 a.m. local time (6:00 p.m. EST Tuesday), but made an emergency landing in Takamatsu at 8:45 a.m. after smoke appeared in the cockpit, an Osaka airport authority spokesman said.
Records of the flight show the plane left 10 minutes after its scheduled departure time for a 65-minute flight, according to flight-tracking website Flightaware.com. About 18 minutes later, at 30,000 feet, it began a descent. It descended to 20,000 feet in about four minutes and landed about 16 minutes later.
Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said five people were slightly injured during the evacuation.Boeing spokesman Marc Birtel told Reuters: "We've seen the reports, we're aware of the events and are working with our customer."
The Teal Group's Aboulafi said regulators could ground all 50 of the 787 planes now in service, while airlines may make the decision themselves. "They may want to protect their own brand images," he said.
Australia's Qantas Airways said its order for 15 Dreamliners remained on track, and its Jetstar subsidiary was due to take delivery of the first of the aircraft in the second half of this year. Qantas declined to comment further on the issues that have plagued the new light, fuel-efficient aircraft.
Last August, Qantas cancelled orders for 35 787-9 aircraft to cut costs after posting a full-year net loss for the first time in 17 years. It still has options and purchase rights for 50 of the planes from 2016. The Jetstar order is for 787-8s, the smaller variant of the wide-body, twin-engine jet.
India's aviation regulator said it was reviewing the Dreamliner's safety. State-owned Air India has six of the aircraft in service and more on order.
Shares of Dreamliner suppliers in Japan came under pressure on Wednesday, with Fuji Heavy Industries, GS Yuasa Corp -- which makes the plane's batteries -- Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, IHI and Toray Industries Inc down between 1.6 percent and 4.2 percent, while the benchmark Nikkei dropped 1.5 percent. ANA shares slipped 0.5 percent.
Japan's transport minister on Tuesday acknowledged that passenger confidence in the Dreamliner was at stake, as both Japan and the United States have opened broad and open-ended investigations into the plane after the recent incidents.
Japanese authorities said on Monday they would investigate fuel leaks on a JAL-operated 787, and the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said later its agents would analyze the lithium-ion battery and burned wire bundles from a fire aboard another JAL 787 at Boston's Logan Airport last week.
The NTSB said via Twitter late on Tuesday that it was gathering information on the ANA flight's emergency landing.
(Mayumi Negishi and Mari Saito - Reuters)
Southwest Airlines to takeover Terminal One at LAX
Southwest Airlines and Los Angeles International Airport will fund about $400
million in Terminal 1 improvements under a plan approved Monday by the Board of
Airport Commissioners.
According to the terms of the project, which must be approved by the Los Angeles City Council, Southwest will build a new checked baggage security system, improve passenger security checkpoints, refresh passenger waiting areas, refurbish the baggage claim area, construct new passenger boarding bridges and renovate the terminal lobby.
Though Southwest will lead the renovation, Los Angeles World Airports will eventually fund the bulk of the upgrades, either by giving the airline rent credits or by paying it a lump sum, according to a report written for the board by airport staff.
About $16 million of the renovations will be considered Southwest proprietary improvements and will be absorbed by the airline, documents show. Some security improvements likely will be eligible for federal grants.
"Obviously, Terminal 1 is pretty dog-eared," said Gina Marie Lindsey, executive director of Los Angeles World Airports. "I want to manage expectations here. While $400 million is a lot of money, it doesn't result in a brand new, sparkling, gleaming, terminal. But it will make some very important functional improvements."
Southwest spokeswoman Michelle Agnew said it is too early for airline officials to discuss improvement plans but confirmed the process has begun.
"It does look to be about a $400 million project to renovate Terminal 1 at LAX," Agnew said. "But the city still needs to approve it. We don't want to jump too far ahead, so for now we don't have anything else to share."
Once the lease is signed, Southwest will drop all outstanding legal claims against Los Angeles World Airports, Lindsey said. One ongoing claim involves a 2007 change in how the airport calculates what it charges Southwest for space.
The airline had filed an administrative complaint with the U.S. Department of Transportation. As long as the renovation goes forward, Southwest's new lease will last until June 30, 2024. In the first year, Southwest will pay about $9.5 million in rent, according to airport documents.
The size of future payments will be determined later, documents show. As part of the project, US Airways will move to Terminal 3, giving Southwest its own building. Henry Harteveldt, a San Francisco-based travel industry consultant at Hudson Crossing, said travelers should cheer the news.
He said that the current Terminal 1, while adequate for most travelers, is a bit outdated compared to many modern airports. "Passengers now spend more time at the airport because they have to get there early to clear security," he said. "Once they are through security, you want to make sure it's a pleasant and productive environment for travel. You have to have gate areas with work space and the right mix of food and beverage outlets."
According to the terms of the project, which must be approved by the Los Angeles City Council, Southwest will build a new checked baggage security system, improve passenger security checkpoints, refresh passenger waiting areas, refurbish the baggage claim area, construct new passenger boarding bridges and renovate the terminal lobby.
Though Southwest will lead the renovation, Los Angeles World Airports will eventually fund the bulk of the upgrades, either by giving the airline rent credits or by paying it a lump sum, according to a report written for the board by airport staff.
About $16 million of the renovations will be considered Southwest proprietary improvements and will be absorbed by the airline, documents show. Some security improvements likely will be eligible for federal grants.
"Obviously, Terminal 1 is pretty dog-eared," said Gina Marie Lindsey, executive director of Los Angeles World Airports. "I want to manage expectations here. While $400 million is a lot of money, it doesn't result in a brand new, sparkling, gleaming, terminal. But it will make some very important functional improvements."
Southwest spokeswoman Michelle Agnew said it is too early for airline officials to discuss improvement plans but confirmed the process has begun.
"It does look to be about a $400 million project to renovate Terminal 1 at LAX," Agnew said. "But the city still needs to approve it. We don't want to jump too far ahead, so for now we don't have anything else to share."
Once the lease is signed, Southwest will drop all outstanding legal claims against Los Angeles World Airports, Lindsey said. One ongoing claim involves a 2007 change in how the airport calculates what it charges Southwest for space.
The airline had filed an administrative complaint with the U.S. Department of Transportation. As long as the renovation goes forward, Southwest's new lease will last until June 30, 2024. In the first year, Southwest will pay about $9.5 million in rent, according to airport documents.
The size of future payments will be determined later, documents show. As part of the project, US Airways will move to Terminal 3, giving Southwest its own building. Henry Harteveldt, a San Francisco-based travel industry consultant at Hudson Crossing, said travelers should cheer the news.
He said that the current Terminal 1, while adequate for most travelers, is a bit outdated compared to many modern airports. "Passengers now spend more time at the airport because they have to get there early to clear security," he said. "Once they are through security, you want to make sure it's a pleasant and productive environment for travel. You have to have gate areas with work space and the right mix of food and beverage outlets."
(Brian Sumers
- The Daily Breeze)
New USAF C-17A on the flight ramp at Long Beach Airport
USAF C-17A (P-219) 10-0219 "McChord AFB" is captured resting on the production (flight) ramp at Long Beach Airport (LGB/KLGB) on January 15, 2013.
(Photo by Michael Carter)
New G550 arrives at Long Beach Airport from Savannah
Short final to Rwy 30.
Taxies to parking at the Gulfstream Service Center.
G550 (c/n 5411) N311GA arrived this morning at 10:30 pst from Savannah-Hilton Head International Airport (SAV/KSAV).
(Photos by Michael Carter)
Monday, January 14, 2013
LOT Polish Airlines studies possible a/c fleet and staff cutbacks
LOT Polish Airlines received a $127 million emergency government loan last month in a bid to continue operations. The Polish government, 93% majority owner, plans to reduce the size of the flag carrier, hoping to make the company profitable again.
A Wall Street Journal Europe report, which quoted a cabinet minister just days after the airline received the state loan, said it would shed more assets to keep operating. However, Poland Prime Minister Donald Tusk had said earlier the government would not try to save LOT at any price.
The financially troubled carrier plans to cut staff numbers by 30% and reduce its fleet from 40 to 25 aircraft, returning them to leasing companies.
A LOT management source in Warsaw told ATW: “I can’t say anything about the fact that LOT has to shrink, but the ministry of treasury will tell us what will happen. I expect an announcement in the next days.”
LOT’s passenger numbers fell 20% in the 2012 fourth quarter, leaving LOT with a year-end deficit of PLN200 million ($64.9 million). LOT lost about PLN145 million in 2011 and PLN163 million in 2010.
The Star Alliance member has been looking for potential investors for years without success.
LOT, which is the first European Boeing 787 customer, has taken delivery of the first of two of the type. The Dreamliner flies to Prague and will launch Warsaw-Chicago scheduled services Jan. 16. By the end of March, five 787s are expected to join the fleet.
LOT sales director Tomasz Dakowski told ATW last month the carrier will phase out its last three 737-400s and 767 aircraft. LOT’s final 767 flight will launch March 3.
A Wall Street Journal Europe report, which quoted a cabinet minister just days after the airline received the state loan, said it would shed more assets to keep operating. However, Poland Prime Minister Donald Tusk had said earlier the government would not try to save LOT at any price.
The financially troubled carrier plans to cut staff numbers by 30% and reduce its fleet from 40 to 25 aircraft, returning them to leasing companies.
A LOT management source in Warsaw told ATW: “I can’t say anything about the fact that LOT has to shrink, but the ministry of treasury will tell us what will happen. I expect an announcement in the next days.”
LOT’s passenger numbers fell 20% in the 2012 fourth quarter, leaving LOT with a year-end deficit of PLN200 million ($64.9 million). LOT lost about PLN145 million in 2011 and PLN163 million in 2010.
The Star Alliance member has been looking for potential investors for years without success.
LOT, which is the first European Boeing 787 customer, has taken delivery of the first of two of the type. The Dreamliner flies to Prague and will launch Warsaw-Chicago scheduled services Jan. 16. By the end of March, five 787s are expected to join the fleet.
LOT sales director Tomasz Dakowski told ATW last month the carrier will phase out its last three 737-400s and 767 aircraft. LOT’s final 767 flight will launch March 3.
(Kurt Hofmann - ATWOnline News)
JAL 787 APU battery to be taken apart by NTSB
The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said it has moved materials from the Japan Airlines Boeing 787 that caught fire last week from Boston to Washington DC for detailed examination.
The board said it has transported the burned battery believed to have started last week’s fire at Boston Logan Airport to its labs. The 32-volt lithium-ion battery is used to start the 787’s auxiliary power unit (APU). “The battery is currently being examined by NTSB investigators, who plan to disassemble it this week,” the safety board said.
The NTSB did not provide further details on the fire or its cause.
It said radiographic examinations of the battery have been conducted, enabling investigators to “document the internal condition of the battery prior to disassembling it.” The 787 is the first Boeing aircraft to use a lithium-ion battery.
In addition, NTSB investigators “took possession of burned wire bundles, the APU battery charger and several memory modules,” the board said. “The maintenance and APU controller memory modules will be downloaded to obtain any available data. Investigators also documented the entire aft electronics bay including the APU battery and the nearby affected structure where components and wire bundles were located.”
The aircraft’s flight data and cockpit voice recorders have also been transported to NTSB headquarters for analysis.
The board said it has transported the burned battery believed to have started last week’s fire at Boston Logan Airport to its labs. The 32-volt lithium-ion battery is used to start the 787’s auxiliary power unit (APU). “The battery is currently being examined by NTSB investigators, who plan to disassemble it this week,” the safety board said.
The NTSB did not provide further details on the fire or its cause.
It said radiographic examinations of the battery have been conducted, enabling investigators to “document the internal condition of the battery prior to disassembling it.” The 787 is the first Boeing aircraft to use a lithium-ion battery.
In addition, NTSB investigators “took possession of burned wire bundles, the APU battery charger and several memory modules,” the board said. “The maintenance and APU controller memory modules will be downloaded to obtain any available data. Investigators also documented the entire aft electronics bay including the APU battery and the nearby affected structure where components and wire bundles were located.”
The aircraft’s flight data and cockpit voice recorders have also been transported to NTSB headquarters for analysis.
(Aaron Karp - ATWOnline News)
Saturday, January 12, 2013
First Indian Air Force C-17A gets airbourne
Taxies on "Lima" towards a Rwy 30 departure.
Short final to Rwy 30.
The first Indian Air Force (IAF) C-17A (P-253) CB-8001 took to the skies for a pre-delivery test sortie from Long Beach Airport (LGB/KLGB) on January 11, 2013..
(Photos by Michael Carter)
Thursday, January 10, 2013
"All Blacks"passes thru LAX
Air New Zealand 777-319(ER) (40689/984) ZK-OKQ "All Blacks" climbs from Rwy 24L at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX/KLAX) on January 10, 2013 bound for London-Heathrow.
(Photo by Michael Carter)
Dreamliner no more!
China Airlines 747-409 (33734/1353) B-18210 climbs from Rwy 25R at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX/KLAX) bound for Taiwan. This aircraft used to wear the Boeing "Dreamliner" livery but has now been repainted into the carriers standard livery.
(Photo by Michael Carter)
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
New G550 takes off at Long Beach
G550 (c/n 5396) N596GA tbr N550DV taxies on "delta" towards a Rwy 30 departure at Long Beach Airport (LGB/KLGB) on January 7, 2013 as "GLF09."
(Photo by Michael Carter)
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Aero Pacific Flightlines Update
Hello All,
I wanted to update everyone in regards to my blog site. During the past two days I have not been able to upload photos due to an issue with the Blog host site. The company is aware of the problem as a number of other bloggers are experiencing the same trouble.
Hopefully they will get this issue resolved quickly as I have lots of new photos to share with you.......please join me in being patient.
Michael Carter
Aero Pacific Flightlines
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
LAN launches 787-8 service from LAX
LAN 787-8 (38472/80) CC-BBC departs Los Angeles International Airport (LAX/KLAX) as "LAN603" on the inagural 787-8 service to Comodoro Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport (SCL/SCEL) Santiago, Chile at 14:56 pst.
(Photos by Michael Carter)
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