UAV surveillance in Great Lakes Region

US Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) Office of Air and Marine announced that it concluded surveillance operations along the U.S. side of the border of Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence Seaway, and the border of New York and Ontario on June 25, 2009. CBP currently has six Predator Bs providing border security surveillance capacity with superior optical equipment and great persistence.

On June 20th, UAVs from North Dakota and Arizona were launched and executed law enforcement missions within their respective airspace. And so UAVs are slowly taking over from other assets. With 20 hour loiter time, CBP expects to increase its efficiency and do its job better.

In other news --

• After all that - BA blinks
• Chinese consolidation
• AUA is German for ouch
• US DOT approves Continental for Star Alliance

Subscribe to over 3,800 (and growing) analysis and opinion posts behind the headlines at Blackprogram

London City Airport to increase flights by 50%

London City Airport has been given the green light by the local council to raise its flights from 80,000 to 120,000 by the end of next year. The expansion is expected to generate £26m for the local economy as well as creating of 957 jobs.

The Borough of Newham said it had agreed to the 50 percent increase in the number of flights, despite objections from environmentalists over the increase in volume of greenhouse gases. Newham Council originally agreed to the expansion in October, but decided to reconsider after objections by Friends of the Earth. They sought to overturn the decision arguing that it would increase air pollution and impact upon the local population.

Jenny Bates, one of Friends of the Earth’s London campaigners, said: “It’s just completely the wrong way to go - from a climate point of view and in terms of noise and pollution for the locals. It’s right in the middle of London and air quality is a big issue in the city,”.

A spokeswoman for Newham council said that early morning flights will not be increased and that there would be strict restrictions on night and weekend operations. The expansion will be in place for the 2012 Olympic Games – the site is only two miles from the airport.

A record 3.2m passengers used the airport last year, a 12% increase on 2007. But numbers could be considerably lower in 2009 after a 20% decline in the first half. Two thirds of the airport’s passengers are on business trips compared to 44% at Heathrow. In September, BA will begin flying from City to New York, the first non-European flight to be operated from the airport.

In other news --

• B-52 gets another job
• Alaska demonstrates to power & attraction of ancillary revenues
• Iberia's new chairman
• Tanker premium podcast

Subscribe to over 3,800 (and growing) analysis and opinion posts behind the headlines at Blackprogram

Alaska tries RNP

Alaska said it’s testing new flight procedures at Sea-Tac that could save it millions of gallons of fuel each year and provide quieter landings. Alaska is testing landing procedures using a satellite guidance technology called required navigation performance, or RNP. According to the airline the technology allows planes to “descend more efficiently and reduce aircraft fuel consumption, emissions and noise in the Puget Sound region.”

Alaska hopes to obtain FAA approval for the system, which would also be used by sister airline Horizon Air, by next year. Alaska says the system could cut its fuel consumption by 2.1m gallons/year, reduce carbon emissions by 22,000mt and reduce landing noise created by its planes. Really a win-win you might say.

In other news --

• Etihad cancels A346
• Another sign of a bottom
• The odd couple - Delta & V Australia?

Subscribe to over 3,800 (and growing) analysis and opinion posts behind the headlines at Blackprogram

Here's a weird one

So, what does one make of this? It would seem there has been something of a falling out between Embraer and Tassili. Seems the Brazilians won and had the goal posts moved. They correctly demurred and lost the deal. The airline is not being too bright here - they should have kept Embraer in the race and used them to force the other player to bend. Now they have one less player in the game, the airline looks decidedly less than smart.
---------------------
COMMUNIQUÉ
São José dos Campos, July 8, 2009 – Regarding the recent news involving Embraer and Tassili Airlines, from Algeria, the Company makes the following clarification:

- The information stating that Embraer had been selected to supply three EMBRAER 190 aircraft, covering materials and associated services, was released in Algeria, on July 6, by the Evaluating Commission of the International Public Bidding Contest of Tassili Airlines;

- Yesterday, July 7, Embraer’s team in Argelia was contacted by representatives of Tassili Airlines, requesting a change in specific conditions of the proposal presented and evaluated in the process of the public bidding contest by the Commission on July 6;

- Since it did not agree to the requested changes, Embraer was disqualified from the public bid.

In other news --

• More June traffic numbers
• Its two years today - time flies but not the 787
• Mad at France? Threaten Airbus
• easyJet to Israel

Subscribe to over 3,800 (and growing) analysis and opinion posts behind the headlines at Blackprogram

Panic starts to set in with Boeing's move on Vought

You might think of the reaction to the 787 news as the first sign of panic in Washington state. For years unions have kicked Boeing. Organized labor treated the firm as a milk cow to be used and abused. Voters in the state repeatedly elected people who would attempt to protect Boeing (Sen Murray is a prime example), but made sure these elected officials were labor friendly even as Boeing was given tax benefits. The room to move has become tighter and tighter. As Scott Hamilton has been saying for a long time, Boeing's future is outside the Puget Sound area.

Welcome to the future. This just in:
----------------
Breaking News from The Aerospace Futures Alliance

Greetings!

Below, please find a copy of The Boeing Company News Release announcing the purchase of Vought Operations in South Carolina. While this is not a final decision by The Boeing Co. regarding production of the 787 second line it should register a loud wake up call for all of us.

It is time for business, community leaders, labor and government to unite efforts to keep production of the 787 second line in Washington State.

It is time for all of us to pull together and create a competitive environment to promote and enhance Washington's aerospace industry.

It will take all of us and we must act now!

Please feel free to contact me with any questions by email lindal@afa-wa.com or phone 206-465-3215.

Thank you,

Linda Lanham
Executive Director
Aerospace Futures Alliance
---------------------------------------
News Release

Boeing Commercial Airplanes
P.O. Box 3707 MC 21-70
Seattle, WA 98124-2207
www.boeing.com

Boeing Announces Agreement to Acquire Vought Operations in South Carolina -- Accelerates productivity and efficiency within 787 supply chain -- Bolsters Boeing capability to develop and produce large composite structures -- Vought continues relationship with Boeing on range of programs

SEATTLE, July 7, 2009 - The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] announced today that it has agreed to acquire the business and operations conducted by Vought Aircraft Industries at its South Carolina facility, where Vought builds a key structure for Boeing's 787 Dreamliner airplane.

The Vought facility, located in North Charleston, performs fabrication, and assembly of structures and systems installation of 787 aft-fuselage sections, which are made primarily of composite materials. After the transaction, Vought will continue its work on many Boeing programs including other components of the 787, as well as structures and components on the 737, 747, 767, 777, C-17, and V-22 through operations located elsewhere.

"Integrating this facility and its talented employees into Boeing will strengthen the 787 program by enabling us to accelerate productivity and efficiency improvements as we move toward production ramp-up," said Scott Carson, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "In addition, it will bolster our capability to develop and produce large composite structures that will contribute to the advancement of this critical technology."

"We take great pride knowing that we have been able to satisfy the technological and physical demands of the 787 program alongside much larger companies, " said Elmer Doty, president and CEO of Vought Aircraft Industries. "However, the financial demands of this program are clearly growing beyond what a company our size can support. We are pleased that we will continue our 787 involvement at a component manufacturing level, as well as provide on-going technical capabilities that have helped make Charleston a world-class composite facility."

Through the agreement, Boeing will acquire, among other things, the facility, assets and inventory as well as assume operation of the site, and the parties will resolve all matters related to Vought's prior work on the 787 program. The cash consideration to be paid to Vought at closing is approximately $580M. In addition, Boeing will release Vought from its obligations to repay amounts previously advanced by Boeing. Separately, Boeing entered into new agreements with Vought for work packages on the 737, 777 and 787.

This transaction is anticipated to close in the third quarter following satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including consent from Vought's lenders.

Once acquired, the North Charleston facility will be managed by the 787 Program. "We look forward to welcoming the South Carolina team to Boeing and continuing our relationship with Vought to bring the most value to the 787 and our other programs," said Carson.

In other news --

• In-flight refueling for UAVs coming soon
• Saudia Arabia's Royal Jet
• June traffic numbers trickle in
• Lufthansa to cut deeper

Subscribe to over 3,800 (and growing) analysis and opinion posts behind the headlines at Blackprogram

Standing room only for Ryanair?

MOL is considering plans for passengers to stand during flights so more people can be squeezed in. MOL says he is in talks with Boeing about designing an aircraft with standing room. Standing ticket holders would perch on bar-style stools with seatbelts around their waists. Ryanair estimates it would be able to pack in 50% more passengers and cut costs by 20%. If given the go-ahead by the Irish Aviation Authority, the airline plans to order a new fleet of jets. Not sure if this is from Airbus or Boeing - as that game may still be ongoing. China’s Spring Airlines initiated the standing idea earlier this year. The airline has been trying to cope with surging passenger numbers and new flight routes, but only has 13 planes. The announcement from Ryanair follows a series of new cost-cutting measures it plans to roll out including making passengers carry all their own luggage up to planes, and charging £1 to use the toilet.

In other news --

• C-5A bids adieu
• Ryanair traffic keeps growing
• BA backs away from A380 deliveries; staff grow antsy
• AeroMobile now certified on six aircraft

Subscribe to over 3,800 (and growing) analysis and opinion posts behind the headlines at Blackprogram

Airbus vs. Ashton Kucher & Twitter

Some background is useful, so start here. Mr Kucher is an actor. However his primary claim to fame may be his wife. He can make another claim – he was the first person on Twitter to reach 1 million followers. As of this writing Mr Kucher has over 2.5 million Twitter followers.

However what makes him worthy of attention is his note to his Twitter followers – “"A 30 year vetran pilot recommended 2 me that I dont ride on an airbus until they prove that the composite tail is not creating ths accidents." His exact words – you don’t need to know how to spell to be an actor. Think this is unfair? Then make your own assessment.

What is more, we know nothing of the “30 year vetran” pilot (sic). The unfortunate thing is this – he has over 2.5 million people who actually think this man has something useful to say. Now perhaps he does – but in the context of commercial aviation and travel, he clearly lacks credibility. Seriously lacks credibility. If these comments came from John Travolta, another actor, but one who knows the business of flying, well then we should all sit up and pay attention.

The power of Twitter is its ability to disseminate information instantly to a very wide audience. In some ways it is becoming the primary source of news for millions of people – its 43 employees run a system that has something like 6 million users (no official number is released), but credible Alexa ranks this as the world’s 27th busiest website. Now think of the impact Mr Kucher brings. It’s pretty scary actually. Scarier than flying anything.

As of this writing, Airbus has not responded. Nor would they in all likelihood. But the challenge is clear – Airbus has been tarnished by two unrelated accidents. The Internet has seen lots of conspiracy theories. The fact is that Airbus’ planes are certified by every appropriate agency as safe to fly and its planes carry thousands of people around the world safely daily (even Mr Kucher). If people start to question the safety of Airbus’ planes, the whole aviation business is hammered -from national safety agencies on down.

The truth is that any hysteria about travel safety is bad for the travel industry, which does not need this sort of misinformed attention. Flying is assumed to be safe because it is. It is safer than any other form of transportation. It’s too bad that people can mouth off without a safety license and be listened to without protection.

In other news --

• End of an era - Lufthansa bids A300 farewell
• Airbus launches initiative to reinforce flight data recovery capability
• ANA steps up 787 order
• Germans move into bmi

Subscribe to over 3,800 (and growing) analysis and opinion posts behind the headlines at Blackprogram

The Class of '65

The conspiracy theorists will love this. It sure was a good year.

Go to the alumni database of Ecole Polytechnique and there you find four special names among the graduates of Class 1965:

1. Noël Forgeard (formerly Airbus, stepped down due internal stock trading scandal)
2. Claude Lelaie, currently chief of flight test at Airbus
3. Paul-Louis Arslanian, chief of BEA (AF447 accident investigator)
4. Pierre-Henri Gourgeon, Current Air France CEO, after having been at the head of DGCA (the regulatory body)

In other news --

• BA and Unions break up
• Lawyers threaten to ground Airbus longhaul fleet - The AA DC10 nightmare all over again?
• Strange IPs
• 787 program costs to rise sharply

Subscribe to over 3,800 (and growing) analysis and opinion posts behind the headlines at Blackprogram

1Q09 score -$3bn

Global airlines lost more than $3bn in 1Q09 IATA said today, maintaining its estimate for full-year losses of $9bn. In its latest industry snapshot IATA says weak travel demand and lower freight volumes in the global recession bled revenues for major carriers, in "a significant deterioration from last year."

"This deterioration was before the recent rise in fuel prices," IATA said, warning the 30% increase in jet fuel prices since early May is squeezing airline cash flows further. Both oil and jet fuel prices have risen almost $20/barrel in the past two months, and are already 75% higher than the low point at the end of 2008, the IATA Financial Monitor reports. But it said it was not changing its previous 2009 loss forecast of $9bn, which follows revised 2008 losses of $10.4bn. Take a listen to Perry Flint's podcast this month on the fundamental change in air travel demand to get a better idea of how serious this is.

Leading airlines are seeking mergers and acquisitions to build scale and shield themselves against continued market weakness until the global economy recovers. Its not like this solution is a guarantee of success either.

In other news --

• OnAir demo's powerful stuff
• Travel with Nepal
• EU to accept Garuda?
• Another crash

Subscribe to over 3,800 (and growing) analysis and opinion posts behind the headlines at Blackprogram

Wind Jet to London Luton

London Luton Airport announced that Wind Jet will begin flights to Forli, Italy on 2 July 2009. Who?

The Italian airline will expand Luton's route network into Italy with twice/weekly services to/from Forli. Offering low fares and flying an A320, Wind Jet plans its Luton flights to be a resounding success.

Flying to Forli provides access to destinations such as Ravenna, Rimini and San Marino. Luton flights to Forli are timed to provide onward flight connections to both Catania and Palermo in Sicily.

In other news --

• Southwest begins LGA service
• EU might delay Lufthansa/Austrian deal
• Another T5 baggage glitch
• EU airlines and travel insurance sales

Subscribe to over 3,800 (and growing) analysis and opinion posts behind the headlines at Blackprogram