Travels And Aviation NEWS: February 2011

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Report: Air Force to name $35B tanker winner

The long-awaited decision of which company will land the massive $35 billion KC-X U.S. Air Force tanker deal is expected to come as early as next week, according to a report from Aviation Week.
The Boeing Co. and the European Aeronautic Defense and Space Co., the European parent of Airbus, are the two remaining bidders in the Air Force's nearly decade-long attempt to begin building a new refueling tanker.
The Wall Street Journal is reporting that the Air Force will award the deal to a consortium that includes Airbus and Northrop Grumman Corp. (NYSE: NOC).
Lexington Group defense analyst Loren Thompson says EADS will win. However, Teal Group analyst Richard Aboulafia says the contest has become so politicized that the only way out is a joint-buy contract.
And with that announcement, the Air Force is ready for protests from the loser.
"We have assumed that there might be a protest," Air Force Secretary Michael Donley said in the report. "We have taken a lot of care and time. ... To document all of the necessary aspects of our source selection."
It's been a contentious battle, complete with verbal sparring from elected officials regarding government subsidies, changing alliances, a document mix-up that may have shown Boeing the writing on the wall and an advertising war playing out in trade magazines.
The Aeronautical Systems Center, based at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, is working with the U.S. Department of Defense to manage the competition for the new refueling tanker program. Both Boeing and Airbus have offices in the Dayton region that service Wright-Patt.

2. Boeing gives $5M to Air Force museum in Ohio
DAYTON, Ohio — The National Museum of the United States Air Force in Ohio says a major expansion project has received a $5 million boost from Boeing.

Museum officials announcing the aircraft maker's gift on Thursday said it will go toward construction of a new, 200,000-square-foot building at the museum near Dayton in southwest Ohio. The building will be the museum's fourth and will house its collection of presidential aircraft and a space exhibit. The institution is hoping to land a retired space shuttle.

Boeing Vice President Chris Raymond said in a statement that the company is committed to helping the Air Force share its stories and lessons.

Construction on the new museum building is scheduled to begin in 2013, followed by an opening in 2014.

3. 3 Boeing 767s on order for Chile

Chilean airline LAN has ordered three more Boeing 767s for its international fleet. At list prices, the order is worth $510 million.

That raises the total of unfilled orders for the 767 to 52. Boeing also reported Thursday that it had received orders for four more 777s from an unidentified buyers.

Boeing has been building the 767 since 1982 at the company’s Everett plant. LAN has 26 767s in its fleet.

4.

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Up Close and Personal with the Boeing 747-400 Dreamlifter

Boeing 747-400 Dreamlifter (N747BC) parked next to the Future of Flight at Paine Field.

During our TweetUp at the Future of Flight last Sunday, we all had the opportunity to get a close look at one of the Boeing 747-400 Dreamlifters. Off and on during the last few months there has been a Dreamlifter parked next to the Future of Flight, which provides folks with a closer view.

I have been under a Boeing 747-400 on the tarmac a few times and even been pretty close to the Dreamlifter, but neither compare to walking under and around one. The aircraft has such odd shapes and it seemed every angle provided an interesting photo.

On one side of the 747, was a parked Cessna 172. You can imagine that the Cessna looked quite small compared to the much larger Dreamlifter. On the other side of the Dreamlifter were five 787 Dreamliners. Someone remarked how small the 787′s looked compared to the Dreamlifter. I started to remark “yea you could fit one in the Dreamlifter,” when I realized the humor in that statement — they do fit in the Dreamlifter.

The Dreamlifter is used to transport Boeing 787 Dreamliner parts from around the world. The first Dreamlifter flew on August 17, 2006 and there is currently a fleet of four, which are all operated by Atlas Air.

This is one unique and interesting aircraft to say the least. Even if you can’t get under one on any given day, there is always a good chance you will find one parked at Paine Field or possibly taking off.

MORE PHOTOS:

* See rest of my photos of the Dreamlifter

* A few more photos from Jeremy with NYCAviation

* 16 photos from (@TxAgFlyer)

NEHA JAIN

International Airlines Training Expo

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Royal Jet to enter India’s fast growing luxury private aviation industry

1.
Abu Dhabi-based luxury aviation services Royal Jet is making intensified efforts to enter the fast growing private aviation sector in India at the Indian Business Aviation Expo (IBAE).

2.Briefly Business

Mahindra offers to resign from Nacil board
New Delhi: Mahindra & Mahindra vice-chairman Anand Mahindra on Monday offered to resign from the board of Nacil that runs state-owned carrier Air India, citing conflict of interest. In a letter to civil aviation minister Vayalar Ravi, he sought permission to step down from the board of National Aviation Company of India Ltd (NACIL). “The recently concluded Aero-India 2011 at Bangalore has thrown up business opportunities for my company Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd, which was a potential conflict of interest and thereby throw up questions of good board practice. Hence my request,” the letter said.

Insurance M&A norms to be out soon: Irda
Mumbai: The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (Irda) will come out with guidelines for mergers and acquisitions for the industry over the next two-three months, while the IPO norms will be out in the next 15-20 days, a senior Irda official said today. “We have been examining the pros and cons of the mergers and acquisitions in the industry and we are sure to come out with the final guidelines within the next two to three months,” Irda Member (Actuaries) R Kannan told reporters.

2. Who is really running Air India?

NEHA JAIN

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At Phuket City Police Station, four youths held over motorcycle theft

1. Christchurch earthquake grounds air travellers
TRANSPORT in and around New Zealand was disrupted by the Christchurch earthquake after air traffic control shut down air space.

QANTAS, Virgin Blue and Jestar said they did not have planes on the ground in Christchurch but several en-route aircraft were diverted.

A temporary shut-down of New Zealand air traffic control meant planes in other centres were delayed.

Jetstar diverted a trans-Tasman flight to Hobart and another was diverted to Auckland.

The airline bases four aircraft in Christchurch and has more 100 directly employed staff and contractors in the city.

It said it was progressively contacting the workers.

``We'll work though what we need to do,'' spokesman Simon Westaway said.

``Christchurch Airport is currently closed and we haven't got advice on when it will re-open.''

Mr Westaway said air traffic control restrictions meant Jetstar operations in New Zealand had been grounded but it was hopefully of re-instating some flights later today and was also hopeful of operating trans-Tasman flights to Auckland.

He said the airline would provide full flexibility on refunds, cancellations and changes for affected flights..

Virgin Blue said a Melbourne-Christchurch aircraft was diverted to Auckland and the airline would not be resuming flights to C until it received further information about the runway, infrastructure and electricity at the airport.

Virgin Blue group executive operations Sean Donohue said passengers the affected flight would be accommodated there until the situation was clarified in Christchurch.

Mr. Donohue said passengers holding reservations for travel today and tomorrow were encouraged to go to the Virgin Blue website www.virginblue.com.au for updates and information regarding the airline's flexible travel policies.

Qantas said one flight had been diverted to Wellington and would be returning to Sydney.

A spokesman said a Melbourne-bound flight had departed Auckland and the airline was also intending to operate to the reverse leg later today.

2. Killer Quake Rocks NZ; Phuket Short of Police; Woman Wants AirAsia; Crashes Mar Phuket Storm

A major earthquake in the New Zealand city of Christchurch has left at least 65 people dead, hundreds more injured and toppled buildings in what the prime minister has described as "New Zealand's darkest day".

wsj.com Police said that multiple fatalities have been reported in several parts of the city, including two buses being crushed by falling masonry.

3. Pinnacle Airlines Corp. Releases January Performance Data
MEMPHIS, Tenn., Feb. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Pinnacle Airlines Corp. (Nasdaq: PNCL) today released capacity and operational results for its subsidiaries for January 2011.

January 2011 Performance

2011*

2010*

Change
Passengers
1,372,069

962,463

43%
Available Seat Miles (000)
961,919

569,468

69%
Revenue Passenger Miles (000)
623,513

380,591

64%
Load Factor
64.8%

66.8%

   (2) pts.
Block Hours
69,408

45,736

52%
Departures
42,588

30,524

40%
Stage Length
431

372

16%

Fleet

   CRJ-200
145

124

17%
   CRJ-900
57

16

256%
   Q400
26

14

86%
   SAAB 340
59

34

74%

*Pinnacle acquired Mesaba on July 1, 2010

About Pinnacle Airlines Corp.

Pinnacle Airlines Corp. (Nasdaq: PNCL), a $1 billion airline holding company with 7,700 employees, is the parent company of Pinnacle Airlines, Inc.; Mesaba Aviation, Inc.; and Colgan Air, Inc. Flying as Delta Connection, United Express and US Airways Express, Pinnacle Airlines Corp. operating subsidiaries operate 202 regional jets and 83 turboprops on more than 1,500 daily flights to 196 cities and towns in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Belize. Corporate offices are located in Memphis, Tenn., and hub operations are located at 11 major U.S. airports

NEHA JAIN

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1. Cebu Pacific seeks partnership with flight training schools
Fe
MANILA, Philippines – Cebu Pacific is seeking partnerships with flight training institutions approved by Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).

After the success of CEB’s grand recruitment event last February 11, the airline announced another innovative way to source high quality personnel for its growing workforce by creating a sustainable crew resource program.

Cebu Pacific opens the doors for partnerships with quality flight training organizations. According to CAAP, there are approximately 50 registered flight training institutions in Clark, Subic, Pasay, Bacolod, Zambales, Lapu-Lapu, and Manila, among others.

“We encourage the leading flight training organizations from all over the Philippines to develop competitive proposals and send them to Cebu Pacific so we can forge a partnership with them. This will help their students secure employment with Cebu Pacific after graduation,” said CEB VP for marketing and distribution Candice Iyog.

Interested flight training institutions should contact CEB’s Special Projects Office for a request for tender document.

“As the country’s largest airline, CEB continues to find innovative ways to support its growing workforce. This will deepen our pool of technical experts in various airline functions and ensure that CEB strengthens its high-quality value proposition to its passengers.” Iyog said.

Iyog added that this is a win-win situation for both the flight training organization and the airline. “CEB looks forward to welcoming even more qualified individuals into the CEB family, as we take delivery of more brand-new Airbus A320 aircraft."

The airline has already received four brand-new Airbus A320 from October 2010 to January 2011. By the end of 2011, CEB will be operating a fleet of 37 aircraft with an average age of less than 2.5 years one of the most modern aircraft fleets in the world. Between 2012 and 2014, Cebu Pacific will take an additional 16 Airbus A320 aircraft. (EHL).

2. Mt. Bulusan now a 'no fly zone': CAAP
MANILA, Philippines - The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) on Monday making the vicinity of Mt. Bulusan in Sorsogon Province a "no fly zone."

CAAP Director General Ramon Gutierrez confirmed the issuance of the NOTAM and said they will issue updates accordingly as the condition of Mt. Bulusan changes.

The NOTAM informs pilots about the volcanic eruption in the area so they can avoid the area and prevent the possible ingestion of ash in its engines which can be fatal.

The NOTAM was issued just before noon Monday following the eruption of the volcano Sunday morning.

The volcano erupted a thick column of ash that has risen to over 3,000 meters from the crater creating a danger to passenger airplanes.

3. Air Philippines restructures

Air Philippines Corp., the low-cost airline owned by beer and tobacco tycoon Lucio Tan, will restructure its equity to improve business operations and address the long-term viability of the company.

Air Philippines, which operates Airphil Express, said in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission that it will use the firm’s additional paid-in capital worth P6.1 billion to partially wipe out a deficit that stood at P6.8 billion as of end September 2010.

Air Philippines said the company also planned to generate additional revenues and reduce operating cost to boost operations.

It said it planned to tap the credit and capital markets to finance the equity restructuring, change fleet type to suit core markets and reduce manpower and overhead costs.

Air Philippines lost P941 million in the first nine months of 2010, up from the loss of P687 million posted in the same period last year, due to higher expenses.

Revenues totaled P1.9 billion, up 35 percent from P1.42 billion on year on higher passenger and cargo revenues. Expenses grew 31 percent to P2.9 billion from P2.2 billion on year.

Air Philippines said last year it was allotting $250 million for fleet expansion in two-and-a-half years and planned to add 18 Airbus 320 until 2012 to compete in the local aviation industry.

It said it would finance the fleet expansion partly by internal funds and the rest from the capital market.

Air Philippines is the country’s third largest airline, behind sister company Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific of the Gokongwei group, at the end of the first half of 2010 after carrying 676,686 passengers.

The airline hopes to increase its Airbus 320 aircraft fleet to 18 by 2012 and add more domestic routes like Vigan and Marinduque and regional routes, including Korea, Bangkok and Hong Kong.

The airline currently flies to Bacolod, Busuanga, Cagayan de Oro, Calbayog, Catarman, Caticlan (Boracay), Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Jolo, Kalibo, Legazpi, Masbate, Naga, Ormoc, Puerto Princesa, San Jose(Mindoro), Singapore, Surigao, Tacloban, Tagbilaran, Tuguegarao and Zamboanga.

4. Del Monte out to end Canlubang’s reign

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The 64th Philippine Airlines Interclub golf team championships get under way Wednesday with Del Monte Golf Club emerging as the biggest obstacle in Canlubang’s bid to extend its five-year unbeaten run.

Del Monte, which won its first and only title in 2004, is making a serious title run with reigning national champion Clyde Mondilla at the helm of a young squad, majority of which are products of the club’s junior golf program.

Mondilla, 17, is fresh from a runner-up finish in the WWWExpress-DHL amateur championship and looms as the event’s top attraction.

“Clyde is a class of his own,” said Del Monte playing captain Yoyong Velez, the only remnant of the 2004 championship team.

Mondilla returns to the site of his greatest triumph so far.

Less than a year ago at Del Monte, Mondilla routed Miguel Tabuena, 9 and 8, in a clash between two of the country’s top prodigies.

Julius Bautista, the player Tabuena narrowly beat in the semifinals of the same event, is one of six Del Monte holdovers that include Mondilla, Velez, Bannie Abano, Noel Langamin and Leonard Lofranco.

Del Monte’s new faces – all in their twenties – are Lawrence Cubillo, Magno Arangcon, Mark Mondilla and Jovencio Lusterio.

Tommy Manotoc, one of Canlubang’s Old Guards, said Del Monte’s young players can play, but added he would like to know how they handle championship pressure.

With the departure of Mark Fernando and Jonnel Ababa coupled with the adoption of a new handicapping system, Canlubang’s once formidable squad has been reduced into a selection of tested veterans, former caddies, junior and club players.

Aside from Rolly Viray, Canlubang reactivated old hands Dave Hernandez and Abe Rosal and tapped Gabriel Manotoc, 12, and club player Mico Ochoa. Completing the team are world junior champion Rupert Zaragosa, Jobim Carlos, Art Arbole, Paul Echavez and Joey Huerva.

Del Monte foiled Manila Southwood’s bid in 2004 by shooting a record 12-under in the opening round at its home course. Buboy Jaraulla’s seven-under 65 remains an Interclub mark.

“The 2004 team is stronger than what we have now, but the field before was tougher,” said Velez.

On a scale from 1 to 10, Velez places their chances at seven.

Except for Mondilla and Abano, who will both see action at Del Monte and Pueblo, the rest of the team will play exclusively in one course, according to Velez.

This year’s competition is backed by platinum sponsors Boeing, Airbus, Radio Mindanao Network, Business Mirror and Interactive Broadcast Media (DWWW).

Major sponsors are People Asia, 105.1 Crossover, GE Aviation, Asia Brewery and Traversing the Orient.

Also lending support are corporate sponsors Manila Bulletin and Bombo Radyo Philippines, while minor sponsors are Lufthansa Technik Philippines, MasterCard and Century Park Hotel. Prize donors include Panasonic Avionics and Tanduay.

NEHA JAIN

International Airlines Training Expo