AvNews: 28/10/17

Updates

A380 that flew AFR66, diverted to CYYR is still there...

On September 30th, AFR66 from LFPG-KLAX had an engine blowout on engine #4. They diverted to CYYR (Goose Bay Airport.) Now, almost a month later, it still sits at Goose Bay. Why? Well flying the crippled plane back to France is easier said then done. If they were to fly the aircraft back with the engine still attached they would need to cover the inlet so the fans do not rotate, which could cause more damage. Their second option would be to ship in a spare engine to Goose Bay. The engine would arrive on a giant cart but the issue with this plan is the crew sent to Goose Bay may have to rent cranes and equipment like that; Goose Bay may not have tools tall enough for this procedure. However, if a spare engine or the damaged engine is kept on the wing, they will be flying back with a non-operative one. The repair crew do not want to risk the chances of using a spare engine while the wing has not been under full inspection of damage. Rather, they would leave the engine off and it would just windmill, or have the fan blades removed. If they were to just let it windmill, the engine will need constant lubrication which would limit flight time, and it may not make it back to Paris in one stop. In the end, if it comes to leaving the damaged engine on, pilots, who are trained to fly an A380 with three engines, would have to be flown in to fly the A380 back to Paris. Their highest concern would be another engine failure leaving the already crippled plane with just two engines, this means they woud have to plan the flight close to emergency landing airports. This incident led too the FAA to announce a note to all airlines who fly the A380 with the Engine Alliance GP7000 to do visual inspections. These airlines would be Air France themselves, Emirates, the largest operator of the A380, Etihad, Qatar, and Korean. The main thing that everyone wants to know is, what happened and is there a possible risk of this happening again. However, for the investigation to start, Air France and the BEA plans to get the aircraft back to France, which could take weeks.

United flies 747 to each of their hubs as a farewell.

On October 24th, United flew their "Friend-ship" 747 to Newark, their third largest hub. This is the 747s third to last stop, then it's onto Chicago then Denver to complete this United hub tour. Though it was a rainy gloomy day, employees still were able to walk down the aisles of the queen one more time.

Photo Credits to HarrisonF

This week, United also flew the 747 one last time to London and to Frankfurt Then it proceeded back to the US, never to be seen at London or Frankfurt ever again, but still in their memories.

The last flight to take place in only about 2 weeks, will be the last commercial flight of the United 747. This flight is the same exact flight that United's first 747 flew back in the 70s. As the 47 flies its last flights, all we can do is sit back and watch as this US airline retires their queen. It's a fact, a sad one.

Air Berlin is gone.

On October 27th, the last Air Berlin flight landed in Berlin-Tegel from Munich. On approach, the aircraft also made a heart over the city of Berlin. Known as the 'airline with a heart', Air Berlin had ended operations after almost 40 years of bringing travelers around the world. Flying with the callsign BER4EVR. Their website has also become shutdown and now just displays the sad reminder that the airline has ceased operations.

Lufthansa has also announced they will be fully integrating Air Berlin's Niki into their low-cost subsidiary, Eurowings. Niki is Air Berlin's Austrian-base subsidiary airline who operates 16 A321s and two leased 737s. Lufthansa plans to integrate the A321s into Eurowings. Airlines like Lufthansa and even EasyJet will be covering Air Berlin’s routes from and to Germany as the airline ceases operations.

Major News

Boeing: Interested in reviving the 767 program

On October 25th, Boeing has said that they have seen “broader customer interest” beyond tankers and freighters. Back in mid-2014, Boeing had delivered the last of the 767-300ERs to Air Astana. However, Boeing has kept the option of restarting production if demand for the workhorse returns.

In May 2014, Boeing said, “The 767 aircraft is the only Boeing product that addresses the freighter, passenger and tanker markets – making the possibilities for new 767 orders optimistic for decades to come.”

However, two months later, the light of new 763 orders started to dim as Airbus has relaunched their A330 program with the new A330neo. The A330-900, a variant of the A330neo program, has very strong support with about 204 firm orders, however, the smaller variant, the A330-800, hasn’t gotten that much support with only 6 orders for the aircraft from one airline - Hawaiian Airlines.

Now, the light has sort of illuminated with Boeing seeing this ‘broader customer interest’ and are still analyzing the opportunities.

The 767 is known as the workhorse from Boeing, it is used as commercial passenger planes, freighters, and tankers and have appealed to a lot of its customers. However, Boeing has also announced a New Mid-sized Aircraft (NMA) that would be perfect to fill the 767s spot, but Boeing has not yet committed to launching this NMA as a full-on project. To the present, the now, the 767 is still heavily used and is perfect where it is now.

New Security Protocols for flights into the US.

The new security protocols for any international flights into the US was effective last Thursday. This new protocol includes extra screening of passenger's devices like laptops, phones, etc. This extra screening will most likely take place at the departure airport and not after landing in the US. However this may be different depending on the airline.

What does this means for Canadians? Well, Air Canada spokesperson, Peter Fitzpatrick, has said that all Air Canada passengers traveling to the US will have to go through this extra security at the departure airport. A WestJet representative has said that they are currently talking to the TSA about implementing these new protocols, but not effective for the airline anytime soon. Passengers flying to the US with WestJet go through preclerance security at some, not all airports they operate from. Porter passengers will be doing this measure of security after arriving at their destination in the US. This is because their hub, Billy Bishop Airport in Toronto, does not have any preclearance security.

For people traveling from overseas it is quite different. For example Dubai, one of the busiest airports the world and hub for long haul airline, Emirates. They will be questioning passengers about their baggage, liquids in said baggage, and a carry-on search as well as personal electronics. However, this protocol hasn’t really been taken as well in some places. In China, a Xiamen Air official, said that hey had been demanded to implement these protocols like the security interview from the day it was effective and onward.

The Xiamen Air official has said, “We’re not going to interview all passengers, but focus on those with a certain degree of risk when checking the passengers’ documents on the ground.”

“We always strictly follow relevant regulations of the Civil Aviation Administration when conducting security checks,” said a Beijing Airport official.

An Air China official had only said that they would comply.

“We will meet the demands from the U.S. side, but as for the detailed measures (we will take), it is inconvenient for us to release,” is all he said.

South Korea’s Transport Ministry had made a deal with the US that they would implement these protocols for their two major airlines, Korean Air and Asiana Airlines, until next year, but for now they will deploy staff at departing gates to monitor passengers.

In Hong Kong, passengers have expressed some displeasure about safety interviews as some of these questions were outright strange. Some like, “Did you pack this bag,” and, “where you packed this from.” People said it was a little annoying that they have to wait on people to interview them when all they want to do is get their ticket and go on in.

US carriers even have to go through this. Delta has told all their passengers traveling to the US to arrive at their departure airport 3 hours before the expected boarding time. United hadn’t said anything. American had not immediately respond to this.

Aircraft News

A320 Family:

• Hawaiian has received their first A321neo, a first in their fleet.

• The first China-built A320neo was delivered to AirAsia

A350:

• Sichuan’s first A350, with the special Panda livery, takes off for the first time.

737 Family:

• Aerolíneas Argentinas first 737 MAX 8 (LV-GVD LN6661) is out of the assembly lined and freshly painted.

• Air Canada’s first 737 MAX 8 takes off for the first time.

777:

• The production of the first 77X had officially begun.

787:

• Ethiopian has received their first 787-9.

• Egyptair rumoured to order 6 787s

Airline News

United starts Los Angeles to Singapore

Just yesterday, United had launched their Los Angeles to Singapore route with their 787-9. This flight has set a new record for longest flight into and out of the US. The flight has a scheduled flight time of around 16h. The flight is scheduled every day and leaves Los Angeles at 8:55pm and arrives in Singapore at 6:50am. UAL38, the return flight, will depart Singapore Changi at 11am and arrives back in Los Angeles at 10:15am

Air China announces Shenzhen to Los Angeles.

Air China has recently announced that they will be launching Shenzhen to Los Angeles. The flight will start on December 7th. It will operate 3 times weekly, on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays with a 787-9. CCA769 departs ZGSZ at 11:30pm and arrives in KLAX at 8pm. CCA770, the return flight, departs Los Angeles at 10:50pm and arrives in ZGSZ at 5:40am.

When Air China launches this route, XiamenAir will also be launching their route to Qingdao.

Primera: Toronto from Birmingham and Stansted.

Primera Air has announced that they will be flying to Toronto from Birmingham and Stansted starting in May 2018. They will be flying to Toronto as well as Newark and Boston from Birmingham and Stansted. They had stepped into this launch after United had ended their route from these airports to New York. These routes will be used with Primera's brand new A321neo aircraft and start at a one way fare of £149.

Their A321neos will feature a two-class cabin, a premium full-service cabin, and a low-fare economy cabin. Wi-fi is also featured onboard and charging ports.

Singapore Airlines places order for 39 more Boeing aircraft.

Singapore Airlines has signed a deal with Boeing for 20 777-9s and 19 787-10s. This order was previously meant for an unidentified customer. The order is valued at US$13.8 billion at list prices. There to witness the signing was US President, Donald Trump, and Singapore Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong. Along with Singapore Airline's CEO, Goh Choon Phong, and Boeing President and CEO, Kevin McAllister. Singapore Airlines also has the option to buy 12 more, 6 of each aircraft.

Goh has mentioned that they are glad to confirm this major widebody order with Boeing after being a Boeing customer for years. He has also said that these new aircraft will open up new growth opputunites.

More demand to prompt more orders by Air Canada.

The amount of passengers that Air Canada carries are growing. Eventually they will have to buy more aircraft, well that may happen. The growth in numbers of passengers that travel with Air Canada may prompt Air Canada to purchase 30 more CS300s ad 48 more aircraft from Boeing. As of now, the airline has placed orders for 61 737 MAXs and 45 CS300s, but these numbers were based on requirements back in 2013. Air Canada now has the option to buy 48 more Boeing aircraft and 30 more CS300s to meet the increasing demand. Air Canada's first two MAXs are scheduled to be delivered this year, 16 more by June 2018, and the remaining to be delivered through to 2021. The first CS300 is scheduled to be received in late 2019 and through to 2022.

Qantas: Pan Am did the same, it started the jet age.

Earlier today, Qantas Group CEO, Alan Joyce, has set a challenge for Airbus and Boeing called Project Sunrise. This challenge is to create a special ultra-long range airliner by 2022. This aircraft has to not only fly between their main hubs like Sydney to destinations in Europe like London and Paris and even the East coast of North America like New York, but fly these routes with a full payload. If this project proves to be successful, Qantas could cut flight time to New York by three hours and even fly to London for as long as only four hours.

This is one of many things coming for Qantas. Recently, Alan has also conversed about Qantas's new Dreamliners, the future of their superjumbos, their interest in the CSeries, and the airline's undoubtedly perfect (almost) safety record.

With the recent delivery of their first 787, Alan had said that if they flew two 787s "tail-to-tail, the per-seat cost would be less than the A380." This really shows the step up in the very fuel-efficient 787.This doesn's mean the A380 would be rendered useless, Qantas could begin using it on flights from Australia to China and Japan as they're both rather very congested.

The Qantas CEO has also mentioned their interest in Bombardier's new CSeries aircraft. Qantas is one of only a few operators still utilizing the 717-200. Alan said that whoever has the 717 wants more of them, he had also stated that it wouldn't be leaving the fleet anytime soon, however the company is seeing the CSeries as a future replacement for the aging narrow-body aircraft.

Now on to their impeccable safety record. Qantas has a almost perfect safety record, and thats very good seeing that they are also the second oldest airline in the world, behind KLM both airlines almost 100! Qantas is considered the Volvo of airlines as both companies have probably the most safest record.

Emergencies

Delta 757 gets a nose job.

DAL8935, a 757-200 (N650DL), was doing a charter flight from Minneapolis to Chicago Midway, onboard was basketball team the Oklahoma City Thunder. The aircraft was descending into Midway when the 757 had a rather large dent on it's nose cone. The crew proceeded to Midway and safely landed. A bird strike is most likely and is suspected.

Another Goose Bay emergency.

DAL70, a scheduled commercial flight between Atlanta and Amsterdam, had to divert to CYYR. The pilots had reported engine #2 problems and descended to FL300. They had turned back towards the East coast and requested to divert to Detroit, however soon after requesting divert to Detroit the crew had switched their divert destination to Goose Bay. They had reported unusual engine vibrations on the same engine. While on approach into Goose Bay's runway 26, the aircraft had gone around and reported engine failure for engine #2. The aircraft had now been positioned for final on runway 08 and landed safely. There were no fuel leaks, however four engine pressure relief doors were blown open. A replacement aircraft had been sent to Goose Bay to pick up the passengers and continued to Amsterdam.

Air Canada A320 lands, but was told to go around.

ACA781, an Airbus A320 (C-GPWG), from Montreal to San Francisco was on approach into San Francisco runway 28R. Another aircraft was behind the A320 landing on the same runway. The controller had then told the previous landing to join taxiway D, but the aircraft had already gone down taxiway T. The controller then just told the already laded aircraft to hold short of ruwnay 28L on T. After giving instructions to the aircraft he had told the ACA781 to go around... Silence for two seconds, the controller repeated... silence again. The controller had tried to contact the landing aircraft and told them to go around 5 times. The aircraft had landed and after the controller had tried to call the flight three times. On the third call, they had responded and said they had radio problems on landing, the controller commented, "that's pretty evident." As the aircraft was landing the tower had also attempted to use the light gun showing red to tell the pilots to go around, but the aircraft continued to land. Air Canada and the FAA are investigating the case. The Federal Aviation Administration said it is investigating the second serious safety issue in three months involving an Air Canada passenger jet landing at San Francisco airport. Air Canada spokesperson Peter Fitzpatrick said the company was investigating the incident.

"After receiving proper clearance to land it proceeded to do so and landed normally. Upon landing the crew was informed the tower had attempted unsuccessfully to contact the aircraft, however the message was not received by the crew," Fitzpatrick said.

Dog on the runway!

IGO468, an A320neo (VT-ITK), flying from Goa to Mumbai, was taking off from Goa's runway 26, when suddenly a stray dog had somehow made it's way onto the runway and sprinted across. The pilots had performed a rejected takeoff and safely came to a stop, however the aircraft was unable to taxi due to some of the main tires deflating because of brake overheat. The passengers were deplaned by stairs and taken by bus back to the terminal. Maintenance workers had replaced the tired and the aircraft departed around 2h and 50m later and reached Mumbai with no issues.

China Eastern Flight Attendant falls from the aircraft!

CES5762, 737-800 (B-1703), from Shenzhen to Kunming, was preparing for pushback from the gate, the flight attendant tried to close the door but fell out of the aircraft and onto the concrete ground,3 metres below the door. The flight attendant had suffered serious injuries like fractures and was taken to hospital. The aircraft departed 2 hours delayed.

Special

Emirates turns 32!

Emirates turned 32 this week! The airline started out with three leased aircraft back in 85' and is now the largest operator of the Boeing 777 and Airbus A380. They fly to almost everywhere in the world, and is one of the most successful airlines in the world.

EGLC celebrates 30 with terminal expansion!

Another aviation company celebrating 3 decades of age! London City Airport has revealed their £400 million redevelopment plan. The renovations sees extension of the terminal to accommodate more passengers, adding seven new stands and constructing a parallel taxiways that spans the length of the runway. An estimated two million more passengers a year will be at the new London City Airport with an addition of 30,000 flights annually. The airport will also feature the UK's first digital ATC tower which will be in function in 2019. The airport is very popular among business travelers as it is right in the heart of the capital.The airport is looking at a bright future ahead and an amazing refresh plan.