AvNews 02/12/17

You may have noticed this post is a little late. However, Jonathan and I have been very busy with school being it is December and holidays are coming up, as well Jonathan is in Argentina as of this post, so these next 3 posts, which will be coming in the next few days, will cover everything that have happened over the last 3 weeks, again sorry for the late posts!

Major News:

New airline emerges hopes to bring skiers closer to resorts.

The company set up by Zoe Ombler and Nick Davids planned to fly skiers and snowboarders to the Swiss Valais region via the little used Sion airport.

As of Friday, Powdair said it found a new investor but will only launch in the winter season of 2018-2019. It already have a few flight plans. Passengers who booked a flight will be given an automatic refund after a key investor pulled out at the last minute.

In a statement, Powdair said:

“The collapse of Monarch and Air Berlin, followed by one of our preferred aircraft operators Swiss Adria (Darwin), plus speculation regarding the impact of Brexit on European aviation was summarised in a high profile article. Our investor was not from an aviation background and withdrew their support, and with it our ability to launch the airline for this winter."

“Since Monday, we’ve been overwhelmed by the amount of support from investors, businesses and resorts in the UK, Belgium and the Valais. You sent us a very clear message of support and this inspired us to do all we could to find a new financial backer for Powdair."

"Firstly, we’ve had a significant investment offer from a professional and experienced aviation industry investor. Although we’re not in a position to confirm the identity of our new potential partner at this stage, their involvement will secure the financial future of Powdair.

"However, the due diligence required to finalise this investment will take at least 30 days and we have therefore made the difficult, but what we feel is correct decision, not to launch Powdair this winter. Our new investor wishes to ensure that all necessary steps are taken to launch a strong, well-funded airline focused on long term success."

"Powdair is not going into administration. The company will continue to exist, albeit with a longer timeline for getting planes in the air.

"We expect to relaunch during 2018 as an airline, operating our own aircraft, which gives us a much stronger basis on which to plan route schedules.

"In the meantime, we will automatically be organizing full refunds for everyone booked to fly with us."

This is great news as many enthusiast fierce that the airline will go into bankruptcy before even flying.

The company also issued an appeal to all investor willing to invest in the start-up.

Nevertheless, there is hope for the airline to launch before the winter season finishes. Airline Chief Financial Officer Sean Pettit added that it needed to secure at least million 4 million USD to operate this winter season with at least 1.33 million USD needed by the end of this week in order for Powdair to operate a reduced winter flight schedule.

Once the airline gets the money it needs. it plans to charter CRJ-200 capacity from Denmark's BackBone Aviation for use in connecting Sion with cities in the United Kingdom and Belgium. The service targets skiers in particular given Sion's proximity to Switzerland's vast array of ski slopes and lodges.

Elderly back at it again.

Earlier this week, workers at the Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport notice something unusual inside a container that had been put through an X-Ray machine at a security checkpoint.

When they opened the container, the workers found a white plastic bag that was filled with around 200 live cockroaches. Yes cockroaches!

Nonetheless there was a reason behind it. It turned out that the elderly had a skin condition and that cockroaches were for a kind of traditional remedy. Unfortunately , security did not allow them to carry a bucket full of live cockroaches onto their flight.

New Rules.

Transport Canada new rules which took effect today bring a small number of changes but a significant one for security. After a review of the rules, Transport Canada are now allowing carrying of small knives on flight but bath salts and baby powers are now banned on all carry-on luggage.

A new screening procedures are also being introduced to ensure safety for travelers. These screening procedures are meant to prevent any potential modern attack on aviation and to better screen knives.

Small knife blades measuring six centimeters or less will now be allow to; however these rules only apply for interprovincial flights. All international flights will still not permit the carrying of knife blades of any length. Razor blades and box cutter are also prohibited at screening checkpoints in addition.

Other rules have been added. All powders and granular material that measure more than 305 millilitres will no longer be permitted in carry-on baggage this includes;

• Sea salt

• Foot powder

• Cooking powered

• Sand

These items will still be allowed on checked-in luggage; however these stuff will still be allowed on carry-on;

• Baby formula

• Protein Powder

• Tea

• Coffee

"These changes to screening procedures will bring Canada in line with international standards and our partner countries, while continuing to keep passengers safe. The government of Canada remains vigilant in continuously assessing security risks." Marc Garneau said

New tax for foreign airlines.

Deep into the US Senate’s 515 page tax bill passage sneaked a new tax on some feign career. This tax was introduced by a senator from Georgie the home state of Delta Air Lines.

Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), said the provision he introduced would "protect Georgia airline employees by ending a tax exemption for airlines based in countries that deny fair market access for U.S.-based airlines."

New suites.

It’s been a trend for airlines to introduce new suites. For Malaysia Airlines, their first A350. The airline has announced four suites of a unique design. These are highly customized verso of the Thompson Aero Seating’s Vantage XL business class set which the airline maintains has been overhauled and upgraded on its A350.

The new suites include high walls and a sliding doors which provide privacy for each passenger.

The seats are 22 inches wide the same as the business class seats. The main difference is that in theses suits the bed length is 83 inches in comparison than 78 inches.

Each suits features a large mirror on the underside of it slid while located just ahead of that bench are the seats controls and a handheld touchscreen controller for the 24 inch HD video display.

Unfortunately, Malaysia Airlines will only provide one row of four suits. The new A350 will include 35 business class seats using the same Thompson Vantage design as the Oneworld member’s Airbus A330 including four throne which are ideal for solo flyers. For the rest of the cabin, Malaysia will include 247 economy seats with 27 seats with extra legroom with up to 36 inches compared to the standard 31 inches.

The airline will also provide inflight internet a first for the airline with prices between 1$ USD to $13USD depending on speed limits and data caps.

The A350 will first start on Kula Lumpur-London routes replacing the A380 (which they will be retired shortly) starting in January 2018. The markets include Amsterdam and Paris which was previously ended due to emptiness on board the A380.

Dutch Tax

The Dutch Government as revealed a new aviation taxes and airlines are not happy. Airlines associated to Airlines For Europe (A4E) and the European regional carrier's association (ERA) urged the branch of politics to drop its plans.

Both aviation association have sent a joint letter to the Netherlands finance ministry two weeks ago asking for a halt to the taxation plans or an independent evaluation of the economic and environmental impact of the policy.

The Netherlands have proposed tackling the environmental impact of flying throughout Europe wide tax on airlines in line with the emissions reductions aims of the Paris climate agreement.

In addition the government wants to introduce a tax on older noisy and polluting aircraft and has suggested to introduce this new tax on air passengers aircraft for 2021.

This is not the first time the country has introduced a tax on aviation. On 2008, they introduced an air departure tax in 2008 but cancelled the tax a year after as studies suggested a substantial amount of air traffic switched from Amsterdam's famous airport to Brussels a 2 hours drive. The findings also found that it had negative impact on the Dutch economy and it was in contradiction with international laws.

A new venture

Jet Airways an Indian company has agreed a new partnership with Air France-KLM group. The company says that its relation with Etihad will not be affected.

Etihad Airways bought 24% stake of Jet Airways back in 2013 and as a result , the Indian based company increased its presents at Abu Dhabi.

“We have a great relation with Etihad which will continue. That will not be disturbed in any way,” Jet Airways chairman Naresh Goyal said at a press conference in Mumbai on Wednesday, pre-empting any questions on the relationship with Etihad. The Air France “partnership will be very good for our Indian friends.”

This will bring some interesting competition. Both Etihad Airways and Air France-KLM compete with each other for India rapidly expanding traffic.

The venture has announced an enhancement cooperation between the two parties concerned and they'll be working together to grow their commercial and product offering allowing passengers to use the three partners networks spanning 44 cities in India and 106 destinations across all of Europe.

Khalid announces Southwest partnership.

The nominee of five Grammy Awards announced a new partnership with Southwest Airlines. In a statement, Southwest said;

“On the Rise With Khalid , a series of exclusive events, content and surprises.”

I’ve met so many new fans and amazing people while traveling to new cities and locations throughout 2017 in support of my album ‘American Teen,’ Khalid said in a statement.

“It’s great to have a partner like Southwest who can help me create deeper connections and celebrate new milestones with some of my most loyal fans. Giving back to the community is so important to me, and I’m so excited to announce soon how we’ll be making the holidays extra special for so many people. I’ll be capping off an amazing year with Southwest and 300 fans in San Jose on December 4, with more events and surprises to follow in 2018. I can’t wait to share more details on how you can be part of the journey!”

A you are a fan of Khalid and Southwest, you can follow this amazing journey via the hashtag #KhalidOnTheRise.

This is the biggest deal the airline since 2015 partnership with Imagine Dragons for Destination Dragons, a four city club tour. This was to celebrate the band release of their second album "Smoke + Mirrors".

Aircraft News

737 Family:

• The first Boeing 737 MAX 7 has entered the final assembly line with its maiden flight scheduled for early 2018 and the first delivery in 2019

• China Eastern has received their first 737 MAX 8 (B-1383)

• Air Canada has recieved their second 737 MAX 8 (C-FSCY)

• Hainan Airlines has received their first 737 MAX 8 (B-1389)

• China Southern has received their first three 737 MAX 8s (B-1206, B-1205 and B-1206)

• Shanghai Airlines has received their first two 737 MAX 8s (B-1382 and B-1379)

• Air China has received their first 737 MAX 8 (B-1396)

• LOT Polish Airlines has received their first 737 MAX 8 (SP-LVA)

777:

• Turkish Cargo has received their first 777 freighter (TC-LJL)

787:

• The first NEOS 787-9 completed its first test flight and delivery is due for December 11th. (EF-NEO)

A350:

• Malaysia Airlines has recieved their first A350 (9M-MAB)

• Hong Kong Airlines has received their third A350 (B-LGC)

Airlines News:

EU Airline Ban

After failing to meet international safety standards another airline has been banned from the European Union skies after a commission determined it was not fit. Two weeks ago, the European Commission announced that Avio ,Venezuela Flag Carrier, had been added to a list of international airlines prohibited from flying within the union.

No further details were provided following the announcement.

The airline is still certified under the US federal aviation regulations and Venezuela still remains in good standing with the International Aviation Safety Assessment, the Federal Aviation Administration's program which determines whether a foreign countries provide sufficient safety and oversight of airlines that fly to the United-States.

Big carrier such as American Airlines, Air France and Iberia still provide service to the South American country.

Mandatory anti-racism

After multiple accusation of racism and a NAACP issuing a travel advisory back in October which warned African-American flying with them.

The new training requires employs to undergo anti racism . This training will be mandatory for everyone at the company and will be held on an annual basis starting in 2018.

“We are proud of the diversity and inclusion initiatives already in place at American, but we know we can do even better. So we viewed the feedback as an opportunity,” CEO Doug Parker wrote in a letter to staff.

The airline is still developing the curriculum which will be conudcted both in person and through an opnline course.

Emergencies:

Bomb scare on board Turkish

A hotspot named "Bomb on board" forced Turkish Airline to divert. The flight en route from Nairobi to Istanbul made an emergency landing in Sudan. The airline later said the name of a Wi-Fi network was behind the false alarm. The aircraft was taken to an isolated area of the airport were it was scoured for explosives.

“Experts said the Wi-Fi network in question was created on board. No irregularities were seen after security procedures were carried out, and passengers were brought back on the plane once boarding restarted,” the airline statemented.

EVA Turbulence Incident

Eight flight attendants and three passengers had to be taken to the hospital. A flight from Taipei to Chicago was hit by a massive turbulence. Eva Air Fligth BR56 was carrying 178 passengers including four babies and 21 crew members.

The Boeing 777 was hit by servere turbulence at around 21:40.

Two flight attendant suffered sprained their ankle and six of them had bruisesé Three passengers were also said to suffer bruises.

A spokesperson said there were qualified doctors on board who helped treat the injured people afterwards.

It landed at 18:38pm local time. All the victim were taken to the hospital.

A flight from Munich Germany to Newark diverted to London Heathrow after several passengers became unwell and started feeling light headed.

Flight UA31 left Munich at 9:30am local time and was scheduled to arrive in Newark at 12:50 local time; however after several passengers complain of feeling unwell, the crew of the aircraft Boeing 767 decided to divert to London safely.

Emergency services met the aircraft on arrival where EMTs boarded the aircraft and assessed the sick passengers.

All the passengers have been deplaned and assessed for illness and will be accommodated to hotels overnight.

It is still unclear what caused serveral people to feel unwell.

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