A faulty altimeter played a part in the Turkish crash last week near Amsterdam's Schipol airport which killed nine people, according to investigators. They said similar shutdowns had occurred twice before on the same plane and were overruled by the pilots, and warned its maker Boeing and any airlines using 737 models to be vigilant. When flying at about 1950 feet (594 metres) the plane's left radio altimeter indicated the Boeing 737-800 was flying at minus 8 feet, prompting the automatic pilot … [Read more...] about Altimeter at fault in air crash
Carriers
No pay leave extended at Singapore Air
No-pay leave extended at Singapore Air Faced with ongoing drop in load factors, excess capacity and falling yeilds, Singapore Airlines (SIA) has started preliminary talks to get its passenger plane pilots to take voluntary no-pay leave. This follows the recent agreement with 25 of its cargo pilots who voluntarily will go on no-pay leave for up to 30 months, with up to 25 more cargo pilots expected to be asked to also opt for the scheme. This comes as the airline prepares to slash up to 11 per … [Read more...] about No pay leave extended at Singapore Air
China air cargo down 28% in February
China's air cargo volume fell 28 per cent in February from a year earlier because of the global financial crisis, according to the head of the Civil Aviation Administration of China, Li Jiaxiang. However, domestic passenger traffic in February rose 13.47 per cent from a year earlier, he told Chinese media. China's air passenger traffic will likely grow more quickly this year than Beijing's economic growth target of around eight per cent, he said. In the past, China's air passenger traffic growth … [Read more...] about China air cargo down 28% in February
Oman Air focuses on lagging freight ratios
Oman Air said it aims to improve cargo performance to increase its contribution the carrier's total revenue. As part its ongoing expansion plan, Oman Air will boost its cargo business to account for at least 12 per cent of total airline revenues over the next five years, CEO Peter Hill said. The current ratio has freight accounting for only 2 per cent of total revenues, a poor figure by comparison with other regional carriers. Emirates¡¯ cargo division accounted for 19 per cent of total … [Read more...] about Oman Air focuses on lagging freight ratios
Break emission rules and planes may be seized
The UK Environment Agency is to be given powers to seize planes from airlines which break the rules of a new scheme to limit flights' carbon emissions. As the official body to enforce the European Emissions Trading Scheme for aviation, the EA will monitor emissions from flying, police companies' buying of credits when they exceed their allocation, impose fines and, as a last resort, have the power to seize assets of offending airlines. The new authority given to the EA goes beyond its power to … [Read more...] about Break emission rules and planes may be seized
Qantas airbuses back in the air
All three of Qantas' new A380 super jumbo jets are up, up and away once more after being grounded for 24 hours to deal with fuel tank and steering problems, the carrier said. The aircraft were grounded in London and Sydney to deal with issues the airline described as "teething problems". Two were out of service due to a fuel tank indication system problem and one experienced a nose wheel ground steering issue and an unrelated fuel leak issue, Qantas said in a statement. All the issues have been … [Read more...] about Qantas airbuses back in the air