The US Department of Transportation (DOT) has given airlines until 2 February to identify which flights they will give up voluntarily at New York LaGuardia in order to alleviate congestion and "restoring reliable air service". The move is aimed at reducing total scheduled operations from an average of 75 per hour to 71 from 31 May to 24 October, and will reduce delays by as much as 41 per cent and save up to US$178 million per year. The strategy was announced last month after the DOT's original … [Read more...] about February deadline to surrender LaGuardia slots
Carriers
Cathay gets OK to delay new cargo terminal by 24 mths
Cathay Pacific Airways has announced it has reached an agreement with Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) to delay the completion of its new cargo terminal by up to two years to mid-2013. The terminal had originally been scheduled for opening in the second half of 2011. Cathay said the decision "was taken in response to market conditions brought about by the global economic downturn" and that it is aimed at "better matching supply and demand in the airfreight business given the current market … [Read more...] about Cathay gets OK to delay new cargo terminal by 24 mths
Multiple bird strikes force controlled ditching in NY
A US Airways A320 with 164 passengers and five crew went down in the Hudson River, near midtown Manhattan shortly before 3:45 pm, after departing New York's LaGuardia airport. The pilot is said to have reported multiple bird strikes after flying through a flock of Canadian geese. All aboard evacuated the aircraft successfully after the pilot executed an emergency water landing in the river in what is the first controlled ditching of a US commercial aircraft in more than 50 years. The Wall Street … [Read more...] about Multiple bird strikes force controlled ditching in NY
Air Cargo Germany delays start-up
Air Cargo Germany (ACG) has delayed its planned launch this month, until the second half of February, citing incomplete documentation. Michael Bock, CEO of the Frankfurt-Hahn-based wide-body operator, said there had been a delay in the delivery of the airline¡¯s fleet. This has been caused by ¡°incomplete aircraft documentation and which will be solved within the coming weeks. We now plan to start operations in the second half of next month.¡± The carrier plans to launch charter flights … [Read more...] about Air Cargo Germany delays start-up
Air cargo firms appeal UAE Antonov ban
UAE air cargo companies have joined forces to appeal against a decision by the General Civil Aviation Authority banning Antonov An-12 airplanes from UAE airspace. The authority last week ordered all Antonov An-12 airplanes out of the country by today, citing safety concerns after a recent string of accidents involving the four-engine turboprop plane. In a meeting yesterday with a civil aviation official, representatives of 14 air-cargo companies that use An-12s complained that the ban was unfair … [Read more...] about Air cargo firms appeal UAE Antonov ban
New’ Alitalia takes to the skies
After months of haggling with unions and frenetic talks with politicians seeking to save local airports, a new, slimmed-down Alitalia took to the skies today, after months of uncertainty as to its future after the former state-controlled airline filed for bankruptcy in August. "We've done it. There's no turning back from the new Alitalia now and all the prophets of misfortune have been silenced," said Labour Minister Maurizio Sacconi, whose government had made saving Alitalia a top priority. … [Read more...] about New’ Alitalia takes to the skies