Alitalia signs biofuel pact with Solena
BIOFUEL Alitalia has signed an agreement with US bioenergy group Solena to investigate converting biomass from municipal waste into biofuel to power part of its fleet. The Italian carrier has signed a letter of intent with Solena to begin a feasibility study into building a plant to convert household waste into a gas. The gas will then be turned into liquid biofuel through the Fischer-Tropsch process.
Former GECAS chairman Hubschman dies
OBITUARY Former GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) chairman Henry Hubschman died of cancer on 9 February at his home in Greenwich, Connecticut. He served as president and chief executive of GECAS from 1997 to 2009. "Henry has been widely recognised as one of the aviation industry's outstanding leaders, enjoying unqualified respect from his customers and his competitors," says GE chief Jeffrey Immelt. Hubschman was 63.
UK airlines urge govt not to sell NATS stake
ATC A consortium of airlines which holds a stake in UK air navigation service NATS has written to the Government to urge it not to sell its entire 49% shareholding. Airline Group, which holds a 42% stake in NATS, has written to Transport Secretary Philip Hammond, requesting the Government maintains at least a 25% stake in NATS. Airline Group chairman Peter Read says there is "a risk we would lose influence in Europe" over the planned Single European Sky programme if the Government sold off its entire stake in NATS.
ITP to grow in narrowbody engine market
ENGINES Industria de Turbo Propulsores plans to grow in the narrowbody, regional and business aircraft engine markets. The Rolls-Royce/Sener Aeronáutica joint venture will invest €350 million ($476.8 million) in research and development and €150 million in building its facilities as part of a plan to increase its presence in these markets and become involved in new engine programmes. The company aims to double its revenues to nearly €1 billion by 2015.
IATA chief hits out at UK govt's aviation policy
POLICY IATA director general Giovanni Bisignani has strongly criticised the UK's aviation policy, calling it short-sighted with a focus on excessive taxes, inefficient airport regulation and limiting growth. Bisignani accuses the Government of being "intent on destroying [the country's] competitiveness with a policy agenda focused on increasing costs and limiting capacity growth".
French army investigates Eurocopter crash
INVESTIGATION The French army is investigating circumstances behind the first operational crash involving one of its Eurocopter Tiger attack helicopters. Both crew survived the 4 February mishap, which the army describes as a hard landing about 30km (16nm) from the Afghan capital Kabul. One crew member suffered "slight" injuries, while the other received only bruising.
First MC-130J rolls out of Marietta factory
DEVELOPMENT Lockheed Martin has rolled-out the first MC-130J ordered by the USAF ahead of delivery later this year. The unpainted aircraft rolled out of Lockheed's final assembly plant in Marietta, Georgia, on 7 February bearing its distinctive orange coating. Lockheed is scheduled to deliver the first of 15 MC-130Js in the third quarter.
Source: Flight International
