Programmes – Page 1119

  • News

    Japan stalls future fighter demonstrator

    1998-10-21T00:00:00Z

    The Japan Defence Agency (JDA)has postponed plans to start work on a future fighter demonstrator next year, as it struggles to complete development flight testing of the new Mitsubishi F-2A/B support fighter by the end of 1999. The JDA's Technical Research and Development Institute (TRDI) had wanted to start ...

  • News

    Getting ready for recession

    1998-10-21T00:00:00Z

    Graham Warwick/CHICAGO United Airlines is drawing up plans to stay profitable through the next industry downturn, despite being unsure exactly when it will happen. In fact, the carrier seems to regard a recession as necessary if airline stock prices are ever to achieve their full potential again. As ...

  • News

    Bio fuels

    1998-10-21T00:00:00Z

    A pioneering bio jet fuel has been developed by independent Swedish oil Company, Hjelmco Oil, and a small renewable energy commercialisation group, Midlands Renewable Energy Technology Transfer, of the UK. The Bio Jet A1 fuel, which is still under research, could give an increase in the aircraft's range or payload, ...

  • News

    Deutsche Bank to acquire Boullioun

    1998-10-21T00:00:00Z

    Deutsche Bank has agreed to purchase US aircraft leasing company Boullioun Aviation Services from Sumitomo Trust & Banking in a deal valued at around $120 million. The acquisition should be completed by year-end, following regulatory approval and other agreements. The Bellevue, Washington-based company was set up in 1986 by ...

  • News

    FAA examines insulation rules after MD-11 crash

    1998-10-21T00:00:00Z

    Ramon Lopez/WASHINGTON DC Within six months, the US Federal Aviation Administration is to produce a tougher burn test specification for aircraft internal insulation blankets. The action results partly from investigations into the 2 September crash of a Swissair Boeing MD-11 off Nova Scotia. Although the cause of the fatal ...

  • News

    Troubled PAL searches for wealthy investor

    1998-10-21T00:00:00Z

    Paul Lewis/SINGAPORE Philippine Airlines (PAL) is in a race against time to convince Cathay Pacific Airways and other potential new investors to support the financially stricken national carrier ahead of submitting a rescue plan to the country's Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) on 21 November. Cathay Pacific, along with Northwest Airlines ...

  • News

    EC aims to double the money for European research work

    1998-10-21T00:00:00Z

    Julian Moxon/PARIS The European Commission (EC) has proposed a near doubling of the money available for aerospace research and technology in the four-year period starting next year. The ECU900 million ($1.08 billion) spending plan, contained in its Fifth Framework programme for Europe-wide research and technology, represents a long-awaited ...

  • News

    Boeing targets year end for assessment of 747 stretch

    1998-10-14T00:00:00Z

    Guy Norris/LOS ANGELES Boeing expects to complete windtunnel tests of a stretched, 500-seater 747 by the end of the year and, pending the successful conclusion of business case studies and sufficient customer commitments, says it could launch the aircraft by mid-1999. Boeing, which celebrated 30 years of 747 assembly earlier ...

  • News

    SA Airlink will move on Kalahari Express deal

    1998-10-14T00:00:00Z

    South African regional airline SA Airlink has reached an agreement with Namibian state holding company TransNamib on taking a large stake in start-up Kalahari Express Airlines. The agreement still needs to be ratified by both boards. Trans Namib rescued the airline in June after the original shareholders failed to ...

  • News

    Boeing faces tough delivery target

    1998-10-14T00:00:00Z

    Boeing's efforts to stretch production capacity has left it facing the challenge of delivering up to 182 aircraft over the last three months of the year if it is to meet its predicted delivery tally of 550 aircraft in 1998. According to third quarter delivery figures released by the ...

  • News

    Mega-merger consolidates UK holiday airlines

    1998-10-14T00:00:00Z

    Günter Endres/LONDON Plans by tour operators Thomas Cook and the Carlson Leisure Group to merge are set to lead to a further consolidation of UK charter operators. The deal, which is still subject to regulatory approval, could spell the end of the Caledonian Airways name and propel Thomas ...

  • News

    Japan delays American partnership plans

    1998-10-14T00:00:00Z

    Paul Lewis/SINGAPORE Japan Airlines (JAL) has delayed the start of its planned code-share partnership with American Airlines and is putting on hold any consideration of joining a wider global alliance until its bilateral arrangement with the US carrier is implemented. The Japanese airline had intended in early September ...

  • News

    Marketplace

    1998-10-14T00:00:00Z

    -India's Jet Airways has taken delivery of two Boeing 737-800s. The leased aircraft will replace one 737-400 and one 737-500. -Indian airline Bengal Air is adding two more British Aerospace 748-2Bs for a late October start. -Cargo airline Atlas Air has purchased Cargolux International's three Boeing 747-200 freighters, but will ...

  • News

    Solid succeeds Icelandair service

    1998-10-14T00:00:00Z

    New Luxembourg airline Solid'air is to plug the gap which will be left by the planned withdrawal next January of Icelandair's long-standing operations out of the Grand Duchy. Solid'air is working towards a 12 December start, putting together a regular schedule to destinations in Florida and the Caribbean. ...

  • News

    Southern crosses out plans for Japan launch but stays afloat

    1998-10-14T00:00:00Z

    Andrew Mollet/TOKYO Southern Cross has scrapped plans to launch a new airline in Japan, becoming the latest casualty in the country's attempt to open up domestic competition to start-up carriers. The airline was set up in August 1997 with joint investment by 32 major firms in Okinawa province. ...

  • News

    SIA closes in on Star status

    1998-10-14T00:00:00Z

    Singapore Airlines (SIA) is about to take a step closer to becoming a full member of the Star Alliance by concluding a bilateral partnership with SAS, as part of a wider move by the group's five members to consolidate coverage of the Asia-Pacific region. Founding Star airline SAS is ...

  • News

    Virgin to grow single-aisle fleet

    1998-10-14T00:00:00Z

    Günter Endres/LONDON Virgin Atlantic is to boost its Airbus A320 fleet in the next few months to accommodate the expansion of its European scheduled and charter flights. Initial expansion is expected later this year, with the opening of the London Heathrow-Moscow service, followed by the start of the new ...

  • News

    Finmeccanica first half losses slashed

    1998-10-14T00:00:00Z

    Finmeccanica has slashed its losses in the first six months of the year and is hoping for further improvements during the remainder of 1998 as it lowers operating costs and undertakes heavy restructuring of its business. The Italian aerospace and defence giant reported a loss of L568 billion ($351 ...

  • News

    R-R plans joint European repair venture

    1998-10-14T00:00:00Z

    Paul Lewis/SINGAPORE Rolls-Royce is in discussions with Swissair and Lufthansa to form a new tripartite engine repair and overhaul facility in Europe as plans to establish a similar joint venture with Singapore Airlines (SIA) have slowed in the face of Asia's economic crisis. The UK engine manufacturer is understood to ...

  • News

    Australia throws challenge to flailing Air Niugini

    1998-10-07T00:00:00Z

    Brisbane-based Flight West Airlines has expanded plans for new services between northern Australia and Papua New Guinea (PNG), further challenging embattled Air Niugini on one of its prime revenue earning routes. The Australian regional carrier now plans to add two direct flights weekly between Cairns and PNG's second city, Lae, ...