IATA SLASHES PROFIT OUTLOOK AS FUEL RISES
FORECAST International Air Transport Association officials have more than halved the industry's net profit outlook for the year, to $4 billion, citing higher fuel costs, unrest in the Middle East and the Japanese disasters. IATA had predicted an $8.6 billion surplus in March. The revised figure is less than a quarter of the $18 billion the industry made in 2010. IATA expects an average Brent crude oil price of $110 per barrel for 2011, and an industry fuel bill of $176 billion, comprising 30% of airline costs.
AEROFLOT READY FOR SUPERJET DELIVERY
REGIONAL AIRCRAFT Aeroflot has achieved technical acceptance of its first Sukhoi Superjet 100, the airframer said: "The next step is the aircraft journey to Moscow and, mid-June, the first passenger flight." The Russian flag carrier will become the second operator of the type after Armenian carrier Armavia. Aeroflot is to take 10 Superjets this year, 12 in 2012 and eight in 2013.
FIVE BIDDERS RECEIVE POLISH LIFT REQUEST
TRAINERS Poland's ministry of defence has issued a request for proposals to five bidders for its air force's lead-in fighter trainer programme. Contenders comprise Alenia Aermacchi's M-346, the BAE Systems Hawk AJT, the Korea Aerospace Industries/Lockheed Martin T-50P, Aero Vodochody's L-159T1 and Patria's ex-Finnish air force Hawk 51/51A. The companies have until 29 July to respond. Eight trainers must be delivered before December 2014. A second tranche of eight, upgraded for combat, will arrive by December 2016.
FIRST ANA 787 PILOTS COMPLETE TRAINING
OPERATIONS Japan's All Nippon Airways has completed pilot training in Seattle for the first crews to operate the Boeing 787. Ten pilots operated the first 787 flight test aircraft (ZA001) over Washington state, said Boeing. Each ANA pilot performed approaches at Grant County airport in Moses Lake. "Activity included one instrument landing system precision approach and two visual approach patterns per pilot, with touch-and-go landings," said Boeing. "They will be the first pilots on 787 commercial flights for ANA."
LEAP-X CUSTOMERS IN THE OFFING
PROPULSION CFM International is preparing to detail orders for its Leap-X turbofan, which has yet to receive its first customer for the Airbus A320neo platform. Virgin America and US lessor International Lease Finance have combined firm orders for 70 A320neo-family aircraft, but an engine selection for the jets has yet to be made. ILFC, which has 100 A320neo-family jets on order, has already chosen the Pratt & Whitney PW1100G for 60 of them but has been holding discussions with CFM to put the Leap-X engine on the other 40.
OPTIMISTIC SAAB HOLDS OUT FOR MMRCA RETHINK
PROCUREMENT Saab has not given up hope of winning the Indian air force's medium multi-role combat aircraft contest, despite having failed to make the shortlist last month. "We were not selected - at least not yet," said Saab chief executive Håkan Buskhe. Describing selection of the Dassault Rafale and Eurofighter Typhoon as "rather surprising", he said: "What we can do is give them our explanation, if we feel they have misjudged something. We have a list of things that they have some questions about, and we have been looking at those."
Source: Flight International
