EADS RAISES TEMPO IN COST-CUTTING DRIVE
EADS plans to ramp up its Power8 cost-cutting programme and to pay more European suppliers in dollars after the weak US currency wiped €1 billion ($1.46 billion) off its revenues in 2009. Speaking in Seville last week, chief executive Louis Gallois said that, despite a stronger than expected year for deliveries, its revenues of €41.7 billion would have been €1 billion higher had the dollar not dropped 10¢ in value against the euro over 2008. He added that 2010 would be a "challenging year".
VETERAN INDUSTRIALIST TO HEAD JAL
Japan's government has asked Kazuo Inamori, 78-year-old honorary chairman of electronics components manufacturer Kyocera, to step in as the new chairman of Japan Airlines as the carrier is restructured.
LASER BLINDING BECOMES CRIMINAL OFFENCE
The UK has strengthened laws against aiming lasers at aircraft, making the act a criminal offence. Civil Aviation Authority statistics show 737 attacks with lasers on commercial airliners, air ambulances and police helicopters last year, versus 29 in 2007.
CHINA TO BUILD WORLD'S HIGHEST AIRPORT
China plans to build a commercial airport at an altitude of 14,540ft (4,440m) in Tibet, making it the world's highest airport. Work at Nagqu prefecture in northern Tibet is due to start in 2011 and be completed in three years.
IVORY COAST PLANS NEWS AVIATION ACADEMY
Ivory Coast authorities are planning to build an aviation and meteorology academy to support development of the African state's civil aviation sector and reduce dependence on foreign air navigation, airport, meteorology and maintenance professionals.
BMI TO SHUT DUBLIN BASE AND SHED CABIN CREW
UK carrier BMI is to close its base at Dublin and withdraw the aircraft stationed at the Irish capital, with the possible loss of more than 30 cabin crew positions, as cutting its London Heathrow-Dublin route frequency to four-times daily for the summer 2010 schedule will require using only the Heathrow-based Airbus A320s.
PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE BRINGS AN-124 CLOSER
Prospects for renewed serial production of the Antonov An-124 freighter have increased after Russian president Dmitry Medvedev ordered the cabinet to provide for procurement of 20 new airframes. The entire batch is intended for the country's air force under a proposed purchase agreement with United Aircraft, which includes Ulyanovsk-based airframer Aviastar. Russia suggests that restored production could attract orders for 60 airframes from domestic and foreign cargo airlines.
TURKEY AND ISRAEL TALK TO RESOLVE HERON DELAY
A Turkish delegation arrived in Israel on 10 January in a fresh attempt to solve a dispute linked to the supply by Israel Aerospace Industries and Elbit Systems of Heron medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned air systems to the Turkish army. The Turkish defence ministry has demanded compensation worth $50 million due to programme delays.
Source: Flight International
