UK COMPLETES AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL OVERHAUL
UK air navigation service provider NATS opened its new Prestwick area control centre on 25 January, completing a 10-year programme of modernisation that cut its number of centres from four to two. The final move involved the closure of Manchester area control centre. UK en-route airspace and oceanic areas are now managed entirely from Swanwick and Prestwick, as is the terminal airspace around London and - shortly - the terminal airspace around Manchester.
LET'S TRUST LOW-RISK PASSENGERS: ALPA
A US Air Line Pilots Association white paper is calling for a more effective - and less intrusive - aviation security system based on trusting passengers who fit a low-risk profile. ALPA president Capt John Prater says: "Identifying trustworthy individuals is critical, so that more time and scrutiny can be given to those passengers about whom little is known and to those who may intend to do us harm."
AUSTRIAN SEALS FOKKER 70/100 SUPPORT PACT
Austrian Airlines has signed a €130 million ($184 million) support agreement through 2020 with Fokker Services covering 24 Fokker aircraft operated by the carrier. Austrian says the arrangement is "crucial for the sustainable reliability and cost-effectiveness" of its Fokker operations.
AMR POSTS QUARTER AND FULL-YEAR LOSSES
American Airlines' parent AMR improved losses for full-year 2009 to $1.5 billion, from $2 billion in 2008, as revenue fell 16% to $20 billion. But fourth quarter losses grew year-over-year to $415 million, from $221 million last time, on revenue down 7%. "The fuel crisis of 2008 was replaced by the worst recession in decades," says chief executive Gerard Arpey. Competitive pricing for Boeing 737-800s is driving part of an expected $300 million financing surplus in 2010 surplus as it accepts delivery of 45 aircraft.
CRUSHABLE CONCRETE CUSHIONS CRJ OVERRUN
A crushable concrete arresting system prevented a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ200 carrying 31 passengers and three crew from plunging down an embankment at Yeager airport in Charleston, West Virginia on 19 January after a high-speed rejected take-off. US Airways Express Flight 2495 came to rest 46m (150ft) into the 123m arresting bed, which provides the equivalent of an FAA-required 305m runway safety area. There were no injuries.
UK GOVERNMENT TO CREATE 'NO-FLY' SECURITY LIST
UK authorities are to create a "no-fly" list as part of an enhanced set of air transport security measures known as "e-Borders" that will be able to check, against a watchlist, all passengers heading to major UK airports, 24h before they travel.
BIOFUEL INVESTMENT 'DISAPPOINTING'
The International Air Transport Association has criticised the oil industry and national governments for failing to invest in aviation biofuel development. IATA director general Giovanni Bisignani is "disappointed" that while "billions of dollars of bailout" have gone to ailing car makers and refineries earn $9 billion yearly from aviation fuel, "we have not seen one penny from governments investing in biofuels. It's time for the oil companies and governments to try to help the small entrepreneurs who are developing farms for biofuel."
Source: Flight International
