Trans World Aviation - TWA

30/09/2013

APPROVAL OF JETSTAR HONG KONG APPLICATION WOULD VIOLATE BASIC LAW
Approval of Jetstar Hong Kong application would violate Basic Law
Approval of the application for a licence to operate in Hong Kong by Jetstar Hong Kong would be a violation of Article 134 of Hong Kong’s Basic Law because Jetstar Hong Kong does not meet the requirement that it must have its principal place of business in Hong Kong. That application was published in the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Gazette and Cathay Pacific Airways can confirm that it has filed a formal objection to the application.

Public statements previously made in Australia by Jetstar and its parent company Qantas Airways make it clear that Jetstar Hong Kong is a franchise of Jetstar in Australia and that management control of Jetstar Hong Kong would rest in Australia with Jetstar and Qantas Airways. This means that Jetstar Hong Kong’s principal place of business would be in Australia, not Hong Kong.

The Hong Kong residence of a particular shareholder of Jetstar Hong Kong and the number of shares held by that shareholder do not determine management control or principal place of business under the Basic Law. Nor does the fact that particular officers of Jetstar Hong Kong are residents in Hong Kong. Any local franchise operation has local managers. This does not stop it from being controlled from overseas. Management control of the Jetstar Hong Kong franchise clearly rests in Australia.

Our position that Jetstar Hong Kong does not meet the Basic Law requirement to have its principal place of business in Hong Kong is backed by strong legal advice.

In addition to violating the Basic Law, approval of this application would set a dangerous precedent by granting control of Hong Kong’s hard-negotiated sovereign air traffic rights to a carrier that is nothing more than a franchise operation controlled by a foreign airline.

International air services exist because of bilateral agreements between governments and the principle of fair exchange of comparable value is an important element of these agreements. Air traffic rights are valuable economic assets for any government and must be used in the best interests of Hong Kong and its economy. Handing over Hong Kong’s air traffic rights to a carrier that is a franchise controlled by an Australian airline that itself can influence the Australian government’s negotiations with Hong Kong creates a clear conflict-of-interest where Hong Kong loses out.

The reality is that, by its own admission, Jetstar Hong Kong is a franchise of a foreign airline which is also controlled by that foreign airline. The setting up of Jetstar Hong Kong is an attempt by a foreign carrier to gain access to Hong Kong’s pool of traffic rights without a fair exchange of value to Hong Kong. This is against the principle of fairness and reciprocity and is not in the best interests of Hong Kong.

Cathay Pacific Airways contends that Hong Kong air traffic rights should be used to support the development of truly Hong Kong-based aviation and the Hong Kong economy, not foreign airlines and their franchises. This is particularly important at a time when Hong Kong’s airport is short of capacity in meeting existing air traffic demands.

Allowing a carrier that is a franchise controlled by a foreign airline to gain access to Hong Kong’s air traffic rights would severely weaken Hong Kong’s ability to negotiate with foreign governments for the expansion of Hong Kong’s air services. Doing so would also open the door to similar attempts to grab Hong Kong’s air traffic rights by other foreign airlines based in rival aviation hubs to Hong Kong. This can only damage the Hong Kong aviation industry and adversely affect the substantial contributions that industry makes to the Hong Kong economy.


Source: Cathay Pacific

30/09/2013

TWA MANAGEMENT WILL BE AT AIR CARGO LOGISTIC ASIA IN SINGAPORE. MEET US THERE!!!!!!
TWA management will be at AIR CARGO LOGISTIC ASIA in Singapore. Meet us there!!!!!!
The "Air Cargo & Logistics Asia 2013" Conference & Exhibition (ACL Asia 2013), is a biennial trade event for the air cargo, logistics and e-Commerce industry. The event will take place in Singapore at the Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre on October 16-18, 2013.

Singapore will be again the venue for ACL Asia 2015.

The ACL Asia 2013 Conference will highlight several issues affecting the air cargo and logistics industries of Asia and the Middle East and for the first time focus on Asia's spectacular e-Commerce growth, including the largely under-reported, but vital, role of air transport in today's B2C on-line transactions and deliveries, which are mainly carried out by postal authorities and integrators.

The Conference programme will also include two Round Table Discussions on October 16, which are organized in close cooperation with the Supply Chain Asia organization and the Changi Airport Group and will cover transport and supply chain issues facing the perishable and pharmaceutical industries.

ACL Asia delegates will include shippers, airlines, airports, E-commerce portals, postal organizations, logistics providers, charter and ACMI operators, ground handling companies, freight forwarders, express companies and integrators.

ACL Asia 2013 will coincide with the 2013 World Congress of the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA), which will be held in Singapore on 15-19 October, 2013.

"Air Cargo & Logistics Asia" is jointly organized by VFPR & Media Consultants, headed by Nol van Fenema, who in the past 25 years has organized the well-known Air Freight Asia Conference & Exhibition in various trade centers in Asia, and the STAT Media Group of India, organizers of the successful Air Cargo India and Air Cargo Africa trade events.
Source: TWA

30/09/2013

LUFTHANSA TO HIRE MORE THAN 500 NEW FLIGHT ATTENDANTS
Lufthansa to hire more than 500 new flight attendants
Part-time model with two-year limited contract – Deployment from March to October

Lufthansa is hiring new flight attendants at Frankfurt and Munich. According to its latest plans, the company is seeking more than 500 new staff members for the coming year to take up this fascinating job flying around the world on the airline’s route network.

According to this completely new, innovative working model, the new flight attendants will be employed for a full year but will only be on active duty in the summer months in order to meet the increased demand for staff at that time of year. Contracts will run for two years with the option to extend once, up to a maximum of four years. The need for extra staff is due mainly to the use of larger aircraft, such as further Boeing 747-8s at Frankfurt or the replacement of the Airbus A340-300 by the A340-600 at Munich.

The new annual working time model provides an ideal opportunity, especially for students and young professionals, to work as a flight attendant for a specified period of time. The successful candidates will undergo the same twelve-week training as all other Lufthansa flight attendants, and will then be deployed on the basis of a 50-per cent working time model on the airline’s short and long-haul routes. One special feature of this scheme is that the new flight attendants will work a six-month block and then have six months off. Lufthansa will pay their salary and social insurance throughout the twelve-month period.


Source: Lufthansa

30/09/2013

ACI RELEASES ITS 2012 WORLD AIRPORT TRAFFIC REPORT
ACI releases its 2012 World Airport Traffic Report
Airport passenger traffic maintains momentum; cargo growth remains almost flat for second year as advanced economies face austerity.

Today, ACI World announced the launch of its 2012 World Annual Traffic Report (WATR). The Report provides coverage of airport traffic statistics, thematic areas including passengers, cargo (freight and mail), aircraft movements, and new sections. With comprehensive data coverage from over 1,500 airports in over 150 countries worldwide, ACI's flagship publication remains the authoritative source and industry reference for airport data, indicators and rankings. The 2012 WATR, can be purchased at the following URL: http://bit.ly/14Eisld

Angela Gittens, Director General of ACI World stated, "The latest edition of the World Airport Traffic Report takes a historical perspective by analyzing the growth trends for each region and the events that have had an adverse impact on the demand for air transport. As well, the Report provides a global analysis of the last decade's evolution of international and domestic traffic and a detailed assessment of the passenger traffic seasonality. The share of passenger and cargo traffic is examined across various markets in detail in addition to identification of the fastest growing markets and airports. Passenger traffic around the world continued to grow in spite of a climate that is best described as global economic uncertainty. While the risks of a disintegrated Euro area and the fiscal constraints faced by many developed economies represented a short run challenge for the industry, robust passenger traffic growth in emerging markets served to counterbalance the slowdown in advanced economies. As a result, the aviation industry still attained new heights in 2012. The world's airports served more than 5.7 billion passengers in 2012, growing by 4.4 percent from 2011."

Commenting on cargo traffic, Gittens stated, "Traffic in air cargo reveals a different story. As a direct consequence of the slowdown in the growth of the volume of goods and services traded around the world, air cargo growth was relatively stagnant for a third year in a row. While macroeconomic conditions were mainly responsible for air cargo's sluggish revival, microeconomic factors such as competitive pressures from alternative modes of freight delivery also played a role, particularly in a context of uncertain economic times. In the aggregate, cargo volumes were almost flat at .5 percent in 2012 relative to 2011 at 93 million tonnes."

2012 – Key Statistics

1,598 airports located in 159 countries reported that:

• Worldwide airport passenger numbers increased by +4.4% in 2012 to 5.7 billion, registering increases in all six regions

• Middle East (+13%), Asia-Pacific (+8%), Latin America-Caribbean (+7.6%) and Africa (+6.1%) all showed robust growth in passenger traffic. Europe (+1.7%) and North America (+1.3%) experienced moderate growth

• Worldwide domestic traffic increased by +3%, while international traffic jumped by +5.7%

• Worldwide aircraft movements increased 0.6% to 79 million

• Total cargo volumes handled by airports was almost flat at 0.5%, which represents 93 million tonnes

• 65% of airports worldwide registered positive passenger growth at an average of 7%, while 35% of airports lost traffic at an average rate of -4.3%.

Source: Airports International Counci

30/09/2013

DELTA RETURNS TO AIRBUS WITH ORDER FOR 40 AIRCRAFT
Delta returns to Airbus with order for 40 aircraft
Delta returns to Airbus with order for 40 aircraft

Delta Air Lines has placed a firm order with Airbus for 30 A321ceo (current engine option) and 10 A330-300 aircraft. This order marks a strong return to Airbus since Delta’s last order some two decades ago. The airline has selected CFM56-5B engines from CFM International to power its A321s and CF6-80E1 engines from GE Aviation for its new A330s. Deliveries of Delta’s new A330s are slated to begin in 2015, and its first A321 is scheduled for 2016 delivery.

As a result of the merger of Delta and Northwest Airlines, Delta currently operates a large Airbus fleet, including 126 A320 Family aircraft, plus 32 A330s.

“We are always gratified by a significant order from a current operator, as it is the best endorsement of the value and dependability of the Airbus product line,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer – Customers. “We have longstanding partnerships with the Delta team. Nonetheless, this is the first-ever Delta order for our modern family of comfortable and efficient A320 and A330 aircraft. We look forward to seeing the growth of the Airbus fleet at Delta meet and exceed the needs of the airline’s customers and employees for many years to come.”

"Delta is excited to select Airbus to partner with us as we continue our fleet renewal," said Ed Bastian, Delta's President. "These A330 and A321 aircraft offer a combination of economic efficiency and excellent customer satisfaction, which we experience with the 158 Airbus aircraft currently in our fleet."

All of Delta’s A321s will feature Sharklets – lightweight composite wingtip devices that offer up to 4 percent fuel-burn savings, providing the flexibility of either adding 100 nautical miles range or increased payload capability of nearly 1000 pounds (up to 450 kilograms).

Many of Delta’s A321s are expected to be assembled at the brand-new Airbus assembly line in Mobile, Alabama, currently under construction and scheduled to deliver its first aircraft in 2016. The facility represents a $600 million dollar investment in the Gulf Coast region, and will provide 1,000 new jobs in that community.

Delta’s A321s will seat 190 people in two classes. The A321 is the largest member of the A320 Family – the world’s best-selling and most modern single-aisle aircraft Family. To date, over 9,800 A320 family aircraft have been ordered and more than 5,600 delivered to nearly 390 customers and operators. With proven reliability and extended servicing periods, the A320 Family has the lowest operating costs of any single-aisle aircraft.

Delta has selected the 242-metric-ton version of the A330-300 to grow its widebody fleet. This new enhancement to the aircraft type benefits from up to 500 nautical miles of extra range, with the ability to carry nearly five metric tons more payload than the previous 235-metric-ton A330-300. About 1.2 billion passengers around the world have enjoyed travelling on board the light, bright and spacious A330 cabin to and from the 300 airports it serves today. Delta’s A330-300s will seat 293 passengers in two classes. More than 1,250 A330s have been ordered to date.

Source: EADS

30/09/2013

EMANUEL KILLS CHICAGOS MIDWAY PLAN
Emanuel kills Chicagos Midway plan
Mayor Rahm Emanuel has put the kibosh on a plan to privatize Chicago's Midway International Airport.

The mayor informed staff today that the plan would no longer go through. The Chicago Sun-Times first reported the news.

The news comes weeks after Ald. Michael Zalewski, 23rd, the City Council's Aviation Committee chairman, voiced his concerns about the plan to the Sun-Times, saying Ferrovial SA, one of the potential bidders, had been accused of "union busting and black-listing." Ferrovial SA is a Spanish firm that is an investor in London's Heathrow Airport.

“I have got to give the mayor credit,” Mr. Zalewski said. “He looked at this effort from the inside and out.”

(Previous coverage: Emanuel announces Midway privatization advisory panel)

Mr. Zalewski lauded Mr. Emanuel for putting the plan through its paces by appointing an advisory committee in Januaryand shortening the lease. “Having Midway in my backyard, I am glad this is his decision,” he added.

The alderman said the mayor's office called him shortly after 5 p.m. today to inform him of the plans.

Crain's reported in March that the city had narrowed to six groups the list that would be invited to bid for a long-term lease to operate Midway.

The Wall Street Journal reported today that one of the potential bidders was Macquarie Group, which along with Ferrovial SA, planned to submit a bid for the 40-year lease. It is the same group that leased the Chicago Skyway for 99 years.

Sixteen entities offered themselves up for review in March, responding to the city's request for qualifications.

The city said in March that it was pondering a potential lease of up to 40 years, far shorter than it had intended in an earlier privatization move several years ago. The city said it planned to use proceeds to pay off debt but would retain ownership and receive a percentage fee that would grow over time.

Source: chicagobusiness.com

30/09/2013

AVANTAIR TRUSTEE AIMS TO HALT EMPLOYEE SUIT
The trustee overseeing Avantair’s involuntary bankruptcy is seeking a halt to a class-action lawsuit brought against the company on behalf of former employees alleging Fair Labor Standards Act violations for failure to pay for work performed or provide proper termination notification.

Avantair has been using payments from an insurance policy it purchased for protection against claims to defend itself against the lawsuit, bankruptcy trustee Mary Beth Sharrer said in a filing to stop the action. Continuing the litigation could harm the administration of the estate by “exhausting the amount of coverage available” for Avantair’s creditors, among other adverse impacts, she said.

Parties to the former employees’ lawsuit have until the end of September to file a response. Lead attorney Ryan Barack of Kwall, Showers & Barack in Clearwater, Fla., which represents the ex-staffers, told AIN, “We intend to continue to prosecute our claims in an appropriate forum, seeking to recover the money due to the employees, who are the victims in this case.”

28/09/2013

http://www.twa.com.vn/default.gss
TRANS WORLD AVIATION

27/09/2013

BOEING ISSUES ADVISORY ON 787 FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

Boeing Issues Advisory on 787 Fire Extinguishers
Boeing has advised all operators of 787s to inspect their airplanes for “improperly configured” engine fire extinguisher bottles following discoveries by Japan’s All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines of a problem in a total of four Dreamliners. According to Boeing, 60 percent of the 787 fleet had undergone inspection as of Friday morning and no further findings surfaced.

Boeing traced the source of the improper configuration to the supplier of the fire extinguisher bottles, United Technologies subsidiary Kidde. According to JAL, in the event of a fire in one engine, the improper installation could have resulted in the discharge of fire suppressant to the wrong engine. The airframer said it would follow standard procedures to determine how the discrepancy occurred and ensure it does not happen again.

“The safety of crews and passengers on board our airplanes is our top priority,” said Boeing in a statement. “An engineering review has determined that this improper configuration does not present an immediate safety of flight issue because the bottles are not the only means of fire extinguishing for engines and there are multiple redundancies within the fire extinguishing system. Regardless, improperly configured components are not acceptable and this issue is being addressed promptly.”

ANA discovered the problem on Wednesday morning, forcing it to delay a flight from Tokyo Haneda Airport to Frankfurt for an hour and 42 minutes. After receiving word about the ANA incident, JAL decided to inspect its entire 787 fleet and abort a flight en route to Helsinki and return it to Tokyo Narita. The airline re-accommodated the 183 passengers on another 787 some 7 hours and 15 minutes after the original departure time.

27/09/2013

http://twa.vn/newsdetail/boeing_issues_advisory_on_787_fire_extinguishers-110.gss #.UkT0FNLIalQ

26/09/2013

http://twa.vn/newsdetail/twa_management_will_be_at_air_cargo_logistic_asia_in_singapore__meet_us_there-112.gss #.UkPyqVOtH1U

The ACL Asia 2013 Conference will highlight several issues affecting the air cargo and logistics industries of Asia and the Middle East and for the first time focus on Asia's spectacular e-Commerce growth, including the largely under-reported, but vital, role of air transport in today's B2C on-line…