North America

ATW Daily News

787 first flight may slip into next year

Friday September 5, 2008

Boeing is facing another 787 delay, with completion of ship one slipping at least eight weeks to mid-October, according to insiders, and latest estimates putting first flight at "earliest late December and more likely January 2009." [more]

Boeing on the clock as IAM votes to strike

Friday September 5, 2008

Boeing workers delivered an overwhelming rebuke late Wednesday with 87% of the 28,600 members of the International Assn. of Machinists and Aerospace Workers voting to strike over a new three-year contract. [more]

Midwest reaches E-170, loan deal with Republic as part of restructuring

Friday September 5, 2008

Midwest Airlines signed an agreement with Republic Airways yesterday under which the Indianapolis-based regional will operate Midwest Connect flights on 12 76-seat E-170s beginning Oct. 1, part of what Midwest Chairman and CEO Timothy Hoeksema said is "significant progress in its voluntary restructuring plan." He said the carrier also secured $60 million in additional financing, including commitments from TPG Capital and Republic, which agreed to give Midwest a one-year, $15 million loan as part of the air services agreement. He added that Northwest Airlines will continue its codeshare and frequent-flier program arrangements with Midwest.

Additionally, it reached an agreement in principle with Boeing Capital Corp. on renegotiated leases for its fleet of 717s. It will continue to fly nine of the original 25 717s it had on lease while returning 16 to Boeing this fall. "Operating a more fuel-efficient, flexible mix of aircraft makes good economic sense in this new energy environment," Hoeksema said, adding that Midwest will continue negotiating with its pilots and flight attendants "on concessions necessary to align its labor costs to the marketplace." The agreement with Republic is for 10 years. All fuel will be purchased by Midwest. Republic said it also will loan Midwest an additional $10 million if "certain milestones" are achieved, adding that "the loan(s) is collateralized by all of Midwest's unencumbered assets."

AZ unions given one week to agree to 3,250 layoffs

Friday September 5, 2008

Alitalia Extraordinary Administrator Augusto Fantozzi gave the carrier's unions one week to agree on the government-led rescue plan (ATWOnline, Sept. 4). Italian Labor Minister Maurizio Sacconi told reporters that the plan calls for 3,250 layoffs. There are approximately 17,500 employed by AZ and likely partner Air One, the Associated Press reported.

Friday September 5, 2008

Bombardier Aerospace enjoyed a 79% year-over-year surge in fiscal second-quarter operating profit to $238 million thanks to an increase in aircraft deliveries. Revenue for the three months ended July 31 was up 13.6% to $2.5 billion and the order backlog was worth $26.1 billion, up 15% from Jan. 31. The manufacturer received orders during the quarter for 175 aircraft comprising 162 business aircraft, 11 commercial jets and two amphibians, down from 187 in the year-ago quarter. Deliveries rose 14% to 89. Companywide, Bombardier reported consolidated net income of $246 million, reversed from a loss of $71 million in the year-ago period.

Friday September 5, 2008

CIT Aerospace exercised options for eight A320s and two A319s, lifting its firm Airbus commitment to 199 aircraft (162 A320 family, 30 A330s, seven A350s), of which 100 already have been delivered. Delivery of the newly ordered aircraft, worth approximately $756 million at list prices, is scheduled to begin in 2012.

Friday September 5, 2008

Mitsubishi Aircraft Corp. reached an agreement with Boeing under which the US manufacturer will consult on marketing, development and after-sale support of the Mitsubishi Regional Jet. The Japanese company has had a longstanding partnership with Boeing, developing and manufacturing composite wing boxes for large commercial aircraft. The MRJ will seat 70-90 passengers and rely extensively on composites. Final design will be completed next year with first flight and certification expected by 2011 (ATWOnline, July 16). The program was launched in March with ANA's order for 15 MRJ90s plus 10 options (ATWOnline, March 28). Mitsubishi discussed a similar deal with Saab in the spring (ATWOnline, May 7).

CRJ1000 makes first flight

Thursday September 4, 2008

Bombardier's CRJ1000 prototype took to the skies yesterday from Montreal Mirabel for a 3 hr. 25 min. first flight, reaching a maximum speed of 260 kt. and an altitude of 30,000 ft. [more]

Articles

Soup To Nuts

By Robert W. Moorman

Simulator manufacturing is a lucrative but risky business, which is why market leader CAE has tapped into the more stable world of flight training.

FlightSafety Boeing = Alteon

By J.A. Donoghue

With a new name, the world's largest aviation training company, wholly owned by Boeing, will broaden global reach.

A Difficult Delivery

By Cathy Buyck

Many questions must be answered before the EU and US arrive at an agreement that gives birth to an Open Aviation Area.

Astar is born

By Sandra Arnoult

The cargo airline aims for success providing lift to DHL and others

Transformation not modernization

By John Croft

FAA's new future ATM initiative is looking for a few good ideas (and money to pay for them)

Browse more articles on North America...

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