ATW Daily News

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Monday November 23, 2009

ICAO conference in Rio de Janeiro last week adopted a "Global Framework on Aviation and Alternative Fuels" endorsing the use of sustainable alternative fuels for aviation, "particularly the use of drop-in fuels in the short to mid-term." The "dynamic Web-based document" will be located on the ICAO website and "will serve as a global platform for the sharing of information, best practices and future initiatives by ICAO member states and the air transport industry." It will be updated regularly, the organization said. The GAAF is part of a declaration adopted by ICAO last month at the High Level Meeting on International Aviation and Climate Change (ATWOnline, Oct. 12). It will be brought to the UN climate summit in Copenhagen next month and presented to ICAO's triennial assembly in the fall of 2010.

"Within 10 years, 10% of the fuel used by international aviation could come from sustainable alternative sources. This will not only substantially reduce the impact of aviation emissions on the environment but will also help address issues of economics and supply security," ICAO Secretary General Raymond Benjamin said. One recommendation is for ICAO to organize a meeting of member states, "financial institutions, fuel producers, feedstock producers, aircraft manufacturers and operators" to consider issues of cost and financing alternative fuels infrastructure projects and "incentives" to overcome initial market hurdles.

Boeing Friday broke ground on a second 787 final assembly line site in North Charleston, S.C. The company last month announced that it would place a second 787 FAL in North Charleston rather than near Seattle (ATWOnline, Oct. 29). It is expected to be completed by mid-2011 and is being built with the capacity to support production of three Dreamliners per month. The FAL is expected to add about 1,000 jobs to the Boeing Charleston facility, which will have the capability to support the testing and delivery of aircraft as well, the manufacturer said.

"We look forward to expanding our capability in South Carolina through our existing site, while maintaining our commitment to the Puget Sound region where Boeing Commercial Airplanes remains headquartered," Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Jim Albaugh said. "Puget Sound will continue to design and produce airplanes, including the 787." Boeing officials attending the groundbreaking told reporters that 787 first flight remains on track to occur before year end.

IATA and Russia's Ministry of Transport signed an MOU Friday to form "a strategic partnership" focusing on safety, security, technology, airport infrastructure, air navigation, ground handling and training. DG and CEO Giovanni Bisignani, in Moscow for the signing, also met with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. "IATA's global standards can contribute significantly to the development of safe, efficient and environmentally responsible aviation in Russia," Bisignani said. "I was particularly encouraged by President Medvedev, who noted that cooperation between the Russian Federation and IATA was a priority." An IATA spokesperson said Bisignani pressed Medvedev to "equalize charges" imposed by the nation on Russian and non-Russian airlines and to work toward negotiating bilateral agreements with other countries that would "eliminate" nationality clauses to enable cross-border mergers and acquisitions.

Boeing Commercial Airplane's Training & Flight Services unit (formerly Alteon) signed an agreement with ANA to update the visual systems on ANA's three 767-300 full-flight simulators in Tokyo.

Continental Airlines will launch daily Newark-Munich service on March 27 using a 767-200ER.

Virgin America launched twice-daily service to Fort Lauderdale from both San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Horizon Air will start daily Spokane-Sacramento-San Jose and Spokane-San Jose-Sacramento service March 26 aboard 76-seat Q400s.

American Eagle launched daily Los Angeles-Santa Fe service.

Spirit Airlines launched twice-weekly Fort Lauderdale-Armenia, Colombia service.

Alaska Airlines began daily Portland-Chicago O'Hare service.

Cathay Pacific Airways launched four-times-weekly Hong Kong-Dubai-Jeddah service aboard an A330-300.

Lufthansa Technik signed a Total Component Support contract with Air Berlin Group covering component support of its entire fleet of 737s, A320/A300 family aircraft and Q400s. It additionally signed a three-year contract extension with Air Transat covering total engine support for CF6-80C2 turbofans powering the carrier's A310 fleet.

Iberia Maintenance won a three-year contract to provide line maintenance for DHL in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville and Vitoria.

Air Works, a third-party MRO company based in India, received EASA repair station certification for its maintenance facilities in Hosur, marking the first time EASA has awarded repair station approval to an airframe MRO company in India, it said. The approval will cover airframe and component maintenance on ATR 42/72-500s and 737 Classics.

Ascent Aviation announced the launch of its commercial aircraft MRO operation at Tucson International. It will specialize in 737 Classics, 737NGs and MD-80s, performing heavy and line maintenance, modifications, transition services, storage, paint, disassembly and consignment parts sales. It recently purchased the assets of Hamilton Aerospace Technologies and World Jet Corp. and "has retained a substantial base of skills and experience from those two firms," it said.

Universal Asset Management received an ex-Cyprus A320 for induction into its end-of-life recycling program.

Worldwide Flight Services won contracts from Royal Air Maroc, Air Cara￯bes, Air Mali, Air Burkina and Mauritania Airways for full ground handling at Paris Orly.