The United States Federal Aviation Administration today issued a final airworthiness directive (AD) instructing operators of most Airbus A330 and A340 models to power down suspect air data inertial reference units (ADIRU) using one specific rotary dial on the panel. The mandate follows EASA Emergency AD 2008-0225-E of December 18, 2008, which superseded EASA Emergency AD 2008-0203-E of November 19, …

Qatar Airways has launched an innovative Economy Class in-flight service on all flights operating to and from the UK, which sees all onboard meals served in a new presentation style using recyclable materials, with see through trays, bright meal cartons and cutlery packs, as well as a personal table mat in a variety of different colours. which are 99% recyclable. …

In a bid to strengthen the financial position of Air India, the Indian government yesterday substantially increased the allocation for its holding company, National Aviation Company of India Ltd. (NACIL), by about Rs 4,029 crore (approx $806 million) in the interim Budget 2009-2010. Almost the entire increase in allocation for the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) was cornered by NACIL, …

Last week Air France unveiled its new logo and livery. The current livery which was changed way back in 1975, i.e. 34 years ago. Due to the current cost pressures, the new scheme will be gradually introduced as new planes are inducted or as existing aircraft come in for maintenance. Air France is now just one word, and the tail …

The Indian Government yesterday gave post-facto approval to the formation of following Joint Venture Companies (JVC) between the National Aviation Company of India Limited (NACIL) which is the combined Air India and Indian Airlines entity, but branded Air India now, and Singapore Airport Terminal Services (SATS). The joint venture companies are more commonly referred to AI-SATS or Air India-SATS: For …

Eurojet is to propose a thrust-vectoring version of the Eurofighter Typhoon’s EJ200 powerplant to meet India’s requirement for up to 150 engines to equip the first squadrons of its indigenously developed Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA). The Aeronautical Development Agency – which is leading development of the Tejas – is expected to issue a request for proposals in the next …

Singapore Airlines (SIA) on the most profitable airlines in the world, announced today further route adjustments as part of the 11 per cent reduction of capacity from April 2009 to March 2010. While Bangalore remains unaffected, for now, most other gateways of New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Ahmedabad have already been or are being affected by this latest …

The Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation reported that the domestic airline passenger traffic in January 2009 has remained virtually unchanged at 3.326 million when compared to 3.323 million in December 2008. Kingfisher took the top spot from Jet group (Jet Airways and JetLite), with 0.919 million passengers and 28% market share. The steep fare cuts and sales announced by airlines …

Video clip from CNN showcasing Steven Chealander of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) discussing the last moments of the crash of Continental flight 3407. The NTSB indicates the plane rolled violently before the crash in Buffalo, New York, USA.

Was present to photograph Iron Maiden’s departure earlier this morning, after their smash hit concert in Bangalore. A one on one interaction with pilot and Ed Force One Captain Bruce Dickinson during the bus ride to the airplane. Really nice guy. He said he absolutely enjoyed coming to Bangalore, the fans, and the city. Being an aviator, he really missed …

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The Aero India 2009 continues to draw large crowds, and for today and tomorrow, a huge crush of footfalls is expected. Aerial displays in the morning and afternoon sessions are as spectacular and breathtaking as in any major air show held worldwide. While the public focusses on the magnificent flying machines and their daredevil pilots, they remain blissfully unaware of …

This has not been a very pleasant 24 hours. The crash of Continental 3407 in Buffalo, derailment of the Coromandel Express at Jajpur, Orissa, India which killed 15 persons, and now a British Airways Cityflyer British Aerospace Avro RJ-100, registration G-BXAR performing flight CJ-8456 from Amsterdam, Netherlands to London City, UK with 67 passengers and 4 crew, experienced the collapse …

“Please switch of all wireless equipment as these interfere with our navigation and safety systems”. All of us have this mantra down pat. But incredulous or hilarious as this may sound, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was forced to issue a Safety Alert For Operators (SAFO) 9003, to remind flight crew to have their mobile phones turned off while …

Aviation Herald is reporting a Colgan Air De Havilland Dash 8-400 on behalf of Continental Airlines, registration N200WQ performing flight 9L-3407/CO-3407 from Newark, NJ, USA to Buffalo, NY, USA with 44 passengers and 4 crew, crashed into a home in a surburb of Buffalo about 5 nm (10km) from the airport and burst into flames while on approach to Buffalo’s …

I have always admired Fred Smith of FedEx. Yesterday, he addressed a town hall meeting in Los Angeles, on the economy’s impact on industry, and offered three very sensible suggestions for governments to consider. I an excerpting from the speech “Keeping America Competitive: the View from ‘Commerce Street’” by Frederick W. Smith, Chairman, President and CEO, FedEx Corporation. The fact …

Over the last year, IndiGo has been on a steady march, taking an increasing share of the Indian passenger market. While most of its competitors contracted during the torrid 2008, IndiGo and fellow value carrier SpiceJet, have gained in actual passenger numbers. The secret to IndiGo’s success ? Read this article “Fine Strokes” by Business Standard.

The Indian Express is reporting The Joint House Committee set up to probe into the alleged lapses in the establishment of Bengaluru International Airport (BIA) will submit its final report on February 16. The 20-member house committee headed by Chickpet MLA Hemachandra Sagar met the BIA officials on Monday. Committee members said that the final report will be submitted to …

Due to the approaching storm Quinten, French authorities have decided to suspend all commercial traffic all all Paris airports. Charles De Gaulle, Orly, and Le Bourget, from 20:00 local 9 February to 10:00 local 10 February. Over 500 flights are estimated to be cancelled as a result of the closures. Storms with winds of up to 120 km/h are expected …

Over 20 years ago I watched a fascinating video on the Discovery Channel program Wings. I recorded the show on to VHS tape, but the tape lost its quality over the years. This program was re-christened as the “Great Planes” series. Thanks to Jon at Flightblogger, I re-discovered my favourite video. On this the 40th anniversary of its first flight, …