Short Takes
October 2nd 2015
IT: Singapore Airlines has signed with Panasonic Avionics to become the first airline to introduce a mobile app that personalizes a passenger’s journey end-to-end, enabling travellers to see what movies and other entertainment will be available on their specific flights, create play lists, and even see ratings from other passengers. Read More » They can also view the in-flight magazine, duty-free options and meal choices. Flight details and destination information will also be available. GE Aviation has signed a contract with Qantas Airways to provide flight efficiency services aimed at helping the airline and its Jetstar subsidiary to increase fuel efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. The agreement includes the use of flight efficiency and flight operations quality assurance (EFOQA) analytics, as well as the renewal of the supply of required navigation performance procedures across airports in the Qantas network.
MANUFACTURERS: Airbus has developed a more aerodynamic option for the A320neo to improve its short field performance. Known as the Short Airfield Package (SHARP), the innovation is designed to increase lift at low speeds and improve take-off and landing performance on short runways. Boeing has opened a new 10,000m² research and technology centre in North Charleston, South Carolina, aimed at developing advanced manufacturing techniques with a focus on composite fuselage and propulsion systems production. Moreover, Boeing has selected Rockwell Collins to provide a server security system for the new 777X series for the safe transfer of data between flight deck, cabin crew and ground operators. Mitsubishi Aircraft Corp. has narrowed the target schedule for first flight of the Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ) to the last week of October.
MRO: Texas Aero Engine Services (TAESL), the 50-50 joint-venture between American Airlines and Rolls-Royce, will be dissolved by January 2016 after 18 years of operations.
ROUTES: Air India will launch a thrice-weekly Delhi-San Francisco B777-200LR rotation starting December 2, contrary to previous senior management comments that pointed toward Bengaluru as the flight’s origin. Cathay Pacific Airways will increase frequency on the Hong Kong-Adelaide A330-300 route from four- to five-weekly starting December 2. China Southern Airlines will add a thrice-weekly Dalian-Fukuoka A320 rotation starting October 25. Citilink has launched a daily Denpasar-Dili B737-500 service. Delta Air Lines will increase frequency on the JFK-Tel Aviv B777-200LR route from daily to eleven-weekly from May 26 after American Airlines decided to exit the market. Emirates Airline has scheduled its last A340-500 service for October 3 on the Dubai-Kabul route. Fiji Airways will increase frequency on the Nadi-Hong Kong A330-200 route from thrice- to four-weekly commencing October 25. Lufthansa will split its existing Frankfurt-Shenyang-Qingdao triangular service from March 27, resulting in thrice-weekly Frankfurt-Shenyang and thrice-weekly Frankfurt-Qingdao operations, each using a three-class A340-300. Malindo Air plans to offer ten-weekly Kuala Lumpur-Perth B737-900ER services from November 11 (up from daily), according to the latest Sabre filings. Thailand’s Nok Air will add a daily Phuket-Chengdu, and a thrice-weekly Don Mueang-Yinchuan scheduled charter from October 5, both using a B737-800. Philippine Airlines will launch a twice-weekly Beijing-Kalibo A321 service beginning October 31. Royal Jordanian will resume its thrice-weekly Amman-Kuala Lumpur-Jakarta A330-200 service from December 2.
SAFETY: Malaysia’s AirAsia will install Panasonic Avionics’ satellite-based FlightLink tracking system on-board 90 A320s, in a move that will allow the carrier to maintain constant contact with its aircraft. The group’s Indian subsidiary, AirAsia India, earlier opted for SITA OnAir’s AIRCOM tracking service.
