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FAA says 737 MAX software update an “agency priority”

By
Steve Creedy
Ethiopian
The Ethiopian flight data recorder, Photo: BEA

The US Federal Aviation Administration says a review of new software to be installed on Boeing 737 MAX flight computers is an agency priority but a decision to let the planes fly again will be informed by the probe into Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302.

The FAA late Wednesday issued a new Continued Airworthiness Notification to the International Community (CANIC) as NBC news reported it had confirmed the FBI had joined the investigation into the agency’s certification of the troubled Boeing 737 MAX.

US Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao this week asked the Department of Transportation’s inspector general to conduct a formal audit of the 737 MAX certification amid media claims the process was flawed.

The FAA said in the CANIC that it was aware Boeing is developing a service bulletin for the 737 MAX specifying the installation of new “flight control computer operational program software” as well as related training.

READ:  Confusion and prayer in Lion Air cockpit.

Boeing began working on changing pilots displays, operations manuals and crew training relating to new software on the 737 MAX after the crash in Indonesia last October of a Lion Air plane with 189 passengers and crew.

The pilots were still fighting the aircraft as it plunged into the ocean off Jakarta after the software, known the   Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS), repeatedly pushed down its nose because of incorrect information from a single angle of attack sensor.

However, they failed to follow an established procedure that would have allowed them to shut off the system by flicking two switches.

MCAS is now being updated to allow access to more than one angle of attack sensor input, limit the number of stabilizer trim commands when the software receives an erroneous AoA reading and provide a limit to the stabilizer command to allow pilots to retain elevator authority.

Boeing has said the software will be released no later than April.

“The FAA’s ongoing review of this software installation and training is an agency priority, as will be the roll-out of any software, training, or other measures to operators of the 737 MAX,’’  the US regulator said.

European and Canadian regulators have indicated they will be conducting their own reviews of the software and training in a break from the practice of accepting the FAA’s endorsement.

The FAA last week joined other regulators in grounding 737 MAX aircraft after it received new information about similarities between the Lion Air flight and the March 10 crash of Ethiopian Flight ET302. The Ethiopian plane plowed into the ground shortly after take-off from Addis Ababa, killing all 157 on board.

Ethiopia’s Transport Minister and French investigators have also pointed to similarities between the two crashes.

The FAA said it was continuing to analyze information from the Ethiopian disaster.

“The cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR) information have been downloaded from the units and are in possession of the Ethiopian authorities,’’ it said.

“Understanding the circumstances that contributed to this accident is critical in developing further actions and returning aircraft to service.”

Virgin Atlantic to launch its first South American route

By
Steve Creedy
virgin atlantic South America
virgin atlantic dreamliner

Virgin Atlantic is about to make its first foray into South America with services between London and Brazil’s Sao Paulo starting in 2020.

The British carrier will use a Boeing 787  for the flight of just under 12 hours between London Heathrow and Sao Paulo Guarulhos International Airport and tickets will go on sale later this year.

Virgin Atlantic executive vice president commercial Juha Jarvinen said the route announcement was part of a new phase of growth for Virgin Atlantic.

“Sao Paulo represents an incredible opportunity for our business, and we’re very excited to be flying to a brand new continent for the first time,’’ he said.

READ: World’s safest airlines named for 2019.

“There are a significant number of corporate customers, and multi-national businesses, located in this Powerhouse of South America who can now enjoy the Virgin Atlantic experience on this busy international route.”

The new route will be complemented by the launch of a full product offering from Virgin Holidays highlighting attractions such as Iguacu Falls and the Amazon rainforest as well as party town Rio de Janeiro and the beaches of Santa Catarina.

The airline says it also expects cargo opportunities through regular shipments of car parts, pharmaceuticals, food and agricultural products.

Other new services from the British carrier include flights from Heathrow to Las Vegas and Tel Aviv as well as from Manchester to Los Angeles.

It is also beefing up its connections with Air France and KLM.

KLM, Air France and Virgin announced the launch of a codeshare partnership earlier this month that offers 24 new routes to North America on flights operated by Virgin Atlantic and Delta.

Virgin Atlantic customers can now book on 58 new routes across the Atlantic from 18 UK airports with KLM and Air France.

The three carriers and Virgin part-owner Delta Air Lines are set to form an expanded joint venture later in 2019, subject to final clearance from regulators.

Read: Branson cedes control in bold alliance.

This will involve a  $US13bn transatlantic partnership for customers between the UK, Europe and North America offering over 300 daily transatlantic flights, 108 non-stop routes and more than 340 destinations.

Confusion and prayer in Lion Air cockpit

By
Geoffrey Thomas
MAX

The pilots of the fatal Lion Air Boeing 737 MAX searched pilot handbooks and checklists trying to work out why their jet was pitching nose down and one prayed as the aircraft dived into the ocean killing all 189 aboard, according to sources that have heard the cockpit voice recorder.

The report carried by Reuters says that the problem with the angle of attack sensor started just after take-off when the first officer reported a “flight control problem” to air traffic control.

While the first officer did not specify the problem, the source said airspeed was mentioned on the cockpit voice recording, and an indicator showed a problem (Angle of Attack sensor) on the captain’s display but not the first officer’s.

SEE: Boeing’s 737 MAX statement 

READ: Pilot Training, Automation under intense scrutiny

The captain then asked the first officer to check the quick reference handbook, which contains checklists for abnormal events.

For the next nine minutes, the Lion Air 737’s warning system alerted the pilots it was approaching an aerodynamic stall and pushed the nose down in response.

Sources said that the captain fought to climb, but the computer, still incorrectly sensing a stall, continued to push the nose down using the plane’s trim system located in the tail of the aircraft.

But the sources told Reuters that the Lion Air pilots “didn’t seem to know the trim was moving down, they thought only about airspeed and altitude. That was the only thing they talked about.”

This activated the stabilizer trim wheel in the cockpit which would have been spinning forward and making a loud noise. How the pilots could have missed this or its significance has stunned 737 pilots.

What is called a “Runaway Stabilizer Trim” is a memory item for pilots. You don’t need the checklist, you simply switch it off.

According to the sources the pilots of JT610 remained calm for most of the flight and near the end, the captain requested the first officer to fly while he checked the manual for a solution but he was unable to control the plane with the Flight Data Recorder revealing his inputs were weaker than the captain.

In the last minute, the Indian-born captain was silent while the Indonesian first officer said “Allahu Akbar,” or “God is greatest.”

Lion Air and Boeing did not comment on the report.

The Indonesian investigation agency KNKT, said last week that the final report would not be issued till July or August.

The Reuters report comes after Bloomberg, this time quoting two sources, reported that a pilot traveling in the jump seat of a flight on the same plane the night before diagnosed a similar problem with the aircraft and told the flight crew how to fix it.

Bloomberg reported the third pilot told the crew to hit two switches that turned off the stabilizer trim.

New Taiwanese carrier StarLux signs deal for 17 A350s

By
Steve Creedy
StarLux A350 order

New Taiwanese carrier StarLux Airlines has signed a firm order 17 Airbus A350 family aircraft to deploy on new routes to Europe and North America as well as select Asia-Pacific destinations.

European manufacturer Airbus confirmed that StarLux had signed up for  12 A350-1000s and five A350-900s. StarLux and Airbus first signed a memorandum of understanding for the order at the 2018 Farnborough Airshow.

The airline was originally slated to launch in 2018 but now says it will launch in early 2020. It expects to start taking delivery of 10 Airbus A321neos in October and says it will have three jets when it launches.

READ Struggling Jet Airways continues to ground planes.

It says pilot training has begun in Phoenix, Arizona, assessment of the first cabin crew ended earlier this month and ground crew recruitment should begin in May.

Deliveries of the five A350-900s are due to begin in late 2021 with the bigger A350-1000s joining the fleet in the third quarter of 2022.

The new carrier expects to have the 27 aircraft by 2024 and serve more than 20 destinations in Asia and North America.

StarLux founder and chairman  K.W. Chang said the airline had chosen the A350 for its long-range capability, significantly lower operating costs and high passenger comfort.

“StarLux is committed to becoming one of the best airlines in the world,’’ he said in the announcement. “We are positive that with the A350 XWB, we will be able to spread our wings to further destinations, bringing our best-in-class services to more people over the world in the near future.”

Rolls-Royce said the new airline had also signed a contract for its TotalCare long-term services for the plane’s Trent XWB engines.

The A350 family offers a range of up to 9,700 nm and its aerodynamic design and carbon construction combine with the fuel-efficient Rolls-Royce engines to give operators a 25 percent reduction in fuel burn and emissions.

At the end of February 2019, the A350 XWB Family had received 852 firm orders from 48 customers worldwide.

The confirmation of the StarLux order comes after Lufthansa Group earlier this month said it would take 20 additional Airbus A350-900 planes to be delivered between 2022 and 2027 to replace its four-engine aircraft.

The deal involves the sale of six of its 14 A380 superjumbos back to Airbus with the planes leaving the fleet in 2022 and 2023.

The German carrier also ordered 20 Boeing 787-9s to bring the list price of the combined order to $US12 billion, although the airline paid much less

Lufthansa chief Carsten Spohr said that replacing four-engine planes with newer models was creating a sustainable foundation for the company’s future.

“In addition to the cost-effectiveness of the A350 and B787, the significantly lower CO2 emissions of this new generation of long-haul aircraft was also a decisive factor in our investment decision,’’ he said.

 

 

Struggling Jet Airways continues to ground planes.

By
Steve Creedy

India’s Jet Airways continues to ground planes as it grapples with debts totaling more than $US1 billion.

It has grounded more than half of its original fleet of over 100 aircraft and has delayed payments to employees and creditors such as suppliers and banks.

The BBC reported Tuesday the airline had grounded a further six planes because the airline failed to pay lessors.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has calculated the current fleet likely operates about 140 flights a day compared an average of 650 in March 2018.

Once India’s biggest carrier, Jet Blue has lost market share to IndiGo and SpiceJet.

Recent reports suggest that 24 percent shareholder Etihad, which has financial woes of its own, has told the Indians it will not invest more money in Jet and wants to sell off its stake.

Abu Dhabi-based Etihad is currently Jet’s biggest stakeholder but recently announced a $US1.28 loss for 2018 to record its third year of losses of more than $1 billion.

READ: Etihad posts another massive loss in 2018

Pilots have threatened to stop work from April 1 unless they get some assurance they will be paid and the airline’s engineers have warned Indian authorities the situation could put safety at risk.

India’s Civil Aviation Minister has asked officials to call a  meeting with the airline to discuss any potential safety issues as well as the groundings and how the airline is handling issues such as  cancellations and refunds

Jet Airways founder and chairman Naresh Goyal told the pilots he would need a “a further short time” to finalize a rescue deal for the carrier.

But an analysis by BBC reporter  Sameer Hashmi suggests Goyal is at the heart of the crisis due to his failure to step down as chairman.

The analysis said this had cruelled rescue deals with Etihad and, more recently, TATA group that could have recapitalized the airline and has been making it difficult to find investors.

Earlier this week,  Reuters reported that the Indian government, which faces elections next month and is keen to avoid massive job losses,  had asked state-run banks to rescue the carrier without pushing it into bankruptcy.

The news agency said new Dehli had urged state-run banks to convert debt into equity and “nudged” its 49 percent-owned National Investment and Infrastructure Fund to buy a stake in Jet Airways.

 

 

 

US Transportation Secretary requests formal audit of MAX certification

By
Steve Creedy
Boeing
Photo: Boeing

US Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao has asked the Department of Transportation’s inspector general to conduct a formal audit of the Boeing 737 MAX certification process.

The move was confirmed Monday by the US DoT after media reports of the probe into the Federal Aviation Administration and an increasing focus on the process used to certify the latest versions of the ubiquitous 737.

READ:  Boeing chief says company working to fully ensure 737 MAX safety.

It came as  President Donald Trump named former Delta Air Lines flight operations president Steve Dickson as his choice to become the new head of the FAA after the agency has been without a permanent chief for 14 months.

A former US Air Force officer and F-15 fighter pilot, Dickson retired from Delta last year after a 27-year career that included responsibility for safety, pilot training and regulatory compliance.

US media said the choice was made before the 737 MAX controversy arose as a result of recent crashes.

Two Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft — Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 — have crashed with five months killing 346 people.

Ethiopian authorities have said there are similarities between the two accidents although they have yet to go into detail.

All 737 MAX aircraft have been grounded globally and at least one carrier, Air Canada, has said it has removed the planes from its schedule until the beginning of July due to uncertainties about its return to service.

Aviation consultancy IBA has estimated the direct cost to operators of grounding the planes is about $US150,000 per aircraft per day.

Other estimates of the costs to Boeing of reimbursing carriers for the groundings have varied from $US100m a month to almost $US170m a month, depending on the analyst.

Boeing has suspended 737 MAX deliveries but is continuing to make the planes.

“Safety is the top priority of the Department, and all of us are saddened by the fatalities resulting from the recent accidents involving two Boeing 737-MAX 8 aircraft in Indonesia and Ethiopia, the referral memo from Chao reads.

“ As you know, Boeing requested an amended type certification for this aircraft in January 2012, and the Federal Aviation Administration issued the certification in March 2017.

“To help inform the Department’s decision making and the public’s understanding, and to assist the FAA in ensuring that its safety procedures are implemented effectively, this is to confirm my request that the Office of Inspector General proceed with an audit to compile an objective and detailed factual history of the activities that resulted in the certification of the Boeing 737-MAX 8 aircraft.

“Please keep me apprised of the status of your work as it progresses.”

Boeing said it would cooperate with the DoT audit.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday that the Justice Department was also investigating the safety approvals and that a Grand Jury in Washington, DC, has issued a subpoena asking for documents about the MAX, including emails and messages.

The WSJ said the Justice Department probe involved a prosecutor in the fraud section of the department’s criminal division, but it was not immediately clear if it was linked to the scrutiny of the FAA by the DoT inspector general.

It noted it was unusual for federal prosecutors to investigate details of regulatory approval or to use a “criminal probe” to delve into dealings between the FAA and Boeing.

Also unusual are reported statements by Canada and the European Union that they would do there own verification of a Boeing software fix even if it is certified by the FAA.

Boeing had been working before the Ethiopian crash on changing pilot displays, operations manuals and crew training related to controversial software added to the 737 MAX.

The Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS) is also being updated to allow access to more than one angle of attack sensor input, limit stabilizer trim commands when the software receives an erroneous angle of attack reading and provide a limit to the stabilizer command to allow pilots to retain elevator authority.

A report in The Seattle Times that the US Federal Aviation Administration delegated much of the safety assessment during the 737 MAX’s certification process to Boeing and that it contained crucial flaws has further added to the controversy.

Based on interviews with current and former engineers involved in the evaluations, the newspaper said the safety analysis understated the power of the new flight control system and failed to account for how it might reset itself each time a pilot responded.

It said that when the planes entered service, MCAS was capable of moving the tail more than four times farther than was stated in the initial safety analysis document and the evaluation missed the potential impact of the system repeatedly pushing the aircraft’s nose down.

Boeing told AirlineRatings that the 737 MAX was certified in accordance with “the identical FAA requirements and processes that have governed certification of all previous new airplanes and derivatives”.

“The FAA considered the final configuration and operating parameters of MCAS during MAX certification, and concluded that it met all certification and regulatory requirements,” it said.

 

 

Boeing chief says company working to fully ensure 737 MAX safety

By
Steve Creedy
Boeing Muilenburg efends safety
Boeing chief executive Dennis Muilenburg (right) at the launch of the 737MAX 10.

The man in the Boeing hot seat, chief executive Dennis Muilenburg, has defended the company ’s record and says it is acting to fully ensure the safety of its new Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.

In a letter to airlines, passengers and the aviation community, Muilenburg vowed to keep working “to earn and keep the trust people have placed in Boeing”.

The letter comes as Boeing and the US regulator have been under media fire for their handling of the crashes: Lion Air Flight 610 in Indonesia, which killed 189 people in October, and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, which killed 157 on March 10.

SEE the video here

The crashes led to the grounding of Boeing 737 MAX aircraft around the world and the fall-out has included increased scrutiny of the certification process.

Read: Pilot training, skill levels, and automation come under intense scrutiny.

In the letter, Muilenburg said the company knew that lives depended on the work it did and its teams embraced that responsibility with a deep sense of commitment every day.

“Safety is at the core of who we are at Boeing, and ensuring safe and reliable travel on our airplanes is an enduring value and our absolute commitment to everyone,’’ he said.

“This overarching focus on safety spans and binds together our entire global aerospace industry and communities.

“We’re united with our airline customers, international regulators and government authorities in our efforts to support the most recent investigation, understand the facts of what happened and help prevent future tragedies.

“Based on facts from the Lion Air Flight 610 accident and emerging data as it becomes available from the Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 accident, we’re taking actions to fully ensure the safety of the 737 MAX. We also understand and regret the challenges for our customers and the flying public caused by the fleet’s grounding.”

READ: Black boxes show “similarities” between Boeing 737 MAX crashes.

Muilenburg said work was progressing “thoroughly and rapidly” to learn more about the Ethiopian Airlines accident and understand information from the cockpit voice and flight data recorders.

Boeing has a team on-site to support the investigation and provide technical expertise but Muilenburg said it would to the Ethiopia Accident Investigation Bureau to determine when and how it was appropriate to release additional details.

He said the planemaker would soon release a software update and related pilot training to address concerns discovered in the aftermath of Lion Air Flight 610.

“We’ve been working in full cooperation with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, the Department of Transportation and the National Transportation Safety Board on all issues relating to both the Lion Air and the Ethiopian Airlines accidents since the Lion Air accident occurred in October last year,’’ he said.

The Boeing chief said he had dedicated his entire career to the company “working shoulder to shoulder with our amazing people and customers for more than three decades” he shared their deep sense of commitment.

He had seen first hand at Boeing’s 737 production facility in Washington the pride staff felt in their work and the pain all were experiencing in light of the tragedies.

“The importance of our work demands the utmost integrity and excellence—that’s what I see in our team, and we’ll never rest in pursuit of it,’’ he said.

The rise and rise of AirAsia

By
Geoffrey Thomas
AirAsia

AirAsia is continuing its spectacular growth with new services across key destinations including Australia, China, Japan, Korea and India, new product and new planes.

Australia remains a key growth market for the airline group with new services from Brisbane to Bangkok announced recently to launch 25 June, joining existing Australian destinations of Sydney, Perth, Melbourne (Avalon), and Gold Coast.

Last week AirAsia announced new – and exclusive – four times weekly services from Perth to Lombok on the back of increased demand for services to Indonesia’s affordable and convenient island locations.

This service is in addition to the very popular three-times daily return services from Perth to Bali.

AirAsia’s long-haul airline (AirAsia X) switched its service from Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) to Avalon Airport in Victoria in early December and its chief executive Benyamin Ismail said the airline was pleased with early demand over summer.

Ismail said more than 100,000 people had already flown on its two daily flights between Avalon and Kuala Lumpur with loads at a healthy 80 to 85 percent through December, January and February.

“Avalon Airport is now AirAsia’s largest destination in Australia by capacity with plans to add new destinations from Avalon in the future – based on demand and overall commercial viability,’’ he said.

“Fly Through services via Kuala Lumpur onto India, Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam are proving popular also from Avalon for leisure and visiting friends and family.”

AirAsia is currently reviewing its fleet including the A321neo and A330neo which will provide opportunities for potential growth in Australia given range and economics.

Destinations such as Adelaide, Cairns and Avalon to Thailand could become a reality with the new aircraft currently on order.

The airline is also evaluating the Airbus’ long-range version of the A321neo the LR as it moves to target more destinations within a range of seven hours. Powered by CFM International’s LAEP-1A engines, the A321neo LR, is due to enter service in the fourth quarter of 2018 and is designed to carry up to 240 passengers 4000 nautical miles.

On the service front in January the airline rolled out Apple’s Siri to check their upcoming flight status or interact with a new AI-powered chatbot called AVA a part of a facelift of its customer-facing technology.

The carrier unveiled its new chatbot and new homepage and revamped app designed to make its services more user-friendly.

AVA stands for AirAsia Virtual Allstar and was developed in-house in using technology from Ada, a Toronto-based company that specializes in artificial intelligence-powered customer experience.

The chatbot answers questions instantly in eight languages: English, Bahasa Malaysia, Thai, Bahasa Indonesia, Vietnamese, Korean, Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese.

The airline says it new homepage is designed for faster and easier navigation and includes features such as upcoming flight notices, recent searches as well as links to best hotels, duty-free and activity deals.

And on March 18, AirAsia announced a new extended partnership with Sony to provide new state of the art noise canceling headphones for premium flatbed guests*. More importantly, this signifies the start of a number of major initiatives planned by the airline in its quest to deliver a premium but affordable air travel experience.

AirAsia is constantly reviewing the product and experience to enhance the value long haul, low-cost airline of choice proposition.

The new Sony WH-1000XM3 wireless headphones onboard from 18 March on selected long haul services have been designed for improved sound quality and to deliver an enhanced guest experience, with a noise-canceling ambient mode to provide guests with complete control of their listening experience.

AirAsia Group Head of Ancillary Barry Klipp said, “the award-winning Premium Flatbed is already the best priced, premium experience in the sky.  We are thrilled to be able to partner with Sony to deliver on an even better inflight experience for all our Premium Flatbed guests who can enjoy a variety of entertainment choices available on our Xcite inflight entertainment tablets and other value add products included for all Premium Flatbed guests. This is part of our strategy to deliver continual improvement in everything we do and to ensure our guests experience the very best value and choice when it comes to low-cost air travel. ”

Sony Malaysia Managing Director Satoru Arai said, “We are delighted to deliver our Sony WH-1000XM3 wireless noise canceling headphones to AirAsia Premium Flatbed guests which will take the inflight experience to the next level with Sony’s innovative QN1 processor and deliver a great audio experience 35,000 ft above the ground.”

To celebrate the partnership, AirAsia is offering special fares on award-winning Premium Flatbed from only under AUD $300 for flights from Kuala Lumpur to Tianjin, Gold Coast, Osaka, Seoul, Honolulu and others. Book on airasia.com and the AirAsia mobile app from 18 March 2019 to 24 March 2019 for immediate travel until 31 August 2019.

The noise cancelling Sony wireless headphones are the latest enhancements to the AirAsia X Premium Flatbeds which already feature universal power sockets, adjustable headrests and built-in personal utilities as well as complimentary premium products and services including access to AirAsia Premium Red Lounge at klia2, priority check-in, priority boarding, priority baggage, 40kg baggage allowance, complimentary meals as well as pillow and duvet.

*Available in Premium Flatbed Cabins of all scheduled AirAsia X Malaysia (D7) flights greater than 5 hours.

 

 

British Airways unveils spiffing new business class seats

By
Steve Creedy
British Airways club
The Club Suite. Photo: British Airways.

British Airways has unveiled its much anticipated new business class seat, Club Suite, and it looks like it ticks all the boxes.

The seat will launch in the airline’s first Airbus A350 in July in a 56-seat Club World cabin with a 1-2-1 configuration that gives all passengers direct aisle access.

It is part of a  £6.5 billion investment program that is seeing changes to the British carrier’s lounges and inflight product as well as new aircraft and routes.

READ: British Airways opts for 42 Boeing 777X aircraft.

It comes with a suite door for greater privacy and  40 percent more storage that includes a vanity unit and mirror There is also WiFi, PC/USB power and a big 18.5-inch inflight entertainment screen with high definition gate-to-gate programming.

British Airways new business class
Photo:: BA

BA chief executive Alex Cruz said the suite door and direct access were design features incorporated as a direct result of feedback from customers.

READ:  British Airways puts on the ritz for first class

“We’ve worked hard to ensure every aspect of the Club World experience from the lounges we’ve refreshed, to the new gourmet menus from Do&Co on flights from Heathrow, and the luxurious bedding we’ve introduced from The White Company exudes the very British style and quality customers expect from us,” he said.

British Airways new business class
Photo: BA

“At British Airways we have one of Europe’s largest long-haul fleets and most far-reaching global networks, so it will take some time to make the cabin available to everybody.

“We hope that as more customers have the chance to experience it, they’ll enjoy traveling in it as much as we’ve enjoyed designing it.”

As well as a new Club World cabin, the three-cabin A350 will feature the latest World Traveller Plus cabin (56 seats) with new furnishings including a plush new pillow and a warm quilt, new amenity kits and an enhanced service and an improved dining experience.

Those traveling in the 219-seat World Traveller (economy) cabin will also benefit from high-speed WiFi.

The airline, which is marking its centenary this year, says it will roll out the new suites in a carefully managed program designed to minimize disruption to customers.

During phase one, the first A350 aircraft will start some short-haul flying between London and Madrid to allow the airline’s teams to perfect their customer service delivery and familiarise cabin crew with the aircraft layout.

British Airways new business class
Photo: BA

In phase two, from October 1, 2019, the aircraft will begin long-haul flying. During this period another three A350 aircraft will join the British Airways fleet and two Boeing 777 aircraft will also be retrofitted with the new cabin.

At the start of 2020 phase three will begin which will see British Airways rolling out its Club Suite on further long-haul aircraft across the network.

 

Atlanta still the world’s busiest airport

By
Steve Creedy
Atlanta airport world's biggest
PHOTO: ATL

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has retained its crown as the world’s busiest airport after handling more than 107 million passengers in 2018.

But Beijing airport is closing the gap after growing by 5.4 percent to handle more than 100 million passengers, according to preliminary figures from the Airports Council International (ACI).

Dubai remained in third position with more than 89 million passengers after a year of lack-luster growth.

READ: AirAsia X ponders new Avalon routes after summer success.

It was followed by Los Angeles (87.5m passengers) Tokyo Haneda (87.1m), Chicago O’Hare (83.3m), London Heathrow (80.1m), Hong Kong (74.5m), Shanghai (74m) and Paris Charles de Gaulle (72.2m).

The rankings changed when just international passengers were considered.

Dubai ranked number one with 88.9m international passengers, followed by London Heathrow (75.3m) Hong Kong (74.4m) Amsterdam Schiphol (71m) and Incheon in Seoul (67.7m).

Hong Kong led the field when it came to cargo followed by Memphis and Shanghai.

ACI said global passenger traffic remained resilient in 2018, growing 6 percent on the previous year to 8.8 billion. This was above the 4.3 percent compound annual growth rate for passenger traffic from 2007 to 2017.

Passenger traffic at the world’s 20 busiest airports – which represent 17 percent of all global passenger traffic – grew by 4.7percent in 2018 as more than 1.5 billion movements.

The air cargo market did not fare as well with a year-end growth figure of 3.2 percent.

The top 20 airports for aircraft movements grew by 2.4 percent in 2018, with Chicago O’Hare Airport surpassing Atlanta to become the busiest airport in the world for aircraft movements.

Both airports experienced slight declines in 2017 but have since recorded growth of 4.2 percent and 1.8 percent respectively.

ACI world director Angela Gittins said it was heartening to see traffic growth had remained resilient in 2018 despite the increasingly tense and challenging geopolitical climate.

“Aviation is strongly linked to the global economy and to local development, however, and the protectionist rhetoric that has swept several Western countries will continue to restrain growth in the efficient flow of people, goods and services,’’ she added.

The airport leader also warned that many national governments faced the predicament of demand outstripping available airport infrastructure.

“With the cost of travel decreasing in many markets, and a burgeoning middle class growing in emerging markets, passenger traffic growth has remained irrepressible,’’ he said.

“Indeed, ACI’s global medium-term forecasts reveal growth in demand for air services between 2018 to 2023 will grow by almost 30 percent.”

 

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