Delta Cancels Dreamline Order

Delta Air Lines Inc. scrapped an order for 18 Boeing Co. widebody jets valued at $4 billion at list prices.

The 787-8 Dreamliners had been on Delta’s order book since its 2008 merger with Northwest Airlines. The Atlanta-based carrier said it had reached an agreement with Boeing on the cancellation, without disclosing terms. It will continue orders already in progress for 120 narrowbody Boeing 737-900ER, Delta said in a statement Tuesday.

Explosives Found on Egyptair Flight

Egyptian air accident investigators said on Thursday traces of explosives had been found on the remains of victims of an Egyptair flight that crashed en route from Paris to Cairo.

Flight MS 804 plunged into one of the deepest parts of the Mediterranean Sea on May 19, killing all 66 people on board.

Egypt's investigation committee issued a statement saying the coroner had found traces of explosives on the remains of some victims. It gave no more details but said its findings were sent to prosecutors investigating foul play.

"The technical investigation committee ... places itself and its expertise at the disposal of prosecutors," it said.

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Saudi Arabian Airlines Fined

Saudi Arabian Airlines has been fined some 1.4 million euros by a regional Belgian government for breaching EU carbon emissions rules, making it the first big non-EU carrier to be fined for breaking the EU aviation law.

The European Union requirement that all aircraft using its airports pay for carbon emissions caused international outcry when it was introduced at the start of 2012.

Air Malta in Talks With Turkish Airlines

Air Malta is currently in negotiations with Turkish Airlines – the fourth largest carrier in the world – regarding a strategic alliance and cash injection. 

Company sources at Air Malta have told local media that discussions are held on a regular basis with a number of airlines over alliances of some degree, however with Turkish these discussions are also including talks about a cash injection or a total buyout of the small and financially strapped Maltese airline. 

Premium Economy For Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines will officially launch its new premium economy seats this Thursday, 21st
 May, with Sydney being the first destination.

Flights to London, Hong Kong, Frankfurt and Paris will follow as the airline moves to rapidly fit the new seats across its flagship fleet of Airbus A380 and Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.

The leather-clad seats, created exclusively for Singapore Airlines by JPA Design, will be 19.5 inches wide with a pitch of 38 inches, compared to a 19 inch width and tighter 32 inch pitch in standard economy cabin.  In addition to a greater recline, padded legrest and more in-seat storage space, passengers will also be treated to champagne and meals from Singapore Airlines' 'Book the Cook' service.

United Hacker Controls Flight.

Worrying news breaking from the United States of America regarding in flight safety of aircraft after a cyber security hacker's claim hit the headlines that he managed to control an aircraft mid-flight through its in-flight entertainment system.

According to media reports, the FBI warrant says researcher / hacker Chris Roberts took control of a United Airlines flight briefly and caused the aircraft to fly sideways for a short time.  It is not exactly clear when the incident took place however Roberts was detained by the FBI in April after he posted this tweet claiming he had hacked into the control systems of a United Airlines flight on which he was a passenger.

Busy Summer Ahead

According to figures released this week from Airlines for America, this summer is looking set to be one of the busiest on record with an estimated 222 million travelers are expected to fly from 1st June to 31st Aug. That would be an amazing  4.5% growth from last year, the average number of 2.4 million travelers per day would include 332,000 on international flights, which the group said would also be a record.

"With 13 of the 15 busiest air travel days of the year falling in the summer months, U.S. airlines are well-prepared to accommodate the increased travel demand by adding flights and seats, and deploying new and larger aircraft, along with a boost in staffing to enhance the customer experience," said John Heimlich, chief economist for Airlines for America. Healthy air-travel demand and lower, yet still volatile, fuel prices are helping U.S. airlines close the gap to average U.S. corporate profitability,"

Bristol Airport Sussess

Passenger numbers soared to move than 500,000 last month, a new record for the South West Airport. Its the 13th consecutive month of growth at the regional airport and future growth is promised with new routes and a new winter schedule being planned.

BMI Regional saw traffic their passenger numbers increase with the launch of two new services to Paris and Düsseldorf. Other airlines including Brussels Airlines, EasyJet, Ryanair and Thomas Cook also recorded growth from Bristol.

New destinations for the summer include Bilbao, lsle of Man, Porto, Gibraltar, Catania, Cape Verde, Paphos and Hurghada.  Wizz Air is all set to make its Bristol debut in June with twice weekly flights to Katowice in Poland.

The airport management confirm a terminal extension is on schedule to open in July of this year that will increase services to passengers. Airport chief executive, Robert Sinclair, said: “Growth in passenger numbers supports investment in facilities such as the eastern terminal extension which will create additional space and seating, as well as a wider choice of shops and restaurants. It also demonstrates to airlines the strength of the market for air travel in the south-west as we work to attract exciting new routes to add to the 100-plus already on offer from Bristol.”

EasyJet Crew Injured in Turbulence.

Two flight crew were injured as turbulence hit an easyJet aircraft as it prepared to land in Milan. One of the cabin crew suffered a broken ankle and the other severe bruising, an air accident report revealed. They were both take to an Italian hospital after medical staff were called to meet the aircraft. None of the 137 passengers was injured on board the Airbus A320 flight from Gatwick on January 30, according to the report from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch.

The All New Gulf - American War

The all new Gulf - American war of words between the big three American carriers and the three big Gulf airlines is heating up to such an extreme that trade sanctions are currently being considered.

Etihad Airways hit back yesterday at the big three US carriers seeking to restrict Gulf airlines from competing on ‘open skies’ routes to North America.  The United Arab Emirates based airline outlined a range of government and court-sanctioned benefits and concessions received by Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and American Airlines Group, and other carriers with which they have merged.

All told the benefits are worth $71.48 billion with over $70 billion coming since 2000, which has enabled the three largest carriers in the US to go from the verge of bankruptcy to industry leaders, each achieving multi-billion dollar profits.

Delta, American and United generated collective net profits of $8.97 billion last year, equivalent to 45% of the total $19.9 billion profits achieved in 2014 by the global airline industry. 2015 seems to show no sign of change as all three reported large net profits for the first quarter of the year.

New Route to Miami for Turkish

Turkish Airlines will launch a new service to Miami from Istanbul on 25th October and will be the first direct service between the two cities since September of 2001. For the flights starting in October, the airline will use a Boeing 777-300ER with capacity for 337 passengers. Flights will arrive in Miami at 8:30 p.m. and leave for Istanbul at 10:30 p.m. daily.

Istanbul Ataturk Airport is ranked 13th in the world for total passenger traffic with 56.8 million passengers in 2014 and Turkish Airlines plans to increase its route to 273 destinations by the end of the year.

Turkish Airlines first started flying the Miami-Istanbul route in June of 1999, but stopped the service in September of 2001. An airport spokesman said the airline had limited resources at the time, and the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks forced air carriers all over the globe to cut back.