Boeing, the unions and your commercial jets

by Grant Martin on

Like many of you waiting for your 777 or 787 to arrive, I’ve been closely watching the progress of Boeing against their rival unions for the last two months.

As the manufacturing woes go, the International Association of Machinists (IAM) has been striking against the airframe manufacturer since early September, primarily citing worries about their jobs going overseas. For, Boeing, who has a long queue for 777s and 737s let alone the roll out of their new 787 Dreamliner to worry over, this strike can’t come at a worse time. Already the company is falling drastically behind on its production schedule, and with every day of delay, airlines cancel orders, demand repercussions and become more agitated.

V Australia is a prime example. The new long haul carrier was originally slated to receive six 777s from Boeing, with three to begin service in this quarter. Planning for launch, the airline sold a deluge of cheap fall and winter tickets, riling up passengers and building up the buzz — only to have their aircraft delayed by the manufacturer. To make commitments, the airline booked passengers on other carriers at what must have been an immense loss. And they’re not even operating yet.

As the strike winds down this week and the two opponents finally come into agreement (hopefully), lets all be thankful that this bickering is over and that we can get back to fulfilling orders, making passengers happy, earning money and most of all, making damn good airplanes.

You can read more about the strike at fleetbuzzeditorial.

Qantas Owns up to Price Fixing

by Josh Lew on

Qantas is eager to put this year behind itself. Several mid-air incidents caused the airlines commitment to safety to come into question. Also, their plan to outsource labor caused a ruckus with local unions. Nonetheless, the Qantas is keeping its head above water. It dominates lucrative routes between the US and Australia and holds its own against stiff competition in Asia.

So when a price-fixing scandal involving the airline’s freight division came to public attention, Qantas was only too willing to make amends. Between 2002 and 2006, Qantas was one of over 30 airlines to charge unnecessary fuel surcharges. Virgin Atlantic and British Airways are the two high profile airlines already guilty of price fixing via fuel surcharges. But whereas the two London-based carriers’ scandal involved passengers, Qantas was only accused of fixing prices on air freight. Chief exec Geoff Dixon announced that the issue was settled before the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). A fine of AUS$20 million was paid to the ACCC. Last year, Qantas paid US$61 million for a related price-fixing charge in the US.

Canadians in the hunt to buy Gatwick airport in London

by Jeffrey White on

Back in September I posted about how the BAA, the UK’s largest airport operator, was selling London’s Gatwick airport and another one or two British hubs on orders from Britain’s Competition Commission, which wants to decrease the company’s market dominance.

A few investors are interested, including Australian company MacQuarie, Germany’s Fraport and the owners of Manchester’s airport.

Now add to that list the Vancouver International Airport Authority, which is reportedly part of a $3.1 billion bid to buy Gatwick. Specifically, YCR Airport Services Ltd. is putting in the bid. It’s owned by both the VAA and Citibank.

No word yet on when bids will be reviewed and whittled down to a winner.

The BAA owns giant Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Southampton airports.

Budget Carrier Rents PSPs to Passengers

by Josh Lew on

South Africa-based 1time Airlines is a low cost carrier. In order to keep their prices low, they decided against adding any built-in in-flight entertainment in their fleet. Not really a problem, because most of the flights are not lengthy. The bulk of their air time is between their hub in Johannesburg and other South African cities like Durban and Cape Town. 1time does have one longer route from Jo’burg to the Tanzanian city of Zanzibar (approximately 3.5 hours).

The airline has introduced a concept of offering portable entertainment on their planes for rent. On select flights, 1time will be offering PlayStation Portable devices for a nominal fee of 60 rand (about $4.80 US). The rental includes disposable earpieces and last for the duration of the flight. This isn’t the first gimmick for 1time. They also use their extra leg room and leather seats to differentiate themselves from the competition. A novel approach? Other carriers have offered video gaming devices in the past. But this time it is in lieu of in-flight entertainment, not in addition to it.

[Via Travelwires]

Pilot misses runway, lands in sewage pond

by Jeffrey White on

A New Zealand pilot today overshot his runway at Thames Airport on the country’s North Island, and had to make an emergency landing, Australia’s Sydney Morning Herald is reporting.

Where did the pilot land?

In a sewage pond.

Authorities are investigating how the man managed to miss his runway, and whether New Zealand air traffic control is to blame.

But the worst part of the story is that the pilot had to swim through the sewage to reach shore safely.

He was flying the Cessna solo, and authorities say he’s not injured.

File that one under a crappy landing, I guess.