EADS – BAE in merger talks
Airbus-parent EADS and BAE Systems are in talks over a merger that would create a global giant in the aerospace and defence industries. The two companies confirmed the merger talks in a joint statement yesterday, outlining a deal in which UK-based BAE would own 40 per cent of the new company with EADS owning a
Virgin tries to give Qantas the boot on Italy
Virgin Australia is seeking to pry away half of Qantas’s weekly allocation of seats to Italy. In an application to the International Air Services Commission, which distributes capacity to Australian airlines under international air treaties, Virgin said it was seeking 300 seats per week to support the introduction of code sharing services on existing flights
QantasLink launches Sydney-Gladstone Q400 service
QantasLink will launch direct flights between Sydney and Gladstone next year as it continues to expand its Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 turboprop network. The Sydney-Gladstone services are scheduled to commence on March 4 2013 and will operate eight times per week, including twice daily on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays. The 2-hour 35-minute route will be
First ‘Sharklet’ to go to AirAsia
AirAsia will become the first operator of Airbus A320 ‘Sharklets’ when it takes delivery of aircraft equipped with the fuel-saving wingtip devices late this year. Airbus claims the ‘Sharklets’ will result in a fuel savings of close to four per cent on longer flights. The devices will be standard equipment on the upcoming A320neo and
Reef Pilots lease AW109 helicopter
Australian Reef Pilots has leased a new AugustaWestland AW109 helicopter to help guide ships through the Great Barrier Reef. The Mackay based helicopter will be used to meet incoming coal ships and other vessels at Hydrographers Passage and Blossom Bank on the Reef. ARP provides specialist marine pilots who guide ships through the Reef’s passages.
Senior RAAF logistician to lead Airservices
The ADF’s most senior female officer has been appointed to head Airservices Australia as the air traffic control provider rolls out a five-year, $1 billion spending program. Air Vice-Marshal Margaret Staib will take over as Airservices CEO on October 15, replacing acting chief Andrew Clark. Former Airservices CEO Greg Russell abruptly resigned in May amid
