Virgin-Skywest alliance get final OK from ACCC
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commisison has given final approval to a codesharing alliance between Virgin Australia and WA regional carrier Skywest. The tie-up will link Virgin with Skywest’s network serving the mining industry and comes amid a larger push by Virgin to challenge Qantas’s hold on business travel. “Virgin Australia is committed to increasing
General aviation aircraft shipments fell 2.1 per cent while billings tumbled eight per cent during the first quarter of 2012, according to figures released by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA). Piston-powered aircraft shipments fell from 188 in the first quarter of 2011 to 184 this year while business jet shipments fell from 128 to
Virgin Australia has had to scramble to get one of its new Airbus A330s ready for its maiden service this week after the aircraft clipped a stationary Jetstar A330 while being towed around Melbourne Airport late last week. Virgin said the wingtip of the A330 (reported to be VH-XFC) was slightly damaged, and the carrier
CareFlight gets custom simulators
Queensland based RACQ CareFlight Rescue has taken delivery of a pair of custom built Bell 412 helicopter simulators. The simulators, built by Flight Simulators Asia Pacific in consultation with CareFlight, are specifically configured for air-medical evacuation missions and feature a full dual cockpit and instrumentation as well as additional observer seats. CareFlight said the simulators,
Criminal probe launched into Sukhoi crash
Russian investigators have launched a criminal probe into the crash of a Sukhoi Superjet 100 during a demonstration flight in Indonesia on Wednesday. A law enforcement spokesman said the investigation would focus on crew training and the technical condition of the aircraft before it left Russia. As many as 50 people were killed when the
The Federal Court has ruled against Qantas long haul pilots in a case seeking to reinstate the pilots’ ability to launch industrial action against the airline. While dismissing the case, however, the court said Fair Work Australia should not have ordered the Australian and International Pilots Association to halt industrial action in the first place.
