C-130 sent to flooded Lightning Ridge
An RAAF C-130 Hercules has been dispatched from RAAF Base Richmond to carry essential supplies to the flood-affected NSW opal mining town of Lightning Ridge. The aircraft was scheduled to make two trips to the state’s north, delivering over 19 tonnes of groceries, provisions and drinking water. Meanwhile, ADF personnel assisting with flood relief in
Stranded Air Australia pax heading home as creditors circle
Creditors of Air Australia will meet on Wednesday to decide whether to liquidate the failed airline, but it appears likely there will be little to salvage after the carrier collapsed last week. Since Air Australia leased its aircraft and facilities, its few remaining assets would probably be limited to its air operator’s certificate, its engineering
Union boss bashes “foul liar” Joyce
A union official has lashed out at Qantas plans to shed 500 jobs as illegal, saying the airline should be prosecuted under the Fair Work Act. Calling Qantas CEO Alan Joyce a “foul liar,” Transport Workers Union boss Tony Sheldon said the plan to cut jobs violated requirement laid out by Fair Work Australia and
“Rescue fares” offered for Air Australia pax
Virgin Australia, Qantas and Hawaiian Airlines are to begin offering “rescue fares” for passengers stranded by the collapse of Air Australia. An estimated 4000 passengers are stuck in Thailand, Bali and Hawaii after the budget carrier was unable to pay for fuel and abruptly ceased flying and went into voluntary administration. Virgin said it would
P&W continues engine tests for Bombardier C-Series
Pratt & Whitney has begun icing testing its PurePower PW1524G engine for the Bombardier C-Series aircraft. The overall PW1523G test program has run more than 1200 hours to date, including over 200 flight hours on a 747 test aircraft. P&W says its next generation PurePower engines will offer double digit improvements in fuel efficiency while
Indonesia orders nine C295s
Airbus Military has announced a firm contract to supply nine C295 military transports to the Indonesian Air Force. Deliveries of the aircraft are slated to begin this year with all nine scheduled to arrive by 2014. The aircraft will be supplied via a contract with PT Dirgantara Indonesia, which will establish a final assembly line
