Europe clears electronic devices for takeoff, landing
Following the US Federal Aviation Administration’s lead in early November, the EU’s Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has updated guidance on the use of portable electronic devices on board, including smartphones, tablets and e-readers, confirming that devices may be kept switched on in “Flight Mode” throughout all phases of flight without posing a risk to
American Airlines and US Airways merger confirmed
The parent companies of American Airlines and US Airways, AMR Corp and US Airways Group, have announced the completion of their merger to formally become American Airlines Group Inc. It is expected to take up to two years for the two carriers to complete the merger of personnel and planes, particularly achieving the Single Operating
EADS to cut 5,800 jobs
European aerospace and defence firm EADS has announced a restructuring plan for its future Airbus Defence and Space division (Airbus DS) that will see 5,800 jobs cut through to the end of 2016. The announcement follows a decision by the company’s board of directors in July this year to consolidate the defence and space businesses
New Chinese airline acquires Q400s
A new Chinese regional airline to be named Sutong Airlines is acquiring 30 Bombardier Q400s. The new airline’s parent, Nantong Tongzhou Bay Aviation Industry Co., Ltd, has signed a letter of intent with Bombardier for a fleet of 30 Q400s with which Sutong will start operations form 2015. “With its regional aviation model set to revolutionise
RAAF airshow announced to commemorate the Centenary of Military Aviation
To celebrate the centenary of military aviation in Australia, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence, Darren Chester and Deputy Chief of Air Force, Air Vice-Marshal Leo Davies have launched the Centenary of Military Aviation Airshow to be held at Point Cook, RAAF Williams, near Melbourne on March 1. “The first of March 2014 will be
Standard & Poor’s junks Qantas’s credit rating
Credit rating agency Standard & Poor’s has downgraded Qantas’s credit rating from BBB minus, it’s lowest investment grade rating, to so-called junk status, but Qantas says it is “business as usual”. Separately, fellow ratings agency Moody’s said on Thursday night it had placed Qantas on negative watch but that it was maintaining its Baa3 investment
