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Airbus has opened an assembly line in the Chinese port city of Tianjin. This is the first time that Airbus has opened an assembly line outside Europe.

The plant which cost €800 million plant, will produce the company’s A320 aircraft. It is expected to deliver its first completed craft next summer, and to be producing four planes a month by 2011.

Airbus chief executive Tom Enders described the new plant as a ‘‘key pillar of the internationalisation strategy of Airbus’’, and said that it would help the company gain a foothold in ‘‘one of the most important aviation markets today and certainly tomorrow’’.

While Airbus’s traditional customer base in Europe and the US is hobbled by rising oil prices and lower passenger numbers, with many airlines lurching towards bankruptcy, Airbus executives are looking to exploit a rich stream of potential revenue in China’s booming air industry.

They estimate that China will need 3,000 new aircraft by 2025, and that up to one in five Airbus orders could come from China in the years ahead,.

Earlier this year, the Chinese government earmarked 450 billion yuan for the construction of 97 new airports by 2020,with half of those due for completion within just two years. China had just 145 airports at the end of 2006.

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Qantas today named the new Qantas Airbus A380 after 92 year old Australian Aviation pioneer, Nancy-Bird Walton.

Nancy first learned to fly in 1933 at just 17 years of age. She was Australia’s first woman to receive a commercial license as a pilot.

A 92-year-old Australian aviation pioneer Tuesday christened a huge new Qantas Airbus A380 which the airline named in her honour, saying she had made sure she lived long enough to enjoy the moment.

Nancy-Bird Walton, who learnt to fly in 1933 when she was just 17 and became the nation’s first woman to be licensed as a commercial pilot, made the comment at a ceremony in her honour at Sydney Airport.

At a function in her honour in Sydney she said “Qantas first asked if they could name this magnificent plane after me at my 90th birthday three years ago and I made it my decision to stay alive — and I’ve made it.”

“It is my greatest pleasure to name this aircraft Nancy-Bird Walton.”

Nancy-Bird Walton flew for a medical service in outback Australia and in 1950 founded the Australian Women Pilots Association. She was also appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia on January 26, 1990 for her service to aviation, particularly the participation of women in aviation.

Outgoing Qantas Chief Geoff Dixon said “Nancy-Bird Walton, your courage, resilience and optimism represent the very best of Australia”.

“We are so delighted you agreed to have this plane named in your honour.”

Nancy and other guests were treated to a flight up Australia’s coast after the naming ceremony.

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Air New Zealand on September 12th conducted what has been hailed ‘the perfect flight’ from Auckland to San Fransisco.

Taking advantage of optimal flying conditions and the help of aviation authorities in Australia, New Zealand and the United States, the flight saved an estimated 4600 litres of aviation fuel. From a carbon emissions perspective this meant 9 tonnes (11,500kg) less carbon dioxide was emitted into the atmosphere. The flight across the Pacific normally produces 290 tonnes of C02.

he normal commercial flight NZ8, dubbed ASPIRE 1 (Asia and South Pacific Initiative to Reduce Emissions) is the first tailored test flight on the Pacific using technology and cleared gates at each end, eliminating air traffic congestion to test flight and fuel efficiency. It is part of a worldwide drive to make the aviation industry more environmentally friendly.

The aircraft sourced power from Auckland Airport’s supply while still on the tarmac instead of burning its own fuel to drive electricity while boarding passengers.

Six hourly updated weather reports sent electronically using GPS-based navigation to on-board computers meant the pilots could change their flight path to avoid bad weather.

The aircraft, which was a Boeing 777, used maximum thrust during take off to reach optimum altitude as soon as possible and a gradual, slow descent on landing instead of the usual rev up and rev down procedure, all contributing to the fuel savings.

Qantas and United Airlines are set to follow suit with gate to gate tests in flights across the Pacific.

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Everyone seems to be turning to media and advertising as a source for generating new revenue. The airlines industries are no exception.

In a bid to combat rising fuel costs, some US airlines are beginning to sell advertising to passengers.

Examples include displaying ads to passengers who check in electronically, either from home or at the airport. Boarding passes with ads on the flip side are quite common. Other examples are ads on the drink tray tables, as well as flight attendants offering application forms for airline branded Bank of America credit cards.

Other opportunities are using the TV screens at the back of the seats, to provide more advertising to passengers.

Read more about this here.

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Qantas CEO Geoff Dixon predicted rising aviation fuel prices in the industry could lead to a massive restructuring of the industry. He said that up to 100,000 jobs could be at risk, worldwide, by the end of the year. Qantas announced last week that it would shed over 1500 jobs in Australia and forego hiring another 1200.

In an estimate last week, Dixon had said that rising fuel costs had added two billion Australian dollars (1.94 billion US) to Qantas’ fuel bill this year. Qantas also last week cut its estimated capacity growth for 2008-09 from eight percent to zero and announced it would retire up to 22 older aircraft from its fleet.

Speaking at a business luncheon in Sydney today, he referred to airlines around the world resorting to cutting routes and capacity, grounding and retiring aircraft in a bid to manage the rising fuel costs. He said that rising fuel costs were likely to change the economics and mechanics of the industry for ever.

“The global aviation industry faces not just a shock or indeed a blip or indeed a crisis really but a permanent transformation,” he said.

Dixon believed that the United States would eventually ease restrictions on foreigners owning more than 25 percent of the voting stock in US airlines, sparking a new wave of consolidation in the industry.

He predicted long-established airline brands would remain but that the number of airline owners in the market place would dwindle.

Read more about this story here.

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With rising aviation fuel prices, the concept of sharing aircraft to make it affordable does merit serious thought. There are precedences. Think of time sharing in the holiday industry or pooling together to buy investment property. Why not aircraft?

Here is an excellent article that goes through the concept,benefits and the key questions to consider in sharing aircraft.

You can find the article here.

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As we know commerce from China to the rest of the world has increased significantly over the last decade. To meet the increased demand, China cargo carriers have had to increase freighter flights and also develop strategic relationships & joint ventures with international carriers.

However they have now been hit by rising aviation fuel prices, which were not completely unexpected. The magnitude of the increase and the timing though have still caught a few analysts off guard.

The price is expected to go up by 25 percent, as of June 20. This was announced by China’s National Development and Reform Commission. The fuel price will go up by US$218.62 per tonne, as a result - the largest price increase. Although China’s ex-factory jet fuel price is still $189.47 lower than the price on the international market, carriers were taken by surprise and are now rethinking their flight plans.

While several Asian countries have already bowed to the pressures of near US$145 oil by scaling back subsidies and raising fuel prices, most analysts had expected Beijing to hold out on the price increase until after the Olympics in August.

Read more about this story here.

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Air India had placed an order for 68 Boeing Jet airliners back in December 2005. It was the largets commercial airplane order in India’s civil aviation history. India is currently going through an aviation boom, both domestically and internationally.

Air India will use this 777-200LR to become the first India-based operator to offer direct, nonstop flights between the United States and India. It begins service to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport from Mumbai, India, on Aug. 1.

Photo: Courtesy Boeing Media

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The Australian company Qantas today provided two major announcements.

One was the change in its logo. The logo was adapted to fit the tail of the new A380 aircraft, as well as to reflect the airline’s contemporary design focus.

Old qantas logo on the left, new one on the right. Photo credits: Qantas & the Sydney Morning Herald.

Qantas today also revealed the new Premium Economy cabin and seating to be offered progressively on its international Boeing 747-400 aircraft from February 2008 and on its fleet of new A380 being delivered from August 2008.

Qantas Executive General Manager John Borghetti said the airline’s Premium Economy cabin would appeal to Economy travellers seeking more space, comfort and an enhanced level of service.

Mr Borghetti said that the premium economy seat was designed by Marc Newson & manufactured by Recaro which makes seats for luxury auto brands such as Aston Martin, Audi and Porsche
“The Premium Economy seat was designed by Marc Newson - the designer of our award winning Skybed sleeper seat - and manufactured by Recaro, which makes seats for luxury auto brands such as Aston Martin, Audi and Porsche,” Mr Borghetti said.

“The seats offer extra width and recline, more legroom, and an in-arm digital wide screen television monitor, as well as laptop power connection.

“Premium Economy will also include a self-service bar offering a selection of refreshments throughout the flight, in addition to the regular choice of meals designed by Neil Perry’s Rockpool Group, premium wines, superior tableware and soft furnishings.”

Mr Borghetti said other key features of Premium Economy included:

* the world’s best Premium Economy recline and leg room - nine inch seat recline and up to 42 inch seat pitch;
* extra wide, 19.5 inch seat width;
* ergonomic cushioning;
* larger, in-arm touch screen video monitor;
* multiport jack with USB (A380 only) and RJ45 ports;
* a six-way adjustable headrest;
* an integrated leg rest with fold-out footrest; and
* a wide centre console with a fixed cocktail table and in-arm meal table.

“Premium Economy customers will also have a dedicated check-in area,” Mr Borghetti said.

He said the Premium Economy cabin would be available gradually on B747 services to London, Hong Kong and Johannesburg from February 2008 with further routes being added following the introduction of A380 aircraft.

Premium Economy will be located on the main deck of B747 aircraft with 32 seats in a two-four-two configuration. On the A380, the cabin will be located on the upper deck with 32 seats in a two-three-two configuration.

You can also view the interior of the premium economy seats A380 Superjumbo at the Sydney Morning Herald site here.

Overall, sounds like good news for Qantas passengers in the future.

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It is the reporting season in US.

Boeing is set to announce its profits on Wednesday morning & early indications are that there may be good news for share holders. Analysts say that sales of Boeing’s jets have prepared the foundation for an increase in earnings in the second quarter. On this basis analysts are expecting the company to raise its outlook for the next few quarters.

Analysts polled by Thomson Financial forecast the Chicago-based aircraft maker (BA) will post earnings of $1.16 a share, up from a year-ago loss of 21 cents a share, when it reports Wednesday morning. Analysts forecast sales will rise to $ 16.2 billion, up about 8%.

Boeing delivered 114 aircraft to commercial customers in the second quarter, up from 106 aircraft in the first quarter and 97 a year-ago, according to the company.

Orders rose to 360, including 123 from its fuel-efficient 787 Dreamliner. A year ago, orders totaled 317. On July 8, Boeing showed off its newly assembled Dreamliner, which still has to meet other key hurdles like first flight and delivery.

“Order flows continue to be impressive for commercial planes, especially the 787, without significant participation from the largest aerospace market, North America,” said J.B. Groh, an analyst D.A. Davidson analyst, in a note Monday.

Shares have risen about 17% since the start of the year, recently trading at just over $104.

via CNN Money, read more about this story here.

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