Air Caraibes becomes launch customer for A350-1000

Airbus S.A.S. Logo French Caribbean carrier Air Caraïbes has signed a Memorandum of Understanding for three A350-1000 aircraft, and is with this purchase decision becoming the European launch customer for the largest version of the A350 XWB.

The aircraft will be operated on the airline’s network from Paris to the islands of Guadeloupe, Martinique and soon to French Guyana. They will be configured in three classes with a total of 440 seats.

Air Caraïbes already operates a young all Airbus long haul fleet of two A330-200s and one A330-300, with three more aircraft of the same type (A330-300) on order. As the airline continues to add capacity on their popular long haul routes, the A350-1000 will become the backbone of the fleet.

Air Caraïbes operates approximately 20 flights per week out of the Paris hub, serving Guadeloupe and Martinique and from there an extensive inter-Caribbean islands route network including, Santa Lucia, Saint Martin, Saint Bartholomew, the Dominican Republic, as well as routes to Costa Rica and Panama. The airline distinguishes itself by offering extra comfort with individual TV screens and on demand video systems in all classes.

Source: Airbus

Aeroflot Boeing 737 Crashed near Perm (Russia)

An Aeroflot-Nord (Aeroflot’s regional airline) Boeing 737-505 (VP-BKO), flight 821 bound from Moscow to Perm (Russia) crashed as it was preparing to land early Sunday. According to news sources radio contact was lost during approach at 1,100 metres (3,600 feet). The wreckage was later found outside Perm, which is located near the Ural mountains. The plane burned on the ground for two hours before fire crews extinguished the blaze. All 88 people aboard have been killed.

AP is reporting that eyewitnesses described hearing an explosion and did see that the plane was on fire when it was “still in the air and it looked like a rocket and crashed near the building”.

Russian officials say passengers included nationals from Azerbaijan, Ukraine, France, Switzerland, Latvia, the United States, Germany, Turkey and Italy.

Video by AP

Video by Reuters

News story and video: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7614951.stm

Pictures
http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Top-Stories-Photos/ss/705;_ylt=AqBnZG3uYVg_Q0vMVCbqkOjlWMcF

Malaysia Airlines Golden Lounge – A quick look inside

I’ve ever wondered how the rich and well-heeled may travel and how the premium lounges actually look inside. Malaysia Airlines provided some shots from inside the Malaysia Airlines Golden Lounge at Kuala Lumpur KLIA (KUL).

Dining Area
Malaysia Airlines Golden Lounge Dining Area
Malaysia Airlines Golden Lounge Dining Area

Entertainment
Malaysia Airlines Golden Lounge Entertainment
Malaysia Airlines Golden Lounge Entertainment
Malaysia Airlines Golden Lounge Entertainment
Malaysia Airlines Golden Lounge Entertainment

Workout Station
Malaysia Airlines Golden Lounge Workout Station

Internet/Working Area
Malaysia Airlines Golden Lounge Internet/Working Area

Restroom
Malaysia Airlines Golden Lounge Restroom

Decoration
Malaysia Airlines Golden Lounge Decoration
Malaysia Airlines Golden Lounge Decoration

Photos: Malaysia Airlines

Safety Report – 09/12/2008

Date & Time: 09/11/2008 18:39
Location: Atlanta, GA
Aircraft Type: McDonnell Douglas MD-88 Registration: N922DL
Operator: Delta Air Lines Flight: 1738
Phase: Climb
Damage: Unknown
Injuries & Fatalities: None
Description: Delta Airlines flight 1738, on climbout struck several birds damaging number one engine. The plane returned and landed without incident.

Source: FAA
Correctness of this posting is not guaranteed & completeness not intended. This posting is just for informational purpose.

Pentagon delays Air Force tanker decision

(AP) The Defense Department has again delayed plans to award a $35 billion contract for Air Force refueling planes, handing a victory to defense contractor Boeing Co. and leaving the politically charged decision for the next president.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates told lawmakers Wednesday that he ended the current round of bidding on the tankers because the Pentagon’s plan to pick a winner by the end of the year no longer seemed possible given the complexity of the project and the rancor between Boeing and rival Northrop Grumman Corp. He said a delay would provide a “cooling off” period.

“We can no longer complete a competition that would be viewed as fair and objective in this highly charged environment,” Gates said in statement prepared for testimony before the House Armed Services Committee.

The decision represents a major win for Boeing in its lengthy and bitter struggle with Northrop for the lucrative contract for 179 planes that could eventually include the right to build many more. Boeing recently threatened to back out of the bidding, saying the Pentagon’s timeline and terms unfairly favored the larger plane proposed by Northrop.

Boeing welcomed the Pentagon’s decision, saying it will allow “the appropriate time for this important and complex procurement to be conducted in a thorough and open competition.”

Continue at source: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hiri1_7NMzck41lq84gNrS186ZRQD9342FF00

First Airbus A319 delivered to Afriqiyah Airways

Afriqiyah Airways from Libya took delivery of its first medium range Airbus A319. This A319 is the first of three aircraft of this type to be delivered to the young and dynamic airline, and is part of an order signed in 2006, which also includes 11 A320s and three long range A330-200s. To date two A320s have also been delivered to the airline. In 2007, Afriqiyah signed another firm contract for six A350XWB aircraft to further expand their growing international long haul network.

The A319 will be integrated into Afriqiyah’s all Airbus fleet, and be deployed from their hub in Tripoli, from where Afriqiyah operates non-stop key routes in Europe such as Paris, Brussels, Geneva, London, Rome and Amsterdam, as well as to 17 destinations in North-, West- and Central Africa and the Middle East. The aircraft is configured to seat 124 passengers in a very comfortable two-class configuration and is powered by CFM56-5B engines.

Source: Airbus

Emirates A380 Grounded till Sept 12

Emirates has suspended operations of its Airbus A380 airliner until September 12 as engineers work on an electrical fault, the airline announced today.

The electrical fault on the Emirates plane “was noticed at the end of a training mission, when the aircraft was parked in front of the hangars,” said an official at the Dubai-based airline, providing no further details.

The route to New York JFK will be served meanwhile with Boeing 777-300ER.

Continue at http://www.arabianbusiness.com/530285-emirates-a380-flights-suspended-until-sept-12

Jumbo Hostel to open at Stockholm-Arlanda Airport

Have you ever dreamed of living in an airliner? Soon you can book your own room in the world’s first Jumbo Hostel, located at Stockholm International Airport, Stockholm-Arlanda (ARN), Sweden.

Jumbo Hostel Stockholm-Arlanda Sweden

The Boeing 747-200 at last operated by Transjet offers 25 rooms with 85 beds in total. One highlight will be the Cockpit Suite – the cockpit has been converted into a deluxe suite with parts of the original interior saved.

Jumbo Hostel Stockholm-Arlanda Sweden

Bookings will start in December. Visit http://www.jumbohostel.com

Austrian Airlines orders additional Q400s

Austrian Airlines has signed a contract to acquire four Q400 NextGen turboprop airliners. The airline has also taken options on an additional two aircraft. The aircraft will be operated by the regional airline of the Austrian Airlines Group, Tyrolean Airways – brand name Austrian arrows.

Austrian Airlines (Austrian Arrows) Bombardier Q400 NextGen

Austrian arrows’ current fleet includes 12 Bombardier Q300 and 10 Q400 turboprop aircraft, and 12 CRJ200 LR regional jets.

Photo: Bombardier

Embraer deliveres first EMBRAER 170 to Regional (Air France)

Embraer today announced the delivery of the first EMBRAER 170 jet to Régional – Compagnie Aérienne Européenne, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Air France Group. This is the first of a total of nine firm orders it has for the EMBRAER 170 from the French airline.

Régional (Air France) EMBRAER 170

Régional’s EMBRAER 170 is configured in a 76-seat single-class layout. It will enter service this week on its domestic and intra-European networks.

As Embraer’s largest customer in Europe, Régional currently operates a total fleet of 48 Embraer aircraft (6 EMBRAER 190s, 28 ERJ 145s, 9 ERJ 135s, and 5 EMB 120 Brasilias).

Photo: Embraer