10 Jul 2017

USA Aviation Industry Newsletter 10 July

Boeing France Positioned To Meet NMA Supplier Needs Boeing France, created in 2003 to formalize a French supply chain for the 787 Dreamliner, will have a lot of work to do in future years as 737 Max production quickly accelerates, the 777X project moves toward first flight and the prospective launch of the New Midsize Airplane (NMA) appears more and more likely. Boeing Partners with China Airlines to Enhance Maintenance, Engineering, Training Capabilities Boeing and China Airlines have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to explore the development of the airline’s capabilities to serve the growing maintenance, repair and overhaul market in Asia. Cathay Dragon Wins Approval For U.S. Routes Although Cathay Pacific subsidiary Cathay Dragon has gained expanded permission to fly routes to the U.S., the carrier says it does not intend to launch flights there in the short term. LOT to launch US flights from Budapest LOT Polish Airlines is to launch direct flights from Budapest to both New York and Chicago in May 2018. Flights to New York will operate four times per week (Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays), while services to Chicago will operate twice-weekly (Tuesdays and Saturdays). Both routes will be served by one of the carrier’s three-class B787 Dreamliner aircraft, which will be based at Budapest airport. Trump team backs Norwegian Air in row over US flights Powerful US airline unions have failed to demonstrate how Norwegian Air International's (NAI) launch of services from Ireland to the United States will lower working conditions for pilots and cabin crew, the US Department of Transportation has argued in court filings. U.S. Airlines Test Biometrics To Streamline Boarding Biometric testing heats up this summer as airlines aim to improve the airport experience. The U.S. requires the use of biometrics to track noncitizens entering and leaving the country, which is still a work in progress. However, airlines are also testing the utility of fingerprints and facial recognition for other parts of the boarding process as well. U.S. Department of Transportation Announces $230 Million in Infrastructure Grants to 104 Airports The U.S. Department of Transportation announced the Federal Aviation Administration will award $230 million in Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grants for 104 airports across the United States. The airport grant program funds various types of airport infrastructure projects, including runways, taxiways, and airport signage, lighting, and markings which helps to create thousands of jobs. Airports are entitled to a certain amount of AIP funding each year, based on passenger volume. US Senate law change may help desperate cargo airlines recruit pilots A rare bipartisan legislative move in the US Senate is giving regional all-cargo carriers hope for some relief in their struggle to recruit pilots. Senators from both sides have tabled an amendment to the re-authorisation bill of the Federal Aviation Administration that would allow aspiring pilots to build up the experience required to become qualified commercial pilots more quickly. Acumen Aviation © 10 July All Rights Reserved.