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Lufthansa and UFO union agree pay settlement for around 16,000 flight attendants

Successful arbitration under Heide Simonis / Agreement on 22-month pay freeze and significant improvements in working conditions

Deutsche Lufthansa AG and the independent UFO flight attendants’ trade union have reached agreement at their protracted pay talks. Both sides today accepted a mediated settlement put forward by former Schleswig-Holstein Premier Heide Simonis, ending months of negotiations stretching back to March 2010. Under the terms of the arbitration settlement, the pay accord for some 16,000 Lufthansa flight attendants is to be extended and the collective wage agreement re-defined.

At the talks on remuneration, the two sides agreed on a pay freeze. The existing pay settlement is to be re-concluded unchanged for a period of 22-months, lasting up to 31 December 2011. The new collective bargaining agreement is to last up to 28 February 2014. It envisages further improvements in working conditions: Among others, it reduces changes to duty rosters, giving cabin crews greater planning security, as well as defining and extending rest and break periods. Furthermore, in compensation for the staggered implementation of improved working conditions, cabin crews are to receive a structural, compensatory payment amounting to 1,000 euros in March.

On conclusion of the pay accord, Member of the Lufthansa German Airlines Board Finance & Human Resources, Dr. Roland Busch, said a fair compromise has been reached after long and difficult negotiations. It takes account of the need of flight attendants for planning stability and the special pressures they encounter in air traffic as well as the Company’s need for flexible and cost-efficient operations. “With this pay settlement, we are investing in significantly better working conditions for cabin crews. That was highly important to our staff, which is why we have made material concessions where their need for change was greatest. Now is the time to look ahead and face the challenges from competition in the industry together,“ Dr. Busch emphasised

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    AAR to Relocate Airlift Group to Melbourne, Florida

    Named as one of ‘The Most Trustworthy Companies’ by Forbes Magazine, AAR Reaches Major Milestones with the Transformation of New Airlift and Modifications Businesses.

    WOOD DALE, Ill., Nov. 8, 2010 — AAR announced today that it has selected Melbourne, Fla. as the new location for its airlift services and specialized aircraft modifications businesses, which the Company acquired in April 2010. Since completing the acquisition, AAR has installed a new leadership team and is rebranding the businesses as part of its overall integration strategy.

    “When we acquired Aviation Worldwide Services and its subsidiaries earlier this year, we shared our plans to relocate the operations, transform the leadership team with our people to instill AAR values and rebrand the business,” said David P. Storch, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AAR CORP. “I’m very pleased with the progress our team has made toward these goals and I look forward to being an important part of Melbourne’s business community and economy. I want to thank the State of Florida for their support and for working diligently to help make this move happen.”

    The business will move to hangars, facilities and offices at and near Melbourne International Airport. The relocation will be conducted in phases and is expected to be completed by spring 2011. AAR will establish an on-site management team and begin hiring select positions immediately. The business is expected to create as many as 225 jobs by the end of 2012.

    The business will operate as AAR Airlift Group, with airlift services provided by AAR Airlift and specialized aircraft modifications performed by AAR Aircraft Services – Melbourne. AAR Airlift Group is led by Jeffrey Schloesser, a former U.S. Army major general with more than 20 years of senior-level leadership and operations experience, which includes leading the Army’s modernization and transformation plan for a fleet of 4,000 aircraft and 76,000 personnel.

    AAR collaborated with elected officials from the State, economic development groups and the city of Melbourne to identify locations that would support AAR’s requirement for world-class flight operations, warehousing and administrative facilities and to develop a partnership to ensure the future growth of the business.

    “Aviation and aerospace is one of Florida’s targeted industries for stimulating economic growth and diversification; therefore, AAR’s entry is in line with our expansion strategy for this key sector,” said John Adams Jr., president & CEO of Enterprise Florida, the state’s principal economic development organization. “This project has exemplified Florida’s competitiveness; our ability to attract progressive and innovative businesses as we compete in the global economy.”

    Senate President–designate, Mike Haridopolos said, “We are pleased to welcome a company of AAR’s recognized quality and expertise to the Space Coast. Its relocation to Florida will create high-quality jobs, provide an instant economic boost, and solidify the leadership of the Space Coast in the defense and aerospace sectors.”

    “This is fantastic news for the Space Coast,” said U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, who urged the company to relocate its airlift operations to Melbourne. “This move will bring much needed jobs to the area and provide a boost to the local economy. I applaud AAR’s decision to select Melbourne as the home for their airlift group.”

    “Companies like AAR will create the types of jobs we need in Florida during this critical time of transition in the aerospace industry,” noted State Senator Thad Altman, who represents East Central Florida. “In addition, the technological expertise and capabilities of AAR could lead to a terrific partnership with the state of Florida in areas such as emergency management preparation and civil defense.”

    “AAR is a highly respected, very successful company and we knew that this project would be extremely competitive,” said Lynda Weatherman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast. “We developed a creative package that showcased the Space Coast’s core capabilities, including the tax advantage benefits of a Florida location. We are delighted that AAR recognized our competitive advantages and look forward to the company’s success here at the Space Coast.”

    “AAR is a great example of the type of company that will help Florida diversify its aerospace economy to position for success in the coming months and years,” noted Space Florida President Frank DiBello. “This company is well-established in the defense industry and will bring continued innovation to Florida’s aerospace industry. We are extremely pleased to welcome them to the Space Coast.”

    AAR currently has facilities in Clearwater, Jacksonville, Medley and Miami, employing 1,200 highly-skilled workers and contributing approximately $150 million annually in economic impact to the state of Florida. At full employment, the new Melbourne location is projected to add an additional $42.3 million to the state’s economy.
    “All over the country communities are working hard to land companies of AAR’s caliber. We’re fortunate Melbourne International Airport was chosen as the site for this significant expansion. It’s good for Melbourne. It’s good for the region,” said Harry Goode, Mayor of Melbourne and Chairman, Melbourne Airport Authority.

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  • Boeing: Press Release

    Boeing Statement on President’s Remarks and the Need for Immediate Development of a Heavy-lift Vehicle

    KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla., April 16, 2010 — Speaking at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on April 15, U.S. President Barack Obama unveiled proposed changes to the administration’s fiscal year 2011 budget submission for space exploration, including a crew rescue vehicle and a decision on a heavy-lift rocket in 2015. The Boeing Company responded today with the following statement:

    “The president’s enthusiasm for space exploration was encouraging. We are pleased that the president remains committed to human spaceflight. We remain convinced that America stands at an inflection point with regard to space: If we make the right decisions today, we have the opportunity to create a new Golden Age of Space. Our national leadership’s focus on this bodes well for our country and its highly experienced space industrial base.

    “Boeing has served as a major partner in humankind’s exploration of space since the beginning. Our talented people bring a mature understanding of NASA’s enduring needs; a practical, businesslike approach to innovation; and a commitment to mission assurance and the safety and success of our astronaut corps.

    “We are encouraged by the extension of the International Space Station program and look forward to enhancing scientific research onboard, upgrading the space station, and using it as a U.S. national laboratory. Benefits to be gained from extension of the space station include international cooperation; medical and pharmaceutical advancements; its use as a test bed for demonstrating Earth-observation capabilities and future exploration technologies; and the availability of a waypoint for future exploration missions.
    “Excellence in human spaceflight is an important part of the American identity and symbolizes global leadership on the highest of technological platforms. We are greatly concerned that by backing away from the challenges of human space exploration, the United States would relinquish its leadership of a mission that has inspired generations.

    “A bold national space program also supports the United States’ security and economy by fostering a domestic work force that is educated and skilled in science, technology, engineering and math. It encourages the growth of new technologies and emerging businesses, large and small.
    “We support the president’s call for increased investment in heavy-lift launch vehicle technology, but we believe the United States should be on a clear path to accelerate the development and production of this critical system, along with a deep-space capsule. Both of these vehicles are essential to any deep-space exploration mission. We have the technology and the people to commence development of these vehicles now. A plan that includes a heavy-lift vehicle would enable space exploration supported by humans, large-array telescopes and deep-space robotic missions. It could achieve maximum benefit from American tax dollars by drawing on the cutting-edge technology already being developed for the Constellation program.

    “Remaining at the forefront of human spaceflight is the only choice worthy of this great nation and to the long line of explorers and visionaries who brought us to where we are today.”

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    Southwest Airlines’ Pilots Begin Flying Required Navigation Performance Efficient Procedures at 11 Airports

    DALLAS, Jan. 11, 2011 — Now ready for departure—Southwest Airlines’ Pilots begin Required Navigation Performance (RNP) efficient flight procedures today at 11 airports nationwide. This major milestone to reduce environmental impact with a more efficient operation and to assist the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on NextGen initiatives is the culmination of a four-year project with partners Boeing, GE, and Honeywell. RNP is satellite-based navigation that brings together the accuracy of GPS (Global Positioning System), the capabilities of advanced aircraft avionics, and new flight procedures.

    “RNP sets the stage for Southwest to continue doing its part to conserve fuel, improve safety, and reduce carbon emissions and Greenhouse gases, while simultaneously taking advantage of the high-performance characteristics that exist in an airline’s fleet,” said Captain Jeff Martin, Southwest’s Vice President of the Operations Coordination Center. “The efficiencies RNP introduces help Southwest be a good neighbor while also maintaining our low fares.”

    The Company’s Pilots and Dispatchers now follow these new efficient flight procedures and enhanced avionics to fly specifically designed satellite-based navigation approaches to many Southwest airports. The primary airports with efficient RNP procedures include Amarillo*, Birmingham, Boise, Corpus Christi*, Los Angeles, Chicago Midway, Oakland, Oklahoma City, West Palm Beach, Raleigh-Durham, and San Jose.

    With RNP/NextGen procedures designed at 11 Southwest airports, the Company’s projected savings is $16 million a year, with an anticipated savings of more than $60 million per year once all Southwest airports have efficient RNP procedures.

    “RNP is a significant step in the future for the NextGen Air Traffic Control system,” said Mike Van de Ven, Southwest’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. “This milestone culminates substantial efforts by our Company working with the FAA to position Southwest as a leading participant in a modernized air traffic control system.”

    In addition to modifying 345 Boeing 737-700s with new flight display software and ensuring that all new aircraft are RNP ready, this cross-company effort involving Technology, Maintenance & Engineering, and the Operations Coordination Center also featured intense training efforts to support achieving this milestone.

    “I am very proud of our Flight Operations Team for the design, training, and implementation of NextGen procedures, including training more than 5,900 Pilots to fly Primary Flight Display Navigation Display (PFD/ND) procedures,” said Captain Chuck Magill, Vice President of Flight Operations. “This extensive training allows us to capture RNP procedures as well as provide flexibility in any new aircraft platform we might use in the future.”

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    Airbus Emergency Landing in Perm


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Luigi Maccio – SpotIT

    What: Lufthansa Airbus A320-200 en route from Ekaterinburg Russia to Frankfurt Germany
    Where: Perm
    When: Oct 25th 2011
    Who: 116 passengers and 6 crew
    Why: While en route, smoke appeared in the cabin of the Airbus.

    The pilots reported the smoke to ATC and diverted to Perm.

    They made a safe landing. Passengers waited while a replacement flight was provided.

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    Crash au large des Comores, les familles des victimes réclament justice

    Publié le 5 février 2010 par Nabiha Gasmi

    Prises en étau entre le droit européen, comorien, américain et français, et face à des compagnies d’assurances des plus alertes, les suites juridiques du crash de l’air bus A310-300 de la compagnie Yéménia qui s’est échoué au large des Comores le 29 juin dernier , tuant 152 passagers sur les 153 à bord, promettent d’être longues et scabreuses. Demeurant sans indemnités ni explications sur ce funeste vol, à Marseille, les familles de victimes réunies en collectif, n’ont eu d’autre alternative que de faire appel à des magnats du droit, le célèbre cabinet d’avocat américain : Masry & Vititoe.Toutes les infos

    Caught between European, Comoros, American and French legal systems, the families of Yemenia flight 626 are suffering at the mercy of insurance companies, and struggling with the legal consequences of the crash of the Yemenia airlines airbus that crashed on June 29, 2009. After all this time, the families still have no compensation. Demanding explanations, families of victims gathered to appeal for help from the American lawyer Masry & Vititoe in Marseille, this Saturday. Google Translation

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    Boeing 747-8 Freighter Successfully Completes First Flight

    Newest Boeing Freighter Touches Down Safely After 3-Hour, 39-Minute Mission

    EVERETT, Wash., Feb. 8 /– The Boeing (NYSE: BA) 747-8 Freighter successfully took to the sky for the first time today before more than 5,000 employees, customers, suppliers and community leaders. The flight begins a test program for the world’s most efficient freighter.
    With 747 Chief Pilot Mark Feuerstein and Capt. Tom Imrich in the flight deck, the newest member of the 747 family took off at 12:39 p.m. local time from Paine Field in Everett and landed at Paine Field at 4:18 p.m.
    “It was a real privilege to be at the controls of this great airplane on its first flight, representing the thousands of folks who made today possible,” said Feuerstein. “The airplane performed as expected and handled just like a 747-400.”

    Today’s flight was the first of more than 1,600 flight hours in the test program for the newest member of the Boeing freighter family. The airplane followed a route over Western Washington, where it underwent tests for basic handling qualities and engine performance. The airplane reached a cruising altitude of 17,000 feet (5,181 m) and a speed of up to 230 knots, or about 264 miles (426 km) per hour.

    Powered by four General Electric GEnx-2B engines, the 747-8 Freighter will transition its testing program to Moses Lake, Wash., and Palmdale, Calif., where the other two test airplanes will join it in the coming month.
    “This truly is a great day for The Boeing Company and the 747 program,” said Mo Yahyavi, 747 program general manager and vice president, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “It’s the culmination of the hard work and dedication of our employees, suppliers and customers. While there is still much to do, I am excited to begin the flight-test program, which will demonstrate the capabilities of this airplane.”

    The 747-8 Freighter is the new, high-capacity 747 that will give cargo operators the lowest operating costs and best economics of any freighter. The airplane is 250 feet, 2 inches (76.3 m) long, which is 18 feet, 4 inches (5.6 m) longer than the 747-400 Freighter. The stretch provides customers with 16 percent more revenue cargo volume compared with its predecessor. That translates to an additional four main-deck pallets and three lower-hold pallets.

    “The 747-8 Freighter continues the leadership of the 747 Freighter families, which carries more than half of the world’s air freight, making it the standard of the air cargo industry,” Yahyavi said.

    Boeing launched the airplane on Nov. 14, 2005, with firm orders for 18 747-8 Freighters: 10 from Cargolux of Luxembourg and eight from Nippon Cargo Airlines of Japan. All told, Boeing has secured 108 orders for the 747-8, of which 76 are orders for the new freighter. Cargolux, Nippon Cargo Airlines, AirBridgeCargo Airlines, Atlas Air, Cathay Pacific, Dubai Aerospace Enterprise, Emirates SkyCargo, Guggenheim and Korean Air all have ordered the 747-8 Freighter.

    Contact:
    Tim Bader
    747 Communications
    +1 206-859-3633
    tim.s.bader@boeing.com
    Jim Proulx
    Boeing Commercial Airplanes Communications
    +1 206-850-2102
    jim.proulx@boeing.com

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