Carrier

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    Engine Failure: Delta Diverts to Colorado Springs


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    Contact photographer

    What: Delta Airlines Boeing 757-300 en route from Detroit to Phoenix
    Where: Colorado Springs
    When: Dec 30, 2010
    Who: 225 passengers
    Why: While en route from Detroit to Phoenix, the plane’s right engine developed engine problems. The pilot shut down the affected engine and diverted to Colorado Springs where they made a safe landing 3/4 of an hour later. On landing, however, one of the wheel-wells overheated when the landing gear caught fire.

    Passengers evacuated via emergency slides, which resulted in two injured passengers. The injured were hospitalized.

    The rest of the passengers were to be booked on alternative flights.

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    Russian Military Crash


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Nikolai Ionkine

    What: Russian Air Force Antonov 22A en route from Voronezh to Tver-Migalovo
    Where: Krasny Oktyabr, Tula Region, Russia
    When: Dec 28, 2010, 21:30
    Who: 12 crewmembers (all fatalities)
    Why: After disappearing from radar at 21:30, the Russian military transport plane on a return flight after delivering a MiG-31 fighter jet to the Voronezh Military Aviation Engineering University crashed near Krasny Oktyabr, Tula Region, Russia. There was no cargo. The burning remains were sighted by air patrols on Tuesday at 23:36 four kilometres from the village of Troitskoye. Witnesses heard an explosion.

    Two on site recovery teams hampered by a blizzard and brutal cold weather found that all 12 crew members had been killed. Russian reports speculate that the cause was engine failure. The Antonov is a military cargo turboprop.

    The Russian military is grounding all planes with similar engines, pending determination of the cause of the crash.

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    Eva Air Emergency Diversion to the Ukraine


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Tamas Vekony

    What: Eva Air Airbus A330-200 en route from Bangkok Thailand to Vienna Austria with 66 passengers and 12 crew
    Where: Simferopol Ukraine
    When: Dec 29 2010
    Who: 66 passengers including one infant, and 12 crew
    Why: While en route, oxygen masks were deployed when the flight developed low cabin pressure issues. The crew descended from 40,000 to 11,000 feet, and diverted to Simferopol Ukraine where they made a safe landing two hours before their anticipated arrival time in Vienna. Although Eva Air sent a technical crew to examine the plane to determine if the problem existed or was an alert malfunction, Taiwan defined the problem as due to an engine bleed air problem.

    Passengers (including 21 Austrians, 19 Sweden, a New Zealander, two Americans, twelve Czechs, three Spaniards, a Hungarian, six Thais and Taiwanese) were marooned at the Simferopol airport for nearly 24 hours, then moved to a city hotel, and offered buses to Odessa where they might be able to catch another airline’s flight to Vienna. An Austrian publication published that two employees of Eva Air were due at 4:00 pm in Simferopol to organize a flight on an alternative airline. The return flight is listed as cancelled.

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    Hawaii Flight Diverts to Sea Tac


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Thierry Deutsch

    What: Hawaiian Airlines Boeing 767-300 en route from Portland to Kahului Hawaii
    Where: Sea-Tac, Seattle
    When: Dec 28, 2010
    Why: After takeoff from Portland, the crew discovered a problem with the trim. Protocol dictated diverting to Seattle. The plane made a safe landing around 11:00 a.m. after a couple of hours in the air.

    No injuries were reported.

    The NTSB is investigating.

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    American Airlines Provides Business Update Following Commercial Disputes With Orbitz and Expedia

    Company Thanks Customers For Continued Loyalty

    FORT WORTH, Texas, Dec. 29, 2010 — American Airlines today thanked customers for their continued loyalty in the wake of a commercial dispute with two online travel agencies, Expedia and Orbitz, that is preventing American Airlines fares from being featured on those sites.

    American Airlines said it has seen a year-over-year increase in its overall ticket sales since Dec. 21, when it removed its schedules and airfares for American Airlines and American Eagle flights from Orbitz.com and websites powered by Orbitz.com, and since Dec. 23, when Expedia.com began discriminating against American’s flights and schedules by listing them lower in the search display than those of other airlines.

    While the year-over-year increase in ticket sales is roughly comparable to that seen earlier in December, American has noted a shift in ticket sales to other channels, notably online travel agencies, such as Priceline.com, and referrals from metasearch engines, such as Kayak.com, as well as increased volume on its own website, AA.com.

    “Our results to date show that consumer choice is alive and well and that our customers continue to have thousands of options to purchase American’s competitive fares and convenient schedules,” said Derek DeCross, American’s Vice President and General Sales Manager. “It is also clear to us that other online travel sites and traditional travel agencies are capitalizing on this market opportunity to gain business. Beyond that, we want to thank our customers and travel partners for their continued loyalty and support. We appreciate your business.”

    DeCross reiterated that American is committed to working with all distribution channels, including traditional travel agencies, online travel agencies and global distribution systems, to benefit from adopting its direct connection model, powered by Farelogix, which delivers to travel agencies and their customers more customized travel choices and options. There is no cost to tap into American’s direct connection.

    “Our direct connection offers a path to a new era of buying and selling travel services,” DeCross added. “Traditionally, airline products have consisted of different flavors of airfares. In the future, however, we envision the world of travel evolving into a much wider variety of products and services beyond fares. Our direct connection will help travel agencies help their own customers by giving them access to customized choices and delivering the best value to travelers. We do not envision a future in which we only sell to our customers through our own branded website. Our goal is to have broad distribution channels and choices for our customers, with our products and services delivered efficiently and without unnecessary costs flowing through the process.”

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    Boeing Delivers First 737 Boeing Sky Interior to Continental Airlines


    Passengers now able to enjoy interior in four regions of the world

    SEATTLE, Dec. 29, 2010 /PRNewswire/ — Another new Boeing (NYSE: BA) Next-Generation 737-800 with the new Boeing Sky Interior took to the skies over Seattle today, as Continental Airlines, a wholly owned subsidiary of United Continental Holdings, Inc., became the first U.S.-based carrier to fly with the new interior. Continental’s jet features the new United Airlines livery.
    Wednesday’s flight marks completion of 13 deliveries to the first five launch customers for the innovative 737 Boeing Sky Interior. The airplane also marks a new record for 737 yearly deliveries of 376. The previous record was 372 deliveries in 2009.

    “We are proud to be the first carrier in North America to introduce the brand-new Boeing Sky Interior to our customers,” said Ron Baur, United fleet vice president. “The new lighting and sculpted side panels give the 737 a modern and more spacious look, while providing increased overhead storage space.”

    The 737 Boeing Sky Interior is part of Boeing’s strategy to continuously improve the 737 for both airlines and passengers by making it more efficient and economical to operate and maintain and more comfortable for passengers. Today’s Next-Generation 737 operators fly 737s that are 5 percent more fuel-efficient than the first Next-Generation 737s delivered in 1998, and another 2 percent improvement is on the way.

    In mid-November, another 737-800, also in the new United Airlines livery, successfully completed an early flight test to begin certification of the aerodynamic and engine changes that will result in the 2 percent improvement. Testing and certification will continue through April 2011. Boeing is phasing into production the performance improvement package, beginning in mid-2011 through early 2012.

    One percent of the savings comes from reducing resistance as air flows around the airplane. The upper and lower anti-collision lights change from round to a more aerodynamic, elongated teardrop shape. Wheel-well fairings are re-contoured to smooth the air flow near the main landing gear. A redesign of the environmental control system, exhaust vent and streamlined wing slat and spoiler trailing edges round out the aerodynamic changes.

    CFM is introducing the new CFM56-7BE engine enhancement program to coincide with Boeing’s airframe changes. Low- and high-pressure turbine modifications will result in a 1 percent reduction in fuel consumption. In addition, Boeing is optimizing the engine’s primary nozzle and plug. Together, the changes result in cooler-running engines that may provide up to 4 percent lower maintenance costs.

    The CFM56-7BE engine is currently undergoing a 10,000 cycle endurance test at Snecma facilities in Villaroche, France. The test should be complete in early 2011. These tests simulate conditions far more extreme than would be experienced in commercial service to validate the reliability and durability of the hardware.

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    Jackson Hole Taxiway Excursion


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Klaus Ecker

    What: American Airlines 757-200 en route from Chicago to Jackson Wyoming
    Where: Jackson Hole Wyoming
    When: December 29, 2010
    Who: 171 passengers, 10 crew
    Why: On landing in snowy Jackson Hole, the pilot announced the brakes were not working properly, and the plane overran the runway nose-first into what is described as a deep snowbank. Jackson Hole had 7 inches of snow overnight and light snow was falling as the plane slid 350 feet past the runway overrun. There were no reports of injury or damage. Passengers disembarked via stairway after airport crews plowed an access route. Traffic was diverted from the runway, as passengers were shuttled to the gate, and snow equipment was engaged to dig the plane out.

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    Egypt Air Emergency Landing in Mumbai


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Roland Bergmann-Spotterteam Graz

    What: Egypt Air Boeing 737-800 en route from Cairo Egypt to Mumbai
    Where: Mumbai
    When: Dec 29th 2010
    Who: 124 passengers, 7 crew
    Why: On approach to Mumbai, the flight crew noted a cargo fire alert. The flight landed safely and when emergency services found no fire, taxied to the gate where passengers disembarked. All cargo was removed and no fire was found.

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    US Airways Flight Diverts to Boston

    What: U S Airways en route from Rhode Island
    Where: Boston
    When: Dec 27, 2010
    Who: 80 passengers
    Why: While en route, the plane developed problems with the wing flaps. The flight diverted to Boston where they made a safe landing at Logan International.

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    Wind River Mountain Crash Kills Day Family

    What: Condor Aero 998 Commander AC 11 en route from Jasper to Jackson.
    Where: 15 to 20 miles southwest of Lander, near Christina Lake, at an elevation of about 11,700 feet in Wyoming Wind River Mountains
    When: Dec. 22 2010
    Who: pilot Ralph Day, 56; his wife Doris Day, 52; and Connor Day, 12
    Why: The Days operated the Day Forestry Appraisal and Management company, and left Jasper planning to visit Yellowstone and then Alaska for the Iditarod.

    Day’s plane struck the top of a steep ridge three feet deep in snow. The plane was not reported missing, and was not located until a passing plane heard the beacon in Shoshone National Forest, Wyoming,

    A helicopter retrieved the bodies on Saturday.

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    Ethiopia 409: Almost A Year Later


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    Contact photographer Alastair T. Gardiner

    Update:

    It has been 11 months since the crash, and families of the 90 people who died in the crash are fretting over delays in their insurance settlement. Families approaching the EIC (Ethiopian Insurance Corporation) plead for their compensation to no avail. At least the families who have hired foreign lawyers have some auxiliary power to help supplement their efforts.

    The cause of the delays have been attributed to the insurance companies trying to avoid “controversial” claims, time-consuming paperwork, and waiting for the final findings of the official accident report, which is slated to be released on Jan 25 2011, exactly a year after the tragedy.

    What: Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 en route from Beirut to Addis Ababa
    Where: 2 miles west of the coastal village of Na’ameh.
    When: Jan 25 2010
    Who: 7 crew 83 passengers
    Why: Shortly after taking off in stormy weather and heavy lightning, Lebanese ATC lost contact. The plane disappeared from radar 45 minutes after leaving Beirut. Witnesses on the coast saw the plane as it crashed into the sea.

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    Moscow Runway Excursion

    What: UTAir Avions de Transport Regional ATR-72-200 en route from Kazan to Moscow
    Where: Moscow
    When: Dec 27th 2010
    Who: 52 passengers
    Why: On landing at Vnukovo Airport (Moscow), the plane skidded and came to rest off the runway stuck in snow. There were no injuries reported.

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    Delta Offers Winter Weather Travel Assistance to Customers Across U.S. Southeast, East Coast

    Customers encouraged to make changes, check flights at delta.com

    ATLANTA, Dec. 23, 2010 – Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) is offering customers whose flight plans may be affected by winter weather expected this weekend across the U.S. Southeast and East Coast the ability to make one-time changes to their travel schedules without fees. Delta’s weather advisory encourages customers to consider postponing or re-routing their travel to avoid possible inconvenience from expected flight delays.

    Customers booked on Delta-ticketed flights to, from or through the following cities may immediately rebook for travel before or after their original travel dates as long as new flights are ticketed and rescheduled travel begins by Dec. 29, 2010.

    • Atlanta (for travel originally booked for Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 25-26)
    • Baltimore (for travel originally booked for Sunday and Monday, Dec. 26-27)
    • Boston (for travel originally booked for Sunday and Monday, Dec. 26-27)
    • Newark (for travel originally booked for Sunday and Monday, Dec. 26-27)
    • New York City (for travel originally booked for Sunday and Monday, Dec. 26-27)
    • Washington, D.C. (for travel originally booked for Sunday and Monday, Dec. 26-27)

    Flight delays are possible at these airports as a result of winter weather, and Delta will proactively reduce flight schedules to minimize delays.

    Delta encourages customers to make changes and manage their travel at delta.com. All customers traveling in impacted markets should check their flight status at delta.com before arriving at the airport.

    Changes to origin or destination may result in a fare increase. Any fare difference between the original ticket and the new ticket will be collected at the time of rebooking. Customers whose flights are cancelled may request refunds.

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    Severe Winter Weather Continues to Affect United and Continental Flights in the Northeast Region This Week

    CUSTOMERS TRAVELING TO IMPACTED CITIES MAY RESCHEDULE WITHOUT PENALTY ON UNITED.COM OR CONTINENTAL.COM

    CHICAGO, Dec. 27, 2010
    United Continental Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: UAL) today extended travel options for United and Continental customers whose flight plans may be affected by severe winter weather in the Northeast region. Weather conditions are making air travel difficult, causing delays and cancellations of flights at Continental’s hub at New York / Newark Liberty International Airport and United’s hub at Washington Dulles. Flights at Newark are expected to resume on Monday afternoon, with a limited schedule. Operations at other airports throughout the Northeast region may also be affected.

    Change Flights for No Fee at united.com or continental.com

    Customers scheduled on flights, through Dec. 28, to, from or through the impacted areas may reschedule their itinerary with a one-time date or time change, and the change fees will be waived. If a flight has been canceled, a refund in the original form of payment may be requested. Complete details and eligible travel dates are available at united.com and continental.com.

    The fastest and most convenient way to change travel plans is via united.com or continental.com, and customers should continue to manage their reservations on the respective company’s website from which their ticket was purchased. Customers may also book a new reservation, change an existing reservation or check flight status by calling United Reservations at 800-UNITED-1 or Continental Reservations at 800-525-0280 or their travel agent.

    Another excellent way to receive information about flight delays, cancellations and gate changes is with United’s EasyUpdate service or Continental’s TripAlert service, which provide customers notifications via phone, text or e-mail.

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    Air Busan Runway Incursion


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer JangSu Lee – Korea Aero Photos

    What: Air Busan Boeing 737-400 en route from Fukuoka (Japan) to Busan (South Korea)
    Where: Fukuoka Japan
    When: Dec 26th 2010
    Who: 153 aboard
    Why: When cleared for takeoff, the Air Busan flight was taxiing when it went performed a runway incursion as a Jal Express Boeing was on final approach. The incursion casued a collision hazard/ loss of separation with an aircraft taking off, intending to take off, landing or intending to land. The Jal had to perform a go-around, but landed safely less than half an hour later. Then the Air Busan flight took off normally.

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    Kolkata Emergency Landing

    What: Deccan Charters flight en route from Jamshedpur
    Where: Kolkata
    When: Dec 24, 2010, 12:50 pm
    Who: 17 passengers, 3 crew
    Why: While en route, the plane developed problems with an engine. The pilot informed ATC, and shut down one engine before safely making a landing at NSC Bose International airport.

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    Helicopter Crash in Ukraine Kills 4


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Olaf Juergensmeier

    What: Aerospatiale SA-341G Gazelle en route from Odessa to Nikolaev.
    Where: Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine
    When: Dec 26, 2010
    Who: 40 year old Pilot and 3 passengers
    Why: While flying in thick fog, the helicopter crashed, killing the occupants. The passengers were girls between the ages of 18 and 22. The helicopter performed private flights for a luxury chalet in Dnipropetrovsk.

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    Emergency Landing: Beijing

    What: Turkish Government plane en route from Japan to Turkey
    Where: Beijing China
    When: Sunday 26, December 2010
    Who: Energy and Natural Resources Minister Taner Yildiz and delegation
    Why: After holding talks in Japan, the plane developed cabin pressure problems and made an emergency landing in Beijing. The plane landed safely. The passengers return to Turkey is scheduled on Turkish Airlines.

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    Syracuse Emergency Landing

    What: United Express en route from Chicago to Syracuse
    Where: Syracuse Hancock International airport
    When: Dec 24, 2010, 9″45
    Who: 36 aboard
    Why: While en route, the UA Chicago flight developed an engine icing problem. Details were not provided, but the plane made a safe landing in Syracuse, with emergency on standby. There were no injuries or specifics published regarding engine icing details, such as the type of plane, engine, or the specific part(s) affected.

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    Air Canada Encounters Turbulence

    What: Air Canada jet en route from Phoenix,AZ to Toronto,ON
    Where: Pueblo Colorado
    When: Dec 19th 2010
    Who: 98 aboard
    Why: Over Pueblo Colorado, the plane encountered mountain wave turbulence resulting in a 600 foot uncommanded descent. The crew recovered and continued to land safely in Toronto.

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    Sacramento Fuel Emergency

    What: FedEx cargo Airbus A310 en route from Memphis to Reno
    Where: Sacramento International Airport
    When: December 23, 2010
    Who: 4 crew
    Why: While en route, the plane ran low on fuel and diverted to Sacramento, landing with emergency crews on standby. There was no damage, and no injuries.

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    Medical Emergency over Romania

    What: Royal Dutch Airlines en route from Singapore to Amsterdam
    Where: Henri Coanda International Airport, Romania
    When: Dec 24, 2010, 6:50 a.m.
    Who: 1 passenger from Singapore
    Why: While a couple from Singapore were traveling to Amsterdam, the wife developed medical problems. The pilots diverted to Romania, where they made a safe landing; and the woman and her husband were taken to Elias Hospital where the woman’s ectopic pregnancy was handled, saving her life.

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    He’s Making a List, Checking it Twice – Santa Claus is Coming to Town

    From One Continent to the Next, AirTran Airways Tracks Santa’s One-Night World Tour –

    ORLANDO, Fla., Dec. 24, 2010 /PRNewswire/ — For the seventh consecutive year, AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AAI), is providing its first of three Satellite-based Aviation Navigational Tracking Apparatus (S.A.N.T.A.) reports. The following information regarding Santa Claus’ international flight is based on data from AirTran Airways’ System Operations Control Center in Orlando:

    As December is shaping up for a somewhat warm time of year in Antarctica, the first confirmed satellite data found Santa and his reindeers flying up to a rookery to watch newborn penguin chicks cluster and brood at their parents’ feet.

    As Santa and his reindeer zipped up the coastline, they took to warmer summer climates in Santiago, Chile. Who can blame Santa for wanting to make a pit stop in a country known for its bountiful range of delicious desserts?

    Satellite data indicates that Santa next headed west over the Pacific Ocean, bringing holiday cheer to the lush island of New Zealand to unassumingly watch a rugby match before beginning his trek through Asia.

    As Santa covered Asia in record time, he slowed down to admire the terra cotta warriors and horse figurines in Beijing that date back to 210 BC. After a much-needed snack of cookies and hot chocolate on the Great Wall of China, Santa and his reindeer headed further west toward India.

    The next S.A.N.T.A. update is scheduled to cross the national wire at 3 p.m. EST.

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    Severe Winter Weather Expected to Affect United and Continental Flights in the Northeast Region This Week

    CUSTOMERS TRAVELING TO IMPACTED CITIES MAY RESCHEDULE WITHOUT PENALTY ON UNITED.COM OR CONTINENTAL.COM
    CHICAGO, Dec. 23, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — United Continental Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: UAL) today announced travel options for United and Continental customers whose flight plans may be affected by severe winter weather forecast for the Northeast region. Weather conditions are expected to make air travel difficult, forcing some delays and cancellations of flights at United’s hub at Washington Dulles and Continental’s hub at New York / Newark Liberty International Airport for travel from Dec. 25 through Dec. 27. Operations at other airports throughout the Northeast region may also be affected.

    Change Flights for No Fee at united.com or continental.com

    Customers scheduled on flights to, from or through the impacted areas may reschedule their itinerary with a one-time date or time change, and the change fees will be waived. If a flight has been canceled, a refund in the original form of payment may be requested. Complete details and eligible travel dates are available at www.united.com and www.continental.com.

    The fastest and most convenient way to change travel plans is via united.com or continental.com, and customers should continue to manage their reservations on the respective company’s website from which their ticket was purchased. Customers may also book a new reservation, change an existing reservation or check flight status by calling United Reservations at 800-UNITED-1 or Continental Reservations at 800-525-0280 or their travel agent.

    Another excellent way to receive information about flight delays, cancellations and gate changes is with United’s EasyUpdate service or Continental’s TripAlert service, which provide customers notifications via phone, text or e-mail.