Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Frank Robitaille
What: Air Canada Jazz de Havilland Dash 8-300 en route from Calgary Edmonton
Where: Edmonton
When: Dec 19th 2010
Who: 3 aboard
Why: While on autopilot approach to Edmonton and flying 6-7 nautical miles behind a Boeing 767-300, the plane was affected adversely by wake turbulence.
The crew disengaged autopilot and recovered from a 30 degree roll to make a safe landing.
What: Skywest/United Airlines Bombardier Regional Jet en route from Saskatoon to Denver
Where: Regina International Airport
When: DECEMBER 22, 2010
Why: While en route over Saskatchewan, the crew noticed fumes in the cockpit.
The crew deployed oxygen masks, and then made a safe landing after diverting to Regina where passengers disembarked.
The plane was aired out; and it appears that the problem originated from deicing fluid which had been ingested into the aircraft’s auxiliary power unit.
Passengers reboarded and the flight continued on to Denver.
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Terry Wade
What: Jetblue Airbus A320-200, en route from Fort Lauderdale,FL to Santo Domingo
Where: Fort Lauderdale
When: Dec 20 2010
Why: After takeoff, the crew noticed substantial structural vibration of the plane’s airframe.
They decided to return to Fort Lauderdale and made a safe landing.
A replacement jet was provided.
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Roger Oldfield
What: Ryanair Boeing 737-800 en route from London Stansted to Kerry Ireland
Where: Kerry Ireland
When: Dec 21st 2010
Who: 160 passengers
Why: On landing, the plane was taxiing on the runway when those inside were subjected to fumes. The pilots stopped on the runway and instituted evacuation procedures. Passengers disembarked via slides, (two of whom were injured.)
The fumes appear to have been from de-icing compound,
Citing Failure to Reach a Mutually Beneficial Commercial Agreement American Revokes Orbitz Authority to Display and Sell American Airlines Fares
FORT WORTH, Texas, Dec. 21, 2010 — Effective immediately, American Airlines will discontinue displaying and selling fares through Orbitz (www.orbitz.com) and its subsidiary Orbitz for Business. Tickets for travel already purchased through Orbitz remain valid but changes must be made through American Airlines reservations by calling 1-800-433-7300.
Tickets for travel on American Airlines and American Eagle – including all international and domestic classes of service – are widely available through a number of outlets, including American’s own website, AA.com, which features our Lowest Fare Guarantee. Tickets, fares and schedules are also available through American’s reservations agents, thousands of travel agencies in locations worldwide, other online travel agencies such as Priceline.com, and metasearch engines such as Kayak.com.
“American Airlines regrets any inconvenience this may cause our customers. While we could not reach an agreement with Orbitz, we are committed to letting customers know of the multitude of options they have to purchase travel on American Airlines,” said Derek DeCross, Vice President – Sales. “In today’s competitive marketplace, it is important for American to be free to customize its product offerings to improve the customer experience as well as distribute its products in a way that does not result in unnecessary costs.”
American also continues to provide its fare content to travel agency partners, both through global distribution systems and through American’s own direct connection technology that is powered by Farelogix. There is no charge to agencies for using American’s direct connection, which allows travel agencies to offer their customers more complete and tailored travel choices, including fares and optional services
What: Geraldton Air Charters Beechcraft Bonanza
Where: Geraldton Australia
When: Dec 21, 2010 7:05 am
Who: Pilot
Why: On takeoff, the pilot crashed into a shed just beyond the end of the runway. The pilot survived. The plane appears to have developed problems on takeoff, did not get far off the ground, and its wing struck a shed across the road. Although the plane is a write-off, the pilot walked away.
CUSTOMERS TRAVELING TO IMPACTED CITIES MAY RESCHEDULE WITHOUT PENALTY on united.com OR continental.com
CHICAGO, Dec. 20, 2010 / —
United Continental Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: UAL) today expanded travel options for United and Continental customers whose flight plans may be affected by severe winter weather in Europe. Weather conditions are expected to continue to make air travel difficult, forcing some delays and cancellations of flights to and from London, Paris, Frankfurt, Munich, Brussels and Amsterdam airports this week.
Change Flights for No Fee at united.com or continental.com
Customers scheduled on flights to, from or through these airports through Dec. 24 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 phone, text or e-mail notifications.
About United Continental Holdings, Inc.
United Continental Holdings, Inc. is the holding company for both United Airlines and Continental Airlines. Together with United Express, Continental Express and Continental Connection, these airlines operate a total of approximately 5,800 flights a day to 371 airports on six continents from their hubs in Chicago, Cleveland, Denver, Guam, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark Liberty, San Francisco, Tokyo and Washington, D.C. United and Continental are members of Star Alliance, which offers 21,000 daily flights to 1,160 airports in 181 countries. United’s and Continental’s more than 80,000 employees reside in every U.S. state and in many countries around the world.
The winter weather over the past few days has severely disrupted flight operations and kept passengers stranded on the ground, especially at Lufthansa’s home airport in Frankfurt. Since the weather is expected to get even worse, Lufthansa has been forced to operate to a special timetable, in which numerous flights on German and European routes into and out of Frankfurt will have to be cancelled. This measure is necessary in order to reinstate flight operations on their customary stable basis. Lufthansa long-haul flights are not affected.
All Lufthansa passengers are urged to check the status of their flight before beginning their journey at Arrival & Departure. Passengers on intraGerman flights are advised anyway to utilise an alternative means of travel. In view of the extraordinary situation, Lufthansa flight tickets can be used for journeys by train without any problem. Electronic tickets can be exchanged for travel vouchers at the customer-operated check-in terminals.
Should there not be enough time to convert the ticket at a Lufthansa Quick-Check-in machine, Lufthansa recommends the purchase of a train ticket. The refund of the ticket can be obtained by presenting the train ticket and the flight ticket to the office that has issued the flight ticket after having completed the journey.
Passengers affected by flight cancellations should contact the dedicated Lufthansa Call Center set up specially for the purpose. The free phone number to call from Germany is: 0800 850 60 70. Callers from outside Germany should phone their local Lufthansa phone number .
Lufthansa deeply regrets the inconvenience caused to many of its passengers in these days and will do its utmost to lessen the impact as much as possible.
Deutsche Lufthansa AG
Corporate Communications
GOL adds six cities to its route network with Passaredo’s routes, which will be available in its sale channels
SAO PAULO, Dec. 21, 2010 -FirstCall/ — GOL Linhas Aereas Inteligentes S.A., the largest low-cost and low-fare airline in Latin America, has signed a commercial agreement to sell, in all its sales channels, tickets of Passaredo Linhas Aereas, a Brazilian domestic airline that recorded growth of 130.89% last year.
Passaredo currently operates 103 flights to 20 destinations in Brazil. As a result of the agreement, GOL will add the cities of Marilia, Ribeirao Preto, Sao Jose de Rio Preto (Sao Paulo), Barreiras, Vitoria da Conquista (Bahia) and Ji-Parana (Rondonia) to its route network. GOL, operating through Passaredo, also offers eight new direct flights, including Porto Alegre (Rio Grande do Sul) to Goiania (Goias) and Uberlandia (Minas Gerais) to Rio de Janeiro (Santos Dumont Airport).
GOL passengers connecting with Passaredo flights will only need to check-in once and their baggage will go directly to the final destination.
Based in Ribeirao Preto, Passaredo Linhas Aereas began operations in 1995. Its fleet currently comprises 15 aircraft – five Embraer EMB-120s and ten Embraer ERJ-145 jets, with a capacity for 30 and 50 passengers, respectively. By July 2011, however, it will be operating 23 aircraft, with the addition of eight already contracted ERJ-145s.
“This is a strategic agreement for GOL because Passaredo is a well-known regional airline which will add important destinations to our route network, improving our penetration and offering our passengers new direct flight options”, declared Claudia Pagnano, GOL’s Market Vice-President.
The routes will be handled by all GOL’s sales channels, available for purchase up to the day before the flight. The agreement does not include the accumulation of SMILES mileage on Passaredo flights.
For Captain Felicio, the CEO of Passaredo Linhas Aereas, the company is assuming a strategic position in the market. “GOL is an excellent partner. We believe in a strong regional aviation market, where we will be operating with penetration for one of the leading airlines in Latin America. This is the system they use in North America and Europe”, he concluded.
About Passaredo Linhas Aereas
Passaredo has expanded more than any other airline in Brazil since 2004, recording annual growth of close to 100%, and currently operates 103 daily flights to 20 cities in 10 Brazilian states. It focuses on flights carrying up to 50 passengers, operating on medium-potential routes with high-tech aircraft, high fuel consumption efficiency and low-cost maintenance. Its aircraft are manufactured by Embraer and there are more than 1,200 units operating worldwide. Passaredo puts great emphasis on top-class customer service, prioritizing comfort, safety, efficiency and punctuality. Given its intention of maintaining its regional identity, the partnership with GOL will complement its operations, allowing it to offer a wider range of destinations to its clients.
About GOL Linhas Aereas Inteligentes S.A.
GOL Linhas Aereas Inteligentes S.A. (NYSE: GOL and BM&FBOVESPA: GOLL4), (S&P/Fitch: BB-/BB-, Moody`s: Ba3), the largest low-cost and low-fare airline in Latin America, offers more than 900 daily flights to 59 destinations that connect all the important cities in Brazil and 14 major destinations in South America and Caribbean. The Company operates a young, modern fleet of Boeing 737 Next Generation aircraft, the safest and most comfortable of its class, with high aircraft utilization and efficiency levels. Fully committed to seeking innovative solutions through the use of cutting-edge technology, the Company – via its GOL, VARIG, GOLLOG, SMILES and VoeFacil brands – offers its clients easy payment facilities, a wide range of complementary services and the best cost-benefit ratio in the market.
This release contains forward-looking statements relating to the prospects of the business, estimates for operating and financial results, and those related to growth prospects of GOL. These are merely projections and, as such, are based exclusively on the expectations of GOL’s management concerning the future of the business and its continued access to capital to fund the Company’s business plan. Such forward-looking statements depend, substantially, on changes in market conditions, government regulations, competitive pressures, the performance of the Brazilian economy and the industry, among other factors and risks disclosed in GOL’s filed disclosure documents and are, therefore, subject to change without prior notice.
FORT WORTH, Texas, Dec. 20, 2010 — AA Credit Union has proudly presented the North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) with a $3,090 donation as a result of the Credit Union’s weeklong virtual canned food drive.
In early December, Credit Union employees participated in a special Dress Down Days fund-raiser, contributing $5 a day or $20 for the entire week in exchange for being able to wear jeans and sneakers to work.
The drive was part of the North Texas Food Bank’s “Close the Gap on Hunger in North Texas” campaign. “Close the Gap” is the NTFB’s three-year initiative to unite the community to narrow the food gap by providing access to 50 million meals annually by 2011.
“Virtual Canned Food Drives eliminate the hidden costs associated with a regular canned food drive,” said Sophia Sindalovsky, Volunteer Coordinator of the NTFB. “It also provides much more assistance to North Texans by leveraging donations to provide four meals for every dollar raised. Giving has never been easier.” The Credit Union’s donation equates to nearly 12,360 meals for North Texans.
“After donating hundreds of pounds of canned goods in last year’s drive, we were excited — and somewhat relieved — to throw our efforts behind a virtual canned food drive this year,” said Pedro Noda, the fund-raiser’s director and eMarketing Manager at AA Credit Union. “We’re excited to make this donation on behalf of AA Credit Union and the many employees who helped make this possible.”
“This time of year, it is particularly important to remember those who are less fortunate,” said Angie Owens, AA Credit Union President and CEO. “I once again could not be more proud of all our employees for opening up their hearts to help the North Texas Food Bank reach such admirable goals.”
About American Airlines Federal Credit Union
AA Credit Union was founded in 1936, and today serves the present and retired employees of American Airlines, their family members and others who work in the air transportation industry. AA Credit Union has more than 223,000 member-owners and assets of more than $5 billion. As a cooperative financial services institution, the Credit Union’s goal is to provide the best possible benefits and services for its member-owners.
About the North Texas Food Bank
The North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) is a nonprofit hunger relief organization that distributes donated, purchased and prepared foods through a network of 1,146 feeding programs in 13 North Texas counties. The NTFB supports the nutritional needs of children, families and seniors through education, advocacy and strategic partnerships. Founded in 1982, the NTFB is a member of Feeding America (feedingamerica.org). Each month agency pantries distribute food to more than 53,000 families and on-site meal programs serve 435,000 meals/snacks. Every dollar donated to the NTFB provides four meals for the hungry. Imagine… A World Without Hunger. www.ntfb.org.
What: Delta regional twin engine jet en route from Detroit to Syracuse
Where: Syracuse New York
When: Dec 20, 2010
Who: 52 passengers
Why: Five miles from its destination in Syracuse, the plane developed an oil pressure problem in one engine indicated by an oil pressure gauge.
The pilot shut it down and made a safe landing. Passengers disembarked at the gate.
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Olaf Wagner
What: Germanwings Airbus A319-100 en route from Vienna to Cologne
Where: Cologne
When: Dec 19th 2010
Why: On landing in Cologne, smoke in the cockpit sent pilots to the hospital. The smoke is so far unexplained.
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer John Richard Thomson
What: Jetstar Airbus A330 en route from Denpasar Bali to Melbourne
Where: Adelaide
When: Dec 19 2010,
Who: 226 passengers, 11 crew
Why: While en route, the right engine developed problems. Pilots announced to the passengers that they were experiencing engine problems.
The flight diverted to Adelaide and made a safe landing. Four hours after landing, passengers were provided alternative flights. However yesterday, weather in Australia also caused problems in Melbourne, including travel delays and at least one lightning strike.
Qantas has owned the jet since 2008, although it is new to the Jetsar fleet.
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Peter Nowacki
What: Air Canada Airbus 320-200 en route from Toronto to Miami
Where: Miami
When: Dec 16 2010
Why: On landing in Miami, the Airbus suffered a bird strike causing minor damage to the airframe. No one was injured except the hawk.
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Adrián Alonso Lemes
What: Arkefly Boeing 737-800 en route from Amsterdam to Hurgada Egypt
Where: Stuttgart
When: December 17, 2010
Who: 183 aboard
Why: While en route from Amsterdam, smoke was detected in the cabin, apparently originating from a galley fire. The flight, which made a safe landing in Germany is believed to be the same plane which diverted to Amsterdam today after passengers were suffering from fumes from De-icing fluid. The jet was ferried back to Amsterdam.
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Peter Klytta
What: Cimber Sterling Airlines Avions de Tranport Regional ATR-72-500 en route from Copenhagen to Bornholm
Where: Bornholm
When: Dec 16 2010
Who: 31 passengers and 4 crew
Why: After landing, while taxiing back to the gate, the plane skidded off the runway, off of the pavement.
Passengers disembarked directly on to the runway via mobile stairs and were bussed to the terminal. The airport closed while the plane was moved.
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Adrián Alonso Lemes
What: Arkefly Boeing 737-800 en route from Amsterdam to Lanzarote,CI
Where: Amsterdam
When: Dec 16th 2010
Who: 178 passengers
Why: About half an hour into the flight, people aboard began complaining they were being affected by fumes aboard the plane. Both passengers and crew complained of nausea. Returning to Amsterdam, the plane made a safe landing and those affected were treated at the airport. The fumes were assumed to be from de-icing compounds.
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Mehdi Nazarinia
What: Tiger Airways Airbus A320-200 en route from Melbourne to Perth
Where: Melbourne
When: Dec 10th 2010
Who: 159 passengers
Why: After takeoff, the plane’s right engine emitted an explosive noise. After the crew shut down the engine, they returned to Melbourne and made a safe landing. Passengers were rerouted; the plane was grounded until the 17, and the affected engine was replaced.
DALLAS, Dec. 16, 2010 COMTEX/ —
Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) is pleased to announce that its Flight Simulator Technicians, represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) Airlines Division, voted to ratify an extension to their current agreement. The agreement is for a two-year contract extension through October 2013. The current contract would have become amendable on November 1, 2011.
“I want to congratulate both sides for ratification of a contract that delivers mutually beneficial enhancements to pay, benefits, and work rules to our dedicated Flight Simulator Technicians,” said Mike Van de Ven, Southwest Airlines Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. “The negotiating teams were able to balance our competitive needs with our Technicians’ requests to quickly come to an agreement as we head toward our 40th year of operation.”
After nearly 40 years of service, Southwest Airlines continues to differentiate itself from other low fare carriers–offering a reliable product with exemplary Customer Service. Southwest Airlines is the nation’s largest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded, now serving 69 cities in 35 states. Southwest also is one of the most honored airlines in the world known for its commitment to the triple bottom line of Performance, People, and Planet. To read more about how Southwest is doing its part to be a good citizen, visit southwest.com/cares to read the Southwest Airlines One Report(TM). Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,100 flights a day and has nearly 35,000 Employees systemwide.
What: Emirates Boeing 777-300 en route from Dubai to Colombo
Where: Dubai
When: Dec 16th 2010
Why: While en route, Flight EK-650 developed engine problems, and returned to Dubai to make a safe landing. An engine failure was reported.
What: Air Canada Boeing 777 en route from Vancouver to Toronto
Where: Vancouver International Airport
When: Dec 16, 2010
Who: 224 passengers
Why: While en route, the Boeing developed an oil pressure problem (indicator) in one of the engines. No smoke was reported.
The pilots returned to Vancouver and made a safe landing. No injuries were reported. Passengers disembarked and boarded another plane which left for Toronto around noon.
What: Tara Air de Havilland DHC-6-300 Twin Otter en route from Lamidanda to Kathmandu
Where: Okhaldhunga, Palunge Mountain, Nepal
When: Dec 15th 2010
Who: 19 passengers and 3 crew
Why: Five minutes after takeoff, Air Traffic Control lost contact with the plane.
The flight was scheduled to arrive in Kathmandu 35 minutes after departure and it never arrived.
The wreckage was found at 8850 feet, where it crashed into Palunge Mountain.
All the bodies have been recovered.
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Royal S King
What: Hawaiian Airlines Boeing 767-300 en route from Pago Pago American Samoa to Honolulu,HI
Where: Pago Pago
When: Dec 2nd 2010
Who: 173 passengers 12 crew
Why: While en route, the flight encountered unanticipated turbulence. The sky was clear but storms were reported in the area.
Three flight attendants and one passenger were injured; one flight attendant broke her leg.
The flight continued to Honolulu and made an uneventful landing.
In 2009, the Indian Government was talking about bailing out Air India if the airlines could convince the government that they can manage themselves. Now, stepping into 2011, civil aviation Minister Praful Patel is still talking about Air India’s need to streamline, organize and modernize.
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Contact photographer Daniel P Fretwell
What: Imperial Air Cargo Boeing 737-300 en route from Leipzig Germany to Turku Finland
Where: Leipzig
When: Dec 14th 2010
Why: While en route, the plane suffered a cracked windshield. The flight returned to Leipzig to make a safe landing.
