Carrier

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    Southwest Airlines Announces 20 Firm Boeing 737-800 Deliveries in 2012

    DALLAS, Dec. 15, 2010 —

    Today, Gary Kelly, Southwest Airlines Chairman, President, and CEO spoke at the Wings Club in New York City and shared additional details on introducing the Boeing 737-800 to the Southwest fleet.

    Kelly announced the Company will substitute 20 of its 737-700 orders for -800s, with the first delivery scheduled for March 2012. With both its Pilots’ and Flight Attendants’ Unions ratifying their contracts to add the -800 to their current collective bargaining agreements, the Company is continuing to finalize discussions with the Boeing Company regarding substitutions of the -800s for the -700 positions, and configuration and equipage options.

    “The -800 represents many exciting opportunities for our Employees and our Customers,” Kelly said. “We are looking to the future and the -800 sets the stage to bring more destinations into the realm of possibilities for Southwest, to operate a more economical aircraft, and to offer better scheduling flexibility in high-demand, slot-controlled, or gate-restricted markets.”

    The current plan is to deliver these 20, 737-800 aircraft in full Extended-range Twin-engine Operational Performance Standards (ETOPS) configuration. The current configuration also includes the Boeing Company’s Sky Interior that offers a quieter cabin, improved operational security features, and LED reading and ceiling lighting.

    After nearly 40 years of service, Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) 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.

    Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    This news release contains forward-looking statements related to Southwest’s plans and expectations regarding the introduction of the Boeing 737-800 to its fleet. These statements are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements are based on the Company’s current intent, expectations, and projections and are not guarantees of future performance. These statements involve risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors that are difficult to predict and that could cause actual results to vary materially from those expressed in or indicated by them. Factors include, among others, (i) the impact of fuel prices and economic conditions on the Company’s overall business plan and strategies; (ii) consumer demand for air travel; (iii) actions of competitors, including without limitation pricing, scheduling, and capacity decisions, and consolidation and alliance activities; (iv) the impact of governmental regulations on the Company’s operations; and (v) other factors, as described in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the detailed factors discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, and under the heading “Forward-looking statements” in the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2010, June 30, 2010, and September 30, 2010.

    www.southwest.com

    SOURCE Southwest Airlines

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    Ghana VP in emergency landing

    What: Ghana Air Force Falcon 900 EX presidential jet en route from Cairo to Burkina Faso Ghana
    Where: Kufra Libya
    When: Dec 10, 2010
    Who: passengers included the vice President Mr. John Dramani Mahama, business man Alhaji Asumah Bandah, football icon Abedi Ayew Pele
    Why: While en route, one of the Falcon’s engines failed. On losing the engine, the pilot descended to a lower altitude and continued flying, diverting to Kufra where he made a precautionary landing landing.

    On landing, the baggage was quickly removed and passengers relocated.

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    Goodrich and Air Arabia Sign Nacelle Services Agreement for Support of Airbus A320 Fleet

    Work will be performed through Prime Solutions® at the Goodrich Dubai campus

    CHARLOTTE, N.C., Dec. 13, 2010 Goodrich Corporation has signed a nacelle services agreement with Air Arabia for support of nacelles and thrust reversers in the airline’s fleet of more than 50 Airbus A320 aircraft powered by CFM56-5B engines. The 10-year Prime Solutions® nacelle services agreement will be managed through Goodrich’s Dubai campus in Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates, which will provide local support to the fast-growing low-cost carrier based in Sharjah, UAE.

    Bob Gustafson, vice president and general manager of Aftermarket Services at Goodrich’s Aerostructures business said, “This agreement is a good example of an airline recognizing the value of securing long-term nacelle services with a locally positioned nacelle maintenance, repair and overhaul facility,” he said. “As more airlines recognize the time and cost savings realizable by having repairs performed on large components close to their main operating bases, our Dubai service center will see continued growth in the region.”

    Prime Solutions is a comprehensive suite of maintenance services and asset/inventory management programs that can be fully customized to meet any airline’s needs for nacelle maintenance. Goodrich Aerostructures operates eight service centers worldwide.

    Air Arabia (PJSC), listed on the Dubai Financial Market, is the Middle East and North Africa’s first and largest low-cost carrier. Air Arabia began operations in October 2003 and operates a fleet of new Airbus A320 aircraft, serving a wide range of destinations across the Middle East, North Africa, Europe, and South and Central Asia. Air Arabia operates from its hubs in Sharjah, UAE; Casablanca, Morocco; and Alexandria, Egypt.

    Goodrich Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, is a global supplier of systems and services to aerospace, defense and homeland security markets. With one of the most strategically diversified portfolios of products in the industry, Goodrich serves a global customer base with significant worldwide manufacturing and service facilities.

    Goodrich Corporation operates through its divisions and as a parent company for its subsidiaries, one or more of which may be referred to as “Goodrich Corporation” in this press release.

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    Boeing Delivers 200th Airplane to Air France

    Wash., Dec. 10, 2010 Boeing and Air France celebrated on Wednesday the 200th direct delivery of a Boeing jetliner – a 777-300ER (extended range) – to the Paris-based carrier.

    “The 777 is the backbone of our long-haul fleet. This new aircraft will support Air France’s projected growth on long-haul destinations and confirm the Air France-KLM Group’s European leadership position on the international network. With this latest delivery, Air France continues to upgrade its fleet, one of the youngest in Europe, and launches its new business class seat,” said Bruno Matheu, chief commercial officer of Air France.

    “The delivery of this 777-300ER, our 200th airplane delivered to Air France, is a tribute to the 777 and the long-term relationship between Air France and Boeing,” said Marlin Dailey, vice president of Sales & Marketing for Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “The 777 offers an unbeatable combination of economics and passenger comfort that will continue to give Air France a competitive advantage in the marketplace.”

    Air France’s new 777-300ER has 383 seats including 42 business class lie-flat seat beds measuring over 78.74 inches (2 m) in length, plus an in-seat entertainment system with 15-inch (38 cm) wide screens in 16:9 format. Air France is a member of Sky Team, and will operate this 777-300ER between Paris and Montreal. In January 2011, it will be operated on the new direct route between Paris and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

    The first Boeing jet, a 707, was delivered to Air France in 1959. The airline also has operated 727s, 737s and 767s and ordered its first 747s in 1966. Air France first ordered 777-200ERs in 1996 and was a launch customer for the 777-300ER in 2000 and for the 777 Freighter in 2005.
    For the 2011 summer season, Air France will be operating a total of 61 777s making it one of the largest 777 passenger fleets in the world. The airline also operates two 777 Freighters and 12 747s. Boeing is scheduled to deliver to Air France one 777 Freighter in 2011 and 11 additional 777-300ERs through 2015. In addition to their direct purchase of Boeing airplanes, Air France has successfully operated many other Boeing airplanes on lease for many years.

    The 777-300ER is 19 percent lighter than its closest competitor, greatly reducing its fuel requirement. It produces 22 percent less carbon dioxide per seat and costs 20 percent less to operate per seat. The airplane has a maximum range of 7,930 nautical miles (14,685 km). The 777 family is the world’s most successful twin-engine, twin-aisle airplane. Sixty-one customers around the world have ordered more than 1,100 777s.

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    De-Icing Delays

    What: US Airways/Air Wisconsin Canadair CRJ-200 en route from Philadelphia,PA (USA) to Ottawa,ON
    Where: Philadelphia
    When: Dec 11th 2010
    Why: After takeoff, the flight developed a de-icing problem (or would this be an icing problem?)

    The flight landed safely back in Philadelphia; and then went on to arrive in Ottawa about an hour and a half late.

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    Delta Galley Fire

    What: Delta Airlines Boeing 747-400 en route from New York to Tel Aviv
    Where: New York
    When: Dec 11th 2010
    Who: 399 aboard
    Why: After takeoff from JFK, the crew reported a fire in galley 2. While burning off fuel to land, the fire went out; but additional problems with fuel pumps were reported. The flight dumped fuel and landed an hour and a half after departure.

    There was also a degree of interference with messaging between the plane and ATC caused by bleedover from a commercial station but not enough to cause problems.

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    Severe Winter Weather Expected to Affect United and Continental Flights in Midwest

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

    CHICAGO, Dec. 11, 2010

    United Continental Holdings, Inc. ( today announced travel options for United Airlines and Continental Airlines customers whose flight plans may be affected by severe winter weather forecast for the Midwest this weekend. Weather conditions are expected to make air travel difficult, with the likelihood of delays and cancellations of flights at United’s hub at Chicago O’Hare International Airport and Continental’s hub at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.

    Operations at other airports throughout the Midwest will also be affected by severe weather. Customers should check their flight status on united.com or continental.com before leaving for the airport.

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

    Customers scheduled on flights to, from or through the region, including Chicago and Cleveland, through Dec. 13 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.

    About United Continental Holdings, Inc.

    United Continental Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: UAL) 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.For more information about United Continental Holdings, Inc., go to UnitedContinentalHoldings.com. For more information about the airlines, see united.com and continental.com, and follow each company on Twitter and Facebook.

    SOURCE United Continental Holdings, Inc.

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    Bulgaria Airbus Lands with Engine in Pieces, Leaking


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Timo Jäger

    What: Bulgaria Air Airbus A320-200 en route from Sofia to Moscow
    Where: Sofia
    When: Dec 10 2010
    Who: 29 passengers and 7 crew
    Why: On takeoff, part of the engine fell off, and the affected engine began leaking. The crew reported the problem and returned to Sofia to make a safe landing. A replacement jet was provided.

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    Florida Bird Strike

    What: US Airways Boeing 737 en route from Ft Lauderdale
    Where: Ft Lauderdale
    When: Dec 9 2010
    Why: Shortly after takeoff, the US Airways Boeing had a bird strike, and a fireball came out of one of the engines, and it was “blown out.” The plane returned safely to Ft. Lauderdale and landed. There were no injuries except for the bird.

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    Cityhopper Flight Interrupted


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Marc Stier

    What: KLM Cityhopper Embraer ERJ-190 en route from Amsterdam Netherlands to Bordeaux
    Where: Amsterdam
    When: Dec 9 2010
    Who: not available
    Why: After takeoff, the plane could not retract the landing gear. The flight returned to Amsterdam and made a safe landing. A replacement jet was flown in without further incident.

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    Diversion Causes Rebellion

    stranded flight

    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Luc Verkuringen

    Rebellious passengers

    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Oleg Chaplin

    What: Jet4You Boeing 737-400 en route from Casablanca Morocco to Bordeaux
    Where: Bordeaux
    When: Dec 4 2010
    Who: 121 passengers
    Why: While en route, the plane suffered a bird strike and made a safe landing. Another flight was diverted to pick up the passengers stranded in Bordeaux.

    However…the flight that was to be diverted to pick them up was flying from Toulouse to Casablanca…didn’t. We do not know how they got home from Bordeaux.

    When the 137 passengers aboard the replacement flight landed in Liege, they refused. (Refused to go to Bordeax, to get off the plane. Basically they rebelled. They did not want to go to Bordeaux and pick up the stranded passengers.) Apparently the pilot then left the plane, and the passengers (except for 52 of them who asked to get off the plane) stayed on the plane all night, outraged that their 90 minute direct trip had turned into 6 hours with 2 unscheduled stop. Their refusal ended up making them stranded even longer.

    They were promised a direct flight to Casablanca on Sunday.

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    American Airlines SF-Hawaii Diverts to LAX

    What: American Airlines Boeing 757-200 en route from San Francisco,CA to Honolulu,HI
    Where: San Francisco
    When: Dec 6th 2010
    Who: 98 passengers
    Why: The plane took off successfully but developed a bleed air problem in the left engine. The bleed air issue is more routine than problematic but dealing with it is certainly a best practice; the crew had to burn off fuel to land, and circled; but then diverted to LAX for the maintenance facilities. On arrival to LAX, passengers were booked onto alternative flights.

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    Jazz Rejects Takeoff


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Carlos Vaz

    What: Air Canada Jazz Canadair CRJ-100 en route from Montreal to Charlottetown
    Where: Montreal
    When: Dec 6th 2010
    Who: 46 aboard
    Why: On takeoff, the pilots were reported smoke in the cabin and flight deck and rejected takeoff.

    The flight was cancelled. Passengers disembarked after the plane taxied to the gate. The problem was attributed to deicing fluid ingested into the engine.

    George’s Point of View

    My maintenance guys tell me that this is a technical maintenance issue.

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    Bird Strike, Fort Lauderdale Florida


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Joe M Hill

    What: US Airways Boeing 737-400 en route from Fort Lauderdale,FL to Washington DC
    Where: Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood
    When: December 8, 2010
    Who: 70 passengers 5 crew
    Why: After takeoff from Fort Lauderdale, the flight incurred a bird strike in an engine that affected a generator. The strike caused vibration in the right engine. The pilot turned back to the airport and made a safe landing. Passengers were provided alternative flights. Damage to the engine housing was reported.

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    SAS Proximity/Clearance Issue in Copenhagen


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Kristoffer K Rivedal
    What: SAS Scandinavian Airlines Canadair CRJ-900 en route from Copenhagen Denmark to Vilnius Lithuania
    Where: Copenhagen
    When: Nov 26 2010
    Why: After de-icing, the plane continued straight onto the runway turnoff bypassing the stop bar protecting the runway. The plane passed in close proximity within Cimber Sterling Canadair CRJ-200 which had received takeoff clearance.

    Havarikommission, AKA the Danish Accident Investigation Board determined there was a serious incident (risk of collision) and commissioned an investigation.

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    Australia’s CAA Investigation Points to Baggage Handlers


    The April 9 emergency landing of Eagle Air/Air New Zealand Beech 1900D en route from Auckland to Whangarei, attributed to an open rear cargo door, has been blamed on untrained baggage handlers who did not lock cargo doors.

    The hatch flew open on takeoff. See the link to a photograph of the open door posted on the NZ Herald

    The doors tend to be left unlocked in case late bags come in; but that is not a good safety practice because a broken cargo door can smash the tail of the plane or worse.

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    Angola Airlines Boeing Drops Metal Shards on Lisbon suburb


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

    What: TAAG Angola Airlines Boeing 777 en route from Portela airport to Luanda Angola
    Where: Over Lisbon
    When: Dec 6 2010 12:30
    Who: 125 aboard
    Why: Around 11:45 GMT, a Taag Boeing lost parts over the Almada suburb of Lisbon, damaging a car and a building’s roof. The plane made an emergency landing at Portela after experiencing engine vibration in the right engine.

    Stramded passengers have a replacement flight due at 10 am.

    Taag bought the plane in 2007. TAAG’s Boeing aircraft are exempt from TAAG’s blacklist status. TAAG is on the UE blacklist of foreign airlines banned from flying to the continent due to noncompliance with international safety guidelines.

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    Gear Door Message over Kuwait City


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

    What: Kuwait Airways Airbus 340-300 en route from Kuwait City (Kuwait) to London Heathrow
    Where: Kuwait
    When: Dec 6th 2010
    Why: On takeoff from Kuwait City, the plane could not retract the landing gear. According to Al Abdulkarim, the procedure was routine, not an emergency. The crew returned to the airport, made a safe landing, and the problem was promptly repaired. The problem was apparently in the indicator, not the plane. After the warning light was repaired, the flight took off again within hours.

    This is the third time in two months that Kuwait Airways made an emergency landing after take-off.

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    Tap Airbus Fuel Filter Stops Lisbon-Luanda Flight


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Markus Altmann

    What: TAP Air Portugal Airbus A340-300 en route from Lisbon to Luanda
    Where: Lisbon
    When: Dec 6 2010
    Why: En route over the airport, the crew received a fuel filter error message, and returned to Lisbon to make a safe landing. The flight circled for an hour and dumped fuel; and was back in the air on Tuesday.

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    Air Zimbabwe Emergency Landing at Harare


    Pictured: An Air Zimbabwe Boeing 737
    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Chaity

    What: Air Zimbabwe Boeing 737 en route from Victoria Falls
    Where: Harare Airport, Zimbabwe
    When: December 6, 2010
    Who: not released
    Why: Passengers coming back from Victoria falls got a surprise today as, en route, the plane’s fire alarms went off.

    The pilots made a safe emergency landing at Harare. The cause of the alarm is being investigated, and there’s no indication of whether passengers were provided transportation, housing or if they had to wait until the plane was examined/repaired.

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    Lufthansa Airbus Flight Cancelled over Cabin Pressure


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Mario Aurich

    What: Lufthansa Airbus A319-100 en route from LH-2557 from Tbilisi to Munich
    Where: Tbilisi Georgia
    When: Dec 6th 2010
    Who: 66 passengers
    Why: While en route, the pilots found the cabin pressure was inconsistent. They returned to Tbilisi and made a safe landing. Passengers were provided alternative transportation.

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    AeroMexico Boeing Engine Problems; Diverts to Azores


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Jorge Garcia

    What: Aeromexico Boeing 777-200 en route from Mexico City (Mexico) to Madrid,SP
    Where: Santa Maria
    When: Dec 4th 2010
    Why: Initially, the flight diverted to the Azores Islands due to a Spanish strike, but later said there were problems with the right engine. After the plane landed, passengers were provided hotel accommodations. Another plane brought spare parts to Santa Maria, and the flight continued the next day after repairs were completed.

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    South East Airlines Tupolev Crashes in Moscow


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Kirill Naumenko – Moscow City Spotters

    What: Dagestan Airlines/South East Airlines Tupolev Tu-154 en route from Vnukovo to Makhachkala Russia
    Where: Domodedovo airport
    When: Saturday December 4, 2010
    Who: 168 aboard including 8 crew (also reported as 155)
    Why: Shortly after South East Airlines Flight 372 took off from Moscow, two of the Tupolev’s three engines failed (14:28). At 14:41, the pilot requested an emergency landing, initially at Vnukovo then at Domodedovo airport. The third engine failed as the plane was attempting to land in snow and freezing rain. The plane overshot the runway, and is reported to have struck buildings although missing a fence. Passengers say the plane broke apart when the plane hit a hill. The plane’s nose smashed and the fuselage broke into three sections. No fire or explosion occurred.

    The pilot Zakarzhi Zakarzhaev has flown 17 thousand hours and is considered the most professionally trained commander of Dagestan, likely one reason there are survivors.

    Passengers did not evacuate via emergency chute or ladder. They had to jump from the cabin to the ground to evacuate the wounded.

    Engine failure has been conjectured to be attributed to flawed aviation fuel (filters clogged with debris or ice) or lack of maintenance. The 18-year old tri-jet is powered by Soloviev D-30KU engines.

    Two were killed on impact, 83 injured were taken to 5 hospitals. 19 of these were very severe injuries—the number of fatalities has increased to 12 and may rise higher.

    The mother of a constitutional court judge, Gadisa Gadzhyeva, died in the accident; the brother of Dagestan President Magomedsalam Magomedov has been hospitalized. Seven of the victims taken to the central regional hospital. Three victims were delivered to the Clinical Hospital N83 Federal Medical-Biological Agency of Russia and one to CITO Pirogov Health Ministry of Russia. 25 victims were directed to the medical institutions of the Department of Health in Moscow. There were two children, one of them taken to the Morozov Children’s Hospital, the second is in children’s emergency surgery Roshal. Others are in Institute of Emergency Care Sklifosovsky, and in various Municipal Hospitals (64th, 7th, 13th, etc…)

    Russian Prosecutor General Yury Chaika took on a special control of the investigation. Photos were forbidden, and a criminal case was opened. An interview of Federal Service for Supervision of Transport of Russia supervisors indicated that they will be looking into the administration of Dagestan Airlines.

    In November 2009, a Dagestan engine failed; and in August 2008 an engine caught fire. Dagestan Airlines has adopted the brand name ‘South East Airlines.’ Dagestan Airlines is an airline based in Makhachkala, in Russia’s North Caucasus region. The airline’s scheduled, charter and cargo services operate domestic and international routes from its hub at Uytash Airport.

    The Moscow hotline is Moscow: 363-61-01; Emergency psychological assistance for victims families is (495) 626-37-07.

    The investigation shows that at an altitude of 9000 meters engines #1 and #3 failed. Analysis of the flight data recorder confirms the initial fluctuations in fuel supply to all three engines at an altitude of about 9000 meters, wjem engines 1 (left) and 3 (right) failed, Engine #2 was unstable as well recovered and ran until landing. First touchdown occurred at a vertical acceleration of 3.5G and vertical accelerations over 5.0G.The fuel pumps system is being dismantled, fuel samples were taken from the left engine and left fuel tank and are being analysed.

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    Fort Lauderdale: Jet Blue Bird Strike


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Mario Aurich – AirTeamImages

    What: Jetblue Airbus A320-200 from Hartford to Fort Lauderdale
    Where: Fort Lauderdale
    When: Dec 2nd 2010 6:10 pm
    Why: The flight was landing in Fort Lauderdale when there was a bird strike which damaged the flaps. A replacement plane was provided for the return flight.

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    UA Lands in Casper

    What: United Airlines/Skywest Canadair CRJ-200 en route from Denver to Casper
    Where: Casper/Natrona County Airport
    When: 10:30 am
    Who: 43 passengers
    Why: On approach, the plane developed a mechanical problem with its wing flap. The plane landed safely, and was sent to maintenance for work on the wing flaps.