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    Fraport Celebrates 10th Anniversary of Lima Airport Concession

    Win-win Privatization Project: Over $270 Million in Airport Investments and Over $700 Million in Payments to Peru Since 2001 – Passenger Traffic Surges 17 Percent in 2010 – Skytrax “Best Airport in South America” 2009 & 2010

    FRANKFURT, Germany, February 3, 2011 — Last night in the Peruvian capital, Fraport AG and its majority-owned Lima Airport Partners (LAP) joint venture company celebrated the 10th anniversary of the successful Jorge Chavez International Airport Lima concession, which began in February 2001. The event was attended by Peru’s first vice president Luis Giampietri and other high-ranking business and political leaders — underscoring the airport’s significance as a key gateway for the country. Speaking at the event, Fraport AG’s executive board chairman Dr. Stefan Schulte said: “We are proud of this win-win airport privatization concession which benefits not only travelers worldwide but serves as a strategic aviation gateway for Peru and the region.”

    “We have demonstrated our dedication and long-term commitment to this project. Traffic has grown from less than 4 million passengers in 2001 to more than 10 million in 2010. Jorge Chavez was the first airport to achieve investment grade status in the region. Lima Airport has won numerous awards because of its commitment to quality and high service standards. And, Lima Airport Partners has transferred more than $700 million to the Peruvian government since the beginning of the concession,” Schulte added.

    Lima Airport (LIM) welcomed about 10.3 million passengers in 2010, surging by 17.0 percent year-on-year. Since Fraport took over operations a decade ago, LIM has recorded a 10.8 percent compounded annual rate of growth in passenger traffic. Last year, passenger growth was driven, in particular, by additional frequencies on domestic routes. LIM handles well over 90 percent of the country’s international traffic. More international routes are expected in 2011, including several European destinations. Cargo throughput also advanced last year by 17.0 percent to nearly 272,000 metric tons, while aircraft movements climbed by 14.8 percent to more than 120,000 takeoffs and landings. Thus, LIM continues to strengthen its position as a regional air transportation hub for Latin America.

    LAP took over the operation of Lima Airport on February 14, 2001. Fraport has a 70.01 percent shareholding in Lima Airport Partners, followed by International Finance Corporation (IFC) with 19.99 percent and AC Capitales Safi of Peru (Fondo de Inversion en Infrastructura, Servicios Publicos y Recursos Naturales) with 10.0 percent. Under the 30-year airport concession (with a 10-year option to extend) Fraport assumed the contractual role of airport manager and is responsible for operations, security, planning, maintenance and other activities.

    Since 2001, Lima Airport Partners (LAP) has invested $272.5 million in modernizing and expanding the passenger terminal as well as improving airside infrastructure, computer and communications systems, and enhancing customer service. Milestones have included redevelopment of the terminal complex, the new Peru Plaza shopping mall in 2005, new gates and passenger loading bridges, various other airside improvements, implementation of SAP computer applications and Red Gigabit – an advanced computer communications network for LAP and other users of the airport community.

    “For the future, we see further growth and development. Jorge Chavez International Airport will continue to be a very important part of the Fraport Group family, and we will continue to develop the airport’s capacity – as the main gateway to Peru and the leading gateway to the region,” added Schulte.

    Fraport AG’s know-how has played a significant role in modernizing and expanding Peru’s international air transportation gateway during the past decade. Along with implementing high international aviation standards, LAP offers passengers a world-class and economically successful airport. LIM http://www.lima-airport.com) serves as an attractive calling card for this fascinating Andean country and the surrounding region. Peru’s vast tourism and economic potential and its strategic geographic location are important advantages for further developing Lima as a leading Latin American gateway.

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    Lufthansa Emergency Landing in India

    What: Lufthansa en route from Frankfurt to Singapore (Frankfurt-Bangkok?)
    Where: Kolkata
    When: Jan 29, 2011, 11:25
    Who: 300 passengers, 1 fatality: passenger “Robert”
    Why: While en route, the 75 year old passenger identified as “Robert” (who was coming from Belgium accompanied by his wife) had medical complications. The flight diverted to Kolkata. The director of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport made the public announcement that the passenger was dead on landing. The body was removed from the plane, and the flight continued at 3:25.

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    Jamaica: American Airlines Emergency Landing

    What: American Airlines Boeing 757 en route from Quito, Ecuador to Miami, Florida
    Where: Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport in St James
    When: 2:14 pm
    Who: 155 passengers, 8 crew
    Why: While en route over the Cayman Islands, the plane developed a temperature indication warning on the right hand engine. The flight made an emergency landing. Passengers disembarked normally without injury. The Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority is investigating.

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    Lufthansa restructures passenger business organisation

    Stronger customer focus through more efficient structures / Divisionalisation strategy to be continued / Launch of “Future Berlin” project / Changes to take effect on 1 April 2011

    Lufthansa is restructuring its passenger business organisation to take account of the changing competitive landscape. The new, more customer-driven organisation will also allow the company to respond more effectively to market challenges. The aim is to sharpen the focus on customers and the competition while at the same simplifying and speeding up internal decision-making and management processes.
    Ongoing development of the organisation will strengthen and sustain Lufthansa’s passenger business divisions, which will in future benefit from more efficient structures that are tailored to changed customer requirements, tougher competition and also to the new Group structure. The changes will take effect on 1 April.

    The re-allocation of responsibilities and new appointments to the Lufthansa German Airlines Board announced on 7 December 2010 will also become effective on 1 April. Captain Kay Kratky will then be responsible for the Frankfurt and Flight Operations division, Thomas Klühr for Munich and Direct Services and Jens Bischof for Sales and Revenue Management. Dr. Roland Busch will remain in charge of the Finance and Human Resources division. Carsten Spohr took up his position as a member of the Lufthansa Executive Board and, simultaneously, CEO Lufthansa German Airlines on 1 January.

    In the Finance and Human Resources division, the Controlling, Human Resources, Procurement, Airport Relations, Information management functions and a Finance project will have a direct reporting line to Dr. Roland Busch. Antonio Schulthess, who is joining Lufthansa from Swiss International Air Lines, will be responsible for Human Resources. Management of the other functions remains unchanged.

    In the Sales and Revenue Management division, headed by Jens Bischof, greater emphasis will be placed on Lufthansa’s business and leisure travel sales activities. To that end, a new department responsible for the business travel segment will be set up and headed by Marcus Frank. Christian Tillmans, meanwhile, will be in charge of private customer sales and tourism in the leisure travel business segment. In future, Sales and Revenue Management will be merged under the management of Lars Redeligx. From April, a number of appointments will be taken up in area sales management. Uwe Müller will be responsible for Germany and the Lufthansa Airline Group markets (Switzerland and Austria), while European markets will remain the remit of Dr. Karsten Benz. Jürgen Siebenrock, who is joining Lufthansa from Lufthansa Cargo, will be responsible for managing markets in the Americas and Steffen Harbarth will be in charge of Asia/Pacific. Joachim Steinbach will remain responsible for Africa and the Middle East.

    The reorganisation of the Frankfurt and Flight Operations division will create four functions with a direct reporting line to Captain Kay Kratky. Dr. Alexis von Hoensbroech will be responsible for Commercial Management. Andreas Döpper will remain in charge of Station and Infrastructure Development at Frankfurt. Wolfgang Kolhagen, who is moving from Condor Flugdienst GmbH to Lufthansa, will assume responsibility for cabin crew at Frankfurt. The Operations department at Frankfurt, which will in future incorporate flight operations as well as specific ground processes, will be headed by Captain Werner Knorr.

    Following the creation of the new Munich and Direct Services division headed by Thomas Klühr, the strategy of divisionalisation will be carried forward and developed. The organisational structure of the operational units at Frankfurt will also be established in full at Munich under Helmut Wölfel as Commercial Manager. Captain Kai-Uwe Spannbauer will be in charge of Operations at MUC. In future, Munich cabin crews will be managed by Heike Birlenbach, while Burkhard Feuge will be responsible for Station and Infrastructure Development at Munich. Oliver Wagner will remain in charge of Direct Services, which will be responsible for all Lufthansa flights that are not routed through the Frankfurt or Munich hubs. Responsibility for Lufthansa’s activities in Italy will be bundled in a separate department and assigned to Michael Kraus, who will thus be responsible for Lufthansa Italia operations and Lufthansa’s sales organisation in Milan. In addition, he will remain Managing Director of Air Dolomiti.

    As part of the restructuring process, new cross-functions will also be created. In future, aside from strategy development, the Business Development unit will oversee network and corporate development as well as fleet dimensioning and allocation. This function will be headed by Armin Herzwurm. Product and Marketing Management will be bundled in another cross-divisional function, which will be managed from April by Dr. Reinhold Huber. The new “Future Berlin” project will be launched to look into ways of expanding Lufthansa’s market position in Berlin. The manager responsible for this new function will be Josef Bogdanski. Managers in charge of the cross-functions will report direct to the CEO of Lufthansa German Airlines, Carsten Spohr.

    Christian Tillmans’ move from the management of Lufthansa CityLine to Lufthansa will create a vacancy on the Board at Lufthansa’s regional subsidiary. Stephan Klar will therefore be proposed to the Lufthansa CityLine Supervisory Board as a new member of the airline’s Board of Directors.

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    Qantas: AC Failure, Cabin Pressure


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

    What: Qantas B737-400 en route from Adelaide to Melbourne
    Where: Melbourne
    When: Jan 24, 2011
    Who: 99 passengers and six crew
    Why: On experiencing an air conditioning problem, (turning off an overheated air conditioning system and the second system shut down), the plane lost cabin pressure. Thirty minutes out of Melbourne, the pilot descended to 10,000 feet, and continued to make a safe landing at Melbourne.

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    Air New Zealand Bird Strike

    What: Air New Zealand Boeing 737 en route from Dunedin to Wellington
    Where: Dunedin
    When: Jan 26, 2011 4: 50 pm
    Who: 115 passengers
    Why: 20 minutes after takeoff, the plane had a bird strike; a bird was ingested into an engine. The plane returned to make a safe landing

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    US Airways Flight Lands Fast at Burlington

    What: US Airways en route from Philadelphia to Burlington International
    Where: Burlington International
    When: Jan 25, 2011
    Who: 82 passengers
    Why: Before landing, the plane initiated a flap warning light, indicating a problem with the flaps, which help slow the plane.

    Emergency crews were on standby during the landing which was expected to be fast, due to the flap problem.

    On landing at Burlington, the fast landing stressed the brakes and heated them up. A right brake indicated it was running hot; but there were no injuries. This was the 2nd of two “phase 5” (high level) emergency landings. Both had safe outcomes.

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    Boeing Expands Training Capability in Europe

    SEATTLE, Jan. 27, 2011 — Boeing Training & Flight Services has signed a long-term agreement with Blue1 to provide 717 training capabilities in Stockholm, Sweden, beginning the first quarter of 2011. Blue1 is a Scandinavian Airlines’ subsidiary based in Helsinki, Finland.

    “Enhancing safe and efficient flight operations, with cost-effective solutions implemented closer to our customer’s home bases is our main priority,” said Roei Ganzarski, chief customer officer, Boeing Training & Flight Services. “Through this partnership with Blue1, we are bringing our 717 training programs closer to our customers.”

    Blue1 operates five Boeing 717s with an additional four scheduled to enter its fleet by the end of March 2011. “As we transitioned to the 717, it became increasingly clear that we would benefit from a regional 717 training solution,” said Mr. Heikki Setala, head of Flight Operations, Blue1. “Boeing, as the original manufacturer of our airplanes, was wholly supportive of our needs and provided an overall cost-reducing solution.”

    The European Aviation Safety Agency-certified 717 full-flight simulator will be relocated from Boeing’s Atlanta campus to a training center in Stockholm. Boeing will continue to support its customers with 717 solutions in North America and Asia Pacific.

    Under the terms of the agreement, Boeing continues to hold the exclusive license to market the Stockholm-based 717 training capacity to third parties.

    Boeing Training & Flight Services offers comprehensive training solutions worldwide through its global network of campuses and other locations that best serve its customers’ needs.

    The Boeing 717 is a proven and reliable 100-seat jetliner, with more than 125 in active service with airlines today.

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    Boeing, Netherlands MOD Mark 1st Flight of Royal Netherlands Air Force CH-47F (NL) Chinook

    Ridley Township, Pa., Jan. 26, 2011 — Representatives of Boeing [NYSE: BA], its suppliers and the Netherlands Ministry of Defence marked the first flight of the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) CH-47F (NL) Chinook heavy-lift helicopter in a ceremony Jan. 25 at Summit Aviation in Middletown, Del.

    The aircraft made its first flight on Dec. 8 and is scheduled to complete its flight test program in August after approximately 100 flight hours. There are two aircraft in flight test.

    The RNLAF has ordered six CH-47F (NL) Chinooks to enhance its current fleet of 11 CH-47D (NL) aircraft. The new Chinooks are equipped with survivability equipment, a forward-looking infrared system, and fast rope positions, which will be used to support Special Forces operations. The engines will include air particle separators for operation in harsh environments. These additions will make the RNLAF CH-47F a versatile, multi-role aircraft for worldwide operations.

    Boeing expects to begin delivering the aircraft later this year, making the RNLAF the first international customer to field the new CH-47F.

    The flight tests have included assessments of the advanced operational capabilities enabled by the aircraft’s Avionics Control and Management System cockpit and newly integrated Digital Automatic Flight Control System. By the conclusion of the tests, the aircraft will be certified airworthy by the Netherlands Military Aviation Authority.

    “The Chinook has over the years proven itself to be a true workhorse for the Netherlands Air Force,” said Air Commodore Theo ten Haaf, Commanding Officer Defence Helicopter Command of the RNLAF. “The aircraft proved to be ‘the right tool’ for a difficult and challenging job, especially in austere environments and during the combined air and ground operations in Afghanistan. Both ground troops and aircrew speak highly of it.”

    He added, “The CH-47F is a major improvement over the 47D model. The arrival of these new aircraft in the RNLAF will ensure that the RNLAF continues to operate with the best in the field of tactical transport helicopter operations both now and in the future.”

    “Our goal is to use available technology to provide customers with the best solutions while enabling long-term sustainability,” said Leanne Caret, H-47 Programs vice president for Boeing. “We have a long-standing relationship with the Netherlands and this new aircraft is another example of our focus on providing advanced solutions to meet our customers’ growing demands.”

    The Netherlands MOD and Boeing also are evaluating a potential upgrade of the current CH-47D (NL) Chinook fleet to the new CH-47F (NL) configuration.

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    Open Door Plane Lands at Burlington International Airport

    What: United Express/Atlantic Southeast Airlines en route from Burlington International Airport to Washington-Dulles in Virginia
    Where: Burlington International Airport, Vermont
    When: Jan 24, 2010 6:45 a.m.
    Who: 43 passengers
    Why: While en route, the pilot was having trouble steering; a light indicated that a passenger door was open. A “Phase 5 Emergency” was declared, and rescue vehicles were on standby.

    The flight returned to Burlington International Airport not long after takeoff and made a safe landing.
    There were no injuries reported.

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    6 Dead in Plane Crash in Ecuador

    What: Fuerza Aérea Ecuatoriana de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 en route from Pastaza-Shell Mera Airport to Tena Airport (SETE), Ecuador
    Where: El Capricho Ecuador
    When: 20 JAN 2011
    Who: 6 aboard
    Why: Captain Pilot Xavier González Montenegro, Lieutenant Pilot Campaign Mario Ramirez, Lieutenant Pilot Gabriel Palacios Jiménez, Iván Paredes Sergeant Corporal Yanez and Juan Román Guevara crashed while performing civic action flights. While en troute back to Tena the plane crashed, and fell into the Anzu river.

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    Pilot Dies Fighting Fire


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

    What: Air Tractor AT-802, registered to FAASA Group Aerodromo Sebastian Almagro Ctra, operated by FAASA Chile Servicios Aeros LTDA en route from a landing strip in the vicinity of Santa Juana, Chile
    Where: Santa Juana, Chile
    When: January 9, 2011
    Who: Pilot, passenger
    Why: While maneuvering at a low altitude (water drop) during a fire fighting mission, the plane collided with trees. The Spanish pilot, Antonio Fernandez, died in the crash. An observer was injured. The tanker is owned by la empresa Faasa Chile.

    The injured observer, David Guzman Henriquez was hospitalized at Hospital del Trabajador Concepción

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    Statement on Chinese Approval of 200 Boeing Aircraft

    SEATTLE, Jan. 19, 2011 — Boeing (NYSE: BA) is pleased to have received final approval today from the Chinese Government confirming a $19 billion aircraft agreement.

    China’s approval of airline contracts for 200 orders covers aircraft to be delivered over a three-year period, 2011-2013. The approval helps Boeing maintain and expand its market share in the world’s fastest growing commercial aircraft market. Comprised of 737s and 777s, the agreement positively impacts more than 100,000 jobs including those at Boeing and with its thousands of suppliers throughout the U.S.

    “We value China’s support for our products and its confidence in Boeing,” said Jim Albaugh, president and CEO, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “With the outstanding support provided by the United States Government, this deal is a win-win for the Boeing-China partnership, which is approaching its 40th anniversary.”

    Today, Boeing jets are a mainstay in China’s air travel and cargo system, representing more than 50 percent of all commercial jetliners operating in China. Over the next 20 years, Boeing projects that China will need 4,330 new airplanes, worth more than $480 billion, and will be Boeing’s largest commercial airplane customer.

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    Mumbai: Kingfisher Makes Emergency Landing

    What: Kingfisher en route from Mumbai to Bhubaneshwar
    Where: Mumbai
    When: Jan 19, 2011
    Who: 117 passengers
    Why: After taking off at 1:51, the pilot received a “cautionary systems alert,” declared emergency at 2:31 and returned to Mumbai at 3:15 where he made a safe landing. No injuries or damage to the plane was reported, and no details on what the alert actually was.

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    AerCap Opens Representative Office in Abu Dhabi

    AMSTERDAM, Jan. 19, 2011 – AerCap Holdings N.V. (NYSE: AER) today announced the opening of a representative office in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

    AerCap’s new Abu Dhabi office will be managed by a team of highly skilled aviation industry professionals with extensive experience in the region and will be led by Simon McLean, previously Chief Operating Officer of Waha Leasing PJSC.

    The Abu Dhabi team will help expand AerCap’s activities in the Middle East/North Africa region, which is one of the world’s fastest growing aviation markets. AerCap has a total fleet of 350 aircraft including fourteen aircraft on lease to seven airlines in the Middle East/North Africa region.

    About AerCap
    AerCap is the world’s leading independent aircraft leasing company. AerCap also provides engine leasing, aircraft management services, aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul services and aircraft disassemblies. The company has over $10 billion of total assets including committed purchases and focuses on new, fuel-efficient narrowbody and small widebody aircraft. AerCap is headquartered in The Netherlands and has offices in Ireland, the United States, China, Singapore, the United Kingdom and in The United Arab Emirates.

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    Emergency Airworthiness Directives issued by Transport Canada

    Inspection of Bombardier Q400 main landing gear has been ordered after line checks uncovered two cases of cam mechanism failure in the gear’s alternate extension system (AES). The cam mechanism operates the cable to open the main landing gear door and releases the MLG uplock in sequence. In cases where an operator must use the alternate extension system to deploy the MLG, the failure of the cam mechanism on one side will lead to an asymmetrical landing configuration.

    Bombardier (Boeing Canada/De Havilland) DHC-8 Series Aeroplanes


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    Ultralight Crashes in Australia Flood Zone

    What: ultralight
    Where: Toobeah near Goondiwindi, Australia
    When: Jan 18 2010, 2.45pm
    Who: pilot
    Why: Near the border of Queensland and New South Wales, the helicopter struck powerlines and crashed. The area is affected by flooding and difficult to access by emergency services but Queensland Fire and Rescue crews (Four fire units, comprising 16 firefighters) are en route to the location at t Donovans Road, south of the Barwon Highway. The 65 year old pilot has been reported as a fatality.

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    Portland City Council to Vote on USS John F. Kennedy Aircraft Carrier Project

    PORTLAND, Maine, Jan. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — On Wednesday, January 19, the USS JFK Museum will present a detailed business plan to the Portland City Council (7:00pm) in hopes to gain their support in the effort to bring the decommissioned aircraft carrier to Casco Bay. The Navy requires organizations seeking to acquire the ship in their donation program to have the support of its host city as part of the “Phase II” submission. The Portland City Council must vote in favor of the project or Portland will be disqualified for consideration, leaving Newport, RI as another potential host city and the possibility of the ship being scrapped as the only other alternatives. Being the last non-nuclear powered aircraft carrier in the fleet, the USS JFK is also in all probability, the last U.S. Navy aircraft carrier to ever go on public display as a museum.

    Woods, who leads the USS JFK Museum organization as CEO/Executive Director, will be presenting a detailed budget and business plan outlining the benefits and economic opportunity the project holds along with the commitment that the acquisition process and future operation of the USS JFK Museum will come at no expense to the city or its taxpayers. In fact, the plan being presented will include significant direct revenue projections to the City of Portland along with the expected annual positive economic impact to Portland and the region in the tens-of-million-of-dollars.

    “Early feedback concerning the USS JFK Museum only focused on the size of the ship while ignoring the enormity of the opportunity. I believe that the USS JFK Museum has the potential to serve as the greatest single catalyst for local & regional growth ever experienced here in Maine,” said Woods. “Our presentation to the Portland City Council on Wednesday evening will demonstrate a forward looking vision along with the practical details needed to evaluate a project of this magnitude. All I’m asking from the Mayor, the City Councilors and the public is to keep an open mind in regard to this proposal as we hope to enter the Navy’s Phase III period for securing the ship (next 7-months) – at which point, there will be ample time to sink this process if that becomes the collective will. But, to do so now preemptively serves no purpose,” concluded Woods.

    Naval aviator (and famous attorney), F. Lee Bailey, is expected to attend to the Portland City Council meeting to speak in favor of the project as a current Maine (and longtime – coming to Maine first in 1933) resident and former member of the military as a jet fighter pilot. F. Lee Bailey has also experienced a carrier landing/launch on the USS JFK a few years ago during an official visit to the ship at the invitation of the US Navy.

    (In addition to serving as the CEO/Executive Director of the USS JFK Museum organization (501 (c)(3): 30-0593890,) Stephen M. Woods is also the Founder/CEO of emg3/TideSmart Global (an international experiential marketing firm based in the Portland area), an elected Town Councilor from Yarmouth, and a Board Member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Maine.)

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    Elbit Systems’ Brazilian Subsidiary, Aeroeletronica, Awarded a Contract to Supply Hermes(R) 450 Unmanned Aircraft Systems to the Brazilian Air Force

    – Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ and TASE: ESLT) (“Elbit Systems”) announced today that its Brazilian subsidiary, Aeroeletronica Ltda. (“AEL”), was awarded a contract to supply Hermes(R) 450 Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) to the Brazilian Air Force. The contract is not in an amount that is material to Elbit Systems.

    This project is a part of the Brazilian Air Forces’ objective to establish independent UAS capabilities, allowing for self-reliant operation and development of UAS in Brazil. Located in Porto Alegre in southern Brazil, AEL performs a variety of projects for the Brazilian Air Force, as well as other branches of the Brazilian Armed Forces.

    Hermes(R) 450 is an experienced and mature UAS that has, to date, accumulated over 200,000 operational flight hours in various arenas worldwide. Its capabilities are suitable both for homeland security and anti-terror missions, and it can be equipped with a variety of advanced sensors, according to customers’ requirements. As part of the development of the Brazilian Air Forces’ future UAS, AEL will utilize technological capabilities of its parent company, Elbit Systems, and will also work with local Brazilian industries.

    Joseph Ackerman, President and CEO of Elbit Systems, commented: “We are extremely proud of the Brazilian Air Force’s selection of Elbit Systems UAS, a decision that marks yet another significant milestone in AEL’s long-time collaboration with the Air Force. The Brazilian Air Force is considered a global leader, and the selection attests to the quality and maturity of our UAS, currently operational with more than 20 customers worldwide.” Ackerman added: “We hope this new project will further strengthen the cooperation between AEL and the Brazilian Air Force, as well as other Brazilian customers, and will be an incentive for future collaborations.”
    About Aeroeletronica – Elbit Systems’ subsidiary in Porto Alegre
    Located in Porto Alegre (the largest state in South Brazil), Aeroeletronica’s workforce currently includes more than 180 employees – with plans for expanding the workforce in the near future. Based on technological investments, know-how transfer and extensive training of its employees at Elbit Systems’ headquarters, Aeroeletronica is a center of excellence for development, production and logistic support of advanced systems serving Brazilian as well as other South American customers.

    About Elbit Systems
    Elbit Systems Ltd. is an international defense electronics company engaged in a wide range of programs throughout the world. The Company, which includes Elbit Systems and its subsidiaries, operates in the areas of aerospace, land and naval systems, command, control, communications, computers, intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance (“C4ISR”), unmanned aircraft systems (“UAS”), advanced electro-optics, electro-optic space systems, EW suites, airborne warning systems, ELINT systems, data links and military communications systems and radios. The Company also focuses on the upgrading of existing military platforms, developing new technologies for defense, homeland security and commercial aviation applications and providing a range of support services.

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    Engine Fire Disrupts St Thomas Flight

    What: Fresh Air 1955 Convair C-131F cargo plane en route from Puerto Rico to St. Thomas
    Where: St Thomas
    When: Jan 17, 2010, 7:55 am
    Who: pilot Carlos Garcia and First Officer Eduardo Vasquez
    Why: While taking off, an engine began smoking. The pilots returned to land but was unable to stop, skidded through the perimeter fence and came to a stop across from Emerald Beach Hotel. No one was injured but the plane was engulfed in flame.
    The incident tied up the airport, canceling flights for part of the morning.

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    Ryanair Vibration on Landing


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

    What: Ryanair Boeing 737-800, registration EI-DLJ performing flight FR-9052 from Alicante Spain to Brussels Belgium
    Where: Brussels
    When: Jan 18th 2011
    Why: On approach to landing in Charleroi, the plane developed engine vibrations.

    The flight made a safe landing. No report has been released regarding the cause of the engine vibration.

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    2nd Estonia : Water + Electrics Don’t Mix


    Pictured: An Estonia Air Boeing 737 at Tallinn – Lennart Meri (Ulemiste)
    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer

    What: Estonia Air Boeing 737 en route from Tallinn to Copenhagen
    Where: Lennart Meri Tallinn Airport
    When: Jan 16, 2011
    Why: A leak in a water pipe set off electrical problems. The pilots returned to the airport and made a safe landing.

    Passengers were provided an later flight.

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    Midwest Airlines Boeing Emergency Landing in Estonia


    The former Romanian low cost carrier Blue Air EI-EOP was delivered from Shannon to Cairo on December 17 and registered SU-MWF
    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographerTrevor Mulkerrins

    What: Midwest Airlines Boeing 737-800 en route from Sharm el Sheikh Egypt to Tallinn Estonia
    Where: Sharm el Sheikh
    When: Jan 15th 2011
    Who: 180 passengers
    Why: While en route, the plane developed pressurization problems that caused passengers significant distress, including ear pain.

    Pilots returned the plane to Tallinn where it made a safe landing and the pressurization problems were worked on by maintenance crews.

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    Cropduster Fatality on Rio Grande do Sul

    What: Mostardas Aviacao Agrícola Embraer EMB-201 Ipanema while cropdusting
    Where: Bacopari Brazil on the coast of Rio Grande do Sul
    When: Jan 17, 2011
    Who: 1 fatality
    Why: A cropduster (PT-GHP) crashed in Bacopari Brazil Monday afternoon at 2:30 pm. The pilot was flying over a farm near the district of Solitude and spraying a rice crop at the time of the incident. V Serviço Regional de Investigação e Prevenção de Acidentes Aeronáuticos is investigating,

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    Delta Emergency Landing in Detroit


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

    What: Delta Airlines Boeing 747-400 en route from New York JFK,NY (USA) to Tokyo Narita
    Where: Churchill
    When: Jan 15th 2011
    Why: While en route, the flight developed engine trouble and diverted to Minneapolis but with more trouble, diverted their diversion to Detroit where they made an emergency landing.