press release

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    NASA UPDATES BROADCAST PLANS FOR JAPANESE CARGO FLIGHT TO STATION

    Jan. 20, 2011
    MEDIA ADVISORY

    HOUSTON — The launch of the H-II Transfer Vehicle “Kounotori2” (HTV2)
    planned for Thursday, Jan. 20, was rescheduled due to a forecast for
    weather conditions that would exceed launch restrictions. The Japan
    Aerospace Exploration Agency reset the launch for 11:37 p.m. CST on
    Friday, Jan. 21.

    NASA still plans live television coverage of the launch from
    Tanegashima Space Center in southern Japan. With an adjusted
    rendezvous plan, the grapple and attachment of the cargo ship to the
    International Space Station remain planned for Thursday, Jan. 27, and
    also will be covered live on NASA Television.

    NASA TV’s updated programming schedule for HTV2 events includes (all
    times CST):

    Friday, Jan. 21:
    11 p.m. — Launch coverage, anchored from NASA’s Johnson Space Center
    in Houston, begins. Launch is scheduled at 11:37 p.m.

    Thursday, Jan. 27:
    5 a.m. — Grapple coverage, anchored from Johnson, begins. The grapple
    of HTV2 is scheduled at 5:44 a.m.
    8 a.m. — Berthing coverage, anchored from Johnson, begins. The
    attachment should be complete at approximately 10 a.m.

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

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

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

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

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

  • Nation’s Largest Travel Companies Call on Airlines to Disclose Fares/Fees in Current Systems, Protect Comparison Shopping

    More than 115 Founding Members of Open Allies for Airfare Transparency Include Largest U.S. Travel Sellers, Major Trade Organizations, Corporate Travel Departments from Companies Including Dell, Oracle, News Corp.

    WASHINGTON, Jan. 20, 2011 -USNewswire/ — More than 115 of the nation’s largest travel companies and organizations today launched Open Allies for Airfare Transparency, an industry-wide effort to urge major airlines to share all of their fare and ancillary fee information through the distribution systems they currently use and not to circumvent those systems through new, untested, and potentially costly “direct connect” approaches.
    Founding members of the Open Allies coalition include many of the nation’s largest travel agencies, travel management companies, corporate travel departments, online travel agencies, global distribution systems, and travel trade organizations. Among the founding members are:

    • Many of the nation’s largest travel sellers, including 20 of the 53 companies with annual sales of more than $100 million on Travel Weekly’s 2010 “Power List.”
    • Corporate travel departments for many of the world’s largest companies, including Oracle (#13 on the Corporate Travel 100 list compiled by Business Travel News), Dell (#35), News Corp. (#70), Logitech, Sapient, Sodexo, and Textron, among others.
    • Trade associations representing broad segments of the travel industry, including the American Society of Travel Agents, Business Travel Coalition, European Technology and Travel Services Association, Interactive Travel Services Association, and the Scottish Passenger Agents Association.

    Hidden fees and closed airline systems are forcing millions of consumers to ‘fly blind’ when making their travel arrangements,” said Andrew Weinstein, director of the Open Allies coalition. “When you can’t see the full price of tickets or compare them among airlines, you lose the greatest benefit of our modern travel system and the benefits of price competition among the airlines. Some airlines want to turn back the clock to the days of proprietary reservation systems, silos of closed data, and one-off displays without price comparisons. Consumers deserve the ability to compare prices across airlines, and Open Allies will work to ensure they continue to have it.”

    The coalition plans to work with stakeholders across the travel industry to advocate on behalf of price transparency and full access to airline pricing and fee information.

    “Untested, incomplete and costly direct connect systems are not a good idea,” said Kevin Mitchell, Chairman of the Business Travel Coalition. “Through Open Allies, travel industry organizations, individual distribution system participants and corporate travel managers are providing the leadership and analysis that indicates direct connect will not usher in better, cheaper, faster travel solutions, but rather will reduce price competition and reintroduce to the industry and consumers the inefficiencies and opaqueness of the 1970s air ticket purchasing environment.”
    As part of its educational efforts, Open Allies released the first in a series of “white papers” on the technological, financial, and policy issues involved. That analysis, “Customized Services and Comparison Shopping: Preserving Price Transparency in the Age of ‘Unbundled’ Airline Services,” is available on the Open Allies website.

    “Travel agents are the front-line advocates for travelers, and those agents – from mom-and-pop travel agencies to the largest travel companies in the world – are overwhelmingly opposed to hidden fares or any system that reduces price transparency,” said Paul Ruden, Senior Vice President of the American Society of Travel Agents. “Our members are some of the airlines’ closest partners. We hope the airlines reconsider the more fragmented direct connect approach and work with us to make all of their fares and fees available to all travelers through the systems the travelers themselves choose to use.”

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    Delta Allows Customers to Change Travel Plans in Anticipation of Winter Weather in the Northeast

    Customers encouraged to make changes, check flights at delta.com
    Jan 19, 2011

    ATLANTA, Jan. 19, 2011 — Delta Air Lines is offering customers whose flight plans may be affected by winter weather across the Northeast tomorrow and Friday 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 due to 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 with travel beginning by Jan. 24, 2011.

    • Washington, D.C. (Dulles and Reagan National)
    • Baltimore
    • Boston
    • New York (JFK and LaGuardia)
    • Albany, N.Y.
    • Newburgh, N.Y.
    • White Plains, N.Y.
    • Newark, N.J.
    • Philadelphia
    • Allentown, Pa.
    • Harrisburg, Pa.
    • Wilkes Barre/Scranton, Pa.
    • Hartford, Conn.
    • Providence, R.I.
    • Bangor, Maine
    • Portland, Maine
    • Manchester, N.H.

    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.

    Delta will continue to monitor the weather and provide the latest updates at delta.com and twitter.com/DeltaNewsroom.

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    American Airlines Orders Two New Boeing 777-300ER Widebody Jets to Support Network Strategy and International Growth

    American Continues to Invest in Products to Enhance the Customer Experience

    FORT WORTH, Texas, Jan. 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — American Airlines, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of AMR Corp., today announced it has entered into a purchase agreement with the Boeing Company under which American will acquire two Boeing 777-300ERs to support its global network strategy and to capitalize on international growth opportunities. The two aircraft are expected to be delivered in late 2012.

    “These additional widebody aircraft will bolster our network strategy, particularly the international growth opportunities we expect from our joint businesses with oneworld® partners in the trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific markets,” said Tom Horton, President, AMR Corp., the parent company of American Airlines and American Eagle. “We value the combination of size, range and performance of the 777-300ER, as well as the extensive customer amenities it offers. The seating capability of the aircraft will give us growth flexibility in slot-constrained airports and provide us with greater ability to serve new long-haul markets.”

    “American Airlines is an industry leader whose vision and disciplined approach to growth has made it one of the largest airlines in the world,” said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Jim Albaugh. “American is the first carrier in the United States to order the 777-300ER. These new airplanes will complement their large fleet of 777-200ERs by offering additional flexibility in serving nonstop routes while providing increased efficiency and reliability.”

    Additional terms of the commitment were not disclosed.

    “We hope that this positive step for our airline signals the beginning of a period of domestic and global expansion which will allow our airline to aggressively compete and prosper in the years to come,” said Captain David Bates, President of the Allied Pilots Association, the union that represents American’s 8,600 pilots.

    From 2007 through 2010, American has invested $4.2 billion in aircraft, cabin, and facility improvements to enhance the customer experience.

    International Growth Opportunities

    The 777-300ERS will expand international service, either incremental frequencies in markets American serves today, or new routes largely resulting from its alliance initiatives.

    As part of their recently launched trans-Atlantic business, oneworld members American, British Airways and Iberia announced service on five additional international routes, beginning in spring 2011. They are: New York JFK-Budapest and Chicago-Helsinki (operated by American Airlines), London Heathrow-San Diego (operated by British Airways), plus Madrid-Los Angeles and Barcelona-Miami (operated by Iberia). Also in spring 2011, American will add additional frequencies from New York JFK to Barcelona and Miami to Madrid.

    On Jan. 11, American Airlines and Japan Airlines announced the launch of their trans-Pacific joint business. Customers can expect to benefit from better flight schedules, expanded codesharing, more coordinated services, and greater access to a wider variety of fares. Additional consumer benefits over the coming months are anticipated as the cooperation level deepens between the two airlines. Additionally, American plans to start its new nonstop daily service between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and Tokyo’s Haneda International Airport next month, and to launch service from Los Angeles to Shanghai, China, in April. Japan Airlines began service from Haneda to San Francisco in late October. The carriers have already begun, or plan, to codeshare on these flights.

    The trans-Atlantic joint business opportunity, initially representing approximately $7 billion in combined revenue between the carriers, will offer seamless service to 430 destinations in 105 countries, with nearly 5,200 daily departures worldwide. The trans-Pacific joint business, which represents more than $1.5 billion in combined revenue between the two airlines, represents significant growth opportunities for American long term as the Pacific region currently accounts for only about 4 percent of American’s total system capacity.

    American also continued to grow its service in Latin America in 2010. Last year, it began service from New York’s JFK to San Jose, Costa Rica, and to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Dallas/Fort Worth to San Salvador, El Salvador and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It also began service from Miami to Brazil’s capital, Brasilia. American is Latin America and Mexico’s premier airline with 43 destinations to 17 countries.

    “We believe it is important to grow but to do so sensibly, in the right places and, importantly, under the right economic circumstances,” Horton said. “Our purchase of additional 777s, our first growth aircraft since 2001, further demonstrates that philosophy and we will continue to look for growth opportunities that make the most sense for our customers, shareholders and employees.”

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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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    Boeing, American Airlines Complete Contract for Two 777-300ERs

    American Airlines becomes the first U.S. airline to order the 777-300ER

    SEATTLE, Jan. 19, 2011 — Boeing (NYSE: BA) and American Airlines today announced the Fort Worth, Texas-based carrier has exercised options for two 777-300ERs (extended range).

    “American Airlines is an industry leader whose vision and disciplined approach to growth has made it one of the largest airlines in the world,” said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Jim Albaugh. “American is the first carrier in the United States to order the 777-300ER. These new airplanes will complement their large fleet of 777-200ERs offering additional flexibility in serving the nonstop routes, while providing increased efficiency and reliability.”

    The Boeing 777 is the world’s most successful twin-engine, long-haul airplane. The 777-300ER extends the 777 family’s span of capabilities, bringing twin-engine efficiency and reliability to the long-range market.
    “These additional wide-body aircraft will bolster our network strategy, particularly the international growth opportunities we expect from our joint businesses with oneworld® partners in the transatlantic and transpacific markets,” said Tom Horton, President, AMR Corp., the parent company of American Airlines and American Eagle. “We value the combination of size, range and performance of the 777-300ER, as well as the extensive customer amenities it offers. The seating capability of the aircraft will give us growth flexibility in slot-constrained airports and provide us with greater ability to serve new long-haul markets.”

    The Boeing 777-300ER is 19 percent lighter than its closest competitor. It produces 22 percent less carbon dioxide per seat and costs 20 percent less to operate per seat. The airplane can seat up to 365 passengers in a three-class configuration and 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.

    Boeing incorporated several performance enhancements for the 777-300ER, extending its range and payload capabilities. Excellent performance during flight testing, combined with engine efficiency improvements and design changes that reduce drag and airplane weight, contributed to the increased capability.

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    Robert E. Verbeck Named New CFO for Boeing Defense, Space & Security

    ST. LOUIS, Jan. 19, 2011 — The Boeing Company today announced that it has named Robert E. Verbeck, 51, chief financial officer of its $34 billion (2009 revenues) Boeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS) business. He succeeds Randy Simons, who is retiring.

    “In our business, we have to keep building momentum around our strong performance culture to best serve our customers and earn the opportunity to grow,” said Dennis Muilenburg, president and CEO of BDS. “Bob’s practical know-how in all disciplines of business finance will help us compete and innovate more effectively. His experience will have a direct impact on our ability to drive performance in all dimensions for our stakeholders, including customers, shareholders, employees and local communities.”

    Verbeck most recently served as CFO for the Boeing Military Aircraft business unit of BDS. He previously held posts as BDS controller, program manager for the United Kingdom tanker program, and general manager of BDS Finance.
    Verbeck reports to Muilenburg and James Bell, Boeing executive vice president and chief financial officer. As BDS CFO, he is responsible for reporting on the financial performance of BDS and its three business segments — Boeing Military Aircraft, Network & Space Systems, and Global Services & Support. Verbeck leads more than 6,000 global finance employees making up teams in financial planning and analysis, accounting, estimating, contracts and pricing, procurement financial analysis, integrated scheduling, rate forecasting, earned value management compliance, and productivity improvement.

    Verbeck joined McDonnell Douglas, a Boeing heritage company, in 1986 in the Finance organization after working as a steelworker. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Southern Illinois University and a master’s degree in international business from Saint Louis University (SLU). He has served as the Boeing executive focal for SLU and is currently a member of the advisory council for the university’s Boeing Institute of International Business.

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    Press Release – FAA Announces Record Number of Laser Events in 2010

    For Immediate Release
    January 19, 2011

    Pointing Lasers at Aircraft Poses a Serious Safety Issue

    WASHINGTON – The FAA announced today that in 2010, nationwide reports of lasers pointed at aircraft almost doubled from the previous year to more than 2,800. This is the highest number of laser events recorded since the FAA began keeping track in 2005.

    Los Angeles International Airport recorded the highest number of laser events in the country for an individual airport in 2010, with 102 reports, and the greater Los Angeles area tallied nearly twice that number, with 201 reports. Chicago O’Hare International Airport was a close second, with 98 reports, and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport tied for the third highest number of laser events for the year with 80 each.

    “This is a serious safety issue,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “Lasers can distract and harm pilots who are working to get passengers safely to their destinations.”

    Nationwide, laser event reports have steadily increased since the FAA created a formal reporting system in 2005 to collect information from pilots. Reports rose from nearly 300 in 2005 to 1,527 in 2009 and 2,836 in 2010.

    “The FAA is actively warning people not to point high-powered lasers at aircraft because they can damage a pilot’s eyes or cause temporary blindness,” said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt. “We continue to ask pilots to immediately report laser events to air traffic controllers so we can contact local law enforcement officials.”

    Some cities and states have laws making it illegal to shine lasers at aircraft and, in many cases, people can face federal charges.

    The increase in reports is likely due to a number of factors, including the availability of inexpensive laser devices on the Internet; higher power levels that enable lasers to hit aircraft at higher altitudes; increased pilot reporting of laser strikes; and the introduction of green lasers, which are more easily seen than red lasers.

    Top 20 Laser Event Reports by Airport in 2010
    Airport No. of events
    Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) 102
    Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) 98
    Phoenix/Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) 80
    San Jose International Airport (SJC) 80
    McCarran International Airport (LAS) 72
    Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) 66
    Oakland International Airport (OAK) 55
    Honolulu International Airport (HNL) 47
    San Francisco International Airport (SFO) 39
    Denver International Airport (DEN) 38
    Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) 38
    Tucson International Airport (TUS) 37
    Miami International Airport (MIA) 36
    Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) 36
    Portland International Airport (PDX) 32
    LA/Ontario International Airport (ONT) 32
    Bob Hope Airport (BUR) 31
    Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI) 31
    John Wayne Airport (SNA) 31
    Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) 26
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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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    IndiGo Orders 180 eco-efficient Airbus A320 aircraft

    Toulouse, France, January 11, 2011– India’s largest low cost carrier, IndiGo has signed a Memorandum of Understanding for 180 eco-efficient Airbus A320 aircraft of which 150 will be the neo option and 30 will be standard A320s. It is the largest single firm order number for large jets in commercial aviation history, and also makes IndiGo a launch customer for the A320neo. The airplanes are expected to be delivered between 2016 and 2025. Engine selection will be announced by the airline at a later date.

    The A320neo, available from 2016, incorporates new more efficient engines and large wing tip devices called Sharklets delivering significant fuel savings of up to 15 percent, which represents savings of over 400,000 USgal of fuel and up to up to 3,600 tonnes of CO2 annually per aircraft. In addition, the A320neo provides a double-digit reduction in NOx emissions and reduced engine noise.

    “This order for industry leading fuel efficient aircraft will allow IndiGo to continue to offer low fares” said Rahul Bhatia, Group Managing Director of InterGlobe Enterprises and Rakesh Gangwal, co-founders of IndiGo. “Ordering more A320s was the natural choice to meet India’s growing flying needs. The opportunity to reduce costs and to further improve our environmental performance through the A320neo were key to our decision.”

    “The A320 Family is the recognised market leader. The A320neo, offering maximum benefit for minimum change, will ensure that this continues to be the case for many years to come.” said John Leahy, Chief Operating Officer Customers. “This order positions IndiGo to take full advantage of the predicted growth in Indian air travel and we are delighted that they continue to build their future with Airbus.”

    Aditya Ghosh, President of IndiGo said, “This order of 180 aircraft reaffirms IndiGo’s commitment to the long-term future of aviation in India. The additional aircraft will enable us to take our low fares and courteous, hassle free service to more customers and destinations and will create more job opportunities and growth for several other aviation related businesses.” Ghosh added, “Our environmentally friendly fleet of the A320neo will set a benchmark by significantly reducing the impact on the environment and lead the way to a more sustainable mode of flying.”

    The A320 Family (A318, A319, A320 and A321) is recognized as the benchmark single-aisle aircraft family. Over 6,800 Airbus A320 Family aircraft have been ordered and over 4,500 delivered to more than 310 customers and operators worldwide, making it the world’s best-selling single-aisle aircraft family. With 99.7% reliability and extended servicing periods, the A320 Family has the lowest operating costs of any single aisle aircraft. The A320neo will have over 95% airframe commonality with the standard A320 Family whilst offering up to 500nm (950 km) more range or two tonnes more payload.

    Aditya Ghosh said, “We are delighted at extending our long term partnership with Airbus.”

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    Pratt & Whitney Purchases Patented Technology for EcoPower® Engine Wash

    EAST HARTFORD, Conn., Jan. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Today, Pratt & Whitney closed on an agreement with Gas Turbine Efficiency to purchase the assets of the company’s aviation business, which provides patented technology for Pratt & Whitney’s EcoPower engine wash service. Pratt & Whitney is a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) company.
    Pratt & Whitney had exclusive rights to use Gas Turbine Efficiency’s technology to wash aircraft engines since it launched its EcoPower engine wash service in 2004. With this agreement, Pratt & Whitney will own the intellectual property for the technology as well as other assets associated with Gas Turbine Efficiency’s aviation business.
    “As an original equipment manufacturer, we are committed to helping our customers reduce operating costs and provide quantifiable environmental benefits,” said Andrew Tanner, vice president, Product Line Management, Pratt & Whitney. “The acquisition of Gas Turbine Efficiency’s aviation business supports this goal as we continue to offer the EcoPower engine wash service to customers around the world at competitive prices.”
    Gas Turbine Efficiency designs, manufactures and supplies proprietary cleantech energy saving and performance enhancing solutions to the power generation, as well as oil and gas industries.
    Pratt & Whitney’s patented EcoPower engine wash system reduces fuel burn by as much as 1.2 percent, eliminating three pounds of carbon dioxide emissions for every pound of fuel saved, while also decreasing engine gas temperature thus increasing the amount of time an engine can stay on wing. Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines, space propulsion systems and industrial gas turbines.
    United Technologies, based in Hartford, Conn., is a diversified company providing high technology products and services to the global aerospace and commercial building industrie

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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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    Delta Air Lines Announces $158 Million Quarterly Profit and $1.4 Billion Annual Profit, Excluding Special Items

    Reports GAAP quarterly profit of $19 million and annual profit of $593 million
    an 18, 2011

    ATLANTA, Jan. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) today reported financial results for the December 2010 quarter. Key points include:

    • Delta’s net income for the December 2010 quarter was $158 million, or $0.19 per diluted share, excluding special items(1). This is a $383 million improvement year over year.
    • Delta’s GAAP net income was $19 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, for the December 2010 quarter.
    • Delta’s net income for 2010 was $1.4 billion, excluding special items. Including $851 million in special items, Delta’s net income for 2010 was $593 million.
    • 2010 results include $313 million in profit sharing expense, including $38 million in the December quarter, in recognition of Delta employees’ achievements toward meeting the company’s financial targets.
    • Delta’s adjusted net debt at the end of 2010 was $15.0 billion, a $2.0 billion reduction from prior year.
    • Delta ended 2010 with $5.2 billion in unrestricted liquidity.

    “Our 2010 results are among the best in Delta’s history. They would not have been possible without the dedication and determination of Delta employees worldwide and we are pleased we will pay more than $300 million in profit sharing for 2010,” said Richard Anderson, Delta’s chief executive officer. “These results are a direct reflection of the success of our merger, cost discipline and debt reduction strategy and give us momentum to deal with the rising fuel prices we face in 2011.”

    Revenue Environment

    Total operating revenue for the December 2010 quarter was $7.8 billion, an increase of $1.0 billion, or 14%, compared to the same period last year.

    • Passenger revenue increased 15%, or $889 million, compared to the prior year period on 7% higher capacity. Passenger unit revenue (PRASM) increased 8%, driven by a 9% improvement in yield.
    • Cargo revenue decreased 7%, or $17 million, due to the elimination of freighter operations, partially offset by higher volume and yield.
    • Other, net revenue increased 14%, or $112 million, primarily due to higher SkyMiles revenue and revenues from ancillary products and services.

    “Through the momentum we built in 2010, we expect to maintain our March quarter margins year over year despite more than $350 million in higher costs from the recent steep run-up in fuel prices,” said Ed Bastian, Delta’s president. “Industry-wide fare increases, combined with growth in Delta’s ancillary products and services, will provide a more long-term, revenue-based solution to addressing the high fuel environment.”

    Cost Performance

    In the December 2010 quarter, operating expense increased $644 million year over year due to higher fuel price, volume- and revenue-related expenses, and profit sharing expense, which were partially offset by incremental merger cost synergies.

    Consolidated unit cost (CASM[2]), excluding fuel, profit sharing and special items, decreased 2% in the December 2010 quarter on a year-over-year basis, on 7% higher capacity. Consolidated CASM, including fuel, profit sharing and special items, increased 2%.

    Non-operating expense excluding special items decreased $67 million due to benefits from Delta’s debt reduction initiatives. Including special items, non-operating expense was $36 million lower than in the December 2009 quarter.

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    American Airlines in Distribution Agreement With Priceline.com

    FORT WORTH, Texas, Jan. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — American Airlines said today that it has entered into an agreement with priceline.com to utilize American’s direct connect technology to access fares as well as customized travel products and services.

    Priceline.com expects to begin issuing American Airlines tickets through the link in the near future. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

    The link is part of a long-term relationship between American Airlines and priceline.com.

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    Vegas.com Cyllenius Division First to Announce it has Implemented American Airlines Direct Connect

    Company Reveals Partnership with American Through Direct Connect

    FORT WORTH, Texas, and LAS VEGAS, Jan. 17, 2011 / — American Airlines said today it has entered into an agreement with VEGAS.com and its technology division, Cyllenius, to utilize American’s direct connect technology to access fares as well as customized travel products and services.

    VEGAS.com and Cyllenius have been issuing American Airlines tickets through the link for the past five months. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. The link is part of a long-term relationship between American Airlines and VEGAS.com.

    Cyllenius also powers Lasvegas.com, Espanol.VEGAS.com and Mexico.com, which are also using direct connect. Cyllenius provides a full range of products integrated into a proprietary, private-labeled travel shopping cart including hotel rooms, air-hotel packages, show tickets, nightclub passes, tours and golf for multiple leisure destinations and travel providers.

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    Boeing Sets 787 First Delivery for Third Quarter

    EVERETT, Wash., Jan. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Boeing (NYSE: BA) announced today that it expects delivery of the first 787 Dreamliner in the third quarter of this year. The new delivery date reflects the impact of an in-flight incident during testing last November and includes the time required to produce, install and test updated software and new electrical power distribution panels in the flight test and production airplanes.

    “This revised timeline for first delivery accommodates the work we believe remains to be done to complete testing and certification of the 787,” said Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager of the 787 program. “We’ve also restored some margin in the schedule to allow for any additional time that may be needed to complete certification activities,” Fancher said.

    The 787 program has been gradually returning individual airplanes to the flight test program. After receiving interim software and hardware improvements, four flight test airplanes have been subjected to extensive ground testing and a thorough review to ensure their readiness to return to flight. The remaining two airplanes will be returning to flight in the days ahead to bring the full flight test fleet back up to flight status.

    The revised first delivery date is not expected to have a material impact on 2010 financial results. Financial guidance and anticipated initial 787 deliveries for 2011 will be discussed in the company’s earnings call on Jan. 26.

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    Employees Community Fund of Boeing Puget Sound Elects New Board Trustees


    SEATTLE, Jan. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — The Employees Community Fund (ECF) of Boeing (NYSE: BA) Puget Sound has elected a new slate of board trustees for 2011.

    Pictured from left to right: (first row) Patty Rhodes, first-year trustee; Joyce Nugent, secretary; Andrea Hutchins, first-year trustee; and Bob Malone, treasurer; (second row) Sukari Mdogo, vice president; Robley Evans, president; Renard Burnett, first-year trustee; and Dave Hopkins, first-year trustee.
    Serving for two years, ECF trustees manage the day-to-day operations of the Puget Sound region fund. Since 1951, Boeing employees have donated more than $500 million to ECF Puget Sound, which celebrates its 60th birthday on Sept. 20. The companywide Boeing ECF is one of the world’s largest employee-owned and operated charitable funds.

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    FAA proposes $359,000 in Civil Penalties Against SkyWest Airlines

    For Immediate Release
    January 18, 2011

    SEATTLE – The FAA has proposed $359,000 in civil penalties against SkyWest Airlines, Inc., of St. George, Utah, for alleged violations of Federal Aviation Regulations.

    The FAA proposed a penalty of $220,000 for alleged failure to document heavy checked bags, motorized mobility aids and a heavy shipment carried in the cargo compartment of the company’s passenger aircraft. As a result, the company operated the aircraft on five flights between April 21 and May 25, 2010 with incorrect weight and balance data. The FAA alleges the violations occurred because the carrier’s employees failed to follow required procedures for documenting cargo carried on revenue passenger flights.

    The other two proposed civil penalties are for allegedly operating two Bombardier Regional Jet aircraft when they were not in compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations.

    In the first case, a proposed civil penalty of $70,500, the FAA alleges SkyWest employees failed to follow the company’s Continuous Airworthiness Maintenance Program (CAMP) and the Bombardier maintenance and inspection manual during five attempts by mechanics to correct an avionics system cooling problem on one aircraft. SkyWest operated the aircraft on at least five revenue passenger flights between July 15 and 21, 2009 when it was not in compliance

    In the second case, the FAA is proposing a civil penalty of $68,500, alleging SkyWest operated another Bombardier jet on eight revenue passenger flights between May 30 and June 1, 2010 when it was not in compliance with regulations. The FAA alleges SkyWest mechanics failed to follow procedures required in the airline’s CAMP when replacing the right air conditioning pack’s pressure-regulating and shutoff valve.

    SkyWest has 30 days from receipt of the FAA’s enforcement letters to reply to the agen

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    Safety Enhancements for Private Aircraft

    Interested in making your aircraft safer? Check out the latest issue of FAA Safety Briefing. In her article, “Small Cost, Big Benefit: A Look at Lifesaving Aircraft Safety Enhancements,” FAA aerospace engineer Della Swartz offers a variety of improvements that can have a positive effect on your safety and well-being without an undue strain on the wallet. Among the enhancements described are inflatable restraints, or air bags, whose safety benefits the NTSB recently highlighted. According to Swartz, inflatable restraint kits are available for about $1,000 per seat plus the cost of installation. The kit includes a shoulder harness, another inexpensive yet key life-saving device. Swartz also writes about helmets and emergency locator transmitters (ELT). For more on how to outfit your aircraft with low-cost and high-value safety enhancements, see the article on page 18 of the January/February 2011 issue of FAA Safety Briefing at www.faa.gov/news/safety_briefing/.

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    NASA TV TO BROADCAST JAPANESE CARGO CRAFT FLIGHT TO SPACE STATION

    HOUSTON — NASA plans live television coverage of the launch, grapple and berthing of the second unpiloted Japanese cargo ship that will deliver more than four tons of food and supplies to the International Space Station.

    The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is scheduled to launch an H-IIB rocket from the Tanegashima Space Center in southern Japan at 12:29 a.m. CST (3:29 p.m. Japan time) on Thursday, Jan. 20. The launch vehicle will send the Kounotori2 H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV2) orbit on a week-long rendezvous with the station. “Kounotori” is the Japanese word for white stork, emblematic of delivering happiness and joy.

    On Jan. 27, Expedition 26 Flight Engineers Cady Coleman and Paolo Nespoli will command the station’s robotic arm, Canadarm2, to reach out, grapple Kounotori2, and attach it to the Earth-facing port of the Harmony module.

    In the following days, a pallet loaded with spare station parts will be extracted from a slot in the cargo ship and attached to an experiment platform outside the Japanese Kibo module. Other cargo will be transferred internally to the station.

    The cargo vehicle will be filled with trash, detached from the station and sent to burn up in the Earth’s atmosphere at the end of March.

    NASA Television’s programming schedule for HTV2 events includes (all times CST):

    Thursday, Jan. 20:

    12 a.m. — Launch coverage, anchored from NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, begins. Launch is scheduled at 12:29 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 27:

    5 a.m. — Grapple coverage, anchored from Johnson, begins. The grapple of HTV2 is scheduled at 5:44 a.m.

    8 a.m. — Berthing coverage, anchored from Johnson, begins. The attachment should be complete at approximately 10 a.m.

  • Hughes and Tachyon Join Forces to Develop Advanced Airborne Networking Solutions for Military & Government

    SAN DIEGO and GERMANTOWN, Md., Jan. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Tachyon Networks, developer of aXiom end-to-end satellite solutions for fixed, portable and comms-on-the-move (COTM) applications and Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES) the global leader in broadband satellite networks and services, today announced their intention to cooperate in the development of end-to-end airborne COTM solutions for military and government markets. This broad-based cooperation will focus on solutions for manned and unmanned aircraft, initially fixed-wing and later rotary wing aircraft, which require full-motion HD video transmission capabilities.

    “We are pleased to be working with Tachyon on the development of airborne COTM solutions,” stated Rick Lober, Vice President and General Manager of the Defense & Intelligence Systems Division (DISD) at Hughes. “Both Hughes and Tachyon have developed advanced technologies for airborne networking, which together offer an excellent opportunity to address the challenges associated with high-speed video transmission from various types of aircraft while in flight.”

    Tachyon has developed its aXiom end-to-end satellite broadband solutions for air, land and sea, and will integrate a key element – the Linux-based aXiom Services Platform (ASP) – to the solutions resulting from its cooperation with Hughes. The ASP facilitates seamless integration across all communications equipment onboard aircraft, as well as enabling interoperability with the end-to-end satellite network. The ASP also enables onboard display of all network monitoring applications and operational data with an easy-to-use graphical user interface (GUI).

    Hughes has recently demonstrated its Airborne Video Solution, which employs the high-performance Hughes HX router, for fixed wing aircraft. Hughes is building on its commercial aviation broadband offering, thereby facilitating adoption of a COTS-based solution by the airborne Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) community. The cooperation with Tachyon will allow Hughes to migrate this solution to new military and government programs.

    “Hughes has successfully demonstrated its advanced modem solution for fixed wing aircraft,” said Dan Negroni, VP of Sales and Marketing for Tachyon Networks. “Tachyon is excited to have an opportunity to jointly develop a solution that brings full-motion video capability to additional aircraft platforms, including a future focus on rotary wing aircraft, in support of the ISR community.”

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    Frequent flyers vote Lufthansa top-of-class in two categories: Best Business Class in Germany/Europe and best Airline Website for Business Travellers

    Readers of the Business Traveller Deutschland magazine ranked Lufthansa in top place in two categories in 2010. In a magazine poll of around 2,000 readers, Lufthansa clinched the best marks for superb service from a majority of the respondents, placing the airline twice at the top of the scorecard.

    Besides winning in the “Best Business Class on German and European Routes“, the biggest German carrier left the competition trailing in the voting for the “Best Airline Website for Business Travellers” category”. This is not the first time the www.lufthansa.com homepage has been among the awards. Business travellers also value Lufthansa for its high security standards.

    Stefan Schuermann, Head of Lufthansa Product Management European Traffic, was presented with the award at the Hilton Hotel in Frankfurt am Main last Friday.

    The prestigious prizes in the business travel segment have been conferred for the past 20 years. In a yearly readership poll conducted by an independent market research institute for the Business Traveller Deutschland periodical, magazine readers evaluate companies from diverse sectors in the tourist industry. On the basis of the ballot, awards in different categories are conferred on airlines, hotel and car rental companies as well as individual hotels and airports.

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    CASA Media Release – Tuesday 18 January 2011 Canberra aerodrome flight safety checks

    Special flight safety checks are being carried out at Canberra aerodrome this week.

    There will be a series of low-level flights to make sure flight paths at the aerodrome continue to operate safely.

    A twin-engine Cessna Conquest aircraft will be used to conduct the safety checks within an area up to 35 kilometres from the aerodrome.

    The two pilots flying the aircraft will ensure navigation aids are operational and not suffering interference, as well as looking for any new obstacles that could be a danger to aviation safety.

    The Civil Aviation Safety Authority requires these checks to be carried out every three years to maintain a high level of air safety at Canberra aerodrome.

    Low-level flying is an essential part of the safety exercise, with aircraft down as low as several hundred feet at times.

    Local residents may notice an uncommon flying pattern, but this is to make sure obstacles are accurately marked on charts and no new obstacles exist. Obstacles can be towers, trees, masts or buildings that can be a danger to aircraft.

    The checks are scheduled to be carried out on Tuesday 18 January 2011.

    If poor weather or other factors do not allow the safety checks to go ahead on the planned days they will be carried out as soon as possible.

    CASA has contracted the operation of the special check flights out to Radiola Aerospace Pty Ltd – a company with wide international expertise in these specialist operations.

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    Boeing Names Kim Hammonds Chief Information Officer

    CHICAGO, Jan. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Boeing (NYSE: BA) has named Kim Hammonds chief information officer and vice president of the company’s Information Technology organization. Hammonds, who was formerly vice president of the Boeing Information Technology Infrastructure organization, replaces John Hinshaw, who has been named vice president and general manager of Boeing’s new Information Solutions division in Boeing Defense, Space & Security.

    Hammonds, 43, will report to John Tracy, Boeing chief technology officer and senior vice president of Engineering, Operations & Technology. She will lead the Information Technology organization and be responsible for all IT strategy, systems, infrastructure, architecture, processes and people companywide. “Kim’s extensive background and demonstrated leadership will ensure both the continuity and success of Boeing’s efforts to integrate and streamline its global operations with the most capable, reliable and secure IT system in the world,” said Tracy.

    In her previous role, Hammonds was responsible for developing and maintaining solutions inclusive of network, computing, server, storage, collaboration and infrastructure technologies. She joined Boeing in August 2008 as the vice president of Boeing IT’s Business Systems Organization, where she managed application, development and maintenance activities in support of Finance, HR, Internal Services, Sales/Marketing and Boeing Capital Corporation.

    Prior to joining Boeing, Hammonds was director of Americas Manufacturing Operations at Dell where she was responsible for global systems development for service logistics, supply chain and quality systems. She was also responsible for IT production support for all 18 global manufacturing operations.
    Before joining Dell in 2007, Hammonds was with the Ford Motor Company for 16 years, where she held positions in product engineering, manufacturing, quality, marketing and Information Technology leadership roles. Her last position at Ford was as director of Manufacturing Systems for North America, supporting 48 plants, manufacturing engineering, supply chain and production systems.

    Hammonds received an MBA from Western Michigan University and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Michigan. She is an active supporter of the American Cancer Society and is the founder and president of a non-profit organization providing art programs for cancer patients, which she established in 2004.