United Airlines announces headquarters to remain at iconic Willis Tower

United Airlines announced today it will keep its headquarters at the iconic Willis Tower in the airline’s hometown of Chicago, while partnering with the building’s owner, Blackstone, in making major investments to completely transform the current workspace and experience.

The new deal to remain at Willis Tower provides the airline with a tremendous opportunity to completely reimagine the workspace from the bottom up. Over the coming months and years, United will be embarking on a process to redesign workspaces to allow employees to better collaborate, use the latest technology and interact with each other with the end goal of providing unmatched service to front-line employees and customers. By making these investments, it also enables United to better recruit and retain top talent from the Chicagoland area and beyond who have come to expect modern and more efficient places of work.

“As one of the city’s largest private employers and its hometown airline, we are excited to deepen our roots here in Chicago while making the investments needed to reimagine the headquarters for our employees,” said Oscar Munoz, United’s chief executive officer. “The investments we are making will help our employees provide unparalleled service to our front-line colleagues and to our customers as we continue to improve and realize our airline’s full potential.”

The new agreement extends United’s existing lease to March 31, 2033. Additionally, Blackstone is already investing more than $500 million into Willis Tower for all tenants, which will transform the building from the inside out.

“We are thrilled with United’s decision to remain at Willis Tower in a reimagined headquarters,” said Jon Gray, Blackstone’s president. “This is terrific news for Chicago and a testament to our exciting $500 million revitalization program underway at the property. We look forward to partnering with United in this effort. Willis Tower will continue its role as an iconic business, retail and tourist destination in the heart of the city.”

As one of the most ideally situated buildings in the city, with easy access to all CTA train lines, Union and Ogilvie Stations, as well as nearby bus stops, Willis Tower already provides distinct advantages and will remain attractive to future job seekers throughout the metropolitan region. Commercial real estate services firm JLL represented United in the deal.

Which airlines are still flying the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft? (all now grounded)

This list will continue to evolve. We will attempt to keep it up to date with the best information:

Mauritania Airlines

SCAT Airlines

Note: We now believe that all Boeing 737 MAX aircraft are being grounded and this list will be discontinued.

Thai Lion Air withdraws its three Boeing 737-9 MAX 9 aircraft

Thai Lion Air, which was already banned from flying to China, Singapore and Australia with its MAX aircraft, has made this decision today:

Top Copyright Photo: Lion Air (Thai) (Lion Group) Boeing 737-9 MAX 9 N739EX (HS-LSK) (msn 42989) BFI (Joe G. Walker). Image: 939272.

Thai Lion Air aircraft slides how:

Flydubai grounds its Boeing 737 MAX fleet

Flydubai made this announcement on social media:

Our teams are working hard to minimise disruption to your travel plans following the grounding our Boeing 737 MAX 8 and MAX 9 aircraft. Some of our flights over the next few days have been cancelled – if your booking is affected we will contact you directly. If you don’t hear from us your flight will be operating to schedule by our Next-Generation Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

Above Copyright Photo: Flydubai Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 A6-FMA (msn 60965) BFI (James Helbock). Image: 939053.

Flydubai aircraft slide show:

All other photos by the airline.

Airbus delivers first FANS-C equipped A320 to easyJet

Airbus has delivered the first *FANS-C equipped A320 aircraft to easyJet. In the frame of Europe’s SESAR Air Traffic Management (ATM) research program, this aircraft – and others to follow – will take part in the Airbusled project: “Demonstration of air traffic management improvements Generated by 4D Initial Trajectory Information Sharing” (DIGITS) which will demonstrate the sharing of an aircraft’s predicted trajectory data with air traffic control (ATC).

Milestone marks the start of SESAR FANS-C demonstration by seven airlines
100 aircraft with FANS-C to demonstrate 4D initial trajectory sharing in Europe

FANS-C technology will enable airlines to optimise their aircraft’s trajectories and make traffic flows more fluid and aircraft speed easier to manage, which will help them to save fuel and reduce noise. In particular, the sharing of predicted trajectories with ATC controllers will enable smooth aircraft sequencing on approach and in the “Terminal Maneuvering Area”.

Hugh McConnellogue, Group Head of Network Operations at easyJet said: “We are very pleased to be the first airline to receive this new FANS-C technology in our Airbus aircraft – and to try it for real in the SESAR demonstration. Our early hands-on experience already indicates that it promises to be an important enabler to increase the efficiency, safety, and on-time performance of our expanding operations – especially in the congested European airspace.”

Jean-Brice Dumont, Executive Vice President of Engineering, Airbus Commercial Aircraft said: “We congratulate easyJet on the delivery of the first FANS-C equipped Airbus aircraft, which marks the start of this very large demonstration of 4D initial trajectory sharing across Europe.” He adds: “We are proud to lead this SESAR project and to play our part in helping ATM respond to the increase in air traffic volume while enhancing safety, and to bring about a positive environmental impact thanks to a more efficient ATM system.”

From now until mid-2020 seven European airlines, which are all taking part in DIGITS, will progressively equip up to 100 of their A320 Family aircraft with the FANS-C technology. The “Very Large Demonstration” (VLD) will last more than a year and collect data from over 20,000 revenue flights, allowing stakeholders to demonstrate benefits of this technology during live day-to-day operations.

Paving the way for start of the DIGITS operational phase and to ultimately deploy this technology across Europe and the rest of the world, Airbus achieved the world’s first certification of FANS-C ‘4D’ avionics on a commercial aircraft in November 2018 – the initial aircraft type being the A320 Family. Moreover, to complement the airborne FANS-C technology, air navigation service providers (ANSPs) throughout Europe will develop the respective ground ATC tools.

SESAR = “Single European Sky ATM Research”

*FANS-C is facilitated with two key components: “Automatic Dependent Surveillance Contract” (ADS-C) and “Controller-Pilot Data Link Communication” (CPDLC). ADS-C enables the automatic or on-demand transmission to air traffic control of the aircraft’s complete predicted four-dimensional aircraft trajectory (3D + time), while CPDLC facilitates the digital uplink of ATC orders and clearances. The benefits of FANS-C include: More accurate flight plans; more optimised trajectory computation and acceptance processes; better alignment of airlines’ and ATM planned trajectories; enhancement of aircraft traffic predictions and improvement of demand/capacity network calculations.

The seven airlines taking part in the DIGITS program comprise: Air France; British Airways; easyJet; Iberia; Novair; Thomas Cook; and Wizz Air.

For FANS-C capability on-board an A320 Family aircraft, the equipment required includes a new Data Link router (ATSU), an upgraded Flight Management System (FMS) and “DCDU” Data Link compatible cockpit displays. FANS-C will be first available on the A320 Family and subsequently on all other Airbus programs.

Sunwing, the first Canadian airline, grounds its 4 Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 aircraft

Sunwing Airlines has become the first Canadian airline to voluntarily ground its four Boeing 737-8 MAX 8, including one which was just delivered.

The airline issued this statement:

The pictured C-FAXD in the special Planet Hollywood scheme was handed over to the carrier on March 11, 2019 and put into storage.

Top Copyright Photo: Sunwing Airlines Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 C-FAXD (msn 44299) (Planet Hollywood – Vacation like a star) BFI (Steve Bailey). Image: 945889.

Sunwing aircraft slide show:

FAA Administrator takes “no action” at this time, will continue to review

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator, Daniel K. Elwell has issued this statement:

Boeing also issued this statement:

Safety is Boeing’s number one priority and we have full confidence in the safety of the 737 MAX. We understand that regulatory agencies and customers have made decisions that they believe are most appropriate for their home markets. We’ll continue to engage with them to ensure they have the information needed to have confidence in operating their fleets. The United States Federal Aviation Administration is not mandating any further action at this time, and based on the information currently available, we do not have any basis to issue new guidance to operators.

From Wikipedia:

Daniel Elwell is the Acting Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in addition to running the Next Generation Air Transportation System.

Appointed by President Donald Trump to become a FAA Deputy Administrator in June 2017, Elwell was promoted to Acting Administrator on January 7, 2018.

Elwell graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in International Affairs from the United States Air Force Academy. He moved on to Williams Air Force Base where he earned his pilot wings.

Elwell was a Command Pilot for the U.S Air Force and U.S Air Force Reserve. Elwell fought in the Operation Desert Storm in a combat capacity. Elwell eventually reached the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He retired soon after.

For 16 years, Elwell was a commercial pilot for American Airlines. Elwell also had a role of American Airlines’s Managing Director for International and Government Affairs. He also served served as a legislative fellow for the late Senator Ted Stevens. While working for Senator Stevens, Elwell was part of other aviation safety programs in Alaska, including the Capstone Program in the Yukon–Kuskokwim Delta, as well as the installation of real-time weather cameras at remote airfields and mountain passes.

Elwell was named Vice President of the Aerospace Industries Association in 2008 where he stayed until 2013. Elwell was a civil aerospace manufacturer representative in this capacity where he was an advocate for various companies.

Elwell joined Airlines for America (A4A) in 2013 where he was the Senior Vice President for Safety, Security, and Operations. Elwell left this role in 2015.

Elwell also served as the Senior Advisor on Aviation to Secretary Elaine Chao.

Turkish Airlines grounds its Boeing 737 MAX fleet

Turkish Airlines is suspending all Boeing 737 MAX operations after today due to safety concerns after the Ethiopian Airlines crash.

The Turkish MAX fleet will be idle starting on March 13, 2019. Turkish has 11 MAX 8s and one MAX 9.

Turkey’s Transport and Infrastructure Ministry has announced all MAX operations in Turkey are suspended until further notice.

Top Copyright Photo (all others by Boeing): Turkish Airlines Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 TC-LCN (msn 60056) PAE (Nick Dean). Image: 945930.

Turkish Airlines aircraft slide show:

Air Italy grounds its three Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 aircraft

Following the European Union announcement closing European airspace to all MAX 8 and MAX 9 aircraft, Air Italy has made this announcement:

As an airline, the safety and security of our passengers and crew is always our first and key priority. With regard to the Boeing 737 MAX 8, all three of our MAX 8 aircraft are being grounded in compliance with the directive issued by ENAC this evening.

As stated previously, all aircraft that we operate are always in full compliance with the regulators’ instructions and manufacturer’s operating procedures. Air Italy will continue to be in constant dialogue with the authorities and Boeing with regard to our Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft and will follow all directives to continue to ensure the maximum level of safety and security for our passengers and crew.

With respect to our ongoing operations, Air Italy will re-protect all passengers.

Top Copyright Photo (all others by the airline): Air Italy (3rd) Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 EI-GGL (msn 64607) PAE (Nick Dean). Image: 943947.

Air Italy (3rd) aircraft slide show:

Poll:

EASA suspends all Boeing 737 MAX operations in Europe, a total shutdown

Europe is now closed to all Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 and Boeing 737-9 MAX 9 operations. EASA has issued this statement:

Following the tragic accident of Ethiopian Airlines flight ET302 involving a Boeing 737 MAX 8, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is taking every step necessary to ensure the safety of passengers.

As a precautionary measure, EASA has published today (March 12) an Airworthiness Directive, effective as of 19:00 UTC, suspending all flight operations of all Boeing Model 737-8 MAX and 737-9 MAX airplanes in Europe. In addition EASA has published a Safety Directive, effective as of 19:00 UTC, suspending all commercial flights performed by third-country operators into, within or out of the EU of the above mentioned models.

The accident investigation is led by the Ethiopian Authorities with the support of the National Transportation Safety Board, as the aircraft was designed and built in the United States. EASA has offered their assistance in supporting the accident investigation.

EASA is continuously analysing the data as it becomes available. The accident investigation is currently ongoing, and it is too early to draw any conclusions as to the cause of the accident.