Tag Archives: 015

QANTAS Group weighs in after Australia orders the “two person” cockpit rule

QANTAS Airways (Sydney) has issued this statement after the Australian government mandated the “two people in the cockpit” rule for Australian carriers:

Following discussions with the Federal Government, regulators and industry, the Qantas Group will have two approved people in the cockpit at all times in-flight.

This includes Qantas, QantasLink, Network Aviation and Jetstar flights.

When one pilot needs to leave the cockpit for any reason, another authorised person will occupy the jump seat (as distinct from the control seats occupied by the Captain and First Officer) until they return.

This policy applies to aircraft with more than 50 seats. Of a total Qantas Group fleet of around 300 aircraft, this excludes Qantaslink’s fleet of 18 Q200s and Q300s, which generally operate on short sectors of one or two hours where the need for pilots to leave the cockpit is minimal.

Qantas Group flights have between two and four operating pilots on board, depending on duration and aircraft type.

The safety and health of customers and employees is the Qantas Group’s number one priority. We have a comprehensive safety management system that guards against risks to our operations.

There are numerous layers of screening and support for pilots, ranging from regular medical checks to stress management training and confidential counselling and pilot-to-pilot support networks.

Together with regulators and other airlines, Qantas will closely study any learnings that stem from the Germanwings tragedy to help make aviation even safer.

Our deepest sympathies are with the loved ones of all those on board flight 4U 9525.

Copyright Photo: SPA/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A380-842 VH-OQB (msn 015) climbs away from the runway at London Heathrow Airport bound for Sydney.

QANTAS Airways aircraft slide show:

Piedmont Airlines’ flight attendants ratify the new contract

Piedmont Airlines’ (2nd) (US Airways Express) (Salisbury) flight attendants, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Airlines Group, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA), have voted to ratify a new five-year collective bargaining agreement that was reached on March 6. The new contract was ratified by the airline’s 180 flight attendants who are based in Harrisburg, PA; Salisbury, MA; Charlottesville, VA; Roanoke, VA and New Bern, NC.

Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum/AirlinersGallery.com. Bombardier (de Havilland Canada) DHC-8-102 N908HA (msn 015) of Piedmont Airlines (2nd) taxies to the runway at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) hub.

Piedmont Airlines-US Airways Express:

Darwin Airline to become Etihad Regional

Darwin Airline (Lugano and Geneva) and Etihad Airways (Abu Dhabi) have jointly announced the later has acquired a 33.3 percent interest in the Swiss carrier. Darwin as a result will be rebranded as Etihad Regional and will feed Etihad Airways flights from secondary markets in Europe. Etihad is building an extensive worldwide feeder relationship network with its acquisitions. The two airlines issued this joint statement:

ETIHAD AIRWAYS ANNOUNCES ‘STEP-CHANGE IN BUSINESS STRATEGY’ WITH THE LAUNCH OF ETIHAD REGIONAL

Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates, has announced a ‘step- change in global aviation’, with the launch of its first branded regional operation, after taking a 33.3 per cent stake in Swiss carrier Darwin Airline.
Following completion of the minority investment, which is subject to regulatory approval, Darwin Airline will rebrand its operations as Etihad Regional and align its network to connect passengers from secondary European markets onto the main networks of Etihad Airways and its equity alliance partners.

Etihad Airways will also launch daily services on June 1st, 2014 from Abu Dhabi to Zurich, which will become one of Darwin Airline’s main operating hubs.

James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ President and Chief Executive Officer, said: “This is a step- change for Etihad Airways. With our new partner Darwin Airline, we are creating a unique approach to network development for global airlines.

“European travellers will now be able to connect from a far, wider range of European towns and cities on Etihad-branded aircraft, through Abu Dhabi to our destinations worldwide.”

“We are also linking the new Etihad Regional network into the key hubs of our equity alliance partners, bringing benefits to the customers of airberlin and Air Serbia.”

“This new model is one that can bring the Etihad badge of quality to air travellers around the world,” he said. “In just a decade, we have established the Etihad brand as one of the most recognised and most highly regarded in aviation. This model offers a new direction for that brand in future.”

Darwin Airline is headquartered in Lugano, Switzerland, with its major hub in Geneva. It currently offers scheduled flights to 21 destinations in Europe using a fleet of ten 50-seat SAAB 2000 turboprop aircrafts.

Subject to regulatory approvals, Etihad Airways will invest in Darwin Airline through the acquisition of 33.3 per cent of an enlarged share capital. Darwin Airline, which will continue to focus on secondary markets, will become the seventh member of the Etihad Airways equity airline alliance, the fourth partner in Europe, and the first to operate using a new sub-brand called ‘Etihad Regional’.

The investment will give Etihad Airways access to regional markets in Europe, and enable a major expansion of Darwin Airline’s operations.

The new ‘Etihad Regional’ logo will be displayed prominently on each side of the fuselage of the Darwin Airline aircrafts, while the rear of the planes will carry the words “Operated by Darwin Airline”, and the Darwin Airline’s present logo, as well as continuing to proudly display the Swiss flag. All flights will continue to be operated under the Darwin Airline designator code.

By mid-2014, Darwin Airline will add 21 new routes and 18 new destinations. Its network will then include six European gateways served by Etihad Airways – Geneva, Amsterdam, Paris, Dusseldorf, Belgrade and, commencing in June, Zurich.

Darwin Airline will be able to connect to the network of airberlin, Etihad Airways’ equity partner, through new and existing routes to Berlin, Dusseldorf and Zurich. Berlin and Dusseldorf provide excellent connections to the US with airberlin.

Copyright Photo: Andi Hiltl/AirlinersGallery.com. The company now operates a fleet of 10 SAAB 2000 turboprops. SAAB 2000 HB-IZJ (msn 015) prepares to touch down in Zurich.

Darwin Airline:

Current routes from Geneva:

Safi Airways to acquire two Airbus A320s

Safi Airways Airbus A340-311 YA-TTB (msn 015) FRA (Bernhard Ross) (new livery), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

Safi Airways (Kabul) is adding two Airbus A320s in a fleet renewal program. The first A320 will be painted in this new livery and will be introduced on the Kabul-Dubai route this month. The Boeing 737-300s will be retained for charters and ACMI operations.

Press release:

http://www.safiairways.aero/sites/safiairways/files/pdf/10-05-04%20Safi%20Airways%20announces%20fleet%20renewal%20plans%20at%20ATM.pdf

Copyright Photo: Bernhard Ross. The first aircraft to wear the new corporate identity is this Airbus A340-311 YA-TTB (msn 015) assigned to operate the KBL-FRA route. YA-TTB arrives at Frankfurt.

Safi Airways adds its first Airbus A340

Copyright Photo: Axel J. Ex-Aircomet Airbus A340-311 YA-TTB (msn 015) at Frankfurt is the first A340 registered in Afghanistan. The wide-body airliner still retains the Aircomet livery.

Safi Airways (Kabul) is adding its first Airbus A340-300 to replace its Boeing 767-200.