AVIATION NEWS BRIEFS

*According to media reports, DELTA AIRLINES chief executive Richard Anderson has reiterated his view that the carrier's large fleet of ageing Boeing MD80s retain a cost advantage over newer Boeing 737-800s that is largely driven by lower ownership costs. Anderson has been bullish on twinjet for some time, and previously the Delta boss said the Airline was planning to add 2 MD90s in the last quarter of 2009. Delta currently operates 113 MD80s and 17 MD90s. Its 737-800 fleet comprises 71 aircraft. "MD80s still even at pretty high fuel prices start the month out at no debt," said Anderson recently. "A 737-800 costs about $350,000 to $375,000 a month. So on the first day of the month it is $375,000 behind just on ownership." The carrier also claims that the maintenance costs on the MD80 are lower than the 737-800 and crew costs are not quite as high. Delta and NORTHWEST AIRLINES has now merged, and the combined entity does not have plans to dedicate a huge capital outlay for aircraft in the near term. Executives believe that Delta's fleet of 1400 aircraft, which includes the NWA fleet and all the regional jets operating under DELTA CONNECTION contracts, meet the needs of its network. Plans are under way to phase out the older McDonnell Douglas DC9s still in operation at Northwest. Anderson says they will leave the fleet as they approach heavy maintenance checks. The ACAS database shows Northwest operates 69 DC-9-30/40/50s.

*Grounded Vietnamese carrier INDOCHINA AIRLINES will resume flights on January 20, almost 3 months after it suspended operations due to financial problems. The Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam (CAAV) has granted approval for the Airline's proposed flight schedule. Indochina plans to operate 5 daily flights between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and a daily service between Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang. Indochina, which reportedly has debts of 30 billion dong ($1.6 million), has reached an agreement with its service providers regarding its debts. Indochina's website, which was not accessible after operations were suspended on November 1, is active again. Before the Airline was grounded, it was operating on the Ho Chi Minh City-Hanoi route using a Boeing 737-800 from Czech carrier TRAVEL SERVICE AIRLINE. Indochina reportedly plans to lease 2 Boeing 737-800s from the same carrier to operate the new flights.

*A HAWAIIAN AIRLINES Boeing 767 had to make an emergency return to Portland, Oregon, yesterday, January 6, due to an unruly passenger. Flight 39 was on Domestic Service from Portland to Kahului, Hawaii, with 231 passengers and 10 crew members onboard. According to media reports, about 90 minutes after departure a 56 year old male passenger refused to stow his carry on bag and made threatening remarks to the cabin crew. The Captain requested return to Portland. As the aircraft neared the Oregon coast, 2 Air Force F15 jets arrived to accompany the aircraft in for landing as a precaution. The aircraft landed back at Portland without incident, about 3 hours after its initial departure. The male passenger was taken into custody and later released without charges. According to media reports, the passenger has a history of mental illness.

 

*An AIR BERLIN Boeing 737 had to reject takeoff at high speed, yesterday, January 6. Flight 8588 was on International Service from Berlin, Germany, to Zurich, Switzerland, with 124 passengers and crew onboard. The crew rejected takeoff after receiving disagreeing airspeeds. The crew was able to stop the aircraft and roll out without incident. The 737 was removed from service for inspection.

*A NORWEGIAN AIR SHUTTLE Boeing 737 had to make an emergency landing in Oslo, Norway, yesterday, January 6. Flight 183 was on Domestic Service from Haugesund to Oslo, when the passenger O2 masks dropped about 15 minutes into the flight. The crew declared an emergency and performed an emergency descent to 10000 feet. With the situation stable, the crew continued on to Oslo, where they landed without incident. In a brief statement, the Airline confirmed the loss of cabin pressure. An investigation has been launched to determine the cause.

*An AIR CANADA JAZZ CRJ200 had to make an emergency diversion, on January 5. Flight 8558 was on Domestic Service from Victoria to Calgary, Canada, with 36 passengers and crew onboard. The crew declared an emergency while climbing thru 30000 feet, reporting a fire alert. The CRJ was diverted to Vancouver, Canada, where it landed and was met by Emergency Services. The crew reported that while on approach to Vancouver, the fire alert had ended after the crew pressed the fire suppression systems for the halon bottle. An investigation into the incident has been launched.

*A BUDAPEST AIR SERVICE EMB120 had to make an emergency return to Budapest, on January 4. Flight 864 was on International Service on behalf of MALEV HUNGARIAN AIRLINES from Budapest, Hungary, to Cluj, Romania. On its initial climb out of Budapest, the crew requested return due to an alert that the right hand main gear had not full retracted. The EMB landed back at Budapest without incident, and was removed from service for inspection and repairs.

*An AERO REPUBLICA ERJ190 had to make an emergency return to Bogota, Colombia, on December 27. Flight 7585 was on Domestic Service to Cali, Colombia, with 92 passengers and crew onboard, when the crew declared an emergency shortly after takeoff due to engine failure. The ERJ landed back to Bogota without incident. In a brief statement, the US NTSB said that the left hand engine had caught fire. An investigation into the incident is ongoing.

*A VIETNAM AIRLINES ATR72 suffered substantial damages, due to a tail strike, on December 27. Flight 479 was on Domestic Service from Ho Chi Minh City to Phu Quoc, Vietnam, when it struck its tail upon landing at Phu Quoc. The crew was able to roll out without incident. According to media reports, the fuselage skin is abraded with multiple holes. The ATR remains at Phu Quoc awaiting repairs. At the time of the incident light rain was falling with light winds. Vietnamese aviation officials are investigating the incident.