AVIATION NEWS BRIEFS

*Airbus has introduced new branding, colors and names for its corporate jets, reflecting aircraft improvements, the company’s culture of innovation and family commonality. The new colors comprise metallic-blue shading on most of the fuselage and tail, highlighted by flowing curves that echo the color schemes often chosen by Airbus corporate jet customers, and are accompanied by a new “Airbus Corporate Jets” logo. As part of this new branding, a new nomenclature is also being introduced. “Airbus ACJ” will now precede the model of the airliner from which each corporate jet is derived, with the A318 becoming the Airbus ACJ318, and so on throughout the family, all the way up to the Airbus ACJ380.

*The union representing most of VIRGIN ATLANTIC Pilots has called for a strike ballot. The Pilots, who have not had a raise since 2008, have been in prolonged talks with the carrier for over a year. The strike ballot will go out on May 24 and Pilots will have 4 weeks to vote. The union represents over 85% of Virgin Atlantic's estimated 750 Pilots.

*QANTAS has unveiled a new super exclusive tier for its loyalty program to entice its most frequent flyers to keep riding the "Flying Kangaroo". The carrier announced a range of enhancements to its frequent flyer program, including adding telco Optus as a new partner and creating a new Platinum One status, above it current Platinum level. Also, passengers on Qantas's low-cost subsidiary JETSTAR will be able to earn Qantas frequent flyer points for a fee under a revised fare structure. The Qantas chief executive said the new level of VIP recognition was designed to entice those who fly a lot to keep their business with the Airline, rather than divert travel to other carriers.

*NORDWIND AIRLINES Flight 2450, a Boeing 757, had to make an emergency diversion to Krasnojarsk, Russia, today, May 17. While enroute from Sanya, China, to Novosibirsk, Russia, the crew reported the left hand generator had failed, with the APU now being inoperative. The 757 landed safely in Krasnojarsk and is currently undergoing repairs. Officials expect the aircraft to resume its flight to Krasnojarsk, early tomorrow.

*GESTAIR Flight 19, a Boeing 767 on Cargo Service for TNT AIRWAYS, had to make an emergency landing in Dubai, UAE, today, May 17. The crew aborted their 1st approach into Dubai, due to an unsafe gear indication. They then performed a low flyover of the tower, which confirmed the landing gear appeared to be down and locked. The 767, which was inbound from Liege, Belgium, landed without incident on its 2nd approach, with Emergency Services on standby. The aircraft has been removed from service for inspection.

*QANTAS Flight 10, an A380 on service from Singapore to Melbourne, Australia, had to divert to Adelaide, Australia, early today, May 17. According to media reports, the crew reported that they were low on fuel and needed to divert to Adelaide for refueling, before continuing on to Melbourne. Reports say that unforecasted strong headwinds had been encountered while the airliner was enroute, which caused the aircraft to burn more fuel. The A380 was refueled and departed for Melbourne, where they arrived without incident, almost 3 hours behind schedule.

*ALLEGIANT Flight 174, an MD83, had to make an emergency return to Mesa, Arizona, yesterday, May 16, due to smoke in the cockpit. The aircraft, enroute to Pasco, Washington, landed safely back at Mesa's Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, about 25 minutes after its initial departure. The aircraft was removed from service for inspection. According to Allegiant, there were reports of fumes and heat in the passenger cabin, but no smoke.

*JETBLUE Flight 960, an ERJ190, had to make an emegency return to Orlando, Florida, yesterday, May 16. The crew halted their initial climb at 16000 feet, due to the cabin not pressurizing properly. The crew then descended to 10000 feet, before apparently fixing the problem and then climbing again, up to 31000 feet. Shortly thereafter, the crew requested return and the ERJ landed safely back in Orlando, about 1 hour after its initial departure. The aircraft, enroute to Boston, Massachusetts, was removed from service for inspection.

*STRATEGIC AIRLINES Flight 700, an A320 on service for SOLOMON AIRLINES, had to make an emergency return to Honiara, Solomon Islands, yesterday, May 16. About 30 minutes after departure for Brisbane, Australia, the crew declared an emergency, reporting a cargo fire indication. The Airbus landed safely back in Honiara, about 70 minutes after their initial departure. Emergency Services met the aircraft and found no trace of heat, smoke or fire. The aircraft was removed from service or inspection.

*AMERICAN AIRLINES Flight 1172, an MD82, had to make an emergency return to Phoenix, Arizona, on Sunday, May 15, after the crew reported smoke in the cockpit while on their initial climb. The aircraft, enroute to Chicago OHare, landed safely back in Phoenix, about 10 minutes after their initial departure. A small fluid leak in the APU was identified as the cause of the smoke. The aircraft was repaired and returned to service later the same day.

*CONTINENTAL AIRLINES Flight 85, a Boeing 777, had to make an emergency landing in Newark, New Jersey, on Sunday, May 15. The aircraft was on approach to Newark, inbound from Tel Aviv, Israel, when the crew declared an emergency, reporting a cargo fire indication. On finals, the crew reported the indication had ceased and they went ahead and made a safe landing. Emergency Services met the aircraft and cleared it to taxi to the gate. The 777 was removed from service for inspection.

*HEMUS AIR Flight 491, a BAe 146-200 on service for BULGARIA AIR, had to make an emergency return to Sofia, Bulgaria, on Sunday, May 15, after the landing gear would not fully retract after takeoff. The aircraft, which was enroute to Zurich, Switzerland, landed safely back in Sofia, and was then removed from service for repairs.

*OLYMPIC AIR Flight 508, on Domestic Service from Athens to Heraklion, Greece, was delayed in departing Athens, on Sunday, May 15. According to media reports, shortly before departure, one of the 2 Pilots onboard, suffered a heart attack and died. Few other details have been released.