AVIATION NEWS BRIEFS

*Airbus has announced that it is to postpone the entry into service of the A350-1000 by 2 years, to mid-2017, in order to provide a thrust increase to 97,000lb from the previous level of 93,000lb. It is also delaying introduction of the A350-800 by a similar timeframe, pushing its entry back until mid-2016. Airbus has been under pressure to bring the A350-1000's performance more into line with that of the Boeing 777-300ER.

*EADS said today that it expects Airbus to start breaking even on its A380 program in 2014-15 following improvement to the production cycle on the type. Speaking ahead of the Paris air show, the EADS chief executive said the program management had "remarkably improved" and the A380 was "out of the woods". He said it would break even in 2014-15, assuming exchange rates remain fairly stable.

*Airbus has been forced to curtail the debut appearance of the A400M military airlifter at the Paris Air Show after the aircraft suffered a gearbox problem. The long delayed military aircraft will not be able to carry out its long planned display routine. The A400M will remain on static display during this week's show.

*A retired Pilot from LOT POLISH AIRLINES was killed yesterday when his Christen Eagle II aerobatics plane crashed at an air show at Plock, Poland. The small plane was performing aerobatics when it began spewing out plumes of dark smoke and then plunged into the water. Rescue workers pulled the Pilot from the wreckage and tried to resuscitate him before sending him to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Polish aviation officials have opened an investigation.

*An ash cloud from the Chilean volcano has moved over Southern South Africa, prompting the cancelation of flights to at least 3 cities. All flights to/from Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and East London, were suspended last evening, until further notice.

*Indian media report today that 2 Pilots working for ALLIANCE AIR, which is a subsidiary of national carrier AIR INDIA, have violated basic safety rules in the last 3 months, putting hundreds of lives at risk. In response to the media reports, India's DGCA has opened a safely investigation of the carrier and the Pilots.

*South Korea's military said today it will not punish the soldiers who fired at as ASIANA passenger jet flying from China, mistaking the aircraft for an enemy plane amid sea fog and high tensions with North Korea. The military said "early morning fog" disrupted their vision. 2 marines at a guard post on the South's Gyodong island near the disputed Yellow Sea border with the North fired 99 K2 rifle rounds at Flight 324, which had 119 people onboard, on Friday. The jet was descending towards the South's Incheon International Airport when the soldiers opened fire. There was no damage to the plane. The Airbus 321 was following a normal route from the southwest Chinese city of Chengdu.

*MALAYSIA AIRLINES reportedly plans to ban infants from their First Class cabins on their Boeing 747-400 aircraft. No official word has come from the carrier, however the move is reported on multiple media sites today. No reason was given in the reports.

*Taiwan's EVA AIR plans to buy at least 20 passenger aircraft to boost its service to China, the carrier said today. EVA Air is Taiwan's 2nd largest international Airline, after flag carrier CHINA AIRLINES. Like other Taiwan carriers, EVA Air is focusing on China routes since Taipei dropped its 5 decide ban on direct flight to the mainland and opened its door to Chinese tourists in 2008. Taiwan and Chinese carriers operate 370 cross-Strait weekly flights, which will be increased to more than 500 flights in July.

*Comac plans to sign a memorandum of understanding with Irish low-cost carrier RYANAIR to cooperate on the Chinese airframer's C919 narrowbody, in a move that Comac hopes will lead to orders. Comac is developing the C919, which is scheduled to enter service in 2016. The company is aiming to get the aircraft certificated by the FAA and EASA so it can be marketed overseas.

*LUFTHANSA Flight 490, an A330, had to make an emergency diversion to Calgary, AB, Canada, yesterday, June 18. While enroute from Frankfurt, Germany, to Seattle, Washington, and overhead Greenland, the inflight entertainment system failed, along with the reading lights, parts of the cabin lighting and lavatory lighting. About 50 minutes later, the crew began a descent to 23000 feet, in order to restart the APU. Unable to restart the APU, they returned to cruise flight and shortly thereafter requested diversion to Edmonton, AB, later amending their request to Calgary. Just as they began their descent into Calgary, the crew reported a medical emergency onboard. The Airbus safely landed in Calgary, about 4.5 hours after the onset of problems. Emergency Services met the aircraft. The Airbus was able to depart for Seattle about 5 hours later. No information was released on the nature of the medical emergency.

*An AVIOSTART Piaggio P180 Avanti II, on Executive Service to Innsbruck, Austria, had to make an make an emergency landing in Innsbruck, yesterday, June 18. According to media reports, the Pilot notified controllers of indications of a possible landing gear problem. The Pilot then circled the Airport, pictured above, while troubleshooting the problem. Officials at Kranebitten Airport declared a red alert and a full Emergency Services team was deployed for the landing. The aircraft, which was carrying 6 passengers and the Pilot onboard, landed without incident at 2:30pm and was met by Emergency Services, pictured above. According to a later statement, the cockpit indication was later determined to be false.

*SPICEJET Flight 138, on Domestic Service from Goa to Ahmedabad, India, reported unruly passengers onboard, yesterday, June 19. According to media reports, shortly after departure from Goa, 7 intoxicated passengers began arguing with a Flight Attendant. The flight crew notified controllers and requested police meet the aircraft in Ahmedabad. The 7 passengers were later released from police custody after writing an apology letter to Spicejet.

*PINNACLE AIRLINES Flight 3750, a CRJ200 on service for DELTA AIRLINES, had to make an emergency diversion to Cleveland, Ohio, on Friday, June 17, after the crew shut down an engine for unspecified reasons. The aircraft was removed from service for inspection and a replacement CRJ200 was dispatched to complete the flight from Detroit, Michigan, to Newburgh, New York.

*AIR TRANSAT Flight 375, an A310, had to make an emergency diversion to Ft Lauderdale, Florida, on Friday, June 17. While enroute at 37000 feet, from Santa Clara, Cuba, to Montreal, QC, Canada, and about 125 miles NE of Ft Lauderdale, the crew requested to divert to Orlando, Florida, reporting a faulty door seal. The crew later amended their request and diverted to Ft Lauderdale, where they safely landed about 50 minutes after requesting diversion. After 2 hours on the ground, the Airbus departed for Montreal, where it arrived without further incident.

*BRUSSELS AIRLINES Flight 227, an A330, had to make an emergency diversion to Toulouse, France, on Friday, June 17. While enroute from Brussels, Belgium, to Monrovia, Liberia, the crew declared an emergency, reporting ECAM messages indicating a hydraulic failure. The Airbus was diverted to Toulouse, where it safely landed. The aircraft was repaired and departed Toulouse yesterday, arriving in Monrovia, about 22 hours behind schedule.