AVIATION NEWS BRIEFS

*SPIRIT AIRLINES announced that it will begin charging customers $5 to have their boarding pass printed by an Airport agent. Customers can avoid a fee by checking in online or, for a few more months, by using a self-service Airport kiosk. However, checking-in via Spirit's self-service kiosks won't remain free in the future. Spirit says beginning June 26, 2012, customers who use Airport kiosks to print their boarding passes will be charged $1. The Airline will wavie the boarding-pass fee "in cities where Spirit does not have Airport check-in kiosks or if a customer is not able to use the automated kiosk to print their boarding pass".

*JETBLUE is the latest carrier to order the re-engined A320neo, pledging to acquire 40 of the type as part of a raft of adjustments to its narrowbody fleet. The annoucement at the Paris Air Show, said the carrier also plans to convert 30 of its 52 firm A320 orders to the larger A321s powered by IAE V2500 engines. JetBlue has only operated the A320 model since its launch 11 years ago. Additionally, JetBlue is deferring 8 A320s originally scheduled from 2014-15 to 2017 to reduce its capital commitments in the near term.

*European low-cost operator NORWEGIAN has ordered another 15 Boeing 737-800s, taking to 78 the number it has ordered from Boeing. The order, announced during the Paris Air Ahow, is valued at $1.2 billion. Norwegian has also firmed its order to buy 3 Boeing 787s, 1st agreed to in May

*Lessor CIT Group has inked a memorandum of understanding with Airbus at the Paris Air Show for 50 A320neo family aircraft. It brings the total number of aircraft in the Airbus orderbook for CIT to 241, comprising 195 A320 family aircraft (including the 50 A320neo aircraft), 39 A330s and 7 A350 XWBs. Of these 141 have been delivered so far.

*Sukhoi is to launch a business jet version of its Superjet 100 regional aircraft but appears to be backing away from a stretched variant in the near term. The Russian airframer's civil aircraft division disclosed initial plans for the executive aircraft at the Paris Air Show today, but will give further details at the NBAA show in Las Vegas in October.

*Russian carrier AEROFLOT has signed a deal for 8 Boeing 777-300ER jetliners at the Paris Air Show. The carrier is yet to confirm delivery slots for the long-range twinjets.

*Russia officials are investigating how a woman was able to a flight without a ticket, documents or any luggage. The incident at Moscow Domodedovo Airport occurred last Friday and involved a flight for Dushanbe, the capital of the restive Central Asian republic of Tajikistan. The woman apparently managed to break into the airport grounds the night before and boarded the flight after avoiding passport and other control areas. She has been arrested and Russian officials said that Airport security officials would be "punished".

*AIR INDIA said yesterday it expects to pay the back due salaries for the month of May to its employees later this week. The cash strapped carrier is currently trying to re-oganize and the money to pay its employees came from the government.

*KOREAN AIR LINES has tentatively signed for up to 30 Bombardier CSeries twinjets, the deal for the flag-carrier giving the program a further lift at the Paris air show. Its agreement is for 10 CS300 aircraft, with options on another 10 and purchase rights for 10 more.

*MALAYSIA AIRLINES has signed for 10 Boeing 737-800s at the Paris air show, confirming existing options from a 2008 deal. The order takes MAS's total 737 orders to 45 aircraft. Deliveries of the 10 new orders are due in 2016 after the remaining 30 aircraft from the original deal arrive. They are due through to 2015.

*VIETNAM AIRLINES will begin service to London, England, in December, marking the 1st direct air service between the 2 countries. State-owned Vietnam Airlines did not say how many flights would initially operate to London's Gatwick Airport, or whether they would originate from Hanoi's Noi Bai Airport or Ho Chi Minh City's Tan Son Nhat.

*The Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam has granted an operating license to the VIETSTAR AIRLINES. With an authorized capital of VND400 billion, VietStar Airlines provide air travel, domestic rescue, and charter services. More details, including a planned start up date, routes and fares, are due to be announced soon.

*Taiwanese carrier TRANSASIA AIRWAYS has placed a firm order for 6 Airbus A321neos today at the Paris Air Show. The carrier already operates 5 A321s and a pair of A320s and has a further 6 sharklet-equipped A321s on delivery. TransAsia plans to use the aircraft to meet growing demand on regional services, especially on direct routes between Taiwan and mainland China.

*Mongolian carrier MIAT has ordered a Boeing 767-300ER and a pair of 737-800s at the Paris Air Show. In a statement, MIAT said the jets were the "ideal airplanes for us to expand our existing fleet to offer more scheduled and charter services from Mongolia to major cities in Asia and Europe".

*GARUDA INDONESIA has placed a definitive order for 25 Airbus A320neo aircraft at the Paris Air Show.

*Australia's 2 major Airports faced major disruptions today as the ash cloud from a Chilean volcano drifted across the south of the country. QANTAS and VIRGIN AUSTRALIA cancelled all flights into and out of Sydney and Melbourne. Adelaide Airport has been shut and flights in and out of Canberra have been delayed and canceled. TIGER AIRWAYS canceled all flights today and JET AIRWAYS also reported cancelations. The latest forecast from the Bureau of Meteorology shows that the ash plume will move into the Tasman on Wednesday and no longer affect flights from the major cities.

*The UK AAIB announced today that they have opened an investigation into an incident involving a GERMANWINGS A319 near London, on April 11, 2011. The incident had not been disclosed before today. On that date, Flight 2376, was on approach to London Stansted, and descending thru 18000 feet, when it collided with a weather balloon. The aircraft, which was inbound from Stuttgart, Germany, landed safely. The German BFU said the Airbus was not damaged in the incident.

*The US NTSB has released its Final Report into an incident involving a JETBLUE A320 near Burlington, Vermont, on February 19, 2011. On that date, the Airbus was on approach to Burlington at 6000 feet, about 17 miles SE of the Airport, when it encountered turbulence causing injuries to 2 Flight Attendants. The aircraft, inbound from New York JFK, went on to make a safe landing about 8 minutes later. On April 19, the NTSB reported the Captain rated the turbulence severe. Both F/A's struck the aft galley floor and the rear passenger door. 1 F/A received minor bruising injuries while the other F/A suffered multiple rib fractures. In their Final Report, out today, the NTSB said the Probable Cause was: "The airplane's inadvertent encounter with turbulence during the approach, which resulted in serious injury to a Flight Attendant". The full Report can be found on the NTSB website.

*AMERICAN AIRLINES Flight 293, a Boeing 777, had to make an emergency return to Delhi, India, today, June 21, after the crew reported the right hand generator had failed on takeoff. The aircraft landed safely back in Delhi and was removed from service for repairs. The aircraft is expected to be repaired later today and the flight to Chicago OHare is expected to depart at that time, about 19 hours behind schedule.

*LUFTHANSA Flight 411, an A340 on service from New York JFK to Munich, Germany, was involved in a close call with EGYPTAIR Flight 986, a Boeing 777 on service from New York JFK to Cairo, Egypt, last evening at JFK. Flight 411 was cleared for takeoff from JFK's runway 22R at 6:52pm, when the tower controller called "CANCEL TAKEOFF CLEARANCE" at 6:53pm. The crew of Flight 411 rejected takeoff at high speed and was able to slow on the runway. The Airbus vacated the runway at taxiway H and Emergency Services were dispatched to inspect the hot brakes. According to reports, the Lufthansa jet was ordered to abort takeoff as the Egyptair Boeing, which was on taxi for departure, missed the turn onto taxiway B and instead turned onto the runway 22R, the same runway the Lufthansa Airbus was departing from. Reports say that another airliner, which observed the incident, said on the open communication lines "that was close". The Lufthansa A340 was able to depart again about 2 hours later, while the Egyptair 777 departed New York about 75 minutes later. The FAA has opened an investigation.

*VIRGIN ATLANTIC Flight 69, a Boeing 747, was delayed in departure from London Gatwick, yesterday, June 20. According to media reports, shortly before pushback from the gate for its flight to Kingston, Jamaica, a Jamaican national slit his throat with a razor. Emergency Services were dispatched the man was transported to hospital. He was treated and released for superficial cuts to his neck. Media reports say the man was being deported from Britain, back to his native Jamaica. Virgin postponed the flight until today and offered counseling to any passengers or crew who were said to be "horrified" by what they witnessed.

*SATA INTERNATIONAL Flight 680, an A320, had to make an emergency return to Funchal, Portugal, yesterday, June 20. According to media reports, the Airbus encountered a flock of seagulls, just as it rotated for takeoff from Funchal. A number of birds were ingested into both engines, causing both engines to vibrate. The crew crew continued their climb out and returned to Funchal, landing safely about 15 minutes later. The A320 was removed from service for a full inspection and repairs, while a replacement A320 was dispatched to continue the flight to Copenhagen, Denmark. According to the Airport, the flock of seagulls had been sitting near the runway for quite some time, despite ultrasound equipment to scare the birds away. The seagulls only took flight, as the Sata Airbus took off.

*SMALL PLANET AIRLINES Flight 3206, an A320, had to make an emergency landing in Vilnius, Lithuania, yesterday, June 20. The crew abandoned their 1st approach into Vilnius, reporting an unsafe nose gear indication. The crew used alternate gear extension to lower and lock all gear and then safely landed on its 2nd approach, about 15 minutes later. The Airbus, which had been inbound from Hurghada, Egypt, had to be towed off the runway and was later removed from service for inspection and repairs.

*DELTA AIRLINES Flight 221, a Boeing 757, had to make an emergency diversion to Caracas, Venezuela, on Sunday, June 19. While enroute from Atlanta, Georgia, to Brasilia, Brazil, the crew had to shut down the right hand engine for unspecified technical problems. The 757 was diverted to Caracas, where it landed without incident. A replacement 757 was dispatched to Caracas and the aircraft arrived in Brasilia, about 18 hours behind schedule. The incident aircraft was removed from service for inspection and repairs.

*DELTA AIRLINES Flighth 2003, an MD88, blew a tire upon landing in Atlanta, Georgia, on Friday, June 17. The MD88, which had arrived from Panama City, Florida, rolled out safely. According to the FAA, a gear door was damaged in the incident and the aircraft was removed from service for repairs.

*BRITISH AIRWAYS Flight 2957, a Boeing 737, had to make an emergency landing at London Gatwick, on Thursday, June 16. While enroute from Glasgow, Scotland, to Gatwick, the crew declared an emergency and performed an emergency descent, reporting a loss of cabin pressure. Passenger O2 masks were deployed and the 737 went on to make a safe landing at Gatwick. In a brief statement, BA said the cause of the cabin decompression was being investigated. A large number of passengers onboard Flight 2957 were also booked on Flight 2714, which departed later the same day for Malaga, Spain. However, shortly after departure from Gatwick, the crew requested return, reporting a technical problem with the landing gear. The aircraft landed safely back at Gatwick. That 737 has returned to service while the 737 involved in the decompression incident remains out of service.

*AIR CANADA Flight 850, a Boeing 777, had to make an emergency return to Calgary, AB, Canada, on Tuesday, June 14. While enroute at 33000 feet, about 280 miles N/NE of Calgary, the crew reported a main battery problem and requested return. The 777, which had been enroute to London Heathrow, landed back in Calgary about 75 minutes later. In a brief statement, the Canadian TSB reported that the crew noted a smell of smoke in the cockpit. Maintenance replaced a main battery charger that was determined to be faulty. According to the TSB, Air Canada is investigating an ongoing problem with faulty batteries.