*Aviation experts say that a move by QANTAS yesterday to tighten up its mileage program, may spread to other Airlines. In a statement, Qantas said that beginning July 1, 2010, frequent flyer points will now expire within 18 months, if a customer does not use or earn points during that time. The Airline had been using the industry standard of 3 years. Qantas characterized the changes to its loyalty program as an improvement, saying they had been designed to encourage more account activity from members. Qantas rejected the notion that the changes were designed to reduce the size of Qantas's points redemptions liability.
*The Canadian TSB has issued a brief update on an incident involving a PORTER AIRLINES Dash 8-400 near Halifax, NS, Canada, on November 14, 2009. On that date, Flight 243 was on Domestic Service from Halifax to St Johns, NL, when the Captain became incapacitated. About 30 minutes after departure, the First Officer requested return to Halifax, reporting that the Captain was ill. Shortly thereafter, the First Officer declared an emergency, reporting that the Captain was unconscious and out of the cockpit. The Dash landed back at Halifax about 40 minutes later. Emergency Services met the aircraft and the Captain, who had regained consciousness, was transported to hospital. In their brief update, the Canadian TSB said that the Captain remains restricted from operating any aircraft, pending the outcome of medical evaluations.
*The Irish AAIU has released its final report into a tail strike experienced by a RYANAIR Boeing 737 at Dublin, Ireland, on September 11, 2008. On that date, Flight 208 was on International Service from Dublin to London Stansted, with 148 passengers and 6 crew members onboard. The 737 struck its tail on takeoff from runway 28. The crew halted their climb at 12000 feet. They declared an emergency, and stated that they were going to depressurize the cabin and then donned their O2 masks. The O2 masks in the passenger cabin had to be deployed manually. The 737 landed back to Dublin without incident, about 20 minutes after their initial departure. The AAIU reported that the tail strike was not severe enough to affect the aircraft, however the crew's actions after the tail strike were out of proportion to the incident. The AAIU pointed out that the crew believed that the tail strike was serious, and that if the aircraft was to remain pressurized, it could damage the airframe. The full report, including all of the crew's actions from the time the incident began, can be found on the AAIU website.
*An AVIANCA Fokker 100 had to divert while enroute yesterday, due to a chemical odor onboard the aircraft. Flight 8455 was on Domestic Service from Cucuta to Bogota, Colombia, with 70 passengers and crew onboard, when the incident took place. According to media reports, shortly after departure, many passengers began to complain about a strange smell and irritation to their eyes and nose. Passengers also complained of feeling dizzy. The flight crew declared an emergency and the Fokker was diverted to Bucaramanga, Colombia, where it landed without incident. Emergency Services met the aircraft and treated and released all passengers on the scene. Airport police reported later that a passenger had brought 3 gallons of an unidentified chemical onboard, in his carry-on luggage. It is not known if the passenger will face any charges in the incident.
*An AIR TRANSAT A310 was damaged while undergoing C Checks in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on December 13. The A310 was undergoing a ground run when the aircraft jumped the chocks, traveled across the tarmac, and went across a road. Both wings on the aircraft struck light posts and both engines hit trees, before the A310 came to a stop on soft ground. No one onboard, or in the area, was injured in the incident. The aircraft is registered in Canada, thus the Canadian TSB is investigating the incident. The CTSB reported that the A310 suffered damage to the wings, engines and the landing gear.
*A CONDOR Boeing 757 had to make an emergency diversion Las Palmas, Canary Islands, Spain, on December 13, due to engine problems. Flight 481 was on International Service from Tenerife, Canary Islands, to Dusseldorft, Germany, when the crew requested to halt their climb at 14000 feet, shortly after takeoff. The crew reported 1 of the engines had stalled and had throttled back to idle. After attempting to troubleshoot the problem, the crew requested diversion. The 757 landed at Las Palmas without incident, and was removed from service for inspection and repairs.
*A BRITISH AIRWAYS Boeing 747 had to make an emergency landing in Vancouver, Canada, on December 11, after 4 passengers became ill. Flight 85, on International Service from London Heathrow, was about 55 miles from Vancouver, when the crew reported 3 passengers being seriously ill, and a 4th passenger has become unconscious. Airport staff alerted the Health Canada Quarantine Station of the impending arrival of the aircraft. The 747 landed without incident and was met by Emergency Services and a team from the Quarantine Station. The ill passengers were later transported to a local hospital, and the remaining passengers and crew were later released without restriction. Vancouver officials have not released any further information on the incident.
*An AIR DOLOMITI ERJ195 had problems landing at Frankfurt, Germany, on December 11. Flight 4011 was on International Service from Turin, Italy, to Frankfurt, when it reported electrical problems with its landing gear while on approach to Frankfurt. The aircraft went on to land without incident. The ERJ was removed from service and media report that the electrical problems were affecting the nose gear steering.
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