AVIATION NEWS BRIEFS

*The US Department of Transportation has granted new international passenger charter authority allowing NATIONAL AIR CARGO subsidiary NATIONAL AIRLINES to expand its global reach. This order authorizes National to engage in foreign charter air transportation of persons, property and mail in addition to the domestic and international all-cargo transportation offered for 25 years. National Airlines is currently undergoing FAA certification for Boeing 757-200 passenger operations. When complete, National intends to offer worldwide passenger charter services with its B757-200 aircraft. The newly outfitted modern cabin has 152 extended comfort coach seats and 12 business class seats. This effort represents the next step of National's ambitious business plan whereby it is augmenting its DC8 fleet with 747-400 freighter operations, 757-200 passenger operations and 757 -200 Combi (10 pallet positions and 46 passengers) worldwide. Founded in 1985, National Airlines currently operates 3 long range intercontinental 45 ton capacity jet freighters. National Airlines is based in Ypsilanti, Michigan and operates scheduled and on demand cargo charter services.

*US AIRWAYS is raising the fee to check heavy luggage on its domestic flights. A bag of over 50 pounds will now cost an extra $90 to check. The old fee was $50. That's on top of the $25 fee to check a 1st bag and the $35 fee for a 2nd bag. The new rates began with tickets purchased after February 1.

*A 34 year old Frenchman, charged with assault after cabin crew onboard DELTA AIRLINES Flight 83 confronted him about smoking in the lavatory, was sentenced to "time served," a fine of $500 and 6 months probation. He was charged after the incident took place onboard the aircraft on January 8 as it was enroute from Nice to New York. According to media reports, when confronted, the man said "Fuck you, I'm French". He was restained in his seat after pushing a Flight Attendant and striking a Federal Air Marshall with his leg. The sentence was handed down by a New York judge yesterday.

*Shares in AIR FRANCE-KLM have fallen almost 8% after the Airline issued a profit warning and its chief said there was excess capacity on some routes. The carrier said that in the past few months it had been hit by industrial action, snow and the disruption in Egypt and Tunisia. As a result it said it would miss its full-year operating profit target of 300m euros ($408m). The news also hit shares in other airlines across Europe. Shares in International Consolidated Airlines Group, formed last month when BRITISH AIRWASY merged with Spain's IBERIA, closed down 3.3%, while stocks in FLYBE and EASYJET were also hit.

*A strike by workers at PAKISTAN INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES (PIA) has forced the flag carrier to cancel all its flights yesterday and today. The carrier has cancelled more than 250 flights since industrial action started on February 8, and scrapped all domestic and international departures yesterday and today, said PIA's spokesman. The Airline employs 18000 people around the world, including 600 Pilots, said the spokesman. "Not everyone is in favor of the strike, but demonstrators at Airports have prevented the other staff from coming to work," he said. The workers are protesting against a proposed codeshare agreement with TURKISH AIRLINLES, which they feel will result in PIA losing profitable routes. They are also demanding for the resignation of PIA's managing director and the reinstatement of 6 Pilots who lost their jobs over the protests.

*According to media reports, Syria's national flag carrier, SYRIANAIR, is running out of planes. The BBC reports that on the parched grass beside the runway of Damascus Airport stands most of its fleet, about half a dozen old Boeing 727s and 2 giant 747s dating from the 1970s. All are out of service due to 7 years of US sanctions, which prevent Syria from importing planes or their spare parts. Today, Syrianair has just 6 Airbus A320s still capable of flying. Senior sources at the Airline said that the situation is "critical". They said the carrier needs to buy new planes fast or could soon find itself running an Airline without any airliners.

*SENEGAL AIRLINES, the West African country's relaunched Airline, is in talks with Airbus to buy around half a dozen aircaft including 2 A330 long-haul jets. Senegal Airlines began operations last month using 2 leased Airbus A320-family aircraft after the previous national carrier collapsed last year.

*Malaysian budget carrier AIRASIA has signalled interest in the Airbus A320neo by deferring delivery of a batch of A320s by 3 years. The carrier said it has pushed back the delivery of 10 A320s from 2012 to 2015, stating that the decision will give it "some flexibility to switch" between the current A320 variant to a "new generation A320 which is more fuel efficient".

*Talks between QANTAS and its Pilots broke down yesterday after a group of about 350 Pilots voted unanimously to allow their union to pursue all options, including industrial action, against Qantas in a dispute over working conditions. The union is to talk to members in Victoria on Monday before voting on a course of action. Should the 1700 international Pilots pursue a strike, stop-work meetings or a go-slow, flights would be delayed and possibly cancellations. Meanwhiile, the carrier said today that due to rising oil prices, fares will rise an average of 5% on tickets for domestic, regional and trans-Tasman flights issued on or after February 25.

*The French BEA has released is Final Report into a near collision of AIR FRANCE Flight 7850, an A318, and a private Pilatus 12 near Aurillac, France, on June 2, 2010. The minimum separtion between the 2 aircraft at 29000 feet was estimated to be 100 feet vertically and 15-30 meters laterally. The BEA said the incident was caused by a mechanical problem on the Pilatus 12, which led the Pilot to believe the aircraft was enroute at 27000 feet, when it fact it was enroute at 29000 feet, the same altitude of the A318. Once he saw the A318, the Pilatus Pilot took evasive action. The full Report, including events as they unfolded, along with safety recommendations, can be found, in French, on the BEA website.

*COLGAN Flight 9504, a Saab 340B on service for CONTINENTAL AIRLINES, had to make an emergency landing in College Station, Texas, yesterday, February 10, due to a smoke detector indiction. Emergency Services responded and could find no trace of heat, smoke or fire. The Saab was removed from service for inspection.

*ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES Flight 700, a Boeing 757, had to make an emergency landing in Rome, Italy, yesterday, February 10, after striking a bird while on approach. The next leg of the trip, to London Heathrow, was canceled and the 757 was removed from service for inspection.

*SOUTHWEST AIRLINES Flight 3329, a Boeing 737, had to make an emergency return to Omaha, Nebraska, on Wednesday, February 9, due to the smell of smoke in the cockpit.

*SPIRIT AIRLINES Flight 892, an A320, had to reject takeoff from Orlando, Florida, on Wednesday, February 9, due to a hot brakes indication.

*UNITED AIRLINES Flight 951, a Boeing 777, had to make an emergency landing at Washington Dulles, on Wednesday, February 9. While enroute at 38000 feet, and overhead Maine, a Flight Attendant with a known history of heart problems, collapsed in the First Class cabin. 2 passengers with medical backgrounds provided first aid, including O2, as the crew continued on to Dulles. The 777 was met by Emergency Services and the F/A was tranported to hospital. Her condition was not released.

*ALITALIA Flight 643, a Boeing 767, had to make an emergency diversion to New York JFK, on Wednesday, February 9. While climbing out of Newark, New Jersey, the crew reported gear trouble and halted their climb. The 767 was then diverted to JFK and the crew performed a low fly over of the Tower, who confirmed the gear appeared down. About 2 hours after departing Newark, the 767 safely landed at JFK and was removed from service for inspection.

*LUXAIR Flight 9302, a Dash 8-400, struck its tail upon landing at Luxembourg on Thursday, January 20. The incident was just made public yesterday. The crew was able to roll out without further incident and no one onboard was injured. According to Luxair, the crew encountered severe turbulence just prior to landing. The Dash was ferried to Maastricht, Netherlands, for repairs, and is expected to return to service on Monday, February 14.