AVIATION NEWS BRIEFS

*HAWAIIAN AIRLINES announced today that they are adding nonstop flights between Honolulu and Osaka, Japan, its 3rd new Asia destination in recent months. Subject to Japan government approval, Hawaiian's inaugural flight from Honolulu International Airport to Osaka's Kansai International Airport is scheduled for July 12, with the inaugural return flight from Osaka to Honolulu on July 13. Hawaiian will initially operate the new Honolulu-Osaka flights with its Boeing 767-300ER aircraft seating up to 264 passengers, before introducing its new and larger 294-seat Airbus A330-200 aircraft onto the route.

*US Sen. Charles Schumer called on the FAA to fight what he says are industry efforts to weaken the new August 2010 regulations that are aimed at keeping drowsy or overworked Pilots out of cockpits. The regulations he sponsored arose from the February 2009 crash of COLGAN Flight 3407 in Buffalo, New York, which killed 50. Pilot fatigue was cited as one of the causes of the crash. The regulations include more training and actions to make sure Pilots are more alert in the cockpit. Unable to get the FAA to change the regulations, several carriers, most notably charters, have turned to Congress in order to get the new rules eased or rescinded.

*EASYJET is testing an acrylic exterior polish which aims to reduce fuel burn by smoothing the aircraft's surface, reducing the build-up of dirt and lowering drag. The nanotechnology-based polymer fills minuscule grooves and pits in the top paint layer to prevent any collection of debris in these areas and create a smooth surface. The liquid treatment is manually applied to aircraft's entire exterior surface and then polished. It is typically less than 1 micrometre  thick, although exposed areas such as leading edges have been given a thicker layer for greater durability. The coating adds approximately 4oz to the aircraft's weight but its manufacturer says it could reduce the specific fuel consumption by 1-2%. EasyJet has coated 8 of its aircraft with the treatment and is undergoing a 12-month trial.

*Russia's VOLGA-DNEPR cargo Airline will invest over $400 million in modernization of the Antonov An-124-100 Ruslan cargo aircraft, the carrier said today. The upgrade program includes design and development work on modernization of the An-124's avionics and engines. The company plans to complete the upgrade by 2018. Volga-Dnepr is the largest operator of the An-124, the biggest aircraft in the world.

*South African discount carrier KULULA.COM said Sunday it wants to give Kate Middleton's family a gift of cows ahead of her nuptials with Prince William, following the African tradition of "lobola". Lobola, a southern African wedding custom, requires the groom to make a symbolic payment to the family of the bride, traditionally in cattle.The Airline said it would source a herd of cows locally in Britain and deliver them to Buckingham Palace, pending acceptance by Middleton's family. Kulula.com also said it would try to persuade him to come back to South Africa on his honeymoon by running a special discount on flights. The carrier is known thru-out South Africa for running cheeky ad campaigns and its quirky liveries. One such example is posted above.

*ALL NIPPON AIRWAYS new low-cost joint venture will operate a fleet of 10 Airbus A320s. The aircraft, which will be leased from GECAS, will seat 180 passengers each in a single-class layout. They will be powered by CFM International engines. The joint venture between ANA and investors in Hong Kong aims to start low cost services from Osaka's Kansai International Airport in the 2nd half of the 2011 fiscal year. The name of the new carrier will be unveiled in late March of early April.

*EMIRATES Flight 203, a Boeing 777, had to make an emergency diversion to Stockholm, Sweden, today, February 14, after the crew reported smoke in the passenger cabin. The crew dumped fuel and landed safely at Stockholm Arlanda 40 minutes later. According to media reports, the incident was traced to the failure of the IFE cooling fan. The fan was disabled as allowed thru MEL and the 777 departed shortly thereafter to complete its flight to New York JFK.

*QANTAS Flight 32 was forced to divert to Dubai, UAE today, February 14, due to an incident with aviation officials in Iraq. Flight 32 was enroute on International Service from London to Singapore, when Iraq Air Services notified the crew that they would not allow the flight into Iraq air space as they did not "recognize the authority" who had pre-approved the flight path. The aircraft flew around Iraq, but was then forced to divert to Dubai for more fuel so that they could reach Singapore. In a statement, Qantas said the carrier had been flying on this route for some weeks and didn't know why this incident had occurred. The carrier is now liaising with Iraqi authorities to investigate why the plane had been denied entry.

*DELTA AIRLINES Flight 2879, an MD88, was struck by a fuel truck while the aircraft was stationary on the tarmac at New York La Guardia, yesterday, February 13. None of the 111 passengers and crew onboard Flight 2879 were injured, however the truck driver suffered numerous cuts to his head and was transported to hospital. The MD88 was removed from service with damage reported to at least 1 wing. Officials refused to say how fast the truck was moving or why the collision may have occurred. An investigation has been opened.

*AMERICAN EAGLE Flight 4079, an ERJ145, had to make an emergency return to Montreal, QC, Canada, yesterday, February 13. The crew declared an emergency while climbing out of Montreal, reporting a lavatory smoke alert and the smell of smoke in the passenger cabin. The crew leveled off at 5000 feet and landed back at Montreal, with Emegency Services in attendance, about 20 minutes after their initial departure. There was no word on what, if anything, Emergency Services found on inspection, however the ERJ was removed from service.

*AIR EUROPA Flight 63, an A330, had to make an emergency return to Madrid, Spain, yesterday, February 13, after the crew shut down the right hand engine due to excessive vibrations. Post flight inspection revealed that parts of the right hand engines inlet cowling are missing in the area of the fan. An investigation has been launched into the incident.

*An AEROSUCRE Boeing 727, on Domestic Cargo Service within Colombia, had to make an emergency diversion to Bogota, on Saturday, February 12, due to a hydraulics failure.

*SKYWEST AIRLINES Flight 6846, an EMB120, had to make an emergency diversion to Monterey, California, on Friday, February 11. While enroute near Big Sur, California, the crew declared an emergency, reporting a loss of cabin pressure and that the passenger O2 masks had deployed. The crew then performed and emergency descent and diverted to Monterey, where they landed without incident. Emergency Services met the aircraft and treated 3 passengers for complaints of ear pain. The Embraer was ferred to San Francisco about 1 hour later for inspection and repairs.