AVIATION NEWS BRIEFS

*UNITED AIRLINES has been criticized for the placement of an ad at the New York Ground Zero site, which simply reads: :You're going to like where we land". The ad, which stands a matter of feet away from where United Airlines Flight 175 struck the south tower of the World Trade Center on September 11, has been branded insensitive by many New Yorkers. The placement of the sign, on a light pole at the top of stairs that lead down to the Cortlandt Street subway station, pictured, was approved by the Metropolitan Transport Authority. The ad was placed by a 3rd party vendor and United said the ad would be removed. Earlier this week, the carrier had to apologize after a computer error mistakenly entered and restarted the use of Flight numbers 93 and 175, both of which were involved in the 9/11 attacks.

*Pilots at AIR CANADA have voted not to adopt a tentative collective bargaining agreement that included a proposal by the Airline to create a new low cost carrier. In a statement the Air Canada Pilots Association (ACPA) said 67% of 98% eligible Pilots voting rejected the deal. The carrier and the unions will now go back to the bargaining table in attempts to come to an agreement on a new contract.

*A Bolivian pastor has been jailed for more than 7 years in Mexico for hijacking an AEROMEXICO passenger plane in September 2009. The man had told the crew of the plane he was on a mission from God to warn Mexico's president of an impending earthquake. He said he was carrying a bomb, but it later turned out to be three cans of fruit juice. The pastor surrendered after commandos stormed the plane on the ground in Mexico City, freeing the 100 passengers and crew onboard.

*LUFTHANSA has firmed up its agreement with Boeing for 5 777 freighters but will not make a decision on whether the aircraft will operate for its LUFTHANSA CARGO division or its AEROLOGIC venture until closer to delivery time. The aircraft are scheduled for delivery in 2013. Aerologic is a joint venture between Lufthansa and DHL.

*A KINGFISHER flight was delayed for more than 3 hours yesteday in Mangalore, India, after a passenger misplaced his cell phone. According to media reports, at least 20 passengers had to be shifted to other flights, due to the delay. Reports say that the passenger was a "high ranking" individual and that the carrier has received numerous complaints from passengers who were delayed. The carrier disputed the media reports and said the aircraft was delayed due to "technical reasons".

*SRILANKAN AIRLINES received a new Airbus A320-200 airliner yesterday, its 1st new aircraft in over a decade. This is the 1st of 3 brand new A320 aircraft to be acquired in 2011, the 2nd and 3rd of which are scheduled to arrive in the last quarter.

*The Philippine Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) has issued a cease and desist order against local carrier SOUTH EAST ASIAN AIRLINES (SEAIR) and TIGER AIRWAYS of Singapore from mounting flights to Cebu and Davao, saying that the marketing deal between the 2 carriers is merely a front of the latter to penetrate the domestic market. Under the marketing agreement between the 2 carriers, Tiger Airways will market and distribute the local carrier’s flights in the Asia Pacific region through its Web site. The CAB decision is the result of a complaint filed by PHILIPPINE AIRLINES, CEBU PACIFIC and AIR PHILIPPINES.

*A swarm of bees descended on the south boarding gates at Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2, delaying the arrival of 5 PHILIPPINE AIRLINES flights yesterday afternoon. The bees entered the passenger tubes and prevented the Airport operator from connecting the tube to arriving planes, forcing the aircraft to park on the tarmac and deplane passengers via mobile stairs. No one was stung by the bees, which are believed to have been carried by a passenger onboard a Philippine Airlines plane from Tacloban. Officials said an investigation is being conducted, including a look into how the passenger was able to pass thru security with a swarm of bees in carry-on baggage.

*Indonesia's Ministry of Transport announced yesterday that operartion of all Xian MA60 aircraft in the country has been suspended, pending an audit of the aircraft and its operation. The audit may or may not result in the permanent grounding of the aircraft. The Ministry said the audit is independent of its investigation into the crash of MERPATI NUSANTARA Flight 8968 in Kaimana, Indonesia, on May 7, that killed all 25 passengers and crew onboard. That Xian MA60 went down on approach into Kaimana in poor weather. The Ministry said the audit of the Chinese made Xian will be completed well before the investigation of Flight 8968 is completed.

*UTAIR Flight 439, a Boeing 737, had to make an emergency landing in Tomsk, Russia, today, May 20. The crew abandoned their approach into Tomsk after the left hand flaps failed to deploy. After circling to troubleshoot, the crew reported that they were able to extend the flaps and the 737 went on to land safely on its 2nd approach. The West Siberian Prosecution Office reported that the problem was related to the ailerons and that they have opened an investigation.

*QANTAS Flight 1, a Boeing 747, had to make an emergency return to Bangkok, Thailand, today, May 20, after the crew had to shut down an engine due to high temperatures and vibrations. The 747, which was enroute to London Heathrow, circled to burn off fuel and then landed safely back in Bangkok, about 2 hours after their initial departure. The aircraft was removed from service for inspection and repairs.

*QANTAS Flight 775, a Boeing 767, had to make an emergency landing in Perth, Australia, today, May 20. While descending thru 2000 feet, for landing on the runway 03 at Perth, the aircraft encountered severe turbulence. The crew then performed a go-around and landed safely on the runway 24 about 30 minutes later, at 8:50am. Emergency Services met the aircraft, which was inbound from Melbourne, Australia, and at least 2 passengers were transported to hospital for injuries sustained in the turbulence. The extent of their injuries was not disclosed. At the time of approach, heavy thunderstorms were moving thru Perth and there was a report of a weak tornado in a suburb near the Perth Airport. The ATSB has opened an investigation into the incident.

*ANDES LINEAS AEREAS Flight 852, a CRJ900, had to make an emergency diversion to Buenos Aires Ezeiza International Airport in Argentina, yesterday, May 19. The CRJ had departed Buenos Aires Aeroparque Airport on Domestic Service to Salta, Argentina. Shortly after takeoff, the crew declared an emergency and requested diversion to Ezeiza, where they safely landed at a higher than normal speed. The aicraft was then removed from service for inspection and repairs. According to media reports, the CRJ may have been experiencing flaps problems.

*EMIRATES Flight 5, a Boeing 777, had to make an emergency diversion to Vienna, Austria, yesterday, May 19. While enroute from Dubai, UAE, to London Heathrow, and at 36000 feet near Budapest, Hungary, the crew declared PAN PAN PAN, reporting an aft cargo fire indication. The 777 landed safely in Vienna about 25 minutes later and was met by Emergency Services who found no trace of heat, smoke or fire. After about 3 hours on the ground, the aircraft was cleared to depart and resume its journey to Heathrow.

*EUROLOT Flight 367, an ATR72, had to make an emergency return to Wroclaw, Poland, yesterday, May 19, after the crew shut down an engine due to an unspecified abnormal indication. The ATR, enroute to Munich, Germany, landed safely back in Wroclaw and was then removed from service for inspection.

*MONTENEGRO AIRLINES Flight 201, a Fokker 100, suffered a bird strike upon touchdown in Tivat, Montenegro, yesterday, May 19. According to media reports, an eagle impacted the nose cone of the Fokker, causing a substantial dent to the radome, however the aircraft, which had arrived from Belgrade, Serbia, rolled out safely. The radome was replaced and the aircraft returned to service later in the day.

*TULPAR AIR Flight 9797, a Yak 42, landed in Norilsk, Russia, while the weather was below minima, yesterday, May 19. The Yakovlev, inbound from Abakan, Russia, with 48 passengers and 8 crew members onboard, rolled out, without incident. The West Siberian Prosecution Office has opened an official investigation. This is the 2nd time this year that Flight 9797 has landed in Norilsk when the weather has been below minima. The previous incident, which occurred on March 25, remains under investigation.

*JETBLUE Flight 180, an A320, was struck by lightning while on approach to New York JFK, on Tuesday, May 17. The Airbus, inbound from Phoenix, Arizona, was descending thru 13000 feet, when the crew reported they were struck by lightning. Shortly thereafter, the crew declared an emergency and requesting landing as soon as possible, due to the smell of smoke. The aircraft safely landed about 10 minutes later and was met by Emergency Services, who after inspection, cleared the ERJ to taxi to the apron. The aircraft was later removed from service for inspection.

*BMI Flight 678, an ERJ145, had to reject takeoff at high speed from London Heathrow on Tuesday, May 17, due to a brakes malfunction and the left main inboard gear tire bursting. The crew was able to stop the aircraft on the runway. The ERJ, which was enroute to Aberdeen, Scotland, was removed from service for repairs.