AVIATION NEWS BRIEFS

*ICELAND EXPRESS will commence service between Reykjavik to Chicago OHare this coming Friday, June 10. The 1x weekly service will use Boeing 757 aircraft and will be operated by ASTRAEUS. Flight 457 will depart Reykjavik at 5:30pm, local time, and arrive in Chicago at 7:10pm, local time. Return service will be on Flight 458, which will depart ORD at 8:50pm and arrive in Iceland at 7:50am, the next morning.

*PET AIRWAYS, which provides plane transportation solely for animals, has raised $5.5 million through a deal with Socius CG II Ltd., officials announced on Monday. The carrier provides Airline travel for pets in 13 cities in climate-controlled private planes. An inflight Pet Attendant monitors passengers in the cabin during flight, then escorts reunite them with family members. Socius signed a deal to buy up to 20.5 million Pet Airways shares for a total $500,000, plus a commitment for another $5 million in non-convertible Series A preferred stock over the next 2 years. Pet Airways launched in 2005 and provides transportation to and from Los Angeles, Phoenix, Denver, Omaha, Chicago, Baltimore, New York, Atlanta, Ft. Lauderdale, and Orlando. New Service will begin later this year to Austin, Texas. Flights start at about $99.

*Boeing's 2 new 747-8 airplane models, the Intercontinental passenger version and the Freighter version, will make their international debuts at the Paris Air Show, joining the 787 Dreamliner as highlights of the company's presence during the show. Also on display at the biennial aerospace exhibition, which begins June 20 at Le Bourget, will be an AIR BERLIN 737-700 with the new Boeing Sky Interior, a QATAR AIRWAYS Boeing 777-200LR, the longest-range passenger jetliner in the world, the C-17 Globemaster III military airlifter, the F-15E Strike Eagle multi-role fighter jet, and the CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift helicopter.

*The US DOT has assessed a civil penalty against TACA INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES for violating the Department’s rules prohibiting deceptive advertising of airfares.  The carrier was assessed a $55,000 civil penalty.DOT requires any advertising that includes a price for air transportation to state the full price to be paid by the consumer and the rule applies to both US and foreign carriers as well as ticket agents. For a period of time in 2010 and this year, TACA used a program on its website that allowed consumers to search for flights on exact or flexible dates. Searches by both methods produced airfare quotes noting that the fares did not include taxes and fees, but TACA failed to disclose the type and amount of the taxes and fees as required by DOT rules.

*To help celebrate its 75th Anniversay, Irish carrier AER LINGUS received a special visit from a vintage aircraft in Dublin. Several employees were able to board the 6 seater "Iolar" for a short tourist flight. "Iolar" is a sister aircraft of the original De Havilland 84 Dragon-series which flew the 1st Aer Lingus flight from Baldonnel to Bristol on May 27, 1936. Two Aer Lingus cabin crew donned original uniforms from 1936 for welcoming staff onboard for the flights.

*IAG, the parent of BRITISH AIRWAYS and IBERIA, is interested in buying UK carrier BMI, if its owner LUFTHANSA, decides to sell, Chief Executive Wille Walsh said on Monday. IAG has renewed its interest in the UK carrier because of its slots at Heathrow, which faces constraints on capacity. Walsh said the newly formed IAG Airlines holding company, which has expressed interest in expanding to include other Airlines, was not currently looking at any other targets. Walsh also said IAG was keen to pursue a joint-venture with alliance partner JAL and praised the Japanese carrier's record in recovereing from the March earthquake. BA's newly completed and recently opened, Terminal 5C, is captured last week in the photo above.

*Greek carrier VIKING HELLAS has unveiled a new livery for its charter service, FLY HELLAS. The Airbus A320 was delivered to Athens on May 27 and just completed the painting of the new livery. The A320 will enter service soon.

*Russian flag carrier AEROFLOT has formally taken delivery of its 1st Sukhoi Superjet 100 regional jet. The Airline signed a protocol of aircraft technical acceptance yesterday from the manufacturer and applied to register it with regulators. It is expected to put the aircraft into revenue service between Moscow and St Petersburg on June 16, ahead of the annual international economic forum in St Petersburg. Aeroflot will become the 2nd operator of the Superjet 100 after Armenian carrier ARMAVIA, which has been operating the 1st serially-produced example of the type since April 19.  Under the delivery schedule agreed with Sukhoi, Aeroflot is to receive 10 Superjets this year, a dozen in 2012 and 8 in 2013.

*CHINA SOUTHERN AIRLINES said it expects to receive its 1st Airbus A380 aircraft in September. The Guangzhou-based Airline, which has 5 of the superjumbos on order, will receive the 2nd in November, said the Airline's chairman, Si Xianmin. It aims to use the A380 to "develop new markets from China to the USA and Europe", he added. "The A380 will further strengthen our position in the international market and help us to raise our service standards," said Xianmin. He did not rule out placing more orders for the superjumbo, but said the carrier wants to wait until it receives all 5 A380s. China Southern also expects to receive its 1st Boeing 787 Dreamliner by year-end, and the Airline plans to deploy the new aircraft on international flights.

*QANTAS shares shares have fallen hard after today's announcement that domestic rival VIRGIN AUSTRALIA announced plans to enter a long-term partnership with aviation powerhouse SINGAPORE AIRLINES. Qantas shares dropped to A$1.93, after earlier touching their lowest level since July 2009. So far this year, Qantas shares have lost about 24% of their value. Adding to the pressure on Qantas were comments during today's media briefing that Singapore Airlines viewed its alliance with Virgin Australia as strengthening its case to apply for rights for trans-Pacific routes from Australia. Qantas has lobbied hard against Singapore Airlines being permitted to operate flights between Australia and the US, one of its most profitable travel regions. 

*Gabon's Transport Ministry has issued a brief update on yesteday's ditching of a DHL Antonov AN26 cargo airliner in the waters off Libreville, Gabon. The Antonov was on Domestic Cargo Service from Port Gentil to Libreville, with 3 crew members and 1 passenger onboard. (Initial reports yesterday identifed all 4 people onboard as crew members). The Antonov, registration confirmed as TR-LII an on lease from SOLENTA AVIATION GABON, was cleared to land at Libreville, however the crew reported hydraulic problems and then began to go-around. Shortly thereafter, the crew ditched the Antonov in the waters off Libreville, near the former Hotel Dialogue Libreville. Ground witnesses reported that as the Antonov neared the water, its propellors were not turning, which signals engine problems. The 4 people onboard were able to exit the aircraft before it went about 95% under, pictured above. All 4 were transported to hospital for treatment, however none of the injuries was said to be life-threatening. The Ministry said that a full investigation has been launched. They also announced that all Antonov AN26 aircraft are banned from flying in the country until further notice.

*SKYWEST AIRLINES Flight 4443, a CRJ200 on service for DELTA AIRLINES, was damaged upon landing at Milwaukee's Mitchell International Airport in Wisconsin, late last evening, June 6. According to media reports, the CRJ was on service from Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky to Milwaukee, with 41 passengers and 3 crew members onboard. The crew declared an emergency on approach, reporting that the 1 side of the rear gear did not deploy. They then entered into a holding pattern to troubleshoot. Unable to rectify the problem, the crew had to bring the CRJ in for landing around 10:00pm, with only a single rear gear deployed. Reports say that sparks were visible as the aircraft touched down and rolled out, before coming to a stop on the runway, tilted to one side. Passengers and crew were then evacuated as Emergency Services responded. A SkyWest spokeswoman said early this morning that 1 passenger was transported to hospital, but gave no further details. Due to construction on 1 of the 2 runways at Milwauke, the Airport had to shut down, until the CRJ could be removed from the runway. The Airport re-opened this morning. The NTSB and FAA have opened an investigation.

*SKYWEST AIRLINES Flight 6485, a CRJ200 on service for UNITED AIRLINES, had to make an emergency return to Lincoln, Nebraska, yesterday, June 6, after the crew reported a cargo fire indication. The CRJ landed safely, about 11 minutes after its original departure. The aircraft was removed from service for inspection. The flight departed for Denver, Colorado, about 9 hours later, but officials did not report if it was the incident CRJ or a new aircraft that completed the flight.

*VLADIVOSTOK AVIA Flight 459, an A330, was damaged just prior to touchdown at Moscow Vnukovo Airport, yesterday, June 6. The Airbus was inbound from Vladivostok and was on approach to the runway 01 at Vnukovo. Due to current construction work, the runway threshold is currently displaced by 1030 meters. The Airbus came in for a landing too low and the landing gear hit a fence that separates the construction zone from the runway. The crew managed to safely touchdown and the aircraft rolled out safely. The Airbus reportedly had minor damage to its nose and main landing gear, however, this was repaired and the aircraft departed on schedule 3 hours later for its return to Vladivostok. Rosaviatsia confirmed the incident and the minor damage, but did not say if an investigation will be conducted. This is the 3rd incident involving the runway during the construction.

*REPUBLIC AIRWAYS Flight 3341, an ERJ170 on service for US AIRWAYS, had to make an emergency diversion to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on Sunday, June 5. While enroute at 20000 feet, from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the crew donned their O2 masks and declared an emergency, reporting smoke in the cockpit. They then performed an emergency descent to 9000 feet and declined instrument navigation, saying the cockpit was "filled with smoke". ATC provided radar vectors to guide the crew to Harrisburg and on approach, the crew requested "whatever runway you can give us". The ERJ landed safely, about 10 minutes after the emergency had begun. None of the 76 passengers or crew onboard were injured. No information was released on how the passengers and crew were transported to Pittsburgh. The ERJ was removed from service for a full inspection.

*AMERICAN AIRLINES Flight 187, a Boeing 777, had to make an emergency return to Chicago OHare, on Sunday, June 5. While climbing out of ORD, the crew reported that they may have blown a tire upon takeoff and requested a ground inspection of the runway. Shortly thereafter, the crew reported that multiple hydraulic problems had developed and they then entered into a holding pattern at 6000 feet, to troubleshoot the problem. Controllers then reported to the Pilots that alot of rubber from a blown tire was found on the runway, but no hydraulic fluid was observed. The crew then circled over Lake Michigan, dumping fuel, before making a safe landing back at ORD, about 1 hour after its initial departure. Post flight inspection revealed that the right main gear inboard rear tire had blown. The aircraft was removed from service for inpection and repairs of the tire and hydraulics. A replacement aircraft was dispatched to complete the flight to Beijing, China.

*LUFTHANSA Flight 1418, a Boeing 737, had to make an emergency landing in Bucharest, Romania, on Sunday, June 5. While on approach to Bucharest, the crew contacted controllers and reported that an 88 year old male passenger was suffering from a possible heart attack. The crew accelerated their landing and were met by Emergency Services. Responders worked on the passenger for about 45 minutes before declaring him deceased. The return flight to Frankfurt, Germany, was delayed for about 5 hours due to the incident.

*AMERICAN EAGLE Flight 2710, an ERJ145, suffered a gear fire upon landing in Dallas/Ft Worth, Texas, on Saturday, June 4. The Embraer landed safely on the runway 17C in DFW. While rolling out, a main gear rear tire burst into flames. The crew turned off the runway and onto a taxiway, where they stopped and ordered an immediate evacuation. Emergency Services responded and extinguished the fire. According to a brief statement from the FAA, 1 passenger suffered minor injuries during the evacuation. The ERJ was removed from service for a full inspection and repairs.

*NORDWIND Flight 1897, a Boeing 757, had to make an emergency diversion to Krasnojarsk, Russia, on Saturday, June 4. After departure from Barnaul, Russia, the crew reported that they were unable to retract the flaps. The 757 was then diverted to Krasnojarsk, where it safely landed. According to reports, passenger remained in Krasnojarsk until yesterday, when a replacement 757 was brought in to fly them to Antalya, Turkey.