Airbus Updates No.576

Airbus A310

-304F

413

5X-HJI

Shiv Air

operator now known, ops for Services Air without titl, basic Air India cs

ex VT-EJI

Airbus A321

-231

4966

N554UW

US Airways

delivery 31dec11 XFW-BGR-PIT

ex D-AVZB

Airbus Updates No.575

Airbus A320	-214	2407		EC-JGM	Vueling	ferried 29-30dec11 BCN-SID-NAT-EZE on wet-lease to Andes for 3 months	ex F-WWDC
Airbus A320	-214	2654		D-ABDC	Air Berlin	ferried 29dec11 PAD-DXB-CTU after storage on delivery to Chengdu Airlines	ex F-WWIN
Airbus A320	-214	4661		EC-LLJ	Vueling	ferried 28-29dec11 BCN-SID-NAT-EZE on wet-lease to Andes for 3 months	ex F-WWII

Airbus A320

-232

4982

B-6827

China Southern

delivery 30dec11 XFW-DXB

ex D-AVVQ

Airbus A321	-231	4971		VN-A322	Vietnam Airlines	delivery 30dec11 XFW-BAK-HAN	ex D-AZAH
Airbus A321	-231	4976		D-AIDN	Lufthansa	delivery 29dec11 XFW-FRA	ex D-AZAI
Airbus A330	-243	266		G-MDBD	Thomas Cook Airlines	ferried 27-28dec11 SZB-AUH-MAN after Garuda Hajj-lease and c-check	ex F-WWKG

Airbus Updates No.574

Incident: Kuwait A306 near Kuwait on Dec 25th 2011, technical problem

By Simon Hradecky, created Monday, Dec 26th 2011 12:12Z, last updated Monday, Dec 26th 2011 12:12Z A Kuwait Airways Airbus A300-600, registration 9K-AMC performing flight KU-103 from Kuwait City (Kuwait) to London Heathrow,EN (UK), was climbing through FL320 out of Kuwait when the crew initiated a rapid descent and returned to Kuwait City for a safe landing about 40 minutes after departure. A replacement Airbus A300-600 registration 9K-AMD reached London with a delay of 4 hours. Incident: Air France A332 near Paris on Dec 25th 2011, anti-ice problem By Simon Hradecky, created Monday, Dec 26th 2011 14:52Z, last updated Monday, Dec 26th 2011 14:52Z An Air France Airbus A330-200, registration F-GZCO performing flight AF-8 from Paris Charles de Gaulle (France) to New York JFK,NY (USA) with 187 passengers and 12 crew, was climbing out of Paris when the crew detected a problem with an engine anti-ice system, levelled off at FL230 and decided to return to Paris for a safe landing on runway 27L about 2.5 hours after departure. The airline reported the aircraft returned to Paris due to a minor incident involving an engine (CF6) valve supplying anti-ice systems. The aircraft was able to depart again after 2 hours on the ground and reached New York with a total delay of 4:20 hours. Incident: Lufthansa A343 near Goose Bay on Dec 26th 2011, electrical smell in cabin By Simon Hradecky, created Tuesday, Dec 27th 2011 08:56Z, last updated Tuesday, Dec 27th 2011 08:56Z A Lufthansa Airbus A340-300, registration D-AIGV performing flight LH-435 from Chicago O'Hare,IL (USA) to Munich (Germany), was enroute at FL350 about 180nm southwest of Goose Bay,NL (Canada), when the crew reported an electrical smell in the aft galley, decided to divert to Boston, descended the aircraft to FL260 and further to FL200 but did not request any assistance. The aircraft landed safely on Boston's runway 22L about 100 minutes later. While taxiing towards the apron the crew requested emergency services to attend the aircraft reporting the electrical smell in the aft galley still persisted. Incident: TAME A320 near Guayaquil on Dec 26th 2011, technical problem By Simon Hradecky, created Tuesday, Dec 27th 2011 09:10Z, last updated Tuesday, Dec 27th 2011 09:10Z A TAME Linea Aerea Airbus A320-200, flight EQ-300 from Guayaquil to Quito (Ecuador) with 131 people on board, was in the initial climb out of Guayaquil when the crew requested to return to Guayaquil due to a technical problem. The aircraft landed safely about 20 minutes after departure. The flight was cancelled, the passengers were rebooked onto the next flights EQ-302 and EQ-304.

Airbus Updates No.573

Airbus A300

-622RF

621

D-AEAG

EAT Leipzig

ferried 27dec11 LEJ-SNN, basic JAL cs, for paint

ex N2621

Airbus A319

-114

641

D-AILH

Lufthansa

ferried 22dec11 SOF-MUC after interim storage

ex D-AVYV

Airbus A320

-231

354

UR-CJO

Khors Air

ferried 26dec11 IEV-MHD on lease to ATA Airlines

ex N254BV

Airbus A320

-216

4979

HS-ABV

Thai Air Asia

delivery 24-25dec11 XFW-SHJ-BKK

ex D-AVVM

Airbus A321

-211

4962

HZ-ASO

Saudi Arabian

delivery 24dec11 XFW-JED

ex D-AZAG

Airbus A330

-243

526

5B-DBT

Cyprus Airways

ferried 27dec11 MME-CHR on return to ILFC

ex F-WWKY

Airbus Updates No.572

Incident: British Airways A321 near London on Dec 20th 2011, both flight crew nearly passed out

By Simon Hradecky, created Friday, Dec 23rd 2011 13:34Z, last updated Friday, Dec 23rd 2011 13:37Z A British Airways Airbus A321-200, registration G-EUXL performing flight BA-1486 from London Heathrow,EN to Glasgow,SC (UK), was climbing through about FL200 out of London Heathrow's runway 27R when the crew declared PAN reporting they were lightheaded, levelled off at FL220 and decided to return to Heathrow for a safe landing on runway 27R about 30 minutes after departure. A replacement Airbus A321-200 registration G-EUXF reached Glasgow with a delay of 3 hours. Great Britain's Civil Aviation Authority confirmed both flight crew were light headed and after landing reported to emergency services that they both nearly passed out. The passenger oxygen masks were automatically released. The Air Accident Investigation Branch have opened an investigation. A passenger reported that there was a call on public audio from the cockpit requesting a senior cabin crew member to the flight deck, then cabin crew began to rush carrying portable oxygen cylinders and oxygen masks to the cockpit. Incident: SAA A343 at Cape Town on Dec 23rd 2011, rejected takeoff By Simon Hradecky, created Friday, Dec 23rd 2011 18:37Z, last updated Friday, Dec 23rd 2011 18:37Z A SAA South African Airways Airbus A340-300, registration ZS-SXE performing flight SA-334 from Cape Town to Johannesburg (South Africa), rejected takeoff from Cape Town's runway 19 at high speed due to problems with one of the right hand engines (CFM56). The airplane slowed safely and stopped about 1300 meters/4300 feet down the runway, emergency services responded and checked the brakes. About 10 minutes later the aircraft was able to taxi to the apron. The airport confirmed the aircraft rejected takeoff due to technical reasons. Incident: Swiss A343 near Istanbul on Dec 24th 2011, cracked windshield By Simon Hradecky, created Sunday, Dec 25th 2011 11:57Z, last updated Sunday, Dec 25th 2011 11:57Z A Swiss International Airlines Airbus A340-300, registration HB-JME performing flight LX-154 from Zurich (Switzerland) to Mumbai (India), was enroute at FL350 about 90nm southeast of Istanbul's Ataturk Airport when the crew reported a cracked windshield, descended the aircraft to FL260 and decided to return to Zurich. The aircraft landed safely in Zurich about 150 minutes later. A replacement Airbus A340-300 registration HB-JMK reached Mumbai with a delay of about 8 hours. Incident: Aer Lingus A320 near Brest on Dec 13th 2011, first officer incapacitated By Simon Hradecky, created Thursday, Dec 22nd 2011 16:37Z, last updated Sunday, Dec 25th 2011 14:52Z An Aer Lingus Airbus A320-200, registration EI-DEO performing flight EI-876 from Cork (Ireland) to Lanzarote,CI (Spain), was enroute at FL380 about 180nm west of Brest (France) and 220nm south of Cork when the first officer became ill and incapacitated prompting the captain to return to Cork for a safe landing on Cork's runway 35 in challenging gusting winds (tower providing frequent wind checks reporting winds from 250 at about 14 knots gusting up to 31-35 knots). The aircraft was able to depart again after about 5:20 hours on the ground and reached Lanzarote with a total delay of 7 hours. A passenger reported the captain announced the first officer had become ill. The passenger later added, that the landing back in Cork was excellent. The first officer apparently suffered from food poisoning and was able to walk off the aircraft by himself. A replacement flight and cabin crew performed the actual flight to Lanzarote. Incident: Air Berlin A332 at Dusseldorf and Istanbul on Dec 23rd 2011, unsafe gear By Simon Hradecky, created Sunday, Dec 25th 2011 16:08Z, last updated Sunday, Dec 25th 2011 16:08Z An Air Berlin Airbus A330-200, registration D-ALPG performing flight AB-7150 from Dusseldorf (Germany) to Bangkok (Thailand), was climbing out of Dusseldorf when the crew received an unsafe gear indication after retracting the gear and levelled off at FL100 for about one hour. The crew subsequently decided to continue the flight and climbed to FL370. Upon reaching the Black Sea about 140nm north of Istanbul the crew decided to divert to Istanbul's Ataturk reporting a technical fault and landed safely on runway 35L about 3:40 hours after departure. The aircraft was able to continue the flight the next day after about 18 hours ground time and reached Bangkok with a delay of 19:45 hours.

Airbus Updates No.571

Airbus A310

-325

674

S2-AFW

United Airways

delivery 23dec11 BOD-DAC

ex F-HBOS

Airbus A330

-343

1269

HS-TBB

Thai International

onward delivery 23dec11 FRA-BKK after seat instalment

ex F-WWKV

well that seems to be about it now with christmas less than 24 hours away and my little ones telling me only one more sleep until santa comes.....

May i take this time to wish all my readers around the world a Merry Charistmas and a Happy New Year

best wishes to you all

Airbus Updates No.570

Airbus Expands Orders, Boeing Set To Rebound

December 22, 2011

 

Airbus is on course to end 2011 with well over 1,600 orders, pushing Boeing to the lowest market share of their 40-year rivalry, but Boeing has stored up momentum for a comeback as both companies refresh their best-selling jets.
Although Boeing took a year longer than Airbus to revamp a key model to meet demand for lower fuel costs, both enjoy strong demand as Asian growth and the replacement of old aircraft in the United States blot out the euro crisis, at least for now.
The dominant jet makers track each other more closely in deliveries, which drive revenues and are considered a gauge of competition. Airbus is expected to remain ahead for the ninth year running as it meets a record goal of 520-530 deliveries.
Airbus has 1,529 firm orders so far this year, including an eight-plane deal announced since its November data.
The number already represents a new record for the European plane maker, which outsold Boeing for most of the past decade, sparking trade friction between Europe and the United States.
This year's lead is particularly pronounced because of demand for the revamped version of its 150-seat A320.
The re-engined A320neo aims to provide 12-15 percent in fuel savings due to new engines. Boeing has responded with the 737 MAX, a refresh of its most popular model that also involves new engines. Armed with data, both companies say their offering is better.
Underlying Airbus orders are higher still at 1,609 including a previously announced 80-plane deal with Republic Airways that did not immediately enter the order book.
That leaves 174 provisional A320neo orders still to be confirmed, many of which may trickle through in coming days judging by a pattern of chasing deadlines in previous years.
They include provisional orders for a total of 63 planes from Mexico's Volaris and Colombian AviancaTaca.
The industry will also be watching to see whether US lessor Air Lease completes a draft order for 36 A320neos this year after its influential founder Stephen Udvar-Hazy expressed doubts even while ordering the jet.
The California-based company has said it is negotiating with Airbus over its future A350, providing some potential leverage.
BOEING 2012 REBOUND
Boeing, by contrast, has 894 orders so far this year. Business is up since 2010, but Boeing slumped behind Airbus in the 2011 race as it hesitated over whether to match the A320neo or build a more ambitious new aircraft at the expense of near-term sales. It chose the first option by launching the 737 MAX.
"For nine months as Boeing hesitated, they left the A320neo almost alone on the market," Louis Gallois, chief executive of Airbus parent EADS, told analysts in remarks released this week.
Boeing has effectively ceded 2011 in volume terms to its rival, but may book further orders before the end of the year.
The only real suspense is over whether Boeing will achieve a 40 percent market share in 2011, the lower end of a 40-60 band that many analysts regard as the framework for a stable duopoly.
Currently it has a volume share of 37 percent and would need to sell over 180 aircraft by year-end to get back to 40 percent, with the target moving away from it as Airbus closes more deals.
The picture for Boeing may not be as bleak as a single year's figure would suggest. On average the rivals remain close.
Boeing has almost 800 provisional contracts for the 737 MAX waiting to be completed, including 462 for which the names of the buyers have not yet been disclosed.
Some may come through in coming days, but the bulk are expected to slip beyond the New Year, giving the company a head start for what many analysts expect to be a bounce-back in 2012.
The company also stuck close to its rival in value terms after a record slew of more than 200 orders for its 777 mini-jumbo.
The USD$300 million 1990s long-range jet is enjoying a second honeymoon with airlines after Airbus failed to allay criticism of its competing A350-1000, due out in 2017. While Airbus has been in the driving seat for narrow-bodies this year, analysts say Boeing is still setting the pace for many larger jets.
The two companies are preparing for a major battle over a USD$16 billion order expected to cover approximately 180 aircraft from United Airlines in the first quarter, including possibly 130 of the latest generation of revamped 150-seaters.
The aircraft makers are also expected to push hard over the holiday season to complete aircraft deliveries for 2011.
Airbus has already said it will beat a previous record of 510 deliveries and is expected to reach its goal of 520-530, though this implies its second-busiest December schedule after 2009.
Steady deliveries are seen as the lifeblood for both plane makers in 2012 as doubts gather over the economy and the ability of airlines to pay for their aircraft. Barring global recession, the industry insists for now financing is secure.

Airbus Updates No.569

Incident: US Airways A320 near Phoenix on Dec 15th 2011, flight crew member incapacitated

By Simon Hradecky, created Friday, Dec 16th 2011 17:21Z, last updated Friday, Dec 16th 2011 17:21Z A US Airways Airbus A320-200, registration N676AW performing flight US-144 from San Diego,CA to Philadelphia,PA (USA), was enroute at FL330 over Phoenix,AZ (USA) when a pilot became incapacitated. The other pilot diverted the aircraft to Phoenix,AZ for a safe landing about 50 minutes later. The FAA reported a flight crew member became incapacitated. Incident: Lufthansa A320 near Moscow on Dec 16th 2011, engine shut down in flight By Simon Hradecky, created Friday, Dec 16th 2011 14:56Z, last updated Friday, Dec 16th 2011 18:47Z A Lufthansa Airbus A320-200, registration D-AIQE performing flight LH-1446 from Frankfurt/Main (Germany) to Moscow Domodedovo (Russia) with 115 passengers, was on approach to Moscow descending through about 10,000 feet when the crew needed to shut the left hand engine (CFM56) down. The aircraft continued for a safe landing on Domodedovo's runway 14R about 12 minutes later at 17:20L (13:20Z). Russia's Rosaviatsia (Civil Aviation Authority) reported the aircraft arrived from Dusseldorf (with no aircraft from Dusseldorf due anywhere near that time), radar data however confirm the crew of flight LH-1446 squawked emergency. The right hand engine was shut down. The airline reported the left hand engine was shut down. Incident: Lufthansa A320 near Frankfurt on Dec 14th 2011, lightning strike By Simon Hradecky, created Friday, Dec 16th 2011 21:09Z, last updated Friday, Dec 16th 2011 21:09Z A Lufthansa Airbus A320-200, registration D-AIPZ performing flight LH-1458 from Franfurt/Main (Germany) to Saint Petersburg (Russia), was climbing through FL170 when the aircraft was struck by lightning. The crew decided to return to Frankfurt for a safe landing on runway 25L about 50 minutes after departure. A replacement Airbus A320-200 registration D-AIQF reached Saint Petersburg with a delay of 2.5 hours. A passenger reported the aircraft was hit by lightning and returned to Frankfurt, where the passengers remained on board for about 2 hours before moving to the replacement aircraft. Incident: PIA A313 at Dubai on Dec 17th 2011, burning smell By Simon Hradecky, created Saturday, Dec 17th 2011 15:15Z, last updated Saturday, Dec 17th 2011 18:07Z A PIA Pakistan International Airlines Airbus A310-300, registration AP-BEU performing flight PK-212 from Dubai (United Arab Emirates) to Islamabad (Pakistan), was climbing though FL230 out of Dubai when the crew reported a burning smell on board suspecting an engine problem and returned to Dubai for a safe landing about 30 minutes after departure. Maintenance could not determine the cause of the smell, the engines were ground run satisfactorily. Maintenance finally found traces of oil in a forward galley oven which produced the smell when the oven was turned on. The aircraft was subsequently released for flight, departed Dubai and is estimated to reach Islamabad with a delay of 4:15 hours.   Incident: Finnair A343 near Helsinki on Dec 17th 2011, engine shut down in flight By Simon Hradecky, created Sunday, Dec 18th 2011 15:07Z, last updated Sunday, Dec 18th 2011 15:09Z A Finnair Airbus A340-300, registration OH-LQF performing flight AY-89 from Helsinki (Finland) to Bangkok (Thailand) with 250 passengers, was in the initial climb out of Helsinki's runway 04R when the crew needed to shut engine #4 (CFM56, outboard right) down. The aircraft levelled off at about 3500 feet MSL and returned to Helsinki for a safe landing on runway 04R about 45 minutes after departure. A replacement Airbus A340-300 registration OH-LQE reached Bangkok with a delay of 5.5 hours. The airline said the engine was shut down as a precaution due to an indication of a possible problem Incident: Aeroflot A332 at Moscow on Dec 18th 2011, nose gear steering failure By Simon Hradecky, created Monday, Dec 19th 2011 17:02Z, last updated Monday, Dec 19th 2011 17:03Z An Aeroflot Airbus A330-200, registration VQ-BBE performing flight SU-896 from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk to Moscow Sheremetyevo (Russia), landed safely on Sheremetyevo's runway 07R with emergency services on standby following a nose gear steering failure. The aircraft had already suffered an incident in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk on the previous flight, see Incident: Aeroflot A332 at Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk on Dec 18th 2011, unsafe gear. Incident: Virgin Atlantic A346 near Rostov on Dec 19th 2011, hydraulic problems By Simon Hradecky, created Tuesday, Dec 20th 2011 11:49Z, last updated Tuesday, Dec 20th 2011 11:49Z A Virgin Atlantic Airways Airbus A340-600, registration G-VNAP performing flight VS-300 from London Heathrow,EN (UK) to Delhi (India), was enroute at FL370 about 250nm eastsoutheast of Rostov-on-Don (Russia) when the crew reported hydraulic problems and decided to turn around and return to London Heathrow where the aircraft landed safely on Heathrow's runway 27R about 4:10 hours later. The flight was subsequently cancelled. Incident: Condor A320 near Frankfurt on Dec 20th 2011, engine shut down in flight By Simon Hradecky, created Tuesday, Dec 20th 2011 17:14Z, last updated Tuesday, Dec 20th 2011 17:14Z A Condor Airbus A320-200, registration D-AICC performing flight DE-2776 from Frankfurt/Main (Germany) to Agadir (Morocco) with 142 passengers and 6 crew, had just reached cruise level 310 about 65nm southwest of Stuttgart (Germany) when the crew decided to shut an engine (CFM56) down as result of an abnormal indication. The aircraft returned to Frankfurt for a safe landing on runway 25C about 50 minutes later. The airline said the engine was shut down as a precaution following an abnormal indication. Incident: Aeroflot A332 at Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk on Dec 18th 2011, unsafe gear By Simon Hradecky, created Sunday, Dec 18th 2011 12:09Z, last updated Tuesday, Dec 20th 2011 17:53Z An Aeroflot Airbus A330-200, registration VQ-BBE performing flight SU-895 (dep Dec 17th) from Moscow Sheremetyevo to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk (Russia) with 205 passengers and 10 crew, was on approach to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk when the crew received an unsafe indication for the nose gear. The crew aborted the approach, managed to receive a down and locked indication for all gear following an alternate gear extension and landed safely with the gear doors open. The aircraft was towed off runway. The airline initially hoped to get the aircraft ready for the return flight on schedule (scheduled ground time 3 hours), the aircraft departed for flight SU-896 with a delay of about 2.5 hours in the end and reached Moscow with a delay of 95 minutes. Rosaviatsia reported maintenance determined the indication was false. On Dec 20th 2011 the Far Eastern Prosecution Office reported that a nose gear sensor had iced up due to rain at Moscow and temperatures below freezing in flight. The office emphatically rejected media reports of a crash or crash landing, that were published throughout Russia. Incident: Germanwings A319 near Cologne on Dec 20th 2011, unruly passenger By Simon Hradecky, created Wednesday, Dec 21st 2011 16:01Z, last updated Wednesday, Dec 21st 2011 16:01Z A Germanwings Airbus A319-100, registration D-AGWC performing flight 4U-948 from Cologne (Germany) to Belgrade (Serbia) with 147 passengers and 6 crew, was climbing out of Cologne when a female passenger started shouting offenses and moved uncoordinated/uncontrolled. Cabin crew attempted to calm the passenger down, however, when the passenger refused to comply with instructions the captain decided also considering the uncoordinated/uncontrolled movements to return to Cologne to offload the passenger. The aircraft levelled off at FL140 and returned to Cologne for a safe landing on runway 32R about 25 minutes after departure. The passenger was taken into custody by police. The aircraft departed again after about 2.5 hours on the ground and reached Belgrade with a total delay of 4.5 hours (first departure was already delayed by about 2 hours). Incident: Qantas A388 at Singapore on Dec 20th 2011, nose gear trouble By Simon Hradecky, created Wednesday, Dec 21st 2011 16:55Z, last updated Wednesday, Dec 21st 2011 16:55Z A Qantas Airbus A380-800, registration VH-OQJ performing flight QF-10 (dep Dec 19th) from London Heathrow,EN (UK) to Singapore (Singapore), landed on Singapore's runway 02C with emergency services on stand by and was towed off the runway. A passenger reported that following landing the captain explained they had a "technical indication on the 'engineering computer' (his words) for the nose wheel" which is why they were being towed off the runway. The captain also stated that the emergency services were on stand by as a precaution and there was nothing to worry about. The aircraft was able to perform its onward leg to Melbourne,VI (Australia) departing Singpore and reaching Melbourne with a delay of about 5 hours. Incident: TAM A319 near Rio de Janeiro on Dec 22nd 2011, brakes problem By Simon Hradecky, created Thursday, Dec 22nd 2011 23:10Z, last updated Thursday, Dec 22nd 2011 23:10Z A TAM Linhas Aereas Airbus A319-100, registration PT-TMG performing flight JJ-3065 from Aracaju,SE to Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont,RJ (Brazil), diverted to Rio de Janeiro's Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport for a safe landing on the longer runway due to a brakes problem. Santos Dumont Airport's longest runway is 1323 meters/4340 feet long while Galeao Jobim International Airport offers a runway of 4000 meters/13120 feet.

Airbus Updates No.568

Incident: Air Berlin A332 over Atlantic on Dec 8th 2011, odour on board

By Simon Hradecky, created Sunday, Dec 11th 2011 14:08Z, last updated Sunday, Dec 11th 2011 14:08Z An Air Berlin Airbus A330-200, registration D-ALPE performing flight AB-7451 from New York JFK,NY (USA) to Dusseldorf (Germany), was enroute at FL370 about 130nm west of St. John's,NL (Canada) when the crew reported an unidentifyable odour on board, turned around and requested to divert to Bangor,MA (USA). The crew subsequently decided to return to New York's JFK Airport for a safe landing on runway 31R with emergency services on stand by about 2:40 hours later. The incident aircraft was able to depart again after about 17 hours on the ground in New York and reached Dusseldorf with a total delay of 22 hours. Incident: British Airways A319 near Zurich on Dec 11th 2011, smoke in cockpit By Simon Hradecky, created Sunday, Dec 11th 2011 21:47Z, last updated Sunday, Dec 11th 2011 21:47Z A British Airways Airbus A319-100, registration G-EUOC performing flight BA-720 from London Heathrow,EN (UK) to Zurich (Switzerland), was on approach to Zurich when the crew reported smoke in the cockpit. The approach was accelerated, the aircraft landed safely on runway 34. After landing the crew reported operation had returned to normal, the aircraft taxied to the gate with emergency services following the aircraft. Incident: Jetblue A320 near Rochester on Dec 11th 2011, smell of smoke in cockpit By Simon Hradecky, created Monday, Dec 12th 2011 22:14Z, last updated Monday, Dec 12th 2011 22:14Z A Jetblue Airbus A320-200, registration N565JB performing flight B6-87 from New York JFK,NY to Salt Lake City,UT (USA) with 137 people on board, was enroute at FL340 about 60nm south of Rochester,NY (USA) when the crew reported smell of smoke in the cockpit and diverted to Rochester for a safe landing about 23 minutes later. Responding emergency services found no trace of fire or heat. Maintenance determined a faulty heating fan as source of the burning smell. A replacement Airbus A320 reached Salt Lake City with a delay of 5 hours. Incident: Cathay A343 near Hong Kong on Dec 12th 2011, engine shut down in flight By Simon Hradecky, created Tuesday, Dec 13th 2011 13:34Z, last updated Tuesday, Dec 13th 2011 13:34Z A Cathay Pacific Airbus A340-300, registration B-HXC performing flight CX-471 from Taipei (Taiwan) to Hong Kong (China) with 148 passengers and 10 crew, was on approach to Hong Kong about 20 minutes prior to estimated landing when the crew needed to shut engine #4 (CFM56, outboard right hand) down. The aircraft continued for a safe landing in Hong Kong Incident: Kuwait A313 near Dubai on Dec 11th 2011, loss of cabin pressure By Simon Hradecky, created Tuesday, Dec 13th 2011 15:27Z, last updated Tuesday, Dec 13th 2011 15:27Z A Kuwait Airways Airbus A310-300, registration 9K-ALB performing flight KU-672 from Dubai (United Arab Emirates) to Kuwait (Kuwait) with 81 passengers, was enroute at FL360 westnorthwest of Dubai when the crew descended the aircraft due to the loss of cabin pressure and released the passenger oxygen masks, but stopped the descent at FL260 recognizing that cabin pressure could be maintained at that altitude. The crew decided to continue the flight to Kuwait where the aircraft landed safely about one hour later. Maintenance determined a malfunction in the outflow valve control. The control unit was replaced permitting the aircraft to resume service 11 hours after landing. Incident: Air Berlin A320 near Madrid on Dec 12th 2011, fuel leak By Simon Hradecky, created Tuesday, Dec 13th 2011 15:51Z, last updated Tuesday, Dec 13th 2011 15:51Z An Air Berlin Airbus A320-200, registration D-ABFG performing flight AB-7522 from Palma Mallorca,SP to Santiago de Compostela,SP (Spain), was enroute at FL390 about 20nm north of Madrid,SP when the crew decided to divert to Madrid due to a fuel leak. The aircraft landed safely on Madrid's runway 18R about 23 minutes later. After about 2 hours on the ground the aircraft was able to depart again and reached Santiago de Compostela with a total delay of 3 hours. Incident: Iberia A320 near Palma Mallorca and Athens on Dec 13th 2011, loss of communication By Simon Hradecky, created Tuesday, Dec 13th 2011 16:14Z, last updated Tuesday, Dec 13th 2011 16:14Z An Iberia Airbus A320-200, registration EC-HGZ performing flight IB-3884 from Madrid,SP (Spain) to Athens (Greece), was enroute at FL320 about 50nm east of Palma Mallorca,SP (Spain) when the aircraft began to transmit the transponder code for loss of communication. Air Traffic Control found out that the crew was able to hear ATC on the international emergency frequency but was unable to transmit on any radio, one way communication was established by ATC transmitting their instructions and clearances on that frequency and the crew acknowledging receipt of the instructions by sending ident via their transponder. The aircraft continued to Athens for an ILS approach and safe landing on runway 21R about 140 minutes later. Incident: Easyjet A319 near Asturias on Dec 14th 2011, technical problems By Simon Hradecky, created Wednesday, Dec 14th 2011 19:12Z, last updated Wednesday, Dec 14th 2011 19:13Z An Easyjet Airbus A319-100, registration G-EZIZ performing flight U2-3085 from London Stansted,EN (UK) to Asturias,SP (Spain), was on approach to Asturias Airport (runway length 7200 feet/2200 meters) about 50nm north of the aerodrome, when the crew aborted the approach at FL220 due to technical problems. The crew subsequently decided to divert to Madrid,SP (Spain), climbed back to FL300, requested emergency services on stand by in Madrid and landed safely on runway 18R (length 14,260 feet/4350 meters) of Madrid's Barajas Airport about 50 minutes after aborting the approach to Asturias. The aircraft was able to complete the journey in the evening and reached Asturias with a total delay of 6 hours. Incident: Frontier A319 near Yakima on Dec 14th 2011, unruly coffee pot By Simon Hradecky, created Wednesday, Dec 14th 2011 20:39Z, last updated Wednesday, Dec 14th 2011 20:39Z A Frontier Airlines Airbus A319-100, registration N918FR performing flight F9-844 from Seattle,WA to Denver,CO (USA) with 138 passengers, was enroute at FL310 about 80nm east of Yakima Air Terminal,WA when the crew reported smoke in the aft galley and diverted to Yakima for a safe landing about 24 minutes later. Firefighters entered the aircraft and checked the aft galley, found evidence of smoke but no trace of fire or heat. Passengers reported they were entirely unaware of smells or smoke and were surprised by the massive presence of emergency services. The fire department reported their initial information was the smoke may have come from a coffee pot. Food inside an adjacent oven may also have been the source of the smoke. Traces of smoke were found, however, no source of fire or heat. The aircraft is being examined. A replacement aircraft is estimated to reach Denver with a delay of 6 hours. Incident: CSA A320 near Prague on Dec 15th 2011, cracked windshield By Simon Hradecky, created Friday, Dec 16th 2011 14:31Z, last updated Friday, Dec 16th 2011 14:31Z A CSA Czech Airlines Airbus A320-200, registration OK-GEB performing flight OK-700 from Prague (Czech Republic) to Madrid,SP (Spain) with 126 passengers, was enroute at FL370 about 160nm westsouthwest of Prague and 30nm westsouthwest of Nuremberg (Germany) when the aircraft descende to FL250 and turned around due to a cracked windshield. The aircraft landed safely back on Prague's runway 24 about 50 minutes later. A replacement Airbus A321-200 registration OK-CEC reached Madrid with a delay of 3 hours. The airline reported the outer pane of the windshield cracked. Incident: United A319 over Kentucky on Dec 15th 2011, loss of weather radar By Simon Hradecky, created Friday, Dec 16th 2011 16:05Z, last updated Friday, Dec 16th 2011 16:06Z A United Airbus A319-100, registration N808UA performing flight UA-963 performing flight UA-963 from Washington Dulles,DC to Dallas Ft. Worth,TX (USA), was enroute at FL320 over the state of Kentucky when the weather radar of the aircraft failed. Due to a frontal system with embedded thunderstorms ahead the crew decided in consultation with dispatch, that they would follow another company aircraft to Houston,TX flying about 15nm ahead and divert to Houston, where the aircraft landed safely about 90 minutes later. A replacement Boeing 737-700 registration N16713 reached Dallas as flight UA-1753 with a delay of 5:45 hours. A passenger reported that the weather radar apparently was lost near Bowling Green,KY. After the crew consulted with dispatch and coordinated the diversion to Houston trailing another company aircraft the captain announced that due to the failure of the weather radar they were now following another United aircraft with a working weather radar to Houston. Due to a line of thunderstorms ahead and their own failed weather radar they were not able to continue to Dallas. In Houston they hoped for a quick fix and continuation to Dallas. After landing in Houston a mechanics came on board, a circuit breaker was reset and the captain announced they were ready to go once the aircraft was fueled and paperwork completed, but some time later announced that the aircraft was not useable. The passengers disembarked to a new aircraft, however, no flight crew was available for that aircraft, the assigned replacement flight crew had insufficient remaining duty time after a hold up by customs. A replacement replacement flight crew arriving from Austin finally took them to Dallas.

Airbus Updates No.567

Airbus A310	-324F	684		M-YRGR	HSH Nordbank	ferried 22dec11** MIR-BOD, basic Deccan 360 cs	ex VT-AIN
Airbus A319	-111	3255		OO-SSW	Brussels Airlines	at DUB 21dec11 in full cs, dual reg prior delivery	ex EI-ETG

Airbus A320	-212	299		LY-VEZ	Avion Express	ferried 22dec11 WOE-GLA-YMX for cabin configuration	ex PH-AAZ
Airbus A320	-212	419		LY-VEY?	Avion Express?	N-reg canx 20dec11, parked at YMX	ex N419AG
Airbus A320	-233	1526		LV-CQS	LAN Argentina	ferried 17dec11 SCL-EZE on transfer, in svc from 23dec11	ex CC-COI
Airbus A320	-232	2747		OE-IBD	AerCap	ferried 22dec11 AUH-BUD	ex VT-DKS
Airbus A320	-232	2753		OE-IBE	AerCap	ferried 22dec11 AUH-BUD	ex VT-DKT

Airbus A320

-214

4942

PR-AVU

Avianca Brasil

delivery 22dec11 XFW-TFS-NAT-CGH

ex F-WWBV

Airbus A320	-214	4948		N847VA	Virgin America	delivery 22dec11 TLS-KEF-BGR-MIA	ex F-WWDH
Airbus A320	-232	4951		N609NK	Spirit Airlines	delivery 23dec11 TLS-YYR-FLL	ex F-WWDI
Airbus A320	-214	4959		N848VA	Virgin America	delivery 23dec11 TLS-KEF-BGR-MIA	ex F-WWDJ
Airbus A320	-214	4963		B-6828	Air China	delivery 23dec11 TLS-SVX-PEK	ex F-WWDP
Airbus A320	-214	4964		D-ABFY	Air Berlin	delivery 22dec11 XFW-DXB. all wh, for China Southern	ex D-AXAZ

Airbus A320

-214

4972

CC-BAV

LAN Airlines

delivery 22-23dec11 XFW-LPA-REC-SCL

ex D-AVVC

Airbus A330	-243	427		C-GTSI	Air Transat	regd 20dec11, delivery 21dec11 MAN-YUL	ex G-OJMB
Airbus A330	-243MRTT	1046		G-VYGA	Air Tanker Ltd	regd 22dec11, painted as Royal Air Force ZZ331	ex EC-337

Airbus A340

-313

373

LV-CSX

Aerolineas Argentinas

delivery 22dec11 OPO-EZE

ex F-GNIH

Airbus Updates No.566

The pre christmas clear out at airbus continues.................................

Airbus A320	-232	4930		A7-AHQ	Qatar Airways	delivery 21dec11 TLS-DOH	ex F-WWBI
Airbus A320	-232	4934		A6-EIO	Etihad Airways	delivery 20dec11 TLS-AUH	ex F-WWBP

Airbus A320	-214	4939		N939AV	Avianca	delivery 20-21dec11 TLS-TFS-FOR-BOG	ex F-WWBN
Airbus A320	-233	4944		N684TA	TACA	delivery 21dec11 TLS-KEF-YYZ-SJO	ex F-WWBZ
Airbus A320	-216	4969		9M-AQH	Air Asia	delivery 20dec11 XFW-SHJ-KUL	ex D-AVVB
Airbus A320	-214	4972		CC-BAV	LAN Airlines	delivery 21-22dec11 XFW-LPA-REC-SCL	ex D-AVVC

Airbus A321

-211

1219

VQ-BOE

Nordwind Airlines

delivery 20dec11 SEN-SVO

ex M-ABED

Airbus A330	-343	1246		SU-GDV	Egyptair	delivery 21dec11 TLS-CAI	ex F-WWKV
Airbus A330	-343	1263		HS-TBA	Thai International	onward delivery 20dec11 FRA-BKK after seat instalment	ex F-WWYC

Airbus Updates No.565

Airbus A310

-222

419

HS-PCC

P.C.Air

1st in svc 16dec11 BKK-URT-BKK in full cs

ex RPDL-34181

Airbus A319

-115ACJ

2487

4K-AI02

Azerbaijan Airlines

re-regd in svc at IST / BRN 14oct11/18dec11, “Baku-2”

ex 4K-AZ01

Airbus A320

-211

283

N754US

GECAS

ferried 19dec11 GYR-ROW after storage

ex YL-LCG

Airbus A320

-212

289

SE-RJM

Air Sweden

ferried 19dec11 ARN-SAW after storage

ex F-WBGE

Airbus A320

-214

4974

PR-MYO

TAM

delivery 19-20dec11 XFW-SID-GRU

ex D-AVVK

Airbus A330

-343

833

CS-TRH

XL Airways France

ferried 16dec11 MAD-NTE on winter lease from Orbest with XL titl

ex EC-KCO

Airbus A340

-313

123

LV-CSD

Aerolineas Argentinas

delivery 19dec11 HKG-AKL-EZE

ex B-HXM

Airbus Updates No.564

Airbus A310

-304

448

CS-TKI

White

ferried 16-17dec11 SIN-AUH-LIS after lease to Air Niugini

ex C-GRYA

Airbus A320

-214

4490

5A-LAJ

Libyan Airlines

ferried 18dec11 TIP-TLS after storage

ex D-AUBI

Airbus A330

-243

526

5B-DBT

Cyprus Airways

ferried 17dec11 FRA-MME prior return to ILFC

ex F-WWKY

Airbus Updates No.563

Airbus Sees At Least 30 A380 Deliveries In 2012

December 17, 2011

  Airbus will deliver at least 30 A380 superjumbos in 2012 after meeting its target for at least 25 in 2011, chief operating officer Fabrice Bregier said in remarks published on Friday.

Bregier was speaking to a closed meeting of analysts in London after the European plane maker delivered its 24th A380 for 2011 to Australia's Qantas late on Thursday.

Airbus had previously predicted more than 25 A380 deliveries in 2012. Airlines pay on delivery for most of the value of the aircraft, which sells for USD$375 million at list prices before discounts typically available to customers.

The A380, which went severely off schedule and financial target due to production problems in 2005 and 2006, is expected to make an operating profit before R&D in 2015, based on a euro at USD$1.35, Bregier said, according to a slide presentation.

He said Airbus had reduced airframe production costs on the world's largest airliner to a level equivalent to 65 on an index where 100 represents the costs in 2009, according to a copy of the presentation issued online. EADS said it would issue a recording of this and other speeches after the two-day event.

The index is expected to fall to 62 in 2012 and 61 in 2013.

Bregier is expected to become chief executive of the world's largest commercial plane maker when key mandates come up for renewal in 2012, with the current chief executive Tom Enders stepping up to run parent EADS.
Bregier said another aircraft that has seen significant production problems, the Airbus A400M military airlifter, would receive its safety certification in the second quarter of 2012.

The first European troop and heavy cargo transporter is on the assembly line and will be delivered to the French Air Force in March 2013 as agreed with purchasing nations, Airbus said. The aircraft is around four years late due to engine problems.

Airbus Updates No.562

Emirates Eyes More A380 Orders - CEO

December 16, 2011

 

Emirates, the largest customer for the Airbus A380 superjumbo, is hoping to soon place more orders for the 525-seat aircraft, the airline's chief executive told a German newspaper.

"I am personally very keen to get more A380s. I hope that we will soon order some," Emirates CEO Tim Clark was quoted as saying by daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung.

Any purchases on top of the 90 superjumbos already ordered would depend on how much capacity could be created at Dubai airport, he was quoted as saying in the paper's Friday edition.

"Almost all the flights with the A380 are full," Clark said, adding that he had never experienced an aircraft quite as popular.

Emirates continues to see good demand, the Clark added.

"At the moment planes are still pretty full."

Airbus Updates No.561

Airbus A310

-324F

684

M-YRGR

NSH Nordbank

ferried 16dec11 MIR-BOD, basic Deccan 360 cs

ex VT-AIN

Airbus A320

-214

4936

JA802P

Peach Aviation

delivery 17dec11 TLS-DXB

ex F-WWBU

Airbus A340

-311

2

S2-

Rajshahi Air

delivery 17dec11 LDE-TUN, M-reg

ex M-YRGU

Airbus A380

-841

36

B-6137

China Southern

delivery 17dec11 TLS-PEK

ex F-WWAM

Airbus A380

-861

86

A6-EDS

Emirates

delivery 16dec11 XFW-DXB

ex F-WWSB

Airbus Updates No.560

Airbus A320

-211

44

F-GHQC

Air France

ferried 15dec11 ORY-LDE for part-out & scrap

Airbus A320	-212	288		TC-FBF	Freebird Airlines	ferried 15dec11 IST-KEF-BGR-GYR on return to lessor	ex 9H-AED
Airbus A320	-214	4623		TS-INH	Nouvelair	delivery 16dec11 TLS-MIR	ex F-WWBY

Airbus A321

-211

1219

VQ-BOE?

Nordwind Airlines

ferried 15/16dec11 SEN-MSE-SEN, M-reg prior delivery

ex M-ABED

Airbus A321

-231

4960

N553UW

US Airways

delivery 16dec11 XFW-BGR-PIT

ex D-AZAF

Airbus A330	-302	1274		B-16333	EVA Air	delivery 15dec11 TLS-TPE	ex F-WWKE
Airbus A380	-842	74		VH-OQL	Qantas	delivery 16-17dec11 TLS-SIN-SYD	ex F-WWSL

Airbus Updates No.559

Airbus A310

-325

674

S2-

United Airways

mx flt at BOD 14dec11 in full cs , F-reg prior delivery

ex F-HBOS

Airbus A319

-112

588

I-EEZQ

MeridianaFly

ferried 14dec11 OLB-EGBP after storage

ex F-OOUA

Airbus A320	-232	4926		ZK-OJS	Air New Zealand	delivery 14dec11 TLS-YQX-DEN	ex F-WWIT
Airbus A320	-233	4950		N508VL	Volaris	delivery 14dec11 XFW-KEF-BGR-TLC	ex D-AXAS
Airbus A320	-214	4953		PR-MYN	TAM	delivery 12-13dec11 XFW-SID-GRU	ex D-AXAU
Airbus A320	-214	4955		HZ-ASF	Saudi Arabian	delivery 14dec11 XFW-JED	ex D-AXAW

Airbus A330	-302	1272		B-18356	China Airlines	delivery 14dec11 TLS-TPE	ex F-WWKD
Airbus A320	-214	4958		A6-ANH	Air Arabia	delivery 14dec11 XFW-SHJ	ex D-AXAX