British Airways passengers, crew escape plane fire in Las Vegas

A British Airways jetliner engine caught fire in Las Vegas as the plane was about to leave for London on Tuesday, forcing the pilots to abort takeoff, but all 172 passengers and crew escaped the smoke and flames that quickly enveloped the aircraft.

Several passengers and crew suffered minor injuries and were taken to the hospital as a precaution, a spokeswoman for the airline said. She did not say how many people were injured.

Video and photographs from the scene showed Flight 2276, a Boeing Co (BA.N) 777 bound for Gatwick, engulfed in flames and thick black smoke at McCarran International Airport.

Passengers were evacuated from the twin-engine, wide-body jet to the runway using emergency slides, officials said.

"Our crew evacuated the aircraft safely and the fire was quickly extinguished by the emergency services at the airport," the British Airways spokeswoman said.

Aeroflot to buy Transaero in tie-up of Russia's biggest airlines

Aeroflot, Russia’s largest airline by passenger traffic, agreed to take over its closest competitor Transaero Airlines as the country’s economic woes shake the industry.

A government commission backed the “consolidation” in a meeting led by First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov, Transaero said in an e-mailed statement Tuesday. The board of state-controlled Aeroflot will vote to buy 75 percent plus 1 share of Transaero, according to a government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The combined airline will probably fly more than half of all domestic passengers, according to Andrei Rozhkov, a transportation analyst at Moscow-based IFC Metropol.

“Weak airlines are leaving the market or reducing their business, on the one hand,” he said by phone. “Aeroflot is getting a boost from the Transaero deal, on the other hand.”

Transaero blamed a “sharp” devaluation of the ruble for reduced sales of international flights and increased payouts on foreign-exchange denominated loans, according to an Aug. 21 statement on its website. The company borrowed in 2010 to 2013 to expand its fleet, it said.

“In an economic situation that has been fairly described as a perfect storm, Transaero Airlines no doubt is experiencing difficulties,” the company said in the statement.

Transaero had debt of 64.8 billion rubles ($990 million) as of Dec. 31, Vedomosti reported. About 31 percent of it was foreign-exchange denominated at a time when the domestic currency plunged amid international sanctions over Ukraine and slumping oil prices, according to another Vedomosti report. Airbus Group SE last month announced it postponed the delivery of its A380 superjumbo to the Russian carrier.

Russian airline passenger traffic rebounded year on year in the January to July period, according to the Federal Agency of Air Transport. Transaero carried 2.7 percent more passengers during these seven months from a year earlier, the data showed.
Passenger numbers fell 2.3 percent to 17 million in the first quarter, the first decline since 2009, the air transport agency said.

Lufthansa Group says over 500 planned flights will operate despite the strike

1,000 Lufthansa flights cancelled; 140,000 travellers affected

The Vereinigung Cockpit pilots’ union has called on its members to take strike action tomorrow (Wednesday 9 September) affecting Lufthansa short- and medium-haul services from Germany. Lufthansa deeply regrets the resulting inconvenience to its customers.

All in all, the Lufthansa Group had some 3,000 flights planned for tomorrow. Of these, 1,520 flights with 180,000 travellers booked on them were to have been operated by Lufthansa. And 1,350 of these are short- and medium-haul services. Despite the strike action, over 500 Lufthansa flights will be able to operate tomorrow. The services of Germanwings, SWISS, Austrian Airlines and Brussels Airlines are not affected, and will operate as scheduled.

Any customers whose flight is cancelled as a result of the strike will be able to rebook or to cancel their booking free of charge or penalty. All travellers holding a Lufthansa ticket for a flight from, to or via Frankfurt, Munich or Düsseldorf on 9 September will also be able to make one free rebooking online at LH.com under “My Bookings”. Travellers within Germany whose Lufthansa flight is cancelled as a result of the strike will be able to use the trains of Deutsche Bahn instead, by converting their air ticket into a rail ticket either online at LH.com (“My Bookings”) or at a Lufthansa check-in machine.

Lufthansa’s long-haul network will also see some cancellations tomorrow. Fifty-two of the 176 long-haul services planned for Wednesday 9 September will have to be cancelled as a result of the strike action, partly because – as a consequence of today’s strike – the aircraft concerned are not yet back where they need to be to operate tomorrow’s services as scheduled.

Boeing, Jet2.com finalize order for 27 next generation 737-800s

Boeing and UK Leisure Airline Jet2.com have finalized an order for 27 Next Generation 737-800s, valued at approximately $2.6 billion at current list prices.

Jet2.com currently operates an all-Boeing fleet of nearly 60 aircraft; however, this is the organization's first direct Boeing order.

The aircraft will be used to take the company's package holiday and flight only customers to leisure destinations in the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands and also to a combination of exciting European leisure cities.

Philip Meeson, Executive Chairman of Jet2.com said: "Today's order for 27 additional 737-800NGs will be delivered over the next two years and will provide Jet2.com with the necessary cost effective, reliable and comfortable environment to allow us to build upon our already highly successful family friendly business. We are extremely pleased to have finalized this order for more of what has already proven to be a popular aircraft within our fleet.''

Todd Nelp, Vice President of European Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes commented: ''The 737-800 is the best-selling version of the highly successful Next-Generation 737 family and has accumulated more than 6,900 orders worldwide. We are very proud that Jet2.com has again selected Boeing to meet its continuing fleet requirements.''

Jet2.com is a subsidiary of Dart Group PLC, a UK Aim listed Leisure Travel and Distribution & Logistics Group. The Company commenced commercial aircraft operations in 1983 and passenger flights to sun destinations from Leeds Bradford Airport in 2003. Jet2.com now flies over 3 million customers each year through a combination of package holidays and flight only services to 55 destinations across 364 holiday resorts from 7 Northern departure bases.

Comlux America completes 9th VIP interior completion

Comlux America, the Completion and Services center of the Comlux Group based in Indianapolis IN, has just completed their 9th VIP interior completion on an Airbus ACJ320 aircraft. The Airbus Corporate Jet was completed for a private customer. This is Comlux America’s 4th ACJ interior completion overall since becoming an authorized service center for Airbus in 2010.

The VIP interior of the ACJ320 features a modern interior balanced with a classic European flare. Comlux Creatives led the design under the direction of Lauri Church and in partnership with Fiona Riddle of In Flight Solutions, the customer design representative. Throughout the cabin, the style and colors are very elegant, with various shades of white and cream that contrast beautifully with the dark veneer. “We worked closely with the customer and his family to create a beautiful, modern interior that has a residential feel, stated Fiona Riddle. “Each area has its own unique elements, while maintaining a muted color palate to allow the flow between rooms to feel natural and relaxing.” The interior was designed to maintain comfort and has a family friendly environment. It could also serve as a traveling business office. The owner also has his own private quarters in the Master Suite. For business meetings and long trips the aircraft includes Business class seating, a Fwd. Lounge and a Staff area. The light weight cabin optimizes the overall range performance while achieving an unparalleled noise level in the Master bedroom measuring a staggering 45.4 dB SIL.

The aircraft features a Venue IFE system that has Airshow for real time map and flight information. The IFE can be streamed wirelessly to the IPADs available on board the aircraft. In addition to IFE, throughout the aircraft there is Quasar lighting which offers an infinitely variable color pallet to choose from including mood lighting. Truly this aircraft comes equipped with everything a client might want or need to have while traveling and serves as a home away from home.

“Since day one, we have been very engaged with the customer at every step on this program. We were able to meet their individual tastes and needs while delivering a one-of-a-kind, modern, ACJ 320 interior on time and at the highest level of quality. We continue to demonstrate that Comlux has a major worldwide presence in the completion industry.” says Scott Meyer, Comlux America’s CEO “The completion of this aircraft, along with the arrival of our first VIP wide body aircraft, an A330 last month, further demonstrates the continued progression of our enterprise worldwide.”

Citation Latitude now in the hands of customers with deliveries underway

Cessna Aircraft Company, a subsidiary of Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. сompany, today announced the first deliveries of its newest midsize jet, the Cessna Citation Latitude, and a national tour to demonstrate its stand-up, flat floor cabin.

“Incorporating our customers’ input into the initial concepts of the Citation Latitude to now having the aircraft in their hands is both rewarding and exciting for everyone at Textron Aviation,” said Scott Ernest, president and CEO, Textron Aviation. “Like each new model, the Latitude reflects our continued investment in bringing products to market with the latest technology, enhanced performance and best value proposition. The momentum continues with the ongoing global tour and opportunity for prospective customers to see firsthand the latest in the Citation stable of products, which sets the standard for what they can expect to see from new products in the future.”

Among the first operators to take delivery of the Citation Latitude is Aircraft Management Group, Inc., in Pittsburgh, which will offer the aircraft as part of the company’s charter operation.

John Sieckowski, president of Aircraft Management Group, said customers prefer the comfort of the wide cabin and the flexibility of flying into smaller airports. “What’s appealing is that it’s got the amenities of larger aircraft but the flexibility to fly into short fields with trans-continental range,” he said. “That appeals to a lot of customers.”

Over the next year, Sieckowski expects the addition of the Latitude to the fleet to expand his customer base by allowing him to offer flights to the west coast and Europe.

As part of its global debut, prospective U.S. customers will have the opportunity to experience the Latitude during a 28-day, 39-airport, coast-to-coast demonstration tour beginning Aug. 31 at Chicago Executive Airport. Other stops will include executive and international airports in locations such as Milwaukee, Indianapolis, Cleveland, White Plains, Orlando, Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, Denver, Salt Lake City, Boston, Seattle and several cities in California.

The U.S. tour follows an active entry into service for the Latitude, with previous successfully completed missions for its debut at major tradeshows in Europe and Latin America. In addition to its first trans-Atlantic crossing, the aircraft recently completed its first U.S. coast-to-coast and trans-Pacific flights. Additional tours are planned for Europe, the Middle East and Asia later this year.

China building two aircraft carriers

China is building two aircraft carriers that will be the same size as its sole carrier, a 60,000-tonne refurbished Soviet-era ship, according to a new Taiwanese Defence Ministry report on the capabilities of the People's Liberation Army (PLA).

Little is known about China's aircraft carrier program, which is a state secret, although Chinese state media have hinted new vessels are being built. The Pentagon, in a report earlier this year, said Beijing could build multiple aircraft carriers over the next 15 years.

One of the new vessels is being built in Shanghai and the other in the northeastern city of Dalian, said the Taiwanese report, which was obtained by Reuters.

It gave no estimate for when construction would be finished.

The Chinese Defence Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. China is on a three-day national holiday to commemorate victory over Japan in World War Two.

A Taiwanese Defence Ministry spokesman said details on the carrier program came from the ministry's intelligence unit. He declined to give further details on the report, which was sent to parliament this week.

Taiwanese intelligence agencies closely monitor Chinese military developments because Beijing has never renounced the use of force to take back what it deems a renegade province.

As carriers are commissioned for service into China's navy, a command unit would be set up with "the goal to unify power and accelerate combat capabilities", the report added.

The Liaoning, a carrier bought from Ukraine in 1998 and refitted in China, has taken part in military exercises, including in the disputed South China Sea, but is not yet fully operational.

Successfully operating the Liaoning is the first step in what some military experts believe will be the deployment of Chinese-built carriers by 2020.

The Taiwanese report added that of China's 1.24 million-strong ground forces, 400,000 could be used in combat against the island.

Chinese special forces had held mock battles at the Zhurihe training base in Inner Mongolia using a full-scale model of Taiwan's presidential office and nearby government buildings and roads, the report said.

The PLA's Second Artillery Force and bombers had also practiced attacks in an area near Dingxin air force base in Gansu province that is modeled on Taichung Airport in central Taiwan, which is used for both commercial and military purposes, the report said.

China-Taiwan ties have generally improved under Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou, but China has maintained that any declaration of independence or moves toward independence would prompt it to use force to take back the island.

Taiwan has been self-ruled since 1949 when Chiang Kai-shek fled to Taiwan with his Nationalist forces after losing a civil war with Mao Zedong's Communists.