FedEx wants to equip some aircraft with military-style missile countermeasures

 

FedEx wants to equip some aircraft with military-style missile countermeasures, which could allow it to continue flying over contested areas that might otherwise be closed to air traffic, according to a filing posted by the Federal Aviation Administration.

In a notice of this “special condition” posted Friday, the FAA dryly observed that its design standards for commercial cargo planes “did not envisage that a design feature could project infrared laser energy outside the airplane” and therefore it sought special approval for this “novel design feature.” The proposed infrared laser system is intended to fool missiles fired from the ground.

“In recent years, in several incidents abroad, civilian aircraft were fired upon by man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS),” FAA said in its filing. “The FedEx missile-defense system directs infrared laser energy toward an incoming missile, in an effort to interrupt the missile’s tracking of the aircraft’s heat.”

When tensions in contested regions rise, the FAA tends to restrict civilian air traffic around those areas, forcing them to fly less-direct routes that cost more in time and fuel burn.

JAMES G. WAWERU

Senior aviation Editor,

James is a navigator/FOM2 currently blogging at airbizafrica. 

He is an aviation ethusiast and has an eye for details that 

often helps him spot the best stories of the day... 

BREAKING Emirates suspends flights to nine U.S. destinations until further notice due to 5G deployment

 

Dubai’s Emirates suspends flights to several U.S. destinations on 5G concerns.

Emirates announced on Tuesday that it will suspend flights to several destinations in the United States as of Jan. 19 until further notice because of concerns over 5G mobile deployment.

The move is “due to operational concerns associated with the planned deployment of 5G mobile network services in the U.S.”, the company said.

The airline said the destinations include:

• Boston
• Chicago
• Dallas Fort Worth
• Houston
• Miami
• Newark
• Orlando
• San Francisco
• Seattle

Emirates flights to New York’s JFK, Los Angeles International Airport and Washington DC’s Dulles International Airport will continue to operate as usual, the company added.

“We are working closely with aircraft manufacturers and the relevant authorities to alleviate operational concerns, and we hope to resume our US services as soon as possible,” the carrier said.

FAA has approved two radio altimeter models as AT&T and Verizon are set to launch new 5G service on Wednesday.

Singapore Airlines will resume the World’s second-longest flight between Singapore and Newark

 

Singapore Airlines will be resuming the World’s second-longest flights between Singapore and Newark starting in March.

Singapore Airlines will be operating three daily flights to New York City upon resumption. Singapore Airlines will deploy its Airbus A350-900ULR, configured with 67 business-class and 94 premium economy seats.

Alongside the World’s two longest flights, SQ22 and SQ21 between Singapore and Newark and SQ24 and SQ23 between Singapore and New York-JFK, Singapore Airlines will continue to operate the fifth-freedom flight between Singapore, Frankfurt, and New York-JFK.

Commenting on this move, a Singapore airlines spokesperson said:

“Singapore Airlines will be operating three daily flights between Singapore and New York from 27 March 2022. This will be the first time that SIA will operate three daily services to the city and is part of the Airline’s continued efforts to strengthen its connectivity between the United States and Singapore.”

JAMES G. WAWERU

Senior aviation Editor,

James is a navigator/FOM2 currently blogging at airbizafrica. 

He is an aviation ethusiast and has an eye for details that 

often helps him spot the best stories of the day... 

BREAKING An Emirates Boeing 777 attempted to takeoff without clearance while another jet was crossing the runway at Dubai

 

A second serious incident occurred in less than a month at Dubai International Airport on January 9, 2022.

An Emirates Boeing 777 accelerated for take off at Dubai – *without air traffic control clearance* – meanwhile another Emirates jet was crossing runway.

A Boeing 777-300 performing flight #EK524 to Hyderabad was lined up for departure from Dubai International Airport.

The aircraft started to speed up for departure without clearance from ATC while another plane was crossing the runway 30R.

The pilots were then instructed by ATC to reject takeoff due to the crossing aircraft ahead. Source claims the B777 was at over 120 knots.

The jet slowed, then vacated the runway but was later cleared to depart just 30 minutes with same crew.

The second Emirates Boeing 777-300 crossing the runway was taxiing for departure to Bangalore, performing flight #EK568.

JAMES G. WAWERU

Senior aviation Editor,

James is a navigator/FOM2 currently blogging at airbizafrica. 

He is an aviation ethusiast and has an eye for details that 

often helps him spot the best stories of the day... 

INCIDENT Probe launched after SpiceJet Bombardier Dash 8 took off without ATC clearance

 

A SpiceJet Bombardier DHC-8-402Q Dash 8 took off from Rajkot Airport without ATC clearance last week on 30th December 2021.

The aircraft with registration VT-SUQ was performing flight SG-3703 from Rajkot Airport to Indira Gandhi International Airport when the incident took place. The aircraft took off without taking the mandatory ATC clearance. It landed in New Delhi without further incident.

According to The Times of India, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has opened an investigation calling the incident a “serious lapse”. An aviation authority spokesperson said:

“A SpiceJet Q400 (VT-SUQ) operating Rajkot-Delhi as SJ-3703 on December 30, 2021, took off from Rajkot without ATC clearance. Pending investigation, the pilots have been off-rostered (taken off flying duty).”

A senior official of the Airport Authority of India stated that the ATC asked the pilots how they flew without take-off permission. In response, the crew apologised and said that there was a mistake. This might have happened probably due to a communication gap, error or something else. The flight pilots have been de-rostered since then.

JAMES G. WAWERU

Senior aviation Editor,

James is a navigator/FOM2 currently blogging at airbizafrica. 

He is an aviation ethusiast and has an eye for details that 

often helps him spot the best stories of the day... 

BREAKING An American Airlines passenger stormed the cockpit and damaged the flight controls during boarding

 

An American Airlines passenger stormed the cockpit during boarding, damaged the flight controls, and then tried to jump out the window as the pilot attempted to stop him.

A passenger broke into the cockpit of an American Airlines jet at an airport in Honduras and damaged the plane as it was boarding for a flight to Miami before being taken into custody, the airline said on Tuesday.

Crew members intervened and the man, who was not immediately identified, was arrested by local authorities, American Airlines said in a statement. There were no reports of injury.

ABC News reported that the suspect ran down the jetway and into the cockpit, damaging flight controls and attempting to jump out an open window as a pilots tried to stop him.

“We applaud our outstanding crew members for their professionalism in handling a difficult situation,” American said in its statement.

The damaged aircraft, a Boeing 737-800 carrying 121 passengers and six crew members, was grounded at Ramon Villeda Morales International Airport in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, the airline said.

JAMES G. WAWERU

Senior aviation Editor,

James is a navigator/FOM2 currently blogging at airbizafrica. 

He is an aviation ethusiast and has an eye for details that 

often helps him spot the best stories of the day... 

Allegiant Air orders up to 100 Boeing 737 MAX jets

 

U.S. low-cost carrier Allegiant Air has announced a commitment for up to 100 Boeing 737 MAX family jets.

The commitment is split between 50 firm orders with options for additional 50 MAX jets. Allegiant Air will buy 30 737 MAX 7 and 20 737 MAX 8-200 aircraft. The order is valued at more than $5.5 billion at list prices.

In a statement, Allegiant Air’s chairman and CEO, Maurice J. Gallagher, Jr., said:

“Our approach to the fleet has always been opportunistic, and this exciting transaction with Boeing is no exception. While the heart of our strategy continues to centre on previously-owned aircraft, the infusion of up to 100 direct-from-the-manufacturer 737s will bring numerous benefits for the future.”

The Las Vegas-based carrier currently operates an all-Airbus fleet of 110 Airbus A319s and A320s. The low-cost carrier will continue to operate them and buy A320s in the used market.

Commenting on this deal, Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and CEO Stan Deal said:

“We are thrilled that Allegiant has selected Boeing and the 737 MAX as they position themselves for future growth, improved efficiency and operational cost performance.”

Allegiant will reportedly take delivery of 10 MAX jets in 2023, 24 in 2024, and 16 in 2025.

JAMES G. WAWERU

Senior aviation Editor,

James is a navigator/FOM2 currently blogging at airbizafrica. 

He is an aviation ethusiast and has an eye for details that 

often helps him spot the best stories of the day...