United Airlines to launch nonstop flight between Singapore and San Francisco

United Airlines will introduce daily nonstop flights between Singapore’s Changi Airport and its San Francisco International Airport hub, it announced on Friday (Jan 29).

This will be the first nonstop service between Singapore and San Francisco and the only one to the US from Singapore. The Boeing 787-9 aircraft will be used for this nonstop service, it added.

Flying times will be approximately 15 hours, 30 minutes eastbound and 16 hours, 20 minutes westbound, saving customers up to four hours' journey time each way from previously available flights, the airline said.

Eastbound flights, which will start on Jun 3 subject to government approval, will depart Changi Airport at 8.45am daily, arriving at San Francisco International Airport at 9.15am the same day.

The westbound return flight will depart San Francisco at 11.25pm daily, arriving in Singapore at 6.45am two days later.

Vice President of Atlantic and Pacific Sales Marcel Fuchs said the new service will offer "unique benefits to customers travelling from Singapore not only to San Francisco but also to dozens of other cities across the Americas via our San Francisco hub".

The airline has timed the new flights to connect with destinations throughout the US, Canada and Latin America at San Francisco, providing a one-stop service between Singapore and more than 40 US cities. These 40 cities include more than 25 that do not currently have one-stop services from Singapore, it said.

With the launch of the nonstop Singapore-San Francisco service, United will terminate services between Singapore and Tokyo's Narita Airport from Jun 2. However, it will maintain its daily service between Singapore and Hong Kong.

SOURCE

Scoot to launch flights between Singapore and Kaohsiung

Scoot will launch flights between Singapore and the Taiwanese city of Kaohsiung from Jul 9 this year, the budget airline announced on Thursday (Apr 16).

The airline’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft will operate the thrice-weekly flights, said Scoot in a news release.

The Singapore-Kaohsiung flight will depart at 7:55am on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from Jul 9. Meanwhile, the flight from Kaohsiung to Singapore will depart at 9:30pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from Jul 9.

Scoot currently operates daily flights between Singapore and Taipei.

SOURCE

Scoot collects its first Boeing 787 Dreamliner from Seattle

Budget carrier Scoot marked a new chapter in its history, after it collected the first of its Boeing 787 jets on Sunday.

Scoot's chief executive Campbell Wilson and crew received the "keys" to the new Dreamliner from planemaker Boeing under foggy skies at its Everett factory north of Seattle.

At the Boeing delivery centre, close to 80 guests, including journalists and suppliers, were treated to a 10-minute light-and-sound show in a ceremony to unveil the aircraft that gleamed in Scoot's trademark yellow.

The Dreamliner will leave Seattle for its 18-hour flight across the Pacific Sea, making a stop at Osaka before arriving in Singapore on Monday morning at 9.45am.

The plane's first "passengers" will be Mr Campbell, journalists and 38 others, including Scoot staff who scored coveted seats on the delivery flight through a contest.

Scoot's 787s, which will have up to 375 seats in two classes, promise to be more roomy and comfortable. Passengers in all classes can look outside through larger windows and entertain themselves by surfing the internet with Wifi onboard or streaming movies on their tablets and smartphones.

Sunday's delivery of the first Dreamliner comes more than two years after Scoot first announced that it will acquire the 787s. The Dreamliners, which are primarily made of carbon-fibre composite material, are lighter and use a fifth less fuel than the current fleet does.

Scoot, a Singapore Airlines subsidiary, has ordered 20 Dreamliners. As more B787s start coming onboard by August, the carrier expects to phase out six of its ageing, hand-me-down B777 aircraft from SIA. That will mark Scoot's transition to operating an all-Dreamliner fleet, which will be made up of the 787-8s and longer-range 787-9 variants.

Mr Campbell told The Straits Times that the eventual cost savings "improves our bottomline and gives us more scope to offer even better airfares".

It took more than 30 computerised mock-ups over the last two-plus years to finalise the look and feel of Scoot's Boeing 787 cabins. Scoot's Dreamliner fleet will be made up of the 787-8 and longer-range 787-9 variants.

They will each have up to 375 seats in two classes that promise to be roomier and more comfortable. Those onboard will:

- enjoy better seat pitch of between 31 inches (economy) to 38 inches (ScootBiz) and more legroom;

- get better views when they look outside through larger windows;

- charge their laptops and mobile devices with AC power, surf the internet with onboard Wifi connection or stream movies on their tablets and smartphones, although economy passengers will have to pay for these services;

- suffer fewer headaches, dry eyes and nausea, that are typically caused by the lack of oxygen, because the humidity level in the 787 cabin will be higher.

The Dreamliners, which are primarily made of carbon-fibre composite material, are lighter and use a fifth less fuel than the current fleet does. Scoot is among 58 airlines that have either ordered or received 1071 Dreamliners. Among them, 30 have received 231 787 jets.

SOURCE

Air Berlin cancels Boeing aircraft orders valued at US$5b

Air Berlin, Germany's second-biggest airline, said on Friday (Sep 26) it had cancelled orders with Boeing for 33 aircraft with a list price of about US$5 billion (S$6.4 billion).

The airline, which last month reported a return to profit in the second quarter, said in a statement that the cancellation would "significantly reduce the future capital expenditure" of the company. It said that under the cancellation agreement with Boeing, it would not have to pay compensation to the US company.

The two firms agreed that the "orders relating to the 18 B737 and 15 B787 aircraft not yet delivered shall be cancelled", it said. "The cancellation agreement does not provide for any obligation of the Air Berlin group to make any compensation payments to Boeing", it added.

The German group will "adapt" its existing fleet by the "acquisition or leasing of suitable aircraft", although a lower number of aircraft than first planned, it said.

Boeing, confirming the cancellation in a separate statement, said its customers "operate in a dynamic environment and their overall fleet needs evolve and change".

"It is our objective to support their needs and to adapt as necessary," it said. "Air Berlin is a long standing and valued Boeing customer and operator of a large fleet of Boeing Next-Generation 737 airplanes."

Air Berlin is due to unveil full details of a restructuring programme this month.

SOURCE

'Technical problem' forces Dreamliner emergency landing in Britain

A Boeing 787 Dreamliner jet on its way from Chicago to Warsaw was forced to land in Glasgow on Friday (Sep 26) because of a "technical issue", an airport spokesman told AFP.

The modern plane, operated by Poland's LOT airline, landed safely at the Scottish airport at 10.45am London time (6.45pm Singapore time) and was being checked by emergency services after passengers disembarked.

Boeing said in a statement that it was "aware" of the diversion of the plane, which was carrying 248 passengers. "We are working with our customer to assess the situation. At this time we have no further details," it said.

The Dreamliners have been hit by a series of troubles. A battery problem on a All Nippon Airways (ANA) Dreamliner last year forced an emergency landing in Japan. Other faults have been reported with an air pressure sensor and the brake system. Boeing also said earlier this year that hairline cracks have been found in the wings of some of the jets due to a manufacturing problem.

SOURCE

Japan probe comes up empty on Dreamliner battery problems

The Japanese probe into a battery problem that forced the emergency landing of a Boeing Dreamliner last year wrapped up on Thursday (Sep 25) with investigators saying they still have not found the root cause. The domestic All Nippon Airways (ANA) flight on January 16, 2013 was forced to make an emergency landing after pilots noticed a burning smell inside the cockpit that was traced to the plane's lithium-ion battery pack.

But neither Boeing nor battery manufacturer GS Yuasa were able to pinpoint what caused the battery to overheat and on Thursday, the Japan Transport Safety Board (JTSB) issued its final report that suggested a short circuit might be responsible. "The heating phenomenon that began in the number-six cell (of the main battery on board the plane) is believed to have been caused by an internal short-circuit. However, in the end, its developmental mechanism could not be identified," said the 115-page report.

The flight from Ube in Japan's far west to Tokyo marked the most serious case of battery overheating in the Dreamliner which features a composite fibre fuselage that reduces weight and boosts fuel efficiency. ANA, the single biggest operator of 787s, and its domestic rival Japan Airlines (JAL) were among the carriers hit by the worldwide grounding of Boeing's plane following a series of battery problems that also led to a fire onboard an empty JAL plane parked at Boston's Logan Airport.

The Japanese report noted that specks of metal were found inside the battery pack and might be linked to the overheating, but GS Yuasa has rejected suggestions that the impurity was dropped into the packs during manufacturing.

Among the 137 passengers and crew members on board, four passengers suffered minor injuries when they came off an emergency slide, the probe said. That incident prompted a still-ongoing investigation by US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

Boeing admitted in April last year that, despite months of testing, it did not know the root cause of the battery problems, but it rolled out modifications to prevent a recurrence. The Dreamliner has also been hit by a series of unrelated glitches, including a fault with an air pressure sensor and the brake system.

Despite the troubles, the aircraft remains popular. This week Ethiopian Airlines agreed to buy 20 Boeing 737 aircraft in a deal worth US$2.1 billion.

SOURCE

SIA injects S$400m more capital into Scoot

Singapore Airlines is injecting an additional S$400 million of capital into its budget long-haul unit Scoot.

This was announced in a stock exchange filing on Friday.

SIA said it has subscribed for an additional 400,000,000 fully-paid ordinary shares in Scoot at S$1.00 each.

This additional investment follows a review of Scoot's capital structure and the funding it needs for the acquisition of new planes.

Scoot is buying 20 new Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft to facilitate its ongoing expansion in the region.

The first of these planes will arrive in November.

Six of the new aircraft are expected to replace Scoot's existing Boeing 777 fleet by the middle of next year.

SOURCE

Boeing, Scoot in Dreamliner pilot training tie-up

Boeing and Scoot on Friday announced a five-year pilot training agreement to support the Singapore-based airline's fleet transition to 787 Dreamliners.

Under the agreement, Boeing Flight Services, a business unit of Boeing Commercial Aviation Services, will provide 787 flight training to Scoot pilots at Boeing's Singapore training campus.

An anticipated 32 Scoot pilots will undergo training this year.

"We are proud to provide Scoot’s growing airline in a growing region with the industry's best flight training as they add the 787 to their fleet," said Sherry Carbary, vice president of Boeing Flight Services.

"Aviation opportunities or airlines and pilots are expanding rapidly in the Asia Pacific region, and we're pleased to offer a robust network of experienced instructors and training devices close to our customers across the region," she said in a statement released by Boeing on Friday.

The 2013 Boeing Pilot & Technician Outlook, a respected industry forecast of personnel demand, projects a requirement for 498,000 new commercial airline pilots and 556,000 new maintenance technicians to fly and maintain the new planes entering the world fleet over the next 20 years.

In Southeast Asia, 51,500 pilots and 64,700 technicians are needed to fill the gap.

Scoot chief executive officer Campbell Wilson said: "This is an exciting time for Scoot, as we expand our services throughout the Asia Pacific region, and work with Boeing for world-class flight training."

Scoot will acquire 20 Boeing 787s beginning in late 2014.

Scoot expects to take delivery of its first Boeing 787-9 aircraft on November 25.

Scoot's CEO said its pilots will test the Dreamliner in Washington first before flying it to Singapore in December.

The Dreamliner is scheduled for the Singapore-Taipei-Tokyo route.

All six of Scoot's current Boeing 777 fleet will be replaced by the Dreamliner by the middle of next year.

By March 2016, 11 Boeing 787 should be in service.

Scoot will also take delivery of nine more Dreamliners by 2019.

Wilson said: "Next year doubles our fleet size -- so it will allow us to increase frequency to some destinations, allow us to add new destinations. It's also much more fuel-efficient -- at 27 percent much more fuel-efficient per seat.

"So it allows us to fly to cities that currently we really can't economically serve, and of course that lower structure allows us to continue offering really, really good value air fares, so people can fly more often and scoot 'outta' here."

The aircraft were ordered in 2012 by parent company Singapore Airlines.

Scoot currently operates 777s on medium- and long-haul low-cost flights between Singapore and Sydney, Gold Coast, Bangkok, Taipei, Tokyo, Tianjin, Shenyang, Nanjing, Qingdao, Seoul, Perth and Hong Kong.

SOURCE

Boeing lifts profit outlook as jetliner demand booms

US aerospace and defence giant Boeing raised its 2014 profit outlook on Wednesday despite a first-quarter profit slide, citing strong demand for its new jetliners.

A sharp rise in pension costs from a change in retirement plans offset Boeing's robust commercial aircraft deliveries as airlines seek to renew ageing fleets with more fuel-efficient jetliners.

Boeing posted net profit in the first quarter of $965 million, down 12.7 per cent from a year ago but nevertheless better than analysts expected.

Boeing took a $334 million charge for retirement plan changes.

Core earnings per share came in at $1.76, three cents higher than a year ago and well above the $1.56 estimate.

Boeing posted an 8.3 per cent rise in revenues to $20.47 billion, and operating cash flow soared 112 per cent to $1.1 billion.

The Chicago-based company raised its 2014 profit forecast to between $7.15 and $7.35 per share, from $7.00 to $7.20, to reflect a tax settlement.

"Our outlook for the full year remains positive on the strength of demand for our fuel-efficient new commercial airplanes, our solid position in global defence, space and security markets" and the company's focus on improving financial and operational strength, Boeing chairman and chief executive Jim McNerney said in a statement.

Though the 2015 earnings forecast missed Wall Street expectations, Boeing shares scored a solid gain. Investors received more than $3 billion during the quarter through its share repurchase program and dividends.

Boeing shares jumped 2.1 per cent to $130.24 in midday trade on the New York Stock Exchange, the best performer on the Dow Jones Industrial Average in an overall lower market.

Commercial aircraft revenues climbed 19 per cent to $12.74 billion on higher deliveries of two of its best-selling models -- the 787 Dreamliner and the 737 -- after the company boosted production rates to cope with surging demand.

Boeing heftily beat European rival Airbus in the deliveries race. The company delivered 161 jetliners in the January-March quarter, a year-over-year gain of 18 per cent; Airbus delivered 141.

The re-engined 737 made up the bulk of the deliveries at 115, while 18 of the high-tech 787 Dreamliners were sent to customers. A year ago, Boeing only delivered one 787 after the airplane was grounded worldwide following battery problems.

The company said it expects to deliver between 715 and 725 jetliners this year, after a record 648 deliveries in 2013.

Boeing Commercial Airplanes won 235 net orders during the first quarter, which ended with a backlog of more than 5,1000 airplanes valued at $374 billion.

Boeing's smaller segment -- Defence, Space and Security -- continued to reflect lower US defence spending in the wake of budget cuts. Revenues fell 5.9 per cent to $7.63 billion, amid a sharp drop in military aircraft revenue.

The company's total backlog was $440 billion, down slightly from the beginning of the year. It included net orders for the first quarter of $19 billion.

At the end of the quarter on March 31, Boeing had a cash pile of $12.2 billion, down from $15.3 billion at the beginning of the year. The decline was mostly due to the share repurchases and the pay-down of maturing debt, it said. Debt was $8.9 billion, down from $9.6 billion.

SOURCE

Boeing says talks with India's Jet on 'right' track

Aviation giant Boeing said on Thursday talks appeared on track for the multi-billion-dollar sale of its 737 MAX planes to India's Jet Airways, a day after sealing a major transaction with another domestic carrier.

Sale discussions with Jet -- India's leading premium carrier -- "are probably moving in the right direction", Boeing senior vice president Dinesh Keskar said on Thursday.

Keskar declined further comment on the status of the talks with Jet, a longstanding Boeing customer in which Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways recently picked up a 24 per cent stake.

Discussions were also under way with state-run Air India about the sale of the single-aisle 737 MAX jets but they could take far longer to come to any conclusion, Keskar said by telephone from an airshow in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad.

"Jet and Air India are obviously candidates for the MAX," said Keskar, speaking after Boeing sealed a $4.4-billion order on Wednesday from fourth-place no-frills carrier SpiceJet for 42 of the MAX jets, a more fuel-efficient version of the widely used 737s.

Boeing's talks with Jet involve the sale of 50 MAX planes with a total list price of around $5 billion, according to local media reports, but bulk orders always command discounts.

With Air India, "right now, we are working on delivery of the Dreamliner and working out issues", Keskar said.

Air India has ordered 27 of the high-tech 787 Dreamliners from Chicago-based Boeing and so far received 13, which have been hit by a string of technical snags.

The Press Trust of India reported Air India might seek compensation for the Dreamliners because it found the planes less fuel efficient than it expected, in addition to undisclosed compensation the airline has already received for delivery delays.

All major Indian airlines, except leading budget carrier IndiGo, are haemorrhaging red ink amid price wars and a sharply slowing economy.

But the sector still is in high-growth mode thanks to vast, untapped potential and a growing middle class and will need a huge number of new planes, experts say.

According to aviation consultancy CAPA, Indian airlines are expected to order a combined 400 planes this year -- over double the number now in service with the five national carriers.

"We've just touched the tip of the aviation iceberg," said Amber Dubey, global consultancy KPMG's India aerospace head, noting "access to aviation is still a dream for nearly 99.5 per cent" of India's 1.2 billion population.

Boeing in a report earlier on Thursday projected demand for over 1,600 new airplanes in India during the next 20 years, valued at $205 billion.

"India's demographics are highly favourable to growth of air transportation" while "the share of India's large population entering the workforce is growing,"Keskar said.

Boeing projects passenger airlines in India will rely primarily on single-aisle planes such as the Next-Generation 737 and the 737 MAX to link cities.

European rival Airbus said in a separate forecast India's carriers will need 1,290 new passenger aircraft valued at $190 billion between now and 2032 to satisfy surging demand.

Indian annual passenger traffic growth rates of 8.6 per cent are well above the regional Asia-Pacific average growth rate of 6.1 per cent and the world average of 4.7 per cent, Airbus noted.

The manufacturers' reports were released to coincide with the five-day air show which winds up this weekend.

SOURCE

JAL Dreamliner makes emergency landing in Honolulu

Japan Airlines said Sunday its Dreamliner flight from Tokyo to San Francisco made an emergency landing in Honolulu, reportedly due to a possible problem with its hydraulic system.

The pilot of flight JL002, carrying 171 passengers and crew, decided to divert to Hawaii after a warning message about falling pressure of lubricant oil in its right engine, according to Japanese national broadcaster NHK.

NHK said that there was no fire and no injuries.

In a short statement on its website, JAL said the jet had landed in Honolulu due to "maintenance issues".

"This flight terminated its operation at Honolulu International Airport," the announcement said.

JAL officials could not be reached for immediate comment.

Boeing's 787 Dreamliner has suffered a series of problems since coming into service two years ago, including a global grounding of its fleet over battery system problems.

Boeing admitted that despite months of testing it did not know the root cause of the battery problems, but rolled out modifications it said would ensure the issue did not recur.

SOURCE

Overheating Dreamliner battery hit 660 Celsius

Japan said on Friday the battery in a Dreamliner jet that spewed white smoke last month could have reached temperatures as high as 660 Celsius (1,220 Fahrenheit).

The figure came in a report released by the transport ministry after Japan Airlines grounded one of its Dreamliner planes when the smoke was seen outside the cockpit window during maintenance at Tokyo's Narita airport.

It was the latest in a series of problems that have beset the aircraft, including a months-long global grounding over battery problems last year.

According to the report, one of the eight lithium-ion cells in the plane's battery system "swelled and electrolytic solution was sprayed" out of the battery, a ministry official said.

An image released by the ministry showed some blackened electrolyte solution coming from one of the safety valves.

"We estimate that temperatures inside the cell possibly reached 660 Celsius as the aluminium electrode melted," the official said.

It is still unknown what actually caused the overheating, the official said, adding that the ministry would continue investigating the case with the help of Boeing.

The US aviation giant admitted last April that despite months of testing, it did not know the root cause of the battery problems, but rolled out modifications it said would ensure the issue did not recur.

The measures comprised redesigning the battery and charger system, and adding a steel box to prevent burning.

Since then, Dreamliners have experienced a series of minor glitches, including a fault with an air pressure sensor and the brake system.

SOURCE

Japan carriers' profits hit as weak yen hikes fuel costs

Japan's two biggest airlines said on Friday that the weak yen sent fuel costs soaring and profits into a nosedive as they struggled to recover from the global grounding of the Boeing Dreamliner plane last year.

However, while the surge in fuel costs, often a carrier's single-biggest expense, hit the bottom lines of Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA), they said a recovery in international travel helped lift sales.

Both companies are US-based Boeing's biggest customer for the state-of-the-art plane, which only resumed flying after a months' long grounding -- caused by a series of battery problems -- forced the cancellation of hundreds of flights.

The carriers are also fighting off increasing competition from a handful of low-cost carriers that have sprung up in recent years in a market they have long dominated.

On Friday, ANA said its net profit dived 36 per cent to 33.3 billion yen ($325 million) between April and December, citing the jump in fuel prices. Sales were up 7.1 per cent at 1.2 trillion yen.

JAL fared a little better, saying its nine-month net profit turned down 12.2 per cent to $1.2 billion, despite sales climbing 5.1 per cent on rising demand for international travel and its cargo service.

"The weak yen is a major factor holding back their profit," said Masaharu Shirokane, aviation analyst with Nomura Securities.

"It's a real headache for the Japanese aviation industry and as long as the yen remains weak, their bottom line will remain under pressure."

The yen has lost about a quarter of its value against the dollar since late 2012 following a policy blitz launched by Japanese premier Shinzo Abe and his hand-picked team at the Bank of Japan aimed at kickstarting economic growth and beating deflation.

JAL noted that a pickup in Japan's economy also helped lift demand for air travel ahead of an April sales tax hike.

"An economic recovery at home and overseas is stimulating demand, in particular business travel, which is profitable," Shirokane said.

"Demand for Chinese routes is also recovering from a slump... but it remains a potential risk in the future."

However, Japan's thorny ties with South Korea and China have depressed demand for flights to those countries.

Tokyo is embroiled in separate territorial spats with both countries, and a Chinese consumer boycott of Japanese brands in 2012 took a bite out of demand for flights through the first half of 2013.

ANA said it expects "passenger demand for business travel and leisure to remain robust" as it expanded its domestic and international routes, and offered discounted fares.

A 12.2 per cent rise in international passenger revenue as well as a jump in ANA's overseas cargo business helped offset a tiny rise in domestic passenger revenue and a downturn in its Japanese cargo business.

JAL also saw its international businesses offset laggard growth at home.

SOURCE

JAL Dreamliner hit by battery problem

Japan Airlines has grounded another one of its Dreamliner jets after "white smoke" was seen outside the cockpit window during maintenance, a year after the aircraft suffered a months-long global grounding over battery problems.

The carrier said that a technician at Tokyo's Narita airport, who was working on the parked plane before its departure to Bangkok Tuesday afternoon, first noticed what appeared to be smoke outside the cockpit window and then a battery system warning.

An investigation found that one of the eight lithium-ion cells in the plane's battery system had leaked, but its safety valve, which is designed to release excessive pressure, was properly open.

"The temperature of the cell was high. We believe it caused 'white smoke', which could be smoke or vapour," a JAL spokesman said.

The airline said it replaced the grounded plane with another Dreamliner, which left as scheduled, carrying 169 passengers and crew.

"We are making sure of the safety of every plane before its departure. We will continue regular flights (with Dreamliners)," a separate JAL spokesman, Norihisa Hanyu, told AFP.

In response to the Tuesday incident, US-based Boeing said the "improvements made to the 787 battery system last year appear to have worked as designed".

Boeing admitted in April that despite months of testing it did not know the root cause of the problems, but rolled out modifications it said would ensure the issue did not recur.

The measures comprised redesigning the battery and charger system and adding a steel box to prevent burning.

Since then, Dreamliners have experienced a series of minor glitches, including a fault with an air pressure sensor and the brake system.

In October, unflushable toilets caused JAL pilots to turn their plane around just after it left Moscow bound for Tokyo.

JAL's domestic rival All Nippon Airways (ANA) also said Wednesday it would continue flying the plane -- the pair are the aircraft's two biggest customers and have invested heavily in its success.

The incident was the latest for the Dreamliner since the trouble-plagued aircraft returned to service in the middle of last year following a months-long worldwide grounding.

The move was linked to a string of incidents, including a fire aboard a parked Dreamliner, which damaged the fuel-efficient jet's reputation and that of its manufacturer Boeing.

Investors appeared unfazed with JAL's Tokyo-listed shares up 1.52 per cent to 5,310 yen on Wednesday morning, while ANA was up 0.89 per cent to 225 yen, tracking a rise in the broader market.

Shares in the plane's Japanese battery supplier GS Yuasa slipped 0.85 per cent to 581 yen.

The Kyoto-based battery maker said it was "cooperating with Boeing and Japan Airlines on finding the cause" of the latest battery malfunction. It declined to elaborate further.

The US Federal Aviation Administration said it was working with Boeing and the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau to investigate, while the US National Transportation Safety Board said it was ready to assist Japanese authorities.

Officials at the Japanese transport ministry's air safety unit were not immediately available for comment Wednesday.

The number of 787s in operation worldwide had more than doubled from the 50 in service when the plane was grounded last year.

SOURCE

New Dreamliner breakdown for Norwegian

A Boeing 787 Dreamliner operated by budget airline Norwegian Air Shuttle has been grounded in Florida since Saturday evening, the airline said on Monday.

"Unfortunately, we have experienced technical issues on our flight which was due to go from Fort Lauderdale to Stockholm Arlanda on Saturday at 9:30 pm," Norwegian spokesman Daniel Kirchhoff said.

The company said they were waiting for a part from Boeing which was due to arrive Monday.

It has been less than a month since the airline opened the Fort Lauderdale routes from Stockholm, Oslo and Copenhagen.

According to Norwegian, the 238 affected passengers would take a flight scheduled for Monday at 3:30 pm local time (2030 GMT).

"We are sorry about the delay and are doing everything we can to get the passengers home before Christmas," Kirchhoff said.

Since the Norwegian launched its long-haul business last summer, it has suffered delays and cancellations due to serious technical problems with its Dreamliners, from oxygen supply in cockpits to faulty hydraulic pumps and braking systems.

The incidents have affected the company's financial results, its share price and its image, but also the prestige of Boeing, which had invested heavily in resources and effort to bolster the new aircraft's market share.

Despite the problems, in a vote of confidence Norwegian announced on Wednesday that it had ordered two more Dreamliners.

This acquisition will bring Norwegian's Dreamliner fleet to 10 owned or leased aircraft.

SOURCE

Boeing dominates Airbus with US$101.5b orders at Dubai show

US aerospace giant Boeing on Wednesday announced up to US$101.5 billion in aircraft orders at the Dubai Air Show, as its new 777X model propelled total demand to more than twice that booked by European rival Airbus.

More than US$95 billion of the Boeing orders were for the 777X long-haul aircraft, making it the "largest product launch in commercial jetliner history by value", said the firm.

European giant Airbus meanwhile totted up orders worth US$44 billion, with Emirates placing the biggest by value worth US$20 billion for 50 A380s.

The total takings of about US$145 billion by the two rivals at Dubai were about twice those recorded at the Paris Air Show in June, when Airbus announced US$39.3 billion in orders and Boeing unveiled US$38 billion for a total of about US$77.0 billion.

Boeing's performance in Dubai was underpinned by demand for its new 777X, which was snapped up by Middle Eastern airlines.

Dubai's flagship Emirates placed an order worth US$55.6 billion for 115 777-9X aircraft designed to carry more than 400 passengers. It also ordered 35 777-8Xs, which has a capacity of 350 passengers.

Etihad Airways ordered 17 of the bigger model and eight of the smaller 777-8X, while Qatar Airways bought 50 777-9Xs worth US$18.9 billion.

Boeing claims that the aircraft, which is to enter service around 2020, would be 12 per cent more fuel efficient than the Airbus A350.

SOURCE

Boeing, Airbus clinch mega orders at Dubai

Dubai Airshow took off on Sunday with huge aircraft orders and commitments worth around $141.5 billion for Boeing and Airbus from Gulf carriers, with the US manufacturer well in the lead.

The biennial show began brightly for Boeing's 777X, a long-range wide-bodied airliner featuring lower fuel consumption and composite wings.

The new 777 is scheduled to be operational in 2020.

Etihad Airways began the show with an $18.2-billion order for Boeings including 25 777Xs and one 777-200 freighter, Boeing said.

The deal also included an order for 30 787 Dreamliners, making the fast-growing carrier the largest single customer for the medium-body plane.

The Abu Dhabi carrier also announced it was taking an option to buy another 26 aircraft from Boeing.

The total value of the order, including engines and options, amounts to $25.2 billion, according to Etihad.

Emirates Airline followed shortly afterwards by placing orders with both the rival US and European manufacturers, in twin deals valued at $99 billion.

Of this sum, 80 per cent is destined for Boeing's coffers if commitments are confirmed.

The Dubai-based airline ordered 150 777Xs -- 35 777-8Xs and 115 of the 777-9X variant.

Boeing said the Emirates orders were commitments worth $55.6 billion.

The Middle East's largest carrier also boosted the Airbus sales sheet with a firm order for 50 A380 superjumbos worth $20 billion at book value, in the double-decker's first sale this year.

The order cements the status of Emirates as the single largest operator of the long-haul airliner, its chief Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum said.

"Emirates has understood from the start the A380's advantages in terms of efficiency, economics and passenger comfort," Fabrice Bregier, Airbus chief and president, told the signing ceremony.

Airbus has been struggling to sell its A380 superjumbo.

Sales of the world's largest commercial aircraft suffered in 2012 after hairline cracks were discovered on A380 wings. Just nine were sold last year, down from an initial order of 30.

Airbus also clinched a $19-billion deal with Etihad, which ordered 87 aircraft including 50 extra-wide-body A350 XWBs.

The order comprises 40 long-haul A350-900s, 10 A350-1000s, one A330-200 freighter, in addition to 26 A321neo and 10 A320neo single-aisle planes, in addition to an option for 30 more aircraft.

Emirates budget sister company also made a commitment to buy up to 100 Boeing single-aisled 737 MAX and 11 Next-Generation Boeing 737-800s, in a deal valued by Boeing at $8.8-billion.

Qatar Airways also chipped in by signing a letter of intent to buy 50 Boeing 777Xs worth $19 billion.

The Doha-based airline said it had also ordered five A330 freighters from Airbus, valued at about $1 billion according to list prices.

The order was accompanied by an option to add eight airliners, which would put the overall price of the deal at $2.8 billion, chief executive Akbar Al-Baker said.

The Qatar Airways chief praised Boeing's 777 long-haul workhorse as he made a surprise appearance at the joint Emirates-Boeing briefing.

The Triple Seven has been a bestseller since it was launched in the 1990s, with 1,473 sold by November 12.

Boeing is fielding the 777X to counter Airbus's long-haul A350-1000.

This aircraft is anticipated to enter service in 2017 with a passenger payload of 350, threatening Boeing's predominance in the long-haul market.

Etihad on Sunday also announced it is acquiring a 33.3 per cent stake in Swiss carrier Darwin Airline which it plans to rebrand as Etihad Regional after the deal receives regulatory approval.

At the 2007 Dubai Airshow, sales of $155 billion were announced, and analysts have projected that orders this time could nudge that record.

In June, the Paris air show at Le Bourget racked up $115 billion in announced sales at catalogue prices.

The 13th Dubai Airshow, which runs until Thursday, is being held for the first time at the just opened Al-Maktoum International, the emirate's second airport and touted to become the world's biggest when complete.

With some 150 aircraft on the tarmac and 1,000 exhibitors, the show cements the Gulf region's hard-won position as the global hub for 21st century travel, spearheaded by booming airlines whose reach encompasses the world.

SOURCE

JAL reports battery glitch on Dreamliner flight

Japan Airlines said on Monday it has reported to Boeing a possible glitch in the battery system on the 787 Dreamliner, after pilots saw an indicator warning light en route from Finland.

The alert was the latest in a growing line of problems that has beset the next-generation plane, including a months-long grounding earlier this year.

JAL said instruments warned pilots there was a problem with the battery connected to the plane's auxiliary power unit on the flight from Helsinki to Tokyo on Friday.

Engine monitoring systems showed the voltage and electrical current were within normal ranges and the plane arrived at Helsinki without delay, a JAL spokesman said.

"After its arrival we changed the auxiliary battery and charger, and the plane is now back in normal operation," he said.

JAL and chief rival All Nippon Airways (ANA), the single biggest operator of 787s, were among airlines hit by the worldwide grounding of Boeing's lightweight plane following problems with the lithium-ion batteries, including a fire.

Boeing admitted in April that despite months of testing it did not know the root cause of the problems, but rolled out modifications it said would ensure the issue did not recur.

The measures comprised redesigning the battery and charger system and adding a steel box to prevent burning.

Since then, Dreamliners have experienced a series of minor glitches, including a fault with an air pressure sensor and the brake system.

In October, unflushable toilets caused JAL pilots to turn their plane around just after it left Moscow bound for Tokyo.

SOURCE

Air India Dreamliner windshield cracks while landing

An Air India Dreamliner windshield cracked while landing in Australia, an airline official said on Monday, the latest in a string of mishaps the aircraft has suffered in recent times.

The Delhi-Melbourne-Sydney-Delhi flight, carrying 74 passengers, developed a crack late Sunday while landing in Melbourne city, Air India spokesman Praveen Bhatnagar told AFP Monday.

"The cockpit windscreen developed a crack while landing. It was a small incident. The windscreen has already been replaced," said Bhatnagar, adding that there was no risk to the safety of passengers.

While all passengers were transferred on Sunday to another flight to Delhi, Air India flew in a new windshield from India to replace the cracked one.

Air India Dreamliner touched down in Australia in September after a 16-year gap, marking the resumption of direct flights to Australia.

However, the Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet has been suffering technical glitches of late, including an incident where the fuselage panel of a jet fell off last month while landing in the southern city of Bangalore.

The Dreamliner has encountered several serious difficulties since entering operation two years ago, especially with its batteries, causing the entire fleet to be grounded for about four months earlier this year.

But Air India dismissed any claims of technical glitches on the Melbourne-bound flight.

"It was no aircraft glitch. This may have happened due to rapid change in temperatures or some other particles on the windscreen while landing," said Bhatnagar.

Scandinavian operator Norwegian Air Shuttle has also criticised the plane's reliability after it found a flaw in the electrical system.

SOURCE

Japan Airlines H1 net profit slips 17.8% to US$833m

Japan Airlines said on Thursday net profit for the six months to September dropped 17.8 per cent to $833 million, as the strong yen and rising fuel costs bit into its bottom line.

But it boosted its outlook for the full year, striking an optimistic note on prospects for customer numbers on both domestic and international routes.

In a half that saw the grounding of its fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliners after a series of safety glitches, the company said it had made 81.94 billion yen ($833 million), with an operating profit that was down 14.6 per cent at 95.84 billion.

Sales however edged up 4.0 per cent to 659.30 billion.

The numbers were healthier than main rival All Nippon Airways, which issued a grim earnings report, citing high fuel costs and the worldwide grounding of Boeing's next generation aircraft as contributing factors.

JAL, which returned to the market last year after a spectacular bankruptcy, did not give a specific reason for its weaker earnings.

But depreciation of the yen, which has slid to around 100 to the dollar compared with 80 a year ago, was seen amplifying the cost of fuel as well as user fees for international airports.

Japan's thorny ties with neighbours also depressed demand for flights to South Korea and China.

Tokyo is embroiled in separate territorial spats with both countries.

But JAL said revenues from its international services increased "despite the suspension of Boeing 787 flights and stagnant demand on Korea and China routes".

"On June 1, 2013, JAL resumed operation of the Boeing 787 on completing of all necessary safety measures, after battery problems grounded the fleet in January 2013 and caused substantial concerns and inconvenience," the company said.

JAL and ANA were sideswiped by the grounding of Boeing's new aircraft that began in January. After a long-running probe, the planes were allowed to fly again in June.

JAL said it increased the use of the fuel-efficient Dreamliner on international services to increase overall efficiency, while reducing Narita-Beijing flights because of shrinking demand.

Domestic services also fared well, with expanded routes and improved services such as better airport lounges.

Unlike ANA, which cut its full year profit forecasts by two-thirds, one-time flag carrier JAL upgraded its annual forecasts, citing strong demand for flights to Southeast Asia and cost cutting efforts.

The figures were also expected to benefit from an adjustment in foreign exchange movement and falling fuel prices.

The new net profit projection came to 128 billion yen, up from the previous estimate of 118 billion yen.

Operating profit is now expected to come in at 155 billion yen, compared with 140 billion yen, on sales of 1.286 trillion yen, up from 1.272 trillion yen.

SOURCE