50 SKY SHADES - World aviation news

United Kingdom aviation news

British Airways boss threatens to shift business abroad

The boss of British Airways’ parent group earlier this week threatened to develop the business abroad rather than in Britain after the government further delayed a decision on expanding airport capacity. Prime Minister David Cameron had promised a decision on where to expand airport capacity in southeast England by the end of the year, but last week said no decision would be taken until a...

UK predicts more stealthy and stand-off ops by 2035

Future British military operations will require more stand-off or remotely-operated weapons to counter a spread of advanced technologies among its enemies that will make today's conflicts appear "relatively simple" by comparison, according to a Ministry of Defence research paper. “The proliferation of technology and advanced weapons systems will provide many more states with...

UK Airlines Say Heathrow Delay Is All About Prime Minister’s Ego

U.K. airlines condemned David Cameron’s move to put off a decision on a third runway for London’s Heathrow airport until next summer, with British Airways parent IAG SA saying the delay was ego-driven after the prime minister’s pledge five years ago to block the hub’s expansion. The Board of Airline Representatives in the U.K., which represents more than 70 schedule...

ANALYSIS: Why there was more to the HS Trident than just a lot of noise

The introduction of ICAO Annex 16 Chapter 2 noise legislation on 1 January 1986 forced operators of older first- and second-generation jets to hush kit their fleets. For British Airways, this was not a viable option for its fleet of Hawker Siddeley HS 121 Tridents – not that it needed an excuse to phase out these fuel-thirsty geriatric jets. The Trident’s engine configuration &...

Brookfield Aviation International Alleged to Be a "Letterbox Company" Controlled by Ryanair

British police and German investigators are enquiring into Brookfield Aviation International, which is alleged to be a "letterbox company" controlled by Ryanair. A letterbox company is one that establishes its domicile in a tax friendly country with only a mailing address while carrying out its activities across other countries with the intention of saving taxes. Ryanair's use of...

easyJet Pilots Abort Landing Attempt After Losing Situational Awareness and Flying Off Course

easyJet pilots "lost situational awareness" and flew off course over a ridgeline in Somerset earlier this year, forcing them to abort a landing attempt, it has been revealed. A report into the incident found the Airbus A319 was forced into a go-around on approach to Bristol Airport and at one point was just 500 above ground level. The pilots "became disorientated" an...

Parking Scheme to Stop "Holiday Dumpers" Around Manchester Airport "Delayed to the New Year"

A scheme to stop holidaymakers parking on residential roads around the airport has been delayed to 2016. Several roads in Wythenshawe are earmarked to become residents-only parking stopping sunseekers leaving their cars for up to three weeks at a time - and taxi drivers hanging around waiting for airport fares. Residents have been battling for a parking scheme for five years. Around 300...

Vauxhall helicopter crash: Pilot under commercial pressure to fly in unsafe fog, inquest finds

Peter Barnes made inappropriate decision to fly in 'excessively challenging weather' while under pressure to satisfy important client, jury decides. A pilot who was killed in a central London helicopter crash was under commercial pressure to satisfy an important client when he made the inappropriate and unsafe decision to fly in "excessively challenging weather conditions", a...

British Airways Seeks Closer Ties With Latam to Boost Transatlantic Business

British Airways owner IAG SA said a joint venture with leading South American carrier Latam Airlines Group SA complementing a lucrative partnership with American Airlines Group Inc. would be a “sensible next step” in its trans-Atlantic strategy. “It’s a group that we would like to have closer ties to,” IAG Chief Executive Officer Willie Walsh said. “There is...

Pilot Writes Excuses for Students Who Missed School Because of Delayed Flight

Weather delays can't be avoided, but a little levity from the crew can sometimes lighten passengers' mood. Which is why, on an easyJet flight from Cyprus to Gatwick in November that was delayed because of weather, a pilot joked that he would write excuses for students on board who missed school because of the delay, according to Road Warrior Voices. Much to the pilot's surprise,...

Heathrow Indecision Highlights Europe's Airport Crunch

Moves by Britain to delay, once again, a decision on where to build a new airport runway to serve the London area highlights Europe's difficulties in keeping up with emerging countries when it comes to creating vital airport capacity. By 2035, airports across Europe will be unable to accommodate some 2 million flights due to capacity shortages according to Eurocontrol, the European Org...

TAG Aviation develops STC for TCAS 7.1 upgrade

TAG Aviation and Rockwell Collins have been granted approval for an EASA Supplemental Type Certifications (STC) for the installation of the TTR-4100 TCAS II version 7.1 on Dassault Falcon 2000 and 2000EX. Approval for The Falcon 900 and Falcon 50 will follow in the coming weeks. The STCs are being developed jointly with Rockwell Collins and are to serve the entire Falcon fleet. STCs will be...