Private Jets Charter News

Star Alliance puts deadline pressure on Air India

Using unusually strong language, Star Alliance CEO Jaan Albrecht issued a warning to Air India that its invitation to join the alliance would be withdrawn if the process is not completed by July 31.

Twin Commanders ready for busy wildfire season

In the first four months of this year there were 22,500 wildfires recorded across the United States affecting more than 2.2 million acres, according to the National Interagency Fire Center — and that was before the prime summer wildfire season had even started. Aviation is key to maintaining around...

Asia aviation rankings: Malaysia close to overtaking Thailand, Philippines gaining on Hong Kong

Asian aviation is growing strongly, with airlines expanding their seating capacity by 7.4% this month, well ahead of the global 6% increase, according to Innovata. The Indian Subcontinent is leading the Asian charge, while China is surprisingly down in 18th place in terms of Asian growth rates, with...

Global LCC Rankings: May-2011. Mexico's Volaris and India's SpiceJet break into the top LCC grouping

Mexico's Volaris has chalked up the strongest capacity growth of the leading worldwide low-cost carriers (LCCs) this month, with a jaw-dropping 50.5% increase in capacity (ASKs), according to Innovata. The carrier has surged into the Top 25 listing, along with Indian LCC, SpiceJet,which is expanding...

Notam system down time set for May 28

Pilots will have to use alternative procedures to check notices to airmen (notams) for several hours on May 28 when the FAA notam servers are taken off-line during a relocation of the system’s operations base, according to a report at AOPA.org, which explains the FAA will reposition the servers that...

World's Biggest Airlines Rankings: China Southern drops back, ANA replaces JAL

Dynamic change at the top of the world Airline Rankings (by capacity) continues this month, with China Southern Airlines the surprise loser, falling one place from Apr-2011 behind fast-growing neighbour Cathay Pacific into 13th place. All Nippon Airways has entered the list for the first time, taking...

Replace those paper charts

Jeppesen has introduced “Express JeppView” digital charting, which replaces paper terminal charts and procedures for the general aviation market. Express JeppView digital charting services are also now available through the Jeppesen Mobile TC charting app for iPad at no additional charge for digital...

Global Alliance rankings: May-2011. SkyTeam gains a little ground on Star

SkyTeam alliance members are expanding their seats offer and ASKs by 7.6% and 8.7%, respectively, this month. This is well ahead of the global average increases of 6.0% and 6.8% in seats and ASKs this month. It has seen SkyTeam grow its share of global airline capacity (seats and ASKs) to 14%, while...

Do you know your state’s aircraft tax legislation?

Aircraft owners should be alert to state taxes, the National Business Aviation Association recently warned its members in a webinar. Webinar presenters Phil Crowther, an attorney, and consultant Nel Stubbs discussed the types of taxes that pilots and business aviation operators might find themselves...

Scholarships awarded

This year as part of the annual “Green Skills for Life” competition, the San Diego Air & Space Museum (SDASM) and Ford Motor Company Fund asked San Diego County students the following question: What is one change or action you think you and others could do in your everyday lives&hellip...

Aviation Laboratories celebrates 25th anniversary

Aviation Laboratories is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Houston-based Aviation Laboratories provides a combination of products and services to the aviation indsutry, including: LABORATORY SERVICES – Founded in 1985, Aviation Laboratories provides analytical testing of engine oil, oil...

Aviation insurance agencies merge

Henley Insurance Unlimited, LLC, of Birmingham, Ala., and Aviation Unlimited Agency, Inc. (AUA), of Greensboro, N.C., have combined their operations under one organizational structure:  AUA, Inc. The new company, with 19 associates, offers pilots and aviation professionals nationwide a wide array of...

Bogi Bar celebrates silver anniversary

In 1985, Bogert Aviation’s Bogi Bar was born. The Bogi Bar is an aircraft tow bar designed to safely and easily maneuver a lightweight aircraft on the ground. “Back in 1985 when I had my FBO in Richland, Washington, we were in tight quarters and always needed to move one… Read More ===> Posted...

Monitoring Red Bull pilots

The Red Bull Air Races are not only a showcase for the world’s leading pilots and top machines, but also require careful planning with an emphasis on safety. For example, every fly by of the pylons has strict limits for speed and overload. Monitoring these limits are instruments produced by&hellip...

Low-level stall kills two

This May 2009 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others. Aircraft: RV-6A. Injuries: 2 Fatal. Location: Plainwell, Mich. Aircraft damage: Destroyed. What reportedly happened...

Selling the best airport in the world

Jamie Beckett is a CFI and A&P mechanic who stepped into the political arena in an effort to promote and protect GA at his local airport. He is also a founding partner and regular contributor to FlightMonkeys.com. As the introduction to this column stipulates, I’m a CFI and an A&P.&hellip...

US airlines gain on falling oil prices

US airline stocks went against the broader market trend on Monday, as falling oil prices provided investor support for the sector. Some analysts are pointing to fares rising ahead of oil prices, improving the earnings outlook for the sector.

Lacklustre day for European airline stocks

European airline shares were mostly flat yesterday, with Air France-KLM, easyJet, airberlin, Norwegian, Aeroflot and others unchanged.

Warbirds, airshows and autogas

The GAfuels Blog is written by two private pilots concerned about the future availability of fuels for piston-engine aircraft: Dean Billing, Sisters, Ore., an expert on autogas and ethanol, and Kent Misegades, Cary, N.C., an aerospace engineer, aviation sales rep for U-Fuel, and president of EAA1114...

Lotte Shopping in top tier of world retailers: Forbes

Leading Korean retail group, Lotte Shopping, has been ranked as the sixth-largest worldwide retailer by Forbes Magazine.

Airport shares close mostly lower

Listed airport shares were mainly lower yesterday, led by falls among Australian, Chinese and European airport operators, reflecting weaker global equity markets.

Airports' financial results sustain confident outlook

European and Asian airport operators have been releasing their financial results for 1Q2011. In the majority of cases EBITDA and/or operating profit is on the up, sustaining the confidence engendered from previous disclosures.

Backup plan for FAA reauthorization introduced

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A bipartisan committee in the House introduced a bill to again provide a short-term extension for the FAA if agreement cannot be reached for a long-term reauthorization before the present funding program expires May 31. If needed, this would be the 19th short-term extension and...

US juggles the politics of aviation security

The funding and direction of the US Transportation Security Agency (TSA) is once again under discussion in Washington. The most recent development involves Republicans on the House Appropriations Committee who have removed funding for additional body scanners and personnel to operate them.

Air New Zealand-Virgin Australia announce joint Tasman network, Qantas takes off to Dallas

Air New Zealand and Virgin Australia have announced their joint trans-Tasman network to commence in the forthcoming northern winter schedule (Nov-2011 to Mar-2012).

Premium air travel growth slows sharply in March, fall in economy travel of more concern: IATA

Worldwide premium (business and first class) air travel growth slowed “significantly” in March, according to IATA, due to the unexpected events in Japan and Middle East/North Africa (MENA). But the industry association warned that a slowdown in economy travel over the past five months was of more...

JQF: Home to NASCAR’s air force

A fleet of planes owned by NASCAR drivers has put North Carolina’s Concord Regional Airport (JQF) on the map, according to a report from the Independent Tribune in Concorde, which quotes aviation director Dick Lewis: “NASCAR traffic accounts for about 60% of our business. We decided a long time...

Singapore Airlines closes load factor gap in April, but more work to do

Singapore Airlines' passenger load factor (PLF) slipped 3ppts to 74.6%, closing the gap that opened in February and March compared with the same months last year. Total passenger traffic (RPKs) rose 7% while capacity (ASKs) surged 11.2% in Apr-2011

Responding to an earthquake

Civil Air Patrol participated in an exercise Monday with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Northern Command, the National Guard Bureau and other federal and state agencies called Ardent Sentry 11, a major homeland security and disaster response exercise that tests emergency responders’...

Consolidation, changes signal regional US aviation industry restructuring

It is getting harder to compare apples with apples in the regional industry as it has transformed into a small group of holding companies. The sector is undergoing restructuring as the Delta/Northwest and United/Continental mergers aptly illustrate.