Russia's overflight fees and the EU

On 29 October 2010 Air Transport World reported that the European Commission (EC) had announced that it was initiating court action against European Union (EU) member states France, Germany, Austria and Finland over their air services arrangements with Russia that see their airlines paying overflight fees.

Note that these fees are not for air traffic control services. A 28 October 2010 report in the Journal of Commerce provides an estimate of the total fees paid by EU airlines, mostly to Aeroflot.

On 28 January 2011 Bloomberg reported that the EC was looking to take action against seven additional member states.

On 14 March 2011 the European Commission released a press release that gives background and another press release advising that it was taking action against six further member states.

France agrees to liberalise access for UAE airlines

On 31 January 2011 UAE Interact announced that France and the United Arab Emirates had agreed to an over 60% increases in the frequency of flights permitted between the two countries and the addition of Bordeaux as a destination point in France for airlines from the UAE.

Airlines from the UAE have very large aircraft orders from Airbus.

Japan considering "solidarity" tax on international air travel

On 28 September 2010 the Asahi Shimbun reported that the Japanese Government is considering introducing a 'solidarity' tax on international air transport.

Chile, France and South Korea already has such a tax in place with the money being used to fund UNITAID NEW.

Malaysia to gain rights from France for air services to Orly

On 8 October 2009 the New Straits Times reported that Malaysian Prime Minister Najib, on a four-day visit to Paris, had raised with Prime Minister Fillon of France granting access rights to Paris for Air Asia X.

In doing so Najib made a link with the large order of Airbus aircraft made by Air Asia.

President Sarkozy personally gave a positive reply, agreeing that access to Paris Orly airport would be granted. Officials are to work out the details.

Interim Report from BEA into Air New Zealand-owned A320 crash

On 24 February 2009 the French Bureau d'Enquetes et d'Analyses (BEA) released an Interim Report (English version) into the 27 November 2008 A320 crash (see previous post).

On 25 February 2009 Air New Zealand released a media statement NEW commenting on the interim report.

On the same day the New Zealand Herald has an article NEW that includes a report of comments from the New Zealand Transport Accident Investigation Commission NEW (TAIC) and another article NEW that includes comments from the New Zealand Air Line Pilots' Association NEW (NZALPA).

Air New Zealand-owned A320 crashes into Mediterranean

Friday, 28 November 2008, was one of those days I dread. I usually check the web first thing in the morning and was horrified to see the early reports that an Air New Zealand-owned Airbus A320, in the process of being returned from XL Airways Germany, had crashed into the sea off France near Perpignan. I soon learnt that someone from our Civil Aviation Authority was suspected to be on board.

Air New Zealand has issued a series of media releases on the crash as have various official bodies (not all are available on the web yet).

Air New Zealand:

Incident 0829 28/11
Update 1438 28/11
Update 1724 28/11
Update 2146 28/11
Update 0600 29/11
Update 0900 29/11
Update 1328 29/11
Update 2030 29/11
Update 0807 30/11
Update NEW 1028 2/12
Update NEW 1328 2/12
Update NEW 1512 7/12
Update NEW 1528 13/1
Update NEW 1229 15/1
Update NEW 19/1
Update NEW 20/1
Update NEW 1449 20/1
Update NEW 22/1
Update NEW 23/1

Bureau d'Enquetes et d'Analyses (BEA):

Accident on approach to Perpignan 2008 27/11
Accident on approach to Perpignan 2008 NEW 3/12

Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand:

CAA staff shocked by accident involving missing colleague NEW 28/11

New Zealand Prime Minister:

Statement on Air New Zealand plane crash 28/11

New Zealand Minister of Transport:

Government concerned for Air NZ & CAA staff on crashed Airbus 28/11

There is no point in speculating as to exactly what happened. That usually takes time to establish but I hope that the accident investigators are able to find some answers that we can learn from and that the investigation does not become entangled in judicial proceedings.

At the time of the crash, the aircraft was still on the German registry as D-AXLA, having not yet been handed back to Air New Zealand, but it had already been repainted in Air New Zealand colours. Seeing a photograph of the tail fin with the koru floating in the sea was particularly hard. The accident happened on the 29th anniversary of the Erebus tragedy, a day I still remember well. I was studying at Otago University in Dunedin then.

Rest in peace guys.

Airlines looking for government support in hard times

With the price of jet fuel having doubled in 12 months and a weakening global economy, the international airline industry is "battening down the hatches" by cutting services, laying off skilled staff and grounding older, less fuel-efficient aircraft.

It will not necessarily always be a case of "creative destruction" or "survival of the fittest." Past history would suggest that many "flag" carriers will again look to survive through government intervention. All around the world there are already signs of this happening:

In South America - on 17 July 2008 Reuters reported that the Argentine government is to takeover Aerolineas Argentinas from the Spanish travel group Marsans.

In Asia - on 10 July 2008 The Times reported that it understood Air India is seeking a "rescue finance package" from the Indian government of UK Pounds 270 million.

In Oceania - on 14 July 2008 Pacific Magazine reported on the latest developments with respect to the finances of Air Tahiti Nui. Note the reference to the airline's 16th recapitalisation being approved last year.

In Europe - on 15 July 2008 Reuters reported that the European Commission has received a reply to its concerns about the Euro 300 million loan from the Italian government to Alitalia.

In Africa - on 16 July 2008 SABC News reported that South African Airways says it needs another Rand 5.7 billion in government funding to reduce its debts.

In North America - the US Air Transportation Stabilization Board continues its existence and Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection provides a safeguard for US airlines.

Meanwhile in the Middle East some of the major Gulf airlines simply do not report their losses and their aircraft orders continue unabated. A 15 July 2008 Wall Street Journal article, with some more positive news from the global airline industry, suggests that Etihad Airways will miss its target of breaking even by 2010.

Finally, tongue in cheek, referring to this poster about a government funded air service means that I have all continents covered!

Paris Air Show 2007

This week sees the International Paris Air Show at Le Bourget, an event held every other year. As usual some major aircraft order announcements can be expected and there will be extensive coverage in the aerospace media.

In alternate years the focus of the aviation world is on the Farnborough International Airshow, held near London. I attended on a couple of days of the 1986 event.

More recently air shows in Dubai and Singapore have become more important events in the global aviation industry calendar.

Australian air rights aspirations in Europe

Following the recent exchanges of new air rights by Australia with Qatar and separately the United Arab Emirates, Australian Minister of Transport Mark Vaile is quoted in an interview with the Australian reported on 30 March 2007 about Australia's aspirations to expand its air services arrangements with Europe, including increased access to Paris.

Air Tahiti to serve Papeete-Rarotonga air route

Tahitipresse in a 5 February 2007 story reports that, after Air New Zealand ceases operating between Rarotonga (RAR), in the Cook Islands, and Papeete (PPT), in French Polynesia, Air Tahiti will commence a twice-weekly ATR72 service on the route. Air Rarotonga will be code sharing on this service which starts on 3 April 2007.

On 26 October 2006 Air New Zealand announced that it would also be ceasing operations between Papeete and Los Angeles and will instead code share on Air Tahiti Nui services on this sector. At the same time Air New Zealand will be recommencing a non-stop Rarotonga-Los Angeles operation.

bmi to suspend London-Paris air services

Star Alliance partner, bmi (British Midland Airways Ltd) announced on 19 January 2007 that it is to "suspend" air services between London Heathrow (LHR) and Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) airports from 26 February 2007. bmi cites intense competition, including from the Eurostar train service that will be significantly faster when the second section of the new Kent-London high-speed Channel Tunnel Rail Link is completed later this year.

bmi is the second largest airline at Heathrow and code shares with many long-haul airlines, including Air New Zealand, providing feeder services to and from Heathrow.

South Korea-France air services negotiations

An AFP story reports on the issues being addressed last week in two days of air services negotiations between France and the Republic of Korea.

The outcome was announced in a statement issued on 26 January 2007 by the Korean Ministry of Construction & Transportation.