Page 11 - AAA SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2012 Online Magazine

NEWS

Xiamen Airlines
commits to buy 40
Next-gen 737s
According to Boeing, Xiamen Airlines has
agreed to buy 40 Next-Generation 737-
800s, valued at US$3.5 billion. Boeing
said it is working with Xiamen Airlines to
obtain government approval for the order. Jetstar Japan’s first flight
Ihssane Mounir, Boeing’s VP, Sales and Earlier this year, Jetstar Japan’s this was made possible with support
Marketing for Greater China and Korea first flight, an Airbus A320 with 180 from partners Japan Airlines, Mitsubishi
said. “This commitment from one of the passengers, took off from Tokyo’s Narita Corporation and Century Tokyo Leasing.
fastest-growing airlines in the world is Airport, headed for Sapporo. On-board Miyuki Suzuki, CEO of Jetstar Japan, said
a testament to the world’s best-selling was Qantas Group’s CEO, Alan Joyce, that the new airline would help bring fares
airplane and the many advantages the who said, “We’re pleased to be starting half the price of major airline alternatives.
Next-Generation 737 provides to the services five months ahead of schedule Although sales only began in April this
airline and its passengers.” and less than 12 months after the year, reports say that well over 100,000
airline was first announced.” He said flights have already been sold.
First AEw&C craft
delivered to India SpiceJet goes to Kabul have ancient cultural connections and
Embraer has celebrated the delivery of Budget airline SpiceJet, as part of a the launch of new services bridges the
the first EMB145 Airborne Early Warning further expansion of its network on distance between the two countries and
and Control (AEW&C) aircraft to the international routes, has announced the help to enhance this old relationship,”
Indian government. After integrating start of thrice-weekly flights between said SpiceJet CEO, Neil Mills. Under
the Defense Research and Development New Delhi, in India, and the Afghan its expansion in the domestic market,
Orgnisation’s (DRDO’s) systems, the capital city of Kabul, becoming the the airline will connect the cities of
aircraft will be delivered to the Indian Air sole private Indian carrier to operate Amritsar, Dehradun, Chandigarh,
Force. “The collaboration with DRDO in services to the country. Kabul is the Indore and Srinagar to Delhi, with more
such a complex programme strengthens fourth international destination for cities to come. Spicejet has acquired 12
the ties between Brazil and India”, said SpiceJet following the launch of its new Bombardier Q400 aircraft with the
Luiz Carlos Aguiar, President and CEO Dubai flights. “Kabul is a very important aim of enhancing connectivity to Tier II
of Embraer Defense and Security. destination for us. India and Afghanistan and Tier III cities.

SAID WHAT?!

“No one doubts Basha’s intention to help during a crisis.
But he is untrained and must not attempt to do the ATC’s
job. Mere good intention is not enough in this case.”

So said D. Devaraj, Airports Authority of India regional executive director, regarding an incident where
an airport fireman known as Basha successfully guided a Jet Airways flight to land at Tirupati Airport,
in India. He’d had to “fill in” for an air traffic controller who forgot to show up for work that day!

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