Transportinfo.org.uk - today's transport news in the uk, hand picked for you each morning

Wednesday, 30 October 2019

BBC News

• Boeing accused of putting profit before safety by SenatorsUS lawmakers tell the planemaker they fear it put profit over safety when getting the 737 Max approved.
• Gatwick trial cuts plane boarding time by 10%The airport operator is experimenting with new sequences to get passengers on planes quicker.

Financial Times

• IndiGo announces order for more than 300 Airbus planesIndia’s biggest carrier seeks to entrench dominance in fast-growing aviation market 
• Airbus lowers forecast for 2019 deliveries, free cash flow

The Guardian

• 'Flying coffins': senators rip Boeing chief over Max jet crashes that killed 346Under-fire Dennis Muilenburg subjected to withering questions from angry committee members about flaws in anti-stall systemBoeing’s chief executive, Dennis Muilenburg, faced the anger of members of Congress in Washington over the failure of the aircraft maker and US regulators to identify and correct flaws in the design of the 737 Max jet that led to two crashes, killing 346.Muilenburg, who was forced to step down as Boeing chairman earlier this month after emails suggesting Boeing test pilots knew about defects in an anti-stall system but failed to alert regulators, opened his testimony with ...

The Independent

• Mysterious US space plane arrives back after long, unexplained mission'Each successive mission advances our nation's space capabilities,' says Air Force, without explaining how
• Gatwick airport to tell passengers exactly what order they should board planesTwo-month experiment aims to increase efficiency of aircraft 'turns'

The Scotsman

• Edinburgh's Menzies lands major Heathrow contract with Lufthansa that will see it deliver ground handling services to five airlinesJohn Menzies has secured a key contract renewal that will see it deliver ground handling services to five airlines at Heathrow Airport.

Times Online

• Time flies! Now you can board your plane in 14 minutes [subscription]The pre-flight scrum while boarding an aircraft is never the most relaxing way to start a holiday. Now there are moves to end the free-for-all at the boarding gate and the battle for luggage space by ranking all passengers according to their position on the aircraft.
• I didn’t query 737 safety fears, Boeing boss admits [subscription]Test pilot had warned that systems were ‘running rampant’

Daily Post (North Wales)

• Airbus secures mammoth jet deal that is one of its biggest everIndia's IndiGo has placed a firm order for 300 A320neo family aircraft

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• Government extends Dundee to London flight route for another yearDirect flights between Dundee and London will be rolled out into 2020, Aviation Minister Paul Maynard announced. The announcement means that people in Dundee and surrounding areas will be able to continue to enjoy the benefits of direct flights to London. It will also support local jobs and businesses markets across the country. The route is supported by the Public Service Obligation (PSO), which protects routes that boost tourism, connects the UK and encourages economic growth, and backed by UK government funding. Airline Loganair has been chosen by Dundee County Council to run the flights...

Aviation Industry

• US senators introduce bill to codify NTSB MAX safety recommendationsTwo US Senate Commerce Committee members have introduced legislation that would codify recommendations from the National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) review of the design and certification of the Boeing 737 MAX. read more
• Muilenburg defends Boeing’s handling of 737 MAX text messages Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg defended the company’s handling of recently disclosed text messages and email exchanges between employees involved in the development of the 737 MAX, telling members of a US Senate Committee, “The premise that we would lie and conceal is not consistent with our values.â€� read more
• EU launches state-aid probe into Air Nostrum fleet renewalAir Nostrum’s fleet renewal, after the carrier was pledged up to €9 million ($10 million) in local-government support on environmental grounds. read more
• Air Canada sees 9.4% drop in 3Q net profit on MAX absenceAir Canada reported a 9.4% year-over-year (YOY) drop in third-quarter net income as the absence of its Boeing 737 MAX aircraft took a toll on peak summer operations. read more