Boeing, determined to see the 787 fly before the end of the year, is focused on getting repairs completed. Ryanair is still continuing its investments in Aer Lingus. Tarmac delay rally in D.C. highlights the problem.
Boeing starts repairs on 787
Boeing has started modifications to reinforce where the wings join the body in preparation for its first test flight this year.
In his blog post, Mr. Tinseth wrote that the modifications are underway on both the first test plane and the so-called “static airframe,” an airplane that Boeing conducts all types of tests on, but that won’t ever take a flight. He said modifications will soon begin on the other five 787 test aircraft, which are in various stages of final production.
Ryanair prepared to invest more in Aer Lingus
Although Ryanair is not likely to make a third bid for Aer Lingus, it is prepared to invest more in the airline.
“I do think Aer Lingus will need a major reorganization… and they will come back to the existing shareholders which would be the government, the trade unions and Ryanair presumably to raise some more money,” O’Leary told a Ryanair shareholder meeting.
Freeing fliers imprisoned on the tarmac
Despite more and more cases of passengers being “trapped” in airlines with little food and water, airlines, airports, and the government haven’t made any moves to solve the problem. That may soon change.
On Tuesday, a diverse group of aviation professionals gathered in Washington to debate solutions, including urging Congress to force airlines to give passengers the option of leaving a plane after three hours of runway jail. In conversations outside the staged event, these engineers, former airline executives, airport managers and pilots’ union leaders offered common-sense solutions.
(Photo: Drewski2112/Flickr Creative Commons)
