United Airlines won’t be a big-plane buyer
Even though United has been operating Boeing 747s, it won’t be buying large planes anytime soon from either Boeing or Airbus.
As it mulls an order for as many as 150 jets, United is looking to smaller, twin-engine planes to handle the long-range flying done by its fleet of 26 Boeing 747-400 planes, say people familiar with its plans. The jumbos seat about 350 people and are powered by four engines.
Airlines expected to lose $9 billion this year, according to IATA
International Air Transport Association DG and CEO Giovanni Bisignani said that the worldwide airline industry will “lose $9 billion this year after shedding $10.4 billion in 2008.”
Addressing delegates at the 65th IATA Annual General Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Bisignani said, “There is no modern precedent for today’s economic meltdown” and expressed doubt that growth will resume by year end, making the case instead for an “L-shaped” recovery. “I am a realist. I don’t see facts to support optimism,” he said.
Hudson ditching hearing to be webcast
The NTSB public hearing into the ditching of the US Airways flight can be “followed live via streaming video available through the Board’s Web site home page, http://www.ntsb.gov.”
The hearing, originally scheduled for two days, was extended to a third because of the scope of the investigative factual findings and its implications for every sector of aviation – not to mention the huge public interest.
There should be lots of operational information, and quite likely some bird-threat data that has never before been heard in one place.
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The NTSB public hearing into the ditching of the US Airways flight can be “followed live via streaming video available through the Board’s Web site home page, http://www.ntsb.gov.”
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I was watching this, this morning on Television. Sully gave a great interview on the stand. In addition, they interviewed some passengers onboard flight 1549. I tell you, I laughed when a lady was talking about her experience. She says, I didnt know we were gonna be walking out the door onto a RAFT.
MY FIRST THOUGHT: She didnt read her emergency card in her seat pocket. Information that could SAVE YOUR LIFE.