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Aviation History
2003
2003 - 2574.PDF
AIR TRANSPORT ATM Airservices studies ADS-B responses Airservices Australia has started evaluating responses to its nationwide automatic dependent surveillance - broadcast (ADS-B) ground station tender after the deadline for bids passed last week. The service provider plans to select a ground station supplier early next year, allowing the pro gramme to start on 19 March, writes Emma Kelly. Airservices Australia provider issued a request for tenders (RFT) for the design and supply of 20 ADS-B ground stations throughout the country in Sep tember The ground stations will provide radar-like surveillance separation services using Mode S squitter-based ADS-B to air craft flying above FL300 (30,000ft/9,150m). Ground sta tions are due to be operational across the country by the end of 2005 as part of the upper air space programme. Airservices declines to com ment on the responses, but they are expected to include Sensis, which supplied one ADS-B ground station installed at Bunda- berg, Queensland, as part of Air services' trial of the technology. Shortlisted candidates in the upper airspace programme will be notified by 12 December, to be followed by demonstrations of equipment from 12-23 January. The preferred bidder will be noti fied by 25 February, after which a supply agreement will be negoti ated, to take effect in March. IN BRIE PALESTINIAN CUTS Palestinian Airlines has reduced its schedule to two twice-weekly services between El-Arish in Egypt, south of the Gaza Strip, and Amman, Jordan. The carrier has no plans to resume services until it is able to relocate to Dahania airport in Gaza from which it was forced to move in 2001 when the Israeli army ploughed up the runway. AIRCRAFT ACQUISITIONS MAX KINGSLEY-JONES / LONDON & LEITHEN FRANCIS / SINGAPORE Analysts wary of 747-400 future despite new sales Airlines line up to take used aircraft, but it is unclear if this will spell a long-term upturn Analysts say it is too early to pre dict whether the increased interest in secondhand Boeing 747-400s from airlines in Asia and Europe suggests a long-term upturn in the fortunes for the 400-seat widebody. Cathay Pacific plans to acquire up to 15 747-400S in the next few years, while Malaysia Airlines is bel ieved to be seeking two secondhand aircraft. Thai Airways International is acquiring seven ex-United Airlines aircraft. Meanwhile, French charter airline Corsair is believed to be final ising a deal to replace its five 747- 300s with ex-United -400s. According to Airclaims, there are 33 idle 747-400s and the UK con sultancy director of consultancy Edward Pieniazek says these deals "do not address the overall inven tory imbalance". He adds, however, that with Asia's post-SARS recovery making good progress "others could come out of the woodwork and may start a trend". Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific says it is "looking to buy up to 15 747-400s over the next few years. Some will be used for passengers and some will be converted into freighters." Cathay operates 19 747-400 passenger aircraft and five freighters, all of which are Rolls- Royce RB211-powered. The airline's Oneworld alliance partner British Airways, which oper ates 57 RB211-powered 747-400s, has been looking to reduce the fleet by about 20% and has held on-off talks with Cathay about a deal. Corsair operates five 747-300s and is thought to be acquiring Pratt & Whitney PW4000-powered, ex- United 747-400s to replace them after evaluating an offer from Boe ing for similar, ex-Singapore Airlines machines that are being returned to the US manufacturer. Corsair's deal is thought to include the trade-in of its -300s. MAS, which operates 17 PW4000-powered -400s, is looking for two all-passenger examples with P&W engines. The airline returned two General Electric CF6-powered 747-400 combis to Boeing last year. Thai concluded a deal with Star Alliance partner United earlier this year for seven 747-400s. STRATEGY DBA plans f undraising German short-haul carrier DBA is making plans for a fundraising effort in early 2005 to coincide with an ambitious fleet expansion which could see the airline double its fleet. DBA, which until earlier this year was a subsidiary of British Airways - Deutsche BA - operates a fleet of 16 leased Boeing 737-300s. "We must decide between either the 737-700 or the Airbus A320 for a single-type fleet," says chief exec utive Hans Rudolf Wdhrl. "I think we will have 28 to 30 by 2007." Wohrl says fundraising must take a back seat until the airline breaks even: "I am optimistic that we will be profitable in our next financial year [2004-5]." The newly opened London Gatwick-Berlin Tegel route, and a planned route to Paris Orly, are key to DBA's growth. Wdrhl wants eventually to serve the fare-sensi tive business sector with up to 15 daily flights from Germany to each destination. V'f : IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIUII 11111111111 hi I = — .is.» >r DBA will chose between 737-700s or A320s to replace leased 737-300s SIMULATORS US Airways in trainer deal US Airways is to order two regional jet full-flight simulators from CAE, pending final agree ment on financing. A Bombardier CRJ200 simulator will be deliv ered in the second quarter of next year, followed in August by an Embraer 170 machine. Both will be equipped with CAE's Tropos visual system. The first Embraer 170 simula tor is being used for certification testing and crew training at CAE's Montreal plant, and the Canadian company has a commitment for one machine from GE Capital Aviation Training and an order from JetBlue Airways for two Embraer 190 simulators. • A consortium comprising Dutch investment group IMCA, Wolverhampton airport's operator and a training company based at the UK airport, have acquired the assets of the ESMA training busi ness from Air Littoral, and plans to acquire Montpellier-based ESMA out of administration. 10 11-17 NOVEMBER 2003 FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL www.fliqhtinternational.com
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