Tag Archives: Airbus

Exclusive first look at Norwegian Breakaway float out

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Exclusive first look at Norwegian Breakaway float out

Exclusive first look at Norwegian Breakaway float out

By Melanie Hall

Travel Weekly has been given an exclusive first look at Norwegian Breakaway’s float out from its dock in Germany this morning.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s vessel, the largest ship built in Germany, was floated out of Meyer Werft’s covered building dock earlier today in Papenburg, where the 146,600-tonne ship has been under construction since September 2011.

Norwegian Breakaway

The 4,000-passenger ship, with her signature hull artwork designed by pop icon Peter Max, departed the building dock as the first ship to depart bow-first.

Norwegian Breakaway has an overall length of 324 metres, and is 39.70 metres wide.

The ship’s float out represents a major milestone in the vessel’s construction as it denotes that the ship has now moved into the final phase of construction with delivery taking place in just 58 days.

Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line’s chief executive officer, said: “Norwegian Breakaway represents a significant achievement both for Meyer Werft and Norwegian Cruise Line in terms of innovation and design.

“Celebrating her float out today brings us closer to her much-anticipated delivery on April 25 when she will make her debut in Europe before arriving in her homeport of New York City on May 7. We can’t wait.”

Norwegian Breakaway

Bernard Meyer, managing partner of Meyer Werft, said: “This new vessel is a further milestone for us. Its construction complies with the latest safety standards, and the ship meets all valid environmental regulations.

“Beyond that Norwegian Breakaway includes a lot of unique design elements and technical innovations.”

Following the float out, tests were carried out in the harbour and the ship was berthed alongside the yard’s outfitting pier. On March 4, the first crew members will move into their staterooms on board, and begin to familiarise themselves with the ship, readying her for guests.

Norwegian Breakaway’s conveyance down the river Ems towards the North Sea, where she will prove her seaworthiness, is scheduled for March 10, weather permitting.

– See more at: http://www.travelweekly.co.uk/Articles/2013/02/26/43280/exclusive-first-look-at-norwegian-breakaway-float-out.html#sthash.frTau6AT.dpuf

Airbus opts for ‘Plan B’ for A350 after 787 battery problem

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Airbus opts for ‘Plan B’ for A350 after 787 battery problem

By Phil Davies

Airbus opts for 'Plan B' for A350 after 787 battery problemAirbus will not use lithium-ion batteries in its forthcoming A350 aircraft because of problems that have grounded rival Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner.

The European manufacturer is to use traditional nickel-cadmium batteries instead, as already used in the A380 superjumbo and other models.

Investigations are continuing after battery problems came to light on 787s operated by Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways which left 50 Dreamliners grounded around the world.

Airbus said it was “confident” that the lithium-ion battery it had been developing with French battery-maker Saft was “robust and safe”.

It added that A350 test flights would continue with the lithium batteries.

“However, to date, the root causes of the two recent industry Li-ion main batteries incidents remain unexplained to the best of our knowledge,” Airbus said.

“In this context, and with a view to ensuring the highest level of programme certainty, Airbus has decided to activate its Plan B and therefore to revert back to the proven and mastered nickel-cadmium main batteries for its A350 XWB programme at entry into service.

“Airbus considers this to be the most appropriate way forward in the interest of programme execution and A350 XWB reliability.”

The firm said it did not expect any further delays to the launch of the A350, intended as a rival to the 787. The maiden flight is due to take place later this year, with the first passenger flight expected in the second half of 2014, the BBC reported.