Tag Archives: British Airways

Sixth Dreamliner problem forces grounding in Japan

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Sixth Dreamliner problem forces grounding in Japan

Jan 16, 2013
 Further question marks are being raised over the new generation Boeing 787 Dreamliner after Japan’s two main airlines grounded the aircraft.

The decision was talen after one was forced to make an emergency landing over night because of battery problems.

All Nippon Airways grounded its fleet of 17 Dreamliners after a flight from Yamaguchi Ube in western Japan was forced to land shortly after takeoff.

The ANA flight landed at Takamatsu airport at 8:47am local time on Wednesday after the pilot saw an error message and smoke was seen in the cockpit.

Japan Airlines then followed suit, saying it would take its fleet of seven 787s out of service from today (January 16) until further notice.

Dreamliners have suffered a total of six issues, including fuel leaks, a cracked cockpit window, brake problems and an electrical fire, in recent weeks.

ANA said that the 129 passengers and 8 crew were evacuated, with a number of people sustaining minor injuries.

Five people were injured, according to Reuters, while Bloomberg said that one person was sent to hospital.

A Boeing spokesman told the BBC that the company was “aware of the diversion of a 787 operated by ANA to Takamatsu in western Japan”.

He added that Boeing “will be working with our customer and the appropriate regulatory agencies”.

Boeing was already facing a probe by Japanese and US authorities over its Dreamliner issues.

The US Federal Aviation Administration last week started a broad review of the design, manufacturing and assembly of the Dreamliner.

India’s aviation regulator said it would review the Dreamliner’s safety and talk to parts makers following the ANA incident.

United Airlines is the only US carrier currently flying Dreamliners, and the carrier said it was not taking any immediate action.

Thomson Airways is due to start flying the 787 this year followed by British Airways and Virgin Atlantic.

Tui and Thomas Cook press ahead with £120m Nats sell-off

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Tui and Thomas Cook press ahead with £120m Nats sell-off

Jan 07, 2013

Tui and Thomas Cook press ahead with £120m Nats sell-off

Tui and Thomas Cook could share £120 million through the sale of their stakes in National Air Traffic Services (Nats).

The two travel groups are reported to have started the process of selling the 12% they own in the UK’s air traffic control service.

The travel companies are part of the seven-strong Airline Group consortium which includes British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and easyJet, owning 42% of Nats.

The government is the biggest shareholder with 49% while the 5,000 staff own 5% of the business.

Tui and Cook view their slice of the air traffic organisation as non-core and have instructed investment bank Rothschild, which advises the Airline Group, to find a buyer, the Sunday Timesreported.

IAG faces €90m emissions trading bill in 2012

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IAG faces €90m emissions trading bill in 2012

Nov 11, 2011 07:37AM GMT

British Airways and Iberia parent International Airlines Group faces a €90 million bill in the first year of the European emissions trading scheme from 2012.

The figure emerged today as IAG released a raft of fresh financial information to the City. Fuel costs are forecast to rise by 14% next year, while other unit cost will be flat despite planned capacity growth of 2.5%.

IAG expects an operating profit of around €1.5 billion in 2015 achieved through an increase from €400 million to €450 million in annual synergy targets, structural profit improvements of €400 million plus organic growth of €150 million.

Optimisation of the British Airways-American Airlines transatlantic joint venture is due to deliver at least €150 million in benefits.

Further savings of at least €100 million are expected through the creation of Spanish low cost outfit Iberia Express and a similar figure from improving hub operations at Madrid’s Barajas airport.

Cost efficiency gains from the introduction of new aircraft into the fleet is estimated at around €250 million. IAG’s planned capital expenditure programme was detailed as totalling €1.1 billion in 2011, €1.6 billion next year, €2 billion in 2013, €1.35 billion in 2014 and €1.6 billion in 2015.

Capacity growth rate of 2.5% a year up to 2015 is forecast.