African and Middle Eastern airlines have seen a significant financial impact of the volcanic ash cloud over Europe last month, although much less than their European peers.
According to figures released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), 30% of African airlines’ capacity was affected by the five-day closure of much of Europe’s airspace. Middle Eastern carriers were forced to ground around 20% of their fleet — the part that is dedicated to European routes. By comparison, European carriers were forced to shut down 75% of their operations on average, but many airlines such as British Airways, Air France-KLM or Lufthansa did not fly at all for several days.
Star Alliance carrier United Airlines and Continental Airlines have confirmed plans to merge, under a holding company known as United Continental Holdings. Both airlines today agreed to a $3 billion merger that will create the world's largest airline and will be based in Chicago, with Continental's Jeff Smisek serving as chief executive and United's Glenn Tilton as non-executive chairman.
On May 2nd, a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 operating flight WN-1322 from Houston to Baltimore was close to a collision with a news helicopter taking-off at the same time.
The Southwest 737 had been cleared for take-off from Hobby Airport's runway 12R and had just rotated when the crew spotted a helicopter ahead and above them and took evasive action. The helicopter crew reacted as well and took a sharp right turn away from the runway.
Continental Airlines and United Airlines are expected to announce Monday that they are merging to form the world's largest airline, experts familiar with the matter said.
UAL's board of directors has met on Friday while Continental's board met both on Friday and Sunday to discuss the deal.
In April, the average temperature in Florida is about 70 degrees Fahrenheit. So, why is the 787 Dreamliner in the "Sunshine State" testing for freezing temperatures?
There's a good explanation: Florida is home to the largest refrigerated hangar in the world. Located at Eglin Air Force Base, the McKinley Climatic Laboratory can simulate temperatures as low as -65 degrees Fahrenheit or as high as 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
"This is really the only place in the world we could go in April that would give us the kind of cold temperatures that we need," said Tom Sanderson, the flight test director for the third 787 test bed. "We have a lot of new systems on this aircraft and we want to make sure it's all functioning properly in extreme situations."
