Airlines

NTSB Publishes Additional Comments on Ethiopia’s Final Report on 737 MAX 8 Accident

The final report of the Ethiopian Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (EAIB) about the March 10, 2019, accident of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, received additional comments from the National Transportation Safety Board.

The new comments, provided to the EAIB’s investigator-in-charge, detail the NTSB’s concerns about several of the findings in the final accident report. This is in addition to the comments the NTSB made public on Dec. 27 on the EAIB’s final accident report, which detailed the investigation’s insufficient attention to the human performance aspects of the accident.

Boeing Statement On Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 Investigation Preliminary Report(Opens in a new browser tab)

The EAIB issued its final report without giving the NTSB the opportunity to review new information incorporated since the NTSB’s last review and provide comments ahead of the report’s issuance, as stipulated by the International Civil Aviation Organization’s Annex 13.

Although the NTSB agrees with the overall finding in the EAIB report related to the role the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS) and related systems played in the accident, the EAIB’s report contains findings the NTSB said are unsupported by evidence — for example, that aircraft electrical problems caused erroneous angle-of-attack (AOA) output.

In its final report, the EAIB wrote electrical anomalies that existed since the time of the accident airplane’s production caused the AOA sensor heater to fail, which resulted in the AOA sensor providing erroneous values that caused MCAS to repeatedly pitch the nose of the airplane downward until it struck the ground.

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But the NTSB found the erroneous AOA sensor output was caused by separation of the AOA sensor vane due to impact with a foreign object, which was most likely a bird. During the accident investigation, the NTSB provided the EAIB with evidence supporting this finding, but that evidence was not included in the final report.

The EAIB’s conclusion that flight crews lacked the necessary MCAS paperwork was misrepresented, according to the NTSB, as Boeing had already given all 737 MAX operators the necessary information four months prior to the crash involving Ethiopian Airlines.

The complete text of the NTSB’s comments is available online.

Airlines

IndiGo Awards 45-Day Bonus to Employees Equivalent to 1.5 Months’ Salary

IndiGo, India’s leading airline, has made headlines with its latest announcement of a generous reward for its workforce, celebrating their exceptional contributions throughout the fiscal year 2024.

In a move aimed at recognizing and appreciating their outstanding performance, the company has unveiled the “Thank You Bonus,” equivalent to 1.5 months’ basic salary. This bonus will be disbursed as an ex-gratia payment alongside the May 2024 salary.

The decision comes on the heels of remarkable financial achievements for IndiGo, marked by a notable surge in profits during the third quarter of the fiscal year 2024. With a staggering 110% increase in profits, the airline reported standalone profits of Rs 2,998 crore for the quarter ended December 31, compared to Rs 1,423 crore in the same period of the previous year.

IndiGo’s CEO, Pieter Elbers, has consistently emphasized the company’s resilience in navigating the challenges posed by the pandemic. This substantial bonus underscores the company’s positive trajectory and its commitment to recognizing and rewarding the dedication and hard work of its employees.

Beyond financial success, IndiGo is also dedicated to fostering inclusivity and diversity within its workforce. The Thank You Bonus initiative is not just about monetary appreciation but also about empowering every member of the IndiGo family, including specially-abled colleagues, by providing them with opportunities to showcase their skills and abilities.

Moreover, this move reaffirms IndiGo’s core values of providing an affordable, punctual, courteous, and hassle-free travel experience for all passengers. The airline has consistently prioritized accessibility, ensuring that all its facilities, technologies, information, and privileges are accessible to persons with disabilities.

In sum, IndiGo’s decision to award a 45-day bonus to its employees amid significant profits not only reflects the company’s financial success but also underscores its commitment to its workforce and its values of inclusivity, excellence, and customer satisfaction.

Airlines

A New Player Takes Off: Embraer Poses a Formidable Challenge to Boeing

In the midst of ongoing challenges faced by Boeing and the aviation industry at large, Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer has been thrust into the spotlight.

Recent reports suggesting that Embraer is eyeing the development of a next-generation narrow-body aircraft have sparked intrigue and speculation. However, the company has swiftly moved to quash such rumors.

Internal assessments conducted within Embraer have indeed highlighted the company’s impressive technological prowess and manufacturing capabilities. These findings have led some to speculate about the potential for Embraer to enter the narrow-body aircraft market, traditionally dominated by industry giants Boeing and Airbus.

In light of Boeing’s recent challenges, including the protracted grounding of its 737 MAX jets and leadership upheavals, some industry analysts have suggested that there may be an opportunity for smaller players like Embraer to disrupt the market duopoly. Airbus, too, has plans to introduce a new narrow-body aircraft in the future, further intensifying competition in this space.

However, despite the potential openings created by Boeing’s troubles, Embraer appears cautious about overextending itself. The company is currently focused on maximizing the success of its existing portfolio, which includes the innovative E2 aircraft series.

Additionally, the emergence of alternatives such as China’s Comac C919 adds another layer of complexity to the competitive landscape. While the C919 has thus far secured orders primarily from Asian carriers, Boeing’s challenges could prompt airlines worldwide to explore alternative options.

Airlines

Air India Revised Baggage Rules for Domestic Flights

Air India Trims Baggage Allowance for Domestic Flights

Air India, one of India’s leading airlines, has implemented significant changes to its baggage policies, affecting travelers across various fare classes.

Effective May 2, 2024, the airline has rolled out a revised baggage allowance scheme, marking a reduction in the permitted weight limits for most fare categories. Under the updated guidelines, passengers booking economy and business class tickets will notice a decrease in their baggage allowance by 5 to 10 kilograms compared to previous allowances.

These adjustments reflect Air India’s response to market dynamics and regulatory requirements. In the Economy Comfort category, encompassing S, T, U, and L fare classes, travelers will now have a baggage allowance of 15 kilograms, down from the previous 20 kilograms. As reported by livefromalounge.

Similarly, passengers availing themselves of Economy Comfort Plus, including G, W, V, Q, and K fare classes, will see their baggage allowance reduced to 15 kilograms from the earlier 25 kilograms.

However, not all fare classes are subject to reductions. Economy Flex passengers, represented by the H, M, B, and Y fare classes, will maintain their previous baggage allowance of 25 kilograms.

In the business class segment, changes are also evident. Business Comfort Plus, consisting of Z and J fare classes, will now offer a baggage allowance of 25 kilograms, down from the prior 35 kilograms. Meanwhile, passengers booking Business Flex tickets under the D and C fare classes will have a revised baggage allowance of 35 kilograms, compared to the previous 40 kilograms.

For passengers planning their upcoming journeys with Air India, it is essential to review the updated baggage policies to ensure compliance and avoid any inconvenience during their travel experience.