Airlines
LATAM Group to add 10 Boeing 767-300 BCF
LATAM Group to add 10 Boeing 767-300 BCF: Over the course of the next three years, the LATAM Group announced that its freight fleet development would be expanded, which will now include 10 Boeing 767-300 Boeing Converted Freighters (BCF). By 2023, the fleet will go up to 21 cargo carriers. In December 2021, the service of the first aircraft is scheduled.
Initially, four firm conversion orders with Boeing and four more conversion options were included in the Group’s freighter Fleet development strategy. LATAM exercised the 4 options, 8 planes, and 2 more Boeing 767-300ERs two months after the initial announcement. That means that by the end of 2023, up to 21 aircraft will be in the freighting fleet. Once the plan is over, its cargo capacity has almost doubled as well as the average fleet age will also be decreased from 17 to 14.
With the growth of 11 to 21 freight carrier systems, the cargo subsidiaries of the LATAM Group will be able to extend, strengthen and place the Group as the main freight carrier group in Latin America. The first 8 aircraft were assigned to critical markets for main customer segments.
In the first quarter of 2021, freight revenue for LATAM increased by 36.8 percent to $345.2 million for airliners. In March, LATAM announced that up to eight 767 will be converted to cargo in order to protect this market.
Although all the converted freight aircraft will be received by LATAM, the airline shall operate in a hybrid format with commercial aviation. For this sort of flight, the airline will use around 767-300ER.
It will remove the seats completely from three aircraft that allow up to 46 tons of payload per flight. There are currently two such aircraft operating. In the next few months, the third will be available.
“In general terms, the majority of the plan focuses on improving connectivity between North and South America. In particular, capacity from Colombia and Ecuador will be strengthened to support the flower export industry. Additional flights to support Chilean salmon exports as well as import traffic into the country will also be reinforced. Capacity to and from Brazil will also go up as we add routes from North America and Europe, boosting both the export and import markets”, said Kamal Hadad, LATAM Cargo’s Network and Alliances Director.
Read More: Converting a Boeing 777-300ER passenger aircraft into a freighter
Hadad added that the freighter fleet flexibility will help LATAM assess a range of options. “For example, the two additional conversions could be used to refresh the current fleet or to begin new growth projects. The Group still has time to make the relevant decisions,” he concluded.
Read More: Indigo to start cargo business converted 2 passenger jets to a full freighter.
Airlines
Woman slams Air India for downgrading her mother’s business class ticket to economy,
Air India finds itself embroiled in controversy yet again following a recent incident where a passenger was downgraded from Business Class to Economy Class on a flight from Delhi to Washington DC.
The incident has sparked a debate surrounding customer service standards and the airline’s adherence to established protocols. when a user, Ms. Vitasta, took to social media to share her mother’s troubling experience. According to her account, her mother, who held a Business Class ticket for the Delhi to Washington DC flight, was confronted with a series of bewildering situations.
Initially, airline staff informed her that her seat couldn’t recline, followed by the explanation that it was reserved for the crew. However, to her dismay, she later discovered another passenger occupying her rightful seat while she was unceremoniously shifted to Economy Class. Ms. Vitasta expressed her frustration in a tweet, condemning Air India for its actions and highlighting the discomfort and inconvenience her mother endured.
In response, Air India reached out to Ms. Vitasta, assuring her that they were investigating the matter with priority alongside the airport team. However, their subsequent offer of compensation, which included 75% of the fare and an upgrade voucher, was met with skepticism and further criticism. Ms. Vitasta updated her followers, expressing dissatisfaction with the compensatory measures and denouncing the rude behavior of the ground staff in Delhi.
Following the incident, Air India purportedly offered to compensate 75% of the fare and provided an upgrade voucher to Ms. Vitasta’s mother. However, many online users deemed this response inadequate and urged her to file a formal complaint against the airline for the deficiency of service experienced. “Don’t accept the 75%; she paid for a service and didn’t receive it; she should get 100% minimum,” said a second person. “@airindia’s reckless, arrogant culture would never change regardless of who owns it,” commented a third.
Airlines
Somalil and ATC Prevents Collision Between Emirates and Ethiopian Airlines
Somalil and’s Air Traffic Control (ATC) played a pivotal role in preventing a potential catastrophe as an Ethiopian Airlines plane narrowly dodged another near-collision incident with an Emirates aircraft over Somalia’s airspace.
The harrowing event unfolded last Sunday, involving flight ethiopian airlines ETH 690 and emirates UAE 722, both cruising at 37,000 feet. According to an incident report released by the Somaliland Civil Aviation and Airports Authority on Tuesday, the two planes were on a collision course after receiving conflicting instructions from Mogadishu Control, placing them on a collision trajectory.
Fortunately, swift action by Somaliland’s ATC, in collaboration with the ethiopianairline
crew, averted disaster. The pilots of the et airline 737 MAX promptly ascended to 39,000 feet, creating a safe distance between the two airliners.
This incident underscores the critical importance of proficient air traffic control in ensuring the safety of airspace, particularly in the Horn of Africa region, which has witnessed similar close calls in recent times. The repeated errors by Mogadishu’s air traffic controllers highlight the pressing need for enhanced oversight and training within the aviation sector.
The Somalil and Civil Aviation and Airports Authority has issued a cautionary statement, warning that such mistakes pose a significant threat to the safety of international flights. They emphasized that the “stubbornness and lack of knowledge” displayed by Mogadishu Tower personnel present a clear danger to air safety.
The government of Somalia has yet to respond to the incident or address concerns raised by Somaliland authorities.
Airlines
Emirates A380 superjumbo was damaged by a ground vehicle in Moscow
In a startling incident at Moscow Domodedovo Airport, an Emirates Airbus A380, one of the largest passenger aircraft in the world, encountered significant damage as it prepared for departure.
The mishap unfolded on a Wednesday afternoon when a pushback tug found itself wedged beneath the colossal double-deck aircraft.
Photographs circulated on social media platforms depicted the vivid yellow pushback truck ensnared under the belly of the A380, indicating the severity of the situation. The unfortunate incident, as per RadarBox data, unfolded mere hours prior, during the preparation for flight EK133 from Dubai to Moscow, operated by the aircraft with registration A6-EDM.
Thankfully, the aircraft had not yet welcomed passengers on board, as it awaited departure scheduled for 16:35 local time.emirates flights However, the faced postponement and eventual cancellation due to the damage sustained. The underbody of the airbus a380 emirates
bore notable harm, necessitating extensive repairs before it could resume service.
Emirates promptly responded to the incident, ensuring the safety and convenience of its passengers. A spokesperson for the airline conveyed, “ek flight EK134 has been cancelled due to a ground services vehicle making contact with the aircraft prior to passengers boarding.” Additionally, affected passengers were swiftly rebooked on alternative Emirates flights, assuring minimal disruption to their travel plans.
The statement issued by emirates air line underscored their commitment to passenger and crew safety, reiterating that the well-being of all involved remains paramount. While the setback in Moscow may cause inconvenience, Emirates assures passengers that steps are being taken to rectify the situation and resume normal operations swiftly.
Aerospace
China is secretly testing its next-generation medium combat helicopter Z21
China consistently keeps aviation enthusiasts surprised with its advancements in fighter jets and other aircraft. Leading the pack in Asia, China continuously pushes boundaries in developing domestically-built aircraft.
Recently, images circulating on the internet reveal China’s latest creation, the Z-21 helicopter. Resembling its predecessor, the Z-10, this helicopter boasts enhanced fighter capabilities. The emergence of these images sparks questions regarding the fate of plans to acquire Russian-made Ka-52K attack helicopters, particularly the naval version.
Observing the helicopter in flight, it shares design elements with the Harbin Z-10, notably in the front fuselage and cockpit canopy. The wing stubs for weapon mounts exhibit similar shapes, though with less pronounced angular features. With a tandem seating arrangement, the Z-21 also draws comparisons to the Mil Mi-28, featuring an elongated body with five rotor blades and weapon bays on its sides.
The unveiling of the Z-21 has triggered speculation about its potential role in future military operations. Analysts suggest that beyond its firepower, its introduction could signal significant technological advancements. There’s particular interest in whether China will incorporate a ‘manned-unmanned teaming’ system akin to later Apache models, enabling the Z-21 to control armed drones for reconnaissance and attacks, reducing risks to the helicopter itself.
The emergence of the Z-21 underscores China’s increasing military prowess and its commitment to developing cutting-edge weaponry. Its deployment and capabilities will be closely monitored, especially concerning regional security dynamics.
The helicopter presents a significant challenge to American-built Apache and other medium helicopters, boasting superior capacity for flying at higher altitudes and more powerful speed and combat capabilities, thus enhancing its effectiveness on the battlefield. On the other hand, amidst ongoing Indian border tensions, this aircraft is poised to play a crucial role in surveillance along the sensitive China border and beyond.
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