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QANTAS FAREWELLS “QUEEN OF THE SKIES”

Qantas will today mark the end of an era with the departure of the national carrier’s last Boeing 747 jumbo jet.
The final 747-400 in the fleet (registration VH-OEJ) will depart Sydney at 2pm as flight number QF7474, bringing to an end five decades of history-making moments for the national carrier and aviation in Australia.
Qantas took delivery of its first 747 (a -200 series) in August 1971, the same year that William McMahon became Prime Minister, the first McDonalds opened in Australia and Eagle Rock by Daddy Cool topped the music charts. Its arrival – and its economics – made international travel possible for millions of people for the first time.
The fleet of 747 aircraft not only carried generations of Australians on their first overseas adventures, they also offered a safe voyage for hundreds of thousands of migrant families who flew to their new life in Australia on board a ‘roo tailed jumbo jet.
Qantas 747s were at the forefront of a number of important milestones for the airline, including the first Business Class cabin of any airline in the world. Their size, range and incredible reliability meant they were used for numerous rescue missions: flying a record 674 passengers out of Darwin in the aftermath of Cyclone Tracy; evacuating Australians out of Cairo during political unrest in 2011 and flying medical supplies in and tourists home from the Maldives and Sri Lanka following the Boxing Day Tsunami in December 2004.
The last rescue missions the 747 flew for Qantas were to bring hundreds of stranded Australians home from the COVID-19 epicentre of Wuhan in February this year.
Qantas brought forward the scheduled retirement of the fleet by six months after the COVID-19 pandemic decimated international travel globally.
Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said the 747 changed the face of Australian aviation and ushered in a new era of lower fares and non-stop flights.

“It’s hard to overstate the impact that the 747 had on aviation and a country as far away as Australia. It replaced the 707, which was a huge leap forward in itself but didn’t have the sheer size and scale to lower airfares the way the 747 did. That put international travel within reach of the average Australian and people jumped at the opportunity,” Mr Joyce said.

“This aircraft was well ahead of its time and extremely capable. Engineers and cabin crew loved working on them and pilots loved flying them. So did passengers. They have carved out a very special place in aviation history and I know they’ll be greatly missed by a lot of people, including me.

“Time has overtaken the 747 and we now have a much more fuel efficient aircraft with even better range in our fleet, such as the 787 Dreamliner that we use on Perth-London and hopefully before too long, the Airbus A350 for our Project Sunrise flights non-stop to New York and London,” added Mr Joyce.
Qantas has flown six different types of the 747, with Boeing increasing the aircraft’s size, range and capability over the years with the advent of new technology and engine types.

Qantas’s first female Captain, Sharelle Quinn, will be in command of the final flight and said the aircraft has a very special place in the hearts of not just Qantas staff, but aviation enthusiasts and travellers alike.
“I have flown this aircraft for 36 years and it has been an absolute privilege”, Captain Quinn said.
“From the Pope to pop stars, our 747’s have carried over 250 million people safely to their destinations. Over the decades, it’s also swooped in on a number of occasions to save Aussies stranded far from home.”

aptain Quinn added, “It has been a wonderful part of our history, a truly ground breaking aircraft and while we are sad to see our last one go, it’s time to hand over to the next generation of aircraft that are a lot more efficient.”
Captain Quinn and crew will fly the 747 to Los Angeles with a full cargo hold of freight before its final sector to the Mojave.

VH-OEJ is scheduled to depart Sydney at 2.00pm. Weather permitting, it will do a flyby of Sydney Harbour, CBD and northern and eastern suburbs beaches as well as a low level overfly of HARS Museum (Albion Park) where it will dip the wings in a final farewell to Qantas’ first 747-400, VH-OJA, which is preserved there.
The aircraft will then head out over the Pacific Ocean, as the sun sets on a 50-year love affair with Australians and their beloved Queen of The Skies.
Fast Facts
Flight number: QF7474
Aircraft registration: VH-OEJ
Aircraft name: Wunala
Year delivered: 2003 (30th July)
Airlines
Ex-flight attendant claims Delta Airlines uniform gave her cancer

One former flight attendant says in a new federal lawsuit that Delta Airlines’ allegedly “toxic” uniforms contributed to her developing cancer.
British Airways changes crew uniform for the first time in 20 years(Opens in a new browser tab)
Summer Owens, 43, claims that over the course of more than two years beginning in June 2018, the uniforms she was obliged to wear got her worse and sicker. According to a federal lawsuit filed in Brooklyn on Monday, her symptoms first included skin that was itchy, burning, and swollen, as well as a rash on her bottom, burning eyes, a runny nose, and shortness of breath.
The employee of JFK Airport Owens allegedly began experiencing symptoms over a year later, including “fluid-filled sores on her legs,” “severe weariness,” “numbness in her fingers and toes,” night sweats, fever, migraines, swelling, and difficulties sleeping.
Nevertheless, since the airline introduced new uniforms, flight attendants have been experiencing health problems. And airlines have claimed that their uniforms are secure for years.
The identification and total amount of chemicals found in flight attendants‘ uniforms, as well as the source of their symptoms, are all now being researched by various parties. Employees are probably going to continue to have symptoms until the cause is found or until airlines start paying attention to their complaints and acting fast. And since they have historically had to do so to have their employers change policy, flight attendants are likely to continue filing lawsuits.
A representative for Delta stated, “Although we have not yet received any notice of any legal lawsuit, Delta has taken and continues to take substantial procedures to guarantee employee uniforms are constructed from high-quality material and have been tested to ensure they are safe for our employees to wear. Additionally, Delta offers its employees a very generous leave policy, healthcare benefits, and other services for their well-being.
The “optional” apron from the outfit was removed by the airline in 2020, according to a Delta spokesperson, but the rest of the attire complied with regulations.
Airlines
FAA Seeks to Lengthen Aircraft ‘Black Box’ Cockpit Recordings

The FAA has moved closer to mandating that aircraft black boxes record 25 hours of data, as opposed to the current maximum of two hours.
Although it wasn’t enough, this extension of recording time was a positive development. When the NTSB and the FAA began an investigation after an incident in January, the current restrictions on cockpit voice recorders came up. As we witnessed at the time, an American Airlines 777 landed on the incorrect runway at JFK after taxying to it and crossing it, which forced the crew of a leaving Delta Air Lines 737 to abort takeoff with great speed.
How does a Black Box Work ? its importance in an Aircraft.(Opens in a new browser tab)
The FAA announced on Thursday that it will also create an Aviation Rulemaking Committee to examine ways to make better use of the data collected by aircraft and their systems, including enhanced flight data monitoring. According to a statement from the agency, “We welcome any tools or resources Congress wants to provide to assist us to achieve this quickly.”
The FAA requests a 25-hour recording time for cockpit voice recorders. The adjustment would match the two “black boxes,” which currently collect parameters for 25 hours on flight data recorders (FDRs). With this information, investigators will be able to observe (well, hear) what pilots were doing and identify any distractions that would have prevented them from hearing or understanding an ATC call.
The NTSB has advocated for extending CVRs’ recording times for a number of years. It will be interesting to watch if the FAA’s request for longer-running CVRs is met with any opposition. For instance, on the grounds of privacy, pilots have resisted proposals for cameras in the cockpit.
Airlines
US considering ban on Chinese airlines using Russian airspace ?

Chinese airlines that use Russian airspace may face a ban from the Transportation Department of the United States of America. Three Biden administration officials told that the US is considering imposing a ban on Chinese airlines and other rivals who use Russian airspace to bring passengers to the country.
The choice was made in the midst of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. In an effort to protect the safety of the passengers, a number of Ukrainian bloc allies opted to stop using Russian airspace once the conflict began in February of last year. Over a variety of topics, relations between China and the US are strained. The National Security team and others apparently received a directive on Monday. Chinese enterprises were forced by the ruling to adhere to the same limitations that apply to US airline companies.
Russia prohibits its pilots from working for foreign airlines.(Opens in a new browser tab)
The New York Times claims that these limitations have significantly impacted the operations of US airlines. A US official claimed last month that foreign airlines that use Russian airspace on flights to and from the US are acquiring a sizable economic advantage over US carriers in key markets, including China and India. They continued, “This situation is directly to the benefit of foreign airlines and at the price of the United States as a whole, with less links to critical markets, fewer high-paying airline employment, and a dent in the economy overall.”
The US airlines’ lobbying, in the opinion of the industry trade group Airlines for America, is what led to this perception of the US government. According to the trade association, US airlines are losing up to $2 billion in market share to foreign rivals every year as a result of Russia’s liberalization of business travel. In order to prevent foreign airlines flying through Russia from landing at US airports, the group has urged the Biden administration to take action.
While maintaining vacant seats, US airlines must operate long-distance flights. To make the jet light enough to fly without refueling frequently, the seats are kept vacant. As a result, all of these regulations have a significant impact on the airline industry. Even if US airlines wanted to fly over Russian airspace, they couldn’t since Moscow last March barred US airlines from using its airspace in retaliation for Washington’s sanctions. As a result, US airlines’ business has been significantly impacted by the geopolitical dynamics between the US and Russia.
Airlines
CAAC issues brief statement on China Eastern 737 crash

About a year after China Eastern Airlines (600115.SS) Flight MU5735 crashed, killing all 132 aboard, the country’s aviation regulator said on Monday that investigators were still examining the cause of the accident.
The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) released remarks stating that the authority “conducted an in-depth inquiry into the accident” with “meticulous and rigorous technical investigative work.” The CAAC also stated that it collaborated with appropriate departments.
The technical investigation team “has conducted detailed examinations of the plane wreckage over the past year to determine the possible working status of key control components of the plane prior to the crash, conducted experiments on more than 100 significant pieces of wreckage, and analyzed the causes of damage,” the CAAC added.
According to Shao Quan, a professor at the Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, providing the public with updates on the status of an inquiry at the one-year mark is a standard procedure and necessity in the worldwide civil aviation business.
Also, who explains why the probe is still ongoing, investigations into large aircraft disasters typically take longer than a year due to the technical complications and uncertainties that they must overcome.
Only 25% of civil aviation aircraft accident investigations worldwide over the past 30 years have produced final results in under a year, Shao continued. According to the regulator, the investigation team will continue to carry out cause analysis and experimental verification work and immediately provide an evaluation in accordance with the inquiry’s progress.
Airlines
Boeing Forecasts Resiliency and Increased Growth for Aircraft Finance

Boeing today released the 2023 Commercial Aircraft Finance Market Outlook (CAFMO) showing another year of recovery and increased demand from aircraft financiers and investors.
Boeing to shift 150 finance and IT jobs to India from the US(Opens in a new browser tab)
The 2023 CAFMO is Boeing’s annual review of aircraft financing trends and assesses near-term market dynamics and financing sources for new commercial airplane deliveries.
An introductory video, presentation and regional financing data is available at www.boeing.com/CAFMO. Select highlights include:
- In 2022, the majority of Boeing airplanes were funded with cash due to strong operational performance and de-leveraging efforts by customers.
- While cash funding will continue to play a significant part in delivery financing, the use of capital markets, bank debt and export credit is expected to expand.
- 2022 capital markets activity was lower compared to its heightened activity recorded in 2021.
- Export credit agencies supported nearly 5% of Boeing deliveries in 2022.
- Lessor-supported deliveries will remain stable but may face competition from other financing sources.
The Boeing 2022 Commercial Market Outlook, a separate annual 20-year forecast addressing the market for commercial airplanes and services, reflects that the global market is recovering as Boeing projected in 2020. Demand for domestic air travel has made a strong recovery across a number of regions, with international traffic gaining momentum as restrictions ease, tracking to return to pre-pandemic levels by 2023 to 2024.
Timing and conditions of 737 MAX or other airplane model regulatory approvals, lower-than-planned production rates and/or delivery rates, and increased considerations to customers and suppliers; economic and geopolitical conditions in the United States and globally; general market and industry conditions as they may impact us or our customers; reliance on commercial customers, U.S. government customers and suppliers; the overall health of aircraft production system, as well as the other important factors disclosed previously and from time to time in The Boeing Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Airlines
Emirates unveils new signature livery for its fleet

The distinctive livery of the world’s largest international airline, Emirates, has undergone a refresh. Eagle-eyed plane spotters and fans will immediately notice changes to the tailfin and wingtips. In this latest design, the UAE flag on the Emirates tailfin is much more dynamic and flowing with a 3D effect artwork, and the wingtips have been painted red with the Emirates logo in Arabic calligraphy “popping” out in reverse white. Passengers onboard with a window view will see the UAE flag colours painted on the wingtips facing the fuselage.
The signature gold “Emirates” lettering across the main body in English and Arabic is also bolder, and 32.5% larger. On the aircraft belly, Emirates has retained its iconic red branding which it introduced in 2005. The website URL “Emirates.com” has been dropped from the design.
This is the 3rd iteration of Emirates’ official aircraft brand colours. The original livery unveiled with the airline’s launch in 1985 had its first refresh 14 years later, with the delivery of Emirates’ first Boeing 777-300 at the 1999 Dubai Airshow.
The first aircraft to sport Emirates’ newest livery is A6-EOE, an Airbus A380, which has rolled out of Emirates Engineering this week after its makeover. Its first deployment will be to Munich on 17 March as flight EK51.
The new livery will be gradually applied across the rest of the existing Emirates fleet with 24 aircraft, including 17 Boeing 777s, expected to sport the refreshed livery by the end of 2023. All new Emirates aircraft, from the first Airbus A350 entering the fleet in August 2024 will be delivered in this new livery.
Emirates’ original livery in 1985 was designed by the UK design company Negus & Negus. All of the airline’s subsequent aircraft colours were created by its in-house design team. Over the years, Emirates’ numerous colourful and eye-catching aircraft livery have included bespoke designs to drive sponsorship brand association, and for special occasions such as the UAE’s 50th Jubilee livery, and Expo 2020 Dubai.
Airlines
Gate agent dumped passenger items into trash at armstrong international airport
Spirit Airlines, a gate employee was caught on camera “maliciously” dumping items from a passenger’s luggage into the trash, and the company has now apologized for the embarrassing incident.
The employee, who works under a vendor contract, was captured on camera at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport looking through the luggage before pocketing a few items and throwing the rest away.
Wild weather leaves passengers on American Airlines flight vomiting(Opens in a new browser tab)
Keyonne Brooks told CBS News that he said that before leaving, he had a minor argument with the individual gate agent on fate. He requested a manager, but he had to board his flight before one could arrive. On February 19, when traveling back to Los Angeles after attending a funeral, he inadvertently unintentionally forgot his carry-on bag at the box office.
The briefcase never materialized, so Brooks ultimately filed a lost claim, according to the source. Then, consider submitting a public documents request to the airport to obtain footage from the gate security cameras. The gate employee can be seen placing Brooks’ bag behind the desk and keeping it there until the boarding process is complete in the video. Brooks claims that the gate agent was the same one with whom he had a disagreement before to boarding.
She rummaged through his bag, which included jewels and life-saving medications, while everyone had passed the exit gate. Another observed was her stuffing something into her pocket.
Her subsequent movement towards the garbage receptacle, where her employees joined in, is captured on camera. According to CBS News, woman can be seen tossing the pills into the trash. The incident was being captured on phones while her coworkers were laughing. After that, the gate agent throws everything—including the bag itself—into the trash can.
Spirit Airlines said the contract workers in the video have been suspended by the firm for which they work pending an inquiry, and that they are working to expedite reimbursement for the passenger’s items.
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