News

Hungarian flag carrier Malev ceased all flying operations as of 6 a.m. Budapest time today, becoming the second carrier in a week to fall victim to European austerity measures. On January 27 Spanair stopped flying after a rescue deal with Qatar Airways collapsed. A year earlier the Catalonian government approved a €10.5 million loan to help sustain the cash-strapped airline, but those efforts proved futile.

The C-27J Spartan twin turboprop, selected by the U.S. Army in 2007 to provide intra-theater airlift support in austere environments such as Afghanistan and shifted to Air Force jurisdiction two years later, now faces early retirement to the aircraft “boneyard” at Davis-Monthan AFB in Arizona.

The first NH-90 Tactical Transport Helicopter (TTH) in final operational configuration was delivered to the French Army on January 30. “This is the culmination of the most important helicopter program ever launched in Europe,” said Eurocopter CEO Lutz Bertling. Earlier deliveries of the TTH version to Australia, Germany and Sweden attracted criticism in those countries for various deficiencies.

European aerospace research organizations are close to completing a study of a personal air transportation concept that could be realized in 2030 to 2050, in which passengers would use small pilotless aircraft to fill the gaps in the scheduled air transport network. Under the PPlane concept, a passenger or small group of passengers would book a flight with an aircraft operator.

NBAA has applauded a strongly worded letter from two high-ranking U.S. government officials to European Union president Manuel Barroso, warning that Washington will take “appropriate action” if the EU continues demanding that aircraft registered in the U.S. participate in Europe’s Emissions Trading Scheme.

The business aircraft finance world will converge at the second iteration of the International Corporate Jet and Helicopter Finance Conference, to be held in London next week. The February 7 and 8 event is expected to attract more than 200 delegates and speakers, including representatives from more than 30 international finance institutions from 17 countries.

At an awards banquet last night in Atlanta, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (Natca) awarded its Archie League Medal of Safety Awards to controllers who displayed exceptional professionalism, composure and quick thinking in dealing with emergencies.