Boeing Halts Deliveries of 737 MAXs, FAA Refers Unruly Airline Passengers to FBI, and More
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Boeing Halts Deliveries of 737 MAXs Due to Quality Problem, Shares Tumble
Boeing's shares dropped by 6% in morning trading on Friday following news that it had halted deliveries of some 737 MAX planes due to a new supplier quality problem.
The issue relates to a fuselage fitting supplied by Spirit AeroSystems and is believed to date back to 2019.
The problem is expected to impact a "significant" number of undelivered 737 MAX airplanes in production and storage, and could result in lowered 737 MAX deliveries in the near term. The latest quality issue is also causing delays for airlines waiting for deliveries. source
The Pentagon Considers the X-37B as a Potential Attack Space Drone
Boeing’s X-37B spacecraft, initially developed as a scientific mission by NASA, may potentially be adapted into an armed military platform. The spacecraft recently de-orbited and landed successfully after being in orbit for 908 days during a mission from 2020 to 2022.
The X-37B variant, operating as a space drone, could be used to gather data beyond the Earth’s atmosphere, conduct surveillance, and possibly even be armed for military use.
Its capabilities are unknown, but it could defend satellite assets, launch offensive strikes if directed by humans, and destroy enemy satellites or targets from attack locations beyond Earth's atmosphere. source
Experts Reveal the Real Reasons Why Passengers Dislike Boarding Planes
Airlines have been experimenting for years to speed up the process of boarding a plane. Most recently, Southwest Airlines trialed 11 new methods, including flashing lights and upbeat music, to shave 5 minutes off the average boarding time, which is around 40 to 50 minutes, depending on the plane size.
However, experts say that the speed of boarding has only a partial impact on passengers' satisfaction, with the rest being about feelings.
Passengers dislike boarding planes because of envy, feeling like they're being herded, and stress over meeting deadlines. Airlines can improve passengers' satisfaction through personalized experiences, such as greeting them by their first name. source
FAA Awards Merlin $1m Contract to Demonstrate Autonomous Flight System
The US FAA has awarded Merlin, a developer of autonomous flight technology for fixed-wing aircraft, a $1m contract to demonstrate its highly automated flight control system.
The FAA demonstration will see the system fly an aircraft in conjunction with a safety pilot monitoring the experimental flight control system.
Merlin Pilot will be the first autonomous piloting system to be integrated into the US’s National Airspace System (NAS). Merlin will be working with the FAA-designated University of Alaska Fairbanks unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) test site and Everts Air, a Fairbanks, Alaska-based carrier. source
Delta Air Lines Reports $363m Loss in Q1, But Predicts Bigger Profit in Q2
Delta Air Lines has reported a $363m loss in Q1 2023, which is a smaller loss than Q1 2022, but still significant. The airline said it has been hit by rising labor costs and fuel expenses, but the CEO remains optimistic about the future.
He said the company is forecasting higher-than-expected profits in the current quarter due to strong travel demand, particularly during the summer season. Delta's Q1 revenue rose by 36% to $12.76bn, boosted by passengers and income from the company's refinery near Philadelphia. continue
FAA Refers More Than 250 Unruly Airline Passengers to FBI Since Late 2021
The US FAA has referred 17 unruly passengers to the FBI for criminal investigation this year, bringing the total number of such referrals since late 2021 to over 250.
The referrals were made after a spike in incidents, with reported unruly passenger incidents rising by almost 500% in 2021 to 5,981, which included 4,290 mask-related incidents.
The FAA has a zero-tolerance policy towards unruly behavior and proposed $8.4m in fines last year. A bipartisan group of lawmakers has called for legislation to bar passengers fined or convicted of serious physical violence from commercial flights. source
Russian Aviation Growth Stifled for 10 Years by Sanctions
Sanctions against Russia may hamper the country's aviation growth for 10 years, according to analysts.
Unable to purchase Western-manufactured equipment, Russian airlines have started to cannibalize aircraft in storage for replacement parts, while their fleet shrank 17% in 2022 year-over-year.
By 2033, the Russian fleet will be 25% smaller than it was in January 2022. While Russia's impact on the global aviation market is minimal, sanctions may delay Russia's plans to produce its own narrowbody aircraft. source
Regional Express (Rex) Acquires 20% Stake in Electric Aircraft Company Dovetail Electric Aviation
Australian airline Regional Express (Rex) has acquired a 20% stake in electric aircraft firm Dovetail Electric Aviation. The companies had previously partnered in July 2022 to retrofit electric engines onto existing regional and general aviation aircraft.
Rex will now appoint one of its board members to sit on Dovetail's board. Dovetail was founded in 2021 by Sydney Aviation Holdings and electric aviation start-up Dante Aeronautical and is focused on converting existing turbine-powered aircraft to electric propulsion.
The retrofit approach allows for shorter project times compared to starting with a new design and can be achieved at a lower cost. source
Everence Capital Management Acquires Position in Aerospace Leader TransDigm Group
Everence Capital Management Inc. acquired a new position in TransDigm Group Incorporated during the fourth quarter, according to a filing with the SEC.
The aerospace company is a leading producer of engineered aerospace components, systems, and subsystems, with strong growth potential in the aerospace industry sector. source
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