FLUG REVUE update: Week ending January 11, 2004

1
1

J
A
N
U
A
R
Y

2
0
0
4

UPDATE
Week ending 11 January 2004

+++ Mars rover “Spirit” lands +++ Mars Express orbit lowered +++ EADS confident for 2004 +++ Arianespace builds on European support +++ MBDA gets order from Greece +++ 747-400 Special Freighter programme starts +++ News in brief +++

Mars rover “Spirit” lands
Erfolg für NASA-Marslander

On 4 January, a traveling robotic geologist from NASA has landed on Mars and returned stunning images of the area around the landing site in Gusev Crater. Mars Exploration Rover Spirit successfully sent a radio signal after the spacecraft had bounced and rolled for several minutes following its initial impact at 11:35 p.m. EST (8:35 p.m. Pacific Standard Time). "We've got many steps to go before this mission is over, but we've retired a lot of risk with this landing," said JPL's Pete Theisinger, project manager for the Mars Exploration Rover Project.
Spirit stopped rolling with its base petal down, though that favorable position could change as airbags deflate, said JPL's Rob Manning, development manager for the rover's descent through Mars' atmosphere and landing on the surface. NASA chose Spirit's landing site, within Gusev Crater, based on evidence from Mars orbiters that this crater may have held a lake long ago. A long, deep valley, apparently carved by ancient flows of water, leads into Gusev. The crater itself is basin the size of Connecticut created by an asteroid or comet impact early in Mars' history. Spirit's task is to spend the next three months exploring for clues in rocks and soil about whether the past environment at this part of Mars was ever watery and suitable to sustain life.
The flight team expects to spend more than a week directing Spirit through a series of steps in unfolding, standing up and other preparations necessary before the rover rolls off of its lander platform to get its wheels onto the ground. Meanwhile, Spirit's cameras and a mineral-identifying infrared instrument will begin examining the surrounding terrain. That information will help engineers and scientists decide which direction to send the rover first.

Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite

Mars Express orbit lowered
ESA-Marssonde in niedriger Bahn

On 4 January at 14:13 CET, ESA's Mars Express spacecraft successfully executed an essential planned manoeuvre to reduce its orbit around the Red Planet. A five minute burn of its main engine brought Mars Express from an orbit apocentre (highest point) of 190 000 km to 40 000 km with a pericentre (lowest point) of about 250 km. Mars Express will reach its final operational orbit of about 11 000 km apocentre and 300 km pericentre towards the end of the month after two more scheduled orbit adjustments (main engine burns) on the nights of 6 to 7 and 10 to 11 January.
On January 7, ESA's Mars Express orbiter made its first attempt to establish contact with the Beagle 2 lander, after the two spacecraft separated on 19 December 2003. The orbiter made its first pass over the Beagle 2 landing site today at 13:13 CET, but could not pick up any signal from the tiny lander.

News in brief Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite

EADS confident for 2004
Besserer Gewinn angestrebt

EADS expects an increase of its operating results in the year 2004. Ahead of the commercial aviation market upturn expected in 2005, EADS targets around 20 percent EBIT growth in 2004 over the 2003 guidance. The EADS CEOs Philippe Camus and Rainer Hertrich said: “The airline industry is slowly recovering and is still under pressure. We have assigned ourselves realistic targets for 2004, consistent with our emphasis on financial dependability. These targets are a milestone on the road to double digit EBIT margins in the medium-term, and they support our solid financial position.” “Diligence is imperative,” the CEOs continued. “We have reviewed the current Space restructuring plan, and it is fully on track; we have also audited our Airbus order book and are continuing to carefully manage the growth of our defence business.” EADS also confirms its full-year 2003 targets. It anticipates 2003 EBIT in the same range as 2002, at the level of 1.4 billion euros, and full-year revenues in a similar range as 2002. Full-year 2003 results will be released on 8 March, 2004.
For 2004, EADS targets generally stable revenues of around 29 - 30 billion euros, for the fourth straight year in this general downturn of the industry. Defence business growth is expected to offset the decline of Airbus revenues attributable to the combination of the US currency weakness and slightly lower deliveries. The 2004 revenues target is based on the assumption of a weaker US$ than in 2003 (1 euro = $1.20, compared to 1 euro = $1.10) for the calculation of the portion of revenues that is naturally hedged by US$ denominated purchasing (amounting to about one third of overall EADS revenues). Following a careful assessment of its order book, Airbus targets close to 300 aircraft deliveries in 2004. A conservative management of delivery slots gives EADS flexibility to face unexpected events and to apply customer financing restraint. Space Division revenues should be stable in 2004, supported by a robust order book (including 10 civil telecom satellites). Major programmes such as the £ 2.5 billion Paradigm contract (Skynet5 secure communication services for the UK MOD) and opportunities such as the design, delivery and operation of Galileo (European satellite navigation system) should fuel medium-term growth. The ramp up of defence programmes in the other Divisions (Military Transport Aircraft, Aeronautics, Defence and Security Systems) will prompt revenues growth: The strongest drivers of growth in 2004 are the A400M, the Tiger and NH90 helicopters and missile programmes.

Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite

Arianespace builds on European support
Startfirma zuversichtlich

Arianespace won eight contracts open for bidding during 2003 - representing more than 50% of the market. In 2003, Starsem won the launch contract for Europe's Venus Express spacecraft. As of January 6, 2004, Arianespace's backlog stood at 33 satellites to be launched, while Starsem had 3 satellites booked for upcoming missions. Arianespace and Starsem carried out six launches in 2003, four from Kourou and two from Baikonur, launching a combined total of 10 satellites: eight commercial and two for governmental missions.
Another highlight of 2003 was a series of ministerial-level decisions by the European Space Agency Council that guaranteed Arianespace's long-term future by: Reaffirming support for the Ariane 5 program and the resumption of Ariane 5 ECA missions, as well as reorganizing launcher development and production; officially approving the partnership with Russia, allowing Arianespace to deploy the Soyuz launcher from Europe's Spaceport at the Guiana Space Center by the end of 2006. Following these decisions Arianespace signed with EADS an order letter for 30 Ariane 5 launch vehicles covering Arianespace's needs through 2009. Arianespace now has the resources needed to meet its ambitious objectives, namely a full range of launch vehicles - Ariane, Soyuz and Vega - that meet all customer requirements for both government and commercial missions.
Four to six Arianes 5 are scheduled to be launched this year. The first launch, planned for February 26, will send Europe's Rosetta scientific probe into an interplanetary orbit. Rosetta is scheduled to rendezvous with the comet 67P/Churymov-Gerasimenko in August 2014. Consolidation of the Ariane 5 ECA version will continue in line with the recommendations of the Flight 157 inquiry board. The next flight of Ariane 5 ECA is now scheduled for the middle of 2004.

Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite

MBDA gets order from Greece
MICA und Scalp EG für Griechenland

The Greek Ministry of Defence has formalised the contract for MBDA's MICA air-to-air and Scalp EG / Storm Shadow long-range, stand off air-to-ground missile systems to equip the Hellenic Air Force's fleet of Mirage 2000-5 combat aircraft. This represents a second tranche of MICA missiles following an earlier order placed two years ago by the Greek authorities. The total number of MICA missiles now under order by Greece stands at 100 (including both the RF and IR variants of the missile). The air force has ordered a total of 34 Scalp EG / Storm Shadow missile systems. The demanding operational requirements of modern air-to-air combat call for a multi-mission system with a high level of tactical flexibility to suit the latest generation of multi-role / swing role aircraft. In recognition of this MBDA has developed MICA, the multi-mission air-to-air missile system for the Rafale and the latest versions of the Mirage 2000-5 combat aircraft. This missile system has already been ordered by the air forces of several countries including those of France, the UAE, Qatar, Taiwan and Greece.
Over 3,000 MICA missiles have been ordered to date. Production planning over the next few years for Storm Shadow / Scalp EG currently stands at over 2,000 missiles with first deliveries having commenced early in 2003.

Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite

747-400 Special Freighter programme starts
Cathay bestellt 747-400 Frachterumbauten

On Jan. 7, Boeing Company and Cathay Pacific Airways today confirmed that Cathay Pacific will launch the Boeing 747-400 Special Freighter program, with an initial agreement to convert at least six, and as many as 12, 747-400 passenger airplanes into freighters. Cathay Pacific will receive its first Special Freighter in December 2005, and the sixth during 2007. Boeing is pleased to be working with Taikoo (Xiamen) Aircraft Engineering (TAECO) in Xiamen, China on the prototype modification. The airline will also purchase one new 747-400 Freighter, to be delivered during February 2005. This order was previously identified by Boeing on its Commercial Airplanes Orders and Deliveries Web site.
For the conversion to a freighter configuration, a 747-400 passenger airplane receives a side cargo door and layout that is identical to the 747-400 production freighter. That includes 30 pallets on the main deck and comparable volume. The upper deck of the Special Freighter is capable of seating up to 19 people, an option found on no other converted freighter. Also included is a strengthened main-deck floor, full main-deck lining, provisions for a new cargo handling system and revised flight-deck systems. The Special Freighter will have an estimated capacity of 250,200 pounds (113,490 kilograms), structural payload at a design range of 4,100 nautical miles (7,600 kilometers) and will be capable of 870,000 pounds (394,625 kilograms) maximum takeoff weight.

Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite

NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology division announced that teams led by BAE Systems, Northrop Grumman and United Airlines have been selected for agreement negotiations. The team will be expected to develop a plan and test prototypes to help determine whether a viable technology exists that could be deployed to address the potential threat that MAN-Portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS) pose to commercial aircraft. Under the agreement, BAE Systems, Northrop Grumman and United Airlines will each receive approximately $2 million for Phase I of the project. In this first phase, which will last approximately six months, these contractors will produce a plan to adapt military missile detection and countermeasure technologies for commercial aircraft use. BAE Systems, Northrop Grumman and United Airlines were selected from among 24 candidates that submitted White Papers in response to a solicitation issued the first week of October 2003. Of that group, five contractors were invited to submit full proposals. Each of these final candidates gave a four-hour oral presentation to government representatives including officials from the Departments of Homeland Security, Defense, Transportation, State and Treasury. The selected contractors each bring operational experience to this important effort through their partnerships with major air carriers. These selections are the next step in DHS' aggressive two-phased systems development and demonstration program for the evaluation of anti-missile devices for commercial aircraft. This initiative is intended to adapt existing technology from military to commercial aviation use, rather than develop new technology. Phase I will also provide an analysis of the economic, manufacturing and maintenance issues necessary to operate counter-MANPADs systems in the civil aviation environment. Phase II will include a prototype demonstration and rigorous test and evaluation process of existing technology.
+++
The Mil Mi-38 multipurpose helicopter has made its maiden flight from the airfield of the Kazan Helicopter Plant. The flight was performed at the altitude of 5 m and lasted five minutes. Mi-38 is designed for transporting cargo and passengers, as well as for rescue operations. The helicopter can also be used as an airborne hospital. The assembly-line production of Mi-38 is scheduled to start in 2007.
+++

The Harbin H425 multi-purpose helicopter has made its maiden flight. The helicopter incorporated state-of-the-art technologies and met international standards in terms of stability, airworthiness and cost-effectiveness, said Cui Xuewen, president of the group. "The H425 is equipped with advanced engines, gearing devices and anti-crash systems that give early warning of system failures," said Cui. "It marks a new stage for China's helicopter industry." He foresaw great potential for the helicopter in the domestic and international markets. "Several Chinese users have expressed interest in buying the H425, and we expect an annual exports of 20to 40 to Africa and other Asian countries and regions."
+++
An Austrian Airlines flight from Vienna to Munich was forced to make an emergency landing on 5 January before reaching Munich Airport. Flight OS 111, operating with a Fokker 70 – type aircraft, made an emergency landing at ca. 8:14 a.m. in a field located four kilometers east of Munich Airport. All 28 passengers and four crew members on board have, according to initial reports, not suffered any more than light injuries. Traffic Operations at Munich Airport sounded the alarm at 8:10 a.m. after the pilots reported engine problems to Air Traffic Control. At 8:16 a.m., pilots told Air Traffic that the aircraft would not be able to reach the runway for landing. Emergency teams -- including police, medical, rescue and fire crews -- were immediately dispatched to the vicinity of the nearby town of Erding. At 8:17 a.m., the pilot radioed that he had safely landed in a field east of Erding. Once the exact location near the town of Reisen (on the outskirts of Erding) was pinpointed, emergency crews arrived at the aircraft at 8:42 a.m. In accordance with international regulations, the German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Investigation is responsible for conducting a full investigation into the causes of the emergency landing of the Austrian Fokker 70 (OE-LFO). These investigations are already underway. A parallel investigation is also being carried out by representatives of Fokker Services and insurance experts to assess the extent of the damage. Without wishing to pre-empt the final outcome of the investigations, an initial inspection revealed that the so-called "ice impact trays“ on both Rolls-Royce engines had broken away from the engine cowling (the ice impact trays are protective panels mounted behind the engine blades in the direction of airflow to prevent mechanical damage in the event of ice-fall from the foremost engine blades). Why the panels broke away has not yet been established, and this is one of the objects of the ongoing investigations. Immediately after the incident, the Austrian Technical Department ordered additional checks (inspection of all engines together with their ignition and de-icing systems and the relevant monitoring systems) to be carried out on all Fokker 70 jets in the Austrian and Austrian arrows fleets (three and six aircraft respectively). In addition, the Technical Department initiated new intensive checks going beyond the standard maintenance programme provided for by the engine manufacturer and primarily aimed at establishing the condition of the ice impact trays. These detailed analyses by the Austrian Technical Department raised questions regarding the system used for the mounting of the ice impact trays, which are subsequently being addressed together with a team of specialists from the engine manufacturer Rolls Royce. As a result, all Fokker 70 aircraft operated by the Austrian Airlines Group were temporarily recalled to the Austrian Technical Centre at 0.00 hours on 8.1.2004 in order to have the entire fleet available on the spot for these further investigations.
+++
The U.S. Air Force has awarded Lockheed Martin one of two industry contracts valued at approximately $20 million each to enter the next development phase of an advanced Global Positioning System, to be known as GPS III. The awards are for the Phase A element of the program during which two teams will conduct studies culminating in a Systems Requirements Review in fourth quarter 2004. Phase B, the GPS III development program, is expected to be awarded by the U.S. Air Force Navstar Joint Program Office in fourth quarter 2005. "The next-generation global positioning system will bring unrivaled capabilities to the warfighter, as well as civil, scientific, and commercial users around the globe," said John Sundquist, vice president, Lockheed Martin Navigation Systems. "GPS III will deliver major improvements in accuracy, assured service delivery, integrity and flexibility and we look forward to providing our customer the best value GPS solution available." The GPSIII team ultimately selected will provide system and sustaining engineering, satellite development and production, Control Segment upgrades, and continuous research and development for this evolutionary system. Lockheed Martin has assembled a team that brings together industry expertise in all elements of the GPS III system, which includes Spectrum Astro, ITT, Raytheon and General Dynamics.
+++
The U.S. Air Force has awarded Lockheed Martin $5.9 million to install the first eight (Lot 1) Avionics Modernization Program (AMP) kits into C-5B strategic airlift aircraft and $42.8 million for the purchase of the next 18 (Lot 2) kits. “The combination of hardware and software afforded through AMP will allow Air Force crews to fly unrestricted anywhere in the world," said June Shrewsbury, Lockheed Martin's vice president of Strategic Airlift. "The C-5 is a unique national asset with unmatched airlift capability. The C-5 AMP, combined with the C-5 Reliability Enhancement and Re-engining Program (RERP), will give the U.S. Air Force the strategic lift it so urgently needs until at least 2040."
+++
China Airlines (CAL) and Connexion by Boeing, a business unit of Boeing (NYSE: BA), announced the signing of a Letter of Intent that will bring high-speed connectivity to travelers on commercial flights in and out of Taiwan. The LOI calls for the broadband data and entertainment service to be installed on the CAL long-haul fleet of aircraft beginning in late 2004. Financial terms were not disclosed. Initially, the agreement with Connexion by Boeing will cover CAL's long-haul fleet including Boeing 747-400 and Airbus A340-300 aircraft, and CAL will extend the service to other aircraft at a later date. The agreement outlines connectivity on certain long-haul flights between Taipei and Europe, and Taipei and North America. Specific routes also will be announced at a later date. In the interim, China Airlines and Connexion by Boeing teams will work together to define the installation schedule and levels of service that will be offered to CAL passengers.
+++
The U.S. Navy awarded Lockheed Martin a multi-year contract for Common Cockpits, a program worth $423 million over five years. The agreement enables Lockheed Martin and the Navy to achieve significant economies of scale by combining five years of annual buys into one contract. The Common Cockpit supports the Navy's MH-60S and MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopter platforms. "This multi-year procurement of the MH-60 common cockpit provides outstanding value to the Navy and to the taxpayer," said Frank Meyer, president of Lockheed Martin Systems Integration - Owego. "We wish to thank Congressman Sherwood Boehlert and his staff for assisting the common cockpit contractor team, and the Navy, in arriving at this contract this year to allow the government to begin accruing savings immediately." Boehlert represents New York State's 24th Congressional District, which includes constituents who work at Lockheed Martin's facility in Owego, NY.
+++
During the traditional New Year's press conference, Arianespace Chief Executive Officer Jean-Yves Le Gall announced two new launch contracts from the leading operator in the Asia-Pacific region. These are the 20th and 21st launch contracts for Japanese commercial satellite signed by Arianespace. The contract concerns the JCSAT-9 satellite and another future satellite. JCSAT-9 is the fifth JSAT satellite to book an Arianespace launch. The European launcher has already orbited JCSAT-1 (Flight 29), JCSAT-5 (Flight 103), N-Sat 110 (Flight 133) and JCSAT-8 (Flight 149). JCSAT-9 is a digital communications satellite that will gradually replace N?Star a. Built on the Lockheed Martin's A2100 AX platform, it will weigh approximately 4,500 kg at launch, and will be positioned at 132 degrees East. An Ariane 5 launch is scheduled around the end of 2005, from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.
+++
The Boeing Company board of directors has elected James A. Bell as chief financial officer for the $54 billion global aerospace company. A 31-year veteran of the company, Bell has been Boeing's acting CFO since Nov. 24, 2003. Bell, 55, served as senior vice president of finance and corporate controller since October 2000.
+++
Lockheed Martin announced it has won a contract from the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) to further develop and demonstrate the first system capable of destroying multiple ballistic missile threats and decoys with a single launch. The system will carry multiple small kill vehicles that will destroy adversarial missiles and decoys by colliding with them in space. The eight-year contract is valued at approximately $760 million; the initial 11-month contract is valued at $27 million. The U.S. Army Space & Missile Defense Command in Huntsville, Ala., manages the program for the MDA. The Miniature Kill Vehicle (MKV) concept holds the potential to provide a more cost-effective approach to countering complex missile threats with a single launch. MKV will employ multiple small kill vehicles housed within one carrier vehicle, and would be used against ballistic missiles in the midcourse stage of flight. The system will identify all credible threat objects and will destroy them using individual kill vehicles.
+++
Boeing confirmed that Canadian low-fare carrier WestJet has ordered seven new Boeing 737-700s to add to its all-737 fleet. The airplanes, which have a catalog value of about U.S. $360-million, are scheduled for delivery in 2005. WestJet, based in Calgary, Alberta, recently celebrated its 27th consecutive quarter of profitability and has consistently recorded 50-percent annual growth as it expanded its routes across Canada.
+++
The Irish Department of Defence has publicly acknowledged its selection of Javelin for Ireland's medium range anti-tank guided weapon requirement. The Irish government signed its Letter of Agreement with the U.S. government for the procurement of Javelin last year for approximately $12.5 million. This selection marks the Raytheon/Lockheed Martin Javelin Joint Venture's first sale to a neutral, non-aligned nation that has actively supported numerous United Nations peacekeeping operations throughout the world. To date, seven international customers have selected Javelin.
+++
Improvements to a promising new laser-based technology recently implemented by Lockheed Martin enabled the detection and tracking of aircraft wake vortices, which previously were undetected. Wake vortices are potentially dangerous turbulent winds resembling small horizontal tornadoes that are formed by airplane wings. If these hazards can be detected and tracked, airplanes will take off and land more safely and airport delays can be reduced. Project SOCRATES -- which stands for Sensors for Characterizing Ring-eddy Atmospheric Turbulence Emanating Sound -- is an applied research and development program that leverages declassified military technology previously used for the acoustic detection of submarines. It aims to develop a laser listening device that can "hear" the sound generated by wake vortices. During its most recent testing, SOCRATES acoustic equipment employing four separate laser beams was installed in a field about two miles from the Denver airport where approaching aircraft flew approximately 500 feet or higher. SOCRATES was even able to detect a regional jet wake at a range of over six tenths of a mile when it landed at an adjacent runway.
+++
Boeing has announced deliveries across its commercial and defense operations for the full year 2003. These are: 717 (12), 737 (173), 747 (19), 757 (14), 767 (24), 777 (39) for a total of 281, which means that it is lower than Airbus. On the military side, four F,15s, sixteen C-17s and 44 F-18E/F were handed over.
+++
The U.K. Ministry of Defence has awarded CAE a contract valued in excess of C$9 million to upgrade the Medium Support Helicopter Aircrew Training Facility (MSHATF) at Royal Air Force Base Benson in the U.K. In 1997, a CAE-led consortium obtained a contract from the U.K. MoD to design, construct, manage, finance and operate an integrated simulator-based aircrew training facility at RAF Benson. Under the terms of the contract, CAE Aircrew Training Services plc will improve the training service by providing hardware and software upgrades to the CH-47 Chinook and EH101 Merlin dynamic mission simulators and enhance the MSHATF's computer-based training systems and courseware.
+++
The U.S. Army's ninth AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopter battalion has been certified combat-ready after completing extensive training with the Boeing [NYSE: BA] helicopter at Fort Hood, Texas. The 1st Battalion, 229th Aviation Regiment based at Fort Bragg, N.C., completed eight months of training with AH-64D Apache Longbow helicopters built in the Boeing Mesa, Ariz., plant. To qualify, the men and women of the battalion known as the Tigersharks, completed a series of comprehensive classroom, flight and field exercises. Soldiers underwent a rigorous field examination, three live-fire exercises and completed approximately 3,200 flight hours during the training program.
+++
Lockheed Martin announced it has won a contract from the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) to further develop and demonstrate the first system capable of destroying multiple ballistic missile threats and decoys with a single launch. The system will carry multiple small kill vehicles that will destroy adversarial missiles and decoys by colliding with them in space. The eight-year contract is valued at approximately $760 million; the initial 11-month contract is valued at $27 million. The U.S. Army Space & Missile Defense Command in Huntsville, Ala., manages the program for the MDA.
+++
Rolls-Royce has officially opened its first new state-of-the-art test facility for the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Program. The $20 million LiftFan System Test Facility at its Indianapolis, Indiana, site has been purpose-built to test the Rolls-Royce LiftFan that provides short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) capabilities for JSF. Colin Green, Rolls-Royce President, Defence Aerospace commented: “Over $20 million has been invested in this test facility -- the only one of its kind in the world. It also represents a remarkable accomplishment -- with only 12 months between ground breaking and completion. Having it located on site in Indianapolis means in-depth performance analysis on the LiftFan can be carried out continuously and in real time.”
+++
The first strategic step of the EUROCONTROL Airspace Strategy for the European Civil Aviation Conference States referred to as Operational Improvement 1A, is to harmonise the Airspace Classifications above a common agreed Level throughout Member States' airspace. This work has been undertaken by the Airspace, Flow Management and Navigation Business Division of EUROCONTROL, in close collaboration with Member States, military authorities and user organisations, resulting in an agreement that the common division Level would be FL 195 and that the harmonised Airspace Classification above it be ICAO Class C airspace. In addition, harmonised access rules for VFR flights in this airspace have been agreed. The target date for implementation was 27 November 2003, less than 2 years from the EUROCONTROL Permanent Commission's endorsement of the Airspace Strategy. It was also determined that Operational Improvement 1A did not require a "big-bang" implementation but that managed flexibility was more appropriate, given the different starting points of the Member States.We are pleased to report that as of 27 November 2003, 29 of the 40 participating States now have a common division Level of FL 195 with ICAO Class C airspace above this Level. All but 3 of the remaining ECAC States intend to implement the same airspace structure during 2004. A subsidiary element of Operational Improvement 1A was to harmonise the upper limit of the Class C airspace - this was determined to be FL 660. Today 22 European Civil Aviation Conference States now have such an upper level.
+++
Fly NIKI and Air Berlin have formed the first European low-fare alliance. Air Berlin has bought a 24 per cent stake in the Austrian company and both will cross market their flights. The aim is to develop the Austrian and East European market. Fly NIKI is the former Aero Lloyd Austria, bought after the bankruptcy by former racing driver and Lauda Air boss Niki Lauda on 28 November 2003 for just one Euro. NIKI is operating with two aircraft (A320 and A321) at the moment, but has secured charter contracts with Austrian holiday companies. Another two A320 will be introduced in April.
+++

Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite