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UPDATE
Week ending March 17, 2002

+++ Fairchild Dornier seeks strategic partners +++ EU wants action against airline subsidies +++ Lufthansa reports heavy loss +++ Crossair reports a loss of CHF 314 million +++ 60 successes in a row for Atlas +++ Cargo alliance formed +++ Alarm Bells sound for Galileo +++ News in Brief +++

Fairchild Dornier seeks strategic partners
Geldmangel führt zu Partnersuche

Fairchild Dornier, the German manufacturer of regional jets and small airliners, said it is pursuing discussions with prospective strategic partners. The company said that its providers of capital - equity investors, banks and government - agree that a strategic partner would be useful to further develop Fairchild Dornier's promising airliner programs known as the 728 and 928. "We are in the early stages of identifying and securing an appropriate strategic partner and are holding preliminary discussions with prospective strategic partners that can bring both financial capital and a wide range of product, technology and marketing capabilities to help us be successful," said Lou Harrington, CEO of Fairchild Dornier. "We have made notable progress in building our company over the last two years, but the softening global economy, coupled with the devastating fallout from the September 11 attacks, has led many airlines to delay purchasing decisions," said Mr. Harrington, "Nevertheless, we believe the long-term outlook for the regional jet and small airliner market remains favorable." Mr. Harrington added, "We believe our products for this market offer significant competitive advantages. By establishing a relationship with the right strategic partner, we can solidify our financing requirements and capabilities that will position the company for the next decade."

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EU wants action against airline subsidies
Strafmaßnahmen gegen ausländische Airlines vorgeschlagen

On March 12, the European Commission acted to fill the legal vacuum to react against unfair competition from subsidized third country competitors in the airline sector. The new Regulation proposed today will address subsidies and also unfair pricing practices by third country competitors resulting from non-commercial advantages granted by their authorities. "In the European Union, our airlines have to 'play it by the book' whether or not they are undergoing a crisis such as the one bolstered by the events in September 2001," said Vice-President Loyola de Palacio, in charge of Energy and Transport, "however their third country competitors on international routes in the air transport market are not always subject to similar fair trade rules. The regulation the Commission is putting forward today will equip the European Union with an instrument that will put our airlines on an equal footing.
EU Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy added: "Given that WTO rules do not extend to cover this sector at the moment, the instrument we propose is designed to fill this gap in a manner which is fully coherent and consistent with our approach in sectors bound by WTO disciplines." In trade in air transport services, unlike in the trade in goods, the European Union is to date deprived of any means of counter-action against unfair trade. Bilateral air transport agreements have hardly any provisions on unfair practices and no disciplines have yet been agreed multilaterally. The Commission decided today to fill this legal vacuum and provide the Community with an instrument enabling it to react to distortions of trade in the future.
The Commission proposes to allow the imposition of duties on those air carriers from third countries benefiting from subsidies. The duties will be calculated on the basis of the amount of aid granted to those airlines but will not be higher than necessary to remedy the damage caused to Community carriers. If the third country carriers are state-controlled, duties can also be imposed to offset any unfair pricing practices resulting from other non-commercial advantages granted by governments. Cases will be examined on the basis of complaints, which show that damage has been caused to Community airlines. As the Commission underlined in its Communication on the repercussions of the attacks in the United States on the air industry, there are to date no arrangements at Community level for measures to counteract unfair pricing in air transport. The Community has adopted instruments to deal with subsidies( in the field of manufactured goods. It has also adopted instruments to deal with unfair pricing practices in maritime transport.

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Lufthansa reports heavy loss
Rekordverlust für die Lufthansa

According to provisional figures, the Lufthansa Group posted an operating profit of 20 million euros in the 2001 business year. "In view of the losses running into the two-digit billions in our industry, we have attained our ambitious goal of avoiding an operating deficit. We have adopted the right course, which we must maintain, in order to emerge stronger from the crisis," said Lufthansa Chairman and CEO Jrgen Weber. At its meeting yesterday, the Supervisory Board also issued a clear signal indicating further pursuit of that successful course by appointing Wolfgang Mayrhuber as Deputy Chairman, effective April 1 2002. "The Supervisory Board's decision is a strong commitment to retaining and expanding our leading position in the industry, and for the future of Lufthansa. Wolfgang Mayrhuber enjoys my complete confidence and that of the entire Executive Board," commented Jrgen Weber. Wolfgang Mayrhuber has been a member of the Executive Board and CEO Passenger Business of Deutsche Lufthansa AG since January 1 2001.
The impact of the terrorist attacks and the weakening global economy gravely affected the past business year. As a result, operating profit remained well below the 1.04 billion euros returned in the previous year. Changes in the group of consolidated companies lifted revenues by ten per cent to 16.7 billion euros. Adjusted for those changes, revenues were slightly below the year-earlier level.
Extraordinary depreciation of around 500 million euros and provision for contingent losses of 180 millionen euros in the catering business as well as a distinctly negative net interest position led to a loss from ordinary activities of 754 million euros (2000: 1.2 billion euros profit). The Group loss for the period amounted to 591 million euros (2000: 689 million euros profit). Against this background, the Executive and Supervisory Boards intend to refrain from a dividend payment for the 2001 business year (2000: 0.60 euros per share).

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Crossair reports a loss of CHF 314 million
Hohe Verluste für Crossair

The Crossair Group closed the year 2001 with a consolidated loss of CHF 314 million (previous year CHF 25.4 million). About CHF 290 million of the loss was attributable to exceptional charges in connection with the collapse of Swissair. Without the after effects of the terrorist attacks on September 11 and the collapse of Swissair, Crossair would have made a profit. Turnover increased by about 9%. There will be no dividend payment to the shareholders. The loss of the Crossair Group amounted to CHF 314 million, compared with CHF 25.4 million the previous year. No less than CHF 290 million was attributable to the exceptional costs in connection with the collapse of Swissair. These consisted mainly from debtor losses on credits with Swissair, obligations under the Qualiflyer frequent flyer programme, reserves for outstanding legal actions and the loss of wet-lease revenues from 19 aircraft wet-leased to Swissair in the fourth quarter of 2001. During the year, the number of employees increased from 3,680 to 4,430. Because of the exceptional circumstances, there will once again be no dividend payment. Detailed figures will be presented at the Annual Press Conference on March 26.
Last year, Crossair carried 5.9 million passengers. This represented a drop of 6% from the previous year. The optimisation of the fleet and the route network led to a reduction in the seat-load factor on scheduled flights from 52% to 51%.

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60 successes in a row for Atlas
Altas bringt TDRS-I ins All

An Atlas IIA rocket placed a NASA communications satellite into orbit on March 8, marking the 60th consecutive successful mission for the popular launch vehicle. "This was another flawless flight for Atlas, our second in two weeks," said Mark Albrecht, president of International Launch Services (ILS). ILS manages the missions on the Atlas vehicles, built by Lockheed Martin Corp. The 15-story rocket lifted off at 5:59 p.m. EST (2259 GMT) from Cape Canaveral's Pad 36A, carrying the second in a series of next-generation Tracking and Data Relay Satellites, called TDRS-I ("eye"), for NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. Separation of the spacecraft into geosynchronous transfer orbit occurred 30 minutes later. This was ILS' and Atlas' second mission of 2002; an Atlas III was successfully launched Feb. 21.
The Atlas IIA, designated AC-143 for the TDRS-I mission, is one of four Atlas family configurations scheduled to launch satellites this year for government and commercial customers worldwide. The others are Atlas IIAS, Atlas III and Atlas V, which is scheduled for its inaugural launch in a few months. Another NASA satellite, TRDS-J, is due to be launched on an Atlas IIA this fall. This series of TDRS spacecraft was built by Boeing Satellite Systems of El Segundo, Calif., based on its Boeing 601 bus. Previous TDRS series were launched on the space shuttle.

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Cargo alliance formed
ìNew Global Cargoî gegründet

Lufthansa Cargo, SAS Cargo and Singapore Airlines Cargo announce that from April 1 they will offer a joint general cargo service through their WOW alliance. WOW, the new brand name for the "New Global Cargo" alliance, will be launched in the international trade media in a campaign also starting in April. Dr. Andreas Otto, Member of the Executive Board at Lufthansa Cargo, said the new brand name would give customers a clear understanding of the alliances goals: "With WOW, we have found a name that sets new accents in the industry. Not only is WOW innovative, dynamic and original, it also serves as a mission statement. 'WOW!' is exactly the reaction we aim to elicit from our customers in response to our services." From April 1, the alliance carriers' general cargo products - "td.Pro" from Lufthansa Cargo and "General Cargo" from Singapore Airlines Cargo and SAS Cargo - can be booked at the reservation center of any of the three carriers to destinations in the combined network. The general cargo service will be built on product and service standards under the motto "Seamless, Safety and Control", and will offer a time-definite guarantee for transport and delivery.

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Alarm Bells sound for Galileo
EU warnt vor Scheitern den neuen GPS-Systems

Europe's high-tech industries and millions of euro of economic benefits are at risk unless the Galileo satellite navigation system is given the go-ahead at the European Transport Council later this month, according to a statement issued by the European Commission's Transport and Energy DG on 12 March. 'It is crucial for Europe and the world as a whole to have a choice and not to remain dependent on the current monopoly of the American GPS system which is less advanced, less efficient and less reliable,' the document says, adding that 'the Commission is not ringing the alarm bell without good reason.' It states that 'Galileo is not expensive,' and that the investment required is less than the cost of building the new airport terminal at Heathrow and equal to the cost of 150 km of semi-urban motorway. It adds that funding for Galileo 'will be entirely covered by the EU budget,' and Member States will not have to fork out from their national budgets.
The Commission says that Galileo is vital for the future of European high-tech industries and that the loss of the project - 'an essential technological advance in the context of tomorrow's world competition' - would have a serious knock-on effect on EU competitiveness and employment. 'While the cost of establishing Galileo represents some 3.2 to 3.4 billion euro,' says the Commission, 'the cost of abandoning the project is immense. Considering only the economic implications, 100,000 new jobs and an equipment and services market of some 10 billion euro per annum by 2010 are at stake.
Meanwhile a group of companies with a strong interest in the Galileo downstream business are proud to announce the creation of Galileo Services. Galileo Services aims at promoting the industry's role in the Galileo programme, and at becoming the strategic partner of the Galileo programme's public promoters. The creation of Galileo Services is a key milestone in the Galileo programme, with a view to the expected launch of the Galileo development phase, at the next EU Transport Council (March 25th /26th ), and to industry participation in the programme implementation. Galileo Services will be officially created on 18th March in Brussels. Participating companies are: Thales, Eutelsat, FDC, Kongsberg Seatex AS, Septentrio, Telespazio, Indra,
Talks are underway between the United States and the European Union to ensure that if the EU builds its proposed navigation satellite system, called Galileo, it will operate with -- and not interfere with -- the existing U.S. Global Positioning System (GPS).

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NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN

Raytheon has finalized the sale of its aircraft modification and integration business to L-3 Communications for $1.13 billion in cash. The sale was first announced on Jan. 14, 2002. Under terms of the sale, Raytheon will continue as the prime contractor on the $1.4 billion UK Ministry of Defence ASTOR (Airborne Standoff Radar) program. Raytheon will also retain certain receivables and the Boeing Business Jet program, which is nearing completion.
+++
An alliance of teams from NASA, the U.S. Navy, New Mexico State University in Las Cruces and industry converges on Las Cruces, N.M., this week to demonstrate how remotely piloted aircraft can operate safely in the National Airspace System (NAS). Critical to gaining access to the skies is the requirement for remotely flown airplanes to be able to detect and avoid collision courses with other aircraft. Using three detection systems, the teams working as part of NASA's Environmental Research Aircraft and Sensor Technology (ERAST) program will fly up to three aircraft, including a high-speed NASA F-18 jet, on simulated collision courses. Meanwhile onboard technology will automatically detect the threat and propose a flight path to keep the aircraft out of danger. While all the aircraft in the tests this week will have pilots onboard, the instrumented test airplane will use equipment intended to permit future uninhabited aircraft to avoid other airplanes in flight. This new sensor technology may also benefit commercial airliner safety. Central to the tests is the unorthodox Proteus aircraft built by Scaled Composites in Mojave, Calif. Proteus will carry see-and-avoid electronic devices that will detect incoming airplanes.
+++
Six Estonian pilots have flown to attend two weeks of training in the United States as the Estonian air force will acquire four R-44 helicopters in the first half of 2002. The air force will use the Robinson-44 helicopters for observation, rescue, communication, patrolling and training flights, a representative of the defence forces headquarters informed BNS. Acquisition of the helicopters will be financed by the US Foreign Military Fund. According to the factory price list the cost of one R- 44 helicopter is 320,000-480,000 US dollars, depending on their optional equipment. The total cost of the four helicopters, optional equipment and training courses for mechanics and pilots is nearly 2m US dollars or nearly 36m Estonian kroons...
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The Boeing-Sikorsky RAH-66 Comanche team has selected an industrial site in Bridgeport, Connecticut, for the first phase of assembly and delivery of the U.S. Army's futuristic reconnaissance and light attack helicopter, the two companies announced. The Bridgeport site will also house the program office's headquarters. Approximately 350 employees currently working in Trumbull, Connecticut, will relocate their offices to Bridgeport. Up to 150 new jobs, primarily in manufacturing, will be created at the site as the program ramps up preliminary production. Initial occupancy is expected this summer.
+++
NASA's Office of Biological and Physical Research has selected Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, for a five-year grant totaling $10 million to lead a NASA Specialized Center of Research and Training (NSCORT) for Advanced Life Support (ALS) that will develop technologies to enable long-duration planetary missions and sustain human space colonies. This ALS NSCORT will consist of a consortium of institutions that includes Purdue and two historically black universities, Alabama A&M University in Normal, Alabama, and Howard University in Washington. Scientists and engineers from all three institutions will work together to conduct research on a number of self-sustaining technologies required for long-duration space missions, including solid-waste processing, water recovery and air revitalization, and food processing and food safety.
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March 14 marked the start of production work on the Airbus A380 in Germany, following the traditional ìfirst metal cutî in Airbus' Nantes site in France earlier this year. The Bremen site is the first Airbus plant in Germany to begin work on the superjumbo. Two formed sheet metal parts of aluminium were completed for later integration into the fuselage section aft of the wings. These two initial 2.5 and 2.8 mm thick metal components are in fact clips which serve as a connecting element between frame assemblies, stringers and the fuselage shell. The Bremen site is also responsible for producing the high-lift systems (landing flaps) of the A380. Bremen is the second largest Airbus site in Germany after Hamburg and, as well as housing one of Airbus' five main design offices, it focuses on widebody wing equipping and the manufacture of high lift components and sheet metal parts. Each year roughly 2.5 million metal parts for all Airbus models are produced in Bremen by means of the CIAM (Computerised Integrated Automated Manufacturing) forming process.
+++
Thales Raytheon Systems has received a contract worth about $99 million (110 million euros) from the French defence procurement agency (DGA) to produce the first version of the mobile command and control center (C3M), which is the deployable component of France's Air Command and Control System. The procurement agency's aeronautical systems department (SPAe) selected Thales Raytheon Systems to design, develop and implement this contract following a competitive definition study period. Under this new contract, the existing system will be completely renovated to strengthen the French Air Force's air command and control capability in external theaters of operations where allied forces may be required to conduct joint air operations. The objective for C3M is to achieve a high level of interoperability and to enable France to assume the role of "framework nation" in future multinational engagements.
+++
Boeing has selected Smiths Aerospace to supply the hose-and-drogue refueling system for its 767 Global Tanker Transport Aircraft. Smiths, through its recent acquisition of Able Corporation, will provide this key system for 767 Tanker Transports that will be acquired by customers around the globe. The Italian Air Force will receive the first of these new tankers in 2005.
+++
Boeing delivered a new Boeing 737-800 jetliner with winglets to Neos, a recently formed charter airline based in Milan, Italy. The airplane is the first 737-800 to enter the fleet of an Italian airline and the first 737-800 with winglets to operate out of Italy. Neos will begin operations with its first 737-800 this month. A second 737-800 is scheduled for delivery in May. Both airplanes are leased from GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS). The carrier will use the airplanes to serve the short- and medium-range charter market, flying out of bases in Milan, Bologna and Verona.
+++
Cubic Defense Applications Group, a major segment of Cubic Corporation, has introduced an advanced Combat Search-and-Rescue (CSAR) product line that uses global positioning satellite technology, two-way voice communications and digital moving maps to locate downed or missing pilots. The avionics hardware and software package was unveiled to the international avionics community at the SAR 2002 Conference & Exhibition - the world's leading search-and-rescue event, held March 12-13 at Brighton, UK.
+++
United Technologies Corp. announced that its Sikorsky Aircraft subsidiary has signed an agreement to purchase Derco Holding Ltd., including its aerospace and repair services units. The transaction is expected to close in April, subject to regulatory approval. The acquisition represents a major expansion of Stratford, Conn.-based Sikorsky's aftermarket business, which is expected to total $1 billion in annual revenue in 2003. The purchase price was not disclosed.
+++
A team headed by Lockheed Martin Space Systems in Sunnyvale has submitted a proposal to the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) Integrated Program Office (IPO) to design, build and orbit NPOESS. The IPO is comprised of officials from the Commerce Department's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Department of Defense (DoD), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The Lockheed Martin team was awarded one of two program definition contracts in December 1999.
+++
Atlantic Research Corporation (ARC), a unit of Sequa Corporation, successfully conducted a ground test of an advanced high-energy Variable Flow Ducted Rocket (VFDR). This test was conducted in support of ARC's activities to reduce risk for future U.S. Government development programs aimed at higher-speed, longer-range missiles to counter time-critical enemy targets. The VFDR engine test used ARC's high-energy, reduced-smoke propellant in a two-inlet air-launched ducted rocket configuration. A flight condition of Mach 3.25 at 30,000ft was simulated. Combustion efficiency exceeded past experience with less energetic propellant approaches, validating the predicted increase in delivered energy.
+++
The UK Aerospace Industry will experience difficult conditions over the next few years as a result of the sharp fall in passenger traffic and the consequent impact of aircraft deliveries and aftermarket services. It will take determined action by the Industry and by Government if the industry is to come through this period with a full range of capabilities and a strong technology platform for the future. If everyone takes the necessary action the Industry can emerge stronger and more competitive than ever. The UK Aerospace Industry gathered to discuss how it will meet its future challenges. At the SBAC Annual Conference in London, speakers focussed on long-term technology investment, people, expanding the UK's world market share, and the development of a Defence Industrial Policy with Government. John Weston, SBAC President and Chief Executive of BAE Systems, said: ìThe UK Aerospace Industry is the 'Jewel in the Crown' of UK manufacturing. Aerospace is an industry with a future and of the future. Despite the events of 11th September and their effects on the commercial aerospace sector, the long-term outlook for aerospace is buoyant.
+++
The space shuttle Columbia landed at Kennedy Space Center early Tuesday (March 12) after a 10-day, 22-hour and 10-minute mission to upgrade the Hubble Space Telescope. Columbia astronauts conducted five successful spacewalks during their STS-109 mission to improve the orbiting observatory. Columbia's main landing gear touched down at 3:32 a.m. CST, completing a mission that covered 3,941,705 statue miles. Commander Scott Altman, Pilot Duane Carey, and Mission Specialist/Flight Engineer Nancy Currie brought Columbia smoothly back to Earth. They fired the shuttle's orbital maneuvering system engines at 2:23 a.m., while Columbia was over the Indian Ocean, to begin their descent from orbit. Their ground track took them across the Pacific Ocean and the coast of Baja California, then on an almost due east heading across the southern United States. The plasma trail of the orbiter was visible as it passed over Houston to some flight controllers at Houston's Mission Control Center who took a moment to go outside and watch it move quickly across the northern sky. Florida weather remained good for the landing, though there had been some concern earlier in the day about formation of ground fog. It did not materialize, and Columbia landed right on time. Mission Specialists John Grunsfeld, Jim Newman, Rick Linnehan and Mike Massimino completed the five spacewalks, working in teams of two on alternate days. They gave the Hubble new solar arrays, an advanced new camera and installed a cooling system to revive another instrument. They also installed a new power control unit to route electricity from the arrays to batteries and instruments, and a new reaction wheel assembly to help point the telescope.
+++
On March 6, 2002, Airbus and Snecma signed an agreement providing for the transfer by Airbus of its 50 percent stake in Aircelle to Snecma, making Aircelle a wholly-owned subsidiary. The consolidation of Aircelle and Hurel-Hispano within Snecma will bolster the group's ability to offer complete nacelle packages worldwide, ranging from design, development and integration, to full aftermarket support for airlines and distribution of spare parts.
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The 17th Reconnaissance Squadron was activated March 8 at Indian Springs Auxiliary Airfield, Nevada. The unit, which joins the 11th RS and the 15th RS, is the Air Force's third RQ-1 Predator squadron. It was activated by order of Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper because of increased mission requirements based on Predator system success in Operation Enduring Freedom.
+++
Bombardier Aerospace announced the successful first flight of the newest member of its family of unique amphibious aircraft: the Bombardier 415 MP (Multi-Purpose). The aircraft departed Bombardier's facility at North Bay Airport on March 6, 2002, at 10:45 EST for a two-hour-35-minute flight. The first test card in the SAR configuration was completed successfully. The aircraft's handling qualities were unchanged by the additional external shapes, reported Capt. Ron Haughton.
+++
Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics, has been awarded a 10-year indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (ID/IQ) contract for the purchase of up to 20 Gulfstream V and Gulfstream V-SP business jet aircraft and associated contractor logistics support. The first purchase under the program, for a single GV aircraft designated the C-37A by the U.S. Air Force, is valued at $43.4 million. Purchase of 20 aircraft and associated contractor logistic support under the terms of the contract has a potential value of up to $1.6 billion. The U.S. Air Force Aeronautical Systems Center will benefit from a significantly simplified process when purchasing additional aircraft and logistics services to support them between now and February 2012. The contract award was announced by the Department of Defense March 8.
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Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, a business area of Lockheed Martin Corporation, announced that the five C-130J-30 transport aircraft appropriated in the 2002 U.S. defense budget have been placed on contract and will be delivered to the United States Air Force in 2004. The contract is valued at $355 million. The C-130J-30, which is a company designation, has now been re-designated as CC-130J by the Air Force to comply with documentation requirements and designation system rules.
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Longbow Limited Liability Company (LBL), a joint venture of Lockheed Martin Corporation's Missiles and Fire Control unit and Northrop Grumman Corporation's Electronic Systems sector, recently completed the 5,000th production round of the Longbow Hellfire missile (AGM-114L). Final assembly, test and delivery of the round was performed by Lockheed Martin's Pike County Operations missile plant in Troy, Ala. LBL is under contract with the U.S. Army and the United Kingdom to deliver more than 13,000 Longbow missiles, with additional orders anticipated via foreign military sales.
+++
The Trading and Services business of BAE Systems Aircraft Services Group has won an exclusive mandate from a consortium of six banks for the re-marketing of four Airbus A319s and one Airbus A321 previously operated by the Belgian flag carrier, Sabena. BAE Systems has teamed up with Airclaims Ltd to provide the aircraft owners with a comprehensive range of services including the retrieval of the aircraft, auditing of the aircraft and its records, storage and maintenance in addition to the marketing services. The aircraft are currently situated at BAE Systems Aviation Services site at Filton, UK and will be made available for sale or lease.
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Zurich airport operator Unique posted a loss of CHF 36 million in 2001 on revenues of CHF 538 million (previous year: CHF 522.5 million). The events of autumn 2001 and, in particular, the grounding of Swissair at the beginning of that October had a decisive impact on the result. Although the company's result was still up on the previous year at the end of the third quarter despite September 11, substantial losses were posted in the fourth quarter. The operating result before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) fell 25.8% to CHF 186 million, reflecting exceptional losses of CHF 42.5 million on receivables due from SAirGroup. Without these exceptional losses, EBITDA would have fallen 8.9% to CHF 229 million. Due to the events of autumn 2001, exceptional losses on receivables and special write-downs, the company posted a full-year loss of CHF 36 million. The Board of Directors will ask the Annual General Meeting to forego a dividend payment. Financing for pending projects and Unique's liquidity are secure.
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The economic consequences of the tragic events of 11 September 2001 placed the civil aviation industry in a grave situation. Airlines cut back some 200,000 jobs, and accumulated losses totalling approximately Ä 3.4 billion. Demand fell sharply by 10 ñ 15 %, temporarily grounding between 600 and 800 aircraft worldwide. The Austrian Airlines Group reacted immediately to the situation, reducing total production by almost 17 % (the Group's long-range product range in particular was cut back by around 28 %), lowering medium-range production to the Middle East and promptly using new market opportunities on routes to Switzerland and Belgium. Now cautiously optimistic about the trend in demand and wider political and economic stability, the Austrian Airlines Group is increasing its production once again on the new Summer Flight Schedule. All new decisions over production have been reached in accordance with strictly strategic, market-led principles. The Chief Executive Officer of the Austrian Airlines Group, Vagn Soerensen, summarised the moves as follows: ìIn the summer of 2002, we will operate services to 110 destinations in 61 countries on all five continents, and will expand our long-range programme to 51 round trips per week by comparison. In total, the fleet of the Austrian Airlines Group will now operate over 2,800 flights every single week!î
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Crossair and Aeropers, the Swissair pilots' union reached agreement on the cornerstones of the future Collective Labour Agreement (GAV) during Wednesday night. These covered primarily questions of seniority principles, career planning, pension fund and salaries. The basic principles negotiated by the Crossair Management and Aeropers conform with the outlined conditions of the Phoenix Plus Business Plan. The necessary 35% reduction in the costs of the former Swissair pilots is being achieved by various measures. Further details will be given at a joint Crossair/Aeropers press conference on Thursday. A contract offer, based on the same cornerstones, will now be distributed to the CCP, the Crossair pilots' union. Compared to the existing GAV, it offers members of the CCP considerable improvements as regards salary, career planning for all aircraft types and holidays. On last Sunday, the CCP withdrew from the negotiations betw
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Lufthansa and Connexion by Boeing have reached an important milestone on the way to the flying Internet. As the world's first commercial aircraft, the Lufthansa Boeing 747-400, christened "Sachsen-Anhalt", has now been provided with a broadband Internet connection. Within the scope of a so-called D-Check, a major aircraft overhaul, Lufthansa Engineering handled the installation. When, at the end of the year, satellite reception is guaranteed over the entire North Atlantic, all passengers on board will be able to use the new Internet service on a test basis. During the trial period of several months on regular scheduled services, Connexion by Boeing and Lufthansa want to find out more about the passengers' interest in its use. The airline is planning to commence installing the system in its entire long-range fleet as early as next year.
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In response to emergency funding initiatives with respect to border security, the United States Border Patrol has signed a contract for 13 AS350B3's with American Eurocopter Corporation (AEC) for immediate delivery. The Border Patrol has a standing 16-year relationship with AEC since their purchase of AS350's for patrol operations along the Southwest Border. The AStars they currently operate retain one of the best availability ratios of all the other rotary wing aircraft the Border Patrol utilize. The successes of the AS350 in the Del Rio sector particularly, lead to the Border Patrol's decision to acquire an additional 13 aircraft.
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Previous updates are still available:
Die News der letzten Wochen sind weiter abrufbar:

*March 10, 2002 *March 3, 2002

*February 24, 2002 *February 10, 2002 *February 3, 2002

*January 27, 2002 *January 20, 2002 *January 13, 2002 *January 6, 2002

*December 23, 2001 *December 16, 2001 *December 9, 2001 *December 2, 2001

*November 25, 2001 *November 18, 2001 *November 11, 2001 *November 4, 2001

*October 28, 2001 *October 21, 2001 *October 14, 2001 *October 7, 2001

*January - September 2001

*January to December 2000 *January to December 1999 *January to December 1998 *January to December 1997 *September to December 1996

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