FAA warns airline passengers not to use Samsung smartphone

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. aviation safety officials took the extraordinary step late Thursday of warning airline passengers not to turn on or charge a new-model Samsung smartphone during flights following numerous reports of the devices catching fire. The Federal Aviation Administration also warned passengers not to put the Galaxy Note 7 phones in their checked bags, citing "recent incidents and concerns raised by Samsung" about the devices. It is extremely unusual for the FAA to warn… (bigstory.ap.org) More...

United Airlines recalling all furloughed pilots

United Airlines announced Thursday morning that it will recall the "nearly 600 pilots" currently on furlough. The company says it's making the move "to address the airline's future staffing needs," adding that "no United pilots will remain on furlough following the recall." (www.usatoday.com) More...

FAA will investigate Santa Monica's 'starvation strategy' to shut down its municipal airport

The Federal Aviation Administration announced Tuesday that it would investigate Santa Monica’s so-called starvation strategy that could close the city’s embattled airport within two years. It also issued a sharply worded warning for the city to put the brakes on the pending eviction of two airport businesses, a move some see as the first steps in Santa Monica’s plan. Santa Monica officials have told Atlantic Aviation and American Flyers, two major tenants that provide a variety of aircraft… (www.latimes.com) More...

DOJ tries to block American-US Airways merger

(CNN) -- The federal government and other officials are trying to block a planned merger of American Airlines and US Airways -- a union that could create the world's largest airline. The U.S. Justice Department and attorneys general for six states and the District of Columbia on Tuesday filed a civil antitrust lawsuit challenging the proposed $11 billion merger between US Airways Group Inc. and American Airlines' parent corporation, AMR Corp. The merger "would substantially… (www.cnn.com) More...

Delta flight lands in Vegas with pilot locked out of cockpit

LAS VEGAS (AP) -- Officials say a Delta Air Lines flight from Minneapolis made an emergency landing in Las Vegas on Thursday with the co-pilot at the controls after the pilot was locked out of the cockpit. McCarran International Airport spokeswoman Christine Crews says none of the 168 people aboard Delta flight 1651 was injured, and the MD-90 aircraft wasn't damaged. (finance.yahoo.com) More...

United Airlines makes emergency landing in Idaho

POCATELLO, Idaho — A United Airlines 737 flying from Seattle to Houston made an emergency landing in Idaho after one of its two engines apparently shut down. Police say the airplane landed safely at the Pocatello Regional Airport just after 2:50 a.m. Tuesday. The airline said the plane's 116 passengers were waiting at the terminal for a replacement airplane to arrive, which was expected to happen Tuesday morning. The plane also had six crew members. Pocatello airport manager David Allen… (bostonherald.com) More...

LAX dry ice bottle bomb investigation leads to arrest of airport contractor Dicarlo Bennett

LOS ANGELES An airport employee was arrested Tuesday in connection with dry ice explosions at Los Angeles International Airport. Dicarlo Bennett, a 28-year-old employee for the ground handling company Servisair, was taken into custody and charged with possessing and exploding a "destructive device near an aircraft," according to a statement from police. (www.cbsnews.com) More...

Air Canada Orders up to 109 737 MAX Aircraft

Today, Air Canada, in a surprising move has decided to replace their current Airbus narrowbody fleet with the competition — the Boeing 737 MAX. They have ordered a total of 61 of the aircraft, with 33 going to the MAX 8 and 23 to the larger MAX 9. The up to 109 part of the transaction comes from 30 purchase rights and 18 options. At list prices, the firm orders would be a transaction of over six billion dollars, but you better believe that the airline made a stellar deal for the planes. (www.airlinereporter.com) More...

Delta recalls all furloughed pilots, plans to add more

A report in the Wall Street Journal about the ongoing pilot shortage says not only has Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines Inc. (NYSE: DAL) recalled all of its furloughed pilots who want to return, the airline plans to add about 50 pilots a month “through early this year” and then take 20 a month through September. The WSJ adds the shortage of qualified pilots has hit U.S. airlines sooner and more severely than expected, leading the airlines to accelerate hiring and cut some service. (www.bizjournals.com) More...

United Airlines swaps 10 Boeing Dreamliners for 777-300ER jets

(Reuters) - United Airlines said Thursday that it has swapped 10 orders of Boeing Co (BA.N) 787 Dreamliners for 10 larger 777-300ER jets, marking a victory for the plane manufacturer as it seeks to sell out the 777 planes before their production ends. The news follows months of speculation that Chicago-based United Continental Holdings Inc (UAL.N) would make the swap, which allows it to move aircraft on to different routes to better fit customer demand. (finance.yahoo.com) More...