Emirates Airlines Orders 30 Boeing 777s

Boeing and Dubai-based Emirates Airlines announced on Monday an order for 30 Boeing 777-300ERs. The deal is worth $9.1 billion.

While this order seems to demonstrate the market for commercial aircraft is rebounding, this is precisely what Boeing President and CEO Jim Albaugh believes is happening as he said in this statement today, "The market is clearly coming back and I feel very confident about how we are positioned to regain -- and retain -- leadership in this business."

Source: Planet Data 

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Airlines and Shippers Brace for 100% Cargo Screening Deadline

Come August 1, 2010 all cargo shipped on passenger aircraft in the U.S. must be screened for explosives. And for passengers nothing should be different. But there is concern that the new requirement could cause supply chain delays and higher costs of goods transported this way.

With the deadline looming two weeks away, a number of local news outlets are reporting about how airlines headquartered in their cities (American in Dallas/Fort Worth, Delta in Atlanta) are preparing, the problems faced by shippers, and the TSA's Certified Cargo Screening Program, which is a voluntary program that will certify cargo screening facilities located throughout the country.

Source: Planet Data

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TSA Chief Announces Agency's Top Goals

The Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) new administrator, John Pistole, announced Friday his three big general goals for the agency. Thankfully, they are not all aviation specific.

Pistole's stated goals are:

• Improve TSA's counterterrorism focus through intelligence and cutting edge technology.
• Support the TSA workforce.
• Strengthen the TSA's relationships with stakeholders and the traveling public.

Source: Planet Data

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TSA Launches Public Feedback Program

The Transportation Security Administration this week launched a program to solicit feedback from the public. Through the so-called "TalktoTSA" program, the agency is asking you for your "questions, suggestions, and feedback on your security experience" while traveling through America's airports.

New TSA Administrator John S. Pistole says, "After leaving your feedback, it will be sent directly to the person in charge of TSA customer service at the airport for which you are commenting. If you ask for a response, you will receive one."

Source: Planet Data

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Passenger Busted with Stolen Gun at JFK

A man was arrested at JFK Airport after he tried to get through airport security with a stolen gun in his carry-on luggage Wednesday morning. The suspect, identified as Junior Almonte, 30, fled the terminal, running off without his bag, wallet and shoes reports New York Daily News. Almonte turned himself in later in the day. It isn't clear how he escaped the airport and where he ran.

Source: Planet Data

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Hoax Bomb Threat on Air France Flight

An Air France flight from Rio de Janeiro to Paris made an emergency landing in the Brazilian city of Recife Saturday because of a bomb threat against the flight. The plane landed safely and was inspected, but no explosive device was found the airline said.

Source: Planet Data

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UFO Disrupts Air Traffic in China

An unidentified flying object (UFO) temporarily disrupted air travel over the Chinese city of Hangzhou in Zhejiang province on Wednesday. According to reports, the object did not appear on radar at Xiaoshan Airport. While no official word has come out about what the object was, a source with knowledge of the matter has told China Daily that the object has a "military connection."

Source: Planet Data

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F-16s Intercept Planes Violating Las Vegas Restricted Air Space

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) scrambled two F-16 fighter jets to intercept two small aircraft that violated airspace restrictions put in place Friday near Las Vegas for a visit from President Obama. According to various reports, both aircraft landed at nearby airports as instructed and were met by authorities. It isn't clear yet whether these incidents were just accidental violations of the FAA's temporary flight restrictions.

Source: Planet Data

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DHS Gives Three Airports $56 Million for Security Technologies

DHS Secretary Napolitano on Wednesday (7/7) announced approximately $56 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding for airport security projects at three airports.

The funding breakdown is as follows:

• $45.4 million for a new inline baggage screening system in the main terminal at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT).
• $7.5 million to expand the closed circuit television (CCTV) system throughout Orlando International Airport (MCO).
• $3.1 million for the design of an upgraded inline baggage screening system in Terminals One and Two at St. Louis International Airport (STL).

Source: Planet Data

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1 Survivor in Coast Guard Helicopter Crash

There is one survivor from the crash of a Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter in the waters near James Island, Washington Wednesday morning. The survivor sustained non-life threatening injuries, which the Seattle Times reports are a broken leg and arm. Unfortunately, the other three crewmen aboard the Jayhawk died in the crash.

Source: Planet Data

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Changes in Washington DC's Special Flight Rules Area Restrictions

On July 1st, the Federal Aviation Administration announced a number of changes to the restrictions governing the Special Flight Rules Area surrounding Washington, DC, effective September 1. To review the two Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) which define the new regulations, visit the FAA website here.

Source: Planet Data

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No Refueling Ban on Iranian Airliners

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast told Reuters that reports that the UK, Germany and UAE were refusing to refuel Iranian commercial airliners were not true and that this was part of a "psychological war". However, as the news agency points out Mehmanparast did not address the fact that the original Iranian claim of countries refusing fuel came from a senior Iranian official and was first reported in the Iranian media.

Source: Planet Data

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Bomb Scare at JFK Airport Terminal

Late Sunday afternoon a bomb threat forced authorities to evacuate Terminal 1 at JFK International Airport in Queens. The NY Daily News reports "police were alerted to an abandoned bag and then received a call from an unidentified female saying 'a bomb is going to go off'." Nothing dangerous was found in the bag.

Source: Planet Data

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Turkey Threatens Ban on Israeli Commercial Flights

A secret meeting was held between Turkish and Israeli cabinet members in Brussels Wednesday to discuss the fallout from Israel's deadly commando raid on the Gaza aid flotilla. At this meeting Ankara's representatives "warned" that unless Israel formally apologizes and compensates the families of the 8 Turks who died in the operation, then Turkey would ban Israeli commercial airliners from Turkish airspace. Ankara has already told Jerusalem that it must request and receive prior permission for Israeli military flights to use Turkish airspace.

Source: Planet Data

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TSA Administrator Sworn In

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) finally has a permanent leader after nearly a year-and-a-half without one, and two previous Obama nominees failing to make the cut. DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano on Thursday (7/1) swore in John S. Pistole as the fifth Administrator in the TSA's short history.

Source: Planet Data

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Scotland Highland Games [22nd May – 18th September]

 

Highland Games, which take place from Cowal to Tomintoul and all points in between, are a unique mix of the sporting, the cultural and the social. They usually comprise a programme of field and track events, piping and Highland dancing competitions and 'heavy events' like the tug-o-war, the hammer throw and tossing the caber. Highland Games Calendar available for download from the link below.

Further information: www.visitscotland.com

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Galway Arts Festival, Galway, Ireland [12th - 25th July]

 

Regarded as one of Europe’s key cultural events Galway Arts Festival is an international celebration of the performing and visual arts. Over 100,000 people attend the Festival annually with hundreds of writers, artists, performers and musicians creating theatre, spectacle, street art, music, comedy, literature and music to produce a stunning fortnight of cultural activity.

Further information: www.galwayartsfestival.com

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North Sea Jazz Festival, Rotterdam, Netherlands [9th - 11th July]

The Festival of the Redeemer (Festa del Redentore), Venice, Italy [17th - 19th July]

 

Celebrating the end of the plague involves hundreds of beautifully decorated and illuminated boats full of beautifully decorated Venetians that gather around sunset, have dinner on board or beside the Giudecca canal, then watch one of Europe's best fireworks displays at 11.30pm on Saturday night.

Further information: www.comune.venezia.it

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New York, USA [4th July]

Fourth of July is the most patriotic holiday that America has. That being said, what could be better than experiencing the Fourth in one of the most patriotic cities in the country New York City? Whether it be checking out the massive Macy's Fireworks Spectacular, being front row and watching the Nathan's Hot Dog eating contest or just taking in a concert at Battery Park.

Further information: www.nymag.com

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