In The News: All about aviation – Japan Airlines Launches In-Flight Wi-Fi and much more

Aviation has suffered one of its worst weeks in history, with three fatal airline crashes spanning three continents. Global aviation leaders will reportedly meet in Montreal next week to address airspace safety and security issues. Today’s In The News segment will look at some of the major stories from the aviation industry, including the launch of in-flight WiFi by Japan Airlines, a new way to fly to New York and Washington D.C., and airplane maker Bombardier’s plan to cut 1800 jobs.

• Japan Airlines Launches In-Flight Wi-Fi

Japan Airlines (JAL), in partnership with service provider Gogo, has rolled out internet services on three of its Boeing 777-200 aircrafts. It is the first commercial airline outside of North America to offer WiFi from Gogo. The service provider will eventually provide in-flight Wi-Fi on JAL’s entire domestic fleet, which consists of 77 aircrafts. Having received permission from the Japanese Civil Aviation Bureau to install Wi-Fi on all aircraft types, the roll-out will now continue to JAL’s remaining domestic fleet of Boeing 737-800, 767-300, 777-200 and 777-300 aircrafts. (Travel Daily Asia)

• A New Way to Fly to New York and D.C.

Offering a private jet experience at a business-class flight price, BizCharters Inc. says it will start flying scheduled services in mid-August to the New York area and Washington’s Dulles International Airport, two of the most heavily traveled routes in the country. The new carrier uses small regional jets with 30 leather seats and lots of legroom. BizCharters’ $695 round-trip cost ($495 one way) compares favorably with first-class fares, which run from $1,440 to $2,178 between Chicago O’Hare International Airport and New York’s LaGuardia International Airport, according to Harrell Associates, an airfare consulting firm in New York.  (Chicago Business)

• Canadian Aviation Giant to Cut 1800 Jobs

Troubled Canadian aviation giant Bombardier is to cut 1800 jobs in a major reorganization. Pierre Beaudoin, the company’s president and chief executive officer, said the overhaul, to be completed by January 1 next year, would reduce costs and overhead. Company officials announced that as part of the overhaul, one of its senior officials, Aerospace President and Chief Operating Officer Guy Hachey, is stepping down. Bombardier, one of the world’s largest aircraft manufacturers, is the only company to build both planes and trains. (MSN NZ News)

• China’s Rich Pimp Their Planes

The market for private jets is a small but fast growing aviation segment in China, where rapid economic development has created a surge of new wealth. So when a Chinese customer asked for the interior of his new Bombardier Challenger 850 jet to be covered with pricey black carbon fiber, the designer was shocked—but happy to oblige. “We’ll do whatever you want, as long as it’s within the realm of certification,” said Sean Gillespie, executive vice president for sales of Flying Colours, a North American aviation services firm. The first US Gulfstreams only arrived in the country in 2003 but a decade later there were 248 business jets in China, a 28 percent leap on 2012’s figure, according to consultancy Asian Sky Group.  (IOL Travel)

• 2014 Could be the Worst Year for Airline Fatalities Since 2005

Three fatal airline crashes in a week means 2014 is shaping up to become the worst year in almost a decade for passenger fatalities. The crash of Air Algerie flight AH5017 in Mali yesterday (July 24^th) follows the loss of TransAsia Airways Flight 222 in storms in Taiwan on July 23 and the downing of Malaysian Air Flight MH17 over Ukraine last week.  The African incident involving a plane operating for Air Algerie brings the 2014 toll to 680 travelers, higher than 12-month totals for the past three years, according to air-safety consultants at Ascend Worldwide. With five months remaining of 2014, this is shaping up to be worse than 2005. Here’s to hoping it’s not. (Bloomberg)

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