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BA cancels flights to Pakistan
In the aftermath of the devastating bombing of the Islamabad Mariott, airline British Airways has stopped all of its flights into Pakistan. In the aftermath of the devastating bombing of the Islamabad Mariott, airline British Airways has stopped all of its flights into Paki... more
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Ice caused BA jet crash
The BA plane that crashed at Heathrow in January was probably brought down by ice in its fuel system, an accident report says.
The pilots of the Boeing 777 managed to land so that the 136 passengers and 16 crew escaped without serious injury.
The Air Accident Investigation Branch believes the flow of fuel dropped causing the engines to lose power less than a minute before touchdown.
But investigators say they still do not know how the ice could have formed.
Water is naturally present in aviation fuel and the investigators believe there may have been as much as five litres within this aircraft's fuel load.
But the report says levels of water found in fuel recovered after the 17 January crash were very low for a Boeing 777.
How accident unfolded
They dismissed the suggestion that the fuel itself froze or became "waxy" as icing occurred.
The report says the plane flew through unusually cold air over Siberia while en route from Beijing to Heathrow.
The fuel temperature fell to -34C (-29F). But jet fuel should not freeze until it is at less than -57C (-70F), and the report says the temperatures involved were not "unique".
The investigation into the crash of flight BA38 continues with testing at Rolls-Royce in Derby, and Seattle in the US, the home of Boeing.
Following Thursday's report, a spokesman for the US Federal Aviation Administration said it would be issuing an air-worthiness directive to US carriers operating Boeing 777 aircraft.
This was likely to be about "changes in procedures for pilots to follow in certain cold weather conditions" as well as "changes in certain fuel procedures on the ground", he said.
While it would not be an emergency directive, it was likely to be issued within 24 hours and would have immediate effect.
Fuel and water
Water in aviation fuel can be dissolved at the molecular level, or simply float as free water, suspended in the fuel. As the fuel gets colder tiny droplets can form and freeze.
The mystery facing investigators is why this might have happened on an apparently fully functioning aircraft.
Water in the fuel is controlled by draining it regularly out of the fuel tanks - and on the Boeing 777 a so-called "scavenge system" pumps it out.
Ice can form when the fuel temperature drops to around -1C (30.2F) to -3C (26.6F) Generally the ice crystals simply float and drift in the fuel without causing harm. The BA plane that crashed at Heathrow in January was probably brought down by ice in its fuel system, an accident report says. ... more -
BA seals alliance with American
British Airways says it has sealed an alliance with American Airlines that will allow the two carriers to fix fares, routes and schedules together.
The move will also include Spain's Iberia, which is merging with BA. With aviation fuel prices near record levels and spending on air travel slowing, airlines are looking at ways to cut costs. But the carriers will have to persuade the US that the deal does not break US rules on foreign ownership of airlines.
Under the business agreement, the three airlines will co-operate on flights between the US, Mexico and Canada and the EU, Switzerland and Norway. "We believe our proposed co-operation is an important step towards ensuring that we can compete effectively with rival alliances and manage through the challenges of record fuel prices and growing economic concerns," said Gerard Arpey, chairman and chief executive of AMR Corp, the parent company of American Airlines.
However, BA's rival Virgin Atlantic, owned by Sir Richard Branson, said the plan would reduce competition in the airline industry. "What they're proposing is to create the world's biggest airline with American Airlines," said Virgin's Paul Charles.
"But we know what dominant players do - they snuff out competition, they raise prices and they become even more dominant."
(c0ntinued at link) British Airways says it has sealed an alliance with American Airlines that will allow the two carriers to fix fares, routes and schedu... more -
BA close to American alliance
British Airways says it is hopeful of agreeing a tie-up with its largest US rival American Airlines within weeks.
The talks are taking place alongside negotiations between BA and the Spanish airline Iberia about a possible merger. With aviation fuel prices at record levels and spending on air travel slowing, airlines are looking for ways to cut costs. BA suffered an 88% drop in profits between April and June and said the industry faced its worst ever period. It also said it would cut 3% of flights this winter to reduce overheads.
British Airways and American Airlines already work together as partners in the One World alliance which lets member airlines share flight capacity and airport facilities. But it is understood that, if agreed, a new deal would see them work much more closely to try to cut costs in areas such as technology, ticketing and administration.
According to the BBC's business reporter Joe Lynam, British Airways is also hoping to secure its status as a global airline well into the future. Any deal between BA and AA would be subject to regulatory scrutiny. The two airlines have failed in the past to gain immunity from US competition laws for a tie-up, but British Airways believes that relaxations in regulations under the Open Skies agreement may make this more likely.
Rival Virgin Atlantic has said it would oppose any joint venture between the two transatlantic carriers, saying it would create "a dominant mega-power" on routes between Europe and the United States. British Airways says it is hopeful of agreeing a tie-up with its largest US rival American Airlines within weeks. ... more -
British Airways to merge with Iberia
British Airways Plc and Spain's Iberia are in talks to create the world's third-biggest airline, which could form the basis of a three-way transatlantic tie-up and trigger a fresh wave of industry deals.
They will own over 450 planes and have a turnover of 16.9 billion euros! British Airways Plc and Spain's Iberia are in talks to create the world's third-biggest airline, which could form the basis ... more -
Airbus A380 - World's Biggest Aircraft Model at Heathrow
Weighing in at 45 tonnes, the plane is taking the place of the British Airways model Concorde, which greeted passengers as they arrived at the airport for 16 years, and has been moved to the Brooklands Museum at Weybridge, Surrey.
Its replacement, the Airbus, will remain on the site until 2013 under a deal signed by the airline and BAA, Heathrow's owners.
The model, in the Emirates livery, is as big as a smaller member of the Airbus family, the short-haul A320, and twice the size of the Concorde replica.
for full story & Video
http://www.worldamazingrecords.com Weighing in at 45 tonnes, the plane is taking the place of the British Airways model Concorde, which greeted passengers as they arrive... more -
British Airways will raise fares and slash flights
British Airways will raise fares, slash flights and consider cutting its order of new aeroplanes as the flag carrier prepares to follow a year of record profits with its toughest 12 months since 2001.
BA staff secured a £35m windfall today after the airline hit its 10% profit margin target for 2008, but analysts warned that the coming years could be bonus-free as a high oil price and a weak global economy pose a fundamental threat to the industry.
The airline is expected to ground services in the winter as it reduces costs in the face of an escalating global oil price, which could push its fuel bill to more than £3bn this financial year British Airways will raise fares, slash flights and consider cutting its order of new aeroplanes as the flag carrier prepares to follo... more -
Naomi arrested after row on plane
Supermodel Naomi Campbell has been held at Heathrow Airport on suspicion of assaulting a police officer.
A police spokesman said: "At 1711 police were called after a disturbance at Heathrow Airport Terminal 5.
"A 37-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer and is currently in detention at Heathrow police station," he added. Supermodel Naomi Campbell has been held at Heathrow Airport on suspicion of assaulting a police officer. ... more -
Engine fault caused crash-landing
The two engines on a plane that crash-landed at Heathrow failed to respond to demands for thrust, a preliminary report has said.
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Heathrow crash pilot deserves 'medal as big as a frying pan'
A heroic British Airways pilot averted catastrophe yesterday by gliding his jet into Heathrow after its engines failed.
Capt Peter Burkill kept Flight BA038 airborne over houses and schools before crash-landing in a field. Only 19 of the 136 people on board were hurt.
A witness said: "He deserves a medal as big as a frying pan."
The jet swooped in a few feet above cars heading for the airport - including one carrying Gordon Brown.
Cool-headed Capt Peter Burkill realised his Boeing 777 had suffered a total power failure as he approached Heathrow at 200mph - and calmly announced: "I'll just have to glide it in."
The jet was flying over the densely populated West London suburbs surrounding the airport when he lost all power and all the electrics suddenly died.
Capt Burkill and his crew managed to keep it airborne above houses, schools and offices - clearing Heathrow's perimeter fence by just five feet before crash-landing into a field 500 yards short of the runway. A heroic British Airways pilot averted catastrophe yesterday by gliding his jet into Heathrow after its engines failed. ... more -
BA Jet crashlands at London Heathrow
Siginificant damage to undercarriage and wings. No casualties.
Eyewitness John Rowland said: "The plane's wheels collapsed, doors were flown open.
"On its approach it took the runway too low, just missing the roof of my cab.
"It crashed into the runway, debris was flying everywhere, there was an enormous bang and it skidded sideways." Siginificant damage to undercarriage and wings. No casualties. ... more -
Travel Misery For Hundreds As Flights Cancelled In UK
Hundreds of air passengers will have to spend Christmas Day in hotels around Heathrow after fog engulfed London, causing the cancellation of dozens of flights.
"Most people have been rebooked or rerouted on other airlines, but some passengers will not be flying until the 26th of December," a BA official said.
Poor folks... Hundreds of air passengers will have to spend Christmas Day in hotels around Heathrow after fog engulfed London, causing the cancellat... more -
"Mind The Gap" VO Lady In Trouble With The London Tube
The London Underground has sacked Emma Clarke; the woman whose voice is heard by millions of passengers riding the Tube each day. The BBC explains why... The London Underground has sacked Emma Clarke; the woman whose voice is heard by millions of passengers riding the Tube each day. The ... more
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Environmental Groups criticize Phantom Planes.
British Airways have been flying planes from the UK to North America without any passengers. These flights are being used to shuttle crew and cargo, because they have a shortage of employees. The flights are arriving in North America to take passengers one way. At least one flight is leaving daily, without anybody aboard.
Environmental groups are unhappy with this, because it contributes unnecessary pollution into the atmosphere.
Sorry, this actually has nothing to do with ghosts. British Airways have been flying planes from the UK to North America without any passengers. These flights are being used to shuttle ... more
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