Boeing is close to clinching a large sale of widebody jetliners to Qatar Airways, a deal that moved closer with the recent US approval of Boeing fighter jet sales to the Gulf nation, according to 2 people familiar with the situation. Qatar Airways is in the process of firming up the order, which it was due to have placed at July's Farnborough airshow, but which was delayed by the Qatari govt in an effort to speed up US approval for the fighter contract. It was reported that the deal was for at least 30 Boeing 777 and 787 jets, valued at about US$6.7b at list prices. If the deal is finalised, it would give the Boeing a substantial sales boost amid a slump in widebody orders this year. Qatar Airways CE Akbar Al Baker said in August that the airline planned to make a major aircraft order to enable its network expansion plans. <br/>
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Representatives of the US-based Flight Safety Foundation are urging the creation of an independent international panel to investigate the attack on Malaysia Airlines flight MH17. The foundation argues that such a move would address Russian claims of unfair bias by the 5-nation joint investigation team probing the Boeing 777’s destruction. The inquiry believes it has proven that the missile was carried on a transporter brought into Ukraine from Russia. But Russian officials claim the inquiry is politically motivated, highlighting that Ukraine was involved in the probe while Russia was effectively excluded. The Flight Safety Foundation says that, while it normally opposes the criminalisation of “honest mistakes” in aviation, the circumstances surrounding the loss of MH17 are pointing to a “premeditated act”. <br/>
Cathay Pacific is retiring its Boeing 747 passenger fleet after 37 years. The final 747 flight to Tokyo is scheduled for Oct 1. The original double decker jet was vital to Cathay’s development into a major global carrier. The airline received its first jumbo jet in 1979 when it was still a small regional carrier flying to a handful of Asian destinations and Australia. After Oct 1, Cathay will continue to fly the jets in its cargo fleet, but it decided earlier not to adopt the new generation 747-8 for passengers. "It's simply just too big for us at the moment,” said Mark Hoey, Cathay’s GM for Operations. “People want more flights and flexibility, and they want to go direct everywhere. So we are using the 777 or the A350. They're smaller, but we are going everywhere direct.” <br/>
With great fanfare, American Airlines introduced new uniforms Sept 20. Now the outfits are giving the carrier and hundreds of its employees real headaches. Sources report that more than 400 AA flight attendants have informed their union and company management that they have broken out in hives and begun to experience itching and headaches since they first slipped into the new uniforms. An AA spokeswoman confirmed that the company has received complaints about the new uniforms, which the company, at this juncture, believes may be related to a wool allergy among some affected employees The spokeswoman said these employees have been given the option of getting new uniforms made out of a polyester material. The union that represents AA flight attendants is sending the uniforms out for additional testing. <br/>
British Airways has confirmed it will scrap free food and drink on its short-haul flights and instead offer passengers the opportunity to purchase snacks and sandwiches provided by Marks & Spencer. A deal between the airline and M&S was rumoured to be on the cards earlier in the month. The changes will be rolled out on services in and out of Heathrow and Gatwick from Jan 11 next year, with Stansted and London City to follow by the summer. BA said the deal was motivated by the demand of passengers to have more choice in what they eat and drink, but critics believe the move marks the end of an era for the carrier, with the loss of free food and drinks on flights seen as the final breakdown of the barrier between the traditional airline and its low-cost rivals. <br/>