Boeing said Wednesday that it is ready for the next production increases in its 737 jetliners as the company prepares to deliver the first of the revamped Max models in the summer. The company is stress-testing its production system monthly as it readies to boost monthly output to 47 from 42 this year, said Keith Leverkuhn, VP and GM of the 737 Max program. Investors and analysts remain focused on potential supply-chain kinks as Boeing and Airbus SE boost output. Boeing is transitioning to producing the Max version of the 50-year old 737 platform and phasing out the existing models while boosting its output rate to record levels. It has sold more than 3,600 of the Max jets. "We are very comfortable with the ability of our shops to accommodate the higher rates," Leverkuhn said. <br/>
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Airbus is considering doing away with one of the hallmarks of its A380 superjumbo, a "grand staircase" echoing the era of cruise ships, as it looks to revive sales of the airliner, industry sources said. The idea of a slimmed down staircase, as well as adding fuel-saving wingtips, is aimed at lowering the huge double-decker's operating costs and boosting its fuel efficiency. The provisionally dubbed A380-Plus makeover would add 40-50 seats to increase the standard interior's capacity to more than 600 seats which would help airlines reduce their costs per passenger. To make room for those extra passengers, the A380 would do away with the double staircase at the front of the plane in favour of something more compact. The narrower spiral staircase at the back would also be modified. <br/>
Airlines are bolstering their technology after outages in recent years canceled thousands of flights, but travellers would like better compensation for the glitches, a House panel heard Wednesday. Alaska Airlines CE Brad Tilden told the House Transportation subcommittee on aviation that his carrier quadrupled its information-technology spending in the last 5 years. Each of the major airlines has suffered a major outage in recent years, which could each strand passengers on thousands of flights for several days. Technology experts say airlines are vulnerable to the problems because they must update complex systems governing reservations and flight schedules while remaining in operation. And, as airlines merge, their computer programming might not be compatible. <br/>
An increased number of European flights were grounded Tuesday in the second day of a strike by French air traffic controllers. More than 430 flights were cancelled, bringing the total to over 800 since the 5-day industrial action started Monday. Further cancellations are expected Wednesday when controllers in Brest, Bordeaux and Marseille sector will be still on strike, A4E warned. Ryanair has been forced to cancel 66 flights Tuesday, including services from Stansted and Luton, while Air France warned that its flight schedule would be disrupted all week with only 78% of domestic services expected to run Tuesday. Carriers have also faced severe delays and detours, including a flight from London to Nice which had to fly along the Rhine valley in Germany and a service from Oslo to Malaga which had to divert via Ireland. <br/>
Austria’s air travel tax will be cut in half Jan 1, 2018, following a confirmation by the Austrian Council of Ministers, as the country seeks to increase its attractiveness as a business and tourism destination. Under the new plan, Austria’s air travel tax will be amended to E3.50 (US$3.70) for short-haul, E7.50 for medium-haul, and E17.50 for long-haul flights. Additional motives for the tax cut, as confirmed by the Council of Ministers, included “[securing] the future of Vienna airport as an international aviation hub, [creating] jobs and [increasing] economic development.” “In cutting its travel tax, the Austrian govt has taken an important step in the right direction,” IATA DG and CE Alexandre de Juniac said. “Other countries should take note, particularly Germany and the UK, which continue to heavily tax air passengers.” <br/>