sky

Air France plans return of engine-failure A380 from Goose Bay

The Air France Airbus A380 that was forced to make an unscheduled landing in Canada two months ago after one of its four engines failed is expected to return to scheduled service in January. The A380, operating as flight AF66 and powered by Engine Alliance GP7200 engines, was enroute from Paris Charles de Gaulle to Los Angeles LAX Sept. 30 when it diverted to Goose Bay, Canada, following the uncontained engine failure. On Nov. 23, an Antonov 124M freighter ferried a new GP7200 to Goose Bay with a new. An Air France spokesperson said that the plan is to install the new engine and fly the A380 to Charles de Gaulle by Dec. 6, then return the aircraft to normal operations from January. A team of Air France and Airbus technicians is on site in Goose Bay. <br/>

China Southern eyes further collaboration with American Airlines

China Southern says there is potential for further collaboration with American Airlines, and that it is open to bring private investors into the carrier. In a televised interview, the airline's vice-chairman and president Tan Wan Geng says that the market between China and the US "is the biggest", and hence it wants more support from its American partner. "This is the reason why we set the cooperation strategy relationship with American Airlines. It's just the beginning. In the future, China Southern will fly more to the US, and American Airlines will fly more to China," says Tan. "I do think we have a lot of potential to cooperate." This is in-line with the airline's plan for a "double-hub" strategy once the new Beijing Daxing airport becomes operational. The carrier has said that it expects to base 250 aircraft at the new airport by 2025, with plans for intercontinental services to North America and Europe. Earlier this month, it was reported that China Southern has had internal discussions about the possibility of leaving the SkyTeam alliance, following closer collaboration with Oneworld member American.<br/>