Delta and United Saturday became the latest major corporations to sever marketing ties with the National Rifle Association as the fallout from last week’s massacre at a Florida high school took its toll on the gun advocacy group. The exodus of corporate names, ranging from a major insurer to car rental brands and a household moving company, began after the NRA launched a counter-offensive against a student-led campaign for tighter US gun laws. The NRA responded by saying its members were being punished, but would not be intimidated, by what it called “a shameful display of political and civic cowardice” from some corporations. In tweets on Saturday, Delta and United said they were no longer offering NRA members discounted rates and they would ask the NRA to remove their information from its website. The issue of gun control, and the NRA’s role in opposing it, became the focus of renewed national debate after a former student killed 17 people on Feb. 14 at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in the Fort Lauderdale suburb of Parkland, using an AR-15 assault rifle he had purchased legally. The US Constitution’s Second Amendment protects the right of Americans to bear arms. The NRA, which has long used campaign donations and effective lobbying to command political influence, argues that stricter gun control would erode individual rights.<br/>
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Air NZ is getting closer to making the big call on its next long-haul model of plane. Airbus and Boeing are likely to tender for the deal next year. CE Christopher Luxon said the airline had already taken the first step towards replacing its 777-200 fleet, requesting information from the planemakers. "We're right in the middle of that process right now," he said. "There's a number of candidate aircraft on the Airbus side — the A350 is an aircraft of interest, likewise the [Boeing] 787-10s and even the 777Xs are really things we want to understand." The airline's route planners were still working on where they would like the planes to fly, which will determine the aircraft type and its configuration. Non-stop flights to cities such as New York or Sao Paulo are on the airline's radar. "A big part of this conversation is working out where do you want to go to over the next 10 to 15 years and to look at it connecting Australians through New Zealand to the East Coast of North and South America." The airline also was investigating connecting Asia, through Auckland, to South America.<br/>
Ethiopian Airlines has finalised the installation of an Airbus A350 XWB full flight simulator (FFS), becoming the first FFS operator of the type in Africa. The device is fitted with a full electrical motion system. Ethiopian operates seven A350-900s with 17 on order. Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Tewolde Gebremariam said the introduction of the A350 XWB FFS is “a continuation of our pioneering role in African aviation technology” and is “part of our Vision 2025 strategic roadmap to be fully self-sufficient in the provision of pilot training in all the aircraft type we operate.” Ethiopian have invested over $125m in the last seven years to expand and upgrade its training capabilities.<br/>
A United flight slid off the runway at Austin Straubel International Airport in Green Bay early Friday morning after landing in icy conditions. The incident occurred around 3 a.m. CT, according to the Green Bay Airport. "There were no injuries and everyone safely exited the aircraft using a portable set of stairs," the Green Bay airport said. "They were then transported to the terminal building by bus and alternate transportation is being arranged for the passengers." The plane, carrying 180 passengers and seven crew members, was bound for Minneapolis/St. Paul from Houston but was diverted because of bad weather, said Tom Miller, director of Austin Straubel International Airport.<br/>