Embraer’s first new narrow-body jet is set to fly into commercial service next week to take on Bombardier. But that’s just a prelude to the bigger battle emerging between heavyweights Boeing and Airbus. At stake: possible orders from Air France-KLM, United Continental, and JetBlue Airways. The sales campaigns are a key test for Embraer and Bombardier as they seek to prove the potential of a new generation of 100- to 150-seat narrow-body jets -- a market sliver that Airbus and Boeing have largely abandoned for bigger, more profitable models. The twist is that those contests are poised to become the next battleground in a broader struggle between the aerospace duopolists. While Airbus prepares to take control of Bombardier’s C Series program, Boeing is deep into talks with Embraer to form a commercial-jet venture. <br/>
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The UN's aviation agency is trying to facilitate talks between Qatar and its neighbours to defuse tensions over alleged airspace violations, but will not intervene politically in the dispute, sources familiar with the matter said this week. The ICAO is working to organise a regional meeting for Gulf civil aviation and air traffic authorities in the next few weeks, as part of broader efforts to improve communication, one of the sources said. Earlier this week, the United Arab Emirates accused Qatari fighter jets of flying dangerously close to 2 of its civilian aircraft, the latest of several incidents raising tension in the region. "Sometimes if you're having a feud with your neighbour you need someone to facilitate the conversation," a source said. ICAO cannot impose binding rules on govts, but wields clout through its safety and security standards. <br/>
London Heathrow air traffic controllers have begun using an enhanced time-based separation system to reduce wake separation between landing airliners. The new system, part of what UK air navigation service provider NATS calls its optimised runway delivery tool, is expected to increase capacity at the airport by at least 1 arrival and 1 departure per hour, increasing the airport’s operational resilience and improving punctuality. The system went active March 16. Heathrow has been making use of TBS since 2015, primarily on windy days to help maintain the flow rate of landings. Research using Lidar sensors found that strong headwinds dissipated the effect of wake vortices, allowing landing separation distances to be reduced. The system’s introduction has already saved thousands of minutes of delays each year. <br/>