Russian investigators probing a gear-collapse and overrun by a Sukhoi Superjet 100 have determined that the friction coefficient of the Yakutsk runway was far lower than the figure given to the crew. The Yakutia aircraft had been operating the flight, from Ulan-Ude Oct 10, with its right-hand thrust-reverser deactivated. While this deactivation was permitted as a deferred item, it meant that the criteria for landing included a runway friction coefficient no lower than 0.4. The Superjet crew was told that the coefficient for runway 23L was 0.45, according to federal air transport regulator Rosaviatsia’s preliminary findings. But an assessment of the runway surface revealed the presence of ice, and friction measurements for the various sections of the runway turned up values of 0.25-0.32. <br/>
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AirAsia India has named a senior executive from part-owner Tata Group as the new CE of the LCC joint venture. Sunil Bhaskaran will take over as CE from Nov 15, and the carrier said he will “oversee the next phase of expansion and growth of the company.” Bhaskaran has more than 30 years’ experience with the Tata Group and is currently VP-corporate services at Tata Steel. The appointment of Bhaskaran sees Tata taking a closer role in the leadership of AirAsia India. The previous CE, Amar Abrol, came from a company affiliated with the AirAsia Group, which is the other primary owner of the LCC. Abrol left AirAsia India in June to move back to AirAsia Group headquarters to take up a senior role in group strategic projects. He had led the Indian LCC for 2 years, during which time the airline tripled the size of its fleet, workforce and network. <br/>
Wizz Air has announced a new baggage policy, effective Nov 1. The new policy aims to ease boarding delays and guarantees all passengers can bring 1 free carry-on bag into the aircraft cabin. Airline statistics show that more than 10,000 flights per year are affected by baggage-related delays. In addition, over the past 5 years the average length of stay at a destination has been continuously declining; today every third Wizz Air traveller books trips for 3 days or less. Starting Nov 1, every passenger can bring 1 free carry-on bag (40x30x20 cm) on board, while passengers who purchase WIZZ Priority will be allowed to carry a trolley bag (55x40x23 cm) into the cabin as well. Wizz Air customers can choose among more than 50 carry-on and checked baggage variations based on their individual preferences. <br/>
Aer Lingus CE Stephen Kavanagh will step down Jan 1 to pursue other interests; he will be succeeded by British Airways’ director-network, fleet and alliances Sean Doyle. Kavanagh, who has been at the carrier for 30 years and been CE for the past 4 years, will remain on the airline’s board as a non-executive director. Doyle, who is originally from Cork in Ireland, will take up his new role Jan 1, 2019. He joined British Airways in 2003 and has carried out financial, strategy, commercial and alliance roles for British Airways and was appointed to the airline’s executive management committee in 2016. IAG CE Willie Walsh said Doyle has “successfully held a variety of roles within British Airways, acquiring significant expertise and experience, which makes him ideally suited to lead Aer Lingus.” <br/>
For 1 in 7 passengers, stepping onto a plane and enduring a flight is a terrifying experience they often deal with in silence. But a new initiative by Virgin Australia will soon let those anxious flyers get extra support to cope with their flying nerves. Virgin Australia announced Friday its new partnership with not-for-profit group Smiling Mind. Smiling Mind has developed meditation programs now available on Virgin Australia's in-flight entertainment to help all flyers practice mindfulness in the air. From early next year, anxious travellers can self-identify with the airline by ticking a box while booking a flight. They will then get extra support to cope with their flight, from dedicated information about easing flight anxiety, to having cabin crew drop by their seat to make sure they're OK. <br/>
Airbus could build a longer-range version of its newest narrow-body jet by 2023, according to prospective buyer Air Transat, beating a competing Boeing model to the market. The Canadian carrier’s president, Jean-Francois Lemay, has been briefed by Airbus on its thinking regarding service entry for the proposed aircraft, as well as by leasing firm AerCap, the biggest supplier to its fleet, he said. A development of the existing A321neo known as the XLR for extra-long range, the Airbus plane is under consideration as Boeing mulls a launch decision for a family of mid-range jets with the working title New Mid-Market Aircraft, or NMA. That model is a wholly new design and wouldn’t reach operators until about 2025, CE Dennis Muilenburg said in July. <br/>
An Airbus A320neo jet suffered an in-flight engine failure after a gearbox component malfunctioned, according to people familiar with the matter, marking the latest glitch to hit the Pratt & Whitney turbine. The model’s biggest operator, IndiGo, said Wednesday it was forced to carry out an emergency landing in response to a loss of oil pressure during the flight Monday. The latest issue concerns an accessory gearbox and isn’t integral to the fan-drive gear system that makes the fuel-saving engine so innovative, said the people. Indigo, which didn’t specify what caused the fault, said it grounded the plane and is conducting further checks. Airbus and Pratt & Whitney said they’re working to minimise disruption to the carrier. The incident follows a run of issues that have afflicted Pratt-powered versions of the A320neo. <br/>