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Black box data from a doomed Ethiopian Airlines flight suggests the crash was caused by a faulty sensor that erroneously activated an automated system on the Boeing 737 Max, a series of events suspected in an Indonesian disaster involving the same jet last year. Data from a vane-like device, called the angle-of-attack sensor, incorrectly activated the computer-controlled system, according to several people who have been briefed on the contents of the black box in Ethiopia. The system, known as MCAS, is believed to have pushed the front of the plane down, leading to an irrecoverable nose-dive that killed all 157 people aboard. The black box contains information on dozens of systems aboard the plane. The black boxes on the jets, Boeing’s latest generation of the 737, survived the crashes, allowing investigators to begin piecing together what caused the disasters. Both investigations are continuing, and no final determinations have been made. The new connections between the two crashes point to a potential systemic problem with the aircraft, adding to the pressure on Boeing. The company already faces scrutiny for its role in the design and certification of the plane. The FAA delegated significant responsibility and oversight to Boeing. Story has more details and background.<br/>

Greek carrier Aegean Airlines reported a net profit of E67.9m for 2018, up 13% from E60.4m in the previous year. Consolidated revenue was up 5% year-over-year (YOY) to E1.19b, compared to E1.13b in 2017. Pre-tax earnings rose 15% YOY to E98.6m. Aegean CEO Dimitris Gerogiannis said the airline managed to improve profitability, as well as its commercial performance in the international network, despite increased competition and higher fuel costs. “The gradual recognition of the quality of our services and our … consistent improvement support our positive trends,” he said. “At the same time, we have committed to significant investments which will allow us to improve our product and cost competitiveness and further develop the skills of our people.” Aegean and its subsidiary Olympic Air carried 14m passengers in 2018, up 6 % YOY. ASKs rose 4% to 17.24b, primarily because of the greater use jet aircraft instead of turboprops. Traffic increased 6% to 14.4b RPKs, and load factor rose 0.7 points to 83.9%. International passenger traffic rose 7% YOY to 7.8m and domestic traffic was up 4% to 6.1m. A key driver for the traffic gains was the growth in incoming tourist flow, the carrier said.<br/>

EgyptAir received its first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on March 28. The Star Alliance member will lease a total of six of the type. The new aircraft will initially be put in service on the Cairo-Kuwait route in early April, and in June to Washington Dulles—a new destination—and Toronto. The second 787-9 is scheduled for delivery in April. “Today’s delivery marks a new chapter for EgyptAir and Egypt´s civil aviation sector,” EgyptAir chairman and CEO Ahmed Adel. EgyptAir’s 787-9s provide 30 business-class lie-flat seats and 279 economy seats equipped with a 12-inch IFE screen and USB outlet, and offer Wi-Fi connectivity. Under a fleet modernization plan, the airline to add up to 45 new aircraft, including 15 Airbus A320neos and 24 A220-300s, by 2020.<br/>

United Airlines offered Friday to withdraw from a $69m deal to put its name on Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum following criticism that it would disrespect the stadium's history of honoring troops who fought and died in World War I. The airline made the offer to the University of Southern California, which announced the agreement for the naming rights last year as part of its $270m renovation of the nearly century-old landmark. The planned name, United Airlines Memorial Coliseum, drew blowback from some veterans and a key official this week. United Airlines California President Janet Lamkin said in a letter to USC official Todd Dickey that the company made "a significant commitment to financing this project" in exchange for the naming rights and was careful to keep the words "Memorial Coliseum" to honor the memory of veterans. "If USC is not in a position to honor the terms of the agreement, including in particular the name change, United would be amenable to abiding by the wishes of the community, stepping away from this partnership with USC, and mutually terminating the agreement," Lamkin wrote. USC quickly responded that it would be open to "accepting the wishes of the veteran community to modify the proposed naming agreement to United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum." The university said the airline would have to agree and the deal would have to be changed, but it didn't provide details.<br/>

A United Airlines flight made an unscheduled stop at Washington Dulles International Airport on Friday after an odour in the cabin left passengers feeling ill. Flight 1675 from Baltimore-Washington Airport (BWI) was en route to San Francisco International Airport (SFO), when it landed at Dulles at about 7:45 a.m. The plane landed without incident, according to a statement from Dulles International Airport. The Fire and Rescue Department responded to the scene and transported seven passengers to local hospitals for evaluation, the statement said. Raman Santra, one of the passengers on the flight, said a scent of fuel in the cabin caused several passengers to complain of nausea, chest pain and trouble breathing. "Before take-off, you could detect a faint smell of fuel which I thought nothing of," Santra said. "As we continued to go to cruising altitude, the smell became very strong." United cancelled the flight and informed passengers that the aircraft, a Boeing 737, required "prolonged ventilation system maintenance," Santra said. United did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The incident did not impact airport operations, Dulles officials said.<br/>