Boeing has developed a self-cleaning lavatory prototype that uses ultraviolet light to kill 99.99% of germs. According to Boeing, the cleaning system “can disinfect all surfaces after every use in just 3 seconds. Boeing believes this self-cleaning technology, combined with touchless features, will enhance the passenger experience on commercial flights.” According to Boeing, the lavatory uses Far UV light that would be activated only when the lavatory is unoccupied. Far UV is different from the UVA or UVB light in tanning beds, and is not harmful to people. Boeing engineers said they have shown through testing on their prototype that this innovation can minimise the growth and potential transmission of micro-organisms. Boeing has filed for a patent on this concept. <br/>
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Since the dawn of the Jet Age, airline travel has evolved radically save one aspect: We still fly at around 500 mph. NASA says technology is now primed for a leap forward—to supersonic flight—cutting cross-country travel times to 2 hours or less and making a trans-Atlantic trip a matter of just a few hours. The question is whether commercial jet makers, and airlines, for that matter, will follow its lead. The Achilles heel of past supersonic flights on the now decommissioned Concorde was a neighbourhood-rattling sonic boom that led the US and other countries to ban its flight over populated areas. But now NASA and others believe airframe design has advanced to a point where the traditional sonic boom can be mitigated into something akin to a sonic soft thump, or “heartbeat”. <br/>
Airbus is seeking airline support for a new 400-seat jetliner provisionally dubbed the A350-8000 as competition escalates with Boeing over the world’s largest 2-engined jets, airline and aviation industry sources said. After talking up the possibility of a new member of its A350 family, Airbus has swung into an active pre-marketing phase as it responds to a recent upgrade in the competing Boeing 777 series. While Boeing has scored successes in the Gulf with its biggest ever twin-engined jet, the 406-seat 777-9, Airbus is expected to aim its design at airlines that do not always require the performance needed for extreme Gulf conditions. “It would have similar capacity and range (as the 777-9) and substantially lower seat-mile costs,” Airbus sales chief John Leahy said. “We are showing it to airlines right now.” <br/>
The lack of early available delivery slots for the Airbus A350 is a major challenge for the manufacturer as it pitches the type to Chinese customers. “Our industrial constraint is that you need to place the order well in advance to ensure delivery at a given period… so with 800 A350s being ordered, of course it’s a mathematical exercise,” says Airbus China president and CE Eric Chen. The problem in particular for Chinese customers, is that they plan their fleet requirements in 5-year periods, and are cautious when it comes to ordering aircraft beyond that timeframe. The next 5 year period covers 2016 to 2020. “We’re trying to satisfy our customers, but yes I have slot issues,” says Chen. He adds that Airbus is in active discussions with various Chinese airlines regarding the A350. <br/>
Opposition from left-wing groups has delayed a final vote on a law that would give security forces across the EU access to the data of airline passengers, a proposal that has been stalled for years over privacy concerns. Sharing details of the identities of air passengers and their flight records has been at the centre of fierce debate among lawmakers at the European Parliament with some arguing it is key to fighting terrorism and others concerned that people's privacy could be infringed. A number of left-wing groups including the Socialists, Liberals and Greens, have now blocked formal discussion of the proposed legislation next week, effectively delaying a final vote, the group of Conservative lawmakers said Thursday. The European Parliament and EU member states clinched an agreement on the proposal last December. <br/>
The third-phase development of Don Mueang airport will be proposed to the Airports of Thailand board for approval this month. AoT president Nitinai Sirismatthakarn said Wednesday that a master plan of the airport development worth more than THB10b will be forwarded to the AoT board March 23. In the third phase, the agency will carry out maintenance work on the airport's old terminal building for domestic flights. The AoT will also build another terminal as a junction terminal to connect with the Red Line's Bang Sue-Rangsit link and an Airport Rail Link extension. Don Mueang airport handles 80,000-110,000 travellers from 650-680 flights a day, or 28m passengers a year. Nitinai said the third phase, which was expected to be completed in 2021, will increase the airport's capacity to 40m passengers a year. <br/>