Emergency Landing For The Airline Industry ?
Posted by Big Gav in air transport
Peak oil was always going to present a big challenge for the airline industry - and even the early stages seem to be causing a lot of issues.
The SMH reports that US planes are flying on dangerously low fuel levels, with the number of emergency landings soaring.
A review by federal authorities has revealed a sharp increase in planes, particularly from Continental Airlines, flying into the New York area with so little fuel that they demand an emergency landing. In a report on minimum and emergency fuel declarations into Newark airport last year, the US Department of Transportation (DOT) expressed concern that some of the incidents may be prompted by fuel-saving measures. "We are concerned that fuel-saving measures may have contributed to the low fuel declarations because of two pilot bulletins issued by Continental Airlines in 2007," the report said.
The SMH also reports that Air NZ expects fuel costs to hit profits
Air NZ said crude oil's "unprecedented rise" had also seen a widening of the gap between crude oil and jet fuel, which for the past two years has been about $US15 per barrel. Now it was more than $US25 per barrel. The airline had crude oil hedges in place but they did not protect against the growing differential with jet fuel.
It had recently increased ticket prices but if the oil prices were sustained, they would have "a significant impact, requiring continued review of our pricing, network and cost-base". Air NZ also said it was entering compensation talks with Boeing after news that the delivery of its first Boeing 787-9 aircraft has been delayed.
And one last piece of good news from the SMH - all foreigners leaving the US will now be fingerprinted - smile, you're on Big Brother.
The US government says it wants airlines and cruiseliners to take biometric data from foreigners leaving the country under new plans aimed at fighting terrorism and illegal immigration. Since January 2004, immigration services have taken a photo and fingerprints from each foreigner entering the United States to identify those using a false name and to stop terrorists, drug traffickers or illegal immigrants. More than 90 million prints have already been collected, but under a proposed law announced by the minister of homeland security today, the system would be expanded to every foreigner leaving the country by sea or air.
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