News Items/Review.

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 20-01-03 AT 07:18 PM (GMT)]Syrian Airlines looking to modernize fleet in 2003 – 20/1/03

National carrier Syrian Arab Airlines is conducting a financial feasibility study ahead of plans to purchase five new planes in 2003, reported Reuters. The airline is seeking to modernize its fleet and restructure its operations. Established in 1946 Syria’s state-owned fleet is made up of 19 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, which fly to destinations in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia.
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Airline accidents death toll rises – 20/1/03

New figures reveal the number of people dying in airline accidents rose last year for the first time since 1996.

There were 1,022 fatalities in 2002, compared with 778 in 2001, Flight International magazine reports.

The number of airline accidents involving deaths also increased – from 33 in 2001 to 40.

Until last year, accident numbers had been reducing steadily each year since 1996.

But, Flight International says the overall trend for the past six years still shows gradually improving safety, and the figures for 2002 remain below the annual average for the preceding decade.

Flight International describes the mid-air collision last July of a Russian jet and a Boeing 757 cargo plane at 35,000ft over southern Germany as “the most shocking incident” of last year.

A total of 71 people died in the disaster, including 45 Russian children.

The magazine’s operations and safety editor, David Learmount, said: “The areas of the world with good safety records such as Europe, North America and Australasia all enjoyed reasonably safe years – so there is no cause for alarm in those regions.

“The areas where the accident record was less good last year included Taiwan, Russia, Africa and South America.

“It was particularly disappointing to see South America in this category as there had been signs of improvement there in the previous two years.”
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Vietnam Airlines will expand in 2003 – 20/1/03

The airline will inaugurate service to Jakarta, Mumbai and Shanghai. It will also begin a once-a-week direct service from Hanoi to Siem Reap and will add a second weekly flight on the recently opened Hanoi-Vientiane-Phnom Penh route.
The airline is also considering increasing the frequency of its flights to Japan, Australia and Taiwan.
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Air Algerie failed hijack attempt – 20/1/03

Three men attempted to hijack a Boeing 737-800 that was operating AH6025 from Constantine (Algeria) to Algiers yesterday however on landing at Algiers the aircraft was surrounded by security forces and the three were apprehended.
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Another type coming to the FedEx fleet – 20/1/03

One week from today (27Jan) FedEx Express is expected to receive the first of eight ATR 42-320 aircraft acquired under a definitive purchase agreement with Continental Airlines. FedEx Express will use the ATR 42s within its U.S. domestic feeder operations to support, supplement and enhance the FedEx Express trunk aircraft system.
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Air India to consider Airbus A310 replacement – 20/1/03

The Air India board is to meet on Friday (24Jan) to decide on the acquisition of a replacement for its fleet of A310s. Initially the airline was considering an order of 21 aircraft however that has been scaled down to 15. Under consideration are the Airbus A321 and Boeing 737-900.
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SN Brussels prepares for the arrival of the Airbus A319s – 19/1/03

SN Brussels Airlines is scheduled to take delivery of 3 Airbus A319, previously operated by Sabena, and place them into service in Mar03. These aircraft will wear the new livery which will be applied to the rest of the fleet.

http://www.justplanes.net/images/030201_SNA319.jpg
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Turkish A340 makes an emergency landing – 19/1/03

TK021, an Airbus A340-300 en route from Shanghai to Istanbul, was forced to make an emergency landing at Beijing in the early hours of Friday because of a problem with the aircraft cabin pressure.
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Northwest will introduce the A330 into service this year – 18/1/03

Northwest, which plans to take delivery of its first Airbus A330 this summer, will place the aircraft into service over the Atlantic in the fall of this year. Northwest expects to take 6 A330-300s this year our of a total of 24 on order. The airline also holds options on a further 36 Airbuses.
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Air 2000’s first Airbus A321 in the new livery

Air 2000 unveiled an Airbus A321 in its new livery this time with red titles.

http://www.justplanes.net/images/030201_2000_PCarvalho.jpg
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United Airlines emergency landing – 18/1/03

A United Boeing 747-400, en route from Riverside CA to Kuwait with a fuel stop in Frankfurt, was forced to return to Rhein-Main’s Military base on Thursday after two tires blew during the takeoff. The aircraft resumed its flight on Friday only to have the nose gear fail to retract properly forcing a second return to the base.
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Air Asia increases its Boeing fleet – 18/1/03

Air Asia leased and took delivery of a Boeing 737-300 from Ansett Worldwide leases. The aircraft increases its fleet of 737-300 to 6 units. Air Asia also leased a Boeing 747-200 from European for use on hadj flights.

http://www.justplanes.net/images/030201_Asia747_YOgawa.jpg
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TAME accident in Quito this morning – 17/1/03

A Tame Fokker 28 blew a tire on takeoff from Quite (Ecuador) this morning and aborted its takeoff. The aircraft went off the runway and took out the ILS antenna. The aircraft is seriously damaged.

http://www.justplanes.net/images/TAME_Fk28a.jpg
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END OF NEWS
News from Annova.com and Justplanes.net.