Watchdog Poll Results

A few weeks back we mentioned that the BBC Watchdog program was carrying out a poll about peoples feelings about airlines and air travel. Well the results are now out, they were aired on BBC One last night. The whole program will be on the BBC iplayer until the 18th November and is worth watching if you have time.

The top two airlines where British Airways and Virgin, I have included the graph in the post. For full details of the report visit the BBC website

Qantas Cabin Crew - Long Haul Flight Attendants

"Our flight attendants are the face of Qantas, representing our airline around the world. We pride ourselves on providing customers with an exceptional service experience from the moment they step on board to the time they depart the aircraft. Qantas flight attendants are selected for their natural, genuine, engaging and confident personalities and their ability to use their initiative in any situation. "

For all Long Haul Flight Attendant Jobs, based from Heathrow, with Qantas, visit AviationJobSearch/Qantas

India's Government still views air travel as a luxury item

According to a recent article in FT.com, written by Paul Betts and Amy Kazmin, many middle class indians have been able to afford air travel over the recent years (avoiding long uncomfortable rail journeys).

However, despite millions of Indians taking to the skies {in 2007 Indian airlines carried 43m passengers on domestic flights, an increase of 27m from 2004}, India's government still views air travel as a luxury item “and a potential cash cow to help boost its own weak finances.”

Read more about the price they have to pay for this mode of transport.

Take the Watchdog Airline Survey

"We take more than 56 million flights abroad every year. Whether it's scheduled, budget or charter, a short hop or long haul, more than 250 companies now fly us in and out of British airports every day. We've never had so much choice when it comes to who we fly with. Now Watchdog wants to find out what you think about the airlines."

Take the survey; BBC - Watchdog - Airline Votes

Aero-Engine EXPO Paris

The Aero-Engine EXPO is the only independent, dedicated international Aero Engine life-cycle event in the world. With space for nearly 100 exhibitors, informal networking receptions and formal B-2-B networking meetings, the Aero Engine EXPO is THE pre-eminent meeting place for Aero Engine professionals. It is happening in Paris at the end of this month;

Wednesday 29th October 2008, 10.00 -16.00
Thursday 30th October 2008, 10:00 – 15.00

To register as a visitor, conference delegate or exhibitor - all the detals can be found here.

Thomas Cook: Cabin Crew Jobs

Bristol, Cardiff, Gatwick, Belfast, Leeds, Newcastle, Glasgow and Birmingham - opportunities for Cabin Crew staff across the UK with leading firm, Thomas Cook.

As part of one of the world's leading travel companies, Thomas Cook Airlines flies millions of people across the world every year. Since merging with MyTravel Airways, they’ve created a new Thomas Cook Airlines which has continued to lead the industry.

With bases at 11 airport locations across the UK, they fly to more than 50 destinations across 5 continents on board a mixed Airbus and Boeing fleet of some of the very best, most reliable aircraft on the market.

For full details and to apply, please visit AviationJobSearch.com/ThomasCook

Its not all Doom & Gloom for Aerospace

As we’ve been reading so many negative stories lately regarding the aerospace & travel industry, we were delighted to read that for one of the leading aerospace hubs in the country it is celebration all-round. The Filton Airbus factory has been sold for £136 million to engineering firm GKN.

GKN has committed to invest £125 million in the plant, which makes wing components for the Airbus, over the next decade.

Andrew Blackwell, of Darchem Insulation Systems, Gloucester said: "The deal is giving the South West some stability. It is a bit of a statement. We believe the acquisition should be welcomed. It is positive and important for the UK aerospace industry in a period when a lot of industries are dying in the UK. The aerospace industry sticks out like a beacon. To retain some of these core composites in the UK is great. It is brilliant news."

The Filton factory is a manufacturing and assembly specialist for wing components for the full range of Airbus aircraft including the A320, A330/340, A380 and A400M and is expected to be heavily involved in the new generation A350 XWB.

Norton Rose hires new Aviation Partner in Singapore

International legal practice, Norton Rose (Asia) LLP today announcedthat Leigh Borrello is to join as a partner in the Singapore office'sasset finance practice. Leigh will lead the aviation finance team whichrepresents one the largest specialised aviation finance and leasingpractices in Asia.

Leigh joins from Clyde & Co in Singapore where he is a partner. He is anexperienced aviation finance practitioner, having specialised in thisarea for over 13 years. Prior to his position at Clyde & Co he was asenior associate with Norton Rose in Singapore, and has previouslyworked in the aviation finance team at Millbank Tweed, also inSingapore.

Leigh Borrello commented:"I am very pleased to be re-joining Norton Rose Group. I know theculture and the clients well and look forward to growing the aviationfinance and leasing business. Norton Rose Group is the world's leadingaviation finance legal practice, and Asia is a key market for this work.The Singapore office has an experienced team of dedicated asset financelawyers and has built a reputation for providing a quality of servicethat is second to none."

Jeremy Edwards, Head of Aviation, Norton Rose LLP commented:"Leigh is an excellent lawyer and is one of the top names in the Asiaregion for aviation finance work. He is a strong addition to the teamand will fit well with the office as a whole and the global practice."

Norton Rose Group has a long-standing commitment to Asia with over 100lawyers in the region, based in Bangkok, Beijing, Shanghai, Singaporeand Hong Kong. Leigh Borrello will be the second new partner in theSingapore office in the last year following the appointment of AdamSummerly in April.

XL Travel in administration

UK Travel firm has gone into administration today resulting in all the companies air plans being grounded. The firm, which is the third biggest travel company in the UK has blamed rapidly rising fuel costs and the economic downturn for the crises. XL flys to 50 different destinations mainly in Europe and the Caribbean. The collapse of the firm has left approximately 85,000 people stranded aboard and an estimated 200,000 losing out on holidays that have already been paid for.

-XL Travel’s porfiolio of firms includes the following:-

-XL Leisure Group

- XL Airways UK

- Excel Aviation- Explorer House

- Aspire Holiday- Freedom Flights

- Freedom Flights (Aviation)

- The Really Great Holiday Company

- Medlife Hotels

- Travel City Flights

- Kosmar Villa Holidays

The XL group, which is based in Crawley, West Sussex and has has 1,700 employees worldwide. If you working within the aviation industry and are looking for work now, as a result of this collapse, please visit www.Aviationjobsearch.com for the latest aviation jobs. Also visit our sister site - http://www.traveljobsearch.com/.

If you have suffered due to the business folding, please let us know.

Did we hear right?

We couldn’t believe our eyes when we read this news article on Yahoo today & had to share it with you! “Woman goes down baggage chute at Swedish airport” - STOCKHOLM (AFP) - An elderly woman misunderstood instructions while checking in at Sweden's main airport and was whisked down a baggage shoot after she placed herself instead of her luggage on the belt, media reported Wednesday.

The 78-year-old woman, who was not named, was preparing to fly from Stockholm's Arlanda airport to Germany on Tuesday when she lay down on an unmanned baggage belt in the belief she was following check-in instructions, the Upsala Nya Tidning local daily reported on its website.
She was quickly swept off to the baggage handling centre, where staff members helped get her back on her feet.
The woman suffered no serious injury and caught her flight as planned.

Bless!

Parc Aviation sold to OAA

Parc Group recently announced the sale of one of its subsidaries, Parc Aviation Ltd to OAA - Oxford Aviation Academy. The OAA is the largest independent aviation training company in Europe. The sale represents an end to trading activities by the Parc Group.


Parc Aviation is the world's leading supplier of personnel solutions to the aviation industry. They provide a comprehensive range of aviation services to airlines, maintenance organisations, aircraft manufacturers and aircraft leasing companies. Parc Group CEO Peter Keenan said "This transaction, which represents the end of an era for Parc, will ensure that Parc Aviation's strong position in the global aviation marketplace will be further enhanced through being part of such a major and prestigious aviation training organisation."

Airline Purchasing & Aircraft Maintenance Outsourcing EXPO

It is now confirmed that AviationJobSearch will be exhibiting at this trade show in May next year. We will have a stand and be available to speak with throughout the event.

As a visitor to the EXPO, you will have access to three exhibition halls with over 230 exhibit spaces. All for FREE. The Exhibition will be open to visitors during the following times:

Wednesday 6th May 2009, 10.00 - 16.00
Thursday 7th May 2009, 10.00 - 15.00

See you then!

UK Expansion for Ryanair & closure in Europe

Two new routes, from Leeds Bradford International Airport are planned to start this winter. They are going to fly to Girona four times a week and Alicante three times a week. However, in the same press release it was announced that they are temporarily suspending flights for a period between 4th November and 19th December at seven European airports.

Deputy chief executive Michael Cawley said: “We very much regret temporarily closing our operations at these airports during this November and December period. However, a combination of high airport charges and the massive increases which we face in fuel prices, makes it more profitable for Ryanair to ground aircraft rather than fly them at these airports during this period.”

2500 Job Losses for NWA

This story has been well documented over the last few days within the world of Aviation. Northwest Airlines Corp is reported to be cutting 2500 jobs in order to cope with the high fuel costs.

President & CEO of NWA has said “Our fuel costs have more than doubled in the past year. These reductions are a direct result of our extraordinary fuel costs.”

Northwest (NYSE: NWA) is the ninth largest airline serving Orlando International Airport, according to the Orlando Business Journal's 2008 Book of Lists.

Read what NWA CEO Doug Steenland recently says about the Oil Markets.

Featured Job - TICKETING & SALES AGENT AT LONDON CITY AIRPORT

TICKETING & SALES AGENT AT LONDON CITY AIRPORT

Your main duties will be to:

•Support the daily activities at the ticketing desk (selling and issuing flight tickets)

•Encourage teamwork, consistency and proper coordination at the ticketing desk

•Assist in the coordination of activities with local airport handling agents

•Ensure service delivery to Luxair, in accordance with service level agreements

•Assist in producing reports

•Monitor competition

•Provide data from competitors where available

•Generate ideas for product improvements

For more details about this job and to APPLY please click here

Flybe and Air South West prepared for ‘challenging times’

2 of the South West’s most prominent airlines have said that they are confident to survive the steep rise in the cost of aviation fuel. It has forced some airlines to go out of business over the last year since rising by nearly 100%. For the full article and comments from Flybe’s Chief Commercial Officer and Air South West’s CEO, Jim Cameron visit http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/7478020.stm

For jobs with Flybe, visit http://www.aviationjobsearch.com/ and type ‘flybe’ into the keyword box. They currently have 11 roles on offer.

Work for Emirates

Aviation Job Search is currently hosting a number of jobs, mainly based in Dubai, for leading aerospace firm; Emirates. Here are a selection of the jobs on offer.

HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER; Reporting to the Head of HR, you will be responsible to ensure that critical HR aspects like recruitment, remuneration, organizational development, performance management; training, labour relations are performed professionally and in accordance with the local labour laws and company policies. You can also visit Simply HR Jobs for more jobs in Human Resources.

TELESALES AGENTS; They are in search for experienced generic telesales & reservation/ticketing agents who would be able to establish and maintain superb relations with both prospective and current customers/passengers. You can also visit Simply Sales Jons for more roles in Telesales.

CARGO HANDLING ASSISTANT; You will be required to carry out Cargo and/or Courier/Mail, build up, break down, acceptance and delivery activities, directing a crew of Porters and Equipment Operators in accordance with the requirements whilst complying with the published performance standards and industry norms.

For these jobs and more please visit Aviation Jobs Search.

Delta Air Lines to cut 4,000 jobs

Atlanta based Delta Airlines has announced that 4000 of it's employees will loose their jobs. At the end of 2007, they had on a total of 55,044 full-time employees. In an effort to cope with record-high costs of aviation fuel, many major airlines recently announced that they are reducing domestic capacity, putting off orders to buy new aircraft, or cutting jobs, so Delta are not alone in their plight.

Read the full news release on DWS Aviation/Delta

AeroExpo 2008 13th-15th

Aero Expo 2008 - Wycombe Air Park

This event will showcase ALL sections of the market, including the latest Aircraft available - from light aircraft, or Pistons and Turboprops from all the major manufacturers, to Gliders and Power Gliders; AeroExpo has them covered.

Maybe you’re looking for the latest on aircraft engines, propellers, avionics, accessories, spare parts, maintenance, safety, fuel, oils, tyres, flight training schools, simulators, pilot supplies, insurance, or other General Aviation-related product or service. You’ll find them all at AeroExpo!

Dates and Opening Times:
Friday 13th June 2008:
10.00 - 17.00
Saturday 14th June 2008:
10.00 - 17.00
Sunday 15th June 2008:
10.00 - 16.00

Click here to Register for free entry. Once registered you can also book a flying-in slot online.

New online community for Aviation

Just a quick post to let you know of a new online community for aviation - worldwide. "By aviation friends – for aviation friends", the site is ClipWings.com. Although still in its beta stage you will be able to view aviation video clips and photos, set up your own online clubs and blogs, and get to know othe people who share your interest in avaition.

Symbiotic relationship ensures IFE's continued survival

For years in-flight entertainment manufacturers have been staring down the irritating threat to their existence in the form of personal media players. IPods and MP3 have quickly been making in-flight entertainment (IFE) a thing of the past. After all, who really wants to watch the same film four times on that long haul flight to Oz? Exactly.

With the prospect of becoming an endangered species staring these manufacturers square in the eyes, they’ve decided to take on a role which is no longer competitive but companionable. In-flight entertainment manufacturers have made the leap in logic previously seen in smaller species that are staring down those big predators; symbiotic existence is king. Instead of trying to keep up with the latest technical advances they’ve decided to develop systems that support personal media players and therefore provide a better experience for passengers all over the world. Singapore airlines are the first to use these great products, just outmanoeuvring other major names at the last.

Audio and visual feeds are sent from the iPod to the IFE system, which in turn sends power to the iPod. So even better you’re iPod isn’t going to die during your flight. So, from this point onwards we could all be looking to great music, great movies and, with the developments of the eBook, great reads on our flights, no matter who we fly with or where we go.

Featured Job - MANAGER MMI TRAVEL

MANAGER MMI TRAVEL - DUBAI

The Position: You will manage the operations and expansion of MMI Travel and its portfolio, whilst ensuring that the Departmental strategic business objectives are achieved, and a position of influence and excellent reputation is maintained in the Travel industry. This shall include the retention and growth of current market shares and the achievement of targets for MMI Travel. Other key aspects to the role are to monitor changing market situations, and to continuously adapt the business strategy to meet market conditions and challenges of the future. In addition to this you will also track competitor activity and initiate changes in processes, systems and strategy for business growth, to address these needs. The ability to maintain effective working relationships with internal departments is also necessary.

Salary & Benefits: We offer an attractive tax-free salary, paid in Dirhams, the local currency of the UAE

For a full job description & to apply online please click here

Latest Jobs Flying direct to your desktop

Stay connected to us - and get so much more - with the Aviation Job Search Community Toolbar! To Download our Free Toolbar {with job links & access to your account} click:
http://aviationjobsearch.OurToolbar.com

Any further A380 delay would create “acute problem” for Emirates

As Airbus re-evaluates its production ramp-up plan for the A380, Emirates has warned that any further delays to the programme would cause an "acute problem" for its near-term expansion plans....to read the full article click here.

Featured Job - DESIGN / ENGINEERING MANAGER

Due to expansion, our client has instructed AircraftEngineers.co.uk to seek a Design/Engineering Manager to join their growing company on a permanent basis.

In this role you will lead a small, highly motivated team of engineers to produce and interpret engineering concepts that meet the needs of our customers on time and within budget.

You will require a good understanding of the manufacturing process and be able to conceptualise ideas using design philosophies that are based on quality, ease of produceablility, material costs, commonality and minimum number of parts.

Good knowledge of AutoCAD and solid modelling experience would be an advantage.

To Apply for this Job please click here - Design/Engineering Manager

EasyJet Attempt to Guard Passengers Against Price Increase

EasyJet have taken a stand against the new 21% passenger charges increase for 2008-2009. In a letter to the new BAA chief executive Colin Matthews, which has just been made public, EasyJet CEO Andy Harrison wrote:

“Now that the new charging system is in force, some decisions have to be made about how you as airport operator and we as one of your biggest customers handle the situation until the court has ruled, which is likely to be some months away.

“We would prefer to do this in collaboration with you. With that in mind I would propose an interim arrangement. We will hold back a proportion – the amount is to be agreed – of the £6.97 ($11.04) you have been permitted to charge for each passenger at Gatwick. We will keep the money in a separate account.

“To the extent that our challenge fails, we will hand over the money withheld to you along with any interest accrued. If our challenge succeeds, and a lower charge is then set, we will implement a mechanism to return what we have saved to our customers.”

Here’s hoping that the outcome of a judicial review against Gatwick’s price regulator, conducted by the UK Civil Aviation Authority, will go in their favour and the favour of passengers.

UK Engineers Deserve More Recognition

Specialist recruiters in the UK Aerospace industry are concerned about the exposure of the industry to young engineers. With the term engineer being “diluted” to include all levels of expertise, from the man who services your washing machine to the man who, working along side scientists provides the practical knowhow to pioneers rocket propulsion; Industry specialists fear that they are loosing out on potential young recruits in the aerospace industry because there is not enough exposure to the career prospects.

Ian Bryson, managing consultant with West Midlands-based Jonathan Lee Recruitment commented that it was difficult to find qualified and exceptional people for the industry because they don’t often come in contact with the product: “How does someone such as an aircraft or parts manufacturer demonstrate their product to people who don’t come in contact with it, who maybe jump on an aircraft once a year to go on holiday?”

And the question is a valid one, engineers working in the aerospace industry find that the career is challenging, fulfilling, varied and innovative. But if people are not exposed to it, then they are unlikely to choose to pursue a career in it. What can companies do to entice people to the industry? Ian Bryson believes that greater respect should be given to engineers and that we should start to differentiate between a true engineer and those who, in other countries like France and Germany, would be given the title of Technician.

Would it therefore be beneficial both to the industry and the individual to instate a formal title for engineers, to give them the prestige they deserve? Bryson, and other specialist in the industry, believe it wouldn’t do any harm.

IFE players for BA's OpenSkies

British Airways has decided to offer customers the latest in in-flight entertainment (IFE) by equipping each one of its 82 seat configuration Boeing 757, across all three classes, with handheld IFE players.

Each of the PAV-705 units, made by IMS, will contain somewhere in the region of 50 hours of audio and visual programming. The two premier classes will have in-seat power, while all three classes will benefit from the handheld IFE players providing content management and ground services including content loading, battery charging and headsets.

As the first route planned by OpenSkies, Paris Charles de Gaulle to New York JFK, will be opened this summer these sets will be put to the test.

A Triple Success for Rocket Propulsion

It looks like Rocket propulsion has achieved a triple success as three new propulsion systems have been successfully tested in in Europe and the USA. There’s also a big first for the UK rocket testing with the use of STERN motors at the University of Bristol held during late March this year.

The Bristol University engineers conducted four successful 1 second firings of the Static Test Expansion/Deflection Rocket Nozzle between 19th and 31st of March. These tests make a series of firsts for UK rocketry as this is the first time Expansion/Deflection (ED) nozzle motors have been tested and also the first use of hydrogen and air as propellants for STERNs.

Italy and America are also experiencing great successes with rocket propulsion. Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) of the USA, successfully conducted its first simultaneous firing of three of its Merlin 1C kerosene, liquid oxygen engines, on 8th March this years. The test lasted for 18 seconds, and things look good to for the second test at SpaceX’s testing facilities in Texas which will use fives engines and then the final tests which will involve SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket’s nine-Merlin 1C configuration.

Italian propulsion company Avio’s second stage 26,000kg Zefiro 23 solid rocket motor was responsible for the third success of rocket propulsion. The test lasted for 80 seconds and was held at a test site in Sardinia. The Zefiro 23 solid rocket motor will power the European Space Agency Vega launcher, so these tests are great news.

All in all rocket propulsion has seen three excellent successes so far this year and we can look forward to more of the same as 2008 continues.

If you're looking to make a career change to a test engineer or perhaps position in the space industry then maybe 2008 is a good year to make your move.