On June 27, 2024, the National Transport Safety Board (NTSB) castigated Boeing after discovering an executive disclosed non-public information regarding the 737-9 accident investigation to members of the media at a briefing two days previously.听听聽

The NTSB claims that Boeing 鈥渂latantly violated鈥� investigative regulations, as well as an agreement signed by the planemaker not to share information privy to the probe.聽

鈥淏oeing offered opinions and analysis on factors it suggested were casual to the accident,鈥� the NTSB said in its statement.    

In response to the violation, the NTSB said Boeing will 鈥渘o longer have access to the investigative information the NTSB produces as it develops the factual record of the accident鈥�.   

According to , an angry letter was also sent to Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun later in the day from NTSB Office of Aviation Safety Director Timothy LeBaron.聽

LeBaron wrote that the executive’s comments during the media briefing at Boeing精东影业 Renton facility “released non-public investigative information and made unsubstantiated speculations about possible causes of the Jan. 5 door plug blowout鈥�. 

He added: “We have verified that part of the released information was either inaccurate or unknown to the NTSB while other parts were not previously disclosed to the public.” 

The NTSB director also reaffirmed that it decided not to remove Boeing as a party to the door plug probe, though any further violations could lead to that happening.听听

What the Boeing executive said during the media briefing聽

In Timothy LeBaron精东影业 letter to Dave Calhoun, he confirmed the executive that spoke to the media was Elizabeth Lund, the Senior Vice President of Quality for Boeing精东影业 Commercial Airplane Unit. 

According to , Lund told the group of journalists that a lack of paperwork was the reason why four bolts vital to holding the 737-9 door plug in place were not reinstalled during the plane精东影业 production.听听聽

added that Lund said a 鈥渕ove crew鈥� reinstalled the plug door after it was removed, so maintenance work could be carried out on some rivets in the cabin, but they 鈥渄id not reinstall the retaining pins鈥�.聽

鈥淭hat is not their job. Their job is to just close it, and they count on existing paperwork,鈥� Lund said.  

Journalists at the briefing were also told that Boeing 鈥渂elieves that plug was opened without the correct paperwork鈥�. 

Lund said: 鈥淭he fact that one employee could not fill out one piece of paperwork in this condition and could result in an accident was shocking to all of us.鈥�   

鈥淲e know the plug was opened, and the paperwork is not there,鈥� she added. 

Paperwork issues at Boeing were not themself anything new in relation to the door plug probe, but Lund fleshed out more alleged details than had been previously heard.  

Responding to Lund精东影业 briefing LeBaron wrote in his letter that only 鈥淣TSB personnel are authorized to publicly disclose investigative information and, even then, the disclosure is limited to factual information verified during the course of the investigation鈥�.  

In a statement provided to CNN on June 27, 2024, Boeing said: 鈥淲e deeply regret that some of our comments, intended to make clear our responsibility in the accident and explain the actions we are taking, overstepped the NTSB精东影业 role as the source of investigative information. We apologize to the NTSB and stand ready to answer any questions as the agency continues its investigation.鈥� 

NTSB castigates Boeing for sharing non-public info to media on door plug probe

• Aviation Safety

byIan Molyneaux

2024-06-27

The SpaceX spacecraft精东影业 mission will be to deorbit the space station from its location, ensuring that the procedure poses no risks to any populated areas on Earth.聽

It is expected that both the International Space Station and the deorbit vehicle will 鈥渄estructively breakup鈥� as part of the re-entry process into the Earth精东影业 atmosphere. 

鈥淪electing a U.S. Deorbit Vehicle for the International Space Station will help NASA and its international partners ensure a safe and responsible transition in low Earth orbit at the end of station operations. This decision also supports NASA精东影业 plans for future commercial destinations and allows for the continued use of space near Earth,鈥� said Ken Bowersox, Associate Administrator for Space Operations Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington.  

Bowersox added: 鈥淭he orbital laboratory remains a blueprint for science, exploration, and partnerships in space for the benefit of all.鈥� 

In a statement on (formally known as Twitter) following the announcement on June 26, 2024, SpaceX said it was 鈥渉onored to be entrusted by @NASA to support this critical mission鈥�.听听

While SpaceX will develop the deorbit spacecraft, NASA will take ownership after development and operate it throughout its mission.   

The International Space Station (ISS) will eventually be replaced by commercially owned space destinations closer to home. 

Since 1998, space agencies from Europe, Russia, Japan, Canada, and the United States (US) have all managed the ISS and all five are responsible for ensuring it is safely deorbited.  

ISS crew members conduct experiments across multiple disciplines of research, including Earth and space science, biology, human physiology, physical sciences, and technology demonstrations not possible on Earth.   

The launch service provider for the deorbit vehicle will be decided at a later date following a procurement process.听听

NASA denies ISS medical emergency after SpaceX training drill airs on livestream

• Space

byIan Molyneaux

2024-06-13

According to a statement by the NTSB on June 27, 2024, Boeing 鈥渂latantly violated鈥� investigative regulations and an agreement signed by the planemaker not to share information privy to the probe or speculate about causes of the 737-9 door plug blowout on January 5, 2024.听听

The NTSB said that on June 25, 2024, Boeing held a media briefing at its facility in Renton to talk about quality improvements but during the event a company executive 鈥減rovided investigative information鈥� and gave an 鈥渁nalysis of factual information already previously released鈥�. 

鈥淏oth of these actions are prohibited by the party agreement that Boeing signed when it was offered party status by the NTSB at the start of the investigation. As a party to many NTSB investigations over the past decades, few entities know the rules better than Boeing,鈥� the NTSB wrote in a scathing statement. 

The NTSB added that during the media briefing Boeing portrayed the NTSB investigation as a 鈥渟earch to locate the individual responsible for the door plug work鈥�.听听

‘Few entities know the rules better than Boeing’

The NTSB has been at pains to ensure employees at Boeing know that it is not a witch-hunt and that it is only focused on the 鈥減robable cause鈥� of the accident without placing blame on any individual.  

After the NTSB learned of the violation, Boeing provided a transcript of the media briefing which revealed that the executive had shared information that the safety board had not 鈥渧erified or authorized for release鈥�. 

鈥淏oeing offered opinions and analysis on factors it suggested were casual to the accident,鈥� the NTSB said in its statement.  

Following the disclosure, the NTSB announced several restrictions and sanctions against Boeing.  

The NTSB said that Boeing will retain its party status but will 鈥渘o longer have access to the investigative information the NTSB produces as it develops the factual record of the accident鈥�. 

鈥淭he NTSB will also subpoena the company to appear at an investigative hearing into the case scheduled for Aug 6 and 7 in Washington, DC. Unlike the other parties in the hearing, Boeing will not be allowed to ask questions of other participants,鈥� the NTSB said. 

The NTSB confirmed that it will advise the (DOJ) about the unauthorized disclosure.听听

“Given that Boeing is under investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice in relation to its Deferred Prosecution Agreement stemming from Boeing精东影业 interactions with the FAA prior to the Boeing 737 MAX fatalities, the NTSB will be coordinating with the DOJ Fraud Division to provide details about Boeing’s recent unauthorized investigative information releases in the 737 MAX 9 door plug investigation,” the safety board said. 

Boeing is waiting to hear what punishment it will face from the DOJ for violating its 2021 deferred prosecution agreement put in place following the 737 MAX fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019.聽 聽聽聽聽

Boeing proposes using stock to buyout Spirit AeroSystems as talks near end

• Aircraft
• Aviation Economics & Finance

byIan Molyneaux

2024-06-25

According to Delta Air Lines, the new lounge, which opens for the first time on June 26, 2024, is designed with its premium customers in mind with extraordinary amenities and furnishings that would not look out of place in a five-star hotel.聽

Located between Concourses A and B in Terminal 4 at JFK, the lavish lounge is spread across 39,000-plus-square-foot, far larger than any previous Delta Sky Club lounge.听听

Delta One passengers entering the lounge will be presented with a variety of experiences from fine dining to spa-like wellness treatments to valet services and more.   

“Our teams have spared no detail to ensure Delta One Lounge guests receive a truly memorable experience. It精东影业 a new era for Delta 鈥� this Lounge is raising the bar across the board, from the amenities to the food and beverage offerings to the level of personalized service. We want our guests to feel the difference here; moreover, we want them to feel welcomed and valued from the moment they step through the door,鈥� said Claude Roussel, Vice President of Delta Sky Clubs and Lounge Experience.聽

Decked out with Art Deco-inspired lighting fixtures and New York City influenced fittings, guests can sip on cocktails at the bar or peruse the white-marble counter 鈥楳arket and Bakery鈥�, inspired by retro delicatessen food courts. 

The artwork reflects Delta精东影业 long-haul reputation with artists from Europe, South Africa, India, Japan, Cuba and more all featured.聽

Delta精东影业 recently announced onboard partnership with Missoni is also reflected in the lounge, with design touches like accent pillows, vases and coffee table books bearing the signature zigzag design of the Italian fashion house. 

A 140-seat restaurant will serve up a three-course meal with dishes such as Hamachi crudo, steak tartare and lasagna Bolognese. 

If switching off is more your thing, then the designated wellness area is equipped with nine reservable relaxation pods with full-body massage chairs and nap chairs.听听

A 鈥楽erenity Lounge鈥� also provides a quiet, tranquil space to calm your mind before a long flight.  

There are also eight shower suites, featuring towels, bathrobes and slippers, and a valet attendant will happily steam your clothes and shoes while you freshen up.  

If relaxation to you is watching huge Boeing and Airbus jets land and takeoff, then an outdoor terrace with a retractable roof provides a perfect airfield view.  

Two more Delta One Lounges will open this year at Los Angeles Airport (LAX) and Boston Logan International Airport (BOS).聽

Further information on the new lounge can be found on the .

In pictures: Emirates opens new $950k lounge at Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport

• Airlines
• Airport

byIan Molyneaux

2024-06-25

The last-minute strategy change by Boeing values Spirit AeroSystems around $35 per share according to sources familiar with the process that spoke with .听听

It had been expected that Boeing would make an all-cash offer of more than $4 billion for two-thirds of Spirit AeroSystems, according to .听听

Under the yet to be finalized agreement the segment of Spirit that makes parts for Airbus in Northern Ireland and North Carolina would be sold to the European planemaker. 

Boeing精东影业 change in approach to financing the deal is thought to be connected to concerns about how much cash the company has used this year following a slowdown in plane production. 

Following an incident on January 5, 2024, when a door plug separated from an Alaska Airlines 737-8 shortly after takeoff, Boeing has faced one of its biggest ever crises as it struggles to regain confidence in the industry. 

A Federal Aviaton Administration (FAA) audit following the accident in January 2024, identified 鈥渘on-compliance issues鈥� across Boeing精东影业 manufacturing process control, parts handling and storage, and product control. 

In recent months, a series of revelations by whistleblowers have compounded Boeing精东影业 safety record and in June 2024, the firm精东影业 CEO Dave Calhoun appeared in front of senators to answer questions about its failures.  

Boeing is also still waiting to hear what punishment it will face from the Department of Justice for violating its 2021 deferred prosecution agreement put in place following the 737 MAX fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019.    

Boeing has denied it has violated the 2021 deferred prosecution agreement.聽 聽聽聽

US prosecutors advise DOJ to bring criminal charges against Boeing: reports聽

• Aviation Safety

byIan Molyneaux

2024-06-24

The new lounge was officially opened on June 21, 2024, with Air France精东影业 La Premi猫re, Business and Flying Blue Elite Plus and KLM and SkyTeam partner airlines customers free to enjoy the swanky facilities. 

Spread over nearly 12,000 sq. feet, the lounge sits close to the boarding gates for Air France flights and can accommodate 172 passengers.聽

鈥淭he entire space is an invitation to discover the company’s universe, featuring its signature colors 鈥� shades of blue, luminous whites and touches of red 鈥� giving a sleek, chic design,鈥� Air France said in a statement.聽

Some of the furniture has been created by renowned French designers including the Ester chairs by Patrick Jouin, the Ribbon armchairs by Pierre Paulin, and the coffee table by Charlotte Perriand. 

French cuisine, as you might expect, is at the heart of the lounge with Monkfish Provencale, Beef Bourguignon and braised chicken among the culinary delights prepared by the in-house chef.聽

Dishes such as pan-fried prawns or cassoulet with duck confit can also be made on request in the open kitchen. 

There is also a wide selection of French wines and champagnes, spirits, and local beers, as well as cocktails and mocktails prepared by a bartender.

This new lounge features a spa treatment area by , which has been an Air France partner for nearly 20 years.聽 聽

Air France customers can find their Zen in two cozy cabins, offering a choice of three free facial treatments: 鈥榓nti jetlag鈥�, 鈥榠nstant detox鈥� and 鈥榠lluminating eye-care’.   

Passengers traveling in Air France精东影业 La Premi猫re cabin also have access to a private hideaway dedicated to just them.听听

Designed in a similar way to the La Premi猫re suites, the private area offers a 鈥渃omfortable, chic and made-to-measure layout鈥� for up to 12 guests with its own dining area.聽

Flying Blue Ultimate customers also have access to an area entirely reserved for them with large armchairs for extra comfort during their wait.  

In addition, there is another area dedicated to relaxation and rest for passengers particularly in need of switching off from the world and a closed-off cabin for making calls.聽

As standard for most contemporary lounges there is free Wi-Fi and numerous electric and USB sockets near the seats. 

And perhaps the most welcome luxury for some passengers are the showers which are available to use throughout the day.  

Over the summer, Air France will be operating 26 flights a week between Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) and LAX including 21 operated with Boeing 777-300ER aircraft equipped with La Premi猫re suites.听听聽

Air France-KLM generates over $75B per year for French and Dutch economies聽

• Airlines

byIan Molyneaux

2024-06-20

In May 2024, the DOJ decided that Boeing violated its 2021 deferred prosecution agreement put in place following the 737 MAX fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019.聽 聽聽

reported that two people familiar with proceedings said that Boeing and the DOJ are in talks about a resolution, but no final decisions have been made.听听

Under the 2021 agreement, Boeing was forced to pay a $2.5 billion settlement and agree to abide by several conditions in the future.    

The DOJ found that Boeing violated that agreement when a plug door separated from an Alaska Airlines 737-8 MAX on January 5, 2024, just two days before it was set to expire.   

The DOJ has until July 7, 2024, to inform a judge how it wishes to proceed. Boeing has denied it has violated the 2021 deferred prosecution agreement.   

According to Reuters, one resolution that would not involve criminal charges includes a fine and a third-party being used to monitor Boeing精东影业 compliance.  

A criminal conviction against Boeing could complicate existing deals its defense segment has with the US government. 

On June 19, 2024, families of some of the victims that perished in the 737 MAX crashes urged the DOJ to fine the planemaker $24 billion and move ahead with criminal prosecution.聽 聽聽

In a letter sent to the DOJ, Paul Cassel, a lawyer representing 15 families, said the large fine was justified because Boeing精东影业 鈥渃rime is the deadliest corporate crime in US history鈥� and therefore 鈥渓egally justified and clearly appropriate鈥�.聽 聽

Boeing reallocates engineering staff to accelerate aircraft deliveries

• Aircraft

byClement Charpentreau

2024-06-21

On June 18, 2024, Southwest Flight 4069, operated by the Boeing 737-800 registration N8555Z, was en route from Las Vegas (LAS) to Oklahoma City (OKC).  

At around 12:05 a.m. local time, it received an automated warning about its altitude while still approximately 14 kilometers (nine miles) from Will Rogers World Airport. 

Flight tracking data indicated that the Boeing 737 descended to approximately 525 feet (160 meters) above ground level as it passed over the suburbs of Oklahoma City.听听

***CLOSE CALL WITH AIRLINER OVER OKC SUBURB***

Tonight, we've confirmed the FAA is investigating why the jet, seen in this video obtained by News 4, flew within 500 feet of the ground while passing over the OKC suburb of Yukon early Wednesday.

THREAD 猬囷笍

— Spencer Humphrey (@SHumphreyTV)

An air traffic controller promptly notified the flight crew of the low-altitude alert. The pilots responded by initiating a go-around procedure. The controller instructed the aircraft to maintain a height of 3,000 feet (915 meters). 

The interaction between a pilot and ATC, captured by LiveATC.net. 

Southwest Airlines confirmed that the flight landed safely shortly after midnight. The airline has reported that it will be cooperating with the FAA on a thorough investigation of the incident. 

The approval was announced by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) on June 18, 2024. The potential transfer includes 291 Altius 600M-V unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) loitering munitions and 720 Switchblade 300 attack drones, with a combined value of $360.2 million.  

The Altius 600M-V is a loitering munition developed by Anduril Industries. It is designed for extended endurance and precision strike capabilities, making it effective in surveillance and attacking stationary and moving targets.聽

The Switchblade 300, produced by AeroVironment, is a tube-launched, expendable loitering munition. Compact, it is designed for rapid deployment and can be used for reconnaissance as well as precision strike missions against enemy personnel and light-armored targets. 

According to the DSCA, this sale, specifically requested by Taiwanese authorities, is intended to 鈥渉elp improve the security of the recipient and assist in maintaining political stability, military balance, and economic progress in the region.鈥�  

The Taiwan Presidency welcomed the announcement in a statement and thanked the US government for 鈥渃ontinuing to strengthen the Taiwan-U.S. partnership and jointly safeguarding regional peace and stability,鈥� Taiwan Presidency spokesperson Karen Kuo said. 

China strongly condemned the sales to Taiwan and urged the Biden administration to “revoke its erroneous decision,” according to a Chinese Ministry of Defense spokesperson speaking to China精东影业 Xinhua state news agency. 

Countering China精东影业 military mass with expendable drones 

Deployed in substantial quantities, these expandable systems would enable Taiwan to deter a Chinese invasion by saturating advancing forces and damaging or destroying costly equipment such as landing craft, warships, and ground-based launch systems. 

In November 2020, during the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijan prominently utilized Israel-manufactured loitering munitions, effectively destroying 59 Armenian vehicles, including trucks, artillery units, and tanks.  

The subsequent invasion of Ukraine by Russia confirmed the essential role of attritable systems in modern warfare. One-way attack drones proved effective in countering Russian military advances, while compact systems at the infantry level demonstrated their operational effectiveness, providing real-time reconnaissance and extending soldiers’ operational reach. 

The United States has included Altius and Switchblade drones in several of its aid packages for Kyiv. 

In August 2023, the US Department of Defense introduced the Replicator initiative to counter China精东影业 鈥渕ass鈥� and military expansion in the Indo-Pacific by using expendable drones. 

US military hopes to counter China’s military mass with expendable drones

• Defense

byClement Charpentreau

2023-08-29

In a letter sent to the DOJ on June 19, 2024, Paul Cassel, a lawyer representing 15 families, said the large fine was justified because Boeing精东影业 鈥渃rime is the deadliest corporate crime in US history鈥� and therefore 鈥渓egally justified and clearly appropriate鈥�. 

In May 2024, the DOJ decided that Boeing violated its 2021 deferred prosecution agreement put in place following the 737 MAX fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019.聽 聽

Under the agreement, Boeing was forced to pay a $2.5 billion settlement and agree to abide by several conditions in the future.   

The DOJ found that Boeing violated that agreement when a plug door separated from an Alaska Airlines 737-8 MAX on January 5, 2024, just two days before it was set to expire.  

Last week Boeing denied it had violated the 2021 deferred prosecution agreement. The DOJ has until July 7, 2024, to inform a judge how it wishes to proceed.  

The letter was sent on behalf of the victim精东影业 relatives after Dave Calhoun, the CEO of Boeing, appeared in front of senators at the in Washington DC.聽

There Calhoun was grilled about 鈥淏oeing精东影业 broken safety culture鈥� and asked why he had not resigned since the Alaska Airlines incident.  

In 2018 all 189 people on Lion Air Flight 610 died in a crash and in 2019 Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crashed killing all 157 onboard. Both planes were Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.听听

Embraer精东影业 EVE raises $94M in fresh capital through private share placement 聽聽

• Aviation Economics & Finance
• Aviation Technology and Innovation

byMiquel Ros

2024-07-01