ABX Air Cargo B762 at San Francisco on Fire While Parked, No Arson
from The Aviation Herald
The NTSB reported in a press release, that the cause of the fire was a short circuit to the supplemental oxygen system, that reached the oxygen hose. The design of the hose included an internal spring, which could be heated by the inadvertent application of electrical current, causing the plastic hose to ignite. The coil acted as ignition source, the hose material acted as fuel and the oxygen promoted the fire. More

International Air Freight Dives 17.4 Percent
from The Journal of Commerce
International air freight traffic declined 17.4 percent in May, compared with a year ago, after a 21.7 percent year-on-year decline in April, the International Air Transport Association said. The increase in May shipments still left the market "far from full health," IATA cautioned. More

Congressmen Act on Non-English Speaking Airplane Mechanics
from Examiner
After learning that many airlines employed non-English reading mechanics, a number of house congressmen sent Obama's Secretary of Transportation, Ray LaHood a letter voicing concerns over the safety of airline passengers. Now that summer is underway and many families are preparing for summer vacations, anxiety about airline safety has been addressed by these congressmen. More

First Charter Flight from Oxford
from Travelbite
Oxford Airport has announced the arrival of the first commercial charter flight in 20 years. The first scheduled charter flights, to Jersey in the Channel Islands, will start on July 11 when CI Travel Group launches Saturday flights, which will operate through to September 12th . "We are delighted to welcome these new regular charter flights this month," said Oxford Airport managing director Steve Jones. More

Luxury Jet Operator Admits to $1 Million in Illegal Flights
from CharterX
A co-founder of a charter company whose jet crashed while taking off admitted late last month that he schemed to defraud charter customers and the FAA, launching roughly 100 illegal flights that netted more than $1 million. Andre Budhan, 42, of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., pleaded guilty to the lead count of a 23-count Indictment, charging him with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and to defraud the United States. More

Sentient Jet Extends Partnership with PGA TOUR Through 2013
from Wall Street Journal
Sentient Jet, an official marketing partner of the PGA TOUR since 2006, has signed a four-year extension and will continue as the "Official Private Jet Provider of the PGA TOUR and Champions Tour" through 2013. An industry leader in private jet membership, charter flights and fuel management services for aircraft owners, Sentient provides TOUR members with a number of benefits designed to fit the unique demands of a professional golfer's travel schedule, including the flexibility to access a full range of jet sizes and categories to accommodate specific trip needs. More

Is Tougher Airport Screening Going Too Far?
from Wall Street Journal
The Transportation Security Administration has moved beyond just checking for weapons and explosives. It's now training airport screeners to spot anything suspicious, and then honoring them when searches lead to arrests for crimes like drug possession and credit-card fraud. But two court cases in the past month question whether TSA searches—which the agency says have broadened to allow screeners to use more judgment—have been going too far. More

Airline Companies Want Fuel Surcharges Back
from China Daily
Chinese airline companies are urging the industry regulator to resume the levy of fuel surcharges after the country raised jet fuel prices. Many Chinese carriers including China Southern Airlines have requested the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China to levy jet fuel surcharges since they have undergone big pressure after the rise of fuel prices. More

TSA Deploys New Screening Technologies
from UPI
Evansville, Ind., Regional Airport has received next-generation screening system under a Transportation Security Administration security upgrade effort. The TSA announced it has deployed two Reveal CT-80 screening systems to the Evansville Regional Airport in Indiana. More