AirAsia receives its first A320neo

AirAsia has taken delivery of its first A320neo at a dedicated ceremony in Hamburg. The aircraft is the first CFM International LEAP-1A powered A320neo in South East Asia and the second worldwide. Equipped with a Space Flex Cabin for an optimal passenger comfort and efficiency, the aircraft is configured with 186 seats. 

AirAsia is Airbus’ biggest airline customer for the A320 Family with a total of 575 aircraft ordered. Of these, 404 are A320neo Family, following the airline’s latest firm order for 100 A321neo aircraft placed at the recent Farnborough Airshow.

The A320neo Family is the world’s best-selling and most fuel efficient single aisle aircraft Family. The A320neo provides operators with double digits improvements in fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions - with a 15% reduction at entry into service and up to a 20% reduction by 2020. 

The A320neo Family incorporates the very latest technologies including new generation engines and Sharklet wing tip devices. With nearly 4800 orders received from 87 customers since its launch in 2010, the A320neo Family has captured some 60 percent share of the market. The Airbus’ A320neo Family offers unmatched comfort in all classes and Airbus’ 18-inch wide seats in economy as standard. This aircraft is the 17^th A320neo delivered to date.

Airbus Press release

ATSB: Data entry and navigational issues involving Airbus A330 of AirAsia

What happened

On 10 March 2015 Airbus A330, registered 9M-XXM and operated by Malaysian‑based airline AirAsia X, was conducting a regular passenger service from Sydney, New South Wales to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. On departure from runway 16R the aircraft was observed by air traffic control to enter the departure flight path of the parallel runway 16L. Following advice from air traffic control, the flight crew identified a problem with the onboard navigation systems. Attempts to troubleshoot and rectify the problem resulted in further degradation of the navigation system, as well as to the aircraft’s flight guidance and flight control systems. The crew elected to discontinue the flight but were unable to return to Sydney as the weather had deteriorated in the Sydney area and the available systems limited the flight to approaches in visual conditions. The aircraft was instead radar vectored to Melbourne, Victoria and the flight completed in visual conditions.

What the ATSB found

The ATSB found that when setting up the aircraft’s flight management and guidance system, the captain inadvertently entered the wrong longitudinal position of the aircraft. This adversely affected the onboard navigation systems however, despite a number of opportunities to identify and correct the error, it was not noticed until after the aircraft became airborne and started tracking in the wrong direction. The ATSB also found that the aircraft was not fitted with an upgraded flight management system that would have prevented the data entry error via either automated initialisation or automatic correction of manual errors.

The flight crew attempted to troubleshoot and rectify the situation while under heavy workload. Combined with limited guidance from the available checklists, this resulted in further errors by the flight crew in the diagnosis and actioning of flight deck switches.

Finally, the ATSB identified that effective monitoring and assistance by air traffic control reduced the risk to the occurrence aircraft and other aircraft in the area.

What's been done as a result

In response to this occurrence the aircraft operator undertook safety action, including:

• the development of a training bulletin and package for its flight crews that emphasised the correct operation and alignment of the air data and inertial reference system
• sharing the lessons learnt from the operator’s internal investigation with all pilots and reviewing the recovery procedures to be undertaken in the form of a flight safety notice.

Safety message

This occurrence highlights that even experienced flight crew are not immune from data entry errors. However, carrying out procedures and incorporating equipment upgrades recommended by aircraft manufacturers will assist in preventing or detecting such errors.

Additionally, the airborne management of this occurrence illustrates the importance of effective communication when dealing with an abnormal situation under high workload conditions. This is especially the case when there is limited guidance available to resolve the issue.

Contributing factors

• When manually entering the coordinates of the aircraft’s position using a data entry technique that was not recommended by the aircraft manufacturer, the longitude was incorrectly entered as 01519.8 east (15° 19.8’ east) instead of 15109.8 east (151° 9.8’ east). This resulted in a positional error in excess of 11,000 km, which adversely affected the aircraft’s navigation systems and some alerting systems.
• The aircraft was not fitted with an upgraded flight management system that would have negated the positional data entry error via either automated initialisation of the air data and inertial reference system, or the automatic correction of manual errors.
• The aircraft’s navigation system probably detected the data entry error and displayed an associated message. However, due to the combination of that message being similar to one displayed during routine alignment of the inertial reference system, and the captain’s understanding that the same alignment-related message may be displayed twice, the error was not identified.
• The first officer did not notice the error in the initialisation coordinates when crosschecking the flight management and guidance system entries after completing the pre-flight external inspection of the aircraft.
• It is likely that data integrity checks detailed in the pre-flight and taxi checklists were either omitted or conducted with the navigation display selected to an inappropriate mode and/or range that concealed the aircraft’s positional error.
• The instrument panels cockpit check was not carried out in accordance with the flight crew operations manual and resulted in the crew not detecting the offset error in the displayed heading.
• Due to the large data entry error remaining undetected, the navigation system did not initialise relative to the aircraft’s actual position prior to take-off. This resulted in an offset error in the displayed heading and a spurious enhanced ground proximity warning system alert shortly after take‑off and again on arrival in Melbourne.
• Activation of the enhanced ground proximity warning system probably distracted the crew and prevented them noticing the turn towards the active parallel runway.

ATSB

Photo News: AirAsia Malaysia new A320neo

Becomes 9M-NEO

JOBS: Cabin Crew AirAsia to be based in Kuala Lumpur

AirAsia is looking for Cabin Crew in Malaysia, to be based in Kuala Lumpur.

Minimum requirements:

• Female - min. 157cm
• Male – min. 170cm
• SPM Credit for Bahasa Malaysia
• SPM Credit in English (similar alternative qualifications e.g. via TOEIC score 650 above (validity for 2 years), British Council, etc. also acceptable)
• Graduates from any disciplines are encouraged to apply
• Outgoing, fun and stunning personality
• Inexhaustible smile, vibrant and energetic
• Good communication skills
• Possess a positive attitude with the natural ability to provide excellent service working within a team environment and dealing with people from all cultures

If you are interested in this job APPLY HERE

AirAsia A333 flight D7221 diverted to Melbourne, engine #2 shut down in flight

An AirAsia X Airbus A330-300, registration 9M-XXD performing flight D7-221 from Sydney,NS (Australia) to Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), was enroute at FL380 about 210nm southeast of Alice Springs,NT (Australia) when the crew received a low oil pressure warning for the right hand engine (Trent 772) and shut the engine down. The aircraft drifted down to FL230, subsequently descended to FL190 and diverted to Melbourne,VI (Australia) for a safe landing on runway 34 about 2:15 hours later.

Australia's TSB opened an investigation into the occurrence rated an incident, the final report is estimated for December 2016.

The Aviation Herald

AirAsia plans operation to Europe from 30OCT16

AirAsia on its website schedule listing has filed planned operation to Europe, marking the airline’s return. Current schedule listing shows AirAsia X to operate Kuala Lumpur – Istanbul Ataturk – Barcelona route on daily basis, effective 30OCT16. Reservation for this route is currently unavailable.

D7001 KUL1000 – 1500IST1630 – 1920BCN 330 D
D7002 BCN2050 – 0120+1IST0250+1 – 1930+1KUL 330 D

Routesonline

Air Asia comes within 152m of colliding with Jetstar in Australia

A Jetstar and an AirAsia plane came dangerously close to a midair collision after taking off from the Gold Coast, China’s Xinhua news agency reported Australian authorities as saying.

It was reported that the AirAsia Airbus A330 (flight D7206) on its way to New Zealand came within 152 metres of a Jetstar flight that was about to land, causing alarms to sound in both planes’ cockpits.

The minimum vertical separation for major passenger aircraft in Australia is 305 metres. The incident occurred north of Coolangatta airport in Queensland.

Jetstar pilots were forced to take evasive action as the AirAsia plane encroached on its flight path, putting their aircraft into a climb to avert a possible catastrophe.

Jetstar statement

A Jetstar spokesman told NewsCorp that pilots of their A320, which can carry 180 passengers took corrective action to restore the safe distance between the two aircraft and landed on the Gold Coast without further incident.

Air Asia statement

In a statement, AirAsia X maintained that its pilots had followed instructions by the Collangatta airport Air Traffic Control, prior to a near midair collision with a Jetstar passenger aircraft in Queensland yesterday (21July16).

The pilots of flight D7 206 had followed the instructions laid out by the airport’s ATC. “AirAsia X pilots on board flight D7 206 received clearance for take off at Coolangatta airport on 21 July 2016 and followed the flight path according to the heading and altitude instructed by Air Traffic Control,” said the airline.

The company also confirmed that the pilots received warning from the traffic collision avoidance system. “The crew responded immediately to the resolution advisory by reducing the vertical speed according to procedures that they are trained for. “The aircraft continued its journey safely without any subsequent events,” said the statement.

AIRLIVE.net

AirAsia places major order for 100 A321neo

AirAsia has signed a firm order with Airbus for the purchase of 100 A321neo aircraft. The contract was announced at the Farnborough Airshow today by AirAsia Group Chief Executive Officer Tony Fernandes and Airbus President and CEO Fabrice Brégier. 

The contract marks the first order placed by AirAsia for the largest model in the best-selling A320 Family. Seating up to 240 passengers in a single class layout, the A321neo will enable the airline to increase capacity while benefitting from the lowest operating costs in the single aisle category. 

Today’s announcement sees the total number of A320 Family ordered by AirAsia rise to 575, reaffirming the carrier’s position as the largest airline customer for the Airbus single aisle product line. To date, over 170 A320s have already been delivered to the airline and are flying with its units in Malaysia, India, Indonesia, Japan and the Philippines. 

Tony Fernandes, AirAsia Group Chief Executive Officer said. “AirAsia Group currently operates close to 1,000 flights per day to more than 120 destinations in 24 countries. We recorded a robust load factor of 85% in the first quarter of 2016, up 8 percentage points from the same period last year, and we are confident of maintaining this momentum going forward. The A321neo will help us to meet ongoing strong demand as well as further reduce our cost per Available Seat Kilometre across the group, which will translate to lower air fares for our guests. We would like to congratulate Airbus for producing the state-of-the-art A321neo aircraft that meets our requirements for efficient operations.” 

Fernandes added, “The A321neo will be operated on our most popular routes and especially at airports with infrastructure constraints. It will allow us to bring higher passenger volumes with the same slots, therefore providing immediate benefits to the airports. These include, among others, more efficient operations, higher revenues from passenger service charges, and more airport retail purchases. We will also continue to maintain our 25-minute turnaround with two- or three-step boarding where permitted to ensure on-time performance.” 

“We are extremely pleased to receive this additional order from AirAsia,” said Fabrice Brégier, President & CEO, Airbus. “This is another strong endorsement for largest member of our single aisle family, which is now the clear market leader in the 200 plus seat category. We look forward to see A321neo flying in AirAsia colours and contributing to the airline’s continued success as one of the world’s leading low cost carriers.” 

The A320 Family is the world’s best-selling single aisle product line with nearly 12,600 orders since launch and more than 7,100 aircraft delivered to some 320 operators worldwide. The A320neo Family incorporates latest technologies including new generation engines and Sharklet wing tip devices, which together deliver more than 15 percent in fuel savings from day one and 20 percent by 2020 with further cabin innovations.

Airbus Press release

Indonesia AirAsia A320 near Yogyakarta on Jul 9th 2016, near collision with hot-air balloon

An Indonesia AirAsia Airbus A320-200, registration PK-AZA performing flight QZ-8075 from Yogyakarta to Kuala Namu (Indonesia), was climbing through about FL180 when the crew reported a hot-air balloon had just passed their aircraft at about 10 meters/33 feet distance. The aircraft continued the climb and landed safely in Kuala Namu on schedule.

Yogyakarta Air Traffic control reported three more hot-air balloons were observed, one at FL300, one at FL170 and another one at FL090. The hot-air ballons, powered by fire, reached approximate sizes of 10 meters in height and 5 meters in diameter and obviously were released as result of wish making rituals during festivities at the end of Ramadan. ATC warned to release such balloons that can climb up to FL350 and disrupt air traffic.

The Aviation Herald

AirAsia announces 20% discount on fares

CHENNAI, JUL 10:  

Budget air carrier AirAsia today announced a 20 per cent discount on fares across its flights for passengers taking up journey during the Diwali festival.

The promotion campaign which begins today would run till July 17 for passengers travelling between July 18 and November 24, 2016, AirAsia said in a statement.

The campaign is applicable across its operations in the region including India, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines. “We are pleased to introduce this round of 20 per cent discount on all seats across our flights. It is a very good time for our guests to plan the year-end holiday to many exciting destinations on our flight network”, AirAsia India CEO Amar Abrol said.

Business Line

AirAsia India to serve Guwahati from New Delhi – Aviation Gazette

Domestic budget carrier AirAsia India on Friday announced the expansion of its services to Guwahati from the national capital with the addition of a new flight on the route from July 17.
With this addition, AirAsia India will now operate 40 daily flights connecting 10 destinations across India.
Effective July 17, AirAsia India will operate a third direct flight connecting the two destinations -New Delhi and Guwahati, the airline said in a statement.
“This third frequency connecting Delhi and Guwahati, is an extension of our existing strategy that will cater to the market demand for the coming season,” AirAsia india Chief Executive officer Amar Abrol said.
The increase in frequency of flights is designed to cater to business and leisure travellers who are constantly on the lookout for convenient and comfortable flying options, he said adding AirAsia India remains committed to growing its footprint in the domestic market.

AirAsia India to serve Guwahati from New Delhi – Aviation Gazette

AirAsia considering the A321 - ch-aviation.com

AirAsia (AK, Kuala Lumpur Int'l) is considering the A321 twinjet as part of its refleeting plans Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and co-founder, Tony Fernandes, has said.

“It’s early days but certainly (in) the ballpark," he told the New Straits Times. “It’s certainly something we will discuss."

The pan-Asian LCC operates eighty-one A320-200s at its mainline Malaysian unit with Indonesia AirAsia (QZ, Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta) operating seventeen, AirAsia India (I5, Chennai) six,Philippines AirAsia (Z2, Manila) fourteen, and Thai AirAsia (FD, Bangkok Don Mueang) forty-eight. Nascent start-up AirAsia Japan (DJ, Nagoya Chubu) currently has two on its books with a further nineteen due by 2020.

The carrier group also has 304 A320neos on order from Airbus Industrie (AIB, Toulouse Blagnac).

AirAsia considering the A321 - ch-aviation.com

Indonesia AirAsia Extra Adds Jeddah Service from mid-Dec 2015 | Airline Route

                                

Indonesia AirAsia Extra this week commences service to Saudi Arabia, offering 2 weekly flights onJakarta – Jeddah route, with Airbus A330-300 aircraft. Based on the airline’s schedule listing, first flight commenced on 14DEC15.

XT970 CGK0100 – 0730JED 330 1
XT974 CGK0500 – 1130JED 330 3

XT971 JED0930 – 2330CGK 330 1
XT975 JED1300 – 0300+1CGK 330 3

Indonesia AirAsia Extra Adds Jeddah Service from mid-Dec 2015 | Airline Route