       “There is a risk that passengers will be confused by the differences between intra-European and international allowances, and they will certainly be frustrated if items are confiscated at security checkpoints.”
     Speaking at the Airport Council International (ACI) annual world assembly in Cape Town, Director General Robert J. Aaronson said that while ACI believes that the European Commission has taken a positive step in adopting a uniform airport security approach for Europe, there are still major issues to be resolved internationally.
     “At a time when our industry is striving to achieve ever greater efficiency and cost effectiveness, we must energetically address this issue that affects passengers, airports and airlines,” Mr. Aaronson said.
     Mr. Aaronson’s remarks came as airport executives from around the world have passed a resolution calling on governments to work together internationally to harmonize the restrictions on liquids in hand luggage, following the introduction of new measures by the European Union (EU) this week.
     “By harmonizing our solutions to security requirements, we address a basic prerequisite for providing the quality service that passengers expect.”
More: www.airports.org

     “Have I got a deal for you!”
     FedEx Express proves once again that an order to purchase an airplane that is supposed to last maybe 20 or 30 years should be cancelled if it is delivered less than two years late, as Big Purple dumps 10 A380-800Fs for 15 B777s.
     Counting a recent additional order for six A380s from Qantas, A380 is net negative two aircraft it thought it had sold two weeks ago with the FedEx defection.
     But as the largest Airbus freighter operator, FedEx will probably be back for A380 at some point is the thought.

Will American and United Airlines slash ticket prices on routes as the low-cost carrier JetBlue launches operations in Chicago out of O'Hare beginning in January? Flights to New York City and Los Angeles out of the Windy City may never be the same.

Stuck On You

   The USS Intrepid may have survived five kamikaze attacks and served in three wars, but it was no match for nasty New York City mud as a quarter century of silt gummed up a move from Pier 86 in New York City to a repair dock in New Jersey for a two year restoration of the legendary aircraft carrier.
   The carefully planned $250,000 move was supposed to yank the big ship from its berth at high tide Monday onto the Hudson River and across the way to another dock.
   Instead the ship’s propellers got stuck in the mud and Intrepid’s latest voyage lasted exactly fifteen feet.
   Officials may try again December 8 at the next full moon high tide or just fix up the old warrior where she currently sits.
   Whether or not they can move her back the fifteen feet is still an open question.

Emirates delivered $323 million net profit for the first half up from $251in 2005, the highest first-half profit in its history. Emirates SkyCargo now 21% of overall throughput saw revenue increase 29% on a 20% increase in tonnage to 577,455 EK has added service to 10 cities in 2006 including Abidjan, Addis Ababa, Bangalore, Beijing, Hamburg, Kolkata, Lilongwe (cargo only), Nagoya, Thiruvananthapuram and Tunis. Network of 87 cities, includes four cargo only destinations.

EgyptAir Holding Co. (EHC) has plans for a new subsidiary operating small and mid-range planes on national and some regional routes. EHC said it is signing a deal with Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer to buy six mid-range EMB-170 aircraft with an option to purchase six more. The EgyptAir a regional jet initiative takes off in April 2007 as the airline celebrates its seventy-fifth anniversary.

Singapore Aviation Exhibition Center will be built on a 40,000 square meter site in Singapore's Changi East site, boasting a 72-meter clear span. Zamil Steel of Saudi Arabia gets a contract to create Asia’s largest steel building that will be created in prefabricated form in Vietnam and exported to Singapore where it will be put together like a giant erector set. The project will be completed in an 8-month time frame and is scheduled to be ready to host the Singapore International Air Show in 2008.

Luchtzak.be reports Royal Air Maroc has banned its staff praying at their offices and headquarters. Reportedly RAM says that in the past its workers have abused the privilege of praying, by taking too much time. At RAM, pilots and stewards were not allowed to fast during the month of Ramadan and female staff is not allowed to wear the veil.