Chicago, Ill., September 29, 2008 – Pilots for United Airlines (Nasdaq: UAUA) today demanded that the UAL Board of Directors cut the pay for its CEO, Glenn Tilton, as a reflection of concern and solidarity with passengers and employees who are being forced to tighten their belts. At $10.3 million a year, Tilton’s compensation package—including salary, stock grants, options, and other added extras—is the highest in the airline industry. The CEO of American Airlines is paid $4.6 million a year, the CEO of Southwest Airlines makes $1.3 million, and the CEO of JetBlue gets $514,000. United’s pilots believe that there is no justifiable reason for the worst airline executive to be compensated the most. United Airlines has lost more money this year than nearly all other U.S. competitors combined.

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MADRID, Spain, Sept. 25, 2008 — Boeing [NYSE: BA] announced today at MRO Europe that AeroLogic has adopted the airplane manufacturer’s Web-based solutions, Maintenance Performance Toolbox and Airplane Health Management, as foundations for the carrier’s 777 Freighter maintenance documentation platform when deliveries begin in 2009. Maintenance Performance Toolbox, including the Library and Authoring modules, will help AeroLogic, based in Leipzig/Halle, Germany, streamline an array of maintenance activities, including managing technical publications and training and customizing online maintenance manuals. A total of 14 European carriers now use this innovative maintenance tool. AeroLogic will use Boeing’s Airplane Health Management to monitor its 777 Freighters, giving the airline a real-time fault management tool to identify maintenance needs and communicate with ground teams to enable proactive, planned and timely maintenance operations and address potential issues.

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Ireland West Airport Knock are delighted to announce that the Airport has been awarded an Honorary Group Diploma from the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI). Ireland West Airport Knock was nominated for this prestigious award by the National Aero Club of Ireland in May 2008 for the developments it brought to the West of Ireland on a social and economic level as well for its rapid growth in recent years. The FAI Group Award will be presented to the Airport at the Opening Ceremony of the FAI General Conference in Aosta Valley, Italy on Thursday, 2nd October 2008. Ireland West Airport Knock will be the only Irish organisation to receive an Honorary Group Diploma with other recipients hailing from USA and other parts of Europe.

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WASHINGTON, DC, September 24, 2008 – The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) today urged Congress to use the time provided by a new extension of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) funding to complete work on FAA reauthorization as soon as possible. “NBAA applauds Congress for the progress already made on FAA reauthorization, and this funding extension is important for allowing airport projects and other FAA programming to continue,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “At the same time, we think it’s also important for Congress to send to the President, as soon as possible, a completed reauthorization package that provides long-term stability and builds on the work already being done to modernize America’s aviation system.”

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Air traffic control operations returned to normal at 7pm tonight after a fault in one of the systems that feeds the controller workstations at the London Area Control Centre. Restrictions were imposed on the number of aircraft entering UK airspace through London Area Control sectors – airspace above 24,000ft above England and Wales - and those taking off from major UK airports. This maintains safety whilst controllers operate with manual systems at reduced capacity; it does mean, however, that flights incur delay. Scottish airspace, Manchester Area airspace and Manchester and London Terminal Control airspace operated normally throughout.

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Kelowna, BC, Canada, September 25, 2008 - SkyTrac Systems is pleased to announce it has been selected to provide satellite communication (SatCom) and flight following systems to Hydro One. By equipping its fleet of AS350 B2, AS350 B3, and B206 L3 aircraft, Hydro One will enhance operational safety while flying in remote, isolated locations. Hydro One, through its Helicopter Services Group conducts power line inspection and maintenance to over 28,000 kilometers of transmission line over some of Canada’s most rugged and isolated terrain. In order to facilitate communication with flight crew and further enhance their safety program, Hydro One decided to procure flight following and SatCom equipment.

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WASHINGTON – Capt. John Prater, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l, set the bar high for runway safety today, challenging both government and industry to establish a goal of zero serious runway incursions involving commercial airliners in his testimony before the U.S. House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Aviation. “Today, I pledge that ALPA will stay on guard until we reach that goal,” said Prater. “Because when it comes to runway safety, complacency is not an option.”

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INDIANAPOLIS – The ATA Airlines group of the Air Line Pilots Association has negotiated more than $2 million in cash payments to flight crewmembers of the former carrier, as well as a new jobs program aimed at putting former ATA pilots and flight engineers back to work at ATA’s sister airlines. The cash payments and preferential hiring program with World Airways and North American Airlines were announced as part of a bankruptcy settlement agreement ratified September 3 by ATA’s former employees, including four of ATA’s unions. The agreement will be incorporated as part of a bankruptcy plan of liquidation and is subject to Bankruptcy Court approval.

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Madrid, Spain, Sept. 24, 2008 — Boeing [NYSA: BA] has appointed Chantal Dorange as director of corporate communications for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Dorange, 43, succeeds Charlie Miller, who was recently named vice president of International Corporate Communications. She will oversee a network of company and consultant communicators in more than a dozen markets across the region. “With her 20 years of national and regional experience, Chantal brings a strong strategic background and knowledge to the international communications function,” said Miller. “In this key role, she will work closely with the Boeing International regional and country leaders and the company’s business units to help shape markets, grow the business, and strengthen and leverage local presence.”

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MADRID, Spain, Sept. 24, 2008 — Boeing [NYSE: BA] will provide a Performance Improvement Package for British Airways’ 777 fleet that will result in a one percent fuel efficiency gain, along with the emission reductions that come with reduced fuel usage. The package will be applied to the airline’s 42-airplane 777 fleet. The 777 Performance Improvement Package is expected to reduce fuel spending per aircraft by about $200,000 annually (assuming $100 per barrel crude oil prices), according to Boeing estimates. “Any cost-effective measures to improve fuel efficiency and reduce carbon emissions are to be welcomed and we’re pleased to be working with Boeing on this initiative across our 777 fleet,” said Robert Boyle, commercial director, British Airways.

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SEATTLE, Sept. 24, 2008 — Boeing [NYSE: BA] has, with leading air carriers and Honeywell’s UOP, a refining technology developer, established a group to accelerate the development and commercialization of sustainable new aviation fuels. With support and advice from the world’s leading environmental organizations, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Users Group makes commercial aviation the first global transportation sector to voluntarily drive sustainability practices into its fuel supply chain. The group’s charter is to enable the commercial use of renewable fuel sources that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while lessening commercial aviation’s exposure to oil price volatility and dependence on fossil fuels. Airlines supporting the sustainable fuels initiative include Air France, Air New Zealand, ANA (All Nippon Airways), Cargolux, Gulf Air, Japan Airlines, KLM, SAS and Virgin Atlantic Airways. Collectively, they account for approximately 15 percent of commercial jet fuel use.

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EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wis. - (Sept. 24, 2008) - EAA and the Southeast Regional Fly-In (SERFI) have signed a new working agreement that brings higher visibility to the SERFI event and clearly defines EAA’s role in the popular fly-in. The agreement underscores the shared missions of SERFI, which is celebrating its 18th anniversary in 2008, and EAA, the 170,000-member international organization that is dedicated to the spirit of aviation. Under the agreement, EAA will provide extensive promotion and coverage of SERFI, and also serve as a major sponsor of aviation educational activities such as forums and workshops during the event, among other considerations.

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QinetiQ North America’s Technology Solutions Group announced that the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) deployed its new mass transit security solution at the Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP) International Airport to enhance security measures surrounding the 2008 Republican National Convention. TSA used QinetiQ’s groundbreaking millimetre wave, passive stand-off detection solution – called “SPO Technology” – to scan for weapons and explosive materials in and near MSP International Airport. SPO Technology has already proven successful in both air and surface transport use. TSA for the very first time operationally deployed this new threat technology solution at the Denver International Airport during the 2008 Democratic National Convention.

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Yeovil, UK, September 22, 2008 – The VH-71 presidential helicopter program achieved another major milestone today when the first operational pilot production helicopter (PP 1) completed its maiden flight at AgustaWestland’s facility in Yeovil, England. “We’re seeing real progress and execution on this program,” said U.S. Navy VH-71 program manager Capt. Donald Gaddis. “With agreement on the way forward and a more realistic schedule, we can build on the momentum we have generated as we deliver the increment one helicopters to the Marine Corps and White House and move into the increment two phase.” A U.S. Air Force crew will transport the helicopter aboard a C-17 cargo aircraft to U.S. Naval Air Station Patuxent River, MD, in early October.

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ALBUQUERQUE, NM — September 23, 2008 — Today Eclipse Aviation®, manufacturer of the world’s first very light jet (VLJ), announced that the Russian State Bank Vnesheconombank (VEB) Supervisory Board, chaired by Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, has approved the construction of a factory in Ulyanovsk, Russia to assemble the Eclipse 500 Jet®. VEB announced that it expects to finance the project in full, with a total value of $205 million. VEB and the Ulyanovsk region administration will be among the shareholders of the enterprise. “VEB’s decision to support the Eclipse 500® at this level, illustrates the strength of the global demand for this amazing jet,” said Roel Pieper, Eclipse Aviation CEO. “Obtaining this approval and financing is an enormous step forward in our efforts to globalize the Eclipse 500 and create a highly-competitive worldwide business model for Eclipse Aviation.”

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Zurich, September 23, 2008 - SR Technics and SAS Scandinavian Airlines have concluded a contractual agreement covering aircraft services for the airline’s Airbus A330 and A340 fleets. The work will be carried out at SR Technics’ facilities in Dublin, Ireland, and is due to commence this November. Under the new accord, SR Technics will provide aircraft services for SAS’s fleet of four Airbus A330 and seven Airbus A340 aircraft. The work will consist of C-Checks and a modification programme on the eleven aircraft, and will be performed between November 2008 and April 2009.

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Volvo Aero Services Corp and The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] have extended a marketing and distribution partnership agreement, originally established in 1999, for an additional 10 years.Within the agreement, Volvo Aero Services will continue to provide multiple asset management services to support the distribution of quality aircraft parts for a wide range of Boeing aircraft models. In addition, Volvo Aero Services has been awarded the rights to manufacture and distribute Boeing proprietary parts. The program, managed from the jointly established facility in Kent, Washington, covers the distribution of excess parts for in production and out of production Boeing and legacy McDonald Douglas aircraft.

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Gondia: Next year when you take a commercial flight, don’t be surprised if your pilot or copilot is one who trained at Rajiv Gandhi National Flying Training Institute at Gondia. The World War-II airstrip with ruins of bunkers all around it, Birsi will be in full bloom when 22 Diamond DA-40 and DA-42 single and double engine aircraft arrive here with 200 trainee pilots taking them for a spin in the sky in the next couple of years. This desolate place, 8 kms from Gondia, is set to transform into a busy aviation training centre. The Institute took-off on Tuesday with first batch of six students which includes two girls. The operations began in collaboration with the Canadian Aviation Electronics (CAE), a pilot training company from Canada, in the home turf of civil aviation minister Praful Patel. According to manager (special project) CAE, Gary Morrison, CAE has signed a MoU with AAI and government-owned Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi to run the NFTI. CAE will hold the 5% equity in the training school and AAI will own the rest.

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BOSTON/GENEVA, 22 September, 2008 – A survey of investment trends among the world’s top airport operators which are spending $3 billion this year on IT, has found they are focussing heavily on attracting passengers but some are also fearful of IT budget cuts in the present economic climate. Improving customer service and satisfaction emerges as the high priority investment driver for 80% of the world’s airport operators in the 5th annual Airport IT trends Survey* carried out by SITA, the specialist provider of airport IT and communications, in conjunction with Airline Business and the Airports Council International (ACI). Airports want to meet the demands of travellers by expanding self-service to include the introduction of passenger self-boarding (35%), off-airport passenger/baggage processing (32%) and common bag drop locations (33%). Nonetheless, there are airports which appear to have been hard hit by the economic downturn and airline route cutbacks. This is reflected in the response that for 26% of airports participating in the survey, the main obstacle to achieving their IT strategy is lack of investment / reduced budget.

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The Green Aviation Forum & Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) 2008 congress, an initiative of the U.S. trade publication Aviation Week, is to be held in Madrid on September 24-25. A total of 134 of the world’s airlines and more than 3,000 people are expected to attend to event to discuss the new challenges facing the industry, new developments in the environmental sphere –including alternative fuels, and the new European regulations—emerging competition in the Middle East, and rising fuel prices. The event is being organised jointly by Aviation Week and Iberia Airlines.

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Geneva - On Friday 19 September, the first Qantas A380 left Airbus’ Toulouse headquarters en route for Sydney, via Singapore. Onboard were not only media and Qantas VIPs, but also OnAir’s connectivity services, offering its A380 passengers OnAir’s Webchat and Webmail inflight services. When the plane enters commercial service between Melbourne and Los Angeles on 20 October, passengers in all 450 seats will be able to use their seat-back inflight entertainment screen, or their own laptop, to access OnAir Webmail and Webchat*. The service will be upgraded to include full live internet connectivity as soon as Inmarsat’s SwiftBroadband satellite service is available in the Pacific region, which is expected later in 2009*. Qantas is the first airline to offer connectivity on an A380, reflecting their reputation for excellence and innovation in customer service. Passengers will be able to access their web-based email, including Gmail and Hotmail, to pick up and send messages, including attachments, during the flight. They can also chat with friends and family using instant messaging accounts such as Windows Live Messenger and Yahoo! Messenger.

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WebTrak FlyQuiet actively monitors, manages and improves aircraft operators’ compliance with airport noise abatement procedures to reduce aircraft noise. Lochard, the world’s leading provider of Airport Noise Management Systems, today announced the release of WebTrak FlyQuiet, their latest value-adding service for Airports. WebTrak FlyQuiet identifies flights that don’t comply with noise procedures and communicates this information to the aircraft operator. The operator can rapidly communicate with their pilots and pinpoint the reason for any deviations. This enables airports to reinforce procedures and improve future compliance. Aircraft operators can quickly investigate noise and flight track violations themselves and collaboratively work with airports and pilots to ensure they “fly quieter”. WebTrak FlyQuiet is the latest in the WebTrak suite of modules designed to assist airports with noise management, particularly as it affects their local community. So far more than 30 airports around the world, from Long Beach, California to London Heathrow in the United Kingdom, are utilising WebTrak services.

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Continuing along a most successful path of engagements in Russia and other CIS countries Lufthansa Consulting wins over a very respected partner in the market. The management of Moscow‘s Sheremetyevo International Airport has chosen the experienced German aviation consultancy to provide support in the field of air service development. Sheremetyevo International Airport served over 14 million passengers in 2007 and reached a passenger growth rate of 10 per cent in the first half of 2008.

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From July 27 to August 27, 2008, four twin-seat Rafale fighters from French air force Squadron 1/7, “Provence”, based at Saint-Dizier, conducted this aircraft’s first operational exercise in the United States. The aim of this trip was to compare the aircraft’s operating experience, especially during foreign deployment missions, with the requirements of weapon systems used by other air forces. After a transatlantic ferry flight via the Azores, and a stopover in Bangor, Maine, the four Rafales touched down at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona on July 28. The squadron exchange at Luke AFB was very successful, meeting both human and tactical objectives and enabling the crews to get to know each other. Rafale fighters conducted simulated combats with the F-16s. According to Matt Spears, an F-16 pilot with the USAF’s 309th Fighter Squadron, “It was an amazing opportunity, and I was very impressed by the capabilities of the aircraft.” Since Luke AFB is the training base for USAF units, all squadrons passing through will learn about the Rafale’s performance capabilities. This should facilitate teamwork during combined operations.

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São José dos Campos, September 22, 2008 – Embraer holds the eighth edition of its Maintenance Cost Workshop (MCW), in São José dos Campos, Brazil, September 22 to 26. This annual meeting works to reduce maintenance costs, through an exchange of experiences among operators, suppliers, service centers, and Embraer. The event will be dedicated to the ERJ 145 and E-Jets commercial aviation programs. “We expect to receive many operators of the ERJ 145 and E-Jets families,” said Acir Padilha, Embraer Vice President, Customer Support – Airline Market. “The MCW is a unique opportunity for our customers, Embraer and partners to share and learn good maintenance practices, enrich their knowledge, and apply it in the different operational conditions faced by each airline.”

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