ATWOnline
Airbus breaks ground on US A320 manufacturing facility
Apr. 8, 2013Aaron Karp
Airbus started construction Monday on an A320 family manufacturing facility in Mobile, Ala., where it plans to begin assembling narrowbodies in 2015 for delivery starting in 2016.
It will be the manufacturer’s first US-based production facility. Airbus president and CEO Fabrice Brégier said, “Building an A320 family assembly line in Mobile is truly groundbreaking for Airbus ... With this assembly line we will be able to meet our customers’ needs at their doorstep, in addition to the worldwide demand for these efficient aircraft. When this assembly line opens, we will be the only one to assemble aircraft in Asia, the Americas and Europe.”
Airbus said in a statement that at full production the Mobile facility will “produce up to four aircraft a month, which directly translates into employing as many as 1,000 high-skilled workers.”
It will be the manufacturer’s first US-based production facility. Airbus president and CEO Fabrice Brégier said, “Building an A320 family assembly line in Mobile is truly groundbreaking for Airbus ... With this assembly line we will be able to meet our customers’ needs at their doorstep, in addition to the worldwide demand for these efficient aircraft. When this assembly line opens, we will be the only one to assemble aircraft in Asia, the Americas and Europe.”
Airbus said in a statement that at full production the Mobile facility will “produce up to four aircraft a month, which directly translates into employing as many as 1,000 high-skilled workers.”
cuando el destino nos alcance.....
Airline introduces ‘pay for what you weigh’ fare
Apr. 8, 2013Christine Boynton
Samoa Air, a scheduled and charter airline connecting the Islands of Samoa, has begun charging passengers fares based on their weight.
In online booking passengers enter their weight and the weight of their baggage to calculate airfare and pre-pay using the estimate. The carrier then weighs passengers again at the airport for the final fare.
For a passenger weighing 70 kg. (154.3 lb.) and traveling with 5 kg. of luggage, a one-way fare from Faleolo, Samoa to Pago Pago is WST$159 ($68.76). This fare calculates out to a charge of WST$2.27 per kg., though the charges differ depending on route. A one-way fare for the same passenger carrying the same luggage from Faleolo to Maota, Savai'i is WST$75.
“We at Samoa Air are keeping airfares fair, by charging our passengers only for what they weigh,” the carrier states on its website. “You are the master of your Air'fair', you decide how much (or little) your ticket will cost. No more exorbitant excess baggage fees, or being charged for baggage you may not carry. Your weight plus your baggage items, is what you pay for.”
Samoa Air, founded in 2012, has a fleet of Britten Norman BN2A Islanders and Cessna 172 aircraft. It operates 5X-daily service from Faleolo to Maota and Asau, and Pago Pago service from Faleolo (8X-weekly) and Maota (6X-weekly).
