Investigators are probing a serious incident involving hydraulic problems on an Airbus A330-200 which returned to Hong Kong after departing to Bali. The Hong Kong Airlines aircraft (B-LHA) had been conducting the service on 29 September. French investigation authority BEA, citing its counterpart in Hong Kong, says the crew received automated alerts regarding low pressure in both the green and blue hydraulic circuits. The A330 has three independent hydraulic systems – green, blue and yellow – which typically operate at a pressure of 3,000psi. In addition to the flight-control surfaces, the green and blue circuits link to such systems as nose-wheel steering, braking and certain spoilers. BEA says the crew declared an emergency and opted to return to Hong Kong, landing on runway 25L and becoming disabled for around 1h 45min after a tyre burst. It was subsequently towed to a parking stand. None of the occupants were injured.

Source: FlightGlobal

Etihad Airways' parent is aiming to tie up with fellow United Arab Emirates carrier Air Arabia to establish its own budget operator. The two airlines are set to create a joint-venture company which will operate as a low-cost carrier, says Etihad Aviation Group. Branded 'Air Arabia Abu Dhabi' the airline would be based in the UAE capital. Etihad Aviation Group says it will "complement" the operations of Etihad Airways, and serve a "growing" low-cost market. Sharjah-based Air Arabia already has separate budget operations in Egypt and Morocco, branded under its name. Rival operator Emirates has formed a close co-operation with budget airline Flydubai, although Flydubai has emerged as a hybrid operator catering to business-class as well as economy customers. "Abu Dhabi is a thriving cultural hub with a clear economic vision built on sustainability and diversification," says Etihad Aviation Group chief Tony Douglas. "By partnering with Air Arabia and launching Abu Dhabi's first low-cost carrier, we are serving this long-term vision." He says the joint venture "supports" the company's transformation programme. "We look forward to the launch of the new airline in due course," adds Douglas. Air Arabia Group chief Adel Ali says the new airline will be "capitalising on the expertise" of both operators. No details have yet been disclosed regarding fleet size, aircraft type or route network, nor has a launch date for operations been given. Air Arabia uses a fleet of Airbus A320-family jets for its budget network.

Source: FlightGlobal

Flybe will be renamed "Virgin Connect" next year to bring its brand in line with that of co-owner Virgin Atlantic. As part of the move, the UK regional operator's purple colour scheme will be dropped in favour of Virgin's red branding, Flybe states, that no existing bookings will be affected by the decision. "At its heart, Virgin Connect will be passionately focused on becoming Europe's most loved and successful regional airline," says Mark Anderson, chief executive of Flybe parent Connect Airways. "Our customers will naturally expect the same exceptional travel experience as they do with other Virgin-related brands." The announcement comes after Virgin Atlantic stated in September that Flybe would play an important role in its ambition to launch dozens of new routes from an expanded Heathrow airport, should the decision regarding allocation of slots for a third runway work in its favour. Virgin Atlantic is a co-owner of Flybe through an investment made in Connect Airways in early 2019. Regarding those expansion plans, Virgin Atlantic's vice-president of operations Philip Maher told FlightGlobal in late September that "Flybe would be a key connector for us into Manchester and Heathrow". He added that Virgin Atlantic would "use Flybe to expand our regional footprint into Europe and feed that traffic back into the UK".

Source: FlightGlobal