Qantas has become the second major carrier group to announce a target of "net zero" carbon emissions by 2050 as part of "a major expansion of the airline's commitment to a more sustainable aviation industry". In adopting that CO2 goal, the Australian operator joins pan-European group IAG, which unveiled its "Flightpath net zero" plan in October. Towards its "net zero" aim, Qantas announced on 11 November that it will offset all growth in domestic and international CO2 emissions from 2020. That will put the operator's policy in line with the first, voluntary stage of ICAO's global carbon offset scheme, CORSIA, which is due to begin a year later in 2021 but only applies to international flights. Qantas will also immediately double the number of flights where carbon emissions are offset, by "matching every dollar spent by customers" through the optional offsetting scheme available to passengers when they book tickets. It hopes that in doing so, more passengers will be encouraged to offset their flights, beyond the current level of around 10%. Qantas will meanwhile invest A$50 million ($34 million) over the next 10 years to "help develop a sustainable aviation fuel industry", progress on which is currently stymied by high costs at the point of purchase for airlines, it suggests. Qantas claims that "sustainable fuels" could cut CO2 emissions by 80% versus traditional jet fuel. Much debate exists, however, around the appropriate way to measure the environmental benefits of such initiatives. The group also highlights the introduction of more fuel-efficient aircraft, such as Qantas's Boeing 787s and Jetstar's Airbus A321neos, as important steps towards emissions reduction. "We recognise that airlines have a responsibility to cut emissions and combat climate change," states Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce. "We've already made some good progress, especially by investing in newer aircraft that have a much smaller carbon footprint.


Source: FlightGlobal

South African Airways is poised to cut close to 20% of its workforce as part of an effort to restructure the heavily loss-making carrier. The airline employs nearly 5,150 personnel but says it has started a consultation process after embarking on an overhaul which "may lead to job losses". SAA puts the number of positions potentially affected at 944. "We urgently need to address the ongoing loss-making position that has subsisted over the past years," says acting chief Zuks Ramasia. She says the restructuring is intended to smooth the implementation of an accelerated turnaround strategy. SAA has been long mired in financial difficulties, with debt and liquidity problems, and insufficient revenue generation. "[Our] balance sheet has historically been weak and remains so despite recent substantial capital injections from the government," says Ramasia. "Our continued losses and reliance on government guarantees to borrow money from lenders, have increased the interest costs which impacts the operating cost of the business." The restructuring will cover all internal SAA divisions but will not include the Mango Airlines subsidiary or the maintenance arm SAA Technical. SAA says the consultation process could last until 11 January. It says it will aim to "minimise" the number of retrenchments and mitigate their effects. "These hard decisions were necessary to put SAA on a more sustainable footing while ensuring we continue to offer customers the best service," says Ramasia.

Source: FlightGlobal

Captured air-ground radio transmissions reveal that an American Eagle Embraer 175 crew encountered serious pitch-control problems shortly after departing Atlanta on 6 November. The aircraft – operated by Republic Airways, bound for New York LaGuardia as flight AA4439 – took off from runway 09L but entered a right-hand orbit and climbed to about 14,000ft. Its crew declared an emergency, seeking to return to the airport. "We're in a stalling situation," one of its pilots told an Atlanta tower controller. While the aircraft had been given clearance to stop its climb and descend at the crew's discretion, the pilot stated: "We can't pitch down. We're trying to descend here." The crew said the aircraft was transporting six occupants and was carrying 12,000lb (5,440kg) of fuel. Air traffic control offered runway 10 to the crew, and the tower controller told the pilots that they could have 08L or 09R if they preferred, advising that other traffic would be cleared "out of your way". About 8min after departure the aircraft began to descend, apparently under greater control, and the aircraft was vectored for runway 10. Tower controllers contacted the airport's emergency services, informing the fire chief that the crew was experiencing "severe flight-control issues" including pitch control, according to communications archived by LiveATC. The crew subsequently informed the tower that two systems had cut out and the aircraft was "in direct mode" but that it appeared to be under control. It was vectored to the runway 10 localiser, with an option to join the 09R approach. The aircraft landed on runway 10 about 20min after take-off.

Source: FlightGlobal