Investigators are probing an incident in which a Vietnam Airlines Boeing 787-9 executed a missed approach after being informed by air traffic control that the undercarriage was not deployed. The aircraft had been operating to Melbourne on 19 September, having departed from Ho Chi Minh City. “During approach to land, Melbourne air traffic control advised the crew that the aircraft’s landing-gear was observed not to be extended,” says the Australian Transport Safety Bureau. The aircraft had been conducting its approach to runway 34, and executed a go-around. Visibility at the time – around 08:04 – was good, and there was no adverse weather, according to meteorological data from the airport. Investigators have not disclosed the altitude of the 787 or its distance from touchdown at the point when the undercarriage advisory was transmitted. The flight, after carrying out the missed approach, landed around 15min later. The bureau says it will “obtain information from the flightcrew and additional information as required”.

Source: FlightGlobal

Scandinavian operator SAS is offering passengers the opportunity to purchase biofuel as part of the airline’s sustainability strategy. The initiative is a not-for-profit service, simply adding to biofuels already being bought by the airline. Customers will be able to purchase 20min “blocks” of flight time powered by biofuel, says SAS, on a per-passenger basis. The price is currently fixed at $10 or €10 for a block. Passengers will have the option of buying biofuel when booking tickets and subsequently in the run-up to departure.“The amount of biofuel will not necessarily be used on the actual flight the traveler has bought a ticket for,” the airline points out. “But it will be used to replace fossil jet fuel to the equivalent amount in SAS’s operations.” SAS states that volumes of biofuel being produced are “not enough” – and prices are three or four times higher than conventional fuel – and that it wants to “pioneer a large-scale and competitive market for biofuel” through the new ancillary product. “We are now inviting our travellers to be part of the transition to a more sustainable way of travelling,” says SAS executive vice-president, commercial, Karl Sandlund. SAS’s environmental policy includes a target of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 25% by 2030. “This product makes it easier for our customers to contribute to this development,” says Sandlund. “It also shows the additional costs of biofuel today and highlights the need for an increased supply of commercial biofuel.”

Source: FlightGlobal

Pilot union BALPA has called off a one-day strike by its British Airways members on 27 September, but is warning that further industrial action Is still possible unless the airline undertakes meaningful new negotiations. The union says it called off the strike in order to allow for a period of reflection, and to prevent the dispute escalating to the point of causing "irreparable damage" to BA's brand. Previous industrial action that took place on 9-10 September led to the cancellation of nearly all BA flights and caused significant customer disruption. Having "demonstrated the anger and resolve of pilots", BALPA says it hopes that BA will now change its approach and negotiate seriously to end the dispute. "Someone has to take the initiative to sort out this dispute and with no sign of that from BA the pilots have decided to take the responsible course. In a genuine attempt at establishing a time out for common sense to prevail, we have lifted the threat of the strike on 27 September," states BALPA general secretary Brian Strutton. "BA passengers rightly expect BA and its pilots to resolve their issues without disruption and now is the time for cool heads and pragmatism to be brought to bear. I hope BA and its owner IAG show as much responsibility as the pilots." BALPA says that in the absence of meaningful new negotiations it retains the right to announce further strikes.

Source: FlightGlobal