Cuban investigators have attributed the fatal Boeing 737-200 crash in Havana to a miscalculation of aircraft weight and balance before take-off, rendering the aircraft uncontrollable once airborne. The Global Air aircraft (XA-UHZ) came down shortly after take-off from Havana, with the loss of 112 passengers and crew. Cuban regulatory authority IACC states that the “most probable” cause of the crash, according to information obtained from the flight recorders, was the “crew’s errors in weight-and-balance calculations”. The IACC says simulation of the accident, based on flight data, showed the 737 had adopted an excessive nose-high pitch after rotation, before losing speed, stalling and crashing. The trajectory of the extremely short flight suggests the aircraft’s centre of gravity was well aft of the limits. The Cubana flight was operated for the Cuban flag carrier by Mexican carrier Global Air, also known as Damojh Airlines. The IACC co-operated with the US National Transportation Safety Board, Boeing, and also Mexico’s accident investigation agency, because the aircraft was registered in Mexico.

Source: FlightGlobal

Cathay Pacific Airways has announced that it has completed the acquisition of Hong Kong Express Airways (HK Express). HK Express is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Cathay Pacific. Cathay Pacific Chief Executive Officer and HK Express Chairman Rupert Hogg said: “We are very excited to welcome HK Express into the group. We strongly believe that the acquisition is good for the travelling public, good for HK Express, good for the Cathay Pacific Group, and good for the development of Hong Kong as a global aviation hub. “HK Express will continue to operate as a stand-alone airline using the low-cost carrier business model. I would also like to reassure HK Express customers that there is no change to the airline’s operating model and that business will continue as usual. There will be more value fares and more destinations available to travellers. “We look forward to working with the HK Express teams to ensure a smooth transition and to continue to grow the airline in order to better serve its customers.”

Source: World Airline News

BALPA, the union representing British Airways pilots, has released this statement: BALPA’s industrial action ballot of members in British Airways has now closed, with a 93% vote in favour of industrial action on a 90% turnout. BALPA General Secretary, Brian Strutton, said: “This strong result demonstrates the resolve of BA pilots, and shows BA that it must table a sensible improved offer if a strike is to be averted. Sadly three days of ACAS talks have not moved the company’s position one iota. Settlement of this dispute is in BA’s hands. “We do not wish to inconvenience our customers which is why we have tried to resolve this matter through negotiation starting last November – it is BA who has regrettably chosen to drag this out into the summer months.” BALPA believes the cost to BA to settle dispute in full is significantly less than the cost would be of even a single day’s strike action. BA is making massive profits as a result of the hard work and dedication of staff, including because of sacrifices made during hard times. Thankfully BA is no longer in a fight for survival so, like the airline’s senior managers and directors, pilots deserve a small fraction of that profit via, for instance, a profit share scheme. We currently do not have dates for any potential strike action and will issue an update on this in due course. We remain hopeful that this dispute can be resolved before strike action, but we remain committed to action if necessary.

Source: world Airline News