Monday, 25 November 2013
Thursday, 21 November 2013
Boeing 737 stuck in an airport
Private Jet owners& operators suspend services following high luxury tax
Wednesday, 20 November 2013
Boeing tests second 787-9 Dreamliner in United States
The second Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner completed a successful four-hour, 18-minute first flight earlier.
The airplane, known as ZB002, departed Paine Field in Everett, Washington, at 08:06 and landed at 12:24 local time at Seattle’s Boeing Field.
As the only 787-9 test airplane to be fitted with elements of the passenger interior, ZB002 will test systems such as the environmental control system in addition to avionics and other aspects of airplane performance.
Boeing has conducted a series of ground tests on the second 787-9 since its completion in late September.
With manufacturing of the 787-9 flight-test fleet complete, the first production 787-9 in final assembly and 137 flight-test hours to date, 787-9 development is on track.
Development on the 787-10 is also progressing as planned.
First delivery of the 787-9 to launch customer Air New Zealand is set for mid-2014.
Twenty-six customers have ordered 396 787-9s, accounting for 40 per cent of all 787 orders.
Ethiopian Airways receives first 777-300ER
Boeing has delivered a 777-300ER (Extended Range) jet to GE Capital Aviation Services for lease to Ethiopian Airlines.
The 777-300ER is now the largest airplane in the Ethiopian flag-carrier’s fleet and will provide it with increased capacity and improved operating economics on key routes from its base in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.
“The introduction of the B777-300 ER into our fleet is a major milestone, as it will be our biggest aircraft with a 400 seat capacity.
“Ethiopian B777-300 ER will give our passengers the best possible travel experience with its spacious cabin interior, high ceiling, advanced in-flight entertainment system, increased stowage capability and additional cargo uplift flexibility,” said Mesfin Tassew, chief operation officer, Ethiopian Airlines.
“The aircraft will be deployed on our long haul non-stop routes to the US and China and will give us exceptional range capability and fuel efficiency.”
Ethiopian’s first 777-300ER will seat nearly 400 passengers in a two-class configuration and perfectly complements its existing fleet of six 777-200LR (Longer Range) airplanes by providing additional capacity and flexibility on popular routes, such as Guangzhou, Washington, DC and Dubai. In future months, an additional three 777-300ERs with join Ethiopian’s continuously expanding fleet, providing the Addis Ababa-based carrier with more options on new and existing routes across Africa and beyond.
The 777-300ER can fly up to 7,825 nautical miles and is equipped with GE90-115B engines, the world’s most powerful commercial jet engine.
Ethiopian’s 777-300ER also features the Boeing Signature Interior that offers wider seats, wider aisles, more headroom and more seating flexibility.
Xiamen Airlines celebrates Boeing century
Boeing and Xiamen Airlines have celebrated the 100th airplane to join the China’s only all-Boeing carrier.
Formed in 1984 as China’s first joint venture between CAAC and a municipal government, Xiamen Airlines started services in 1985 with two Boeing 737-200s serving three cities.
The carrier has grown into China’s sixth largest carrier serving 218 domestic routes and 26 international and regional routes.
With the latest delivery of a Boeing 737-800, Xiamen Airlines’ fleet now consists of 100 airplanes – 17 737-700s, 77 737-800s and six 757-200s.
“Having an all-Boeing fleet is a key component in our growth strategy and our ability to achieve 26 consecutive years of profitability,” said Che Shanglun, president, Xiamen Airlines.
“With excellent reliability, operational efficiency and range, the Boeing airplanes enable us to expand our network internationally.”
As part of Xiamen Airlines’ 12th five-year plan ending 2015, the carrier plans to grow its operational fleet to 136 airplanes, including six 787s.
“Xiamen Airlines is a valued customer of The Boeing Company and we are delighted to see the remarkable growth of Xiamen Airlines over the past 29 years,” said Ihssane Mounir, senior vice president of Sales for Northeast Asia, Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
“We look forward to continuing such a longstanding partnership by providing more value with our industry-leading products and services.”
Xiamen Airlines’ rapid growth is a testimony of the tremendous development of China’s airline business.
According to data released by Civil Aviation Administration of China, in 1972, China established the government-run CAAC as the only player in aviation, and at that time, the number of registered aircraft was only nine.
At the end of 2012, China had more than 40 airlines and the civil aviation industry as a whole had more than 2,000 airplanes across the fleet.
Earlier this spring, Boeing celebrated its 1,000th delivery to China.
Boeing projects investments of nearly $800 billion in China for 5,580 new commercial airplanes to be delivered during the next 20 years.
That would account for 16 percent of global demand, and reflects a requirement of nearly 200 single-aisle and over 60 widebody airplanes each year on average.
Monday, 18 November 2013
A trip to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport
I would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to privately owned Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, also referred to as KMIA, which is operated by Primkop Airport Management (Pty) Ltd. The terminal building, constructed as an African theme, is under thatch and has a total floor space of 7350 square meters. The unique aesthetics and decor of the building blend in with the surrounding bushveld, which has become a favourite landmark among passengers and visitors.
Below are some pictures taken by some PILOTS visiting the airport
You all should try and visit... Fly safe 50 people die in Russian plane crash today
The Boeing 737 had taken off from Moscow and was trying to land but exploded on impact at about 19:20 local time (15:20 GMT), officials said.
The Emergencies Ministry said there were 44 passengers and six crew members on the Tatarstan Airlines flight.
Investigators are now looking at whether a technical failure or crew error may have caused the crash. Among the dead was Irek Minnikhanov, a son of the president of the Russian Republic of Tatarstan, according to the official passenger list.
Reports said the pilot had already tried to land several times before crashing. The crew had said they were not ready to land because of technical problems, Russian news agencies report.
A journalist who said she had flown on the same aircraft from Kazan to Moscow earlier on Sunday told Russia's Channel TV that there was a strong vibration during the landing in the Russian capital.
"When we were landing it was not clear whether there was a strong wind, although in Moscow the weather was fine, or some kind of technical trouble or problem with the flight," said Lenara Kashafutdinova.
"We were blown in different directions, the plane was tossed around. The man sitting next to me was white as a sheet."
The airport in Kazan - the capital of Tatarstan - has been closed since the accident and is expected to re-open on Monday morning.
Kazan lies about 720km (450 miles) east of Moscow.
Although some of Russia's biggest airlines now have very good reputations, frequent crashes by smaller operators mean the country has one of the worst air safety records in the world.
Source - BBC
Sunday, 17 November 2013
The Boeing CEO ‘Open to All Options’ on 777X
Boeing is pursuing "all options" said CEO Ray Conner for its 777X program after the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) rejected its offer to workers to build the aircraft at its Puget Sound, Wash., facility.
[Computer rendering of Boeing 777X. Photo, courtesy of Boeing.]
According to a statement, 67 percent of IAMAW members rejected Boeing's offer of an eight-year contract extension to build the 777X in Puget Sound. Under the proposed contact, Boeing would stop contributing to the machinists' pensions in 2016, a provision which explains the group’s dissatisfaction with the contract.
"Our goal was two-fold: to enable the 777X and its new composite wing to be produced in Puget Sound and to create a competitive structure to ensure that we continue market-leading pay," said Ray Conner, president and CEO of Boeing.
Without the terms agreed on the contract extension, Conner said Boeing has "no choice but to open the process competitively and pursue all options for the 777X."
According to RBC Capital Markets analyst Robert Stallard, Boeing is expected to launch the 777X at the Dubai Airshow in the United Arab Emirates next week.
There are currently two planned variants for the 777X, the 777-8X in a 350-seat configuration and the 777-9X in a 400-seat configuration. The wide-body jet will be a competitor to the Airbus A350 XWB, which is scheduled to enter into service next year.
Bombardier Achieves FAA Certification for Learjet 75
Bombardier has achieved FAA certification for its Learjet 75 business jet, the Canadian aircraft manufacturer said Friday.
The Learjet 70 and 75 are upgraded replacements for the Learjet 40 and 45, first announced by Bombardier in May 2012. Certification allows for the first delivery to Learjet 75 launch customer Louis Beck, a businessman and pilot based in Boca Raton, Fla.
“We are delighted to have received FAA certification for the first Learjet 75 business jet”, said Ralph Acs, vice president of Learjet at Bombardier." This aircraft, along with its smaller sibling the Learjet 70 business jet, clearly have a bright future in business aviation."
The aircraft has a maximum range of 2,000 nautical miles and features the Vision flight deck with the Garmin G5000 digital avionics suite.
UK Receives First RC-135 Rivet Joint
The U.K. Royal Air Force (RAF) has received its first Boeing RC-135W Rivet Joint intelligence-gathering aircraft, the Ministry of Defense (MoD) said Tuesday.
[RC-135W Rivet Joint lands at RAF Waddington. Photo, courtesy of RAF.]
The aircraft is the first of three RC-135Ws that the U.K. has on order from the U.S. Air Force (USAF). Since 2011, RAF's 51 Squadron has achieved 32,000 flying hours and 1,800 sorties training alongside the USAF in preparation for their Rivet Joint system to enter service in late 2014.
RAF's RC-135W Rivet Joint is a converted KC-135R tanker, and will form part of "project Airseeker," providing electronic- and signals intelligence-gathering capabilities previously handled by the Nimrod R1, which was retired in 2011. Delivery was achieved ahead of schedule after the aircraft completed flight trials earlier than anticipated at L-3's facilities in Greenville, Texas.
“The delivery of the first of 3 Rivet Joint aircraft to the U.K. is a critical step in the re-establishment of a world class U.K. airborne signals intelligence capability," said Phil Osborn, air vice marshal and director of capability at the Joint Forces Command. "I know that the RAF and defense are looking forward to operating this key capability and building on the unique history of 51 Squadron. We plan to have our Airseeker program comprising all 3 Rivet Joint aircraft, with their highly skilled aircrew, ground crew and analysts, fully operational by mid 2017."
The U.K. is the first export customer for the Rivet Joint, and the British aircraft was delivered with the baseline 10.2 system, which matches the standard of the latest update for the U.S. Air Force Rivet Joint fleet.
Peter Ewen, director of air support at defense equipment and support (DE&S) for the RAF called the aircraft "a vital component of the nation’s future ISTAR capabilities."
New Private Pilot at Flight Training Services, South Africa
Andrew Musuka Completing his Commercial Pilot License at Flight Training Services(FTS), South Africa
Ethiopian Graduates Pilots And Aviation Technicians
Ethiopian Aviation Academy graduated 39 pilots and 45 Aviation Technicians at a ceremony held at Ethiopian Airlines headquarters on Tuesday, November 12, 2013.
Among the 39 Pilot graduates, 20 are the second batch of MPL trainees. This batch of graduates comprise of cadets from Yemen and South Sudan.
Ethiopian has been the first in Africa and one among the few in the world to deliver this integrated and competency based pilot training program. The Multi-Crew Pilot License training is a new pilot training established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in 2006 to qualify first officers for airlines.
MD, Ethiopian Aviation Academy, Samuel Assefa said: "Our Aviation academy has, and will always remain the backbone of Ethiopian success. That is why Ethiopian is continuing to invest heavily in infrastructure, in addition to bringing in, the latest and most advanced training technologies and methodologies such as MPL."
CEO, Tewolde GebreMariam said: "By 2025, Ethiopian Aviation Academy will become the leading aviation-training center in Africa with annual capacity of 4,000 trainees. Our Aviation Academy will nurture the growth of the African Aviation industry by providing world-class aviation training services to sister African Airlines in the continent and in the Middle East."
Aero Contractors To Become Nigeria's National Carrier
As the Ministry of Aviation proceeds with plans to set up a national carrier that would operate international, regional and domestic services, it has emerged that Aero Contractors has been designated the nation's flag carrier.
It was gathered that the decision to designate Aero Contractors as the national carrier was supposed to have been announced during the October 1 national broadcast to mark Nigeria's Independence by President Goodluck Jonathan, but it was deferred for another date.
As a national carrier, Aero Contractors is expected to enjoy preferential rights or privileges accorded by the federal government for international operations.
It would hold some lucrative routes in monopoly, negotiate commercial agreements, pools and bilateral agreements with foreign airlines, articulate manpower training for the sector and serve as diplomatic tool for Nigeria.
Designating Aero Contractors as the national carrier would also allow the airline to codeshare with other international airlines, as this would improve Nigeria's ability to take advantage of Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) it has in place with other countries.
Aero Contractors, it was further gathered, was selected for the role because of the 60 per cent stake the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), a federal government institution, already holds in the airline.
Under the arrangement, the federal government shall retain 60 per cent through AMCON, while Legacy Holdings, a company owned by the Ibru family, will hold 40 per cent in the national carrier.
Also, AMCON would offer some of the assets of the defunct Air Nigeria to Aero Contractors. In this regard, an industry source said AMCON was undertaking a valuation of Air Nigeria assets, which it took over from UBA Capital when the latter assumed the loans of the airline. He said: "AMCON is currently undertaking a valuation of Air Nigeria assets, which would be concluded in the next 30 days, following which they will be offered to Aero Contractors to expand its operations."
The source further revealed that AMCON would only hold on to its 60 per cent shares in Aero Contractor for a limited period, after which they will be sold to the public at some future date.
The Pilot Who Sexually Abused Children
British Airways pilot used his position to abuse hundreds of vulnerable children in African schools and orphanages, the Daily Mail can reveal.
First Officer Simon Wood, 54, claimed he was carrying out charity work for the airline while molesting scores of young girls during his stopovers in Africa.
Dressed in a bogus captain’s uniform, he would use the airline’s good name – and even BA branded toys and colouring books – to lure children out on day trips and to five-star hotels used by the airline, where he would abuse them.
British Airways is now facing a hugely damaging lawsuit brought by his victims, who say the company failed to protect them from his horrific abuse.
After abusing children for 15 years, the £100,000-a-year pilot was finally stopped when he was charged with separate child sex offences in the UK.
Days after appearing in a court in London last month charged with the offences, Wood threw himself under a train.
Prosecutor Peter Zinner said: ‘The prosecution say that Mr Wood was a deeply depraved and corrupt individual who had used his ability to fly to other parts of the world to commit sexual offences against children.’
Officials in Kenya have identified at least 15 children, all believed to be girls aged five to 11, that Wood abused – and say they fear there are hundreds more.
As British Airways launched an international investigation into the ‘shocking’ claims, questions were asked over why the pilot – who was arrested after indecently assaulting an eight-year-old girl in 2000 – was ever allowed to work near children.’
Prosecution sources said they feared the pilot could prove to have been among Britain’s most prolific sex offenders.
Passenger Gives Birth On A Flight
A passenger on a Royal Air Maroc flight from Casablanca, Morocco, to Bologna, Italy, gave birth to a boy mid-air.
The official Moroccan news agency MAP says that the 39-year-old woman went into labor shortly after takeoff on Sunday. The flight was diverted to Barcelona, and the baby was born just before landing. The airline didn't specify the passenger's nationality. It said crew members and a midwife, who happened to be on the plane, helped with the delivery.
Mother and child were taken to Sant Joan de Deu hospital in Barcelona and are in good health, the airline says. The flight continued on to Bologna around 50 minutes after landing in Barcelona.
Snake Found On A Plane, Forcing Delay
Hundreds of passengers spend night in hotel after Mandarin rat snakediscovered before Tokyo flight begins boarding
Qantas appears to have a snake problem. For the second time this year a snake has been found trying to hitch a lift on a plane, this time forcing hundreds of passengers to spend a night in a Sydney hotel room instead of jetting off to Japan.
About an hour before the 9.30pm QF21 flight to Tokyo’s Narita airport was due to board, a small snake was discovered in the plane’s doorway. At just 20cm long the Mandarin rat snake was not a worthy foe of Samuel L. Jackson but, given that there could have been others on the plane, the 370 passengers were put up at a Sydney hotel overnight.
“The snake was taken to quarantine to determine where it came from, and a replacement aircraft – a B747 – operated a replacement service to Narita this morning at 10.15,” a spokeswoman told Guardian Australia.
As to whether it was the only serpent on board, Qantas didn’t take any chances. “They used another aircraft to operate that service and the existing B747 will be fumigated before re-entering service,” the Qantas spokeswoman said.
Arik Air Launches Anniversary Sales Promo
Arik Air, West and Central Africa’s largest commercial airline has launched a special sales promotion to celebrate its 7th anniversary. The promotion is valid on the airline’s long haul routes; Lagos-London Heathrow, Lagos-Johannesburg and Lagos-New York.
Guests travelling between Lagos and London will be able to buy a return economy class ticket from N41,990 and Business class ticket from N355,139. A return Economy Class ticket on the Lagos-New York route starts from N97,062 while Business class ticket on the route starts from N487, 892. On the Lagos-Johannesburg route, a return economy class ticket starts from N38,437 and Business class from N326,553.
The fares are exclusive of all taxes and charges and the last ticket day is October 31, 2013. Outbound travel period is between October 14 and November 15, 2013.
Commenting on the anniversary promotion, Arik Air’s Managing Director, Mr. Chris Ndulue explained that the promotional fare is the airline’s special way of thanking its esteemed guests who have remained loyal to the carrier these past seven years.
Tickets can be paid for at the airline’s City Ticketing Offices and Airport Ticketing Offices within Nigeria and via the airline’s website www.arikair.com or mobile devices m.arikair.com. In addition, tickets can be purchased from any IATA registered travel agent.
Singapore Airlines Launches Cabin Products On New B777-300ER
Singapore Airlines has debuted its latest cabin products on a new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft in London.
The carrier has invested nearly $150 million (£93 million) in the cross-cabin refresh, which it has now launched on its Heathrow route.
Last night, SIA welcomed guests aboard its B777-300ER - one of eight to be kitted out with the new interior design - at LHR Terminal 3.
| SIA's Wilson Yong and stewardesses Savitri Octavia and Tan Eag Fong pose in the B777-300ER's new business class |
Wilson Yong, the airline's general manager in UK & Ireland, said: "The fact that the new products have launched on the London-Singapore route ahead of any other, speaks to the importance Singapore Airlines places in both the UK market as a whole but particularly in its operations at Heathrow.
"With the ability to grow at Heathrow, we have been able to bring the UK customer the very best in in-flight experiences, through our award-winning cabin crew, as well as state-of-the-art product and services."
The new cabin products, which include a hi-tech in-flight entertainment (IFE) system, will also be installed on the fleet of A350 aircraft that SIA has on order.
| Designers: James-Park (left) and John Tighe |
In first class, all eight fully-flat seats are ensconced with their own "vanity area", while the latest business class seat offers a recline of 132 degrees, more than the previous seat, and can be converted to a fully-flat position manually.
Earlier this month, it emerged that the airline's business class-only non-stop flights to LA and New York would cease on October 20 and November 23 respectivelyBritain Unveils Plans For New Six Runway Airport
Designs for a new six runway airport to the east of London have been unveiled, as mayor Boris Johnson continues to campaign for the development.
The project – which designers argue could be completed for £47.3 billion – would alleviate overcrowding at London Heathrow Airport and bolster trade, argue proponents.
London Britannia Airport, as it would be known, could be built within seven years of approval argues the Thames Estuary Research & Development (Testrad) which is behind the project.
The group says the island scheme avoided the problems of other land-based airport developments, such as the construction of a third runway at London Heathrow.
These include demolition of houses, removal of green field sites, bird strikes, acquisition of private land and demolition of industrial infrastructure.
“The new London Britannia Airport concept plan gives London the airport it will need to support its world city status into the 21st century.
“It also provides a solution to the challenge of incorporating London’s expected growth in population of two million and a facility which can be linked to the whole of the UK while both the East and West of London will each benefit from regeneration,” said Testrad chief executive Bridget Rosewell.
Key to the potential success of the airport was “separating people from planes”, Rosewell added, by giving passengers the benefit of air travel but without noise because all aircraft landing and departures would be over the estuary rather than residential areas.
Built on a new island in the Thames Estuary, the proposed new airport would also minimise disruption to London residents.
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “This is further welcome argument in favour of the feasibility of having a new hub airport in the Thames estuary.
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “This is further welcome argument in favour of the feasibility of having a new hub airport in the Thames estuary.
“With so many options available for a multi-runway hub airport in a new location, it would be folly for the Airports Commission to give countenance to the prospect of expanding Heathrow, the most noise-polluting airport in Europe.”
The Davies airport commission is currently reviewing potential sites for more airport capacity in the south-east, including additional runways at Gatwick and Heathrow.
Saturday, 16 November 2013
Boeing Vote Brings Out Rivals For 777X Work
State economic officials have jumped at the chance to grab a piece of Boeing's 777X after a union vote stalled efforts to build the aircraft in Washington state.
Amid a slow US economic recovery and after decades of industrial outsourcing, the race for jobs is intensifying. States are competing fiercely to attract well-paid work, and aerospace manufacturing is especially lucrative.
Washington state estimated the 777X would deliver USD$21.3 billion in economic benefits and support more than 56,000 direct and indirect jobs in the state over 16 years.
"We're salivating," Hugh "Trip" Tollison, president of the Savannah Economic Development Authority in Georgia, told Reuters news agency. "We all thought this was a done deal for Washington."
The states are getting a shot at the 777X after Boeing workers on Wednesday rejected an eight-year extension of their contract that, along with a package of tax breaks and other incentives, would have ensured the 777X and its wings were built in Washington.
On Thursday, Boeing officials were already en route to states to talk about incentives.
"People are on airplanes going to visit competitive states today," said Alex Pietsch, director of the governor's office of aerospace in Washington.
Washington already has studied competing states such as South Carolina, Texas, Kansas, Utah and Southern California to rank their competitiveness, he said. Other states are readying their offers.
Tollison said Georgia will put a competitive offer on the table, but likely will wait for a call from Boeing to avoid appearing too eager.
"When it comes, it's all hands on deck," he said. "You bring in the partners, set up the war room, roll up your sleeves and tell the family you'll be home in a few days."
NOT OUT OF IT YET
Washington was not counting itself out of the running, but officials acknowledged the state would have to prove it has the best package for Boeing.
"Washington deserves a fair shot at this contract and I have made clear that I expect Boeing to provide it," US Senator Patty Murray said.
Boeing's Everett, Washington, plant builds the current 777, but the 777X, with new composite wings and more efficient engines, is crucial to Boeing's future as the successor to its most profitable long-haul aircraft. The 777X is expected to be launched at next week's Dubai Airshow.
In South Carolina's state house, speaker Representative Bobby Harrell, said he took a call from Boeing on Thursday morning to discuss the project.
"We are talking to Boeing to find out what they need in order to come here with this (777X) project," Harrell said. "We are going to go after this as hard as we can."
PAY TO PLAY
States are competing to provide the right combination of tax incentives, labour costs, work force skills, worker training, easy permit approvals, port, rail and highway infrastructure and even free land to lure the project.
"The pay-to-play business model is the new reality and that's not necessarily understood by labour," said Tom Captain, chief of the aerospace consulting practice at Deloitte.
While some taxpayer groups say the cost of incentives can amount to USD$500,000 per job, those calculations do not consider spin-off economic benefits, or the opportunity costs of not getting jobs.
Deloitte found that aerospace jobs pay twice the salary and benefits of the average US worker. By attracting them, states enjoy business tax revenue, property tax, consumer spending, and other spin-off development opportunities.
"That's why so many locations are willing to pay what seem like outsize economic incentives to attract the jobs," he said.
Washington state approved USD$8.7 billion in tax cuts last week for Boeing and the state aerospace industry.
But that credit comes off USD$16.2 billion in expected tax gains from the 777X, leaving the state with a USD$7.5 billion net gain, according to the state legislature.
Washington will try to bring the union and Boeing back together for more talks next week, Pietsch said.
Governor Jay Inslee, who led the five-day effort that approved the tax package, was leaving on Thursday to join a state trade mission in China, while Pietsch was heading to the Dubai Airshow.
In South Carolina, Harrell said he and state Senator Hugh Leatherman, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, will campaign aggressively for the 777X, and seek incentives from the state legislature.
"We've got to figure out what it'll take to get them here," Harrell said.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries was considered a strong contender to bring the wing work to Japan, or to possibly build a factory in the United States. Washington state officials have been pitching that idea to the Japanese industrial company for two years.
Mitsubishi could decide to build outside Washington. The company already has a large power turbine plant near Savannah, Georgia, close to the nation's fourth-largest seaport and two hours from North Charleston, South Carolina, where Boeing's second assembly line for the 787 Dreamliner is located.
Mitsubishi recently proposed building 777X wings for Boeing and sending them to the United States using roll-on-roll-off ships, which the port of Savannah can handle.
Close to 70 percent of the port's traffic is with Asia, said James McCurry, senior director of administration and government affairs for the Georgia Ports Authority.
Gulfstream, the business jet company owned by General Dynamics, has been based in Savannah since 1967 and is part of a growing industrial and aerospace cluster in the Southeastern United States that also includes an Embraer plant in Florida, Boeing facilities in Huntsville, Alabama, and a USD$600 million Airbus assembly plant for the A320 that is due to open in 2015 in Mobile, Alabama.
Tollison, the Savannah Economic Development Authority chief, said it would be a mistake for Boeing to let the process drag on.
"The quicker people act, especially in the south, the more competitive the incentives will be," he said. "You want to put your best foot forward. "When you do it fast, and you do it quick, it doesn't allow for too much scrutiny."
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