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Comair and Numsa reach an agreement
Comair, (the operators of both British Airways SA and Kulula) and the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) have reached an agreement to avert a looming strike over a wage increase dispute.
The union was demanding a salary hike of 12%, a travelling allowance and a daily overtime allowance among other requests. Talks deadlocked last week with the union threatening strike action if their demands were not met.
In a statement released on Thursday evening, Comair says the next meeting with the CCMA is scheduled for 11 January 2019 where salary increases will be discussed. Numsa confirmed it had signed an agreement with Comair, after mediation from the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA). In a statement, it said one of the major sticking points, the issue of wage gaps between white workers and black workers, who perform the same tasks, had been resolved.
The union will meet with Comair again early next month to deal with outstanding issues. It said Comair would provide information on the salaries of all employees in the bargaining unit, specifying race and gender in order to rectify discrepancies.
The union had threatened to strike over its demand for, among others, a salary hike of 12%, a guaranteed thirteenth cheque, wage parity, a travelling allowance and to increase the number of shop stewards at the airline, which services domestic routes for British Airways and also operates as a low-cost carrier under its own kulula.com brand.
Of the company’s 2 200 employees, 375 are Numsa members.
"Our members are satisfied with the intervention which has been made thus far and we will therefore no longer embark on a national strike as planned," spokeswoman Phakamile Hlubi-Majola said.
Cessna Citation Longitude achieved provisional type certification
Textron Aviation Inc last week announced its Cessna Citation Longitude super-midsize jet has achieved provisional type certification (PTC) from the Federal Aviation Administration. The PTC allows operators to begin Citation Longitude flight training in preparation for deliveries early next year and paves the way for the program’s final phase of certification.
“From an unmatched cabin experience to its commanding performance, the Citation Longitude truly sets a new standard for the business aviation industry,” said Ron Draper, president and CEO, Textron Aviation. “Our focus remains on equipping our customers with this revolutionary aircraft, and achieving this milestone is a pivotal step as we complete the final phase of the program.”
Activity and interest in the aircraft remains strong as customers experience its capabilities firsthand. Earlier this year, the Citation Longitude completed a world tour, circumnavigating the globe and demonstrating impressive performance figures along the way.
The Longitude flight test program, including functional and reliability testing, is complete. During testing, the aircraft completed more than 1,650 flights and accumulated more than 4,050 hours. Longitude production is also underway in Textron Aviation’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility where the jet benefits from cutting-edge assembly methods.
With a range of 3,500 nautical miles and full fuel payload of 1,600 pounds (726 kilograms), the Citation Longitude is designed to elevate passenger expectations in the super-midsize class by delivering the quietest cabin, a low cabin altitude (5,950 feet), more standard features and a comfortable, bespoke interior. With seating for up to 12 passengers, including an optional crew jump seat, the Longitude features a stand-up, 6-foot tall flat-floor cabin.
A standard double-club configuration delivers the most legroom in the super-midsize class. Fully berthable seats are designed and manufactured in-house and a class-leading walk-in baggage compartment is accessible throughout the entire flight. State-of-the-art cabin technology enables passengers to manage their environment and entertainment from any mobile device, while high-speed internet maximizes in-flight productivity.
The clean-sheet design of the Longitude integrates the latest technology throughout the aircraft, bringing customers the lowest ownership cost in its class. It features the next evolution of the Garmin G5000 flight deck and is powered by FADEC-equipped Honeywell HTF7700L turbofan engines with fully integrated auto-throttles with envelope protection. With Garmin’s new Head-up Display (GHD 2100) and enhanced vision capability, the Longitude facilitates eyes-up flying. The spacious cockpit incorporates easier access and an ergonomic design that fully focuses on crew comfort and efficiency.
No super-midsize business jet offers more range, greater payload or higher cruise speed at a lower expected total ownership cost. The Longitude is designed to feature the longest maintenance intervals in its class – 800 hours or 18 months – expected to make it the most cost effective to operate in its category.
Air Tanzania becomes first African-based Airbus A220 operator
Air Tanzania as become the first African carrier to take delivery of the Airbus A220 aircraft, the newest addition to the Airbus family of commercial aircraft, the companies said last Friday. Representatives from the airline as well as Tanzanian government officials alongside executives from the A220 program celebrated the aircraft handover at the A220 Mirabel assembly line in Canada.
“The A220 unrivaled passenger comfort combined with its remarkable performance and economics will be an excellent asset to further develop Air Tanzania’s network,” said Tito Kasambala, acting CEO of the Tanzanian Government Flight Agency (TGFA). The A220 will allow Air Tanzania to further develop its domestic and regional market as well as open new routes to India and the Middle East from its home base Dar es Salaam.
"With the addition of the A220 in our fleet we are confident that we will expand our footprint in the growing African markets and beyond, as we unlock additional routes and regain our position as a key player in the African air transport market,” Air Tanzania MD Ladislaus Matindi said. The A220 is the only aircraft purpose built for the 100 to 150 seat market and - with a range of up to 3 200 nm - offers the performance of larger single aisle aircraft.
