Hong Kong Airlines looks to consolidate fleet

Hong Kong Airlines says it is working to consolidate and optimise its network and fleet, in response to reports that it could cut a third of its aircraft as it faces mounting financial pressures. “Hong Kong Airlines aims to improve our structure to boost revenue, manage costs and achieve higher productivity,” it tells FlightGlobal. “We […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/hong-kong-airlines-looks-to-consolidate-fleet/

AirAsia sets up venture capital fund to boost ancillary segment

AirAsia has launched a new venture capital fund, RedBeat Capital, to invest in start-up businesses that aims to boost the low-cost carrier’s ancillary segment. RedBeat Capital will work alongside San Francisco-based venture capital firm 500 Startups in supporting businesses seeking to enter or expand their presence in southeast Asia, with a particular focus on travel […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/airasia-sets-up-venture-capital-fund-to-boost-ancillary-segment/

PICTURE: Four injured in CommutAir ERJ-145 runway excursion

Passengers and a pilot were injured on 5 March during a runway overrun in Maine involving a CommutAir Embraer ERJ-145 that was operating as United Express. The aircraft took off from United’s hub at Newark Liberty airport at 09:23 and landed at 11:43 at Presque Isle. Cleveland-based CommutAir posted a statement on Twitter that the […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/picture-four-injured-in-commutair-erj-145-runway-excursion/

Flap loss on 747 undetected after night landing

German investigators probing the loss of a Boeing 747-400ER freighter’s flap on landing at Frankfurt Main have indicated that previous incidents on the type have been the result of corrosion and inadequate lubrication of parts. The Turkish-registered MyCargo Airlines aircraft (TC-ACM) had been operating a service from Dammam on behalf of Saudia’s cargo division. German […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/flap-loss-on-747-undetected-after-night-landing/

​PICTURES: BA turns back time to 1960s with BEA A319 retro livery

British Airways today formally unveiled its second retrojet, an Airbus A319 (registration G-EUPJ) painted in the “Red Square” livery used by BEA on European services between 1959 and 1968. Max Kingsley-Jones/FlightGlobal The aircraft arrived at London Heathrow this morning from Shannon following repainting and is set to enter service later today on a flight to […]

source http://www.ncairways.co/aviation/%e2%80%8bpictures-ba-turns-back-time-to-1960s-with-bea-a319-retro-livery/

Renewable energy brings renewal to Indigenous communities

Energy is inextricably linked to a range of community issues, from health to housing. That was one message that emerged from a four-day gathering in Calgary of more than 200 young Indigenous leaders from every province and territory, organized by Disa Crow Chief of the Siksika Nation and Cory Beaver of the Stoney Nakoda Nation.

Participants came to the SevenGen gathering in January to learn about opportunities in Canada’s energy transition from an Indigenous youth perspective. Beaver and Crow Chief are keen to engage young people in Indigenous-led energy solutions and find them ongoing mentorship opportunities.

SevenGen’s website explains, “As youth of the seventh generation, we feel a renewed responsibility to protect our environment, as water protectors and guardians of all creation. Through SevenGen, we hope to strengthen relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth from diverse backgrounds, share knowledge across cultures, and ensure that the wellbeing of land, water, and all the life within it remains at the forefront of discussions about energy.”

For non-Indigenous participants, the notion that many issues we often consider separately are interconnected was striking. Ideas around energy were closely entwined with language, food self-sufficiency and improved housing, health and well-being. All were grounded in a perspective that emphasizes a deep connection to the land and a responsibility to it and the life it holds.

As Indigenous and non-Indigenous people alike grapple with the energy, climate and social challenges facing our communities, we must understand the importance of diversity. If we continue to elevate only voices of those who have traditionally held power, we won’t likely discover meaningful solutions to the problems we collectively face. Listening to people with different world views is essential to finding new ways forward.

Indigenous leaders aren’t waiting to be invited to the table. Judith Sayers of the Hupacasath Nation, Gordon Planes of T’Souke Nation and others talked about work their communities are already doing to shift to greater self-reliance through community renewable energy and efficiency projects. These provide clean energy, training, jobs and economic development opportunities.

Lumos Energy president Chris Henderson noted that 20 per cent of Canada’s renewable energy projects are Indigenous efforts. He says community-led renewable energy projects not only bolster energy democracy—allowing communities to produce energy rather than depending on large corporations or utilities—but are also seen by some as part of the way toward decolonization.

“We are the future leaders for our nations, and getting more Indigenous people involved in renewable energy projects will not only benefit our own communities but Canada as a country,” Crow Chief explained.

David Suzuki Foundation fellow Melina Laboucan-Massimo spoke about her community’s experience with toxic oilsands pollution that severely affected air and water quality. This experience fed her determination to see her community benefit from renewable energy.

In “Let them drown: the violence of othering in a warming world,” Naomi Klein points out that fossil fuel extraction has always required sacrifice zones, and that the poorest communities and people of colour have always been most likely to feel the brunt of industrial impacts.

Unlike renewable energy, which can be distributed, fossil fuel extraction occurs in specific places. It’s no accident that people who have lived on these territories for millennia have been viewed as “others” by those who wish to profit from extraction.

Crow Chief said that, at 21, she’s been to more funerals than graduation ceremonies or weddings. Many in the audience nodded in agreement. “I refuse to do nothing and dwell in hopelessness,” she said.

“Our elders always tell us to do things in a good way—to think in a good way, to act in a good way,” said Steven Crowchild, from the Tsuut’ina Nation. It’s easy to lose sight of the value of being a good person, of being a good ancestor. He, like many other young leaders, draws strength from his culture and community.

We should all think more about how to be good. As Crow Chief said, “I want to remind you all to be honest and brave when going about your days, wherever it is you come from. I want you to know that you are always supported and a part of something bigger when using your voices to spread kindness and strength.”

David Suzuki is a scientist, broadcaster, author and co-founder of the David Suzuki Foundation. Written with contributions from David Suzuki Foundation Community Renewable Energy Manager Sherry Yano.

Cries of no-cricket with Pakistan grow louder

India has to use suspending cricket and cultural ties with Pakistan as a moral imperative. Cricket used to serve earlier as a base for peace, friendship and harmony, but now the situation is different. Pakistan is itself to blame for portraying a negative image of itself abroad, and it is aptly mirrored by its captain's  thoughts on a South African cricketer.

source http://www.ncairways.co/sports/cricket-turns/