Carry On: News for business travellers

Qatar trials new international airport
Doha’s new Hamad International Airport (HIA) is going through pre-opening trials in preparation for its April 1 official opening. So far, more than 1000 passengers have gone through the trials to test the operations of passenger facilities from check-in and immigration to aircraft boarding and arrivals. Over the next few weeks, a further 2500 people will go through trials to ensure a transition of operations from Doha International Airport (DIA). Ten airlines will begin operating from HIA from the opening date, while Qatar Airways, the main user of the facility, will switch its entire operations from DIA to HIA by the end of the year.

Malaysia takes the 100th A380
Malaysia Airlines (MAS) has taken delivery of the 100th Airbus A380 superjumbo, taking the airline’s total fleet to six. The A380 is in its sixth year of commercial service and is used by nine airlines. Typically seating 525 passengers in three classes, the double-decker aircraft is capable of flying 8500 nautical miles (15,700km) non-stop. Auckland is one of 32 international airports that accommodate the A380. More than 50 others are preparing for them. Airbus says since 2006 the A380 has registered a total of 262 from 20 customers.

Lufthansa cites fuel saving in big new order
Lufthansa is buying 102 new airliners from Airbus and six Boeing 777-ERs for its standalone Swiss subsidiary. Lufthansa's order will be the biggest of any airline for Airbus with a total of 532 ordered. Lufthansa says this will improve fuel efficiency of its fleet by allowing the company to replace older, less fuel-efficient models. The order comprises 70 Airbus A320neos and A321neos, 30 A320s with existing engines and two A380s.

Tests start on Dreamliner battery fix
Boeing says improvements that will add several layers of additional safety features to the lithium-ion batteries on 787 Dreamliners are in production and could be ready for initial installation within the next few weeks. New enclosures for 787 batteries also are being built. This means the 50 grounded airliners will be back in the air as soon as testing is complete and the US Federal Aviation Administration and other international regulators grant their final approval.