Philippine Airlines has begun using the RAPID airline revenue accounting system developed by the IT division of the Emirates Group, Mercator. PAL has opted to use the full passenger and cargo revenue accounting package. It already uses Mercator’s Airline Loyalty product CRIS. In addition to PAL, RAPID is being used by Emirates, British Airways World Cargo, South African Airways, Qantas and Malaysian Airlines.
FAA believes a new agreement with China will help the U.S. and China better harmonize their future ATM systems. The two nations have signed a memorandum of understanding covering their cooperation on NextGen initiatives in both countries. FAA and Chinese civil aviation authorities plan to establish a NextGen Air Traffic Management Steering Group, and a FAA delegation will travel to China in April for a NextGen workshop. The U.S. and China already have a Joint Air Traffic Steering Group that was formed in 2004.
The Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners has awarded a $2.15 million contract to Jacobs Consultancy to handle an air monitoring and data analysis program at Los Angeles Airport. The Air Quality and Source Apportionment Study will offer information on the airport’s role in air pollutant emissions and the effect these emissions have on the total concentration of air pollutants in communities surrounding LAX.
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) is claiming victory after the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced an agreement to provide enhanced whistleblower protection for airport screeners.
Atlas is bullish about further earnings growth over the next two years, helped by an expansion of its flying for DHL that will require two more Boeing 747 freighters. The company on Feb. 26 reported its 2007 net profit more than doubled to $132.4 million, and pre-tax earnings will improve this year despite cost and revenue challenges in the first half. Growth will pick up “accelerate sharply” in 2009 to $165 million-$175 million, said William Flynn, CEO of Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings.
Economists and analysts have long warned that the U.S. housing crisis, record high prices for oil and a looming credit crunch could tip the U.S. economy into recession, and recent airline comments suggest that the industry is beginning to see the effects of cooling consumer demand.
Air Jamaica, which has been shrinking some of its U.S. service lately to become a leaner operation, intends to increase its seat capacity from New York Kennedy to Barbados and Grenada. On April 1, the airline will upgrade its existing Airbus A320 daily nonstop service to Barbados with the larger A321, adding 38 seats. It will then fly from Barbados to Kingston, Jamaica, which will add onward connections from Kingston to the U.S.
Brazil’s VRG (Varig) and Spain’s Iberia on Feb. 26 announced the signature of an interline agreement that will enable passengers of both airlines to buy tickets to all destinations served by either carrier. Varig’s frequent flyers, however, will be able to earn miles only on flights operated by Varig.
The Flight Safety Foundation has agreed to partner with the International Air Transport Association in its efforts to address the looming shortage of skilled aerospace workers. FSF will be represented on the governing board of the IATA Training and Qualification Initiative (ITQI), which was launched in December. FSF will play an active role in ITQI projects. The board also includes ICAO and other industry stakeholders.
BAA CEO Stephen Nelson has become the latest casualty caused by the ongoing woes at London Heathrow Airport after only two years in the top spot. Nelson resigned, effective April 1, soon after the latest catastrophe at the airport. Last week, thousands of British Airways long-haul passengers flying out of Terminal 4 were inconvenienced after what the carrier called a “major baggage system failure”(DAILY, Feb. 21).
Mexican airport operator Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico (GAP) got a fourth-quarter boost in the form of a new flat rate business tax that powered a 71.5% increase in net income to MXN547 million (US$51 million).
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Hawaiian Holdings Inc. is keeping its eye on international expansion as it continues to improve its revenues. The airline reported consolidated net income in the fourth quarter of $3.3 million, compared to a net loss of $9.6 million in fourth quarter 2006. During the quarter, its operating revenues rose to $250 million from $219 million, and its operating expenses rose to $252 million from $236 million, resulting in an operating loss of $2 million. That compares to an operating loss of $16 million in the same 2006 quarter.
Oneworld member airlines will be moving into Beijing’s new terminal in two phases, with the first phase occurring Friday. British Airways and Qantas will move on Feb. 29 and will be among the first six carriers to use the new facility. The other oneworld airlines serving Beijing will transfer to Terminal 3 on March 26. These carriers include Cathay, Dragonair, Finnair and Japan Airlines.
Shuttle America, GoJet, Mesa and SkyWest this week jointly applied for authority to carry the codes of TAP Air Portugal and Air China on flights the carriers operate as United Express. TAP’s code would appear on United Express flights to points in the U.S. and Canada, while Air China’s code would appear only on the carrier’s interstate United Express services [DOT-OST-2008-0068; DOT-OST-2008-0069].
A group of Big Sky employees approached MAIR Holdings in a bid to buy the airline, but the parent company rejected the offer because it was not “economic,” Big Sky President Fred deLeeuw confirmed.
ExpressJet may be doing some short-term flying for United Express next month to provide additional lift during the upcoming spring break travel season, if an internal note from the major carrier obtained by The DAILY proves to be true.
The Czech Republic broke ranks with the European Union this week by signing an memorandum of understanding with the U.S., a first step toward participating in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). The MOU got a frosty reception by the European Union, which maintains that visa policy is set by the EU and not by member states. Negotiations are no longer a bilateral issue, but one that the U.S. should negotiate with EU, Franco Frattini, European Commission VP for security, said earlier this month about a draft copy of the MOU (DAILY, Feb. 14).
Delta’s top two executives say the board and leadership have yet to be satisfied by any merger proposal, and they continue to review all strategic alternatives, according to an internal memo sent yesterday.
FAA yesterday told lawmakers it would continue working with the National Weather Service (NWS) to standardize weather forecasting at each of the 21 Center Weather Service Units (CWSU) across the country.
Venezuelan carrier Aeropostal/Alas de Venezuela will be sold within the next five months to a group of local investors, the carrier’s president said. Abelardo Valino said the carrier would be sold in five months to a group of investors from Venezuela’s state of Carabobo headed by local entrepreneur Carlos Battistini, according to local reports. The sellers and the buyers are processing financial and accounting information for a seamless transition, and analysts estimate the purchase price at over US$100 million.
Singapore Changi Airports International (CAI) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Middle Airports Authority of Vietnam (MAA) to invest, develop and operate Phu Bai International Airport.
