JetBlue Airways Founder and Chairman David Neeleman says the United States' dependence on foreign oil will be a main subject in his soon-to-be-published memoirs -- "Don't Tell Me It Can't Be Done."
Mexico's national flights attendants union (ASSA) on Monday ended a two-day strike prompted by the breakdown of negotiations between the union and low-cost carrier Click Mexicana. Reuters reports indicated flight attendants won a 4.74% salary increase. Before negotiations broke down last Friday, Click had accepted union proposals on productivity and fringe benefits but rejected those on salary increases. [email protected]
The European Union transport ministers agreed last week on a tendering plan for the launch of Galileo, the future European global navigation satellite system (GNSS), after unexpected 11th-hour haggling with Spain.
Nationwide Airlines flight operations have been discontinued, and its maintenance unit's certification has been suspended until the maintenance organization meets full compliance with safety regulations, according to a South African Civil Aviation Authority statement. As of Nov. 29, SACAA suspended the Nationwide Aircraft Maintenance Organization's (AMO) approval as a Part 145-certificated repair station, and it suspended the certificates of airworthiness for all the aircraft it maintains.
SriLankan Airlines cleared IATA's operational safety audit (IOSA) a year ahead of schedule and was added to the IOSA Registry. The audit results are valid through Dec. 1, 2008, and will be renewed every two years subject to future audits. IATA launched IOSA in 2003 in an attempt to provide benchmarking of safety and quality standards and procedures among airlines. Earning a place on the registry is mandatory for IATA members.
Continental yesterday said it is setting up a voluntary carbon offsetting program, allowing its customers to make donations related to the amount of emissions generated from their trips. A handful of carriers has already introduced voluntary off-setting programs, but the concept has been quicker to catch on in Europe than in the U.S. Continental's program was developed in partnership with Sustainable Travel International.
Ryanair has launched legal proceedings against the European Commission for failing to act against what the Irish low-cost carrier denounced as illegal state aid to Alitalia. Several moves within the Alitalia Group, including the split-up between Alitalia Fly and Alitalia Servizi and "uneven allocation of the debt" resulted in a EUR1.7 billion debt write-off, claims Ryanair. The Irish carrier called on the European competition watchdog to investigate the case in 2005, "but the [European] Commission has so far failed to do so," said Ryanair.
As business aviation begins to show growth in the region, Pakistan's first private jet charter operator, Princely Jets, ordered one business jet from Nevada-based Aerion, becoming the first company in Asia to order the business jet. Princely Jet operates a fleet of Bombardier Challenger and Cessna Citations. The carrier says it is expanding its aviation services business, with plans to establish dedicated fixed-based operations and maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities at airports in major cities across Pakistan.
A representative from JetBlue is accompanying the U.S. delegation to Brazil, where formal air services talks are to kick off tomorrow, The DAILY has learned. Although JetBlue does not currently serve Brazil, the carrier is interested in "any future opportunities these talks could make available to us," a spokesman said. JetBlue has not filed or applied for service to Brazil but is "interested in long-term planning," the spokesman said.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and the airline industry must press FAA to add New York to the list of those regions receiving GPS ground-equipment by 2010 to alleviate delays at area airports, said a new report from the city's comptroller.
SkyWest on Friday announced it is opting for Bombardier, rather than Embraer, for a large order of regional jets to replace turboprops. The carrier said it has placed firm orders for 18 Bombardier CRJ700 NextGen aircraft and four CRJ-900s, with 22 more options that can be applied to either type. The -700s will be operated for United Express, while the -900s will be operated for Delta Connection.
The big winner in the American-American Eagle divestment (DAILY, Nov. 29) would be the major carrier's stockholders, analysts say, as Eagle would face a regional market with little to no room for growth.
The U.S.-European Union open-skies agreement is a mixed blessing, representatives from a cargo carrier, a pilot labor group and two U.K. airlines said last week in Washington.
With its $13.5 billion Boeing widebody order behind it, Qatar Airways is turning its attention to its next-generation narrowbody requirement that could be for up to 60 firm orders and options split between 100 and 150-seat aircraft.
The regional jet market is evolving rapidly, and the average size of RJs and stage lengths being flown are increasing, according to leasing company GECAS. It says that international sales and leases are up, particularly in Mexico.
Fractional ownership company Flight Options on Friday revealed an order for 100 Phenom 300 light jets, coinciding with H.I.G. Capital closing its purchase of Flight Options. The transaction is worth nearly $1 billion, the company said. The deal signals that H.I.G. Capital "is looking to take [Flight Options ...to the next level," the company said. Deliveries are expected to begin in late 2009, and Flight Options also took 50 options.
Named C. David Cush to replace Fred Reid as CEO of the airline, effective Dec. 10. Reid was required to leave the company under the terms of the airline's certification by the U.S. Transportation Dept.
South African Airways will not pull its inventory from the Worldspan GDS on Dec. 1 as it initially indicated to travel agents because it was unable to secure cost-competitive rates. The airline has agreed to extend contract negotiations for an indefinite period.
Pinnacle last week bought back some 2.5 million shares of its outstanding common stock held by Northwest, the first step in a plan that will see Northwest selling its ownership interest in its partner. The deal leaves Northwest with Pinnacle's Class A Preferred shares, but the regional will buy them back from Northwest in January.
