Boeing has swapped one Randy for another in the crucial role of VP-marketing for the Commercial Airplanes (BCA) unit. Company veteran Randy Tinseth will be responsible for marketing BCA's entire range of products, taking over from Randy Baseler, who is expected to retire April 30. Tinseth, who has been with Boeing for more than 25 years, will report to VP-business strategy and marketing Mike Cave.
Boeing may need to look at a refresh of some of its 777 variants before it considers a full replacement for the 737, Boeing head Jim McNerney said yesterday.
American this week confirmed plans to upgrade the interiors on all 124 of its Boeing 757 fleet, which will include the addition of two extra seats in first class. The upgrade work is scheduled to begin in 2008, and will be completed in-house. The project includes new economy class seats, and new sidewalls to "give the interior a lighter and brighter look." LCD monitors will be installed, and a digital media file server will improve the in-flight video quality, American said. The two additional seats will increase the 757 first-class cabin to 24 seats.
The operations certificate issued to Sunworld International Airlines was recently revoked by the U.S. Transportation Dept. due to dormancy. The carrier changed hands several times and claimed it was working on a comeback (DAILY, May 26, 2006) but has not sent the Department any relevant paperwork on the matter since May 2006 [OST-2004-18574].
Europe's high court yesterday ruled the Netherlands' 1957 bilateral air services agreement with the U.S. is illegal under European Union law. In its ruling, the European Court of Justice wrote the international commitments between the Netherlands and the U.S. on air fares, computer reservations systems, the U.S.' rights to withdraw or limit traffic on carriers not owned by the Netherlands broke EU law.
Massport has unveiled incentives to encourage passengers and taxis going to Boston Logan Airport to drive hybrid, alternative-fuel and alternative-powered vehicles. Announced on Earth Day, Massport will offer more than 100 preferred parking to customers driving hybrid and alternative fuel cars at Logan's Central garage, Terminal B garage, Terminal E surface lot and economy parking, starting May 1.
Alitalia is scheduled to hold talks with cabin staff unions on April 26 in an attempt to avert a strike scheduled May 3 (DAILY, April 18). Five unions will be seeking a renewal of employees' contracts, addressing working hours and other issues.
A top U.S. official gave the strongest signal yet that the U.S. is committed to the second stage of negotiations with the European Union on open skies.
The European Commission ruled that Italy must modify its public service obligation (PSO) system on routes to Sardinia to comply with European Union competition rules, opening PSOs to all operators. "Public service obligations can guarantee mobility for inhabitants of outlying regions, and particularly islands, if the market is unable by itself to provide the frequency and capacity deemed necessary," said European Transport Commissioner Jacques Barrot. "But those obligations must not improperly close off a viable market from competition," he added.
Annapolis, Md.-based ARINC has won contracts from three airports to install common-use self-service (CUSS) kiosks for airline check-in. The U.K.'s Manchester Airports Group -- which operates Manchester, East Midlands, and Humberside airports -- is adding 22 more CUSS kiosk to the 70 it already operates to prepare for the busy holiday season. The kiosks are being used by 13 carriers at the three airports. Passengers can scan passports and print boarding passes for any participating airline.
Skybus Airlines will begin flying May 22 from Columbus, Ohio, to four secondary airports in the U.S. near major markets, followed by three more airports on May 29. On May 22, it will launch flights with A319s to Burbank, Calif.; Portsmouth, N.H.; Kansas City, Mo., and Richmond, Va. (the latter begins May 23). On May 29, it will add Bellingham, Wash.; Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and Greensboro/Winston-Salem, N.C.
Although Miami International has 100% employee screening, a one-size-fits-all solution for airports is not appropriate, said Lauren Stover, assistant aviation director-security and communications, Miami-Dade Aviation Dept., in recent testimony before the House Homeland Security subcommittee on transportation security.
British Airways has not yet given up on partner Iberia, saying recently that it is in talks with several potential investors to set up a consortium that could buy the Spanish oneworld member. The consortium would include one private equity firm and at least one or more Spanish partners. BA "ruled out an independent bid for the airline," it said in a statement.
The Engine Alliance this week announced that European Aviation Safety Agency has certified the company's GP7200, one of the powerplants for the Airbus A380. Engine Alliance President Bruce Hughes noted that the engine has "been performing extremely well throughout the development and certification program, meeting both FAA and EASA requirements as well as Airbus'...requirements for maturity at entry into service." The GP7200 achieved FAA airworthiness certification in December 2005.
Virgin Atlantic next year plans to conduct a biofuel demonstration on one of its Boeing 747-400s in cooperation with Boeing and General Electric. Virgin says it will release more details later this year, but adds that the demonstration is aimed at developing "sustainable fuel sources suitable for commercial jet engines and the aviation industry."
Amadeus, the Madrid-based GDS, has improved its e-Travel Management solution allowing travel managers to communicate better with employees, using handheld wireless devices and improving the efficiency of the booking process. Amadeus released version 10.1 of the system that allows travel approvers to sanction a trip from a handheld device while away from their desks. The new version improves several travel processes, such as automatic prompts to find out of the employee is following travel management policies.
Mesaba yesterday officially emerged from bankruptcy and, as expected, was acquired by Northwest as a wholly owned subsidiary. The deal has been in the works since early January, when Northwest reached a tentative deal with Mesaba management and creditors. Mesaba filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Oct. 13, 2005.
JetBlue is considering making some changes to its cabin offerings, including the possibility of buy-on-board products and letting passengers buy middle seats to block other customers from using them at a reduced price.
Aeroports de Paris (ADP) subsidiary ADPi has won the deal to design a new terminal at Kazakhstan's Almaty International Airport. It will take two years to build the new terminal, created after the airport authority revised its master plan in 2006. The glass and wood design will bear the shape of three yurts, traditional tents used by nomadic people in central Asia. The design will allow the addition of new yurts as the airport grows.
