ExpressJet is taking most of 69 planes exiting its Continental fleet and flying them independently in point-to-point markets that don't currently have nonstop service.
Alaska Air yesterday joined several other airlines, including Continental and KLM, in becoming a launch customer for the first blended winglets designed for the Boeing 737-900.
Korean Air and Messier Services Asia struck an exchange and overhaul deal covering 19 landing gear shipsets on the airline's Airbus A330s. Separately, Messier Services Americas won FAA certification, authorizing Messier's Queretaro, Mexico, facility to offer U.S. customers repairs on landing gear equipment and hydraulics, as well as the transfer of goods across U.S. borders. Messier expects to gain EASA approval in February.
The credit quality of major U.S. commercial airports will continue to improve at a modest pace through 2007, according to a report issued by Fitch Ratings.
Zoom UK this June intends to launch daily Boeing 767-300ER service on the London Gatwick-New York Kennedy route, a move that could see the carrier giving Delta and Continental a run for their money in the market, especially if Zoom UK operates in the mold of its parent, Canadian low-fare specialist Zoom Airlines. The U.K. operation asked the U.S. Transportation Dept. for a foreign carrier permit and exemption to operate the services. It also requested authority to operate charter flights between the U.K. and the U.S. [OST-2007-27060].
The O'Hare Modernization Program moved almost 4 million cubic yards of dirt, placed more than 5,200 linear feet of concrete box culverts to relocate a creek and poured 41,000 square yards of concrete for taxiways on the South Airfield in 2006, according to a progress report.
Midwest Airlines yesterday unveiled plans to expand its network in April with service to Seattle. Starting April 1, the daily flight will operate nonstop from Kansas City with Boeing 717s, the carrier's traditional "signature service." The new service is part of Midwest's previously announced long-term business plan, which includes route expansion and equipment upgrades featuring at least six new destinations and as many as 12 new routes in 2007.
Emirates will shortly place an order for 12 additional Boeing 777-300ERs, Vice Chairman Maurice Flanagan said in an interview at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. The aircraft order is "imminent," according to Flanagan. The airline hopes all of the aircraft will be delivered in 2008 in an effort to close part of the capacity gap left by the two-year delay in the Airbus A380 program. Emirates will receive its first A380 at the end of 2008 at a time when it should have been operating 18 of the type, according to the initial schedule.
The Airbus A380 is scheduled to make its first appearance at U.S. airports in March with stops at Washington Dulles and New York Kennedy, industry sources tell The DAILY. Lufthansa crew are expected to be involved in the flights.
Polar Air Cargo began corporate restructuring efforts to transfer its certificates, exemptions, designations, frequency allocations and other operating authorities from Polar Air Cargo, Inc. to Polar Air Cargo, LLC, and later to Polar Air Cargo Worldwide, Inc. Both of the former are California organizations, while the latter is a Delaware corporation.
Los Angeles World Airports saw its total net assets rise 7% to $2.6 billion, up $172.9 million for the year ended June 30, 2006; LAWA operates Los Angeles International, LA/Ontario International, Van Nuys and LA/Palmdale Regional airports.
Japanese discount carrier Skymark Airlines selected AAR to supply technical consultation as it returns six Boeing 767s to the lessor. AAR plans to conduct a physical inspection of each aircraft, determine the scope of work needed on the plane, manage repairs and supply records management services. AAR is overhauling landing gear on Skymark's 767s at its Miami facility, supplying the airline access to its rotable gear components to give the carrier a restored set while the maintenance is performed. -LR
The U.S. Transportation Dept. is taking proposals from carriers interested in operating Essential Air Service at Oil City/Franklin, Pa., and Alliance and Chadron, Neb. The next two-year term for flying at Oil City/ Franklin will start on April 1. The proposals can be for subsidized or unsubsidized service operated with aircraft seating 15 or more. DOT wants interested carriers to offer 12 weekly roundtrips to Pittsburgh, Cleveland or Detroit, though it would consider proposals offering service to other hubs.
DHL says it is boosting its planned investment in Hong Kong to $645 million with the addition of a new ground-handling facility. The new facility -- DHL's third in Hong Kong -- will cost about $35 million and will boost ground-handling capacity by about 20%. The carrier is already investing $210 million to turn Hong Kong into its "Central Asia Superhub." In addition, DHL has invested $400 million in Air Hong Kong, a joint venture with Cathay Pacific that feeds cargo from the Asia/ Pacific region to Hong Kong.
Movie shoots at airports controlled by Los Angeles World Airports between 2002 and 2006 brought in $590 million in economic output, paid $280 million in wages and created 4,800 jobs, says a new report. After 9/11, airports stopped allowing film crews on property, citing new security regulations. But LAWA decided to keep its filming-friendly policies and tapped the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp. to study the economic impact of that decision. Airports covered in the report are LAX, Ontario, Van Nuys and Palmdale.
ST Aerospace's engine subsidiary inked an engine maintenance power-by-the-hour agreement with Xiamen Airlines for 11 Boeing 737-700s powered by CFM International CFM56-7B22 engines. The deal is valued at $160 million over its 15-year duration. ST Aero's engine arm already has maintenance deals with Xiamen that cover the airline's Pratt & Whitney JT-8Ds and CFM 56-3 powerplants. -LR
Brazil's low-cost carrer GOL has been invited by the Argentine government to create a domestic subsidiary in that country, sources in Argentina told DAILY affiliate AvNews Latin America & Caribbean. AvNews also reports that GOL President Constantino de Oliveira Jr. has held unofficial meetings on the subject with Enrique Meyer, Argentina's tourism minister, who supports the idea. GOL is also close to participating in a Mexican LCC subsidiary in a minority equity position. -LZ
DOT Secretary Mary Peters highlighted a planned precision runway monitoring (PRM) system at Atlanta Airport as an example of how new ways must be found to "squeeze every ounce of capacity out of our existing facilities." The new PRM, which will be commissioned this year, is expected to allow up to 23 extra aircraft an hour to land at Atlanta, Peters says.
