European airlines gave their tepid support to the proposed emissions trading scheme (ETS) revealed by the European Union yesterday, while the U.S. industry roundly criticized the plan. Under the European Commission proposal, all intra-European flights will need to participate, beginning in 2011. The plan will be extended to all flights that operate out of the EU from 2012. The plan could create a net carbon savings of 46% -- or 183 million metric tons -- by 2020, the EC said in a statement.
Spanair yesterday launched a web-based service that provides the status of delayed baggage, without the need to make any telephone calls. Known as Worldtracer, the system permits free 24-hour access and will be available in a range of languages. "The company has therefore become the first Spanish carrier to provide passengers with detailed information on the recovery of mislaid items of luggage," the airline claims.
After seeing slower sales at its Indianapolis facility during the current quarter, AAR predicts doubling the number of hangars it plans to occupy in that location by April. AAR signed a deal to lease 10 of 12 hangars in Indianapolis in 2004 after United vacated the facility. The MRO's current occupancy is four hangars with four lines of maintenance.
The Metropolitan Airports Commission has unveiled a plan that could provide $239 million in aid for Northwest over 20 years. MAC also approved a $21.8 million cut in rates and fees for airlines operating at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Under the plan, Northwest would continue to make payments on more than $290 million in outstanding bond debt to MAC, agree to assume its terminal and aircraft gate lease in bankruptcy and retain its hub operation and headquarters in Minneapolis.
American this week announced new international and domestic routes, including the launch of a daily nonstop Chicago-Shannon, Ireland, flight. The Shannon flights will begin May 1 and will run through the summer. From October 2007, American will offer Shannon service via its Chicago-Dublin flight, as it does currently. The Chicago-Dublin flights began in May, 2006. The Shannon flights will use Boeing 757s, and the Dublin flights use 767-300s.
Former Dept. of Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge has been hired by the Discover America Partnership to evaluate U.S. entry processes and propose strategies to better balance security needs with easier entrance for foreign visitors.
Royal Jordanian yesterday decided that the Boeing 787-8, rather than the Airbus A350, will be the replacement aircraft for its long-range A340s, starting in 2010.
Opponents of the O'Hare Modernization Program have lost their appeal to stop the city of Chicago from relocating hundreds of homes and businesses and destroying St. Johannes Cemetery to make room for the airport's new and relocated runways. The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals denied the request filed by the Village of Bensenville, Elk Grove Village, St. John's United Church of Christ and others to rehear the case under the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act. The court also rejected a separate appeal by St. Johannes Cemetery.
Condor's annual profit for 2006 will fall below last year's level of EUR20 million (US$26.3 million), executive board member Ralf Teckentrup told the airline's in-house newspaper "connect". Teckentrup said high fuel prices led to the deterioration of results. Condor is aiming for an annual profit of EUR80-EUR90 million in 2008 to be able to make further investments. -JF
The European Commission today is expected to reveal the details of its controversial Emissions Trading Scheme to reduce carbon emissions, the European Union delegation in Washington has confirmed. According to reports, the EC has backed away from its original plan to impose ETS on all flights to the EU. Instead, ETS will first apply to intra-European flights in 2011 and be extended to international carriers in 2013.
American this week announced new service between Austin, Texas, and Seattle, scheduled to begin April 10. The one daily roundtrip will use MD-80 aircraft. The carrier already offers nonstop flights from Austin to Los Angeles and San Jose, and it said these West Coast routes are performing well.
IATA is calling on Airports of Thailand to talk with its airline partners before moving ahead with a planned 15% boost in landing fees at the new Suvarnabhumi Airport, scheduled in April 2007. IATA Director-General Giovanni Bisignani has been vocal about his opposition to what he calls "arbitrary" airport charges worldwide and what they cost IATA member airlines. In a letter to Thai Transport Minister Thira Haocharoen, he noted that airlines have already spent $111 million to relocate from Don Muang Airport to Suvarnabhumi.
By Steve Lott There are thousands of airport worldwide for airlines to serve, but a new analysis shows that network -- and low-cost carriers -- are really interested in only a small percentage of those destinations because they have the greatest demand.
Comair management and pilots are scheduled to resume negotiations the same day a judge should render his decision about voiding the current pilot contract. The judge must decide 30 days after the start of the hearings to dissolve the pilot deal, which started Nov. 27. Negotiations re-start on Dec. 27, the deadline for the court to decide if Comair management can void the contract.
Denver Airport has taken the first step to boost capacity by issuing a request for proposal to add at least eight gates in Concourse C. "We've issued the RFP for the design, but it's not a definite yet," said spokesman Chuck Cannon. "We need the space, but if something like oil prices skyrockets, we have several trigger points built in to make sure the design is still feasible."
Delta yesterday predicted it can swing to a $456 million full-year profit in 2007 without any partners but US Airways executives weren't fazed by Delta's tough talk yesterday, adding that they still believe they have a better plan for Delta.
Boeing announced five new orders Sunday, two 777 Freighters for Qatar and three 787-8s for Kenya Airways. The Kenya order brings the carrier's 787 firm order total to nine, with four options. The airline ordered six 787s in March, along with six options. Deliveries will begin in October 2010 and will continue through late 2012. The 787s will complement the four 777-200ERs in Kenya's international fleet.
A new lease agreement between Massport and Delta could allow other carriers to move into the $500 million Terminal A at Boston Logan Airport. Massport took out bonds to pay for the new terminal, originally built for all of Delta's operations, including Song, Delta Connection and Delta Shuttle. The facility opened in March 2005 but has never been full.
Spirit within one week made a major push in its plan to expand its Latin and Caribbean service out of Fort Lauderdale as it filed for authority to launch flights to Haiti and St. Maarten in April.
Air New Zealand yesterday doubled its order for Boeing 787-9s, which the carrier said will drive its international growth plans. Air NZ is the launch customer for the -9 version of the 787, with the first to be introduced into service in 2011 and the remainder due for delivery through 2013. The airline also has options for eight further production slots. Air NZ said it received a "significant discount" on the four additional aircraft because it was among the first to commit to the 787 program.
Charlotte-Douglas International Airport has been given a $124 million FAA grant to build a third parallel runway. The 9,000-foot runway is expected to increase takeoffs and landings at the airport by 46%, said FAA Deputy Administrator Robert Sturgell in remarks announcing the grant. "It means that three planes instead of two will be able to land at the same time, even when the weather's bad," he said. "That translates into fewer delays, fewer missed connections and fewer frowns." The airport handled 14 million passengers in 2005, said Sturgell.
