Eos Airlines plans to launch its second daily flight from New York to London Stansted Sept. 8, deciding to move ahead with growth, thanks to higher loads this summer.
Wizz Air plans to launch three weekly flights between Gdansk and Cork December 15, bringing the total number of routes the carrier will offer from its Gdansk base to eight. The carrier's Cork-Katowice flight debuts next week.
Manila-based low-fare airline Cebu Pacific plans to expand its international network, starting with the launch of daily flights to Singapore next month. It is also looking to introduce services to Taipei and Bangkok early next year. The carrier currently flies three times daily to Hong Kong and daily to Seoul, making it the only low-fare airline to serve the Korean city.
Even with rising fuel prices and the threat of growing low-cost carriers throughout the region, seven of the 10 airlines in Aviation Week & Space Technology's 10th annual Top-Performing Companies (TPC) study are from Asia/Pacific countries, showing the strength of the region's airlines to adapt to crisis and thrive.
Spanish low-cost carrier Air Madrid would become the first carrier to operate direct flights in the Madrid-Los Angeles market and would give oneworld partners American and Iberia a run for their money in the Madrid-Miami market if it wins approval from the U.S. Transportation Dept. to serve the U.S.
After resigning his position as U.S. Transportation Secretary, Norman Mineta is set to join communications consulting company Hill & Knowlton as its vice chairman, beginning July 24. Mineta will report to Hill & Knowlton Chairman and CEO Paul Taaffe. Mineta's "diverse experience and his extensive knowledge of public policy and business will enable him to provide valuable counsel to Hill & Knowlton clients on a broad range of domestic and international issues," the company said. -AS
The SkyTeam alliance airlines on Friday said their respective revenue accounting divisions plan to implement the "AIA First & Final" billing process throughout the partnership, starting June 2007.
Boeing subsidiary Alteon is taking a cue from the frequent flyer programs of its airline clients to structure training programs for the 787 by offering points to customers for each plane bought to give those customers more leverage in tailoring their training programs.
American last week said it will add capacity on two U.S.-Buenos Aires routes by upgrading to an all-Boeing 777 service, beginning in the fall. American currently flies two daily nonstops between Miami and Buenos Aires, one with a 777 and the other with a 767. The single daily New York-Buenos Aires flight currently uses a 767, but will be operated with a 777 from October through April before reverting to a 767.
Named Lee Kair as federal security director for the Orlando International Airport, Arthur Meinke as FSD at Houston Intercontinental Airport and James Marchand as FSD for Houston Hobby Airport.
An industry consortium this month expects to publish the first report on Europe's future ATM system. The report analyzes the current air traffic situation and defines expectations for the future. Work is underway on the second report, which will establish performance requirements. The ATM blueprint was contracted by the European Commission and Eurocontrol under a program known as SESAR.
JetBlue executives, worried about potential delays this fall at New York JFK stemming from Delta's influx of turboprop service, are talking with FAA about operational changes. "It's going to be a challenge," says COO Dave Barger. FAA is open to runway intersection departures for the Mesa-operated Dash 8s and varying arrival and departure routings.
Lloyd Aereo Boliviano is fast losing credibility with passengers and suppliers, and as Bolivian Transport Regulator Wilson Villaroel reported that one of its jetliners was impounded in Caracas for an $80,000 fuel debt, workers met with Bolivian President Evo Morales to build support for the troubled airline.
The Association of Asia Pacific Airlines is lashing out at the Korean government over its proposal to tack on a KRW1,000 tax (US$1.05) on airfares for passengers departing from the country.
Norfolk, Va., is one of Southwest's highest-performing market from BWI with a RASM of 20.64 cents in the fourth quarter 2005 DOT data show. Second-highest is Raleigh/Durham, with 14.85 cents. Southwest starts flights to its newest market from BWI -- Detroit Metro -- on Sept. 14.
Japanese cargo startup AJV, ANA's joint-venture cargo airline, would expand service to the U.S. only two months after it launches operations in August pending approval from the U.S. Dept. of Transportation. ANA & JP Express, or AJV, is a joint venture of ANA, Japan Post Corp., logistics company Nippon Express and shipping company Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. The Japanese government holds 100% of Japan Post's stock but will not provide financial help to AJV. AJV will launch service from Japan to points in Korea, China and Hong Kong on Aug.
Travelers are more confident in their safety while flying within North America than while traveling abroad, says the new J.D. Power and Associates 2006 North America Airport Satisfaction Study. Forty-seven percent report feeling "very safe" while flying within North America, compared with 13% who say they feel "very safe" when traveling outside. While 30% feel it is "unsafe" or "very unsafe" to travel abroad, 4% say the same about traveling domestically.
The House aviation subcommittee on Wednesday will hold an oversight hearing on the Wright Amendment and the compromise reached by American, Southwest, Dallas and Fort Worth that would drop the 1979 law if approved by Congress. JetBlue, Northwest other U.S. carriers this week plan to ramp up their Washington lobbying to fight the proposal.
