JetBlue's new Embraer 190 markets from Pittsburgh unveiled Friday are profit engines for competitor US Airways, generating almost $26 million in operating profits for the Tempe, Ariz.-based airline. Four daily flights between Pittsburgh and New York Kennedy on JetBlue start June 30, the same day as the airline's two daily flights from Boston to Pittsburgh and three daily trips between Boston and Buffalo.
U.S. leisure fares rose 9% to $111 for the week of Mar. 13, compared with the week before, and business fares were flat at $454. Continental's leisure fares from Newark to Atlanta rose 11% to $104 each way, and American's fare from New York to Los Angeles was up 4% to $129 each way.
Germany's top court yesterday ruled that the government can move ahead with plans to transform Schoenefeld Airport into Berlin Brandenburg International Airport (BBI). The project has been held up for 10 years because of opposition from residents and environmentalists worried about noise and damage to wildlife. "The ruling is good news for Berlin, Brandenburg, the airport, the neighbors and potential investors," said Dieter Johannsen-Roth, managing director of the Berlin Airports. "We now have planning security; BBI is on the way."
EasyJet yesterday was barred from launching service between Paris and Ajaccio in Corsica, as Air France and CCM already operate the route, under a ruling by France's Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC). The French flag carrier and the regional Corsican airline operate the route under a so-called "public service obligation" agreement with the French state that sets conditions in terms of frequency, capacity and seasonality in exchange for state-funded compensation and exclusivity.
Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport earned its fifth perfect rating of zero discrepancies in the past eight years after completing its annual FAA certification inspection earlier this month.
Boeing struck a deal with Japan Airlines (JAL) to manage most of the carrier's spare parts inventory, expanding a 2001 agreement covering management for a limited number of expendable parts. Using its Integrated Material Management structure, Boeing will buy and manage inventory and logistics for the carrier's expendable parts. Boeing and other suppliers will own the parts, and JAL only pays for those parts when it needs them.
Capital Cargo and Florida West International Airways both won from the U.S. Transportation Dept. approval to delay the launch of some of their U.S.-Mexico cargo services.
U.S. domestic airfares dropped to a six-year low at the close of 2005, according to a new American Express Business Travel survey, but international fares and hotel rates hit new six-year highs.
Mesa subsidiary Air Midwest was re-selected for essential air service flying for Manhattan and Salina, Kan., maintaining the same level of service from the communities to Kansas City but receiving some $252,000 more in subsidies (DAILY, Dec. 21, 2005).
SR Technics is staying true to its pledge to make more acquisitions after unveiling plans to buy Sifco's Large Aero Engine Turbine Component Repair business based in Cork, Ireland, for close to $10 million.
Venezuela is poised to implement a controversial plan to restrict flights by some U.S. carriers on March 30, even with an FAA audit on the table. Venezuela's civil aviation institute (INAC) planned to impose the restrictions because of limitations Venezuelan carriers have faced in operating to the U.S. (DAILY, Feb. 28, March 14). Venezuela's restrictions initially were set to take effect March 1, but INAC pushed the date back to "keep communication channels open between the two countries" in discussing measures that affect both.
Trans States Airlines on May 9 will suspend service from Springfield, Mo., to St. Louis, thanks to approval from the U.S. Transportation Dept. The suspension is part of the airline's exodus from five markets: Columbia, Mo; Decatur, Ill.; Joplin, Mo.; Springfield, Ill., and Springfield, Mo. The move is also related to the retirement of the British Aerospace J-41 turboprop fleet (DAILY, Feb. 9). The carrier operated the service as an AmericanConnection carrier [OST-2006-23933].
Nav Canada plans to reduce aircraft separation standards on the busy North Atlantic routes within the next two years, using advanced air traffic control technology that will soon be mirrored on the other side of the Atlantic.
Swiss International Air Lines plans to officially join Star Alliance on April 1, becoming the 17th member of the alliance, and yesterday announced more collaboration with Lufthansa.
Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper this week named Turner West manager of aviation at Denver International Airport (DIA), effective April 1. West was previously co-manager of the facility with Vicki Braunagel, who is retiring at the end of the month. Cheryl Cohen-Vader has been named chief deputy director of DIA. West, who has worked for the airport system for 21 years, was DIA's deputy manager of aviation for maintenance and engineering before becoming co-manager of aviation in 2003.
China Southern tapped Rolls-Royce to supply its Trent 700s for ten Airbus A330s it has on order in a $600 million deal that includes a 10-year support package. Deliveries are scheduled for 2007 and 2008. Deliveries of the airline's Trent 900-powered A380s start in 2007.
Language that would have allowed airports to opt out of using TSA screeners in favor of private contractors was removed yesterday from the TSA Reorganization Act, during a House subcommittee mark-up session.
Airbus chose Lufthansa Technik to outfit cabins on its A318 Elite corporate jets, allowing the MRO to ink a deal with launch customer Comlux to outfit its first three planes at Lufthansa Technik in Hamburg.
JetBlue today is expected to unveil two new destinations it is likely to serve with its new Embraer 190s. Executives recently said the carrier is looking at markets in the Carolinas and Midwest that have high-priced regional jet service (DAILY, March 9).
