Dragonair yesterday reported higher passenger numbers and increased cargo volume in February, but executives said high fuel prices are still putting a lot of pressure on the bottom line.
Goodrich cinched a deal with Boeing to supply flight deck lighting and cabin attendant seating on the 787, bringing the total number of systems the company is supplying on the aircraft to 11. Goodrich estimates $110 million in original equipment and aftermarket sales over the life of the contract. The company's systems team in Colorado Springs is building 16g-certified cabin attendant seats. It's the second lighting deal for Goodrich on the 787 after the company won a contract in 2004 to supply exterior lighting on the aircraft. -LR
Mexican low-cost carriers Volaris and Interjet accounted for 22% market share in just one week of operations, said the CEO of Volaris, and with more LCCs readying for takeoff, analysts are worried about the lack of adequate airport infrastructure to accommodate so many newcomers
MAIR Holdings CEO Paul Foley is scheduled to appear in court this week after being subpoenaed by the union representing flight attendants at MAIR subsidiary Mesaba. The Association of Flight Attendants is arguing against Mesaba's request to the court to reject collective bargaining agreements for the airline's pilots, mechanics and flight attendants.
To list an event, send information in calendar format to Ingrid Lee at [email protected] MARCH 21 -- ACI-NA Commissioners Leadership Reception, Washington, www.aci-na.aero, 202-293-3035, email [email protected] MARCH 22 -- Wings Club Luncheon featuring Giovanni Bisignani, Director General & CEO, International Air Transport Association (IATA), Yale Club, New York City, 212-867-1770, email [email protected]
The House Homeland Security Committee should convene an urgent hearing to review airport security following news reports that federal screeners failed to spot bomb-making materials in baggage used in undercover tests, the panel's top Democrat said last week.
SR Technics signed a memorandum of understanding with Concors to set up a joint venture to establish a maintenance facility at Latvia's Riga International Airport. Concors is already based at Riga; CEO Sergey Ratnikov said the joint venture is key in positioning Latvia as a major aviation center in the Baltic region. In its first phase, the proposed company would offer line, base and heavy maintenance for Airbus and Boeing narrowbody planes. Later on, component and technical services for fleet management would be offered. -LR
Alitalia on Friday won the bid to acquire the Italian low-cost carrier Volare, the Italian industry ministry announced. The sales contract of the company, which was placed under state-controlled administration after its collapse in December 2004, "must include the obligation for the acquiring company to maintain [Volare's] entrepreneurial activity for at least two years," said the ministry. The buyer must also maintain Volare's employment at its level of December 2005 for a period of two years, the ministry added.
US Airways this month expects to submit its plan to FAA outlining how it will merge America West's and US Airways' operating certificates. Al Crellin, executive VP-operations, predicts the airline will operate on a single certificate by the second quarter of 2007. "It is a complex process, but everything is running on track," he says.
Mesa Air Group has filed a countersuit in bankruptcy court against Hawaiian Airlines for unspecified damages yesterday and accused the local carrier of violating antitrust law. The Phoenix-based regional said in its filing that Hawaiian's lawsuit against Mesa was an attempt to "monopolize" interisland air transportation. Mesa responded that the suit was in violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act.
Colombian carrier Avianca, following the lead of rival AeroRepublica (DAILY, March 16), will invest $180 million for 10 Fokker 100s and two flight simulators formerly operated by American. Avianca President Fabio Villegas said the aircraft will be used to beef up domestic routes, with an additional $6 million for parallel development of its Puente Aereo (air shuttle) infrastructure in Bogota and other key destinations. AeroRepublica, meanwhile, is investing $175 million to expand its fleet with Embraer 190 regional jetliners. -LZ
Columbus-based Skybus Airlines has no immediate plans to launch flights until it finalizes its financing even though the U.S. Transportation Dept. last week awarded the carrier final approval to start operations to points in the U.S. and Canada. The carrier wants to raise $80 million to $100 million and will keep a low profile until it is ready to start selling tickets, which should be this year or early 2007.
The National Transportation Safety Board preliminary stats show civil aviation accidents increased about 3.6% year over year in 2005 to 1,779 versus 1,717 in 2004, but fatalities dropped 5.7% from 636 to 600. General aviation accidents rose from 1,617 in 2004 to 1,669 in 2005 and fatalities increased from 558 to 562. Part 121 carriers reported 32 accidents last year, with three resulting in 22 fatalities. -LR
Air France signed a wage deal for 2006-2007 with six unions representing a majority of its staff. The accord includes a one-off bonus of EUR500 to be paid in April 2006 as well as an average wage increase of 3.3% over two years. The French carrier said the agreement showed Air France's "determination to preserve its social model thanks to its strategy of profitable growth." -MT
United Technologies subsidiary Hamilton Sundstrand won a 10-year contract from JetBlue to maintain its electric power generation systems, cabin pressure control and emergency power systems on the airlines Airbus A320 fleet.
Pittsburgh Airport has unveiled Phase Two of a marketing campaign designed to increase O&D traffic in the region. The effort began in 2004 just as US Airways downsized Pittsburgh and moved flying to its Philadelphia and Charlotte hubs. Pittsburgh has posted a 35% drop in departures between March 2004 and March 2006, according to the U.S. Transportation Dept. These figures include the withdrawal of service to Pittsburgh by American and ATA, and a 62% drop in departures by US Airways.
House aviation subcommittee Chair John Mica (R-Fla.) is scheduled to hold a hearing in Corona, Calif., today on how to handle the forecast passenger growth in Southern California. The number of passengers flying into Southern Californian airports is expected to double by 2030. The panel on Wednesday will hold a second field hearing in Wichita focusing on "keeping U.S. aviation manufacturing competitive."
United and Delta are eyeing destinations in the Bahamas and Canada for their 70-seat planes and are pushing to gain approval to launch service in June. United Express carrier Shuttle America is asking the U.S. Transportation Dept. for approval to start a Saturday-only service, using an Embraer 170 between Washington Dulles and Nassau on June 10, and said it could also operate other routes from the U.S. to the Bahamas.
