Maintenance workers at Panama's COPA Airlines called a strike for Feb. 20 to demand salaries equal to the levels at other international carriers, news wire reports said. The workers say their claim is supported by statistical and financial studies showing "the company's finances warrant improving the salaries of its maintenance mechanics." They also claim management has been unable to refute this argument in past contract negotiations with unions.
The Asian Aerospace air show in Singapore starts today and will likely bring aircraft orders and product updates from the industry's manufacturers. India's low-cost GoAir hints it may announce orders for as many as 50 narrowbodies from Airbus or Boeing. Airbus will display an A380, and Boeing will brief reporters on the 777, 787 and new 747-8.
FAA next month is expected to complete the operational introduction of Lockheed Martin's user request evaluation tool (URET) at all 20 en route centers. URET enables controllers to probe airline route change requests for conflicts, boosting the approval rate of these requests. URET is expected to save carriers about $120 million a year through more efficient routings.
House lawmakers last week recommended that the major aviation program cuts made in the Fiscal Year 2007 budget be reversed, labeling infrastructure funding reductions as "extremely short-sighted." Members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved the committee's views and estimates of the 2007 budget by voice vote. This committee has oversight of FAA, but it will be the House Appropriations Committee that will draft the House proposal for FAA's FY2007 funding.
Air Canada this spring plans to launch nonstop flights between Fort McMurray and Toronto, with same plane service continuing to St. John's. Beginning April 8, Air Canada will operate Saturday service linking Northern Alberta and St. John's with the only direct service, ramping up to daily service on June 17. Air Canada's new Fort McMurray-Toronto-St. John's flights will be operated with 93-seat Embraer 190s. -SL
The Israel Airports Authority says it has struck a deal with FAA to buy about $2.5 million worth of air traffic control displays. The color displays, made by Lockheed Martin, will replace displays at Ben Gurion Airport as part of a modernization program. They are the same displays used by FAA in many of its terminal radar approach control facilities. The displays are expected to be delivered in the second half of this year. -AS
Air France-KLM's third-quarter profit more than tripled but fell slightly short of analysts' expectations. The company posted a net profit of EUR77 million (US$91.53 million), against analysts' forecasts averaging EUR103 million. Sales were up 12% at EUR5.4 billion (US$6.42 billion). Operating profit rose from EUR20 million to EUR190 million (US$225.87 million) despite a fuel bill that was 27% higher than last year. Air France-KLM spent EUR1 billion (US$1.2 billion) on fuel in the period. Traffic was up 11% on 7.6% more capacity.
The U.S. and Cameroon last week signed a full open-skies accord that will let the airlines of each country operate flights to the other without restriction. U.S. Dept. of State Assistant Secretary for African Affairs Jendayi Frazer and Cameroonian Minister of Transport Dakole Daissala signed the agreement in Yaounde, Cameroon.
U.S. leisure fares rose 1% to $104 for the week of Feb. 13, compared with the week before, and business fares were flat at $453. Continental's leisure fares from Atlanta to Newark rose 13% to $89 each way, and United's fare from Denver to Los Angeles fell 5% to $104 each way.
DBA owner Hans-Rudolf Woehrl is reportedly buying a 60% stake in charter carrier LTU, according to European media reports. DBA is a low-fare carrier, while LTU focuses on charter operations.
To list an event, send information in calendar format to Ingrid Lee at [email protected] (Bold type indicates new calendar listing in PDF format.) FEB. 22 -- Air Traffic Control Association's Progress Through Innovation: A Report from the FAA's ATO and the JPDO, 703-299-2430 ext. 303, Fax 703-299-2437, email [email protected] FEB. 22-24 -- American Association of Airport Executives Airport Planning, Design and Construction Symposium, Reno Hilton, Reno, Nev., 703-824-0504, www.airportnet.org
General aviation aircraft billings up are 27.2% to an all-time high of $15.1 billion in 2005, and industry leaders are optimistic that economic forecasts bode well for even better performances in the future. The General Aviation Manufacturers Association reports that GA planemakers shipped 3,580 airplanes in 2005, a 20.8% improvement from 2004 and the largest number recorded by the industry in 22 years.
Venezuelan carrier Santa Barbara Airlines' main priorities for the $6 million development of lucrative routes between Venezuela and Spain include fleet modernization and ground service upgrades. The carrier already acquired on lease two Boeing 767s for long- and medium-haul flights.
Sixteen new area navigation (RNAV) routes will soon open in the Memphis en route airspace. The new routes, part of FAA's high-altitude redesign effort, are expected to make use of airspace in the south-central U.S. more efficient and flexible.
Embraer last week launched a Chinese-language version of its web site, which may be accessed through its main address or directly at www.embraer.com.cn.
The European Aviation Safety Agency plans to step up cooperation with the Commonwealth of Independent States to focus on airworthiness of planes built in the region before the CIS was established.
Allegiant Air continues to grow at Orlando Sanford International, with flights to its 14th destination -- Youngstown, Ohio -- starting May 15. Allegiant is getting financial support to market the service from both Youngstown Airport and the surrounding community, according to an airline spokeswoman. Allegiant plans to offer two weekly flights between Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport and Orlando on Monday and Friday. After a period of offering introductory fares as low as $59 one way, Allegiant's fares will range from $89 to $199 each way.
The number of modern aircraft parked in the desert remains nearly flat from mid-January to mid-February, and increased by one plane to 577 jets, according to the Airclaims fleet database. "Non-competitive" older parked aircraft also are flat, falling to 1,440 aircraft from 1,450. "We suspect modern jets in storage will remain fairly steady pending no further restructuring announcements," said Merrill Lynch analyst Ronald Epstein.
Expedia's fourth-quarter net profit sank 43% to $25.2 million, and executives warned that 2006 will be difficult due to investments the compny is making in Europe and intense competition.
