All Nippon Airways plans to retire its last Boeing 747SR-100 (JA8157) on March 10 after the final flight from Kagoshima to Tokyo Haneda. The aircraft type entered service in 1979, and ANA's 747SR was the world's first aircraft to carry 500 people in an all-economy configuration, the airline says. At the plane's peak in 1989, ANA had 23 747SRs in its fleet.
Boeing is starting final assembly of the 5,000th 737 aircraft to come off its Renton production line. The aircraft, a 737-700, will be delivered to Southwest next month. Sales for the 737 passed 6,000 last month and now stand at 6,099.
Varig's creditors last week got their first look at the carrierís model for a long-term financial restructuring plan, presented by CEO Marcelo Bottini.
An upturn in ticket prices in 2005 and the recent retreat of fuel prices from levels in September and October prompts "cautious optimism looking into 2006 for North American airlines," says Standard & Poor's analyst Philip Baggaley. "Still, even the reduced fuel prices are at levels well above those seen at the start of 2005, and five U.S. airlines are in bankruptcy." Of the 11 North American airlines rated by S&P, five have stable outlooks, three negative, and three bankrupt carriers are rated 'D'.
US Airways recently named Tony Grantham managing director of its Philadelphia hub, replacing Suha Arkan, who left the airline. Grantham, a 22-year veteran of US Airways/America West comes from the Las Vegas hub, where he was also the managing director. Grantham has worked in numerous positions in Denver, Boston, Columbus, Pittsburgh, New York Kennedy and Las Vegas.
U.S. general aviation advocates last week voiced opposition to FAA's proposal to make the Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) permanent over Washington, but many are still unsure whether those comments will make much difference.
The U.S. Transportation Dept. finalized its tentative decision to award Delta four U.S.-Ukraine frequencies and quashed United's claims that its tentative decision was based on an incomplete record (DAILY, Dec. 23).
One Mexican economist believes that the lower cost structure of low-cost carriers will translate into lower salaries and labor woes for Mexican workers.
Southwest is eager to add to its eight gates at Philadelphia, says CEO Gary Kelly, declaring that he "firmly believes" the airline will be successful in obtaining more gates at the airport.
Xtra Airways is expanding its offering to fly to Cancun, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic, in a bid to "broaden" its focus and become a "profit-generating, commercially driven operation."
To list an event, send information in calendar format to Ingrid Lee at [email protected] (Bold type indicates new calendar listing in PDF format.) JAN. 25-27 -- National Business Aviation Association Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference, San Antonio, 202-783-9000 JAN. 28 -- Airline Pilot Job Fair, hosted by AIR, Inc., Sheraton Grand Hotel, DFW Airport, Dallas, 800-538-5627, www.jet-jobs.com
Operations at Valencia's Arturo Michelena Airport in Venezuela increased some 300% to 20,000 daily arrivals and departures in the wake of the bridge collapse that choked transit between Caracas and Venezuela's No. 1 international airport (DAILY, Jan. 10).
Turkish carrier Atlasjet ordered three 90-seat Bombardier CRJ-900s valued at $107 million. The carrier has used two pre-owned CRJ-700s since May on domestic routes, and airline General Manager Tuncay Doganer said Atlasjet's decision to buy the -900s was "based directly on our experience with the CRJ-700."
House lawmakers plan to hold a hearing Feb. 8 to examine the question of foreign control of U.S. airlines. The hearing, scheduled by the Transportation aviation subcommittee, will focus on a controversial NPRM issued by DOT that would enable foreign companies to better protect their investment in U.S. carriers.
US Airways' first of four "heritage" aircraft is now flying after being painted with a special America West livery. The other heritage liveries recognize Allegheny, Piedmont and PSA. Events are being planned for the introduction of all four aircraft, and paint jobs will be completed in the coming months.
The Transportation Security Administration last week released some of the parameters needed for its long-awaited registered traveler (RT) program, which the agency said is a major step toward the program's full introduction later this year.
Embraer CEO Mauricio Botelho plans to relinquish his executive role in April 2007 but will remain at the company's chairman to ensure the airframer successfully revamps its corporate structure.
United's parent UAL Corp. on Friday won court approval of its plan of reorganization (POR), setting the stage for the carrier to emerge from Chapter 11 in as little as two weeks after more than three years reorganizing.
SITA, the Geneva-based supplier of communications services and information technology to airlines worldwide, will combine its three business units into one this year. In addition, a search is underway for a new CEO to lead the consolidated enterprise. SITA currently consists of SITA SC, a consortium owned by more than 600 airlines and airports based in Brussels and SITA INC (INC stands for Information Networking Computing), a closely held private company based in Amsterdam.
Virgin America CEO Fred Reid wants every employee to know his "four federal laws of aviation success" and jokes that staff are not allowed to drift away from those laws. He tells The DAILY that the rules are operating integrity, low sustainable costs, low fares and great customer service. "Any time I see anyone drift from those laws, I pounce."
