FAA named Victoria Cox as the acting VP-operations planning for the agency's Air Traffic Organization, filling one of the two positions being vacated by the departure of Charlie Keegan. Cox was the director of the ATO's operations planning international office and was responsible for the development of FAA's strategy for the Next Generation Air Traffic System. In this role she also oversaw ATO's international strategy. Cox has also previously worked for the Defense Dept. as director of international technology programs.
Hilton Group Chief Executive David Michels becomes a non-executive director on easyJet's board March 6. Michels, who replaces Tony Isley, will chair the Remuneration Committee and serve as a member on the Audit Committee.
The European Civil Aviation Conference says the U.S. Transportation Dept.'s proposed rule on the use of portable respiratory assistance devices and medical oxygen aboard commercial flights is "unacceptable" in its present form, and DOT should not proceed until the matter is resolved among relevant international organizations.
Qantas and SR Technics signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a joint-venture company that will provide aircraft component services for the Airbus A380. The MOU will allow the two parties to move beyond formal talks to look at establishing a joint-venture business, evaluate options for an operational base and initiate talks with potential customers. Qantas is one of the five Asia/Pacific airlines to order the A380. The others are Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Thai Airways International and Cathay Pacific Airways.
Alitalia was forced to cancel 74 flights today because of a 24-hour strike by the rebel flight attendant union, Sindacato Unitario Lavoratori Trasporti. The airline could see more disruptions from other organizations protesting a government decision to prohibit an eight-hour pilot strike also planned for today. Italy barred the strike because of legislation imposing minimum service requirements.
AirTran plans to start seasonal flights between Atlanta and Seattle May 25 through Labor Day using 125-seat Boeing 737s. Two daily roundtrip flights are planned. Seattle becomes AirTran's 49th destination.
U.S. airlines hired 10,389 pilots in 2005, analyst AIR, Inc. said, with 551 new hires added to payrolls during December. AIR, Inc. said the 2005 total matched its prediction that airlines would hire more than 10,000. Airlines have already indicated they will hire another 6,700 pilots in 2006, with about 2,500 of these hires by major carriers. FedEx said it will hire 300-350 this year, and Continental plans to hire about 500.
The Civil Aviation Authority of China awarded United's flight training division certification to begin training pilots for Chinese airlines. United Services Flight Training is the first foreign training provider to achieve CAAC certification, United said. The company has already signed one contract with a Chinese airline and said it is also completing a contract with a second carrier. United will train the pilots on Boeing 757 and Airbus A320 aircraft at the Denver Flight Training Center.
Unexpected Transportation Security Administration charges dulled the luster of Southwest's fourth quarter profits, but the carrier pledged to fight those charges and remains committed to growing profits by 15% in 2006 as energy costs climb. Net income at Southwest reached $86 million during the fourth quarter, up about 54% from the $56 million logged a year ago. Excluding special items related to Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (SFAS) 133 procedures, Southwest's fourth-quarter profits totaled $98 million.
United yesterday got the green light to move equity with an executive incentive compensation plan for top executives, an action that was criticized by several unions. The bankruptcy judge overruled all the objections to the plan that were filed in the court, deciding that the proposal was reasonable. At the airline's confirmation hearing, Judge Eugene Wedoff said the carrier needs the incentive plan to stay competitive. The plan will divide about 8% of the equity in the reorganized company among several hundred top executives.
British Airways Chairman Martin Broughton yesterday called for the U.S. government to drop the limited foreign ownership proposal that the U.S. Transportation Dept. has drafted, and instead try to push much broader aviation market liberalization through Congress.
Troubled Brazilian carrier Varig used some of the funds received from the sale of its subsidiaries VarigLog and VEM to pay $56 million to its aircraft lessors, tightening its grip on some 40 aircraft entangled in its debt problems (DAILY, Jan. 5).
Gary/Chicago Airport landed $57.8 million in funding from the U.S. Dept. of Transportation boost its presence as the third major airport in the Chicago area. The airport is about 25 miles from downtown Chicago. The approved funding will be spread out over a 10-year period for various projects including runway extensions and railroad relocation.
The third civil airport in China's Tibet Autonomous Region will open for operations next month. Nyingchi Airport is located 2,945 meters above sea level. The airport will have a 3,000-meter-long runway and is expected initially to handle 120,000 passengers a year. The General Administration of Civil Aviation of China is currently testing various systems to be implemented at the Nyingchi Airport.
American parent AMR Corp. yesterday reported a deep $604 million fourth-quarter net loss, including one-time charges, and executives warned of needing higher revenues and lower costs to return to profitability.
The JAL Group requested approval from the Japanese government to extend and increase the fuel surcharge placed on all international passenger tickets issued on or after March 1.
Washington's Dulles and Houston Intercontinental airports will test a U.S. pilot program that creates "a more welcoming environment" for foreign visitors, officials announced this week. The model airport program will feature customized video messages to guide foreign travelers through the U.S. entry process. The project is part of a wider "Secure Borders and Open Doors in the Information Age" program created by the departments of State and Homeland Security to harmonize entry procedures while strengthening security and facilitating travel.
Air Canada next week will start launching the new Thales i4500 inflight entertainment system on its fleet of Embraer 175s and 190s. The system, which is being introduced fleet-wide, features 8.9-inch-wide, digital in-seat monitors and touch-screen controls at every seat. The units will be installed on a progressive basis.
Delta and Northwest filed exemption applications with the U.S. Transportation Dept. to cover their SkyTeam participation. Delta wants to amend its blanket code-share exemption so that KLM is included as one of the carrier's authorized foreign code-share partners [OST-2005-20145].
America West dropped out of the competition for the Los Angeles-San Jose del Cabo, Mexico, exemption, citing "current market conditions." [OST-2005-23498].
U.S. airport operators have won a temporary reprieve from a Transportation Security Administration plan to put them back in charge of some security measures near passenger screening checkpoints.
