Five hundred of Air New Zealand's 650 pilots have voted to go on strike for 48 hours starting July 19, which may cripple domestic and international flights. The decision taken by the pilots follows protest against the possible job losses for 32 of the airline's pilots. The carrier's management has informed the Airline Pilots Association (APA) that ANZ has 32 surplus pilots. APA fears that more pilots from ANZ could lose their jobs with the planned expansion of subsidiary carrier Freedom Air over the next five years.
Continental and JetBlue plan to make extensive use of the new offshore radar sectors recently opened by FAA to provide alternative East Coast routes in severe weather. The new sectors proved their worth on the day they were commissioned, with Continental putting nearly three times the number of aircraft on offshore routes than previously.
British Airways' traffic in June was down 13.1%, reflecting the continued weakness in the European air travel market, but also the effects of an air traffic control strike. The airline cut capacity by 12.7% and the load factor was up 1.3 percentage points at 69%. -JF
Airbus last week confirmed that it expects to deliver 300 aircraft by yearend and another 300 in 2003. Next year's delivery will include 70 widebody aircraft and 230 single-aisle planes. The 2003 prediction is at the top end of its earlier forecast. Airbus already delivered 160 aircraft through the first six months of this year.
BMI British Midland's no-frills subsidiary Bmibaby will open a new base at Cardiff Airport with the upcoming winter timetable. The airline plans to base "at least" two Boeing 737s at the airport and will announce destinations to be served in the coming weeks. Bmibaby stated that it would become the airport's biggest operator with an estimated 1 million passengers annually. The carrier started flying three months ago and did not originally plan to expand beyond its East Midlands home base.
FAA estimates that if no action is taken at Boston Logan Airport, there could be 372,000 hours of annual delays at the airport by 2015, when passenger demand is expected to reach 37.5 million. If the airport's proposed new runway is built and demand management, such as peak pricing implemented, the delay estimate is reduced 41% to about 219,000 hours. Demand management alone would reduce delays 18%.
US Airways last week reached a tentative concession agreement with the Transportation Workers Union covering about 160 dispatchers. The agreement is subject to membership ratification, and no details of the value of concessions was available at press time. The airline also reached a tentative deal on concessions with the Association of Flight Attendants last week.
Grupo Taca, at its headquarters in San Salvador, last week received Sabre's "Visionary Award," granted each year to an airline client that excels in the area of reservations as a result of "innovative business vision." In presenting the award, Sabre President Kris Oliver emphasized Taca's leadership in Latin America in airline technology. For his part, Grupo Taca VP Roberto Carbone referred to Sabre's key role as its partner for 15 years in creating new high-quality products and implementing efficient marketing strategies.
Domestic carrier Dinar is one of the latest casualties of Argentina's devastating economic crisis as sources reported it planned to stop service to Cordoba, the country's second-largest city, close local offices and fire 22 employees after suspending flights from Buenos Aires in April. Dinar's routes are now limited to serving Tucuman, Salta, Santiago del Estero and Jujuy from its base in Buenos Aires.
Some 6,000 workers at AeroMexico and its service subsidiary Seat said recently they are ready to accept a 5.5% direct salary increase and l.2% in additional benefits over the next 18 months to help government agencies divest themselves of control in holding company Cintra and its main assets, AeroMexico and Mexicana, either this year or next, as already approved (DAILY, June 26).
SkyTeam this month plans to open a joint airport ticket facility at Venice, Italy's Marco Polo Airport, following the completion of a new terminal. The alliance already opened nearly 20 co-locations in airports around the world and there are about 50 additional airport, lounge and city ticket office co-locations expected to open this year.
To list an event, fax information to Donna Thomas at 202-383-2438. (Blue-faced type indicates new calendar listing.) JULY 9-11 -- Airport Consultants Council / FAA, Summer Workshop Series, Washington, 703-683-5900, fax 703-683-2564, e-mail [email protected], www.acconline.org JULY 11-12 -- Strategic Research Institute, 7th Annual Evaluating Growth and Potential In Corporate Aircraft Transactions & Fractional Ownership Interests, Crowne Plaza Hotel - UN, New York, N.Y., 1-888-666-8514, 1-888-336-7030, www.srinstitue .com/cx352
American's recent decision to eliminate paper tickets will help the carrier eliminate 72 documents that are associated with producing a ticket, according to CEO Don Carty. He told employees that the move to phase out paper ticketing will help "our airport and reservations employees focus less on filling out forms and more on serving our customers" and will save an "enormous" amount of money.
20 years ago July 8, 1982 -- Braniff has a "realistic opportunity" to fly again, two months after filing for bankruptcy, Chairman Howard Putnam maintains, hoping to get some of its 51 Boeing 727-200s aloft under an operating agreement with a U.S. carrier that would get a nearly guaranteed profit in the deal. 10 years ago
Latin American Aeronautic Association last week presented its highest award to Juan Emilio Posada, president of Colombia's new Summa Alliance -- Avianca, Sam and Aces -- for his "contribution to the development of Latin American aviation."
The European Commission said last week that it would allow the extension of current government war and terrorism insurance cover until the end of October to spare enough time for considering international and European airline-sponsored mutual fund projects. The merits of mutual fund schemes proposed by ICAO and Eurotime will be discussed at the European Union Transport Ministers Council Oct. 3-4. In the meantime, the EC will hammer out a proposal for new legislation on "a possible compensation fund for extreme damages exceeding insurable risks."
Last Monday's midair collision over Germany was just the third since 1945 involving two airliners in the en route flight phase, according to Aviation Safety Network statistics. The accident was the 13th involving two airliners in the past 57 years, and the 122nd involving at least one, ASN said.
FAA says it is making significant progress in updating key air traffic control technology. Over the next 12 months, the agency will upgrade Tower Data Link Services (TDLS) at 58 high-density airports. FAA will also upgrade its Host and Oceanic Computer System at all 21 control centers by the end of the year. Currently, 11 centers are using the upgraded equipment.
Northwest ended the second quarter with about $2.8 billion in cash and equivalents, the carrier reported last week. "We are encouraged that our June load factors reflect stronger leisure travel demand, and are pleased that Northwest continues to realize an improving domestic unit revenue advantage to the industry, which was at an 11% premium based on the latest industry reporting period," said Tim Griffin, Northwest's executive VP-marketing and distribution. The carrier's June load factor was 81.5%, or 0.5 percentage points above the June 2001 level.
Contract negotiation timetable between Boeing and members of the International Association of Machinists is gathering momentum. Tomorrow, IAM members will hold strike sanction votes in Portland, Wichita and Seattle. Round-the-clock bargaining will begin Aug. 15, and the company must present its final proposal on Aug. 27. A contract ratification vote will be held Aug. 29.
A special committee of the Brazilian Congress last week reopened discussion on a revised draft bill creating the new civil aviation department (ANAC) to replace the existing civil aviation department (DAC) run by the air force. Airlines and other involved sectors were invited to participate. In spite of maneuvers by the bill's opponents to have it pigeon-holed, sponsors headed by representative Leur Lomato prevailed to get it back on track.
American CEO Don Carty last week warned that the airline needs to cut its headcount over the long run to survive in the new, low-cost marketplace, but at the same time vowed not to "Wal-Mart" the carrier. In a detailed phone message to employees, Carty discussed the current state of the industry and how AA will adapt and remain competitive. He began by stating bluntly that the challenges AA faces "are serious, they are long-term, and they confront many of our assumptions about how we have run our business for many decades."
