Transportation Security Administration this week will begin federalizing screeners at 133 more airports, beginning with assessment teams that will conduct site surveys, followed by checkpoint and baggage screening reconfiguration before screeners are deployed.
The 10 largest U.S. airlines' improvements in performance during May continued the trend from April, with carriers posting lower rates for complaints and mishandled lost baggage and improving in on-time arrivals, which averaged 82.8%, better than April's 82.6%. According to DOT's Air Travel Consumer Report for May, America West had the best on-time record, with 87.7%, followed by United, 86.2%, and Continental, 86.0%. Delta ranked 10th, 78.6%, with American Eagle ninth, 80.8%, and Alaska eighth, 80.9%.
Pratt & Whitney yesterday named Jim Keenan as its new senior VP of commercial engines and will have full responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the division. Keenan comes to P&W from United where he was VP-engineering and technical support. Keenan worked at United for 14 years starting in 1988 as an overhaul process manager. P&W's commercial engines group serves over 600 customers around the world and employs over 7,000 employees.
Aer Lingus said this week it will migrate to the zero based commission structure adopted by other carriers over the past few months. The zero commission takes hold July 1 and applies to all tickets, miscellaneous charge orders, prepaid ticket advices and bookings made via the Internet. "We will continue to expand our incentive and productivity programs with travel agents that support our strategy of offering the public lower fares," said Jack Foley, executive VP-North America.
Horizon Air later this year plans to launch one of the longest turboprop routes, operating with a stage length of nearly 700 miles. The Alaska Air subsidiary said it will offer daily, year-round nonstop service between Los Angeles and Sun Valley, Idaho, starting Dec. 15. Flight time each way will be about two hours and 40 minutes, operated with a 70-seat Bombardier Q400.
US Airways reached its first labor concession agreement this week, with flight attendant union leaders voting to accept a tentative deal and endorsing its ratification by membership. The deal gives the airline $77 million a year in concessions, compared with the $90 million initially sought by the airline.
EVA Air plans to boost passenger services to Hong Kong from 16 to 40 per week, and introduce all-freighter flights. The expansion is in accord with renewed air agreements negotiated between Hong Kong and Taiwan authorities. EVA launched the first of its six new freighter flights this week and will introduce the remaining five, along with its 24 added passenger trips, in phases. EVA will primarily fly Boeing 747-400 Combi aircraft on the passenger route, boosting the capacity of the MD-11 freighters it is using for the dedicated cargo service.
Delta yesterday reopened its curbside check-in counters located at Terminal 3 at New York's Kennedy. The curbside counters are located on the departure level of the terminal for customers traveling on domestic flights.
European Commission has informed Air France and Alitalia that it "has serious doubts that their co-operation agreement can be approved in its current form." The French and Italian carriers, which submitted their alliance for review by the European Union competition watchdog in November 2001, will most likely be forced to relinquish airport slots to make room for competitors on routes between their respective home bases. Talks between the carriers and the commission are expected to start soon.
British Airways World Cargo yesterday launched a new product range to re-enter the "loose" segment of the market. "We have carefully timed the introduction of our new products, recognizing the importance of first delivering a strong loose proposition," said Managing Director Gareth Kirkwood. The new products are "perform" for loose and unitized shipments, "express" for fast priority and "specialist" for a range of niche products requiring high priority.
Spirit Airlines promoted Patty Barrie to VP of in-flight services. Barrie joined Spirit in January 2001 as associate corporate council and was then named director of in-flight services in September 2001. Prior to joining Spirit, she held positions with Eastern Airlines for 17 years including base administrator, in-flight supervisor and flight attendant.
Monday night's midair collision between a DHL Boeing 757 freighter and a Bashkirian Airlines Tupolev Tu-154 over Germany that killed all 71 passengers and crew raises serious questions regarding human factors issues, including the performance of Swiss air traffic control and compliance with equipment standards.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Mike Fisher yesterday asked President Bush to support US Airways' request for a $900 million federal loan guarantees. "US Airways has been hard hit by the severe downturn the airline industry has experienced since Sept. 11," Fisher wrote to President Bush.
DOT yesterday named federal security directors for airports in Newark, Jacksonville, Raleigh/ Durham, Indianapolis, Cleveland, Austin, Los Angeles and Honolulu and Ontario, Calif. Yesterday's announcement brings the total number of FSDs announced to 42. The FSD at LAX will be David Stone, a former admiral in the U.S. Navy. His last assignment was in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations as the director, environmental protection, safety and occupational health.
World Fuel Services Corp. named Frank Shea as chief financial officer, effective July 1. Shea has served the company over the past year as executive VP-finance, and will retain that title as well. Prior to joining World Fuel, Shea was global corporate finance director for Arthur Andersen in Jakarta, Indonesia, where he served as a financial adviser to a number of large enterprises in the country.
Despite a slowing down of the global economies last year and the Sept. 11 terrorists attacks, the top 10 airports in China registered growth, with Beijing Capital International Airport (BCIA) being the top performer again. BCIA handled 24.18 million passengers in 2001, an increase of 11.48% over the previous year. Guangzhou Baiyun International maintained its second position, handling 13.83 million, a jump of 8.13%. Shanghai Hongqiao International again overshadowed Shanghai Pudong, registering 13.76 million passengers, a significant increase of 11.34%.
A local court yesterday declared regional aircraft manufacturer Fairchild Dornier permanently insolvent. The company immediately cut 1,836 of 3,600 employees from its active staff and put them into a social program funded by the company and the state. Under the program, furloughed employees will continue to receive about 80% of their salary for three months. About 1,770 workers were retained, among them 150 in the 728/928 regional jet program. Development of the 728/928 was frozen, to be reactivated only if an investor was found.
