Air BP Aviation Services named David Brinson VP-sales and business development. Air Force magazine named Robert Dudney editor-in-chief. BAE Systems promoted Pat McMahon to general manager. Boeing's Brad Cvetovich won the Air Transport Association annual "Nuts and Bolts Award." GE Aircraft Engines named Daniel Heintzelman VP and general manager of GE Engine Services. Goodrich appointed Cindy Egnotovich president Engine and Safety Systems Group. Pratt & Whitney named Sherman Baldwin VP-strategy.
Brazil may yet retaliate against Canada for export subsidies to Bombardier aircraft, despite a diplomatic agreement between Brazil and Canada that prevented the World Trade Organization last week from approving such a step. Brazilian negotiator Luis Felipe de Seixa Correa clarified in Geneva that his country retains the right to retaliate and may yet do so. "We are merely postponing our decision until foreign office negotiators meet again in Ottawa at the end of June," he said.
President Bush's proposed Homeland Security Department could focus DOT on its core mission, but may slow transportation security initiatives, say old Washington hands with ties to the issues.
FAA and Europe's Joint Aviation Authorities certified the Pratt & Whitney PW2000-powered Boeing 757-300 following a three-month flight test program. The first P&W-powered 757-300 is slated to enter service with Northwest this summer. The carrier has 16 on order, and operates 55 P&W-powered 757-200s. Northwest is the only 757-300 customer that has opted for P&W power.
After months of court dates, Irish no-frills airline Ryanair has won a PR victory over German rival Lufthansa, gaining the right to use the name Frankfurt-Hahn in its advertising for Hahn airport. Lufthansa tried to get an injunction blocking the ads, but stepped back when it became evident that it would lose on appeal. Ryanair plans to "significantly expand" its Frankfurt-Hahn operation in the next 12 months.
AeroMexico, Aerolitoral and Mexicana finally received funds from the Mexican government's US$104 million aid package to offset increases in insurance and security after September 11, aid originally approved nine months ago. Left out were Aerocalifornia, Aerolineas Internacionales, Aerocaribe and Allegro because government regulators ruled they did not meet certain financial and legal prerequisites. -LZ
Lufthansa Technik (LHT) recently completed installing an overhead attendants' rest on a Lauda Air Boeing 777. The rest, installed above the cabin at door three, sleeps up to eight. The kit was supplied by Flight Structures, Inc., of Arlington, Va.
Brazil's Varig, TAM and Vasp announced an average increase of 8% in June for domestic fares to offset 7% higher fuel prices as well as monetary exchange adjustments and labor demands for 7% salary increase. Low-cost, no-frills Gol so far hasn't announced higher fares. -LZ
Mexican airfares are among the highest in the world -- at least 6% higher than the international average in 2001, concludes a study by Mexico's private-sector Economic Studies Center (CEESP). The center blames airport services costs, which rank sixth worldwide, and Mexican government regulation. High fuel costs and the government's delay in selling holding company Cintra and its assets, AeroMexico and Mexicana, also figure into the equation, the study said. -LZ
ICAO Council approved the report of the Special Group on Aviation War Insurance recommending formation of an aviation insurance company supported by member states, an ICAO spokesman confirms to The DAILY. ICAO Council President Assad Kotaite will write a "state letter" to members' civil aviation authorities asking the states to respond with their intentions by July 19.
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association slammed an Executive Order released by the White House last week that appears to signal that the administration favors some degree of air traffic control privatization.
30 years ago June 15, 1972 -- DOT, with a dozen task forces working on airline security, will provide magnetometers but not personnel to man them, Secretary John Volpe said, because "screening is entirely airline responsibility," as stated in a just-issued U.S. policy statement on deterring hijacking and extortion incidents. 10 years ago
Boeing asked FAA to cancel its request for permission to deliver non-compliant 767 cockpit doors, telling the agency it can now supply kits that meet all the new rules that become effective next April 9, when the new doors must be installed. "The Boeing Company intends to demonstrate full compliance...as part of each Enhanced Security Flight Deck Door certification program," the company told FAA in a recent letter.
SAS Scandinavian Airlines will offer online check-in capability on its website starting this month, and passengers will also be able to choose seats. The service will be available for all intra-Scandinavian flights.
To list an event, fax information to Donna Thomas at 202-383-2438. (Blue-faced type indicates new calendar listing.) JUNE 10-11 -- American Association of Airport Executives, Airport Finance Meeting, Marriott Financial Center, New York, 703-824-0504, www.airportnet.org JUNE 11-13 -- AHS International, 58th Annual Forum and Technology Display, "Vertical Flight Technology: Building Global Consensus," Palais des Congres de Montréal, Montréal Convention Center, Montréal, 703-684-6777, fax 703-739-9279, e-mail [email protected], www.vtol.org
American Trans Air will today begin another eight-day contract negotiating session with its pilots, who are represented by the Air Line Pilots Association. ALPA's ATA Master Executive Council Chairman Kevin Friel tells The DAILY that if there is still an impasse on critical issues after this session, then the pilots will likely request the National Mediation Board to release them from negotiations. Negotiations have been under way for two years.
The Senate rejected a handful of amendments to the Supplemental Appropriations bill that would have affected the General Aviation and air charter industries. These amendments would have allocated funds to GA businesses to compensate them for losses related to last year's terrorist attacks, and made them eligible for the same federal loan guarantees as airlines. Industry groups said they will continue to push for GA relief legislation. Also rejected was a proposal by Sen.
FAA plans to install software for a new weather tracking and display system at 22 air traffic control centers in the next two months. Controllers began using the Weather and Radar Processing (WARP) system operationally at the Fort Worth center last week, and controllers in Atlanta, Minneapolis, Denver and Anchorage are next in line.
House International Relations Committee Chairman Henry Hyde (R-Ill.) on Friday wrote DOT Secretary Norman Mineta and Secretary of State Colin Powell, urging the U.S. to "complete aviation negotiations with Hong Kong by striking a deal" that would expand U.S. carrier options. U.S.-Hong Kong talks are scheduled in Washington June 18-19.
US Airways recently opened a first- and business-class lounge at London Gatwick. The carrier has 22 other US Airways Club facilities -- all in the U.S.
The public faces no risk from general aviation aircraft being deliberately crashed into nuclear power plants, according to a report commissioned by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. AOPA President Phil Boyer said in a statement that the report was prompted by fears in some quarters following the events of September 11 that a small aircraft could be used to attack a nuclear plant.
A second Airbus A318 is set to join the flight-test program in the coming days, and another -- the first CFM International CFM56-powered version -- should follow next month, Airbus reports. Airbus plans to spend about 10 months testing the CFM56/A318 combination, with an eye on certification next May and first delivery next July. Initial production rate will be 24 per year, and Airbus expects to deliver about 60 aircraft by 2006. Nine customers have committed to 108 A318s.
Transportation Security Administration, in the midst of massive passenger screener hiring, has a job posting on its website "seeking several full-time summer employees" to analyze regulatory initiatives and proposed rulemaking efforts, plus evaluate infrastructure investment and do cost/benefit analyses. TSA is targeting graduate students and PhD candidates with appropriate experience, offering "the monthly equivalent of $36,000 and $68,000 per annum." Screener annual salary range is $26,309 - $39,463.
