Boeing added Australia's Hawker de Havilland, a Boeing subsidiary, to the Sonic Cruiser materials technology development team. Bought by Boeing 18 months ago, Hawker designs and manufactures structural components for many types of Boeing and other commercial and military models. Hawker joins Alenia Aeronautica, Fuji Heavy Industries, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Japan Aircraft Development Corp., Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Vought Aircraft Industries and Boeing's Wichita division on the team.
The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) filed suit against Northwest over allegations that the carrier used criminal background checks exceeding federal standards to dismiss employees. The suit calls for a permanent injunction preventing Northwest from using or retaining any background check information that exceeds federal standards. AMFA said the airline is getting background checks that go back 20 years and include misdemeanors. About a dozen employees have been fired due to the results.
CCAIR pilot leadership yesterday voted down a contract offered by airline management. The future of the airline is uncertain following a recent announcement by management that the airline could cease operation by July 1.
Atlantic Coast Airlines and SkyWest are unlikely to face material changes in their fixed-fee agreements with major partners, Merrill Lynch analyst Michael Linenberg said, noting that both companies remain healthy investments despite recent reductions in share prices that reflect concerns about possible changes in fixed-fee deals. Linenberg and James Parker, of Raymond James, noted that neither carrier is likely to see major alterations in the way they do business with their partners.
Boeing added Australia's Hawker de Havilland, a Boeing subsidiary, to the Sonic Cruiser materials technology development team. Bought by Boeing 18 months ago, Hawker designs and manufactures structural components for many types of Boeing and other commercial and military models. Hawker joins Alenia Aeronautica, Fuji Heavy Industries, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Japan Aircraft Development Corp., Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Vought Aircraft Industries and Boeing's Wichita division on the team.
The stockholders of recently restructured Lloyd Aero Boliviano last week passed two critical issues that are expected to generate liquidity and reduce liabilities. The airline, now under the control of Bolivian entrepreneur Ernesto Asbun, will restructure its fleet by selling a Boeing 737-300 and leasing it back. It also is renegotiating with ILFC the contract for an Airbus A310 to change it to an operating lease. In addition, LAB would transfer real estate assets in Cochabamba to the Petroleum Health Fund in lieu of pending obligations. -LZ
A National Air Traffic Services (NATS) computer broke down yesterday morning, causing large delays for flights in Southern England. A computer at the West Draydon air traffic control center was down for 16 minutes at 6:00 a.m. A similar incident happened only a month ago. NATS has been in financial difficulties as a result of the ongoing crisis in international air travel.
After a brief flurry of lobbying from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), FAA has lifted a temporary flight restriction (TFR) that has been in place over downtown Chicago since Sept. 11. Chicago city authorities asked FAA to extend the deadline, arguing that local residents wanted the restriction retained due to fear of terrorist attacks from small aircraft on the downtown area.
The stockholders of recently restructured Lloyd Aero Boliviano last week passed two critical issues that are expected to generate liquidity and reduce liabilities. The airline, now under the control of Bolivian entrepreneur Ernesto Asbun, will restructure its fleet by selling a Boeing 737-300 and leasing it back. It also is renegotiating with ILFC the contract for an Airbus A310 to change it to an operating lease. In addition, LAB would transfer real estate assets in Cochabamba to the Petroleum Health Fund in lieu of pending obligations.
Since Sept. 11 the larger European hub airports have been gaining traffic at the expense of smaller hubs, according to the 2002 Global Hub Factbook that will be released next week by Salomon Smith Barney. This mirrors the findings of the report that U.S. hubs have increased their traffic share compared to non-hubs (DAILY, April 10).
Poland is interested in buying an Embraer Legacy executive jet following an order from LOT Polish Airlines for 16 Embraer 50-seat EMB-145 aircraft. Poland's PZL-Mielec, which makes agricultural aircraft, is exploring a partnership with Embraer.
After a brief flurry of lobbying from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), FAA has lifted a temporary flight restriction (TFR) that has been in place over downtown Chicago since Sept. 11. Chicago city authorities asked FAA to extend the deadline, arguing that local residents wanted the restriction retained due to fear of terrorist attacks from small aircraft on the downtown area.
United yesterday in Chicago held a one-day sales blitz to tout the advantages of flying the airline of out its hometown. More than 100 employees from United's North America Sales force joined the Chicago sales department and a group of employee volunteers for the blitz of the city. A total of 175 employees distributed information about its O'Hare schedule build-up and all of its online and airport products and services. The sales force and volunteers visited more than 700 travel agencies and corporate travel departments.
European Commission authorized state-owned carrier TAP Air Portugal to remortgage four Airbus A340s to arrange a bank loan of up to EUR150 million (US$132 million). The operation "will not alter the original long-term loans, which are, and will remain, secured by state guarantees," the EC said.
European Commission authorized state-owned carrier TAP Air Portugal to remortgage four Airbus A340s to arrange a bank loan of up to EUR150 million (US$132 million). The operation "will not alter the original long-term loans, which are, and will remain, secured by state guarantees," the EC said.
An American Boeing 767 aircraft parked outside a hangar at Los Angeles International Airport yesterday rolled into a nearby fence and overhead power lines. No one was on the aircraft and no one on the ground was injured. Damage to the aircraft was not immediately known.
Japan Airlines in July plans to add the city of Toyama to its domestic network, with a twice-daily roundtrip flight from Tokyo Haneda. In JAL's original route plan for the current fiscal year issued in January, JAL hoped to operate three roundtrips a day. The new flights will be operated with Boeing 767s. JAL's Okinawa-based subsidiary, Japan TransOcean Air will also operate seasonal service to Toyama from July 16 to Aug. 31 with four weekly flights to and from Naha, Okinawa, with 737-400s.
The European Commission's proposed regulation enabling the imposition of duties on non-European airlines that have received state aid violates the letter and spirit of bilateral aviation agreements between the U.S. and European Union member states. The proposal targets the U.S. government's financial support for U.S. airlines despite the EU's long history of providing state support to a broad range of European industries, including aviation.
US Airways Hub Profile Pittsburgh Origin and Destinations, Segment Summary and Top Nonstop Markets Origination and Destination Data 12 Months 12 Months Ended June Ended June 2001 1997 Pittsburgh Total (All Carriers) O&D Passengers 6,975,080 6,099,160 14.4% Passengers Per 9,555 8,355 Day Each Way
Dutch Caribbean Airline, based in Curaçao, will expand to Miami and several major destinations in the Caribbean and South America, according to Hubert La Croes, general manager for U.S. and Canada.
The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) filed suit against Northwest over allegations that the carrier used criminal background checks exceeding federal standards to dismiss employees. The suit calls for a permanent injunction preventing Northwest from using or retaining any background check information that exceeds federal standards. AMFA said the airline is getting background checks that go back 20 years and include misdemeanors. About a dozen employees have been fired due to the results.
New Orleans Lakefront Airport took a step toward entering FAA's pilot privatization program, a move some say could save the city as much as $34 million over the term of a 50-year lease to a private operator. Only one airport, Newburgh, N.Y., Stewart International, has started privatized operations. On March 22, the Orleans Levee District approved American Airport Corp. (AAC) to hold a 50-year lease as operator and developer. Airport officials sought the FAA pilot privatization program after years of operating at a loss.
Venezuela's Central Bank said domestic airfares went up as much as 40% in March, one of the highest increases ever recorded. This is blamed on the devaluation of the local currency, the bolivar. While fuel deliveries were delayed at airports due to strikes, the country's major airport in Caracas has a fuel reserve and ensures immediate deliveries for aircraft and airport service vehicles.
AeroMexico plans to add a fourth nonstop from Miami to Mexico City on April 12. The airline also serves Cancun and Merida nonstop from Miami. The new Mexico City flight will operate Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
