The European Parliament is expected to agree on the terms for the creation of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) this week in Strasbourg. After more than a decade of discussions, the process of setting up a European equivalent of the U.S. FAA is finally drawing to an end. Following the parliament's vote, the EU Council of Ministers is expected to confirm the founding of EASA later this year. In the latest round of talks between EU institutions, the parliament has been attempting to extend the scope and increase the independence of the European agency.
Air Canada traffic for March rose 1.0% on 0.6% less capacity, which resulted in a new monthly record load factor of 78.1%. This compares to a 76.9% load factor in March 2001. Both domestic and U.S. transborder traffic remained "essentially unchanged, with Canada up slightly and U.S. down less than 1%," the carrier said. Block hours fell 8.4%, but capacity remained higher because of aircraft configuration changes and removal of older aircraft, including DC-9s and 737s.
An ultrasonic inspection of a German Air Force Airbus A310's composite tail found no damage, sources told The DAILY. The plane is one of six that Airbus and safety officials are inspecting because of in-service events that put unusually high lateral loads on their tails (DAILY, March 28). The inspections were triggered by investigation into the November crash of American Flight 587, an Airbus A300-600 (DAILY, March 12). So far, the only anomaly uncovered was a slightly damaged attachment point (lug) on one American A300-600 tail (DAILY, March 19).
America West projects that upgrading its 142-plane fleet with all-new cockpit doors will saddle the carrier with $2.6 million in "lost opportunity" costs, mostly for aircraft downtime. The airline also says that Airbus narrowbody upgrades will cost $14,400 per plane in labor, or some $9,000 more than each Boeing narrowbody.
British Airways traffic last month fell 3.2% on 11.2% less capacity. The drop in traffic comprised a 9.2% decline in premium traffic and a 2.1% fall in leisure. Load factor for the month was up 6.2 points to 75.7%. BA said traffic "is being maintained at the improved levels seen in recent months" and loads are at record levels due to the capacity reductions.
Los Angeles airport pioneer Clifton Moore died last week at age 80. Moore was first hired in 1959 as a building superintendent and became instrumental in transforming LAX from a two-runway regional airport into one of the busiest in the world. He became executive director of the LA Department of Airports in 1968 and retired in 1993.
The European Parliament is expected to agree on the terms for the creation of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) this week in Strasbourg. After more than a decade of discussions, the process of setting up a European equivalent of the U.S. FAA is finally drawing to an end. Following the parliament's vote, the EU Council of Ministers is expected to confirm the founding of EASA later this year. In the latest round of talks between EU institutions, the parliament has been attempting to extend the scope and increase the independence of the European agency.
Following recommendations from Brazil's BNDES development bank that it seek a capital infusion from new investors to return to financial health (DAILY, April 5), Varig will go on the road this week to make presentations on the subject before investment banks, pension funds, institutional investors and other potential capital sources. Its immediate objective is to raise $400 million in new equity shares. Both in Brazil and abroad, these presentations will be orchestrated by Banco Fator and Credit Lyonnais.
FAA Friday agreed to consider Raytheon's protest of how the agency plans to judge bids in the En Route Automation Modernization (ERAM) program, but the contract-award process will continue as scheduled while the dispute is worked out.
After the Brazilian real was devalued 16% during already-difficult economic times, Brazil's two largest airlines, Varig and TAM Brazil, lost of $228.8 million in 2001. The carriers also were hit with higher insurance and security costs after Sept. 11. Varig, with an overall debt of nearly $1 billion and losses of $207 million in 2001, experienced its worst balance sheet in 74 years. It has opted for financial restructuring in order to find new strategic partners (DAILY, March 12).
LanChile Cargo plans to apply a fuel surcharge on all cargo shipments to offset recent fuel price hikes. Effective April 18, a fuel surcharge of $0.05 per kilogram based on actual weight will be imposed on all shipments, with a minimum of $5 per shipment.
Air France plans to resume its nonstop service from Cincinnati to Paris on April 15 and it will be in addition to Delta's daily Boeing 777 flight on the route. The Air France flight will operate with a 767-300 and will carry the Delta code. Air France suspended the service in June 2001 after only one year due to the Comair pilot strike (DAILY, June 11, 2001).
40 years ago April 12, 1962 -- TWA's prospects for 1962 -- with or without a merger partner -- continue to "brighten," President Charles Tillinghast said a year after he took office, when TWA "owned insufficient jets even to retain for long its then-deteriorated competitive position in domestic and transatlantic markets." 30 years ago
JetBlue could launch its initial public stock offering by the end of the week, sources said. CEO David Neeleman is completing a multi-city U.S. road show to brief investors about the airline. JetBlue hopes to raise $132 million in the IPO, based on its stated IPO price of $22 to $24 per share.
China Airlines posted operating revenue of NT$5.76 billion (US$191 million) for February, an increase of 8.3% over the previous month. Passenger revenue was NT$3.83 billion, while cargo contributed NT$1.63 and incidental revenue amounted to NT$290 million.
Alaska Airlines on March 31 had about $618 million in cash and short-term investments on hand. According to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing, the airline has 20% of its fuel requirements hedged in the second quarter at $23 per barrel.
Aloha Airlines plans to start daily nonstop service between Honolulu and Burbank, Calif., on June 1, and between Honolulu and Vancouver, Canada, on June 15. Both flights will be operated with new Boeing 737-700s. Aloha already serves John Wayne Orange County Airport with daily flights to and from Honolulu and Maui.
DOT took offense at the "intemperate tone" of a letter from American CEO Don Carty to DOT Secretary Norman Mineta, using the order to dismiss the AA/British Airways alliance bid to "remind participants in our proceedings of our rules regarding standards of conduct." Carty called DOT's conditions for AA/BA approval "arbitrary, capricious and inconsistent with the very antitrust principles cited by the department in support of them."
Summary of U.S. Major Carriers Domestic Revenues and Expenses Third Quarter 2001 Total Operating % Passenger Freight Carrier Revenues Change Revenues Revenues Alaska 461,919,000 (0.74) 408,667,000 14,730,000 America West 474,110,147 (17.45) 452,365,384 3,413,900 ATA 223,357,169 (3.24) 194,362,438 --
Air Canada traffic for March rose 1.0% on 0.6% less capacity, which resulted in a new monthly record load factor of 78.1%. This compares to a 76.9% load factor in March 2001. Both domestic and U.S. transborder traffic remained "essentially unchanged, with Canada up slightly and U.S. down less than 1%," the carrier said. Block hours fell 8.4%, but capacity remained higher because of aircraft configuration changes and removal of older aircraft, including DC-9s and 737s.
Aloha Airlines plans to start daily nonstop service between Honolulu and Burbank, Calif., on June 1, and between Honolulu and Vancouver, Canada, on June 15. Both flights will be operated with new Boeing 737-700s. Aloha already serves John Wayne Orange County Airport with daily flights to and from Honolulu and Maui.
After the Brazilian real was devalued 16% during already-difficult economic times, Brazil's two largest airlines, Varig and TAM Brazil, lost of $228.8 million in 2001. The carriers also were hit with higher insurance and security costs after Sept. 11. Varig, with an overall debt of nearly $1 billion and losses of $207 million in 2001, experienced its worst balance sheet in 74 years. It has opted for financial restructuring in order to find new strategic partners (DAILY, March 12).
This month, Ecuador has fixed departure taxes for Quito Mariscal Sucre International Airport at $25 and $10 for Guayaquil Simon Bolivar International Airport. In Guayaquil, the rate was lowered from $25, and half the lower fee will go to the National Civil Aviation Department and half to improvements. Quito maintained a $25 tax on passengers to cover ongoing major improvements.
