FAA's new Capstone program in Alaska "seriously compromises air safety," the National Air Traffic Controllers Association and the Professional Airways Systems Specialists said.
BMI British Midland Chairman Michael Bishop has urged the European Commission to investigate whether the Bermuda II bilateral between the U.S. and the U.K. complies with community law. Bishop said at the unveiling ceremony of British Midland's new corporate identity that he doubted the agreement's compatibility with European law.
Air Canada yesterday reported a C$274 million (US$184 million) net loss in the fourth quarter, attributing the poor results to merger costs with Canadian airlines and fuel prices that more than doubled. Fuel alone rose by C$120 million ($80 million) during the quarter, wiping out any synergies between the two airlines, CEO Robert Milton said. In light of the results and a softening economy, he said the company would pursue a zero growth plan in the coming year and would not commit to a startup date for its low-fare operation.
Azteca Airlines plans to start operations by the end of March from Mexico City to Monterrey, Tijuana, Acapulco and Cancun, destinations formerly served by now-defunct Taesa. Its initial fleet will include four Boeing 737-300s, plans call for an eventual fleet of 20 aircraft during the high season. CEO Rafael Rubio Villa said Azteca will rent airport counter and other service areas formerly used by Taesa and will hire 900 of Taesa's former unionized workers, 700 at first and 200 later.
Legend Airlines Wednesday moved a step closer to possible Chapter 7 liquidation when a bankruptcy court judge denied its request to borrow $800,000 from creditor Triton Aviation Services to keep its charter operations going. Dennis Olson, an attorney who represents the unsecured creditors committee, said the airline could be forced to liquidate by tomorrow, but CEO Allan McArtor said the company can stay afloat a couple more weeks before it files for liquidation.
Flight testing of a new air filtration system is expected to begin this month with FAA certification following soon thereafter, according to Donaldson High Purity Products. HEPA Plus was described as being engineered for the aviation industry with an antimicrobial additive. Sheila Peyraud, general manager, said the filter is "suited to the environmental challenges of aircraft cabins" and "we made sure it would be cost-effective and easy to install for our airline customers."
South Korea's new Incheon International Airport will open for service on Thursday, March 29, a day that was chosen for "pragmatic reasons," according to the corporation managing the airport. March 29 falls in the first week of the airlines' summer schedule, and Thursday usually has the least weekday traffic. The airport also researched weather history for this time of year and found that the last week of March is typically mild and there is good visibility. The airport started trial operations in October, continuing with tests of all systems.
TWA and Air Europa today started a code-share partnership on flights to nine destinations in the U.S. and Spain. The agreement, signed last November, may be short-lived depending on the outcome of American's efforts to acquire almost all of TWA's assets. Under the agreement, TWA will code share on Air Europa flights between New York Kennedy and Madrid, as well as between Madrid and Barcelona, Palma de Majorca and Malaga. Air Europa will code share on TWA flights between JFK and Los Angeles, San Francisco, St. Louis, Orlando, and Miami.
Air Canada yesterday named Paul Brotto, former president and CEO of Canadian Airlines who helped engineer the airline's integration with Air Canada, its executive VP-planning and cost management. Brotto will be responsible for profit enhancing and improving cost efficiency. He also will develop and maintain a five-year corporate plan. Peter Donolo is senior VP-corporate affairs and government relations.
Japanese safety officials are probing a near collision yesterday between two Japan Airlines widebodies that left some three dozen passengers on one of the planes injured. The crew of JAL Flight 907, a Boeing 747-400, was forced to change course quickly to avoid a JAL DC-10 while descending from 37,000 feet, JAL said.
TRAFFIC DATA FOR DECEMBER 2000 RPMs Change ASMs Change In From In From Load Airline Millions 12/99 Millions 12/99 Factor Great Lakes 21.2 +0.2% 41.0 -0.8% 51.7% Spirit 563.3 +25.5% 785.1 +26.5% 71.7% Change Passengers Change From From
Delta, after months of testing, went live recently with its new corporate booking product for its lucrative corporate clients at Delta.com. The service -- called Delta.com for corporations -- was developed through a partnership between Delta's e-business unit and its sales and distribution organization. The new service enables contracted corporate customers to apply negotiated discounts to their itineraries and fares or take advantage of web promotional fares.
US Airways Express will introduce 37-seat de Havilland Dash 8 aircraft on all flights between Columbus, Ga., and Charlotte, N.C., on Feb. 4. The Dash-8 will replace the 19-seat Jetstream 32 flown on the route.
Airbus said that an A320 full-flight simulator at its Miami training center has received the "first ever joint certification" from FAA and the European Joint Airworthiness Authorities. The BAE Systems-built simulator was granted Level D certification, which allows all training and testing to be done in the simulator. Airbus said that in the past, each airworthiness authority performed separate certification, requiring it to set aside several days of simulator time. The joint process allows the company to free up additional time for customers, Airbus said.
AIRCRAFT TRANSACTIONS FOR NOV 15 - NOV 16, 2000 Seller/ New Type / Previous Operator Owner Engine Operator Boeing Lauda Air Lauda Air Boeing 767-300ER/ PW4060-3 Bombardier Shandong Shandong Canadair Airlines Airlines Regional
Atlas Air named board member Brian Rowe as chairman, succeeding Michael Chowdry. Linda Chowdry will fill the vacancy crated by the death of her husband Jan. 24 in a plane crash. Richard Shuyler was named CEO.
Virgin Atlantic, armed with new amenities in the air and on the ground, is preparing to boost long-haul capacity from London Gatwick, starting this summer. The airport has long been favored by leisure and charter passengers, but Virgin executives believe the timing is right for expansion and the company has a plan to woo business passengers to once-maligned Gatwick.
Delta and Corp Banca recently introduced a co-branded Visa card in Chile. The credit card is available to all Delta SkyMiles members and international travelers living in Chile.
Raytheon executives this week expressed confidence that several of the company's projects, including the troubled Wide Area Augmentation System will do their parts in relieving some of the airspace congestion and airport delays as the various programs come on line. Robert Eckel, VP-domestic air traffic control programs, expressed optimism that a crucial independent report of WAAS, due shortly at FAA, will allow the program to continue.
Fuel Cost and Consumption U.S. Majors, Nationals and Regionals October 1999 to September 2000 Total Total Cost Cents Per Gallons (Dollars) Gallon 1999 October Domestic 1,233,556,528 729,269,760 59.119 International 458,081,878 302,999,421 66.145
Continental followed Delta in filing for two beyond-perimeter Washington National slots that DOT said would not be transferable to American under its proposed acquisition of TWA. Delta wants to serve Salt Lake City, while Continental would fly TWA's route, DCA-Los Angeles. (Docket OST-00-7181)
DOT granted Northwest two additional U.S.-Ghana third-country code-share frequencies, which the carrier wants to use to expand to daily its five-times-weekly U.S.-Accra service via Amsterdam with alliance partner KLM. With the allocation to Northwest, eight frequencies available to U.S. carriers for such code sharing are unallocated, and five more become available April 1. American, responding that it did not oppose Northwest's application, urged DOT to approve its own bid for five frequencies to be used for code-share flights with British Airways.
Reps. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) and Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y) teamed yesterday to introduce consumer rights legislation. The bill would require airlines to disclose all available fares and allow consumers to purchase any published fare from the airline or a ticket agent, permit consumers to purchase back-to-back tickets and hidden-city tickets, require airlines to disclose the number of seats available for frequent flyer travelers and the reasons for delays or cancellations.
Airport and Airway Trust Fund -- Income Statement October 1, 1999 - September 30, 2000 RECEIPTS (Revenues) September 2000 Revenues: Excise Taxes (Transferred from General Fund): Liquid Fuel other than Gas 70,227,000.00 Transportation by Air, Seats, Berths, etc. 1,267,846,000.00 Use of International Travel Facilities 231,840,000.00
