A disabled passenger has accused Delta of violating the Air Carrier Access Act, according to a filing at DOT, and has requested a formal enforcement proceeding. Len Maxwell, who is paralyzed and uses a wheelchair, said Delta employees discriminated against him by refusing to stow his wheelchair on board the aircraft "in the designated storage area" during a March 25 flight from New York LaGuardia to Fort Lauderdale. As required by ACAA regulations, Maxwell said, he pre-boarded the aircraft to stow his folding wheelchair.
Embraer said Friday it filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for sale to the public of 18.9 million American Depositary Shares, each representing four non-voting preferred shares.
FAA Friday proposed a rule to require airlines to share data with the agency if they chose to set up a Flight Operational Quality Assurance program. FAA said it would then use the information to "identify industrywide safety trends" so it and industry could "more effectively target resources and correct potential safety problems." Participation in FOQA is voluntary, and the programs must have FAA approval. FAA said it would not use the data for enforcement purposes "except in egregious cases." The new rule, FAA said, "finalizes" its policy on use of FOQA data.
The staff of United's e-commerce division is making final preparations this month to move into a new facility in the Chicago area to further boost its standing in the industry and launch several new initiatives. Some critics, however, including some of its peers at other U.S. airlines, have questioned United's strategy of isolating its e-commerce department, which will soon become a wholly owned subsidiary of UAL Corp.
FAA is still finalizing its schedule of major airline safety audits announced last week, but sources tell The DAILY that the first three carriers to get FAA inspections will be America West, Continental and United.Three teams are slated to leave FAA headquarters July 17 and spend one week on site.
DOT granted Puerto Rico Airways (PRA) a waiver from dormancy provisions through Jan. 29, 2001, to begin operations. PRA was granted DOT certificate authority in July 1999 (DAILY, July 16, 1999). The startup told DOT it "continues to diligently pursue funding from potential investors" and expects to conclude investment negotiations soon. At least three financiers are considering investment in the carrier, PRA told DOT.
Boeing said representatives from more than 30 airlines attended a three-day symposium in Seattle to discuss configuration and performance standards they want from the proposed 747X family. John Roundhill VP-product strategy, and Walt Orlowski, 747 program VP, hosted the event. "They talked and we listened," Orlowksi said.
Egypt has reimbursed the National Transportation Safety Board with a payment of $5 million, nearly half the $10.6 million Egypt owes for NTSB search and recovery costs and other expenses connected with the crash of EgyptAir 990 last November, House aviation subcommittee Chairman John Duncan (R-Tenn.) said. A spokesman said the State Department has informed Duncan that it will send Egypt a detailed breakdown of the balance due. Included in the $5.6 million balance are costs incurred by the state of Rhode Island.
AOPA President Phil Boyer says if FAA does not act soon to require a specific clearance to cross each runway, his group "might start an educational campaign to have pilots voluntarily stop at all runways" as one of the best ways to prevent incursions. Some airline and ATC officials, concerned about increased congestion on ground radio frequencies, "have resisted that change," Boyer says. "Those red-and-white runway identifier signs should be treated just like red and white stop signs on the highway."
British Airways began daily service on its London Heathrow-Cape Town service July 3, when it added one weekly flight. BA competes with South African Airways on the route, but BA will be the only airline to operate daily, nonstop flights. All BA flights on the route are operated with Boeing 747-400s.
Braathens of Norway is stung by passengers taking seat belts and using them as a fashion accessory. The airline is losing five belts per day, which cost $30 each to replace and the problem is delaying flights as well.
DOT granted MK Airlines comprehensive cargo charter rights available under the phased U.S.-Ghana open-skies accord. The carrier's two-year exemption enables it to operate all-cargo services between the U.S. and third countries. DOT also approved MK Airlines' request for a waiver from the requirement of obtaining approval before operating fifth-freedom cargo charters. (Docket OST-99-6032)
Swiss regional carrier Crossair has relaunched its web site. Among the new features is a link between the web site and the airline's call center. Users can ask to be called back by a Crossair representative. Bookings are now possible in German, English, French, Spanish and Italian.
US Airways has opened its redesigned gate and boarding area check-in facilities at LaGuardia. The facility gives US Airways Shuttle customers a roomier and more comfortable setting similar to a US Airways Club.
Southwest's fuel hedging policy is "paying off handsomely," said CEO Herb Kelleher. More than 75% of the airline's second quarter's exposure was locked in under $27 per barrel of oil and 100% of the third and fourth quarters' fuel needs are set at prices below $24 and $23, respectively. Prudent fuel hedging, further cost reductions and strong revenues has Southwest "solidly in the black," he said.
The Senate on Friday gave final congressional approval to a fiscal 2000 supplemental funding bill that included $75 million in extra FAA funding for operations. The bill next goes to the White House, where President Clinton is expected to sign it into law.
