FAA said Friday it plans to extend the Advanced Qualification Program (AQP), which provides an alternate but currently voluntary method for airlines to train and certify crewmembers, dispatchers and other operating personnel. Air carriers electing not to participate in AQP may continue to operate under traditional FAA provisions for training and checking for now. FAA says that the advantages of the program are "numerous," including the flexibility to tailor training and certification programs to a carrier's particular needs and operations.
Continental has started daily nonstop service between Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, and its Newark hub with Boeing 737s, in addition to its daily nonstop in the market. Another new destination in Latin America is Aguascalientes, Mexico, which the carrier serves from Houston with Embraer ERJ-145 regional jets. It also is adding a second daily RJ service from Houston to Chihuahua and Tampico with ExpressJet equipment.
The Regional Airline Association is backing a legislative measure requiring background investigations for aviation screeners and supports FBI fingerprint background check in lieu of the current 10-year employment investigations. RAA recommends that a task force be formed to ensure fingerprint criminal history checks can be done before they are required. RAA also opposes legislative language on mandatory termination or suspension of personnel responsible for security lapses.
DOT granted America West an exemption for Newark-Shannon/Dublin service, which the carrier plans to operate under code share with Continental. The department noted that it has granted the United/British Midland request for U.S.-Dublin code sharing via London. United had raised concerns over the America West/Continental code share asking that it be deferred until DOT granted its long-pending application. (Docket OST-00-7129)
Ebookers.com entered into a two-year U.K. Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) alliance with Mviva, a new mobile Internet web site recently launched by Carphone Warehouse. Under the terms of the agreement, Ebookers.com will supply its flight booking engine and travel services to Mviva. The Mviva mobile Internet site will be installed on Internet-enabled WAP phones sold by Carphone Warehouse's network of 320 stores in the U.K. Mviva's U.K. service will be launched this summer.
Orbitz will not "kill off" online giants Expedia or Travelocity.com, according to Forrester Research analyst Henry Harteveldt. Both travel sites are established businesses with "solid brands" and are developing high standards of customer service, he said. If anything, Orbitz "may offer a better online experience than its airline owners' sites." Orbitz could be an "easier, more comprehensive online experience."
Frontier will lease a Boeing 737-300 from ILFC with plans to put the aircraft will service July 1. President Sam Addoms said the carrier's service "keeps growing, and we continue to explore adding flight frequencies in appropriate markets." Addoms also said, "while we certainly are not counting on receiving 'beyond-perimeter' slots at Washington National Airport, we remain hopeful that Frontier is being considered for this potential new service."
DOT notified U.S. carriers interested in U.S.-Ecuador all-cargo service to file applications detailing service plans by June 22. The U.S.-Ecuador bilateral provides for 15 all-cargo frequencies for U.S. carriers. DOT consolidated into the proceeding applications filed by Evergreen International, Atlas Air and Gemini Air Cargo for frequencies held by Kitty Hawk. Those three frequencies are subject to reallocation following Kitty Hawk's cessation of service and bankruptcy filing.
Air Canada's acquisition of Canadian will result in service and economic opportunities not possible with two international airlines, Air Canada CEO Robert Milton said last week. An integrated Canadian carrier could fly Toronto-Hong Kong and Vancouver-Shanghai. Further opening of skies could lead to service to 80 cities where U.S. -- but not Canadian -- carriers now fly, like Stockholm, Manila and Santiago.
United plans to make its revenue and profit estimates for the second quarter and the year, despite significant weather delays and crew shortages in May. "We'll make our numbers pretty much on target from what we said," President Rono Dutta told The DAILY. As a result of the crew shortages, United cut back 5,000 hours of flying each month, with a lot of it coming from United Shuttle. Despite "ongoing difficulties," Dutta said revenue performance has been "very good."
GE Aircraft Engines named George Oliver VP and general manager-GE Engine Services; Ted Torbeck VP and general manager-Supply Chain Division, and Dan Heintzelman VP and general manager-Engine Services Operations.
The European Commission appointed the U.K.'s Cranfield University as an adviser in the legal battle over Milan Malpensa Airport, an EC spokesman said yesterday. On April 20, the Italian authorities forced airlines to move their operations from Milan Linate Airport to Malpensa. The move was challenged by 12 airlines and criticized by the EC.
The European Commission will launch an in-depth inquiry into SAirGroup's acquisition of 42% of Portuguese regional carrier Portugalia, the EC said yesterday in Brussels. "The commission has identified serious doubts that the operation could create dominant positions in a number of routes," the EC said. The purchase of Portugalia from private group Espirito Santo, announced in July 1999, would lead to the joint control of the airline by SAirGroup, banking group Banco Comercial Portugues and the Portuguese state.
